Connecticut

A custom dining table by Chaddock anchors the dining area. The chairs, also from Chaddock, are upholstered in velvet on the front and silk on the back.

The old, underutilized pool was replaced with a more organic design framed by granite pavers and the occasional protruding boulder.

The bluestone terrace is home to a fireplace and all-weather wicker seating.

Al fresco entertaining space was limited at the main house, so the owner made up for it at the barn, where an expansive pergola shelters the outdoor kitchen and dining area, and a pizza oven and an eighty-inch TV keep the party lively.

The pub room on the lower level boasts an eclectic mix of clubby leather seating and an African table dating back to the 1940s.

The owner is an avid reader who wanted a library where he could consolidate his extensive book collection. Custom shelves crafted from reclaimed white oak surround an antique English library table dating from around 1800. The rug underneath is new, but was designed to look old and distressed.

The great room’s antique oak ceiling rises nearly twenty-two feet and is illuminated by French doors crowned with a solid granite lintel that took a day and a half to hoist into place.

The downhill side of the barn overlooks an auto court.

Nestled across the yard from the 7,000-square-foot main house, this Ridgefield retreat contains a gym, library, office, and gathering spaces—but no bedrooms, in deference to local building codes. Architect Mark P. Finlay designed it to look like an old outbuilding that had been added onto over the years.

A corner table provides the perfect perch for tastings.

Industrial-style stools await visitors at the bar, whose rear door leads to a wine cellar with storage for 2,000 bottles.

The master bath, created post-fire by reconfiguring the floor plan just a bit, is a dream come true for Ashley.

The keeping room is home to owner Ashley’s finds; she loves scouting for antiques and unusual pieces, like the blue leather wing chairs and animal-print ottoman, that bring personality to her rooms.

The multipurpose sitting room adjacent to the kitchen has always been the family’s go-to gathering place. A sofa with plush pillows invites conversation.

The kitchen’s support beams and frieze are reminders of the room’s modest beginnings. The marble surfaces, glazed backsplash, and metal finishes were the shot of glamour that was missing.

The balcony overlooking the great room was painstakingly and authentically restored, with the ceiling, balustrade, and paneled walls refabricated to match what was there before a devastating fire.

The home has been stitched together like a patchwork quilt—with additions, ells, walkways, and wings—over its many years, but has stayed true to its vernacular narrative.

That constant of the home’s unchanged facade belies all of the changes that have taken place behind its period doors over time.

The house sits on 2.6 acres, and includes a barn and this guest house, where the Bowman family lived while the main house was being remodeled.

Brass accents add a historic sheen to the kitchen, whose table extends out from a marble-topped island.

A second island anchors the adjacent prep-and-cleanup area.

The color palette is established in the entry hall, thanks to an exuberant striped wallpaper from Stroheim that designer Lynn Morgan paired with the homeowners’ own console table and mirror.

Comfort was paramount in the family room, which features a custom ottoman covered in outdoor canvas. Patterned paper enlivens the back of the bookshelves.

Manicured plantings underscore the formality of the Colonial Revival architecture.

To lighten the formality of the owners’ mahogany dining set, Morgan upholstered the chair backs in a blue zebra print and introduced a sisal area rug and clear glass chandelier.

The neighboring butler’s pantry was turned into a wet bar.

Blue is paired with orange in son Juan-Carlos’s bedroom, which once belonged to hockey great Max Pacioretty.

The palette is more peaceful in the master bedroom, where the custom bed is topped with Legacy Linens.

The designer’s comprehensive approach extended to the placement of the owner’s Nantucket baskets and boxes on the living room’s étagère.

The screened porch resembles a small A-frame cabin; breezes can blow right through the latticed wicker furniture.

The stone-lined swimming pool, original to the house, is fringed by landscaping and a wildflower garden.

Waterworks, in Westport, was the source of the contemporary furnishings in the spacious master bath builder Chris Washington carved out of the original master bedroom.

The serene master bedroom is a study in quiet neutrals and soft textures.

The Josephine sofa from J. Robert Scott makes the living room a favorite spot for snuggling up with a book on a sunny afternoon.

The kitchen was truly in move-in condition; the only additions were the pots and pans and a pair of Holly Hunt crescent stools.

A few large, simple furnishings, including sofas in muted colors, help scale the great room down to human size, but the custom Holly Hunt chandelier bespeaks rustic grandeur.

A modest shingled exterior belies the home’s light-filled interior spaces. High-peaked rooflines hint at the multiple vaulted ceilings inside.

Typical of the home, the dining room blends the owner’s collected possessions—table, chairs, and artwork—with new lighting, rug, and wallcovering.

To add to the living room’s airy feel, designer Christina Sullivan Roughan removed crown molding above the French doors and hung the draperies as high as possible. The neutral palette of pale gray and white gets youthful energy with the occasional shot of sky blue.

A dazzling Ricardo Rumi painting and a Lubomir Tomaszewski sculpture add contemporary flair to the library.

Casual barstools in the kitchen offer an informal contrast to the dining room.

In the family room, hemp wallcovering and wool carpeting enhance the cozy feel.

The house presents a classic, simple Georgian facade in keeping with its New Canaan location.

Polished nickel light fixtures sound a contemporary note in the entry.

The dining room features a round table custom designed by Roughan for the house; a graphic rug adds movement to the serene space.

The random dots in the Stark stair runner meander from the lower level to the fourth-floor office.

A once-dark powder room got a light and bright makeover with Gracie wallpaper, marble floor tile, and a lighter-than-air Lucite vanity from Waterworks.

The dining room’s delicate Dennis & Leen chandelier balances the heftiness of the moldings, but both share a sense of shine. In the living room, glistening nailheads and zebra fabrics add interest to the lounge chairs.

Morgan Harrison gave the kitchen some pop with a globe light fixture from Remains, fresh window treatments, and new hardware.

Comfortable simplicity reigns in the master bedroom, where delicate night tables from Worlds Away flank the plush upholstered headboard.

Designer Michelle Morgan Harrison introduced shine throughout the house, from the living room’s crystal chandelier to the silver-leaf coffee table to the high-gloss finish on the home’s moldings, stair balusters, and newel caps.

The exterior of the Greenwich townhouse.

A Barbara Barry chaise offers an alternative lounging spot in the guest room.

Just off the living room, a staircase winds up all four floors of the home, originally designed by architect Anthony J. Tartaglia.

Iconic Eames walnut stools are part of the room’s playful mix of patterns and textures.

Yellow River granite gives the streamlined kitchen a rich feel.

The homeowner designed the Chippendale-style headboard for the master bedroom.

New and old blend in this backyard view of the home: the original 1826 section of the house is in the middle, flanked by the 1916 addition to the right and the new family room to the left, where a carriage house once stood.

Tamara Kalin’s favorite color makes a bold appearance on pillows, throws, and accent pieces in the couple’s bedroom.

A balcony was closed in to create the master suite’s chic sitting area.

The living room’s sofas, custom designed by interior designer Gilles Clement, get extra visual interest with built-in shelves at their backs.

Serena & Lily bar stools surround a marble-topped kitchen island; the owners acquired the vintage, orange-lacquered lunch box on a trip to Myanmar.

Appliances are concealed within a wooden enclosure designed to resemble an old ice box; like much of the interior millwork, it was built by Michael Smith.

A reclaimed nineteenth-century door opens onto the foyer, construction of which required the removal of an old fireplace and the relocation of a staircase.

The cocktail room’s gold paint and drapes brighten the substantial leather furniture and deep teal shelves.

The comfortable everyday dining area just off the kitchen has sunny backyard views on two sides.

The cheerful upstairs office, with walls painted in dramatic Charlotte’s Locks from Farrow & Ball, is functional and fun: the owners run their winery from here when they’re not in California.

A new tin-roofed wraparound veranda, eyebrow windows, and authentic gaslights from Bevolo of New Orleans add character to the historic home on a hilltop in Wilton.

A slew of Williams Sonoma pillows in a host of summery blue tones raises the living room’s comfort level, while a glass top enhances the dining table’s practicality. Leather-bound books and an antique copper boiler add to the hearth’s charm. The handsome rug pulling it all together is from Ballard Designs.

To create a lighter atmosphere for the living room, designer Patricia Lapierre removed the doors that once enclosed the lowest part of the shelving and brought in beachy accessories. She also embellished a small upholstered chair with nailhead trim, upping its character tenfold.

A bar tray holds entertaining essentials at the ready.

A sisal rug defines the sunroom’s dining area. Cheery curtains make a colorful frame for the view.

To update the existing outdoor furniture collection, Lapierre had the pieces repainted and outfitted with new pillows and umbrellas.

In the living room, accessories from Ralph Lauren Home lend an antique chest fresh personality.

Less than two decades old, this classically designed colonial home in New Canaan offers no hint of the redesign from the front.

A zinc-topped wet bar features a well for liquor bottles and ample storage for barware.

The conservatory doors open onto a stone patio and fireplace. A small deck off the master bedroom sits above the sunny passage between the kitchen area and the wet bar.

The Lucite legs of the upholstered bench at the foot of the master bed add a glamorous touch.

A silk rug grounds the living room, where a sofa reupholstered by the designer in Venetian velvet and chairs re-covered in Osborne & Little Oriole fabric beckon. Ikat and animal-print toss pillows lend an exotic note.

Phillip Jeffries wallpaper provides a subdued background that lets the art play a starring role.

Comfy cowhide-covered swivel chairs fill the sitting space off the kitchen.

An upholstered banquette and cafe chairs surround the breakfast area’s Saarinen table. Comfy cowhide-covered swivel chairs fill the sitting space off the kitchen.

A fireplace fabricated with London Fog stone commands attention in the family room.

A sculpture by New York artist Jeremy Holmes makes a statement on the custom wallpaper that wraps the elegant formal dining space.

White sofas and a cowhide rug, glass cocktail table, and an airy cage chandelier are washed in light in the glassed-in conservatory.

A Victoria + Albert soaking tub in the master bathroom sits between a pair of vanities topped in mitered Carrara stone.

The kitchen features form and function in equal measure.

The house is a study in simplicity—and problem solving. It was a tough site, says architect Jim Estes: “Not much room and close neighbors.” To make the most of the lot, he took the house up to the setback lines, which created a courtyard on the street side.

Lots of doors and fixed floor-to-ceiling windows blur the lines between indoors and out.

The dining area can accommodate a crowd.

The natural landscape design incorporates an abundance of native plants; the long, bottom leg of the “U” (the back of the house) is oriented to take full advantage of the water views.

Horizontal lines and a mix of light wood finishes, including walls clad in pale yellow sugar pine, contribute to the home’s seamless look.

Slats and boards on the waterside deck mimic the interiors.

A fire pit serves as the focal point for a sunken lounge featuring built-in seating.

The fun never ends in a kids’ play area that holds, among other delights, a colorful balance beam and a stationary jet ski.

Mixed earthy textures on the floor, walls, and ceiling give the Barn a comfortable, yet sophisticated vibe that showcases a seating arrangement that includes a plush gray sectional, leather swivel chairs, and a shadowbox coffee table on a hide rug.

An ipe-clad, granite-topped bar and grill area separates the upper deck from the pool level; the grill’s retractable lid keeps the terrace uncluttered.

The spa overlooks the pool and lets the party go on long after sunset.

The design team was given the task of creating an outdoor space that forms a seamless bridge between the house and the beautiful waterfront setting. Multiple terraces include an ipe deck topped with a contemporary pergola. The built-in metal light cages atop the columns are an element echoed in other metal detailing in the new backyard area.

The house sits on nearly two acres, and came with a pool and tennis court

The designer paired a Kelly-green carpet with a magenta loveseat in the master bedroom; fabric panels flanking the headboard suggest a canopy, but without the bulk. In the master bath, Burke installed a sink in a Rococo dressing table and covered the wall behind it with broad stripes

After a flood destroyed her new kitchen, Burke worked with Farmington architect Jack Kemper to remake the space, raising the ceiling to twenty-two feet and installing distressed cabinets topped with quartzite.

Burke painted the paneling white and dressed the unused fireplace with a screen covered in curtain fabric. The designer refers to the recamier as her “phone booth” because she lounges on it when she makes calls. With a similar palette but a different scale, the patterned upholstery works well with the Christian Lacroix rug.

Mismatched chairs from Theodore Alexander surround a David Michael table in the dining room. “I don’t like cookie-cutter chairs,” Burke says. “I like to mix and match.

Zeytoonjian’s Bahamian roots are reflected in the Amos Ferguson paintings over the bar; elephant heads supporting the brass rail honor the home’s original owner, Republican governor Henry Roberts

The family gathers nightly to watch TV on the custom sectional, which Burke embellished with tufting, pleating, and nailhead trim.

An antique chandelier illuminates a group of Theodore Alexander club chairs in the great room, which Burke has dubbed “Club Z” for her husband, Mark Zeytoonjian.

“I really love to blend styles,” says designer Kellie Burke, who placed a modern seating group beside a traditional one in the former ballroom of her Hartford home.

A chevron paper from Candice Olson animates the entry hall; the compass rose was applied to the floor with stain.

Glass star chandeliers illuminate the long kitchen island, which offers seating for informal meals.

A weighty chandelier and German ostrich lithograph add drama to the dining area, where modern, slipcovered chairs surround an antique pine French Canadian farmhouse table.

In the first-floor powder room the original beadboard ceiling contrasts nicely with a vintage mirror and modern sconces.

 In the Americana room, splashes of red, white, and blue complement Deyber’s collection of patriotic objects, including a portrait of George Washington and a trio of carved eagles. The linen-covered chairs and sofa strike just the right balance of comfort and elegance.

Shagreen-clad nightstands, Frette bedding, a Murano glass chandelier, and a silver-gilt canopy bed give the master bedroom its sense of luxury.

JANUS et Cie’s Amalfi collection lounges lend style to the pool.

The new lattice-framed pergola leads to the dairy room.

An oxidized crane stands nearby.

The landscape offers a variety of intimate spaces.

A mirrored bar and Louis Vuitton trunk make an elegant pair in the dining room. The trunk holds throws, so it’s also functional,” the designer notes.

A cowhide rug brings texture to the loft.

Designer Karen Quinn discovered the striking fire screen on 1stdibs.

Inside, a barn-board wall and a stone floor evoke the home’s farm past.

Landscape designer Jeff Stevens and interior designer Karen Quinn turned what was once a dairy room into an inviting entry space. Urns of geraniums and a crisp hedge of Winter Gem boxwood provide the initial welcome.

Chippendale-style gates bring a traditional touch to the grounds. Under landscape designer Elizabeth Halley’s care, the site is burgeoning with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs that complement the home’s architecture.

Garden designer and horticulturist -Deborah Munson created the lattice-like Belgian fence of espaliered pears scaling the brick wall that sets off the pool.

Rather than the usual terrace off the family room, Rylee and Fisher devised a floating terrace using massive salvaged stone slabs.

The bed wears a crisp taffeta skirt, and the headboard is accented with strips of silk ikat.

In the master bedroom, Rylee’s penchant for silver translates into a host of small antique boxes (more treasures via her grandmother) gracing the Lucite top of her faux-tusk-legged dressing table. The painting is by artist Richard Segalman.

Rylee and Fisher planned two generous entrances to link the kitchen and family room. The industrial-style lights above the island are from Restoration Hardware. The white backdrop makes the room feel “crisp,” Rylee says.

A gleaming tortoise shell atop an heirloom chest creates an eye-catching contrast in the dining room. “I love having a chest in the dining room for storing table linens,” says the designer. The silver candlesticks belonged to her grandmother.

Thoughtful additions like a game table in the bay window make the family room welcoming for all ages. Even the dogs love the comfortable chairs upholstered in a paisley fabric by Jasper.

Chairs in the snug library wear a subdued Fortuny fabric, while pillows are clad in a contemporary Madeline Weinrib pattern.

The staircase design mimics one Rylee admired in the headmaster’s house at Connecticut’s Hotchkiss School, which she attended.

The handsome new house that replaced a nondescript ranch has a time-honored, neoclassical appearance. Homeowner/interior designer Leslie Rylee and builder Dennis Fisher bought many antique elements, such as the front door and its surround, to further an old feel. Details that had to be added were crafted carefully. “Every new window and door we added was custom made,” Fisher says.

A bathroom was designed for easy care and timeless good looks.

A William Morris paper creates a traditional backdrop in the nursery, while one of the homeowners’ many Moroccan rugs adds a bold, bright accent.

The master suite reflects the homeowners’ love of color, texture, and Moorish design. The headboard is custom-designed by Robin Henry and upholstered in a wool felt from Holland & Sherry. The chest at the foot of the bed is a family heirloom.

The homeowners fell hard for the backyard view when they first spied the fixer-upper in 2004.

The modern, streamlined kitchen was designed by architect Stacey Jacovini Storm during the initial renovation in 2007.

Henry punched up the breakfast area with bright fabrics.

The ceiling casts a rosy glow, thanks to a coat of Pantone Creole Pink paint.

A love of Moorish and Moroccan design inspired the home’s vivid colors, brilliant patterns, global accents, and eclectic blend of traditional, modern, and midcentury silhouettes. The great room sports a round sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams outfitted in a bold Fabricut fabric.

The windows that wrap the sitting area reference traditional style, but their oversized proportions offer a view a farmer could only dream of. Belgian-linen upholstery, soft throws, and ample pillows plump up the comfort.

The metal serpentine-front buffet is one of Seitz’s favorite pieces, followed closely by the two standing lamps and the metal antelope’s-horn stool. The painting of the rabbit above is by Patrice Lombardi, a longtime friend of the homeowner.

The kitchen’s broad, granite-topped island provides plenty of space to cook and entertain.

Designer Joanna Seitz chose the dining room’s dimmable glass globe pendants to complement the industrial lighting used elsewhere, but disappear against the backdrop of windows. The custom-made table and stackable, recycled-rubber-slat chairs were among her other finds.

Inside the connecting wing, structural beams wrapped in reclaimed wood, an industrial-style ceiling fixture, and a portrait of an inquisitive steer offer subtle reminders of life in the country.

Kingsley-Bate furniture cozies up to the pool house fireplace.

In the bunk room, a Pottery Barn Kids light fixture hangs above one of six mismatched antique beds dressed with vintage quilts and Pendleton blankets.

In the master bedroom, Lola, one of Perkins’s five dogs, rests on a bed with a headboard that Perkins designed and upholstered in Ralph Lauren Home fabric. A lamp by Currey & Company is paired with an antique drop leaf table used as a nightstand.

Stools from Restoration Hardware line up at the kitchen island, which has a top of Pietra del Cardoso sandstone. Perkins mirrored the cabinet panels to reflect the views of the other side of the room.

The center section of the newly built Greek Revival is a copy of the nineteenth-century house that once stood on the property.

The collection of vintage photographs of Native Americans belonged to homeowner and designer Marisa Bistany Perkins’s mother-in-law.

An antique dry sink is used as a bar in the barn room.

In the lounge area that connects the great room to the barn room, an iron and rope chandelier by Solaria hangs above two leather chairs from Privet House.