PROJECT NARRATIVE

Nestled within New Haven’s renowned East Rock–Prospect Hill Historic District, this Shingle Style residence exemplifies the timeless craftsmanship of turn-of-the-century architecture reimagined for contemporary living. Our full interior design scope emphasized both preservation and transformation, ensuring that historic details such as leaded-glass windows, original millwork, and curved radiators were thoughtfully integrated with new layers of texture, comfort, and modern artistry. The result is a home that balances architectural heritage with refined, livable interiors, reflective of its storied setting near Yale University and the cultural fabric of East Rock.

In the living areas, heirloom inspiration met modern restraint. We reinterpreted Stickley-style rocking chairs with boucle upholstery, pairing them with sleek TRNK barrel chairs for sculptural contrast. An ebonized oak round coffee table by Nickey Kehoe anchors the seating, layered over a vivid antique rug, while a midcentury light fixture introduces sculptural tension and a subtle nod to modernism. This carefully composed grouping is a study in proportion, palette, and dialogue—where history and contemporary design converse seamlessly within a single space.

Other rooms continue the layered narrative. The foyer, once defined by awkward angles, was resolved with a custom leaf-shaped rug that organizes the piano, a sculptural round table, and a built-in banquette upholstered in Schumacher’s Cloud Toile. In a refined reading nook, the preserved curved radiator becomes a sculptural focal point, complemented by a custom tufted daybed, pleated arc lamp, and folded-metal side table. Across each space, antique rugs, curated artwork, and Benjamin Moore’s White Dove walls create luminous backdrops for new furnishings and client-made pieces. The reimagined interiors celebrate New Haven’s historic Shingle Style architecture while infusing it with contemporary warmth, artistic detail, and timeless livability.