Behind the Design: Gansett Guest
Welcome to a new Perspectives’ series, Behind the Design, where we’re giving you a retrospective look at some of House of Winsor Interiors’ treasured projects. Here we’ll share our approach to an interior design project, our processes, partnerships and even some of the challenges we encountered along the way. We’ll share this blog series periodically in hope that you’ll enjoy this insider’s look at what it’s like to work with us.
Today we’re taking a closer look at our Gansett Guest project — a design we're especially proud of, and one that caught the eye of Boston Globe Magazine’s Style Watch. We’ll cover the different aspects of this design through a series of topics.
This Narragansett, RI over garage, bonus-room, is the perfect place for our multi-generational family to gather, have sleepovers, hang out, play games and entertain. Photo Credit: Liz Daly Stylist: Kerryn Connolly
Overview
The Gansett Guest project in Narragansett, RI, was a new construction, 640 sq. ft. bonus-room over an existing garage space. Lovingly named the FROG (finished room over garage), the room was designed to host multi-generational family gatherings and as a place to create long-lasting memories. Our clients especially desired more room for sleepovers and a fun place to hang out for their growing grandchildren. House of Winsor Interiors oversaw the entire process, ensuring seamless execution and a fully finished space ready for their summer return.
Sleeping Room
We were intentional about creating a window bed (instead of a seat), where our clients could sit and read or pull out the trundle bed to sleep two grand kids. Similarly the sofa has a trundle that turns it into a queen bed. We also included a large closet to store extra bedding.
Putting in a half-bath was another intentional choice. We decided to omit a the shower because in the summertime, the family primarily uses the nearby outdoor shower when most of their guests are visiting. This helped to maximize the space in the TV area.
Room to Play & Hang Out
This room is also all about having fun together, so we designed a custom ping pong table made by Edge and End Studio in Providence, RI. The hand-caned net comes off easily and comfy stools can be pulled out for puzzles, games and dominoes (a family favorite). Nearby is a snack bar with a sink and under cabinet fridge to fuel the fun. We also made sure to include a comfortable sitting area with a sofa, chairs and upholstered ottoman for movie nights and post- beach hangouts.
Why They Chose House of Winsor Interiors
Our clients had thoughtfully considered multiple uses for this space but needed clarity to see their ideal vision through. Additionally, the homeowners spend winters in Florida, and needed a trusted partner on-site in Rhode Island, to oversee the interior design, coordinate with the contractor, and procure furnishings in their absence.
What Challenges Came Up In this Project?
Prior to our involvement with this project, there was an almost year-long wait for CRMC’s (Coastal Resource Management Council) approval. This process proved so taxing that once the approval was obtained, the homeowners really wanted to hand off the design and execution aspect, which was a perfect match for our done-for-you services.
House of Winsor specializes in done-for-you interior design to remove the overwhelm from home improvement projects. We get a clear understanding of your vision and needs, then manage all aspects of the design with our trusted partners, to ensure you are well informed of each step and delighted with the outcome.
In the wait-and-see process with CRMC, the clients were also rethinking some of their original goals and features for the space. They needed someone who could help adjust plans, work well with their construction team, and bring the project seamlessly home.
Conceptual Design
All projects include a few trade-offs. Initially our clients had planned on two separate spaces, one for overnight guests and the other for living. Through the conceptual design phase, we modified the plans to be one room. Changed/moved different features – moved the staircase, swapped the TV and game areas to arrive at the final design. It's much easier to move walls and windows on paper than it is once construction begins.
Initial layout of the guest space as two rooms by the project architect.
The next revision brought us to one room with a side staircase and window bed vs. window seat.
In our final layout we swapped the game table and TV areas. Going through these iterations helped determine the ideal placement of built features. The bathroom door, for example, needed to be on the window bed side of the room to allow for enough seating in the TV area.
Design Inspiration
The geographical setting of this bonus room had a big influence on the design. The blue sky and water dotted by sailboats on the salt pond were inspiration for the overall color palette. We carried the blue and white into all the textiles in the room – the rugs, drapery, upholstery and pillows.
The design selection phase where our clients see room renderings and material samples.
We also drew inspiration from the client’s boating interests and the salt pond beyond, by layering whites, creams, and coastal blues with a touch of red. You can feel the closeness of the water, even when it’s out of sight. The patriotic palate evokes a classic New England aesthetic and was a nod to the family’s gatherings during summer holidays.
Favorite Features
There is a lot we love about the Gansett Guest project, here are a few of our favorite features:
- Built in Bed: Once planned as a window seat we pivoted to a bed to allow more room for sleepovers by the grandchildren and their guests.
- Ping Pong Table: We collaborated with local wood worker, Edge and End Studio to create a custom ping pong table does double duty as ping pong and a variety of family favorite games.
- Artwork: Using a mix of vintage pieces and work from local, New England artists was another way we paid tribute to the coastal Rhode Island landscape and to help soften the new construction look.
Three of our favorites were a vintage painting by marine artist, Frederick Judd Waugh of the coastline at The Breakers in Newport, RI we selected and prominently featured in the room, a floral oil painting by Rhode Islander, Marilyn Saabye and a coastal landscape by Provincetown, MA artist Anne Packard.
What Prompted Us to Pitch the Gansett Guest Project to the Boston Globe
We really love the multiple uses of this room and how it tied so well to its geographic location, but the primary reason is that Gansett Guest is a reflection of a quintessential House of Winsor project – from the custom mill work, locally-made furnishings and decor finds, vintage accents, and our done-for-you services. This was a project we really wanted to share with a broader audience.
To help us showcase the space for the Globe’s consideration, we brought in stylist Kerryn Connolly who assisted us in sourcing some new and vintage decor and suggested photographer Liz Daly to help us capture the space in the best natural light. This powerhouse team regularly captures sought after spaces across New England and we were excited to work with them.
What Tips Can You Take away from this Project & Make Your Own
Think outside of the box. Decor doesn’t have to be traditional. One way to make a space more personal is by showcasing objects that are important to the homeowner. In this project, the family was enthusiastic about ping pong, and displaying vintage ping pong paddles and rackets created both a focal point in the room and tied the room to interests that were special to them. Showcasing a treasured collection or item tied to a cherished memory can help make a home feel more authentic and will bring warmth into the space.
Stay Tuned
Love this behind-the-scenes? We’ll be sharing another featured project soon! You’ll want to see the huge transformation in both the layout and feel of the home in our Stone Ridge Kitchen project. Be sure to check back to see more in this series and other insights and musings from House of Winsor Interiors.
Lauren Winsor is the Founder and Principal Designer of House of Winsor Interiors, a done-for-you interior design and construction management studio in Rhode Island. In collaboration with trusted partners, and tradespeople, House of Winsor creates one-of-a-kind homes that reflect our clients’ unique needs and desires. We serve Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts and Coastal Connecticut. Interested in working together? Please contact us to discuss your project.