Laura Kaehler

Our clients owned an older house on a corner property set high up on a rock outcropping. 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 asked us to design a new stone and clapboard home with these modern features, to sit on their existing home’s site.

Key Design Features

The outer edge of the L-shaped floorplan face manicured gardens of spruce, low-lying shrubs, and azaleas beyond which run two neighborhood streets. The inner edge of the L faces inward toward the private back yard and new terraces, thus contouring the top of the rocky ledge. 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 curved glass windows offer a view of the gardens, terraces, pool, and the media wing addition (see Darien Addition in our Portfolio).

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 the patio and pool beyond. A floating, sliding barn-door allows a seamless transition to the media wing addition.