This graceful new Federal style home feels as if it has always stood here, among one of the most historic neighborhoods in the country. Sited on property that has been in the family for generations and overlooking a picturesque cove, the home reflects the region’s classic New England styling. On the approach to the home, a courtyard presents a friendly formality that harkens to over 200 years of architectural history. At the rear, a full-width, deep porch with French doors from every room invites family and friends to interact between the interior and the cove. The interiors are detailed with nautical touches that nod to the home’s waterfront perch.

Karol Steczkowski | 860.770.6705 | www.toprealestatephotos.com

The living room features a custom concrete fireplace inlaid with copper, inspired by Japanese Kintsugi pottery. A glowing overhead light handmade from washi paper harkens a resemblance to whales and seashells, a quiet reference to the ocean nearby. Reclaimed, FSC certified elm wood flooring with a no VOC finish was used throughout the home, bringing in natural color and patterning while giving careful consideration to environmental impact. No VOC paints were used throughout the home. A coffee table made by a local artisan offers dual surfaces for storage, with a slim profile that lets the fireplace and overhead light shine. Paintings by Kaoru Mansour and Ivy Jacobson reflect the homeowner's love of birds, and brings in a glimpse of nature in the evening. Delicate peonies in a glass ombre vase complement the detailed work of art.

This award-winning whole house renovation of a circa 1875 single family home in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC provides the client with an open and more functional layout without requiring an addition. After major structural repairs and creating one uniform floor level and ceiling height, we were able to make a truly open concept main living level, achieving the main goal of the client. The large kitchen was designed for two busy home cooks who like to entertain, complete with a built-in mud bench. The water heater and air handler are hidden inside full height cabinetry. A new gas fireplace clad with reclaimed vintage bricks graces the dining room. A new hand-built staircase harkens to the home's historic past. The laundry was relocated to the second floor vestibule. The three upstairs bathrooms were fully updated as well. Final touches include new hardwood floor and color scheme throughout the home.

Breathtaking views of lake and city from the other end of the living room. Every chair and sofa were built for comfort and style. The brass and glass cocktail table has a royal blue insert under the glass as an accent. The small chest echoes the design of the TV cabinet at the opposite end and the lamp in the foreground harkens to the Asian accents.

wood ceilings, floating shelves, cork floors and bright blue subway tile quartz and stainless counters put a twist on a traditional Victorian home. The crown moldings and traditional inset cabinets Decora by Masterbrand harken back to the day while the floating shelves and stainless counters give a modern flair. Cork floors are soft underfoot and are perfect in any kitchen. Sliding doors open to screened porch.

Timeless Classic. The landscape must complement the architecture of the house, so designing this garden for our antique reproduction needed to harken back to a different time. Material choices such as antique brick, reclaimed granite, and natural-cleft bluestone were all incorporated into the composition to create a timeless beauty all within the context of a bygone setting. Directly adjacent to the driveway and guest parking, the ‘kitchen garden’ was surrounded by a custom-built cedar fence with a self-closing cannonball gate. Herbs and cutting perennials fill the space as well as a small bench for reflection or to take a break from tending to the garden. From a functional standpoint, this has become the most-used entrance to the house, with the original main door serving only as decoration. The arrival sequence is easy to understand and has the guests passing through the landscape on a well-lit path via our hand-built copper lantern atop an architectural post. Planting was purposely kept to a minimum with mostly perennials and a couple of common lilacs — all keeping within the design intent. Existing natural-cleft bluestone was repurposed with a linear approach for a dining and lounging terrace in the rear of the property. Three sides are surrounded by sun-loving plants with grass coming right up to the patio offering a seamless transition to the yard beyond. Simple, elegant, and timeless.

Andrew VanHarken

Country River’s burnt wood look and rich textured finish harken back to traditional Colonial wood floors. Available in four gorgeous brown and grey colors, these large format porcelain wood planks will bring classic style to your space.

This award-winning whole house renovation of a circa 1875 single family home in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC provides the client with an open and more functional layout without requiring an addition. After major structural repairs and creating one uniform floor level and ceiling height, we were able to make a truly open concept main living level, achieving the main goal of the client. The large kitchen was designed for two busy home cooks who like to entertain, complete with a built-in mud bench. The water heater and air handler are hidden inside full height cabinetry. A new gas fireplace clad with reclaimed vintage bricks graces the dining room. A new hand-built staircase harkens to the home's historic past. The laundry was relocated to the second floor vestibule. The three upstairs bathrooms were fully updated as well. Final touches include new hardwood floor and color scheme throughout the home.

Karol Steczkowski | 860.770.6705 | www.toprealestatephotos.com

This award-winning whole house renovation of a circa 1875 single family home in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC provides the client with an open and more functional layout without requiring an addition. After major structural repairs and creating one uniform floor level and ceiling height, we were able to make a truly open concept main living level, achieving the main goal of the client. The large kitchen was designed for two busy home cooks who like to entertain, complete with a built-in mud bench. The water heater and air handler are hidden inside full height cabinetry. A new gas fireplace clad with reclaimed vintage bricks graces the dining room. A new hand-built staircase harkens to the home's historic past. The laundry was relocated to the second floor vestibule. The three upstairs bathrooms were fully updated as well. Final touches include new hardwood floor and color scheme throughout the home.

A modern incantation of a custom remodeled kitchen retaining the feel of the home's architecture while accommodating all of the modern amenities of today's kitchen. Stone tops make up the surfaces of all of the "hard" work areas, while a walnut wood top serves the island. The design integrated the room's crown with the cabinetry to create a seamless space while the details of the cabinetry harkened back to an earlier era of furniture design in America suitable to the Architect designed home of an earlier period. Jaeger & Ernst cabinetmakers work with clients, architects, designers and builders to create kitchens of durability, functionality and beauty.

Karol Steczkowski | 860.770.6705 | www.toprealestatephotos.com

The Monterey is an Executive Townhome that blends new and old, the nine-foot ceilings and open floorplan feel oh so contemporary, while the maple floors and more traditional finishes harken back to the quality and luxury of times past.

Greenhouse-like stages once provided ample light for indoor shooting of classics like I Love Lucy. Today, the lot includes Harlow, a new creative office development that harkens back to those light-filled stages — and provides the perfect environment in which to create the next big thing.

This award-winning whole house renovation of a circa 1875 single family home in the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC provides the client with an open and more functional layout without requiring an addition. After major structural repairs and creating one uniform floor level and ceiling height, we were able to make a truly open concept main living level, achieving the main goal of the client. The large kitchen was designed for two busy home cooks who like to entertain, complete with a built-in mud bench. The water heater and air handler are hidden inside full height cabinetry. A new gas fireplace clad with reclaimed vintage bricks graces the dining room. A new hand-built staircase harkens to the home's historic past. The laundry was relocated to the second floor vestibule. The three upstairs bathrooms were fully updated as well. Final touches include new hardwood floor and color scheme throughout the home.

Andrew VanHarken

Parquet floors harken back to the late 1600s as a safer alternative to marble in multi-storied grand homes. One of the most popular parquet patterns is the herringbone. Follow us through our process from reclaimed timber to show-stopping beauty. Floor: 3”x 18” Reclaimed American White + Red Oak mix | Natural Rustic Patina | pillowed edge | color Natural | Satin Hardwax Oil. For more information please email us at: sales@signaturehardwoods.com