In artist Geoffrey Stein and his wife Pat Poglinco’s search for a second home, there were a few boxes that they wanted to tick: midcentury modern in style and construction, within 60 miles of New York City, and, curiously, walls with insulation. “A previous house we owned did not have insulation, because why insulate a house built in 1950 when fuel cost almost nothing?” says Geoffrey, sarcastically.

$5,470 Demolition	$6,790 Plumbing	$87,500 Outdoor Deck & Stonework
$28,600 Interior Paint & Finishes	$23,460 Exterior Paint & Finishes	$7,870 Electrical
$24,230 Appliances	$58,261 Millwork	$75,120 Kitchen Renovation & Cabinets
$12,200 Stone in Kitchen	$10,400 Fence	$24,100 Pool Renovation
Grand Total: $364,001

The couple had learned from their mistakes and, as serial renovators, were ready for their next project. They found it in the town of Westport, Connecticut, a small, affluent artistic community along the Long Island Sound, where they stumbled upon a 1950s home in need of some love. “The house was in disrepair, but had great bones,” says Denise Davies of D2 Interieurs.

Indeed, the bones of the home were so good that it was actually featured in House Beautiful—twice: once in September 1951 with an article about the construction process of the home by the Hinns, the original owners, and later as the cover photo in February 1961 (Stein and Poglinco have original copies of both issues).

Geoffrey and Pat moved forward with the purchase of the home in 2015, knowing that it needed work. “There were mirrors in the living room and some of the bathrooms—1970s treasures that had to go,” says Geoffrey. Finishes aside, also on the to-do list were a new kitchen for the artist and avid cook, the removal of a partition separating the kitchen and dining room, new bathrooms, a new deck, and landscaping in the backyard.

To complete this work, the couple looked to Davies, whose passion and understanding for midcentury design was a major factor in their selection of an interior designer. “The entire home had to be renovated and restored,” she says. “The clients wanted to keep the retro vibe of the home, but bring it back to life and up to date. So we made choices together to keep the character of the home but make much-needed updates.”

The HVAC and electrical systems were updated, the character-defining fieldstone walls were sandblasted and repointed, the kitchen was completely renovated, and a new bathroom was installed.

On the exterior, the pool area was refreshed, the vertical siding was given a fresh coat of paint, new windows and a new roof were installed, and all doors except the front entry were replaced. The original front door was retained, and Davies replated the round brass doorknob.

The existing material palette played an important factor in selecting new finishes. “I was determined to keep the integrity of this midcentury home,” says Davies, whose scheme features clean lines with minimal decoration and a soft, earthy palette that offers hints of color to complement the home’s natural surroundings.

Throughout the home, the original fieldstone floors were retained (with the exception of the kitchen), with various area rugs to warm up the material and break up different spaces. Furniture typically features modern, clean lines, often with a midcentury inspiration, but upholstered in fabrics and colors that feel updated and durable, like dining chairs covered in a deep blue and neutral-toned sofas in the living room.

Because of Geoffrey’s love of cooking and entertaining, “they needed a kitchen that was functional, efficient, and modern,” notes Davies, who optimized the layout for work and movement. Ample storage was added, as well as conversation areas for guests. The custom cabinets are paint-grade oak, while wood accents in hickory can be found throughout the space. The countertops are Pietra de Cardoza, while walnut was selected for the floors to connect back to the millwork in the family room.

The most expensive part of the reconfiguration actually took place outside of the home with the construction of the backyard retaining wall, the new deck, and the pool renovation. But the finishing touches for the interior came in the form of Geoffrey’s own artwork. Davies convinced him to step outside his comfort zone and display his pieces throughout. “It is interesting living with my work on display in my own home,” he says, but happily, “our friends and family seem to love it as well.”

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Project Credits:

Designer: Denise Davies, D2 Interieurs / @d2interieurs
Contractor: Marek Bil, Old World Construction