ike so many others, during the pandemic, Kristen Adamo’s work life disappeared. For the president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2020’s lockdown order was staggering for someone at the helm of the non-profit responsible for luring conventions to two cities and promoting the state’s capital as a tourism destination. With most of her staff laid off, Adamo went into overdrive to keep things afloat by doing interviews, penning op-eds, leading initiatives, and in the process, becoming a regional Twitter sensation with her ‘round-the-clock insights and quips. Mastering the art of baking
sourdough bread wasn’t an escape for the vigorous Adamo, but browsing real estate listings was.
“I saw this house and immediately reached out to my friend Christina Rosciti, who is a realtor. I didn’t even look at another house; it came out of a need to focus on something else,” says Adamo who was immediately besotted with a property in Warwick built in 1883 to function as the neighborhood library. “I went to journalism school and am an avid writer and reader so this house really spoke to me,” she shares. Period details include 14-foot ceilings, two fireplaces, and open areas, but it was the built-in bookshelves, reading nooks, and spiral staircase that appealed to this bibliophile. “It looks like a regular house from the outside, but the main floor is a showstopper.”
Adamo explains that neglected overgrown shrubs and trees blocked light from entering the two-story three-bedroom Cape, causing her niece to think it looked a bit gloomy. “She said it looked like The Conjuring,” Adamo says with a chuckle, referencing the horror film based on a home in Burrillville. She confirms that tidying up the greenery “really brightened things up.”
“I think with a house like mine, where there is so much detail, you have to keep the decor minimal and let the house do the talking,” says Adamo, who notes that there are ample shelves filled with books still with library cards in their back page pockets, a librarian’s desk with a circa-1930s Underwood typewriter, a piano bench that holds sheet music from the 1940s and ‘50s, and a few school hand-crank pencil sharpeners in random places. To complement the inherited utilitarian objects, Adamo enjoys sourcing accents with nods to the house’s past, things like library card drink coasters and prints with people reading books in them. “For the most part, I try to let the house shine,” says Adamo. “Even after two years of living here, I am still in awe. Mostly, I just love being surrounded by books.”
Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.
“My job is to promote Providence and Warwick so you find little bits of both cities throughout the house, and I try to support local artists as best I can,” says Adamo, whose list includes TigerEye Gift Shop in Warwick, the Providence Art Club’s Annual Little Pictures Show and Sale, and Gather Glass Blowing Studio in Providence for ornaments. Artwork in her home includes pieces by Mike Cohea, Mike Bryce, Bert Crenca, Shepard Fairey, and Giraffes and Robots, and Jason Salvi.
“I have said it a million times but Warwick is the most underrated place in Rhode Island. There are 39 miles of coastline and some really gorgeous parks, and you have access to every kind of store you can think of – what’s not to love?” says the proud resident. Learn more at VisitWarwickRI.com
“While I don’t love Christmas, my niece does. She comes over every year and we bake dog treats as presents for our canine friends. We put on holiday pajamas and she plays that awful Mariah Carey song on repeat. Over the years, more people have joined us and it’s turned into a mini party. My family also opens our presents by the fireplace on Christmas Day. The funny part is that the house made me like Christmas just a little bit.”
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