An Outdated Colonial Home Is Reborn to Suit a Young Family’s Needs

When a young family decided to buy Stone Lawn, a 1910 Colonial Revival in Greenwich, Connecticut, they knew it would require a major overhaul. Designer Susan Alisberg from Alisberg Parker took the lead on the massive project, helping to reshape it to suit 21st century needs while preserving its historic character.

Designer Susan Alisberg is a firm believer in first impressions, so she opted for a simple color palette and curated decor in the foyer as a proper introduction to the home's clean and contemporary design aesthetic. She also wanted to highlight the home's original staircase.

"The existing main staircase of the house is an architectural triumph, and the only element of the project that was kept as is," Alisberg says. But preserving it meant an intensive restoration effort. The finished result provides high drama, while the contemporary stair runner and gem-shaped light fixtures bring it into the modern age.

Beyond the foyer and staircase, Alisberg helped redo the entire 12,600-square-foot home. "It had undergone several renovations over the years, which left it with a series of poor architectural decisions, each one compounding the last and creating a tortured interior totally unsuited to today’s lifestyle," Alisberg explains.

The kitchen is a great example of what a young modern family needs, from its open layout to plentiful seating. "A sociable kitchen is the heart of every home," Alisberg says. In this situation, that meant adding a curved banquette and oval Saarinen table, perfect for quick breakfasts and casual meals.