A Fashion Executive’s Connecticut Home Is Full of Bold, Expressive Style

Some homes feel as if they were designed around a color palette. This one feels designed around personality. When Bethany Evans asked Elana Tenenbaum Cline of Carta Creatives to help shape her Connecticut home, the goal wasn’t to play it safe. Instead, the two leaned into bold wallpaper, saturated color, and a mix of refined and playful moments that give the house its energy. The throughline across all the spaces of the home is the confidence that comes from knowing what you love and not being afraid to let it show.

Design: Carta Creatives | Photography: Kirsten Francis | Styling: Gina Ciotti

Where the House Begins

The sitting room sets the tone immediately. A scenic mural wallpaper by Rebecca Atwood wraps the room in soft watercolor blues and greys, while a painted ceiling extends the dreaminess overhead. But what keeps the space from floating away is the contrast: an ochre velvet sofa, a deep navy rug, sculptural burlwood, and sharper silhouettes mixed into all that softness. The balance reflects Elana’s signature style: polished and intentional, but never so serious that it loses its sense of personality.

Elana Tenenbaum Cline of Carta Creatives with her longtime friend (and now client) Bethany Evans.

A Bedroom That Goes All the Way

This bedroom works because it commits fully to the mood. Instead of treating dark color as an accent, Elana lets deep navy take over the walls and lacquered ceiling entirely, creating a space that feels cozy and cocoon-like. Against it, a large-scale palm wallpaper in terracotta and rose almost glows. The mix of burgundy upholstery, brass lighting, and dusky blue linens gives the room a richness closer to boutique hospitality than to traditional residential design.

Pattern as a Point of View

Throughout the rest of the house, pattern-drenching becomes less of a decorative choice and more of a personality trait. A floral guest room with matching painted trim could have easily skewed overly precious, but the layered textiles and relaxed styling keep it grounded. The kids’ rooms feel especially telling — playful without falling into the overly themed trap that children’s spaces so often do. One pairs teal polka dots with vintage leather and mustard lighting; another mixes graphic textiles and earthy colors.

Knowing When to Pull Back

Part of what makes the bolder spaces land is that the kitchen and dining areas know when not to compete. The kitchen strips things back to strong materials and thoughtful details: creamy white cabinetry, brass hardware, softly textured tile, and linen cafe curtains. Nearby, the dining room follows the same instinct, relying on natural textures and a large-scale floral artwork rather than a heavy pattern to create atmosphere. The restraint feels intentional. After moving through rooms layered in color and print, these spaces give the house a chance to exhale.

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