Built in the 1830s, this Georgian Colonial home in the heart of historic Exeter, New Hampshire, underwent a complete renovation that modernized every functional aspect of the property while painstakingly preserving nearly every original architectural detail. The result is a house that feels deeply rooted in New England history yet entirely livable for contemporary family life: intimate, layered, comfortable, and designed for weekends filled with sporting events, visiting teenagers, fireside evenings, and long family breakfasts.

One of the home’s most remarkable features is the original carriage house, now connected to the main residence and transformed into a dramatic family room affectionately known as the “Zebra Room.” Anchored by a wood stove for snowy New Hampshire weekends, the room balances historic character with playful sophistication through layered textiles, collected furnishings, and a built-in bar designed for effortless entertaining after hockey games and school events. The room has become the emotional center of the house: relaxed, welcoming, and intentionally designed to encourage teenagers and adults to linger together.

Equally compelling is the preservation of the home’s original 19th-century kitchen, now repurposed as a richly paneled den and guest suite known as the “Wooden Room.” The space retains its fully operational historic cooking fireplace, complete with original pot holders, a bread oven, Dutch oven compartments, and a stew cauldron built directly into the hearth. Preserved almost museum-like in its integrity yet still entirely functional, the room offers an extraordinarily rare glimpse into early American domestic life. Rather than modernize away these historic elements, Davis chose to celebrate them, allowing the home’s layered history to remain visible and alive.

Throughout the renovation, extraordinary care was taken to preserve original architectural details, including the home’s wide plank floorboards, antique glass windows, original doors, iron hardware, knockers, latches, and even the original shoe scrapers at the front entrance. The original foundation remains intact, as does the property’s beautifully preserved water well, which still sits in pristine condition on the grounds. The home was formally recognized by the Exeter Historic District with approval for an Alewife historic marker signifying its importance within the town’s architectural history.