The Connecticut Captains Cottage by Moore House Design

By now, chances are you’ve seen the Connecticut Captain’s Cottage reveal now shining proudly in the pages of Architectural Digest! Today, we’re diving into the before-and-after: the bread and butter of what we do. We will walk you through how we preserved and reimagined an 1834 sea captain’s colonial perched above the harbor, a home that embodies a true tale of heritage and reinvention. Time to rally the agency, because this project became a place where centuries-old timbers meet a modern tide of artistry, where Cotswold charm heaves ho with a sleek New York sensibility. Together, these influences create a mid-century glamour, an East Coast Don-and-Megan-Draper energy, that called for an interior narrative equal parts heritage and high style!

Our mission from the outset was to honor the home’s historic bones while infusing it with the editorial magnetism and sophistication our clients embody. The result is a layered blend of patina and polish, original beams and millwork restored with reverence, and custom details inspired by nautical craftsmanship.

-THE ENTRY-

Crossing the threshold, what was once a modest, enclosed entryway we reimagined into a breathtaking vaulted foyer. The original low ceiling was raised, the former closet removed entirely, and a powder bathroom was created to the right of the staircase, seemingly out of thin air. One of our favorite things to do is take oddly disjointed spaces and make them functional for families. Our mission was to reconfigure the home while honoring its 1830s origins and elevating its functionality for modern living, and that is exactly what we did.

The newly conceived staircase, designed for both space and function, now serves as a defining sculptural element that guides you upward to the office. We reoriented and rebuilt it to flow directly into the client’s workspace—a space you’ll discover in Part II of this reveal.

Beneath the windows, custom millwork panels were added, and the windows themselves were extended to usher in more natural light. Underfoot, new flooring in a vintage limestone finish grounds the space with a patina that feels both historic and fresh.

To complete the entry, we introduced a textural Slaked Lime plaster for added softness. Its subtle brushstroke movement catches the light and softens the architectural edges for a timeless look.

The result? A once-overlooked threshold now stands as a stunning architectural moment, signaling both the home’s past and its thoughtfully redefined future.

—KITCHEN—

Stepping into the original kitchen, the room was a honey yellow and flat creams. Once defined by low ceilings, aging cabinetry, and a island that dominated the room vertically, the space felt heavy and enclosed—a hardworking galley that had lost its sense of purpose. The finishes were bright but flat, the layout disjointed, and the room lacked the architectural presence deserving of an 1834 Captain’s Cottage.

In the reimagined kitchen, moody stone, tailored cabinetry, and an artisanal tile backdrop now bring the room to life. We began by vaulting the ceilings, releasing the room from its former constraints and allowing it to breathe upward. A refined trim detail borders the new vault, adding groundedness while guiding the eye toward the restored windows, now crowned with transoms.

Underfoot, darker pine flooring brings an immediate grounded presence to the space. At the center of the room, we designed a bespoke kitchen island, sculptural yet practical for a growing family, crafted to anchor the room with both beauty and function. The custom Roweam Mrs. Wolcott counter stools (arriving to Roweam in 2026) nestle beneath its overhang, their silhouettes tailored with a quiet romance that nods subtly to English cottages while feeling distinctly American.

Along the range wall, the custom plaster hood rises in a smooth, sculpted curve, meeting a shimmering backsplash. The hood was crafted by artisan Sean Platt, layered this with Master of Plaster’s slaked-lime materials, adding depth and a soft, organic tactility that complements the hood’s handmade character. Overhead, an industrial pot hanger adds rhythm and function, recalling the utilitarian spirit of historic New England kitchens without sacrificing refinement.

The result is a kitchen that truly becomes the heart of the home, a place where history and modern living find equilibrium and a growing family can build meaningful memories.

— THE BANQUETTE —

Just off the kitchen, the original nook felt more like an identity crisis… too many things going on at once. A built-in desk with open cubbies dominated the wall, creating a space that functioned more as a workspace than a gathering spot. The finishes were light and utilitarian, the furniture mismatched, and the room lacked warmth or intention. With its bright surfaces and empty shelving, the nook felt undefined, neither fully functional nor emotionally connected to the rest of the home.

In the reimagined nook, the space is transformed into a moody, intimate banquette that extends the kitchen’s new materiality. Soft plastered walls, rich wood tones, and a long upholstered bench create a room-within-a-room moment, grounded by layered textiles and atmospheric art.

The nook now features hand-finished Tadelakt walls a custom Roweam bench, paired with tailored Roweam pillows. Completing the composition, a dramatic Roweam Sea Fish artwork that adds mood and character, turning the once-overlooked corner into a richly layered, intimate dining moment.

What was once a spare corner now is meant to feel soulful and collected, a place designed for slow breakfasts, quiet conversation, or a glass of wine at day’s end.

— THE LIVING ROOM —

The before: the living room, though generous in footprint, felt like a quintessential 1700s–1800s colonial with its low ceiling. We wanted to lean into that ceiling height, preserving the heritage rather than fighting it. The furniture before had been too cramped, and the client wanted the room to feel more expansive without losing its intimacy. The transition from the bright, vaulted kitchen into a lower, older-feeling living room by the fireplace needed to feel intentional place that cocooned you after dinner.

Bright floors, white walls, and minimal molding left the room without depth. The low ceiling read flat, the existing beams felt underutilized, and the furnishings floated without intention. Despite ample windows, the light scattered rather than settled, leaving the room visually thin—historical, but without a clear point of view.

We wanted the clients to go from a light-filled kitchen, into the living room, where the mood shifts. We loved the lower ceiling, so we leaned into that quiet centuries old vibe. The walls, brushed in plaster, glow with an almost candlelit warmth, each hand-worked stroke catching the light like aged stone at dusk.

The custom fireplace mantle was reimagined to echo what might have stood here in 1834, anchoring the room alongside a custom Roweam sectional. A Claro walnut coffee table adds sculptural weight. It’s a room meant for exhaling at the end of the day, for kicking off your shoes and settling into the warmth of the fireplace.

As your eye moves across the millwork, two hidden, Prohibition-inspired doors begin to reveal themselves. Each one opens into the next chapter of the home… a quiet passage that leads toward the Smoking Room, a space that feels less like an addition and more like a secret the house has been keeping. A room only the homeowners truly know, one you’re invited into only if you’re lucky.

— THE SMOKING ROOM —

Originally, the smoking room was a bright, loosely furnished space with pale blue walls, exposed floorboards, and a modest fireplace. The proportions were promising, but the finishes fell short, leaving the room feeling more like an unused sitting area than a hidden retreat away from friends, family, and kids.

We wanted to close off this zone and create a true hideaway. Now concealed behind a seamless paneled wall off the main hall, the smoking room unfolds as a secret, moody retreat. Conceived as both a nod to mid-century leisure and an ode to the home’s 19th-century origins, the room reflects the couple who lives here, a Manhattan-sharp couple with a deep appreciation for historic preservation and an effortless Don Draper cool. They envisioned a cinematic refuge: a room for bourbon, conversation, strategy, and laughter that lingers long past midnight.

Wrapped entirely in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green (Modern Eggshell), the walls and ceiling create an immersive, intimate atmosphere. The millwork, months of research and city hall calls, was designed to honor the home’s original paneling with refined precision: cleaner geometry and subtle mid-century undertones. A concealed prohibition door, nearly invisible within the paneling, guides you inward.

The result is a room that feels truly exclusive.

— THE DINING ROOM —

The bones of the room were great, we simply wanted to enhance them. Now, the dining room has been reimagined into a richly atmospheric space with a deliberate balance of shadow and glow. The light in this home is its own artwork, cascading across the hand-brushed Tadelakt throughout the day and creating shifting moments of illumination that tell the room’s story.

The fireplace has been elevated with a creamy finish that complements the plaster. A custom dining table anchors the room, paired with tailored upholstered chairs in tones that echo the earthy palette. Overhead, sculptural lighting establishes a new architectural rhythm, drawing the eye upward and giving the ceiling a presence it once lacked.

The result? Every element, material, form, and proportion—now works in harmony to create a dining room that supports everything from everyday meals to larger gatherings with family and friends.

— THE AUPAIR BEDROOM —

The au pair bedroom needed to feel more welcoming than the frosty blue space left by the previous owners. With the pool just outside, this room wasn’t made to be only a place to sleep, we wanted it to function as a spot to come in from the sun, rinse off, and rest before rejoining the day.

We began by designing a custom bed to anchor the room and give it a clear sense of purpose. Vintage pieces, a reworked chair and ottoman, and a timeworn cabinet, bring character without overwhelming the space. Soft sheer drapery filters the light and adds gentle movement, while warm, directional lighting creates a calm glow for moments of retreat. A few collected ceramic pieces on the cabinet ground the room in the same handcrafted sensibility found throughout the home.

— THE AUPAIR BATHROOM —

The adjoining bathroom needed to support the wet footsteps of poolside living, a place to rinse off, reset, and step back into the sun. Its generous size and vaulted ceiling offered real potential, but the original space needed a thoughtful refresh.

In the redesign, warmth and a connection to the surrounding landscape became the priority. Two custom metal-framed showers flanking the staircase now define the architecture of the room, their clean geometry pairing beautifully with the slaked-lime plaster and stone sink. Limestone flooring introduces natural texture underfoot, offering durability that stands up to wet feet and summer traffic. The preserved timber beams add structural honesty, grounding the room in the home’s historic bones.

Gentle, diffused lighting completes the atmosphere, creating a bathroom that feels calm, composed, and deeply functional for life lived between the pool and the suite.

— THE POWDER BATHROOM —

Just to the left of the staircase, the original powder room didn’t exist at all, we carved it out of what was once part of the au pair suite closet, creating a small, intimate space with direct access to the backyard through the French doors.

Textural wallcovering envelops the room setting a moody backdrop for the carved stone sink. A simple brass wall faucet adds craftsmanship, while sculptural lighting grazes the textured walls. A vintage mirror brings a timeworn note that feels collected and personal, grounding the space in character.

Stay tuned for Part II in early 2026.