House Tour: Renovated Colonial Retreat
Traditional design and nature-inspired hues combine in this airy Connecticut country home.
Design: Chango & Co.
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Tasked with livening up this old-fashioned home on a short six-month deadline the design team at Chango & Co. fused classic style and a subtle modern colour palette to bring personality into a previously dusty dwelling. A mix of form and function, the home—tucked into the Litchfield, Conn. Countryside—provides its residents with an escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Entryway
Design: Chango & Co.
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Welcoming you in is an expansive front hallway with stark white walls and lush green accents—a small rounded transom window provides natural light and brings the lush landscape in.
Decorative details provide balance, purpose, and navigation, not to mention a touch of whimsy. (We're swooning over the wooden shoe mould display!) Traditional dark wood accents pair with an eclectic mix of decor to establish harmony between the home's classic and contemporary elements. The long runner down the hallway connects the entryway to the living room and keeps the eye moving through the space.
Kitchen
Design: Chango & Co.
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Pairing top-grade kitchen appliances with top-notch style, this kitchen is the perfect spot to host friends and family. The island—made of a 12-foot seamless slab of honed Calacatta Caldia marble sitting atop a solid white oak structure—centers the room with its sturdy wooden pillars and forms a central gathering spot next to the warmth of the fireplace.
Open shelving and contrasting green-and-white subway tile add to the casual “come as you are” vibe, while the bar adjacent to the island and the exterior door (created during the reno) encourage guests to stay awhile, and even take the party outside.
Dining Room
Design: Chango & Co.
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A blend of country and industrial, the dining room continues the kitchen's hospitable style. The warmth of the classic marble fireplace is echoed by the autumnal, pumpkin spice-coloured walls and the glowing wall sconces hung symmetrically on either side. At the centre of it all, a long farmhouse table paired with an eclectic and laid-back mix of seating (vintage-style metal chairs, fabric arm chairs, and an upholstered bench) is the perfect spot for family get-togethers.
Bedrooms
Design: Chango & Co.
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Soft linens, neutral walls, and pops of colour and pattern help various bedrooms find themselves at home within the confines of the classic, yet contemporary style.
In the master suite, clean neutrals are mixed with strong contrasting black wood for a distinguished feel while, in the children’s room, light blue is paired with complementary mustard yellow to offer a youthful glow. A hint of classic New England coastal style is alluded to in the guest room as a red nautical wheel and contrasting grey striped duvet play up the yachting vibe.
Backyard
Design: Chango & Co.
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Inviting guests outside, French doors open from the kitchen into this backyard oasis where a blend of industrial materials—an impressive 10-foot concrete-topped dining table and matching 5-foot fire pit—and all-weather fabric help bring indoor luxuries out. Can you say summer dinner parties and fall fire-side drinks with friends?
Snuggled up against the house, this 900-square-foot wooden deck is hands-down the best reno addition and will serve as the setting for many gatherings (big and small) for years to come!
