Connecticut
See How One Designer Brought a Connecticut Colonial Home Back to Life
While some might be fearful of purchasing an older home on the market, historic properties often possess undeniable character that their newer counterparts lack. The classic architecture, distinctive molding, traditional fireplaces and other quirky yet charming features are what make them so appealing. Yet without the proper touch, these properties don’t always feel like home.
Faced with the difficulty of highlighting the old while simultaneously embracing the new, interior designer Diane Rath, principal designer and owner of The Rath Project, took on a 1920’s classic colonial recently purchased by young homeowners. After moving to Connecticut from New York City with their toddler, this growing family of three felt their home needed the new life and energy they radiated.
Collaborating with her clients, Rath searched for the perfect color palette and furnishings to reflect their youthful energy and style. The main challenge? To revive a home that still had life to live. “We didn’t want to take out any of the original character,” says Rath. “Instead, we wanted to highlight it.”
Den & Office
Relying on the patterned rug and antique art she sourced, Rath added a splash of the couple’s youthful personality to the den without taking away from the colonial feel of the space. “We’re still giving tribute to the past and the oldness of the home, but they’re that new generation,” says Rath. The art she and the homeowners chose embodies that new life.
Because the den connects to a narrow office space, Rath coordinated the rugs in both rooms. “That pop of color that runs down the center of that space really helps elongate it and make it feel bigger than it actually is,” explains Rath.
Kitchen
After remodeling the space to improve functionality, Rath helped the couple refresh their kitchen, again drawing inspiration from what was already there.
“We reworked the space a bit, but picked up that green from the original countertops and brought it throughout. We decided to highlight the color with the green pendant and Cole & Son wallpaper. So really that marble was the jumping off point for all of the other green touches we added,” says Rath.
Living Area
After deciding that this room was going to be the hangout spot for everyone – their friends, kids and kids’ friends included – the homeowners wanted it to be sophisticated and colorful, and they had one specific shade of blue in mind: New York State of Mind by Benjamin Moore. Considering her clients’ wishes, Rath incorporated the color and painted the bookshelf in two different finishes: she went glossy on the shelves themselves and matte on the drywall above the fireplace.
In the corner of that room, Rath kept a round table that was left from the previous owners. “We had someone repaint it and bring that back to life as well. We found some vintage chairs from a local thrift shop and then had them recovered in a really cool plaid fabric,” says Rath.
Dining Room
Then, Rath tackled the dining room. “That wallpaper, if you look closely, it’s little tiny martini glasses, and I fell in love with that. It felt old; it had this Art Deco vibe,” says Rath. “It felt so elegant, but also whimsical at the same time.”
Even though it’s one of the more formal, traditional spaces in the house, the dining room still has elements of young, fresh energy — not only with the wallpaper choice, but also when it comes to the seating. If you take a closer look, the back side of the chairs is upholstered in a unique velvet jungle print, adding new life to otherwise antique pieces of furniture.
Primary Bedroom
Less feminine than some of the other rooms, the primary bedroom was designed with a blue bed, walnut end tables and black accents throughout. “The blue bed was always something we had in mind in a velvet material. It’s handsome, but it’s luxurious,” says Rath.
Girl’s Bedroom
Using ornate carved wood she found at a local antique center, Rath helped construct a princess bed for the couple’s first daughter. In the other corner of the room, she installed a charming wallpaper.
“It was one of the first things I pulled for the design of the project. Before any of the main spaces, I found this wallpaper. It’s a Schumacher paper and just felt so fun and playful. And they immediately were like, ‘Yes.’ So that paper was the jumping off point for all of the other little elements that came together in that room,” says Rath.
Gender-Neutral Bedroom
With a baby on the way, Rath’s clients wanted more of a gender-neutral space where they could comfortably grow their family. Through the pop art and colorful carpet, Rath worked to create a playful yet functional bedroom with both a crib for the couple’s soon-to-be child and daybed for an accompanying adult.
Laura Millar (she/her) is the assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home design. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2024, she wrote for NBC’s TODAY.com where she covered everything from entertainment news to product reviews to pop culture updates.
Connecticut
At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police
At least three people were taken to local hospitals after a multi-vehicle accident involving a public transit bus in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Tuesday, according to the Bridgeport Police Department.
The collision took place at around 7:40 p.m. on the 500 block of Water Street, where officials located a Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBTA) bus that struck at least six other vehicles and a wall of the Bridgeport train station.
Once at the scene, emergency medical officials transported several individuals to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Two people were taken to Bridgeport Hospital, and two others to St. Vincent’s Medical Center; the extent of their injuries was unknown, per authorities.
An MTA Facility Manager has responded to the scene to assess the structural damage, according to police.
Train service was not impacted on the Metro-North lines as a result of the nearby collision. However, traffic was impacted by the closure of the northbound lane of Water Street between State Street and John Street.
The Bridgeport Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team reported to the site of the crash to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Bridgeport Police Department Traffic Division, Sergeant Darryl Wilson, at 203-576-7640.
Connecticut
Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend
CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.
In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.
Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.
For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.
Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.
As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.
For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.
Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.
Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.
Connecticut
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