Designers pulled from the finest sources available to create the gorgeous rooms in the 203 Project showhouse at the Darien Community Association. Here are a few of the many standouts.
POP THE CHAMPAGNE
In the Drawing Room, a JennAir Noir built-in undercounter beverage center boasts dual zones and a 13-wine bottle capacity. The dark Obsidian finish is inspired by volcanic glass and lends a reflective, high-contrast note to the refrigerator’s interior
JEWEL BOX
In the Bridal Suite bathroom, designer Elena Phillips specified elegant Onyx France tile from Tile America. She paired a white Thassos marble hexagon with a mother of pearl mosaic outline for a sparkling, jewelry-like look.
PARTY TIME
OKA’s Louis Bar Cart in Sarina Galu’s dining room serves up style in a brushed gold finish with crossed metal sides and mirrored surfaces. Use as a dessert cart, as shown here, or as a bar set up. Castors allow you to wheel the cart wherever needed.
HANDSOME DETAILS
Designer Joanne O’Neil chose an eclectic mix of new, vintage and antique pieces for her space. Layering in texture, she selected the Arhaus Ferdinand drinks table, wrapped in rich leather with a distressed antiqued brass finish top.
SATIN FINISH
Timeless and feminine, the Bridal Suite bathroom is outfitted with fixtures and accessories from DXV’s Oak Hill portfolio from Torrco. Elena Phillips chose a satin brass finish for the console, high spout lever hand faucet and towel ring, married with a DXV sink in Canvas White.
COLOR DRENCHING
Karen Bow believes an abundance of color becomes a neutral in a room. She used two different shades of green with two different finishes to achieve an English-style kitchen. From Ring’s End, she selected Farrow & Balls’ Danish Lawn for the cabinetry and Raw Tomatillo for the trim and doors.
WELCOMING SWAG
The inviting floral display at the entry to the showhouse was created by Robert Sabia of Nielsen’s Florist and Garden Shop. Utilizing curly willow and grapevine as the base for the doorway swag, he wove in flowers typically found in a spring cutting garden, including roses, hellebores and delphiniums. Family owned and operated, Nielsen’s has been serving the local community since 1944.
FLOOR DECOR
Interior designer Fiona Leonard enlisted the help of decorative painter Shelly Denning to refresh the tired wood floors in the East Room. The original yellow/orange stain was dated but hiding it with a rug could pose a tripping hazard. The solution, an eye-catching octagonal pattern created by Denning with multiple stains applied in various hues.
SET IN STYLE
A purveyor of luxury linens, home furnishings and tabletop since 1974, the Linen Shop dressed the dining room with beautiful tableware, linens and floral decor. Known for her impeccable style, shop owner Elizabeth King personalized each place setting with a fashionable monogramed ribbon placecard.
THE ROUND TABLE
Prudence Bailey had this Dunes and Duchess table made to order for the DCA entry hall. Made of maple and lacquered in black, the fluted column Channel Base is topped with inset glass. For a decorative touch, satin brass edging was added and accented with brass rivets.
HARDSCAPE HERO
Tucked away, the Secret Garden designed by landscape designer Kelly McGovern was given a new lease on life with hardy plantings and complementary hardscape. Shown here in Riverside Multi, porcelain pavers from the Gault Collection are not only good looking but extremely durable—resistant to fading, scratching, staining, mildew and frost—to stand up to harsh New England weather.
SHINING STARS
Visual Comfort supplied the show-stopping lighting for the interiors and exterior of the DCA estate, including the striking Kelley triple sconces in Gilded Iron selected by Carey Karlan to flank the fireplace in the McKitterick Room.
This article appears in the July/August 2024 issue of CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) with the headline: Out of the Box.