This Catskills Cabin Convinced Two Brooklyn Creatives to Move Upstate

Three years ago, Arlena Armstrong and Matt Petock bought a 2008 wood cabin on a historic farm in Accord, New York. The fashion designer–filmmaker couple wanted a country escape from the Brooklyn bustle, a peaceful place where they could spend weekends surrounded by nature. The 1,400-square-foot abode, adjacent to agricultural land and with views of Mohonk Mountain, was a perfect getaway.

But the pandemic changed everything. Not only did the duo decide to ditch the city and move into their Catskills dwelling full-time, but Arlena also launched sustainable clothing brand Marvin Ruby to sell her upcycled quilted garments and ethical ready-to-wear apparel. Now, the cozy two-bedroom is both their main residence and the company’s headquarters, so every square inch is maximized.

Miraculously, though, the home isn’t cramped. Arlena and Matt immediately painted over the crazy colors left behind by the previous owner, which seemed to shrink the space, and replaced them with a charcoal-and-white palette that adds a sense of airiness. “A lot of our renovation was paint,” Arlena says. “We always joke that we’ve doubled the value of our house with a couple cans of Ben Moore.”

The duo also installed new windows, swapped in matte black hardware, and refinished the polished concrete floors. They then revamped the kitchen with walnut butcher block countertops and eucalyptus-hued cabinets and completely gutted both bathrooms. “They were very late-2000s beige and not pretty, so we modernized them,” Arlena explains. Stainless steel fixtures and grid-style white square tiles did the trick.

The most prominent architectural feature—Scandinavian-style, tongue-and-groove pine paneling that composes nearly every wall—was already there. It provides warmth aesthetically and physically, with its insulation properties helping to maintain heat throughout the cold, snowy winter.

When it came to furnishing the home, Arlena and Matt combined contemporary pieces with vintage treasures for a collected-yet-minimal farmhouse vibe. A metal flat file is used as an entry table on the open-concept ground level, and an Osburn wood stove mingles with an antique stool found in Arlena’s grandfather’s garage and a woven CB2 chair the couple dyed dark brown.

In the living area, a streamlined take on the regal Chesterfield sofa is paired with Matt’s collection of Japanese movie posters and an olive green chair. “We wanted a Chesterfield, but felt it would be too bulky in that room,” Arlena says. “West Elm was the only place we could find a modern-looking version that had legs and didn’t feel stuffy or heavy.”

The true show-stopper is the live-edge dining table the couple crafted themselves. “We ordered that large timber slab because we really wanted a specific size that fit the space and the correct amount of people,” Arlena explains. “We sourced legs from a maker on Etsy and put it all together.” They made the accompanying bench too.

At the top of the stairs, Arlena created a functional hallway office by attaching a flip-up sewing machine to the existing built-in desk. With a bulletin board for pinning fabrics, a professional dress form, a handwoven Moroccan rug from Salam Hello, and shelves filled with books, it’s a dreamy remote workstation.

The bedrooms are both simple and tranquil, with exposed beams and vaulted ceilings that offer a rustic touch. Soft, neutral bedding, white wood floors, and walnut-toned midcentury furniture complete the inviting atmosphere, which is equally ideal for a weekend retreat and everyday life.