Inside a Quintessential New England Home Filled With 300 Years of History

Scott Francis, a real estate broker and interior designer, welcomes us inside his 300-year-old home in Litchfield, Connecticut. Originally owned by a prominent Connecticut family, the house has been carefully renovated with a cedar roof, copper gutters, updated kitchen and bathrooms, and modern systems while preserving its historic character.

Inside, Scott layers early American antiques, folk art, vintage textiles, silver, and one-of-a-kind finds collected from antique shops, auctions, and flea markets across New England. Three original fireplaces anchor the home, including the enormous hearth in what was once the kitchen, while wide-plank oak and chestnut floors connect the rooms to the house’s early history.

Outside, Scott has created a series of gardens and gathering spaces overlooking hay fields and acres of conservation land, including a bluestone patio, rose arbors, cutting garden, potting shed, and wisteria-covered pergola. The result is a deeply personal home shaped by craftsmanship, collecting, family history, and Scott’s belief that the best spaces are built around rare and meaningful things.