7 min readOn a winding stretch of road in Bedford, New York, where split-rail fences frame rolling pastures and equestrian trails, a 1920s dairy barn stood at the crest of a hill, patiently awaiting its next chapter. For decades, it had lived several lives: first, as a working barn, then a converted residence for J.D. Rockefeller's granddaughter. But when it came onto the market for the first time in more than 50 years, it was a young family, not a titan of industry, who saw its potential.
"I think what initially drew us to this project was how aligned we were with our clients and their intentions for the build and design of their home," says designer Zan Young, who, alongside sister Sara Haydock, transformed and expanded the home into a 10,000-square-foot residence. "Our friendship with our clients played a huge role in how successful this project became," adds Haydock. "There was so much transparency in their wishlist, but their trust in us to execute and creatively expand upon their vision was what made everything fall into place."
Young and Haydock, who together helm Elliott Interiors, set out to honor the intrinsic history and sense of place behind the home; ceilings were intentionally kept low, recessed lighting was completely avoided, and finishes that would patina over time got priority. What followed was not just a cosmetic refresh but a three-year, full gut renovation alongside Abelow Sherman Architects and R.C. Torre Construction to help usher the home into its next era.
Yet for all its scale, the project was guided by a reverence for what came before. Ash trees felled on the property due to blight were milled into flooring and installed throughout the house; in the entry, a hand-painted ash-leaf motif by decorative painter Shelly Denning offers a quiet tribute. Original doors and windows were restored, copper countertops in the scullery were salvaged from a friend’s renovation, and the monumental stone fireplace in the kitchen—one of the barn’s last remaining original features—now anchors a space designed for lingering. "A fireplace in the kitchen is an added invitation to stay," says Young. "It reinforced our goal of creating a cooking, eating, and living space where you could spend all day."
Inside, the mood is layered, warm, and joyfully unfussy. The homeowners wanted a house that could pivot seamlessly through every chapter of family life, and the design duo delivered, often egged on by a group chat with the clients, aptly named “More wallpaper please”—a running joke that became a design directive. The result is a home defined by fearless color and pattern, bespoke lighting, and rooms that feel collected over time.
"Our favorite thing is the home's color story," says Haydock. "The palette is strong, yet warm and very inviting. You feel it the moment you walk in.” By day, it’s muddy boots in the mudroom and homework at the oversized banquette; by night, it’s martinis passed through the custom bar window and friends spilling into the sunroom. The magic of the house is that it never has to choose between polished and practical—it was built to do both beautifully.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Elliott Interiors
Location: Bedford, New York
The Space: A 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom, 2-half-bath home across 10,000 square feet
LIVING ROOM
A custom bar anchors the sprawling entertaining space.
"If there is a formal room in this house, it would be the living room—it was designed with entertaining in mind!" says Haydock. The pair made the most of the space by planning out two distinct furniture areas while maintaining the symmetry of the room.
Nearby, a custom Alfred Newell bar acts as a mixology hub, with a pass-through window that provides direct access to the kitchen. "We designed many iterations of a custom wet bar before landing here—they all felt too kitchen-y and very out of place," explains Young. "Alfred Newall’s design feels like it truly was meant for this home; a beautiful and authentic furniture piece with character that takes center stage at every cocktail party."
GREAT ROOM
A stone fireplace brings the charm of a bygone era.
A shared space between the kitchen, dining nook, and informal family zone, the great room wears many hats. To encourage socializing and relaxation during dinner, Young and Haydock styled an intimate seating area in front of the fireplace as an "added invitation to linger."
KITCHEN
A double-height ceiling brings the drama—and natural light.
Dark cabinetry, swathed in Farrow & Ball’s Tanners Brown, pairs with a contrasting island work table in mahogany, shifting the mood away from predictable white and toward something deeper—more English farmhouse than suburban new build.
BREAKFAST NOOK
An expansive bench is the perfect perch for little ones.
Tucked into a sunlit-nook right off the kitchen, this casual breakfast nook is the ideal spot for family breakfasts or afternoon homework sessions. "The home was originally a dairy barn, so we loved that the design of the Urban Electric pendants references cow bells," says Young.
SCULLERY
Salvaged copper countertops add a touch of warmth and patina.
"It was very important to us that we color-drench this space in a dark color," says Haydock of the scullery, painted in Mahogany by Farrow & Ball. "The salvaged panels on the back wall are original to the home, and they pop against the rich paint." The pair worked ample shelving into the space, disguising it behind panels made from Kelly Ventura fabric.
DINING ROOM
A folkart-inspired mural brings magic and whimsy.
There's no denying that the mural in the dining room brings beauty—but there's heart behind it, too. "It tells a bit of the story of the family that lives there," explains Young. "Happy Menocal created the most stunning tribute to the bucolic setting of the home’s location with personal nods to the family, who are passionate equestrians. There is a distinct whimsy in Happy’s work that adds levity to the purposefully dark and earthy palate."
ENTRY
Painted details nod to the felled ash trees used to make the entryway floor.
In the entryway, Young and Haydock let the bespoke ash floors do the talking, skipping a dramatic stain in lieu of natural wood and painterly details. "It's a nod to our client's love of nature and their eco-conscious point of view," says Haydock.
UPSTAIRS LANDING
Even moments of transition received special treatment.
"This wallpaper runs through the downstairs hallways up to the landing of the primary wing," Young says of the Soane Britain wallpaper they chose to emphasize the architectural lines of the ceiling. "The rustic antique barn lights we had rewired bring an unexpected contrast to the polished sconces and wallpaper," she adds.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
A riot of patterns combines to create an energetic suite.
With quirky angles and multiple areas of function, the primary suite took a bit to puzzle together—and pattern ended up being the unifying force for it all. "Everything plays off of each other in a contrast that is actually cohesive!" adds Haydock.
DRESSING ROOM
A tranquil palette layered in blue brings serenity.
"This dressing room also serves as her closet and office space," explains Haydock. "We wanted to create a multi-functional space that did away with the cliche walk-in closet island and hid all storage behind beautifully built, fabric-lined armoires."
PRIMARY BATH
Verdant hues and botanical illustrations combine for a charming retreat.
With shimmering green tiles and herbarium-inspired wallpaper, the primary en suite is a thoughtful escape from the everyday. "One challenge in this space was the mirrors over the vanity," adds Young. "We felt strongly that theey should read as decorative, and how to hang them on the shower glass presented a challenge. We came up with a design that mimics a vanity mirror—the mirrors sit on pedestals—and we went to Fleur Home to help us build them."
BOY’S ROOM
Rustic wallpaper nod's to the family's love of nature.
Designing children's bedrooms can be an exercise in restraint in order to craft a space that is filled with wonder—and room to grow. Young and Haydock filled this space with functional storage, grounding it in the home's signature touch. "Each child’s bedroom got a rug of the same pattern, but in different custom colorways," shares Haydock.
BOY’S BATHROOM
Old-school locker rooms inspired this playful space.
"This bathroom, shared by two brothers, exudes childhood magic," says Young. "We loved embracing the fun spin on a locker room-style double shower and a three faucet trough sink. A mix of a striped penny tile on the floor and rustic handmade blue tile by Arto in the showers add to the layered and playful approach."
GIRL’S ROOM
Pastels add sweetness without skewing too youthful.
"With two big brothers, we wanted this sweet space to feel just her own," says Haydock. "Pastel pinks and greens that lean more earthy than preppy make this a room that really will grow with her. A full wall of closet storage maximizes the practical needs of a young girl and also add another opportunity for design interest."
GIRL’S BATH
Punchy wallpaper makes this small space sing.
Petite rooms are a fun place to go a bit more bold, which was the exact brief for this girl's bathroom. A bold wallpaper, designed by the same artist who completed the dining room mural, injects color and personality into the space.
SUNROOM
Rich green paint blends seamlessly with the landscape beyond.
Situated adjacent to the living room, the sunroom doubles as an overflow entertaining space when the homeowners host. "The intention here was for the furniture pieces to feel elevated, not to limit ourselves to 'outdoor furniture,'" says Young.
About the Designers
Led by sisters Sara Haydock and Zan Young, Elliott Interiors is a residential interior design firm known for creating timeless, thoughtful homes that feel both beautiful and joyfully livable. With an eye for layered textiles, thoughtful color, and architectural detail, Sara and Zan approach each home with a fresh perspective rooted in tradition yet infused with modern ease. Their collaborative process prioritizes both creativity and clarity, guiding clients from concept through completion to design spaces that feel distinctive, warm, and uniquely theirs.
