Designer Showhouse 2015-Fairfield, CT

Sharing My Favorites From This Fabulous Show-Part Two!

Last week I went to the Designers Show house in Fairfield benefiting St Paul's Church and Project Hope.  The show house was in a gorgeous historic home on the green where many talented designers came together to transform this into a real showplace!  The show is now over and the rooms full of fabulous furniture and accessories has been dismantled, however you can still view the beautiful and creative rooms here!  I took so many photos and had so much to share that I decided to split the post into two parts.  Here's my favorites…part two!


The dining room definitely added the drama of the Art Deco period with a splash of Hollywood glamour!  The wallpaper, my favorite element in the room, is from Farrow and Ball.  It's dramatic and bold pattern may not be for the 'faint of heart, but together with all the other wonderful elements throughout the room is not overwhelming at all!

Grand Dining Room-Debar Designs

The bar is lucite and creates a dramatic display in the far corner of the room with out being to heavy and the Absolute granite top makes it functional as well.  The red baseboard really pops against the wall paper, the color taken from the Baccarat crystal used in the room.

Crystal Candlesicks

Wall Paper-Farrow and Ball

Attention to detail in a room is key to a great design!  The custom carpet by Stark is bound in a contrast color to accentuate the pattern and is custom fit to accomodate the floor vents.  This is a subtle detail that really adds a fabulous effect.

The sitting room, off the dining room, has the same dramatic feel with bold color selections of merlow and port, but is warm and comfortable.  The use of fabrics with soft textures and patterns like the warm plaid drapery, gives the room a cozy feel. The interesting mix of furniture styles and finishes completes this room by Lillian August, Inc.  I sat there a while, imagining sipping a glass of wine at the end of a long day as the stresses of the day rolled away!  If you like what you see, you can shop the look for this room here!

  

Inspiration for a room design can come from anywhere!  As designers, we use inspiration boards to convey the mood and feel of a room to our clients.  In this room the inspiration came from a boot seen in a Bazzar magazine, here is the board the designers, Angela Camarda and Thom Bellucci made for the show house, showing the various colors, fabrics and furniture for the room.

Design Board

Sitting Room Details

I love a home that has a back stairway! This feature was found in many older homes and was designed so that the servants of the home could have quicker access to the kitchen. This home was no exception!
After touring the upstairs for quite some time, I headed down the stairway and was greeted by the newlwy renovated kitchen by NuKitchens based in South Norwalk.  They did a spot on job in keeping the classic simplicity of the original architecture.

View of the Kitchen from the Back Stairs

The only elements that the original kitchen didn't have are these state of the art appliances like SubZero/Wolf! The soft color palette of slate white, moonstone gray and quartersawn oak are  reminiscent of a classic victorian motif. I love the classic black and white design of the backsplash!

Kitchen by NuKitchens

Back Stairway

Next on the tour is the second floor guest bath by Klaff's.  The soft grey color palette is repeated again here with polished natural stone, Euopran style faucets and wall color.  I especially love the double pedestal style sink by Devon and Devon. Simply stunning!

And last but most cerainly not least of my favorites in this tour is the master bedroom!  This room combines a soft peaceful color scheme along with some bling to create a reastful relaxing room that is not gender specific.  An adult, cozy but not boring, refuge suited to the tiltle of master bedroom.
Designer George Snead of Wakefield Design Center set the stage for this masterful retreat. The room is filled with light from windows on three sides of the space, which really makes the room glow with warmth. The mostly contemporary furnishings, that often seam cold are warmed up with velvety textures and warm colors. The organic window treatments are one of my favorite elements, fabricated from handmade paper, they create such interesting pattern and texture in the room.  The Wakefield Design Center located in Stamford is a showroom servicing designers from CT and NY and a fabulous place for getting inspiration for any room or project.

Photo from CTC&G

Well I hope you enjoyed my tour of the designer show house in Fairfield.  You can view a full spread of this show house in the CTC&G magazine. There are many designer show house projects around the country benefitting many worthy charities.  I encourage you to seek out on in your area, you will be insipred by the many talented designers and blessed by your contribution to a worthy cause!

Even though the show is over, you can still contact the designers that participated in the show house to purchase products that were part of the show. For more information, visit here.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Tina

Designer Showhouse 2015-Fairfield, CT

Sharing My Favorites From This Fabulous Show- Part One

I had the opportunity to visit the Designer Showhouse in Fairfield, CT yesterday, and what a treat it was!  On this beautiful fall day, I arrived a bit early and was greeted by the friendly staff and a wide open door at this 1834 historic home!  The home serves as the rectory for St Pauls Church and recently underwent some much needed renovations.  Although on the outside, little changes were made to the Victorian Gothic facade, the inside was transformed by many talented designers from NY and CT into a showplace of style, comfort with a bit f drama.  The show house proceeds benefit St. Pauls Episcopal Church and Operation Hope of Fairfield, both serving the community of Fairfield and beyond.

As a designer, I've visited many showhomes over the years and although, I have never had the opportunity to participate, I do understand and appreciate the work and dedication that goes into an event such as this.  Showhouses not only a great way for organizations to raise funds, they are also a stage for well known as well as upcoming designers to showcase their work.  The attendees also benefit by getting ideas and inspiration for their own homes.  Most all the furniture and accessories are available for purchase as well.  It's a win win for all!  If you want to see this show house, act fast because Sunday, October 25th is the last day of the show! You can get information on hours and directions in the link above.

I took lots of photos and want to share some of my personal favorites with you now in a this, part one of two posts.  There were so many great details I want to share, I thought it would be best showcased as two.  The grand entrance hall that spans from the front door through the house, with a view of the back patio, was the perfect greeting!  The coffered ceiling is original to house, however was painted a glossy white to brighten up the hall.

The Grand Entrance Hall By Sage Design

The library By Christina Murphy and Safavieh

After touring the home once, I took another walk through to see what rooms spoke to my personal and  varied design style.  It was very hard to choose, however I believe the Living Room by Pavarini Design is my favorite!  The soft color palette and interesting textures make this room feel very welcoming.  The walls are a done in a faux suede wall covering by Kravet and the ceiling border was done in a faux paint technique that imitates the wall treatment perfectly!  I couldn't tell whether it was wall paper or paint. And that fabulous rug…..!

Living Room By Pavarini Design NY

Living Room

Fabric Detail

Wool Rug by Stark

Ceiling Detail

 My next favorite room is the guest bedroom found upstairs, designed by Carey Karlen of Last Detail Design.  I was drawn into the room by its soft gray color palette and bold bed ensemble!  The Farrow and Ball wall color is, Mole's Breath, and contrasts nicely with the crisp white trim.  I especially love the pen and ink drawings by artist, Joan Cone, of some of the historic building on the green in Fairfield.
Many of the furnishings and accessories throughout the showhouse are from the Wakefield Design Center, located in Stamford, a popular resource for interior designers in CT.

Guest Bedroom

Custom Pen and Ink Drawings

Chair Detail

Settee, Vangaurd Furniture

Bedside Tables, Bungalow 4

Bedding and Headboard, Serena and Lily

I have many more favorites to show and tell you about, however, time is limited by my work schedule and family life, so stop back next week for part two!  Please note, Sunday, October 25th is the last day of the show, so don't delay, spend the afternoon touring this fabulous home!


Thank you for stopping by the blog today.  If you have any questions or comments, please reply or send me an e-mail.

Tina

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The Best Kept Secret In Litchfield County!

 Topsmead State Forest

I stumbled upon this gem of a property by accident several years ago while exploring the many interesting and winding back roads our state has to offer.  I like to explore, so my husband loves it when I say, "Lets take this road and see where it goes"!  I also love it when my work takes me through towns and areas I'm unfamiliar with.  I've often found the most interesting places that I would never have known about otherwise!

Topsmead is a Connecticut State Forest property found in beautiful Litchfield County, CT.  It was the summer home of Edith Morton Chase, her father Henry Sabin Chase was the first president of the Chase Brass and Copper Company of Waterbury, CT.  Waterbury was nicknamed the "Brass City"  during the early part of the twentieth century due to it being the leading center of manufacturing of brassware in the United States.

As with most affluent families, having a summer home out of the city was an important part of their lifestyle.  Edith's father gave her sixteen acres atop Jefferson Hill in Litchfield where she then built a rustic cabin for her summer retreats.  In 1923 she hired architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr to design the current English Tudor style cottage.  Miss Chase wanted it to be part of the landscape and they took great care in planning both the house and gardens to complement the natural beauty surrounding the estate.  Edith Morton Chase cared a great deal about the environment. She never married or had children so when she passed away in 1972 she left the entire estate to the people of CT. She wanted Topsmead to "be kept in a state of natural beauty" and set up an endowment to ensure that it would be maintained for all to enjoy.

When I first saw this, estate upon the hill, I was mesmerized, not only with the casual beauty of the house, but the setting on which it sits. I certainly see why it's said to be a "precious piece of a past era".  You are definitely taken back in time to a simpler way of life, free of hectic schedules and noisy cities.  I've been back many times over the past few years, in different seasons, to enjoy the many gardens, trails and house tour.  Yes, you can even tour the house on certain weekend hours through October!  The best part is there is no fee to park or enjoy the surroundings.  It is a great place to take your dogs walking and the meadow gardens are perfect for birdwatching.  I just want to notate this is not a picnic park with fire pits and tables, playgrounds or swimming.  You can certainly pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the surroundings.  Please enjoy the photos I've taken over the years here. I have so many it will be hard to choose which ones to use!  I hope they inspire you to take a ride to the Litchfield Hills for a peek at this fabulous gem.  But don't tell to many people…..it will be our secret!

Almost Sunset

A glimpse of the house from the pond trail

The cottage seams large from a distance, however once you arrive at the gardens, it seams to shrink and become part of the landscape!

A simle wooden gate leads you into the sunken garden

Benches are strategically placed ouround the property for your viewing enjoyment!

Come sit a spell and listen to the soothing sound of the trickling fountain

In the spring, the Peonies are a fragrant and welcoming sight!

Climbing Hydrangeas grow abundantly here.

The South facing garden has something different blooming all season long.

The gardens as well as the grounds are kept meticulously groomed by friendly staff.

There is a fabulous view from every window inside the house!

This one is the view from the dining room!

The kitchen was very state of the art for those days.

Butlers Pantry

The furniture in the cottage is all original, they haven't touched a thing.

Exquisite details and craftsmanship found everywhere!

This is the main drive up to the front door where guests would arrive.

And now for a walk down memory lane….

One time when I was there late afternoon, I was able to watch the sunset along with a moonrise, what a treat!

 

The wildlife viewing blind.

There are still some trails here I haven't explored yet…so maybe I'll see you on one of them!

Until next time…enjoy the journey!

Tina