CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) MAY 2023

Opale, designed by Maurizio Manzoni. *$9,990 instead of $12,990 until 05/21/23 for a sofa as shown, 86”

x

Price includes one sofa upholstered in Ricochet fabric, with multi-position electric mechanism that turns each seat into a lounge chair - 2 motors per seat. Digital control unit embedded in the armrest. Other dimensions available.

throw cushions. Dolomie cocktail table and pedestal tables, designed by Efrem Bonacina & Greta Macri. Annapurna floor lamps, designed by Fabrice Berrux. Made in Europe. Nadia rug.

LONG A FT ER T REND S ARE F ORGO TT EN

Odyssey Collection

FEATURES 58

Deep Roots

A garden reinterpretation and restoration builds on the best of its past

by Tovah Martin

photographs by Kindra Clineff

64

Positively Pastoral James Doyle Design Associates delivers a bucolic landscape for an in-town 18th-century home

by Susan Tamulevich

photographs by Allegra Anderson

72

Refined in Greenwich Foley & Cox delivers an elegant design for repeat clients

Excerpted from Language of Home: The Interiors of Foley & Cox

by Michael Cox

photographs by Tim Lenz

80

History in the Making

New landscape design honors the past and plans for the future

by David Masello

photographs by Eric Piasecki

on the cover

“positively pastoral” page 64.

photograph by allegra anderson

From “History in the Making” page 80.

Photograph by Eric Piasecki

A New View

The first day of spring makes me restless to get outdoors! Instantly, I want to work in the garden—buy some new plants and plan out different beds. I have a tendency to go full force at the beginning of the season and lose interest once the blooms have gone, and then I am done. Call it impulsive or impatient, as Harry would characterize it! As I was pondering my next step in the garden, a book of inspiration arrived at my door, Piet Oudolf: At Work (Phaidon, 2023) A world-renowned Dutch garden designer, his work over 20 years has earned him a cult following. I know him best for the High Line in New York. The book offers unprecedented insight into his creative design process, working method and inspirations, with original sketches and drawings. Oudolf is best known for his generous perennial and grass areas in his gardens that transport you to a dreamlike world filled with color, texture and emotion. ■ While I pored over the images of his meadows, I was struck by the decaying state of so many plants. I was surprised by their beauty and my positive reaction to them. I noticed how much more interesting it is to see plants in different stages of their cycle within the same garden. I suddenly thought that perhaps in my zeal to make our garden perfect, I may have missed an opportunity to allow for plants to go to seed and not remove them once the bloom had withered. In a conversation with preeminent curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, Oudolf is asked about whether to control or not control in the garden. “I’ve always seen gardening as control. You cannot make a garden without it,” he says. “Traditional gardening is a sort of super-control of everything that happens there. We started to discuss what we could do to make gardens more attractive not only for ourselves but also as living things. We found that the best way was to leave plants to go to seed. We stopped cutting back plants too early—the skeletons were attractive enough to leave.” ■ Wow! That last thought blew me away. For someone who is not a gardener, it looks uncontrolled, messy, unkempt. But Oudolf says it is not. Now in the Land of Steady Habits, they might be a tough sell with many of our neighbors. But Oudolf wants us to see beauty in all things, at all times. He sees plants for their personalities, character and unique appearance—each having a different role in the garden. He tries to find balance between plants that are flowering and those that are reduced to seed heads or skeletons to create a sensual experience year-round. ■ And there it was: In my zeal to make my garden perfect, I had missed the fact that sometimes the imperfect is perfect!

DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com

Natural Beauty

A new book ( left) on the work of Piet Oudolf features sketches and photographs of his work, including meadowscapes like Lurie Garden (above) in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois.

Perception + Reality

Fortunately, the perception of our company is that of one which provides a showcase for luxury homeowners and their design professionals to present their spectacular homes in our pages. And the reality is that we have taken 20 years of experience and developed many more media formats, including digital, social, newsletters, email, video and events to reach our wonderful readers and followers. ■ Digital is by far the biggest media format. After years of double-digit growth, programmatic ad spend in the U.S. is on track to surpass $200 billion in 2023. This growth is reflected in the success of C&GDigital+, our digital programmatic division. Why? Because it uses automated technology allowing marketers to run multiple messages across many platforms to the right people who are looking for their products, at the desired locations and convert them to walk- in customers or those requesting services or making telephone calls. ■ Currently, C&GDigital+ is carrying messages from architects, kitchen, lighting, outdoor furnishings, insurance, real estate and events companies to potential customers who are searching and in the market for their goods and services. It doesn’t get much better than that. ■ If you would like C&GDigital+ to reach your future customers when and where they want to buy, please contact me or go to candgdigital.com

Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director mhowatson@candg.com

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In This Issue

WE ASKED OUR CONTRIBUTORS TO SHARE THEIR FAVORITE COLORS IN THE GARDEN AND THE PLANTS THEY USE TO ACHIEVE THIS COLORSCAPE. HERE’S WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY

ALLEGRA ANDERSON

“As a landscape architecture and garden photographer, my main goal is to create images that showcase my clients' designs in a way that draws viewers in, highlights the subject and evokes emotion. In the James Doyle Design Associates project, the deep greens of the garden and the red of the house present incredible contrast. Plantings like Echinacea, Nepeta, Pennisetum and vining tomato plants made for interesting textures and contrast within the garden beds. I especially loved the movement of the ‘No-Mow’ fescue meadows, which brought that sense of movement in the still images.” Photographer, “Positively Pastoral” page 64, allegraanderson.com.

JAMES DOYLE

“A personal favorite of mine is magenta. It’s a bold, vivid color (but not for everyone) and some of the plants in this color wheel are Lychnis coronaria, Silene dioica and Sidalcea malviflora. Another favorite and opposite to the above is chartreuse, but both colors brighten up any garden. Alchemilla mollis and Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii are wonderful chartreuse plants.” Landscape architect, “Positively Pastoral” page 64, jdda.com.

JANICE PARKER

“My favorite garden colors are purple and chartreuse. Chartreuse is a color that brings in yellow, or as I like to say, gold into the garden. It is always appropriate. Many people don’t love the idea of yellow, so I find it is most successful in the garden as a golden green. Gardens really tend to take off when you add this color. For chartreuse, I recommend Sweet Potato Ipomea batatas ‘Margarita’ and these deer resistant plants: Hakonechloa macra ‘Hakone Grass’ and Alchemilla mollis ‘Ladys Mantle.’ Deer resistant purples include Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and Buddleia ‘Pugster’.” Landscape architect, “History in the Making” page 80, janiceparker.com. —Mary Fitzgerald

May 2023

2

SPRING DESIGN SHOW

Join CTC&G at the Designers Connection Spring Design Show at Valbella! This tothe-trade event will showcase the latest spring collections from your favorite vendors. View the latest in fabrics, wallpaper, trim collections and more. Tuesday, May 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Valbella Restaurant, 1309 East Putnam Ave., Riverside. To the trade only. For more information and to RSVP, head on over to the Designers Connection Instagram @designers_connection.

TRADE SECRETS

The 2023 Trade Secrets Garden Show, a twoday event sponsored by CTC&G, will benefit Project SAGE. The Trade Secrets garden tours and community events will take place on Saturday, May 20, followed by the rare plants and garden antiques sale on Sunday, May 21. This year’s tour features the gardens of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli, Michael Trapp and the Hollister House in Connecticut, as well as Christopher Spitzmiller and Anthony Bellomo’s Clove Brook Farm and Innisfree Garden in Millbrook, New York. Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Lime Rock Park, 60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tradesecretsct.com.

CTC&G is the proud media sponsor of the Greenwich Historical Society’s inaugural Spring Tour, a celebration of outdoor entertaining, landscape and garden design showcasing some of Greenwich’s most spectacular properties. With the participation of Honorary Chair Aerin Lauder, a Patron Party at a historic mid-country home will kick-off the event on Wednesday, May 24. The Spring Tour, featuring the landscapes and outdoor living spaces of four distinctive homes, will take place on Thursday, June 1. Funds raised support educational programming and resources accessible to all students and teachers in Greenwich schools, stewardship of the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House and its American art and history collections, campus and gardens, award-winning exhibitions and community events. Patron Party: Wednesday, May 24, 6:30–9 p.m. Spring Tour: Thursday, June 1, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit greenwichhistory.org/springtour.

atthew R . D ougherty architect, llc

M

SITTING PRETTY

Oka’s Tarma two-seater sofa was inspired by an antique rug discovered in an antiques market and reimagined as hand-embroidered cotton upholstery.

Tasseled fringing adds a touch of whimsy to the piece. Shown here in Sheki Olive. $2,995, available at Oka, Westport, oka.com/us.

Out of the Box

WE WELCOME SPRING WITH THESE GARDEN-INSPIRED PICKS |

BLOOMING MEDLEY

Hailing from the Blooms Second Edition Resource Library, York Wallcoverings’ Brushstroke Floral showcases a medley of abstract flowers. Shown here in coral, it is offered in five additional colorways. $130 per double roll, available through McDermott Paint & Wallpaper, Greenwich, mcdermottpaintwallpaper. com, yorkwallcoverings. com.

BY MARY FITZGERALD

VINTAGE BOTANICAL

From the John Derian + Chilewich collection, the boldly-scaled bloom of the Blue Chicory round placemat was reproduced from Derian’s collection of antique and vintage prints. The flower illustration originally appeared in a 1853 botanical guide published in Germany. The collection includes complementary Yellow Daisy and Red Dandelion placemats. $30 each, available through Olley Court, Ridgefield, olleycourt.com, chilewich.com.

A BED OF ROSES

In an ode to Spring, Ralph Lauren’s sophisticated floral print Elisabetta features clusters of garden tea roses and wild blossoms on a cotton herringbone weave. Coordinating shades of cream, rose and sage provide a restful palette for a beautiful, layered bed. $145–$525, available at Ralph Lauren, New Canaan, ralphlauren.com.

CANNA LILIES

The Pinnacle collection showcases the winners of New Ravenna’s first mosaic design competition. Glastonbury’s own Jessica Battista won in the Pattern category with Canna, a hand-cut and waterjet stone mosaic, shown here in honed Sweetgrass and polished Fern. We think it’s a winner too! $506 per square foot, available through Greenwich Tile & Marble, greenwichtileandmarble.com, newravenna.com.

WHAT’S NEW FLOWER POWER

The Danish-designed Flower Garden serving tray from Eleish Van Breems Home is made of compressed Nordic birch veneer with a food-safe coating, perfect for serving up cocktails or appetizers while entertaining and lovely enough to set out for display every day. $50, Eleish Van Breems, Westport, Nantucket, evbantiques.com

BIOPHILIC BEAUTY

Currey & Company’s Paradiso floor lamp mimics the Strelitzia reginae species, more commonly known as the Bird of Paradise. The lamp’s limbs—in a silver leaf finish—arc up and away from a matching metal base. Blossoms in a contemporary gold leaf finish surround the fixture’s light bulbs. available through Chloe Winston Lighting Design, chloewinstonlighting.com, curreyandcompany.com.

WILD MUSHROOMS

The Shroom Lamp from Reed Smythe is a work of art and a functional lamp for ambient light. Each piece is handmade by artist Matthias VriensMcGrath in his Los Angeles studio. $3,500, available at reedsmythe.com.

PACK A PICNIC

Equipped with service for four, the Field of Flowers picnic basket from Juliska is ready for your next moveable feast. Crafted in rattan with durable leather straps, the basked is lined with the Field of Flowers Chambray fabric and includes melamine salad plates in the same pattern and Isabella clear tumblers. $495, available through the Whitney Shop, New Canaan, thewhitneyshop.com, juliska.com.

SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Dress up a spring tablesetting with Painterly Butterfly napkin rings from Joanna Buchanan. In a worn gold finish, the napkin ‘rings’ are designed with a flat back to lay perfectly on your table. $188 for a set of four, available through Hoagland’s, Greenwich, hoaglands.com, joannabuchanan.com.

TROPICAL PARADISE

An archival design from Brunschwig & Fils, Palmar print from the Majorelle collection is printed on 100-percent linen and is offered in five colorways, including Spring shown here. A coordinating handprinted wallcovering is also available. Price upon request, available through the Kravet showroom, Stamford, kravet.com.

PRETTY IN PINK

Need a pop of spring color? The Blooms

Pinkie Swear faux mini cattleya orchid in a cane-wrapped glass vase from Diane James Home makes a pretty statement all year round. $230, dianejameshome.com.

GARDEN PARTY

These adorable Bugaboo napkins from Ecru are a welcome addition to the table. Made in India, each design is printed with a hand-block technique. Mix and match these harmless creatures with solid or print table linens. $20, set of two, ecruonline.in

ZEN GARDEN

Drawing you into a garden paradise, the overscale design of Graham & Brown’s Kimono Morning mural beckons with soothing blues and greens. The four bespoke colorways include Noir, Midnight, Day and Morning, shown here. $7.50 per square foot, grahambrown.com.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Small sparrows perch atop the Joelle polished brass metal mirror by Made Goods. The textural frame is reminiscent of a wood grain. As shown, $1,700, available through Wakefield Design Center, Stamford, wakefielddesigncenter. com, madegoods.com.

Buzzworthy

RINGING IN GOOD NEWS HIGH SOCIETY

In January, Ring’s End acquired Johnson Paint’s 11 stores in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, expanding the company’s reach in the Northeast. Ring’s End now boasts 31 locations across five states, 23 of which are freestanding paint and design centers and eight of which are full-service lumber yard locations, which include paint and design centers. In addition, a commercial paint and lacquer facility, a custom millwork shop, a centralized distribution warehouse and an education center round out the brand’s sites. The culture of the two multigenerational family-owned and -operated businesses aligned—offering premium products, hometown service and convenient locations—making the union a natural fit. “We are excited to welcome the Johnson Paint team into the Ring’s End family,” says Mike Burkhart, president and COO of Ring’s End. “We are honored to carry on the tradition of excellent customer service started by the Johnson family 84 years ago and look forward to building on our success together with this great team.” ringsend.com.

EXTRAORDINARY BATHS

Bespoke wallpaper brand Gracie and luxury towel maker Weezie are partnering on a limitededition collection for the bath. Gracie’s exquisite handpainted designs— Indigo Garden and Sapphire Silhouette—have been translated into terry towels. Additional bath accessories include a robe, shower curtain, tissue-box cover and handpainted mini panels. “We have loved working with the Gracie team on this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between two brands launched 120 years apart,” says Liz Eichhotz, cofounder and creative director of Weezie. Gracie Studio Creative Director Jennifer Gracie adds, “Cozy becomes infinitely more luxurious when combined with beautiful florals.”

Available exclusively at weezietowels.com.

If you visit the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, you will want to take more than the bathrobe home with you, and now you can. The guest rooms and suites were recently redesigned with Society Social furnishings. Artisancrafted rattan, woven wicker and upholstery pieces—inspired by OldWorld Palm Beach—are offered in an array of color finishes and fabrics. The 11-piece capsule collection includes headboards, chairs, nightstands, dressers, a sofa, stool and cocktail table. Society Social’s Founder and Creative Director Roxy Owens and the Colony Hotel owner and President Sarah Wetenhall collaborated on the design to celebrate the Colony’s 75th anniversary. Shown here, a guest room at the hotel outfitted with Society Social furniture in custom Schumacher fabrics and wallcovering. Furnishings start at $895; to take a piece of Palm Beach home, visit shopsocietysocial.com.

A World of Whimsy

Hotelier and designer Kit Kemp is known for her fearless use of color and pattern. This spring, she launched a tabletop collection with fellow British brand Spode. Fanciful designs adorn tableware, glassware, cutlery, gifts and accessories. “Textiles are my greatest inspiration and applying my fabric designs and new patterns to everyday items creates a joyful way to experience them in a different form,” says Kemp. The Tall Trees tableware, inspired by Kemp’s love of the countryside and walks in the woods, features birds and enchanting creatures. Geo is a more modern, graphic design and a complement to Tall Trees. Kemp’s daughter, Willow, follows in her mother’s creative footsteps with the Spode Doodles collection of plates and mugs based on her original sketches. The Kit Kemp for Spode collection is available online at spode.com.

—Mary Fitzgerald

Touch Wood

THIS SPRING, NATURAL WOOD AND GOLD COMBINE TO CREATE BOLD AND UNCONVENTIONAL PIECES OF JEWELRY

BY HARRIET MAYS POWELL

Rush Jewelry Design’s Maxi Draper golden pearl and wood ring in 18k yellow gold with South Sea golden pearl, $5,180. rushjewelrydesign.com.

Soko’s 24k gold-plated brass and teak interlocking bangle bracelets, $118. shopsoko.com.

Verdura’s 18k yellowgold and cocobolo wood Curb-Link bracelet, $21,500. Verdura, NYC, verdura.com.

Sorab & Roshi’s gold-backed bamboo link bracelet in hand-carved ebony wood and 18k yellow gold, $19,800. Sorab & Roshi, Greenwich, sorabandroshi.com.

Seaman Schepps’ half-link earrings in ebony wood and 18k yellow gold, $5,950. Seaman Schepps, NYC, seamanschepps.com.

David Webb’s shoulder cuff in rosewood and polished 18k gold, $23,500. davidwebb.com.

Fred Leighton’s 18k yellow-gold and wood ring, $8,000. Mitchells, Westport, Richards, Greenwich, shop.mitchellstores.com.

The Sweet Life

Tucked away in the Bradley Edge Tool Company historic district of Weston is a storybook New England cottage that’s home to a honeybee haven with chickens, an organic garden and native plantings. A barn—handcrafted from wood milled in Kent—serves as a design studio and a honey house for beekeeper, author and master honey sommelier, C. Marina Marchese.

Marchese became smitten with honey after visiting a neighbor’s apiary and tasting honey straight from the hive. A week later, she quit her job to become a full-time beekeeper and founded Red Bee Honey. Her adventures fill her first book, Honeybee Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper, which was recently optioned for film and TV rights.

Honey is made exclusively by the female worker bee, who forages up to three miles from the hive to collect nectar. Landing on the sweetest smelling flower, she sips its nectar, adds some of her own enzymes, and carries it to the hive, where it’s stored in beeswax honeycomb. Her sisters create ventilation by flapping their wings to reduce moisture content, and eventually, the nectar is transformed into honey. A honeybee produces just one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its entire lifetime.

Each honey has a unique color, aroma and flavor based on the type of flowers the bees visit. The diversity of flowers around the world results in countless varietals of honey. While the botanical source plays the biggest role in the honey’s taste, it’s closely followed by climate and soil. A wildflower honey produced in Connecticut, for example, will taste completely different from one produced in Vermont.

Cheese is the perfect complement to honey, and a honey tasting is a delicious way to entertain guests. Imagine the soul-satisfying sweetness of honey drizzled over a creamy, salty cheese, with a bite of crusty bread and a fig or walnut. There are countless ways to pair this dynamic duo. One of Marchese’s favorite pairings is her own honeycomb with a triple crème cheese, fresh raspberries, pumpkin seeds and a crusty baguette.

Marchese teaches classes and curates private tastings for culinary organizations and curious-minded

foodies. Through her work with Murray’s Cheese, she developed a talent for creating honey tasting menus that are a gastronomic delight. “Tasting all these honeys has helped me cultivate my palate and made me savor food through understanding flavors,” she notes.

Fascinated by the endless types of honey, Marchese enrolled in the Italian Register of Experts in the Sensory Analysis of Honey, and after passing the rigorous exams, she became the first U.S. citizen to be accepted as a member of the

registry. In her second book, The Honey Connoisseur, she pioneered the concept of writing tasting notes for honey. Between her travels in pursuit of the next amazing honey, Marchese is usually found in her barn creating botanical art or tending to her hives.

–Kristen

BEEKEEPER, AUTHOR AND MASTER HONEY SOMMELIER C. MARINA MARCHESE

What’s The Buzz?

A handcrafted barn in Weston serves as Marchese’s honey house and design studio. She also teaches honey sensory classes. americanhoneytastingsociety.com.

Fritz

STEP INTO SUMMER

ENJOY LONGER DAYS AND WARMER NIGHTS—BY THE POOL, ON THE PATIO OR IN THE GARDEN—WITH THESE ALL-WEATHER FURNISHINGS

BY MARY FITZGERALD

HARBOUR

Bringing luxury outdoors, Harbour’s contemporary Amalfi collection is upholstered in an Italian bouclé performance fabric with a sumptuous, knubby texture. The tripod Lucca coffee and side tables are handcrafted in European travertine. Sofa, as shown, $9,500; coffee table, $3,995; side table, $1,750, NYDC, shopharbour.com.

CB2

Constructed of certified sustainable FSC natural teak, the Rollie daybed from CB2's outdoor collection supports a generously proportioned cushion in a natural and black Sunbrella fabric. $2,899, cb2.com.

UNOPIÙ

Italian brand Unopiù’s Dolcevita sun lounger is crafted from refined mahogany wood in a glossy finish. The elliptical form features a reclinable seat back and comfy cushions in a choice of bespoke fabrics. Price available upon request, available through Dzineelements, Norwalk, dzineelements.com, unopiu.com.

ARHAUS

The modular, low-profile components of the Ollie collection by Arhaus can be arranged and repositioned for endless possibilities. Upholstered in durable InsideOut performance fabric, the color palette is made to be mixed and matched. $119–$4,386 Available at Arhaus, SoNo Collection, Norwalk, arhaus.com.

SANTA BARBARA DESIGNS

Revamped for 2023, the Santa Barbara Double Decker umbrella is a throwback to its midcentury roots. Crafted in California, it’s shown here in a Cabana Pink stripe canopy with natural trim on a white frame and base. Price upon request, available through Walters, D&D, walterswicker.com, santabarbaradesigns. com.

ROVE

A sleek black frame with a built-in side table and plush, cloud-like cushioning define the Florian outdoor lounger from Rove. Shown here with the Gallus side table in black concrete. Lounger, $2,249; side table, $562, roveconcepts.com.

ARTEMEST

The curved canopy of the Cloe lounge chair by Braid Design Lab provides a protected spot to relax or take a nap. Natural fibers are braided together on a sturdy powder-varnished aluminum frame.

CENTURY

The Danny outdoor cocktail table from Century is cast from concrete in an off-white and faux wire-brushed oak finish. $4,497, available through Safavieh, Norwalk, safavieh.com, centuryfurniture.com.

SERENA & LILY

Substantial yet lightweight, Serena & Lily’s Oceanpark lounger is slipcovered in Sunbrella’s Lido Stripe and can be easily moved to get in or out of the sun. $598 Westport, serenaandlily.com.

LULU AND GEORGIA

The sculptural silhouette of Lulu and Georgia’s Simi chaise is woven from a textural, all-weather wicker, offered in gray or neutral. A detachable pillow is included for ultimate comfort. $2,099, luluandgeorgia.com.

BROWN JORDAN

Ann Marie Vering was inspired by the wicker bucket seat of a 1964 Fiat Jolly when conceiving the Oliver collection for Brown Jordan. The curved seat is woven from an allweather roping cradled in an angular frame. Price upon request, NYDC, brownjordan.com.

ON THE PATIO

HOLLY HUNT

The Salamander bar stool from the Sonoran collection is the latest addition to Holly Hunt’s outdoor series. Offered in Raven or Fawn colorways, the woven design and piping structure can stand up to the most rugged outdoor environments. Price upon request, hollyhunt.com.

KRAVET

Create an outdoor living room with Kravet’s new Soleil collection. Shown here, the Lantana three-seat sofa upholstered in KravetSmart performance fabrics. The Hex ottoman wears a decorative wave nail design. Price upon request, D&D, NYDC, kravet.com.

ROCHE BOBOIS

When you need extra seating the Apex outdoor ottoman from Roche Bobois is a fun and colorful option. The quilted design is achieved with Méridien outdoor fabrics. $2,045, Greenwich, roche-bobois.com.

BERNHARDT

The Nodi chair, from Bernhardt’s outdoor collection is crafted from woven rope in a sophisticated open weave twisted around a metal club chair frame. The loose back pillow and deep upholstered seat are available in a choice of performance fabrics.

$2,750, available through Tusk Home + Design, tuskhomeanddesign.com, bernhardt.com.

MADE GOODS

A twisted faux rope covers the frame of the Arla high-back sofa from Made Goods, shown here in Navy but also offered in natural. The cushion is fashioned from white Alsek performance fabric. $8,900, available through Cobble Court Interiors, New Canaan, cobblecourt.com, madegoods.com.

PALECEK

All-weather synthetic wicker is finely wrapped around a powder coated metal frame to form the Everly outdoor pendant by Palecek, suitable for covered outdoor use in a damp location. $2,676, available through Chloe Winston Lighting Design, chloewinstonlighting.com, palecek.com.

FOUR HANDS

A modern take on a midcentury Italian design, the Roma outdoor sectional from Four Hands beckons you to sit and relax with exaggerated proportions and dramatic tufting on a plinth-style teak base. $7,725, fourhands.com.

JONATHAN ADLER

Jonathan Adler’s Maxime indoor/outdoor rug is easy to clean and reversible. The sky blue and ivory combination is a calming complement to summer furnishings. $995–$2,650, jonathanadler.com.

MITCHELL GOLD + BOB WILLIAMS

Casual yet inviting, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ Alys outdoor sofa sports an angular natural teak frame with deep lounge-like cushions in a choice of 18 fabrics. $5,327, Greenwich, mgbwhome.com.

GLOSTER

Crafted from solid plantation teak, the linear style of Gloster’s Deck dining table was inspired by the wood decking on sailing vessels. The slatted frame and tabletop are softened with curved edges. $23,100, available at Patio.com, patio. com, gloster.com.

TEAK WAREHOUSE

Teak is a natural in the garden because it ages beautifully and is weather resistant. The Emma table from Teak Warehouse is made with a smooth, circular top set on a slatted base in a high-quality and durable teak. Coffee table, $749; side table, $399, available at teakwarehouse.com.

IN THE GARDEN

Hampton designed Tuoro, an eightpiece collection for Woodard. The Tuoro planter features intricated fretwork in cast aluminum. $3,254, available from Patio. com, patio.com, woodard-furniture.com.

CARL HANSEN & SON

The comfortable Outdoor Deck chair made of FSCcertified teak hails from the 11-piece AH outdoor series from Carl Hansen & Son. Designed by the late Danish architect Alfred Homann in 2022, the chair exhibits simple lines with soft rounded details. Chair, $65; seat cushion, $115; back cushion, $95. Carl Hansen & Son, NYC, carlhansen.com.

SKAGERAK BY FRITZ HANSEN

The Nordic tradition of craftsmanship is evident in the Skagerak by Fritz Hansen Plank collection. Designed with sustainability and functionality in mind, the FSC-certified teak holds up to the elements and will naturally patinate to a beautiful silver gray over time. Table, $2,169; bench, $2,099; chair, $899, skagerak.com.

CURREY & COMPANY

Made of concrete in a faux-bois natural finish, the Beaujon cocktail table from Currey & Company is perfect for indoors or out. The table is fashioned to resemble slender saplings that gracefully angle up to its circular top. $1,840, available through Trovare Home Design, trovarehomedesign.com, curreyandcompany.com.

DEDON

Designed by Richard Frinier, the Dedon Daydream fourposter canopy daybed features a Viennese cane-weaving pattern and generous proportions. perfect for lazing around on a hot day. $13,735, D&D, dedon.de.

POLYWOOD

Partnering with Martha Stewart, Polywood’s Chinoiserie outdoor swing includes intricate latticework and delicate details. Made of Polywood lumber, a proprietary blend of sustainable materials including ocean-bound plastics, the swing is offered in a variety of colors. $729, polywood.com.

OKA

The Bedarra bistro chair from Oka sports a distinctive two-toned allweather “rattan” pattern and a powder coated frame for durability in the garden. $395, Oka, Westport, oka.us.

MCKINNON AND HARRIS

Moroccan inspired, the Yves table in Marrakech Blue takes it cue from the architecture and exotic riads of Marrakech. Made to order from high-performance aluminum, the table is offered in 21 finish colors and two arch styles with a seamless top or inset top of technical stone. $4,960, D&D, mckinnonharris.com.

appearance of cast stone, the Fisher dining table from Summer Classics features a 36-inch top and a cone-shape base embellished with a $3,120,

Design firm Laun’s Ribbon circular bench is a study in form and materiality with layered powder coated aluminum tubes. Custom colors and widths are available. $6,250, launlosangeles.com.

ELEISH VAN BREEMS

The Danish-modern character of the Nest three-seater sofa from Eleish Van Breems is achieved with sweeping curves in an airy weatherresistant weave on an aluminum frame. Offered in white or natural. $5,580, Westport, evbantiques.com.

LAUN

Pattern Play, British Style

UK TEXTILE DESIGNERS ARE LEADING THE WAY WITH PATTERN AND PANACHE | BY DJ CAREY

Newly created Atelier UK is a textile treasure for anyone with a passion for prints. Created by a small group of artisanal screen printers from England, the collective designs represent a print aesthetic that combines exquisite drawings and graphics from artisans with a specific point of view. The fabrics—in either brilliant colors or subtle “color-not-color” palettes—are now available in the United States through Crans Baldwin, online or by appointment in Connecticut. cransbaldwinllc.com.

KATE MEDLICOTT

Color is at the very heart of Kate Medlicott fabrics. Bold shades and simple motifs contrast with flamboyant one-off designs, often influenced by the artist’s time in Asia. Medlicott grew up on an organic farm, deep in rural England, and went on to train as a painter. She is continually inspired by the countryside paired with bright painterly hues. With sustainability at the heart of her business, all the designs are printed digitally onto British-woven linen using nontoxic water-based inks. Basilica, her first woven fabric, is produced by a historic mill in England, which has been in operation since 1720. Basilica is at once rustic and luxurious. katemedlicott.com.

LEAPING FOXES

Leaping Foxes fabrics are instantly recognizable for their timeless design and neutral palette, creating a calm, refreshing aesthetic. Mainly using rich Indian ink, eucalyptus, warm gray and cool blues across the range, patterns can be seamlessly layered from the various collections. Designer Liora Ives has always had a great passion for textiles and her background in hand printing has helped her to maintain an authentic natural look. Now translating her handdrawn motifs into patterns that are digitally created, she works alongside English companies that weave and print the fabric to order to create a sustainable and truly British brand. leapingfoxes.co.uk.

ELEANOR FAUSING

“Spending time outdoors plays a huge part in helping me find peace, which ultimately inspires me. I find that bringing a slice of the outdoors in promotes a sense of calm, minimizes stress and enhances creativity,” says Fausing. The Folium Collection is printed on natural, unbleached, 100-percent linen that achieves a range of colors that closely match those you would find in nature. One thing that makes this collection unique is that each decision has been carefully considered (for environmental and well-being reasons), from minimizing ink and fabric wastage to printing with pigment inks in specific colors that help us feel connected to nature.” eleanorfausing.co.uk.

MEG MORTON

The mother-daughter team of Maggie Baxter and Vicky Clappison are the artists behind this brand named after Maggie’s mother whose family were textile manufacturers weaving for William Morris and Voysey in Scotland in the early 1900s. Many of their timeless designs start out being handpainted in their country studio yet will be at home in either a traditional or modern design. Inspiration for their fabrics and wallpapers, especially their most recent River’s Walk Collection, is drawn from the surrounding North Dorset countryside, as well as from exploring their rich textile heritage that goes back to 1867. All the fabrics and wallpapers are printed and made in England. megmorton.co.uk.

GALA PREVIEW PARTY JULY 22 | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC JULY 23 - SEPTEMBER 4

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DIGITAL SPONSOR

WITH HONORARY DESIGN CO-CHAIRS ALEXA HAMPTON AND JAMIE DRAKE

DEEDS DON’TS

BLOOMING GORGEOUS

Realtors report an uptick in inquiries, traffic and bids when they can finally, finally, start showing properties with green lawns and blooming gardens. Call it flower power—and it’s on view in our roundup of four for-sale homes, featuring pools, ponds, sand, gardens and more. Plus, just in time for the king’s coronation on May 6, check out Lancer Square, a new development in London’s Kensington neighborhood.

POND AND POOL

In greenwich, a majestic, tudor-style manse lists for $7,995,000. The property’s four landscaped acres offer the best of everything: a pretty pond, a 60-foot-long pool with a spa, a tennis court and a separate guest house with its own driveway. Inside the nearly 15,000-square-foot home, stand-out features include the double-height entry hall with dramatic staircases,

a grand

Across The Pond This Greenwich listing features a pretty pond, as well as great gardens, a pool and a tennis court. It lists for $7,995,000 with Joseph Barbieri of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 203-940-2025.

living room with a fireplace, a wood-paneled library with another fireplace and eight bedrooms, including a primary suite with a sitting room and two bathrooms. Joseph Barbieri of Sotheby’s International Realty has the listing. A gorgeous New Canaan property has one of the coolest pool complexes on the market. The pool house is a modern, pavilion-style structure with a full kitchen and a lounge space with a fireplace and dining area. The pool itself is also dreamy—saltwater and equipped with a spa and a modern terrace. The

modern theme continues inside the 9,505-square-foot home, designed by Neil Hauck. There’s an open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces with access to the outdoor space. There’s also a handsome home office and six bedrooms, including a primary suite with a spa-like bath and slipper tub. It lists for $5,995,000 with Jaime and Kendall Sneddon with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.

FIT FOR A KING

A new development called Lancer Square in London’s Kensington Palace Conservation area now offers 36 residences—just in time for King Charles III’s coronation on May 6 at nearby Westminster Abbey. For smaller (but luxe!) pieda-terres, there are one-bedroom units, while real royals will want to ascend to the two-story, rooftop penthouse. Whatever the size, the interiors feature top-quality fixtures and materials, including book-matched marble, walnut flooring and emperador stone. And residents have access to a beautiful pool and spa, a gym and impressive lounge spaces. Prices of available units start at £12,180,000; visit lancersquare. co.uk for more information.

One Cool Pool Featuring a party-ready pool pavilion, this New Canaan home lists for $5,995,000 with Jaime and Kendall Sneddon with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in New Canaan. 203-219-3769 and 203-561-5658.

CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY, EMBRACING OUR FUTURE

1. 15 Dairy Road, Greenwich

$29,950,000 WEB#117374

Rob Johnson 203.979.2360

2. 5 Belaire Drive, Westport

$2,350,000 WEB#170551161

Mark Gilrain 917-287-2451

Kat Gibbon 678-517-8075

3. 2 Morley Lane, Darien

$2,250,000 WEB#170555563

Mary Lopiano 203.912.4694

4. 333 Flax Hill Road, Norwalk

$619,000 WEB#170556872

Lara Winters 203.832.4206

5. 270 Frogtown Road, New Canaan

$2,795,000 WEB#170556416

Bettina Hegel 917.842.3349

6. 7 Dairy Road, Greenwich $5,850,000 WEB#117759

Christopher Finlay 203.969.5511

7. 40 Birch Road, Darien $2,725,000 WEB#170558695

Janet Olmsted 203.554.4022

Chris Merritt 203.550.9824

8. 103 South Avenue, New Canaan $1,795,000 WEB#170545451

Patti Fieber 203.979.8320

9. 84 Lawrence Hill Road, Stamford $1,095,000 WEB#170560090

Meghan Athnos 203.918.1215

SOUND VIEWS

Called stone harbor, a just-listed tokeneke property comprises a private peninsula cited directly along Long Island Sound. The circa-1901 manse has been fully renovated—now starring a spectacular kitchen designed by Peter Deane that offers access to an outdoor dining terrace and, beyond that, a saltwater pool. The 1.55-acre grounds also feature a fabulous lounge space with a modern firepit and pretty landscaping along the water’s edge. It lists for $7.5 million with Bruce Baker of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.

LOTS OF LAND

On a high perch in new preston, a 22-acre spread offers stunning views over Lake Waramaug and the Litchfield Hills. The home itself is a 9,000-square-foot study in modern, openplan interiors with plenty of glass to take in the views. That’s especially true in the 36-foot-long

great room with a 40-foot-high fireplace and glass doors that open onto a terrace with an outdoor fireplace, a dramatic rock ledge and a beautiful pool. And the pool has impressive stats of its own, measuring 40 feet long and 20 feet wide. Back inside, the primary bedroom suite offers access to the terrace, along with two dressing rooms and a spa-like bathroom. It lists for $7.5 million with Roger Saucy of Elyse Harney Real Estate. — Diane di Costanzo

A Sound Investment This $7.5 million Tokeneke home just hit the market, listed with Bruce Baker of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Darien. 203-912-7061.

The Long View This New Preston home, on 22 acres with breathtaking vistas, lists for $7.5 million with Roger Saucy of Elyse Harney Real Estate in Salisbury. 203-788-7032.

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Photo by Anthony Crisafulli

MAY

CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS

TIME TO FLOURISH

DEEP ROOTS

BY TOVAH MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY KINDRA CLINEFF

A garden reinterpretation and restoration builds on the best of its past

Fabric From The Past

In the herb garden (this page), boxwoods form structure beside topiary ‘Palibin’ lilacs. Native maidenhair fern (opposite page) laps at the ankles of a golden hosta for a textural counterpoint. See Resources.

Glenn Hillman’s fascination for the past comes as no surprise. After all, his family bought one of the classic white Colonial Revivals in Litchfield center back in 1993. Even before moving to Litchfield, Hillman cut his teeth on a steady diet of Colonial Williamsburg, Old Sturbridge Village and all things historic. But his superpower is that he did not just explore the facades and interiors of our forefathers when forging his love for the past. He also focused on the scenery outside.

Trained in architectural history, Hillman is one of the few garden designers who really knows the past and strives to produce a garden that fits hand-in-glove with its era. Now, he designs sensitive gardens that sing with their vernacular for clients, but it began with his own landscape. If the whole scene inside and outside his Litchfield home feels like time travel into history, he figures that he has totally succeeded.

When Hillman came to the sprawling gambrel-roofed colonial and its two acres, he had only a few remaining rickety fences plus the vestiges of some perennial borders to guide his way. There was a tidy pond that he loved, but also an oversized terrace and swimming pool that had to go. With reverence for what he was given and yearning to make it into a totally suffused scene punctuated by the best of the past, he spun some majorly impressive magic.

Basically, if Thomas Jefferson landed on Hillman’s property with its Sturbridge-inspired glorified toolshed accessed through a promenade of ornamental fruit trees, its blowsy herb garden entered through weighted gates, and its tunnels of august trees and shrubs, he would feel perfectly at home. Absolutely, it’s all been reinterpreted and restored. Recent understandings have been applied with the adoption of native plants wherever appropriate and new cultivars if they

prove to be riveting improvements, but Hillman specializes in retaining a sense of history. The vernacular is primo.

The line that Hillman walks is a tricky balance. On one hand, structure is paramount. That remaining rickety fence provided a template for craftsmen to restore a sturdy new version and imbue the garden with a sense of the original place complete with repros of the original finials on the gateposts. Hillman added arbors plus a network of pathways promenading through the series of experiences. He staged grade changes from space to

Rare Finds

(this column from top) Hillman first saw Geranium x magnificum in Britain and then found the cultivar in the U.S. In the shrub border, Deutzia ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ sprawls below larger woody plants.

Accent Marks (this column from top) Iris ‘Immortality’ flowers in May and in August. Miniature hostas ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ and ‘Hope’ nestle in a farm trough. Although an invasive yellow flag iris was kept confined to a trough, Hillman has since removed it from his garden. The whole family shares in the joy of gardening.

Setting The Stage (above) The strong lines of an empty cast iron urn from Ward’s Nursery and its plinth play counterpoint against wispy ‘Royal Purple’ smokebush, Japanese iris and Spiraea ‘Snow Storm.’ See Resources.

In Full Glory (this page) Hillman followed the pattern of the original Colonial Revival garden, adding a spring-blooming alpine terrace, changing the configuration of the fish pond, and including a new boxwood and urn focal point.

space. There’s nothing like descending into a sunken garden to provide a heady experience you won’t soon forget. Beyond the hardscape, he went deeply botanical, seeking appropriate plants to cement the retrospective essence. Essentially, Hillman is a plantsman—and that’s a rare attribute coupled with a designer. Every plant is carefully sought and then trialed for its traits. And in that capacity, the property serves as a testing ground before Hillman recommends a plant palette to clients. Knowing that catalog photos are not always accurate and plants can disappoint pitted against Litchfield’s challenging microclimate, Hillman can select perennials of the right hue and hardiness for clients. “It’s a constant process of evaluation,” he admits of his trials. Many plants fail the rigorous tests. Many plants succeed with flying colors. Hillman’s vision has a lot to do with color. If everything feels wonderfully soothing and simpatico around his home, that’s due to the repetition of hues flowing throughout the scene.

“Multiples tie everything together structurally,” he explains. His training as a fine artist translates into deftly perceived color echoes. Continuity comes when the ‘Palibin’ lilac orbs read off the blossoming chives and the further rhododendron. Under a lessertrained eye, that could easily turn sour. But Hillman knows his hues.

“All my pinks have blue tones in them,” points out this artist fully conversant with color. Similarly, variegation could easily overwhelm, but

not when carefully placed. And when chartreuse is bounced around between upright shrubs and creeping herbs, the eye is delighted.

The result provides an experience. Between the textural dialogue between clipped boxwood and the wispy mounds of perennial herbs against the sylvan backdrop of mature trees, you are wrapped in a retrospective encounter. Move over, Jane Austen. This is one instance when yesterday feels quintessentially current. ✹

Soft Edges (this column from top) The flowers of Dianthus ‘Greystone’ fade to shell pink as they mature. Herb garden pathways are softened by creeping Thymus citriodorus ‘Archer’s Gold’ forming a groundcover beside lady’s mantle and calamintha.

For The Birds

(above) A family of bluebirds dwells in the bird house planted in a bed of Dianthus ‘Greystone,’ Geranium ‘Brookside’ and variegated iris.

Color Harmonies (this column from top) Japanese maples, rhododendrons, deutzia and a 100-year-old Japanese lilac form a layered sylvan scene along the shrub border. Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ mellows the pink wands of Persicaria bistorta ‘Superba’ in the original Colonial Revival garden.

Suffused Splendor (this page) In the formal garden, Hillman echoes the shades of lilac in the beauty bush, ‘Palibin’ lilac and rhododendron, while contrasting them with creamy chartreuse of chamaecyparis and boxwood sprigs. The fencing and gates are from Walpole Woodworkers. See Resoures.

Green New Deal

New landscape features include Carpinus betulus, European hornbeams, at the corners of the pool, clipped hornbeam hedges, low ilex borders and lawn areas for lacrosse. Tuuci umbrellas provide shade for Sutherland chaises, while Kettal sofas flank a custom firepit. The pool contractor was Meehan & Ramos Pools. See Resources.

POSITIVELY PASTORAL

James Doyle Design Associates delivers a bucolic landscape for an in-town 18th-century home

BY SUSAN TAMULEVICH PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALLEGRA ANDERSON

You’re forgiven for imagining this classic New England saltbox as tucked into a bucolic Connecticut valley. Surprisingly, it’s just .7 miles from a busy Fairfield County railroad station. “For us, the property has a backcountry vibe, but brings all the benefits of an in-town location,” notes the homeowner. “It’s the best of both worlds.” The historic 1742 sea captain’s house was moved from pastoral Durham, CT, to Darien in 1929. Until the 1950s, this was the only house on the street. Today, the linear 2.5-acre property sits as an anomaly among 1-acre plots on a suburban cul-de-sac.

The current homeowners purchased the property 15 years ago, raising four children here. In 2019, working with James Schettino Architects, the owners began the process of restoring and expanding the house, adding a pool and a barn/garage/party space.

James Doyle Design Associates (JDDA) was brought in at the same time to reimagine the landscape. Their work came to encompass adding the pool and new driveway, rebuilding the original stone walls and restoring existing terracing, plus the creation of a meadow. “The landscape was intended to be restrained—planned to celebrate the house while respecting the history of the property,” says the owner. JDDA Partner Justin Quinn set the master plan with Senior Landscape Designer Anthony Tavares taking lead on the project.

Higher Ground (clockwise across spread from top) Sager stone stairs tie the house and lower terraces to the barn terrace, eight feet up. Large windows look out to a subtle medley of natural hues and Kettal sofas that invite lounging. The meadow—a proprietary blend of four fescues— is dotted with Malus ‘Donald Wyman’—a flowering crabapple. See Resources.

Hedge Fun

(clockwise across spread from this page) The cutting/vegetable garden has both a clipped hornbeam hedge and a wire fence—buried two feet deep—to keep animals out. An outdoor dining terrace is furnished with a Sutherland table and Roda chairs. Family-room furnishings selected by Stirling Mills Interior Design include Piet Boon chairs, a Minotti sofa and a Wüd Furniture coffee table. See Resources.

“THE PROPERTY HAS A BACKCOUNTRY VIBE, BUT BRINGS ALL THE BENEFITS OF AN IN-TOWN LOCATION. IT’S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS”

Three years in, “the unexpected reality is that it’s the landscape that transforms our home experience every single day,” says the homeowner. “Each window has a breathtaking view.”

Thank JDDA for creating this winning rural ruse via the thoughtful and sensitive positioning of stone walls, hedges, fencing and meadows. The major change to the site was the creation of a garage/party space from an existing post-and-beam barn. Originally positioned next to the house, the barn was relocated to a rise behind and parallel to the house—a change that worked well with the long narrow configuration of the property. The change required both a second driveway and separate parking area. Says Doyle, “The barn became a design opportunity—a way to make a direct connection back to the house.” That connection is best expressed by the view from the kitchen window, up a flight of stone steps to a classic cutting and vegetable garden. Divided into quadrants, each child gets their own section to plant.

The garden design is classic James Doyle—traditional, with clipped hornbeam hedges. Based in Greenwich, Doyle has been creating landscapes across 30 years. His new book, Intersection of Nature and Art, chronicles the evolution of his aesthetic. He began his career in the UK working with legendary garden designer Russell Page. “I started out steeped in traditional European

architecture. But I’ve been changed by working in different geographical conditions,” he says. “In fact, the world has changed. Today we give more importance to the natural world, more importance to meadows and to home living.” Doyle’s evolution can be seen in this garden, with its inclusion of wilder spaces, outdoor family areas and an emphasis on pollinator plants.

Layered throughout the landscape are applications of Sager stone—a dense, hard mixture of limestone and sandstone. “Sager stone is sourced locally in New England,” Tavares says. “Quarried at the surface layer, the stone has a natural brown tone and rough surface that connects well to the agrarian landscape aesthetic.” He has used it here with different finishes, colors and treatments as step risers, the seat of a bench, at the outdoor shower, in the terraces. Stone from the middle level is a grey that blends well with the bluestone patios and walks.

Pastoral meadows harken to a time when landscapes were less formal. These areas require mowing once a year. A meandering path provides for walks throughout the length of the property.

“The first two summers were spectacular, but adjustments were still being made,” says the homeowner. “We’re most excited for this summer—they nailed it!’ As Doyle notes, “The first year, a garden sleeps; the second, it creeps; the third year, it leaps!” ✹

Barn Raising

The existing barn (top) was relocated, wrapped in antique wood and transformed by Kevin Cady of East Coast Barn Builders into a party space and garage. A swing view (opposite page) of the house’s south-facing front façade. See Resources.

REFINED IN Greenwich

Foley & Cox delivers an elegant design for repeat clients

BY MICHAEL COX PHOTOGRAPHS BY TIM LENZ

reating a new primary residence for a fashion executive and his wife was not a challenge for us since it was our fifth project together. The clients were beginning a new chapter of their lives and wanted a modern design aesthetic while avoiding cold minimalism. This was achieved, even in the midst of a global pandemic, by integrating some of the furniture the couple already owned and using a warm color palette and textures throughout.

The exterior is a classic Connecticut stone house, designed by Cormac Byrne and built by Joe Nannariello. The interior is washed in shades of fresh white paint, creating a backdrop for comfortable upholstery, soft woven rugs, and the clients’ collections. An outdoor living room and fireplace is a favorite place to relax and entertain friends and family surrounded by beautiful gardens designed by Renée Byers.

Excerpt from Language of Home: The Interiors of Foley & Cox by Michael Cox, published by Monacelli in March 2023. Reprinted with permission.

Serene Scene (opposite page) The gardens were designed by Renée Byers Landscape Architect. A bench anchors the far end of the pool. The Round Table (above) Four chocolate brown armchairs, rather than an expected sofa, circle a pair of round glass cocktail tables by Desiron. See Resources.

‘‘The clients wanted a modern design aesthetic while avoiding cold minimalism”

Chic Comfort (opposite page and this page, top left) The family room features a wood-beamed coffered ceiling—inset with Phillip Jeffries grasscloth—and a pair of paintings by Ethan Boisvert above woven rattan consoles by Ralph Lauren Home. The Artistic Frame armchairs, upholstered in Holland & Sherry fabric, soften an overscaled steel-and-glass cocktail table. The ceiling grid pattern intentionally repeats in the pattern of the floor covering.

Floor-to-ceiling shelving in natural stained white oak showcases the owner’s collection.

Dine In Style (above) The formal dining room, with upholstered dining chairs from Artistic Frame, has a round pedestal table custom made by Richomme. The modern chandelier is from Ralph Lauren Home. Above the fireplace is Wide Oak by David Konigsberg.

Kitchen Cachet (left) To create a timeless kitchen, classic subway tiles are grouted with gray, and white cabinets are centered by gray counters and floors. The base of the center island is ebony-stained for bold contrast and anchors the room. See Resources.

Glorious Garden (above) Under the pergola, teak chaises from Brown Jordan provide the perfect vantage point for taking in the lush landscape. Inviting Vignette (opposite page) Connecticut bluestone walls, the epitome of garden living, are the backdrop for the outdoor living room, made cozy with a woven rug from Annie Selke. The overscaled cocktail table accommodates drinks and casual meals in front of the fire. The teak swivel chairs are by Gloster; woven chairs are from Brown Jordan. The wall lantern is from Troy Lighting. See Resources.

‘‘An outdoor living room and fireplace is a favorite place to relax and entertain friends and family”

‘‘The interior is washed in shades of fresh white paint, creating a backdrop for comfortable upholstery, soft woven rugs, and the clients’ collections”

Sleek Style (opposite page, far left) A deep gray marble sink in the powder room has a pair of streamlined black pendant lights flanking a round art deco mirror. Double Vision (center of spread) The primary bathroom is spacious enough for two custom vanities with an oval soaking tub in between. The pendant light fixture is from Ralph Lauren Home. Moment Of Zen (above) The guest room has a Noguchi light fixture and an upholstered bed from Serena & Lily with bedside lamps from Ralph Lauren Home. A group of Asian prints above the bed brings in layers of pattern and cultural interest. See Resources.

The Approach

Landscape architect Janice Parker improved the winding approach to this home by resodding the land, trimming away overgrowth, and planting new ornamental trees. See Resources.

History in the Making

New landscape design honors the past and plans for the future

BY DAVID MASELLO | PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC PIASECKI

In addition to planting towering hornbeams and bright hydrangeas, geometrically precise boxwoods and bountiful apple trees on a waterfront site in Fairfield County, Janice Parker also planted something she knew would never bloom. While it might see the light of day at some point, the special variety the master landscape architect planted would never flower or produce fruit. It was while she was designing new garden

areas and terraces for clients that Parker helped them “plant” a time capsule, deep within a stone wall on the property.

“The homeowners decided to fill a box that would be unearthed in generations to come,” says Parker. “It was done out of respect for the property and its history that dates back to the Revolutionary War, as well as to mark the additions they made to the house.”

The container holds plans Parker had drawn for the gardens, along with a list of plantings, architectural plans for a new wing of the house designed by

John B. Murray Architect, plus other ephemera and objects. A stone in the wall was incised with the capsule’s date. “I couldn’t have asked for nicer and more globally minded thinkers as clients,” says Parker. “They wanted to leave a piece of history in a place invested with so much history.”

Often referred to as Chimney Corner, the site that occupies a cove of Long Island Sound was where Revolutionary-era vessels were anchored as they made surreptitious assaults on British vessels that controlled the waters. Although the

View Islands, inlets and promontories are in full view from a rear terrace (above). A curved terrace wall (opposite page) is filled with hydrangea and bordered with a variety of field grasses. See Resources.

The Long

Great For Gathering (this page) Cullman & Kravis Associates furnished the fire-bowl terrace with Janus et Cie Vino chairs. The fire-bowl design was a collaboration between Janice Parker and Elena Colombo at Fire Features. See Resources.

house dates from the 1920s, its very position on the land invests it with American history. The couple wanted not only to honor the land, but also have its gardens and hardscaped areas accommodate their grown children and their adored grandchildren.

“The easy piece of this project was that the land came with water views so beautiful it was hard for anything to go wrong,” says Parker. But the landscaping that existed when the

clients purchased the house was dated and overgrown, a phenomenon Parker refers to as the “gone-too-far syndrome.” And given the clients’ desire to create a playground and new pool for their grandchildren, the existing plantings and garden areas were also not even sufficiently safe. Indeed, in designing a new three-sided infinity pool, Parker was instructed to make the code-required enclosure especially conspicuous. While there are a variety

of visual effects a designer can employ to conceal fencing, here, as Parker states: “The homeowners wanted to ensure that their grandchildren knew there was a fence all around the pool. Making it visible was very important.”

Parker began her landscaping work by assessing the largest trees on the site and working diligently to save them—hornbeams, honey locusts, a Blue Atlas cedar, round-topped beeches and maples. “When you look at the elevation

Outdoor Rooms

(clockwise from top left) Cullman & Kravis Associates furnished the east terrace with McKinnon & Harris chairs, sofa and table. Janus et Cie chairs surround a table under the pergola. A grouping of plants includes Limelight and Summer Crush hydrangea, Rosy Glow sedum, boxwood and lavender. A Japanese maple is positioned between a pair of hornbeams, while the floor fountain is often used by the grandchildren as a car wash for their miniature vehicles. See Resources.

of any house, your eye goes to the iconic trees and shapes on the land,” says Parker. “That’s the green architecture.”

Necessary for the waterfront site, too, was the need to use only salttolerant species, as well as plantings able to weather storms and full sun.

To maintain sight lines and to ensure that no plantings would become “leggy and rangy,” as Parker says, during winter months, she chose varieties of native grasses and flowers that grow thick and change hues season to season. “I used lots of my

favorite go-tos, Limelight hydrangeas, which, to me, are the most Labrador Retriever–like plants you can find— they’re thick and generous.”

Throughout the two-plus-acre site, Parker created outdoor rooms demarcated by granite slabs and low-rising walls, as well as intimate planted areas that act as small rooms, or nooks, within the land. In one area, she positioned a circular fountain around which she fashioned a vignette that includes a weeping Japanese maple, two hornbeams, and an apron

of hydrangeas. Elsewhere, she had a connector driveway off the main approach “walled” with European hornbeams and underplanted with ornamental rhododendrons to function as a kind of green room.

Just as the items in the time capsule will increase in familial value with time, so, too, will the landscape Parker created grow and flourish well into the future. As she says, “When designing a garden, you want what you’ve planted and planned to really hold their forms and shapes over time.”✹

The easy piece of this project was that the land came with water views so beautiful it was hard for anything to go wrong

Living Al Fresco

On the children’s terrace, Cullman & Kravis Associates paired RH’s Marbella sectional sofa with a round RH coffee table. The dining table is surrounded by Janus et Cie Forest dining chairs. See Resources.

CREATIVE IDEAS TO DESIGN THE PERFECT GARDEN OASIS IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD. FROM THE LATEST PRODUCTS TO LANDSCAPERS, FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES.

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Beyond the Blueprint

The HBRA of Fairfield County hosted its annual panel discussion with media sponsor CTC&G

6.

7 Architect George Dumitru, Cornerstone

Mindy Gerhardt and architect Chris Pagliaro

8 CTC&G Editorial Director

DJ Carey, Lynn Galvin of Visual Comfort & Co. and Advanced Home Audio’s Nicole Charney

9 JWH Design & Cabinetry’s Jennifer Howard and C&G Account Director Wendy Horwitz

1 The panelists 2 . Architect Chris Pagliaro, HBRA Executive Officer Kerry Brunn, interior designer Tina Anastasia, builder George Pusser, HBRA President John Hertz and HBRA immediate past president Anthony DeRosa

3. Interstate+Lakeland Lumber’s Clay Hillenburg, Tony Ferrucci and Will O’Brien

4. Designers Katie Canfield, Mary Jo Gourd, Joanna Silengo and Michelle Hughes

5 Prudence Home & Design’s Prudence Bailey and Kay Augustin

Northeast Building Supply's Rachel Foster and designer Tori McBrien

Contracting’s

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 1

CHAMPAGNE & CANAPÉ KICKOFF

6:00 – 7:30 p m | Exclusive celebration at a private home featuring guest speaker Marisa Marcantonio

Friday, June 2

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION

8:30 a m | with Jill Hogan, president of Connecticut's Historic Gardens

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

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DESIGN STOPS

MUST-HAVES FOR THE DESIGN-OBSESSED SHOPPER

You’ll love the Ming Dresser’s very tailored finish and design! The attention to detail is impeccable, from the slender frame and soft corners, to the textured lacquered grasscloth.

203.292.5700 / thepostct.com / @thepostct

RESOURCES MORE

David Konigsberg. Garden: Chaise, Brown Jordan. Outdoor living room: Rug, Annie Selke. Teak chairs, Gloster. Woven chairs, Brown Jordan. Wall lantern, Troy Lighting. Primary bathroom: Light fixture, Ralph Lauren Home.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Pages 80–87: Landscape architect, Janice Parker, janiceparker.com.

Architect, John B. Murray Architect, jbmarchitect.com. Interior design and exterior furnishings, Cullman & Kravis Associates, cullmankravis.com. Fire bowl terrace: Fire bowl, Janice Parker and Elena Colombo of Fire Features. Chairs, Janus et Cie. East terrace: Chairs, sofa and coffee table, McKinnon and Harris. Pergola area: Chair, Janus et Cie. Pool terrace: Chaises, Janus et Cie. Loveseats, Dedon. Children’s terrace: Sectional sofa, dining table and coffee table, RH. Dining chairs, Janus et Cie. Pergola terrace: Dining and serving tables, McKinnon and Harris. Chairs, Janus et Cie.

SOURCE LIST

Annie Selke, annieselke.com

Artistic Frame, artisticframe.com

Brown Jordan, brownjordan.com

David Konigsberg, davidkonigsberg.us

Dedon, dedon.de

Ethan Boisvert, ethanboisvert.com

Fire Features, firefeatures.com

Gloster, gloster.com

Holland & Sherry, hollandandsherry.com

Janus et Cie, janusetcie.com

Kettal, kettal.com

McKinnon and Harris, mckinnonharris.com

MARKETPLACE DEEP ROOTS

Pages 58–63: Garden design, Glenn Hillman, 860-567-0324. Fencing and gate, Walpole Outdoors. Urns, Ward’s Nursery.

POSITIVELY PASTORAL

Pages 64–71: Landscape Architect, James Doyle, Principal, Justin Quinn, Partner and Anthony Tavares, Senior Landscape Designer, James Doyle Design Associates, jdda.com. Architect, James Schettino Architects, schettinoarchitects.com. Interior design, Stirling Mills Interior Design, stirlingmills.com. Builder, Lee Schettino Construction, lsccompany.com. Barn,

Kevin Cady, East Coast Barn Builders, ecbb.com. Landscape contractor (installation), Sandoval’s Landscape & Masonry, 203-223-7609. Landscape contractor (maintenance), Hoffman Landscapes, hoffmanlandscapes.com. Pool contractor, Meehan & Ramos Pools, 203-943-5564. Pool area: Umbrellas, Tuuci. Chaise lounges, Sutherland. Fireplace area: Sofas, side tables and chair, Kettal. Fire pit area: Sofas, Kettal. Bench and fire pit, custom by JDDA. Dining terrace: Table, Sutherland. Chairs, Roda. Planters, Planterworx. Family room: Chairs, Piet Boon. Sofa, Minotti. Coffee table, Wüd Furniture.

REFINED IN GREENWICH

Pages 72–79: Publisher, Monacelli, phaidon.com. Interior design, Michael Cox, Foley & Cox, foleyandcox.com.

Architect, Jones Byrne Margeotes Partners, jbmparch.com. Builder, JNC Incorporated, jnc-inc.com. Landscape architect, Renée Byers Landscape Architect. Living room: Cocktail tables, Desiron. Family room: Ceiling wallpaper, Phillip Jeffries. Paintings, Ethan Boisvert. Consoles, Ralph Lauren Home. Armchairs, Artistic Frame. Armchair fabric, Holland & Sherry. Dining room: Dining chair, Artistic Frame. Table, Richomme Inc. Chandelier, Ralph Lauren Home. Art,

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.

Minotti, minotti.com

Noguchi, noguchi.org

Phillip Jeffries, phillipjeffries.com

Piet Boon, pietboon.com

Planterworx, planterworx.com

Ralph Lauren Home, ralphlaurenhome.com

RH, rh.com

Richomme Inc., 212-226-4706

Roda, rodaonline.com

Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com

Sutherland, sutherlandfurniture.com

Troy Lighting, hvlgroup.com

Tuuci, tuuci.com

Walpole Outdoors, walpoleoutdoors.com

Ward’s Nursery, wardsnursery.com

Wüd, wudfurniture.com

from “History in the Making”

Lewis Miller

New Yorkers who come across giant unlikely floral displays on city streets can thank Lewis Miller, who creates “Flower Flash” pop-up arrangements on bus shelters, construction sites, subway entrances, and more around town. Unlike the anonymous pop-up artist Banksy, Miller is a well-known events planner and florist. After growing up in Southern California farm country, he studied landscape architecture, eventually moving to New York City and creating a firm that designs elaborate parties and galas. Occasionally he feeds the compulsion to create temporary floral displays that beautify unexpected sites. “It’s a combination of needing to push my limits—to see something I hadn’t seen and to connect with my craft,” he says. “The juxtaposition of putting something in an alley or trash can is a nice contrast to my usual work in tony environments—the chance to see something so unexpected and beautiful that is ephemeral and not long lasting.” Dividing his time between offices in Manhattan and West Palm Beach, Miller relaxes by working out and tending to his three border collies, Dutch, Tug and Fritz. lewismillerdesign.com.

Why did you switch from landscape to floral design? Landscape takes too long; I like the spontaneity of floral. You create a party, and by midnight, it’s done and over.

Why are flowers a luxury? Have you bought them recently?! They have a very short lifespan; they’re flown in from all over the world. It’s not like a food you actually need, it’s a rarity. They’re expensive—there’s no other way to phrase it.

What’s the biggest challenge flowers present? They’re perishable and you’re always battling the elements—heat or cold, humidity or dryness. And they each require their own little tricks and techniques to make them do the thing they do best. Take the poppy: They must be cauterized with a flame to hold in their life force, and each one is encased in a fuzzy capsule that has to be peeled off by hand.

What’s the satisfaction of working with flowers? You’re working with something so beautiful, and the possibilities are infinite. I like to transform a space and bring nature inside.

What initiates a Flash? When I’m feeling it’s time to do one, I find a new location or something in bloom. There’s no schedule nor lead time—it

must be a spontaneous combustion of things coming together.

But is it legal? I don’t know if there’s a law to be broken, so I don’t know whether I’m breaking the law. I guess if I end up in the slammer I’ll know. But it’s an age of graffiti and people tearing down statues, and I’m doing this.

What’s the message of a Flower Flash? It’s like any artistic endeavor, however you want to interpret it. Get away from your phone or device, look up, pay attention, see something beautiful and real, because it’s going to be gone in a flash. We need to get back to nature, to make that connection.

What mistake do people make in flower arranging? They over complicate it, try to use too many color combinations and varieties. Don’t try to pull off a Flemish masterpiece, it’s only going to frustrate you. Stay with one flower, one palette. Eventually, you can experiment and do different things.

How are floral designers also storytellers? Flowers are nostalgic. Everybody has some sort of association with flowers. In my line of work, I can take you back to your grandmother’s garden or the negative connotations of funeral homes. It’s like sculpting in clay or wood, you’re working with color, texture,

movement, shape, form—you create a story, something nostalgic and old world, or something cutting edge—or something in the range of cacophony between them.

Where’s a site where you might like to do a Flash? I’m a sucker for beautiful historic venues, so I suppose St. Mark’s Square in Venice. But part of the magic is where it’s not so beautiful: The best flashes are in gritty areas. I get just as excited in a raw, industrial factory yard covered in graffiti and pigeon poop.

What’s your favorite flower? I tend to like the high maintenance beauties—the poppy, Japanese sweet pea, mimosa in winter. I always go back to my signature black and white anemone—it’s everything all at once, it can be old fashioned or modern and graphic, feminine and romantic, but also quite bold. A happy little flower with a dark center, so maybe it’s like me.

Isn’t it disappointing that your creations fade so quickly? I guess I’ve had my heart broken a million times. —Sharon

King Hoge

Life In Bloom Miller’s Flower Flashes around New York City include subway entrances, phone booths and whimsical sheep on the sidewalk.

Neil Brunetti Landscape Architect; Christine McGovern Designs; Laura Moss Photographer