Layla Zulfa
The home’s journey from a neglected structure to a high-design family residence mirrors broader trends in the Hudson Valley real estate market, where creative professionals from New York City have increasingly sought to preserve the region’s eccentric character while modernizing its amenities. For O’Neill and Bull, the project was less about a traditional gut renovation and more about a strategic, color-driven intervention that respected the home’s peculiar, mismatched origins.
A Legacy of Architectural Ambiguity
The precise history of the residence remains shrouded in mystery, a common occurrence among the older, incrementally expanded properties of Ulster County. The structure is built upon a substantial stone base, a feature that O’Neill notes suggests a past significantly older than the upper timber-clad levels. The interior is characterized by a series of architectural anomalies, including pitched roof lines, mismatched angles, and a layout that O’Neill describes as defying standard categorization.
When the couple acquired the property over ten years ago, it functioned primarily as a weekend getaway for socializing with friends. At the time, the interior was a literal interpretation of the "Woodstock hippie" aesthetic, replete with wizard-themed artwork and decorative signage encouraging occupants to "Breathe" and "Relax." While the couple affectionately referred to the state of the house as a "fun dump," the arrival of their children, Lagos and Monty, necessitated a shift toward a more functional and permanent family environment.
Chronology of Transformation: From Party Pad to Family Retreat
The renovation of the Woodstock home was a gradual process, dictated by the changing needs of the family rather than a singular, aggressive construction schedule. The timeline of the home’s evolution can be categorized into three distinct phases:
- The Acquisition Phase (Circa 2013): The couple purchased the home fully furnished, inheriting a collection of eclectic, mid-century, and bohemian pieces. During this period, the house remained largely unchanged, serving as a rustic escape from the high-pressure environments of New York City’s fashion and experiential marketing sectors.
- The Growth Phase (Circa 2019-2021): With the birth of their first child, the limitations of the original "mismatched" floor plan became apparent. The couple engaged Mitchell Owen Architect to oversee structural revisions that would add necessary square footage without compromising the home’s inherent charm. This phase included the addition of a new bedroom, a laundry room, and an additional bathroom.
- The Aesthetic Realization (2022-Present): Eschewing the services of an interior designer, O’Neill and Bull took direct control of the home’s visual identity. This final phase focused on the "heart" of the home—the kitchen—and the implementation of a "tropical aesthetic" that utilized high-contrast paint colors and globally sourced vintage furnishings to create a cohesive narrative.
The Kitchen: A Study in High-Contrast Color Theory
The kitchen serves as the primary anchor for the home’s design language. In a departure from the minimalist, neutral palettes that have dominated residential design for much of the last decade, O’Neill opted for a bold trio of primary and secondary hues. The backsplash is composed of bright yellow Italian tiles, providing a sunny, reflective surface that contrasts with the cabinetry, which is finished in Benjamin Moore’s "Bahama Waters," a vivid teal-green.
The most prominent feature of the space is a baby-pink Smeg refrigerator. This choice, according to O’Neill, was a deliberate embrace of whimsy over resale-value pragmatism. "You only live once, so get a pink fridge," she remarked, highlighting a design philosophy that prioritizes personal joy and daily inspiration. The kitchen is not merely a showpiece; it is a functional hub where O’Neill prepares meals for her children and simmers broths, emphasizing the room’s role as the "beating heart" of the household.
Innovative Use of Space: The Treehouse Bathroom
One of the most distinctive features of the renovation is the second-floor bathroom, which O’Neill refers to as the "treehouse bathroom." Painted in Benjamin Moore’s "Caribbean Coast," the room features a secret, child-sized door that leads to an indoor Juliet balcony overlooking the lower levels.
The material choices in this space further reflect the couple’s dedication to sourcing unique, high-quality components. The flooring consists of cement tiles from Clé, while the sink—a "Giallo Limone" model—was sourced from the British design firm Dyke & Dean. Lighting is provided by 1950s-era blue porcelain sconces and a Stilux sconce, highlighting the couple’s preference for mid-century European design.
Sustainable Sourcing and the Vintage Market
The home’s interior is almost entirely furnished with vintage pieces, a choice that aligns with O’Neill’s professional background in sustainable fashion. As the CEO of Nayla, O’Neill oversees the production of footwear made from fish leather—a byproduct of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste. This commitment to repurposing and valuing "worn" materials extends to her home.
The sourcing process was exhaustive, involving hours of digital curation on platforms such as 1stDibs, Chairish, and Etsy. Notable acquisitions include:
- 1980s Swedish wall lamps: Sourced internationally, requiring complex shipping and refurbishing.
- 1970s pine mirror: A vintage Swedish piece that complements the home’s rustic wood paneling.
- Reclaimed wood dining furniture: A custom dining table and benches crafted by local Hudson Valley artisan Mike Brontoli.
- Nashville-sourced sofas: Pieces from RH (Restoration Hardware) that were transported from Bull’s mother’s home in Tennessee.
This reliance on the secondary market not only reduces the environmental impact of the renovation but also ensures that the home feels grounded in history. "My husband and I really love old things that are worn and just a bit rustic," O’Neill explained, noting that the original wood-paneled walls of the home were kept in their original state, requiring no refinishing.
Market Context: The Hudson Valley’s Creative Migration
The renovation of the O’Neill-Bull residence occurs against the backdrop of a significant shift in the Hudson Valley’s demographic and economic landscape. Over the last decade, and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ulster County has seen a 20% to 30% increase in property values in certain sectors, driven largely by the "creative class" migrating from metropolitan areas.
Woodstock, historically an arts colony, has regained its status as a premier destination for those seeking a balance between rural tranquility and high-concept living. The trend toward "maximalist" or "dopamine-inducing" decor—characterized by the bold use of color and eclectic patterns seen in this home—is a direct reaction to the "sad beige" and "millennial gray" trends that dominated the 2010s. Analysts suggest that this shift reflects a broader cultural desire for homes that feel personalized and lived-in rather than staged for a showroom.
Analysis of Implications: Design as an Extension of Brand
The Woodstock home serves as a bridge between the couple’s professional lives and their private sanctuary. Jesse Bull’s business, which involves team-building exercises centered around neon paint "bombs," finds a visual echo in the home’s vibrant palette. Similarly, O’Neill’s footwear brand, Nayla, is built on the premise of taking an unconventional material (fish leather) and elevating it through vivid dyes and high-end craftsmanship.
The decision to forego a professional interior designer is a growing trend among affluent homeowners who possess strong personal brands. By taking a DIY approach to high-end renovation, O’Neill and Bull have created a space that is a pure reflection of their "tropical aesthetic," free from the homogenized "signature styles" often imposed by major design firms.
Conclusion: A Balanced Aesthetic
Ultimately, the O’Neill-Bull residence stands as a testament to the power of color to transform architectural uncertainty into a cohesive family home. By preserving the "weirdness" of the original structure—including the occasional wizard painting from the home’s "hippie" past—the couple has created a residence that is both sophisticated and approachable.
The project demonstrates that high-end residential design does not require the erasure of a property’s history. Instead, through the strategic application of color, the thoughtful sourcing of vintage artifacts, and a willingness to embrace "unserious" elements, a home can become a vibrant, living record of the family that inhabits it. As the Hudson Valley continues to evolve, properties like this Woodstock retreat will likely serve as blueprints for a new generation of homeowners seeking to blend historical reverence with modern, colorful vitality.
