CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) FEBRUARY, 2024

connecticut cottages & gardens | february 2024

COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

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Years of Design!

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Color+Design

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CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS • FEBRUARY 2024 • COTTAGESGARDENS.COM

FEATURES

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Spirit of the Sea A 19th-century sea captain’s cottage is reimagined for modern times

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Balancing Act Addressing past, present and future in the thoughtful update of a historic home

by Susan Tamulevich photographs by Read McKendree Styling by Matthew Gleason

by Ann Kaiser photographs by Emily Sidoti

Water Colors A modern twist on a seaside-inspired design for a family with a passion for entertaining

The New Traditionalists Chic colors and playful patterns fill a classic home with youthful exuberance

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by Catriona Branca photographs by Tim Williams

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by David Masello photographs by Michael Biondo

on the cover and this page:

“The New Traditionalists,” page 74 Photographs by Michael Biondo

Color of the Year 2024 Blue Nova 825

RingsEnd.com | 800·390·1000

Bethel | Branford | Danbury | Darien | Fairfield Lewisboro | Madison | New London | New Milford | Newtown Niantic | North Stamford | Norwalk | Orange | Stamford Stratford | Trumbull | Westport | Wethersfield | Wilton

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CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS • FEBRUARY 2024 • COTTAGESGARDENS.COM

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Editor’s Letter

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Letter from the CEO

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Contributors

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Calendar

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What’s New Out of the Box Introducing Blue Nova and Peach Fuzz, the Benjamin Moore and Pantone colors of the year

BY MARY FITZGERALD

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Marketplace Between the Lines Linear patterns and borders add distinctive personality underfoot

BY MARY FITZGERALD

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Jewelry Out of the Blue Sail into spring with this season’s take on classic blue and white jewelry

BY HARRIET MAYS POWELL

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Travel by Design Tap into Ancient Wisdom A Greek retreat that honors age-old traditions

Deeds & Don’ts Inside stories behind area real estate deals

BY DJ CAREY

BY DIANE DI COSTANZO

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Parties & Benefits

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Resources

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Design Notes Buzzworthy A peek inside the latest design news happening in the area

Meet the Maker Ruth Mottershead Creative director of paint and wallpaper brand Little Greene talks about the brand’s expansion to the US and what’s ahead for the family-run company

BY MARY FITZGERALD

BY SHARON KING HOGE

CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

TOP RIGHT: LITTLE GREENE; BOTTOM CENTER: COURTESY OF EUPHORIA RETREAT

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HAPPY HUES Browse @cottagesgardens on Pinterest for plenty of paint picks

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COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | JANUARY 2024

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E DI TOR’S L E T T E R

Leaning In to White

In “Balancing Act,” page 66, artwork becomes a focal point in a mostly white room by designer Michelle Hogue.

CAREY: TIMOTHY BURKE MANNLE; BOTTOM: EMILY SIDOTI

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s I close the last box of ornaments, I am reveling in the new calmness of my interiors.

While my home is filled with color, the exuberant holiday decorating takes my spaces to a new level. Maybe my eyes are maxed out from all the color, and they need a rest? ■ But I have always loved color—the more saturated and intense, the better—so how could I suddenly have color fatigue?

I noticed that my eye was being drawn to images and interiors that have white as their focus. I know the importance of this color for its freshness and purity, yet I was never a fan of it being the dominant color of my interiors.

■ I will admit to loving those white interiors that are the perfect backdrop for sculptural furniture and art, and also make the space look graphic. But let’s be honest, everything looks good paired with white. But one cannot simply put white on the walls for this color to show its splendor.

It is important to vary the white tones within the DJ Carey space to get the sophisticated look that it offers.

Editorial Director Add some natural textures, and you get something djcarey@candg.com special. ■ White also allows the space to evolve and look timeless. So why wasn’t I grabbing the paint brush and painting my walls white? I knew in my heart of hearts I was happiest with color, as a child I was always coloring with rich colors. I loved the boldness of saturated color but perhaps I had not given white its rightful place in my rooms. Could white play a larger role in my interiors? It’s not for lack of trying: I have noticed the graphic quality of my Frances Palmer vases, and my collection of milk ware from my mother-in-law.

■ I had to look no further than the pages of this magazine to see that white plays an important role in allowing the images on the page to become more important. It is the art of balancing the white spaces with the color images that create the most sophisticated page design.

White allows the images to breath.

The same could be said about how white can inform and draw the eye to a color and offer a balance. Look around your house. Trust your eye.

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LETTER FROM THE CEO

The Role of Color

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2024 CT IDAs CALL FOR ENTRIES IS NOW OPEN!

ARTEMIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS IDA GARDEN DESIGN WINNER

Photo by Neil Landino Jr.

DEADLINE: AUGUST 12

n the ever-evolving realm of design, color stands as a fundamental element, weaving emotions, cultures and trends into a vivid tapestry that speaks to our souls. Colors are more than mere visual experiences; they evoke deep emotional responses. Red can ignite feelings of passion and urgency, while blue can soothe and calm the mind. Designers leverage this psychological impact to create spaces and products that resonate on an emotional level. Understanding this emotional language is crucial for designers aiming to make a meaningful impact. ■ Colors carry cultural significance, often reflecting global sentiments, setting trends that ripple through fashion, interior design and branding.

Benjamin Moore’s 2024 Color of the Year—a highly anticipated announcement in the design world—was presented in Connecticut last November by CTC&G and Ring’s End. Surely Blue Nova 825 was intended, and much needed, to soothe and calm our minds! And I can’t wait to see Marianne Howatson blue hanging on retailers’ clothing racks after what CEO/Publication Director seems like a 20-year absence! ■ The rising trend mhowatson@candg.com of sustainability in design has brought a renewed focus on natural colors. Organic materials, from reclaimed wood to natural fibers, bring their inherent colors, emphasizing a connection to the earth and a departure from synthetic dyes. ■ Technology has expanded the designer’s color toolkit. Digital tools and augmented reality apps allow for unprecedented experimentation with color schemes. Furthermore, innovative materials and pigments, such as color-changing paints and eco-friendly dyes, are revolutionizing how we think about and utilize color in design. Great designers will remain attuned to these changes, understanding that color is not just a design element but a BLUE NOVA 825 powerful tool for communication and expression.

S P O N S O RS

At Benjamin Moore’s color of the year celebration, CEO/Publication Director Marianne Howatson moderated a panel of designers: Gaelle Dudley, Diane Rath, William Lyon and Whitney McNell.

WWW.CGIDAS.COM

HOWATSON: DOREEN BIRDSELL; PANELISTS: CARA GILBRIDE

T R O P H Y S PO N S O R

From Our Home to Yours As a family company, we know exactly what goes into our high performance paints.

We make eco-friendly paints in our own factory in the UK, using only the very highest quality ingredients. These are blended by our dedicated team who have been creating lovely paints in wonderful colours for generations.

Showroom now open: 9 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830

New Wallpaper Collection ‘National Trust Papers IV’ Available Now Order free colour cards on our website.

littlegreene.us

FEBRUARY 2024 PUBLICATION DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARIANNE HOWATSON EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DJ CAREY EXECUTIVE EDITOR CATRIONA BRANCA

SENIOR EDITOR MARY FITZGERALD

EDITOR AT LARGE SHARON KING HOGE

ART DIRECTOR JOSEPH ULATOWSKI

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR KRISTEN HOGE

PROOFREADER ANNETTE ROSE-SHAPIRO

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LYDIA MATTSON

EDITORIAL & DIGITAL INTERN CLAIRE CHMIEL

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 JULIE BIDWELL, WILLIE COLE, TRIA GIOVAN, JOHN GRUEN, HULYA KOLABAS, NEIL LANDINO JR., TIM LEE, TIM LENZ, ELLEN MCDERMOTT, ANASTASSIOS MENTIS, MARCO RICCA, RIKKI SNYDER

C&G MEDIA GROUP

EDITORIAL DIRECTORS DJ CAREY, KENDELL CRONSTROM

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COTTAGESGARDENS.COM dailyDEEDS.COM

PRODUCER MICHAEL EKSTRACT

DAILYDEEDS.COM EDITOR ANNE GIORDANO

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PUBLISHER, HC&G PAMELA ELDRIDGE | 917-535-8226 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, NYC&G MELISSA GROHER ROSENBLUTH | 860-906-7182 LISA HEISSAN | 917-294-1897

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Copyright © 2024 by Dulce Domum, LLC. All rights reserved. Cottages & Gardens is a trademark and a service mark of Dulce Domum, LLC. Reproduction by permission only. The publisher and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material.

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CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

CONTRIBUTORS

In This Issue

W H AT W A S Y O U R F A V O R I T E C O L O R I N T H E C R AY O N B O X W H E N Y O U W E R E A C H I L D ?

W H AT I S Y O U R F A V O R I T E C O L O R N O W ?

READ MCKENDREE

“My favorite color crayon as a kid was vibrant blue—it reminded me of summer days at the beach. My favorite color is still blue, just a darker, more weather-whipped one, like the ocean in the winter.” Photographer, “Spirit of the Sea” (page 52), readmckendree.com.

DAN MAZZARINI

LINDA A. BANKS AND EDITH SMITH

“I loved Magenta in the Crayola box. On the color wheel, it’s halfway between red and blue. Wikipedia describes it as purplish, but I would also call it hot pink. My favorite color now is Pale Smoke by Benjamin Moore. It’s a chameleon, changing from grey to blue depending on the light.” Linda A. Banks, Principal and interior designer, Banks Design Associates. “My absolute favorite color as a child and as an adult is hands down blue—any shade from periwinkle to navy—I love them all. The sea is in my soul.”

Edith Smith, Interior designer, Banks Design Associates. “The New Traditionalists” (page 74), banksdesignassociates.com.

—Mary Fitzgerald

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CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

MCKENDREE: DEREK DELAHUNT; MAZZARINI: ADAM MACCHIA; BANKS AND SMITH: MICHAEL BIONDO

“My favorite crayons as a kid were the fluorescent ones, but I was a kid of the ’80s. Now I’m loving all shades of green, especially olive and loden.” Principal, Creative Director, BHDM, “Water Colors” (page 58), bhdmdesign.com.

Building the Contemporary Home www.yankeecustombuilders.com

C A L E N DA R

February 2024 FROM KENT TO LAS VEGAS

ARTISAN MARKETPLACE

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MoCA Westport will host the Winter Edition of its Artisan Marketplace this February.

Carefully selected artisans will showcase a variety of items, from elegant home décor to bespoke jewelry. Support local artisans, embrace the winter season and enjoy the warm atmosphere of community and creativity. February 11, 12–4 p.m. MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport. For more information, visit mocawestport.org.

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Kenise Barnes Fine Art presents its tenth iteration of the exhibition series “Cool & Collected.” This year’s collection will feature the works of Matt Barter, Joan Linder, Mary Tooley Parker and Polly Shindler. This collection promises a hand-made feel with a certain heartfelt charm. Each piece of artwork carefully depicts objects and environments with which the artist is intimate. On view now through February 18.

Kenise Barnes Fine Art, 7 Fulling Lane, Kent. For more information and gallery hours, visit kbfa.com.

KBIS 2024

CTC&G’s Editorial Director DJ Carey will lead a group of designers on the seventh annual C&G Insider Tour at the 2024 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. KBIS celebrates its 60th year and is the leading fair of its kind, showcasing the latest industry products, trends, and technologies.

Guests of the two-day C&G Insider Tour will gain VIP access to 13-15 key booths at KBIS hand selected by Carey and will include private programs and demonstrations. February 27–29. Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit cottagesgardens. com/kbis2024.

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CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

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COOL & COLLECTED: MATT BARTER, THE BAIT BIN, 2023, OIL ON BOARD, 24 X 32 INCHES; KBIS: LV PHOTO

COOL & COLLECTED

DOUGLAS GRANETO DESIGN Greenwich

www.douglasgraneto.com

Manhattan

203.622.8383

Miami

The Hamptons

info@douglasgranetodesign

Coming Spring 2024

DarienDCA.org

W H AT ’ S N E W

Out of the Box

I N T R O D U C I N G B L U E N O VA A N D P E A C H F U Z Z , T H E B E N J A M I N M O O R E A N D PA N T O N E C O L O R S O F T H E Y E A R | B Y M A R Y F I T Z G E R A L D

CUSTOM COLORS

Take your pick from any of Benjamin Moore’s paint colors to customize Wildwood’s Select series of bestselling designs. The Beveled Chest is shown here in Benjamin Moore’s COTY, Blue Nova.

Price upon request, available through the Collective, thecollectivect. com, wildwoodhome.com.

BLUE NOVA

Benjamin Moore’s ethereal Blue Nova was inspired by the night sky. With classic appeal, the mid-tone blue includes violet undertones. benjaminmoore.com.

PEACH FUZZ

Awakening the senses, Peach Fuzz from Pantone displays warm radiance in a velvety peach shade. pantone.com.

FLOOR DECOR

This Peach Poppy Persian rug from Rugs USA sports a tribal motif and is machine washable for easy cleaning. $318, rugsusa.com.

FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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W H AT ’ S N E W

FEATHERED NEST

Made in Cape Town, South Africa, Ngala Trading’s handstitched velvet lumbar pillow is embellished with a band of ethically and sustainably sourced ostrich leather and a feather fringe. $195, available through Beth Krupa Interiors, bethkrupainteriors.com, ngalatrading.com.

PEACHES & CREAM

The Lawrence Sand Vase set from Currey & Company is made of mouth-blown glass softly sandblasted for a matte texture in peach with splashes of white. $380, available through Beehive, thebeehivefairfield.com, curreyandcompany.com.

HISTORIC BEAUTY

Helena, an 1890 textile creation by J.H. Dearle, was found in the archives of Morris & Co. The flowerhead motif has been reimagined for wallpaper and fabric in three contemporary colorways, including this peach and teal. Price upon request, morrisandco.sandersondesigngroup.com.

SADDLE UP

Fashioned in leather with visible vertical stitching, the midcenturystyled Beckham table lamp from Jamie Young is topped with a white linen drum shade. $782, jamieyoung.com.

BASKET WEAVE

Made by hand in Rwanda from natural raffia and sweet grass, these intricate wall plates from Jungalow can stand alone or be grouped to add color and pattern to a room. $89, jungalow.com.

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CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

PLUSH SEATING

The Bradley sofa from Daniel House features a gracefully curved silhouette and plush upholstery. $3,450, danielhouse.club.

GEO-BLUE

The embroidered geometric pattern of Brunschwig & Fils’ Loriyan Tape combines shades of blue with hand-cut eyelash fringe.

Shown here in Delft, one of five colorways. Price available upon request, kravet.com.

COLOR POP

A handcrafted ceramic base is finished with a multi-layer glaze, lending dimension and texture to the Antigua table lamp

by Regina Andrew. $375, reginaandrew.com.

SWEET DREAMS

Chaddock’s solid wood Emory bed is enhanced with bobbin detailing.

Available in twin to California King sizes, it is offered in 70-plus standard finishes, including stains and paint options from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams and Farrow & Ball. Price upon request, available through Wakefield Design Center, wakefielddesigncenter.com, chaddock.com.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Finished in a beautiful blue high-gloss lacquer with distinctive hardware, the Cadence bar cabinet from Century is a definite party starter. $9,990, available through Safavieh, safavieh.com, centuryfurniture.com.

BLUE NOTES

The geometric design of the Tile rug by Judy Ross Textiles is hand-knotted in wool with silk accents.

Shown here in slate and cornflower.

Price upon request, judyrosstextiles.com.

MOOD INDIGO

Lightweight and luxurious, the Dip-Dyed Throw from Eleish Van Breems Home is woven from 100-percent baby alpaca and hand-dyed by artisans to create an ombré effect. $465, evbantiques.com.

FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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DESIGN NOTES

Buzzworthy

A P E E K I N S I D E T H E L AT E S T D E S I G N N E W S H A P P E N I N G I N T H E A R E A

PERSONALITY PLUS Designer and author Celerie Kemble’s latest collection with Taylor King and Woodbridge Furniture exemplifies her uniquely elegant yet relaxed style.

Woodbridge Furniture Creative Director Cass Key says of the case goods, “They are designed for flexibility in small spaces but have enough personality to hold their own in larger ones, too. They are playful, with a nod to Palm Beach, but residing proudly in New York City.” Upholstery from Taylor King includes 25 frames and 34 fabrics with 12 of those fabrics being exclusive Kemble-inspired prints. “Celerie has an aesthetic that isn’t easily duplicated,” notes Tara Rogers, Taylor King’s vice president of sales and merchandising.

“She puts together colors that you wouldn’t think of, and they’re beautiful!

Peach, jade, oxide red, dark turquoise and ‘mud’! Her frames are traditional, yet happy and fresh. They’re antique-store finds made comfortable and current with tufting, carved legs, and feminine curves.” taylorking.com, woodbridgefurniture.com.

Homecoming

In December, home furnishings and antiques brand Eleish Van Breems Home opened its doors in the charming village of New Preston. Akin to its existing Westport and Nantucket shops, the new location celebrates Scandinavian style and craftsmanship. Owners Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems showcase their passion for good design with the sensibility and ease of a country lifestyle. You will find fine Gustavian and Rococo antiques, as well as Scandinavian mid-century furniture and sophisticated contemporary lines like Verellen, CaneLine and Thayer Coggin. In addition, Nordic tableware, linens, gifts and home goods are offered. The shop is housed in the former Dawn Hill Antiques storefront on Main Street, which was originally the town’s post office. Eleish and Van Breems started their business just down the road in an 18th century house and barn in Woodbury 27 years ago, so they are thrilled to return to Litchfield County. “It truly is like coming home,” states Eleish. 11 Main St., New Preston, 860-868-0066, evbantiques.com.

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CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

Little Greene has opened its first showroom in the US on Putnam Avenue in Greenwich. The paint and wallpaper company is the largest, family-owned independent British paint maker, producing a range of traditional and modern finishes, including the brand’s signature range of water-based, hardwearing “Intelligent Paints.” Dating back to 1773, the original Little Greene Dye Works supplied pigments and dyes to the local weaving mills around Manchester, England. In 1996, David Mottershead—a chemist in the paint and coatings industry—resurrected the brand as Little Greene, which today is coveted for its luxury paints and elevated wallpapers. A curated palette of 211 colors is available in the US and the paints are tinted to order.

Crossing over the pond, Greenwich was a good fit for Little Greene. “It has a lovely village feel and the design district of Greenwich felt like a natural choice for us,” notes Ruth Mottershead, creative director. “It really is the perfect springboard for us to begin our USA business, as our products and services would be well understood by the clientele.” To learn more, turn to page 88, "Meet the Maker." 9 Putnam Ave., Greenwich, 203-485-0433, littlegreene.com.

TRADING UP

Expanding its presence in Westport, Pottery Barn moved to a new location boasting a total of 15,000 square feet. The Post Road store hosts monthly “how to” classes, focusing on different design topics each session, led by the store’s interior design associates. Customers are afforded the opportunity to learn design tricks and engage with experts for tips on styling your space, finding the best hostess gifts or making a checklist for entertaining. Pottery Barn’s design team is available to help with design questions or inquiries. 620 Post Rd., E., Westport, 203-429-0048, potterybarn.com.

—Mary Fitzgerald

HOMECOMING: NEIL LANDINO JR.; NEW COLOR ON THE BLOCK: COURTESY OF LITTLE GREENE

NEW COLOR ON THE BLOCK

Exceptional Products, Personal Service.

WESTPORT SHOWROOM 203.227.5181 gaultstone.com

BETHEL SHOWROOM 203.790.9023 STONE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES

M A R K E T PL AC E

BETWEEN THE LINES LINEAR PATTERNS AND DISTINCTIVE BORDERS ADD PERSONALITY UNDERFOOT

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GRIDWORK

1. Rosemary Hallgarten Inspired by woven baskets Hallgarten found on a trip to Greece, Coco Stripe in 100-percent wool is enhanced with hand-dyed and knotted ombré fringe. rosemaryhallgarten.com.

2. New Moon Hand knotted in Tibetan wool, Block Sample is inspired by the pangden aprons of Tibetan women. newmoonrugs.com.

3. Jennifer Manners A classic herringbone pattern is given a modern, graphic spin in a combination of hand knotted Himalayan wool with bamboo silk. jennifermanners.co.uk.

4. Jan Kath From the Common Threads collection, the Watteau 3 rug in wool, silk and nettle can be customized in color, size, format and materials. jan-kath.com.

5. Rugs USA Creator Arvin Olano designed the Brega Geometric rug with a minimalistic motif. It is handmade in high-quality New Zealand wool. rugsusa.com.

6. Ashley Stark Home Bold geometric lines and highcontrast colors define the Arvin rug, hand knotted in 100-percent wool. ashleystarkhome.com.

7. Soho Home In a wool blend, the Jarrett rug

is striking in a Rust colorway with contrasting high and low pile to create depth and texture. sohohome.com.

8. Safavieh From the Mirage collection, this rug is hand loomed in dark gray banana art silk and cotton. safavieh.com.

9. Annie Selke Designed by Marie Flanigan, the Everett rug is super soft in New Zealand wool in ivory and gray with a braided fringe. annieselke.com.

10. Obakki The contemporary Zapotec design of the Oaxacan rug is created with color blocking and bold stripes.

Made in Mexico, every sale goes toward supporting local artisans and their communities. obakki.com.

11. Loloi Inspired by classic Moroccan rugs, the Alice Collection is a collaboration between Chris Loves Julia and Loloi rugs. Durable, graphic and soft underfoot, Alice features a high-low texture with warm, earthy colors. Power-loomed in Turkey in a polyester pile, each rug is finished with a subtle fringe. loloirugs.com.

12. Kravet Made in India, the Toven rug in Cloud is hand knotted in nylon and polyethylene for durability. Available in custom sizes. kravet.com.

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BORDER LINES

1. Ward + Gray NYC interior design firm Ward + Gray created Dune, a rug inspired by free-form lines drawn in the sand. The flat weave rug is made from a blend of hemp and jute with 100-percent hand knotted New Zealand wool shag pile overlay. wardandgray.com.

2. Élitis Available in six colorways, the handmade Yasabai rug is made from 100-percent jute that is braided and backed with cotton. elitis.fr.

3. Studio Four A hand woven dhurrie in silk, Ponti is shown here in the Salvia colorway. studiofournyc.com.

4. Erik Lindström Arcade, designed by Erik Lindström, is a hand tufted cut pile rug in wool and silk bordered in an Art Deco style motif. eriklindstrom.com.

5. Nordic Knots A collection of rugs designed by Giancarlo Valle includes Loops Green with a unique cut-out corner design. Handmade in small batches, they are crafted from soft New Zealand wool. nordicknots.com.

6. JD Staron From the Pure collection of ecofriendly rugs produced without chemicals, dye or soap, this rug begins as handspun yarn from freegrazing sheep and is composed of Mulberry silk and natural wool with an abstract edge. jdstaron.com.

7. Kyle Bunting In cream, indigo and slate, the Cannes rug displays a banded triple decagon design in hair-on-hide. kylebunting.com.

8. Apadana Laura Gottwald's collection for Apadana includes Modern Fantasia.

The Persian wool rug is composed of asymmetrical triangles highlighted with an irregular border. apadanarugsandcarpets.com.

9. Rhyme Studio NYC’s Rhyme Studio uses traditionally spun and hand-tufted Irish wool to create organic rugs.

The latest grouping, Black Sheep, includes Geometry in deep brown undyed wool. rhymestudio.com.

10. Lucy Tupu From the Duncan collection, the Picton rug is outlined with a playful frame in a contrasting color, and is inspired by the bright colors and shapes of the ’60s and ’70s. lucytupu.com.

11. Arhaus Handwoven in India, the wool Corso rug from Arhaus features an abstract and textural outline design. arhaus.com.

FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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J E W E L RY

OUT OF THE BLUE SAIL INTO SPRING WITH THIS SEASON’S TAKE ON CLASSIC BLUE AND WHITE JEWELRY B Y H A R R I E T M AYS POWELL

Miseno’s 18k white gold, diamond and blue sapphire crescent Procida hoop earrings, $11,700. Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, saksfifthavenue.com, misenousa.com.

Melissa Kaye’s 18k yellow gold, diamond and navy enamel Riley ring, $8,950. Mitchell’s, Westport, shop.mitchellstores.com, melissakayejewelry.com.

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Anna Maccieri Rossi’s 18k yellow-gold heart charm with mother of pearl and aventurine-glass striped center, with white gold and diamond star details, $5,940. Muse x Muse, NYC, musexmuse.com.

J E W E L RY

Ritique’s sapphire and diamond duo stud earrings in 18k white gold, $7,690.

Kirna Zabete, NYC, kirnazabete.com, ritique.com.

Sylva & Cie’s denim sapphire cross pendant in 18k yellow gold, $7,250. Maltese crystal cross with diamonds, $19,500 (gold chain sold separately). Mitchells, Westport, Richards, Greenwich, shop. mitchellstores.com, sylvacie.com.

JLRocks’ sapphire song ring in 14k gold with sapphires and diamonds, $1,475.

JLRocks, Westport and Greenwich, jlrocks.com.

Silvia Furmanovich’s marquetry earrings with diamonds and blue topaz, set in 18k yellow gold, $7,480. Bergdorf Goodman, NYC, bergdorfgoodman.com, silviafurmanovich.com.

FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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T R AV E L B Y D E S I G N

Tap into Ancient Wisdom A G R E E K R E T R E AT T H AT H O N O R S A G E - O L D T R A D I T I O N S

COURTESY OF EUPHORIA RETREAT

Scenes From Euphoria (clockwise across spread from left) Water is a key element that repeats in the spa starting with the water well from above and below. The dome in the indoor pool; fireplace with an arch detail; terrace dining; beautiful series of arches and domes in the Hammam; and an overview of the spa built into hill with ancient Mystras looming above.

I

n an age when we are bombarded with the latest and greatest—whether it’s fashion or fitness or technology—a trip to Euphoria Retreat (euphoriaretreat.com) in Greece showed me that age-old traditions are often the most effective. Located on the Peloponnesian peninsula two hours from Athens, the retreat honors the myths and mysticism of Olympian gods and mythical heroes. Add stunning Byzantine churches, a sunny Mediterranean climate and verdant hills dotted with citrus and olive orchards, and you will lose yourself and your cares. And that was the point of this journey.

While some spas are often centered on sacrifice and denial, Euphoria is different. Euphoria evolved from Marina Efraimoglou—the retreat’s founder whose cancer diagnosis when she was in her twenties, and a career in investment banking, led her to reevaluate her life. She sought balance through exploration and study of traditional Chinese medicine and the five elements (wood, fire, earth, water and metal). Inspired by her own recovery, she decided to create a place of healing where people could be gently guided and motivated to live a more holistic, balanced and spiritually satisfying way of life. I was all in.

I loved not feeling the pressure (as you do at some spas) to race from Pilates to yoga to the

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massage table. Highlights of the trip included hikes to the archaeological site of Mystras; lectures on nutrition; drama therapy (where we explored Antigone by Sophocles!); and a sound-healing meditation group. But the spa offers rigorous hikes and has an impressive gym complete with trainers As a design editor, I loved how architecture, color and lighting manifested the owner’s vision. Byzantine domes and monastic arches give the spa a churchlike feel. The guest rooms are decorated with accessories by local artisans and palettes that evoke the five elements.

Perhaps the highlight for me was the 25-meter water well, linking all four floors with a spiral staircase.

Look up and you see the sun or stars (fire element) as your feet enjoy the hot and cold footbaths. The graded colors of the water well represent the layers we must shed if we are to transform. Climb the stairs (wood element) then return to the ground floor and the feel of earth. In the sphere pool, you hear the sounds of whales and dolphins as you dive under the sphere that envelopes the center of the indoor pool. Swim through a door to the outdoor pool and experience the blue sky and Mediterranean sunshine! Then choose a sauna and steam room, a cold plunge pool and ice fountain, or the salt room. One of my last treatments that stayed with me for weeks was the five-element balancing treatment.

The food was superb and varied. Many of the vegetables and herbs are grown right on the property. Not once did I feel I was restricted in my meal choices: grilled octopus with Romesco sauce or a Greek salad (of course) with Laconian olives or cold beet soup with yogurt, spearmint and pistachios; sauteed seabass with a citrus sauce or lamb chops or vegan moussaka. All so good!

And did I say wine was served?

As I left for home, I knew I’d changed. I had needed an emotional cleansing and Euphoria provided it. Old therapies still work in the 21st century.—DJ Carey

FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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DEEDS DON’TS DEEDS & DON’ TS

I N S I D E S T O R I E S B E H I N D A R E A R E A L E S TAT E D E A L S

Lodge Life Among other top amenities, this $24,995,000 Adirondack-style Greenwich home has a wood-lined sauna and a mirrored gym. It’s listed with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 917-539-3654.

LISTINGS WE

T

o ring in the month that’s all about romance, the five homes featured here offer the kind of awesome amenities that would make anybody fall in love: Among them, a private beach and dock, spa facilities and, for highfliers, an airstrip. And after a tough 2023, here’s more heartwarming news: While most home-buying stats were grim last year, Connecticut’s luxury real estate market posted some impressive sales, including the Christmas-week purchase of Darien’s Ziegler Farm, the 52-acre waterfront spread that closed at $57.5 million. With lowered interest rates helping a stalledout market get back in gear, pundits are predicting more good news when the spring selling season kicks off—in just a few weeks’ time.

Purchase a certain gated Greenwich property and you never have to venture off the premises to practice self-care. The $24,995,000 home was designed to resemble an Adirondack lodge—in both its lakeside setting and the amenities found across its nearly 20,000-square-foot interiors designed

by Sara Story. Your tour starts on the walk-out lower level, which features a coffered-ceiling billiards room, a mirrored gym, a sauna and an indoor/outdoor party space with a full bar and wine room. Indeed, the entire 21.9-acre property is like a party waiting to happen with its indoor swimming pool, tennis court, firepit, floating dock and two-bedroom guest house with a full kitchen. It’s offered by Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty.

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REALTY PLANS FOR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

FOR THAT SPA LIFE

DEEDS & DON’ TS

WESTPORT FOR THE WIN

Collectively, the town of Westport offers up the market’s most appealing amenities this month. Starting in Saugatuck, and directly on Long Island Sound, a $12.5 million home is equipped with such coveted features as an 80-foot pier, a 20-foot floating dock and a private beach. The back of the house takes full advantage of its waterfront setting with landscaped terraces featuring a pretty pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen and dining space, and a glass-walled conservatory. And inside the 8,246-square-foot home, there’s a home office, a fitness room and a dreamy primary suite with a balcony and dressing room. Cathy Mulrenan of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing.

There’s a tiny enclave called Author’s Way in the Greens Farms neighborhood in Westport. And that’s where you’ll find a brand new (circa 2024!) six-bedroom Colonial, listed for $4,699,000. The first and perhaps best “amenity?”

Fired Up A cozy fireplace warms the lower-level great room in this new construction Westport home, listed for $4,699,000 with Leslie Riback and Lori Popkin of Coldwell Banker Realty in Westport. 203-8581795 and 203-984-7677.

FOR HIGHFLIERS

Finally, a Bristol estate is equipped with a paved and private FAA-approved airstrip with an attached hangar, which, according to the listing agent, is the only one listed state-wide. The 49-acre hilltop property—owned by late Connecticut state senator Wallace Barnes—also features a contemporary main house with additional awesome amenities, including an indoor resistance pool with a spa and a home gym. The primary suite offers a wood-paneled sauna and spa bathtub and there are two additional ensuite bedrooms. It lists for $2,995,000 with Ellen Sebastian of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. —Diane di Costanzo

Sky’s The Limit This Bristol property, equipped with a private, FAA-certified airstrip, lists for $2,995,000 with Ellen Sebastian of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Avon. 860-930-8407.

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CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

BE WELL

TREND ALERT: Wellness amenities are nearly de rigueur among our state’s premium properties.

Exemplifying this trend is a $14,495,000 Greenwich estate, which offers a lowerlevel fitness and spa facility that’s equipped with a basketball court, an impressive gym and a massage room and spa bathroom for postworkout pampering.

The primary suite is another good spot for quality “me time,” featuring a fireplace, a private sun deck, two custom dressing rooms and a spa-like bathroom. And on the 2.2-acre grounds, you’ll find a covered porch, an expansive terrace and a pool with spa. It lists with Leslie McElwreath and Patte Nusbaum of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 917-5393654 and 203-2490078.

TOP LEFT, MIDDLE: REALTY PLANS; TOP RIGHT: REALTY PLANS FOR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY; BOTTOM: KEVIN GALLIFORD

Splash Zone This $12.5 million home on the waterfront in Westport is listed with Cathy Mulrenan of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Southport. 203-331-3612.

No one has ever lived in the home’s pristine, nearly 7,000-square-foot interiors. The builder R.B. Benson & Co nabbed two HOBI awards for the other homes in the Author’s Way community—and this one looks like a winner, too. Its open plan interiors are centered on the handsome kitchen, which flows to an adjoining family room with a fireplace, a dining space and a butler’s pantry. The family-friendly lower level has a great room with a stylish fireplace wall made of reclaimed wood, a beverage center and an ensuite bedroom. And outside, there’s a pool and a covered patio with another fireplace. The property is co-listed with Leslie Riback and Lori Popkin of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Our door is always open From Paris to Pemaquid, creating timeless & beautiful homes for wonderful people. fine furnishings · interior architecture · decoration Linda Anne Banks, asid

Do You

simplyhomepage.com

207.781.5651

Your Realtor?

Joni’s Clients Do

JONI USDAN #1 Real Estate Team, 2013- 2024 YTD 203.216.7654 | JONIHOMES@BROSSCHINGAS.COM 5 Rabbit Hill Road, Westport, sold by Joni, 5% over ask, $4.925 million

The MAR JENNINGS 2024 Designer Show House Team at Higgins Group

|

REAL ESTATE

Welcome to Canaan Barn

772 North Wilton Road, New Canaan, CT 06840 Introducing a new sophisticated, contemporary-styled home that is both unmatched in modern expression and luxurious living. Canaan Barn is a stunning estate proudly introduced by New Canaan’s premier builder GreenDay Construction.

For a private tour email mar@marjennings.com, call 203-984-5203, or go to marjennings.com 30 Elm Street, Westport, CT 06880, Licensed in CT. Price upon request.

A SPECIAL SECTION

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW Connecticut has seen an influx of new homeowners who enjoy the best in architecture and design as well as the latest scoop on Real Estate news in CTC&G. While Real Estate sales have slowed, C&G’s Readership Survey shows that 44% of respondents said they are in the market to buy a house in the next two years. Homeowners will need an agent or broker to help them buy or sell their home.

In this section we present some of the brokers you should know when you are ready to move or purchase a vacation h o m e o r i nve st m e n t p ro p e r ty.

SPECIAL PROMOTION

BRIAN MILTON COMPASS Brian Milton is a founding agent of Compass in Connecticut and Westchester. He has achieved over a billion dollars in real estate sales. His focus on relationships, creative strategies and professionalism are what set him apart as one of the most elite agents in the nation and recognized by WSJ/RealTrends.

203.900.4020 BRIANMILTONCOMPASS.COM @BRIANPMILTON

21 S STERLING RD ARMONK, NY

Brian Milton is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass.

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

Conceptually crafted with your well-being in mind. This awardwinning home, designed by Carol Kurth Architecture and built by Legacy Construction NE, is an architectural masterpiece that creates an atmosphere of relaxed luxury. A cantilevered fireplace, floating wood staircases and cathedral ceilings are some of the thoughtfully considered elements found in the minimalist interiors. A suite of premium amenities make your everyday a remarkably refreshing experience. The unique two-story greenhouse indoor pool with a retractable glass A-frame roof is the signature amenity, while a spa area, indoor basketball and sport court, top-grade exercise room, and theater room complete the collection.

This personal sanctuary is only 45 minutes to NYC. Exclusive Offering - $7,995,000

SPECIAL PROMOTION

CHRISTINE SAXE TEAM SAXE & BRYAN OF COMPASS A real estate professional for more than 20 years, Christine’s impressive track record and award-winning career can be attributed to her exemplary service and expert knowledge of the Connecticut real estate market.

Whether it’s buying or selling, Christine is equipped with the skills to seamlessly close any deal, thriving most when faced with impediments.

203.273.1548 COMPASS.COM/AGENTS/CHRISTINE-SAXE @SAXEANDBRYANPROPERTIES

3 OLD KINGS HIGHWAY SILVERMINE, CT Masterfully built and thoughtfully designed by the Glazer Group, 3 Old Kings Highway is the perfect culmination of historic reflection and a look to a modern aesthetic. Nestled in the hamlet of the Silvermine Village, this property features a stunning great room with soaring ceilings punctuated by reclaimed beams and wide plank oak floors.

Fall asleep to the sounds of the Silvermine River and Guthrie Falls outside the luxurious first floor primary suite. Steps to GrayBarns on the Silvermine River and the curated collection at the Mercantile, life simply doesn’t get any better than this.

Christine Saxe is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

Exclusive Offering - $2,560,000

SPECIAL PROMOTION

ELLEN MOSHER HOULIHAN LAWRENCE Ellen Mosher has been a market leader in Greenwich, CT for more than 20 years and is consistently recognized by the Wall Street Journal/Real Trends as one of the top 100 agents in the United States. Her focus is to ensure that each client’s needs are fulfilled in a prompt, professional manner with a tailored individualized plan to meet their goals. Those who have sold their homes with Ellen remark on her strong work ethic, creativity and discretion. Buyers appreciate her patience, negotiating skills and access to off market properties.

203.705.9680 ELLENMOSHER.COM @ELLENMOSHERREALESTATE

GREENWICH, CT An exquisite country residence located in the sought-after backcountry of Greenwich, just a 45-minute drive from NYC. Situated on four acres of land, this property features a gated entrance, a sweeping driveway, a sparkling pool and spa, and expansive lawns and meadows. The five-bedroom shingle style home is designed with an open floor plan, seamlessly blending modern amenities with the timeless charm of a Litchfield Country home.

Raised-paneled passageways guide you through both formal and casual spaces, including a fabulous bright kitchen and a vaulted family room with a stone fireplace. Perfect for those who love to entertain, this home offers a turnkey lifestyle.

RoundHillGreenwich.com.

Exclusive Offering - $4,950,000 BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

SPECIAL PROMOTION

EVANGELA BROCK DOUGLAS ELLIMAN Evangela Brock, a distinguished real estate professional since 1998, serves clients in Connecticut, New York, and Florida through Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Known for her impressive sales achievements and formidable negotiation skills, she offers a seamless realty experience.

Evangela is a Greenwich native, fluent in Greek, passionate about the arts, and actively involved in philanthropic endeavors within her community. You can reach out to Evangela any time at Evangela.Brock@elliman.com.

203.253.2356 ELLIMAN.COM/EVANGELABROCK @EVANGELA.BROCK.REALESTATE

31 MEADOW WOOD ROAD GREENWICH, CT In the highly sought-after Greenwich area, nestled within the exclusive Belle Haven Association and Quarry Farm’s gated enclave, awaits a captivating storybook home. Poised gracefully on 1.2 acres of prime real estate, this residence presents a remarkable opportunity for a complete transformation. Stripped down to its structural core, it offers a blank canvas for your creative vision, whether that involves a meticulous renovation, a thoughtful expansion, or the creation of an entirely new masterpiece. This private sanctuary enjoys the serenity of a secluded road while embracing breathtaking water vistas. Noteworthy features include a generous 4-car garage, an auxiliary outbuilding, and the privilege of access to the association’s lush lawn, offering magnificent panoramic water views. Additionally, a private beach and a convenient kayak launch await your aquatic adventures, all within the Belle Haven Club’s close proximity.

Sale Price - $2,600,000 BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

SPECIAL PROMOTION

JACLYN PICARILLO UNIQUE & LUXURY PROPERTIES HIGGINS GROUP PRIVATE BROKERAGE | FORBES GLOBAL PROPERTIES Specializing in the marketing, sale, and rental of Unique & Luxury Properties in Fairfield County, Jaclyn is a top producing Realtor for more than 20 years. With an unwavering commitment to exceed her client’s expectations, Jaclyn’s impressive resume of record-breaking real estate transactions speak for itself. Warm and friendly with a polished, boutique approach, Jaclyn’s creative and targeted marketing, strong industry relationships, and winning negotiating strategies produce outstanding results.

203.981.5012 UNIQUELUXURYCT.COM @JACLYN_PICARILLO_REALTOR06880

987 PEQUOT AVENUE SOUTHPORT, CT “Southport Chic” - Attention Investors... this stunning home is being rented for a premium through June 2025! Just steps to all you cherish in Southport, this French inspired 5,200SF beauty will make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to the European countryside although you’re just 50 minutes from Manhattan. This French Provincial prize is perfectly private, buffered from the road on a picturesque 2.79 acres with heated pool and 3-car garage. Timeless and sophisticated, the public rooms are large and inviting with French doors uniting the interior with outside patios and entertaining spaces. You’ll adore the high ceilings throughout, 5/6 bedrooms, 4 fireplaces, and elegant lifestyle in the comfortable sun-drenched spaces.

Exclusive Offering - $3,995,000 BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

SPECIAL PROMOTION

KARLA MURTAUGH COMPASS Karla is well respected and consistently recognized as a top-producing Fairfield County Realtor and has repeatedly been recognized as one of WSJ Real Trends “America’s Best” Realtors. Her talented team represents properties ranging from 1-bedroom condos to exceptional estate properties. #1 Real Estate Brokerage in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

203.856.5534 KARLA.MURTAUGH@COMPASS.COM @KARLAMURTAUGHHOMES

225 NOD ROAD RIDGEFIELD, CT This turnkey, 5,862 sq ft transitional Colonial offers a super functional semi-open floorplan, high ceilings, hardwood floors, fabulous chef’s kitchen and floor to ceiling stone fireplace. Beautifully renovated baths, cedar roof, copper gutters, pool; spa against a wonderful setting. Minutes to downtown Ridgefield. Approx one hour to NYC. (above) Exclusive Offering - $1,995,000

92 SILVER HILL ROAD RIDGEFIELD, CT

Karla Murtaugh is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

One of Ridgefield’s most admired mini estates. Exceptional vintage 5 BR Colonial has been through an expansive renovation by a premier architect.

New England charm showcases a fabulous transitional, stylish interior. 1st floor guest/in-law suite and separate guest cottage makes this the perfect family compound. Extraordinary level 2.35-acre setting. (left) Exclusive Offering - $2,100,000

SPECIAL PROMOTION

RICK DISTEL COMPASS Rick Distel brings an unmatched passion and expertise for marketing homes to his bi-coastal and international clientele.

Rick’s guiding principle is that luxury is not a price point, rather a level of service. By treating his clients’ equity as his own, he provides guidance and service at the highest level.

646.417.2720 COMPASS.COM/AGENTS/RICK-DISTEL-CT @SELLINGBOTHCOASTS

Hedgelawn Farm - Incomparable country compound on 28 acres overlooking hundreds of acres of Steep Rock Land Trust.

191 ROXBURY ROAD WASHINGTON, CT

Rick Distel is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

Hedgelawn Farm is a remarkable country compound situated on 28 acres, offering breathtaking views of Steep Rock Land Trust. Comprising three distinct residences, this unique property showcases luxury and serenity. The barn house, a 4,500SF penthouse, boasts panoramic vistas and opulent features, while the 2,800SF guest house combines modern elegance with historical charm. The cottage, a 1BR studio, serves as an ideal space for an au pair or artist. With recent renovations and top-quality construction, including new kitchens, baths, wiring, and plumbing, this estate offers unparalleled value.

Additional amenities include ponds, pastures, a 5-vehicle barn, and more.

Ready for its new owner.

Exclusive Offering - $8,500,000

SPECIAL PROMOTION

ROBIN KENCEL ROBIN KENCEL TEAM AT COMPASS Robin Kencel nurtures lasting relationships with clients from the worlds of finance, entertainment, professional sports, and business.

As a boutique real estate advisor, Robin showcases extraordinary properties with a high-touch approach, ensuring personalized service at every step. Robin specializes in curating a portfolio of exquisite homes that embody luxury and elegance and her unparalleled expertise seamlessly guides clients through the world of luxury real estate, offering bespoke solutions tailored to unique preferences.

203.249.2943 ROBINKENCELTEAM.COM @ROBINKENCEL

House photos by Alan Barry

GREENWICH, CT

Robin Kencel is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

This 1896 renovated carriage house has been completely reimagined as a sophisticated urban home by leading interior designer Ally Coulter. Starting with inspired architecture, Ms. Coulter introduced the chic, sophistication and glamour that she is known for to create a home that is gorgeous, luxurious and extremely livable. Original architecture includes stained glass and leaded glass windows, 10-12’ ceilings, and generously proportioned rooms. Highlights of the extensive renovation includes a floating glass, brass and steel staircase, walnut large plank custom flooring, rare slab marble in the first floor powder room and primary bathroom, Waterworks plumbing fixtures, wall upholstery in the lower level, Gracie handpainted custom wallpaper in the dining room and primary bathroom, and antique and custom lighting throughout.

Price upon request

SPECIAL PROMOTION

TOM FLYNN COMPASS Tom Flynn creates solid business relationships by being honest, creative, and timely in delivering on his tasks.

Real estate sales was a natural transition, using many of his qualities to generate new contacts, build relationships, and gain referrals from satisfied customers. He knows the value of real estate market knowledge, keeping abreast of developing market trends, and communicating relevant details to clients on a timely basis.

203.545.1949 TOM-FLYNN.COM @TOMFLYNNREALESTATE

GREENWICH, CT Ultra-modern design meets New England classic charm. Your imagination can stop right here!

Your new home reality will set in the moment you drive down the stately driveway and step onto the grounds.

Your new home will command views of a stunning horse farm, as well as the ground’s fresh water pond. This gem has ultimate privacy yet just minutes to Downtown Greenwich.

The Merritt Parkway is even closer!

You will immediately sense the finest in construction quality, materials, and finishes. This house features a steel and concrete foundation, the latest in insulation techniques, completely fueled by propane... resulting in a 6,500 square foot home that costs only $300 per month to heat!

Tom Flynn is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

Sale Price - $2,800,000

SPECIAL PROMOTION

YASHMIN LLOYDS COMPASS With more than a decade of experience in luxury real estate, Yashmin Lloyds is consistently recognized as one of the top realtors in Greenwich. Her exceptional expertise with both buyers and sellers, combined with a strong market knowledge and unwavering commitment to excellence, has earned her an outstanding reputation and a loyal community of clients. As the wife of a Greenwich native and the proud mother of three sons, she is also deeply rooted in the vibrant local community.

917.597.0178 YASHMINLLOYDSREALESTATE.COM @YASHMINLLOYDSREALESTATE

Yashmin Lloyds is a real estate salesperson licensee affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

9 HILLSIDE DRIVE GREENWICH, CT Sited on a beautiful hilltop, in the exclusive Rock Ridge Association, this stunning home is reminiscent of a charming European villa. Originally built in 1911 and meticulously maintained throughout the years.

Incredible period details are sublimely blended with modern luxuries. Elegant, light filled principal rooms with French doors leading to a magnificent terrace overlooking the recently renovated pool area. A timeless gourmet kitchen and formal dining room complete the main floor. Primary bedroom with 3 family bedrooms/2 baths on the 2nd floor. A finished lower level with a playroom/recreation room. This unique home offers the best of Greenwich with a private, park like setting and the conveniences of in-town living. Close to town, train, Greenwich Avenue shopping and dining.

Exclusive Offering - $2,995,000 BROKERS YOU SHOULD KNOW | FOLLOW US @COTTAGESGARDENS

#CGInsiderKBIS

C&G’S 7TH ANNUAL INSIDER TOUR AT KBIS 2024!

LIVE in LAS VEGAS February 27th and 28th!

PHOTO BY PAUL JOHNSON

BRAND SELECTIONS Armac Martin Borrowed Earth Centro Rochas Cubic Outdoor Living Dewils Industries Fantini Hestan House of Rohl JennAir (Whirlpool) Kohler Monogram Neolith nobilia North America Signature Kitchen Suite

For more details, visit cottagesgardens.com/KBIS2024

FEBRUARY

MICHAEL BIONDO

CON N ECT ICU T CO T TAGE S & GA R DE NS

THE POWER OF COLOR FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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Spirit of A 19th-century sea captain’s cottage is reimagined for modern times

BY SUSAN TAMULEVICH PHOTOGRAPHS BY READ MCKENDREE STYLING BY MATTHEW GLEASON

River View (this page) Accenting the view to the Mystic River, the soft Roman shades were made

by Susan Spurr with a Colefax & Fowler fabric.

The furniture is from the owners’ collection.

Watery Welcome (opposite page) A handpainted mural by artist Mark S. King, MSK Decorative Art, depicts the 19th-century clipper ship Twilight, which was built on the Mystic River and captained by one of the original owners of the house. Although the house was gutted in 2020, cabinetmaker Daniel Edgecomb’s charming stairway was preserved. Leslie Driscoll designed the herringbone patterned floor of reclaimed southern yellow pine. See Resources.

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f you want to understand what made Mystic Mystic, it’s not the bustling, carefully crafted, cute olde towne downtown. It’s what’s just around the corner. Take a turn off the commercial main drag, and you’ll find yourself in a world apart—a tidy row of vernacular 19thcentury houses. Set facing the Mystic River, these homes look to the river’s east bank, where for centuries, shipyards thrived producing sloops, barges, freighters, clipper ships, steamers and every other manner of maritime rig. Nicknamed Captains Row, all-but-one of these homes were once owned by sea captains—courageous adventurers in the golden age of sail. It is only fitting that, once again, one of these dwellings is home to a captain.

This particular 1835 Greek Revival house was constructed by Daniel Denison Edgecomb (1802–1887), a cabinetmaker who is said to have built coffins in the basement. The second owners in 1847 were Captain Gurdon Gates (1814–1892) and his wife Esther. The eldest of four brothers, Gates went “before the mast” as a teenager (all three brothers followed suit and eventually also became captains). By age 23, Gates was master of the schooner Emeline. As time went on, the ships under his command became larger and more impressive. About the time he bought this house in the mid-1800s, he commissioned the clipper ship Twilight to be built within eyeshot at the Charles Mallory Shipyard across the river. The captain gained local renown for his 1866 record run around the Horn in this ship; in fact, he sailed the Twilight four times around the Horn to San Francisco before selling her to a merchant seafaring company in Peru. As steam replaced sail, Captain Gates adapted, until 1872, when the 1,339-ton steam packet Victor of the Mallory Line

Family Time (left) In the family room, Leslie Driscoll designed the historically appropriate mouldings and panels, as well as the bookcase/cabinet, which houses a pop-up TV. Custom millwork and paneling is by AB Powell Woodworks. Grasscloth wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries forms the backdrop for a marine painting by Richard Loud. Dining In (top) The dining room walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Quiet Moments with trim in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, and the antiques are from the owners’ collection. See Resources.

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Softly To Bed (this page, left to right) Guest bedroom walls are painted in a soothing muted green—Sherwin Williams Sea Salt—the Roman shade fabric is Lee Jofa’s Wimberly Print; and the embroidery artwork above the bed was made by the client’s mother. The guest bathroom’s marble sink and frame are from RH; the tile pattern layout was designed by Leslie Driscoll; the tile is from Granite Marble & Tile Design Center.

Quiet Corner (opposite page) Continuing from the ground floor, the mural on the upper wall of the staircase depicts the tanker ship that the current owner captained in and out of San Francisco Harbor in the 1980s. See Resources.

was “cast away” off the east Florida coast while under his command. Terminating his maritime career, the captain returned home.

The current owners previously lived in Mystic— loved it—and planned to retire there. Nudged by the pandemic, the couple discovered the house in 2020.

At the time, they were still living in Texas, where the husband, also a captain, was working as a ship’s pilot in Houston harbor, one of the narrowest and busiest ports in the world. But with its romantic history and views to the river, this house was exactly where they wanted to be.

Architect Peter J. Springsteel was brought on to shore things up. There were some surprises. Turned out the sagging floor was in danger of collapse, and there 56

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was evidence of extensive fire damage within the walls.

The interior had to be gutted. A new floor joist system installed. But here’s where things went right. While the house was heavily restored inside, the original exterior facades—with an intricate Italianate veranda installed

by Captain Gates—were beautifully preserved, as required by the Mystic Historical Commission.

Amazingly, there is no feeling of discrepancy between the exterior and the interior: Walking in the front door, you feel you’ve encountered a small historic gem.

This is where interior designer Leslie Driscoll’s skills for designing custom cabinetry and historic mouldings came into play. Calculating at times within fractions of an inch, she accommodated the couple’s extensive eclectic antiques collection, including an exceedingly

tall floor clock. Wide mouldings and a fresh color palette infuse the interiors with warmth and tie open living areas together.

An overarching theme to Leslie Driscoll’s work is her use of artisan and bespoke details to make each space unique to the client. Most notable here is a mural that winds up the staircase. The design ties Captain Gates’s Twilight with the current captain, who sailed an oil tanker in and out of the San Franciso harbor earlier in his career. Both ships are memorialized in a custom painting by Mark King, who also incorporated a key common link—San Francisco, as emblemized by the Golden Gate Bridge, positioned at the top of the stair.

For our adventurous captains, in the end there’s no place like home. ✹

Water

Colors A modern twist on seaside-inspired design for a family with a passion for entertaining

W

hen furnishing this new home for a couple who loves hosting friends and family, Dan Mazzarini, BHDM Design principal and creative director, and his team used interesting artwork and geometric patterns, plus textural layers and bold shades of blue. “We took the couple shopping in the City,” notes Mazzarini, “and tried out all sorts of furniture. But by the third showroom, they told me, ‘If we’re going to make decisions, we’re going to need a glass of wine.’ So, that’s just what we did! After an afternoon at Pastis, we selected all the furniture and had a great time in the process.”

Airy Abode This new-construction home (above) built

by Fletcher Development overlooks Long Island Sound.

In the living room (right), a white Dmitriy & Co. sofa with soft black stripes and a pair of blue Hickory Chair swivel chairs flank an angular Olivya Stone coffee table.

See Resources.

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True Reflections Zieta mirrors (left) on the living room wall reflect Long Island Sound views, while wooden Profiles chairs have cushions in a Clarence House fabric, and the rug is from the Rug Company. In “his” office (above), glossy blue walls are complemented by a Lawson Fenning Ojai coffee table in walnut and a custom Kyle Bunting rug in shades of aluminum, steel and slate. See Resources.

Throughout their design journey, the fun-loving couple showed an affinity for colors inspired by their waterfront property. “The homeowners love cool colors—blues and water colors of all shades,” says Mazzarini. “We took our inspiration from the views of Long Island Sound.”

Upon entering the home on the second level, guests are instantly drawn into the expansive living room overlooking the water. A custom blue, pixelated rug from the Rug Company mimics the undulating shore, drawing the outdoors in. Two chairs with light wood frames and a blue-and-white fabric

sit across from sliding doors that open to the balcony.

Reflecting the view, four Zieta metallic balloon-like mirrors anchor one wall, while blue and gray accent pillows carry the seaside color palette, and terra-cotta accent pillows and light wood side tables add a dose of warmth and balance.

Mazzarini describes the dining room (adjacent to the living room) as: “Easy, breezy and fun. The open kitchen/dining room/bar combo speaks to our clients’ love of entertaining, without being fussy or formal.” Above the wet bar, open shelving showcases the couple’s glassware collection. Apparatus Studio FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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“The open kitchen/dining room/bar combo speaks to our clients’ love of entertaining, without being fussy or formal”

pendant lighting hangs over the bar, while a larger scale version illuminates the round dining table that centers the room, and glass pocket doors open the space to the second-floor patio.

In choosing timeless but playful pieces like the Dmitriy & Co. chairs in the family room, the design team used sophisticated yet quirky elements to match the couple’s vibrant personality. A pragmatic Nobilis wallcovering masquerades as wood beams overhead, and an oversized white fireplace offers a cozy touch. Woven Omexco Paperweave wallcovering adds dimensional texture, while a raffia coffee table sports a customized periwinkle hue, which is also seen in the geometric pattern of the cordless window shades.

“It’s not every day we get to add periwinkle to a family space,” notes Mazzarini. “Here, mixing it with natural and cerused woods and lots of white makes it fresh and more subtle. I love the way it feels like it has a lot of color, without actually having a lot of color in it.” The

Warm Whites (left to right across spread) Blakely stools from Ballard Designs with backs crafted from handwoven seagrass rope bring texture and natural hues to the light-filled kitchen. In the wet bar, Anna Karlin stools feature bronze bases and brown leather cushions; the wallcovering is custom by Floe Painting. An Apparatus Studio ceiling fixture illuminates a custom dining table from Old Mill Road Tables. See Resources.

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“It’s not every day we get to add periwinkle to a family space. Mixing it with woods and lots of white makes it fresh and more subtle” 64

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In The Details A Dmitriy & Co. sofa and swivel chairs surround a Holly Hunt coffee table in the family room (above), while leather pillows from Global Leathers and an ottoman from Arteriors add pops of warm color.

In “her” office (opposite page), which also functions as a guest bedroom, a Century desk is paired with a taupe chair sourced from Laurin Copen Antiques. See Resources.

room is grounded by a round geometric rug that is complemented by the warm beige accents of the pillows and lighting.

A pair of home offices take on very different personalities. For his, glass industrial-style double doors open into a glossy slate-blue room filled with geometric patterns—from the hide rug to the upholstered guest chairs. “We used a Kyle Bunting rug underfoot— it’s a neutral but bold geometric design,” says Mazzarini. “I like the artful feel it adds to the room.” A fireplace is surrounded by custom built-in bookshelves, while brown accents are pulled into the space through tobacco leather pillows and a Lawson Fenning walnut coffee table. In her office, a palette of whites and peaches deliver a serene vibe. A bed was added to provide space for overnight guests, while a blush Fair lounge chair and metallic ottoman offer another spot to relax and take in the scenery. ✹

Well Positioned Located just off the kitchen, the sunroom is lined with wraparound windows, while a Ralph Lauren Home chandelier hangs over a dining table and chairs from Vesta. See Resources.

Balancing

Act

ADDRESSING PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE IN THE THOUGHTFUL UPDATE OF A HISTORIC HOME

BY ANN KAISER | PHOTOGRAPHS BY EMILY SIDOTI

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Social Section Hogue divided the large living room with backto-back sectionals from Vesta, creating even more spaces for entertaining.

The floor lamp is from RH, and bronzed metal coffee table is also from Vesta. See Resources.

R

enovating an antique home is a balancing act between respecting history and making space for the new homeowners’ taste and lifestyle.

Designer Michelle Hogue is an expert at preserving the best of the past while giving her projects a modern, personal touch. “When my clients walk into their home, and they feel seen and heard, and feel like their house represents who they are—that makes my heart smile,” says Hogue, who led the thoughtful update of this historic Victorian.

The clients are a couple with three school-age daughters, who had moved to New York City from North Carolina in 2015. They fell in love with the Northeast, but as their family grew, they weren’t feeling as smitten with their increasingly cramped Manhattan apartment. During the pandemic, they started exploring the suburbs, and decided to buy a weekend home in Ridgefield, with the intention to eventually move there full-time. Though they hadn’t planned on undertaking a major renovation, when this 1850s Victorian came up for sale, the fantastic central location, quirky architecture and mature landscaping made it too good to pass up.

Since the family planned to continue living in New York during the update, the homeowners knew they needed a designer they could fully trust to listen to their needs and manage the process. They’d seen Hogue’s work on the 2019 This Old House idea house in New Canaan—an 1840s Greek Revival that she and her team had updated while preserving its historical integrity—and asked her to strike the same balance in their home. Hogue, who is also a general contractor, takes a “blueprints to bar soaps” approach to her projects, considering every single detail. As such, “we spend a lot of time in the design phase,” says Hogue, to make sure that when her client walks through the door, they feel totally at home.

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Book Club (above) A book art piece from Natural Curiosities hangs over the fireplace in the library. Walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s Narragansett Green surround contemporary furniture from Vesta, and a Currey & Company teardrop chandelier hangs overhead. Detail Oriented (opposite page, clockwise from top left) Designer Michelle Hogue sits on a custom bench in the light-filled living room. Windowpanes were handpainted black to frame the grounds outside the solarium. A black banana-leaf Bodhi basket from Four Hands and handpainted candle holder from Luminara add graceful curves in the living room. See Resources.

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my clients “When walk into their

home, and they feel seen and heard, and feel like their house represents who they are—that makes my heart smile

”

their friends, and to create a place where they could host extended family for holidays and reunions.

Throughout the house, Hogue created spaces for socializing on every scale, and balanced more-angular architectural details with curvier, graceful furniture that reflects the couple’s more contemporary taste.

Each room has its own personality. “It makes for a magical hosting experience,” says the wife, and the family enjoys rotating throughout the spaces when they have guests over for different events.

The living room’s back-to-back sectionals are popular spots for lounging or reading. In the large, lightfilled sunroom, Hogue left the original leaded tranXX 72

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som windows, and created separate seating and dining areas. She created a sunny new sightline through the entire house and expanded the small kitchen by combining it with a dark and unused formal dining room. A new roof, leveled floors, all new mechanicals and the removal of lead-based paint ensure the house will be in good standing for years to come.

Though the home is largely decorated with lighter colors that feel more modern, Hogue pushed her clients to consider some historic hues as well to integrate some of its original style and make the palette feel richer and more cohesive. “We really gravitate toward lighter, more serene colors,” notes the wife.

“Left to our own devices we would have ended up with a very white, neutral house.” But they now agree that the deep Narragansett Green wall color in the library was the perfect choice, as well as the Hale Navy color used on the exterior. “We wanted to create a house that was current and updated, but that you wouldn’t know was just renovated,” says Hogue.

The family is now in town full-time, and the home has become the go-to spot for after-school hangouts and family gatherings. When they first began, “we didn’t know what this house could become,” says the wife, but thanks to Hogue’s careful consideration and personal touch, it’s everything they had hoped for. ✹

We wanted “ to create a house

that was current and updated, but that you wouldn’t know was just renovated

”

Timeless Design (left to right from opposite page) The primary bedroom has a bed from CB2, cozy bedding from Parachute Home and Ralph Lauren Home sconces. The glamorous powder room is painted in high gloss to complement the mosaic Artistic Tile floor, while a Waterworks washstand and wall sconces from Visual Comfort & Co. add elegant shine.

The playroom’s wall decals are from West Elm. A large chalkboard and Maisonette dollhouse provide hours of entertainment. See Resources.

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The New Traditionalists Chic colors and playful patterns fill a classic Georgian with youthful exuberance

LINDA A. BANKS AND EDITH SMITH furnish every

Gorgeous Georgian The moment the homeowners saw the ivy and the shutters on this house (above), they knew they had found their new home. In the living room (opposite page), a pair of Art Deco grilles bracket a vintage painting from 1stDibs whose hues helped dictate the design of all the rooms. See Resources.

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room of a house prior even to purchasing the items for their clients—at least on paper. As Banks, longtime founder of Banks Design Associates, says, “As nice as it is to have a detailed drawing to make sure a sofa fits in a living room, we create a detailed list—room by room—of everything that’s to go into it and where it’s to go.” Her senior designer, Smith, adds, “We really don’t know exactly what we’re looking for before we start looking for it,” whereupon both Banks and Smith say simultaneously, “And then the hunt begins.”

The Maine-based design team of Banks and Smith (both are Connecticut natives) are seasoned “hunters,” able to stalk and capture the right chairs and armoires, tables and artworks for a project. For 14 months, start to finish, the pair embarked on a search for items to fill all the rooms of a six-bedroom house in Greenwich for a young couple with two children. The homeowners were moving into the stone Georgian-style residence from a Greenwich Village apartment with only a sofa and two chairs.

Just as Banks and Smith are fearless in the marketplace, so, too, are the homeowners equally brave when it comes to aesthetics. “I am not afraid

BY DAVID MASELLO | PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL BIONDO

I love fringes and trims, because the moment you add a border, you’ve made something your own

Staying Stylish The expansive living room has multiple seating and working areas, including (left) at a custom “surfboard” table, where Vanguard Furniture ottomans serve as seats, and Cowtan & Tout embroidered linen draperies accent the windows. Elements in the living room (above) include gilt nesting tables from Mr. Brown, Holland MacRae side tables and Vanguard Furniture chairs. The painting over the sofa is through Black Rock Galleries. See Resources.

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Color Coordinates (clockwise across spread from opposite page) The cozy den is bathed in Farrow & Ball’s high-lacquer Hague Blue, while a Nina Campbell quilted cotton is used on a wing chair. A custom chandelier illuminates the dining room, where chairs are upholstered in a blue and green Schumacher velvet. The view from the foyer draws the eye through the house to the backyard pool. See Resources.

of color and pattern and texture,” declares homeowner Kim Nemser.

“I am thrilled that wallpaper is back,” she continues, emphasizing botanical patterns that appear to grow to the high ceilings in certain rooms. “I love fringes and trims, because the moment you add a border, you’ve made something your own.”

Banks has a history with the couple, having designed the interiors of their second home in coastal Maine. “Having done the process once before with Linda,” says Nemser, “I knew that the relationship you have with a designer is more important than anything else.”

For years, Banks had kept in storage two colorful French paintings she had bought never knowing where they might wind up, but confident they were fine pieces worthy of the right interior. “Those two paintings were perfect for this living room,” explains Banks. “They were the drivers for the interior palette of the rest of the house. The colors are the thread that carries through room to room.”

Indeed, each of the vibrant hues on the canvases appears in the house, the most striking example being the moody blues that envelop the den, a cozy space the homeowner cites as her and her husband’s favorite—while Banks and Smith call it the “sexy den,” a reference they FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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I am not afraid of color and pattern and texture.

I am thrilled that wallpaper is back

Bedroom Beautiful A Hickory Chair bed (this photo) in the primary suite features a tall all-mohair headboard. A Vanguard bench is accented with a Colefax & Fowler embroidered trim. Side tables are from Holland MacRae, and an Anna French botanical-themed paper enlivens the walls. An antique lacquered console (right) becomes a seating area with a pair of Lee Industries ottomans. See Resources.

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Fresh Looks Her office (above and left) features a Trica Furniture bench and a Vanguard Furniture day bed, while windows dressed with a Sanderson embroidered-cotton backdrop a Villa & Home desk. In the family room (opposite page), Lee Industries’ swivel chairs and a Vanguard sofa flank a Made Goods coffee table. See Resources.

coined for the best room in the house to retreat to for a drink by the fire. To further imbue the room with a signature element, the designers commissioned a painter to add gold-leaf to portions of the coffered ceiling.

A set of vintage Hickory dining chairs found by the design team were reupholstered in a green-blue Schumacher fabric, the ensemble of which assumes a special presence when the room’s crystal chandelier is illuminated. Each of the glass elements replicates either droplets of water, according to Banks and Smith, or icicles, according to the homeowner. “It took seven months to find the right chandelier,” recounts Nemser, “but it was worth the hunt because it’s such a fun element.”

The homeowner cites red as her favorite color (“Is it because I was born on Valentine’s Day?” she suggests rhetorically) to which Banks and Smith responded by infusing the family room with redpatterned draperies fashioned from a Schumacher pattern discovered by their project manager, David Leblanc. The repeating rhythm of the material—from window to window—assumes a striking effect against white-washed beams. Four swivel chairs sport red throw pillows trimmed in a moss fringe—“a detail that takes that room from 30 to a 100 in 10 seconds,” notes Smith.

“I think of this couple as the embodiment of New Traditionalists,” says Banks. “They’re both highly educated, have been surrounded by nice things growing up. They’re uber cool, hip, smart, and each successful in their own right. How could they not be the ideal couple for whom to design?” ✹ 82

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PA R T I E S & B E N E F I T S

Holiday House Tour

The Newcomers Club of New Canaan kicked off its annual Holiday House Tour at CARRIAGE BARN ARTS CENTER 3

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1. Eleanor Banco and Erica Juneja 2. Nicole Grant, Jane Crawford, and Newcomers Club of New Canaan President Lexi Faust 3. C&G Media Group Account Director Jamie Lewis, C&G Media Group CEO & Publication Director Marianne Howatson and designer Michele Rudolph 4. The Carriage Barn Arts Center was decked out in holiday décor. 5. Scott and Margot Buddenhagen with Katrina Parkhill 6. Natalia Gezo, Manoela Kaczynski, Kamil Kaczynski and Greg DiPrisco 7. Christina Montani, Ellen Pottharst, Allison Vartollo and Megan Mancosh 8. Newcomers Club of New Canaan Board Member Hope Menard, Chair Jenny Zoog and Treasurer Maria Mora

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CARA GILBRIDE

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PA R T I E S & B E N E F I T S

HBRA Annual Awards Dinner

The HBRA of Fairfield County hosted its annual awards dinner and casino night at the ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 3

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1. Torrco Design Center’s Andrea Crowley and Katie Cooper 2. Domus Constructors’ Chris Shea, designer Tori McBrien and designer Bonnie Paige 3. Guests put their “funny money” to the test on the tables.

4. County TV & Appliance’s Luigi Tevolini and Sean Rosen 5. HBRA of Fairfield County Sr. Vice President Rob Michaud, Member of the Year winner Lora Mazurak, and HBRA of Fairfield County President John Hertz 6. Marvin’s Tom Allard and Erin Shairzay of Ring’s End 7. Ornare’s Mylene DelNero with C&G Media Group Account Directors Lisa Heissan and Jamie Lewis 8. HBRA of Fairfield County Executive Officer Kerry Brunn welcomes the crowd and kicks off the awards.

9. DeRosa Builders’ Joe and Caitlin Stroll with Anthony and Lucie DeRosa

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CARA GILBRIDE

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DESIGN STOPS MUST-HAVES FOR THE DESIGN-OBSESSED SHOPPER

THE POST

The Poldina Pro is cordless, available in 16 sophisticated colors and finishes, and can light any location in or out of doors.

It’s a perfect match of elegant Italian design, portability, and convenience!

203.292.5700 thepostct.com @thepostct

CLARKE: SUB-ZERO, WOLF AND COVE SHOWROOM

Imagine browsing world-class appliances in dozens of designer kitchens, test driving them with a professional chef and having all your questions answered during a relaxed, inspiring experience. Located in South Norwalk. clarkeliving.com/welcome @clarke_showrooms

JL ROCKS

Better together, shop JL Rocks’ full collection of 14K stackable gold rings — mix and match to your heart’s content!

Westport 203.858.3047 Greenwich 203.990.0043 jlrocks.com / @jlrocksjewelry

F O L LOW U S @ C OT TAG E S G A R D E N S | S P E C I A L P R O M OT I O N

RESOURCES

RESOURCES

MORE

H E R E ’ S W H E R E T O F I N D T H E D E S I G N P R O F E S S I O N A L S A N D P R O D U C T S F E AT U R E D I N T H I S I S S U E

Designs. Wet bar: Stools, Anna Karlin.

Wall treatment, Floe Painting. Dining area: Light fixture, Apparatus Studio.

Dining table, Old Mill Road Table. Family room: Sofa and swivel chairs, Dmitriy & Co. Coffee table, Holly Hunt. Pillows, Global Leathers. Ottoman, Arteriors.

Her office: Desk, Century. Chair, Laurin Copen Antiques.

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Pages 52–57: Interior design, Leslie Driscoll, Driscoll Design, lesliedriscolldesign.com Architect, Peter J. Springsteel, springsteelarchitect. com. Contractor, Henry O’Reilly, O’Reilly Building & Remodeling, Inc., oreillybuilding.com. Custom millwork, A.B. Powell Woodworks, abpowellwoodworks.com. Stylist, Matthew Gleason, matthewgleason.com.

Powder room: (shown above), Wall mural, Mark S. King. Sink, Kohler. Sitting area: Roman shade fabrication, Susan Spurr. Fabric, Colefax & Fowler. Foyer: Mural, Mark S. King. Custom floor, Charles Peterson Signature Wood Flooring. Family room: Custom millwork, A.B. Powell Woodworks. Grasscloth wallcovering, Phillip Jeffries. Maritime painting, Richard Loud. Wingchair fabric, Lee Jofa. Bookcases and cabinetry, A.B. Powell Woodworks. Wall sconces, Visual Comfort. Dining room: Paint, Benjamin Moore. Guest bedroom: Paint, Sherwin-Williams. Shade fabric, Lee Jofa. Guest bathroom: Sink and frame, RH. Tile, Keystone by Daltile from Granite Marble & Tile Design Center. Faucet and shower fixtures, Waterworks. Wall sconces, Visual Comfort. Upstairs landing: Mural, Mark S. King. Roman shades, Alta Window Fashions.

Pages 66–73: Architectural and interior design, Michelle Hogue, Align by Hogue ID, hogueid.com.

Landscape design, Susie Aldrich, Surrey Style Designs LLC, susiealdrich. com. Structural engineers, DeStefano & Chamberlain, dcstructural.com. Civil engineer, RKW Land Surveying, 203966-3501. Pool and patio design, Franco Iannone, R.I. Pools and Masonry, ripoolsinc.com. Landscaping, Michelle Lopez, C&R Landscaping, crlandscapinginc.com. Dining area: Chandelier, Ralph Lauren. Dining table and chairs, Vesta.

Living room: Sectionals, bench and coffee table, Vesta. Floor lamp, RH. Rug, Boutique Rugs. Artwork, Wendover Art. Mirror, Urban Outfitters. Bodhi basket, Four Hands. Candle holder, Luminara. Sculpture, Arteriors. Wooden arch accessories, Glimpse & Hollow through Amazon. Marble ring, Currey & Company. Pillows, Coterie. Library: Art piece over fireplace, Natural Curiosities.

Paint, Benjamin Moore. Furniture, Vesta.

Chandelier, Currey & Company. Rug, Pottery Barn. Sunroom: Lighting, Visual Comfort. Furniture, Vesta. Primary bedroom: Bed and rug, CB2. Bedding, Parachute Home. Sconces, Ralph Lauren. Art over bed, Whom Home through Bloomingdales. Powder room: Floor tile, Artistic Tile. Washstand, Waterworks. Faucet, Kallista through Plimpton and Hills. Wall sconces and surface mount lighting, Visual Comfort.

Mirror, American Frameless. Playroom: Wall decals and poufs, West Elm. Table, Crate & Barrel. Dollhouse, Grove. Light fixture, George Kovacs through Chloe Winston Lighting Design.

WATER COLORS

THE NEW TRADITIONALISTS

from “Spirit of the Sea” SPIRIT OF THE SEA

READ MCKENDREE

BALANCING ACT

Pages 58–65: Interior design, Dan Mazzarini, Sarah Major, Cameron Burger and Kimmy Jin, BHDM, bhdmdesign. com. Builder, Fletcher Development, fletcherdevelopmentllc.com. Living room: Sofa, Dmitriy & Co. Chairs, Hickory Chair. Coffee table, Olivya Stone.

Mirrors, Zieta Studio. Wood chairs, Profiles. Chair fabric, Clarence House.

Rug, The Rug Company. His office: Coffee table, Lawson-Fenning. Rug, Kyle Bunting. Kitchen: Stools, Ballard

Pages 74–83: Interior design, Linda A. Banks, ASID and Edith Smith, Banks Design Associates, banksdesignassociates.com. Architect, The Fieber Group, fiebergroup.com.

Living room: Painting, 1stDibs. Chairs and ottomans, Vanguard Furniture.

Chair fabric, William Yeoward through Designers Guild. Draperies, Cowtan & Tout. Bullion fringe on sofa, Samuel & Sons. Pillow fabric, Holland & Sherry.

Nesting tables, Mr Brown London.

Side tables, Holland MacRae. Artwork over sofa, Black Rock Galleries. Ceiling fixture, Visual Comfort. Artwork over table, Portland Art Gallery. Den: Paint, Farrow & Ball. Wing chair fabric, Nina Campbell through Osborne & Little.

Swivel chair and ottoman, Hickory Chair. Dining room: Dining chairs, Hickory Chair. Wallpaper and dining chair fabric, Schumacher. Wall sconce, Visual Comfort. Foyer: Wallcovering, Schumacher. Primary suite: Bed, Hickory Chair. Bench, Vanguard Furniture.

Bench trim, Colefax & Fowler. Bedside tables, Holland MacRae. Wallpaper on bed wall, Anna French. Drapery fabric, Cowtan & Tout. Artwork between drapery, Portland Art Gallery. Bedroom seating area: Ottomans, Lee Industries.

Her office: Bench, Trica Furniture.

Day bed, Vanguard Furniture. Window treatment fabric, Sanderson. Desk, Villa & Home. Family room: Swivel chairs, Lee Industries. Sofa, Vanguard Furniture.

Coffee table, Made Goods. Drapery fabric, Sanderson. Ceiling lanterns and table lamps, Visual Comfort. Side tables, Thayer Coggin.

SOURCE LIST 1stDibs, 1stdibs.com Alta Window Fashions, altawindowfashions.com Amazon, amazon.com American Frameless, americanframeless.com Anna French (see Thibaut) Anna Karlin, annakarlin.com Apparatus Studio, apparatusstudio.com Arteriors, arteriorshome.com Artistic Tile, artistictile.com Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com Black Rock Galleries, blackrockgalleries.com Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com Boutique Rugs, boutiquerugs.com CB2, cb2.com Century, centuryfurniture.com Charles Peterson Signature Wood Flooring, charlesepeterson.com Chloe Winston Lighting Design, chloewinstonlighting.com Clarence House, clarencehouse.com Colefax & Fowler, cowtan.com Coterie, coteriebrooklyn.com Cowtan & Tout, cowtan.com Crate & Barrel, crateandbarrel.com Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com Daltile (see Granite Marble & Tile Design Center) Designers Guild, designersguild.com

Items pictured but not listed here are either from private collections or have no additional details.

CTC&G relies upon the providing party of the image to give accurate credit information.

Dmitriy & Co, dmitriyco.com Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com Floe Painting, floepainting.com Four Hands, fourhands.com George Kovacs (see Chloe Winston Lighting Design) Glimpse & Hollow (see Amazon) Global Leathers, globalleathers.com Granite Marble & Tile Design Center, gmtdesigncenter.com Grove, grovewithlove.com Hickory Chair, hickorychair.com Holland & Sherry, hollandandsherry.com Holland MacRae, hollandmacrae.com Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com Kallista (see Plimpton & Hills) Kohler, kohler.com Kyle Bunting, kylebunting.com Laurin Copen Antiques, laurincopenantiques.com Lawson-Fenning, lawsonfenning.com Lee Industries, leeindustries.com Lee Jofa, kravet.com Luminara, luminara.com Made Goods, madegoods.com Mark S. King, MSK Decorative Arts, mskdecorativeart.com Mr. Brown London, mrbrownhome.com Natural Curiosities, naturalcuriosities.com Nina Campbell (see Osborne & Little) Old Mill Road Table, oldmillroadtable.com Olivya Stone, olivyastone.com Osborne & Little, osborneandlittle.com Parachute, parachutehome.com Phillip Jeffries, phillipjeffries.com Plimpton & Hills, plimptonhills.com Portland Art Gallery, portlandartgallery.com Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com Profiles, profilesny.com Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com RH, rh.com Richard Loud, maritimeartstudio.com Samuel & Sons, samuelandsons.com Sanderson, sandersondesigngroup.com Schumacher, schumacher.com Sherwin-Williams, sherwin-williams.com Susan Spurr, 401-732-4119 Thayer Coggin, thayercoggin.com The Rug Company, therugcompany.com Thibaut, thibautdesign.com Trica Furniture, tricafurniture.com Urban Outfitters, urbanoutfitters.com Vanguard Furniture, vanguardfurniture.com Vesta, vestahome.com Villa & Home, vandh.com Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com Waterworks, waterworks.com Wendover Art, wendoverart.com West Elm, westelm.com Whom Home (see Bloomingdale’s) William Yeoward (see Designers Guild) Zieta Studio, zieta.pl

FEBRUARY 2024 | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | CTC&G

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MEET THE MAKER

Ruth Mottershead

Newly opened in its US headquarters in Greenwich, Little Greene is a family-run British company known for wallpapers and long-lasting, multidimensional “intelligent” paints.

David Mottershead founded the company in 1996, although Little Green Dye Works has records dating back to 1773. For this piece, we spoke to his daughter, Little Greene Creative Director Ruth Mottershead. “Dad was always around paint and color,” she notes. “As a child, I’d go to the factory, and I’d paint sample chips on the kitchen table.” Initially studying and practicing landscape architecture, she created outdoor public green spaces and heritage sites, feeding twin passions for design and the outdoors. Transitioning back to the family business, she joined her father and brother in the company in 2011.

As creative director, Mottershead devises concepts and ideas for upcoming paint and wallpaper collections, manages photoshoots and interacts with customers. She also handles promotional copy and social media, creating a contemporary presence for the company. Married to a wallpaper executive whom she met at work, they are raising their toddler daughter in a Victorian house with lots of detail, cornices and character. “We’ve given it a lick of paint and some wallpaper, and in time will evolve possible structural changes, but it’s very colorful now.” littlegreene.us.

A Family Affair (clockwise from above) Bird and Bluebell wallpaper in Pea Green. Little Greene founder David Mottershead with daughter Ruth and son Ben. The company’s US headquarters in Greenwich.

Why locate your American headquarters in Greenwich? It’s perfect, a natural choice for us. Our firm is located in a historic hamlet, and Greenwich has a village feel that is relatable to us as a brand and is the perfect springboard to begin our US business.

Describe the new paint formulation you are introducing here. They are self-priming, waterbased paints. They don’t need a primer, they are easy to apply and adhere well on multi-surfaces— glass, tile, metal, woodwork. This spring we’re introducing Sweet Treats—a caramel/honey/ chocolate palette specific to America.

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up to 16 components. You need to see the actual color and how it reacts to varying lighting, otherwise the colors may not match what they are supposed to be.

What differences do you see between US and European choices? High gloss is popular: Americans seem to prefer high sheen. In Europe, the preference is eggshell or matte.

What should be the first step in selecting a paint shade? It depends on the situation, but the character of the house is really important— the proportions, height, windows, any historical features. You want to reflect the character of the home rather than what is trendy.

Why are Little Greene’s sample color cards unique? Lots of countries use color-matched inks.

We make them with the actual paint straight from the tin. Our paints have complex pigmentation—

The paints have fanciful names. Why is one called Invisible Green? It was developed for Regent’s Park to disguise the railings so they don’t stand out against the foliage.

CTC&G | COTTAGESGARDENS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024

Little Greene has colors re-created from paint analyses in historic properties. Why is that important? We like to retain the historic aspects— what used to exist here—restoring it back to what it was. The door of Benjamin Franklin’s house in London was painted Chocolate Colour. We do a lot of work with the National Trust. You don’t want to redecorate a historic house.

What shades are popular now? The oldest colors are the trendiest. Olive Color, a yellowy green, Basalt, which is a bluish black, and Obsidian, a black with a green tone. They work on woodwork and walls as well.

What is your favorite color? I like Canton: It’s a turquoise blue—a bluey-green with a lovely warmth. It works well in lots of different light, and it doesn’t matter which way the room is facing.

—Sharon King Hoge

LITTLE GREENE

While you had your sights on opening in America for some time, how did the war in Ukraine play a role? We used to deal a lot with the Russian market. Having lost that business, we knew there was a demand here. Interior designers would ask us when were we coming to America, and it seemed the time to do it justice.

OK A Westpor t, 4 4 Main Street, Westpor t, CT 06880 203-583-8001 | oka.com/westpor t

E L E I S H VA N B R E E M S H O M E WESTPORT • NANTUCKET • NEW PRESTON | @ELEISHVANBREEMS