A Fresh Take on The Inn at Castle Hill

While his castle on the hill was being constructed, Richard T. Crane, Jr., of the famed Crane Plumbing company, spent summers in this “cottage” in Ipswich. This once simple 1840s farmhouse was transformed into a Shingle- style summerhouse for businessman John Burnham Brown in the 1890s when Brown inherited the property. In 1910, Brown sold the house along with more than 2,100 acres of land to Crane. Crane lived in the “cottage” while his house—a 59-room Stuart-style mansion known today as The Crane Estate—was being built up the hill.

Over the years the cottage had fallen into disrepair, and there was talk of tearing it down back in the 1990s. The Trustees of Reservations were opposed to this action. And, luckily, in 1998 the organization received a generous donation to restore the house to its 1890s appearance and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Carpenter & MacNeille were awarded the restoration project and soon began designing and re-creating architectural elements that were lost due to years of neglect.

Rob MacNeille, principal of the firm, had been doing small jobs for The Trustees since 1991. “The old portion of the house had to be taken down to the studs, but the 1890s structure was in fairly good shape,” he says. “The original porch had been taken off at some point.” The Trustees found an archival photograph of the structure showing its porch, and the architects were able to design a replica. “Because the porch was missing, there was severe rot at the front door, which we replaced,” notes MacNeille.

Once the firm added the porch, they began restoring the Colonial Revival interior spaces, which included built-in window seats, elaborate wall paneling, and dramatic coffered ceilings in the entry hall. A charming inglenook with its original tiles was also intact in the entry hall. “Each bedroom has a large closet, which we were able to convert into bathrooms,” says MacNeille. They also added a commercial kitchen and designed a pantry and dining room in the 1840s structure. Once the construction was complete, the house was decorated as a show house, with multiple designers working throughout

TAKE TWO

Nearly 15 years later, the house needed tobe refreshed. Carpenter & MacNeille once again offered its interior design services pro bono to The Trustees to create a more cohesive design. “While each room was unique and lovely, we felt it was time to move away from the show house feel of the inn and refresh the space in a sophisticated style that unites and reflects both the interior de?cor and the external beauty of the surrounding property,” says Barbara Erickson, The Trustees of Reservations president and CEO. “Thanks to the generosity and expertise of Carpenter & MacNeille and their talented design team, as well as many of our staff, donors, and volunteers, we have been able to make some much-needed improvements at the inn to enhance our visitors’ overall experience at this special property for many years to come.”

Carpenter & MacNeille’s Wendy Hodgson was the lead interior designer on the project and explains, “We want visitors to experience classic, simple, and welcoming spaces, almost as if they have wandered into the guest quarters of a great country house.” Hodgson achieved this goal beautifully. Using as many of the existing furnishing as possible, she focused on introducing a new palette and textures inspired by the inn’s breathtaking landscape.

Playing off the colors in the existing artwork and hand-woven rugs, Hodgson introduced a combination of warm colors ranging from salmons and reds to neutrals like beige and caramel, as well as soothing blues and greens. Hodgson also introduced rattan, upholstered furnishings, and linens along with velvet and Crewel fabrics to add layers of texture.

During the design process, furnishings and antiques were bequeathed to The Trustees from a Massachusetts estate. “This was a great piece of luck,” says Hodgson. “There were so many antiques and furnishings to choose from.” It was a true treasure hunt, as Hodgson rummaged through piece after piece in a packed storage unit to find just the right items for the inn. Hodgson created additional seating on the first floor, arranged in cozy groupings, that allows more guests to simultaneously enjoy the space. The bedrooms also received Jacobean fabrics and pretty floral draperies along with fresh coats of paint in colors that reflect the landscape hues.

Camilla Eagan has taken over as the resident innkeeper and is thrilled with the redesign. “I have been working at the inn for six years, and Hodgson has taken the beauty of the inn to a whole new level,” she says. “It feels like a warm, welcoming home rather than an inn.” It really is a treat to work in such beautiful surroundings every day.” Eagan shares that the inn will also be updating the rustic tavern on the grounds, which has a fieldstone fireplace. Filled with well-appointed furnishings and surrounded by the natural beauty of the landscape, a stay at the inn offers an experi- ence beyond compare. thetrustees.org