Inspired by old world luxury, the Zio and Sons founder has transformed a property called This Old Hudson in Upstate New York.
Inside a Century-Old Home Turned Luxury Retreat by Designer Anthony D'Argenzio
Inspired by old world luxury, the Zio and Sons founder has transformed a property called This Old Hudson in Upstate New York.
Welcome to The Makers. Each week, we celebrate innovators, artisans, and crafters of all types by taking you on a private tour of their creative spaces. For this instalment, we tour This Old Hudson Maison, a vacation rental luxuriously reimagined by designer Anthony D'Argenzio of Zio and Sons.
Whether it's to personally live in, transform into a Bed and Breakfast, or rent out as a holiday home, reviving a historical property is a dream many of us wish to make a reality at some point in life. For real estate and design aficionado Anthony D'Argenzio, transforming properties into destination rentals is one part of his enviable day-to-day job and one of his most notable projects is the exquisite This Old Hudson Maison, located almost two hours outside Manhattan in the Hudson Valley, NY.
Anthony is the founder of Zio and Sons, a bespoke design, creative services, and photography studio in New York City and the Hudson Valley. He began his career as a set and prop stylist in New York City which transitioned into interiors and lifestyle design. His career later evolved into the real estate world and he began transforming properties into luxurious destination rentals.
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Inspired by old world luxury, this unit has a distinct European feel to it.
The Old Hudson Maison is one of four units in The Old Hudson building that Anthony has renovated from top to bottom. Inspired by old world luxury, this unit has a distinct European feel to it. Step inside and you're immediately transported to the French countryside with each room dotted with vintage and antique pieces. "I wanted the space to feel luxurious but also comfortable and lived-in," he shares with Bed Threads Journal. The original historic wallpaper which features a beautifully ornate design was the starting point for the home's overall interior scheme.
The rustic-meets-upstate kitchen boasts charm in spades with its farmhouse-style sink, gold tapware, antique cupboard, and decorative terracotta-hued wall tiles by Zio and Sons. These tiles carry through to the bathroom which boasts a similar chic farmhouse aesthetic . The living areas boast a romantic feel with upholstered seating and patina finishes.
In the main bedroom, Rust linen takes centre stage ties in elegantly with the wallpaper, and beautiful antique doors that were reclaimed from an old library have been transformed into a movable wall. We spoke to Anthony about his creative process when making beautiful spaces, how his art is always changing and evolving, and his favourite pieces within the abode.
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The kitchen boasts charm with its farmhouse-style sink and gold tapware.
Hi Anthony! This series is called The Makers. What is it that you make?
I'm a maker of beautiful spaces, intriguing images, as well as products and materials.
How does the act of “making” relate to your personality and who you are?
The act of creating and making is in my DNA. Even my last name D’Argenzio means “people of silver” in Italian—old silversmiths circa 1600s. I also come from a lineage of cabinet and winemakers.
Tell us about your career journey to date. Did you always know you wanted to pursue this line of work?
My career has been ever-evolving. I started as a set and prop stylist in NYC which transitioned into interiors and lifestyle design. Later, I evolved into real estate and began transforming properties into destination rentals like This Old Hudson Maison.
My bespoke creative studio is definitely known for its design of This Old Hudson, but Zio and Sons is also behind some really successful product collections. I wanted to create products that would enhance my designs and elevate any space.
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Decorative terracotta-hued wall tiles by Zio and Sons.
Talk us through your creative process. Where do you start?
It definitely depends on the task. For creating interiors, I like to start by outlining my goals. Once I have my outline, I will have a creative brainstorm and make a moodboard before I execute.
What’s been the most challenging lesson learned so far in your career?
Patience is the first thing that comes to mind. Working toward a goal takes time and determination. I strive to stay focused and not let the little things distract me, which keeps me from getting discouraged and building toward my vision.
What’s been the best thing that’s happened to you since you started your career?
Moving to The Hudson Valley and starting my career in real estate.
I wanted the space to feel luxurious but also comfortable and lived-in.
- Anthony D'Argenzio
Do you have a single piece of advice you’d give to your younger self or someone looking to pursue a similar line of work?
Baby steps! Start small, don't over-leverage yourself. And be realistic about what your goals are. Invest in yourself, and always strive to keep improving. If something is not working, be willing to change it and adapt quickly.
Now, the home stuff. How long have you owned this space?
Since 2017. I renovated this building top to bottom. This is one of four units—I finished This Old Hudson Maison most recently, in 2020.
How did you initially know this was the space for you?
The space is really for my guests.
It all started on a long weekend away from New York City when I was visiting Hudson with my family. When I came upon this fixer-upper, I knew right away that it had gorgeous, century-old bones. At first, I thought it would just be a weekend project, but the more time I spent in the town, I knew that it was going to be home for us.
What drew me to the house was the old-world charm. I wanted people to find their own version of that experience when they visited This Old Hudson, the kind of place where creativity blooms and art happens on the spot.
Did you do any renovations or make any big changes to the space?
Absolutely - top to bottom! The space was in major disrepair and needed to be completely redone. You can read all about the renovation journey in my Domino Magazine column.
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Build Your Own Bedding Bundle with Rust and Terracotta.
What was the thought process behind the way you’ve styled the interior?
The discovery of the original historic ornate wallpaper was what really inspired the overall aesthetic - emphasising old-world details with a modern twist. I loved it so much that I ended up developing a wallpaper collection and designed one of the styles around the original print.
That extended to the rest of the space. I was completely inspired by old-world luxury with a nod to French and European influences. I wanted the space to feel luxurious but also comfortable and lived-in. Something you would find in the French countryside.
What are your favourite pieces in the home?
Any time I walk into the bathroom or the kitchen I am reminded of the evolution of Zio and Sons. I was so excited to use my tile collection to complete the space and it turned out just the way I imagined. Renovating and decorating with antiques and vintage items is an important element in all of my designs.
My favourite finds include the antique cupboard we repurposed for the kitchen sink base and the antique doors that were reclaimed from an old library which we turned into a movable wall for the primary suite.
Do you have any special décor pieces you’re looking to add?
Design is never done! I'm always adding and subtracting odds and ends. My art is always changing and evolving.
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Rust linen ties in elegantly with the wallpaper.
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Which is your favourite room in the house?
The kitchen for sure. Love the rustic-meets-upstate look. And the strategic use of antiques.
What are your top tips for a well-styled bedroom, and home generally?
Less is more in a bedroom. Always start with good bedding—a very important element for any sleeping space—and build a space that is just as comfortable. I like to think about how I am going to use the space. What are the design features or objects that will continue to inspire me every day?
Do you have any projects coming up you want to talk about?
Many! Top of mind is my new cabin, which I’ve been renovating for the past year. We’re in the final stages of completion and I can’t wait to move in and officially call it home.
For more from Anthony follow him @zioandsons, @thisoldhudson, and at thisoldhudson.com
Photography by Meghan Marin. Styling by Laura Woolf.
