This 1930’s Connecticut house sat on a beautiful slope overlooking a wooded creek. The owners loved the charm of the original structure, but the layout was all wrong. The house’s main entrance was in a cramped kitchen. The large 70’s addition out back was subterranean, unwelcoming, and cut off from the rest of the house. Most of it was a de facto corridor.

And the dining room was a poorly annexed porch. Our design strategy was counter-intuitive. First, we made the troubled addition the new center of the house. By moving the new entrance there, we reoriented the house towards the pool and outdoor living. We also moved the kitchen and dining room into the addition, to make space for multiple cooks and casual dining. Brightened with new windows, the addition now opens to an enlarged deck and screened porch, extending the living space for three seasons.

We moved the main bedroom to its own suite in a remote corner for privacy. Additional bedrooms now cluster around their own shared bathroom. A sunny corner became a home office. And downstairs, we zoned laundry and mudroom functions for clarity. Our careful space planning paired with modest materials showcased the house’s original design. In short, we turned a bad layout into a comfortable retreat for multiple users.