In Greenwich, Connecticut, a family’s sprawling, 22,000-square foot estate received a contemporary look-over by Sara Story, a New York-based designer and founder of her eponymous studio.
While conserving the original bones of the Shope Reno Wharton-designed building, Story channeled European minimalism in its interiors, a vision very much in line with her own design aesthetic: crisp, elegant, comfortable, polished. Replacing the existing dark heavy wood with neutral-toned walls and knocking down partitions to create larger volumes, Story created a modern, subdued canvas — the perfect backdrop to the curated pieces around the house: the exceptional dining room wall art installation by Amy Kao; desks and lamps hailing from Milan; sculptural pendant lighting; artworks from Ryan McGinness, Donald Baechler and Rachel Hovnanian; an eclectic mix of vintage and custom accessories and furniture. An indoor pool and a double-height solarium complete the social areas of the dwelling.
For a home of such grand volumes, an atmosphere of warmth and coziness reigns. It is, after all, a family home — one that carefully and successfully balances elements of grandeur and approachability in equal measure.
Drawing inspiration from a lifestyle revolving around travel, art, fashion and culture, Sara Story has built an impressive portfolio of residential, commercial and production projects, including a two wallpaper collections launched in 2012 and 2015. See more of her work on the website and Instagram.
Also discover this serene writer’s studio in the Connecticut woodland.
Photography © Joshua McHugh for Sara Story Design