Preceding pages: At the rear, the property steps down to the lakefront. Cape Cod chairs and green Charleston porch rockers enhance the sense of retreat. The living room has a desk at one end, and French doors that open to the terrace. The painting of the view is by Kevin Paulsen. Above: Simplicity rules on the interior as well. Shown here, clockwise from top left are the kitchen, breakfast room, living room and television room.
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The traditional character is reinforced by the materials – painted wood siding, a base of fieldstone that helps to ground the house visually, wood shingles and metal raised seam roofing. Dormers, galvanized metal lights and a large porch entry also reference the era. “It’s a very unpretentious design approach, which suits the location,” the designer says. “The driveway is gravel
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and even the pathway to the front door is informal, with flagstones set in grass.” From the front entry, there is a spectacular view straight through the house to Long Island Sound beyond. The view of the water is framed by mature trees and enhanced by the traditional double-hung windows and French doors. “The layout of the house was determined by the view,”
says Gissler. “The rooms where the owners spend the most time all open out to the water. “The breakfast room, for example, pops out and has windows on three sides, so the owners can enjoy the view while they are having breakfast. Two columns create a sense of separation from the kitchen. “This room is almost Shaker like in its simplicity. There are