When it comes to renovating Fairfield County historic homes, the experts at Tiefenthaler excel at preserving the character and integrity of these remarkable buildings. By staying true to the original vision of the craftsmen and architects, our construction specialists maintain their beauty while still bringing older structures into the modern era.

Source: Tiefenthaler Construction

In one of our most impressive makeovers, we renovated a Westport two story home. The staircase was intact, but lacked elements that really make a statement. By adding sisal as a floor covering and installing magnificent walnut as the banister, the entryway went from boring to spectacular.

We also handled a stunning kitchen transformation to update a heavily utilized space. Nickel fixtures and finishing details made the sink and cabinetry hardware more modern, while still maintaining the elegance of the Fairfield County historic homes from an earlier era.

Another Westport home was treated to an upgrade when the homeowners had Tiefenthaler construct a library space. Built in cabinets and bookshelves were installed to add storage space and a functional design element. The space now acts as a home office, where the family can work and check emails. Comfortable seating is inviting, making the nook a perfect space for relaxing with a good book.

Outdoor spaces have also gotten the Tiefienthaler preservation treatment. A home built in 1870 was upgraded with a new front door and porch space. The final result adds curb appeal and gorgeous visual interest.
If you’d like to know more about Tiefenthaler’s preservation projects on Fairfield County historic homes, please give us a call. Our specialists also work with new construction, large scale home additions and custom millwork. We’ve been serving the Norwalk region for over 25 years, and we take pride in our attention to every construction detail.

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New England winters can be harsh, not only on you and your family, but on your home as well.  Dealing with the damage rough winter weather can cause doesn’t need to be a difficult task, especially if you’re prepared for the unique challenges the cold, sleet, wind, and snow present.  If you’d like to know what to do when that next major storm hits, check out these four tips to winterize your beautiful historic home:

Frozen Pipes

There may be nothing worse than your pipes bursting in your home.  In order to prevent this calamity, insulate your pipes, especially those on the outside or away from sources of heat.  You’ll want to introduce heat to your pipes as much as possible, so in really chilly weather, let your faucets drip warm water throughout the night.  If your pipes do freeze, turn off the main water valve and use a heat source to thaw the pipes.  A heat dryer will do the trick nicely.

Caulking

There’s nothing more irritating–and uncomfortable–than a pesky draft you can’t find.  Be proactive and search for drafts.  Check your windows when the weather is windy by running your finger along the frame.  If you feel the wind coming from a particular place on your check, use caulk to seal up the problem area.

Replace Furnace Filter

Keeping your furnace running smoothly not only saves your money, it saves you energy.  Your heating system should be running like a top during the times you need to the most.  Making sure your furnace filter is clean goes a long way to achieving this.

Lock Your Windows

This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how effective this actually is.  Locking your windows–much like caulking–creates a tight seal, keeping the cool air out and the warm air in.  Sally Zimmerman, manager of Historic Preservation Services at Historic New England, explains this in a bit more detail:

“Many people think the sash lock is there to prevent people from breaking in.” “It’s indeed a functional part of the window. It needs to be employed to do its job. That’s valuable.”

For more information about winterizing your home, check out this list from the Conservation Center for Arts and Historic Artifacts.  And for more information on historic preservations, building projects, or custom millwork, please contact us here at Tiefenthaler Construction.

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Source: Tifenthaler Construction

There are plenty of great building trends taking place in Connecticut, especially in Fairfield County, an extremely trendy and heavily populated county in Southwest Connecticut. We thought we’d take the time to examine three really popular building trends in the area in our Building Trend series. Let’s take a look at the first one today: Mudrooms.

By definition, a mudroom is an entryway or hallway, usually located at the front entrance of a home. Entryways usually store all manner of items in a home, including coats or a coat closet and shoes. Mudrooms also usually have tile flooring which is much easier to clean than carpet. Given all the foot traffic a mudroom sees, this can be a necessity.

Because of their versatility and usefulness, mudrooms are quickly becoming a must have in many homes. In fact, many homeowners are now either expanding what they already have, or building completely new spaces. If you’re looking to build or redesign a mudroom, here are few things to keep in mind in order to maximize your space:

Lighting

Natural lighting in your space will help keep a fresh feeling in a room that can have tight quarters.

Family Space

What type of space does your family need? How much space do you have in your home? Does it accommodate everything it needs to? These are questions you need to answer before you proceed with either a build or a redesign. If you need to build a space with hooks for bags or add more closet space for extra winter gear, determine this in advance.

For more information or ideas on how to create the perfect mudroom for your home, Houzz has a number of incredibly inspirational designs and ideas. Make sure to contact the experts here at Tiefenthaler Construction when you’re ready to build that perfect space.

Be sure to check back for part two of our series on Fairfield County building trends.

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The Westport Historical Society’s annual holiday house tour is in its 27th year, and it’s a true Fairfield County holiday tradition. The 2013 tour will be held on Sunday, December 8th from 11am – 4pm. The theme of this year’s event is classic New England Christmas spirit. Each of the five homes featured in the tour will reflect the holiday spirit and traditions unique to New England.

The homes featured on the tour are some of the finest homes in Westport, and they represent a variety of eras and styles from a classic Federal Style home, to an unexpected Adirondack style log cabin. We are thrilled to share that a home built by Tiefenthaler will be featured on the tour as well. This classic New England colonial was designed by Brooke Girty Designs, and the interiors were created by Sara Jordan Interiors.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $40 per ticket, or they can be purchased the day of the tour for $55. All tickets must be picked up at the Westport Historical Society from November 25th through December 8th from 11-4pm.

You can further support the Westport Historical Society and get some great holiday decorating ideas at Westport’s Terrain at the Eat, Drink and be MAR-ry party on December 8th from 6-9pm. Tickets for this festive event can also be purchased on the Westport Historic Society’s website.

If you have any questions about the home on the tour built by Tiefenthaler, please feel free to give us a call at 203-857-0055.

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