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A scenic retreat in Dutchess County, Upstate New York, shows how sophisticated design can coexist with a relaxed approach to family life. The approximately 10,000-square-foot home belongs to Francesca Bodini and sits on her father’s estate, which spans nearly 1,000 acres.
Rather than creating a formal showpiece, Bodini wanted something comfortable for everyday life with her three children and dogs. Therefore, she turned to longtime friend and designer Rafael de Cárdenas to develop interiors with a much more playful personality than her polished Upper East Side apartment.
Francesca Bodini Wanted a Relaxed Country Home
Bodini had spent weekends and summers on the family property while growing up. Later, she decided to establish a permanent retreat there.
However, comfort remained central to the project. The house needed to work for children, pets and guests without feeling overly precious.
Architect Raffaella Bortoluzzi designed the contemporary residence. Its low profile and bronze roof help the structure settle naturally into the surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, de Cárdenas approached the interiors with a deliberately less rigid philosophy.
The result is an Upstate New York home where different periods, colors and materials can comfortably share the same space.
Vintage Finds Add Personality to the Interiors
Instead of relying on a single decorative style, the rooms feature a layered collection of furniture, art and personal objects.
Vintage pieces appear alongside custom furnishings. Moreover, art advisor Meredith Darrow contributed to the selection of works displayed throughout the residence.
Soft limewashed walls provide a restrained backdrop for the more expressive elements. Elsewhere, luxurious textiles, vintage Murano glass sconces and bespoke furniture add visual interest.
As a result, the rooms feel carefully considered without appearing excessively coordinated.
Tented Bedroom Delivers One of the Boldest Details
One of the home’s most memorable spaces is a bedroom featuring a tented ceiling.
Fabric envelops the room and creates an intimate atmosphere. Yet the chandelier makes the design even more distinctive. According to Architectural Digest, the fixture had once been illuminated with real candles.
That unexpected combination captures the broader design philosophy of the property. Traditional elements are present, but they do not dictate how every room should look.
Instead, the designers allowed decorative experimentation to shape individual spaces.
Family Life Remains at the Center
Despite its considerable size and carefully selected interiors, the residence was designed as a functioning family home.
Communal areas encourage people to spend time together. At the same time, the expansive property provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding countryside.
The sunroom is another example of this balance. Natural light and views of the landscape strengthen the connection between the interior and the estate beyond it.
Furthermore, durable and comfortable furnishings help prevent the house from becoming a space that looks beautiful but feels untouchable.
An Anything-Goes Approach Creates a Distinctive Home
De Cárdenas ultimately interpreted Bodini’s request for a relaxed retreat through an eclectic mix of materials, furnishings and decorative references.
Rather than following one dominant trend, the project combines contemporary architecture with vintage pieces and custom design. Playful details then introduce an additional layer of personality.
The Francesca Bodini Upstate New York home demonstrates how an expansive country residence can remain sophisticated without becoming overly formal. Most importantly, its design reflects the people who actually live there.
From the tented bedroom to its collected furnishings, the property embraces experimentation. Consequently, the house feels less like a carefully staged showcase and more like an evolving family retreat.
