A Family’s Journey in New Canaan: The Brauweilers’ Renovation Adventure
Vickie and Neal Brauweiler reside in the picturesque town of New Canaan, Connecticut, along with their two teenage children. Mr. Brauweiler, a 54-year-old software engineer, often affectionately refers to their current home as the ācheap seatsā of this affluent community. The couple embarked on a quest to find an investment property that not only had rental potential but could also serve as a future family residence.
After an extensive search, they discovered a charming 941-square-foot cottage in nearby Darien, Connecticut, listed at $625,000. āIt was very much a time capsule,ā Ms. Brauweiler remarked, reflecting on the property that dates back to 1926. The cottage features a gabled roof and a unique half-garage shared with a neighbor, where each side of the roof is tastefully painted to match its respective home, reminiscent of the icing on a black-and-white cookie.
Upon acquiring the house, Vickie Brauweiler decided to preserve many of the American colonial-style furnishings left behind by the previous owners. Credit for this thoughtful decision goes to Jane Biles, who captured the essence of the home beautifully.
When seeking professional advice on renovations, the couple was informed that they could potentially double the living space by removing walls and raising the roof. However, the previous owners, a family of five who had cherished the home for over 70 years, had left behind more than just fixtures; they left a rich history embedded in the finishes and furnishings that spoke volumes.
āYou walk into a space and immediately feel the legacy of how people were raised,ā said Ms. Brauweiler, 53, who has a background in graphic design. The living room showcases a reupholstered sofa from her own childhood in the 1970s, alongside family artworks and a unique graphic canvas she created using paint leftover from the renovation project, adding a personal touch to the home.