Text by Lauren Eberle
More often than not, designers are brought in to make an old home look new. But in the case of this charming cottage, the opposite was true. When these Manhattan-based homeowners purchased their weekend abode, they fell in love with the bucolic Connecticut setting and the distinctive style of its neighboring homes.
But there was one rub: “As a newer build, the house stood a little tame compared to the ones around it,” recalls Nicole Fisher, owner of Nicole Fisher Interior Design, of the project. “Our goal became to add some age to make it look a little more lived in—like it’s always been there.”
Enhancements varied from accessories to square footage and included the addition of a striking sunroom and the construction of a new primary suite as well as an overall focus on work hard/play hard functionality. “Part of our team’s design aesthetic is that nothing is too precious. I want our clients—and their families—to feel comfortable and happy in every space of the house,” Nicole says.
The light-drenched sunroom—which feels like an easy extension of the home—is a natural gathering spot. With seating arranged in a welcoming fashion, whether the family is having guests for the holidays, hosting friends for a party, or settling in for a quaint game night, sweeping views of the property can be seen from every angle. Nicole chose pink and blush tones to complement that verdant background in each season.
Color also takes center stage in the heart of the home, where what was once small and black-and-white now leans open and English cottage. Inspiration began with the charming periwinkle La Cornue range. “We kept the stove and built the kitchen around it,” says Nicole, referencing the family of blue hues carried through to window treatments, a custom banquette, even a wrought-iron table base. “The kitchen feels really fresh without erring too new.”
Nicole adds that her favorite feature is its black walnut island. “We had legs turned for each of the corners, so it’s like a piece of furniture. Plus,” she says, “it’s fully functional and has an abundance of storage.”
Adjacent to the kitchen, the sitting room can lean warm or airy, depending on the weather outdoors. Nicole and her team “scoured the globe” for a fireplace fender that would suit the space and had the rest of the fireplace built around it. The snug green accent chairs were chosen for their swivel, and other low-back pieces made the space more practical for multiple people to share.
Comfort extends into the private quarters as well. Juxtaposing modern elements and antiques, the primary suite’s large size doesn’t restrict its serenity. Rather, Nicole says she designed cozy zones throughout the space, such as the window seat, a modern chaise, and a mohair Danish banana sofa. Not to be forgotten, the luxurious bathroom features marble mosaic flooring and a deep soaker tub ready to overlook the yard’s brilliant fall color.
In the guest suite, sweeps of rust, sage, and cream tie in beautifully with the rest of the home, leading to an elevated and classic room that seems anything but an afterthought. “I like guest rooms to not feel like guest rooms. It’s important that they aren’t lacking in storage, functionality, or visuals so that people feel like they’re at home,” adds Nicole. And whether the inhabitants are family, friends, or friends who feel like family, this Connecticut cottage is sure to make space in their memories.
