i+D - July/August 2021 - 42

Be Our Guest - By Diana Mosher
Cultural Immersion
During the Gilded Age many titans of industry
built luxurious " cottages " in the Berkshires, and
today visitors from all over the world continue to
be drawn to this scenic region. The Cornell Inn,
a newly renovated bed and breakfast in historic
Lenox, Massachusetts, has a unique advantage
that sets it apart from other lodging options.
Each room at The Cornell Inn was designed
by a different designer who is BIPOC (black,
indigenous, or other person of color). Conceived
and organized by The Kaleidoscope Project,
the designer showhouse featured 21 BIPOC
designers, and their work now lives on as a
permanent installation at The Cornell Inn.
Everick Brown Design transformed the Cornell
Inn's reception area, lobby, and a powder room.
" I went to school in New Hampshire, so I'm
very familiar with New England. I also have other
projects in the state of Massachusetts, " says
Everick Brown, principal of his namesake firm.
" The Berkshires are a cultural oasis. It's home to
Jacob's Pillow [performance space], Tanglewood
[music venue], Mass MoCA, the Clark Museum,
and the Williamstown Theater. I drew upon
geography, culture, and people for inspiration. We
were also inspired by the natural environment and
the history of the town of Lenox, as well as the
beautiful bones of the Cornell Inn. "
A warm gray color
palette met with
both Japanese and
local inspiration in
the spaces created by
Everick Brown Design
for The Cornell Inn.
(Image: Courtesy of
Everick Brown Design)
Everick Brown Design is known for modern classic designs with a global
perspective. " As you enter the inn, my space is the first you see. The goal
was to create an environment that was flexible and that inspired conversation
and camaraderie, " he explains. The furniture selection was driven by
comfort, functionality, and small group seating. The window treatments allow
natural light penetration while adding sophistication, elegance, and drama.
" It created this really warm, soothing space that transitioned into the rest of
the inn, " Brown adds.
He took a neutral approach with a warm gray color palette juxtaposed with
Japanese inspired wallpaper. " My inspiration mixed a little Asian with New
England plus diversity to create what I coined the Kutana Room. The Kutana
Room is about Japanese meets New England at the intersection of Soul-
which equals diversity. "
The husband-and-wife team behind
Everick Brown Design: Lisa Brown
and Everick Brown.
(Image: Courtesy of Everick Brown Design)
He adds, " Kutana is a great name for my room because it sounds Japanese,
but kutana is actually a Swahili word meaning 'to meet' or 'to come together,'
and it's defined as mutuality or reciprocity. So, it's not a one-sided meeting;
it's a communal meeting. " And that's what happens in the Berkshires where
people from all over the world converge for art and culture.
42
i+D - July/August 2021
i+D - July/August 2021

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