October issue 2015 25A Magazine Design team Denise Renfret and Missy Renfret Minicucci mix modern with traditional and the result is undeniably perfect.

1. October 2015 | 45| 25A www.25Amagazine.com44
design
25A
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alking into The Rinfret Group design studio late one August
afternoon was a breath of fragrant, fresh air. A delicious
candle permeated the room, and it was perfect for the
late-summer season. Not too much, not too little. Simply,
undeniably perfect.
Meeting Denise Rinfret and Missy Rinfret Minicucci, the creative duo of
The Rinfret Group was also a breath of fresh air. Denise, beautiful, blonde,
sun-kissed tanned, and the mom of this mother/daughter collaboration,
greeted me at her office door with a genuine, welcoming warmth and I
immediately felt right at home. Missy, her daughter, gorgeous and blonde,
wearing a classic shift the color of a yummy orange popsicle, entered
the office from another room, glowing with vivacious energy. It is at once
apparent that both these ladies have impeccable style, but what is also so
evidently striking is their graceful presence.
Denise Rinfret has been designing for twenty-five years. She grew up in
Manhattan and attended high school in New York City. Her father took
her to art classes at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and they toured all
the museums together as she was growing up. Her cultured childhood
influenced her tastes in art and fashion. As we chatted, Denise spoke
fondly and softly of her wonderful relationship with her father. Her dad
passed on recently, and like any loving daughter, she is devastated. Denise
keeps a beautiful, timeless black and white photograph of herself with her
father, sitting on her desk directly beside her computer screen so her dad
is always in her eye’s view.
Denise Rinfret describes The Rinfret Group style as an elegant and refined
look. The lines are clean, with tailored upholstery and classic furniture
pieces. Denise has been featured in The New York Times, Newsday,
and many publications such as House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Better
Homes & Gardens, House and Gardens, and Distinction Magazine, winning
the Designer of Distinction Award from the latter publication in both 2000
and 2007. Better Homes & Gardens has referred to Denise Rinfret as a
“rising star” and as a “designer worth watching.” She has also contributed
to design books Decorating On A Dime and Breaking The Rules. Denise
has appeared on Good Morning America and her Hamptons Designer
Showcase Kitchen was featured on LNBC’s LX New York. Her kitchen
in the Inspired Designs Showcase was featured in November 2009, and
Traditional Home Magazine has named the The Rinfret Group as notable
designers in 2010, 2012, and 2015.
The Rinfret GroupDefines Luxurious Living
By Carla Hall D’Ambra | Photos by Alan Barry Photography
Missy, who could quite possibly be a Lilly Pulitzer muse, or a J. Crew
catalog model, and the other half of the Rinfret design team, describes
The Rinfret Group style as traditional with a modern twist and a sense
of humor. “We love beautiful, traditional lines and classic decor, but we
don’t take ourselves too seriously,” laughs Missy Minicucci.
Missy Rinfret Minicucci spent her childhood immersed in the design world.
She spent her weekends at design showcase houses and weekdays
with her mom, Denise, in New York City at the D&D Building and at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her grandfather was an architect and put
a pencil in Missy’s hand, teaching her to draw, so it was assumed that
Missy would indeed follow her mom’s path in the interior design world.
While studying at Fairfield, Missy interned in finance, and worked for
a hedge fund in Greenwich. She found herself daydreaming about
being in the studio with her mother working on design projects, so
she decided to take some time off and help with her mom’s design
business. Missy became so passionate about design that she enrolled
in New York School of Interior Design and she never looked back.
After design school, Missy worked on her own, first with a Manhattan
designer, and for the luxury Italian furniture company, B&B Italia, as well
as the renowned fabric company, Cowton & Tout. Missy’s influence is
Mario Buatta, and after working in the design world on her own, she
feels right at home working with her mother and bringing in young, fun
New York City clients.
The Rinfret Group has a distinguished list of clientele in Manhattan, Long
Island and Connecticut. They have worked with Nancy Shevell, aka Mrs.
Paul McCartney, Frank Pellegrino of the famous Manhattan restaurant
Rao’s, and they recently did the Manhattan penthouse of shipping
executive Doris Ho. Denise and Missy do large-scale projects and they
also do design work on studio apartments. Their clients are business
executives, notable stars, as well as local neighbors. The Rinfret Group
has a modern but classic approach to their work and their rooms are
highly identifiable as a Rinfret room.
Denise and Missy are currently working on a design project for the
Ronald McDonald House. As we discuss the project, both women are
animated and excited. “We love doing projects such as this, said Denise,
“and we believe in the mission of the Ronald McDonald House.” As
Missy shows me the idea board for the project, she speaks sweetly of
the creative choices they’ve made for the room. And like everything else
about The Rinfret Group, it’s not too much, and it’s undeniably perfect.
DeniseRinfretandMissyRinfretMinicucci,thecreativeduoofTheRinfretGroup