CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) MAY 2022 by Cottages & Gardens Publications

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may 2022

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C onnecticut C ottages & G ardens • M ay 2022 •

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FEATURES 52

The Magic of Gitanjali The estate is Dinyar and Gool Wadia's passion and their best expression of home by Susan

Tamulevich

principal photography by

Durston Saylor

Humming with Activity A verdant garden with a colorful palette attracts all varieties of winged visitors by

Tovah Martin Tim Lenz

photographs by

Earth, Wind, Fire + Water This retreat has all the elements for the ultimate backyard oasis by

Catriona Branca Mike Van Tassell

photographs by

Green with Elegance In loving hands, a lush wonderland emerged over three decades by

David Masello Nancy Elizabeth Hill

photographs by

From “Humming with Activity,” page 62. Photograph by Tim Lenz

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

on the cover “Green with Elegance,” page 80. photograph by Nancy Elizabeth Hill

C onnecticut C ottages & G ardens • M ay 2022 •

Marketplace

DEPARTMENTS 16 Editor’s Letter

Hit the Deck

Soak in summer with the latest outdoor furniture collections by

Letter from the CEO

Mary Fitzgerald

Contributors

Spotlight

Royal Blooms

Calendar

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

What’s New

Out of the Box

Gardening

Create a backyard escape with ideas for gardening, gathering and entertaining

Digging In

The tale of two vegetable gardens

Jewelry Modern Tribal

Inspired by traditional ethnic jewelry, these designs are enhanced by gemstones and precious metals, resulting in surprising and unusal creations by

Harriet Mays Powell

Meet the Designer

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

Mary Fitzgerald

Beatrix Ferrand

Design Notes A peek inside the latest buzz-worthy design news happening in the area

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

Three spectacular Connecticut gardens preserve the heritage of Beatrix Ferrand—America's first prominent female landscape gardener Excerpted with permission from Beatrix Farrand: Garden Artist, Landscape Architect by Judith B. Tankard

Mary Fitzgerald

Diane di Costanzo

Parties & Benefits

Resources

MIDDLE: DAVE NOONAN

COLUMNS 34

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ARTEMIS landscape architects www.artemisLA.com

Connecting You With Nature

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BLISSFUL BACKLOG

448 likes cottagesgardens“Really, all I wanted was a mudroom,” says Marisa Bistany Perkins of the quest that led her to this 1920s Normandy-style home on the Connecticut coast, “I just needed more space for the dogs!” See all of those spaces at the link in bio. Photo: @janebeilesphoto

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BLISSFUL BACKLOG: ELLEN MCDERMOTT; @COTTAGESGARDENS: JANE BEILES

Slow down this summer and find all of our home tours, old and new and across the globe, at cottagesgardens.com/home-tours/

residential architecture of distinction

Exquisite details

perfect proportions.

t r a d i t i o n a l a r c h i t e c t u r e f or t h e m o d e r n w o r l d .

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PA L M B E AC H 5 6 1 . 2 8 2 . 9 4 4 9

EDITOR’S LETTER

Spring Is In The Air

DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com Designed by Lindquist Design Associates, the garden in “Humming With Activity” (page 62) attracts hummingbirds and beneficial pollinators. print | web | graphic design

5 0 4 . 8 3 7 . 5 4 4 4

info@ScottOttCreative.com

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CAREY: CHICHI UBIÑA; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY WARREN TRICOMI SALON AND SPA, GREENWICH; GARDEN: TIM LENZ

17 years, i have dedicated one issue a year exclusively to gardens (I know, it’s in our name…). After a long winter and a landscape devoid of color, looking at beautiful gardens lifts my spirits and, even more importantly, signals spring is finally here. Another benefit has been that through the years, my knowledge of gardening has grown substantially. ■ Before, my knowledge of gardening and creating an interesting outdoor space was tied to my chores as a teenager. My siblings and I were always on call on weekends to help with the garden. It seemed that I was given the task of weeding more times than I care to remember. On the other hand, my older brother and sister were given chores like hauling rocks from the Hudson River to create borders or an actual rock garden. Looking back, I think I got off pretty easily! ■ Our parents had been overtaken with the gardening bug. While both were amateur gardeners, they had a vision of creating something of their own design and were more than willing to take on the challenges. My father, who loved design, took charge. His first task was making some of our trees more of a focal point, which really was no surprise since he had been a forest ranger in his twenties. He loved trees. He was continuously nurturing a rather large birch tree that was at one corner of our property. Elsewhere, he added a variety of bushes with differing shapes and foliage that added texture and interest. And he was all in favor of breaking up large expanses of lawn with an interesting grouping of flowers. He created paths to divide the garden and make it more visually appealing. He planted pachysandra on slopes and said goodbye to large swaths of grass. ■ While our garden was not in the same league as the beautiful gardens that fill this magazine, I appreciate the time I spent outdoors in helping create something pretty and uplifting. At the end of the day, isn’t that the point of it all? or the past

We Make We Make

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LETTER FROM THE CEO

Garden Greenery

Where Luxury & Adventure Gather Elegant accommodations and exciting recreation converge with exceptional cuisine featuring seasonal heirloom produce from our own organic garden. Discover the legacy of architecture and landscape at Vermont’s most beautiful address. Fly Fishing • Tennis • Falconry Biking • Golf • Swimming Spa • Family Activities • Hiking Garden Tours & Specialty Dinners

remember when we took our

surroundings for granted. Our gardens— and views—received nary a glance as we ran out of the house to work. For years, I lived in and loved New York City, hardly noticing the seasonal wonders of Central Park, plus the trees and flowers all along Park Avenue. Now I find myself at home in Connecticut walking from window to window, cup of tea in hand, looking out at the emerging greenery, the river, my little garden critters waking from winter and following the inevitable course of nature. ■ My neighbors have delved even deeper into gardening and find such joy in digging! Even the smallest backyard, balcony and window box gives pleasure. ■ I am delighted that our magazine titles include the word “Gardens,” and that our editors passionately seek out the best of the best outdoor spaces. And this special May issue never fails to deliver the sheer variety and fabulousness of Connecticut’s gardens, while providing inspiration for us all. Enjoy!

Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director mhowatson@candg.com

866.400.7551

(clockwise from top left) A perennial favorite: Rhododendrons in bloom along the Vee highway in Ireland. Peonies come to life in my border garden, while chipmunks emerge from their dens.

HOWATSON: DOREEN BIRDSELL

Woodstock, Vermont www.woodstockinn.com

AMY AIDINIS HIRSCH INTERIOR DESIGN

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may 2022 PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Marianne Howatson EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

DJ Carey DESIGN DIRECTOR

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Alexis M. Walter

Catriona Branca

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kristen Hoge

Mary Fit zgerald

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

EDITOR AT LARGE

Sarah Russo

Sharon King Hoge

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Sheri de Borchgrave, Diane di Costanzo, Helen Klisser During, Eva Hagberg, Jamie Marshall, Tovah Martin, David Masello, Mindy Pantiel, Harriet Mays Powell, Alexa Stevenson, Susan Tamulevich CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie Bidwell, Willie Cole, Tria Giovan, Robert Grant, John Gruen, Neil Landino Jr., Tim Lee, Tim Lenz, Ellen McDermott, Anastassios Mentis, Keith Scott Morton and Eric Richards, Costas Picadas PROOFREADER

Annette Rose-Shapiro C&G MEDIA GROUP EDITORIAL DIRECTORS

DJ Carey

Kendell Cronstrom

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Alexis M. Walter COTTAGESGARDENS.COM

Stacey Farrar , Beth McDonough Charlie Hobbs dailyDEEDS.COM EDITOR A nne G iordano CONTRIBUTING EDITOR A nn L oynd B urton PRODUCER Michael Ekstract DIGITAL INTERNS A nnika H olmberg , J acquelyn S hannon EDITORS AT LARGE

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CONTRIBUTORS

We asked our contributors to tell us about their favorite public garden and how it has influenced their landscape design WENDY LINDQUIST

Dumbarton Oaks, in Washington DC, is a jewel in the crown of public gardens. I love the decades of collaboration between Beatrix Jones Farrand and the owner, Mildred Bliss. Every element of Farrand's designs for garden structures, benches and stairways are beautiful in detail. The site lines of her paths and allées are perfect. Perhaps the most impactful way Dumbarton Oaks has influenced my work is by proving, once again, that good structural bones and attention to detail are essential for good garden design. Lindquist Design Associates, lindquistlandscape.com.

Fort Tryon Park, and the Cloisters, has always been a personal favorite. It is a hidden gem at the northern tip of Manhattan. Fort Tryon Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr., incorporates landscaping amidst the rocky terrain in sweeping majestic ways throughout the park—from magnificent allées of trees, to terraced gardens, to perfect vistas of the Hudson River and Palisades beyond. The concept of structure/architecture as a backdrop to living/ landscape continues to inspire and inform my projects. Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors, carolkurtharchitects.com.

DINYAR WADIA

Wisley Gardens—located in Surrey, England about 25 miles from Central London—has provided me with the inspiration for many of my gardens and landscapes. Wisley was the Royal Horticultural Society’s first public garden and displays the very best of English gardening technique and practice. David Jewell, the former superintendent at Wisley, is credited with laying out the border that is in place now, and the original rose garden is attributed to legendary horticulturalist Graham Stuart Thomas. In my own gardens and in the landscapes that I have designed for my clients, I have tried to replicate the features and attributes of Wisley. While there is still an element of formality in my garden, it is meant to reveal itself one step at a time. Wadia Associates, wadiaassociates.com. —Mary Fitzgerald

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

KURTH: MIKE VAN TASSELL; LINDQUIST: KRISTYN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY; DUMBARTON OAKS: TONY QUINN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; WADIA: MICHAEL BIONDO; WISLEY GARDENS: BBA PHOTOGRAPHY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

CAROL KURTH

Create an outdoor space you love living in.

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1 CALENDAR

May 2022 From Norwalk to Sharon

2022 SEASON AT LMMM

28 NOW THROUGH AUGUST

INDIA HICKS AT MOCA WESTPORT Join India Hicks and CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Westport (MoCA) for cocktails and a candid conversation about Hicks’ most recent book, An Entertaining Story. Hicks will share her slightly madcap spin on entertaining, tablescapes and unforgettable family anecdotes.Thursday, May 12, 6 p.m.—8 p.m. MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit mocawesport.org.

TRADE SECRETS GARDEN SHOW The 2022 Trade Secrets Garden Show, a two-day event sponsored by CTC&G, will benefit Women’s Support Services (WSS.) The Trade Secrets rare plant and garden sale will take place on Saturday, May 14, followed by a garden tour on Sunday, May 15. This year’s tour features three private gardens and three public gardens. The private gardens include Bunny Williams and John Rosselli, Michael Trapp and Clove Brook Farm, and the public gardens include two in New York: Wethersfield in Amenia and Innisfree Garden in Millbrook and Hollister House Garden in Washington, CT. There will also be a brunch and book signing on Sunday, May 15, at the White Hart Inn with authors Matthew Patrick Smyth, Carolyne Roehm, Frances Palmer and James Golden. Sale begins Saturday, May 14, with early buying beginning at 9 a.m. and regular admission at 10:30 a.m. Lime Rock Park, 60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville, CT. Garden tour is Sunday, May 19, and starts at 10 a.m. Brunch and book signing begins at 9:30 a.m. For information and tickets, visit tradesecretsct.com.

14-15

To list your upcoming event in our next issue, contact Jennifer Barbaro at jbarbaro@candg.com

LMMM: KATHARINE DRAPER “RUSHING” (TOP), JASON PRITCHARD “OLD CHAPPY, CAPE COD” (BOTTOM); INDIA HICKS: BRITTAN GOETZ; TRADE SECRETS: VISKO HATFIELD

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum has officially opened its 2022 season with an exciting calendar of events, including lectures, book signings, art exhibits and community programs that will inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages. For the months of April and May, LMMM is offering free admission for children in Connecticut, 18 and under. LMMM will also debut a new exhibition titled, “Fragments of Light, Impressions of Color,” now open, featuring emerging and established artists. Exhibition now open through August 28. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave., Norwalk. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.

Exquisite. Exquisite. Exceptional. Exceptional. Experiential. Experiential. Effortless. Effortless.

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WHAT’S NEW

Out of the Box C R E AT E A B A C K Y A R D E S C A P E W I T H I D E A S F O R G A R D E N I N G , G AT H E R I N G A N D E N T E R TA I N I N G | P RO DU C ED BY MARY F I TZ GERA LD COOL STUFF

Utilizing the same cooling capability found in indoor gourmet refrigerators, Liebherr’s 24-inch under-counter outdoor cooler stores beverages at the ideal temperature. The stainless steel exterior stands up to harsh weather. Price upon request, available through P.C. Richard & Son, pcrichard.com, liebherr.com.

FIRE FEATURE

The Kulm fire bowl from Kindred Outdoors + Surrounds is formed from concrete to mimic the look of natural limestone. Offered in four colors, in a choice of a smooth honed surface or a textured Travertine, it can be fired up with propane or natural gas. $3,209, available through Connecticut Stone, connecticutstone.com, mykindredliving.com.

BRITISH BOTANICALS

Fabricated in England since 1938, Hartley Botanic creates bespoke greenhouses in three styles— Victorian, Heritage and Modern. Each structure is made and assembled by hand and backed with a lifetime guarantee. Price upon request, hartley-botanic. com.

may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

WHAT’S NEW

AL FRESCO LIGHTING Arhaus presents the Braemar outdoor pendant, a durable all-weather wicker light suitable for a sheltered patio or porch and evenings spent outdoors. $698, SoNo Collection, Norwalk, arhaus.com.

PIZZA NIGHT

WATER FOUNTAIN

Stone Forest’s water feature adds a restful and restorative element to the garden. Hand carved with a hammer and chisel from natural granite boulders, this custom fountain is sculpted to emulate a traditional grain milestone. Price upon request, stoneforest.com.

Dometic’s Delta Heat outdoor pizza oven is a great add-on to an outdoor kitchen, delivering consistent results and a perfectly crisp pizza crust. deltaheat.com.

OUTDOOR INDUCTION

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Jump into a Soake plunge pool for a spa-like experience at home. The New England company manufactures custom-designed precast and tiled pools that can be shipped to your home. Prices start at $27,000, soakepools.com.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

SOAKE POOLS: MURPHY FOTO IMAGERY; STRUXURE: @STRUXURE

Danver’s Cosmopolitan Cooking table includes Invisacook induction technology. It can be used as a cooking surface with two or four burners, or serve as a prep and serving station when entertaining outdoors. $7,500, danver.com.

WHAT’S NEW

WEATHER READY

Caesarstone’s outdoor line of surfacing includes Palm Shade, a white quartz with subtle warm greige veining. The material has been extensively temperature tested to assure color consistency and product integrity. Perfect for outdoor environments like patios, kitchens and bars, this material is nonporous, in addition to being mold and mildew resistant for easy maintenance. Price upon request, available through Ring’s End, ringsend.com, caesarstoneus.com.

FUN & GAMES

Corn Hole anyone? Yardley from Room & Board is an entertaining bean bag toss game. Crafted by Loll Designs in Minnesota, the boards are made from weather-resistant recycled plastic in white, gray, black or navy. $899, roomandboard.com.

ICE FLOW

True Residential’s 15-inch Clear Ice Machine can produce 85 pounds of ice per day. UL rated for indoor or outdoor use, choose a panel-ready door or a custom shade, like True Residential’s newly-introduced Sage color. $5,789, available through Aitoro Appliances, aitoro.com, true-residential.com.

SHADY SPOT Create an outdoor room with the Pergola X by StruXure. Close, pivot or slide open the slats with the system’s smart Somfy technology to control the amount of sunlight. Price upon request, available through Durkin’s Awning, Danbury, durkinsinc.com, struxure.com.

ON TAP

Bar hop to your backyard to serve up drinks with Perlick’s 24-inch Signature Series outdoor beverage dispenser. Manufactured from marine-grade materials and protected with Perlick Armor, these units are designed for extreme conditions. Serve two of your favorite drinks at once, including beer, wine, coffee or carbonated drinks. Add on the Nitro-Dispensing kit for nitro-infused beverages. Available through County TV & Appliance, countytv.com, perlick.com.

may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

DESIGN NOTES

Design Notes A P E E K I N S I D E T H E L AT E S T B U Z Z - W O R T H Y 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

ECLECTIC MIX California designer Jay Jeffers’ talent for mixing genres, textures and patterns is evident in his new 28-piece collection, celebrating luxury lighting, furniture, wall décor and accessory brand Arteriors’ 35th anniversary. “With each collaboration, I prioritize quality and craftsmanship,” says Jeffers. “This third collection with Arteriors reflects their robust network of artisans that make each product come to life. Each piece is handcrafted and meant to feel collected over time. The lighting and accessories are adaptable to different environments, whether it be a sprawling luxury resort or a compact New York apartment.” NYDC, arteriorshome.com.

GREEK REVIVAL

Paying tribute to her Greek heritage, Charleston designer Cortney Bishop has released a second series in her bespoke textile line, Harwood House with Holland & Sherry. “The new Kalos collection weaves together a design story that honors my Greek roots and praises the art of craftmade, woven textiles,” notes Bishop. Kalos is offered in a range of colorways reminiscent of the earthy landscapes and golden sunsets of Greece. Available exclusively through Holland & Sherry showrooms, hollandandsherry.com, harwood-house.com.

ROUND TWO

York Wallcoverings teamed up, once again, with Rifle Paper Co. to produce a second collection of fresh florals, sophisticated toiles and small prints. Rifle Paper Co.’s cofounder and Chief Creative Officer Anna Bond notes, “Our newest collection with York Wallcoverings features new prints and new colorways of a few of our favorite classics. We’re always looking to innovate with each of our wallpaper collections, and we’re especially excited about our first-ever surface print design, a technique that uses a century-old press for a finish that’s reminiscent of artisan, hand-painted wallcoverings. We hope these designs inspire people to bring color and prints into their homes in a new way.” Highlights include the bright blooms of Strawberry Fields (shown here) and Menagerie Toile, a dramatic two-color print with dark hues and metallic accents. yorkwallcoverings.com, riflepaperco.com.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

BEACH CHIC

Trumbull-based Interlude Home recently introduced its Coastal Collection—a modern interpretation of beach chic. The edited selection of upholstery and case goods includes 58 frames and nine fabric choices. Shapely pieces are wrapped in soothing hues of creams, blues and greens in colors like Foam, Marsh, Surf, Oyster and Shell with accents of acrylic or white-washed oak. And, great news, the pieces are available to ship in four weeks! Creative Director Wendy King Phillips sums up her inspiration, “In imagining and creating our new Coastal Collection, I looked to the sea, salt and sand.” NYDC, interludehome.com. —Mary Fitzgerald

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Stocked at Ring’s End Darien and Fairfield. Available online at RingsEnd.com and by special order at all locations.

APRIL TO MAY

Your Inspiration. Our Expertise.

MARKETPLACE

HIT THE DECK SOAK IN SUMMER WITH THE LATEST OUTDOOR FURNITURE COLLECTIONS P ROD UCE D B Y MA RY F I T Z G E R A L D

McKINNON AND HARRIS

The Gothic-styled Benedict Badminton bench made its debut in 1991 and has been resissued in honor of the brand’s 30th anniversary. Shown here in the Montebello Green colorway. $15,990, D&D, NYC, mckinnonharris.com.

GLOSTER

Creating a natural contrast, designer Henrik Pedersen paired a rustic ceramic base, in deep, earthy pigments, with a handfinished teak top to create the Coso coffee table. The teak top is removable for hidden storage. Price upon request, gloster.com.

DESIGN WITHIN REACH

Available in white or beige upholstery, the Pacha outdoor sofa’s curved seat hugs you for a cozy lounging experience. Designed by Pierre Paulin for Gubi and sold through Design Within Reach. $11,999, Stamford, dwr.com.

ROCHE BOBOIS

The fully modular Tempus Calme outdoor lounge chair is constructed of Dry Feel polyurethane foam and polyester fibers and wrapped in Meridien fabric. Each piece, $4,995, Greenwich, roche-bobois.com.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

MARKETPLACE

TUUCI

Inspired by the innovative design of sailing ships, the Ocean Master Max Nautical umbrella is fashioned from natural teak that will weather to a pleasing gray patina. Price upon request, available through Porch and Patio, Orange, porchandpatio.net, tuuci.com.

FBC LONDON

LAZZONI

The Sol chair is a modern interpretation of the traditional club chair, made from formed bronze or aluminum. With strong geometric lines and an upholstered body, this chair poses as an indoor chair but is designed for outdoor use. $7,540, NYDC, fbc-london.com.

The amorphous top of the Tubi coffee table adds a modern touch poolside and is offered in a choice of glass or ceramic. $985, NYC, lazzoni.com.

B&B ITALIA

The Borea sunbed lounge, designed by Piero Lissoni, plays with curvilinear form. Available as a chaise lounge or sofa, the back can be lowered to become a large oval. The cushion is customizable in any of the B&B Italia outdoor textiles. $9,862, NYC, bebitalia.com.

ETHAN ALLEN

Lounge by the pool on the Twin Rivers chaise, constructed of powder-coated aluminum topped with performance-grade cushions, available in over 100 performance fabrics. $3,460, ethanallen.com.

ARHAUS

Handwoven from allweather resin wicker, the Paros outdoor sofa sports a luxurious low-profile with broad arms and plush cushions. $5,099, SoNo Collection, Norwalk, arhaus.com.

may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

MARKETPLACE

MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS

MUNDER SKILES

The streamlined design of the Sanibel outdoor sixpiece sectional is handcrafted in cast aluminum with woven white and pebble gray performance cushions. $13,427, Greenwich, mgbwhome.com.

The Lithgo folding chair is produced in stainless steel with a curved back and lattice design, made to order in 12 possible finishes. NYDC, $1,375, munderskiles.com.

LIGNE ROSET

Murtoli, designed by Christian Werner, is a large outdoor sofa that is so comfortable and stylish, it could easily convert to indoors. With a variety of outdoor upholstery options, the moveable cushions can be arranged to achieve a lounge or seated position. $6,320, ligne-roset.com.

DANAO

Inspired by the curve of the wrist bangle of indidgenous cultures, the Cuff Collection brings an elevated aesthetic to the outdoors. The powder-coated aluminum frame wears a custom weave. Lounge chair, $3,722; ottoman, $2,316, available through Walters NYC, D&D, waltersnyc.com, danaoliving.com.

POLTRONA FRAU

WESTMINSTER TEAK

Clean lines with a hint of Danish design distinguish the Horizon Elevated Chaise Bench. Traditional handcraftsmanship meets modern design in the generously proportioned bench that doubles as a chaise with a multi-position backrest. $1,751, westminsterteak.com.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

Designer Roberto Lazzeroni married Scandinavian-modern design with contemporary Italian influences to create the Secret Garden table. The frame is made from solid natural teak and the top is composed of glazed stoneware mosaics. $17,360. sold exclusively in the US through Janus et Cie, NYC, janusetcie.com.

MARKETPLACE

ROOM & BOARD

Designed by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Heller, the Vignelli Cube is made in the US from durable weatherresistant polymer. It can be used as a accent table or stool. Available in light gray, white and dark gray. $375, available through Room & Board, NYC, roomandboard.com.

CENTURY FURNITURE

Mirroring the look and feel of Century Furniture’s best-selling indoor upholstery series, the Great Room outdoor wide chaise is a comfy spot for relaxing. Fabric, arm and base options allow you to customize the chaise. Price upon request, available through Wakefield Design Center, wakefielddesigncenter.com, centuryfurniture.com.

McGUIRE

Outdoor pieces from the most recent Barbara Barry for McGuire collection feature natureinspired tones and textures. The Spin outdoor cocktail table, in a Garden green finish, is formed from a powder-coated cast aluminum. Price upon request, NYDC, bakerfurniture.com.

HOLLY HUNT

Hailing from the Kevin Reilly collection, the Bamba floor lamp includes a wireless option for outdoor use and moveability. The shade is crafted from the same material used for boat sails. Available in a variety of finishes, price upon request, A&D, D&D, hollyhunt. com.

HUDSON GRACE

The Percy bar cart is made from durable natural teak and equipped with two shelves, one glass and one teak, to house bottles and glassware. Built-in casters allow the cart to be moved effortlessly from indoor to outdoor. $875, NYC, hudsongracesf. com.

BROWN JORDAN

Designed by Ann Marie Vering, the Moto sofa’s low-profile aluminum frame supports oversized, ultra-plush tailored cushions. Price upon request, brownjordan.com.

may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

SPOTLIGHT

Royal Blooms

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL AS SWEET

ith Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her 70th year on the British throne, we thought it might be fun to look at roses that are named for royalty, and turned to Jenny Rydebrink—the creator and founder of Gardenize, a mobile app and website that helps gardeners around the world connect. She has a lifelong obsession with gardening and is a self-taught, turned-professional gardener. Living on the west coast of Sweden, where the summers are short, the days are long and the winters are just the opposite, Rydebrink and her team experience humidity, rough winds, freezing temperatures and many more challenges to gardening. As an accomplished and seasoned gardener of more than 20 years, Rydebrink lives by the motto that you should embrace the garden you have and make the most of it, rather than force plants to thrive in places they are not designed to do so (and, yes, these will thrive in Connecticut).

Crown Jewels (clockwise A few roses that bear royal names: Diana Princess of Wales, Crown Princess Margareta and Princess Charlene de Monaco. from this image)

QUEEN ELIZABETH

Named for Britain’s longestserving monarch, this rose is one of the most popular worldwide, and it has won numerous awards, including “World’s Favorite Rose” in 1979. It is a classic rose with large, filled bright pink flowers and glossy dark green leaves. Plant in groups of at least three. It is perfect for cut flowers; is hardy and disease resistant; and is almost thornless.

QUEEN OF SWEDEN

This beautiful gracious rose, with filled light pink flowers, is named after Queen Kristina, who reigned in Sweden in the mid 17th century. The large, symmetric flowers have a light, sophisticated nuance of pink that blooms from June to late summer. It grows straight and narrow, and is perfect accompanied with perennials planted around it.

CROWN PRINCESS MARGARETA

Named after the Crown Princess Margareta—who was granddaughter to Queen Victoria and later married the Swedish Prince Gustav Adolf—this English climbing rose has peach-colored, large and filled flowers with a perfume smell of fruity lemons and hazelnuts. Its long season flowering brings joy from June until October, and it can be planted solo, in a group with others or in a pot.

PRINCESS CHARLENE DE MONACO

This hybrid tea rose was named as late as 2014, to honor HSH Albert II of Monaco’s wife, Charlene. It is a truly stunning garden rose with very large flowers

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that range from apricot to salmon pink, and it spreads a sweet scent of perfume all around. The flowers are great for large romantic bouquets.

DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES

With beautiful, light-yellow flowers, with petals dipped in soft pink, this perfectly shaped hybrid tea rose was named in honor of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1998, the year after her tragic death. It is an elegant, hybrid tea rose, with succession blooming from late spring into fall. It has a moderate fragrance of mild sweet tea and is healthy and disease resistant. It has glossy green foliage and is great for cut flowers.

70 Shore Road, Old Greenwich $5,250,000 WEB#170477543 Rob Johnson 203.979.2360

127 Bickford Lane, New Canaan $2,275,000 WEB#170469463

Donna Socci 203.644.5028

34 River Road, Weston $2,200,000 WEB#170459201 Genevieve Schettino 203.604.5270 Amanda Davenport 404.803.0989

43 Sturges Highway, Westport $3,988,000 WEB#170471683 Helen Cusa 203.451.7731 Kecia Von der Ahe 818.590.7374

140 Wallacks Drive, Stamford $7,995,000 WEB#170477287

Nancy Dauk 203.858.1146

107 Meadowpark Ave North, Stamford $1,575,000 WEB#170468669 Gerry Nusbaum 203.219.1528

156 Canfield Drive, Stamford $1,499,000 WEB#170475577 Seema Dohil 203.561.4212

41 Stone Brook Lane, Cos Cob $2,575,000 WEB#170477099 Cora Lynch O’Meara 203.561.3306

255 Brushy Ridge Road, New Canaan $5,500,000 WEB#170468787 John Engel 203.247.4700

10.

32 Steep Hill Road, Weston $2,495,000 WEB#170466370

Mark Gilrain 917.287.2451

DARIEN GREENWICH NEW CANAAN ROWAYTON STAMFORD WESTPORT

Brown Harris Stevens Connecticut, LLC. Licensed in Connecticut. All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. No representation or guaranty is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and other information should be re-confirmed by customer. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to Broker. Equal Housing Opportunity Broker.

GARDENING

Digging In T H E TA L E O F T W O V E G E TA B L E G A R D E N S

CTC&G caught up with landscape designer Rosalia Sanni, of Rosalia Sanni Design in Greenwich, to get her take on the popular vegetable-garden trend. Specifically, we asked Sanni—who is the former education director on the board of the Greenwich Community Garden—to tell us about two very different vegetable gardens that she designed for clients in Connecticut. rosaliasanni.com.

Green Scene The paths and beds are laid out in a grid, making it easy to reach inside to harvest produce without disturbing the growing plants and their sensitive roots.

A CHEF’S GARDEN

Why did your clients request a vegetable garden? Also, do they maintain the garden themselves? While the kids in the family do go into the garden to search for treats to nibble on, the main caretaker is the family’s private chef. He comes from a farm-to-table restaurant background and is used to preparing seasonal foods. He asked for this garden, which is why we call this the chef’s garden. What was your thinking about the placement and design of the garden? This is a small part of a larger five-acre property. We wanted something small and private in a sunny spot. We tucked it next to the guest house as a welcome respite for visitors. We enclosed it with a custom-painted, steel-mesh fence and wrapped it in hornbeam hedges. We used a mix of gravel, granite pavers and lawn paths for easy access to tend the garden’s four beds. It’s about 15 feet by 27 feet overall, in a hidden area that would not have otherwise gotten much use. What was the process for choosing which vegetables to include? The chef’s process is interesting—he works out a basic framework for his recipes and meals early in the year, and then requests what crops he would like us to incorporate. Some of his special choices include borage, lemon balm and anise hyssop.

Anything unique about the garden? What’s special about this garden is that it is designed to be flexible. The homeowners weren’t sure if this was going to work out with the way they live, but were willing to experiment and play things by ear. We meet every year and regroup as a team to find out what worked and what didn’t, and adjust from there. This year, we are talking about working in cutting flowers.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

ROSALIA SANNI DESIGN LLC

What are some general tips for readers about creating a vegetable garden? All gardens do best when enclosed. This garden was fenced with mesh that goes into the ground to keep critters from digging their way in. If you end up getting bunnies in the garden, you’ll be living out the plot of a Beatrix Potter book.

Invites you to a Conversation with

INDIA HICKS

Moderated by CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) Editorial Director DJ Carey

Thursday, May 12, 2022 5 - 7 PM

19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, CT • mocawestport.org Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, featuring some of India’s favorite recipes from her books. Following her presentation, India will be available to sign copies of An Entertaining Story.

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Ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and India’s book, An Entertaining Story. Guests can also explore MoCA Westport’s current exhibition, Punk is Coming, with complimentary access. The funds raised will be used to support inspiring visual arts, performing arts and educational offerings for the community.

Thank you to our sponsors:

GARDENING

We placed the garden by the historic portion of the property, next to the old saltbox home, which we found out is the oldest house in Greenwich

Why did your clients request a vegetable garden? Also, do they maintain the garden themselves? They were in the middle of a house construction project, and before moving, gave me a wish list for their landscape. Part of that was to have a small garden for herbs, vegetables and maybe some fruit. It was something they wanted to try and seemed a perfectly suitable addition to the property. What was your thinking about the placement and design of the garden? We placed the garden by the historic portion of the property, next to the old saltbox home, which we found out is the oldest house in Greenwich. It was owned by Elizabeth Fones Winthrop Feake Hallet, who was featured in the historical novel Winthrop Woman. It seemed fitting to place our garden near that structure, as we could all imagine that as far back as 1645, a colonial kitchen garden probably stood there once before. What was the process for choosing which vegetables to include? My office provided the garden design, and the family handles the vegetables and planning out the beds. They go to the local nursery during planting season to pick up the seedlings and plant them, and sow seed directly in the garden too. They included tomatoes, cucumbers, rainbow Swiss chard and broccoli. Do you have any general tips for readers about creating a vegetable garden? We used raised beds here, which has been shown to yield more produce. It is also easier to reach for anyone who might have back problems and perfect eye level for

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small kids. The property does not get deer, so we installed a low post-and-rail fencing with mesh for curb appeal from the road and to protect from small critters. Anything unique about the garden? While this is not a historical garden, it was informed by history, and research was done on what plantings might have surrounded the home originally. We added an apple tree—which was a popular import during colonial times—and high bush blueberries, which are native to this area. They might have found their way into a kitchen garden back then, same as now. We also added apothecary roses, which are not only beautiful but have also been used for medicinal and household purposes throughout history.

Crop Talk (top to bottom) Young early-season crops are grown with marigolds—a versatile companion plant that attracts beneficial pollinators and repels pests. A post-and-rail fence is lined with mesh to keep critters out. Lettuce enjoys the company of tomatoes, growing in their shade.

(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) DAVE NOONAN, ROSALIA SANNI DESIGN LLC, JORGE GONZALEZ-GUILLOT

A HISTORY-INSPIRED GARDEN

There’s Nothing Like Summer at Wave Hill Scented Plants Weekend Ailey II Dance Performances Alpine Trough Day Sunset Wednesday Concerts Thursday Evening in the Gardens Art Exhibitions and so much more

Photo: Joshua Bright

Tickets at wavehill.org

MODERN TRIBAL JEWELRY

INSPIRED BY TRADITIONAL ETHNIC JEWELRY, THESE DESIGNS ARE ENHANCED BY GEMSTONES AND PRECIOUS METALS, RESULTING IN SURPRISING AND UNUSUAL CREATIONS B Y H A R R I E T M AY S P O W E L L

Silvia Furmanovich’s feather brooch in wood marquetry, set in 18k gold with diamonds. Price upon request, Bergdorf Goodman, NYC, bergdorfgoodman.com, silviafurmanovich.com.

Tateossian’s red carnelian bracelet. $215, Mitchells, Westport, Richards, Greenwich, shop.mitchellstores.com.

Faye Kim’s anticlastic band cuff with grommets and leather detail in 18k green gold. $6,395, Faye Kim, Westport, fayekim.com.

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Sorab & Roshi’s signature ebony wood abstract link bracelet with 18k whitegold wrap, and backed in 18k white gold. $16,000, Sorab & Roshi, Greenwich. sorabandroshi.com.

David Webb’s Bridge ring in ebony and polished 18k gold. $8,800, Mitchells, Westport, shop.mitchellstores. com, davidwebb.com.

Lydia Courteille’s one-of-a-kind Or Fetiche necklace in 18k gold with silver, diamonds, beech wood and bone. Price upon request at lydiacourteille.com.

Wilfredo Rosado’s Tribu bracelet in18k rose gold with red and black nano ceramic detail and white princess-cut diamonds. $65,000, Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, saksfifthavenue.com, wrosado.com.

may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

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

Raising The Bar Called Sandbar, this $7 million Westport home sits directly on the water’s edge along Compo Mill Cove. Evangela Brock of Douglas Elliman in Greenwich has the listing. 203-253-2356.

ealtors rejoice when they can finally market all of

their listings’ amenities—both inside and out. As lawns green, water warms and gardens bloom, it is the homes set on lush properties that shine. In keeping with the theme of this issue, we bring you five properties with extraordinary exteriors, offering everything from a private sandy beach to a serpentine maze. Happy hunting! FOR DOCKS & DECKS

A new westport listing is blessed with amenities of the beachiest variety—namely, a private stretch of sand located just feet from the back terrace. The shingle-style home is located on a half-acre along

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

the much-coveted Compo Mill Cove, a historic neighborhood jutting out into Long Island Sound, with vistas over the open water, Compo Beach and beyond. Architect Brooke Girty designed the 5,600-squarefoot interiors to take advantage of the home’s wall-to-wall, sea-and-sky vistas—sitting on the living room couch, for instance, is like perching on the prow of a ship. The primary bedroom suite offers more opportunities to gawk at the water: from the private balcony, the attached sitting room and the capacious spa bathroom and its slipper tub. In all, the circa-2008 home offers four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a gorgeous kitchen equipped with a custom Lacanche oven and an oversized, marble-topped island. It lists for $7 million with Evangela Brock of Douglas Elliman.

SCOTT JAMES

Here Comes the Sun

For tickets + details, visit pequotlibrary.org/gardenstroll

Southport Garden Stroll Pequot Library's signature fundraiser showcases some of Southport, Connecticut's finest private gardens and features exciting events and vendor displays. Tickets are available as a package or à la carte.

Thursday, June 2 CHAMPAGNE & CANAPÉ KICKOFF 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Exclusive celebration at a private home featuring special guest speaker Laura Dowling

Friday, June 3 FLORAL DEMO & ALFRESCO LIVING TALK 9:00 a.m. | Design pros from Nash Hill offer tips on creating a garden oasis of your own GARDEN STROLL 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. OR 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Self-guided tours of Southport's private gardens ROSÉ ALL DAY TENT 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Featuring Fleurs de Prairie Rosé LUNCH ON THE GREAT LAWN Box lunch from Gruel Britannia

Tickets are limited and non-refundable. Tickets will not be sold at the door. All events occur rain or shine.

SPONSORED BY

PREMIER EVENT SPONSOR

EXCLUSIVE MEDIA SPONSOR

CHAMPAGNE KICKOFF SPONSOR

ROSÉ ALL DAY SPONSOR

Pequot Library | Southport, CT | pequotlibrary.org | 203.259.0346

SAVE the DATE

Grandiflora Friday June 10th & Saturday June 11th 10AM—4PM TICKETS REQUIRED greenwichbotanicalcenter.org

TOP: CHRIS MEECH; BOTTOM: REALTY PLANS FOR SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

DEEDS & DON’TS

Decked Out Expansive, two-story decks line the back of this Greenwich home, which also has private decks attached to the two primary bedrooms. Nora Giovati of Coldwell Banker in Greenwich has the $10 million listing. 203-940-3123.

A Greenwich property, just listed for $10 million, is located on Thrushwood Lake, which itself is along Long Island Sound. The nearly 10,000-square-foot home opens onto a dramatic entry hall with a double staircase and a wide passageway to open-plan living and dining spaces, all with views over the water. There’s a two-story deck across the entire water side of the house, along with private decks for two of the larger bedroom suites (there are five bedrooms altogether). There’s also an accessory apartment and, on the 1.5-acre grounds, a private lakeside dock, perfect for

launching paddleboards, kayaks and other small vessels. It lists with Nora Giovati of Coldwell Banker. FOR GORGEOUS GARDENS & GROUNDS

Another greenwich estate, on 5.75 landscaped acres, has more outdoor amenities than we have space to list. The experience starts at the property’s gate, which leads down a long, tree-lined private drive to a courtyard. To the right of the front door is a serpentine maze, along with a pretty path that accesses the stunning pool terrace, flanked by a leafy pergola and sculpted hedges. There are also gardened terraces and decks, along with a charming, two-story cottage. Oh, and wander inside the circa1925 main house and you’ll find four large bedrooms, two smaller ones, a fantastic family room with a vaulted ceiling and impressive fireplace, and so much more. It lists for $4,750,000 with Steve Archino and Heather Platt of Sotheby’s International Realty. Finally, in Old Lyme, a hilltop estate known as Quarry House is listed for the first time in more than 50 years. The Dive In This beautifully landscaped Greenwich home lists for $4,750,000 with Steve Archino and Heather Platt of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 203-618-3144 and 203-983-3802.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

DEEDS & DON’TS

NURSERY & GREENHOUSES, LLC EST. 1930

Picture Perfect Called Quarry House, this Old Lyme antique lists for $8.2 million with Colette Harron and Beth Cote of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Essex and Old Lyme, respectively. 860-304-2391 and 860-460-6901.

property was owned by Nancy Krieble, a prominent supporter of the artistic community that has long flourished around the area’s Florence Griswold Museum and Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. The circa-1930s Colonial is your picture-perfect New England home, with its white-clapboard exteriors and interior fixtures and features including custom millwork, arched-top doors and hardwood floors. And it sits on 48 acres, which offer a swimming pool and terrace, a fishing pond, hiking trails and a dock along the Connecticut River. It lists for $8.2 million with Colette Harron and Beth Cote, both of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. —Diane di Costanzo

TOP: FRANK DINARDI

THAT’S FUNNY

The studio that once belonged to artist Mort Walker—creator of the classic cartoon strip Beetle Bailey—has hit the Stamford market, listed for $1,775,000. Before Walker, sculptor Gutzon Borglum—best known for creating Mount Rushmore—owned the circa-1918, stone-and-timber home, whose great room served as the studio. With its exposed-beam cathedral ceiling and massive stone fireplace, the room is easily converted into a living space, and the 6,000-square-foot home also offers three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a large kitchen. The 1.6-acre grounds feature pretty gardens, mature specimen trees and a matching, Tudor-style two-bedroom cottage. It’s offered by Sharon Kinney of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 203-536-2014.

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CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS

SUBLIME SURROUNDINGS may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

Harmonious Home Named for Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel Prize-winning book of poems, Gitanjali—the name of Dinyar Wadia’s home—literally means “song offerings,” and suggests ideas of harmony and beauty.

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Gitanjali GITANJALI the magic of

SOLORE UPTATIUM SUM FUGIAM DOLUPTA DUCIA DEST ERFERCIThe estate is Dinyar and LIGENTIS MAGNAMGool Wadia’s passion and BY TK | PHOTOGRAPHS BY TK

best expression of home

BY SUSAN TAMULEVICH PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY DURSTON SAYLOR

month may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JONATHAN WALLEN

here’s an ease to Dinyar and Gool Wadia’s New Canaan estate, Gitanjali, that only comes from years of intense involvement. Trial and error. Patient experimentation. Time invested by devoted gardeners. “When I bought the house, it was a disaster,” says Dinyar. “My wife actually cried when I showed it to her—that was her first reaction. I’m told the house started life as a barn. It then was the carriage house.” The old garden had fallen into disrepair. “Everything was bare and brown.” But it has been Wadia’s professional mission to lift the detritus and transform worn, tired designs into environments not weighted down by age and tradition. As the principal of Wadia Associates, he’s gone through the process

many times and is an excellent coach to his clients. “It’s fun to take care of a garden,” he cautions, “but it takes time and it’s also expensive.” Arborists spent the first year-and-a-half just clearing away the poison oak and ivy vines that smothered the trees. Borders were marked. A complete deer fence was installed (“otherwise you are fighting the wind”). Magnificent specimen trees—two enormous Atlas cedars—were brought back to health over a course of five years. Now, 22 years on, the verdant 10-acre grounds are unrecognizable. In addition to Dinyar and Gool, two gardeners are employed on the estate full-time, with a special crew appearing in mid-March to edge and mulch the borders. Named Gitanjali after an epic poem by the Indian poet laureate

Floral Design Lilies and hydrangeas (this page) are staples throughout the garden. The microclimate of this small courtyard (opposite page) allowed tender lavender to thrive in the center plot.

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Glorious Trees This magnificent Japanese maple was relocated from where the pool was built in 2002 and is one of two preserved from the previous garden.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JONATHAN WALLEN

Ivied Walls (above) English and Boston ivies are encouraged to clamber over the buildings. Says Wadia: “It’s a misconception in America that ivies damage the surface. In Europe, there are climbers all over their homes. It only gets into the brick, stone or stucco if there are cracks; you have to maintain the substrate.” Hidden Treasures (top left) Potted plants are used throughout the garden. Wadia’s current favorites are small succulents (bottom left)—some of which he brought home from the Chelsea Flower Show—that are “tucked into every nook and cranny.”

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Rabindranath Tagore, the estate is the Wadias’ passion and their best expression of home. Wadia developed his eye growing up in Mumbai, India, the son of a builder. His firm, Wadia Associates, is listed among the Institute of Traditional Architecture’s top 10 traditional architecture firms. The “Wadia Style” is a process of discovery, he says, “making a home just right for the neighborhood, just right for the family, just right for the family and the friends, and just

right for the family and the kids.” It’s how he approached the design of his own garden, too. “I experimented on myself,” Wadia says. The house had been styled like an English cottage—heavy furniture, everything stained dark. “But that time has come and gone,” he notes. “Today people don’t want their grandmother’s house.” And neither did the Wadias. Inside and out, wood trims were lightened, colors brightened. But they wanted to keep a cottage feel in the may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

SOME OF WHAT WE DID WAS SUCCESSFUL, SOME OF IT WASN’T. EVENTUALLY, WE HIT OUR STRIDE

gardens. Great care was taken to preserve what already was there— including a large climbing hydrangea by the front door and those two magnificent Atlas cedars. Seeking horticultural inspiration, the couple traveled to Wisley, home to the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship experimental gardens and some outstanding borders. They came back with fresh ideas and a young British garden designer in tow, who was eager to work in America. “Alistair, Gool and I laid out the design,” notes Wadia. A serious problem with flooding was successfully transformed into the brook garden, and, he says: “It’s now prob60

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ably the best part of the property. Some of what we did was successful, some of it wasn’t. Eventually, we hit our stride.” Carefully detailed greenhouses and a potting shed were built to look like they’ve been there forever. With the greenhouses came a great selection of plants in pots, as well as a forklift to move them in and out of the garden. “Years on, along came our present gardener, John, who took it from there. He’s a genius in his own right, and we’re all very happy,” says Wadia. “The garden has been very good for us—it gives me the quiet and peace that I need at the end of the day.” ✹

PHOTOGRAPH BY JONATHAN WALLEN

Sunny Disposition With a mind to views from inside the house (opposite page), the gardens are designed to have something blooming in every season. A canary yellow trumpet vine (this page) clothes the arbor by the pool; hedging is a chain-link fence interwoven with hornbeam.

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HUMMING WITH

ACTIVIT Y

A VERDANT GARDEN WITH A COLORFUL PALETTE ATTRACTS ALL VARIETIES OF WINGED VISITORS

BY TOVAH MARTIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIM LENZ

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Wandering Around Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’ is a native vine that minds its manners, climbing on wires cleverly devised by the homeowner.

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Flower Power ‘Lady of the Lake’ roses (this page) clamber over a pair of arches along the crisscross walkway above ‘Major Wheeler’ honeysuckle and Allium ‘Ambassador.’ Russian sage, Phlox paniculata and allium (opposite page) create an incomparable color harmony.

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NOT ALL GARDENS HAVE AN AGENDA BEYOND BEING BEAUTIFUL. But what meets the eye is only part of the picture for this three-quarteracre property. When the homeowners purchased the 1885 Queen Anne Victorian in 2011, they had a very specific playlist for the landscape. Although they did not stipulate a specific color theme or request a style, they made only one requirement when contacting Lindquist Design Associates: They wanted to host hummingbirds. Over the years, Wendy Lindquist has added plants to the property that might thrill native pollinators of all types, but it started with hummingbirds. Those fierce little feats of aerodynamics are something of a fetish for the homeowners. “We spend a lot of time in the garden,” they admit, “and we love watching the antics of the hummingbirds. They come faithfully every year.” Living in the area for 30 years, they knew from previous experience that their garden could make a difference for these pint-sized creatures. Meanwhile, Lindquist became savvy about delivering delectables to make

every square foot serve up square meals for the nectar-needy crowd. Back in 2011, these homeowners were way ahead of what became a national obsession to ramp up the ratio of pollinator-friendly plants in landscapes. “There was not a lot of pollinator support at the time,” Lindquist discovered, but her instincts led to the installation of a plant-driven palette dense with lushness. Because flowers are the focus for a hummer, the garden is colorful— but you don’t enter the landscape and see only red. Salvias, cardinal flowers and cypress vines are part of the brew, but honeysuckles of all shades are going to thrill hummingbirds. In fact, vines are a big part of the garden, as well as being crowd pleasers for other pollinators. Privacy was important to the homeowners, prompting Lindquist to install clipped yew hedging to create intimate rooms within the space—and the hedging provides shelter for winged visitors of all descriptions. Not accidentally, the landscape is harmoniously laid out. “The space has a European may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

Vertical Interest The entry border along the driveway serves up a smorgasbord of ‘Dalmatian Peach’ foxgloves, ‘Blushing Knock Out’ roses, Allium ‘Ambassador’ and Salvia ‘Caradonna.’

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influence,” Lindquist explains, citing the secluded dining courtyard, a rosebowered side passageway, an alley with raised vegetable beds—which the homeowner designed personally—and other intimate spaces nestled into the land, making it feel much larger than its actual footprint. Most importantly, the lushness is sustained. Fond of roses and hydrangeas, the property is heavy on those shrubs. But the roster of woody plants also includes calycanthus, edgeworthia, callicarpa, hamamelis, cotinus, syringas, amelanchiers and viburnums. Design savvy was imperative every step of the way. “Strong vertical points enrich and enhance the sense of expanse while also providing visual tension between contrasting forms,” explains Lindquist. Meanwhile, being organic is critical when playing the good host. As Lindquist studied the specifics of hosting wildlife, she began to explore the property’s potential to serve specialist pollinators. Many insects are “generalists”—meaning they glean the advantages of diverse plants. But certain Green Points (left to right across spread from opposite page) Defining the parking courtyard, ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae stands behind a boxwood edging fronted by Nepeta ‘Walkers Low.’ Edible beans feed the homeowners. Raised beds produce lettuce and other veggies.

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“specialist” insects focus specifically on host plants. Lindquist discovered that an insect’s favorite fodder is often declared in its name. So, the mining bee (Andrena ziziea) is attracted to golden Alexander (Zizea aurea), and the sweat bee (Dufourea monardae) depends on beebalm, alias monarda. The list goes on. The end result is fulfilling and functional on all levels. With wraparound gardens that progress from one instance of splendor to the next thrill for the senses, the homeowners do not want to miss a moment. Meanwhile, birds, bees and beneficial bugs of all descriptions are equally transfixed from earliest spring onward. ✹ 70

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Colorful Characters (opposite page, clockwise from far left) Hosta ‘Francee’ echoes the bark of a white birch. The homeowners selected Munder Skiles terrace furniture. Platycodon ‘Astra Blue’ complements echinacea flowers. Sheltered Space (this page) Walls segment a secluded dining space with agapanthus galore against Crab Orchard flagstone. See Resources.

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EARTH, WIND,

Resort Style This pool house project by Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors was built by Pelham Homes. Kurth brought in Michael & Sons Nurseries (Michael and Scott Oliveri) to collaborate on plantings and installation of the vegetation. See Resources.

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FIRE + WATER THIS RETREAT HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS FOR THE ULTIMATE BACKYARD OASIS BY CATRIONA BRANCA | PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE VAN TASSELL

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Easy, Breezy (clockwise across spread from this

photo) Mahogany lines the ceiling of the cabana, where RH Mirabella sectionals are paired with Phillips Collection’s Pebble tables; the rug is through Artemest. RH bar stools provide seating in the kitchen area. In the bathroom, a Stone Forest limestone-and-metal vanity is complemented by RH sconces. See Resources.

HEN DESIGNING THIS outdoor retreat, rolling terrain, wetlands and a conservation easement demanded well-considered solutions. “The site was extremely challenging given the significant drop-off in grade, change in elevation from the main house and the rock outcroppings,” notes architect Carol Kurth of Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors. “The height differential from the main floor of the house to the lower level is more than 14 feet. The site continues to drop off in a dramatic sweep toward protected wetlands. We set the pool/patio height in relation to a comfortable position within the sloping site to maximize views and to have the pool area be a surprise from the garage/ parking area above.” Essential elements served as inspiration for the dynamic architectural forms and are illustrated through water features, fire bowls, harmonious plantings and a covered cabana with cathedral ceilings to capture the summer breezes. “The clients requested an oasis with plenty of shade, an outdoor kitchen, bathroom, changing area, outdoor shower, storage, plus a buffet area and dining in the shade for at least a dozen people,” says Kurth. The shade pavilion was designed with the idea of a large umbrella shielding the sun rays yet open enough that it still feels light and airy. “Then, we punctuated the top with a cupola, allowing daylight in from the sides,” says Kurth. Furnishings have a resort-like feel that Kurth refers to as a “hotel-athome mood.” A chalkboard over the sink faces a TV on the opposite wall with an outdoor desk, while a large pair of RH fans enhances the natural breezes. may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

Hot, Hot, Hot Solus Decor fire bowls (this page) are through Igne Ferro USA; Tuuci umbrellas and Couture Jardin Diva chaise lounges are through Clive Daniel; and headrest pillows in an orange Sunbrella fabric are custom through Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors. A pair of Wave chaise lounges (opposite page) from Wayfair are slightly submerged in the “beach” area of the pool. See Resources.

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“WE NOW REFER TO THIS AS ‘THE BEACH’ AND PROCURED LOUNGE CHAIRS THAT CAN BE SUBMERGED” may 2022 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

“Orange is the client’s company logo color, so we incorporated that into the design!” she notes. “We made the orange poolside pillows—designer Tina Schwab from our studio fabricated all of the orange accent cushions—truly a custom touch.” The dramatic rectangular pool is a counterpoint to the covered pavilion. The homeowners desired an oversized pool that had a wow factor, including a spa and a shaded shallow area to relax in. “We now refer to this as ‘the beach’ and procured lounge chairs that can be submerged with a built-in umbrella to provide shade,” says the architect. There’s also a bubbler at the beach surface, and water sprays that arc over the pool. A dramatic vanishing edge has a waterfall below. “It’s beautiful when seen from above at the house deck, as well as when viewed from the lower level, where we suspended a swing from beneath the deck,” explains Kurth. “We work often with Wagner Pools, and they executed the pool to perfection.” For these homeowners who love to entertain, an oversized dining area sits adjacent to an outdoor workspace with a vertical herb garden as a backdrop. “The client requested a 30-foot-long buffet!” says Kurth. “I had an idea of creating a farm-to-table experience, where they could grow herbs and tomatoes, in a linear gap created between the back of the counter and the retaining wall backdrop.” Inspired by a resort where the homeowners had stayed, a fire element was added. “We thought a pair of firebowls accenting the end of the pool would provide a visual counterpoint and create the terminus of the visual axis,” says Kurth. “The landscape design and plantings were also part of the overall vision. I like to contrast leaf shape in size and texture; I feel this adds dimensionality and distinction to the planting areas. The architect in me tends to gravitate to plantings with strong form, structure and texture. The way, for instance, sweeps of grasses bend together with a breeze—it almost makes you feel cooler.” A palette of whites and purples—including 100 Giant Globemaster allium and dozens of white blooming liriope—peppers the landscape. “Huge masses of globe allium are a signature on our projects…in this design, they form the visual field when viewing the vanishing edge from within the pool and the pavilion,” says Kurth. “Even though they’re seasonal, I find their structure stays intact long after the flower color fades. I love the delicate yet strong architectural orb form of the flower head.” Flanking the sides of the catch basin pool are clusters of fountain grass and liatris, while lavender lines the steps from the house. “I tend to love white as a predominant flower bloom as I find it calming,” says Kurth. “Achieving serenity in the landscape is being able to create harmony with nature in an organized integration of form, texture and hue of plantings.” ✹

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The Big Picture (this page) From above, it’s easy to spot Giant Globemaster allium and liriope at the left end of the pool. Lining the perimeter edge behind the two umbrellas and chaises is an array of liriope backed up by hydrangea (Annabelle White) and boxwoods. The pool is by Wagner Pools. Back To Nature (opposite page) A path lined with miscanthus and fountain grass leads from the pool area to the outdoor shower, where ilex and boxwoods provide privacy. See Resources.

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GREEN WITH ELEGANCE

IN LOVING HANDS, A LUSH WONDERLAND EMERGED OVER THREE DECADES BY DAVID MASELLO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NANCY ELIZABETH HILL

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Growing Patterns Peter Stephens and Chris Lennon created a personal garden in Fairfield that also functioned as a workspace for their floral business, Elegant Effects. The exterior of the workroom (opposite page) on the property is adorned with Solomon’s seal, a pair of standard bay trees, red flowering camellia plants, and a large Blue Angel hosta. A magenta purple poppy (this page) in full bloom.

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C COUPLES DON’T ALWAYS first agree on where to live, but when they do settle, they learn to love it together. Such was the case with Chris Lennon and his late husband, Peter Stephens, when they came upon a property, some 30 years ago, for sale in Fairfield. “The day I first passed the property, with its old ramshackle house, I said, ‘No reason to live there,’” says Lennon, who with Stephens ran, until recently, Elegant Effects, a well-known venue for creating floral designs for weddings and other events. “Then one day, while riding around the area with Peter, he saw the property from the road and immediately said, ‘I want that!’ You see, Peter’s all about designing, fixing, creating things. He loved to have his fingers in stuff. That was Peter.” When the couple purchased the property, Lennon describes the grounds as “not having a single plant, except for one euonymus tree, which still exists.” Everything that now grows, flowers and flourishes on the three-acre plot was planted, mostly by Stephens. In what is referred to by Lennon as the back garden, the couple created a grid of planted areas protected from deer with wire fencing. There, herbs, sunflowers and vegetables flourish, while another area features squash beds and dahlias. “There’s a lot going on back there,” Lennon emphasizes, including “peonies that run along a slate walkway. The peonies bloom in June, and when it rains or if they’re hit with a sprinkler, they bend all the way over. But you can shake out the water, and they’ll just

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Full Bounty The vegetable garden provided many a lunch for the staff members. “They grew a surplus of butternut squash one year,” recalls longtime employee Kim McKessy, “and for weeks, every day, we were served butternut squash soup for lunch.” In addition to the squash, tomatoes and lettuces, wooden topiaries were made for the climbing clematis vines. Pink lupines add bursts of color.

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WHEN WE FIRST ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY, WE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD

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bounce back. Then you get a whiff of their fragrance.” Within the small expanse of land, Stephens and Lennon created a series of outdoor rooms, each with a distinct function and mood. There are also several small buildings, apart from their four-bedroom home. A storage barn-house, dating to 1920, was reconstructed and reinforced by the couple. “That structure was used as a storage garden and conservatory in the winter, and it remained a safe place for plants during the summer and any season,” explains Lennon.

Yet another building served for years as a horse barn, with its residents including miniature horses, notably Henry, who lived to the ripe equine age of 35. A classic louvered steeple, topped with a rooster weathervane, looms over the property. An adjacent chicken coop provided a daily supply of fresh eggs, many of which, Lennon says, were given to neighbors. For their work studio, where they created many of the elaborate and, true to its name, elegant floral displays for their clients, the couple converted a two-car garage. Wherever the land allowed, the

Home Grown (clockwise across spread from opposite page) The work studio is topped with a wreath made to replicate the yoke of an ox; the cement trough is filled with Solomon’s seal, set against a birch tree. Henry, one of the miniature horses, was always eager for a petting. Peter Stephens pauses for a moment with Duffy, one of the couple’s West Highland Terriers. Freshly picked white coneflowers fill glass vases.

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couple created actual outdoor living spaces, where they entertained and dined together. A slate patio made of stone from the property was set in a shady spot between the house and work studio, complete with a koi pond. “The gardens are loaded with birds, and they wash themselves in the pond and other fountains we put up,” Lennon says. Indeed, there’s a whole ecosystem in place, with the chickens digging up the worms, which feed the birds, who drink from the water and gather at the bottom of the property at the Mill River. “When we first acquired the property, we didn’t even know exactly what we had,” notes Lennon. “We went exploring, and after going through tall grass, came to the banks of the river.”

Over the years, the plantings took root. They include a towering Japanese maple that provides a burst of red in season, bright orange Clivia blooms, broad expanses of green hosta leaves, orbs of purple allium, fragrant peonies, towering sunflowers and well-tailored (and behaved) boxwoods fixed in planters throughout. Kim McKessy, who worked with and for the couple for some 15 years, refers to the garden as a “sacred space.” She adds, “Everything that Peter planted and laid and stocked—from pea gravel to the koi pond to the lawn and flowers—made for a sensory wonderland. It’s as if the plants realized Peter’s energy. Sunflowers, for instance, would grow taller than you’d ever seen. Every plant loved being in that garden.” ✹

Outdoor Rooms (clockwise across spread from opposite page) Top-heavy peonies droop along a walkway, positioned with salvia, poppies and day lilies. A trellis full of climbing hydrangea provides privacy for a patio table, which is a favorite spot for lunch. Evergreen spruce, rosemary and thyme topiaries take shape.

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PARTIES & BENEFITS

Beyond the Blueprint CTC&G sponsored the HBRA OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY for its annual panel presentation. 1

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1. Cornerstone Contracting’s George Pusser with HBRA of Fairfield County President Kim DiMatteo of Cross Insurance 2. Jennifer and Eric DeLaurentis of DeLaurentis Developments 3. Victor Gonzalez of Ring’s End, Ken DeLeo of Doherty and DeLeo Development and Noel Farrell of Guiltec Development 4. Guests enjoying the discussion on what it takes to produce an award-winning home in Fairfield County 5. HBRA CT Executive Officer Jim Perras, Buddy Ontra of Ontra Stone and HRBA of Fairfield County Past President Chris Steiner

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6. Interior designer Tina Anastasia 7. HBRA of Fairfield County Executive Officer Kerry Brunn with Immediate Past President Anthony DeRosa of DeRosa Builders 8. Panelists and architects Leigh Overland, George Dumitru and Emilia Ferri 9. HBRA Board Member Terence Beaty of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty and Allyson Smith of Benjamin Moore 10. Interior designer Michelle Hogue flanked by C&G Media Group Account Directors Jamie Lewis and Lisa Heissan

CARA GILBRIDE

#1 Agent in Greenwich and all of Connecticut for 2021. Shelly Tretter Lynch is part of a national network of rigorously vetted agents who offer the attention of a boutique firm with the marketing & tech prowess of a national brokerage.

Shelly Tretter Lynch Founding Member | Greenwich CT M: 203.550.8508 Shellytretterlynch.com Shelly.tretterlynch@compass.com compass.com Shelly Tretter Lynch is a real estate licensee affiliated with Compass Connecticut, LLC, a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

A SPECIAL SECTION

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MATTESON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Matteson Landscape Architecture is an award-winning firm specializing in residential and select commercial landscapes in the coastal communities of Connecticut, Long Island and beyond. With expertise in environmental engineering, horticultural methods, and the most durable materials and furnishings for coastal environments, MLA helps their clients permit, design and build one-of-a-kind pools, patios, outdoor kitchens, plantings and more. MLA is located in Southport, Connecticut.

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ROSALIA SANNI DESIGN Rosalia Sanni is an award-winning landscape designer whose approach strikes a balance between architecture, nature and people. Comprehensive services include master planning, construction supervision, furniture sourcing, and an open dialogue that often continues after completion. RSD believes that good design enhances people’s lives profoundly, and should offer more than a collection of beautiful pictures. Landscapes should suit the lives of the people who live in them in a meaningful, fun and deeply personal way.

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SHORELINE POOLS For more than 50 years, Shoreline Pools has delivered custom, in-ground swimming pools with exceptional attention to service and craftsmanship. The experienced team at Shoreline masterfully combines innovative swimming pool design with the latest advances in technology and safety. Whether you are building a new swimming pool, servicing your current pool, or restoring an older one, working with Shoreline Pools means collaborating with design, construction and service professionals dedicated to ensuring your expectations are met with meticulous care and precision.

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KENNETH LYNCH & SONS

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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

THE MAGIC OF GITANJALI

Pages 52–61: Architecture, Dinyar Wadia, Wadia Associates, wadiaassociates. com. Landscape design, Dinyar Wadia and John Horn, Wadia Associates. Interior design, Saranda Berisa, Wadia Associates.

from

“The Magic of Gitanjali”

HUMMING WITH ACTIVITY

Pages 62–71: Landscape design, Wendy Lindquist, Lindquist Design Associates, lindquistlandscape.com. Terrace: Outdoor furniture, Munder Skiles. EARTH, WIND, FIRE + WATER

Pages 72–79: Architecture, interior and landscape design, Carol Kurth, Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors, carolkurtharchitects.com. Plantings, Michael Olivieri, Michael & Sons Nurseries, michaelandsonsnurseries.com. Pool, John Gedney III and Chris Olsen, Wagner Pools, wagnerswimmingpools.com. Contractor, Joe Fossi, Pelham Homes, LLC, pelhamhomesllc.com. Structural Engineer, Ken Jones and Josh Youngquist, The Di Salvo Engineering Group, tdeg.com. Dining area: Dining table design, Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors. Dining table fabrication, Get Real Surfaces. Dining chairs and side table, RH. Cabana: Sectionals, fan and pillows, RH. Pebble tables, Phillips Collection. Rug, Artemest. Kitchen area: Bar stools, RH. Bathroom: Vanity, Stone Forest. Sconces, RH. Poolside: Fire bowls, Solus Décor through Igne Ferro USA. Umbrellas, Tuuci through Clive Daniel. Side tables, RH. Patio: Chaise lounges, Couture Jardin through Clive Daniel. Headrest pillows, Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors. Pool chaises, Wayfair. Outdoor shower: Sconces, Modern Forms.

JONATHAN WALLEN

SOURCE LIST Artemest, artemest.com Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors, carolkurtharchitects.com Clive Daniel, clivedaniel.com Couture Jardin (see Clive Daniel) Get Real Surfaces, getrealsurfaces.com Igne Ferro USA, igneferrousa.com Modern Forms, modernforms.com Munder Skiles, munder-skiles.com Phillips Collection, phillipscollection.com RH, rh.com Solus Décor (see Igne Ferro USA) Stone Forest, stoneforest.com Tuuci (see Clive Daniel) Wayfair, wayfair.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.

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MEET THE DESIGNER

Beatrix Farrand

T H R E E S P E C TA C U L A R C O N N E C T I C U T G A R D E N S P R E S E R V E T H E H E R I TA G E O F B E AT R I X F A R R A N D — A G I L D E D A G E S O C I A L I T E W H O B E C A M E A M E R I C A’ S F I R S T P R O M I N E N T F E M A L E L A N D S C A P E G A R D E N E R

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com may 2022

complement the collection of French Impressionist paintings displayed within the house, which is now a museum. The gardens at the Harkness mansion Eolia show Farrand’s expertise in layered planting and were among her grandest creations. Visitors can view the Oriental East Garden overlooking Long Island Sound bursting with an informal medley of blossoms commingled with Chinese vases and Korean figures. In the West Garden, informal curvilinear clusters allow plants to flow seamlessly into one another, interspersed with clipped box bushes placed in an irregular sequence. Considerations of height, texture and color create a three-dimensional effect. Along with the New York Botanical Garden’s Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden and the Beatrix Farrand Society’s Garland Farm headquarters in Maine, the restored gardens in Connecticut are lasting examples of the genius and creativity of the private, modest, shy, enigmatic woman (happily married at age 41 to an academic historian) who dressed in Scottish tweeds to supervise sites that embody the sense of spatial planning, architectural detail and planting expertise that are major influences to this day.

Three Rivers Farm

East Garden at Eolia

Hill-Stead

Excerpted with permission from Beatrix Farrand: Garden Artist, Landscape Architect by Judith B. Tankard, Monacelli Press, a divison of Phaidon Press Inc.

HILL-STEAD: HILL-STEAD MUSEUM ARCHIVES, FARMINGTON, CT. (JERRY L. THOMPSON); EOLIA, THREE RIVERS FARM: RICHARD W. CHEEK

traditional walled garden near Bridgewater, a small sunken garden near Hartford, and the grand gardens complementing the mansion in Waterford’s Harkness Memorial State Park are treasured restorations of the work of Beatrix Jones Farrand. A member of elite 19th-century society and a niece of Edith Wharton, Farrand defied convention and opted for a career. Fond of plants from a young age, she studied botany, surveying and horticulture at Boston’s Arnold Arboretum and traveled extensively visiting renowned gardens all over Europe where she was influenced by works of André Le Nôtre, Gertrude Jekyll and William Robinson. Commissioned to landscape estates for members of her illustrious social circle, she developed her signature style, combining picturesque beauty with the formal tradition of European gardens. At age 27, she was the only female founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. She went on to write extensively and expanded to landscaping public parks and campuses working at the White House, Princeton University and Yale’s Harkness Memorial Quadrangle. Requiring high maintenance, many of her designs have been neglected and lost, but the restored examples in Connecticut illustrate facets of her creative approach. The walled garden at Three Rivers Farm, now Promisek religious organization, had totally overgrown when preservationists tracing its stonework found a variation on a frequent theme: a rectangular plot around a central pool, with fieldstone paths dividing it into beds planted with classic New England tulips, verbena, roses and phlox. Hollyhocks, peonies and other taller plants follow the stone walls with masses of gray foliage complementing the soft color of the stone. At Hill-Stead in Farmington, Farrand designed plantings that blossomed from spring through autumn. The sunken plots in an octagonal shape were configured into 36 components with flowers selected in colors to

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