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The Inn at Kenmore Hall: A Stately New Bed & Breakfast in the Berkshires

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New EnglandIssue 34 — New England Summer

The Inn at Kenmore Hall: A Stately New Bed & Breakfast in the Berkshires

August 20, 2019

I think almost anyone with an interest in home design has daydreamed at one point or another of opening up a bed and breakfast. But as soon as the fantasy turns into a serious brainstorm, most wake up from the reverie and file the plans under “pipe dreams.” Unless you’re Frank Muytjens and Scott Edward Cole, that is.

Not long after Frank left his job as head of menswear at J.Crew in April 2017, the couple moved to the Berkshires and began to entertain the idea of becoming innkeepers. Before they knew it, they had bought a historic Georgian-Federalist home, restored it in just six months with the help of a particularly motivated contractor, decorated the gracious rooms with antique and vintage finds from local shops, and, by the summer of 2018, opened the doors to their newly christened Inn at Kenmore Hall.

It certainly helped that the house, built in 1792 for a Revolutionary War soldier-turned-merchant, hadn’t already been ransacked of its period charm. “What’s amazing is that in its span of more than two centuries, the house’s millwork, banisters, moldings, and details were all in remarkably good shape,” says Scott. “All we had to do was preserve, restore, and subtly enhance. As one of our first guests exclaimed to us, upon entering the house for the first time, ‘Ah! You kept the SOUL of the house.’ And this is a house with soul.”

It’s been a dizzying experience, but one that seems uniquely suited to the two creatives (Scott is an artist, baker, and chef). “We’re lucky, in that within the confines of the property, we get to engage in many of the things we both love—cooking, gardening, designing, and entertaining—all demanding things that don’t feel like work because we enjoy them so,” continues Scott.

Join us for a tour of their dream-come-true inn.

Photography by Frank Muytjens, courtesy of The Inn at Kenmore Hall.

dutch, scott and frank&#8\2\17;s photogenic dog, greets guests. the house, 17
Above: Dutch, Scott and Frank’s photogenic dog, greets guests. The house, located in the village of Richmond in western Massachusetts, was at one point a summer arts school, hosting artists, musicians, and composers like Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland.
the well appointed center hall feels at once homey and sophisticated. &#8\2 18
Above: The well-appointed center hall feels at once homey and sophisticated. “We were lucky to purchase a few pieces from the sellers of the house, which we love. Overall, we have a mix of pieces and styles taken from our other homes, some family heirlooms, and flea market and estate sale finds,” says Scott.
while the couple didn&#8\2\17;t have to add back in architectural details, 19
Above: While the couple didn’t have to add back in architectural details, they did have to update the home for modern conveniences. On their contractor’s to-do list: “All new plumbing, electrical, HVAC systems, relining nine fireplace flues, rebuilding massive chimneys, repairing the original slate roof, creating and updating en-suite bathrooms with radiant floor heat, refinishing all the floors, and painting every inch, inside and out,” says Scott. The couple actually ended up painting many of the interior walls themselves. Here, in the center hall, the walls are painted Benjamin Moore’s Northern Cliffs.
two parlors on the first floor provide ample space to relax and unwind. d is t 20
Above: Two parlors on the first floor provide ample space to relax and unwind. Pictured is the back parlor.
the back parlor has an attached library. while most of the furniture is vintage 21
Above: The back parlor has an attached library. While most of the furniture is vintage or antique, the bookcases are from Room & Board.
offerings on the library table reflect their interests in fashion, nature, art, 22
Above: Offerings on the library table reflect their interests in fashion, nature, art, and all things vintage.
the breakfast spread in the dining room, where the walls are painted benjamin m 23
Above: The breakfast spread in the dining room, where the walls are painted Benjamin Moore’s Willow. “Both Frank and I cook breakfast. We offer a small menu of made-to-order items on days when we have fewer guests. When full, we provide a pretty lavish breakfast buffet, so everyone can serve themselves at their leisure,” says Scott.
the kitchen cabinets are painted benjamin moore&#8\2\17;s collingwood, the 24
Above: The kitchen cabinets are painted Benjamin Moore’s Collingwood, the island Twilight Zone.
simple square white tiles in the kitchen. the couple are geniuses at layering t 25
Above: Simple square white tiles in the kitchen. The couple are geniuses at layering textures, spotlighting patina, and finding beauty in the mundane.
the butler&#8\2\17;s pantry, with cabinets painted, appropriately enough, c 26
Above: The butler’s pantry, with cabinets painted, appropriately enough, Country Life.
the gorgeous original staircase leads to guest rooms and a second floor sitting 27
Above: The gorgeous original staircase leads to guest rooms and a second-floor sitting area. The floors are yellow pine, installed in the mid 1800s.
there are five guest rooms in all. each room has matteo bed linens, faribault b 28
Above: There are five guest rooms in all. Each room has Matteo bed linens, Faribault blankets, and charm to spare. This is guest room #2, with walls painted Light Pewter.
every room also has a fireplace. a peaceful corner in guest room #4, with walls 29
Above: Every room also has a fireplace. A peaceful corner in guest room #4, with walls painted Cloud White and trim painted Hancock Gray.
guest room #3 features a four poster bed. the walls are painted kendall charcoa 30
Above: Guest room #3 features a four-poster bed. The walls are painted Kendall Charcoal, the trim Glacier White.
twilight zone walls and a soaking tub in the bathroom of guest room #3. 31
Above: Twilight Zone walls and a soaking tub in the bathroom of guest room #3.
the inn sits on \20 sque acres of meadow and woodland. the couple live on the 32
Above: The inn sits on 20 picturesque acres of meadow and woodland. The couple live on the property. “The last addition to the house took place in the early 1900s and created a proper suite of servants’ quarters and a back staircase leading down into what is now our kitchen. We’ve created a small ‘apartment’ there, which is an entirely private space,” explains Scott.
the patio. &#8\2\20;we are dreaming up how and where we’ll put a poo 33
Above: The patio. “We are dreaming up how and where we’ll put a pool and pool house this spring,” shares Scott.

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