La Selva

La Selva

On Long Island's Gold Coast, sits a Mediterranean villa known as La Selva. Its original construction was completed in 1918, under the direction of Hunt & Hunt Architects. The twenty-five acre estate was designed and landscaped by The Olmsted Brothers. These prestigious firms created rooms and gardens that transported the original owner, Henry Sanderson to the countryside of Italy. Much of the original construction and installations remain today. The current owners, the epitome of proper stewards; chose Schneider Architectural Works to assist them in restoring the estate and modernizing its building systems. Through thoughtful collaboration; the team created new spaces better suited to contemporary living, while honoring the stylings of the Italian Renaissance. Schneider Architectural Works teamed up with Birch Ridge Builders to execute the design with the goal of maintaining the integrity of the existing and irreplaceable interiors. A new kitchen and pantry was created in collaboration with Officine Gullo; down the hall a restored and elaborated on flower room brightens the service wing of the home. A new library was constructed using millwork components imported from a Roman Villa. New geothermal HVAC systems and other utilities were installed throughout, careful coordination was required to integrate these systems without disrupting priceless interiors. On the exterior, the pebbledash walls and hand-made Ludowici roof tiles were restored and replaced where necessary. Today, La Selva buzzes with activity; from the formal gardens and fountains, between the walled garden and greenhouse and on to the carriage house, there is new life breathed into every corner of the estate.

Location: Upper Brookville

Architect: Schneider Architectural Works

Interior Designer: Living La Selva

Builder: Birch Ridge Builders

Photography: Nathan Schroder