Set within an old-growth forest in Bedford, New York, an 18th-century farmhouse has undergone a meticulous interior reimagining by artist Happy Menocal. The historic property balances centuries-old architecture with whimsical, hand-painted details and custom textile design.

Historical Context and Setting
Dating back to the 1700s, the Bedford residence embodies the traditional vernacular of early American rural architecture. Surrounded by dense, old-growth woodland, the structure retains its original proportions, low-beamed ceilings, and heavy timber framing.
Rather than erasing the imperfections accumulated over three centuries, the design approach embraces the patina of the historic timber. Every room reflects a dialogue between the rigid constraints of 18th-century construction and the fluid imagination of contemporary artistic intervention.
Custom Murals and Hand-Painted Surfaces
The defining visual element of the interior is the extensive use of original artwork applied directly to the surfaces. Floor-to-ceiling murals painted by Menocal wrap around the living spaces, depicting flora, fauna, and fantastical heraldry inspired by the surrounding landscape.
These large-scale paintings serve as immersive wallpaper alternatives, altering the perceived geometry of small, dark 18th-century rooms by drawing natural light across reflective, hand-mixed pigment surfaces.
Inventive Materials and Bespoke Textiles
Materiality throughout the house contrasts high craft with unexpected found objects. Alongside custom-designed upholstery and hand-printed linens, the interior features unconventional decorative accents, including chandeliers constructed from disposable aluminium lasagna trays.
This juxtaposition of heirloom-quality woodworking and ephemeral domestic waste underpins a broader philosophy of non-precious luxury, proving that atmospheric depth relies on wit and curation rather than uniform high-end sourcing.
- Embrace historic architectural quirks rather than forcing a modern, open-plan layout.
- Use floor-to-ceiling hand-painted murals to expand spatial boundaries in compact rooms.
- Mix high-end custom textiles with ironic, low-cost decorative objects for textural tension.
- Let the surrounding landscape dictate the palette and thematic motifs of interior spaces.
Properties in Bedford, New York, frequently attract buyers seeking historic provenance, privacy, and acreage within commuting distance of Manhattan. While specific transaction figures for this property are private, historic farmhouses set within significant acreage in northern Westchester County command strong premiums from creative professionals and executives alike. Maintaining structural integrity while applying high-end artistic customisation generally enhances the long-term emotional and resale value of secondary heritage residences in this enclave.
Related reads
In This Artist’s 1700s Farmhouse Surrounded By Old-Growth Forest, the Chandeliers Are Made of Disposable Lasagna Trays (Architectural Digest, 1 Oct 2026)
Sources & credits
- Feature: In This Artist’s 1700s Farmhouse Surrounded By Old-Growth Forest, the Chandeliers Are Made of Disposable Lasagna Trays — Architectural Digest. Linked, not reproduced.
- Main image: Architectural Digest, from the original feature linked above; all rights remain with the publisher and photographer.
- Headlines via Google News RSS; content belongs to the linked publishers.
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