See How This Connecticut Cottage Mixes Elegance with Ease

The exterior of a tudor-style Connecticut cottage.
Photography by Emily Gilbert, Interior designs by Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Village Design Studio

Text by Hannah Nance

Comfort is key, both at work and at home. This Greenwich, Connecticut, cottage is charming yet cozy, a style achieved through thoughtful interior design selections by two talented designers.

A foyer with a round table and floral arrangement under a modern light fixture.
Photography by Emily Gilbert, Interior designs by Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Village Design Studio

You could say that sisters Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett are more than comfortable with each other after years of working together at Village Design Studio, their eponymous design firm. It’s probably why they are an unstoppable dynamic duo when they take on a project.

A living space with vaulted ceilings, wooden beams, and a grey sectional sofa.
Photography by Emily Gilbert, Interior designs by Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Village Design Studio

When the two walked into this Connecticut home, it was in need of a little rehab to make it into the gorgeous, contemporary Tudor-style abode it is today. The family room was previously adorned with antler chandeliers and stained wood beams. The sisters took a risk and decided to paint the beams a dark, moody hue to bring a more sophisticated, modern edge to the space, and it paid off. With white walls and ceilings, the dark beams are accentuated more than ever, along with the one-of-a-kind arched doorways and windows. A gray velvet sectional also updates the furnishings and brings a cozy touch, exactly what the homeowners were looking for in the room.

A living room with white furnishings.
Photography by Emily Gilbert, Interior designs by Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Village Design Studio

In the formal living room, Meghan and Erin flawlessly balanced practicality, formality, and comfort together with a neutral color palette, unique wainscoting, and upholstered furniture. A large wooden coffee table anchors the room and creates a central point for the two sofas and armchairs. The sisters note that along with ease of use and beauty, plenty of seating was another priority for the family. The white-hued wainscoting covers nearly the entire wall in an abstract pattern that brings a little bit of fun to the overall look.

A bedroom decorated with blue-and-white accents.
Photography by Emily Gilbert, Interior designs by Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Village Design Studio

Upstairs, the master bedroom departs from the neutral shades and settles into a serene, soft blue to promote relaxation. To highlight the arched, glass-paned door, Meghan and Erin added patterned drapes in a pale blue and white. Exquisite window treatments are a major feature not only in this New England cottage but also in Meghan and Erin’s designs in general. They note that the perfect window treatments can take an interior from beautiful to stunning in no time.

A white kitchen with black countertops and a blue-and-white roman shade.
Photography by Emily Gilbert, Interior designs by Meghan Hackett-Cassidy and Erin Hackett of Village Design Studio

The kitchen acts as a landing spot for the family and a hub of activity. The homeowners requested an office area, so Meghan and Erin added one into a small nook, complete with a desk chair and shelving for cookbooks. Once again, window treatments tie the room together with chevron-patterned Roman shades on all the windows. A gray-blue tint lets the white cabinets and trim shine, along with the daring black countertops. Metal stools bring a rustic and welcoming air to the kitchen, something the homeowners had hoped for, because after a long day, there’s nothing like coming back to the comforts of home.

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