Of The Moment: Colleen Bashaw
Welcome To The Pridwin. Designer Colleen Bashaw wearing the Makenna Dress at Shelter Island’s Pridwin. Photo by Lucy Cuneo.
Currently entering: Our wanderlust era with an interior inspo twist, particularly, the newly reopened Shelter Island escape Pridwin Hotel.
Meet: Colleen Bashaw, VP of Design at Cape Resorts and Principal Designer of Brown Hall Design, an interior decorating firm that creates whimsical spaces through the melding of unique and traditional aesthetics. Known for their lively and inspiring designs, Colleen and team have designed and renovated eight resorts along the East Coast, including Sag Harbor’s Baron’s Cove, and the newly renovated Pridwin. When planning and dreaming up a space, Colleen often uses antiques found throughout the East Coast, including those found at J.McLaughlin’s recent Tag Sale. Below, Colleen takes us on a tour of the newly renovated Pridwin Hotel.
Shop Colleen's Edit:
Name:
Colleen Bashaw
Location:
NYC / Ridgewood, NJ
Profession:
VP of Design at Cape Resorts and Principal Designer at Brown Hall Design
Into the blue: The Pridwin's Living Room. Photo by Lucy Cuneo.
Always…
Be hopeful.
Never…
Leave home without a good pair of scissors.
The best piece of life advice I’ve ever received…
Work hard!
What excited you most about redoing the Pridwin?
So many things! The building, the campus, and the location on Shelter Island. This is the 8th Hotel that I have designed for Cape Resorts and my first time working with the Petry family. The Petry’s have owned the property since 1962 so it was an honor to be able to design a property that holds so much history and carries an abundance of memories.
Where did your inspiration come from?
Adirondack Camps. Shelter Island is very relaxed and authentic. I wanted the design to have a warm patina but feel current. I used Albert Hadley wallpapers and a multitude of linen fabrics to create a lived in yet welcoming atmosphere. I also tried to use as many original items as possible to pay homage to the history of the hotel including seven brass chandeliers, original wicker, old photographs, fishing rods, signs etc.
Shelter Island Chic. Left: Colleen wearing the Mollie Dress and Chiara Sunglasses in the Pridwin’s pool area. Right: Artifacts from the original Pridwin Hotel. Photos by Lucy Cuneo.
What are your favorite pieces that you kept from the original Pridwin?
Definitely the wicker furniture. I had all the wicker painted and fresh cushions made in Pierre Frey, Schumacher and Alex Conroy Textiles. The wicker is very heavy - a sure sign of its age.
Wicker Wonderland. Refurbished antiques from across the East Coast. Photos by Lucy Cuneo.
Table for two, please. Colleen wearing the Makenna Dress in the Crescent Bar and dining room – the chicest spot for date night – or day. Photos by Lucy Cuneo.
Tell us about your inspiration for the Crescent Bar:
I try to convince each client to do an awning over e.v.e.r.y. bar renovation and finally had the opportunity here! Due to the fact that the Crescent Bar is a porch, the awning worked well over the new bar. It’s been a guest favorite that brings a pop of color and a bit of playfulness to the dining room. I used a vintage fabric on the original rattan chairs to add character.
Time for a shelfie. Carefully chosen antiques nod to the heritage of Shelter Island. Photos by Lucy Cuneo.
Any tips for Pridwin-ifying your home…
Think about how you can reuse pieces that you already have, perhaps a fresh coat of paint? And then mix in a variety of fun vintage pieces that play off your surrounding environment.
Other Shelter Island favorites…
I love visiting Marie Eiffel Market to get their Parisian sandwich and an iced tea for lunch. I'll often swing by Shelter Island Hardware afterwards to pick up picture hanging supplies or light bulbs, as I can never seem to have enough of them. I also enjoy going for walks at Mashomack Preserve on a rare but welcomed free afternoon.
Favorite color palettes for the home:
Pale pinks, camels, and washed blues.
Set to fête: The Pridwin’s dining room. Photo by Lucy Cuneo.
Must-have interior pieces:
Always a bit of rattan and lot’s of art and books!
My Personal Style:
My daughter says that I am a preppy hippie.
How does your personal style influence your interior style?
I have a soft spot for anything handmade. My mom taught me how to needlepoint in the backseat of our station wagon on a trip to Florida in 1978. I find so much inspiration in creating! My son just gifted me a needlepoint bag from the 70’s and I LOVE it!
Easy breezy. Colleen Bashaw in the Mollie Silk Dress and Evelyn Bucket Bag frolicing in the Pridwin’s lawn.
When I need inspiration I…
I just finished reading The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand, a fun read about a new hotel on the grey lady. Apropos to be reading it alongside the opening of the Pridwin.
Hospitality brings with it a unique mix of characters! You have to have a healthy sense of humor.
When I need inspiration I…
Antique, needlepoint or make a dessert. I love baking cakes with my youngest daughter!
Retro retouches. Photo by Lucy Cuneo.
Never did I think I would…
Design hotels.
Favorite indulgence:
Chocolate (Tony's Chocolonely Milk Caramel Sea Salt is to die for)
Style inspiration: Babe Paley for Vogue, 1964.
Style Icon/Inspiration…
Babe Paley
Pre-fall Style Motto:
Chocolate Brown suede boots and cozy sweaters.
Tell us about what you’re wearing…
I'm wearing the Makenna Dress in French Blue and the Mollie Silk Dress in Dark Brown/Blue. I feel comfortable, yet effortlessly chic in both dresses. Dresses are an everyday staple in my wardrobe so it's important that I can easily transition from the job site to meeting up with friends or having dinner out with my husband.
What To Wear To The Pridwin This Fall:
From JMcL Tag Sale To Pridwin Hotel:
Left: Chartreuse table in electric lime, Brinton Chest (it was custom made for J.McLaughlin!) in mint, and Nautical coffee table, perfect for Shelter Island. Photos by Lucy Cuneo.