- Backcountry Colonial -
Description
Back Country Colonial Renovation - Greenwich, CT
This wood Colonial home in Conyer’s Farm in Greenwich, Connecticut, stands renewed through a sensitive, detail-driven renovation, bringing new warmth and character to a cherished family residence.
Reimagining a Wood Colonial Home on Conyer’s Farm
When longtime homeowners on this serene 10-plus acre wooded estate in Greenwich decided to refresh their family home for their retirement years, we embraced the opportunity to re-envision their 1990s wood Colonial. Though the house remained fundamentally sound, the exterior and interior had aged: the cedar-wood roof had weathered, trim and siding required repair, dormers lacked good proportion, and interior detailing was minimal. With a focus on craftsmanship and architectural resonance, we undertook a comprehensive luxury home renovation to enhance both curb appeal and interior elegance.
Exterior Renewal — Cedar Roof, Dormers, Trim & Refined Rooflines
At the exterior, we replaced the aging roof with a new red cedar wood roof, a classic choice that echoes traditional New England wood-colonial aesthetics. Cedar shingles are renowned for their durability, weather-resistance, and ability to age gracefully.
We redesigned key architectural elements: a wide rear dormer was added to expand the attic space and give the house a more balanced roofline; cornices, rakes, and exterior trim were newly crafted to add depth and definition; chimneys were reconstructed for structural integrity and renewed presence; and select windows and doors were replaced with high-performance, energy-efficient units that respect the home’s Colonial proportions. The terrace flagstone, previously delaminating, was replaced, siding patched and restored, and rot-prone areas addressed, ensuring longevity and low maintenance. Copper gutters and leaders complete the refined exterior detailing, unifying the house’s appearance with quality materials that weather beautifully over time.
Interior Transformation — From Generic to Distinctive Colonial Character
Inside the home, we undertook a full-scale renovation to elevate the living experience and architectural character. The kitchens and bathrooms, originally 1990s generation, were completely modernized, bringing contemporary functionality while respecting traditional sensibilities. Interior trim was upgraded throughout the entry hall, living room, family room, dining room, guest rooms, and other areas, introducing refined woodwork, molding, and trim that anchor the home in a stronger, more coherent design language.
Living & Dining Areas — Light, Detail, and Built-in Craftsmanship
In the living room, we installed new lighting, built-in arch-top display cabinets with shell-top detailing, and extensive wood trim, creating a sense of elegance and timelessness. The dining room received matching interior trim that reinforces the home’s architectural unity. These enhancements transform formerly underwhelming spaces into refined areas that speak to quality and attention to detail.
Attic Office & Home Work Space — Light-Filled, Functional, and Elegant
One of the most striking additions is a new home office nestled in the attic, made possible by the wide rear dormer. This workspace is flooded with natural light from the new dormer window, and is anchored by a new fireplace, mahogany trim, and a striking Murano-glass light fixture suspended over the seating area. Built-in work tables and storage flank the desk, creating a functional, dignified environment tailored to the owner’s needs.
Harmonizing Tradition, Craftsmanship & Modern Comfort
Throughout the renovation, our goal was to harmonize the home’s original wood Colonial roots with updated architectural character, high-quality materials, and modern comfort. The cedar roof, thoughtful dormer enlargement, copper gutters, and renewed chimneys restore the home’s exterior poise — while interior refinements imbue the house with a sense of permanence, elegance, and warmth. This project reflects our broader focus on custom home architecture, luxury home renovation, and residential design services that honor a home’s original spirit while elevating it for contemporary living.
A Home Renewed for Retirement Living and Family Legacy
For the homeowners, this refreshed wood Colonial becomes more than an update, it becomes a renewed legacy home, perfectly calibrated for their retirement years, with spaces to host family gatherings, quiet work, and daily life in comfort and beauty. The interplay of light in the attic office, the tactile warmth of wood trim and fine cabinetry, and the exterior’s weathering cedar and copper details all contribute to a house that feels rooted, elegant, and ready for decades more.
If you are looking for a custom home architect in Greenwich or considering a luxury home renovation to rejuvenate a family estate, we invite you to explore our related projects at https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/renovations, or learn more about our residential renovation services at https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/the-benefits-of-working-with-a-residential-architect-to-design-your-next-home.
“We engaged Charles Hilton for a complete interior renovation of our backcountry home in Greenwich CT. Hilton brought an unusual sensitivity to our home’s classic Neo-Georgian design as well as to 21st century functionalism. He created warmth, comfort, and enhanced homeowner value by finding the overlap between good design and practical construction. He orchestrated the project team, which included the original builder for our home, new subcontractors, and his newly introduced interior decorator, by being meticulously detailed in reviewing all work, by challenging the quality of finished work, and in taking a hands-on approach to the selection of materials (including the bathroom and kitchen fixtures, as well as stone for the bathrooms and kitchen), the built-in carpentry (including detailed ceiling moldings), as well as selection of the final color palate for each room. We were so impressed with Hilton’s detailed work, quality design, and high standards that our family invited him to design and supervise the renovation of our son’s and daughter-in-law’s newly acquired Greenwich home. Although that project was modest compared to the large estates that are now associated with the Charles Hilton Architects brand, Hilton always found the time to oversee the renovation design, to find new on-site solutions to the quirks of older homes, to arrange and participate in visits to vendors, and to challenge the quality of completed work and our contractors’ requisitions, even on weekends. This month, we are asking Charles Hilton Architects to lead the renovation of our New York City condominium. We expect, once again, that Hilton will bring classic design to, and hands-on-involvement in, the project and be our advocates from start to finish with the selected contractors and interior designers.”
- JACK TAI - CLIENT
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“I have tremendous respect for Chuck and his insightful creativity. His projects are always invigorating and fulfilling challenges. Collaborating with him over the recent years has been a pleasure not only because of his professionalism, but because his overall work ethic and creative eye are a true testament to his passion. I look forward to future projects with Charles Hilton Architects and what we can achieve.”
- MG FLYNN CONTRACTING INC
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“I have worked with Chuck Hilton for over twenty years, and I have the utmost respect for him both professionally and personally. We have each evolved from the "newby" Greenwich Architect and General Contractor to the prestigious firms that we both are today, based on unwavering attention to Clients and their goals, and delivering their projects with the highest level of enduring quality. Charles Hilton Architects is at the very top of my list of Architects that I choose to work with, for new homes and significant renovations to special properties. Chuck has assembled a fabulous Team, capable of designing and executing projects with unparalleled attention to details and quality. Their plans and construction documents are superbly presented, which is vital to me as a General Contractor. I have always had a wonderful working relationship with his Team, in a field where this is not always the case. We both put aside any thoughts of who brings the most value to the Project, and instead focus on working together as a larger Team, on behalf of the Client and the Project. The results speak for themselves, on every project.”
– ALLEN J REYEN OF REYEN INC