Though it’s an easy commute from Manhattan, Greenwich can feel a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the city. So when an engineer and businessman and his design-savvy wife chose it as the site for a retreat that would be conducive to weekend relaxation and golf, they decided to start from scratch. And they found the ideal property on which to build: a private spot on a rocky knoll out of view of neighboring properties.

Mitchell Studio worked closely and collaboratively with the wife, who had studied architecture in college and had previously renovated the family’s homes in Michigan, Brazil and New York. The shared objective was to design a sophisticated yet comfortable country home that whispers rather than shouts. “The process with this client was fun and demanding in a good way — they wanted to get it right as much as we did,” says project lead Bill Pollack. “Her care in making studied decisions resulted in a finished product that is subtle yet rich.”

From the exterior, the walls of local stone, white shingles and simple and symmetrical fenestration evoke Colonial Revival precedents of the 1920s. Step inside, and you’re immediately struck by the understated luxury of the rooms. Infused with natural light that spills through the French doors on either side, and lined with bookshelves carved into the thick exterior walls, the centrally located great room is imbued with the feel of an elegantly lived-in European country house. Sisal rugs provide the perfect complement to an edited selection of art and furniture, while reclaimed wood beams contribute additional texture above. “The great room has a Gallic feel — it’s open and comfortable without being too big,” Pollack says. “It reminds me of the salon of Hubert de Givenchy’s Manoir du Jonchet.” Reclaimed granite frames the fireplace in the sunroom, which continues the restrained palette found elsewhere. In the end, it’s a home where everything has its place, where pared-down details have been orchestrated by the architect, designer, and owner to create a remarkably self-assured and inviting sanctuary.

Interior Design: Courtnay Daniels