Photography by George Ross
For a young couple in search of a weekend house, this former sea captain’s home in Essex ticked all the boxes. Built in the 1800s on property with a river view, the five-bedroom home has good bones—it just needed a significant refresh.
The couple envisioned a bright, modern interior while maintaining the structure’s historical integrity. To achieve their goal, they hired Fairfield architect Jack Franzen of J.P. Franzen Associates Architects, Buttendorf Building & Remodeling, and Rowayton-based designer Claire Miner of Denemede, with whom they had worked on their Tribeca loft.
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Photography by George Ross
Photography by George Ross
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Photography by George Ross
The front parlor’s bubble light and sofa are through
WorkOf. The leather chair is from
BDDW. The coffee table was an antiques store find.
Photography by George Ross
The front parlor’s bubble light and sofa are through
WorkOf. The leather chair is from
BDDW. The coffee table was an antiques store find.
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Photography by George Ross
In the living room, a pair of midcentury chairs is dressed in a purple-and-brown stripe from
Osborne & Little; the sofa upholstery and window valances are Larsen through
Cowtan & Tout.
Photography by George Ross
In the living room, a pair of midcentury chairs is dressed in a purple-and-brown stripe from
Osborne & Little; the sofa upholstery and window valances are Larsen through
Cowtan & Tout.
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Photography by George Ross
Barn doors open from the living room into the bar area, with its shiplap walls,
Rocky Mountain hardware and herringbone wood floor.
Photography by George Ross
Barn doors open from the living room into the bar area, with its shiplap walls,
Rocky Mountain hardware and herringbone wood floor.
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Photography by George Ross
In this kitchen designed for entertaining, the Woven Cluster chandelier is from
Pigeon Toe, and the counter stools and custom chef’s table are through
WorkOf. A small
Tucker Robbins stool anchors one end of the island.
Photography by George Ross
In this kitchen designed for entertaining, the Woven Cluster chandelier is from
Pigeon Toe, and the counter stools and custom chef’s table are through
WorkOf. A small
Tucker Robbins stool anchors one end of the island.
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Photography by George Ross
The family/casual dining room is a playful mix of textures and fabrics, including throw pillows by
Cowtan & Tout and
L’aviva Home. A
Tucker Robbins stool flanks an antique chair with a sheepskin throw; the leather-and-steel dining chairs are through
WorkOf.
Photography by George Ross
The family/casual dining room is a playful mix of textures and fabrics, including throw pillows by
Cowtan & Tout and
L’aviva Home. A
Tucker Robbins stool flanks an antique chair with a sheepskin throw; the leather-and-steel dining chairs are through
WorkOf.
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Photography by George Ross
In the master bedroom, the custom headboard is upholstered in a Galbraith & Paul fabric through
Holland & Sherry; the lantern is through
L’aviva; and the painting is by
Mary Morant.
Photography by George Ross
In the master bedroom, the custom headboard is upholstered in a Galbraith & Paul fabric through
Holland & Sherry; the lantern is through
L’aviva; and the painting is by
Mary Morant.
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Photography by George Ross
The master bathroom features sconces from
Waterworks, Kallista sink fixtures, a bamboo chair from
Tucker Robbins and a black-and-white print by Ann Brown.
Photography by George Ross
The master bathroom features sconces from
Waterworks, Kallista sink fixtures, a bamboo chair from
Tucker Robbins and a black-and-white print by Ann Brown.
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Photography by George Ross
The dining area in the guest suite above the garage is delineated by an
Aleman/Moore circular floor mat made of straw and seagrass. A
Sean Woolsey dining table is complemented by
West of Noble chairs.
Photography by George Ross
The dining area in the guest suite above the garage is delineated by an
Aleman/Moore circular floor mat made of straw and seagrass. A
Sean Woolsey dining table is complemented by
West of Noble chairs.
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Photography by George Ross
The 1848 home presents a historic façade; inside, the mood is bright and modern.
Photography by George Ross
The 1848 home presents a historic façade; inside, the mood is bright and modern.
When it came to the interior design, everyone agreed the wrought-iron fixtures, flouncy jabots, and cranberry and yellow walls had to go. “I don’t care for bright colors and patterns,” says Case. “I gravitate to neutrals. I like to keep things in balance.” She also wanted to incorporate as much wood, stone and metal as possible. “I love that organic feel,” she adds.
Photography by George Ross
With that in mind, Miner did an artful job of introducing color in subtle but effective ways, combining custom pieces—many of which were sourced through WorkOf—with antiques, and layering in textural details throughout. In the light-filled kitchen, the walls and ceiling sport Farrow and Ball’s Pointing, which serves as the perfect backdrop for the white oak-topped chef’s table and custom island.
Photography by George Ross
“I love to sit here and think of the stories the sea captain told when he came back from his adventures,” says Case, “and the stories that will be told here in the years to come.”
A print version of this article appeared with the headline: Natural Treasure
