left: Garden Cottages, Little House Cottage is a one bedroom cottage that has been carefully restored and updated while keeping the character of this historic building. center: The Firefly Inn Tea Room has magical wallpaper from Anthropologie and offers complimentary coffee tea and snacks. right: The original 1890’s hand carved mahogany staircase and antique mirror welcome you to the fully renovated Victorian.
Photographs: Aaron Limoges
From strolling Kent’s chic shops, like the perfectly petite Woodford’s General Store, the world-renowned House of Books and the staggering, impressive breadth and scale of objet at RT Facts Design & Antiques (a gem of a store often considered globally as the secret source for interior designers), to discovering cutting edge and contemporary artists at galleries such as Kenise Barnes, FotoDiary, Carol Corey Fine Art and Craven Contemporary, the town, thanks in large part to its stunning epicenter Kent Barns, has had a true rebirth. Having personally spent time in the area visiting my family’s weekend home in South Kent since 1988, when we acquired the property, the home itself, built in 1880 has remained relatively untouched. The village at times felt the same. Until now.
Surely New Preston, Washington, Bantam, Litchfield, Sharon and others in Litchfield County lured visitors with charming inns, but Kent never quite did. The oddity of it is that the town is home to three prestigious boarding schools and a stone’s throw away from escaping New Yorkers and Fairfield County locals wanting a mini countryside getaway.
Enter the McPhees. Lulu and John McPhee and their three children have a second home, mere feet away from my family’s, and they too are enamored with the area.
Their recent game-changing acquisition of three unique landmarked properties, aptly named The Kent Collection, the Victorian, the Firefly Inn and the Garden Cottages are all walkable to one another within the village of Kent. The trifecta are the combined vision of President and Founder Lulu McPhee, her husband John McPhee, celebrated for his roles as co-owner of Design Within Reach, Board Member of Heller, and current Chief Executive Officer of Chilewich, and their son, Andrew McPhee, who also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Heller. Together, their distinct vision has reinvented three historical properties into enchanting lodging that seamlessly blends the charm of the past with modern-day luxury, providing guests with an unforgettable retreat.
The Trio of Properties
A fusion of past and present the spaces respectfully meld vintage carved wood, botanicals indigenous to the area, color stories worth asking about from the Benjamin Moore tone-on-tone blue to palette to wallpapers with whimsy
THE VICTORIAN
This luxurious, character-filled property sleeps up to 12 and can be booked by the room or as a full-house rental. Built in 1890 and fully renovated in 2022, The Victorian is an inviting and elegant backdrop for family gatherings, long weekends with friends, holiday parties and other special occasions.
Built in 1890 and fully renovated in 2022, this home offers 1800s historic charm with a completely modern touch! Enjoy renting the whole house, or one of the five beautiful rooms individually.
THE FIREFLY INN
This 9-room, once classic Inn has been transformed into a mix of modern and country aesthetics, offering an upscale, comfortable place to call home for a night, long weekend, or city escape to birdwatch, hike and more.All rooms are en-suite, and there is an inviting outdoor patio to enjoy for all the guests. The charm of Kent and the surrounding towns of Litchfield County no doubt is centered around the rolling hills of the countryside and restaurants ranging from farm-forward Swyft to dairy-driven Arethusa and seasonally inspired Materia Restaurant. and Kent itself is home to a farm I passionately support Rock Cobble Farm who bring everything from the produce and flowers to meats, cheeses and eggs to the community faremr’s market at Kent Barns weekly.
The Firefly is a charming inn with rooms and suites for up to 18 guests. Lovingly updated in 2023, with modern furniture, comfortable beds and custom Chilewich wallcoverings. Sited on two beautiful acres in downtown Kent.
THE GARDEN COTTAGES
Three beautifully designed, individual lodging spaces, each cottage has a kitchen and private garden, and while they’re unique in size and layout, they share an eclectic, casual ambiance that’s perfect for the outdoorsy types, long weekends with friends, family getaways or other relaxing escapes to the Connecticut countryside.
The Garden Cottages are three newly remodeled lodging spaces, each with a kitchen and private garden. Enjoy staying at The Bunkhouse, Train Car or Little House individually or rent all three together as a perfect gathering spot for friends and family.