Description

Set within the storied waterfront enclave of Riverside in Greenwich, Connecticut, the Waterfront Shingle Style Home preserves dignity, beauty, and architectural continuity to a cherished shoreline neighborhood. The property, once occupied by a flood-damaged, mold-infested home in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, was acquired by the owners of the adjoining estate to ensure that any future development honored the area’s historic coastal character. What followed was a complete reimagining: a New England Shingle Style residence designed to complement its surroundings while maximizing sweeping views over the salt marsh and Long Island Sound.

The original structure on this non-conforming waterfront lot was beyond repair. Sensitive environmental conditions, tight dimensional limits, and the need to elevate the new house above the flood zone shaped the design from the start. Working closely with landscape architect William Rutherford, the site was regraded to gently rise to the new first-floor elevation, creating a seamless transition between landform and architecture. The result is a home that feels both rooted and resilient, an elegant expression of coastal residential architecture that strengthens the neighborhood’s historic character rather than competing with it.

Inspired by the traditional seaside homes that define the New England region, the exterior emphasizes handcrafted materials, refined detailing, and time-tested durability. Warm, natural textures and subtle tonal shifts create a façade that rewards close investigation.

• Red cedar roof for authenticity, longevity, and gentle weathering
• Alaskan yellow cedar shingles installed with precision to create a crisp, uniform wall surfaces.
• Mahogany and cellular PVC trim, balancing richness with low-maintenance performance
• Copper metalwork, including roofs, gutters, and leaders that will develop a stately patina
• New England fieldstone chimneys and staircases grounding the home in regional tradition
• Waterfront ipe deck located over the garage, offering a private perch for taking in coastal vistas
• Cottage-style windows that echo classic shoreline architecture while maximizing natural light

The overall composition is at once graceful and substantial with steep rooflines, flared shingles, balanced gables, and well-proportioned dormers work together to create a timeless coastal silhouette.

Inside, the home’s program supports modern coastal living with traditional architectural detailing. The first floor includes a formal entry hall, living room, dining room, family room, mudroom, and a custom kitchen sourced through Deane – Rooms Everlasting. The second floor provides four bedroom suites, ensuring comfort and privacy for guests and future homeowners.

Light and materiality shape the interior experience:

• White oak floors bring warmth and subtle grain variation
• Classic painted trim creates visual clarity and architectural depth
• Custom millwork, tailored but intentionally unfussy, underscores the home’s understated elegance
• Fordham Marble fabricated the kitchen and bathroom stonework, contributing to the calm, coastal palette

Amy Andrews Interior Design contributed a bright, breezy sensibility to the interiors.

In the kitchen, a palette of soft whites and natural stone anchors the open, inviting space. Glass pendants, custom panel-front cabinetry, and marble surfaces create a light-filled environment ideal for gathering. A generous island allows for everyday meals, while adjacent French doors open directly to outdoor living areas, perfect for effortless indoor-outdoor flow.

The breakfast bay window, framed by cottage-style windows, sits like a glass pavilion, bringing morning light and pastoral water views into daily routine.

The primary suite is positioned to command sweeping panoramic views across the salt marsh to Long Island Sound, establishing a calming retreat elevated above the shoreline. The primary bath features stone-clad surfaces, clean-lined cabinetry, and softly diffused natural light—reflecting the home’s central theme of coastal serenity.

Every element of the Waterfront Shingle Style Home expresses a commitment to traditional craftsmanship, durability, and sensitive coastal design. From the ipe deck overlooking the water to the copper roofs, gutters and leaders will weather beautifully over time, the house is built not only to fit its context, but also to endure it.

This project exemplifies how luxury shingle style architecture can honor historic continuity while embracing modern performance, sustainability, and light-filled living.

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.