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

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Xan Oku

We’ve moved! Join us at our new, larger home in the historic Library Building at 1 Main Street in downtown Westport. Similar to our locations in NYC, East Hampton, and Miami, the showroom is curated as a livable home, showcasing our full collection of closets, storage systems, kitchens, bath fixtures, indoor and outdoor furniture, decorative and architectural lighting, and rugs, as well as accessories.

GRAND OPENINg

Perch: An elevated place to sit on or near the edge of, usually something narrow.

YOUR GO TO PLACE WHEN YOU NEED TO BE ALONE , TO SIT WITH A FRIEND, OR GATHER WITH FAMILY. A PLACE FOR SERIOUS CONVERSATION OR SERENE CONTEMPLATION. YOUR SPOT TO STRETCH YOUR LEGS, READ A GOOD BOOK, TO THINK , NAP, PERCH, OR SIMPLY ... DO NOTHING AT ALL!

Abundant Oasis An idyllic family enclave bursts with exuberant color by Susan Tamulevich photographs by Allegra Anderson and Matthew Willinger

Nature of Design

His own bucolic property offers an infinite palette for interior designer Philip Gorrivan by Tovah Martin photographs by Stacy Bass

Petal Power

A specialty cut-flower farm blooms in Fairfield by Catriona Branca photographs by Allegra Anderson

Growing Seasons

A lush garden evolves over the years to meet different stages of family life by David Masello photographs by Neil Landino, Jr. on the cover:

“Growing Seasons,” page 78

Photograph by Neil Landino, Jr.

From “Nature of Design” page 62. Photograph by Stacy Bass

MAYS POWELL

through the pursuit of perfection enhancing your property

A rare fence companyis one that has the good taste, the craftsmanship, and the experience to build a fence that actually enhances your property. We have been serving our customers for over 30 years ~ from large estates to quaint backyards ~ in all the styles and materials you’re looking for. Let us show you how a properly built fence can enhance the value of your property.

ISmall World

DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com

recently had another “S ix D egrees of separation” moment. ■ A few months back, I noticed a post from interior designer Michael Cox of Foley & Cox that featured a stunning photograph of a single bloom. It was mesmerizing because there was subtle movement and layers in that image that the photographer was able to capture. I did some digging to find out that the photographer of this beautiful bloom was none other than the famous fashion photographer Paul Lange. ■ I remember his images gracing the pages of Vogue, Glamour, Elle, Bazaar and British Vogue. I was curious to find out why a fashion photographer would turn his attention to a bloom. Our interview with Paul revealed that his flower source is a farm near his studio in the Hudson Valley owned by a famous New York City florist ZeZe. ■ OMG! I remember visiting ZeZe’s flower shop on 52nd Street as a young editor. Walking into his shop was nothing I had ever experienced! It was like a beautiful tropical rainforest complete with birds chirping away. He was known for creating unique and gorgeous arrangements and environments. One of his most unusual projects was to create a park-like setting for a client’s apartment for their Easter brunch complete with little chicks. He was a master at setting the tone for any affair and was much sought after for his creativity. After years of working with ZeZe, I asked him to create the flowers for our wedding. For the church, he created thick moss roping bursting with an unusual mix of flowers. Our guests could not stop talking about the flowers. ■ So here we are years later, and I started thinking about this creative collaboration and why are the images so powerful. The images instantly pull your eye in, and you suddenly see each bloom in all of its glory and you feel connected to it—and to nature. Perhaps you can understand the beauty of a single bloom better than an entire garden. As your garden starts to present its best self this spring, go out and really look at the magnificence of your blooms—each different but all connected. Paul

Lange is featured in “Meet the Photographer,” page 96.

“Big Blooms” series includes the elegant Marilyn (right).

People You Should Know

Several years ago, I wrote in HC&G that architects’ names had overtaken those of hairdressers being dropped by the cognoscenti at Hamptons dinner tables. The love affair with all things design continues, in no small way fueled by our media’s People You Should Know initiatives. This issue carries a special promotion of Landscape Architects You Should Know. ■ As we delve into the specialized offerings of landscape architects, it becomes clear why their work is not just a profession but a calling that shapes our community. Landscape architects possess a profound knowledge base that spans across various disciplines. Their education encompasses urban design, ecology, soil science, architecture and sociology, enabling them to approach projects with a holistic perspective.

■ In an era of climate change and environmental degradation, they are at the forefront of sustainable design that enhances biodiversity and promotes water conservation. Green roofs, rain gardens and permeable pavements not only beautify spaces, but also contribute to the health and resilience of ecosystems. Their designs often serve as a bridge between human needs and environmental preservation, ensuring that developments are sustainable and in harmony with the natural world. ■ As we highlight their contributions in this special advertising section, it’s an invitation to recognize and celebrate the profound impact landscape architects have on our world.

Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director mhowatson@candg.com

At a waterfront site in Fairfield County, landscape architect Janice Parker created a series of outdoor spaces for a large, multigenerational family, as seen in CTC&G May 2023.

Inspired

TRELLISES RAILINGS

Curate your outdoor haven and explore the depth of craftsmanship and enduring elegance that defines the essence of Walpole Outdoors.

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR MARIANNE HOWATSON

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DJ CAREY MAY 2024

ART DIRECTOR JOSEPH ULATOWSKI

SENIOR ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR KRISTEN HOGE

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LYDIA MATTSON

ART AND DIGITAL INTERN EMMA HARWOOD

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

EXECUTIVE EDITOR CATRIONA BRANCA

SENIOR EDITOR MARY FITZGERALD

EDITOR AT LARGE SHARON KING HOGE

EDITORIAL AND DIGITAL INTERN CLAIRE CHMIEL

SHERI DE BORCHGRAVE, ANN LOYND BURTON, DIANE DI COSTANZO, HELEN KLISSER DURING, EVA HAGBERG, ANN KAISER, JAMIE MARSHALL, TOVAH MARTIN, DAVID MASELLO, MINDY PANTIEL, HARRIET MAYS POWELL, ALEXA STEVENSON, SUSAN TAMULEVICH

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

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

PROOFREADER

ANNETTE ROSE-SHAPIRO

C&G MEDIA GROUP

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A celebration of contemporary design, entertaining and lifestyle

PATRON PARTY

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

6:00-9:00 PM

DESIGNER BREAKFAST & LECTURE

THURSDAY, MAY 16

9:30-11:00 AM

HOSTED AT HISTORIC HIGHLAND FARM

HONORARY CHAIRS

Celebrated Interior Designer STEPHEN SILLS in conversation with MARTHA STEWART

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARIANNE HOWATSON

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In This Issue

WE ASKED OUR FEATURED LANDSCAPE AND FLORAL DESIGNERS: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER AND WHY?

ROSALINA THOMAS

“This is like asking me to pick my favorite child! In the winter, I love our indoor tulips as they bring some much-needed color and beauty during this cold, dark period. For spring, the color, texture and movement of poppies make me absolutely swoon. In early summer, the scent and lushness of garden roses are something everyone should experience, and in the autumn, it’s really all about dahlias!” Grower, “Petal Power” (page 70), wheelerhouseflowers.com.

MATTHEW WILLINGER

“While there are so many flowers I love, at this moment, my answer is: Angelica gigas (Giant Angelica). I love the bold architectural quality and dramatic redpurple color of this spectacular plant. It is truly an unforgettable flower, but extremely easy to grow and a magnet for pollinators. Audacious and striking, Angelica gigas is stunning both on its own and as a design component in the garden.” Landscape designer, “Abundant Oasis” (page 54), jdda.com.

MARTHA BAKER

“My favorite flower is the allium, because it has structure which contrasts perfectly with the free form of grasses. The tall character of this perennial gives it a commanding presence when mixed with any other flower varieties.” Landscape designer, “Growing Seasons” (page 78), marthabaker.com.

—Mary Fitzgerald

May 2024

FROM GREENWICH TO LAKEVILLE

Greenwich Historical Society SPRING FETE

CTC&G is the proud presenting media sponsor of the Greenwich Historical Society’s Spring Fete—a celebration of contemporary design, entertaining and lifestyle. The event will take place over two days at the historic backcountry barn at Highland Farm with a Patron Party on Wednesday, May 15, followed the next morning with a Designer Lecture/Breakfast on Thursday, May 16, featuring Honorary Chairs, Stephen Sills, a luminary in the design world, and legendary lifestyle and media icon Martha Stewart. Funds raised for this event support Greenwich Historical Society programs in education, the arts and historic preservation. Patron Party: Wednesday, May 15, 6–9 p.m. Designer Breakfast & Lecture: Thursday, May 16, 9:30–11 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit greenwichhistory.org/spring-fete.

TRADE SECRETS 18-19 15

The 2024 Trade Secrets garden show, a two-day event sponsored by CTC&G, will benefit Project SAGE. The Trade Secrets garden tours and community events will take place on Saturday, May 18, with gardens between Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, followed by the rare plants and garden antiques sale event on Sunday, May 19. This year’s tour features the gardens of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli, the Maywood Estate Gardens, the garden of Lee Link and more. Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19. Lime Rock Park, 60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit tradesecretsct.com.

NEAR & FAR AID DESIGNER HOUSE TOUR

The Near & Far Aid Designer House Tour is back again with media sponsor CTC&G. The tour will feature five exceptional homes in Southport and Westport. Ticket holders can “ooh” and “aah” as they explore top designer styles, trends and inspiration inside and outside each home. The day’s event will conclude with sunset cocktails at a breathtaking private residence. Friday, May 31. House tour: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Sunset cocktails: 6:30–9:30 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nearandfaraid.org/events.

WESTCHESTER I NYC I GREENWICH I WEST PALM BEACH I MIAMI SCHEDULE A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

Out of the Box

POPPING UP THIS SPRING—PRETTY PASTELS IN DINNERWARE, GLASSWARE AND TABLE LINENS |

BY MARY FITZGERALD

FLORAL CENTERPIECE

The Alberto 17-inch, cordless accent lamp from Visual Comfort makes a beautiful centerpiece to illuminate a dinner table. The LED lamp is dimmable and rechargeable. Shown here in Plaster White, it is also offered in Antique Gold Leaf. $399, visualcomfort.com.

MARTINI TIME

Each one-of-a-kind Palla martini glass from Casa Branca is handblown by skilled artisans in France. Shown here in sky and white, the clever design is also offered in clear and white and pink and red.

GLOBAL FARE

Referencing ceramics from The Met’s Islamic collection, these four Iznik garden side plates will be an artful addition to the table. Made of porcelain, each six-inch plate represents a different Set of four, $68, store.metmuseum.org.

SPRING FLORALS

The soft blue palette of Aerin’s Spring Floral collection for Williams Sonoma includes dinnerware, chargers, placemats, napkins and glassware. Prices range from $25 to $80, available through Williams Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com.

SUMMER STRIPES

Designed in New York, hand-painted in Portugal and sold in Connecticut at Privet House, Masion Madison’s Riviera tableware is fashioned from ceramic earthenware in classic blue and white. Prices range from $28 to $158, privethouse.com.

LEMON AIDE

Block printed by artisans in India, Pomegranate’s Lemon Vine tablecloth sports a vibrant blue and white floral design accented with handpainted lemons. Made of 100-percent cotton, the tablecloth is offered in long, extra long, square and round sizes. $84–184, available through Palmer’s Market, palmersdarien.com, pomegranateinc.com.

SUNNY DISPOSITION

Inspired by Moroccan tiles, Matouk’s Aziza napkin is appliqued with a bright yellow sateen border. Sold as a set of four, $432, available through the Linen Shop,

DESSERT IS SERVED

A 19th-century floral wallpaper pattern was the inspiration for John Derian’s cake stand. The designer teamed up with Astier de Villatte to create this handmade ceramic piece. $310, johnderian.com.

TOAST TO SPRING

Sold as a set of six in various patterns, Oka’s Pulcinella wine glasses are decorated by hand with spots, stripes and diamond designs. $125, available to order at the Westport store, oka.com/us.

BLOOMING DAFFODILS

Created by Agneta Livijn, the Daffodil pitcher is part of Eleish Van Breems Home’s exclusive pottery collection with the Swedish artist and potter. The dishwasher- and ovensafe stoneware pieces are made in Portugal. $70, evbantiques.com.

MEDITERRANEAN CHARM

Discovered on a trip to Portugal, this Hudson Grace Rustic Stoneware is hand-painted in a verdant vine pattern that can be easily mixed and matched. Appetizer plate, $14; salad plate, $18, Hudson Grace, Greenwich, hudsongracesf.com.

PINK PETALS

Brickett Davda produces simple handmade tableware in the UK, inspired by distinctly English colors and designed to be used and enjoyed every day.

The Blossom Flower dessert plate sports a subtle pink pigment . $90, sold through March, marchsf.com, brickettdavda.com.

SIPPING PRETTY

Falcon Enamelware’s Drinking Set is ideal for outdoor entertaining. The durable, colored enamel is created from porcelain fused onto heavy-gauge steel. The three-pint pitcher can be used for cold drinks or as a vase for fresh-picked flowers. Shown here in Pale Lilac, Falcon Enamelware is offered in a rainbow of colors. $97, us.falconenamelware.com.

TWO TONE

Discover why two colors are better than one with Fazeek’s Two Tone glasses. Each piece is handblown, displaying slight variations. Shown here in lilac and green, the glasses are also offered in pink and amber. Sold in sets of four, $119, fazeek.co.

AUSSIE LOVE

Mud Australia’s Flared bowl—shown here in Blossom, one of 19 color pigments—begins with porcelain clay sourced from Limoges, France which is then hand-formed in the Sydney, Australia, studio. Available through Grayson de Vere, Greenwich, graysondevere. com, $298, mudaustralia.com.

ARTIST’S HAND

Handmade in the Connecticut studio of DBO Home, the versatile Wabi collection is perfectly imperfect with a soft texture and subtle irregularities, cast in porcelain and finished in a Foam glaze. Sold à la carte or in sets, versatile pieces include a dinner plate, pasta bowl and rice bowl. Dinner plate. $80; pasta bowl, $75; pitcher, $85; salt cellar, $30, dbohome.com.

ODE TO PROVENCE

Travel to the lavender fields of Provence with the Monique Lhuiller collection for Pottery Barn. Earthy greens, lavender hues and tonal neutrals in dinnerware, glassware and linens combine to create beautiful French tablescapes. $8–$119, available online and in select stores, potterybarn.com.

Buzzworthy

ART FOR ALL

The Norwalk Art Space offers an opportunity for everyone to enjoy art, at no charge. TNAS provides free art and music education to underserved youth, and, as a vibrant community art center, TNAS promotes and supports underrepresented local artists with free exhibition space and studios. Located on West Avenue in a historic building, the ADK House is named after the gallery’s benefactor and founder, the late lawyer and civil rights advocate Alexandra Davern Korry. Since opening its doors in 2021, the gallery has welcomed more than 46,000 visitors, with more than 2,350 K–12 students benefitting from nocost art and music classes and enrichment activities. To make art accessible to all, TNAS will be hosting its only fundraiser of the year, the Community Arts Bash, on Thursday, May 30, 6–9 p.m. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers and live music knowing that proceeds from the evening will support the ongoing mission to provide free public art programs. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit thenorwalkartspace.org, 203-252284, 455 West Ave., Norwalk.

Drumroll Please

Just in time to celebrate its 50th U.S. anniversary, luxury French furniture brand Roche Bobois announced an extensive renovation of the Madison Avenue showroom in New York City. Designed by Jacqueline Hopfer, the head of Roche Bobois’ interior architecture department, the newly transformed 17,000-squarefoot space boasts two levels, a stunning fireplace feature, lush plant walls and a dedicated 3D design room for an immersive design experience. Best sellers, such as the Bubble and iconic Mah Jong sofa, are on display, along with newcomers like the oudoor Bombom collection, with exclusive collections launching every six months. “Our goal with the renovated Madison Avenue showroom is to fully utilize the amazing volumes of the space and ceiling heights. We aim to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, highlighting premium materials and the latest design features,” says Pierre Berardo, General Manager North East at Roche Bobois. “We want to provide our clients with a high-end, connected experience that reflects the essence of Roche Bobois.” 200 Madison Ave., NYC, 212-889-0700, roche-bobois.com.

ASPIRATIONAL DESIGN

The seventh annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach was another huge success with 23 designers and architects from around the country displaying their talents. Connecticut was well represented among the group with Cindy Rinfret and her designer/daughter Taylor Stebbins of Rinfret Ltd. creating an impressive “Seashell Sanctuary” primary bedroom. Describing her design, Rinfret says, “This bedroom sanctuary evokes the natural beauty of seashells, creating a peaceful and serene space with a historic grandeur inspired by Vizcaya. It’s a name that conveys tranquility and elegance.” Another CT team, Dunes & Duchess, crafted a bespoke vanity with fabric from Christopher Farr Cloth, along with a mirror and sconces, for designer Megan Gorelick’s hot pink bath design. The Palm Beach showhouse 2024 is now closed, but the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse New York is coming up on May 2 and runs through May 28. Proceeds from these events benefit after-school and enrichment programs in Palm Beach County and the Bronx. kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org.

Faye Kim’s 18k-gold planished, round-link chain bracelet, $1,695. fayekim.com.

THE BEST CIRCLES

THIS SPRING, RING IN THE CHANGES WITH AN ARRAY OF TIMELESS, CIRCULAR JEWELRY

BY HARRIET MAYS POWELL

Spinelli Kilcollin’s Halley ring in 18k yellow and white gold with pavé diamonds, $10,400. spinellikilcollin.com.

Tiffany & Co.’s Elsa Peretti Wave Nine-row bangle, $10,200. Tiffany & Co., Westport and Greenwich, tiffany.com.

Kate Maller’s Scattered Diamond Everyday necklace in 18k yellow gold, sterling silver with pavé diamonds, $4,920. Mitchells, Westport, Richards, Greenwich, shop. mitchellstores.com, katemaller.com.

Verdura’s 18k yellow-gold CurbLink bracelet, $27,500. Verdura, NYC, verdura.com.

Zoë Chicco’s 14k yellow-gold, Mixed Triple-Circle drop earrings, $548. Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, saks.com, zoechicco.com.

JL Rocks’ Tracey bangle, 14k yellow and white gold with diamonds, $1,900 each. JL Rocks, Westport and Greenwich, jlrocks.com.

Savor Summer

SOAK UP THE LONGER DAYS OF SUMMER WITH THE LATEST OUTDOOR FURNITURE FASHIONS

BY MARY FITZGERALD

MCGEE & CO

McGee & Co created an outdoor collection with the same attention to detail given to indoor living spaces. Beautiful and functional, the offerings shown include the Haviland striped ottoman, Malcom Fiberstone coffee table, Simeon sofa and chairs, Allaston planter and Hanlon outdoor rug. Prices range from $60 to $3,800, mcgeeandco.com.

JANUS ET CIE

Composed of a proprietary material of concrete and fiberglass, the Chill collection from Janus et Cie is offered in four nature-inspired pigments. The Backless Bench in sage is shown here. $2,711, available through Elise, New Canaan, eliselandscapes.com, shopjanusetcie.com.

JENNI KAYNE

Fashioned after Jenni Kayne's indoor Brentwood chair, the outdoor version brings her signature aesthetic of comfort and refinement to open-air rooms. Upholstered in performance textured linen, the chair is constructed with a marine-grade plywood frame and solid teak legs. Brentwood chair, $3,495; ottoman, $1,995,

polyester rope and sustainably harvested Grade-A teak wood, the Ravello Outdoor Cabinet from Arhaus accomodates outdoor tableware and accessories. $4,599, Norwalk, Farmington, arhaus.com.

Garden Lounger by Oka are hand constructed in teak and synthetic rattan. The wide, slatted frame is topped with comfy, weatherproof seat and back cushions. Westport, $2,495, oka.com/us.

BERNHARDT

MARKETPLACE

Formed from individual teak slices, placed puzzle-like onto a frame, each Trinidad outdoor cocktail table from Bernhardt is uniquely handcrafted—so no two are exactly alike. The generous oval-shape form is finished in a warm Smoked Truffle stain. $1,807, available through Safavieh, safavieh. com, bernhardt.com.

COCO REPUBLIC

Take a spin on the Architect outdoor swivel chair from Coco Republic, constructed from teak, rope weaving and 100-percent Olefin fabric. Offered in natural/ light gray, natural/charcoal and black/light gray. $1,995, cocorepublic.com.

OASIQ

With a touch of midcentury styling, Oasiq’s Riad collection is characterized by softly curved, perforated powder-coated aluminum frames, offered in a choice of white, pastel green or anthracite finishes. The table is topped with teak and the armchair includes teak detailing. Table, $3,595; side chair, $930. Available through Lakeville Interiors, Goshen, lakevilleinteriors.com, oasiq.com.

BAKER

Named after Australia’s Bondi beach, the Bondi round side table from the Baker Resort Collection for McGuire sports smooth lines in Bianco Vittoria stone with a Sea Salt finish. available through Wakefield Design Center, wakefielddesigncenter.com, bakerfurniture.com.

FRITZ HANSEN

Tradition, Fritz Hansen’s modular lounge series in FSCcertified teak heartwood, is designed by Danish designer Povl B. Eskildsen. The simple form is created with seamless finger joints. As shown, $11,696, available through West | Out East, Westport, westouteast.com, fritzhansen.com.

ARTERIORS

The Easley outdoor chair by Arteriors is formidable with an oversized frame in honey-stained teak wood. The seat and back cushions are covered in a textural performance fabric. $6,500, arteriorshome.com.

WOODARD

Alexa Hampton’s Alberti lounge chair for Woodard is both modern and classic, handcrafted from durable cast aluminum in an open frame design. Offered in a variety of finishes and fabrics, it is shown here in graphite. $3,240, available through Porch & Patio, porchandpatio.net, woodard-furniture.com.

MARKETPLACE

BROWN JORDAN

HICKORY CHAIR

Introduced at the fall High Point market, Susan Hable’s outdoor collection for Hickory Chair arrives just in time for summer. The Yara console and Yara square stools are wrapped with a woven synthetic fiber in a Graystone colorway over a stainless-steel frame. Console, stools, $2,505 each. Available through the Schwartz Design Showrooms, Stamford, schwartzdesignshowroom.com, hickorychair.com.

ETHNICRAFT

Jacques Deneef designed Ethnicraft’s Jack outdoor collection to be durable and lightweight in powdercoated aluminum. Meticulously crafted, the frame is matched with upholstery woven in Belgium in three colorways: off-white, mocha and natural. Lounge chair, $2,018; footstool, $748, available through ABC Home, NYC, abchome.com, ethnicraft.com.

SANTA BARBARA

Santa Barbara released a sunny silhouette for spring—the Regency-Style Double Decker umbrella. Shown here in Mandarin Orange and Cornsilk, the umbrella is edged with a Buttercup and Orange bullion fringe. Price upon request, available through Walters, D&D, walterswicker.com, santabarbaradesigns.com.

MCKINNON AND HARRIS

McKinnon and Harris launched a new Palm Beach-inspired color collection, del Palma. The pretty palette can be used on any of the brand’s pieces. Parigi Pink, shown here on the Perrow drinks cart, is described as a perfectly hushed shade of pink inspired by Mediterranean Revival architecture. Pricing starts at $11,610, D&D, mckinnonharris.com.

MARKETPLACE

ELEISH VAN BREEMS

You’ll want to linger outdoors a little longer with the Lido swivel lounge chair from Lee Industries. The fast drying, channel upholstered seat is covered in Schumacher’s Exotic Butterfly in the Spring colorway. $7,200, available through Eleish Van Breems, Westport, New Preston, Nantucket, evbantiques. com, leeindustries.com.

HELLER

Designed by Frank Gehry for Heller, the clover-shape coffee table is a sculptural centerpiece that is perfect for outdoor or indoor use. The table “petals” double as additional seating. Available in eight colors, from neutrals to vibrant shades. $1,150, available from Design Within Reach, dwr.com, hellerfurniture.com.

NGALA TRADING

Showcasing its first line of outdoor furniture with South African-based supplier Douglas & Douglas, Ngala Trading presents Ananas. Inspired by the raw beauty of Africa, the collection is made of laser-cut powder-coated stainless steel, shown here in Spice. Available through Beth Krupa Interiors, Greenwich, bethkrupainteriors.com, ngalatrading.com.

BLU DOT

Curveous arms and a modern, lowprofile frame define the Blu Dot Loophole two-seater sofa. Wrapped in all-weather rattan with high performance Sunbrella fabric cushions, this sofa sets the stage for relaxation. $3,595, bludot.com.

sports a playful shape in solid teak with an acrylic slipcovered cushion. $698, luluandgeorgia.com.

Renaissance Man

WE CHATTED WITH AWARD-WINNING HISTORIC PRESERVATIONIST, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND AUTHOR CHUCK CHEWNING ABOUT HIS PAST AND PRESENT ENDEAVORS AND WHAT’S NEXT FOR THIS SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

How did you become interested in historic preservation? I have always had a love for history and architecture. I started out as an architecture major at Georgia Tech, then transferred to SCAD [Savannah College of Art & Design]. I doublemajored with a degree in historic preservation of architecture and a full interiors degree.

What was your first job out of college? I moved to Atlanta and started working for an LA-based luxury hospitality firm, HBA. That sort of kicked off my career, and I began working with Starwood, Ritz-Carlton and Rosewood…all the major players. I went on to the London office in 1999 and then to Milan in 2000.

You changed things up in 2008 when you joined Donghia as the creative director. How did that come about? Rubelli had just acquired Donghia, and they called me and asked if I would consider becoming the creative director at Donghia. They had interviewed other candidates, but what impressed them, I think, was my approach to the company. I wanted to treat it as a preservation restoration project—to look at it historically from a design standpoint, to take it back to its roots and reposition the company based on the design philosophy of its founder, Angelo Donghia.

You consider the 2013 restoration of the Gritti Palace in Venice one of your greatest accomplishments. How did you land that project? During the economic downturn, I was working half the time for Donghia, which allowed for my own design projects. That’s when Starwood called and asked if I’d be interested in doing the restoration of the Gritti Palace. I was able to do that project while I was still working at Donghia, and we were able to interface Rubelli textiles into the project, which made sense since Rubelli is a Venetian family company.

After living in major cities all around the world, what prompted the move to Savannah? I had returned to Savannah to do a presentation at SCAD. I literally had not been back since I graduated, but I was just so impressed with the city and how it had developed and changed and grown. I ended up buying a house in 2011, and, while I was living in NY, I would fly down on the weekends. I did that until 2016 when I moved here full time.

What I appreciate about living in Savannah is the size of it—it is pedestrian versus car centric. I enjoy the proximity to the water, the landscape, the culture and the history that’s here. It also has a European feel to me. Even though it is small, it has all the features you would find in a much larger city.

In 2016 you opened your own firm, Charles H Chewning Interiors in Savannah. Was that the plan? I really wanted to get back into design work

Preserving History (clockwise across spread from left) A bedroom designed by Chuck Chewning in the awardwinning Gritti Palace hotel. Entertaining and gardening accessories on display at Chewning’s Savannah shop. The iconic Gritti Palace in Venice, Italy. The exterior of the Armstrong-Kessler Mansion. Chewning relaxes in the courtyard of his Savannah shop.

full time. I was still consulting for Rubelli and doing international projects with no intention of working in Savannah, but my good friends who owned The Grey restaurant in Savannah asked me to do their interiors. That’s how my first project here happened.

Then Richard Kessler [Chairman and CEO of the Kessler Collection, hospitality group] approached me about designing his own residence, the Armstrong Mansion. He knew I understood hospitality, but also that I understood working at a very large scale, so that was a sort of perfect fit. I realized I needed to get serious about opening up a firm in Savannah, which is what I did.

How is designing for residential interiors different than commercial and hospitality? It’s very different interacting with design clients versus dealing with commercial corporations. There is a personal and emotional component to doing residential that doesn’t necessarily exist when you’re doing hospitality. Hospitality is a for-profit project, so there’s a whole different approach to it.

What are some of the challenges of designing historic homes? I personally have lived in historic houses, so I understand how they should function for a modern lifestyle. We make sure all the essential core elements are modernized, which includes the kitchen, the bathrooms and the laundry—the functional areas of the house. The rest of it can take on a historic context, whether its actually really historical, or it’s a new build to look historic. There’s a real balance to that.

The floor plan of a historic house is typically divided up into individual rooms with distinct purposes, whereas modern living typically calls for a more open kitchen, dining and family room. It’s interesting to take that concept into a historic house and see how it can flow and function and work. Sometimes we will open the space if it’s not impacting any existing historic elements. Other times we might just rethink the use

of rooms. You have to be more creative and more flexible with historic homes.

What are you working on now? I have a mix of projects. We have several local residential projects, one at the Ford Field & River Club in Richmond Hill, GA, and another in downtown Savannah that is a new build but built to look historic. We are finishing up work on the Georgia State Capitol building, a restoration and redo of the Speaker of the House suites and offices. We are also doing an apartment in Paris in a historic building, and I’ve done some additional work on the Gritti, so I’ve stayed connected with that project.

In addition to your design company, you also have a shop, Courtyard by Chuck Chewning Interiors, in downtown Savannah. Why did you decide to add retail to your resume? I saw a need for outdoor furnishings and accessories. We live so much of our lives outdoors and our homes are oriented toward that indoor/outdoor living. It hit me that I needed to do a retail store that focused on that. We just celebrated our one-year anniversary. We are actually looking at other markets where we can expand the same concept—that’s something we’re considering for the future.

How would you define your aesthetic? A lot of my work has been about mixing historic and modern and also cultural mixing, so there are creative layers to the interiors. I like to work with a client to incorporate their personal things—pieces of furniture from family, children’s artwork or things they have collected in their travels. I make sure those things find a place in the home, so the home takes on a personal identity and really reflects the people that are living there. I always tell the client, you’re very much part of this story and the process of the story. At the end of the day, you are going to live here, not me. You need to be a part of this. chuckchewning.com.

—Mary Fitzgerald

DEEDS DON’TS

The Great Outdoors

Come may, new-home shoppers no longer need to imagine how listings’ exteriors might look in their full splendor. Now, gardens are blooming and pools and patios are prepped to look as if an outdoor party could happen at any moment. And, because May is also open-house season, you’re invited to tour some of these spectacular properties—five of which are featured here.

GORGEOUS GROUNDS & GARDENS

In newtown, an eight-acre compound offers owners plenty of room to roam—across the rolling lawns and formal gardens, as well as through orchards and woods. The grounds also offer an artist’s cottage, a potting shed and, closer to the main house, a dining terrace. The pool area—which is accessed via two sets of grand, gardened steps—also impresses,

Room To Roam This circa-1900 Newtown estate on 8.4 acres

lists for $2,699,000 with Libby McKinney Tritschler of Team AFA, affiliated with William Raveis, in Southport. 203-913-9454.

“...Mr. Hartwell’s homestead, as is well known, is situated on a hill overlooking the Shepaug Valley. This farm has been in the Hartwell family for generations, his father, Daniel, and grandfather Isaac, living on the same spot. Mr. Hartwell takes pleasure in keeping the grounds about his place in fine order, and has a fountain on the grounds. Some 32 years ago, he set out an evergreen hedge about his place and has kept it in fine order. He employs a gentleman to clip it every year or two who made this business his means of getting a livelihood in England. Near his barn he has a grove of pines, and from this point the view of the valley is superb. Seats are arranged here, and it is a favorite resting place on a warm day. Mr. Hartwell has appropriately christened his place “Hedge Lawn” farm.”

- The Newtown Bee, September 1895

and 203-246-1064.

boasting two terraces and a lily pond. And the interiors of the circa-1900 Tudor-style home, measuring 6,321 square feet, were recently renovated. There’s lots to love, but the family room merits a shout out, with its doubleheight ceilings and 17th-century fireplace. It lists for $2,699,000 with Libby McKinney Tritschler of Team AFA, affiliated with William Raveis.

An estate called Rockin’ Chair Hills in New Canaan has hit the market for the first time in more than 80 years. It was built as a wedding present in 1938 on one of the town’s highest points—and still offers distant views to

the Manhattan skyline. It also offers 10-plus acres of formal gardens, open meadows and a lovely pool and pool terrace, with a shady pergola. And at the end of a long private drive and curved courtyard, the white-washed brick manse has retained its vintage charms—there is elaborate woodwork, ornate fireplaces (four in all) and a total of seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Standout spaces include a wood-paneled library, a formal sunroom, and a renovated kitchen with a butler’s pantry. It’s listed for $6,995,000 with Christine Saxe and Amanda Bryan of Team Saxe & Bryan of Compass.

INN STYLE

At the turn of the 20th century, Ehrick Rossiter was the architect of choice for a specific class of people: wealthy families who summered in Litchfield County and the Berkshire hills. His portfolio comprises nearly 60 homes and civic buildings in the area, a portfolio that includes hotels as well, including the Royalton in Manhattan and the stately, circa-1895 Boulders Lodge in Warren. Sited along the shores of lovely Lake Waramaug, the heart of the 10-acre compound is the newly renovated Adirondack-style inn, offering eight bedrooms, a sprawling covered porch, and a stone terrace, all with views over the water. The $9.2 million property, which also features a cottage and carriage house, lists with Peter Klemm of Klemm Realty. 860-868-7313.

This House Rocks Called Rockin’ Chair Hills, this historic New Canaan estate is listed for $6,995,000 with Christine Saxe and Amanda Bryan of Team Saxe & Bryan of Compass in New Canaan. 203-273-1548

2.

PRETTY POOLS & PONDS

It’s rare to find a fouracre spread considered “in town” in Greenwich. That’s why we’re sending out a “run, don’t walk” alert about a circa-1904 home about five minutes from downtown. The nearly 11,000-square-foot antique was recently renovated by architects Alisberg Parker, a project that included an addition, as well as updates to accommodate modern family life. It now offers lots of places to stay and play, including seven bedrooms and an expansive family room, which opens onto a covered veranda with a fireplace. The walk-out lower level features a huge recreation room, a wine cellar, and a customized sports locker to store gear and toys. And speaking of sports, the landscaped lawns feature a tennis court, as well as a pool with a spa and pergola. The property lists for $12.5 million with Ellen Mosher of Houlihan Lawrence in Greenwich.

Also in Greenwich, a newly renovated Colonial has just listed for $3,790,000. The 5,263-square-foot interiors were designed to take full

advantage of vistas over the pond, with the best views from a broad stone terrace at the back of the house accessed via the living and family rooms. The home opens onto a double-height entry hall with a dramatic, curved staircase. Upon entering, there are views to the back lawn, as well as an easy flow to the kitchen and rounded, many-windowed breakfast room. The twoacre gated property also features stately stone walls, rolling lawns and lovely gardens. It lists with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty.

—Diane

di Costanzo

Party Ready In Greenwich, a renovated antique on four acres comes equipped with a pool, spa and tennis court. It’s listed for $12.5 million by Ellen Mosher of Houlihan Lawrence in Greenwich. 203-705-9680.

Dive In A pretty pond enjoys pride of place on this two-acre Greenwich property, listed for $3,790,000 with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 917-539-3654.

CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS

Bird’s Eye View

Coping with the slope was a major design challenge, which was met by terracing.

Surrounding the pool are perennial plantings that vary in texture and height. The Paola Lenti poolside furniture is through DDC. See Resources

Abundant OASIS

AN IDYLLIC FAMILY ENCLAVE BURSTS WITH EXUBERANT COLOR

BY SUSAN TAMULEVICH

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALLEGRA ANDERSON AND MATTHEW WILLINGER

At this charming compound recently revamped by Matthew Willinger of James Doyle Design Associates, the bees and the bunnies are ‘full citizens,’ coexisting seamlessly alongside three generations of a family within a garden lush with flowers, vegetables and clover, and one absolutely free of pesticides. ‘Full citizens’ is my friend’s term for his partner’s cats, who jump up on the table at dinnertime and generally just do as they please within the household. Well, it’s their home, too, and that’s the noble sentiment expressed here.

It’s not your typical Greenwich garden.

Currently celebrating his firm’s thirtieth anniversary, James Doyle admits this garden is an all-time favorite. It’s certainly the most floriferous for this design group distinguished by its use of clipped hornbeam hedges and sotto voce white roses. “To have a client so excited, enthused and thrilled about flowers is a very special thing,” says project designer Willinger. “We were lucky to get them.”

Poolside Splendor (clockwise from this photo)

The succession of blooms surrounding the pool commences in spring with hundreds of flowering bulbs, followed by a profusion of summertime perennials with asters appearing in the fall. Teak Gloster chairs surround a table next to a Kalamazoo grill from Albano Appliance.

Planters, designed with Diane Bilgore of DAB Designs, are filled with hot-colored tropicals, such as kangaroo paw and burgundy-leafed canna. See Resources

Lay Of The Land (clockwise from opposite page) The vegetable garden was designed as a series of raised beds working with the natural slope of the property, with an apple orchard on the upper level. The rose arbor area is furnished with vintage iron chairs from 1stDibs. Plantings in the enclosed parterre combine vegetables with herbs, flowers and fruit. Bird-favorite blueberries are enclosed in berry cages, while raspberries and blackberries grow on the cedar supports in the front. See Resources

MATTHEW WILLINGER

Fringe Festival

The ellipse is planted with a grove of star magnolia, whose gray stems—uplit at night—add a sculptural component to the design. The border features globular allium, lavender camassia, switchgrass and hydrangea. A curved hornbeam hedge at the back adds protection from the winds and privacy. See Resources

The roses on the pergola are—get ready—a blowsy apricot-orange Crown Princess Margareta. Spring bulbs feature plummy Fritillaria persica alongside the rich salmon tulip Princess Irene and chartreuse-flamed Spring Green. Tastes shift, and my personal theory is that the adorable Brit Arthur Parkinson—with his championing of bold, color-drenched dahlias and lush, abundant borders— is having a global effect. If you’re gardening for yourself, for the pure joy of shepherding your plants, then this delight in bold color is extremely satisfying.

There’s also the Covid factor. The garden was designed in 2021, with the aim of creating a self-contained, family enclave that also was a haven for wildlife. The bones were there: The two-acre, south-sloping site contained two houses and a pool centered on a large vegetable plot. However, much reorganization was required—or as Willinger put it: Nothing lined up. The task was to tie everything together and create a self-sustaining and productive garden that was environmentally friendly. The site uses well water. There’s no irrigation, no use of chemicals. Everything is organic. Two years on, notes Willinger, “If you have to isolate, this is pretty nice.”

The designer worked in close collaboration with the clients. The family loves herbaceous plants. They keep bees. They’re ga-ga over alliums. What they didn’t want was the Fairfield County trope of clipped boxwood and hydrangeas. “We’re

very proud of this project. It’s sustainable, water-wise, everything is composted on-site. The design is sensitive and nurturing to wildlife—it’s full of pollinators.” What’s more says Willinger, “The clients are thrilled whenever something comes into bloom; what a joy it is to work with such plant-lovers.”

Family activities are centered on the garden, so special gathering spaces were created throughout. The husband is very interested in cooking, so there’s everything a cook ever wanted—from an Argentinian grill by the pool to fresh herbs growing in the garden. An orchard of family-favorite apples: Mutzus, Honeycrisps and Granny Smiths was put in. By the main house, old terrace tiles were replaced with a quiet gray sandstone, and the pool given a more natural look with a dark—not turquoise—interior. A spa pool was added. By the second house—where the grandparents now live—a terrace with a pergola borders the vegetable garden and caged blueberry shrubs.

But everywhere there are flowers: masses of spring bulbs, a dahlia bed, a star magnolia grove near the front door, a peony plot, the apple orchard, densely planted flower borders, and clover spreading throughout the lawn. The better for the bees, notes Willinger. The better for the bunnies! It’s a friendly, sustainable, cooperative ecosystem. And, simply put: I’d live here in a flash, install my mother in the second house, and never leave! ✹

Inviting Entry Large RH planters flank the front entrance of the home, across from the ellipse. See Resources

See Resources.

Swathing The Scene

Hosta and hydrangea beds soften the pool’s edge. The surrounding wooden fence is partially draped in akebia and autumn clematis.

Nature OF DESIGN

His own bucolic property offers an infinite palette for interior designer Philip Gorrivan

BY TOVAH MARTIN | PHOTOGRAPHS BY STACY

BASS

Sitting Pretty (clockwise from above) Philip Gorrivan (seated in front of the garden shed) prefers containers focused on a single plant, like the white cosmos here. “It creates impact,” he notes. Every year, Gorrivan inserts foxgloves where he wants them—like at the foot of this rock ledge, but they scatter seeds where he least expects. The whites of peonies, viburnums, hydrangeas and impatiens echo the color of the house. See Resources.

hilip Gorrivan spent years lusting after his 7-acre property. At first, he was just attracted to the scenic road not far from sleepy Washington center. The combination of woods, open fields, hairpin curves and historic ambiance called to him even before he began to focus specifically on the modest 1800s house partially hidden behind a forest of trees. Gorrivan and his wife, Lisa Rossi, wanted to own that house. “It was my jogging fantasy,” he recalls. They made inquiries and were rebuffed until the owner was willing to part with the diamond-inthe-rough for a feasible price. In 2009, Gorrivan finally had his opportunity to run his hands over the curvaceous landscape.

Famed for his luxe style indoors, Philip Gorrivan Design is known for interiors with high gloss and vivid, daring color. But outward bound in his own domain, Gorrivan felt the freedom. “There’s a finiteness about an interior,” he realized. Inside, he’s prone to pops of saturated colors. Outdoors, he can play with a larger, softer palette. But first, he had to uncover the land, because it was literally hidden behind the forest.

“The previous owner started the gardens, but I wanted to take them to another level. My vision was to expose the rolling topography,” he recalls of the process. What he found after a whole lot of tree removal was not only dramatic rolls, but ledge like he’d never seen before. Huge outcroppings hidden from sight were suddenly celebrated. But Gorrivan’s vision was not only to lay them bare but also to weave them into the rubric of plantings. Gradually, he enhanced the boulders with a rich textural matrix of foxgloves, lamium, nepeta, perennial pea, and blocks of similar semi-wild plants. Woven together with time, the plantings now create a strong vertical dimension above the outcropping throughout the growing season.

So yes, Gorrivan does play with color in his landscape, but he keeps it quiet “due to the light outdoors” to weave a softer palette that merges with its surroundings. Initially, he planned to ban yellow. But a persistent swath of evening primroses cured that prohibition and opened the door to a less scripted narrative. In the landscape, it’s all about collaboration with his accomplice, Mother Nature.

(

from left) The tree house is so elevated that it requires a landing for comfortable access. Evening primrose blossoms open to a soft yellow. A pair of tree swings take pride of place in the front yard. Oxeye daisies seed themselves into the scene. Perennial peas are the perfect foil for the garden shed painted Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath. By planting delphiniums close to the warmth of the house, Gorrivan cracked the secret to overwintering them. The boxwood orbs were planted 10 years ago. “Now they’ve tripled in size.” See Resources.

Design Without Walls

clockwise across spread

SHAPES AND FOLIAGE CREATE SUBTLE AND EFFECTIVE BALANCE

Rooms With Views (left to right) A concrete table with bistro chairs and bench create an informal lunch destination. Ferns soften the massive ledge while spiraea and self-sown hydrangeas populate the massive space. As a counterpoint to the traditional house, Gorrivan chose modern pool furniture. See Resources.

There is framework. Ferns persisting from the previous forest create the fluffy, frondy leitmotif weaving it all together. “Green is my neutral,” he says, “like beige and brown are my neutrals indoors.” In lieu of walls, he hems various areas with defining rows of hedging. And like his interiors, there’s a textural mix. For that purpose, his entry driveway is syncopated by a series of neatly clipped boxwood orbs: “They are the structure,” he explains of the sculpted boxwood parade, “but everything around them is unstructured.” Further into the landscape, billowing hydrangeas are a frequent refrain, and peonies burst for a brief pop of color surrounding the house. “Shapes and foliage create subtle and effective balance—you have to let nature do its thing and not fight it. There’s an important lesson there.”

Gardening without walls (or deer fencing) has been an awakening on many levels. Gorrivan’s choices are limited not only by what he finds to be visually appealing, but also by what will not be devoured. The family has also impacted the landscape. Lisa is active with the upkeep of the garden. “She helps maintain it, and she loves it,” says Philip. Their children (now grown) had a strong impact. Swings hung from an old tree were among the first additions to the scene, “and they’ve been a great source of happiness throughout the years,” notes Gorrivan. In 2013, in response to their son’s request for a tree house after admiring a neighbor’s version, Gorrivan designed an aerial “club house” behind the garage/studio.

Gardening has become a liberating contrast to Gorrivan’s interior perspective. “In interior design, you don’t have the luxury of trial and error,” he notes. But gardening is all about experimentation, and he loves that aspect, “You learn from your mistakes outdoors.” Always eager for client input, Gorrivan has the deepest respect for his collaborator in the landscape, and he gives her full credit, “Mother Nature is never wrong.” ✹

Petal Power

A

specialty cut-flower farm blooms in Fairfield

BY CATRIONA BRANCA | PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALLEGRA ANDERSON

When Rosalina Thomas, proprietor of Wheeler House Flowers, entered the specialty cut-flower business seven years ago, she embraced her lifelong love of gardening. “My first career was with big tech and media organizations, and I spent a lot of time at a desk or on an airplane,” she notes. “I love that my flower business uses just as much brain as brawn and keeps me active. Additionally, it gives me immense joy to see my end product—gorgeous blooms—bring such happiness to so many people in our community.” Recently, Thomas started offering seasonal flower subscriptions through her website. Available for pick up in Fairfield, weekly arrangements include a variety of blooms— such as tulips, poppies, narcissus, ranunculus, peonies, dahlias, roses, roselillies and heirloom zinnias—depending on the time of year.

How long have you lived in Fairfield?

We moved to Fairfield from Tribeca more than 10 years ago. Our loft was part of an 1800s warehouse building, and we always loved the strong, classic bones of antique structures. When we found the Wheeler Mansion, it checked off all the boxes—walking distance to schools, town, train and the beach, plus the charm and architecture of an 1800s Italianate Victorian.

What inspired your love of gardening?

Gardening and farming are in my blood. My father’s family owned rice farms in the Philippines, and he would return home from medical school to help at harvest time. He and I would spend hours on the weekend during the spring and summer tending to his flowering pots, shrubs and hanging flower baskets surrounding his pool patio. When my kids were toddlers, they loved helping him water and deadhead plants, and those are some of my happiest memories of him before he succumbed to cancer. What’s funny is that when my Filipino cousins and I connected on social media, we noticed that we all loved posting photos of our flowers, fruit and veggies in the garden—it’s definitely a genetic trait!

Fresh Florals (clockwise from opposite page) A cream Cafe au Lait dahlia. Rosalina Thomas harvests flowers from her garden. This bouquet from Wheeler House Flowers includes dahlias, lisianthus and pincushion flowers—all organically raised in Fairfield. See Resources

Does your family help out?

My husband and I have two girls, now 12 and 15. Every November, the entire family helps me plant thousands of tulips as my birthday gift. My husband has taken over the rehabilitation and care of the climbing roses along our ancient iron fence, and they are now thriving.

What was your inspiration for the business?

When we moved here, there was a jungle of a garden in the back of the property. I initially grew the typical fruit and veggie garden. It was a lot of work and very frustrating as we ate a fraction of what was being produced. After devouring Erin Benzakein’s seminal book, Cut Flower Garden, I decided

Spring Treats (this page, clockwise from left) Premium novelty tulip bulbs prepared for indoor forcing. Dolce Vita Italian ranunculus corms in pastel colors. Ranunculus corms in a mesh bag before soaking. “We pre-sprout the corms by soaking them in their bags in buckets of water for several hours and then plant to overwinter,” says Thomas. Grow Zone (opposite page) Roselilies are grown under hoops with insect netting to protect them from deer and insects. See Resources

to dedicate half of the garden to flowers. Two seasons later, I told my family that there were a lot of great local fruit and veggie farms around that we should support, and presto, the rest of the garden succumbed to my flower obsession. Not long after that, I met a woman at a holiday cocktail party and showed her photos of my dahlias. She said, “Wow, I will totally buy those flowers!” and I replied, “I will totally sell you these flowers!” She turned out to be Sarah O’Brien of Fresh Flower Bar, and we’ve had a fantastic friendship and business relationship ever since. That was really the launch of Wheeler House Flowers as a commercial entity, and I now sell flowers to specialty grocery markets, private clients and floral designers.

“ Every November, the entire family helps me plant thousands of tulip bulbs as a birthday gift”

Who buys your arrangements?

Our clients include specialty markets and shops such as The Pantry (Fairfield), Greiser’s Coffee & Market (Easton); businesses such as Camoro Salon (Southport) and the Delamar; and private individuals throughout Fairfield County. Realtors and designers love giving our flowers as client gifts, and we also have customers who gift flower subscriptions for friends and family.

Is your garden organic?

We are committed to growing organically and recently stopped using all pesticides, including organic ones such as Neem. It’s been fascinating seeing our little patch of the ecosystem rebalance as we focus on soil health to grow more resilient plants and support natural predators in the garden such as birds, green lacewings, praying mantis and, of course, ladybugs.

What’s your favorite aspect of gardening?

I love the many life lessons imbued in this work. As much as I try to mitigate risk, Mother Nature is in control, and I always go into a season knowing that something isn’t going to go to plan despite my best efforts. Ultimately, I need to be flexible and creative at solving problems as they come up— whether it is swapping in a different variety of tulip because of a crop failure or starting over with new seeds because I forgot to water. Beginner gardeners should take heart: I’ve probably killed more plants than I’ve successfully raised!

What’s a recommendation for aspiring gardeners?

For beginner gardeners, I would recommend focusing on bulbs (tulips and daffodils) and summer annuals such as cosmos, zinnias and sunflowers. They tend to be easy to start and forgiving! One may be surprised to discover the joy and satisfaction in the process as much as the result.

“ It gives me immense joy to see my end product gorgeous blooms bring such happiness to so many people”

Sunny Superstars Bloomquist Alan dahlias (opposite page) boast tawny peach blooms.

A bouquet that includes dahlias, lisianthus and pincushion flower, all organically grown.

A

lush garden evolves over the years to meet different stages of family life

Growing Seasons

BY DAVID MASELLO | PHOTOGRAPHS BY NEIL LANDINO, JR.

Rooms To Grow

At this property, a series of outdoor rooms designed by Martha Baker includes a sunken formal garden (this page) walled in with a privet hedge. Chives (opposite page) arrive in the kitchen garden, announced by their purple flowers. See Resources.

New Canaan homeowner Claire Salvatore and Greenwich-based landscape designer Martha Baker had several rooms to furnish, and they worked together choosing such decorative elements as tall native grasses for walls, doorways made of arched bamboo and beech limbs, floors inlaid with cross sections of tree trunks, lush lawn as hedge-wall-to-hedge-wall carpeting, and boulders for chairs. Plantings of purple alliums and power-washed tree root systems were positioned as items of sculpture, while beds of flowers serve as artworks whose colors and shapes change throughout the seasons. When Salvatore and her husband purchased the property some 15 years ago, they commissioned Baker to devise a master plan for the grounds, totaling eight acres. “They followed what I drew up to the

letter, or, rather to the planting,” says Baker. “They wanted to add variety to the landscape around the house, so I imagined a series of rooms wrapping the house.” Over the years, the couple added to their property by purchasing the house and land next door, in part to incorporate a storybook-like cottage where Claire’s mother could live.

Just as gardens change, so, too, do families. “My four children were young at the time the garden was conceived,” explains Salvatore, “and now that we’re approaching being empty nesters, we’ve changed up some of the garden rooms and use them differently.” And yet, the original function of these outdoor rooms, of sorts, remain the same as they have fully matured.

It makes sense that Martha Baker’s long career as a garden designer began with her work as a noted fashion editor and writer, notably for The New York Times and other major magazines. She possesses a natural talent for how to imbue natural landscapes with color and shape, as well

Making An Entrance (left to right from above)

Martha Baker of Martha Baker Landscape Design. A rustic arbor leads the way into the kitchen garden. The kitchen garden is host to several raised beds, filled with flowers, vegetables and herbs. See Resources.

‘‘ They wanted to add variety to the landscape around the house”

Growth Patterns

(clockwise from top) Architect Louise Brooks designed the pool and matching cabanas, which are linked with a pergola thick with wisteria. Many of the outdoor spaces are equipped with a table and chairs for al fresco dining. Local stone and rustic fencing stand out as decorative details. Sum and Substance hosta plants grow as ground cover. See Resources.

as perfuming scents and accessories, such as bountiful harvests of apples, grapes and vegetables.

Both homeowner and designer cite a secretive garden as among the property’s most enchanting spaces. There, an archway of bamboo beckons into a contemplative area strewn with boulders excavated when the foundation was being laid for the sixbedroom Colonial-style house. It was an outdoor room in which her children would regularly play. “The space was a little adventure playground for the children then,” says Baker, “but it has since changed purpose and become more of a meditative space.”

A maze-like configuration of stones set into the ground—along with plantings of ferns and boxwood—have resulted in a room that feels hushed and wholly self-contained.

Although the Salvatores use all of the outdoor spaces configured by Baker, the couple have a particular penchant for an entertaining space close to a century-old barn and water tower that came with the property. Adirondack chairs are grouped around a firepit, the whole of which is enveloped by walls of grasses that are allowed to grow tall. “When you’re in this space and the grasses are at their highest,” says Salvatore, “you can’t see out. It’s a true little outdoor room. We always hold a Christmas party there, with

the fire going, and throughout the year, we linger there on mild nights.”

When Claire’s mother moved into an existing cottage, Baker decided to fashion a 300-foot-long woodland path linking that structure to the main house. She had the novel idea to accent the path with cross sections, or discs, of tree trunks. Baker’s son, Charlie Baker, who founded the Brooklyn–based Baker Structures, built pergolas and fencing along the route, including two rustic archways made of cut tree trunks that reference the kind of ancient forms one sees at Stonehenge.

A formal sunken garden, furnished with four strategically placed benches, is yet another room in which the homeowners and their guests frequently gather. The term flaneur, which usually references a contemplative amble through an urban neighborhood, applies to the kind of exploration one undertakes on this property. One can course a pool and walk beneath wisteria-thick pergolas, sample from the kitchen garden, amble along allées of apple trees, and admire a regimented grove of pollarded lindens.

“I feel that the garden has aged beautifully as it has matured,” says Baker. “Most of it looks like it’s been there forever, which is the goal you want to have when designing a garden.” ✹

Nature Tamed (clockwise across spread from above) A long woodland path was carved through the landscape to link the main house to a cottage. Charlie Baker of Baker Structures created archways of sawn trees and bark. A secretive garden, furnished with boulders and ringed by bamboo trees, is one of the property’s more contemplative spaces. Natural elements, such as upturned tree roots, are used as sculptural elements. See Resources.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Landscape architecture is not simply about planting trees. It’s a multidisciplinary field that combines art, ecology, engineering, and human psychology. In an era increasingly marked by climate change and environmental degradation, the role of landscape architects is becoming even more crucial. Projects often involve the incorporation of native flora to promote biodiversity, water-sensitive urban designs to manage stormwater, and the use of sustainable materials in construction whether it is residential or for entire communities.

ARTEMIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, INC.

Artemis Landscape Architects, inc. is a renowned landscape architecture firm specializing in residential landscapes throughout the Northeast. Artemis listens carefully to their clients to develop beautiful, thoughtful outdoor spaces in harmony with home and nature. Award-winning Artemis Principal, Tara Vincenta and her team deliver unparalleled project design solutions, technical skill, and personal client service to achieve exceptional outcomes.

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GAULT STONE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES

For more than 160 years, Gault has provided a personalized end-to-end resource for every project with one of the largest selections of natural stone in New England. Old-world craftsmanship meets modern day technology at their state-of-the-art fabrication facility to bring any project to life. Launching this year, The Gault Collection features custom-designed exterior porcelain pavers with oneof-a-kind finishes, pairing the versatility of porcelain with the beauty of natural stone for a variety of design needs.

PHOTO BY NEIL LANDINO

JENNIFER ANDERSON DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

JAD&D is a multi-service firm, proficient in designing all aspects of the landscape according to the needs and expectations of their clients. Building on 25 years of experience and working with teams of talented professionals, JAD&D ensures that the transition from blueprint to construction is seamless. Their approach to design is constantly evolving. Structure, rhythm and repetition are the underlying elements of their work but it’s the acknowledgement that each project is unique that drives them to deliver thoughtful and transformative landscapes again and again.

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LOUIS FUSCO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

As stewards of the land, Landscape Architects balance science and art; creating awe-inspiring experiences, that shift people’s lives. Louis Fusco is known for creative designs implemented with the highest attention to detail. A harmony between people, buildings, and the natural environment emerges from careful observation and expert analysis of the landscape within its physical/cultural context. Passionate about the value of sustainability and resilient design, Louis Fusco Landscape Architects approaches every site as a unique opportunity.

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MATTESON LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Matteson Landscape Architecture (MLA) excels in creating extraordinary outdoor living spaces, blending 25 years of experience in construction, horticulture, and environmental engineering.

Esteemed for their full-service, turn-key solutions, MLA crafts award-winning landscapes through a collaborative, clientcentered process, emphasizing authenticity, beauty, and joy.

Principal Jessica Matteson, with her extensive experience, classical training, and global insights, leads MLA to set benchmarks in design excellence and innovation.

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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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Beyond the Blueprint

The HBRA of Fairfield County hosted its

1. Interior designers Tina Anastasia, Prudence Bailey, and Bevan Talbott 2. Panelist Robin Carroll of Karp Associates, moderator Robin Faller of Ferocious Media and panelists Noel Farrell of Guiltec Development and Chris Steiner of Steiner, Inc. 3. Chris Shea of Domus Constructors and HBRA of Fairfield County President John Hertz of Hertz Construction 4. Coastal Luxury Homes’ Conor Maccabe and Trey Pizzutello 5. Victor Gonzalez of Ring’s End, Anthony Pion of Andersen Windows & Doors and HBRA Executive Officer Kerry Brunn 6. Karen Bradbury of Closet & Storage Concepts, Michelle Hughes of Tile America and designer Tori McBrien 7. Scott Dietsch of Andersen Windows & Doors and Tony Ferrucci of InterstateLakeland Lumber 8. Erin Shairzay of Ring’s End, CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey, CTC&G Account Director Lisa Heissan, and Maria DeFiore of Ring’s End 9. A full house at the Water’s Edge at Giovanni’s

1.

KBIS Kick-Off

Designers Connection

1. Stout Fabrics’ Gregg Wenzel and Traci Selinske

2. Emily Sapione of Samuel & Sons 3. Jab’s Jazmin Garcia and Lynn Kuhn

4. Amy Zolin of Clarity Home Interiors, CTC&G Account Director Lisa Heissan and designer Amy Andrews 5. A beautiful afternoon to view the latest collections in fabrics, wallpaper, trim and more 6. Danielle Stending of Townsend Leather

Northeast Building Supply’s Rachel Foster and Jeff Bickel

2. Torrco’s Lora Mazurak and Jennifer Howard of JWH Design & Cabinetry 3. JennAir’s Giovanni Roberto welcomes the guests. 4. Interior designers Julie Schuster and Joan Ravasy 5. The gorgeous room at La Cave at the Wynn 6. Torrco’s Dawn Corbo and Cornerstone Contracting’s George Pusser

CALL FOR ENTRIES!

CT DEADLINE: AUGUST 16, 2024 MARK P. FINLAY ARCHITECTS IDA ARCHITECTURE AND SMALL SPACE WINNER

SPONSORS TROPHY SPONSOR

Photo by Peter Murdock

DESIGNSTOPS

MUST-HAVES FOR THE DESIGN-OBSESSED SHOPPER

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Spring refresh... with towels. The Linen Shop’s charming array of cotton terry towels adorned with a classic scallop edge. Add a monogram for the ultimate personal statement.

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THE POST

It’s wedding season! The silhouette of the Baccarat Dom Pérignon champagne flute—clean, sophisticated and sleek—is the perfect gift to toast the Bride & Groom! Available in-store and to ship. 203.292.5700 / thepostct.com @thepostct

CLARKE: SUB-ZERO, WOLF AND COVE SHOWROOM

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

RESOURCES MORE

ABUNDANT OASIS

Pages 54–61: Landscape design, Matthew Willinger, James Doyle Design Associates, jdda.com. Interior design and exterior furnishings, Douglas Graneto Design, douglasgranetodesign. com. Table, Walters. Iron garden chairs, 1stDibs. Lounge chairs, DDC. Teak chairs, Gloster. Sofas and pool furniture, Paola Lenti through DDC. Coffee tables, Cobi through Walters. Grill, Kalamazoo through Albano Appliance. Planters, D.A.B. Design and RH.

NATURE OF DESIGN

Pages 62–69: Landscape design, Philip Gorrivan, Philip Gorrivan Design, philipgorrivan.com.

PETAL POWER

Pages 70–77: Grower, Rosalina Thomas, Wheeler House Flowers, wheelerhouseflowers. com. Flowers, bouquets and bulbs, Wheeler House Flowers, wheelerhouseflowers.com

GROWING SEASONS

Pages 78–85: Landscape designer, Martha Baker, Martha Baker Landscape Design, marthabaker. com. Architect, Louise Brooks, Brooks & Falotico, brooksandfalotico.com. Garden structures, gates and fences, Charlie Baker, Baker Structures, bakerstructures.com.

SOURCE LIST

1stDibs, 1stdibs.com

Albano Appliance, albanoappliance.com

Cobi (see Walters) D.A.B. Design, dianebilgore.com DDC, ddcnyc.com Gloster, gloster.com

Kalamazoo (see Albano Appliance)

Paola Lenti (see DDC) RH, rh.com Walters, walterswicker.com

from “Growing Seasons”

Paul Lange

As a teenager in coastal Connecticut, Paul Lange won a camera in a Readers Digest contest and began dabbling in photography, taking the camera everywhere and setting up a basement darkroom with chemical trays balanced on the family washing machine. After leaving studies at UConn and graduating from RIT, he traveled for a year with a German photographer before becoming an acclaimed fashion photographer in NYC and meeting Jennifer, who became his wife and business partner.

Moving up the Hudson with their two sons after 911, they renovated a Colonial farmhouse and converted the 1830s barn into a work space. “I do photography in the upper area, our office is where the cows were,” he notes. Discovering they lived down the road from where their longtime friend—and highly regarded florist—Zeze lives and grows many of the plants he sells, they started a collaboration that has evolved into four series of nature and landscape pictures. Discovered by Aerin Lauder—who admired his flower photos displayed in Zeze’s First Avenue shop—Lange’s “Big Blooms” have been introduced to designers, art consultants and collectors worldwide. paullange.com.

How does photography captivate you? There’s the magic of watching the image develop as it soaks through the chemicals on the developing tray.

How do you choose the flowers that you shoot? We go out in the morning with a lot of buckets. Originally, we just picked them, but Zeze’s wife, Peggy, has taught us to look for perfect specimens. Then, back in the studio, Jennifer sorts them, and I’ll be grabbing them, battling against time—there isn’t much time to get it right.

What techniques are involved in photographing flowers? Dealing with petals, stems and stamens is always a challenge. Some flowers are so captivating that I can visualize the picture in my mind’s eye, and the challenge is to see if I can make it a reality. I make the flower “listen” to what I want it to do and capture that in the time available before the flower changes. It’s a constant race and learning process. Mother Nature waits for no one.

What are the best flowers to photograph? No flower is easy for me. I think peonies and Oriental poppies are the most alluring in their various guises and many

stages of blooming. They’re very expressive, the way the petals move so well. They’re both feminine with architecturally interesting petals and breathtakingly beautiful colors.

Why do you name the blossoms after exceptional women in popular culture, history, arts and sciences? I strive to establish a visual symbiosis between each flower image and the achievements of the woman it is inspired by— guiding the viewer to look closer at the beauty in nature and knowing more about the woman it represents.

Why do you print them so large— around four feet square? The big format was always in the forefront— they aren’t meant to be botanicals. They should be majestic. Every element of the image has to be perfect.

Which Connecticut flowers do you favor? I miss the masses of blue hydrangea macrophylla and the tea roses that proliferate in the coastal climate that we don’t have upstate.

What’s the genesis and trick of your “Fowl” series? The ducks and chickens were funny, running loose like Keystone Cops. I create a makeshift outdoor studio by the

henhouse, and I use the same words of encouragement as toward human subjects, “Head up, eyes here, longer neck stand up, No… NO…don’t move.” Sometimes we have our moment if only for one miraculous second.

What flower did you choose for your wedding? Luckily, the chapel was still decorated with gorgeous white roses from the wedding before ours! Jennifer’s bouquet was white freesia and rubrum lilies. We were clueless, however, about removing the lily stamens, and the pollen permanently stained her ivory silk satin wedding gown.

Flower Show (clockwise from above)

Photographer Paul Lange’s large-scale “Big Blooms” series includes Celine,

Why don’t you tire of shooting flowers? There are different challenges every year, and the surprises are fantastic. I’m always excited to try new things—the process of learning each flower, what’s unique and what works for me to create it is something new. Zeze’s dahlias are currently calling to me. Sharon King Hoge

Paulina and Carrie