What makes a home work for three generations? That’s the question Erin Hackett and Meghan Hackett Cassidy, the sister design team behind New York–based Village Design Studio, had to ask themselves when they were approached to rethink this mountain cottage nestled deep within Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains.
Surrounded by a canopy of trees, the 1917 cottage, located just two hours from New York City, has been the backdrop to one family’s memories for over 31 years. Summer vacations, Thanksgivings, birthdays—it’s seen it all. “The country house is where our heart is,” says the homeowner, who has spent much of her adult life using this Craftsman-style cottage as an escape from the fast-paced Manhattan life that kept her, her husband, and their two sons busy.
These days, the cottage plays host to a new generation. “Our sons recently married and brought six grandchildren into our lives in a relatively short period,” she says. “Our life went from being happy ‘empty nesters’ with a rather quiet and serene household life to an extended family of twelve.” The cozy mountain cottage was simply not up to the task. “One day I looked around and realized that the family living area was appropriate for a time in our lives that was now over,” she says.
That’s when she decided it was time to give their cottage a much-needed refresh—without knocking down any walls or original details they had come to love. The homeowner’s daughter-in-law called in Erin and Meghan to rethink the cottage, which had been purchased fully furnished and hadn’t really changed during the intervening three decades. “Nothing was practical for them,” says Meghan. “The way the furniture was laid out, the materials used—nothing functioned for how they spend their time in this house.”
A fresh layout—one that made room for the new generation—was a must, but so was a new color palette that allowed the classically built space to be viewed through a new lens. The project also called for a shock of pattern. “We focused on fabrics that were interesting, playful, colorful, and cozy,” says Erin. “They needed to feel distinctly ‘cottagey.’” The jumping-off point was a leaf-patterned wallpaper that now appears in the first-floor powder room. “We ended up creating a space that is at once lovely and practical for our family’s growing needs,” says the homeowner. “The entire family is enjoying it, but I was also blessed with a bonding experience with my daughter-in-law. We had so much fun and many laughs along the way and made even more memories here.”
Take a tour of the family’s refreshed cottage below.
A Historic Entryway
When the family first purchased the house, they were struck by how well maintained the original features, including the woodwork, were. “Each prior owner took good care of it and preserved the signature architectural gems,” says the homeowner.
So, when it came time for Erin and Meghan to steward the cottage into its next era, the homeowner had one directive: honor the original architectural elements as those who had come before them had. Beyond “minor” electrical changes like adding some much-needed lighting to cheer up the wood-clad interior, the design duo skipped typical renovation tasks such as removing walls, and instead added new life with fresh furnishings, fabrics, and wallpapers.
In the entryway, a faux-zebra-skin rug is a cue to visitors that the home is playful, and makes sure no one inside takes themselves—or their furnishings—too seriously. The space’s antique bench—a much-loved dumping spot for toys, hiking boots, and all manner of clutter that comes with a house full of grandchildren ready to explore the nearby mountains—came courtesy of a long search through Brimfield Antiques Market. The leaf-clad sconces and accompanying hook rail, crafted by local ironworker Andrew Molinaro, ensure the space is as pretty as it is practical.
The Refreshed Living Room
“When everyone is home, the household is wonderfully full,” says the homeowner. Full is an understatement. It’s not just the grandchildren running around come summer vacation—the homeowner’s French bulldog, Banzo, must also play host when he is joined by the extended family’s pets: two other French bulldogs, Hobbes and Sugie; an English bulldog, Shef; and two cats who seem inclined to wander about.
Erin and Meghan’s furniture and fabric choices had to stand up to all that life. “We needed to transform the house into a truly livable family home—one that could comfortably support multiple generations while feeling both beautiful and effortless.” First on the docket? The family’s favorite spot to gather: the living room, complete with the original stone fireplace from 1917.
Erin and Meghan divided the large living room into two distinct zones: an intimate seating area overlooking the surrounding mountains, where the kids gather to play chess with their grandfather, and friends linger for one of the family’s famous frozen margaritas; and a plush, sit-awhile respite around the fireplace perfect for cozying up with a book. Gingham performance fabric ensures the club chairs hold up to the traffic of this hardworking space.
Get the Look:
Club Chair Fabric: “Martina” by Schumacher
Marbled Throw Pillow: “Taplow” by Lee Jofa
Drapery Fabric: “Little Palm” by Rebecca Atwood
A Dramatic Dining Room
After the glow of summer vacation has faded and the extended family returns to their daily lives, the mountain house grows a little quieter, but life picks back up again when the leaves start to change. Come Thanksgiving, the family reconvenes at the home to gather around the same dining room table they’ve been using since they were a young family living in a Manhattan apartment.
“The dining room was always intended to remain a formal space,” says Meghan, “and the home’s original architectural details naturally lend themselves to that kind of setting.” Fresh touches—including a custom chandelier, new wallpaper (“With all of the paneling and beams, and the grand ceilings, we felt like the room could really handle the ‘drama’ of this paper,” says Erin), and patterned drapes—update the space without making it feel too fussy. “Each piece was chosen to elevate the formality of the space while keeping it elegant, warm, and reflective of the family’s personality.”
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: “Liana” by Fabricut
Drapery Fabric: “Jessup” by Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa
A Perfectly Patterned Powder Room
“This was intentionally a very low-lift update,” says Erin of the prettied-up powder room. “We kept nearly everything as it was and focused on a few impactful changes—like the wallpaper and the mirror.” The wallpaper, from Georgia artist Lulie Wallace, was a key find: “That choice ended up setting the tone for the entire project,” says Meghan, “introducing a sense of charm, color, and whimsy that carried through the rest of the home.”
Get the Look:
Wallpaper: “Beth” by Lulie Wallace
A Veranda with a View
“In the summer season, when the porch is open, my day begins early each morning before sunrise,” says the homeowner. After her morning meditation, accompanied by a cup of tea, she basks in the sounds of nature and watches the sunrise. She’s eventually joined by her grandson, “who usually comes up at 6:30 on the dot,” she says. “There is no better way to start my day.”
The screened-in porch spans the entire length of the house, so it required some extra thinking when it came to the layout. There needed to be spots for meals, for an afternoon nap, and for the more-than-occasional game of mah-jongg. Oh, and don’t forget space for the baskets full of Magna-Tiles that find their way here when it’s too rainy for the grandchildren to run around outside.
“The goal was to create a porch that feels comfortable and inviting—perfect for everyday living, relaxing with a book, or enjoying the views—without ever competing with the beauty of the outdoors,” says Erin. Simple brown wicker furniture, clad in a happy chartreuse performance fabric, and a pair of white rocking chairs set a relaxed tone.
Get the Look:
Sofa Upholstery Fabric: “Willow Way” by Perennials
Dining Chair Upholstery Fabric: “Oleander” by Schumacher
Anna Logan is the Deputy Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
