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
