Having happily lived in the same suburban town for 20 years, designer Charlotte Barnes was not even considering a move until a good friend told her about an 1880 carriage house she had to see. It was love at first sight and as it turned out, the timing was fortuitously perfect for a downsize. Please tag along with me and Susanna for a behind the scenes visit with Charlotte at her charming Connecticut home.
If you met Charlotte, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn she started her career in fashion – at Ralph Lauren Womenswear in New York and London and then the US division of Pomellato (the chic Italian jewelry brand). But it was her years in London where her interest in interiors really began. When her own home was published in British House & Garden in 1995, requests for her design skills came rolling in and Charlotte Barnes Interior Design & Decoration was born.
After moving back stateside the demand for her approachable yet sophisticated style continued with projects eventually spanning Connecticut to Colorado, New York to Newport and abroad from London to Spain and Istanbul. And nowhere is her style more evident that in her own home where she has effortlessly married tradition with modernity, and elegance with fun as in her fearless family room above.
With a wordly mix of antiques with contemporary art and furniture and a bold blending of color and pattern, Charlotte’s rooms are daring yet still have a timeless sensibility that offer comfort and warmth. Even the smallest spaces are imbued with an understated luxury tempered with a global eye.
In her renovation, Charlotte created rooms that creatively do double duty, carving out spaces for practicality that never sacrifice style. And throughout are sprinkled in some of the pieces from her chic furniture collection, created out of a desire to make pieces she could never seem to find.
With a love of luxurious materials, great attention to detail and a fresh approach to comfort, Charlotte always manages to strike the perfect balance of old world glamour and modern flair. So thank you Charlotte, we loved getting a chance to visit in your chic Connecticut carriage house!
And a big thank you to our repeat video sponsor Luxury Portfolio! Representing the largest network of premier, locally branded real estate companies, Luxury Portfolio International® annually markets approximately 50,000 of the world’s most exceptional homes. Based in the United States with a global audience, Luxury Portfolio is backed by decades of experience of the most well respected and well-known experts in luxury real estate in markets worldwide.
The Colors in The Home are BEAUTIFUL !!
Agreed! Glad you enjoyed!
Beautiful spaces w/ great combinations of color, texture, and personal taste,… cozy feeling in each room… love it all, Teresa
Glad you enjoyed!
What a beautiful home and very different. The combination of traditional with modern really makes it sing!
Another amazing visit, thank you!
Tracy
My pleasure! And agreed!
Charlotte Barnes is a Wizard. These rooms are magical. She has created spaces that
thrill and delight. I want to be in every room with her. This video gave me goosebumps.
I am watching it over and over.
Thank you so much for bring me joy,
Kathleen
Isn’t she though?! Glad you got in a visit with Charlotte at home! XO
Wonderful! Love the furniture, love the lattice tent! Love the lampshades!
Me too!!
Stacey and Charlotte——two friends from my past…I’m glad you both collaborated on this wonderful interview. Such talent! Charlotte, I see the blue and white planters we found on Hollywood Road while at Ralph Lauren! Great memories from many years ago. Susan (Buckingham) Massamillo
Susan!! How lovely to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by – isn’t Charlotte just so talented?!
SUSAN! Thank you … Those pots are one of my most favorite possessions! I remember
the exact day shopping on Hollywood Road, all those little antique shops … oh my gosh such wonderful memories! Really nice to hear from you…Thank you so much! Charlotte
Yes, like jewels!
Dear Kathie thank you so much! I can’t wait for you and Tim to see it in person hopefully sometime soon. X
I am obsessed with the paisley pattern used on the walls. Can you provide any information on the
production/manufacturing/fabric house? Thank you.
Yes, I am too! It’s Penny Morrison’s JAMAWAR!
THE HOUSE LOOKS SOO BEAUTIFUL.
Beautiful.
That is some inspirational stuff.
Stacey, habitual watcher of your series, here. I am smitten with the wallpaper in Charlotte Barnes powder room, into which Suzanna ducked in for a brief moment. But I have no idea how to identify the source for the wallpaper. Would you be able to help me? Many, many thanks, both for your videos and for any help you can lend.
Donna
Thank you Donna – so glad you love the series! The wallpaper is a favorite of mine as well – it’s by Soane – there are several in the fern family but pretty sure this is Scrolling Fern Silhouette in Chestnut! https://www.soane.co.uk/fabrics-wallpapers/scrolling-fern-silhouette-wallpaper-chestnut
Sakes alive. You are amazing, Stacey. So quick with that information. Thank you so much!
Beautiful.
That is some inspirational stuff.