“It was a new-build, and my wife and I have always been inspired by this part of the city—the older homes and rich history of the area,” Eric says. “We wanted to replicate that and do right by the architecture of that time.”

They chose a classic Federal design inspired by the Hagley Museum and Library in Delaware. The exterior is a soft greige stucco with working shutters and a reclaimed brick retaining wall.

“I like to call it ‘Hagley on the Plains,’” says the Havens’ interior designer, Richard Lippincott of Madden McFarland Interiors.

The Havens purchased the site’s original home in 2018 but didn’t move in until 2021. It took two years to demolish the original structure, design the current home with architect Bruce Wendlandt and, finally, begin the construction phase.

“It was very ironic because when we were talking about the preliminary design, I pulled out an image of Eleutherian Mills (part of the Hagley estate). They looked at me and said, ‘That exact same picture is in our wish book of photos,’” Wendlandt recalls. “Right there, that set the pace for the desired exterior, and then we carried the same traditional design to the rear of the home but with a few modern amenities.”

They focused on creating a space that is timeless yet welcoming for their extended families. “Our family lives close, and we gather often,” Kristin says. “We were thinking about how we want to live and entertain during those times.”

“[When] you look at the front of the house, it’s very obvious that it’s a center-hall plan,” Wendlandt explains. “You have the front portico that’s the center line, and then you have the windows marching to the right. You have windows marching to the left. Think of it as a book being opened up.”