Two Designers Polish Up a Hidden Gem in the Woods of Connecticut

It only took a half hour for Christine Stucker and James Veal to decide to buy this house. "It’s very unusual to have a home like this in this area," says James. "We came through the doors, and within 30 minutes of being in the space, we pretty much took it."

The home was designed by a California architect and built on 18 acres in 1984, and its good bones were obvious to the two designers, who founded the multidisciplinary architecture and interiors studio Stewart-Schafer in 2009. They were initially struck by the double-height wall of glass in the living room, which frames views the surrounding forest. 

As they proceeded through the house, they were impressed by the many well-designed details—like the exposed ceiling beams, punctuated by skylights and underscored by bands of clerestory windows. They also appreciated the lines of sight created by the home’s large windows, sliding doors, and open stair treads and railings.

"It’s very simple, but the way that everything comes together—the reveals and the details—makes it very aesthetically pleasing," says James.