A Soft-Modern Take on the Classic Catskills A-Frame in New York

Tucked at the base of Hunter Mountain in the Catskills, this 1970s A-frame has always had good bones—steep pitch, pine paneling, and that unmistakable storybook silhouette. But after spending much of 2020 here during lockdown, Jamie and her husband began to see the cabin differently. With two children competing on the slopes, weekends revolved around the mountain, and the space needed to work harder as both a retreat and a hub.

Working with Ken Hudes of Atelier NY and Jeremy Constable, they reimagined the home without losing its soul, preserving the original A-frame living room while adding a triple-height expansion that introduced room for entertaining, proper guest quarters, and separate hangouts for kids and grown-ups. What stands now is a soft-modern renovation layered with oak, brass, marble, and refinished pine.

Design: Smith Home Studios | Photography: David Engelhardt

Holding Onto the A-Frame’s Heart

The original living room was never up for debate. With its soaring pitch, restored pine tongue-and-groove walls, and wall of glass facing the woods behind Hunter Mountain, it’s the emotional center of the home. Rather than gutting what worked, Jamie preserved the structure and built outward from it.

The living room feels warm and grounded with curved accent chairs, soft textures, and natural materials layered beneath the dramatic A-frame silhouette. The refinished pine keeps the cabin’s 1970s spirit intact, while oak, brass, and subtle upholstery choices soften the architecture without competing with it. 

A Kitchen Built for Gathering

The renovation’s biggest shift happens just beyond that original living space. To gain usable square footage, the back corner of the house was carefully removed (while holding up the A-frame timbers) and replaced with a triple-height addition. This new volume now houses the kitchen and dining area, transforming what was once a tight footprint into an open, communal heart of the home.

Calacatta Vagli Rosato marble takes center stage, wrapping the backsplash and anchoring the space with movement and depth.

Private Retreats and Playful Nooks

Upstairs, the primary bedroom was envisioned as a tranquil haven. Natural materials and serene tones ground the space, while oak millwork, soft textiles, and warm brass accents create continuity with the rest of the house. Even tucked beneath angled ceilings, the room feels expansive rather than cramped, thanks to the addition that allowed for a full-size bedroom and bath in the loft. On the main floor, the bunk room takes a different tone—cozy and nest-like, built for sleepovers and ski weekends.

Custom millwork wraps the bunks in warm wood, creating playful built-in beds that feel integrated rather than added on.

Marble, Brass, and the Beauty of Restraint

The bathrooms continue the material story. Ribbed tile, marble vanities, and brass plumbing bring texture and warmth, while skylights and windows frame the surrounding woods. The detailing is thoughtful but restrained. You won’t find overly flashy gestures in this home, just strong materials used with intention.

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