Ridge Rd House
A Warm, Modern Atmosphere for Art Collectors
Ridge Rd House is a mid-century modern house renovation in Essex County that creates a warm, modern atmosphere for art collectors. Voids and glass cabinets in custom millwork create display shelves for sculptures, ceramics, and other collections.
The architectural detailing of the home is rooted in restraint, where simplicity is not the absence, but the intention, of design. We employed a pared-down material palette and textures, choosing each with care to create a quiet backdrop for life, art, and the distant Manhattan views.
Matte finishes were used to subtly absorb light rather than reflect it, promoting a calm, grounded atmosphere. Surface consistency was crucial - not only for visual cohesion but to ensure that no single element distracted from the spatial experience of the clients’ carefully curated collection of art and objects.
To introduce comfort within this minimalist framework, we incorporated rift-sawn white oak millwork with a washed finish—a material that offers the organic warmth of wood without the visual noise often associated with more expressive cuts. This allowed the architecture to support rather than compete with personal effects.
Architecture & Interiors: Nash Waters | Architecture
Millworker: PHF Woodwork
