The visual language of the house is elegant and multifaceted , a scheme that says less about individual aesthetic movements and more about their collector .
“ She mixed everything up : Art Deco , Asian ,” says Maceroni , adding that her mother also collected work by regional artists including Phillip Richards , Emma Swan and Bill Hall . She sourced art and antiques from the Providence Art Club , Rustigian Rugs , Leonard ’ s Antiques and long-ago Hope Street mainstays , the King ’ s Ransom Antiques and Preamble Antiques , which were owned by close friends .
In nearly every room , stained and leaded glass add color , texture and privacy . Neville insisted on wrought iron for many of the windows , a protective measure that kept his beloved wife safe long after his death in 1990 .
Beauty was a major factor in the home ’ s design , but function was equally important . Over the years , an in-law apartment — originally built for her mother-in-law — accommodated visiting opera singers , interim presidents for area nonprofits and other luminaries . The home was also the site of fundraising galas , birthday parties and other community events . Maceroni recalls an anecdote from one such extravaganza , where then- Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci tried to convince Norma to sell the place to him .
“ She just emerged herself in this culture and circle of people who loved beautiful things ,” says Maceroni .
BELOW : Gold-veined granite in the “ hers ” bathroom was sourced from Kenneth Castellucci and Associates , a cousin with a quarry in Italy . The sink basin is hand-painted gold . Reflected in the mirrors above the bathtub is another mural by J . A . Rensch .
BOTTOM : In the bedroom , Norma deployed Asian panels for a headboard and footed the bed with an antique Korean chest . The wallpaper is silk moire . Inset photo is a sketch by the architect .
104 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2021