When I spotted this 1885 Victorian in the Connecticut real estate listings, it stopped me in my tracks. Wow. This Greenwich property has over 8,000 square feet and sits on a beautifully landscaped lawn “with water views.” The owners renovated it in 2000, and I’d love to see what it looked like before, when all of the woodwork was probably dark.
There’s definitely a light, beachy vibe here–something you don’t expect from an old Victorian.
The dining room light fixture looks a lot like the one in Sarah Jessica Parker’s Hamptons house, doesn’t it?
I think the curved wall in the kitchen with all of the big windows overlooking the water is lovely:
What do you think–do you like this updated Victorian? I’d love to see some more color on the exterior to make some of the details stand out.
It’s on the market for $14.5 million. There are 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, and 3 fireplaces in the house. More photos and information in the listing. Any takers?
Love Victorian houses? Check out a couple of fabulous ones from the movies: Meet Me in St. Louis and Practical Magic.
While the renovations done in 2000 and the decor are lovely…They don’t belong in this house! It’s nothing at all like a traditional old Victorian lady.
I’m sorry…no taker here.
Hi Julia what a beautiful house I would love to sit in the garden and look at the water mind you I can’t swim. I love the curved wall of the kitchen I would’nt get any cooking done because the view is too tempting I like the colour in the kitchen but I’m not sure about the rest you guys have a gift with colouring of your homes. Bed time I was already looking into your web site about to switch off the comp. and I see this beauty I had to say something. Well thats it for tonight its 11.45 pm thanks for this great blog very dreamy. Good Night/Good Morning and Regards Esther from Sydney. ps hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Very pretty!
Love it, although I am usually not drawn to typical Victorians. It was a nice surprise to see that it was not stuffy or overdone. Yeah, I could live there, but for 14.5 million, I’ll just enjoy the pictures!
.-= Linda@ Restyled Home´s last blog ..A Glimpse ahead to Summer… =-.
Julia,
Reminds me of one of my younger sister’s homes, ha, ha! It is absolutely gorgeous and I love the white woodwork. Drop by my blog if you get time. After such a hard long cold winter I’m throwing a spring giveaway! Have a nice weekend.
Cathy
.-= The Stylish House´s last blog ..Inspired By Spring So Here’s A Giveaway! =-.
I love the contrast here! I guess some people just want to live in a house that’s dark and heavy and takes itself too seriously. Not me. I’ll take light and airy no matter the exterior of the house.
Decorating rules are for people who have no style!
First of all, it’s a grand old Victorian on a lovely setting. I agree with you about the exterior being a bit bland. I personally believe the owners went a bit too far with white on both the exterior and interior. I think they could have added a bit more color to be more in keeping with the Victorian past. Great house though. I can picture Teddy Roosevelt and his kids living there. Lemonade on the porch, kids sliding down the bannister, playing croquet on the lawn.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Heirloom Quilt =-.
If it were $10 million less, I still wouldn’t be able to swing it! It is a lovely house (bones-wise) and I think the white exterior, while not traditionally Victorian, is great. I’m not the typical Victorian market b/c all the architectural details are too much for my taste, but the white diminishes them a bit; reminds me of the “Practical Magic” house on the outside. The inside, while again not traditional, is lovely and airy. I appreciate good wood as much as the next person, but Victorians often are too heavy-handed, and the white paint softens the lines without removing them. I would change the blue paint, though — it’s a bit too beachy. Maybe a soft blue with a little more gray in it. Happy weekend to you!
.-= Sheila´s last blog ..Breath vs. breathe =-.
Oh! That kitchen ceiling!!
Wonder what hedge fund manager is trying to recoup some of his millions on this one?
.-= Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..English teacher =-.
Gasp! Cough! Weeze! Do you realize how long it would take to get all that white paint off that woodwork? But thats just me. Someone really likes the color blue. It’s not really the best renovation I have seen. Not alot of respect to the style and the house itself. It looks like they are trying to make it more of a beach/shingle style. Feels like the house is wearing a constume. I want to see the house behind the mask of white an blue paint.
.-= Derek´s last blog ..Good inspiration can come from anywhere. =-.
Well I was ready to roll to Connecticut this weekend, then decided to balance the checkbook and realized its a little short on funds! LOL, make that a lot short on funds . . .
I always wonder what the property tax is too, and if there is an HOA fee, here in PA we see some property tax bills (depending on the township, school district, size and age of the house) that can run into the 20,000.00 range (per year) add on an HOA fee of 1,000.00 or more and my gosh, I do not know how you can afford to buy food! Much less make those kind of payments!
It is a very pretty estate, and would be a relaxing getaway and my bet it will be someone who works in the New York City who has it, or can afford to buy it. Maybe not, but that seems to be the case in that area most of the time.
Ok, clicked on the link, the taxes add another 70,000.00 (in round figures) per year to that price! Gotta love the lifestyle of the well to do.
Wow, I do like it. I think the stained ceilings more than make up for the painted woodwork. I would not like to be in a home with all that stained wood, just think how dark it would be in there with the wood unpainted! I would definitely choose less vibrant walls colors, though.
.-= Sara @ Russet Street Reno´s last blog ..It’s mine, all mine =-.
Yes please, I’ll take it! I love the light blue tones all over the house! It’s a stunning house and I’m sure I’d love to live in it!
Hope you have a great weekend Julia!
.-= christy´s last blog ..Five GREAT Things Friday =-.
Yep, I like it, too, for the same reasons as Sara. And my next thought was, if I ever moved back to Cincy & could afford it, I would love to do something like this on one of those Columbia Tusculum Painted Ladies, on a much smaller basis, of course! But if I ever won the Powerball, yeah, I’d take that house in a heartbeat.
I love it. And I usually do not like Victorians, but they’ve done this one proud!
.-= deidra´s last blog ..Easter =-.
It’s so beautiful! I think I’d like a different color palette though for this style house. I bet the dark wood was lovely too. If I found a house with all the dark wood in good shape, I would not paint it. This would be perfect for me and my kids. We’d use four bedrooms and have two extra for all of our stuff.
If only I could scrounge up the 14.5 million.
.-= Carmen´s last blog ..I’m ready to show you my living room =-.
I love it! I do not get a beachy feel really it is too formal still for what I would call beachy.
Love the house and I was excited to see a Victorian not look so Victorian and look great because that is what I want to do.
We are looking at an old Victorian to buy and I am struggling with the very dark woodwork. not sure what colors to do with it that will be light but still go. I am happy that the wood work in the upstairs bedrooms is already painted so no guilt painting there.
I love it. It’s totally how I would do it over. I do agree that the outside could use some contrast. Who says a Victorian lady can’t enjoy a beach vibe. Wasn’t sea bathing all the rage back then? If I had that much money to spare I would totally buy it.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Kinghts Who Say ‘Nee!’ =-.
Julia, I love this house! I usually do not like Victorians. All of that dark millwork is heavy and depressing. I think the renovation was well done and maintained respect for the period architecture while giving the house a lighter feel for a modern family. Love the coffered ceiling. An absolutely lovely home!
Ciao!
Thank you, your posts are always beautiful just like this House!! It’s simply perfect!
kisses
Etta
It isn’t so much that I want the house, as that I want the life the house implies! Young children, an eccentric uncle living in the coach house, friends and cousins around, and a wonderful warm wise housekeeper who is part of the family (and whose son is at Stanford!). A couple of lovable mutts and a fat, mysterious cat, a tree house always under construction.
Am I getting carried away?
.-= Tricia Rose´s last blog ..Petaluma =-.
Modern Victorian! I love it. Love the colors. Love the vibe. I’d live there in a heart beat.
Nita
.-= Nita Stacy @ ModVintageLife.com´s last blog ..Pillow Talk =-.
I’d take it in a heartbeat! I love it! I think you’re right, the exterior needs some color, but at the same time I kind of like the worn white – it looks so humble being large and beautiful but plain. I’m weird, don’t mind me.
I love what they did with the interior – it’s gorgeous!
.-= Sarah @ Dream In Domestic´s last blog ..You Can’t Always Get What You Want =-.
Let’s go Halvsies!!
I really reallllly like this house!! When I think Victorian, I think heavy/dark. I love all the light I see!!! The blue walls are beautiful, and the curved wall in the Kitchen is great. I also think the brick over the range is gorgeous.
Great find!!!
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..The Tattered Flower (Giveaway Day!) =-.
Oh my, those windows, those windows, those windows!! I like the way the owners freshened things up, but kept its integrity.
I’ll take it! I have to confess and agree with some of the people above. I usually love the exterior of Victorian houses and find the interiors depressing. I love this one. And the property is amazing. I wonder how much just the lot is worth? In that part of the country, I bet it’s a bundle.
.-= Nichole´s last blog ..7 Quick Takes Friday =-.
Love this home. Beautiful light and airy. The water view doesn’t hurt either. You find some of the most amazing homes. It is always fun tsee what you come up with. Sue
We live in Darien Ct. and we love taking trips to our surrounding towns to look at beautiful homes. Greenwich is no exception and this home is beautiful! I love the blue colored interior!
.-= Chic Coles´s last blog ..Designer Spotlight: Antony Todd =-.
I love the updates! It makes everything look very fresh and clean. It’s understated beauty. I’m not a fan of lots of dark woodwork, but I love old homes.
-FringeGirl
Wow … I think everything about it is stunning! I lived in New Canaan, Connecticut for a few years in high school (a couple of towns away) and think it remains one of the most beautiful states EVER! The setting around this house – stunning! LOVE IT! I even like that it’s white … it may be a little “bland” for a Victorian, but look at its surroundings!!!!
And what were you saying about tourquoise …. ?
I really love this house!
.-= Polly´s last blog ..She’s here … =-.
Well, I’m going a bit against the grain here and say I love everything about it. I’d have a real hard time painting over the woodwork so glad someone else did. I love Victorians but they are very dark and to live in I’d really prefer light. As a teenager I was a tour guide in a famous victorian with beautiful tiffany windows, etc. But it was dark-dark-dark. I think the beachy theme is really fun and perfect style to take something grand to casual elegant. Love it and I’m not even a blue person. The only thing I might add is a spire or something on the top of the tower. I like the all white look outside as it reminds me again of the beach and beachy resorts like the Del Coronado and I’d toyed with the idea of doing the roof shingles in a color like dark green but maybe not. Plus I can’t tell for sure but from both pictures it looks like the roof on the tower may be copper.
Oh my goodness, this is an amazing house. We dont see houses like this down under. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Beach Vintage´s last blog ..Project Day: Tulle Fairy Lights =-.
What a setting for such a beautiful old house! I’m not crazy about the interior colors, and blue is a favorite of mine, I just don’t feel the beach vibe here. I love the kitchen, it’really nice.
If it were mine…wish wish…I would have to have a dog romping, family over and decorate like crazy for Christmas! I also think I would have to twirl around on the lawn while singing The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Music…..
.-= Pat´s last blog ..FRIDAY FAVorite (a little late) =-.
I so love Victorians and this house looks beautiful, but I wish the owner had kept the original traditional Victorian character intact.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Honest Scrap for me? yippee! =-.
I love victorian homes and this house is beautiful, but I don’t care for the charm. I don’t like it when people make victorian or old homes modern. I wish they had kept the original charm. I love the curved ceiling in the kitchen though.
Love this old house. It is so much lighter an more airy than a traditional Victorian. Love that breakfast nook. Thanks for sharing!
Robin
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Gazebo at The B and B =-.
sometimes i wish i were rich! love love love this house!
.-= anna see´s last blog ..It All Makes Sense Now =-.
I think this house is quite stunning and I like the contrast of the Victorian exterior with the Hamptons beach interior! I think my dream would be to have a heritage style home with modern touches and updates, gorgeous!
Thank you so much Julia for visiting my blog, I really appreciate it!!
.-= Nancy@marcusdesign´s last blog ..{building our aquarium} =-.
What a goegeous house, I don’t think Its worth the $14.5 million price tag though & for a victorian the interior paint is definetly the wrong colour but it was there home & if they loved it then who am I to say!!! If I had the money I would just build my own version & would definetly be cheaper than that figure. Thanks for sharing Julie If only! Elaine
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..Cyclone Ului!! =-.
It’s gorgeous! I’d take it!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..I’m Lovin’ It Friday =-.
I’d be surprised if they get half of the asking price for this house, in this market with those renovations. They’re totally inappropriate for an old Victorian. Really, why didn’t they just have a new house built instead?
The ideal buyer will be fabulously wealthy, love old Victorians and have a desire to rescue this and restore it to its intended glory.
Love it! It is just gorgeous.
.-= Vicki´s last blog ..Sandbox Lessons – living in the present =-.
Doesn’t that blue on the walls feel a little “off”? Something about the whole house feels “off”, but it is beautiful.
Love it! Too bad I don’t have $14.5 million!
.-= Liska´s last blog ..love this commercial! =-.
I am loving this house — so airy and bright. I’ll take it! Oh wait…first I need 14.5 mil!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Marshmallow Peeps Store =-.
I want it!!! I wish my pockets were deep enough to afford such a beauty! ONE DAY
.-= 31everything´s last blog ..Taylor’s Closet =-.
Although the decor is not my style, I would totally buy it for the big pond in the backyard… we are pond lovers…must have the water sound in our garden.
.-= blueloom´s last blog ..Kitchen design – European inspiration =-.
While I often admire the turrets and exterior details of Victorians I’m not a huge fan the dark interiors so I LOVE this updated version. Given the waterfront location I think it works well for this property.
I would answer but I’m too busy drooling …
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