Nestled between rolling pastures and forested glens in picturesque Litchfield County, just two hours' drive northeast of New York City, Argyll House blends old-world craftsmanship with luxurious modern comforts. Thoughtfully reimagined during the pandemic by designer and emerging architect Deirdre McMullen, this Cotswold-style residence is a warm nod to European country estate living – a haven for lazing, cooking, reading, hiking, and tennis.
The name Argyll honours the western region of Scotland where Deirdre’s paternal ancestors lived centuries ago. Embodying that heritage, the interiors weave a cross-generational dialogue between her father’s lifelong collection of art and objects and Deirdre’s unique vintage finds, as well as her love for Danish and Italian furniture.
"My dad, Robert, my sister Beatrice and I purchased the home together in 2021. Beatrice, a marriage and family therapist with great taste, essentially served as both my client and design partner when I was at a crossroads. She pushed me to be bold," says Deirdre.
Enlisting her close circle of Brooklyn friends, who populated the home for the second half of the pandemic while working remotely, made the design process highly collaborative. "Over two summers, our friend Adam cleared walking trails and designed whimsical bridges, sculptures and seating. He poured so much love into the trails. They truly complete the home,” she says. “Alicia channelled countless delicious meals out of the kitchen, with the rest of us serving as sous chefs. Friends continue to be central to the evolution of the home.”
That sense of exploration and experimentation has endured as Argyll House transitioned from an interior design project to a hospitality venture, opening to guests in April 2025.
Set on five acres framed by centuries-old stone walls, with private wooded paths, verdant gardens, and a secluded pond, the estate is designed for discovery. Guests are invited to dip in the grand saltwater pool, play tennis across the road and wander past the storybook red barn through the forest to a shady, peaceful creek, which abuts preserved state land.
Deirdre nurtures the atmosphere of discovery and community through quiet, generous gestures that show up in objects, furniture, and small details. Journals are left open, easels stand ready. Visitors uncover their own Argyll House and leave their own mark – poems and recipes scribbled on a page, sketches and watercolours left on canvas – each becoming part of the home’s unfolding story.
The serene, light-filled chef’s kitchen is well-stocked for dinner parties with special touches like the commercial Wolf stove, STAUB cookware, and an assortment of butters and cheeses from the local dairy. Guests leave behind dripped, lopsided wax sculptures on the antique French dining table, evidence of meaningful conversation over slow, lingering meals. “The true spirit of the home happens over moments like these,” she says. “I love seeing that the candles have been used. It means people gathered here and connected. We are now buying candles and many goods wholesale.”
Pictured above: Flocca European Linen Pillowcase in Floss. Pictured below: Flocca European Linen Pillowcase in Azzura. 
In summer, life moves outdoors. Breakfasts stretch around an expansive teak table covered in potted plants and flowers. “We want every alfresco meal to feel like a garden party.” A few yards away, a Danish table rests beneath an apple grove. Chairs and benches scatter across the land – tucked behind hydrangea bushes, circled around fire pits, hidden near the greenhouse — waiting to be found. “It thrills me to look out the window and see a friend writing at the round table under the hemlock tree. Or to sit with a friend, catching up by the pond. Furniture is for these moments.”
Argyll is deeply seasonal, presenting unique experiences throughout the year. In autumn and winter, the home turns inward. Gem-toned upholstery and richly patterned wallpapers glow against exposed stone, timber beams, and original wood floors, creating a cocoon of warmth. Upstairs, the bedrooms echo the landscape, with warm rusts and muted golds evoking autumnal foliage, while soft blues and dusky pinks mirror spring skies.
Every room carries a family name from her father’s side. “Beatrice and I grew up with our mom’s extended Cuban family under one roof,” Deirdre says. “This project with Dad reconnected us to his world. When we purchased the home, he was navigating a divorce and cancer treatment. Now that he’s retired, we’re beginning to collect stories from his worldly travels and art. This project was a fresh start to a new family chapter.”
In the Great Room, a batik tapestry from Indonesia hangs above an Italian maralunga chair, opposite a Hindu painting from Bali, depicting a battle of Hanuman. “Mixing pieces we love with the quirky art and objects from Dad is where the unexpected and exciting design results emerged. That layering is precisely what makes a place feel like home.”
Harwinton itself provides a fitting backdrop, with architecture dating back to the 18th century and a storied agrarian history. The town is surrounded by villages imbued with New England charm and town greens typical of early British settlers. Guests can hike nearby preserves, visit the cider mill, or comb through antique shops and thrift stores where many of Argyll’s own treasures were sourced.
Visit the website and follow @argyll.house.
Credits
Flowers: @lejardinflowerfarm
Photography: @awmjones
