Description

Located in the heart of Greenwich, Connecticut, the Shingle Style Country Home brings together New England architectural heritage, handcrafted detailing, and thoughtfully scaled design. Conceived for an empty-nester couple seeking a residence of elegance and comfort without excess, the home captures the warmth and intimacy of traditional Shingle Style architecture while offering the livability and efficiency expected of a luxury custom home.

The clients requested a design that respected the charm of classic coastal and country homes while right-sizing the program for a new phase of life. The result is a residence that is at once modest in footprint yet rich in architectural character, where proportions, materials, and craftsmanship create a timeless sense of belonging within the historic fabric of Greenwich.

The home’s signature gesture is its gambrel roof, a defining feature of Shingle Style design that allows both aesthetic beauty and spatial efficiency. By placing the second-floor bedroom suites beneath the sweeping gambrel curves, the architects maximized usable living space while maintaining a low profile appropriate for the neighborhood.

From the street, the façade reads as a perfectly balanced composition:

• A stately central gambrel gable
• A classical entry portico supported by elegant column
• Two projecting bay windows that anchor the first floor
• Fieldstone piers grounding the base of the home
• Multi-pane windows framed by paneled wood shutters

The architecture embodies the quintessential New England vernacular while achieving the refinement expected in high-end residential design.

Materiality plays a critical role in establishing the home’s authenticity. The first floor is clad in New England fieldstone, hand-laid to create a sense of permanence and regional identity. Above the stone base, cedar shingles and cedar roofing provide texture, warmth, and a natural gradation of color that will weather beautifully over time.

The trim, shutters, and portico brackets are crafted in painted woodwork, underscoring a commitment to craft while enhancing the building’s traditional lines.

Visitors arrive beneath a classical portico, where mahogany front doors and leaded-glass sidelights offer a welcoming sense of transparency and sparkle. On either side of the entry, two elliptical fanlight windows bring graceful curvature to the otherwise crisp, rectilinear façade.

The second-floor detailing reveals the artistry and subtlety of the design:

• Diamond-pattern shingle cuts flank the central French doors, referencing historic Shingle Style precedents.
• Dovecote vents are integrated into the attic-level siding, adding both charm and ventilation.
• The upper balcony, framed by a simple balustrade, provides both symmetry and a private outdoor escape.

These small yet poetic elements elevate the home beyond a straightforward traditional interpretation, positioning it firmly within the realm of luxury residential architecture.

The interior layout was crafted to support both intimate daily routines and larger family gatherings. The first floor includes:

• A formal living room with garden-facing windows
• A dining room designed for seasonal entertaining
• A richly appointed study for reading, work, or quiet retreat
• A warm, light-filled family room connected to the kitchen
• A chef’s kitchen with custom millwork and integrated storage
• A mudroom and garage access discreetly tucked from view

Together, these rooms create a home that is gracious yet manageable—tailored to the lifestyle of its owners.

Beneath the gambrel roofline, three second-floor bedroom suites are carefully organized to provide privacy and comfort for the homeowners and visiting family. Each suite includes thoughtfully scaled proportions, abundant natural light, and a strong connection back to the architectural language of the exterior.

The Shingle Style Country Home embodies the charm, craftsmanship, and regional authenticity of traditional New England architecture, reinterpreted for modern luxury living. Every detail, from the hand-laid fieldstone to the delicately cut shingle patterns, reflects a commitment to enduring beauty and architectural integrity.

This residence stands as a testament to how custom home design can be both elegantly restrained and richly expressive, offering its owners a beautifully built home for the next chapter of their lives.

For more information about Charles Hilton Architects’ Shingle Style design you are invite to read our blog at https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/blog/tips-for-designing-a-shingle-style-home, and to see more of out new home projects visit https://www.hiltonarchitects.com/new-homes.