[color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]Tina Rich once said, “Space is not an isolated design proposition, but an extension of a way of living.” Her understanding of design was shaped early on—through childhood visits to construction sites with her father, and long summers spent in Greece, where she absorbed the rhythm and order of Mediterranean life. It was there that she came to understand the genuine relationship between architecture and the everyday: space is not meant to be merely observed, but to be used, felt, and lived in. In Greenwich Modern, this idea of “intentional slow living” is translated into a clear design methodology—where daily rituals such as swimming, dining, resting, and gathering become the starting point for spatial organization, shaping a calm and grounded pace of living. [color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]When the clients’ appreciation for Japanese design met Tina Rich’s Mediterranean-rooted aesthetic, a dialogue emerged—one based on shared values rather than stylistic gestures. Rather than layering forms or aesthetics, she returned to what both cultures hold in common: respect for simplicity, honesty of materials, a close relationship with nature, and a deep reverence for everyday rituals. It is through these shared principles that Greenwich Modern finds its balance—where multiple cultural sensibilities reflect one another, distilled into a restrained yet warm spatial language that quietly and enduringly supports real life. [color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]We transformed the interiors of this 6,000sf home built in 1984 into a warm, modern space that compliments the existing architecture. Tucked into the hills of Greenwich, CT, our goal was to create a serene extension of the surrounding landscape. We were influenced by the client’s love of Japanese architecture and design, using natural materials, handmade pieces, and Wabi Sabi elements throughout the home.
[color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]he 15-foot wall hanging in the foyer was conceived as the first emotional moment upon entering the home—setting the tone for the entire space while gently welcoming one back. With this intention, Tina Rich envisioned a piece with strong dimensionality and tactility. When she introduced the work of artist Irini Gonou to the clients, there was immediate clarity: this had to be a commissioned work, created specifically for Greenwich Modern. [color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]As Tina Rich describes, the collaboration began with a visit to Irini’s studio in a small mountain village on the island of Naxos, Greece, where she and her husband—both artists—live and work between mountains and sea. Nature there is both daily backdrop and creative source. Irini Gonou shares that her process starts with locally sourced plant dyes; through repeated dyeing and iron-water immersion, she builds layers of warm tones and cool greys, ultimately composing the piece as an abstract “landscape.” Carrying the traces of nature, time, and handcraft, the wall hanging becomes one of the home’s most emotionally resonant elements, quietly evoking a sense of land, life, and belonging. [color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]Lime washed walls (Colorateleir’s Soft Taupe) throughout the home allow the space to breathe and shift with the changing light from the grand windows. The large Dining Room called for an oversized dining table custom designed and fabricated in oak with a live edge. We collected a series of vintage and custom chairs to surround the 13’ dining table.
[color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]Extending from the Kitchen, a breakfast nook with a carved wood seat back spans the windows, keeping the view somewhat unobstructed. A pendant light designed in collaboration with Canoa Lab hangs above a square dining table with vintage Tokyo Chairs. [color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]The client requested a deep color for the Primary Bedroom (Colorateleir’s Ardoise) and we coordinated the fabrics, bedding, drapes, and rug to create a monochromatic space. The Primary Bath features a freestanding tub clad in Terracotta Tile with a large picture window above capturing the landscape. [color=rgb(68 68 68/var(--tw-text-opacity,1))]The renovation of the residence, while respecting the original building, ingeniously combines modern comfort with the beauty of Japanese Zen through meticulous handling of materials, light and shadow, proportion and craftsmanship. Every detail seems to tell a story of time, handcrafting and nature in silence, making the Greenwich Modern residence a place that is both serene and rich in layers.
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