Step Inside an Impressive 19-Room Connecticut Estate

Written by Sophia Herring | Photography by Read McKendree | Styled by Frances Bailey | View Article

It’s not always easy to craft a grand home for entertaining when there are four children running around—particularly when they range from four to twelve years old. Luckily, Connecticut-based designer Chauncey Boothby had worked with the family of six before, and knew just how to strike the perfect balance between a child-proof abode and a residence that would truly wow. The resulting interiors are family-friendly, yet uncompromising in their sophistication and elegance.

For Boothby, it’s the little things that can make the difference. For example, in the case of the breakfast nook—a highly messy area for kids—the designer cleverly used indoor-outdoor fabrics to deft yet subtle effect. Elsewhere, a multipurpose guest room provides the perfect respite when needed, and an office downstairs makes for another quiet spot. “It’s those small spaces that people appreciate these days, especially post-COVID,” Boothby notes. “It’s a place you can go and have some peace and quiet. It almost has a library feel to it.”

Located in Fairfield County, the home is classic Americana. “It really is the quintessential Connecticut estate,” the designer says. “I would say our vision was to enhance that feel, but in a way that was livable and practical. While the house appears grand from the exterior, its 19 rooms actually feel quite contained and cozy [thanks to] sitting, family, and study rooms.”

For the areas that didn’t require much change—the kitchen, for example, already had cabinetry and an island in place—Boothby added small touches such as fabric paneling. The furniture proved to be another delicate balancing act: After all, the family was moving from across town, and wanted to put some of their preexisting furniture to use. Additionally, the husband was intent on showcasing his love of midcentury pieces, which strayed from the wife’s more traditional aesthetic.

In the case of the living room, Boothby tied these seemingly disparate elements together alongside new finds to make the space sing. The floral fabric found on the pillows and chairs—one of the designer’s favorites—brings an alfresco element into the room. Although the space is vast, the multitude of seating areas makes it perfect for entertaining.

Today, the home can not only withstand four kids, but is also the perfect place for them to play and grow. Notably, Boothby crafted each child’s room with the same amount of attention to detail and care as the rest of the home. A girl’s room, for one, is dotted with hues of soft pink and plush bunnies. And yet, it’s still a room that will be able to weather the constantly changing mind of any small child. The Roman shades, dark green side tables, and matching trim and lampshades are undoubtedly timeless. “I wanted to make sure that once you switch out various accessories, these rooms can grow up with them,” the designer says. Certainly, this is just one key component of a true family home, and one that will age with grace and charm.