GT RE Spring Showcase 2024

WhenTwo

FORBACKYARDBARBECUES,POOLSIDEPARTIES OR CULINARY EVENTS WITH PRIVATECHEFS, OUTDOORKITCHENSGIVELUXURYHOMEOWNERS

THEOPTIONTOCOOK& DINE AL FRESCO

by Gretchen A. Peck

withspringinfullswing and summer on thehorizon,it’stime to startplanningthe perfectoutdoor party or specialoccasion.Cushionswillonceagain adornoutdoor seating; poolswillonceagain lapwithrefreshingclear waterfor splashing, andgrills will be preppedfor sizzling. Whether you’re planning asmall affair with the immediatefamily, amoreelaborate party for friendsorthe entireneighborhood,ora culinaryevent,anoutdoor kitchencan be an indispensable three-season amenity.

“Inthe luxury real estate market,outdoor kitchens have significantly evolved, transformingfrommeregrillingspots into central features of lavish outdoor entertainment areasthatrival exclusiveresorts,” observed Kate Cacciatore,a RealtorwithWilliam Raveis Real Estate in Southport, Connecticut. “Thistrend hasintensified post-COVID,with buyers seekingpropertiesthatblend resort-likeamenities with theprivacy of ahome, creating acompound feel “Modernluxuryhomes boastoutdoor

kitchens that serveascomprehensive entertainment hubs, equipped with built-in grills,smokers,pizza ovens, kegerators, festivebar areasand outdoor TVs—all enhancingthe property’s allure forat-home entertaining,”Cacciatoreadded. “When thesekitchens arepairedwithadditional outdoor features,suchaspools, spas,tennis or even pickleball courts,they notonly elevatethe home’s leisureand entertainment potentialbut also significantly increase itsvalue anddesirability.”

Luxury homebuyers in search of aproperty in FairfieldCountyright nowwill find a handfulofoptions with outdoor kitchens poised forsummersoirées.For example, there’sthe magnificent brickGeorgianRevival colonial at 202 Round Hill Road in Greenwich. Builtin1994 on 2.53 acres, the five-bedroom home is complemented by formal gardens,a pool anda spacious terrace to accommodate severalseating areas. Theproperty is currently offeredtothe market for$6.795 million.

BK Bates, whoisa RealtorwithHoulihan

Lawrence’sbrokerage in Greenwich,isthe listing agent.The outdoor kitchen at 202 Round Hill Road pairsa built-in grillwitha sink andrefrigerator. Like thekitchen inside thehome, during thesummerseason, it becomesthe hub forentertainingoutdoors.

“The livingroom,kitchen andfamily room allhaveFrenchdoorsthatopentothe largeterrace,” Batesexplained.“Thereis an automaticawningoverthe dining table.

Thehomeownersuse this south-facing space forspring, summerand fall entertaining. Plus,there’sa heatedpool andbrick-walled garden that surroundsthe terrace for complete privacy.”

There’salsothe newly constructed modern marvel at 21 EdithLaneinSouth Wilton,built by JablonskiAssociates andcompleted this year.Itissituatedon1.16acres,and in keepingwiththe architecturaltheme, there arewalls of glasswhich breakdownthe visual barriersbetween theindoorsand natural settingoutdoors. Themain-level floor plan flowseffortlesslyout to apatio.Brown Harris Stevens RealtorBozena Jablonskiisthe listing agent forthe property,which is currently on themarketfor $2.175 million.

“The outdoor kitchen at 21 EdithLanewas meticulously craftedtoseamlesslyblend the patiowiththe interior living space,”Jablonski said.“Expansive floor-to-ceilingwindows and largeslidingdoorsensurea fluidtransition

between theindoorsand outdoors. Tucked againstthe side wall foraddedprivacy andintimacy,the kitchen boasts abuilt-ingrill,ample storagecabinets, drawersand countertops

“The spacious patioaccommodatesvarious outdoor seatingarrangements, from cozy couches to dining tables andchairs,”she added. “Extendingfromthe patioisa flat, grassy area,seamlesslyintegratedintothe outdoor space. Surroundingitall is alush backdrop of woods, creating atranquiland secluded ambiance.Thisthoughtfully designed setupisideal forhosting both intimate gatherings andlargersoirees,effortlesslyaccommodating guests in both indoor andoutdoor areas. Whether it’s acasual summerpicnic, aformaldinner affair or an exclusivechef presentation, theversatility of this spacelendsitselftoa myriad of entertainingpossibilities.”

Increasingly,havinganoutdoor kitchen rankshighonluxury-home buyers’wishlists

Having an outdoor kitchen is highly valued by most buyers. They canimmediatelysee themselves on thepatio having funwithfriendsand family.They starttalking about whoisthe cook in thefamily andwhatkindoffood they liketomake on thegrill. It helps buyers to focuson

Bozena Jablonski Realtor, BrownHarrisStevens

aHOMEFORALL intheFAMILY

FAMILIES WITH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS AREPRECIOUS SO TOOARE THE PROPERTIES THATARE ABLETOACCOMMODATE THEM

by Gretchen A. Peck

Propertieswithmorethanone home—commonly referred to as a“compound”—gained new interest followingthe COVIDpandemic, particularlyfor multigenerationalfamilies, whoappreciatedindividual livingconditionsbut closeproximity to oneanother Multigenerationallivingcould mean adultchildrenwho have returned to liveand perhapsraise childrenoftheir ownonthe same property as theirparents. Or it might refertoa case of agingordownsizingparentswho have come to live convenientlyclose to theiradult children. Each of thesescenarios mayrequire uniqueand distinctive residentialand lifestyleneeds, andcompoundsinGreenwich,Connecticut cancater to almost anydemand.

AWaterfrontLifestyle forthe WholeFamily

Themoderncompound at 45 BinneyLaneinOld Greenwich is an exceptional1.07-acre waterfront property, custom-built in 2020. It wasthe 2021 winner of aHOBI Award, comprising an eight-bedroom main house, complemented by aguesthouse,boathouse,outdoor terraces, gardens,pool anddeep-water pier “45BinneyLaneisa modern housedesigned by Joeb Moore, butithas warmth andfeelsverywelcoming,” accordingtoco-listingagent Amanda Miller, aRealtor with Houlihan Lawrence’sGreenwichbrokerage.“What’s idealabout 45 Binneyisthe varietyofaccommodations, whereevery guestcan enjoy privacy—with ensuite bedroomsand aseparateguesthouse—while at thesame time feelingunitedinthe entertainment spaces and outdoor gatheringspots

“Also, thereismuchtodoonthe property,” Milleradded. “Swiminthe watersidepool.Hangout year-round in thespa

Snuggleinthe movietheater. Cook in thechef’s kitchen, or take offina boat offthe pier.Ifyou’retired,takethe elevator!Plus, thehouse is LEED-certified andwas built with qualitymaterials that requirelittleornomaintenance. The10.10-acrecompound at 3CobbIslandDrive and7 Cobb Island Drive, Greenwich, has440-feet of direct water frontand panoramicviews of CosCob Harbor andLong Island Sound.

“The waterfront listing at 7CobbIslandDrive and3 Cobb Island Driveisextremely rare in Greenwich, sinceitis comprisedof10acres andtwo lots,” Finlay explained

“Aside from breathtaking waterviews and440 feet of direct waterfront,the property hastwo homes: thesix-bedroom main houseand theVermont-style guesthouse/party barn

“Two homesprovide lots of flexibilityfor multigenerational requirements,which is more andmoreindemandwithin theluxuryresidential space,”Finlayreported. Theasking priceis$18.5million

Looking for a new home?

Let us be your resource.

From a Greenwich estate to a split level in Groton, go to this newspaper’s website, and click on “Real Estate” for a comprehensive listing of properties from across the state, along with informative stories and interesting profiles.

“Thisbeautiful,private,equestrian facilityhas been thetrainingfacilityresponsible forthe startofa fewofthe GrandPrixand dressage world’sbest riders andhorses. Whether youridecompetitively or for pleasure,thereissomething foryou—froma laser-leveled dust-freeringtomilesand milesoftrails maintained by the GreenwichRiding& Trails Association. With severalresidential structures,the property accommodatesthe ownerand immediatefamily, as well as live-in staff. Butitcan also accommodate amultigenerational livingarrangement, as well.

Claroniexplained,“Thereare twoluxurious homeson theproperty, perfectfor multigenerationallivingorfor a home that requires alarge live-instaff or security.The main househas abeyond-luxuriousprimary bedroom andbath, four additional bedroomswithensuite baths, an extraordinary kitchenbeyondcompare,and more

“The largeporch overlooksthe vineyardand apple orchard, with south-westernexposuretocapture the sunsetsand theviewofthe infinity-edgepool,” Claroni continued.“In addition,thereisa very largeunfinished lowerlevel that canbecompleted to accommodate more entertainment space, aspa andgym,orguest/service quarters.The one-bedroom guesthouse,adjacent to the main house, also serves as thegarageand pool house, with abath, changing room,kitchenette andbarbecuestation.”

Thesecondluxuryhomeonthe property is equally as magnificent

“[It]alsohas an extraordinary kitchenthatopens to a largeseating anddiningarea, with an impressive two-sided stone fireplaceand doorsthatleadtoanoutdoor fireplace andseating area overlookingthe orchards.Thereare two primarysuites—aspaciousone with an office on the first floor andanother on thesecond floor,”Claroni added.

“Two additional bedroomswithbaths round outthe first floor.It’sperfect formultigenerationalliving. Thereisalsoa grooms’ suiteonthe lowerlevel

In addition to theorchardsamong theacreage at 38-48 Quaker Lane thereare vegetablegardens anda fertile vineyard with merlot andcabernet grapes

Danielle Claroni Advisor, Sotheby’sSenior Global Real Estate

color

IS back

AFTERAYEARS-LONG SEASON OF GRAY,INTERIORDESIGN RECAPTURES COLOR& PERSONALITY

by Gretchen A. Peck

“

I’msohappy that gray is gone,” Susan Corvo said.Corvo is an interior designer andprincipalatSusan CorvoRedesigninFairfield. She works with residentialclientsacrossFairfieldCounty, Connecticut; WestchesterCounty, NewYork; and NewYorkCity.

Neutralcolor palettes—shadesofwhite,cream andgray—have been pervasiveinnew construction homesand houses forsalefor anumberof years. Thetheory is neutralcolorsallows prospective buyers to envisiontheirown furnishingsand decorative itemsinthe space.

Buying ahomewitha “blank slate” like that,so to speak, presents an opportunity to introduce colorand personalitytothe interiors.

“All they’vebeen seeing forthe past fewyears aregrays andneutrals,but they want theirpersonalitytobereflectedintheirhomes,” shesaid.

Colormay be introduced to an interior room in anynumberofways—wall color, statement furnishings, throwpillows andrugs, vases, artwork,evenlampshades.

When Corvobeginsthe initialconsultationwith clients, sheasksthem aboutfavoritecolorsand to sharephotographs of designsthey like, perhaps from magazines or interior spaces they’veseen online. Herdesignmay be informed by emotive adjectives,likecalm, serene, striking,bright.

“Blues areverycalming.Bluereminds youof water, of theocean,especiallyifit’sa subdued hue,”she explained

“One of thethingswe’re seeing nowinthe design industry,and it’s really prevalentinEurope, is bringing theoutdoorsin—usinggreen, greenery andbringingmorewood into thehome,”Corvo said.She suggestedshadesofgreen, likebasil, sage or tree moss to achievethiseffect.

What’s outofstyle,interms of color? Formal roomswithcolorsthatwereprevalent adecadeor twoago,suchasreds, goldsand purples. These

Above:Thisbeautiful kitchenbenefits from colorcourtesyofthe island,chairs, brickbacksplashand terracotta floor tiles. Belowleft: Theintroductionofcolor canbesubtle. In this example, Susan Corvoaddedpatternsand mutedorange furnishingsand pillows to alivingroom space, contrastingthe whitewalls,fireplaceand neutralcouch,yet complementing thehardwoodfloor finish Belowright:The colorblueevokeswater andthe ocean. It’s naturally calming, accordingto interior designer Susan Corvo. Acurrent design trend is “bringingthe outdoors inside”withshadesofgreen andwood finishes.Photos: Susan CorvoRedesign

With thirty yearsasa GreenwichRealtor,the successful sale of more than 130 single family homes& toomanycondominiumstocount,Max Wiesenhas accumulatedanincomparable knowledgeand countlessconnections that make home buying or selling amoresatisfying experience.Augmented by thebrightand brilliant technologicalknowhow of hisyouthfulside-kick,Jill Hofer, youcannotpossiblyenjoy your forayintoreal estate more than workingwithus!

arethe colors of royalty, sheexplained,while even in luxury homesmostpeopleopt formorecasualand comfortablelifestylestoday.Thisisevident in upholsteries and fabrics, as well.“Instead of rich velvets and silks, we go more to cottonsand linens,”she said

Another design trend that feels datedtodayare “statementwalls,” with asingle wallpainted or coveredinabold eye-catching color.

Corvosaidit’simportant to consider howcolors complement and meldinthe mainliving spaces of thehome which flow togethereither byvirtue of an open floor plan, or simplyhow people move throughthe spaces naturally from oneroom to thenext.

While asimplified approach to coloris best on themainlevel,a homeowner can be bolder or morewhimsical with color in individual rooms bedrooms, for example.

Lightingwill alsoinfluence howtheeye perceivescolor.

“The downstairs ofyour house has to flow,” Corvosaid “Yourcolor schemes have to flow from room to room. You don’twant ittolook like acircus, withone room green, oneroom blue,another room orange and another purple. That doesn’thave any cohesiveness. But youcan take thosekinds of colors up to thebedrooms, becausethe doorscan beclosedand it becomes aseparateroom. But the downstairs should flow,soyou want to pick basic colors that you love.

"Light can come from different sources. Windows bring in natural light. Youmay have ceiling lights, accent lights, lamps and wallsconces.And they all reflect light differently,” she said.“So,when I’m working withcolor,Ibring it intothe houseand we view it on different walls, under different conditions.You should like howthe colorlooks in allthose places.”

As acreativelyinspireddesigner, Corvo keepscurrent on new andtrendingpaint colors.Sometimes clientsask to incorporate thePANTONE Colorofthe Year.For 2024, that coloris“PeachFuzz.”But noteveryone’shome maybeaccommodating to acertain color. “Still,I love orange andterracotta, whichare versions of peach. What Itellpeopleis...

‘Whenyou seethe colorofthe year, don’tthink youhavetohavethatexact colorinyourhouse.Itmay notwork.’

Butyou maybeabletogowitha variationofthe color. Andifthey really love thecolor,wemay be able to useitina bedroom or adda simple accent piecetoa room.”

with itsown bath,a master suiteexceeding 1,000 sq.ft. with aspa-likebathroom, andenhancedlivingspacesonthe thirdfloor,including an office, library, andsolariumdesignedtocapture thebeautyofthe property's outdoor vistas.Additional amenitieslikea gymwitha shower facility adjacent to a10'x40' lappool,a NewEngland Arboretumwitha walkingpath, koi pond,and 2,000 sq.ft. of versatileoutbuildings affirm thebuilder's commitmenttocreatingmorethanjusta residence, buta sanctuarythatembodiesserenelivingand modern luxury