Artful Hotels: Mayflower Inn & Spa

Checking into the recently redesigned Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut had been high on my travel bucket list since the first pictures of the renovation began to surface in various shelter magazines in 2020. Lucky for me, the perfect opportunity presented itself when I was visiting artist, Ariane Luckey, whose studio is also located in the same bucolic town in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills.

Interior designer Celerie Kemble reimagined this storied, quintessentially New England property, originally built in 1894, by infusing it with bold color choices, a dose of whimsy, rich textures, and unique vintage finds. In addition to the playful, pattern-filled interiors that make up the 35 room property lies an impressive collection of contemporary and vintage art. Rotating collections come through some of the public areas and make for an incredible accent to the thoughtfully designed interior and exteriors. Local artist Katie Ré Scheidt’s abstract works were featured prominently alongside paintings by Gary Komarin in the inn’s spa, THE WELL, during my visit.

It was a treat to walk the property with my camera in tow, snapping away at all of the charming vignettes and stunning views. Read on for as many design sources in the captions as I could possibly track down.

A large Gary Komarin work, one of many on view during my trip, commands the light-filled relaxation room of the inn’s spa.

The wallpaper in the entry - Fernholme by George Spencer Designs - is the first design detail guests are greeted with when checking in.

To usher in the gardens just beyond the inn’s formal dining room, aptly known as the Garden Room, muralist Zoe Designs painted oversized butterflies and insects alongside florals and greenery, all inspired by the botanical illustrations of British naturalist, Moses Harris.

The Paul Montgomery wallpaper in the room from my stay was hung upside to give the effect of being encompassed by falling leaves. A pair of Parasol Lamps by Celerie Kemble appear on each of the room’s nightstands.

The lampshade on the left is Penny Morrison.

A pattern from Kemble’s collection of wallpaper with Schumacher - Sprig - is a fantastic backdrop for many of the inn’s bathrooms. A paper Geranium plant from Livia Cetti’s The Green Vase brightens a vintage table. These handmade paper flowers are used throughout the property.

A Phillip Jeffries grasscloth is used on the walls of the parlor. One of Gary Komarin’s iconic Cake paintings holds its own against the mixed materials gallery wall to the left.

An array of paper flowers from The Green Vase top the parlor’s mantel.

A fun view of the parlor’s egg yolk-toned walls and the aubergine color trim used on accents like chairs and pillows throughout the room.

On the right is an abstract work by Ben Fortunato Marcune.

Artful Hotels’ is a travel series featuring hotels and inns that place an emphasis on art and design as an integral part of their guest experience. Having the chance to visit different art-filled properties over the years has greatly informed our aesthetic and the way we prefer to travel. These photographs are from our own personal travels.

Photos by gallery owner, Meredith Perdue.