Favorites

The house acts as a wind barrier for the deck on the south side, where there’s also an edible garden. The main entrance is on the west end, and a covered porch on the east side is a cool respite in the summer that takes full advantage of passing breezes.

In the living room, a white sofa from Maria Yee and CB2 couch flank a custom coffee table designed and built by Joel. The walls are painted “Schoolhouse White” by Farrow & Ball, and the windows are Benjamin Moore “Mopboard Black.” The windows have custom storm windows for improved energy efficiency.

“I wanted you to come into a place that was inviting, but with a muted warmth,” says Kara of the decision to immerse the dining room in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke, including walls, ceiling, cabinetry, and fireplace, the latter with a relocated mantel. The table is a 17th C. Spanish Walnut Trestle Rectangular Dining Table via Restoration Hardware, surrounded by Ceremonie Green Mohair dining chairs by Athena Calderone, from Crate&Barrel. The Tambor Buffet, beneath windows that Seamus relocated from elsewhere in the house, is from Anthropologie.

“Even though we sealed up the house as much as possible, these older homes are leaky,” shares Claire. To help keep energy costs down, she opted for a hybrid heating system from Trane.

The firm added a 60-square-meter annex to the existing 88-square-meter stone building to fashion a residence that’s now about 148 square meters (or around 1,500 square feet).

It was important to Thomas that the property could be shared with friends and family, and there are enough bedrooms to comfortably sleep up to 12 guests.

Elevations of Five Yard House by Miró Rivera Architects

Floor Plan of Stratford Sanctuary by Modus Development

SOMA Residence floor plan

Why Now, More Than Ever, the ADU Is the Future of Home: Whether it serves as an investment, backyard office, or intergenerational housing, the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) has never made more sense.