Inside a Tranquil Essex Italianate-style Home
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1/12Cordsen prints most of her photographs on handmade watercolor paper. She draws inspiration from 19th-century landscape painters like Bruce Crane and photographers such as Bill Jacobsen, Imogen Cunningham and Edward Steichen.Cordsen prints most of her photographs on handmade watercolor paper. She draws inspiration from 19th-century landscape painters like Bruce Crane and photographers such as Bill Jacobsen, Imogen Cunningham and Edward Steichen.
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2/12The wood-paneled breakfast room features an Anglo-Indian inspired table from Baker and white wicker chairs from Janus et Cie.The wood-paneled breakfast room features an Anglo-Indian inspired table from Baker and white wicker chairs from Janus et Cie.
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3/12Cordsen gears up for a day in the field.
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4/12Matt Austin painted the mural of the birch tree in the foyer. The wall niche contains a plaster cast of a seashell, a subtle theme throughout.Matt Austin painted the mural of the birch tree in the foyer. The wall niche contains a plaster cast of a seashell, a subtle theme throughout.
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5/12The Italianate-style house as viewed from the street.
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6/12The custom silk rug from Stark adds a soft touch to the living room with its oak floors and mahogany moldings. The antique coffee table is from Circa Antiques, the Dutch colonial pendant from the Silk Road.The custom silk rug from Stark adds a soft touch to the living room with its oak floors and mahogany moldings. The antique coffee table is from Circa Antiques, the Dutch colonial pendant from the Silk Road.
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7/12In the second living room tiny ammonites are embedded in the black marble mantel. The 1950s white marble lamps and mirror are from the Antiques and Artisans Center.In the second living room tiny ammonites are embedded in the black marble mantel. The 1950s white marble lamps and mirror are from the Antiques and Artisans Center.
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8/12Cordsen brightened the library by covering the walls in orange Venetian plaster and installing mahogany trim around the arched window. Furniture maker Jim Lanza, who built the mahogany desk, created many of the pieces in the home.Cordsen brightened the library by covering the walls in orange Venetian plaster and installing mahogany trim around the arched window. Furniture maker Jim Lanza, who built the mahogany desk, created many of the pieces in the home.
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9/12Melissa Barbieri painted the Anglo-Indian–inspired dining room mural; the Italian chairs are from Circa Antiques.Melissa Barbieri painted the Anglo-Indian–inspired dining room mural; the Italian chairs are from Circa Antiques.
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10/12Cordsen collects Japanese and Chinese porcelain, like the Qing dynasty urn in the fireplace. The armchair is by Lars Bolander, the drapes are Belgian linen.Cordsen collects Japanese and Chinese porcelain, like the Qing dynasty urn in the fireplace. The armchair is by Lars Bolander, the drapes are Belgian linen.
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11/12The focal point of the master bedroom is the mahogany and marble 19th-century mantel. Cordsen loves to refinish old furniture; she painted her desk and chair a Gustavian gray.The focal point of the master bedroom is the mahogany and marble 19th-century mantel. Cordsen loves to refinish old furniture; she painted her desk and chair a Gustavian gray.
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12/12A Chinese porcelain vase sits atop a chest from Circa Antiques.
This article appears in the June 2011 issue of CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens).
