To create a successful second outpost of the Delamar hotel in Connecticut, without the luxury of the first’s harbor-side location in Greenwich, the owners knew they needed a hook. The idea: turn a distressed property in Southport into a designer showcase.

“Each person was asked to bring something different,” says designer Samantha Knapp, who was brought in by her residential client and Delamar Southport owner/operator, Charles Mallory. “I wanted to do something bright and whimsical.”

Knapp, from local firm Tiger Lily’s, created two extended-stay junior suites and one governor suite, in the 45-room boutique hotel, located in a New England-style building.

“It’s fun. As a designer you always have your hands on everything,” says Knapp. “Residentially I have to adhere to the taste of my client, so this was an opportunity to play and do what I want to do. The client was looking for this out of the box design for an area of town that doesn’t really play to eclectic crowds.”

And out of the box she went: flea market finds and one-off pieces mix with rich colors, textures, and prints ranging from lodge-style plaid to leopard and bold damask. A custom tufted headboard with matching bed skirt give a fairytale feel to one of the master bedrooms; fuchsia hummingbird wallpaper wraps one of the bathrooms, while a snakeskin print wraps another, and an antique dim sum carrier gets new life as a towel holder; old ceiling tiles become wall accessories and a powder-puff blue tufted ottoman acts as a coffee table in the living rooms; and hand-painted Chinese characters of prosperity, peace, love, and harmony make formal dining chairs fun in one kitchen/dining area, while bamboo and glass create natural dining in the other.

“I really tried to mix affordable with high-end custom pieces,” says Knapp. “I do like to personally shop it.”