A Wabi-Sabi–Inspired Family Retreat in Sleepy Hollow

Over the course of a year-long renovation, Amy helped them achieve just that: a serene family retreat that balances refined craftsmanship with soulful imperfection. The homeowners first reached out to Amy for help reimagining their sunroom and living room, with plans to tackle the kitchen in a later phase. But as trust grew, so did the scope. “Once we established the aesthetic, they gave me full creative control,” Amy says. “It made the entire process seamless and collaborative.”

Design: Amy Courtney Design | Photography: Sean Litchfield Photography

The Vision

The design evolved into a full-scale renovation of the 2,500-square-foot home, including three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Throughout, Amy leaned into natural materials, handcrafted textures, and thoughtful detailing that made the home feel simultaneously timeless and modern.

A Home Defined by Craft

Each space in the Sleepy Hollow project tells its own quiet story. In the dining room, fluted wall-to-wall cabinetry hides functional storage while open shelves display collected ceramics and vintage finds. A vintage dining set grounds the room with warmth and texture, striking that perfect balance between casual and considered.

In the living room, a landscape painting by Tyler Hays draws the eye, while an antique Persian rug—discovered at auction—anchors the mix of modern and vintage furnishings. Soft textiles, natural finishes, and layered neutrals give the space an inviting depth that feels evolved rather than styled.

The Heart of the Home

The kitchen is a study in contrasts: hand-rolled black steel cabinets by Atelier Delalain paired with soft zellige tile and brass fixtures. “The steel will patina over time,” Amy notes. “It’s meant to age gracefully, just like the rest of the home.” Since the ceilings were too low for pendants, Cedar & Moss Terra Surface flush mounts in Bone were used to bring warmth and personality without sacrificing headroom.

Everyday Ease

Perhaps the most versatile space is the sunroom/home theater—a light-filled escape by day and a cozy retreat by night. Motorized shades and a retractable screen make it easy to shift between the two moods. The Sixpenny Neva Sofa in Honeybee cotton-linen is equal parts relaxed and refined, its slubby texture and flange detail keeping the space feeling unfussy and approachable.

Restful Retreats

In the primary bedroom, calm tones and layered textures create an atmosphere of rest. The Josephine Black Metal Canopy Bed by Doorman Designs draws the eye upward—an intentional choice to give height and drama to a room with low ceilings. The look is completed with Workstead Industrial Wall Lamps, which add a clean-lined edge to the soft palette.

The primary bathroom is another standout, finished in tadelakt plaster by Michelle Kole Studio. The seamless, hand-applied surface adds a tactile depth while ensuring durability. Reconfigured layouts and custom built-ins transformed the space into a tranquil spa-like escape.

Even the kids’ rooms were designed with longevity in mind—personal, playful, and functional. In the nursery, an Anthropologie floral mural repurposed from the client’s former Brooklyn apartment brings a sentimental touch and a hint of whimsy.

Layers of Character

Amy’s approach balances aesthetic integrity with practical living. Vintage finds sourced from auctions and antique markets mingle with custom pieces to create a space that feels truly lived in. The mix of Benjamin Moore’s Knoxville Gray, Classic Gray, and Cloud Cover provides a subtle tonal foundation that ties the entire home together.

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