INNOVATION IN DESIGN AWARDS
Tugendhat™ Chair designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from Knoll®
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF DESIGN
Join us at our new, larger home in the historic Library Building at 1 Main Street in downtown Westport as we celebrate our 10-year anniversary. Similar to our locations in NYC, East Hampton, and Miami, the showroom is curated as a livable home, showcasing our full collection of closets, storage systems, kitchens, bath fixtures, indoor and outdoor furniture, decorative and architectural lighting, and rugs, as well as accessories.
Discover the ultimate destination for luxury finishes at Best Plumbing Tile & Stone in Stamford! Explore a stunning range of Kohler products, from sleek faucets to elegant tubs and fixtures, all designed to elevate your home. Step into our showroom to experience the unmatched quality, innovative designs, and timeless finishes that Kohler is known for, curated for you to see and feel in person. Visit Best Plumbing Tile & Stone in Stamford and browse the exceptional Kohler collections, inspiring your next project. Your perfect finish awaits! Stamford 1989 West Main Street, Stamford, CT Phone: 203-975-9448
WOODLAND PARTNERS
A boutique design/build firm serving lower Fairfield County
In collaboration with Studio Cabida. Photo by Ori Harpaz.
The Best CT Design
WDJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com
elcome to the 17th CTC&G Innovation in Design Awards (IDAs) issue. The IDAs were created to celebrate the breadth of great work of design professionals in our state, and we have published more than 350 projects, launched many careers and discovered many innovative products. ■ Each year, reviewing all the entries is always a bit surprising. Often you see projects from designers you don’t know or something different from someone you do know. I always hope for a huge number of entries, but honestly, I prefer quality over quantity. This year, I was amazed by some of the entries, and that always makes the process exciting. ■ As you all know, the IDAs are judged by professionals. I have always felt that it is more meaningful to be judged by your peers. This year I would like to thank architect Joeb Moore; interior designers Jamie Drake, Wesley Moon and Matthew Patrick Smyth; garden designer Wambui Ippolito; and kitchen designer Sarah Robertson. Opinions this year varied greatly and lots of discussion followed. These are the moments I wish I could share, since often these designers see what I don’t! Our product category judging was just as chatty as local interior designers discussed the merits of using a product. Again, it was a memorable and useful conversation for an editor to hear. My thanks go to Lis Arcos, Karen Bow, Meghan De Maria, William Lyon, Elena Phillips and Liz Slutzky. Thank you all for being such an important part of the IDAs. ■ This year, the recipient of the CTC&G 2024 Innovator Award is the person writing this letter! I am beyond thrilled to join the list of past Innovators and am truly honored. While I am not a designer, architect or landscape designer or builder, I am an editor who creates inspiration and awareness of the design industry in our state. I like to think that I was the first editor to create a magazine with a sophisticated design focus for Connecticut. I am proud of the work I have accomplished with my team and with all of you. Thank you so much for this honor.
And The IDA Goes To… The annual Innovation in Design Awards celebrate top design in Connecticut with top three winners in each category receiving acrylic Plexi-Craft trophies.
Unlock Your Brand’s True Potential
A Year of Design
The year 2024 has been a stellar one in design, with CTC&G showcasing a plethora of exciting projects and innovations. A standout moment was the transformative “203 Project” at the Darien Community Association. Here, a group of 18 designers—plus numerous sponsors— revitalized the historic building, marrying modern aesthetics with its storied past. This year also featured the launch of Thom Filicia’s exquisite designs for Accurate Lock & Hardware, marking another high point in contemporary design. ■ The highlight of the year was undoubtedly the Innovation in Design Awards (IDAs) held in Greenwich. This prestigious event celebrated the best in design, where winners received their trophies and accolades for their visionary contributions. Following the awards—and timed for the day that the December issue reaches Connecticut—a special winners’ circle luncheon will be hosted at Valbella by Waterware. In the past, this gathering has been particularly memorable as it’s the first time all winners meet and see the published issue featuring their work. Winners eagerly peruse the magazine, delighted to see their projects and stories come to life in print. ■ It is only fitting that we conclude the year with extensive coverage of the 2024 Innovation in Design Awards, presented by Design Within Reach. This issue not only highlights the outstanding achievements in our field, but also sets the stage for the innovative paths we will explore in the future.
Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director mhowatson@candg.com
Representing the Ring’s End WE DESIGN CT Class of 2025, these four local designers are raising the bar in interior design while celebrating Connecticut with inspired spaces.
Katie Canfield Studio KC Interiors
Fiona Leonard Fiona Leonard Interiors
Melissa Muszynski MBM Designs
Merrin Jones Merrin Jones Interiors
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
CATRIONA BRANCA
DECEMBER 2024
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & PUBLICATION DIRECTOR MARIANNE HOWATSON
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DJ CAREY
SENIOR EDITOR
MARY FITZGERALD
ART DIRECTOR
KRISTEN HOGE
EDITOR AT LARGE SHARON KING HOGE
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
SHELBY NINE-DURSO
PROOFREADER ANNETTE ROSE-SHAPIRO
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LYDIA MATTSON
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS SHERI DE BORCHGRAVE, ANN LOYND BURTON, DIANE DI COSTANZO, HELEN KLISSER DURING, EVA HAGBERG, ANN KAISER, JAMIE MARSHALL, TOVAH MARTIN, DAVID MASELLO, MINDY PANTIEL, HARRIET MAYS POWELL, ALEXA STEVENSON, SUSAN TAMULEVICH
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JANE BEILES, JULIE BIDWELL, WILLIE COLE, TRIA GIOVAN, JOHN GRUEN, HULYA KOLABAS, NEIL LANDINO JR., TIM LENZ, ELLEN MCDERMOTT, READ MCKENDREE, ANASTASSIOS MENTIS, MARCO RICCA, EMILY SIDOTI, RIKKI SNYDER
C&G MEDIA GROUP
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IDA Winners
CTC&G is proud to present the winners of our 17th Innovation in Design Awards. These individuals embody the future of design in each of their fields.
DOUGLAS
ANDREW BARTOLOTTA
SUBSCRIBE
December 2024
FROM
GREENWICH TO RIDGEFIELD
Place a bid in at the 5th Annual Festival of Tabletop Trees at the Greenwich Historical
Society. Local retailers, organizations and designers will handcraft and decorate stunning tabletop trees, available for viewing and bidding via an on-site silent auction. Celebrate the creativity of those who help make our homes festive sanctuaries during the holiday season. Don’t miss your chance to take home a beautifully decorated tree! Greenwich Historical Society, Cos Cob. December 4–6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and December 7, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information, visit greenwichhistory.org.
ALL AGES DISCOVERY TOUR
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum invites you to a free, interactive, family-friendly tour of its current exhibitions. Led by a museum educator, this guided tour is perfect for all ages and provides a welcoming space for anyone eager to explore contemporary art. Whether you're new to modern art or simply looking to deepen your understanding, this tour offers an engaging, judgment-free experience. The Aldrich, Ridgefield. Saturday, December 21, 1–2 p.m. For more information, visit thealdrich.org.
The Newcomers Club of New Canaan invites you to its festive Victorian Holiday Gala! Join us for an elegant evening of seasonal food and cocktails, live performances and delightful surprises. Celebrate the season in a stunning venue, as Waveny House transforms into a magical Victorian setting, complete with beautiful holiday decor. Mingle with guests in their finest attire and immerse yourself in the charm of live entertainment and holiday cheer. Waveny House, New Canaan. Friday, December 20, 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. For more information visit ncnc.memberclicks.net.
Introducing The Gault Collection
The Gault Collection features custom designed exterior porcelain pavers that reflect the texture, movement and pattern of some of our most popular natural stones adding a whole new dimension in outdoor design.
Innovative Products
We invited a panel of area designers—Elena Phillips, Karen Bow, Lis Arcos, Liz Slutsky, Meghan
De Maria and William Lyon—to judge the IDAs category of product design. They selected their top 10 picks from a list of finalists, choosing the products they felt best exemplified innovative design. In addition, CTC&G readers voted on their favorite product on cottagesgardens.com
BY MARY FITZGERALD
LESS IS MORE
The minimalist design of the Kohler Components faucet is now available in a kitchen model. Offered in a variety of finishes, the fixture flaunts an innovative sweep spray providing a forceful blade of water for cleaning. The swing spout and bar faucets include a two-function aerator that allow users to switch from an aerated stream to a soft rinse spray for delicate glassware or food prep. Pricing starts at $86, available through Kohler Signature Stores, Westport, Greenwich, kohler.com.
winner
WISE CHOICE
Interior designer Douglas Graneto designed a one-of-a-kind fire screen for his client. Working with Wiseman Studio, the screen features iconography relevant to the family, including a watchful owl. A brass inlaid and marble surround is made of Fior Di Pesco marble, sourced from Point Rock Surfaces. Price upon request, douglasgraneto.com, dwiseman.com.
OPEN-DOOR POLICY
Lunetta by Studio KC for Stamford’s Accurate Lock & Hardware combines form and function in a bespoke design which is also ADA compliant. The custom half-moon shape—in a hand-hammered finish—can stand alone or be paired to form a full, harmonious circle. Price as shown, $3,531, available through Door Hardware and Restoration, doorhardwareandrestoration.com
BRICK LAYER
The handformed brick profile of Dutch Quality Stone’s manufactured stone veneer is crafted with rich dimensons and intricate variations. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, each brick lends a unique, textural depth to walls in a choice of three colorways: Snowpack, Quail Grey and Coal Crest, shown here. Price upon request, dutchqualitystone.com.
LOUNGING IN STYLE
The Amalfi hammock by Lujo Living is ideal for relaxing indoors or out. The modern simplicity of the hammock is handcrafted in New Zealand and achieved in a textural Mokum Ostuni outdoor fabric woven in Italy. Offered in 11 curated color combinations inspired by Mediterranean summers, optional extras include a head pillow and a lush padded layer base. Pricing starts at $995, lujoliving.com.
WATER COLORS
Alicia Sands Tiberio of Dorset & Pond Design has created a line of wallcoverings and fabrics based on her handpainted watercolors. The pattern, Into the Weeds, shown here was recently featured in the Darien Community Association 203 Project showhouse. to the trade only, dorsetandponddesign.com.
The Skye furniture collection is crafted in Tom Faulkner’s Wiltshire, UK, workshop. Stainless-steel sheets are meticulously shaped into seven distinct pieces, suitable for indoor or outdoor placement. The base of the Skye dining table, shown here, is made of a perfectly formed ellipse held safely within an amorphous outer shape. The glass top echoes the cloud-like design of the base.
JEWEL TONES
Outfitting the bath with jewelry-inspired luxury, Kallista’s 002 faucet and shower collection is
ROCK FORMATION
Cappadocia Sunset, part of Neolith’s Classtone Collection, is inspired by the rocky formations shaped by volcanic eruptions in central Turkey’s Cappadocia region. The lightweight sintered stone surface is created under intense pressure and heat which bonds the natural crushed stone for a hard, durable and versatile surface. Slabs start at $13 per square foot, neolith.com.
WINE CELLAR
All the Details—a manufacturer and installer of custom steel, aluminum and bronze windows and doors— collaborated with the Vulcan Development Group on the concept and construction of this lower-level wine wall. The unit can accommodate and cool more than 600 bottles in a climate-controlled environment with thermally insulated glass. $30,000, vulcandevelopmentgroup.com, atdetails.com.
Buzzworthy
Cool & Curated
The former creative director of fashion label House of Holland, Henry Holland discovered another creative outlet in ceramics. Practicing the Japanese art of Nerikomi, Holland stacks, folds and rolls multicolored layers of clay to create graphic patterns. In addition to clay work, Holland now has a collection of fabric and wallpapers with Harlequin. The collaboration marries Harlequin’s mastery of color and Holland’s organic style. The fluid forms of Holland’s earthenware and Harlequin’s archival designs are translated into textural wovens, embroideries and wallpapers. “This collection is a tactile, textural play of earthy tones that packs a punch,” says Holland. “There are so many ways to interpret it. It’s a rich and sumptuous range that I know people are going to love.” harlequin.sandersondesigngroup.com.
CATCH SOME ZZZs
Built on the principle that everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, Saatva has been a leader in the direct-to-consumer, luxury mattress category. Now, with a new brickand-mortar shop in Westport, you can try out their five best-in-class categories— innerspring, ultra-premium memory foam, all-natural latex, latex hybrid and adjustable air—to determine which sleep solution is just right for you. In addition to Saatva’s eco-friendly mattresses, the shop sells mattress toppers, pillows and bed linens. Saatva’s CEO Ron Rudzin, a 30-year resident of Westport, notes, “We’re thrilled to open Saatva’s first freestanding retail location in one of Connecticut’s most exclusive waterfront communities. An extension of our online presence, it’s another way to experience our commitment to delivering white-glove customer service and madeto-order, premium mattresses that don’t come in a box.” 888 Post Rd. E., Westport, saatva.com.
POST NOTES
With offices in Brooklyn, NY, and Jackson, WY, multidisciplinary studio Post Company has expanded its design reach to Connecticut. While sheltering in Litchfield County with his family during the pandemic, Post Company’s cofounding partner Jou-Yie Chou fell in love with the area. “Lakeville and its incredible surroundings immediately sparked my interest in culture and lifestyle, and I knew this was a place where I could hang my hat both professionally and personally,” says Chou. The newest showroom speaks to the firm’s ethos of welcoming simplicity and refined style. Lighting and furnishings are Post Company creations with Roll & Hill, and the upholstery hails from the firm’s partnership with SixPenny. “Our hope is that our spaces evolve, live and breathe, outlasting changing tastes and shifting trends,” says Chou. “The charm of Lakeville from its culturally bountiful communities to its well-protected environment embraces this vision.” Open by appointment only, 350 Main St., Lakeville, postcompany.co.
NEW EDITIONS
Aligning with tastemaker brand Goop and its founder/CEO Gwyneth Paltrow for a second round, CB2 presents 25 new pieces.
Inspired by Parisian apartments and mid-century Italian modernist furniture, the grouping spans furniture, lighting, décor and tabletop categories in a mix of sophisticated materials and classical lines, all designed to elevate everyday living. “The assortment feels collected and will age beautifully over time,” says CB2 President Ryan Turf. Paltrow adds, “At Goop, we bring beauty into all aspects of our consumers’ lives. In our view, beauty comes from individuality and refinement, and that’s what we infused into every detail of this collection. These are heirloom pieces to treasure. We leaned into complex materiality— plaster, shearling, lacquer—for a collection that is as elegant and grown up as it is daring.” cb2.com.
Going Platinum
KNOWN FOR ITS RARITY, RESILIENCE AND VERSATILITY, PLATINUM IS NOW INSPIRING JEWELERS TO CREATE INNOVATIVE DESIGNS
BY HARRIET MAYS POWELL
Harry Winston’s Secret Combination diamond necklace, set in platinum, which can be worn in seven different configurations. Price upon request, Harry Winston, NYC, harrywinston.com.
Platinum Born’s Dreamcatcher earrings, in brilliant-cut platinum beads. $1,746, platinumborn.com.
Van’s Le Cube Diamant platinum and diamond stud earrings. $2,030, Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, NYC, saks.com.
Dinh
Marei New York’s platinum and diamond Pythia Serpentine Twist cuff bracelet. $12,800, mareinewyork.com.
Sig Ward’s platinum and diamond Orbis Cascade earrings. $8,000, sigwardjewelry.com.
platinum and diamond Aquarius Constellation $3,470, Broken English, NYC, jessieve.com.
Shahla Karimi’s Zaha cluster deep curve ring in platinum with diamonds. $2,260 shahlakarimi.com.
Big DEEDS DON’TS
DEALS
This year has been a big one for Connecticut real estate, especially the fall selling season, which launched just as interest rates dropped for the first time since 2020. To celebrate, we’re closing out 2024 with a handful of really big deals, involving notable names and amazing estates—some with correspondingly top-shelf price tags. Here’s hoping that 2025 is rich and rewarding for all of us.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY ESTATES
The biggest of the big deals is in Darien, popping onto the market during the World Series playoffs—relevant because the homeowner, Todd Boehly, is part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Billionaire Boehly, who is CEO of a Greenwich-based investment firm, commissioned Louise Brooks of Brooks & Falotico to reimagine and greatly expand the estate, which started life as a handsome, circa-1937 manse. The now 10,197-square-foot
Let The Games Begin Equipped with a field house featuring a pool, a batting cage, a bowling alley and more, this 9.5-acre property lists for $19 million with Ashley Mayhew Dineen of Compass in Darien. 203-253-9616.
main house retains its vintage charms, while offering such modern amenities as a sauna and a wine room, along with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. But the real story is the property’s 8,000-plus-square-foot, two-story field house (featured in April 2016 CTC&G ) built on its own 2.5-acre lot, which boasts a 10-bed bunk room, a locker room, an indoor batting cage, a bowling alley and a resistance pool and lounge. There’s a second, more spa-like pool with a pool house and a terrace, accessed from the main house through a gorgeous enclosed garden. The 9.5-acre property is offered for $19 million by Ashley Mayhew Dineen of Compass.
In nearby New Canaan, a sprawling, newly listed estate has a mysterious past. It was built in 1937 for copper-mine-heiress Huguette Clark as a safe haven in case the Cold War resulted in a Russian attack on New York City, or so the story goes. Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and
FARM FRESH
A historic farm in New Canaan has been thoroughly refreshed, now offered as a 17.5-acre property featuring eight structures, including a modern, 7,000-square-foot farmhouse restored by Prutting + Company Custom Builders just last year. There’s also a beautifully renovated guest cottage, featuring a two-story great room. An adjacent barn offers an indoor basketball court, while a two-story hobby house is ideal for an art studio or a writer’s cabin. The grounds, which have been tended by the same staff for more 30 years, feature both vegetable and flower gardens. It’s listed for $7,250,000 with Chau Ngo with the Jennifer Leahy Team at Douglas Elliman in New Canaan. 917-848-0341.
the Spending of a Great American Fortune was published in 2013, after the manse had been empty for some six decades. The eccentric Clark was hospitalized in Manhattan for the final 20 years of her life, refusing to leave the safety of her bed there. But the house fared better, purchased in 2014 by fashion designer Reed Krakoff and his wife Delphine, an interior designer. Abandonment can wreak havoc on a home, but this one, fortunately, was well maintained by a caretaker, the couple found. They invested a reported $14 million in the house and its 52-acre grounds, which offer a caretaker’s cottage, a 1,300-square-foot exercise pavilion, a pool and a tennis court. But the brought-back-to-life, French-style manor home is the star of this show. The interiors have the lush,
French Accents In New Canaan, this chic French-style estate sits on amazing 52-acre grounds. It lists for $25.5 million with Rob Johnson of Brown Harris Stevens in Greenwich. 203-979-2360.
Welcome Home In Ridgefield, a circa-1755 estate called Homewood is listed for $4,995,000 with Laura Ancona of William Pitt Sotheby’s International in Ridgefield. 203-733-7053.
tasteful appeal of a movie set—gorgeous art installations and impeccable styling, rendered in a pleasingly neutral palette of white and beige. There are more iconoclastic choices as well, in the all-white library and the charming kitchen with black-and-white floor tiles. It lists for $25.5 million with Rob Johnson of Brown Harris Stevens.
One of the oldest estates on the Connecticut market is a circa-1755 Colonial in Ridgefield. Called Homewood, the main house was purchased
in 1890 by prominent New York City banker George Haven, who commissioned the era’s most prestigious talent to both expand and restore the place. Elsie De Wolfe, for one, the society decorator, designed a 50-foot-long sunken ballroom. Another extensive renovation happened over the course of the past decade, resulting in the grand, nearly 13,000-square foot manse that’s now listed for $4,995,000. It opens with a back-to-front entry hall with a fireplace (one of eight) and ornately carved mahogany staircases. There are eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms and, on the 3.22-acre grounds, three carriages houses, a pool, a pool terrace and a pool house with a kitchen. Laura Ancona of William Pitt Sotheby’s International has the listing.
A COMPOUND IN THE COUNTRY
On nearly 25 acres in Washington, a 10,000-square-foot estate has popped onto the market, listed for $5.6 million. Called Stone Bridge, the Shingle-Style manse looks to be purpose-built for entertaining with amenities including a home theater, a game room, a wine cellar and two primary suites, one each on the first and second floors. That’s the fun stuff, but the thoughtfully built home also features an elevator servicing all three stories, a generator and a sophisticated security system. And on the grounds, there’s a tree-lined private drive, a pretty pool and terrace and park-like open lawn. It’s offered by the Kathryn Clair Team, affiliated with William Pitt Sotheby’s International. —Diane di Costanzo
Room To Roam
On 25 acres in Washington, this Shingle-Style manse is offered for $5.6 million by the Kathryn Clair Team, affiliated with William Pitt Sotheby’s International in Washington Depot. 203948-5255.
Season
An Unexpected Path
MEET THIS YEAR’S CTC&G INNOVATOR AWARD RECIPIENT, DJ CAREY | BY
Let’s start at the beginning. Where were you born, and where did you grow up? I was born in Bahrain and lived in the Canary Islands. We moved to the U.S. when I was five. Mom was a cultural anthropologist, and my dad was a geologist, head of the exploration group for a Caltex affiliate.
What does DJ stand for? It is the initials of my maiden name: Deborah James. My married name is Carey.
Was your first professional interest in journalism or design? It wasn’t a love for either! I studied anthropology and geography, following in my parents’ footsteps. I had decided to major in anthropology, but my mother and all her colleagues advised me not to pursue a career in it. Following in my sister’s footsteps, I enrolled in the Katherine Gibbs program for college graduates. The school got me a job at Conde Nast.
How did get hired there? I interviewed with the late editor Lou Gropp (House & Garden Guides) three times, and he didn’t hire me! But he suggested that I try Annette Johnson, the executive editor at House & Garden, and I started working for her in 1979. My role was making monthly presentations to the sales staff about upcoming features in the magazine, so that they could use the information to sell advertisements. I was allowed in the art department and got to know the features editors. In my zeal to organize images, I discovered a few boxes of film that had been missing and the news caught the ear of Alexander Lieberman, editorial director of Conde Nast. The images ended up being used for a special anniversary issue. This experience cemented my understanding of the importance of imagery.
What else from your childhood contributed to your editorial eye? My dad was also a painter and photographer. When I was a teenager, my dad and I would go out and take photos together. We would shoot the same landscape and then compare which was the better shot and why. These sessions really trained me to find the most interesting composition.
What else prepared you to be a design editor? be a decorating editor without a background in design left me feeling that I was a fake, so I went to NYSID to get a certificate at night to learn the history and the important elements of design.
Every issue of CTC&G offers page after page of design deliciousness. Do you personally prefer the modern or the traditional? I appreciate both. I love the graphic quality of a modern interior but am drawn more to the layered look of a traditional interior. I think it’s tougher to do well. The layering, complexity and joyfulness appeals to me.
What is the vibe of your home? A real mix! I love color, and you know it the minute you step into my house. I love pattern on pattern, color, texture. Red and yellow is abundant in my house. I collect Americana, tramp art, quilts. I spent a lot of time with a Southern quilt expert, and from her I learned so much and started collecting red
JAMIE DRAKE
and white quilts. The whimsical, childlike graphic quality of quilts enchants me. I would be hard pressed to live in a gray environment.
You are the Editorial Director for all the C&G magazines, as well as the Editor in Chief of CTC&G Do you ever find yourself befuddled as to where you are geographically design-wise? I would never be befuddled, because each area has a sense of place.
You’ve been with C&G now 20 years. What’s a favorite cover? My favorite CTC&G cover is November 2015. I have always been drawn to makers, and this cover and feature connects us to the process of how a beautiful rug is made from beginning to end.
What is your vision of the future of C&G? Honestly, I’ve always wanted to make the pages three-dimensional, and with AI that really might be possible in the near future. When you photograph or talk about a space there are often things that we have to leave out, as we have only limited space.
Do you find the time to read other design publications? Yes, I am obsessed with everything that’s out there, and I need to understand my competition. World of Interiors and Cabana are my top favorites.
If you weren’t an editor, what would you be? An anthropologist. It is still in my blood!
What’s your personal credo? Work hard and be curious.
In Living Color (clockwise across spread from far left) DJ Carey accepts her award at the 2024 IDA celebration. A photograph taken by teenaged Carey on an outing with her father. Carey’s yellow kitchen featured in Glidden magazine. A favorite cover from a photoshoot at Elizabeth Eakins’ farm. The colorful Canary Islands had an impact on the editor’s design aesthetic. Carey’s bathroom renovation embraced color and pattern.
Masterful architecture affords lake access, natural Light and eco-friendly materials to create a unique spatial rhythm
ridgefield, ct block island, ri west dover, vt dover, nh
panoramic
GARDEN DESIGN
KITCHEN DESIGN
INTERIOR DESIGN
BATH DESIGN
SMALL SPACE DESIGN
BUILDER RECOGNITION ARCHITECTURE
2024 WINNERS
This past October, CTC&G presented its 17th Innovation in Design Awards honoring outstanding projects in the categories of garden, kitchen, interior, bath and small space design, plus architecture and a special shout-out to builders. Our panel of judges—garden designer Wambui Ippolito; kitchen designer Sarah Robertson; interior designers Jamie Drake, Wesley Moon and Matthew Patrick Smyth; and architect Joeb Moore—pored over stacks of entries to select the best of the best in Connecticut. Read on for who took the top three spots in each category.
TEXT BY DAVID MASELLO
Wesley Stout Associates, Photograph by Neil Landino, Jr.
Haver & Skolnik Architects, Photograph by Robert Benson
Orrick & Company, Photograph by Ellen McDermott
Karen Bow Interiors, Photograph by Amy Vischio
Studio Bartolotta, Photograph by Andrew Bartolotta
Apex Projects, Photograph by Nicole Franzen
Studio Bartolotta, Photograph by Nicole Franzen
GARDEN DESIGN winner WESLEY STOUT ASSOCIATES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO, JR.
GARDEN DESIGN
winner WESLEY STOUT ASSOCIATES
Even Mother Nature has difficulty taming a river or softening the grade of a hillside, but the landscape architects at Wesley Stout Associates managed to not only change geography, but also improve upon it. A picturesque site along the Saugatuck River in Westport features a new stone entertainment barn and a revamped boathouse as part of a residential compound. A 40-foot grade between the two structures presented a challenge, but the team designed a series of walls and subtle grade changes that appear to effortlessly cascade down the slope. A seemingly floating staircase links the two buildings, while vaulting beds of native plantings not only look beautiful but also serve to stabilize the riverbank. Meanwhile, at the back of the barn, illuminated “lawn steps” wrap an outdoor kitchen. A series of terraces on the main area of the grounds contain green lawn areas encased in sharply edged concrete barriers. The existing hill has, indeed, been tamed, while the course of the river and the habitat along it remain honored. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO, JR.
finalist BROOK CLARK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
First impressions matter, even for homeowners who return again and again to their home. The land on which a new modern farmhouse sits in Ridgefield was a featureless parcel, so the designers at Brook Clark Landscape Architects created a sequence of “events” leading from the pea-stone entry drive to the front door and then on to the rear of the house. Granite paths meander through the property, which is accented with low-rising fieldstone walls. A flagpole at the side yard provides a strong focal point surrounded by a geometric meadow filled with flowering native perennials. The mown meadow paths lead to a custom Corten steel gate and archway. At the rear of the property is the main gathering space, something referred to as the Spool, an environment composed of a spa/mini pool with seating and water jets. The whole of the Spool is backdropped by a variety of colorful perennial plantings and a terrace, while stone lawn steps provide an easy transition to the generous rear lawn space.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO, JR.
finalist ROSALIA SANNI DESIGN
Lured by the peace and beauty at their weekend retreat from the city, these homeowners decided to make it their permanent residence. By removing existing, weathered structures on this six-acre site in the Litchfield County hills—along with a leaky swimming pool and a pergola ready to collapse under the weight of overgrown plantings—a new open vista over the region’s rolling landscape was revealed. That sense of openness was fostered with a new pool and free-standing spa, an inviting fire pit, patios, walkways and meadows. Existing large mature trees were integrated into the plan to lend a sense of age and character. Newly carved paths allow for a lot of spots to take in scenic overlooks roofed by seemingly infinite expanses of open sky. The property is maintained organically and without an irrigation system to enhance sustainability, while a mix of ornamental and native plantings offer wildlife and pollinators something valuable throughout the year—infusing balance and natural harmony into the landscape.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORGE GONZALEZ-GUILLOT
KITCHEN DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT BENSON
KITCHEN DESIGN
winner HAVER & SKOLNICK ARCHITECTS
The Tudors were in power in England for more than a century, and their architectural legacy endures most notably in the kitchen of this Connecticut house. While the house was built in 1931 to replicate the then-popular Tudor style, the kitchen departed from the look with various remodelings. The new homeowners wanted to honor the original kitchen aesthetic, while also imbuing it with contemporary elements. The very footprint of the room was expanded with a new gabled wing designed by Haver & Skolnick Architects, which now includes a much larger kitchen, a butler’s pantry, a lounge area, a dedicated bar, and even a castle-worthy fieldstone fireplace. Highly figured Calacatta Macchia Oro marble provides a backdrop for a sculptural bronze range hood whose very profile echoes Tudor forms. Traditional and contemporary elements work in tandem in the room. A grouping of hand-blown glass pendants hang over the spacious island, providing both task and ambient lighting. Oak ceiling beams, slate floors, and thick plaster arches complete the period look and appeal. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT BENSON
KITCHEN DESIGN
MARK P. FINLAY ARCHITECTS
The clients wanted a new place to go from their otherwise spacious Westport residence, but they also wanted the new destination to be steps away from their back door. They commissioned Mark P. Finlay Architects to design a barn, of sorts, on their property, but it needed to be a fully functional and intimate respite, as well as a location able to host a party of 60 or more. The kitchen was a key element in the open floor plan. The room needed to meld seamlessly with the living and dining areas, while remaining distinct in its design. A multi-toned limestone mosaic
tile was chosen for the floor and a handsome marble tiling for the walls, materials that immediately define the room in the new “old” barn. Ceiling rafters replicate the effects of a barn, as do a pair of four-square windows, which harken to simple and solid barn shapes. A spacious island serves as an alternate seating, gathering and buffet space off the great room.
STYLED BY HELEN CROWTHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC PIASECKI/OTTO
finalist LAUREN VALLARIO DESIGNS
Designer Lauren Vallario and her team couldn’t ignore the natural light that pours into this kitchen. A window wall, clerestories and glass doors to a patio allow light to become a chief decorative element at this home designed by architect Chris Pagliaro. Recognizing that a classic all-white kitchen would lessen the effect of the room, the designers chose Farrow & Ball’s Railings—a moody hue noted for its deep charcoal and blue undertones. Satin brass and matte black finishes, plus a Calacatta Paonessa marble for the countertops and backsplash, play well with the color. As a way to further emphasize the interplay between outside and inside, the team brought the same lime-wash treatment that surrounds the outdoor fireplace onto the kitchen walls and range hood. And because a kitchen needs to be efficient, as well as beautiful, Vallario designed a coffee cabinet that houses the coffeemaker and doubles as a countertop for pouring the beverages, yet cleverly folds away to become part of a seamless wall of cabinets.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TRACY WIND
INTERIOR DESIGN
winner ORRICK & COMPANY
For well-traveled clients, the single destination that mattered most to them was one they could reach daily, just steps from their home. A covered breezeway leads from their main residence to a 21st-century barn with such un-farm-like elements as a steel-and-glass wine cellar and a dining area that the designers from Orrick & Company enhanced with an elegant built-in banquette bracketed by partially upholstered walls. Adjacent to this eating area—which is part of an open-plan great room—is a white-oak bar cabinet with a dramatic oxidized-metal backsplash. After having completed the first-floor interiors years ago, the designers were recently commissioned to transform the then-empty open space on the second floor, characterized by its soaring ceilings. It’s there that the main living area features an oversized sectional set on a hand-loomed Moroccan wool rug, which melds with a kitchen noted for a 10-foot marble island and rift-sawn white-oak cabinetry. Throughout, the barn combines the rustic feel typical of such a traditional structure with decidedly contemporary, comfortable furnishings and detailing.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
ELLEN MCDERMOTT
INTERIOR DESIGN
finalist DOUGLAS GRANETO DESIGN
The directive for the renovation of this mid-country Greenwich home was to honor the owners’ penchant for Scandinavian design and their deep appreciation for expert craftsmanship. Douglas Graneto Design responded by reconfiguring much of the original layout, so as to better match the way the family lives in the house. A breakfast nook was replaced with a coffee station, and a large island was installed as a way to encourage more casual, communal family dining, while the primary bedroom was redesigned in such a way that it now includes a dedicated office. From there, the designer filled the rooms with luxurious neutral-toned furnishings, while accenting the prevailing palette with framed colorful textiles, modern accessories, and art pieces made of glass and brass. A curved Karl Springer coffee table covered in a goat-skin parchment answers to the owners’ penchant for unique artisanship. In the primary bedroom, an expansive 1880 Persian Serapi rug sets the tone for the room, which also includes a pair of giant floral still lifes positioned on a wall and a sculptural Caleb Woodard nightstand.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM LEE
finalist ELIZABETH BOLOGNINO INTERIORS
“Layered minimalism” is a term particular to the work of Elizabeth Bolognino, and it’s a methodology evident throughout this grandly scaled Greenwich residence. In attending to every room in the house for her client, Bolognino designed bespoke furniture and millwork, and chose oneof-a-kind textiles and lighting sources that act like items of interior jewelry, all of which work in concert to complement the architectural integrity of the residence. The clients came with an already impressive—and growing—art collection, and Bolognino was instrumental in choosing the right locales for maximum effect. Balance and symmetry are key to the way she organizes rooms, with one of many examples being a bay-windowed sitting area in the living room. Here, matching pairs of chairs, sofas, lamps and end tables are grouped as a welcoming ensemble; carefully positioned artworks draw the eye immediately to the space. Everywhere in the home, traditional mixes with contemporary to create that layered minimalist aesthetic. Every room manages to be both luxurious and sophisticated, while also warm and inviting.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY READ MCKENDREE/JBSA
BATH DESIGN
winner KAREN BOW INTERIORS
For years, this powder room assumed an entirely different identity, as something seemingly out of an Italian villa, complete with Venetian plaster, but the homeowners wanted it to become something wholly different—and that is what Karen Bow Interiors accomplished. The sink has been strategically relocated to be the center of attention upon entering. So entrancing is the intricate veining and striations of reddish brown and white onyx—aglow from cleverly concealed lighting—that the room assumes the feel of a far larger space. Perfectly positioned pendants, each hanging by a chain, serve as further decorative, yet also useful, practical elements. A brass-framed mirror works to further visually extend the small space. The whole of the room was stripped down and remade into a place that reflects its intended function, while also becoming a dazzling space in which one might wish to linger a little while longer.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY VISCHIO
BATH DESIGN
finalist
DEANE
Real estate plays an especially big role in a bathroom, given the limitation of space for a variety of necessary elements. Deane designer Ingrid Becker and the client collaborated well on the wholesale redesign of this primary bathroom. In its former incarnation, a his-and-hers vanity and a built-in bathtub monopolized too much of the room’s square footage. Now, large-scale Dolomite marble tiles (12-by-24 inches) were used for the flooring and serve as an ideal backdrop for white marble countertops and an elegant, floating two-sink vanity with storage cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore’s Coventry Gray. Polished nickel hardware adds an extra polish and sheen to the space, which is infused, too, with abundant natural light from a skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows. The airy brightness of the room is tempered by black metal framing around the mirrors, sconces and shower doors. A freestanding tub occupies a windowed corner, while the expansive shower is announced by handsome paned doors and a chevron stone mosaic floor. Wide-groove plank wood cladding the walls and ceiling add an extra visual punch.
STYLED BY ANNA MOLVIK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL JOHNSON
finalist ROUGHAN INTERIORS
Upon deciding to undertake a gut renovation of this New Canaan primary bathroom, Roughan Interiors and its longtime clients were in agreement on employing a monochromatic color scheme.
Farrow & Ball’s Dimpse (named for the indigo pigments that were imported to England in the 18th century) was chosen for the trim and woodwork; it’s a shade noted for its hues of lilac and subtle blues, which complement the white marble floors, fixtures and lighting sources. The new room now incorporates a jetted tub, a double steam shower, and even a hidden television positioned at the foot of the tub. The room’s window was widened to better embrace views of the property’s lake, a natural feature now especially visible from the built-in tub. The glass-walled shower, which melds seamlessly with the bathtub, features a spacious seating area. What was once a utilitarian room is now a luxurious, soothing, softly hued sanctuary.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANE BEILES
SMALL SPACE DESIGN
winner STUDIO BARTOLOTTA
When walking into this residential, restaurant-quality kitchen, visitors find something that looks akin to a surfaced submarine, complete with windowed portholes and a riveted steel exterior. What proudly takes its place in this room is a circular two-story, metal-armored wine silo able to hold 2,000-plus bottles. Upon entering through a fortified, arched doorway, you encounter an 18-foot-high space ringed by a curved steel and bronze wine rack. A custom ladder rotates around the space on a bronze ring track, mortised into a vertical grain, industrial wood block floor. When accessing the upper bottles, a three-bottle funicular-like mechanism allows for bottles at the top to be safely brought down mechanically. Meanwhile, a curved staircase on the outside circles to the silo’s top for a view to the inside, which also includes a sommelier tasting space. Affixed to one end of the structure is a four-bottle wine dispenser and storage for wine accessories. Here, at once, is a whimsical, yet practical architectural element within the architectural envelope of a private home.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE FRANZEN (FAR LEFT), ALL OTHERS BY ANDREW BARTOLOTTA
finalist BEINFIELD ARCHITECTURE
Bruce and Carol Beinfield wanted a place to go on weekends that felt far away but that was close by. The couple chose an old Connecticut fisherman’s shack—on the same property as their primary residence—that occupied a spit of land measuring a mere 25 feet wide and extending some 400 feet into a tidal estuary. It was there that they decided to establish their vacation home. The project began with something far more pedestrian than dreams of an exotic locale—a leaky roof. In order to fix that, they ripped out moldy expanses of drywall and replaced it with reclaimed barnwood, an appropriate material for a firm that specializes in making architecture with, as its mission statement declares, “an environmentally sustainable solution.” Salvaged oak framing members were used to simulate barn framing, an effect that imbues the interior with a romantic allure. While Bruce credits himself with devising the architectural backbone of the project, he cites Carol as the creative force behind the multilayered interior design.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEG MATYIA
SMALL SPACE DESIGN
finalist ALISBERG PARKER ARCHITECTS
It’s a building that has had many identities since it was first constructed as a horse barn in the 19th century. By the late 1990s, the structure had become a guesthouse on an estate in Greenwich, yet it remained dark and, at best, rustic, inside. The new owners envisioned it as a true guesthouse that would also function as a pool house and a space for their family and friends to gather. Alisberg Parker Architects responded to the challenge by reconfiguring the interior layout and adding a small modern addition at the rear—an element that is marked by a wall of glass divided by giant panes, the whole of which is clad in galvalume (a steel-based material that combines zinc and aluminum). Although the addition contrasts with the more traditional wooden barn, it is an exhilarating and inviting structure, while still harkening to the vernacular architecture of the original barn. The new curtain wall in the living space allows for the interiors to remain bright with natural light, filtered by the property’s surrounding trees.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAUN GOTTERBARN
For more information, see Resources.
ARCHITECTURE
BARTOLOTTA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE FRANZEN
ARCHITECTURE
winner STUDIO BARTOLOTTA
The repurposing of former industrial buildings into residences is not a new phenomenon. But the building of a new house that assumes the profile of a former factory is a unique design solution, and that is what Studio Bartolotta achieved with this residence in the Canfield Island community. A kind of 19th-century English factory appears on the site, complete with bifurcated 50-foot chimney stacks, open steel trusses, and an interplay of seemingly independent structures that harken to different industrial uses. Inside, though, this is purely a new home that merely references the scale and vigor of an industrial building. For a couple who entertain frequently, the dining room is noted for its full-height bronze windows that are geared to open to views of Long Island Sound. A catwalk edges the living room while a sculptural winding staircase leads from the primary bedroom to a sauna/gym. Charcoal-colored brick, board-form concrete, vertical cedar siding treated in the ancient Japanese method of Shou Sugi Ban work in concert to define a home that appears to be of the past, but which is completely of the present. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE FRANZEN
MARK P. FINLAY ARCHITECTS
This new barn situated just a short stroll from the main residence may, at first glance, echo traditional vernacular forms, but it is a wholly distinctive building of today, and with multiple functions. The homeowners, longtime clients of Mark Finlay Architects, initially wanted a structure that would serve as a gathering place for their children and their friends, but increasingly they wanted the barn, too, to be a true alternate living space, with a dedicated bedroom and lofted sitting area. Moreover, they saw the new barn as a place to entertain, both on a small scale and in large ways, with perhaps up to 60 people at a time. The architects designed a place centered with a two-story-high living room off which meld the kitchen, dining and bar areas. Walls of giant windows, juxtaposed against other elevations that are solid, give the structure a unique character. The architect’s design inspiration relied on a play of positive and negative forms, solid barn volumes and glazed surfaces. The barn relates intimately to its site and the main residence just beyond.
STYLED BY HELEN CROWTHER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC PIASECKI/OTTO
finalist DOYLE COFFIN ARCHITECTURE
At this new lakefront home, the natural beauty of the outdoors combines with the comfort and sophistication of modern design. Doyle Coffin Architecture designed this timber-frame house on the shores of a serene Connecticut lake, and from within the home, its setting is never far away. As it sprawls across its site, the house reveals its exposed timber beams, its many gables, the expert stonework, and the way its several elements appear to pivot on the land as the structure follows the shoreline. The open indoor floor plan fosters a sense of spaciousness and an immediate connection to the lake and woods. A stone fireplace is positioned at the literal and metaphorical heart of the house. Vigorously articulated ceiling beams in the soaring spaces directly reference a timber-framed house of an earlier era, but there is nothing antiquated about this residence. A gourmet kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, a breakfast nook takes in full views of the lake, the primary suite includes a bath that replicates a full spa, and generous terraces are accessible from most of the primary rooms.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO, JR.
For more information, see Resources.
BUILDER RECOGNITION
winner APEX PROJECTS
Living on an island—in this case, Canfield Island on Long Island Sound—can be magical, but building a house on such a spit of land is a challenge. Brian Hyla, president of Apex Projects, and his teams of subcontractors needed to figure out ways to literally get materials on to Canfield. “The island is linked by a small causeway bridge,” he says, “and when that was rebuilt many years ago after Hurricane Sandy, the resulting bridge was more of a temporary solution than a lasting one.” Given severe weight restrictions on the bridge, for instance, Hyla could only send concrete trucks with half loads; motorized windows that weighed
thousands of pounds each had to be brought piecemeal, or as he did at some points during construction, by barge. And because of the island’s topography, the house rests on a pile foundation, which requires its own engineering wizardry. But the house stands proud now. “We got to work with an incredible owner who had the means and the want to do amazing things. He made this project fun, interesting and cool,” recalls Hyla. “Looking back, it’s one of my all-time favorite projects to have built.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE FRANZEN
finalist AUBURN LANDING
In assessing the work he and his team did on building this entertaining barn, Jeff Andrews, president of Auburn Landing, says without hesitation, “We’re artisans.” He refers not only to his builders, but also the tile workers, the electricians, the makers of the custom lighting fixtures, the plasterers, et al. “I view architecture as a true art, but it’s not until the builders execute what’s on the paper that a real art form results.” Auburn Landing responded to the architect’s and homeowners’ directive to express the timber structure both on the inside and outside. “One of the real challenges was the framing,” Andrews explains, emphasizing that the Douglas fir timbers came from British Columbia, while the framing system was largely fabricated in a shop in upstate New York. With a crane, a manlift, and team of workers, the framing element—which is both structural and decorative—was put in place. And working with stainless-steel windows and doors of this scale makes the task even trickier. “When the client is happy with the result, that’s the biggest thrill we get,” says Andrews.
STYLED BY HELEN CROWTHER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC PIASECKI/OTTO
finalist CORNERSTONE CONTRACTING
In order to stay on schedule—especially with the pandemic interrupting manufacturing and shipment—Cornerstone Contracting had to ensure that the interior timber framing on this house situated on the shores of Candlewood Lake began to be assembled prior to the laying of the foundation. As George Pusser, president and owner of Cornerstone explains, “The plans were very, very good, the structural engineer and the architect were experts and, so, when the main framing element was brought to the site and having been built off site, it was lifted and put into place and it fit perfectly.” Establishing a sound foundation required a considerable blasting of natural rock. When inside this expansive home, the complex interplay of timbers is evident, but what is not seen are any of the mechanicals, plumbing works, and ducts. “It takes a lot of planning and foresight to figure out ways to conceal these things in an exposed timber framing.” Cornerstone also ensured that the house was energy efficient, complete with a geothermal system and rooftop solar panels. “The house is as close to passive as you can get,” says Pusser.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO, JR.
Design Within Reach
Pink Aid CT
CTC&G joined guests and warriors at Pink After Dark for the annual fashion show at MITCHELLS in Westport.
1. Pink Aid Founders Renée Mandis, Amy Gross, Andrew Mitchell-Namdar, and Amy Katz 2. Candy truck provided by Curbside Confections 3. Auction Chair Marissa Saporta and her husband, Hy Saporta 4. Marcia Selden Catering 5. Pink Heart Award Honoree and Attorney Ben Crump 6. Fashion show by Brunello Cucinelli 7. “Pink After Dark” Co-Chairs Amy Lane and Raquel Stein Koback 8. Pink Aid Warrior Stephanie DeLara and her son John (JT) DeLara 9. Pink Aid Presidents Courtney Prussin and Nicole Bonn
2024 IDAs
CTC&G celebrated its 17th Innovation in Design Awards presented by Design Within Reach at GREENWICH COUNTRY CLUB with Innovator Award recipient DJ Carey.
1. Advanced Home Audio’s Bill Charney presents the Innovator Award to CTC&G’s Editorial Director DJ Carey 2. Fletcher Wakefield’s Ryan Fletcher, C&G Account Directors Jamie Lewis and Lisa Heissan, Fletcher Wakefield’s George Snead and Karen Bow of Karen Bow Interiors
3. Roughan Interiors’ Christina Roughan, IDA Judge Elena Phillips of Elena Phillips Interiors and David Harris of Roughan Interiors 4. CTC&G team raises money for Pink Aid. 5. Plexi-Craft’s Hans and Paulette Kretschman
Associates 7. West | Out East’s Albert Fierro, West Chin, and Kimberly Warren 8. California Closets’ staff and guests 9. Gault Stone & Landscape
Supplies’ Jeff Palen and Estuardo Juarez 10 Torrco’s Dawn Corbo presents Bath Design award to Karen Bow of Karen Bow Interiors.
6. Shoreline Pools’ Daniel Kollar with Wesley Stout and Cory Jorgenson of Wesley Stout
11 Kohler Signature Stores’ staff and guests 12 VIP cocktail hour hosted by California Closets 13 Hector Finch’s table with arrangements by Sam Bridge Nursery 14 Adaire Gould, CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey and husband Harry Carey 15 . Christian Calemmo and Rachel Calemmo of Christian Rae Studio and Ring’s End’s Erin Shairzay
16 . Christopher Peacock introducing CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey 17. DJ Carey and James Doyle of James Doyle Design Associates 18 . All the Details’ Amber Quinn, Pure Insurance’s Bernice Rodriguez and Vulcan Development Group’s Teymoor Tahbaz 19. Aitoro Appliances’ AJ Aitoro, Tiania Pesante, and Jesse Vargas 20. Design Within Reach’s Debbie Propst welcomes the crowd.
ASID Annual Meeting
1. ASID President Johnathan Gordon giving the Design Member of the Year Award to ASID CT President (2023–2024) Heather McWilliam 2. Amazing live band performing at the event 3. California Closet’s Shelly Woods and C&G Account Director Wendy Horwitz 4. ASID current and elected Board of Directors 5. ASID President-Elect Erin Kelly, Lora Mazurak, and ASID Chapter Administrator Angela Legg 6. Kate Melnick Design’s Kate Melnick and Dana Lynn Design’s Dana Nuzzo 7. Curated Nest’s Co-Founder Lina Galvão talking with ASID CT President (2023–2024) Heather McWilliam 8. ASID Industry Partner of the Year Ring’s End’s Nicole Ruffing 9. Torrco Design Center’s Evelyn Zepeda Barahona and Dawn Corbo 10. Ornare’s Dominika Janiuk and Mylene Del Nero
Apply to be a stop on the annual C&G Insider Tour at The 2025 Kitchen and Bath Show, led by CTC&G’s Editorial Director DJ Carey.
RESOURCES MORE
INNOVATOR
Pages 40–41: DJ Carey, C&G Media Group, cottagesgardens.com.
Pages 44–47: Garden Design WINNER, Wesley Stout Associates, wesleystout.com. Architect, Cardello Architects, cardelloarchitects. com. Builder, John Desmond Builders, johndesmondbuilders. com. Interior design/outdoor furniture, Liotta design, 203-4547683. Civil engineer, Landtech, landtechconsult.com. Masonry and water feature, Oceanview Pool
and Patio, oceanviewpoolandpatio. com. Landscaping, KDJ Botanica, kdjbotanica.com. Glass, Ridgefield Glass, ridgefieldglass.com.
Page 48: Garden Design FINALIST, Brook Clark Landscape Architects, brookclark.com. Architect, Doyle Coffin Architecture, doylecoffinarchitecture. com. Interior design, Daher Interior Design, daherinteriordesign. com. Builder, Pyramid Custom Homes, pyramidcustomhomes. com. Excavation, Carroll Construction Corporation, carollconstructioncorporation.com. Planting and masonry, Nyconn
Landscaping & Design, 203-312-0037. Spool spa/pool, J. Cipriano & Sons, 203-232-7431. Fence, Riverside Fence, riversidefence.net. Landscape maintenance, Stone Bridge Associates, stonebridgeassociates.net.
Page 49: Garden Design FINALIST, Rosalia Sanni Design, rosaliasanni. com. Architect, Neil Hauck Architects, neilhauckarchitects.com. Builder, TC Builders General Contractors, tcbuildersgc.com. Pool and spa, Regal Blu Pool & Spa, regalblu. com. Landscaping services, ENB Landscaping, 203-617-7959. Fencing, J&J Fence Service, 203-975-8864.
Pages 50–53: Kitchen Design WINNER, Haver & Skolnick Architects, haverskolnickarchitects. com. Contractor, CDS Contracting, cds-contracting.com. Engineer, DeStefano & Chamberlain, dcstructural. com. Windows, Tischler Und Sohn. Appliances, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Bosch. Plumbing fixtures, Waterworks. Flooring, Paris Ceramics. Furnishings, Holly Hunt, Paul Ferrante and Grant Trick.
Page 54: Kitchen Design FINALIST, Mark P. Finlay Architects, markfinlay. com. Builder, Auburn Landing, auburnlanding.com. Engineer, J. Edwards & Associates, jedwardassoc.
Kitchen Design Finalist
Lauren Vallario Designs
IDA WINNERS
com. Stylist, Helen Crowther, helencrowther.com. Timber Frame, New Energy Works, newenergyworks.com. Windows, Revival Sash, @revivalsash. Iron balustrades, Artisans of the Anvil, artisansoftheanvil.com.
Page 55: Kitchen Design FINALIST, Lauren Vallario Designs, laurenvallariodesigns.com. Lighting, Visual Comfort and Currey & Company. Plumbing fixtures, Kohler, Brizo, Elkay and Native Trails through Waterware Showrooms. Appliances, Thermador and Zip Water through Aitoro Appliance. Stone, ABC Stone. Custom cabinetry, Highland Custom Cabinetry.
Pages 56–59: Interior Design WINNER, Orrick & Company, orrickandcompany. com. Architect for second floor interior, Rebecca Sterling, studioste. com. Barn architect, Anthony Minichetti, 203-992-1922. Contractor, Noble Construction & Management,
RESOURCES
nobleconstructionct.com. Kitchen bar construction: TD Woodwork, tdugganwoodworking.com. Mudroom: Rug, Elizabeth Eakins. Family room: Rug, Kebabian’s. Lighting system, Patdo. Bar area: Cabinetry, TD Woodwork. Cabinet hardware, Rocky Mountain Hardware through Canaan Distributors Corp. Dining area: Dining banquette upholstery, Yardstick Décor. Kitchen: Cabinetry, TD Woodwork. Hardware, Canaan Distributors. Stone and tile, Fordham Marble. Plumbing and fittings, Waterworks. Appliances, Thermador. Lighting pendants, Visual Comfort. Wine cellar: Construction, Noble Construction & Management. Cabinetry, TD Woodwork.
Page 60: Interior Design FINALIST, Douglas Graneto Design, douglasgraneto.com. Architect, Shope Reno Wharton, shoperenowharton.com. Builder, Premier Home Builders, phbllc. com. Stone and marble, Dushi Marble.
Custom stone, Point Rock Surfaces. Plaster, L’Artigiano. Fire screen, Wiseman Studio. Furnishings, Caleb Woodard Furniture, Cannon Bullock, Matthews & Parker, Grzegorz Majka. Art objects, Carpenters Workshop Gallery. Embroidery, Maison Lesage. Upholstery, Classic Upholstery. Fabric, Dedar.
Page 61: Interior Design FINALIST, Elizabeth Bolognino Interiors, elizabethbolognino.com. Architecture, Brooks & Falotico, brooksandfalotico. com. Contractor, Yankee Custom Builders, yankeecustombuilders. com. Painting, Shoreline Painting, shorelinepaintingct.com. Dining room: Chairs, Essential Home. Table, Atra. Chandelier, Jeff Zimmerman. Rug, Bloomingdale’s. Living room: Bench, Espasso. Side tables, Withers Studio. Lamps, Ecart International. Sofas, Egg Collective. Sofa fabric, Ralph Lauren. Chairs, Maison Gerard. Coffee tables,
Maria Wettergren Galerie. Chandelier, The Urban Electric Company. Rug, Jan Kath.
Pages 62–63: Bath Design WINNER, Karen Bow Interiors, karenbow.com. Contractor, Evolve Building Group, 646-246-8499. Wallpaper installation, Andre Correa, 914-525-3000. Marble, Stepping Stones Marble & Granite.
Page 64: Bath Design FINALIST, Deane, deaneinc.com. Bath designer, Ingrid Becker, Deane, deaneinc.com. Interior design, Meredith Pakman, Saltbox Home Design, saltboxhomedesign.squarespace. com. Stylist, Anna Molvik, annamolvik. com. Paint, Benjamin Moore.
Page 65: Bath Design FINALIST, Roughan Interiors, roughaninteriors. com. Contractor, Silva Contracting, 203268-1375. Paint, Farrow & Ball.
Pages 66–67: Small Space WINNER, Studio Bartolotta, studiobartolotta. archi. Builder, Apex Projects, apexpps. com. Interior design, Jesse ParrisLamb, jesseparrislamb.com. Lighting design, Orsman Design, orsmandesign. com. Custom wine rack and ladder, Turner Exhibits, turnerexhibits.com. Architectural millwork/metalwork, Cottingham Ltd, cottingham.ltd. Flooring, Kaswell Flooring Systems. Fan, Fanimation. Finishes, Ressource. Wine Server, Enomatic. Cabinet Hardware, Turnstyle.
Page 68: Small Space FINALIST, Beinfield Architecture, beinfield. com. Construction, A. Pappajohn Construction, apappajohn.com.
Page 69: Small Space FINALIST, Alisberg Parker Architects, alisbergparker.com. Architect, Shaun Gotterbarn of Alisberg Parker Architects, alisbergparker.com. Interior design, Jackie Chase of Alisberg Parker Architects, alisbergparker.com. General contractor, JefLyn Construction, jeflynconstruction.com. Structural Engineer, Sound View Engineers & Land Surveyors, soundviewengineers. com. Surveyor/civil engineer, S.E. Minor & Co., seminor.com. Landscape architect, Gro Pro Landscaping, groprogardens.com. Pool installer, Haggerty Pools, haggertypools. com. Window curtain wall, Kolbe, kolbewindows.com. Millwork, JJM Building & Woodwork, 203-994-5735. Living Room: Sofa, The Tac Room. Table, Palecek. Chair, Four Hands. Light, A. Rudin. Kitchen: Stools, McGee & Co. Pendants, Visual Comfort. Bathroom: Sconces, Regina Andrew. Wallpaper, Brook Perdigon Textiles. Faucet, Brizo. Bedroom: Bed, Maiden Home. Light, Currey & Company. Sconces, Triple Seven Home.
Pages 70–73: Architecture WINNER, Studio Bartolotta, studiobartolotta.
Architecture Finalist
Mark P. Finlay Architects
archi. Builder, Apex Projects, apexpps. com. Interior design, Jesse ParrisLamb, jesseparrislamb.com. Lighting design, Orsman Design, orsmandesign. com. Kinetic and interactive design builders, Turner Exhibits, turnerexhibits.com. Architectural millwork/metalwork, Cottingham Ltd, cottingham.ltd. Landscape design, Janice Parker Landscape Architects, janiceparker.com.
Page 74: Architecture FINALIST, Mark P. Finlay Architects, markfinlay. com. Builder, Auburn Landing, auburnlanding.com. Landscape architect, Susie Aldrich, Surrey Style Design, susiealdrich.com. Engineers, J. Edwards & Associates, jedwardsassoc. com. Stylist, Helen Crowther, helencrowther.com. Timber framing, New Energy Works, newenergyworks. com. Windows, Revival Sash, @ revivalsash. Iron balustrades, Artisan of the Anvil, artisansoftheanvil.com.
Page 75: Architecture FINALIST, Doyle Coffin Architecture, doylecoffinarchitecture.com. Builder, Cornerstone Contracting, cornerstonebuilders.com.
Page 76: Builder Recognition WINNER, Apex Projects, apexpps.com.
Page 77: Builder Recognition FINALIST, Auburn Landing, auburnlanding.com.
Page 77: Builder Recognition FINALIST, Cornerstone Contracting, cornerstonebuilders.com.
SOURCE LIST
A. Rudin, arudin.com
ABC Stone, abcworldwidestone.com
Aitoro Appliance, aitoro.com
Atra, atraform.com
Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com
Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com
Bosch, bosch-home.com
Brizo, brizo.com
Brook Perdigon Textiles, brookperdigontextiles.com
Caleb Woodard Furniture, calebwoodardfurniture.com
Canaan Distributors Corp, canaandistributors.com
Cannon Bullock, cannonbullock.com
Carpenters Workshop Gallery, carpentersworkshopgallery.com
Classic Upholsery, classicupholsteryct.com
Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com
Dedar, dedar.com
Dushi Marble, dushimg.com
Ecart International, ecart.paris
Egg Collective, eggcollective.com
Elizabeth Eakins, elizabetheakins.com
Elkay, elkay.com
Enomatic, enomatic.com
Espasso, espasso.com
Essential Home, essentialhome.eu
Fanimation, fanimation.com
Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com
Fordham Marble, fordhammarble.com
Four Hands, fourhands.com
Grant Trick, granttrick.com
Grzegorz Majka, grzegorzmajka.com
Highland Custom Cabinetry, highlandcustomcabinetry.com
Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com
Jan Kath, jan-kath.com
Jeff Zimmerman, r-and-company.com
Kaswell Flooring Systems, kaswell.com
Kebabian’s, kebabians.com
Kohler, kohler.com
L’Artigiano, lartigianous.com
Maiden Home, maidenhome.com
Maison Gerard, maisongerard.com
Maison Lesage, lesage-paris.com
Maria Wettergren Galerie, mariawettergren.com
Matthews & Parker, matthewsandparker.com
McGee & Co., mcgeeandco.com
Native Trails, nativetrailshome.com
Palecek, palecek.com
Paris Ceramics, parisceramicsusa.com
Patdo, patdolight.com
Paul Ferrante, paulferrante.com
Point Rock Surfaces, prsurfaces.com
Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com
Regina Andrew, reginaandrew.com
Ressource, ressourcepaints.us
Rocky Mountain Hardware, rockymountainhardware.com
Stepping Stones Marble & Granite, classicstones.com
Sub-Zero, subzero-wolf.com
TD Woodwork, tdugganwoodworking.com
The Tac Room, thetacroom.com
The Urban Electric Company, urbanelectric.com
Thermador, thermador.com
Tischler Und Sohn, tischlerwindows.com
Triple Seven Home, triplesevenhome.com
Turnstyle Designs, turnstyledesigns.com
Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com
Waterware Showrooms, waterwareshowrooms.com
Waterworks, waterworks.com
Wiseman Studio, dwiseman.com
Withers Studio, withersstudio.com
Wolf, subzero-wolf.com
Yardstick Décor, 203-330-0360
Zip Water, us.zipwater.com
The Community Fund of Darien
The Community Fund of Darien sends a heartfelt thank you to our 2024 Designed to Dine guests, tablescape designers, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and media sponsor, CTC&G. To learn about the mission of The Community Fund of Darien and view event photos, visit communityfunddarien.org.
Photos by Abby Cole Photography
DESIGNSTOPS
MUST-HAVES FOR THE DESIGN-OBSESSED SHOPPER
MAYFLOWER HOME ORGANIZING
Revamp your closet for the holidays and the new year with Mayflower Home Organizing. Declutter, organize, and refresh your space. Book your free consultation today! 203.952.4554 / mayflowerhomeorganizing.com @mayflowerhomeorganizing
THE POST
Experience the crisp fragrance of Siberian fir needles in silver with snow flurries! These candles and diffusers fill your home with the scent of the season. 203.292.5700 thepostct.com @thepostct
Meet the Judges
OUR PANEL OF JUDGES WEIGHED IN ON THE IDA WINNERS AT A BREAKFAST HOSTED BY GAULT STONE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
“The Interior Design winner submitted by Orrick & Company [page 56] is a successful mix of design and comfort.”
MATTHEW PATRICK SMYTH
Matthew Patrick Smyth Interior Design matthewsmyth.com
“The Architecture winner by Studio Bartolotta [page 70] is a careful study and contrast between a group of concrete and brick industrial-style buildings combined with landscape and hardscape to make an inventive new kind of home and living space.”
JOEB MOORE
Joeb Moore & Partners joebmoore.com
“In the powder room designed by Karen Bow Interiors [page 62], the onyx takes center stage with its dramatic movement and rich colors.”
WESLEY MOON
Wesley Moon Inc. Design and Decoration wesleymoon.com
“I love the minimalist aesthetic of Brook Clark’s landscape design [page 46]. The lines and spatial arrangement, plus the limited plant palette, work so well in this space. Sometimes, way less is best.”
WAMBUI IPPOLITO
Wambui Design wambuidesign.com
“The attention to detail creates a fabulous experience in the Small Space Design winner by Studio Bartolotta [page 66].”
JAMIE DRAKE
Drake/Anderson drakeanderson.com
“We loved the kitchen designed by Haver & Skolnick Architects [page 50] with its use of authentic materials, the unexpected twist of lighter finishes and the injection of some stainless for reflectivity. The Tudor arches are beautifully woven into the overall design.”
SARAH ROBERTSON
Studio Dearborn studiodearborn.com
