Inside Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer’s Country Home in Millbrook, New York

Designer Katie Ridder and architect Peter Pennoyer bring us inside their beautiful Greek Revival home in Millbrook, New York.

The couple's home is a serene retreat that reflects their deep expertise in interior design and architecture. Tucked away on six secluded acres, the property offers a peaceful escape from the couple's busy professional lives in Manhattan. Surrounded by expansive farmland, the home is a haven of tranquility, where the pace of life slows, and the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley takes center stage.

The house is the first that Pennoyer has ever designed and built for himself. His affinity for Greek Revival architecture is evident in the home's classical design, which features fluted Tuscan columns and intricate foliate reliefs. Each of the four facades of the house is unique, yet they all maintain a sense of symmetry and balance, creating a harmonious and cohesive design. The front entrance, framed by elegant columns, leads into a home that is both traditional in its architectural roots and innovative in its execution.

When it came time to decorate Ridder took charge. Known for her bold use of color and pattern, Ridder infused the interiors with her signature style, creating a richly layered environment that is both lively and sophisticated. The living room is a prime example, anchored by a vintage Oushak rug that once belonged to tastemaker Dodie Rosekrans. This cheerful rug sets the tone for the room, which is further warmed by walls lined with rosy tea paper. Ridder’s approach to the home’s decor involved experimenting with new colors and patterns, resulting in a visually dynamic yet cohesive interior.

The dining room, for instance, is painted in a high-gloss mulberry, creating a striking and dramatic space. The entryway features lilac hexagonal floor tiles, introducing guests to the home’s playful yet elegant aesthetic from the moment they enter. The stairwell is another highlight, adorned with blue-and-white sgraffito-inspired wallpaper that adds a whimsical touch to the transition between floors.

Textiles are a major feature in the home, with each room showcasing a different array of fabrics. The living room's mossy-green linen curtains, trimmed with a graphic border and wood-bead accents, create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while the study is enlivened by botanical Swedish fabric.

Outside, Ridder's passion for gardening is evident in the lush gardens that surround the home. Inspired by the gardens at Wave Hill in the Bronx, the flower beds are a vibrant mix of shrubs and petite annuals. The vegetable garden, located near the barn, is equally abundant, yielding crops like rhubarb, kale, potatoes, and lettuce that sustain the family throughout the growing season. Enjoy!

Purchase Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer's book, A House in the Country, here.