Stillman House

Stillman House is a two-story modern residential building in Litchfield with floor-to-ceiling windows and natural materials, situated on 2.8 acres of land. The main residence with nine bedrooms is complemented by a separate glass-walled studio containing a kitchen, sunken living room, bathroom, and garage.

Marcel Breuer completed this residence in 1951 as an expression of modernist design that departed from the traditional colonial-style homes surrounding the neighborhood. This project marked the introduction of contemporary architecture into a community previously defined by classical American residential styles.

The residence displays artworks by Alexander Calder on a freestanding wall near the pool and a Xanti Schawinsky piece on the living room fireplace, showing how modern art was woven into everyday domestic space. These artistic elements shape the character and feeling of the rooms where residents lived their daily lives.

The property extends across expansive grounds with a pool that features art installations and serves as the central outdoor area. Visitors should note that the modern design with extensive windows blurs the boundaries between interior and exterior space, and shaded retreats are limited.

The pool area features a floating staircase and concrete diving platform that echo Breuer's more famous Whitney Museum canopy, revealing how he repeated design elements across different projects. These architectural details are subtle but betray the architect's consistency in using geometric forms and suspended structures.

Location: Litchfield

Inception: 1951

Architects: Marcel Breuer

Floors above the ground: 2

GPS coordinates: 41.75420,-73.18850

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:08