New tradition

Re-creating the detail found in traditional structures of a certain period is not a simple task. As well as sourcing the right materials, it is essential to find craftsmen who can re-create the proportion and detailing that make these residences such visual treasures.

The owners of this home had lived in a previous residence on this parcel of land for many years. Wanting their new home to be designed in accordance with the context of the terrain and the surrounding area, they approached Tom Catalano, from Catalano Architects.

"One challenge was to take the traditional design, make it less formal and more inviting," he says. "Part of this involved reducing the perceived size of the house, while creating spaces that would work with the clients' family, work and philanthropic activities. They required public rooms that could hold up to 75 people, but the rest of the house was more intimately geared for family life."

The design similar to what you might see on a late 19th- to 20th-Century estate is expressed with traditional materials, such as New England fieldstone, slate and painted cedar.

The resulting home has nine bedrooms on the lower level, and six upstairs. To maximize thepenetration of sunlight into the interior the design was kept as narrow as possible, says Catalano.

"One wing was formerly part of the original home on the site. It was detached, lifted and the exterior finish was matched once in place, so it merges seamlessly with the new construction. Throughout the interiors, the clients wanted to furnish the rooms with a level of detailing commensurate with the style of the house."

To achieve this effect, complicated moldings, Tuscan-style entablatures, and detailed columns were designed to capture the essence of the New England architectural style.

Story by: Trendsideas