Laura Kaehler

Our clients owned an older house on a corner property set up high on a rock outcropping near the Darien shore. They loved the property but their home did not have most of the features that well designed newer homes have, such as a larger kitchen/family room and more luxurious master bedroom suite. They us to design a new stone and clapboard home with these modern features, to sit on their existing home’s site.

Key Design Features

To fulfill our client’s desire for a beautiful family home on top of this rocky ledge, we designed the floor plan in the shape of an L. This allowed the outer edge of the L to face the two streets and the inner edge of the L to face inward toward the private back yard and new terraces. The walls of the house facing the main road are two stories of stone with limestone details at the windows and doors. The walls facing the side road are clapboard with a high stone base.

To create a dramatic and surprising entry, we designed a floating staircase painted in a dark bronze color set within a white paneled and glass curved hallway. This sculptural staircase is the focal point of the home. The gardens and terraces are seen through the glass, beyond this feature structure.

To provide the family with a welcoming gathering space, we designed a large kitchen with room for several cooks and space for guests to work and relax. The kitchen is open to the family room with its stone fireplace and ample seating. From these two spaces, a line of French doors opens out to a porch and yard beyond.