Architecture Wednesday: This Old House Idea Home

I love a vintage house; the detailed facade, the gracious proportions, and that sense of history. But then you go inside and it’s often small dark room, all closed off from one another.

So, why not have the best of both worlds? Period charm and light and bright living areas with large windows, large kitchens, bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms, a fabulous master, and some outdoor space to die for.That’s what you get in the This Old House Idea Home in New Canaan, Connecticut. This 1840s Greek Revival was so bad it was almost demolished. Then a builder came along and saved what he could, restored what he couldn’t, and updated the whole thing. And he did all that while shaving some 1,500 square feet off the old home; to be fair, this new incarnation is well over 5,000 square feet, but, hey, it’s smaller than it used to be.

The main entry leads past the dining room, and front staircase—which goes up to the third floor and down to the partially finished basement—into the open kitchen and living areas, with a wine wall, which then opens onto a deck with an outdoor kitchen.

My one quibble? The home also boasts a “working kitchen” connected to the open kitchen, so that you can keep themes out of sight while entertaining; why not just be neater, eh?

Anyway, the double-sided fireplace in the living room also faces the acrylic ping pong table in the game room which opens onto a gorgeous office with its own porch. 

Just off the kitchen is  the mudroom with a tiled dog shower, powder room, and laundry.

Upstairs is an enormous master suite with its own double-sided fireplace that opens into the room and onto a private balcony space. There are dual walk-in closets and a grand marble bathroom with soaking tub and steam shower. 

There are three additional bedrooms, each with its own bath. A homework area, or studio space, is  located in the back hall. The third floor is designed for sleepovers, with playroom space, a double-bunk room, and a fifth full bath.

Outside there are decks and patios and porches and kitchen and firefeature and a three car garage. 

It’s big; it’s grand; it’s more than Carlos and I need…seriously, it’s four floors. But it’s gorgeous and old and new all at the same time.

Click to emBIGGERate floorplans ...

TOH