A Light-Filled and Detail-Rich Colonial Remodel

Nine months after taking possession of the house, the couple finally moved in. They've been delighted, Emily says, by the way it lends itself to their way of life. "It's incredibly functional," she says. "When we have guests, everybody has private space, but there's a sense of community because we have places to gather." She's also pleased by the upbeat style. "It was a formal house, and it still is," she says, "but now it's friendlier."

Shown: French doors in the master bedroom open onto a deck and bring light into the reading nook. The homeowners finished the room with walnut flooring, beefy crown molding, and a color-coordinated mix of patterned fabrics. drowe.com" "Perrin and Rowe"]. Towel racks: Restoration Hardware