CTC&G presents the 203 Project with the Darien Community Association (DCA). Local designers participated in the sustainable showhouse by giving a glow-up to each room with resources from community sponsors, while updating original pieces throughout the home. The 203 Project will be featured in the July/August issue of CTC&G. For a full list of sponsors, click here.
Front of House by Nielsen’s Florist and Garden Center
Raya Ward and Bob Sabia of Nielsen’s Florist designed the flowers upon entering the front of the home. The Anika Charron and Julie Bauer Team at Compass and Kelly McGovern Garden Design sponsored a spring cleanup.
Stair Hall by Prudence Bailey of Prudence Home & Design
“For the main entry, I wanted to design a grand entry for the DCA reminiscent of the Gilded Age, but in a more modern way,” designer Prudence Bailey says of her space. The hand-painted floor is by Shelly Denning, lighting is from Visual Comfort, trim paint is Farrow & Ball’s Pointing, and the front door and banister are coated in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black.
McKitterick Room by Carey Karlan of Last Detail Interior Design
The three French doors leading to the formal gardens inspired Karlan to create a garden-themed space. Curtains are in Schumacher’s Aylesbury Vase inspired the room’s palette, which is further accentuated with Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green, School House White, and Borrowed Light. Furnishings are from the Wakefield Design Center. Karlan kept the two mirrors over the fireplaces as her sustainability story.
Library by Christine Kelly and Catherine Kelly of Kelly Interiors
Mother/daughter design duo Christine and Catherine Kelly chose an area rug from Darien Carpet, Visual Comfort’s Arabelle sconce, and Farrow & Ball’s Borrowed Light and Strong White—all of which bring a sense of serenity to the space. The designers reupholstered a sofa and two chairs “that just [needed] a little love to bring them back to life!”
Terrace by Jessica Matteson of Matteson Landscape Architecture
Connecticut IDA winner Jessica Matteson “leaned heavily on antiques, second-hand finds, and locally sourced furniture.” Some of the wrought-iron furnishings are DCA originals. Visual Comfort provided the exterior lights, the Linen Shop dressed the tabletops, and Saugatuck Partners assisted with the completion of the space. “We’ve introduced native shrubs to and around the terrace, further enhancing our commitment to sustainability,” Matteson shares.
Dining Room by Sarina Galu of Sarina Galu Interiors
The dining room’s existing mural by Lori Leckliter, Lisa Thoren, and Chris Filmer inspired Galu’s color palette. Lighting is from Visual Comfort, accessories are from the Linen Shop, paint is from Farrow & Ball, and a bar cart is from OKA.
East Room by Fiona Leonard of Fiona Leonard Interiors
“The East Room was designed to give a warm welcome to all who enter,” Leonard says. It is complete with Farrow & Ball paint and wallpaper and hand-stained floors by Shelly Denning. The piano is the space’s sustainability piece, enhanced by a coat of Farrow & Ball’s Inchyara Blue.
Closet by Fiona Leonard of Fiona Leonard Interiors
Tile America’s Tuscan Brick tile guests down the hallway from the East Room and into the community closet, which was renovated by Saugatuck Partners and painted by Turner Painting Service Inc.
Secret Garden by Kelly McGovern of Kelly McGovern Garden Design
McGovern completed this outdoor space with the help of Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies and Outdoor Design & Living. Gault supplied its Riverside Multicolor porcelain tile and spearheaded the masonry. Plants from Outdoor Design & Living include Buxus “Green Velvet” boxwood, Hydrangea paniculata “Little Lime,” and Parrotia Persia “Persian Spire” ironwood. Lighting is from Visual Comfort.
Pop-Up Art Gallery curated by Mary Manning
Award-winning artist Mary Manning curated the galleries in the first-floor hallway and in the second-floor gallery. Hung Well Signs LLC hung the pieces by the 23 featured artists.
Drawing Room by Joanne O’Neil of JG O’Neil Designs
For this space, the designer incorporated cocktail tables from Arhaus, glassware from the DCA Thrift Shop, and accessories from the Linen Shop.
Drawing Room by Joanne O’Neil of JG O’Neil Designs
The drawing room, which is often use as a groom’s room, features an under-counter beverage center from JennAir.
Bridal Suite by Elena Phillips of Elena Phillips Interiors, exclusively sponsored by A Little Something White
Ruddy Builders helped the designer transform this space for brides on their big day. Building supplies and paint are from Ring’s End and Farrow & Ball.
Bridal Suite by Elena Phillips of Elena Phillips Interiors, exclusively sponsored by A Little Something White
Torrco supplied plumbing fixtures and Tile America donated product for the ensuite bath. Lighting is from Visual Comfort. Embroidery, robe, and bathroom accessories are from the Linen Shop.
Private Events Office by Alicia Sands Tiberio of Dorset and Pond
“I wanted this space to be bright and happy,” the designer shares. Table lamps from OKA, bathroom tile from Tile America, and lighting from Visual Comfort helped her achieve that look.
Employee Space by a variety of designers
A collaborative effort among designers, this office space is complete with Farrow & Ball paint by Saugatuck Partners/Turner Painting. Stefanie Jones, of the Realistic Organizer, organized the closet space.
Kitchen and Hallway by Karen Bow of Karen Bow Interiors
“As much as I love a white kitchen, I love a kitchen with color even more” Bow says of the green space with Farrow & Ball paint, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, and Visual Comfort lighting. Ruddy Builders served as the general contractor.
Pop-Up Art Gallery curated by Mary Manning
Award-winning artist Mary Manning curated the galleries in the first-floor hallway and in the second-floor gallery. Hung Well Signs LLC hung the pieces by the 23 featured artists. The walnut slab table is by Northeast Hardwood.
Garden Reception by William Lyon of William Lyon Designs
The designer—who was inspired by the DCA’s Greenhouse Group (which maintains the original, 100-year-old greenhouse on the property)—relied on local establishments to complete the space: Ring’s End for supplies, the DCA Thrift Store for accessories, and the Gardener’s Center & Florist for live plants and floral arrangements. Paint colors include Farrow & Ball’s Bancha, Brinjal, and Skimming Stone, while lighting is from Visual Comfort.
Garden Ballroom by Krista Fox of Krista Fox Interiors
“We chose a theme that fits with both the classic elements and garden setting of the mansion,” Fox says, “as well as the bright, clean, natural feeling of Darien’s geographic relationship to the coast.” The space includes Farrow & Ball paint and Visual Comfort lighting. Fox opted to reuse the existing draperies and hardware on the windows. The stage curtain fabric is from Fabricut, drapery trim is Stroheim, and the wallpaper is Phillip Jeffries.
