RIVERSIDE HOME
Indoors and out play equally important roles in this wonderfully unique house set on the banks of the Connecticut River in New England
Indoors and out are equally important in this unique New England house.
Sitting on the veranda of her charming New England home, photographer Kate Cordsen extols the virtues of the panoramic view of the Connecticut River that rolls away before her. “It’s pristine, absolutely gorgeous, so it’s no surprise that at this time of year we live out here almost all the time.”
The river is mercifully free from industry in these parts, and the views have evolved gently since Kate moved here with her husband, Richard, and their two children in 1999. Over the years, their home has changed organically into a boldly decorated dwelling that encapsulates the adventurous spirit and bohemian nature of its inhabitants.
The house had belonged to just one other owner, who built the property in 1980 with a nod to Victoriana, which Kate has lovingly absorbed into her own distinctive aesthetic. In the formal drawing room, for instance, an inherited antique ceiling rose provides a decorative counterpoint to the room’s Japanese-inspired restraint, while in the main bedroom, soft curves and a serene palette of muted lilacs allow an elaborately carved fireplace to steal the show. Kate is the first to admit that she tore up the rule book when it came to convention in favour of a more intuitive approach to the decoration.
“In my life as a photographer, as well as in our home, what I find most appealing is the hand of the artist,” says Kate. “Textiles that have texture, wall coverings that have a handmade quality with all their nuances and imperfections, that’s
what I’m attracted to.” Family and friends who visit the couple at their idyllic country outpost are dazzled by artistic flourishes and flair the moment they walk through the door. Gold leaf murals by artist Matt Austin glisten in candlelight from alcoves by the front door, while in the dining room another mural by Melissa Barbieri pays homage to a fondly remembered trip to India. “The Anglo-indian wall is very much a statement,” explains Kate. “I didn’t want to overcomplicate this space with textiles so I left the windows here untreated.”
In the sitting room, as elsewhere in the house, the family’s passion for foreign travel infuses the décor. A 19th-century Syrian stool and a decorative side table brought back from Jaipur hint of exotic tales without dominating the scheme. “I grew up in Manila, and after college I lived in Japan, so I don’t think twice about incorporating Asian art in our lives – it comes very naturally,” says Kate. Exquisite examples of antique Chinese porcelain are dotted throughout the house and sit happily alongside contemporary pieces.
Ultimately, it is this affinity with the past, and the pleasure Kate takes in the gradual and organic evolution of her home, that are the key to its enduring success. However, her highest priority has always been comfort. “I wanted to create an environment that reflects who we are as a family, but also a place where we can relax. It’s a very simple desire.”