Laura Kaehler

The client purchased a non descript, older contemporary located on a site with wide angled views of marshland and Long Island Sound beyond. We were asked to renovate and expand the home and to maximize the views. In addition, our client wanted the house to be transformed into a cutting edge modern home with quality materials and comfortable spaces.

Key Design Features

To transform the exterior of the home, we chose to focus on two primary areas of the house and underplay the remainder of the structure. We designed an entry tower consisting of stone, mahogany and stainless steel doors highlighted by glass transoms capped with a curved lead coated copper roof.  The entry tower design is echoed in a wide dormer with a curved roofline and glass transoms designed for the master bedroom. The dormer is visible from the front of the home, but is more dominant at the rear. The rest of the house was treated as a background to these standout elements, through the consistent use of a palette of gray stained vertical siding, mahogany framed windows, stainless steel railings and cedar-shingled roofs.

To maximize the panoramic views from the interior spaces, we glazed the back of the home with large expanses of glass. We re-designed the landscape to accentuate the views by adding a curved entertaining patio framed within a stone sitting wall with steps down to a pool/spa terrace and to a step-terraced lawn.

To provide comfortable spaces within the new renovation, we organized the most used rooms around the spectacular views of the Sound. The kitchen/breakfast/great room is one large space and is the central living space of the home. The stair to the second floor opens into this space and an “L” shaped second floor balcony/bridge looks down into this room. All bedroom doors open onto this balcony and are connected visually to the space below.

To design a modern interior that is both exciting and functional, we designed each room with a consistent palette of materials; built-ins and cabinetry are maple and mahogany, the flooring is maple, and the stainless steel balusters are capped with maple handrails along black and gray stone steps.