CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) OCTOBER 2020 by Cottages & Gardens Publications

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FEATURES

Color Threads Exuberant hues and playful wallcoverings infuse this home with a youthful vitality mindy Pantiel george ross styled by olga naiman by

PhotograPhs by

Clay Has Personality Each material has its own temperament and range of possibilities Excerpted from Life In The Studio text and PhotograPhy by FranCes Palmer

A Matter of Choice Carefully curated options simplified design decisions at this New Canaan Home by

david masello Frost

PhotograPhs by sam

Barn Supper Enjoy the bounty and sense of community of last season through an unforgettable evening at Dirt Road Farm by

Catriona branCa bidwell

PhotograPhs by Julie

on the cover “Color threads,” Page 60. PhotograPh by george ross

From “Barn Supper,” page 84. Photograph by Julie Bidwell

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COLUMNS 40

New Mix Masters

DEPARTMENTS 28 Editor’s Letter

The New Normal

Suzanne and Lauren McGrath of McGrath II design a multipurpose room for today’s reality

Letter from the CEO

dJ Carey

Virtual Market Fresh Fall Fashion

Exclusive on-location videos feature the latest from area design showrooms by

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Contributors

Calendar

Jewelry

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Celebrating Handmade

Field + Supply’s talented artisans take center stage

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Meet the Designer

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

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Resources

MIDDLE: RORY MCKAY; BOTTOM: JOE KRAMM

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MIX MASTERS McGrath II takes the stage this month in our special series. See how this mother-daughter team transforms a space by shopping Avery & Dash’s antique gallery. cottagesgardens.com/new-mix-masters

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HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS: CHICHI UBIÑA; MIX MASTERS: BRITTANY AMBRIDGE

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Design Strength

elebrating the strong, personal

style evident across our state is our raison d’etre at CTC&G. In fact, on the cover of our September issue we called it, “Self-Assured Style.” For 16 years we have brought you the best design that Connecticut offers, yet this heritage has a much longer history. I was recently reminded of the rich contributions of women in our state when an artist who was an innovator in her field was the subject of two exhibits. Known for her pioneering graphic wallhangings, weavings and designs, Anni Albers (1899-1994) is considered the most important textile artist of the 20th century. In New Canaan, the Glass House and the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation are collaborating to create a new bedspread and window panels based on original works by Anni Albers, which will be installed in the transparent pavilion’s sleeping area as part of an exploration between textiles and architecture. Her textiles, including a bedspread replicating the “Eclat” pattern that she made for Knoll Textiles during a 30-year collaboration, are still available and in production (theglasshouse.org). And the New Britain Museum of American Art, as part of its yearlong series on women artists, is also celebrating Anni Albers. Best known for her weaving talents, which evolved into creating works of art on paper, the show, “In Thread and On Paper: Anni Albers in Connecticut,” gave long-delayed attention to a wider audience. It explored the groundbreaking work and writing she produced from the 1950s through the end of her life and included an extensive body of textiles, wall hangings, commercial collaborations and works on paper. (This show has closed, but the museum’s website is filled with information; nbmaa.org.) ■ I am always interested in the talent that came before us and challenges us today. Design is never static and reflects the times in which we live. Albers’ pictorial weaving got us thinking about her designs as art rather than function. Throughout her career she continued to evolve her craft and use new mediums to express her vision. And this quote of hers from 1944 is something for us to think about: “Our world goes to pieces; we have to rebuild our world. We investigate and worry and analyze and forget that the new comes about through exuberance and not through a defined deficiency. We have to find our strength rather than our weakness. Out of the chaos of collapse we can save the lasting; we still have our ‘right’ or ‘wrong,’ the absolute of our inner voice—we still know beauty, freedom, happiness...unexplained and unquestioned.”

DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com

203.202.9387

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

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I’ve built many great things. One of my favorites is my relationship with Bender. “Winning awards at Domus Constructors is great,” says owner Chris Shea. “But it takes the right team chemistry to pull it off. I love sending clients to Bender to discover their vast selection of decorative plumbing, tile, and lighting. And clients love Bender for the way they are respected, treated, and cared for.” No wonder the top builders and their clients work with Bender to create their next masterpiece.

Chris Shea, Owner Domus Constructors Greens Farms, CT

Pivoting

e’ve spent tHe past few

months pivoting. We pivoted to work from home (WFH) and discovered we could publish our beautiful magazines without setting foot in the office—a testament to technology and a fantastic team. ■ During Connecticut’s lockdown, we combined the April and May issues of CTC&G and delivered 10,000 extra copies right into the mailboxes of readers in Fairfield County, courtesy of a customer list from Ring’s End. In New York, we increased our deliveries of NYC&G to the city’s luxury buildings, as design shops and realtors were closed. In the Hamptons, we added an October issue of HC&G to accommodate the influx of homesteaders to the area. And we have developed more ways to get our magazines: Copies are still available at newsstand and design shops or through subscription, but we now offer digital editions with immediate access on any device! Plus, we will send a free magazine to readers upon request.

Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director mhowatson@candg.com

Never miss an issue of your favorite magazine. Go to cottagesgardens.com/getmycopy to see all of the options.

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CLASSIC WEST CHOP WATERFRONT 8 Bedroom I 6.5+ Bath I .59 Acres I $9,999,500 This 5,345-sf, three-story shingle-style air-conditioned home on Vineyard Sound epitomizes the relaxed elegance of late 19th-century seaside living. Ideally located on a peaceful, private road, includes eight bedrooms, multiple formal and informal gathering areas, and wide porches with spectacular water views. Two living rooms, one with a large fireplace. The expansive master suite includes a balcony with water views, brick fireplace, spacious master bath, and adjoining sitting room and office. Add a swimming pool and you have perfection!

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Subscriptions to our publications are available at the following prices: CTC&G (11 issues): $49.95 NYC&G (7 issues): $39.95 HC&G (7 issues): $39.95

Offers are available if you purchase two or more titles online at subscribe.cottagesgardens.com To purchase a copy of the Connecticut Design Guide 2020 for $19.95 plus shipping, email us at subscriptions@candg.com or call 203-227-1400. Subscription questions? Please call 203-227-1400 or e-mail subscriptions@candg.com. Please allow four to six weeks for your first issue to arrive. To subscribe by mail, send check or money order, Attention: Subscriptions, to:

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C R E AT I N G THE ART OF STYLISH LIVING

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INSTAGRAM

CONTRIBUTORS

@cottagesgardens

ASHLEY WHITTAKER

Described as a neo-traditionalist, New York City-based decorator Ashley Whittaker brings a modern perspective to traditional design. Her classically chic and sophisticated rooms are layered with detail, color and pattern. The Darien home she designed, see “Color Threads” (page 60), was a rewarding experience for both designer and client. “The homeowners are a young family and were very open to exploring color and pattern,” says Whittaker. “Needless to say, we had a lot of fun with both.”

The principals of Carrier and Company Interiors are known for their elegant and timeless style. Carrier and Miller share their design vision in the book, Carrier and Company: Positively Chic Interiors and eponymous collections with furniture, lighting and fabric companies. Recalling the home featured in “A Matter of Choice” (page 76), they note, “A client with a passion for decorating and a love of traditional interiors brought us in to create a stylish, layered and comfortable home for their family.”

FRANCES PALMER

Weston resident Frances Palmer has been at the wheel creating handmade and functional pottery for more than 30 years. Her first book, Life in The Studio, excerpted on page 68, took Palmer almost three years to write—an exercise she calls fascinating—and chronicles her many passions. “I write about my work process, explaining how the ceramics, garden and photography intertwined in my art,” says Palmer, “in hopes that it would inspire others to pursue their own creativity.” —Mary Fitzgerald

WHITTAKER: CIRCE HAMILTON; CARRIER & MILLER: MAX BURKHALTER; PALMER; MARION BRENNER

JESSE CARRIER & MARA MILLER

Luxury home builder 203.969.5137 ctedgewater.com

1 CALENDAR

PROPERTY OF NOTE FEATURED ON COTTAGESGARDENS.COM AND A dailyDEEDSTM E-NEWSLETTER

October 2020 From Wilton to Westport OBJECTS OF DESIRE:

THEN AND NOW

PINK AID LIPSTICK

CHALLENGE Pink Aid launches a new social media campaign to spread awareness and raise funds for their Pink Purse expansion efforts. Be prepared to “pucker up, post and pledge!” Participants are encouraged to put on their pinkest lipstick and post themselves, a friend or pet, sending a $10 virtual kiss in support of patients struggling financially and in need of support. Post your challenge to Facebook, Instagram or TikTok with #pinkaidlipstickchallenge and tag your friends to take the challenge too! To learn more about the lipstick challenge, or Pink Aid and its mission, visit pinkaid.org.

ONGOING

PINK AID CONNECTICUT 10TH ANNUAL GALA

Pink Aid, alongside founding partner CTC&G, celebrates ten years of providing “compassion until there’s a cure,” with a semi-virtual celebration featuring celebrity appearances, designer and warrior fashion shows and lots of surprises! Saturday, October 10, 6–7 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit pinkaid.org.

Promote your property with highimpact ads where users click on your listing as they check out the best in celebrity and luxury real estate! advertising@candg.com

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

OBJECTS OF DESIRE: KATIE KINSLEY; CAREY: CHICHI UBIÑA; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY WARREN TRICOMI SALON AND SPA, GREENWICH; THOMAS: MICHELLE WILLIAMS; BARATTA: ANNE SCHLECHTER; LIPS: COURTESY OF FREEPIK.COM

Gieves Anderson

CTC&G is the proud media sponsor of Wilton Historical Society’s virtual “Objects of Desire: Then and Now.” Interior designers Anthony Baratta and Phillip Thomas join CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey for an in-depth conversation on their signature looks and creating environments which incorporate objects with stories to tell. Thursday, October 1, 7–8 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit wiltonhistorical.org.

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independent broker, call 888.814.7873 or visit pureinsurance.com to learn more.

PURE® refers to Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange, a Florida-domiciled reciprocal insurer. PURE Risk Management, LLC, a for profit entity, (PRM) serves as PURE’s AttorneyIn-Fact. PURE membership requires Subscriber’s Agreement. Coverage is subject to terms and conditions & may not be available in all jurisdictions. Copyright © 2020 PURE Risk Management, LLC. All Rights Reserved. PURE HNW Insurance Services, CA Lic. 0I78980.

NEW MIX MASTERS

The New Normal

S U Z A N N E A N D L A U R E N M C G R AT H D E S I G N A M U LT I P U R P O S E R O O M F O R T O D A Y ’ S R E A L I T Y

magine a contemporary space filled with a creative mix of furniture and accessories from many different periods. That was the assignment for the mother-daughter design duo, Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, of McGrath II. The pair were given carte blanche access to the resources of Avery & Dash Collections in Stamford, as well as Curator paint from Ring’s End, Carlisle wood flooring and Diane James Home floral designs. “We shop Avery & Dash all the time and are familiar with the depth of options,” says Suzanne. “We wanted to create a room that spoke to today’s new work-from-home reality. The design reflects the need of multipurpose spaces, for living, dining and working.” —DJ Carey

Refined Composition (clockwise across spread from bottom left) A Swedish Ria carpet anchors the living area, accompanied by a pair of Louis XVI-style Maison Jansen armchairs and a Karl Springer snakeskin table. Over the sofa, a lithograph by American artist Robert Motherwell holds court. French pocket doors delineate the wall adjacent to a circa 1860 French walnut dining table and caned-back dining chairs. The lacquered coffee table by Josef Weilhammer and a pair of persimmon 1940s Chinese consoles are fashioned in the Chinoiserie style. Adding drama, the ebonized Dutch mirror over the fireplace is balanced by a grouping of Picasso lithographs and an African ladder hailing from the Dogon tribe. The French faux bamboo butler’s tray and stand serves as a bar, brightened by potted poppies from Diane James Home. See Resources.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com march 2018

How would you describe your style? We are known for creating colorful, layered spaces steeped in tradition, with a comfortability that draws you in. Who is your typical client? Most of our clients are young families purchasing their first homes or apartments, who are also firsttime antique buyers. We educate our clients about antiques and vintage pieces and show them how unique a space becomes when one-of-a-kind pieces are paired with colorful textiles and contemporary art. What was the first piece you chose for the space? We discovered a Swedish Ria carpet with a strong graphic border. From there, we curated a collection of diverse pieces. How do you create a scheme relevant for today? Making antiques feel relevant is all about how you mix them together. Using

antiques from one period or one country can often make a room feel too serious or too formal. We find the key to living with antiques today is all about the combination of periods and provenances— that’s what makes a space feel fresh, but also timeless. Which pieces give this space a contemporary tone? We always look to art, as well as the actual furnishings, to give our rooms a feeling of freshness. The Robert Motherwell lithograph, Elegy Study, above the sofa gives energy to the space. And pops of black, like the oversized, dramatic Dutch mirror above the fireplace and the black ebonized dining chairs, give the space a contemporary feeling. Can you talk about the palette you selected? The color story for this room started with the Swedish carpet, which has a wonderful combination of dusty orange, olive green and blue. A pair of lacquered persimmon

Chinese consoles add color interest. Farrow & Ball’s Dragged Paper wallpaper below the chair rail lends depth and some architectural definition, and Curator’s Wedding Day paint complements the art on the walls. What is the secret to layering? Experience! It takes a trained eye to know how to pair many seemingly disparate pieces together, to create a fluid ensemble that feels as if it were always arranged like this. What is your favorite piece in the space? We absolutely love the warm tonality of the wood and the graceful lines of the mid-19th century French walnut dining table. It has three leaf extensions and can seat 12 to 14 people, which is a rare find. Describe the person you envision living here? Someone who appreciates the mix of past and present, color and vitality.

PORTRAIT BY BRITTANY AMBRIDGE INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLEN MCDERMOTT

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Your Inspiration. Our Expertise

WHAT’S NEW

Out of the Box

C E L E B R AT I N G H A N D M A D E | P RO DU C ED BY MARY F I TZ GE R ALD

ounded by award-winning interior designer and tastemaker Brad Ford, Field + Supply is a modern—accessible yet elevated— interpretation of a traditional craft’s fair. “I started Field + Supply eight years ago to celebrate the art of fine craftsmanship and provide highly skilled makers with a platform that provides exposure to a larger audience,” says Ford. In what has become a Mecca of design, the bi-annual event at Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY is a gathering of

talented artisans and makers from across the country. This year, due to the pandemic, Field + Supply pivoted to host its first-ever virtual market in July. Ford explains, “The digital platform allowed us to connect our makers with an even larger audience, while recreating many elements from the live event that provided the sense of connection and intimacy that Field + Supply is known for.” Here, we highlight a handful of the makers—their stories and their craft. To learn more and shop, go to fieldandsupply.com. PEG WOODWORKING

JOE KRAMM

Kate Casey established Peg Woodworking in 2014, and is the head designer and woodworker of the all-female Brooklyn-based company. Her intense material curiosity was born out of years as a sculptor and fabricator. Approaching each design with attention to form and function, Peg Woodworking pays homage to the clean lines and intricate weaving found in Shaker and Scandinavian design. Peruvian and Native American patterns inspire the woven seats of the Fireside Benches. “The weaving really gives us a chance to showcase the possibilities of our multi-disciplinary studio and to truly provide one-of-a-kind unique pieces,” says, Casey. pegwoodworking.com.

october 2020 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

WHAT’S NEW

LOWLAND STUDIO Kelly Storrs of Lowland Studio has always been fascinated by the relationship between fire and clay. “My love for ceramics was sparked 20 years ago, digging earthenware clay from the banks of the Winooski River in Vermont and creating glazes from raw materials for rough stoneware,“ says Storrs. Discovering how the material transforms in the flame and heat of the kiln was a revelation for the Woodstock, NY maker. Her porcelain light fixtures display a “pure reflection of texture, form and shadow.” Storrs states, “lluminating it is unpredictable and exciting in the way I have always found clay and fire to be.” lowlandstudio.com.

FERN Fern was launched in 2009 in Brooklyn and has been located in Hudson, NY since 2011. The studio designs and manufactures bench-made furniture and useful leather objects with wood accents. The Bushel basket is a leather version of 19th century utilitarian baskets that were used in orchards to collect fruit. The basket is made from vegetable-tanned saddle leather and features a drop-in wood bottom in oak or cedar. “The focus of the design was to create an heirloom structural piece that’s as much useful furniture as it is a design object,” says founder Jason Roskey. fernnyc.com.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com october 2020

ATWATER DESIGNS Sarah Bourne Rafferty of Atwater Designs creates cyanotype botanical art at her West Chester, PA studio. “I first experimented with cyanotypes and alternative process photography in college,” says Rafferty. “I immediately fell in love with the techniques. I’m drawn to how the process incorporates the chemistry of photography and the tactile quality of printmaking.” Each cyanotype is unique, depending on the sunlight, shadows, wind and time of year. She produces original and fine art prints, paper goods and wallpaper inspired by nature. atwaterdesigns.com.

WHAT’S NEW

LOWLAND STUDIO: MATT LONG; HEIDE MARTIN: CHRIS PINCHBECK; FERNWEH: BENJAMIN EDWARDS PHOTOGRAPHY

HEIDE MARTIN DESIGN STUDIO Based in Rockland, ME, the Heide Martin Design Studio creates furniture and housewares with native hardwoods, leather, fiber and metals. Reflecting Shaker principles, each piece is a dedication to honest functionality and well-balanced form. “I like to study traditional techniques and materials and then reinterpret them in modern designs,” says Martin. “One of the favorite parts of my job is prototyping and designing new products and custom pieces. Each design is a chance to learn and explore new techniques and materials.” heidemartin.com.

FURBELOW & BIBELOT Furbelow & Bibelot founder Kay Schuckhart dreamed of being an archeologist when she was young. Instead, she became a graphic designer specializing in book design, subsequently adding potter to her list of vocations. But the heart of that would-be archeologist is still beating. “I’ve always looked to the past,” says Schuckhart. “My ceramics are hand built from stoneware, drawing design inspiration from 18th and 19th-century utilitarian tableware to midcentury minimalism.” Moving full time to Narrowsburg, NY in 2008, she bought a used kiln and started experimenting. She still feels the thrill of discovery. “You never know what’s going to happen until you open the kiln lid. It’s kind of exciting.” says Schuckhart. furbelowandbibelot.com.

KATIE RIDLEY MURPHY “When it comes to my work,” says Katie Ridley Murphy, “I am a purist. Each piece of porcelain is carved by hand and exists quietly, as an individual object, not to be replicated or molded. It is important to me that my work be distinguished as truly one-of-a-kind sculpture.” Murphy hand shapes porcelain into simple forms from nature, carving and etching in the fine details before the piece is fired—the process can take from 8 to 28 hours to complete. The unpredictability of the firing process adds an element of surprise, explains Murphy, “Throughout the firing, fishers and cracks are revealed, giving each piece its unique character.” katieridleymurphy.com.

FERNWEH WOODWORKING The German word fernweh means “to be homesick for somewhere you’ve never been.” Founder Justin Nelson is always exploring and pushing boundries in his work. Proclaiming himself as a self-taught designer/woodworker, Nelson is a former Marine officer and Hotshot firefighter, fighting wildland fires in Central Oregon. His aesthetic is rooted in classic Danish design, inspired by Sam Maloof, Hans Wegner and Charles and Ray Eames. He employs time-honored techniques with a modern approach, and his signature is seamless joinery. “No matter how much you learn, you should always be overwhelmed and excited by the oceans of things yet to be discovered,” says Nelson. “I hope to do my small part to keep the craft of woodworking not only alive, but fresh.” fernwehwooodworking.com.

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DESIGN NOTES

A peek inside the latest buzz-worthy design news happening in the area for a unique brand immersion and culinary experience at the Monogram Design Center, located inside Aitoro Appliance. The center is equipped with three working kitchens, boasting over 30 Monogram appliances. Ria Rueda, manager of the center, notes, “We are thrilled to partner with this group of high-caliber talent to help keep our finger on the pulse of the luxury home space.” The roster of founding members is as follows: Andrew Bartolotta, Karen Berkemeyer, Peggy Rubens-Duhl, Douglas Graneto, Jill Kalman, Christina Lake, Maria Matluck, Laura Michaels, Kimberly Pratt, Stephanie Rapp, Christina Roughan, Nancy Thiel and Amy Zolin. monogramappliances.com, aitoro.com.

Circa Lighting

LONDON CALLING Making landfall in September, Liberty of London fabrics have arrived in the U.S. The premier collection, Modern Archive, pays homage to the brand’s legacy of timeless British design. Thirteen archival prints have been recolored and reinterpreted and paired with 18 solid fabrics in natural fibers of linen, velvet and cotton. The textile collection tells a story of Liberty’s rich heritage of British handdrawn designs. Available through Fabricut, fabricut.com, libertylondon.com.

CREATIVE COUNCIL The New England Monogram Design Center announced this year’s members of its inaugural 2020 Monogram Designer Council. The collective is comprised of 13 esteemed and dedicated Connecticutbased interior designers and

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com october 2020

architects, chosen to be ambassadors of the innovative luxury kitchen brand. CTC&G’s editorial director DJ Carey acts as the collective’s designer consultant. The team will provide inspiration, creative direction and insightful dialogue on industry trends. Kicking things off, the group met

LIBERTY FABRICS: COURTESTY OF LIBERTY

DESIGN MOVES Jody Deluca Designs moved into a new office space in downtown Darien. With room to grow, the studio is already stocked with hundreds of fabrics and wallpapers. Clients are welcome to drop in anytime and peruse the offerings, including stock furniture for sale off the floor. The workspace will constantly be refreshed, so inventory will be ever changing with exciting new additions to come. 679 Post Rd., Darien, 203-062-3453, jodydeluca.com.

OPEN INVITATION Schumacher and Paperless Post request the pleasure of your company to preview the latest designer online invitations. Twelve patterns, handpicked from Schumacher’s fabric and wallpaper archives, are offered in a variety of styles to set the mood for your next gathering. Iconic prints like Citrus Garden, Zanzibar Trellis and Faux Bois are matched with coordinating envelopes. Pick a pattern, customize the message and get the party started! paperlesspost. com, fschumacher. com. —Mary Fitzgerald Sc

HIT THE LIGHTS Establishing a stronger presence in Connecticut, Circa Lighting announced the opening of its Norwalk showroom. The 5,100-square-foot space is the second in the state, joining the Greenwich location, which opened in 2015. The luxury lighting brand offers an expansive assortment of decorative fixtures with lighting designers and certified lighting specialists standing by to assist customers remotely or by appointment. With a loyal following of designers, builders, architects and homeowners, founder and president Gale Singer says, “We’re excited to expand our presence to the Norwalk area and offer yet another location to serve our local customers.” 24 Washington St., Norwalk, 203-8031518, circalighting.com.

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AN ASID DESIGNER CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD Kellie Burke Interiors Kellie Burke

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ELEISH VAN BREEMS Scandinavian home furnishings and antiques retailer Eleish Van Breems has expanded in Westport. Just around the corner from its retail space is a new to-the-trade showroom featuring Lee Industries. Come explore 2,400 square feet of innovative and high-quality furniture, frames and fabrics, as well as a complete bed program. Check out this pairing: the Swivel chair by Lee and Citrus Garden indoor/outdoor fabric by Josef Frank for Schumacher. evbantiques.com.

DIANE JAMES HOME Now is the time to prepare your home for fall entertaining and the holidays ahead. Layered with lush textures and rich colors, the Tapestry Collection of faux floral designs by Diane James Home weaves traditional style with a dash of modern eclecticism. On trend and always in season, these beauties are handmade in Connecticut. Now available for pre-order at the Diane James Home showroom in Norwalk. Open to the general public by appointment only, dianejameshome.com.

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Holly Hunt is introducing new textiles and wallcovering collections this fall. The Nippon Collection has both indoor and outdoor textiles inspired by the diverse landscape of Japan, featuring alpaca, mohair, wool and linen upholstery fabrics with nubby textures and luxurious piles. At Holly Hunt Walls, the latest introductions range from bold and graphic prints to subtle and sophisticated textural surfaces. Visit Holly Hunt showrooms in Stamford and at the D&D and A&D buildings in New York City. hollyhunt.com.

DIANE JAMES HOME: JAYME LAWNSBY; ELEISH VAN BREEMS: NEIL LANDINO; HOLLY HUNT: JONATHAN ALLEN

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JEWELRY

ON YOUR RADAR LOOK OUT FOR THESE DESIGNERS WHOSE JEWELRY IS ROOTED IN TRADITION BUT COMES WITH A CONTEMPORARY TWIST B Y H A R R I E T M AY S P O W E L L

JL Rocks’ solid 14k gold and diamond chunky link bracelet. $2,250, JL Rocks, Greenwich, Westport, jlrocks.com.

Spinelli Kilcollin x Hoorsenbuhs’ phantom 18k yellow gold and diamond ring. $5,600, Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich, saksfifthavenue.com, spinellikilcollin.com.

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JL ROCKS: DONNA CALLIGHAN

Jane Taylor’s cirque tassel earrings with peridot, tourmaline and aquamarine, set in 14k gold. $3,850, exclusively through Lux Bond & Green, Westport, lbgreen.com.

Leda Madera’s Goldie gold-plated crystal ring. $290, net-a-porter.com, ledamadera.com.

Devon Woodhill’s Birthstone and Beyond 18k gold and emerald charm pendant. $475, JL Rocks, Westport, jlrocks.com, devonwoodhill.com.

Katherine Jetter x Muzo’s emerald and diamond orbit earrings set in darkened white gold. $22,000, The Vault, Nantucket, thevaultnantucket.com, katherinejetter.com.

Kai Linz’s 14k rose gold and baguette emerald bracelet. $4,290, Mitchell’s, Westport, Richards, Greenwich, shop. mitchellstores.com.

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DEEDS DON’TS I N S I D E S T O R I E S B E H I N D A R E A R E A L E S TAT E D E A L S

It’s Go Time! ike everything else in 2020, this year’s real estate market

bears no resemblance to that of 2019—or any other year, ever. Connecticut Realtors saw buyers bidding on houses sight unseen and the all-important “days on market” stat shrink to single digits (see “Fall 2020 Market Report,” page 56). That said, we found a handful of listings that beautifully express this issue’s theme of good design. If you like the looks of them, be sure to act fast. They won’t last long. STAR LISTINGS

the first of our listings with hollywood connections is the Darien Tudor once owned by actor Christopher Plummer and featured the September 2019 issue of CTC&G. The waterfront estate,

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Star Turn A Darien home once owned by actor Christopher Plummer is listed for $11 million with Shelly Tretter Lynch and Yashmin Lloyds, both of Compass in Greenwich. 203-550-8508 and 917-597-0178.

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C’est Si Bon Called Terre-Bonne, this Stamford chateau is listed for $4,495,000 with Gideon Fountain of Houlihan Lawrence in Greenwich. 203-249-9978.

sited along Long Neck Point Road, sits on two acres, with a pool and spa that overlook Long Island Sound, plus 200 feet of private sandy beach. The interiors are even more impressive, thanks to recent work by architect Christopher Pagliaro and designer Cindy Rinfret, resulting in sophisticated and serene spaces. Luxe design touches include patterned ceilings, custom carved woodwork, marble in the kitchen and multipaned windows with water views. The 8,248-square-foot home lists for $11 million with Shelly Tretter Lynch and Yashmin Lloyds, both of Compass.

The second half of this double feature stars Stamford’s Marion Castle, built in 1913 for early Hollywood mogul Frank Marion. The French-style chateau overlooking Long Island Sound was designed by Hunt & Hunt, a prestigious family of architects whose credits include the earliest portion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Manhattan residence built for a Vanderbilt. The castle, also called Terre-Bonne, exudes the Beaux-Arts grandeur of the era, opening onto a glamorous hall, which gives access to more than 10,000 square feet of stylish spaces, including nine bedrooms, a modern kitchen, a wood-paneled library with a fireplace and a home gym. On the 1.67-acre grounds, there are gardens and a pool and terrace, and, as part of the association, beach access. Gideon Fountain of Houlihan Lawrence lists the property for $4,495,000.

A Classic Colonial This 53-acre Bridgewater estate is listed for $8 million with Mark Madonna and Jeffrey Phillips of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Washington Depot. 917-284-8697 and 917-284-8276.

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Back in the day, perry, shaw & Hepburn was one of America’s premier architectural firms, most notably retained by the Rockefeller family for the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. That project informed the restoration of a Bridgewater property that’s now on the market for $8 million. Called Greyledge Estate, the 53-acre spread centers

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Well-Manored This stately Greenwich manor is offered for $8,295,000 by Julie Church of Houlihan Lawrence in Greenwich. 203-561-9373

on the circa-1820 clapboard Colonial, a grand country home with 10 bedrooms and additional sleeping quarters in the beautifully appointed pool house. There’s a lot to love about the traditionally American interiors, but the dining hall is especially glorious. It’s candle-lit with exposed beams, a massive hearth and mixed-width floorboards, and seats 24 diners. Mark Madonna and Jeffrey Phillips of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty have the listing. Ever wonder where Paul Starrett lived—the builder whose life’s work defined New York City’s skyline, including the Empire State Building, the Flatiron Building, Penn Station and the Plaza and Biltmore Hotels? Look no further than Hillside Road in Greenwich, where the gracious circa-1928 manor at number 29 is on the market for $8,295,000. The knock-out feature on the nearly three-acre grounds is the pretty pool, surrounded by sculpted hedges and rolling green lawns. The 15,000-square-feet interiors are grand throughout, but if we had to choose one space, it’s the expansive room that houses a spa-like tub, lounge chairs, an all-glass shower and a lovely vanity.

These days, the wood-paneled office, complete with a fireplace, also appeals. The property is offered by Julie Church of Houlihan Lawrence. A ROYAL RESIDENCE

The fanciful queen anne vicTorian always looks like a grand lady in a ballgown, especially as compared to Connecticut’s austere saltboxes and Colonials. On Sasco Hill in Fairfield, the British-born vernacular is on display on three acres, with views over Long Island Sound. It was built in 1999 by architect Jack Franzen with all the hallmarks of style: a bold mix of earthy exterior colors, a steeply pitched slate roof, turrets, corbelled chimneys, turned-wood columns and multiple verandas. The foyer is especially inviting and, as a room, won a Design Award from the American Institute of Architects, Connecticut Chapter. It features double staircases with ornate carved paneling and balustrades. And on the 3.19-acre grounds, there’s an inviting pool and terrace. It lists for $9.5 million with Ellen Fusco of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. —Diane di Costanzo

FALL 2020 MARKET REPORT This year’s hot housing market can be attributed, in part, to the urban dwellers who are fleeing their city homes, making inventory scarce in commutable towns, along with the ongoing work-from-home trend, enticing more people to buy upstate real estate. Plus, mortgage rates are at record lows, meaning buyers can stretch to purchase much more house. The upshot: Bidding wars are back; prices are nearing historical highs; and long-time listings are finally selling. Pictured, a classic “Black Rock bungalow” in Bridgeport that booked 18 showings, resulting in eight offers its first day on the market, per broker Gail Robinson of William Raveis in Southport.

The Crown This residence, styled along the lines of a Queen Anne Victorian, lists for $9.5 million with Ellen Fusco of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Southport. 203-257-7106.

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LEFT TO RIGHT; GEORGE ROSS, FRANCES PALMER, SAM FROST, JULIE BIDWELL

CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS

EXUBERANT PATTERNS AND HUES INFUSE A HOME WITH VITALITY; EXPLORE MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES OF CLAY; COLLABORATIVE DESIGN IS FUELED BY CURATED OPTIONS; SIT BACK FOR A DIRT ROAD FARM BARN SUPPER. october 2020 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

Deep Purple Dining room (this page) walls in a deep aubergine from Fine Paints of Europe complement Pierre Frey fabrics on the backs of Mr. Brown chairs and Bunny Williams Home lamp shades on Christopher Spitzmiller lamps. The hanging lantern is through Avery & Dash Collections. Hill & Brown block-print fabric lines the hallway (opposite page) to the butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pantry. See Resources.

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Color Threads EXUBERANT HUES AND PLAYFUL WALLCOVERINGS INFUSE THIS HOME WITH A YOUTHFUL VITALITY

BY MINDY PANTIEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE ROSS STYLED BY OLGA NAIMAN

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ctc&g cottagesgardens.com october 2020

RITTEN OUT in list form, a tufted ottoman cloaked in a citrine block print, a classic fauteuil chair peeking out from under a striped slipcover, and a floral montage wallcovering might seem like an unlikely combo. But in the hands of interior designer Ashley Whittaker, the disparate items she assembled in a Darien living room have a relaxed conversation that beckon all who enter to join in. Whittaker, who may have taken a page from the Sister Parish playbook (the renowned designer unabashedly filled rooms with contrasting prints and employed an unapologetic use of color), was totally in her comfort zone bringing a similar exuberance to the country home of a young couple with four children. “A bunch of like cotton prints are just not that interesting, and as long as there is a thread that carries the eye from room to room you can use lots of colors,” notes Whittaker, whose approach infused the traditional architecture with a youthful vitality befitting its occupants.

All Around The House (clockwise across spread from opposite page) Quadrille’s Brighton wallpaper imparts a garden feel in the breakfast room, where an Urban Electric Company lantern lights a table from Mecox and Mr. Brown chairs. Ann Sacks backsplash tiles deliver a hint of aqua to the kitchen; Palecek counter stools wear a Quadrille linen laminated for kitchen use. In the stair hallway, a John Derian settee is complemented by a Merida area rug and a Vaughan chandelier. See Resources.

“HAVING EVERY WALL CONSIDERED IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL HOME”

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With the home’s Greek Revival countenance outside and expansive hallways and generous cased openings on the interiors, Whittaker sought to both embrace and offset the obvious. Working with architect Alex Kaali-Nagy, the duo finessed traditional details like the fireplace surrounds, paneling and wainscoting, before the designer brought on the wallcoverings. “I knew the spaces needed to connect, and the colors of the handpainted de Gournay paper in the living room were an incredible launching-off point,” the designer notes. “It set a tone that was elegant but playful.” It also supported her philosophy that “having every wall considered is the key to a successful home.” With that in mind, Whittaker left no wall untouched continuing in the dining room, where the modern-leaning sleek aubergine lacquer backdrop intentionally contrasts with the living room florals, and blue leather dining room chairs provide the connective tissue to a red and blue print wallcovering in the hallway beyond. When the homeowner’s wishes for a trellised kitchen couldn’t be realized, it was fretwork wallpaper on the breakfast room walls and ceiling to the rescue. “It has the feeling of a garden room without being flowery,” says Whittaker, who used a floral print on the back of the chairs before punctuating the space with a red light fixture. In the library, Prussian-blue lacquered built-ins and walls offer a bright background for the assortment of prints and textiles deftly woven throughout the space. Once again an animal print rug, floral drapes and a In Living Color A handpainted de Gournay wallpaper unifies the living room (left) where the upholstered pieces are a colorful mix of blues, greens and yellows, the latter on the Claremont fabric with Samuel & Sons fringe draped over the decorator round table. The Philip + Kelvin LaVerne coffee table is through 1stdibs; and the fireplace sconces are Soane Britain. Farrow & Ball’s Prussian Blue distinguishes the library (top), which has a Patterson Flynn Martin rug. The brass table lamp is from Circa Lighting. See Resources.

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printed velvet on the desk chair and ottoman create an unlikely mix, but as Whittaker says, “It’s the combination of prints with the textures of the leather on the desk, and cashmere pillows on the wool chairs that keeps things interesting and makes it all work.” The relatively large proportions of the master bedroom made it another candidate for the paper treatment. “The pattern brings down the scale of the room, and having it surround you like you are in a garden makes things cozy as well,” explains Whittaker, who topped the bed with custom linens with a green scalloped edge, and added green gourd bedside lamps as complements. Even spaces like the attic play area and guest room are swathed in wallpaper and, as a consequence, personality. About the former she shares, “The soft blues and greens of the mandala print envelop you while becoming part of the architecture.” But all roads, or in this case hallways, lead back to the living room where the established color threads keep things from feeling disjointed. “There’s dark purple in the dining room, Prussian blue in the library, and red lacquer moldings in the butler’s pantry,” Whittaker says. “Although it seems like nothing matches, you see each of those colors in the living room, so there is nothing jarring about the transition from space to space.” ✹ Caption Here Sweet Surroundings Sanderson wallpaper covers the ceiling and walls of the upstairs Ccipsaped quis from Ballard Designs; the rug is from play room (opposite page). The sofa and chair arenonem eturibus Barrier Island Rugs. A Noguchi lantern illuminates room (right), where the et la the nemguest eturibus wallpaper is Pierre Frey and the sconces are through Vaughan. et la nem eturibusThe bed in the master a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams chair bedroom (top) is topped with Leontine linens; et la nem eturibus provides a reading spot; and the wallpaper is through et la quiClarence dellab in House. See Resources. See Resources.

EXCERPTED FROM LIFE IN THE STUDIO BY FRANCES PALMER (ARTISAN BOOKS). COPYRIGHT © 2020. PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANCES PALMER. Here, porcelain and earthenware pots are gathered for a group portrait. The porcelain is glazed with ash, celadon and cobalt, and the earthenware has a variety of finishing details; it’s precisely these differences that make them look so lovely together. francespalmerpottery.com.

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Each material has its own temperament and range of possibilities

CLAY HAS PERSONALITY TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCES PALMER

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A stack of earthenware cake plates demonstrates the clayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to maintain its shape across vast expanses (the bottom plateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diameter is 18 inches). francespalmerpottery.com.

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For these pieces, I chose to exploit the cool, smooth white surface of bisque porcelain clay, leaving the pots unglazed. I was inspired by the simple forms of the objects and cabinetry designed by the Shakers; I photographed the group together on a cherrywood “stage,” alluding to the wood commonly used by these makers. francespalmerpottery.com.

PORTRAIT: JANE BEILES

read Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the LookingGlass as a child, and I continue to find in both books a reflection of the absurdity of life. In one of my favorite passages from Through the Looking-Glass, Humpty Dumpty tells Alice that he pays words extra wages for allowing him to get so much good use out of them. In my work, when I feel I have used a clay body to its utmost inherent qualities, I feel I am paying the clay its extra wages. I work with three commercially sourced clays, primarily: white earthenware, terra-cotta, and highfire translucent porcelain. Each has its own temperament and range of possibilities, and I take my cues from the material. For example, a cake plate is best made from earthenware, because this lowfire clay accommodates the cantilevered expanse of the plate over the pedestal. It may warp slightly but mostly keeps its shape. Because porcelain

becomes molten at high temperatures, it would be inclined to slump so would not be advisable for a cake plate. I mostly use porcelain clay for bowls and vases. I often select terra-cotta for garden pots, glazed or unglazed. This porous clay has served this purpose for centuries, but it is also useful for vases to be displayed indoors and for serveware.

WHITE EARTHENWARE Earthenware is categorized as low-fire clay, indicating the temperature range at which it matures—it is fired to about 1950°F (1066°C) in an oxidized atmosphere. Even after the initial bisque (the first firing, which removes bonded water chemically found in the raw clay body), earthenware is still porous. Therefore, vessels that will hold liquid or food must be completely coated with a glaze to seal the pores and prevent moisture from moving inside the piece. october 2020 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

My terra-cotta vessels range from classically footed and carved urns to vases with slumped walls. All of the pieces here have been glazed in the interiors so they can hold water. francespalmerpottery.com.

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White earthenware is a formula originally developed in the mid-1800s in England. It was intended to be an accessibly priced tableware option for middle-class people, in contrast to the more expensive, soft-paste porcelain ware being manufactured for the upper classes. The most famous example of white earthenware was produced in 1779 by Josiah Wedgwood, who named it creamware. The ceramics of the Omega Workshops, the London art cooperative founded in 1913 (and the original inspiration for my pottery), were mostly white earthenware with a white tin glaze. Artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant approached the surface of each piece as if it were a canvas, using ceramic colors painted on the surface of the glaze. After spending time with earthenware, I learned that it had wonderful throwing and assembling qualities. It is happy to be squashed, pulled, and manipulated into multiple directions without complaint. Earthenware comprises the majority of my orders, and I am continually developing new shapes and finishes. Whenever I draw a complex tulipiere in my notebook and then form it in earthenware, I am reminded again of Humpty Dumpty paying his words extra for doing additional work.

TERRA-COTTA Terra-cotta, or “baked earth,” has been an important material in everyday life for thousands of years. One can follow terra-cotta pottery through just about every civilization to document its presence—and not just in the garden. This sturdy clay is perhaps the most primitive of those that I work with. Terra-cotta matures at a similar temperature to earthenware, approximately 1950°F (1066°C), yet it is grainier clay with a bit of grog, which I can feel in my fingers as I throw. (Grog refers to fired clay particles that range in size from fine to coarse; it is added to raw clay to reduce shrinkage.) Terra-cotta is not as forgiving as white earthenware clay. If a terra-cotta piece requires assembly, october 2020 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

The history of translucent porcelain is vast and complex. It mirrors the progress of technical advancement and trade over centuries originating in China and fanning out through Asia, then migrating to Europe.

such as attaching a pedestal to the main body, I watch carefully for the perfect moment of dryness to connect the different parts. Should terra-cotta crack as it dries, it is difficult to repair. Several years ago, I researched the history of terra-cotta for a lecture I gave to the Manhattan chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society. In the process, I discovered exquisite ancient pieces. One of my favorites is a drinking cup, or skyphos, from Crete that dates from the eleventh to ninth century BC. This flawlessly proportioned footed cup with handles is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as is a spectacular sixth-century Etruscan stand designed for vegetable and floral offerings. If you walk into the Egyptian gallery at the Met and take a right, there is a rough ware pot from southern Upper Egypt dating from 3900 to 3750 BC that looks so contemporary, it could be sitting in one of our gardens today. Terra-cotta was used to manufacture the first cuneiform writing tablets in Mesopotamia around 3100 to 2900 BC. The Cycladic civilization produced terra-cotta bowls from 3200 to 2800 BC; these have long served as my models for perfect simplicity of form. To prepare for my lecture, I remade the ancient pots that I planned to discuss, as a way to under74

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stand the shapes more clearly. The forms are so beautiful that I was thrilled to have them represented in the studio. I consider this magnificent heritage each time I sit at the wheel. I like to make terra-cotta pots that are unglazed on the outside and glazed on the inside so that they can be used as bowls or vases yet retain their raw outer surface. Happily, these pieces have recently come into fashion, and I’ve been getting more orders for these designs. Most people do not understand the technical challenges of the material. I enjoy and respect terracotta enormously, however, and I love working with the clay.

HIGH-FIRE TRANSLUCENT PORCELAIN The history of translucent porcelain is vast and complex. It mirrors the progress of technical advancement and trade over centuries originating in China and fanning out through Asia, then migrating to Europe. It’s a bit trickier to work with than earthenware or terra-cotta, however. Still, I yearned to throw this temperamental clay in order to produce the beautiful, classic celadon and oxblood glazes that are best achieved at high temperatures in the kiln.

Unlike with earthenware, I try to fuss with the porcelain as little as possible after throwing. If a design requires the pot to be constructed in multiple parts and assembled, everything must be made at the same time, and I hover over the clay waiting for just the right moment, when the clay is at the ideal level of dampness, to bring the pieces together. I try not to put pressure on the rims, and I handle the pots as gently as possible. The drying (which takes substantially longer than for white earthenware) cannot be rushed, or cracking will result. The pots must sit in the studio to dry at their own rate. The porcelain is first bisque fired at a low temperature (about 1650°F/900°C) to enable a bit more ease in handling for the glazing phase. Once the pots are ready for the glaze firing and carefully placed on the kiln shelves, the real magic begins. I use a propane gas kiln for my porcelain pots, and to watch the temperature rise and the flames roll around the pots is endlessly thrilling. After approximately 12 hours, the kiln reaches about 2350°F (1288°C), at which point the porcelain vitrifies (transforms into a completely nonporous material, like glass). In theory, the clay does not need a glaze to seal its surfaces; the high-fire glazes simply add to the beauty of the piece. ✹

From left to right: low-fire white earthenware, high-fire translucent porcelain, and terra-cotta. Each likes to be thrown and then finished in its own way. Earthenware is the best choice when creating vessels with multiple components, porcelain takes well to gorgeous glazes of all kinds, and the handsome roughness of terra-cotta can offset more formal shapes. francespalmerpottery.com.

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First Impressions The entrance hall (this page) boasts a Stroheim wallcovering and a Luciteand-brass bench from Stamford Modern. In the living room (opposite page), furniture is positioned on a Tibetano area rug. The Karl Springer coffee table is through Avery & Dash Collections. A Kravet sofa wears a Rogers & Goffigon fabric. See Resources.

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A Matter of

CHOICE

CAREFULLY CURATED OPTIONS SIMPLIFIED DESIGN DECISIONS AT THIS NEW CANAAN HOME BY DAVID MASELLO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM FROST

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HILE MANY COUPLES SHOP together, it’s not often that one spouse buys a house without the other having seen it. Such was the case, though, with Paul and Maureen Williamson. While he was traveling in Japan on business, she sent him texts and images of a six-bedroom house she liked in New Canaan. From what he could see while pinching the photos to fuller size, he liked the house, too, and, so, in his temporary absence, he gave her the okay to call the agent and say “yes” to the purchase. “By that point, we’d seen 40 houses all over Westchester and Fairfield County,” says Maureen Williamson, “and because my husband knew he could rely on me to make the right decision, we made it together, then and there, by text, thousands of miles apart from each other.” Once the house sale was complete and the couple and their two young children had moved in, another husband-wife team, Mara Miller and Jesse Carrier—partners of Carrier and Company Interiors—were commissioned to design the interiors. “We felt immediately comfortable with the project 78

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In Good Taste (above) In the dining room, a Circa Lighting chandelier is complemented by a Holly Hunt gold leaf–effect wallpaper on the ceiling. Jed Johnson Home draperies frame the tall windows; a grasscloth from Winfield Thybony Design is used on the walls. A Rose Tarlow table and chairs are set on a sisal area rug from Beauvais Carpets. See Resources.

and the client,” recalls Miller. “The only thing that was just a little unnerving was that her husband was off on a business trip. That’s usually a recipe for disaster—when one spouse isn’t there and buying decisions are taking place—but that proved to not be a problem at all.” It’s common to talk about the “good bones” of a house, and while the anatomy of this 2002 center hall–Colonial was more than sound, it was the metaphorical skin that proved an even better selling feature. The Williamsons admired the many decorative trims, wainscoting and coffered ceilings original to the house. “There were layers and layers of these trims, and they made the house feel very finished,” she says. While these decorative details would be enhanced with the right paint colors, one existing feature had to be changed right at the start. For unknown reasons, the previous owners had blocked many windows with dark brown interior shutters. “So the very first task was to brighten up the rooms and remove those,” recalls the client. She and her husband brought much of the furniture from their former three-bedroom Manhattan apartment, the only problem being that there wasn’t enough of it to fill the more expansive house. From what existed,

Take A Seat An intimate study (above) is furnished with an antique French armchair and desk. Natural light is regulated with a floral-patterned LuRu Home Roman shade; the glazed ceramic desk lamp is from Christopher Spitzmiller; the area rug is from Mark Nelson Designs. The sunroom (below) features a Rose Tarlow sofa with blue Zak + Fox throw pillows. A pair of Ralph Lauren woven seagrass chairs provide seating at a table from Regan & Smith Antiques. See Resources.

A Family Affair In the family room, the sofa is accented with Gastรณn y Daniela lumbar pillows. The custom club chairs are adorned with Cowtan & Tout throw pillows. The lacquered Parsons-style cocktail tables are from Apropos Furniture; the antique tray coffee table is through Jefferson West. The Tibetan-style handknotted rug is from Stark. See Resources.

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Sleeping Habits The bed (above) in the master bedroom is fitted with a custom headboard and skirt in Fortuny Granada. The bench is also upholstered with the same Fortuny fabric. Cowtan & Tout’s silk wallcovering provides a softening effect. Both the chandelier and fireplace sconces are from Visual Comfort. In the room’s seating area (opposite page), a Century Furniture chair and ottoman are upholstered in a plaid from Holland & Sherry. The circa-1960 Italian mirror is from John Salibello Antiques. See Resources.

Miller and Carrier were immediately aware of their client’s level of taste, particularly her love for Rose Tarlow fabrics and furnishings. “She needed us to come in and really flesh out the rooms,” notes Miller. “Maureen has a terrific eye, and it was easy for us to get a good sense of her taste from what she already owned.” Despite a passion and penchant for design, the client readily admits to the relief she felt during the decorating process. “If I had continued on my own, I would have been trying way too hard to make each room distinctive from another,” she says. “That’s where Mara and Jesse were very helpful. They showed me that all the rooms could be distinctive while also complementing each other. They made these interiors cohesive.” Part of that task involved introducing colors that would echo throughout the house. Blues—the client’s 82

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favorite hue—were introduced into many rooms, in varying tones and shades. Mauve and maroon, red and rust, mossy greens and olive greens appear elsewhere in subtle ways. While the process was decidedly collaborative, the designers were careful to edit selections first before presenting them. “I knew they would only select the best things,” says Williamson, “and they might show me just six options for a piece of furniture or a rug. By narrowing my choices, I felt I could better make a decision.” In fact, that dynamic is one of Carrier’s signatures. “Maureen was excited to be a part of the decision-making process based on the choices we gave her,” says Miller. “What resulted was a home dressed up for its life in New Canaan, but not too formal.” ✹

Barn Supper

Local Talent Floral artist and farmer Laura Mulligan created the arrangements with flowers from Dirt Road Farm. Vases and plates are by Frances Palmer. See Resources.

ctc&g cottagesgardens.com october 2020

ENJOY THE BOUNTY AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY OF LAST SEASON THROUGH AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING AT DIRT ROAD FARM BY CATRIONA BRANCA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIE BIDWELL

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UST ABOUT A YEAR AGO, we photographed this farm-to-table barn supper at Dirt Road Farm (DRF)—a small farm on an unpaved road in Weston, which is owned and operated by farmer-chef Phoebe Cole-Smith and her husband, former NHL executive Mike Smith. These days, we’re all feeling nostalgic for get-togethers where distancing and masks are not de rigueur. On these pages, travel back to before-times for a rustic, tastefully unforgettable evening. Cole-Smith, who was trained at the French Culinary Institute in NYC, is a big believer in “eating in season” and sources directly from nearby farms, farmers’ markets, and purveyors for locally grown, raised and artisanal goods. Traditionally, her barn suppers—prepared by Cole-Smith and her team—begin

with a handcrafted specialty cocktail and passed house-made hors d’oeuvres. After spending time in the gardens or by the fire pit, guests move into the rustic barn. Three plated courses showcase just-picked produce, local pastureraised meats and wild-harvested regional seafood paired with wines from area vineyards. The evening is topped off with a house-made dessert, such as meringues with DRF honey-roasted stone fruit and whipped cream. Although the barn suppers and workshops are on hold, Cole-Smith continues to be very busy working in her gardens and selling honey, jams, jellies, maple syrup, pickles, preserves and more at the Westport Farmers’ Market. She looks at this hiatus as an opportunity to take stock and plan ahead: “I look forward to 2021 when, hopefully, we’ll be able to again sit at communal tables—meeting new people and sharing the very best in local foods.”

Farm Fresh (this page, clockwise from top left) Phoebe Cole-Smith and sous chef Kelly Tyrrell collect eggs and visit the chicks. Local craftsman Bill Rowe built the garden gate and fence. Cole-Smith makes compound butter for the pasta and scallops course with Vermont Creamery butter and DRF-grown nasturtiums, shallots and herbs. See Resources.

Harvest & Prep GATHERING

> Picking up radishes and greens from Jaci Slattery, farm manager at the Hickories > Harvesting squash, vegetables, herbs and flowers from the gardens at DRF FOOD PREP

> Roasting stone fruit from Woodland Farms for dessert > Making pasta with DRF eggs in the kitchen > Starting to cook the main course: fresh fettuccine with baby squash, squash blossoms and nasturtium butter, plus seared scallops and salsa verde > Setting out freshly baked sourdough bread from Idyllwild Bread

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Spirits & Snacks COCKTAIL HOUR

> Concord grape, rosemary and Barr Hill Gin gimlet > Local wines and beers BAR SNACKS

> DRF-grown poppyseed olive-oil crackers, guinea hen liver mousse, red currant mostarda > Vibrant “refrigerator” pickles (rainbow carrots, red onions, golden beets, cucumbers) > Sport Hill Farm “Popp-corn” with DRF maple butter PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES

> Warm coddled Copps Island oysters on the half shell with bacon and celeriac > Marinated watermelon, feta, cucumber skewers with cilantro, lime, cayenne (not shown) All Smiles (above, left to right) Refrigerator pickles are served by Kit Luckey, while Rosie Rodriguez pours gimlets. Saratoga sparkling spring water is used for a nonalcoholic “gimlet” option. Wines include Bridge Lane Wine and Wölffer Estate. Beer is from Nod Hill Brewery. See Resources.

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Ready, Set, Serve (clockwise across spread from this photo) The barn, originally built by the late Matthew Franjola, underwent renovation over the years. The DRF team plates the meal. Farm-grown flowers fill a Phoebe vaseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;made by friend Frances Palmer and named for Cole-Smith. The table napkins are by Elizabeth Eakins, as are the pillows on the chairs around the fire pit. See Resources.

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connecticut cottages & gardens

ctcandg.com

03.2009

Dinner & Dessert DINNER IS SERVED

> Idyllwild Bread’s sourdough loaf with Arethusa Farm butter > Seasonal crudités with roasted beet hummus (radishes, scallions, Little Gem leaves, turnips) > Fresh fettuccine with baby squash, squash blossoms and nasturtium butter > Seared sea scallops from the Local Catch with salsa verde DESSERT

> House-made meringues with DRF honey-roasted stone fruit and whipped cream

Chic Chefs (this photo) Phoebe Cole-Smith and Kelly Tyrrelll sport Hedley & Bennett aprons. See Resources.

october 2020 cottagesgardens.com ctc&g

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DANIEL CONLON ARCHITECTS Daniel Conlon Architects has always strived to create distinctive homes inspired by their surroundings and tailored to the lifestyle of the client. As the firm collectively rethinks how we live, work, and play, this approach is more important than ever. Their team combines imagination and practical know-how to provide exceptional results and an enjoyable client experience. Whether a modest renovation or a substantial new home, Dan Conlon personally oversees every project from concept to completion.

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LOVAS ARCHITECTS Lovas Architects is an award-winning architecture firm which specializes in classically designed homes while responding to the needs of modern lifestyles. Nancy Lovas, AIA carefully listens to clients' desires and is committed to providing each project, large or small, with the utmost in personal, specialized attention. Each unique design is based on the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle while complimenting the surrounding context. With more than 25 years of experience, Lovas Architects designs timeless forever homes.

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ROBERT A. CARDELLO ARCHITECTS For RAC, designing custom homes is both a privilege and a pleasure. The buildings they create are mostly residential, which makes the experience even more personal. Their team listens carefully to ensure that every project is tailored specifically to the lifestyle of their clients. Cardello Architects is committed to making the design process an enjoyable collaboration which celebrates the union of form and function. They want their clients to have as much fun as they do.

203.853.2524 CARDELLOARCHITECTS.COM @CARDELLOARCHITECTS

ROBERT DEAN ARCHITECTS Based in New Canaan, Connecticut since 1986, Robert Dean Architects has designed, restored and renovated many of Fairfield County’s most notable houses. The firm’s endeavors—centered on the Fairfield County and New York metropolitan area but extending to such destinations as Litchfield County, Nantucket, and Vermont—showcase Robert Dean’s academic roots, respect for history, and a philosophy of appreciation for all architectural elements, from the largescale to nuanced details.

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SHOPE RENO WHARTON SRW opened its doors in 1981. Through hard work, determination and a love of their craft, their work has grown to include a portfolio of homes, equestrian centers and golf clubhouses. They work passionately to create buildings that are beautifully built, practical and inspiring to all those that use them. Their work consists of identifiable architectural qualities such as proportion, scale, texture, color and light which ultimately become the building blocks of beauty.

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WADIA ASSOCIATES Over the past 45 years, Wadia Associates has earned a reputation for designing and building high-end homes. They have helped sculpt the local environment by seamlessly fitting their traditionally-styled homes into the eclectic fabric of Fairfield County. Wadia Associates has a pluralistic approach to traditional design: it is based upon reinterpreting the past and updating it for the present. While all of their designs feature the proportions and details of a bygone age, the firm is still able to incorporate all the amenities and needs of a modern family.

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WCA is a high-end architecture and interior design firm with locations in New York City, East Hampton, and a new location recently opened in Westport, Connecticut. West Chin, the principal architect behind WCA, is known for his distinctly modern residential and commercial work. The WCA team is also the creative force behind the curation of home dĂŠcor showrooms, West | Out East, which specialize in furniture, closets, storage systems, kitchen, bath, lighting, rugs, and accessories.

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WORMSER + ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS Wormser + Associates is a multifaceted architecture and design practice with awardwinning projects highlighting their architecture, planning and interior design expertise. Collaborating with each client to develop uniquely imaginative, environmentally sensitive and financially sustainable designs, they showcase their architectural savvy and passion for detail. Wormser + Associates thoughtfully integrates traditional construction practices with modern materials and innovative technologies to create inspiring and enduring spaces designed for how people live and work today.

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RESOURCES

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

NEW MIX MASTERS

Pages 40–41: Interior design, Suzanne and Lauren McGrath, McGrath II, mcgrath2. com. Furniture, antiques, artwork and accessories, Avery & Dash Collections, averydash.com. Paint, Curator through Ring’s End. Walls, Wedding Day. Chair rail and baseboards, Flat Woven. Wallpaper, Farrow & Ball, Dragged Papers. Flooring, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors. Floral arrangements and topiaries, Diane James Home. Pages 60–67: Interior design, Ashley Whittaker, Ashley Whittaker Design, ashleywhittakerdesign.com. Architect, Alex Kaali-Nagi, The Kaali-Nagy Company, kaali-nagy.com. Styling, Olga Naiman, aparat.us. Landscape design, Kristen Andronowitz, New Canaan, 203-966-5080. Dining room: Chairs, Mr. Brown. Chair back fabric, Pierre Frey. Wall paint, Fine Paints of Europe. Lamps, Christopher Spitzmiller. Lampshades, Bunny Williams Home. Lantern, Avery & Dash Collections. Butler’s pantry: Wall fabric, Hill & Brown. Trim and cabinet paint, Fine Paints of Europe. Bird prints, Ornis Gallery. Breakfast room: Lantern, The Urban Electric Co. Wallpaper, Quadrille. Chairs, Mr. Brown. Chair back fabric, Lee Jofa. Chair seat fabric, Kravet. Table, Mecox. Kitchen: Pendants, The Urban Electric Co. Stools, Palecek. Stool and window treatment fabrics, Quadrille. Backsplash tile, Ann Sacks. Stair hallway: Settee, John Derian for Cisco Home. Floor Lamp, Galerie des Lamps. Area rug, Merida. Chandelier, Vaughan. Living room: Wallpaper, de Gournay. Skirted table trim, Samuel & Sons. Banquette sconces, Galerie des Lampes. Fireplace sconces, Soane Britain. Artwork, Agnes Barley. Horn stool, Antony Todd. Coffee table, Philip + Kevin Laverne. Library: Wall paint, Farrow & Ball. Artwork, Robert Kelly. Drapery fabric, Bennison Fabrics. Area rug, Patterson Flynn Martin. Bookcase lights and lamp, Circa Lighting. Attic family room: Rug, Barrier Island. Wallpaper, Sanderson. Sofa and chair, Ballard Designs. Lantern, Noguchi. Window shade, Blinds.com. Master bedroom: Wallpaper, Hill & Brown. Chair, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Artwork, Isabel Bigelow. Lamps, Hwang Bishop. Linens, Leontine. Guest room: Area rug, Barrier Island. Lamps, Christopher Spitzmiller for The Lacquer Company. Wallpaper, Pierre Frey. Lantern, Noguchi. Sconces,

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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.

SAM FROST

DESIGN THREADS

RESOURCES

Vaughan. Window seat cushion fabric, China Seas. Pillow, Muriel Brandolini.

GEORGE ROSS

A MATTER OF CHOICE

Pages 76–83: Interior design, Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller, Carrier and Company Interiors, Ltd., carrierandcompany.com. Entry: Wallpaper, Stroheim. Bench, Stamford Modern. Living room: Sofa, Kravet. Sofa fabric, Rogers & Goffigon. Wall treatment, Twenty2. Area rug, Tibetano. Coffee table, Avery & Dash Collections. Club chair fabric, Robert Kime. Decorative stool, Jefferson West, Inc. Throw pillow fabric, Kravet. Side tables, Modern History. Drapery fabric, Hines & Co. Table lamps, Hwang Bishop. Wall panel, de Gournay. Dining room: Chandelier, Circa Lighting. Dining table and chairs, Rose Tarlow. Chair fabric, Robert Kime. Area rug, Beauvais Carpets. Drapery fabric, Jed Johnson Home. Wallcovering, Winfield Thybony Design. Ceiling cove treatment, Holly Hunt. Study: Roman shade fabric, LuRu Home. Rug, Mark Nelson Designs. Lamp, Christopher Spitzmiller. Prints, Thomas Libetti. Sunroom: Table, Regan and Smith Antiques. Seagrass chairs, Ralph Lauren. Area rug, Distinctive Carpets. Sofa, Rose Tarlow. Banquette, Century. Tiered side table, Carlie. Trunk, Pottery Barn. Blue throw pillows, Zak + Fox. Floral throw and lumbar pillows, Rose Tarlow. Family room: Rug, Stark. Sofa, corner table, fabric on pair of arm chairs and draperies, Rose Tarlow. Arm chair pillow fabric, Cowtan & Tout. Coffee table, Jefferson West, Inc. Pair of cocktail tables, Apropos Furniture. Reading lamp, Circa Lighting. Sofa lumbar pillows, Gastón y Daniela. Ottoman fabric, C&C Milano. Lounge

chair, Classic Sofa. Lounge chair fabric, GP&J Baker. Table lamp, Tucker Robbins. Master bedroom: Bed and bench fabric, Fortuny. Chandelier and sconces, Visual Comfort. Wallcovering, Cowtan & Tout. Bedskirt banding, Colefax and Fowler. Bed linens, Matouk. Quilted bedcover fabric, Templeton. Mirror, Fontana Arte. Chair and ottoman, Century. Bedside lamps, Christopher Spitzmiller. Bedside table, Studio|A Home. Corner table, Rose Tarlow. BARN SUPPER

Pages 84–93: Farmer/chef, Phoebe Cole-Smith, Dirt Road Farm, dirtroadfarm. com. Provisions: Radishes and greens, The Hickories. Butter, Arethusa Farm and Vermont Creamery. Bread, Idyllwild Bread. Oysters, Copps Island Oysters. Herb plants, Gilbertie’s Organics. Scallops, The Local Catch. Stone fruit, Woodland Farm. Popp corn, Sport Hill Farm. Celery root, Fort Hill Farm. Vegetables, Riverbank Farm. Farmers’ market, Westport Farmers’ Market. Napkins and pillows, Elizabeth Eakins. Pottery, Frances Palmer Pottery. Aprons, Hedley & Bennett.

SOURCE LIST 1stdibs, 1stdibs.com Agnes Barley (see Sears Peyton Gallery) Ann Sacks, annsacks.com Antony Todd, antonytodd.com Apropos, apropos-furniture.com Arethusa Farm, arethusafarm.com Avery & Dash Collections, averydash.com Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com Barrier Island, barrierislandrugs.com Beauvais Carpets, beauvaiscarpets.com Bennison Fabrics, bennisonfabrics.com

Blinds.com, blinds.com Bunny Williams Home, bunnywilliamshome.com C&C Milano, cec-milano.com Carlie (see Mecox) Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, wideplankflooring.com Century, centuryfurniture.com Chelsea Textiles, chelseatextiles.com China Seas (see Quadrille) Christopher Spitzmiller, christopherspitzmiller.com Circa Lighting, circalighting.com Cisco Home, ciscohome.net Clarence House, clarencehouse.com Classic Sofa, classicsofa.com Colefax and Fowler (see Cowtan & Tout) Copps Island Oysters, coppsislandoysters.com Cowtan & Tout, cowtan.com Curator (see Ring’s End) De Gournay, degournay.com Diane James Home, dianejameshome. com Distinctive Carpets, dciaz.net Elizabeth Eakins, elizabetheakins.com Fabricut, fabricut.com Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com Fine Paints of Europe, finepaintsofeurope.com Fontana Arte (see John Salibello) Fort Hill Farm, forthillfarm.com Fortuny, fortuny.com Frances Palmer Pottery, francespalmerpottery.com Galerie des Lampes, galeriedes lampes.com Gastón y Daniela, gastonydaniela.com Gilbertie’s Organics, gilbertiesorganics. com GP&J Baker, gpjbaker.com Hedley & Bennett, hedleyandbennett.com Hill & Brown (see Clarence House) Hines & Co., hinescompany.com

Holland & Sherry, hollandandsherry.com Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com Hwang Bishop, hwangbishopdesigns.com Idyllwild Bread, idyllwildbread.com Isabel Bigelow (see Sears Peyton Gallery) Jed Johnson Home (see John Rosselli & Associates) Jefferson West, Inc., jeffersonwest.com John Derian (see Cisco Home) John Rosselli & Associates, johnrosselli. com John Salibello, johnsalibello.com Kravet, kravet.com Lee Jofa, kravet.com Leontine, leontinelinens.com LuRu Home, luruhome.com Mark Nelson Designs, marknelsondesigns.com Matouk, matouk.com Mecox, mecox.com Merida, meridastudio.com Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, mgbwhome.com Modern History, modernhistoryhome.com Mr. Brown, mrbrownhome.com Muriel Brandolini (see Holland & Sherry) Noguchi, noguchi.org Ornis Gallery, ornisgallery.com Palecek, palecek.com Patterson Flynn Martin, pattersonflynnmartin.com Philip + Kevin Laverne (see 1stdibs) Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com Quadrille, quadrillefabrics.com Ralph Lauren, ralphlaurenhome.com Regan and Smith Antiques, reganandsmith.com Ring’s End, ringsend.com Riverbank Farm, riverbankfarm.com Robert Kelly, robertkellystudio.net Robert Kime (see Chelsea Textiles) Rogers & Goffigon, rogersandgoffigon.com Rose Tarlow, rosetarlow.com Samuel & Sons, samuelandsons.com Sanderson (see Style Library) Sears Peyton Gallery, searspeyton.com Soane Britain, soane.co.uk Sport Hill Farm, sporthillfarm.com Stamford Modern, stamfordmodern.com Stark, starkcarpet.com Stroheim (see Fabricut) Studio Four NYC, studiofournyc.com Studio|A Home, studioa-home.com Style Library, stylelibrary.com Templeton (see John Rosselli & Associates) The Hickories, thehickories.org. The Lacquer Company, thelacquercompany.com The Local Catch, thelocalcatch.com The Urban Electric Co., urbanelectric. com Thomas Libetti, thomaslibetti.com Tibetano, tibetano.com Tucker Robbins, tuckerrobbins.com Twenty2 (see Studio Four NYC) Vaughan, vaughandesigns.com Vermont Creamery, vermontcreamery. com Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com Westport Farmers’ Market, westportfarmersmarket.org Winfield Thybony Design, winfieldthybony.com Woodland Farm, woodlandfarmct.com Zak + Fox, zakandfox.com

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BEVOLO GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHTS The Rault Pool House Lantern is a portable copper lantern, ideal for outdoor or indoor living spaces (available in three sizes). 504.522.9485 / bevolo.com / @bevolo

AVERY & DASH Etched Stainless Steel and Ebonized Metal Coffee Table by Christian Heckscher. Call for more information. 203.325.8070 / averydash.com / @averyanddash

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Lars Bolander

The wonderland of objects that shoppers encounter at Lars Bolander’s shop in Westport is typical of the eclectic taste and myriad interests of its cosmopolitan namesake owner/ decorator—a master of combining diverse elements into magical design. —Sharon King Hoge 2

1. What was the karma of your Belgian musical panels? I spotted them and sold my life insurance to afford them; it turned out they were from the street in Paris where my wife’s family lived.

2. When does a décor call for your wife’s butterfly collages? I use them a lot, but they’re very personal. They have to fit the client’s personality.

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4. Why did you recently buy back a cabinet you’d owned and sold more than 20 years ago? It’s painted showing plates behind chicken wire. It’s rare, the only piece like that.

5 6

5. What’s a popular item in the store? The wooden mushrooms in three sizes are terrific. You can put them on a table, group them. 6. Why does this portrait show you within a bottle? It’s “Absolut Lars.” Absolut vodka is made in Sweden, and I’m an absolute Swede. 7. How do you approach your custom furniture? Often you modify. In a dining table, we added a trough for a range of uses—ice, wine bottles, plants.

RORY MCKAY

fter study in his native Sweden, Lars Bolander’s work with celebrated London decorator Gaby Schreiber led to an acquaintance with Gunter Sachs and a decade of traveling all over the world to decorate homes for the German industrialist. After he married Nadine Kalachnikoff, the couple moved to the U.S., eventually running a high-end catering firm in NYC and opening Bolander shops in East Hampton, NYC and Palm Beach. Throughout, he continued decorating interiors here and abroad. When his stepson Christopher, who was managing website sales, relocated his family to Westport, they launched the shop stocked with a mix of accessories, furnishings and one-of-a-kind pieces. Known as a pioneer of Swedish design, Bolander is praised for his skill in blending antique with contemporary and treasures with affordables, advising shoppers: “If you see something you really like, don’t ask ‘Where am I going to put it?’ Buy it anyway, you will always find a spot.” larsbolander.com.

3. Why would you put a bamboo bed on a patio? It’s a great place to meditate in the garden and so big that lots of people can sit on it.

FERN COLLECTION BY SEBASTIAN HERKNER

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