The Connecticut Basket House Project Reveal

The Connecticut Basket House Project // Designed by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia

If these walls could talk, they’d tell tales of gatherings, laughter, and the kind of warmth only a true home can hold. This is that kind of house, because it belongs to people who are generous, welcoming, and full of stories and wisdom to share.

The story of the Basket House begins in the 1830s along the Silvermine River in Norwalk, Connecticut, where it first served as a local basketmaker’s workshop. We’ve woven that same spirit of craftsmanship into every corner, from the wicker baskets suspended from the ceiling, to the custom latticework that nods to the home’s handmade beginnings, to the hand-painted tilework that tells the story of the town piece by piece, like chapters in a well-loved storybook.

There’s something grounding about knowing this space has always been devoted to working with one’s hands, creating beauty from simple, honest materials.

When we came on board to design the space, we knew instantly that we wanted to keep that history alive; our signature bread and butter. Everything here should feel like it has a story, every texture and brushstroke carrying a memory.

We wanted the home to be restored with extraordinary care: hand-painted tiles that honor the town’s history, bespoke rugs underfoot, and even the walls finished entirely by hand in a beautiful tadelakt plaster. It’s craftsmanship layered upon craftsmanship, a quiet tribute to the people who built, wove, and created before us.

And now, this home belongs to the beloved Brunch with Babs, everyone’s favorite kitchen confidante and queen of comfort. You know Babs: she’s the one who reminds you to line your cake pans with parchment paper, to call your kids, and to set the table like you mean it.

This home was designed for exactly that kind of living, the kind that celebrates life’s small rituals and everyday joys.

So come on in. The coffee’s brewing, the herbs are gathered from the garden, and if you’re lucky, Babs might just invite you to stay for brunch.

— THE KITCHEN —

Kitchen Designed by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

The heart of the home is the kitchen, designed around the idea of traditional connection: to the home’s history, to the surrounding landscape, and a layout perfect for functional everyday living and cooking. Every detail was chosen with intention, shaped by hand, and meant to be used.

The custom sage-green island (Sherwin-Williams Garden Sage 7736) is the showstopper! Designed for practicality, charm, and functionality, a true Moore House signature.Crafted in collaboration with a local artisan, it features hand-carved detailing and a soft ogee edge in Carrara marble that curves gently around open shelving, creating space to tuck away baskets of fresh produce or everyday kitchen essentials. It’s as beautiful as it is functional: a working piece of art at the center of the room.

Surrounding cabinetry in Wool Skein 6148 brings warmth and calm, while Master of Plaster walls lend the space a soft, natural glow. The craftsmanship continues upward to the hand-painted ceiling beams by Katherine Verdickt, where delicate brushwork catches the morning light and brings quiet movement to the room.

Then there are the tiles, custom-made and hand-painted, each one telling a piece of The Basket House story and all that surrounds it. Motifs of woven baskets, the Silvermine River, and native flora create a subtle narrative that ties the kitchen back to its origins as a craftsman’s home.

We love how effortlessly the kitchen flows into the pantry, greenhouse, dining room, and beyond. French doors open to the garden, inviting you to step outside, gather herbs, and return to cook, a daily rhythm of fresh ingredients and simple beauty. The pantry and dining spaces continue this feeling of ease and intention, made for hosting, harvesting, and connecting.

Every surface, finish, and fixture was chosen to feel natural to the touch and timeless to the eye. Nothing here is for show, it’s a kitchen meant to be lived in, layered with memory, and made for everyday cooking with Babs!

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— THE PANTRY —

Pantry Designed by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

As you enter the kitchen, sunlight filters through custom windows and skylights, flooding the space with a soft, natural glow. Every beam of light seems intentional, designed to warm the plaster walls, dance across the marble counters, and bring the surrounding landscape quietly indoors.

A favorite detail of ours is the brass rail that stretches across the custom panel windows, made to hang herbs and woven baskets to have within easy reach while cooking. Most mornings, Babs steps outside to gather sprigs of rosemary, thyme, and mint from the garden. Whatever she doesn’t use right away, she hangs to dry, bunches suspended from the rail, perfuming the room as they crisp in the afternoon light. Designed for the rhythm of gathering, cooking, and preserving.

Light pours in through the skylight, illuminating custom cabinetry painted in Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein (6148) and a Bas Stone Carrara marble countertop that gleams like morning dew. The hand-tiled backsplash by Katherine Verdickt (KV Tiles) adds another layer of storytelling, each tile a small nod to craft and history.

The open shelving was designed for accessibility and ease. Everything is within reach: mixing bowls, everyday plates, and favorite mugs. It encourages daily use, as well as display, keeping the space functional, adaptable, and effortlessly stylish.

To soften the structure and bring a touch of femininity, the pantry doors are lined with Soane Britain’s Karun Thakar Floral Lattice fabric in Ocherous, and sewn and installed by Martha & Ash is a gentle contrast to the cabinetry and a wink to the home’s layered heritage. Behind the glass, stacks of earthenware, vintage crockery, and heirloom tools.

Underfoot, Cucine della Nonna handmade terracotta tiles in Stone Washed Brick ground the space, connecting it to the kitchen beyond.

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— THE GREENHOUSE DINING ROOM —

Green House Dining Room Designed and Styled by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

We wanted to honor the home’s history and preserve its integrity wherever possible, so we transformed the original greenhouse into a light-filled dining room — a thoughtful example of adaptive reuse. The design maintains the structure’s natural openness while giving it new purpose: a year-round dining space. With the framework restored, window treatments added, and modern comfort layered in, it now feels like a seamless extension of the kitchen.

Natural light pours through the glass ceiling and walls, shifting gently throughout the day and highlighting the room’s soft, neutral palette. Underfoot, checkerboard tile flooring from Zia Tile adds classic character and durability — made to handle the steady rhythm of life that flows in from the garden. It grounds a vintage French farmhouse table, surrounded by John McGuire rattan chairs upholstered in Soane Britain’s Karun Thakar Floral Lattice in Madder and Macadamia.

Walls painted in Sherwin-Williams Canal Street (9523) carry a subtle warmth that complements the texture of the natural materials and the greenery just outside. Martha & Ash window treatments filter the light softly, echoing the greenhouse’s original purpose while making the space inviting in every season.

What once nurtured plants now nurtures people, still gathering light, warmth, and life in equal measure. Here, Brunch with Babs gathers with family and friends — cooking, hosting, and sharing meals as personal as the design itself. The Greenroom reflects the home’s spirit: thoughtful, handcrafted, and quietly joyful.

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— THE BANQUETTE —

Banquette Designed by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

Tucked into a sunlit corner overlooking swans on the Silvermine River, the banquette was designed for slow mornings, reading the paper, chatting over coffee, and taking in the view. The custom banquette, crafted in a woven braided material, intertwines with Fuller Architectural lattice panels, creating a subtle dialogue between past and present. Together, they embody the tactile soul of The Basket House, woven, layered, and made by hand.

The woven metal-and-leather chairs by Robert Massello echo the same craftsmanship, their feminine silhouettes adding softness to the room’s strong architectural lines. The Rubelli Ombra upholstery, trimmed in Samuel & Sons Julienne piping, introduces a delicate floral motif that ties in the home’s palette of natural tones — a timeless nod to flowers, baskets, and hand-painted details found throughout the house.

Underfoot, terracotta flooring grounds the space with warmth and texture, chosen for its durability and its connection to outdoor living, a reminder that this home bridges garden and hearth. Beneath the vintage French farmhouse table, a hidden door to the basement adds a clever touch of practicality, seamlessly integrated into the design.

Light filters in through reimagined windows, framing views of the river and flooding the room with the soft glow that defines this home. Painted in Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein (6148) and finished with Master of Plaster, the banquette glows in the morning light, a space that feels both crafted and collected over time.

It’s a room designed for what Brunch with Babs does best: gathering the people she loves and making every moment feel like home.

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— THE SITTING ROOM —

Sitting Room Designed by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

Right as you step into the home, the sitting room sets the tone, welcoming, elegant, and deeply rooted in craftsmanship. Painted in Sherwin-Williams Wool Skein (6148) and finished with Master of Plaster, the walls carry a subtle warmth that glows against the reclaimed French white oak flooring from Vintage Elements.

At the center sits a custom roll-arm skirted sofa, upholstered in Rubelli Ombra in Lachine and trimmed with Samuel & Sons Julienne Piping in Ivory (303). Its classic silhouette and soft detailing invite you to sit and stay awhile. Beneath it, a custom floral lattice rug echoes the home’s basket-weaving heritage, a recurring motif woven through every space in The Basket House.

Vintage 19th-century botanical prints, sourced from the Trade Secrets Garden Antiques Show, line the walls, bringing organic texture and a touch of history. The 1950s Italian wooden coffee table, in the style of Paolo Buffa and found on 1stDibs, adds sculptural charm and timeless balance.

Across from it, a Dean Antiques chair upholstered in Classic Cloth’s Lawrence fabric in Goldenrod introduces a note of color, a gentle complement to the neutral palette. A vintage tilt-top side table, sourced from the Brimfield Antiques Show (our literal favorite place, besides Round Top), completes the setting, its patina adding quiet character and authenticity.

Together, these layers, plaster, wood, fabric, and art, create a room that feels collected over time yet cohesive in tone. It’s an inviting threshold to the home, setting the rhythm for what follows: craftsmanship, comfort, and the beauty of things made by hand.

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— THE POWDER BATHROOM —

Tucked just off the main living space, the powder room feels like a small jewel box — intimate, textural, and full of charm. The wainscoting, painted in Sherwin-Williams Canal Street (9523), grounds the space with soft depth, while the upper walls are wrapped in Barkskin wallcovering by Caba Company in Ivory, its subtle texture catching light like handmade parchment.

Above, hand-painted botanical details by Katherine Verdickt layer in the artistry and whimsy that run throughout The Basket House, blurring the line between wall and wallpaper. A Pierce & Ward pendant, draped in a patterned fabric shade, adds a touch of playfulness and vintage romance.

Underfoot, Rookwood tiles in a checkerboard pattern lend classic character and durability, complementing the room’s brass fixtures and marble sink. Every element — from the hand-painted walls to the skirted basin and framed antique plates — feels considered, reflecting the home’s devotion to craftsmanship and story.

Though small in size, this space captures the spirit of the entire house: layered, handmade, and rich with personality.

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— THE LIBRARY LIVINGROOM —

The Living Room Designed and Styled by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

Tucked away from the brighter rooms of the home, the sitting room feels like a retreat — moody, grounded, and steeped in texture. The white oak paneling, stained in Minwax Dark Walnut, wraps the space in warmth, while Cucine della Nonna Italian Farmhouse hand–terracotta tiles in Stone Washed Brick lend a rustic foundation that ties back to the home’s craftsmanship.

Large windows framed with Martha & Ash drapery in Rose Tarlow’s Herringbone Sheer in Cream filter the light softly, casting a golden hue across the room. The custom ROWEAM sofa and ottoman, upholstered in Namay Samay’s Talbot fabric and The Sign’s Club 500 Buttermilk, anchor the space with quiet elegance. Nearby, Rowen & Wren Abington armchairs in a custom fabric add a subtle richness, their silhouettes inviting long conversations by the fire.

Every layer speaks to comfort and continuity: Rookwood sconces from Roweam, dressed in Carolina Irving Textiles’ Candia fabric, add a touch of softness, while topiaries from Atlock Farm and stacks of well-loved books breathe life into the darker tones.

Above, the home’s legacy comes full circle, a collection of antique baskets suspended from the lofted ceiling, a tribute to The Basket House’s origins and the craftsmanship that defines it. The loft above, lined with books and light, offers a quiet perch for reading or reflection, connecting the stories of the past to those being written here today.

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— THE MAIN BEDROOM —

Bedroom Designed and Styled by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

Softly cocooned in Antoinette Poisson’s Mignonette wallpaper, the main bedroom feels both romantic and restful — a feminine retreat where every surface blooms. The walls and ceiling are wrapped in pattern, creating a seamless envelope of charm that celebrates craftsmanship and color. The trim, painted in Sherwin-Williams Netsuke (SW 6134), adds a quiet contrast, bringing warmth to the floral tones.

A custom ROWEAM bed, upholstered in soft pink pinstripe, anchors the space beneath a sculpted headboard. 1950s side tables from Chairish and Custom Roweam lamps with custom shades in Soane Britain’s Karun Thakar Floral Lattice complete the layered composition — vintage and bespoke pieces blending effortlessly.

Underfoot, the Grand New Zealand Wool Rug from Nordic Knots in Leo lends a subtle sheen, grounding the room’s pattern play in softness. The built-in closet, fitted with Martha & Ash drapery in matching Soane Britain fabric, conceals rods for handbags and garments, a practical detail disguised as decoration.

Every element of the room feels considered yet effortless, a study in pattern, palette, and nostalgia. Wrapped in florals and warm light, this bedroom captures the heart of The Basket House: a place where beauty and comfort coexist, and the handmade feels deeply personal.

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— THE MAIN BATHROOM —

What once was a bedroom, now the primary bathroom was designed to make the most of light and proportion creating balance, function, and quiet beauty. A freestanding Brighton 67" tub anchors the space beneath the window, flanked by a custom ROWEAM vanity that bring symmetry and intention to the layout.

Underfoot, Clay tile from Zia Tile introduces a soft checkered rhythm, grounding the room’s airy atmosphere with subtle texture. The walls, finished in Master of Plaster, diffuse light gently across the space, complementing the room’s palette of natural tones and tactile surfaces.

Martha & Ash window treatments frame the view in tailored simplicity, while Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet rope mirrors from 1stDibs lend organic warmth and sculptural detail. Fixtures and finishes were selected to feel classic with their simplicity allowing the craftsmanship to quietly stand out.

The result is a space that feels both utilitarian and serene, where every line and material choice serves the same purpose: to create a daily ritual that’s as restorative as it is refined.

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— THE EXTERIOR —

Exterior Designed and Styled by Moore House Design, Photographed by Jared Kuzia, Styled by Jennlilly McKeon

Let’s take a moment for the exterior!

The garden draws inspiration from the French countryside, a serene extension of the home’s soul. In collaboration with a talented landscape architecture firm, we created an outdoor space that feels like stepping into a secret garden. Fresh lavender, herbs, and blooming hydrangeas surround the home in timeless charm.

Babs loves to host, and so with the countryside inspiration we sourced these gorgeous painted iron armchairs with loose seat cushions, in the style of Gregorius Pineo, a table dressed in The Sadie Tablecloth by Forbes Hill Textiles, perfect for that effortless nod to the art of hosting.

A bright yellow Dutch door, painted in a hue as joyful as Babs herself, opens to the patio, welcoming guests with a burst of sunshine and warmth.

Vintage French wicker chairs by Roweam and terracotta pots brimming with herbs and blooms lend a relaxed, timeworn elegance. We wanted to have every detail feel touched by hand, and have layered texture, soft color, and a sense of ease for good conversations and gatherings.

Here, the line between house and garden disappears, creating a setting where life should happen as naturally as it grows. The results? A home that celebrates craft and comfort, beauty and belonging, a place where everything, and everyone, is tended to with care.

And that, as Barbra would say, is a very good thing!