Michael Robbins, renowned furniture maker, always had a vision of building his own home—a dream nurtured since childhood, growing up in a house constructed by his parents. With his wife, Olga Dekalo, an art curator, Robbins transformed this vision into a reality. Together, they crafted a family abode that reflects both their personal and professional aesthetics.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Location: Germantown, New York
Design: Michael Robbins
Curator: Olga Dekalo
Furniture: Michael Robbins
Woodwork: Haystack Joinery
Windows: Argo Alutech
Paint: Farrow & Ball French Gray
Lighting: Allied Maker
Rug: Nordic Knots
Stove: Morso
The couple settled on a neglected plot in Germantown, New York, bordering a vast conservation area. Despite its three-acre expanse, the property offered the secluded, forested setting they desired. Over two years, the pair dedicated themselves to developing the overgrown land, which Robbins recalls fondly, though with the wisdom of hindsight. ‘I wouldn’t do it again,’ he admits, ‘but it was a great way to connect with the property.’ The site for the house revealed itself naturally during this process.
Robbins oriented the home to embrace and emphasize the tranquil views of the surrounding forest. He selected a traditional rectangular design with a steep gabled roof, featuring a timber frame from Haystack Joinery in Maine. While the structure nods to classic farmhouse architecture, Robbins added distinctive details, like a narrow window protruding from the cyprus cladding. ‘It has a familiar shape,’ he says, ‘but the quirky touches reveal themselves as you experience it more closely.’
Inside, the design shines through exposed woodwork, reflecting Robbins’ deep appreciation for his craft. The warm timber frame is highlighted against tongue-and-groove walls that Dekalo painted white, creating a striking visual contrast. ‘I love wood and wanted to express that through the house,’ Robbins explains. ‘The white walls helped make the wood framing stand out.’
The flooring continues the blend of modernity and warmth, with polished salt-and-pepper concrete offering a sleek finish that contrasts the rustic elements. ‘The concrete adds refinement,’ says Robbins. ‘It reflects light beautifully and elevates the space.’
In the kitchen, Robbins’s craftsmanship is on full display. He designed maple cabinetry with subtle nods to his furniture line, featuring slatted doors and brass-centered circular pulls. The fronts are finished with Farrow & Ball French Gray, complementing the oiled white oak island. A pendant light from Allied Maker completes the space’s minimalist charm.
Robbins’s furniture pieces populate the rest of the house, each item carefully curated to enhance the home’s aesthetic. In the dining room, his Plum table and Bend chairs, crafted from walnut, sit alongside a Mohawk credenza that contrasts the space’s earthy tones with bold black and white.
The living room features a double-height ceiling with a vintage red Morso stove as its centerpiece. Triple-glazed windows, framed in sapele wood, offer breathtaking views of the forest. Robbins’s Ranger sofa, with its woven leather seat and spindle back, ties the room together with a mix of function and style.
Upstairs, a serene workspace includes Robbins’s Oneida desk and Wickson chair—both showcasing his signature blend of sleek lines and sturdy craftsmanship. The alcove features a painting sourced by Dekalo, adding a personal artistic touch.
The bedroom continues the theme of simplicity and woodwork, with a Ringo bed featuring a walnut headboard accented by a brass spline. A playful, checkerboard-patterned bathroom offers a bright contrast to the calm tones of the rest of the house.
Perhaps the most charming space is their son’s bedroom, featuring a shag rug and scaled-down versions of Robbins’s furniture. A custom mini Barril chair speaks to the benefits of growing up in a bespoke home built by one’s parents.
Robbins’s attention to detail, love for woodwork, and ability to balance modern design with traditional influences have turned his family’s home into a living tribute to his craft.
