Left of the entryway is a huge sunken living room with two-story windows of leaded glass, a large bay at the west end, and a massive fireplace to scale. A “chaperone window” overlooks the area from the second floor landing, where there is also a balcony to the outside. The woodwork and floors have all been refurbished, much of the work done by the owners. To the right and up one level are two dining rooms. The first is formal; the second, which has a fireplace, is less formal and smaller (though it easily seats 12 people).

The enormous kitchen with its high vaulted ceiling reflects one owner’s catering background. Designed by her in collaboration with her architect, it was created from eight rooms, including the maids’ quarters on the second floor. The cast iron Aga stove required a new chimney and a reinforced floor. The owner-designed mobile cabinets, which allow for maximum flexibility, were inspired by antique bird cages. The numerous uccelli, seemingly floating in air, are in fact small lights.

A grand staircase leads to the second floor, where in an unusual arrangement, each bedroom leads into the next one. One can walk through them all without ever going out into the central hall.

The reconfiguration of the kitchen area required some exterior changes. Windows were moved, a basement door became a window, and the outside wall was given an application of real stucco. The owners took off the attached garage and built a new four-car garage that doubles as a pavilion/dance studio. Murals on the four walls and ceiling give the effect of being in a glass solarium and looking out at a fall garden.

The back yard was completely stripped. Undaunted by this summer’s uncooperative weather, the owners installed an Italian garden that provides a lovely view from the interior as one descends the staircase. An informal picnic area at the back of the lot is also the work of this summer, as is the roof garden above the kitchen.