March 1, 2026
By Jamie Marshall
Photographs John Gruen
Like a lot of people who find their way to northwestern Connecticut, interior designers Aidan Cassidy and Charles Teti of Cassidy & Teti Interiors first started coming to Litchfield County as weekenders, more than 30 years ago.
“We fell in love with the area and its beauty, and in particular Salisbury,” recalls Teti, who spent much of his career as a menswear designer. When COVID hit, they pulled up stakes in New York City and moved here full time. They bought a place in Salisbury, and that series of decisions led to a “Eureka!” moment. “As we settled into the area, we recognized there was a potential business opportunity,” says Teti. Specifically, a guesthouse that would combine the space and amenities of a home with the style, luxury, and plentiful towels of your favorite boutique hotel.
In 2021, they bought a simple building on Academy Street just off Main Street, and set about bringing their vision to life. Working with a local builder, they took the building down to the studs and rebuilt from the ground up. “It was an antique house at one time,” says Cassidy, “and was definitely in need of some love.”
The driving force behind 9 Academy was twofold. “We wanted to be able to offer something new and fresh—we were very cognizant of not repeating what was already in the market,” says Teti. “At the same time, we were very cautious and careful to make it feel like you are still in rural Connecticut.”
They opened in 2023 and, judging by the response, they have succeeded. The property comprises three spacious guest suites, each with its own private entry and outdoor space (the first-floor Garden Suite has a—yes—small garden). The second-floor Parlor Suite has a reading nook, and a set of stairs to its own green space. The third-floor Loft Suite has a private terrace with a view of the village.
Light-filled and airy, each suite has an open floor plan for easy flow, a fully equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, and dreamy Le Labo bath products.
But what really sets 9 Academy apart is the thoughtful design. The decor and finishes throughout have a sleek sophisticated feel: limewashed walls and ceilings, bleached oak floors, Belgian flat-weave area rugs, Italian matte ceramic tile with underfloor heating in the bathrooms, and draperies and custom bedding made of flax linen. Furnishings and
accessories are done in a neutral palette of taupe, cream, and khaki.
As former weekenders, Cassidy and Teti have gone to great pains to ensure their guests know about all the area highlights. The check-in/check-out process is easy and efficient thanks to contactless arrival and keyless entry. Communication is primarily by email and text. “It’s the way people communicate today. We learned pretty quickly how to walk the line between outreach and respecting their privacy,” says Cassidy. “In a nutshell, we are a guest house for the modern traveler.” —9Academy.com
