The Admiral Converse house, an elegant brick Federal residence on Main Street in Norwich Vermont, captured the imagination of a family with young children relocating to the US from London. The historic structure, largely intact with the exception of vintage1950’s bathroom suites & kitchen, had wonderful bones, curious details, and a magical garden.

The gracious original rooms were brought back to life with vibrant Georgian colors, bookcases and windowseats. The low-ceilinged dining room with beehive fireplace was dramatically altered with tinted plaster and the insertion of a contemporary stair with steel & cable railings, a precursor to the sleek modern kitchen/family room addition in a barn-like form extending out into the garden.

The soaring volume of the new “barn” is wrapped with a book-lined balcony and loft. A bright blue diner banquette and multicolored chandelier bring playful elements to the spare maple kitchen. A funky ships’ ladder, submarine-style bulkhead door, and yacht-inspired bathroom, are among the nautical details inspired by the original seafaring owner.

This project was featured in the Boston Globe Sunday Magazine in December of 2010. The article entitled Home Stretch, focuses on how the new great room helped overcome design challenges.