1 of 6
Randl Bye
2 of 6
Randl Bye
3 of 6
Randl Bye
4 of 6
Randl Bye
5 of 6
Randl Bye
6 of 6
Randl Bye
Beth S. Buxbaum
Sweeping open spaces, filled with raw metals and wood, set the tone for this contemporary barn-style residence. A striking expanse of living space, defined with all natural materials, is a modern barn-style home, designed and built by Daryl Rost and Rost Artisan Design Build. Rustically appointed, the interior is edgy and unrefined, with an industrial feel.
Daryl and his team were commissioned by the owners, Scott and Kat, to build their new home. They lived on the property for years, in an old hunting cabin originally built in the 1940s. Outgrowing the cabin, they knew they wanted to stay in Bucks County and decided to have a new home built on the property in Upper Black Eddy. After investing in a kit from Cedar Creek Homes, they hired a contractor to build their home. The project with this contractor did not succeed. The plans included in the kit were out of scale and the contractor did not really grasp the implementation of the materials. Then Scott and Kat hired Daryl Rost. A project of this character was actually what Daryl enjoys more than traditional design. He explains that the kit provided the timber and raw wood to build the structure’s framework. “From there it is left to the vision and artisanry of the builder to create the space,” says Daryl. The challenge of orchestrating a non-traditional design is a project Daryl welcomes.
This 14-month project began in December of 2019 and was built while Scott and Kat remained in their hunting cabin on the property. In the first phase, the team used the kit of timber and wood to create the house’s framework. The landscape of the property was their first challenge since it was scattered with huge glacial rocks and glacial deposits. In order to create the framework, they brought in a heavy excavator to prepare the landscape for the foundation and framework. With the excavation completed they installed the framework with some additional materials and modifications in the infrastructure. One change was in the ceiling height of the second floor. “We raised the ceiling by adding four feet to the space,” says Daryl. Once they assembled the frame the next phase was to work on the infrastructure, adding plumbing and electricity. The concept of this project was to lay the framework and then add the custom finishes to the raw materials and define the living space.
In collaboration with Scott and Kim, the design of the living space was established and strategized. Daryl envisioned and implemented this project, with his team, to meet the needs and wishes of the owners. “Scott and Kat wanted an open footprint, with vaulted ceilings and a loft,” adds Daryl. This home’s interior is a masterful balance of dark and light, refined and raw. “The goal was to create the feel of an old barn, while appointing the interior with a modern twist,” Daryl explains. A balance is created with the selection of materials, use of the space and choice of color palette. Using old, reclaimed wood to capture the essence of traditional Bucks County structures, these materials created a rustic effect. For the twist, they infused the interior with an industrial composition by introducing metals into the mix.
Along with the blueprint and installation of all the architectural elements, the selection of the materials was essential to accomplish the desired look and feel. Daryl prefers using natural materials in his projects. With this build, using all-natural wood, metals and tile was paramount to the authenticity of the design. For the exterior, which is a dark purple shade, like eggplant, Daryl used Boral, a by-product of coal, which is actually compressed ash. “This material is maintenance-free,” Daryl adds. He uses Boral because it is hardy and keeps its color and finish.” All trim was finished in black to show the difference in tones. From the outside it is impossible to imagine what is inside this structure.
Interior features begin with the exposed timber ceiling to define its barn-like feel. All the exterior-positioned walls are pine. “Some of this raw lumber was green and moldy,” Daryl adds. He describes how they bought 150 gallons of bleach to clean the wood and then treat it to establish some similarity in the finish of beams. “Wood should be treated before the installation so that it does not warp or twist,” Daryl adds. In contrast to the texture of the walls, the weight-bearing beams are all rough-cut timber, adding to the rustic appeal. Most of the floors are reclaimed white oak from old timbers. Daryl shares his decision to use reclaimed wood, explaining that the trees took 80 to 100 years to grow, giving the wood more character than other materials. “We painted all the interior walls a very dark grey to create negative space,” Daryl explains, “to showcase the wood used throughout the framework.” He goes on to explain that as your eye moves across the expanse, the focus is on all the light-toned natural wood.
In an open space design, with the loftiness of the interior, there were several architectural elements that required precision fits and installation. A necessary tool during the building process was the use of 3D. A benefit of using 3D is to visualize how a room will look, or a custom element will fit, before actually producing and installing. “The value of using 3D is that we can start putting together the design so that the clients can see it,” Daryl explains. Additionally, many of the design elements had to be checked for fit before installation, like the floating staircase, the fireplace and the stained-glass window. Through 3D visualization they mapped out the layout of the open space, making sure everything would fall into place. One process that Daryl implements is building the architectural elements in his shop and then installing on-site.
First floor living space is designed with expanse and airiness. This open-space concept on the first floor includes a kitchen with a center island and eating area, a living room, primary bedroom and bath, a powder room and mudroom. Accenting and defining the open floor plan is a bridge or loft above the first floor, with railings of modern industrial stainless steel and raw steel constructed in their off-site machine shop. Access to the loft level is by ascending the custom floating staircase that Daryl designed and built. This staircase, made of steel, adds that modern industrial element to the space. Daryl points out that he conceptualized the staircase in his shop with 3D. “I knew this installation was going to be tight,” Daryl explains, “and I did not want to lose space in the bedroom closet.” By implementing the 3D visualization, they were able to build the staircase in the shop and install it, without a hitch.
In the kitchen, designed by Jill Updike, the head designer of Niece Lumber, in Lumberville, the dominant color is black. To enhance the interplay of dark and light between the wall shade and the light-toned wood, most of the cabinetry, counter tops, and tabletop are black. Cabinetry is done in a distressed style and the counter tops and center island are absolute black granite. In keeping with the black motif, all the appliances, from Blue Star Appliances in Lancaster, are also black. For a pop of color, Daryl designed a backsplash with copper tiles, 42” by 20”, made in his shop. An interesting patina affect was created in the copper by mounting the tiles on wood and heating them. Once the backsplash was completed, Daryl finished this wall with a custom black oven hood. For lighting, Daryl installed electricity through a black pipe to hang the purple-toned light fixtures over the center island.
Daryl’s skill as an artisan continues to be showcased in the living room. The floor-to-ceiling dual gas fireplace, constructed with raw steel panels, was a project he conceptualized, built and installed. “I designed this in 3D to work out the options I had to piece it all together,” Daryl adds. Like putting pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together, Daryl fit a variety of sized and shaped steel panels together to build this floor-to-ceiling chimney effect. He wanted it to look like it extended to the roof. The fireplace added a modern industrial appeal to the space, as well as a focal point of conversation. Another conversation piece in the living room area is the cocktail table sitting in front of the gas fireplace, also designed and built by Daryl. “I bought a slab of black walnut at Haycock Lumber in Plumsteadville,” he says, “and Scott fell in love with it.” Daryl made this 750-pound table, first in 3D, with a steel base for support. The table just fits into the space, continuing to infuse the living space with the natural balance of materials.
Illuminating all the wood and steel throughout the living space is the natural light streaming in through the set of four sliding doors to the outside and the many upper and lower oversized windows, all framed in black. In the living room space, there is a continuation of that play with dark and light, finished and raw, and light wood against the charcoal grey walls. Extending beyond the living room area, and behind the black Yamaha piano, the primary bedroom is tucked in the corner. Appointed with wood floors and a wood backdrop, this space is bathed in natural light coming from the oversized windows. Appointed with a woodsy feel, from floor-to-ceiling, the bedroom is awash in dark and light woods. Even the base of the bed is wood, created by Daryl Rost with natural timbers to blend in with the room’s woodsy persona. The bathroom has been designed with the same theme of wood and steel. The custom vanity has a walnut live edge top and a simple steel pedestal base.
Custom pieces continue on the loft level where several artistic additions were created to add interest and dimension to the space. In one corner, above the primary bedroom, is a home office. Accenting an exterior office wall along the bridge walkway, is a custom stained-glass window. Daryl collected a variety of antique stained-glass windows from Architectural Antiques in Bedminster. With the use of 3D, he puzzled the five windows together to create one large stained glass window that was inserted into the center of the wall. “I created an art piece to accent the space and let some light in,” Daryl adds. At the other end of the bridge is a chill out space to relax or watch TV. On a ledge above the TV wall sits another conversation piece, one of the owner’s motorcycles, adding a touch of the unexpected.
The unexpected is quite frankly what lies behind the front entrance to this modern barn-style home. Scott and Kim were finally able to move into their new home in January of 2021. Seeing the end result, after months of envisioning, collaborating and anticipating, was a gratifying experience for Daryl, his team and Scott and Kim. Built with a seamless mix of wood and metal, Daryl and his team flawlessly filled this home with a character all its own. Rustic, with an edge, and a balance of dark and light these elements bring this living space to life.
Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.