46 Fernwood Road
Polly & Peter Zarella

(click here for a photo)

This unusual home, known as The Spanish House, and individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was constructed at the height of the Hollywood era. Inside and out, artisans created hand-painted tiles and murals; unique wrought iron work; and brick, stone, and stucco walls and floors, and walkways. The present owners rebuilt the 1929 fountain which was almost completely destroyed and buried. They carefully matched new hand-painted and fired tiles to the original design. The roof also underwent a phenomenal restoration. Inappropriate metal tiles were replaced with historic barrel-shared terracotta roof tiles. West Hartford's little piece of Hollywood is a shining star once again!

1593 Boulevard
Nancy Cooner

The new addition for this property in the Boulevard-Raymond Road Historic District is truly a Cinderella story. With virtually no backyard to utilize for a much-needed addition, the owner of this tiny, nondescript house decided to build out from the front. Her extensive research, great design instincts, and willingness to work with the Historic District Commission resulted in a remarkable transformation. The additional interior living space was acquired as well as the bonus of a charming open front porch and a new façade that is sympathetic in design, scale and materials to those of its Bungalow neighbors. Awards Program Juror Wendall Stepenson remarked that "the new design makes it more an integral part of the Historic District." Juror Vivian Zoë praised Ms. Cooner as "someone who took a lemon and made 'big-time lemonade.'"

55 North Main Street
Joan and Robert Claflin

The Claflin family has lived in this graceful 1908 Colonial Revival style home for almost five decades. Their commitment to maintaining its historic character prompted them to choose the labor-intensive path of painting rather than siding the house. Hand-scraping and sanding; replacement of damaged clapboards; and restoration of the front porch culminated in an historic paint color scheme of Annapolis gray trimmed in white and featuring a welcoming New London burgundy door. The Claflin home is now ready for future generations.