Guilford, CT
The owners of this 1863 Italianate home came to us with the unique experience of having grown up in the house. The primary goal of the second-generation homeowners was to restore the house to its original grandeur, with a secondary focus on improving function and updating the building shell.
Overall, existing details were repaired, recreated, or improved. The entry foyer was opened to its original layout, exposing the stair, and connecting the house to the new addition at the rear of the house. The addition, completed with details that match the existing house, addresses the necessary functional improvements. It includes a bright and useful kitchen that is perfect for the homeowner’s enjoyment of cooking and entertaining, and a proper master suite.
This home is now prepared to welcome families for generations to come.
Guilford, CT
Our clients came to us inspired by the California vineyards of Howard Backen. They shared a vision for rebuilding their home in the style of a modern barn with simple, clean volumes, large window openings to take in the harbor views, a pallet of natural materials to add warmth & texture, and strategic lighting to add drama to the home.
Branford, CT
On a tight lot with zoning and coastal restrictions, the Shoreline House is bright and full of light, capturing views of Long Island Sound from every space. Multiple bunk rooms and an open concept floor plan for the kitchen, living and dining allow for large family gatherings, especially during the summer months to take advantage of the spectacular waterfront location.
Madison, CT
This magnificent coastal home is both a full-time residence and family retreat that welcomes with light and views to awake and restore residents and guests. The entrance drive gently sweeps toward the stately front entry porch and twin gables, while hinting at the expansive views to Long Island Sound that will be revealed inside. The house sits slightly elevated, affording protection from future storms. The front twin gable is reflected on the water side with a gracious porch and stair that transitions gracefully down to the beach and rocky shoreline.
Guilford, CT
Mansfield, CT
Designed as a second home for a family living in California, it was important for the home to capture the beauty of the surrounding woods of the site. The integration of outdoor and indoor living spaces was a crucial element to the project. The home consists of two main volumes that are splayed away from one another and connected by the main living space. The singular pitch of the roofs are tallest at the ends to capture the views, bring in light and connect to the decks overlooking the woods. The more private spaces are tucked into the lower end of the volumes. Doug fir ceilings that run through to the exterior, emphasis the elegant roof shape and provide warmth to the home. The home is cherished by the family who look forward to enjoying its connection with the surrounding woods for many years to come.
Bantam, CT
Built for a client with an interest in farming, this new house and barn buildings in Bantam, CT combine energy efficiency with a clean and simple design. The location of the main spaces within the house capture the hillside views and connect directly to the exterior living spaces.
Guilford, CT
This colonial style house, originally built in 1803, was given a new life. By moving the kitchen and daily dining spaces to the back of the house, and opening up the floor plan, the family can now enjoy the breathtaking views of their riverside property. Additionally, roof lines were altered to increase second floor living space, and the overall aged interiors were brightened up.
There was also an opportunity to transform the outbuildings on this property, making it an extra special place for the homeowner and their guests for years to come.
Madison, CT
This large renovation of an addition included kitchen, dining and living spaces that were meant to complement the farmhouse aesthetic of the home and accommodate all the newer modern living spaces with easy access to the yard.
Guilford, CT
The existing structure was built in 1898 as a barn on the property of Joseph E Wyatte in Guilford, CT. Converted into a multi-generational home, the simple Gothic Architectural details are combined with modern building technologies to create a warm, unique home to be enjoyed for many generations to come.
Madison, CT
A 4500 sf year round home in a prestigious and charming shoreline neighborhood of Madison, Connecticut. The design presents the graceful lines, materials and details of a classic 1900’s shoreline retreat, while inside waits a near zero energy home that employs revolutionary conservation techniques and systems. When building science and shoreline aesthetic are gracefully married into this home, the result is an authentic coastal homestead that will be enjoyed for generations.
Madison, CT
A charming seaside cottage with all the amenities for easy living including many nooks, benches and porches for taking in the view, a book or family time. We designed this home around our client’s needs, but it is easy to see how family, friends and neighbors will feel right at home.
At the heart of a cherished neighborhood, our clients entrusted us with the transformation of their summer cottage into a year-round home. The exterior remains inspired by traditional shoreline architecture with cedar shake siding and crisp white trim, while the interior is more playful with bright colors and unique tile accents. With a focus on craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and low maintenance detailing, this cheery home is the ideal retirement retreat.
Branford, CT
Sited beside a meandering tidal river, this home reclines gracefully along the hillside tucked amongst the tree line with views out toward the river and salt marsh. The overall tone is one of understated elegance, nothing is overdone yet there are many thoughtful details that complement the daily routines of the family.
Guilford, CT
The pastoral beauty of the site and views to Faulkner’s Island suggested the home present itself modestly in scale from the streetscape. We conceived the new 3500 square foot residence as a cottage whose modest entry belied the expansive views and light filled interior.
Guilford, CT
Our clients had been steeped in rich architectural diversity in their lives and determined their style to be a distilled functionality with elements of Craftsman, mid-century California, and New England design. They were both energized by the light and views and wanted to incorporate them into their main living spaces and home offices. Being both artistic and practical they wanted to create something beautiful and respectful of the environment.
Photos by Olson Photographic
Guilford, CT
Captivated by the waterfront views, our clients purchased a 1980s shoreline residence that was in need of a modern update. They entrusted us with the task of adjusting the layout to meet their needs and infusing the space with a palette inspired by Long Island Sound – consisting of light wood, neutral stones and tile, expansive windows and unique lighting accents. The result is an inviting space for entertaining and relaxing alike, blending modern aesthetics with warmth seamlessly.
Guilford, CT
Having settled into their historic colonial home, our clients turned their interest to the outdoors where they dreamed of entertaining and nurturing their ideas of gardening. We created an escape and gathering place conceived as an elevated barn in the landscape. The pool house, featuring expansive pocketing doors, seamlessly connects the living space to the outdoors with a large deck crafted from weathered Ipe wood decking. The pool is surrounded by lush landscaping, raised garden beds and a private greenhouse. Nearby, an existing red barn was restored to complete the composition of structures – resulting in the perfect backyard oasis for relaxation and enjoyment.
Photos by Rise Visual Media
Madison, CT
A new, master suite addition and development of an outdoor entertaining space and pool complete our client’s dream home on a corner lot. After purchasing the adjacent property, the single story addition was positioned to create a private courtyard space, shielding the pool and outdoor living spaces from the street. An outdoor kitchenette and covered seating area with retractable screens and fireplace adjacent to the saltwater pool are prefect for entertaining practically all year long.
Guilford, CT
Reconstructing this charming seaside cottage for an avid sailor had us incorporating the efficiency of modern solar and geothermal systems, flexibility of floor plans, expansiveness of shoreline views and joy of shoreline living.
Guilford, CT
Nestled at the end of quiet road along the shoreline, this FEMA complaint house is bright, light and beachy. A 3-season sunroom, large porch and ground level patios allow for outdoor entertaining, while balconies of the bedroom spaces offer a private oasis. The main living spaces are situated on the waterside of the house and large openings capture the wonderful views.
Branford, CT
This rocky coastline opens to the beauty and forces of Long Island Sound in CT, which drew in our clients. Hurricane Irene flooded the existing cottage and their thoughts of renovating it. After some consideration of options they decided that they would build new. It was very challenging to site the house and guest house, with many zoning and FEMA constraints, but in doing so we looked to optimize the orientations for views.
Guilford, CT
The main goal for the renovation of an existing, FEMA compliant house was to maximize the outdoor living space and to capture the amazing views of the coastline. Three levels of outdoor living and large glass doors that fully open bring the outside in and create an oasis perfect for entertaining.
Photos by Pete’s Precision Photography
Madison, CT
With respect to the traditional, cottage style homes in the surrounding shoreline neighborhood, this more transitional residence with modern elements fully leverages the wonderful views of Long Island Sound. The open, causal floor plan of the main living spaces encourages casual entertaining, utilized primarily during the summer months but also as a shoreline retreat during the winter breaks and holidays.
Photos by Richard Alan Photography
New Marlborough, MA
This family home is sited along a New England lake on a steeply sloping wooded site. The living spaces are highly influenced by local lakeside cabins and whimsical tree houses. The home is settled into the ridge leaving walk out conditions on most sides and oriented to catch the views and light.
Photos by Olson Photographic
Guilford, CT
Our clients were asking for a home in which to retire and encourage artistic pursuits in stone sculpting and woodworking. They were looking for clean contemporary lines, with a warm natural feel. They had found a site which was a two acre parcel in a subdivision bordering a large preserve. The wooded landscape with mature trees and low bands of mountain laurel heavily influenced the exterior appearance of a mountain home with timber and stone accents.
Photos by Olson Photographic
Tupper Lake, NY
Looking for a way to enjoy the great outdoors with a minimal environmental impact, we decided to try a minimal building footprint. This Tiny House is our second home and we poured our creativity and energy conscious goals into making it suit our needs and style. The design was driven with the concept that it could adapt to be run off the grid. We designed the butterfly roof to catch rain water, with one side to receive solar panels.