Produced by Steed Hale / Written by Jonna Gallo Weppler

When the mountains are calling, it takes a special architect to answer. Enter James Lyman Reynolds—the Hudson Valley pro designed a home that both blends seamlessly and stands out, as magnificent as its setting.

Nearly a decade ago, the Open Space Institute—a nonprofit dedicated to land protection—acquired the largest remaining tract of privately held open space on the Shawangunk Ridge. The spectacular 615-acre property, known as the South Escarpment, inspires awe throughout much of the Hudson River Valley. Tucked just beneath said escarpment, set amidst several acres of verdant rolling ridges, lies a Gardiner home designed specifically to make the most of the one-of-a-kind surroundings. “The setting is so pure and unadulterated, it’s like stepping back into geologic time over 10,000 years ago,” marvels architect James Lyman Reynolds. And so it was that Reynolds, through a referral from local builder Austin Sweeney, got to be part of transforming a 1980s spec house into a striking, legacy-worthy family home that is inarguably at one with nature.

The initial design brief was for a 3-bedroom house that would comfortably accommodate large family gatherings, says Reynolds. (What’s been done so far now represents the first phase of a larger anticipated scope of work that includes a new carriage barn with an attached studio apartment and renovations to the walkout basement.)

Design-wise, the homeowner’s passion for cooking, penchant for artisan craftsmanship, and goal of being able to comfortably host her two young-adult children, plus her sister’s family, sparked the first wave of creative ideas. “From there it was an easy hop to our shared mutual appreciation of the Arts & Crafts movement, English landscape gardening principals, as well as the creative potential of exploring the relationship between the built environment and the natural world,” explains Reynolds.

Weather and light both tend to change quickly in the Shawangunk Mountains. Watching local sunsets and storms play out through the two-story wall of windows never disappoints.

With family time top of mind, planning an airy, open kitchen and living room with great flow took priority. To max out the amazing mountain views, two-story bay windows were positioned throughout to highlight the horizon line along with plenty of sky and foreground. The effect is a feeling like you’re almost physically part of the vastness of the valley. Since the homeowner is an incredible chef, she and Reynolds both agreed that some of the very best views framed from the house should be from behind the kitchen sink. A magnificent propane fireplace with a gas log insert, which is open on three sides (to the kitchen, the living room, and the entryway), naturally encourages people to hang out and relax. “This really was a dream job,” says Reynolds. “The client had such a genuine intuitive design sense and truly great taste. The way this turned out, I think we are all still pinching ourselves.”