Greenwich Residence
by Rita Chraibi FOR ID

The Greenwich Residence, realized by the design firm Rita Chraibi, is a European-inspired private estate reimagined as a refined retreat, balancing classical architecture, bespoke craftsmanship, and deeply personal living spaces. This project represents a complete transformation of a 1986 property into a European-style estate set within five wooded acres in Connecticut. The client’s brief called for a home that would reflect cultivated taste, intellectual pursuits, and an appreciation for European heritage, while remaining practical and deeply livable for modern family life.

Rather than drawing from New England architectural traditions, the design embraces the French Art de Vivre, expressed through noble materials, intricate millwork, and carefully calibrated proportions. In close collaboration with Granoff Architects, the interior layout was reconfigured, and the lower level expanded to enhance circulation, functionality, and spatial balance throughout the residence.

At the heart of the home is a Ralph Lauren–inspired library conceived as a quiet, scholarly sanctuary. Crafted in rich cherry wood with bespoke shelving and inlaid ceiling details, it reflects the client’s love of reading and serves as a conceptual anchor for the estate. A double-height ballroom contrasts with the library, introducing ceremony and grandeur, illuminated by Baccarat chandeliers and framed by classical panelling and flowing drapery, evoking historic European salons.