6 min readSet in Rockland County, NY, designer Abigail Kahan’s newest project isn’t just a sprawling testament to timeless design—it’s a calling card for the importance of tapping a designer who listens.
Designed for a young family with five children, the nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom home is a study in balance between structure and softness, refinement and play, and—perhaps most importantly—between the yin-and-yang many couples contend with when designing a home that will satisfy them both.
From the outset, the project hinged on Kahan reconciling two distinct aesthetics. The husband was drawn to traditional European architecture; the wife, to the warmth of American Arts and Crafts. "The greatest design challenge lay in creating a seamless dialogue between the home's interior and exterior expressions," Kahan explains.
The resulting home defies categorization—and surpasses client expectations. There are swings in the family room (an addition Kahan says introduces “a sense of whimsy and informality”), a powder room layered with eight different tiles, and a primary suite built around a colorful stone floor mosaic. And then there's the attic, a once-overlooked space that now lives large as a fully realized floor, complete with bedrooms, bathrooms, an office, and an exercise area. Still, the moments of whimsy and grandeur meld effortlessly, all without disrupting the home’s polished envelope.
Ultimately, what lingers isn’t just the scale of the 12,000-square-foot home, nor the detail Kahan lent to every space; it’s the home’s unique sense of individuality. It’s one of one, and that’s something Kahan couldn’t be prouder of. "This, to me, is the most meaningful part of the work," she says. "Creating spaces isn’t about imposing a signature style, but about uncovering and refining a client's individuality so that the final result feels authentic, layered, and unmistakably theirs."
FAST FACTS
Designer: Abigail Kahan
Architect: James Paragano
Location: Rockland County, NY
The Space: A nine-bedroom, nine-bathroom home across 12,000 square feet.
LIBRARY
Lighter details give the moody blue backdrop some levity.
Kahan knew she wanted the library to skew a bit more dramatic, but balancing out the moody palette was a must. “To achieve that contrast, we punctuated the design with stainless fixtures, a light-toned central fixture, and carefully considered accents like the chair and hardware,” she adds. “The layering of nuanced blue-grey tones throughout the space adds depth and complexity, allowing the room to feel rich and dimensional rather than simply dark.”
SITTING ROOM
Simplicity meets formality in this serene space.
With a quiet elegance and minimalist approach, the home’s sitting room is a calling card for the concept that less is more. An eggplant sofa anchors the space, with a silhouette chosen to convey sophistication. “Curved supporting pieces soften the overall aesthetic, enhancing the room’s graceful lines and contributing to a refined, understated elegance that feels calm,” adds Kahan.
DINING ROOM
Dramatic seating sets the tone for glamour.
“One of the very first directives from the client was a desire for red dining chairs, and that became the starting point for the entire room,” Kahan explains of the bold direction this room took from the outset. “From there, we shifted the traditional language of the home by introducing a stone floor in the dining room rather than the foyer, lending the space a sense of formality and quiet grandeur.”
KITCHEN
Walnut cabinetry ensures a timeless, elegant appeal.
With walnut cabinetry high on the client’s wishlist, Kahan looked for ways to make the kitchen as functional as it was beautiful. “To balance the depth of the wood, we introduced white base cabinets, creating a crisp contrast that keeps the space feeling fresh and grounded,” she adds.
Zellige tile and a plastered hood bring a tactile richness to the space, while a mixture of metal finishes lends a collected feel. “While function guided the overall layout, it was the careful layering of materials, color, hardware, and stone that allowed the kitchen to feel both highly practical and visually compelling,” adds Kahan.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Sumptuous details and tactile textures make the primary suite the ideal retreat.
Though this space may feel decidedly on-trend, that wasn’t actually the goal. “At the time we were designing this space, chocolate brown had not yet made its return to the forefront of fashion or interiors, making it a decidedly bold and forward-thinking choice,” explains Kahan.
Once the shade got the stamp of approval from her clients, she built a palette rooted in deep chocolates and charcoals, creating a room that feels both warm and inherently moody. “It’s rewarding to see how natural and on-trend the space feels now,” she adds. “At the time, it was a more unexpected move, but it’s gratifying to watch a design choice feel both prescient and enduring.”
PRIMARY BATH
The stone mosaic floor acted as the jumping-off point for the whole scheme.
“The client knew from the outset that she wanted a mosaic, but it took time to find one that felt just right,” Kahan explains. “Once she did, it became the foundation for the entire concept. We used the palette within the tile as a springboard, carefully drawing out its tones while ensuring that nothing in the room competed with it. The result is a space that feels harmonious and intentional, allowing the beauty of the mosaic to remain the clear focal point.”
BOYS’ BEDROOM
A windowpane plaid helps the room bridge the gap between youthful and sophisticated.
For a subtle take on pattern drenching, Kahan covered both the walls and window treatments in a Hartman & Forbes windowpane plaid, keeping the rest of the room neutral. “By extending the same material across multiple surfaces, the space takes on a layered, cohesive quality that reads as refined and quietly chic,” she adds.
BOYS’ BATHROOM
A trough sink adds a playful (and functional) touch.
Beloved for their functionality and charm, trough sinks are a practical addition to any kids' space, and a great way to lend a sense of vintage charm. “When a client is open to it, it’s a feature we love to incorporate—it introduces a sense of playfulness and unexpected character while also feeling highly functional,” Kahan adds. “In this instance, the trough sink became a defining element, bringing a sculptural quality to the room and elevating the everyday into something a bit more considered and engaging.”
LAUNDRY ROOM
An atmospheric wallpaper elevates the chore spot beyond the expected.
While it has all the makings of a workhorse locale, the laundry room doesn’t skimp on the pretty, either. “The cabinetry and wallcovering introduce a beautiful sense of color and atmosphere, transforming a typically utilitarian space into one that feels inviting,” adds Kahan. “It almost makes you want to spend time doing laundry.”
FOYER
A high-gloss ceiling makes the most of the home’s natural light.
“This foyer marked a departure for us, as we opted for oak flooring instead of the traditional stone we often use,” says Kahan. At the center, a bold Calacatta Viola table commands attention, creating a striking focal point that sets the tone for the space.
“I’m drawn to moments of unexpected contrast, and the purple tones of the marble play beautifully against the vivid red dining chairs nearby,” she adds. “The remainder of the furnishings remain neutral and supportive, all tied together by a high-gloss reflective ceiling that subtly amplifies light and lends the foyer a sense of openness and airiness.”
About the Designer
Abigail Kahan is the founder and principal designer of her eponymous design firm. With her combined appreciation of architecture, carefully curated interiors, and her unique background in real estate, Abigail is committed to a highly personalized experience for her clients, with a belief that creating a beautiful space can and should be joyous. Abigail helps her clients articulate what they love and believes that great design is as much about process as it is about the final result. Her work pairs unexpected finishes and refined layouts with a commitment to strong architectural foundations, resulting in spaces that feel elegant, distinct, and deeply considered.
