This French Normandy-inspired farmhouse was designed by Charles Hilton Architects, nestled on four acres in what is known as backcountry Greenwich, Connecticut. This dreamy 7,500-square-foot home serves as a guesthouse and a place to host educational lectures and charity events. The owners are a pair of gourmet chefs, whose vision was to expand their beautiful gardens on their adjacent Georgian Estate and to have an organic farm.
The design of this guesthouse was inspired by Marie Antoinette’s Petit Hamlet on the grounds of Versailles. Designed to reflect a French Norman Farmhouse, this remarkable home is nestled into a landscape of formal gardens and meandering pathways.
“Adding a unique character to this guesthouse is the steeply pitched, graduated slate roof, pierced with engaged timber dormers and walls of half-timbering, in-filled with randomly laid terra cotta brick tiles,” states the architects. A corner tower adds an exquisite focal point, which is topped with a whimsical cat and mouse finial.
One enters through a pair of heavy oak doors framed by a carved stone entry, which flows into the great room at the heart of the home. The great room is the focal point of almost all the spaces in the house and sets the stylistic tone for the rest of the interior. The great room features soaring ceilings composed of timber planks supported by a dramatic system of antique hand-finished timber trusses.
What We Love: This French Normandy-inspired farmhouse offers an historic feel, with warm and cozy living spaces despite its expansive size. The level of detail throughout the home is awe-inspiring, with plenty of French charm and a bright and airy atmosphere. The tower encompassing the master bedroom suite is fabulous, with it’s spiral staircase and romantic atmosphere, we would love to spend a vacation here!
Readers, what are your overall impressions of this guesthouse? Do you think it is over the top or do you think it is inviting enough to spend a vacation here?
Above: The walk-in Carmague limestone fireplace is flanked by a double height bay window that frames views of the sprawling gardens.
Above: The great room is open to a fully-appointed, luxurious chef’s kitchen.
Above: Staircases are beautifully carved out of solid oak timbers and leads to the sumptuous guest bedrooms on the upper level.
Above: The master bedroom suite is housed in the tower, boasting spectacular views across the property.
Above: Additional highlights to this guesthouse includes a garden receiving room, wine cellar, and root cellars on the lower level.
Photos: Nicholas Rotondi
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