Connecticut Cape
When our clients set their sights on this 1969 Cape Cod just steps from downtown Westport, Connecticut, they knew it would be a labor of love. Originally, the home’s layout was deeply compartmentalized: separate dining, kitchen, and living spaces downstairs, and a small, converted rental apartment upstairs—complete with a dank kitchenette and no true bedroom.
We partnered with Sellars Lathrop Architects to completely reimagine the floorplan. Walls came down. Rooms were flipped. And in a bold design move, we removed a key support wall and left the steel beam exposed, bolts and all, to set the tone for a soft industrial aesthetic.
The Kitchen
Natural light became our north star. We added a wall of sliding glass doors off the dining room and flanked the fireplace with clear glass windows—no more gloom, just glow.
This jewel-box kitchen is full of surprises. The centerpiece? A backsplash of thassos marble daisy tiles with mirrored centers—playful, sculptural, and delightfully untraditional.
We elevated Martha Stewart cabinetry with frosted glass doors and polished nickel hardware, then added a high-end Waterstone faucet like a piece of jewelry—just enough gleam to complete the look.
The Upstairs
We gutted the upstairs to make space for three bedrooms and two brand-new bathrooms. In the primary bath, a large picture window above the freestanding tub fills the space with natural light, setting off the circular mosaic marble floors and Waterstone fixtures.
In the children’s bathroom, we played with contrast—an acrylic double trough sink offers durability and style, while a dormer window trimmed in whimsical green tile brings in a burst of the outdoors.
We also added practicality in the form of a new upstairs laundry room—no more hauling baskets to the basement. To make it feel intentional (and beautiful), we painted the ceiling bright tangerine and hung crystal lighting for a touch of unexpected glam.
The Details
From the river-teal banister to the privacy glass doors, every decision was made with movement and mood in mind. Built-ins maximize storage under the dormers. The master suite stretches the entire length of the house, designed for serenity, light, and space to breathe.
Even the closet was intentional—a deep, double-bar system lets off-season items rotate easily, keeping everything as effortless as it is elegant.
The Garden
Once the interiors were complete, we turned to the view. The backyard—situated on a hillside—was terraced to create cozy levels, with a keystone and pebble patio as the focal point. We planted blooming perennials for beauty through the seasons and added a vintage lantern hanging from the old oak tree—a gift from the homeowner’s family that quietly honors the property’s colonial-era roots.
“I had the pleasure of renting a home that Liz had beautifully and thoughtfully renovated in Westport, CT. When the owner purchased the home five years prior, she found a dark, dated Cape Cod with choppy rooms on the first floor and a second-floor rental which contained a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Liz went to work with her architect and completely transformed the first floor into an updated, open concept space with a chic, modern industrial vibe. She removed walls to create open, light filled spaces with lots of windows that bring the outside in, creating fabulous flow for family living or entertaining. She has a great eye, choosing materials that are as beautiful as they are functional. Her paint and tile choices incorporated an on-trend color palette with whimsical, appealing designs.”
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