Inspired by my husband’s wish to go out for an afternoon tea, I made a reservation at Belden House and Mews. There are other options in Litchfield Hills, but I chose it for its ambiance. Afternoon tea is as delicious as it looks, with crustless tea sandwiches and scones elegantly arranged on a three-tiered cake stand, and a choice of tea from The Pursuit of Tea.

Belden House was built in 1888 in a blend of Victorian styles popular during the Gilded Age (1870-1890), such as revival colonial and Queen Anne styles. The house features spires, a hip roof, conical gabled pavilions, Doric plasters, decorative fireplace mantels, stained-glass windows, parquet floors, and window seats, all beautifully restored. The interior design was completed in collaboration with internationally renowned Champlimaud Design. Anthony Champlimaud is the owner of the inn, and his mother, Alexandra Champlimaud, is the founder and president of Champlimaud Design.

The living room features an original tile fireplace surround of pale yellow rectangular tiles. Curiously enough, I have seen the same tile as a fireplace surround at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York, New York. The parquet floor in the living room was minimally restored. In addition to necessity, distinctive and whimsical lighting adds interest to the inn’s interiors. The chandelier and sconces in the living room are original to the house, and once the tarnish was removed, they discovered that the fixtures were silver. The bar features a whimsical ceramic cheetah lamp base with a fringed lampshade. In the library, a stunning white silk multi-tiered Fortuny pendant (made by Venetia Studium in Venice, Italy) takes center stage.

The interiors are inviting, and the subtle earth-tone color scheme with green accents starts in the living room, with a green bullion fringe at the bottom of the banquette, and the color green expands in the dining room with the green upholstered chairs and the locally sourced fireplace surround from Bantam Tile. The color leads our eye to a dramatic pop of vibrant green-coated walls in the bar.

We were back for lunch and returned for happy hour. My husband ordered a tiny tini, while I chose an Elderflower Spritz (a mocktail)—so refreshing, I did not miss the alcohol. In addition to our refreshments, we devoured a plate of oysters from Prince Edward Island and Blue Moon oysters from Long Island. These enjoyable visits had me imagining a stay with my family in the spacious third-floor Penthouse: three bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, a living room, kitchenette, and terrace—a true home away from home. For a solo getaway, I would pick room 101 with its working fireplace, bay windows with original stained glass, and a perfect spot to write. In the summer, I would swim and lounge by the pool. Room decor in the mews offers a youthful vibe with midcentury flair, with some rooms featuring terraces. Residents might consider exploring pool and lawn memberships.

A dabble of Litchfield’s history

In 1715, acreage that became the town of Litchfield was purchased from the Potatucks, a Native-American tribe in Western Connecticut, with the stipulation that they would retain land sufficient for their hunting houses. It is the only known colonial-era Native American settlement in Litchfield County.

Some notable residents of Litchfield were Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and William Grimes, the self-described runaway slave. Litchfield is the home to America’s first law school, the Tapping Reeve House, which was founded in 1784. Interestingly enough, ammunition was made in Litchfield in 1776 with the remains of a toppled and broken-up lead base equestrian statue of King George III from Bowling Green, New York.

Summering in Litchfield, like Newport, Rhode Island (though less grand), and in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, may have started in the Gilded Age and continues to thrive. Year-round residents who are amenable to a New England winter enjoy the snow, possibly ice fishing, and skiing.

A quick walk in near Belden House and Mews, you will find Milton Market in Litchfield, a home furnishings store with the occasional class. I walked in on such, and it was okay as the store was open for business during the class. The Green Vase, a paper flower art studio that makes and sells floral arrangements made out of paper, such as potted Geraniums, Venus Fly Traps and bouquets. Students were creating their own paper bouquets. It looked like such a fun activity.

A twenty-minute drive to Washington Depot, you can discover George Home, a home furnishings store and art gallery featuring unique art by one of the owners, Greg Domres. Domres has taken the humble pipe cleaner and elevated it to make his woven art. It brings a smile to my face to see a material we only thought of as children’s play made into art. Some of Domres' subjects range from a Los Angeles skyline to a shimmery disco ball and white trees. On your way back via Route 202 to Litchfield, you can pop into Bantam Tile and go next door to Arethusa for an ice cream. Bring your freezer bag so you can bring back some of their award-winning cheeses, Europa (Aged Gouda), Mt. Tom and Arethusa Blue.