When we first stepped through the gates at The Falls in Roxbury, Connecticut, it was clear this project would be something special. The landscaping, with its river, pond, and sweeping pastoral views, immediately catches your breath. But what made it even more meaningful was the chance to collaborate again with the owners of Glenmere Mansion – a Relais & Châteaux hotel in the Hudson Valley for which we decorated the spa – whose taste, passion, and incredible collection of art and antiques made this house an inspiring canvas.
A Storied Property
As you make your way down the long drive, the property wraps you in a dreamlike English-inspired setting – from the stream-fed pond, white walking bridge and the specimen trees that dot the landscape to the white clapboard New England house dating back to 1740 that is tucked among it all. While you would expect a home this age to have a history, this one also has quite a storied past.
The Falls was once the retreat of Geraldine Stutz, a powerhouse Fifth Avenue executive who as president of Henri Bendel in the 1960s is known for launching the careers of Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, and other fashion icons. She hired world-renowned landscape architect Russell Page to turn the property into a tranquil retreat. Page, whose client included royalty and socialites, designed a 10-year plan for The Falls complete with terraced hillsides, stone staircases, endless rock walls, and spectacular views of the river and hillside.
The Next Chapter
When our longtime clients first saw the property in 2021, they purchased it without even stepping inside. For them, the landscape was breathtaking enough; the house was incidental.
Designing the interiors of The Falls was like beginning a new chapter in a story we’ve been creating with these clients for years. After working together on their home in Tuxedo Park, their cottage at Glenmere, and the spa at Glenmere Mansion, we’ve developed a shared design language.
Designing Around Collections
Our clients came to this house with an extraordinary collection of antiques, art, and treasures gathered over decades – pieces that already carried so much personality and history. For us, the joy was in weaving those beloved items, then layering in just the right colors, patterns, and textures to make it all feel connected, fresh, and fun.
“Designing for such well-traveled collectors is a privilege,” says Marina Case, principal designer of The Red Shutters. “It’s less about filling a room and more about creating harmony by honoring the things that matter most to the clients while adding new layers that make the home feel like theirs from the moment you step inside.”
Inspiration often came from the setting itself. With so many water features on the property, we found ways to reflect that theme indoors: playful fish wallpaper in a bathroom, a herringbone runner up the staircase that moves like rippling water, and shades of blue in the mudroom, front hall, and library. Window treatments soften the light and frame the incredible views. A maritime painting in the front hall quickly became a favorite – a piece that feels both personal and perfectly suited to the house.
Color ties the interior design of this Roxbury estate together. Blues and golden yellows create a welcoming rhythm throughout the home, while one bedroom took on a more unexpected palette of lavender and green – one of Marina’s favorite combinations. For the curtains in this room, we turned to a rare textile by designer Scott Meecham Wood, woven in Scotland. With its tiny floral sprigs and soft hues, the fabric brought a layer of warmth and charm to the room. Though this fabric is no longer available, it remains one of those unforgettable details that makes the home feel truly one-of-a-kind.
Between the two new primary suites, we also created a sitting room with a custom “dog daybed” for the owners’ beloved poodles, upholstered in Black Watch plaid with firehouse-red curtains. It’s as chic as it is practical.
A Design That Exudes Personality
The Front Hall:
A warm welcome with a maritime painting above a sofa, a console topped by an anchoring mirror, and a staircase dressed in herringbone carpet leading upward.
The Library:
Housed in the original 1740s living room, complete with a centuries-old stone fireplace, we added a classic English cocktail bar and reupholstered French country club chairs Marina found at a Southampton, NY summer fair in deep Prussian blue velvet. We also added a pop of blue to the backs of the bookcases. It’s now the perfect spot to curl up with a book or a drink.
The Living Room:
With new French doors framing river views and burnt golden walls that reflect the sunlight, this space feels expansive yet grounded. It took us two tries to get the wall color just right – but when we did, it transformed the room. The walls and red accents complement the neutrals of the sofa, chairs, and draperies.
This Project Was More Than Designing the Home’s Interior: It Was Expanding Upon Its Story
What makes this project unforgettable isn’t just the beauty of the spaces, but the story they tell. From Geraldine Stutz and Russell Page to today’s owners, each steward of The Falls has left a mark. We are thrilled that our design can honor that history while still creating something deeply personal and new.
“After four projects together, these clients have become family,” says Marina. “Their passion for design, their discipline for collecting, and their respect for the design process make every collaboration with them a gift.”
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