A great new B and B - Kenmore in Richmond MA

FRANK MUYTJENS AND SCOTT EDWARD COLE The Inn at Kenmore Hall in Richmond, Massachusetts

INTERVIEW BY H. CANDEE

PHOTOGRAPH OF FRANK AND SCOTT BY JESSICA ANTOLA

Scott and Frank, to see this joint venture come to fruition—you must feel good! And once upon a time, it was just an idea. How did all begin? Scott Edward Cole: Frank and I discovered early on in our relationship that we both shared a fantasy of running a country inn. It’s something we talked about for years down the road, and as we passed certain properties in our travels, we’d point it out to one another and dream of transforming it. In Spring of 2017, we both found ourselves at a crossroads, as Frank’s job at J. Crew came to a close, and I decided to sell the Monterey General Store after putting in a solid five years there.

Frank Muytjens: Suddenly, we both realized that the moment had come sooner than later. I left my apartment in Williamsburg and moved up to my house in Hillsdale. And we decided to start looking

36 • SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ARTFUL MIND

for suitable houses. Scott had known about a place in Richmond that he had long been curious about, which had come on the market, and suggested we take a look. It was the first and only place we considered.

Were there other ventures on the burner at the time? How did both decide this was the right adventure to take on? Scott: This was it. We were ready to combine our households, our passions, and our resources. Our shared interests are many, and perfectly suited for such a venture. We are both passionate about interior design, architecture, gardening, cooking and entertaining. Each of these passions are now the very fabric of our daily lives.

Tell me, what were some of the ideas you each

contributed to overall theme and style of the Inn? Frank: It was important for us to honor the strong architectural framework of the house and let the room proportions and beautiful millwork take center stage. We chose a palette of masculine colors, Navy, Camel, Olives, and Grays, which relate in many ways to my career as a menswear designer.

Scott: We also knew that we wanted a mix of periods and styles when it came to furnishing the house. We took pieces from our own collections and scoured local antique and vintage stores for pieces with character. Above all, we wanted the aesthetic to be layered, and set a tone that puts people at ease.

What resources and references did you have to

Terrace view at the Inn at Kenmore Hall

explore in order implement entire scheme of things? Did you have to do much historical research? Scott: We were so lucky to have a house with such an interesting and well documented history. The sisters from whom we bought the house possessed a wealth of information and were generous to share it all with us. Melanie was responsible for getting Kenmore on the National Register of Historic Places. And we continue to uncover more layers and chapters.

Tell me about some of the décor items, furniture, artwork, interesting utilities you decided to include? There must have been a lot of time-consuming hand-picking of special items you’re proud of adding into the rooms, yes? Where did you find some of the items? Frank: We chose, most importantly, objects with a history, patina, and signs of having been “lived with.” Scott and I are both attracted to things that suggest a story, whether it’s a painting, or a chair, or quilt of vintage fabrics.

Scott: And we took the same approach to the modifications that were made in the renovation. For instance, the fixtures and tiles we used in creating bathrooms are classic and timeless in nature and relate

to the general architectural details of the house. But much thought was given to the things you cannot see: radiant heated floors in the baths, and a system that ensures that the water pressure and temperature remains constant, even if every guest has them in use simultaneously.

Scott and Frank, how were you able to effectively apply your background expertise and talents on this mission? Scott, you are a musician, artist and chef, and Frank, you were formerly a fashion designer, correct? Scott: I find that creative people, in general, approach living in a holistically creative way. Expression and passion spills from a particular discipline into other areas. Frank and I both have visual arts backgrounds, our eyes are attuned to composition, form, and the relationship of light and objects. So, whether it’s a room, or a plate of food, or a swath of garden, we both innately have a sense of what is pleasing to us. My approach in the kitchen has always been like painting to me— building layers, textures, blending elements to create a desired taste or aroma.

Frank: My time as a menswear designer comes into play in the approach we took to renovating Kenmore— taking something classic and enhancing

the best elements of it, but also making it fresh and seen through new eyes. These days I’m happiest working outside, planning and creating gardens. That, too, is like a working on a painting that is always in a state of transformation.

What changes were needed to be made to the original 18th century building and the landscaping in order to make it adaptable and chic for yourselves and your guests? Frank: We are so fortunate that the wonderfully grand proportions of the rooms, with all their original millwork, had been unspoiled over the centuries. And, that it was incredibly well constructed, and generally well cared for. Still, a tremendous amount of work had to be done. All of the mechanicals, (electricity, plumbing, heating and cooling) were completely replaced. Bathrooms were added or updated. Chimneys rebuilt and relined for the nine fireplaces.

Scott: We’ve been excited to turn our attention outside this year. We recently finished a new terrace in the back of the house, as well as new front walkway. More landscaping, tree pruning and planting, and creating gardens that enhance what already exists on the grounds. We have been cultivating trails Continued on next page...

THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2019 • 37

The kitchen at the Inn at Kenmore Hall

that wind through the meadows and orchard, and into the woodland areas on our twenty acres.

Were there times when you couldn’t equally decide on something? (Cut that tree! NO! That tree must stay! You know what I mean, and personally, disagreeing is a way of learning.) Frank: We share a general aesthetic, which means we’re usually on the same page. But we definitely disagree from time to time. Often, we end up convincing each other of our respective stances, and then we have to start again! If one of us has a passionate NO about something, we abandon the idea and move on.

Scott: What’s interesting is that we are both stubborn Taureans, who are, at heart, true dreamers. When I opened Caffe Pomo d’oro in 1993, I had no experience running a business, and I had to

38 • SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ARTFUL MIND

force myself to become an organized, multitasking, pragmatist. So, I tend to be the “problem solver” of the pair. But we are, as is true in all relationships, learning every day how better to work together in all areas.

Can you tell us anything about the history of the house and original owners? Frank: It was built in 1792 by Henry Sherrill, whose descendants still populate Richmond. He had a lucrative trading post that had been located across the road, and he built this house as a signifier of his wealth. In the 1880s, it became a boarding school for a time, and that’s when it was given the name Kenmore Hall. The young painter, Robert Lewis Reid, son of the couple who created the school, convinced his parents to allow a summer arts program to be held at Kenmore. He was a student at the Museum School in Boston and procured

Frederic Crowninshield to preside over the curriculum. Daniel Chester French, Newton Mackintosh, and Helen Hinds, were among the students, who all became close there and called themselves “Kenmorians.” French and Crowninshield fell in love with the Berkshires during their time at Kenmore, and both returned to build their summer homes/studios later in life.

After returning to use as a private home, it then became a parsonage. And then, a guest house that served many musicians, conductors, and composers who came for the music festival now known, of course, as Tanglewood. Many from the symphony stayed here for the summer. Pianos were brought in, and music was everywhere. Leonard Bernstein reportedly lived in our Carriage House Cottage for a few summers early on in his tenure with the Boston Symphony. When the Scaduto family bought Kenmore in the 1960’s,

Entry Hall at the Inn at Kenmore Hall

they continued housing members of the symphony, right up until a decade or so ago.

Do you get people asking if the Inn is haunted? Scott: People ask, but, as far as we can tell, it is not. The house has a palpable peaceful air about it. My former home in West Stockbridge where I lived for thirteen years, was indisputably haunted, so I feel like I know something of the subject.

Frank: What we CAN feel, is the general spirit of all of the creative energy that has passed through these rooms over the centuries.

What state was the building interior and exterior like when you first bought the property? It must have been like a canvas waiting to be painted, yes? Frank: The bones of the house were unmistakable and breathtaking. The classic proportions of the rooms are both grand but unimposing. The millwork well preserved. The original handblown windowpanes still largely intact. We stripped

wallpaper to reveal beautiful plaster walls, had the floors sanded and refinished. The sellers of the house had repaired some crumbling ceilings and other repairs to make it more presentable to a potential buyer.

Scott: We were determined to restore, and preserve, without going too far. This house has a wonderful history that spans three centuries, and the last thing we wanted to do was scrub it clean of all signs of having been lived in and loved. As with all old homes, there are many quirks to this house that we found charming and fought to keep. In our butler’s pantry, for instance, is a stretch of countertop of brown linoleum from the 1930’s, which is marked and stained, and has taken on the patina of well-worn leather. We wouldn’t have dreamed of replacing it!

Do you enjoy being innkeepers? What do you really love about it? What are each of your responsibilities to make the Inn run smoothly? Scott: We really do love it. We’ve been so fortunate

that our “audience” has seemed to have found us. They are appreciative of the house, our design, and our hospitality in general. We are not obsequious hosts, and we leave people to have their own undisturbed experiences here, but we are certainly available when needed.

Frank: We both do a little of everything. It was important to be as hands on as possible, especially in the beginning, so that we could fully understand all aspects of what we need to do. We prepare breakfast as a team and tend to all other aspects as well.

Does your canine friend help run the business as well? He is a very handsome pup. Frank: Dutch, our 9-year-old Vizsla, is an amazing ambassador to the inn. He’s sweet and elegant and loves to be loved. We recognize that not everyone loves dogs, and we keep him out of the public areas of the house, but our guests often request to see him, and he’s always happy to oblige. Continued on next page...

THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2019 • 39

Staircase at the Inn at Kenmore Hall

Scott, did you enjoy running the Monterey General Store? I so wish it was reopened with the same quality and taste and creativity you gave it. Scott: There were many things I loved about running the store. It was a dream that I was lucky enough to have realized. I loved that I was able to re-awaken the soul of a village center— to bake pies and scones and croissants from scratch every day, and to create a place for families and friends to congregate. Having previously run a restaurant for nearly two decades, I knew the amount of work that would be required and wasn’t daunted. But, after five years of building and growing, and seven days a week of long days, and short of staff, I was feeling depleted. For the first time in my life, my creative voice shut down entirely. It was all focused only on the store. I didn’t have the energy or the inspiration or the time to paint, or write, or play music. Therefore, for my own health and happiness, I knew it was time to go.

40 •SEPTEMBER 2019 THE ARTFUL MIND

Scott, have you thought of making one of the Inn’s rooms into a working artists’ studio for yourself? Scott: We have a three-season cabin on the property, originally a poultry house, that I am using as painting/writing studio. It’s a wonderfully rustic space where I have been re-activating my voice, both writing and painting whenever time allows. It’s a wonderfully satisfying retreat.

Tell us what is the best feature you find your guests like the most? Frank: Our guests have such kind things to say about the property at large, but most of them praise our breakfast. Particularly when we have a full house, and Scott and I put together a lavish buffet of fresh baked goods, quiche and frittata, clafoutis, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, etc… In the summer guests can eat on the screened porch or the terrace, and in winter we have a roaring fire in the huge dining room hearth.

What has been created within these beautiful walls that you can say is totally unique? Scott: What is most unique is the general vibe that we have created. When people are traveling, they want simultaneously to feel at ease, but also to be experiencing something special. I think we’ve successfully created an environment that engages all the senses, is inspiring, and is also tranquil. We have some guests that will be returning soon for the 9th time. It feels like home to them. It feels like home to us.

Do you feel you’re both tied down now, and travelling may have to be put on hold for a while? Frank: We’ve isolated a few weeks throughout the year that are the most quiet, and so we do manage to get away. But we close the inn entirely when we go. In time, we may feel more comfortable turning the place over to a manager in our absence, but not yet. We’re heading back to the west coast and Big Sur after Labor Day!

The Bath at the Inn Kenmore Hall, Richmond, MA

From a decorator’s point of view, what have you used that you find success in mix and matching time periods and styles? What tells you that the schematic flow is working? Scott: We knew we didn’t want the place to be a museum of period specific furnishings. First, we let the eloquence of the architecture speak for itself. It’s magnificent. So, we brought in a mix of styles that reflect how we live today. Often, it’s about juxtapositions— hard and soft, rectilinear and circular, dark and light… always finding a balance in an intuitive way. We are both drawn to things with a history, a narrative, signs of having been used. And now, they’re being used again, as part of our story, and that of our guests.

There is so much to love about the Berkshires, especially the mountain views and change of seasons. Do you see yourselves growing old in this place? Is this your true, real home of homes? Scott: We love everything about the Berkshires. I came here from New York at the age of twentyfour,

so I have been here, in some fashion, for more than half my life thus far. And Frank has been spending weekends here for more than a decade.

Frank: There are a few weeks, usually hitting in March, when winter has gone on long enough, and the quiet, introspective, seemingly endless string of gray days, leads to cabin fever. So, getting away is always a good thing. But I think for both of us, Kenmore, and the Berkshires, will long be our home of homes.

Scott and Frank, can you give us one of your own philosophies you believe in that is on Art, Love and Living a Good life? How did you first come to believe these words you share are part of your heart and soul? Scott: The world can be a difficult and unpleasant place. So, finding beauty and grace, and sharing such things, is so important. To show care, for a tree and the nature living in it, or for the guests you invite to your home and table. To share joy, to listen

and learn. As artists, it’s our job to seek beauty and truth, and to make it easier for others to see and relate to. Of course, here in the Berkshires, we are surrounded by grace and beauty at every turn. Our friends make gardens, and grow food, and write symphonies. They build with stone and timber. The people who choose to be here, tend to hold these things sacred. We are so lucky to be a small thread in that very rich tapestry.

The Inn at Kenmore is located at 1385 State Rd, Richmond, MA, contact info tele: 698-8100.

Thank you!

THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2019 • 41