The Mayflower Inn & Spa, a Design Lover’s Paradise Nestled in the Connecticut Countryside

When I say run, don’t walk, to book your stay at The Mayflower Inn & Spa–I really mean it! As a design enthusiast, I had been desperate to see Celerie Kemble’s revamp of the hotel for some time. And it did not disappoint. Every room was like unwrapping a present with different layers, textures, and colors. The hotel is whimsical and yet sophisticated at the same time. It’s truly a feast for the eyes. It’s so cozy and warm, you feel as if you’re staying at a friend’s beautiful home rather than at a hotel. Even my husband, who doesn’t typically pay attention to decor, was WOWED by every room. We had the most delightful time filled with nature walks on the property, romantic meals (they have an incredible chef), and a competitive after dinner game of scrabble in the parlor with a roaring fire and a delicious bread pudding.

HOMEWORTHY: You recently redecorated the Mayflower Inn & Spa and now have guests flocking from every which way to stay here. Where did you find inspiration for this project?

CELERIE KEMBLE: I wanted the Mayflower’s redesign to feel like a gracious country house except you can be a guest again and again and never worry about overstaying your welcome. We wanted this to feel more house than hotel, so we sourced fabrics from our favorite residential sources like Sister Parish, Schumacher, and Raoul, all of whom worked with us to print on contract materials. The wallpapers, floral fabrics, and solid linens were a departure from the grays, beiges and blues that previously dominated the Inn. We eschewed formality for comfort and beauty.

HOMEWORTHY: The lobby has a major wow factor–what did you want people to feel when they first stepped into the hotel?

CK: We kept things playful using sweet colors, painted woods (especially our celery salt colored floor), soft pastel woods with patina, antique Swedish-inspired furniture, and hefty textiles such as our wool wrapped stools that feel like fishermen’s sweaters turned into furniture. Our hope was that the room was rooted in the classics, but felt appropriate for the time of now too.

HOMEWORTHY: The rooms are decorated in a way that make you feel like you’re staying in a friend’s beautifully appointed home–was that intentional when picking furniture, fabrics, and bedding?

CK: Thank you!! That was absolutely our intention in every decision we made for this project. As I mentioned, our hope was that you might feel you were an esteemed guest in a guest room of a great house. If the guest room has layers of details, you realize how much intention went into taking care of guests.

HOMEWORTHY: Tell me more about the yellow room that’s full of art and books–it’s divine!

CK: The color for this room started with the egg-yolk colored Phillip Jeffries silk-grass cloth. I like to say it’s the color of the yolk from the farmer’s market chickens that have actually been eating a diet of grubs and not the poultry feed that fades their beautiful yolks. The walls are filled with tinsel art, which is an American folk-art technique. Tinsel art adds sparkle but because it’s a primitive craft, there is nothing glitzy or formal about it. We also used an abundance of natural fibers, a hefty dose of color in our wool rugs (traditional patterns with more wattage in their color), dry cotton trims (no silk!), and vintage chintz and floral weaves.

HOMEWORTHY: I know this might be an impossible question—but do you have a favorite room or even a favorite piece of furniture at the hotel?!

CK: I think the parlor is my favorite room because it is the most layered, but I am very proud of all of the spaces!

Photos courtesy of the Mayflower Inn & Spa excluding the photos with me in them