Text by Lichten Architects
Lichten Architects renovated a home in Connecticut working with the original wood, mid-century modern design concept. The design team wanted to honor the original open concept of the house while threading in modern systems and raising the level of the home with a crisp, more streamlined aesthetic.
The home is set in a lush, natural wood area with moss covered rocks and overlooking a pond. The renovation design capitalizes on the views and creates a flow between the inside and the natural landscape outside. There are large expanses of glass in the living room and kitchen with more carefully chosen openings in the den and bedrooms that frame the vignettes of nature.
A new and more intentional entry mudroom was created in the space of an existing one, and the first floor bedroom was opened up as a den. The kitchen was also opened up thanks to the removal of an appliance column, and all new minimalist cabinetry and finishes were added.
The continuous flooring throughout the first level was changed from the original brown toned concrete grid with wood frames to give a continuous and united seamless concrete floor. The original exterior accordion-like wood doors were changed to straight, sleek metal units, and original rough hewn wood interior walls became smooth surfaces.
Modern track lighting was also installed between the open ceiling joists for proper illumination with a concealed source. Interior and exterior openings were created to provide opportunities to showcase the homeowner’s art collection.
This home has art by Damian Hirst, Richard Serra, Joan Miro, and Ai Weiwei, as well as notable furniture pieces by MOdrian (custom built living room sofa from “Poliform”), Hans Wegner (Shell Chair), Eames (dining room chairs and molded plywood lounge chairs), and custom stools and a bench (in the homeowner’s bedroom) by the client’s favorite Mid-Century store in Brooklyn, Home Union.
The kitchen features a 36” built-in French door Sub Zero, a Wolf M-Series oven and cooktop, a Brizo faucet, and Miele dishwasher. The rugs throughout the home are imported vintage Turkish Oushak rugs.
Photos by Brittany Ambridge
