Rustic Elegance
INSPIRED BY THEIR TRAVELS TO MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS NEAR AND FAR, A WESTERN NEW YORK FAMILY DECIDED TO BRING BACK A PIECE OF THE LANDSCAPES THEY LOVE BY CONSTRUCTING A ONE-OF-A-KIND HOUSE THAT BLENDS NATURE’S RAW BEAUTY WITH MODERN LIVING.
Interior architect/designer Caroline Barr was entrusted with the challenge to make that happen, and the family excitedly moved into the finished result: a distinctive residence whose rustic design belies its state-of-the-art functionality.
“We enjoy being in this house and so do our family and friends,” the homeowners said. “High function was very important to us, but this is cozy and comfortable, too.”
It’s easy to see why this house stands out from the crowd, according to Barr, owner of Caroline Design. Set on a generously sized suburban lot, the two-story structure is wrapped in a durable, wood-look composite siding and has natural stone accents.
An abundance of bronze windows ensures natural light at every turn. “As much light as we can let in, the better,” said the homeowners. “The look we went for is what you might see in the mountains out West or in the Adirondacks, closer to home. We wanted to go rustic, but with nice finishes.”
The five-bedroom home by Jurek Builders features vaulted ceilings and richly crafted design details, including:
A large statement wall in the dining room that was fashioned from the same type of stone as the exterior accents;
A custom-made range hood that stretches 16 feet high in the sleek kitchen;
A grand balcony off the main bedroom with expansive views of the pool and yard;
Tongue-in-groove paneling in the foyer;
A glass-walled staircase to the basement.
Shades of blue — a favorite color of the homeowners — are mixed in with soothing neutrals in various rooms. Blue bookcases, for example, flank the fireplace in the great room. Barr introduced the same color in the kitchen via the cabinetry.
The upstairs library, meanwhile, is strategically located between the master suite and the children’s wing and features a dramatic, nature-themed mural.
“Every room tells a story,” said Barr, who traces her interest in new-builds to her youth, when she would visit construction sites her father managed. “There’s a real warmth to this home. My clients truly cared about the design; that was evident from day one of meeting with them. They wanted a carefully-thought-out plan — and that’s what we provided.”
For Barr, it’s all about sharing her knowledge and expertise with clients as she moves through the project and the process, generating floor plans, selecting the perfect finishes, and finding furniture to enhance the space. Then comes the best part of her job: seeing a client’s eyes light up when their design has been completed.
“I was excited about this project because it’s not something typically done around here,” she said. “The clients gave me a great opportunity to stretch my creativity to make it f it here. This is a home that ‘feels’ like the client and was holistically designed that way.”
The homeowners, who proudly planted two sequoia trees on their property, are delighted with the way everything turned out.
“Our approach was to describe the functionality we wanted and a general idea of the style, and then we left it to the pros who know what they’re doing,” they said. “Homeowners can sometimes get in the way of that creative process, but Caroline had great ideas. The best thing we did was let her run with them.”
Poczkalski made sketches in January 2021 and completed the project the following spring. It includes a family room, play space, guest suite, and kitchen/bar area.
The Kuechles were familiar with Poczkalski’s work; they hired him during construction of their 2,680-square-foot house in 2017.
“He helped us select the hardware for the fixtures and faucets and walked us through as the contractor was putting in the lighting,” Claire Kuechle said, explaining that they moved from Chicago to Buffalo for her husband’s position as an orthopedic surgeon. “We started with a blank slate, and Michael was instrumental in helping us with the design and furnishings.”
Poczkalski noted that because he worked with the homeowners previously, he understood their design aesthetic. “Claire gave me a list of wants and then gave me free rein for the overall design,” he said.
Painted in warm neutral tones with one wall covered in whimsical wallpaper, the basement exudes a cozy feel conducive to family movie and game nights, as well as entertaining.
“We wanted a space that’s good for the children now but will also provide a hangout when they are teenagers,” Kuechle said. “Michael brought new and different ideas to the project.”
Poczkalski installed a glass wall separating the main living area from a play space filled with musical instruments, craft supplies, and toys belonging to the children, who now range in age from 2 to 11. He also created an adorable playhouse and reading nook underneath the stairs.
“I wanted to combine fun and classic designs together,” Poczkalski said. “The space under the stairs could have been just storage. However, by creating the playhouse, we utilized every space we could to let the kids’ imaginations thrive.”
Poczkalski also brought in Norman Cramer, owner of NC Woodwork, to create a dining nook composed of a built-in banquette
with storage underneath.The family added a sleek table with a heavy pedestal base and ceramic top to provide a terrific entertainment space.
“I love how the kitchen area turned out,” Poczkalski said. “It’s a great space to make snacks for the kids or host an adult cocktail
party.” The basement also provides an oasis for overnight guests, with a relaxing bedroom suite decorated in neutrals and black with a splash of pink. It includes a walk-in closet and bathroom with a shower and full vanity.
“We wanted to have a place for my parents and other family members to stay when they visit,” Claire Kuechle said. “We aimed for the feel of an upscale hotel in a space where they could close the door at the end of the day and relax.” She said the renovation process was slower than expected because of supply issues created by the pandemic, but that they were more than pleased with the finished product.
“Michael is very patient and one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” she said.
“He knows I’m particular. A lot of the vision for the space he came up with and I tweaked.”
Since the pandemic, Poczkalski said that he and his team have been hired to do more basement renovations than ever, as homeowners are looking to increase their indoor living space. “We really like to tap into the needs of each family and incorporate a design based on that,” he said. “I think we accomplished that for this space.”