At Home in Darien

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The needs of the homeowner come first and it’s imperative to know their requirements prior to laying out the space. Function and aesthetics are also important considerations. The next priority is understanding the details, which are everywhere. It is how we determine and support an aesthetic. Details can make either make or break the success of a design. Each component must relate to the other, to the space that it is designed in, and to the aesthetic of the architecture.

The details should not stop with the cabinetry. As seen on the window jamb and casing, the cabinetry seamlessly integrates the room’s interior architecture.

Inspiration for this home comes from years of education, research and experience. McKim, Mead and White, whom I have admired and studied for many years, produced some of the finest examples of architectural millwork during the Gilded Era. Their use of quarter sawn and rift white oak and impeccable attention to detail was the inspiration for this home’s butler’s pantry.

The wall cabinet’s sliding doors of restoration glass feel true to any period, and provide a wonderful showcase for the display of the homeowner’s fine collection of china and heirlooms.

“Life in the 21st century means taking the best of history and making it work for you.”
—Miles Redd

Photographer: Curtis Lew
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