Homes

This Connecticut home designed by Monica Fried introduces modern vividness in a colonial setting

FEB 1, 2022 | By Twinkle Tolani
In the living area, trimmed drapery in a Holland and Sherry Tape create a courtly juxtaposition against ivory plaster walls; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
The designers take Carrera marble and white cabinets to the next level with Armac Martin Brass hardware in the kitchen; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
de Gournay Plum Blossom in olive bring in a romantic floral element on the walls of the dining room and create a contrasting dynamic with a carpet from Kyle Bunting; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Traditional facets fashioned in modernist taste including Vitra table and chairs and Bistro curtains of the Holly Hunt linens make up the Bistro room; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Wallcoverings from Lee Jofa achieve a classic contemporary panache in the primary bedroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
In the pink bedroom, House of Harris Cambridge Peach wallpaper and a fabric Vintage pink Murano chandelier bring in a plush opulent effect; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Eskayel wallpaper compliments the heavy hue of the custom elitis velvet bed in the aqua bedroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Schoolhouse lamps are paired with the a contrasting 1st dibs find cane bed furniture set in boy's bedroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen
Luteca chairs in a boucle and a carpet from Crosby Street Studio complement the olive walls of the Library; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Completely transformed into a space unafraid of colours and deluged in textures, this home in Greenwich, Connecticut defines a genre of its own. Designed by Monica Fried of her eponymous interior design practice Monica Fried Design, the home pre-glow-up as described by her was, “A new construction home with beautiful bones but not much colour or life.” 

The home is large and colonial, built in 2019 on 3.5 acres of land. Ten-foot ceilings, seven en-suite bedrooms were to shelter a young family with three budding children of ages twelve, ten and seven. 

Fried was acutely aware of the client’s inclination for a more layered, sophisticated look resplendent in colours, textures and variety. A white, partly glass panelled door, which appears to be born out of a mutation between a classic aura and modern features, opens into the home.

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Apparatus ceiling light over an Atra table ornate the front entryway to the home; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

“My client walked into the all-white house, basic colonial home and wanted a complete change. We spent 5 months removing some of the more basic elements of the homeshiplap in the family room, millwork mantle in the living room and replacing with more interesting and elegant interior details,” reveals Fried. 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Custom dining table in walnut with a high gloss finish in the dining room pairs harmoniously with the olive walls; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

True to the classic Colonial style, the dining and living areas are off the large front entry. With walls in ivory white, the living is peppered with furniture that hints at the vivid persona of the rest of the house. It’s almost as if the space awaits tongue-in-cheek, as the visitor goes through other spaces in the home.

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Florals by Meta Floral NYC freshen up the kitchen space; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Thomas Hayes Mills Stools in walnut creates interesting pair of material in contrast to graphic stone counters in the kitchen; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

A library, hosting neutral furniture, stupefies with walls drenched in a shade of olive. Past the library, the open kitchen-cum-family room models Calacatta Viola marble-top and backsplash, leaning into an haut monde aura. 

In Fried’s favourite space to design, mundane white cabinets were replaced with cabinets painted in a taupe Farrow & Ball colour and Armac Martin brass hardware. Sanitary fixtures by Waterworks complemented the marble texture immaculately. 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
The olive green library features green slate coffee tables with brass base and custom u-shaped sectional; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Next, the dining room draped in de Gournay Plum Blossom, enamours with florid detailing on the walls. A walnut, custom dining table with a high gloss imbues old-world charm under a Chandelier by Studio Van Den Akker. 

A bonus room, off the family room, was christened ‘Bistro Room’ curated keeping in mind informal dining, homework sessions, and other day-to-day activities.

Painted cabinetry in Taupe Farrow and Ball color and Calacatta Viola marble function as showstoppers in the kitchen; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

The most quirky space, the Mud Room flaunts mustard skin in contrast to its Belgian bluestone flooring. The other five rooms on the first floor sport individualistic characters, each confined to its own theme. 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Walls painted in high gloss India Yellow Farrow brighten the atmosphere in the mudroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

A pink bedroom with a Murano chandelier dabbles equally chirpy colours and floral patterns. An aqua bedroom stirring interest with an Eskayel wallpaper balances the colour’s exuberance with hints of subtlety. Finally, the primary bedroom in wallcovering from Lee Jofa embodies modernity with classic elements.

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
A minimal Oeuf table with mini pantone chairs in the pink bedroom balance out refreshingly against the patterened background on the wallpaper; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Also, on the first floor, the office is a symphony in timber and neutral shades accentuating it. Custom millwork with fluted cabinets Desk from Atelier de Troupe and a carpet Makrosha induce modernity to the space. 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Custom millwork with flited cabinets and a desk from Atelier de Troupe offers striking contrast to neutral tones on the walls of office; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
The office is furnished with carpet spread from Makrosha; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

“The home now has so much personality and really tells a story as you walk through it. The colours are more modern than the traditional red, blue, gold typical to colonials. With an unusual colour palette, we gave a new twist to a traditional style,” concludes Fried, delighted.

Scroll to catch more glimpses of the home by Monica Fried

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
The primary hall features The Rug Company runner; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
Landing light Apparatus Work by Eamon Ore-Giron is introduced in the staircase area; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

 

Custom Oak Vanities and Arabescato stone counters exude an elegant quality in the primary bath; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
A sophisticated layering of textures, colours, and material is evident throughout the home; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

 

New York based Monica Fried design this connecticut home
RH vanity painted with new stone top graphic wallpaper from Ricci Studio brings in a contemporary factor in the mudroom; Photographs by Nicole Franzen

Loved the eclectic mood of this Connecticut home by Monica Fried? Then you must see this Mumbai home by Minnie Bhatt that has wood, cane and colours galore