By Amy Conway

Cassilis Farm, a Gilded Age estate dating to 1890, is being transformed by Construct—the leading nonprofit provider of affordable housing and related services in the southern Berkshires—into 11 affordable housing apartments for Berkshire families. But first—the property will open as a Designer Showhouse with the theme “Nature in the Berkshires.” By creating this event for the public, the project will highlight the talents of local designers, artists, and landscapers. But more crucially, it will introduce people to Construct’s important mission and bring awareness—and funds—to their work.

We got a sneak peek as the designers were hard at work, and we’re sharing some of their ideas and inspiration here. The result will be fleeting—the Showhouse will be on view in June and then dismantled for work to begin on the housing (planned for 2026). “You’ll never be able to see it again,” said Hinda Bodinger, co-chair (with Laura Jordahl) of the project committee. “It’s going be apartments, which is fabulous, but everybody wants to see a Gilded Age estate.” Get there before it’s gone.

Timed tickets are available for Fridays through Sundays in June.
constructberkshires.org

Danielle Sweet When it comes to decorating, love is a feeling, not a look.

Wingate Ltd. We are creating an area similar to what Cassilis may have looked like when the Willits/Bloodgood family—the original owners—lived there and raised Hackney ponies.

The Designers

Irwin Field Design My theme is “midnight picnic oasis”—I love nothing more than a beautiful, warm summer night, dining al fresco under a canopy of stars. I am completely transforming my room, creating a dark, dramatic, and soothing space.

Elena Letteron, Germain Interiors Our imaginary client is someone who loves the outdoors, is an avid collector, traveler, and artist. Our room’s earthy palette and natural materials create a backdrop for the things our client collects and appreciates.

Jennifer Bianco Design at Scout House I like to embrace a small space with a dark, deep color. It instantly creates a cozy feeling that is both warm and welcoming.

Pryor & Peacock We are filling our space with living plants, and we created two new nature-inspired pieces of furniture for the room.

The Artists

Hammertown Drawing on and celebrating the history of the property, we strove to include pieces that spanned decades, as if they had been collected by the (fictional) owners over time.

Staged Ryte Imagine a space where every corner is alive with the buzz of imagination—a cozy bed nestled under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights, inviting dreams of enchanted forests.

Carly Jane Design My color palettes are designed around tones that you see out your window—rich browns, earthy greens. I wanted “the parlour” to be a space that was moody and sparked conversation.

Jess Cooney Interiors A haunted secret garden overtakes our gentleman’s library. A rich, stately backdrop, timeworn artifacts, and the persistence of the natural world converge in our overgrown library.

Harry Heissmann Inc. & PM Design The inspiration came from [Albert Hadley’s] famous strawberry bedroom that he created for clients in Florida in the 1970s—as well as the strawberry season. The room is called “Strawberry Fields.”

The Landscapers

Helia Native Nursery
helianativenursery.com

Whalen Nursery
whalennursery.com