Susan Hutchinson and her husband, Parker, live in a 1948 cottage in the historic town of West Chester, PA. They purchased it a year and a half ago and have been working on home improvements ever since. Their style is mostly vintage and traditional, with modern elements mixed in, and infused with antiques and French pieces (Susan is an eternal Francophile), some of which were inherited. The couple also loves a good flea market. Susan is an interior designer, stylist and blogger who, in addition to running Nesting, a baby/kids-focused design business and blog; maintaining her personal blog, Fleurishing; and doing editorial and event styling as Fleurishing LLC, is about to embark on her biggest project to date: twins! We’re super excited to reveal the nursery, so don’t miss it after the jump! Hopefully their beloved Billy (holding down the fort on the couch pictured above) handles the new additions to the family later this summer. Best of luck, Susan, and thanks to Courtney Apple Photography for the great photos! — Anne
Image above: The living room won us over with its original floors and beautiful light, which Billy loves to bask in. The sofa belonged to my grandparents, and it is very special to me. The custom drapery features a Brunschwig & Fils fabric, the gold speckled cowhide rug (which we lovingly refer to as “Herman”) is by Horchow, and the decorative brass leaf is from High Street Market. All paint colors throughout the home are Farrow & Ball.
Image above: An original feature of the house, this built-in hutch in the kitchen is the perfect spot to highlight my collection of vintage milk glass, ironstone, and china. We don’t have a formal dining room, so this houses both our everyday and special china, although I’m a big believer in using the fancy stuff all the time.
See more of Susan and Parker’s home — and nursery — after the jump . . .
Image above: Our wood-burning fireplace is one of our favorite features, especially during the cozy, cold winters. The painting is very dear to me and was purchased in Paris after falling in love with it at a hotel there. The vintage Model 95 polaroid camera was my grandfather’s and interestingly enough was introduced in 1948, the year our home was built!
Image above: My office is the most feminine and French space in the house, and it is where I design and blog. It houses many design books, fabrics, and personal mementos of mine. The chair and chandelier are vintage, the desk is by Artesia, and the drapery and paint are the same as that in the living room, as the two spaces are open to one another.
Image above: The kitchen has been our largest undertaking, as many incomplete and bizarre changes had been made over the years by past owners. Our main goal was to return it to its more modest beginnings. We kept the footprint of the space, including the cabinets, but removed all uppers, painted them, and added new hardware. The butcher-block countertop and range hood are from Ikea. The original flooring in this room was in bad shape, so we installed cork tiles. We added old salvaged barn wood to an existing soffit, which now appears to be an original beam. We have plans to add a subway tile backsplash and more open shelving, but that will have to wait until the baby craziness calms down!
Image above: One of our favorite items in the kitchen is the vintage mixer from Parker’s grandfather; it still works! The farmhouse-style faucet is Grohe, and I purchased the mini hanging terrarium at Terrain.
Image above: We spend a good bit of time at the kitchen banquette by Ballard Designs. Most often, I’m sitting there watching my husband cook . . . I’m a lucky lady! I made the terrarium at a Terrain workshop and am so proud it’s still alive! The vintage light and milk can were flea market finds, and the maps are originals done in the 1880s representing the two quadrants of our historic town where we have lived.
Image above: Our closet evolved from a long, narrow room under the eaves, and we feel so lucky to have a walk-in, given the era of our home! We just painted that wall with chalkboard paint and haven’t even christened it yet! The embroidery hoop quotes a Smiths song and is by local Philly artist Chez Sucre Chez. The striped hook is from Anthropologie.
Image above: Just a tiny little nook in our den, which houses more books, DVDs and albums. The fishing basket and stool are vintage family treasures.
Image above: We are lucky to have the largest space upstairs as our master. It is very cozy, and amazingly houses our king bed and a sitting area off to the side. The Pottery Barn swivel lights clear up much-needed table space. We are both self-proclaimed linen snobs (it’s actually how we met), and the sheets and coverlet are Yves Delorme.
Image above: This buffet was one of my very first “grown-up” purchases in my twenties, and has remained a stylish and practical piece wherever I’ve lived. Currently it houses our many books and collectables, such as our corks, which we carefully save and label with the occasion. Layering mirrors and frames is one of my favorite design tricks.
Image above: Having been in the baby/kids design field for years now, I’ve dreamed of designing my own nursery for quite some time. I never imagined it would be for twins! Keeping with the monochromatic theme of our home, I kept the nursery neutral, which also works well for boy/girl twins. The room is painted Light Gray by Farrow & Ball, the cribs are RH Baby & Child, and the drapery and linens were custom designed by moi. The birdcage mobile is by Brooklyn artist Tamar Mogendorff, and the cross-stitched and embroidered hoops over the cribs were designed for us by the lovely Kimberly of Chez Sucre Chez.
Image above: The entire nursery scheme was inspired by the Jacadi teddy bear, which my husband and I purchased in Paris a while ago, intending to expand our family. The bunny bookends hold vintage Bobbsey Twins books, and the gilded alphabet blocks are by Tiny Giraffe. The custom Fichman radiator cover provides much-needed display space.
Image above: My husband lovingly designed and installed the closet system, which is divided in two for each child. The drapery is custom, and the Moroccan pouf by Serena & Lily also acts as a footstool for the chair we have in our master bedroom (which is where I’ll be spending a lot of my time, very soon)!
Image above: The babies already have quite the book collection . . . these are just our favorites. Book ledges by Land of Nod.
Image above: I was determined to interject gold into the nursery, and the starting point was this quatrefoil flush mount light by Circa Lighting. The dresser was my grandmother’s (coordinates with the highboy in our master closet), and we painted it, leaving the original hardware intact. The two square art pieces are by Sarah & Bendrix & Coral & Tusk, and the sweater was mine as a baby. I just hung it without glass from a flea market frame. The hobnail milk glass lamp is by Maura Daniel.
Image above: The main bathroom is downstairs and we haven’t done much to this space besides painting, adding the chrome sconces and custom curtain, and replacing the door. We were lucky to find the original doors and hardware in our garage, and we have since returned three to their original glory.
Image above: Our little 1948 cottage, complete with white picket fence. So cliché, we know, but we love it.
55 Comments
I love how they have blended some contemporary accents with their mainly traditional decor. Great job!
I feel so lucky to have been inside this stunning home! Susan, you have impeccable taste and when I move into a bigger place, I’m getting you on skype for a consultation!! Those babies are going to rock some fierce talent!!
charming!
LOVE Susan! We met way back in the day in Charlotte. I am so happy for her and Parker and Billy too. She is a huge talent and a chic lady.
How lovely! It seems very fresh and unpretentious. And the nursery is beautiful–I would love to grow up in this home, what lucky children!
Susan – you have such a beautiful home! The house is so cute! It really is a little cottage :) I love what you did with the wine corks and the mirror set inside the empty frame.
What a lovely home Susan! It’s beautiful.
xo
So beautiful! I love that calm, gender-neutral nursery.
What a really darling 1948 house..perfect for a family soon to number 4! I think the cream-colored nursery is a fresh idea…and it’s supposed gender-neutral. It just needs some hand-knit blankets and at least 100 onesies, which will get used up quickly with the two babies in the house.
I love how that little cottage feels so huge inside because of her perfect editing and eye for balance! Beautiful and inspiring.
Beautiful home! I was wondering if you cold tell me about your spice rack above your stove. Is that magnetic? Or maybe a small ledge? Thanks!
What a cozy and beautiful home!
We are so very flattered to be featured…many thanks to the D*S ladies, especially Anne for the lovely introduction! It’s been such a thrilling day! Thank you ALL so much for your kind words!
RUTH- the spice rack was a flea market find years ago, it is metal ledge…the spice jars are from Williams Sonoma ;)
You are truly an artist Suzi! LOVE the nursery and can’t wait to see it in action! I think my favorite thing is the birdcage mobile. XOXO.
Please could you tell me what colour the kitchen walls are/
Gorgeous home. I was wondering if you could tell us the names of a few more of the paint colors…my husband and I are looking for some neutral beiges for the family room and dining room in our home and I love the paint colors that you used.
Charming nursery!
Front of the house is cute too…
Susan and Parker,
Your home is beautiful! That is so exciting that you have a feature on here, Yahoooo Chester County!!!
Best of luck with your twins on the way. They have a gorgeous space to come home to.
Take care,
Anthro Emily:)
Thanks everyone! Seems I should share the paint colors…all Farrow & Ball:
Living Room, Office & Nursery…Light Gray
Kitchen & Bathroom…Fawn
Den…Mouse’s Back
Master Bedroom…Cat’s Paw
All ceilings…Pointing
All trim…All White
oh, susan. your home is absolute perfection, not that i’m the least bit surprised. i’m so glad i finally got to see inside!
Beautiful, love the palette and the balance of old and new!
Susan: What finish/treatment did you use for your wooden butcherblock from IKEA? I have the same at home and dont know what to do.
Thanks
I love the colors of each room and how they flow together! The nursery looks so welcoming for the lucky twins arriving!
Susan!
This is wonderful! You’re all ready for the little ones coming into your life!
Your home is so cozy.
I love how at first glance it’s picture perfect, almost like a movie set, but then you take a closer look and you think “hmm…that’s original”. Great balance, and the nursery!! Swoon, makes me want to have a baby just so I have an excuse to make a room as pretty as that one!
this is a fairytale kinda house. so clean and inspiring!
SO touched by all the sweet comments, thank you all!
BARBARA- We sealed the butcher block with Waterlox, a number of times. Just be cautious about which one you use depending on how you plan to use the counter. ;)
Such a charmed home…anyone would so happy living here…sooo appealing!
Beautiful article. As a close friend of Susan and Parker, it tickles me to see their home given a tip of the hat on here. I’ve loved watching Susan’s joy through the process of designing their home.. and especially, the new nursery. The ceiling mount light is my favorite!
Perfectly lovely storybook home. Will look so charming as Babies’ first home in their memory books :) Felicitations. Really like the white and gold motif, love Yorkies =^.^= and that desk and chair plus sofa…wonderful.
Just beautiful. Thanks for showing us around your gorgeous house, Susan.
Ronnie xo
Love everything! We did the same thing in our nursery with a chest that belonged to my grandmother. For baby safety – - – my husband cut a hole in the back of one of the drawers and ran a strap with a plastic fastener (like a seat belt) through it and up over the top and the other end feeds up through the drawer front to fasten the baby onto the changing pad – - they’ll get wiggly!!
Thank you for bringing Susan and Parker and family to our attention.
Best wishes for the new BBs!
No worries MICHELLE…that changing pad is secured and very safe! We have another changing station in our den as well to accommodate the twins!
I love every room in your cozy cottage Suzi & Parker! You have quite the eye Suzi and it really shows in your home. I want an old house like this and have you design it. I love the paint and all the details throughout. It is so warm and inviting! I can’t wait to visit you after the twins are here and spend a few days in your lovely home and enjoy my Francophile friend. C’est superbe! C’est magnifique! Oooh la la!
Bisous et tu me manque! XX Joni
I love your “grown-up” buffet piece. :) Do you mind sharing where you got it?
The last picture, your front view made me smile!…is like the drawings that we, as kids, use to do. The shapes of the window, the door, the chimney, the garden…Love it!
So wonderful to see Susan & Parker’s beautiful home here. Susan’s aesthetic is flawless, timeless and oh so elegant. Can’t wait to see that nursery fill with giggles and cuddles soon!
Just lovely! Is the Ballard Designs banquette comfortable? I’ve had my eye on it for a while but really want something that will encourage people to linger over a meal.
This is one of my favorite homes ever featured! Thank you! So tasteful, simple, and peaceful. I wanted to pin every shot. :)
Susan! Congrats on your twins and I simply love your house! Not only was the door restored but it was lovingly restored-no trace of paint on the knob back plate!? Gorgeous! The RH Baby & Child looks awesome! xocc
Very warm and inviting spaces. I’ve been coveting the Ballard Designs banquette for ages, great to see it incorporated into such a lovely way. Wondering if you have a formal dining room as well, Susan. We don’t have the space for eat-in kitchen and wondering if a banquette would be odd in a dining room.
ROBYN…the “grown-up” buffet piece was a boutique purchase at the time, it was imported from Italy, and then soon after I bought it Ballard Designs came onto the market and sold the line…I believe they still sell it! ;)
SUSAN…yes, the banquette is comfortable, I just recommend pillows for a bit more back support, but we do linger there for hours with guests!
What a beautiful home, and cute little yorkie! He clearly lives the life and is very loved. The definition of a cozy cottage!
SHAWNA… We do not have a formal dining room, but I love banquettes for formal dining, go for it! We use our living room for a large party-here’s an example:
http://www.fleurishingblog.com/fleurishing/2012/04/bébé-shower.html
Gorgeous! I love all the details Susan! And how much heart you put into the house. The babies room is the most precious of all!
This is by far the BEST sneak peek I have seen in awhile! I love your home, it’s beautiful.
There’s something very serene about a palette that runs through an entire home. And the outside? I believe the phrase “Cute as a Button” is very appropriate
Susan, ta maison est tres belle et tres inspirant. J’adore ton petit pull dans le cadre dore! ;-) amities,
I love how the children’s picture books are displayed. Lovely.
lovely home…cozy and warm
so so lovely – west chester is my hometown and this sweet home makes me think i could move back there…..
Would like to consult with you guys if possible about a home in state college, I’m renting to own. Crammed and not up to date. 1930′s built. How do I contact you for ideas?
Merci tout le monde!!
HANNAH–http://www.fleurishingllc.com/
I just love the simplicity of the drapes. Just enough to accent, not overpowering!
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