The This Old House 2019 Idea House in New Canaan, Connecticut, proves that a historic home can offer some of the most innovative solutions for modern living and entertaining. Built around a circa-1840 Greek Revival core, the house was reimagined with multiple gathering zones that flow from the front walkway all the way to the third-floor playroom. Whether you are planning a major renovation or simply looking for fresh ideas, the strategies used here offer real-world inspiration for creating versatile basement living spaces and cohesive indoor-outdoor transitions that suit households of every size.
Welcoming Entry and Front Porch Design
First impressions matter, and the New Canaan Idea House delivers them from the sidewalk. The building team salvaged a vintage stone bench that was original to the property and placed it alongside the paver pathway beneath a mature shade tree. This simple gesture creates an instant invitation for neighbors to pause, for children to wait for the school bus, and for gardeners to take a quick rest. It is a reminder that welcoming design does not always require a big budget, sometimes the most effective elements are already on site.
The wraparound porch continues the theme of approachable hospitality. The side wing, added in the 1960s, was rebuilt in its original Greek Revival style with double-hung windows flanked by historically accurate operable shutters made from a composite material that resists warping and splitting. Concrete pavers cast from historic molds lead visitors to the porch steps, where rocking chairs and small tables invite unhurried conversations. For homeowners who appreciate the drama of a more formal aesthetic, exploring ornate gothic living rooms that transform modern living spaces can offer a different but equally compelling approach to entryway design.
- Salvage original elements such as stone benches, gates, or lanterns to preserve character without added cost
- Choose composite materials for shutters and trim where historical accuracy is important but durability matters more
- Use cast concrete pavers in historic molds to bridge old and new landscaping
- Keep porch furnishings simple and uncluttered so the architecture remains the focal point
The entrance itself makes a bold statement. A herringbone hardwood floor in the foyer draws the eye past the front stairs toward the living area, while an open staircase rises from the walk-out basement all the way to the third floor, crowned by a bank of skylights that flood the space with natural light. This vertical strategy makes a relatively compact entry feel expansive and airy, a technique that works equally well in new construction and renovated older homes.
Multi-Level Outdoor Living Zones
One of the most striking features of this property is how the outdoor spaces change character as you move from the front of the house to the back. The architecture transitions from traditional clapboard siding to board-and-batten, and white double-hung windows give way to black-framed casement units. This deliberate shift signals that the rear of the home is a different world, one focused on leisure, dining, and outdoor recreation. The design philosophy behind porch addition projects that create multi-functional outdoor living spaces aligns closely with the thinking on display here.
The rear elevation offers spaces on three distinct levels. At ground level, a sheltered patio beneath the dining deck serves as an outdoor billiards room, complete with a corrosion-resistant pool table and Sunbrella fabrics designed to withstand the elements. On the first floor, sliding doors from the family room open onto a raised dining deck equipped with a full outdoor kitchen that includes a grill, undercounter refrigerator, and built-in garbage bins. Upstairs, a private deck off the master bedroom features a two-sided gas fireplace set against a manufactured stone veneer accent wall, with steel-cable railings that preserve unobstructed views of the landscape.
| Outdoor Zone | Level | Key Features | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billiards Patio | Basement | Indoor-outdoor pool table, French doors, paver floor | Game nights, shaded retreat |
| Dining Deck | First floor | Outdoor kitchen, granite island, stone veneer, grill, fridge | Alfresco meals, parties |
| Wraparound Porch | First floor | Composite flooring, historic columns, operable shutters | Conversation, morning coffee |
| Master Balcony | Third floor | Two-sided fireplace, cable railings, stone veneer wall | Private relaxation, views |
A vertical gas fire feature at one end of the deck provides a gathering point when temperatures cool. Clad in oversize porcelain tile with a sleek profile, it draws family and friends outdoors even during the shoulder seasons. This kind of architectural fire feature extends the usable lifespan of an outdoor space by months, a practical consideration for anyone living in a four-season climate.
Flexible Interior Layouts for Social Gatherings
Inside the New Canaan Idea House, the floor plan is designed to accommodate everything from quiet family evenings to lively dinner parties without feeling overcrowded or fragmented. The dining room just off the front hall sets the tone with an angled rug and ebonized oak table that break the formality of the space. An abstract black-and-white wallpapered accent wall provides visual drama, and a pocket door connects the dining room directly to the working kitchen, making service seamless. Borrowing ideas from summer living outdoor spaces guides can help you extend this flexible approach to your own entertaining areas.
A cable wine rack in the lounge area just off the open kitchen serves triple duty as a design statement, a room divider, and practical bottle storage. It eliminates the need to walk down to the basement for every bottle and maintains visual connection between the cooking zone and the seating area. Four comfortable chairs centered around a coffee table create a conversation lounge where guests can talk to the cook without blocking the workflow. This open arrangement is ideal for the way most people entertain today, where the kitchen is the natural hub of activity.
- Use furniture placement rather than walls to define separate zones within an open floor plan
- Install a pocket door between the dining room and kitchen for flexibility during large gatherings
- Select a wine rack or shelving unit that doubles as a visual screen without blocking light
- Position lounge seating close enough to the kitchen for conversation but far enough to avoid traffic
A leather-tufted gallery bench acts as a bridge between the lounge area and the family room, giving guests the option to participate in conversations in both spaces. Sliding patio doors put the outdoor kitchen just steps from the family room, reinforcing the indoor-outdoor connection that defines the entire house. A two-sided gas fireplace separates and connects the family room with the adjacent game room, with a partition wall finished in hand-applied Venetian plaster tinted a warm gray for a velvety texture that softens the transition.
Distinctive Details That Elevate Everyday Living
What sets this house apart from a standard renovation is the attention to unexpected moments that turn ordinary rooms into memorable experiences. At the bottom of the entry hall stairwell, the original 19th-century coal and wood burning fireplace was repointed and crowned with a beam salvaged from the original structure. A herringbone tile floor now extends before it, creating a cozy reading nook that repurposes what could have been an awkward alcove. This kind of thoughtful restoration preserves the soul of an old house while adapting it for contemporary use.
The third-floor playroom is designed specifically as a teen hangout, with a comfortable couch facing an oversize television and built-in storage for video games and board games. Giving teenagers their own dedicated space on a separate floor reduces noise conflicts and gives younger family members a sense of independence. Meanwhile, the game room on the main level features a dramatic glass Ping-Pong table that can be used for additional dining when the net is removed, making the space adaptable for both everyday recreation and holiday meals.
Lighting plays a critical role throughout the house. Sconces from Circa Lighting illuminate the stairwell, a chandelier from Clarkson Lighting anchors the dining room, and pendant lights define the kitchen lounge area. The combination of natural light from skylights and carefully layered artificial lighting means every room transitions smoothly from day to evening without feeling stark or dim.
Bringing It All Together
The This Old House 2019 Idea House succeeds because it treats the entire property, indoors and out, as a single living environment. Every space has a purpose, but no space is rigidly locked into a single function. The dining deck becomes a party venue, the billiards patio becomes a shaded afternoon retreat, the game room becomes an overflow dining area, and the cozy beehive oven nook becomes a quiet reading spot. This kind of versatility is the hallmark of good design, and it is achievable at almost any scale and budget, whether you are renovating a city apartment or planning a full custom home.
Start by evaluating your property for opportunities to layer functions onto existing spaces. A front walkway can also be a seating area. A basement patio can host game nights. A kitchen island can double as a buffet station. The key is to plan for flexibility from the beginning and to choose materials and furnishings that can adapt as your household needs evolve. Design principles for creating rooms outside and in offer a useful framework for approaching any project with confidence, whether you are adding a porch, reconfiguring a floor plan, or simply refreshing an existing space to better suit the way your family lives and entertains.