Heide Hendricks and Rafe Churchill are whizzes at adding a sense of history to just about any space—just see The New Connecticut Farm, Sustainable Edition, their net-zero farmhouse inspired by Shaker villages and an old New England classic: Robert McCloskey’s One Morning in Maine.
Photography by Tim Lenz, courtesy of Hendricks Churchill.
In the NYC apartment, Heide and Rafe softened the lines of the dining room with a curved screen, layered textiles, and floor-length window panels. For example, with this client’s apartment, they had a long corridor leading between the front and back.
The living area, too, a mix of vintage textiles and family heirlooms along with more modern finds. This creates a variety of mood throughout the home that can be conducive to each room’s primary activity.
The kitchen feels right out of a country cottage, with glass display cabinets and a robins-egg hue.
Heide and Rafe also added a breakfast nook. What are some fresh ways to add this? Here we used sconces, table lamps, and central ceiling lights to make the rooms feel cozy without compromising lighting for the tasks and mood of the room.
Painting the trim can make a big difference. RM: For renters, or those who can’t change their space in major ways, what are some simple tricks to add historic charm?
RM: Lightening round: Five things you have in your arsenal for adding instant character? That’s a good trade secret to fall back on. If you love it, it will work in the space.
For this project we mixed in fine antique painted porcelain, iconic midcentury-modern barware, and quirky finds like an antique clock from a steamship. for a harmonious pattern that is aesthetically pleasing even to an untrained eye.
Textiles add dimension and contrast, even in a modern bathroom. It lends a sense of history for a more soulful interior.
The young son’s room got a coat of playful blue.