House Magazine - Long Island's premier design architecture & lifestyle magazine

Old World Charm on the North Shore

Carol A. Hannam Interiors designs
a comfortable and inviting home for her clients

By Wendy Fendt
Photography by RIC MARDER IMAGERY

Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac near the Sound on the North Shore of Long Island is a residence that was recently designed and built with the inspiration of a European manor house in mind.  When it came time to work on the interiors of their new house, the homeowners turned to Carol Hannam of Carol A. Hannam Interiors, a 25-year veteran, to create the essence of Old World charm that they desired.  "After our first meeting, we knew that we would be working with Carol," explained the clients.  "We needed someone who had the ability to translate our vision and make it a reality, and Carol fit that bill perfectly."

With the project came a few stipulations.  The couple desired that the interiors should radiate elegance and refinement while at the same time presenting the look of having been lived in by several generations of family members.  They also wanted to ensure that the remarkable views and the beautiful architectural features of the house would not be overshadowed by the rest of the decor.

"My clients gave me a lot of leeway to create the mood of the downstairs living areas,"Hannamremarked.  Huge oriental carpets in the living room and dining room gave her the basis for her color palette of Tuscan old, Mediterranean spice and sage green.  Working closely with Corinthian Antiques in Westbury, she selected upholstered furniture and other traditional pieces for the living room, as well as the fabrics, trims and finishes.

Hannam wanted to bring a glow to each room to create softness and harmony, so she chose light historical colors for the walls.  "In addition," she comments, "metallic glazes were applied to the crown moldings and trim to make the carvings stand out."  The result is a glimmering background against which the rest of the home's decor is showcased.

To create the feeling of warmth and elegance in the living room, Hannam utilized a combination of different textures and hues.  Traditional-style sofas were upholstered in a golden tone-on-tone damask fabric. Two fireside chairs of paisley damask incorporate all the colors in the carpet, and golden silk pillows embellished with a variety of trims complete the ensemble.

Custom draperies are the highlight of each living area. The graceful drapeable swags which Hannam carefully crafted to frame the living room are regal, yet they harmonize with the simplicity of the upholstered pieces.  "I wanted to bring out the colors of the medallions in the pale oriental carpets, so I chose an iridescent currant-colored plaid silk for the main fabric of the window treatments," comments Hannam.

The focal point of the dining room is its view of the sound, which creates a spectacular backdrop at twilight for the clients' dinner parties.  To ensure that the scenery was not obstructed, Hannam created a delicate window treatment of panels and layered jabots. Hand-embroidered gold silk with strands of Strass crystals, matching those of the crystal chandeliers, were used to connect the jabots. Spring green walls bestow a warm hue upon the golden fabric.

The Mediterranean-style kitchen at the back of the house glows with the beauty of colors that have been used for ages.  "To maximize the view of the Tuscan-style gardens which echo the colors of the kitchen, I designed a structured swag with jabots that would accentuate the architecture of the windows," explains Hannam.  Teaberry-colored linen floral with deep earthy colors on a flaxen background complement the distressed brown and green of the kitchen table and chairs.

Hannam and her clients worked closely together to select the accessories and artwork for each room.  The final result is a home that draws its occupants, their family and friends with its warmth and charm.  "Our home is comfortable and inviting," say the owners.  "It's a place in which lasting memories are being made."