“Every room in the house works hard, and that’s really the point. We remodeled everything and gutted it and turned the interiors into a highly efficient space,” says Helgerson.

“The stove sometimes works a little too well in the great room. We usually crack open a window in the winter, because it can get pretty hot,” she says.

Table: custom, Yianni Doulis; chairs: vintage, Paul McCobb; cladding paint: white opulence, Benjamin Moore; pendants: bought in France

A walnut ladder leads the eye upward to Helgerson and her husband’s lofty nest.

Sofa, bookshelves, walnut ladder: custom, Jessica Helgerson Design

“I’m not about to preach to somebody else when it comes to how to live their lives,” she says. “But I think most of my clients know that my colleagues and I are pretty thoughtful about what we do. We want each and every one of our remodels to be our last [for that home].”

She admits that a part of her carries the romantic notion that her kids will someday inherit the land of their youth — but she wouldn’t be surprised if both her daughter and son declare a preference for city living once they’re a bit older.

“They might just come home one day and say that they want to live in New York City,” says Helgerson.