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The historic Greenfield Hill section of Fairfield, Connecticut, is known for its beautiful homes from the 18th and 19th centuries, “but this was not one of them,” says Suzanne McGrath of her clients’ 1970s house. “It was devoid of architectural character,” explains the designer, who with her daughter, Lauren, is a principal of McGrath II. The owners had purchased it during Covid with the intent to renovate it, and enlisted architect Mark Finlay and the McGraths to remake the home and make it their own, redoing the kitchen and baths and adding the architectural detail that was lacking, from mantels to moldings.
Suzanne and Lauren set about that task by layering in history, detail, and graciousness through distinctive wall treatments like lime plaster and stenciling, and by masterfully mixing antiques from across continents, textiles old and new, and warming colors and patterns.
The entry serves as a précis for the whole home: To warm the lofty space, the McGraths added a shiplap ceiling painted in a faux bois pattern and a grasscloth wallcovering. The distinctive pink on the antique fabric pillows was threaded throughout the first floor, along with colors gleaned from the vintage American hooked rug. Art by Carole Ebtinger.
William Waldron
An Elizabeth Eakins wallpaper weaves the sophisticated pink into the powder room. The root mirror from Casa Gusto introduces an unexpected, grounding element. Sconces by Ann-Morris with custom fabric shades. The vanity was custom made; fittings from Barber Wilson.
William Waldron
Several key pieces the McGraths found in the beginning of the design process helped set the tone and palette for the project: a vintage American hooked rug with shades of peachy-pink, chocolate brown, and green, and a piece of Arts and Crafts fabric from The Silver Studio in England, circa 1895, that they used for pillows on the Gustavian settee in the entry. “That shade of pink was very specific,” notes Lauren, who threaded tones of it through chairs in the living room and library, on the powder room walls, and in the stenciled design in the library. “The color palette is really fresh and inspired—that’s Lauren’s area of expertise,” adds Suzanne, revealing how this mother-daughter duo has found a natural pas de deux for working together successfully.
A lime plaster finish enriches the walls in the living room, while a set of woodcuts by Joel Shapiro above the sofa creates a graphic focal point. Custom sofa upholstered in a Quadrille fabric; the center pillow was made from an antique Japanese textile. Vintage Indian dhurrie from Doris Leslie Blau.
William WaldronOne of the first challenges the McGraths faced was how to arrange the very long, open room that served as both living and dining areas. A central pair of doors leads out to a terrace, with three windows on either side. Suzanne notes, “We always start with the furniture plan. We used the oldest trick in the book by placing a round table in the center of the room. It’s the first thing you see as you come into the room, and it helps ground the space and make the layout—living on one side, dining on the other—feel natural.” They enveloped the room in a pale gray lime-plaster finish, transforming the sheetrock walls with a quiet texture that makes the antiques in the room feel more at home. French doors were framed with curtains in a Robert Kime fabric whose many colors influenced the room’s overall palette. A pair of dhurries—one Indian, one Persian—helped define the living and dining areas as separate spaces.
In the dining area, a muscular 19th-century Gothic table base with a newer oval top is surrounded with interesting conversation partners in a mix of chairs. Curtains in a Robert Kime trellised floral fabric flank French doors leading to a terrace. Soane Britain rattan pendant.
William Waldron
The showstopping Gustavian faux-marbled corner cabinet from Casa Gusto injects period drama into the dining room. 18th-century Swedish armchair. Vintage striped Persian dhurrie from Doris Leslie Blau.
William WaldronIn every room, antiques of various provenance converse with ease, bringing depth and the reassuring imprimatur of age to the formerly undistinguished home. “The homeowner embraced our passion for collecting antiques,” says Suzanne. “We challenged ourselves to represent a range of countries, each beautiful examples of their genre.” Lauren adds, “That’s my mother’s special sauce—she’s always on the hunt for unique pieces. We wanted to create rooms that felt cohesive and calm, but it’s also about creating a certain level of tension—mixing painted wood with finished wood; pieces that are rustic and refined; round shapes with sharper edges.”
A custom mantel designed by architect Mark Finlay brings gravitas to the library. Finlay added more substantial doors, windows, and trim throughout the house. Antique English chair in a Fermoie ticking stripe. Turkish kilim from Galerie Shabab.
William WaldronThe dining area is a perfect case in point, melding a faux-marbled Swedish cupboard with a 19th-century Gothic-style dining table, French Deco bleached-wood dining chairs with a black 18th-century Swedish armchair, and even a Queen Anne–style settee upholstered in vintage grain-sack material. “Whenever we can, we try to include soft seating in a dining room,” says Suzanne, “so you can get up from the table, sit and chat. That Queen Anne sofa has lots of character, so it became a nice focal point.”
“The kitchen opens to the dining area, so we felt making it neutral was the way to go,” notes Lauren. “We found the antique Portuguese tiles and the backsplash behind the range became the focal point.” Solar Antique Tiles. Copper pendants over island, Ann-Morris. Pendant over dining table by Beata Heuman. Sika Design rattan dining chairs and Howe London counter stools.
William WaldronEven the bathrooms received special treatment: In this house it’s not the dining room but the primary bath that has a custom-painted mural. “The bathroom was on the small side and didn’t have many windows—that’s where the concept of a mural came in,” explains Lauren. “The homeowners love nature and there are a lot of beautiful trees on the property, so we decided, let’s bring them inside.” The grisaille mural felt appropriately subtle for the bath, and an antique Indian rug softens the stone and ceramic tile.
The primary bath is bathed in nature, with an enveloping grisaille mural of the surrounding property painted by Erika Langstroth. The Water Monopoly tub is painted a pale sky blue. Antique Indian rug from Galerie Shabab.
William Waldron
Touches of blue weave a soothing backdrop in the primary bedroom, with quietly romantic florals in Chelsea Textiles curtains and Fleurons d’Helene embroidered shades. The boudoir pillows are an antique French silk damask. Custom bed upholstered in a Michael S. Smith linen stripe.
William Waldron“We wanted to give this house a sense of history and time,” says Lauren. “We’re inspired by historic homes, but we don’t want it to be a pastiche. We want to create something unique and different, creative and playful.” Judging by the homeowners’ delighted reactions and even (happy) tears on the final walk-through, they more than succeeded.
