Susana Simonpietri, creative director of Brooklyn-based design studio Chango & Co., has a reputation for creating spaces with coastal, laid-back flair—so much so that many of her West Coast clients joke that she is more California than designers in the Golden State. It’s no surprise, then, that a young family relocating from California to Connecticut sought her out to lighten up their quintessential Old Greenwich home.
“We were dealing with existing construction that had lots of heavy moldings,” Simonpietri explains. “We needed to create a design that could stand up to the carpentry, so that it wasn’t the biggest impact in the room.”
To bring the molding down a notch, the designer enlisted lots of wallpaper, painting the trims in a complementing hue, or in some cases, painting the trim and walls in one shade. “It helps make the room feel more immersive,” she adds. “We wanted to minimize the trims and heaviness of it all and make the rooms feel like a cozy blanket giving you a hug.”
A Meadow Blu table through Arteriors features a neutral marble that complements Benjamin Moore Gray Huskie paint in the entryway
The living room wears a complementary sage grasscloth from Thibaut, and the Baker sofa is upholstered in a creamy Holland & Sherry wool.
An Anthropologie coffee table, Munna side chair and Lumfardo chandelier finish the space.
A Herman Miller chair, custom desk and Workstead chandelier complete the husband’s office.
St. Frank wallpaper and Workstead sconces instantly elevate the powder room.
In the wife’s office, Simonpietri enlisted Zak+Fox wallpaper, a soft Beam rug and a France & Son daybed.
The breakfast nook features Carl Hansen & Søn chairs, a Sun at Six table and a Nickey Kehoe pendant light.
A vintage ABC Carpet & Home rug anchors the Homenature dining table and Pottery Barn chairs in the dining room, while a Materia chandelier makes a statement overhead.
In the entryway, L’aviva Home ceramic pendant lights through 1stDibs hang at an array of heights for a dynamic installation.
A girl’s bedroom is finished in a custom Caitlin McGauley wallpaper and Elizabeth Eakins bedspread for a play of pattern.
A Sandberg Wallpaper mural sets the scene in the guest room, while a Lulu and Georgia table lamp tops a Burke Decor nightstand.
The anchor of the home began in a surprising place: the dining room. For a couple that loves to entertain, they wanted a welcoming space where they could spend an evening, without needing to relocate after clearing the plates. “Think of a private dining room in an upscale hotel restaurant,” she notes. “The dining room is a green experience with bold, saturated paint.” Even the ceilings are painted (a signature Chango & Co. tactic). “I always try to push ceilings to help you really feel enveloped by a room,” Simonpietri says. “When you have a dark color on the wall and the ceiling is white, it feels heavier, like the ceiling is coming down on you.”
Complementary color stories spring from the dining room (visible from the entry), leading into the living room and office, which bring in notes of salmon, then a touch of blue in the kitchen. The only wood element was the floors, so the designer opted for wood, wicker and rattan furniture, along with rugs in natural textures. “We didn’t want everything smooth and lacquered,” she recalls. “Natural materials break up the monotone aspect of the paint.”
Though the aesthetic exudes West Coast, Simonpietri insists the style has East Coast roots. “Generally, rattan and wicker mix very well with a high-end environment,” she explains. “Even in a Connecticut home, there’s always a moment for that. In the ’70s and ’80s people were doing it all the time—remember the trellised sunroom.”
Simonpietri adapted that light and airy mood to each of the family member’s needs. Both husband and wife work from home and need a private office. His, off the living room, is mostly neutral, drawing upon the notes of green from the adjacent space and landing on the greenery outdoors. Hers wears a dusty rose color scheme for feminine flair. “Here, we started with the wallpaper and worked backward from there,” the designer notes.
Two young children each have their own room as well. The boy’s room is awash in a sophisticated blue, while the girl’s space is a pattern play of pinks. And there’s an additional breakfast nook in the eat-in kitchen that is built with family in mind. “There’s no rug underneath the table, and wishbone chairs are great for kids, since you can easily wipe and vacuum them,” the designer says.
A guest room is also intended to grow with the family. An ivy wall mural creates a peaceful respite for visitors, but can also serve as a nursery if the need arises down the line.
Simonpietri finished the space by commissioning artwork and custom lighting elements. The contemporary chandelier in the dining room and ceramic pendants, for example, were personalized for the space. “When I’m doing something more transitional, I go heavy on the ceiling lights,” she says, adding, “We wanted the home to feel layered—moody, but also relaxed.”