Welcome to Bunny’s country home

Welcome to Bunny's Country Home

I am so happy that you're joining me at my home in Falls Village, north-west Connecticut. We bought the house over 40 years ago, and it has been a labour of love ever since.

My Country Home

Part of the house, the now dining room and kitchen, was previously a small 18th-century farmhouse. We still have the original fireplace and have incorporated it into the design of the current room. In approximately 1860, a larger part of the house was added, consisting of a living room, library, staircase, and three bedrooms. This is when Mississippi-style double lattice porches were combined with the typically New England federal home.

When buying an old home, you have to use your imagination to look past the tired features and outdated elements to find the bones. Don't pay attention to superficial details, as these can be easily changed - instead, look for good-proportioned rooms and original architectural features.

Furnishing the home has been an ongoing process across many decades, and has gone through several iterations as we've slowly upgraded certain pieces. Don't feel as though you need to rush the buying process; take your time and only purchase things you really love that represent your personality.

I always prefer the mismatched look, rather than a room that feels too contrived. Buying things slowly over time allows for this to happen quite naturally as you build your collection of furniture and accessories from a variety of places and at different times.

Designing a Welcoming Hallway

When we first viewed the house, we were thrilled to discover the original staircase still intact with its beautifully ornate details - likely made by a local craftsperson. As you enter the home, you are greeted with a view of the staircase, and a corridor leading into the library beyond, which has a door taking you outside. I think being able to see through a home upon entry is a lovely way to be welcomed in.

I kept the original floorboards but painted them using a stencil to add interest and personality. I found the pattern in a book about parquet flooring designs.

An enormous mirror sits on a console table and gives the space a sense of scale, which I love. There is always a bouquet of flowers or a plant in front of it, to provide a welcoming moment.

Hallways are a great place to display collections of art; I have hung my prized collection of Thornton illustrations leading up the staircase.

Further reading

'An Affair With a House', by Bunny Williams

Botanical illustrator Robert John Thornton