As you walk through the doors of the Sleeper-McCann House, it’s impossible not to feel the presence of Henry Davis Sleeper, the man who transformed this seaside home into a masterpiece of interior design. Long before the term ‘interior designer’ became common, Sleeper was pioneering the concept—crafting spaces not for practicality, but for the pure joy of aesthetics and beauty.
Henry was far ahead of his time, refusing to follow the traditional rules of design. For him, it wasn’t about the value of an object but the story it told and the feeling it evoked. It didn’t matter whether something came from a prestigious antique shop or a forgotten corner of a salvage yard. Sleeper believed in creating rooms that felt collected, layered with pieces that, together, formed a work of art. This philosophy is evident throughout the house, with items as varied as a grand exterior door from a mansion in Newport repurposed as an interior element, creating an unexpected but utterly charming effect.
From the moment Sleeper moved in, in 1907, his vision began to unfold. The house, originally a modest cottage of about 3,000 square feet, quickly expanded as Sleeper added room after room. At the time of his passing, his vision had grown the home to over 40 rooms and nearly 12,000 square feet, a sprawling testament to his creative genius. What’s more, the home was not just his sanctuary but a living showroom for his clients. As a highly in demand designer, Sleeper’s reputation drew prestigious clientele, from politicians to wealthy socialites, who would visit the house for inspiration. Each room became a canvas to showcase his visionary style, and clients would commission him to create similar atmospheres for their own homes.
Henry’s love for history and Americana is woven throughout the home, particularly in his admiration for George Washington. It’s hard to miss the nods to the first president, with Washington portraits and motifs displayed prominently in several rooms. But it’s never overdone. Like everything else in Sleeper’s design, it feels natural, as if George Washington had always belonged in this house on the edge of the sea.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Sleeper’s design was his masterful use of light. Throughout the home, you’ll find windows and mirrors carefully placed to catch and reflect the light, creating different moods depending on the time of day. Whether it’s the way the sunlight floods the room through the grand window overlooking the Atlantic or how a well-placed mirror brings more light into a cozy corner, Henry understood that light itself was a design element. His ability to manipulate it transformed each room, making the house feel alive and ever-changing. The play of light and shadow was integral to his vision, casting a warm glow that highlighted the beauty of each carefully chosen piece.
His ability to source from random, unexpected places made the house a treasure trove of design ingenuity. The house contains relics from far and wide, like architectural elements from decaying homes, creating a kind of patchwork that somehow feels cohesive. And while some rooms exude a more formal feel, others are whimsical and playful, echoing Sleeper’s own personality and love for theatrics.
As Sleeper added onto the house, the design evolved with him, reflecting his changing tastes and inspirations. The rooms aren’t merely decorated; they are fully realized environments that make you want to linger, to take in every detail. Each time you think you’ve seen it all, there’s a new surprise—whether it’s a sun drenched conservatory or a cozy, wood paneled study. The house is not only a home but a living, breathing canvas that Sleeper kept painting over the years.
After Sleeper’s tragic death, it passed into the hands of a wealthy woman named Helena Woolworth McCann, who purchased it in 1934. It’s a testament to Sleeper’s vision that she left much of the house exactly as he had designed it, preserving the rooms as if they were pieces of art themselves. McCann, who shared Sleeper’s love for beauty and design, recognized the brilliance in his work and chose to honor it, leaving behind a home that remains an enduring legacy of Sleeper’s unique approach to design.
The Sleeper-McCann House remains one of the finest examples of early American interior design, and its charm lies in the fact that it was created by someone who saw beauty in everything. Henry Davis Sleeper didn’t just design a house—he created a world where imagination knew no bounds, and every object, no matter its origin, had a place in the story. Walking through the rooms today, you feel as if you’re not just visiting a house, but stepping into Sleeper’s mind, a place where history, whimsy, light, and beauty all coexisted effortlessly.
