This past spring, a group of local designers, sponsors and volunteers came together to create a sustainable showhouse at the Darien Community Association (DCA). Uniquely focused on sustainability and community, the 203 Project challenged designers to embrace existing floor plans and layer new furniture along with reimagined and repurposed pieces to create sophisticated and communal spaces that will remain and leave a lasting impact on the community. “Every space in our beautiful, historic home has been given a ‘glow up,’” notes Erin Noonan, executive director of the DCA. “They have been awakened with color, sparkle, texture and art. They’ve been designed with repurposed mirrors, reupholstered furniture and reimagined pieces. In every space, you will find something joyful, something that will surprise and delight.”
FRONT OF HOUSE
NIELSEN’S FLORIST & GARDEN CENTER
Robert Sabia of Nielsen’s designed the floral arrangement around the front door of the house. The intricate flower flare was crafted from spring materials such as tulips, hyacinth, forsythia and other fresh-cut flowers on a grapevine structure. “In recent years, we’ve been sharing our floral talents by creating spontaneous floral displays in community shared spaces, and this year, we are focusing our talents on the DCA event,” says
store manager Raya Ward. Spring clean-up was sponsored by the Anika Charron and Julie Bauer Team at Compass and Kelly McGovern Garden Design with help from the DCA Greenhouse Group.
EAST ROOM
FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS
“The East Room was designed to give a warm welcome to all who enter,” says Fiona Leonard. Draperies in Schumacher’s Daydream fabric in Citron set the palette for the space, while an existing settee was reupholstered in a plush Perennials velvet, and a pair of Lee Industries chairs wear a Perennials stripe. The crown molding was given a soft pink glow with Setting Plaster paint by Farrow & Ball through Ring’s End. Hand-stained floors are by Shelly Denning.
EAST ROOM
FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS
A painting by Ryan Wallace hangs over the piano, which wears a new coat of Farrow & Ball’s Inchyara Blue.
EAST ROOM
FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS
A painting by Mary Manning anchors a corner of the room.
COMMUNITY CLOSET
FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS
Down the hall from the East Room, the Community Closet was renovated by Saugatuck Partners and painted by Turner Painting Service.
COMMUNITY CLOSET
FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS
Down the hall from the East Room, the Community Closet was renovated by Saugatuck Partners and painted by Turner Painting Service.
FIRST-FLOOR GALLERY
FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS
Artist Mary Manning curated the galleries, including the first-floor hallway, which features paintings by Brian Kaspr. Hung Well Signs installed the artwork, and Tile America’s Tuscan Brick lines the floor.
MAIN ENTRANCE
PRUDENCE HOME & DESIGN
“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 the main entrance, where the ceiling is covered in Schumacher’s Cloud Toile wallpaper. The hand-painted floor is by Shelly Denning, and the inlaid wooden grates are by John Ruddy of Ruddy Builders. The trim paint is Farrow & Ball’s Pointing, and the front door and banister are coated in Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black.
MAIN ENTRANCE
PRUDENCE HOME & DESIGN
Bunny Williams’ Home Brushstroke lamps flank a repurposed mirror atop a Portuguese writing desk from Noir Furniture LA.
MAIN ENTRANCE
PRUDENCE HOME & DESIGN
Visual Comfort’s Lucia sconces are through Julie Neill and have shades in Robert Kime’s Chou fabric. On the wall next to the sconce is one of Jocelyn Braxton Armstrong’s ceramic wings, which continue up the stairs.
DINING ROOM
SARINA GALU INTERIORS
“I reimagined the dining room to be fresh, happy and magical, bringing the outside in,” notes Galu. The custom carpet is fabricated by JD Staron, chairs are from Interlude Home, lighting is from Visual Comfort, and the fireplace surround is from Stamford Marble. Additional furnishings and accessories are from the Linen Shop, Mandarine Home, Millie Rae’s, Darien Consignment, OKA and Nooish. The tablecloth is one of Galu’s sustainable design elements, reusing the original gingham drapery panels. Trims and fabrics are from Schumacher.
DINING ROOM
SARINA GALU INTERIORS
The original birds and birch trees mural on the fireplace wall by Lori Leckliter, Lisa Thoren and Chris Filmer inspired the color palette for Sarina Galu’s space and her vision to continue the mural on the other walls and ceiling.
DINING ROOM
SARINA GALU INTERIORS
The blue tassels on the doors are from Samuel & Sons.
MCKITTERICK ROOM
LAST DETAIL INTERIOR DESIGN
The French doors leading to the formal gardens inspired Carey Karlan to create a garden-themed space. “When I came upon Schumacher’s beautifully colorful classic garden-urn print, Alyesbury Vase [the drapery fabric], I knew I’d found my palette,” Karlan says.
MCKITTERICK ROOM
LAST DETAIL INTERIOR DESIGN
The mirrors over the two fireplaces were kept as Karlan’s sustainability story and are flanked by Visual Comfort sconces. Furnishings from Wakefield Design Center are complemented with Farrow & Ball’s Breakfast Room Green, School House White and Borrowed Light through Ring’s End.
MCKITTERICK ROOM
LAST DETAIL INTERIOR DESIGN
Artist B. Russell Melzer created a series of oversized watercolor botanicals—one for each season—framed by Geary Gallery.
LIBRARY
KELLY INTERIORS
Visual Comfort sconces flank a sunburst mirror through Modern History in the library by mother/ daughter design duo Christine and Catherine Kelly. “Our goal was to create a warm and inviting space for intimate gatherings,” note the designers. “We wanted to make sure the room was cozy yet seasonless, so we focused on neutral prints with subtle pops of color in mineral and sky blues.”
LIBRARY
KELLY INTERIORS
Walls wrapped in Cowtan & Tout grasscloth and an area rug from Darien Carpet bring a sense of serenity to the space. A DCA sofa was reupholstered in a Perennials fabric, spool chairs from Hallman Furniture sport a Manuel Canovas fabric, window treatments and throw pillows are in Schumacher fabrics, and the coffee table is through Worlds Away.
BRIDAL SUITE
ELENA PHILLIPS INTERIORS
“We selected a palette of lavender, creamy whites, natural wood tones and brass with a hint of blue—a nod to ‘something blue,’” says designer Elena Phillips, who’s sustainability elements included refreshing an oversized mirror with a new frame. The dress is through A Little Something White. Wallpaper in the main suite is from Kravet.
BRIDAL SUITE
ELENA PHILLIPS INTERIORS
A closet door in the vestibule was removed to create a dry bar with scalloped trim applied to the shelves.
BRIDAL SUITE
ELENA PHILLIPS INTERIORS
The bathroom was converted into a sophisticated powder room with a freestanding vanity, crystal sconces, brass accents and a marble hexagon tile floor from Tile America. Torrco supplied the plumbing fixtures. Bathroom wallpaper is Peter Fasano through John Rosselli & Associates.
DRAWING ROOM
JG O’NEIL DESIGNS
“I enjoy using antique or vintage pieces in combination with new pieces, not only for sustainability, but because it makes a room feel more welcoming and not too precious,” notes Joanne O’Neil. For this space—often used as a “groom’s room”—the designer sourced an antique Mahal rug, then hung a painting by Janna Watson through Kenise Barnes Fine Art behind a sofa upholstered in a Pierre Frey fabric.
DRAWING ROOM
JG O’NEIL DESIGNS
Worlds Apart, a mixed-media piece by artist Karen Vogel, hangs next to the dry bar, which has glassware from the DCA Thrift Shop, a JennAir undercounter beverage center and Pierre Frey wallpaper.
DRAWING ROOM
JG O’NEIL DESIGNS
A repurposed floor-to-ceiling mirror has “all of the beautiful natural crackling in the silver from age behind the glass.” The dinner jacket and bowtie are from A Little Something White.
PRIVATE EVENTS OFFICE
ALICIA B. DESIGNS
“I wanted this space to be bright, happy and uplifting using blues and greens and patterns that are interesting and beautiful,” says Alicia Sands Tiberio. Wallpaper through Dorset & Pond covers the walls behind a repurposed desk, while repurposed chairs sport a Ferrick Mason fabric and Farrow & Ball paint through Ring’s End.
PRIVATE EVENTS OFFICE
ALICIA B. DESIGNS
A framed photograph taken at Pear Tree Point by Tiberio from Dorset & Pond is flanked by table lamps from OKA atop a repurposed console table.
PRIVATE EVENTS OFFICE
ALICIA B. DESIGNS
Bathroom lighting is from Visual Comfort.
KITCHEN
KAREN BOW INTERIORS
The marble countertop (a remnant from a local stone yard) was fabricated and installed by Stepping Stones Marble & Granite, while the clay tiles used in the backsplash were donated from a private client and installed by Outside In Home Improvements. Cabinets are by Sterling Custom Cabinetry; hardware, faucet and sink are from Torrco; and the Smeg refrigerator, Whirlpool microwave and GE dishwasher are through Albano Appliance. Ruddy Builders served as the general contractor.
KITCHEN
KAREN BOW INTERIORS
“As much as I love a white kitchen, I love a kitchen with color even more,” designer Karen Bow says of the space that boasts green Farrow & Ball paint through Ring’s End and a Phillip Jeffries wallpaper (printed on recycled paper).
GARDEN RECEPTION
WILLIAM LYON DESIGNS
For this space, William Lyon was inspired by the DCA’s Greenhouse Group, which maintains the original, 100-year-old greenhouse on the property. “Drawing inspiration from Ballyfin Demesne in Ireland and the conservatory at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, I ran with the idea of a livable greenhouse,” notes the designer. The sofa was reupholstered by Yardstick Decor, and the patterned rug is from JD Staron. Artwork above the sofa is by Nancy C. Woodward. Lighting is from Visual Comfort.
GARDEN RECEPTION
WILLIAM LYON DESIGNS
The round table is from Barry Joseph Fine Furniture.
GARDEN BALLROOM
KRISTA FOX INTERIORS
“We chose a soft and welcoming theme that fits with both the classic elements and garden setting of the mansion,” says Krista Fox, “as well as the bright, clean, natural feeling of Darien’s geographic relationship to the coast.” She softened the large space with the addition of a stage curtain custom made by Darien Upholstery in a natural fabric from Fabricut that opens to reveal a stunning painting by local artist Dani Renchard. A Phillip Jeffries wallpaper wraps the room in a textured grasscloth, while potted trees from Nielsen’s Florist are complemented by market umbrellas from Seasons Too to continue the outdoor/in feeling.
GARDEN BALLROOM
KRISTA FOX INTERIORS
Fox opted to reuse the existing draperies and hardware on the windows and updated the look by adding a beautiful extra-wide trim by Stroheim.
TERRACE
MATTESON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
“Nestled within the lush embrace of a courtyard designed by the renowned garden designer Ellen Biddle Shipman, the existing terrace, while beautiful, felt somewhat bare,” says Jessica Matteson. “By adding to the existing cast aluminum dining set and concrete planters, we’ve interwoven additional antique treasures.” Visual Comfort provided exterior lighting and Saugatuck Partners assisted with the completion of the space. Balinese umbrellas were sourced from Baliaric. “The terrace is now adorned and styled with a vibrant spring chinoiserie theme, transforming it into a sanctuary where enduring beauty and joyful celebration converge,” says Matteson.
TERRACE
MATTESON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
The Linen Shop dressed the tabletops.
TERRACE
MATTESON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
The Linen Shop dressed the tabletops.
SECRET GARDEN
KELLY MCGOVERN GARDEN DESIGN
“The Secret Garden is an outdoor courtyard off the northeast corner of the main building installed long ago by a local garden club,” Kelly McGovern explains. “Although it
was lovingly maintained over the years by DCA volunteers, it was time for a facelift.” McGovern renovated this space with the help of Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies and Outdoor Design & Living.
SECRET GARDEN
KELLY MCGOVERN GARDEN DESIGN
Plants from Outdoor Design & Living include Buxus “Green Velvet” boxwood, Hydrangea paniculata “Little Hottie” and Parrotia persica “Persian Spire” ironwood.
SECRET GARDEN
KELLY MCGOVERN GARDEN DESIGN
The lighting system is by David May of DS May Lighting & Audio.
SECRET GARDEN
KELLY MCGOVERN GARDEN DESIGN
Gault supplied its Riverside Multi porcelain tile and spearheaded the masonry work.
COLLABORATIVE SPACES
Artist Mary Manning curated this second-floor pop-up art gallery, which has a walnut slab table by Northeast Hardwood.
COLLABORATIVE SPACES
A desk from Darien Consignment anchors a transition space outside the kitchen; the pottery is courtesy of Karen Bow Interiors.
COLLABORATIVE SPACES
Stefanie Jones, of the Realistic Organizer, organized the employee space/storage closet, which is finished with Farrow & Ball paint through Ring’s End by Saugatuck Partners/Turner Painting Service; a chair manufactured by Artistic Frame wears a Romo fabric; and the rug is through ABC Carpet & Home.
