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An Unusual Office

Former lawyers offices 120 miles north of New York City

120 miles north of New York City is the town of Hudson, famous for it's many quality antiques shops and the number and variety of historic houses which until a few years ago were often unwanted, forlorn and neglected. Artist Frank Faulkner became passionate about this architectural heritage from Greek Revival to classic Victorian and has bought and restored more houses there than probably anybody else. His most recent home is a former, purpose-built 1880 lawyers offices just a few steps from the main street. As a house its unusual because there are two identical front doors. One gave onto the ground floor offices, the other lead straight to the stairs to the first floor. Faulkner, seeing through partitions and 60's decor was attracted by the excellent proportions and generous ceiling heights (the same on both floors) and the triple aspect which makes the house very light. Also the exterior design is unusual for the area, with its formailty, severity and cleaness of line. Much of the interior survived and Frank determined to save it all including a massive walk-in safe off what is now the dining room. All the original shutters were found in the cellar in good condition. After removing the 'patriotic' wallpaper the patina of the original plaster was so pleasing that it was carefully repaired and left as found. Most of the large artworks are by the owner who favours faded rugs, antiques and things of character. The house has some of a sense of stepping back in time but with none of the stuffiness and dark spaces that would have been typical 100 years ago.