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June 2008

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Welcoming Doors Extend An Invitation

Copycat Kitchen Comes To Shelton

Discerning Builder Creates Distinctive Homes

Home of the Month An Antique Charmer In Woodbury

The Oxford Gazette The Milford Mirror The Trumbull Times The Huntington Herald The Easton Courier

Audra Napolitano

The Valley Gazette The Stratford Star The Amity Observer The Fairfield Today The Monroe Courier

Vol. II, Number 6

A Hersam Acorn Special Section

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

June 2008

The

HOME Monthly

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FEATURES Rachael Ray Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Discerning builder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Fire Bright, Green Delight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 House of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Big Kids, Big Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Welcoming Front Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Cover: See pages 10 - 11

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

CopyCat Kitchen comes to Shelton by R.E. Glowa “I’m going to win a Rachael Ray kitchen!” Shelton resident Laura Treonze kept saying out loud to herself and her family. When Laura first entered the Copycat Kitchen on a Budget contest in August 2006, she was firmly convinced she would win, and nothing, but nothing would deter her from that thought. Even though her husband was completely dubious, Laura steadfastly maintained her belief that she would soon have a new kitchen just like the colorful, funky kitchen used by the queen of 30 Minute Meals, Rachael Ray. Laura entered the contest because both she and her husband, Todd, felt their all white, starkly bland kitchen left a lot to be desired. “It’s just not us,” she said. “We want our son and daughter to grow up in a place where the kitchen is a fun place to be, and they want to learn to cook.” When Laura was notified of her semifinalist status, she began looking forward to what she believed would be the imminent refurbishing of her kitchen. When she See Rachael Ray page 16

The Treonze family is delighted with their Rachael Ray kitchen, which replaced their all white one, shown to the right.

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

Discerning builder

creates distinctive homes by R.E. Glowa

Audra Napolitano

A beautiful setting and outstanding craftsmanship make River Ridge townhomes exceptional. 55+ Adult Community in Beacon Falls, CT 2BR 2BA�1,300 SF Units�1floor living Granite Countertops, HW Floors ��Attached Garage Central AC/Gas Heat City Sewer and Water�Natural Gas Range and Fireplace

1 unit available at $305,000!!

“Isn’t the view great?” Wes Blakeman asks with a wide grin on his face. From the spacious deck of Wes’s latest building project in Shelton, the view of the Housatonic River is indeed stunning. One can see the sun sparkling on the water, flashing like diamonds, while crew teams from Fairfield University row in perfect harmony, and pleasure boats and kayaks drift peacefully along. “The fishing is great here, and Sundays are often a big party day with all the boats out,” he adds. The splendid setting perfectly showcases Wes’s latest and supposedly last project, the River Ridge

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

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June 2008

Waterview Townhomes. For 51 years, Wes Blakeman has been building. He started from the ground up, or as he likes to say, “in the dirt.” He began as a journeyman carpenter, and over the years, he established a reputation as a home builder extraordinaire. As president and general manager of CB Associates, Wes has built over 800 new homes in subdivisions that he developed in Fairfield and New Haven counties. His standards for quality work are unsurpassed in the industry, and have earned him the highest levels of respect from his peers. He has served as president of the Fairfield County Home Builders Association, on the board of directors of the Connecticut Home Builders Association, on the board of directors of the National Association of Home Builders, and on the budget committee of the National Association of Home Builders. Wes has created a gorgeous selection of homes for sale at River Ridge. With the water view in the front and a massive rock ledge in the back, the River Ridge townhomes have a most distinctive location. The sumptuous amenities include custom cabinetry, granite countertops in both the kitchen and bathrooms, hardwood floors, three-sided gas fireplaces, soaking tubs, and plush elevators. The homes have separate zones for central air and heating on each of the three levels, providing muchappreciated efficiency in these times of high-heating costs. Wes’s wife, Kay, works with her husband as the building coordinator. “I do all

the design for all the homes,” she says. She uses her creativity to personalize each of the townhomes. “I use different wall colors, cabinetry and granite countertops so that these homes are individual and not cookie cutter. From the elegant shades of brown, cream and ecru in the bathrooms to the handsome appointments in the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms, Kay’s impeccable taste is reflected throughout the homes. Kay has always enjoyed working with Wes. “I know I have a good contractor behind me,” she says. “Our reputation is solid. I love when a potential customer See Builder page 14

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

Fire bright, green delight! by Priscilla Whitley Imagine getting cozy on your porch during one of those that may have been forgotten in the midst of busy lives. long, cool summer evenings. After the heat of the day, as Efficiency, function and design are the three primary the darkness of night chills the air, how lovely it would be qualities Rais has developed within its wide range of stoves. to have an efficient and attractive wood-burning stove to The company has managed to incorporate all of these warm not only the body but the mind as well. Turning the parameters while expanding its line and lowering emissions. lights down low and letting the glow of the fire soothe the The greenhouse effect came to the forefront in Denmark weariness of a busy day sounds like a perfect way to extend because of its frigid winters and the vast number of residents burning wood. Effective fireplaces, ones that not the joy of being outdoors before easing into a restful sleep. only give off substantial heat but also eliminate excess The question these days, though, is what is the effect on particle pollution, were a necessity for a country located in our environment of burning wood? As the 21st Century the north. All the stoves now sold in North America have began, so did our increased understanding of the fragility either an EPA certificate or an EPA exemption (because of of our relatively small world. their use as a cooking stove). And the company has recently Rais stoves, developed in Denmark in 1970, have made introduced a line whose particle-emissions standard is even their mark here with their high-performance, EPA-certified wood- and gas-burning efficiency. To make them even more stringent than that of Washington state, which is one more attractive, they come in an array of models with a of the strictest in the country. design to suit every home and enhance the decor. The double-chambered burning compartments work As awareness of green products and green living grows, with an adjustable air flow, ensuring that the wood burns many buyers are becoming more conscientious with each clean. The efficiencies range from 71% to 74% compared new purchase, whether it is a car or a product for the lawn. to about 10% for the average household fireplace. A baffle Rais stoves feature efficiency, function and design. In the not-so-distant past, many people did not realize that system controls the mixture of air and smoke gasses, to burning wood wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an environmentally sound decision. almost eliminate, through a secondary burning, any excess But with new knowledge and more companies committed to preserving the planet, particles that are pollutants. Simply put, a Rais stove is CO2 neutral, meaning emisour lives can be enhanced while we are still mindful of our responsibilities. And the sions from this wood-burning stove are equal to the volume of CO2 given off if the wood were left to decompose in its natural state. best part is we are not giving up anything, but instead enjoying the small comforts

The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

June 2008

These elegantly crafted stoves come in array of sizes and designs and can be incorporated into any part of the home. There is a sleek, classic Scandinavian-style free-standing model to complement a contemporary decor. Handsomely designed in black, gray or stainless steel, the stove can also be produced with the smooth look of soapstone, giving it the air of an object d’art wherever it is placed. The insert model can be fitted to a fireplace, and it fits in snugly. It is ideal for a kitchen corner or a bedroom, with the warm glow of a fire to add sparkle. The wide glass door gives a full frame of the fire, and can be installed to open on either the right or the left. The Rais cube, which comes in a few artful designs, can be used as an outdoor fireplace or a grill, or it can stand alone as a garden sculpture. Made of Cor-Ten steel, it can be outside year-round, and, for versatility, it can be installed on a turntable. The outdoor Gizeh style is named for the Giza pyramids in Egypt and offers a unique design that rises gradually to a classic pyramid peak. Standing just over six feet, the grill offers function and a form to delight the eye. The handles on all the models are made of non-corrosive stainless steel, which doesn’t retain heat the way blue steel does. And since they are hollow, they remain cool even when the fire is fully burning. Whether a gas- or a wood-burning unit best suits your home, a Rais stove will enhance your decor while preserving the environment. Dealers carrying Rais stoves are The Trading Post, 314 Kent Rd., Rte. 7 North, New Milford, 860-354-3276, e-mail, tpostnmct@aol.com; and The Trading Post, 618 Main St., Rte. 25, Monroe, 203-261-0618, e-mail, info@trading-post-ct.com. ■

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

An AntiqueCharmer

Home of the Month June 2008 LOCATION: Set on four acres in Woodbridge, this home’s appeal comes from both its antique details and the beauty of its mature trees and wonderful open space. PROPERTY: Professionally landscaped, there are various gardens and a patio from which to enjoy them. HOUSE: This 1924 Colonial has all the delightful attributes you’d expect in a home of this period. Quality craftsmanship is a hallmark – built-in bookcases, cupboards and shelving, wood floors, and beamed ceiling. There are scenic views from every room, especially from the three-season porch that overlooks the gardens. A large family room with fireplace is a grand place for family gatherings. The formal living room has detailed moldings and a marble fireplace, and the formal dining room is ideal for entertaining. The eat-in kitchen is up to date with granite countertops, Sub-Zero refrigerator, cooktop, and double ovens. The master bedroom suite has a brick fireplace with spacious bathroom. There are five other bedrooms and three and a half baths. GARAGE: Three-car. PRICE: $950,000. REALTY: Coldwell Banker. Agent: Bette Devine, 203-795-6000. Photography: Audra Napolitano.

Big kids ... big toys by Pierre Rochman

Joanne Rochman

Having survived a toyless childhood, I I know. You think those were toys, but can categorically state that people do not you must realize that toys are just a way of need toys in their lives, and that toys are a indulging our youthful minds with useless waste of a child’s time and energy. Without objects that we lose interest in as we grow toys, kids would spend their time and enerup and mature. I think I am a perfect proof gy in more productive endeavors, such as … of that obvious fact. I have therefore never well … there must be something they would bothered much with real toys … only some do that would be less wasteful. useful and practical items. At the risk of seeming to contradict Not to change the subject, but I must tell myself, I will admit to owning pleasurable you about this great deal I made recently. things, but only when I was much older, Together with my neighbor, Tim, we bought and they were hardly anything that you a used backhoe — the kind you see on construction sites. A big orange backhoe with would call a “toy.” huge tires, and it’s very powerful. It has a As I reached my early 20s, I found a boat bucket-loader in front and a backhoe in was necessary. It would be unfair to call it a Pierre and Belle join Tim for a portrait with their resplendent backhoe. back, and lights and a York-rake attachment. toy, since it was rather large. Besides, I really I mounted a coffee cup holder on it — for did not play with it, rather I waterskied with when I am working. it, and it was handy for fishing as well. As to the pool table I had in my mother’s It’s sort of funny, but Tim, my partner in this workhorse, said one day that this cellar ... well, a young man needs some form of entertainment for his friends. You “Baby” was our “midlife-crisis toy.” He was kidding, of course. I assure you this is can hardly call a pool table a toy. no toy, and we really, really needed to buy one. You just cannot imagine the types I also enjoyed building boats from kits when I was first married, hardly toys, I think. Oh, yes, the miniature train set in the garage was really for my kids … when of things one can do with such a … tool. You can move rocks, and flatten uneven they were old enough to appreciate it. For exercise, I had a bicycle and a go-kart … ground, and take your nephews for a ride around the property, and dig holes, etc. It’s just amazing how useful these things can be. well, the go-kart was for my kids when they could appreciate that, also.

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

June 2008

Tim, my no-nonsense, bright, serious neighbor, also has an infinite number of uses for it. He is buying two horses and tells me that he needs a backhoe for them. I believe him. In the meantime, he is moving some rocks. I assure you this is no child’s play. But, before you start convincing yourself about the wisdom of owning such a useful tool, I must tell you that it’s not all fun and games. Within days of acquiring our “Baby” and baptizing it (I’m kidding, we didn’t really baptize it), it stalled ... and stalled ... and stayed stalled. I was elected master maintenance guy and promptly took out the user manual, then the maintenance guide and then the parts manual. After trying a few things, we called the guy who sold it to us. He had a few suggestions, which sent me to the store for some parts and metric tools. I am not sure what I did right, but Baby just started up — whooosh! It worked like a charm ... till it stalled again, and again, and again. So, we got the landscape guy to help. He had some huge equipment and knew his stuff. Well, he really did try, but the darn part was rusted closed and it broke. So I went to the dealer who sold me the parts, only the manufacturer had changed the specs, so I had to improvise. Whooosh! I got it going again ... for a while. Luckily, Tim’s brother was visiting one weekend and determined that the fuel pump was probably bad. Unfortunately it was about 10 at night — dark and cold, and we had no fuel pump available. That meant not only another trip to the dealer, but Tim and I would have to install the pump ourselves. We did. You guessed it … whoosh! It started right up, and kept running ... for days. Baby was getting to be one troublesome toy, I mean tool. I almost wished … well, no. I was still glad I bought it. However, it did not run for long. Baby would keep stalling at the most inopportune times — like when Tim’s crew was using it to build a stone wall. I finally concluded that the gas tank had so much sediment in it that it kept plugging the fuel line. In retrospect, it was obvious that that had been the problem all along, but hindsight can make one appear very foolish. The solution to that problem was not so simple, however. I had to cut a hole in the top of the tank big enough to get my hands in, clean out the sediment and seal

the tank so it was water-tight. I did that a year ago, and Baby has not stalled since. I did have to replace the cylinder that operates the curling of the bucket. I suppose one has to expect some maintenance. So you see, a backhoe is a man’s tool. It’s no toy! ■

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

Builder continued from page 7 comes to look at one of our projects and they recognize it as a Wes Blakeman home! “River Ridge is very special,” Kay says. “With this great location in the middle of Fairfield County, it’s close to everything — the parkway, New Haven. We have sold half of the homes, but there are units that are still under construction that can be completely customized by the buyer. They can choose their own paint colors, carpet, tile, etc.” For Kay and Wes, it’s the details that count. Wes says, “My style of building is the big mansion-type homes. I like that kind of work. Everything has to be just right, and if it isn’t, then my workers have to start all over again, ripping it out and making it right. We use the best materials — lifetime materials. The decking, the stonework, everything is going to last. There will be just 18 units here when we are all done, and we are able to keep the monthly maintenance charges very low. $140 a month will cover lights, landscaping, snow and garbage removal. The only con-

cerns that buyers will have will be new roofing in 25 to 30 years, and having their homes power washed. That’s it!” Wes goes on to say that his son Wes Jr. also plays a major role in the Blakeman projects. “My son is the superintendent here at River Ridge. He’s a conscientious, hands-on builder. He’s thorough and possibly even pickier than I am! He is so completely involved here, from cutting the grass, to getting in the ditches — I don’t even have to show up!” “Being a builder of custom homes,” Wes says, “I put everything in these condos just as I would a custom home. I am very particular about the details. When a unit is complete, I go back through personally, checking to make sure everything is in pristine condition. If caulking needs redoing, if there are nail pops, these are repaired. I have the units thoroughly cleaned before occupancy. In fact, the home will probably never be as clean again!” he chuckles. “As one of my last jobs, I wanted to do a great job for the city of Shelton and have this be a big asset.” What’s next for the man who has spent his life creating beautiful homes? “Golf,” Free In Home Appointment & Written Quote

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

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Wes says, laughing! “I love the sport! Watch Tiger Woods closely — you can really learn from him, he is a phenomenal golfer.” Wes is a passionate outdoorsman with a great love for travel. He has traveled all over for business, but cites his time in Africa as “the trip of a lifetime.” Wes is an active member of the Safari Club international and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, and participates in many events to benefit wildlife conservation. Wes says, “Kay and I do a lot together, as well as pursuing our own interests. We enjoy having company, going out to nice restaurants.” When asked what he attributes all his success to, Wes answers without hesitation, “Hard work, enjoying life and doing what you want to do.” The Blakeman family has got the formula down for building beautiful homes and a beautiful life. The details are what count. River Ridge Waterview Townhomes are at 665 River Road in Shelton. For showings, call Nancy Collins at 203-521-6503 or e-mail nrcollins@sbcglobal.net. Wes Blakeman may be reached at CB Associates, 203-929-4171. ■

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

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Rachel Ray continued from page 4 didn’t win, she recalls thinking, “It was so strange, I was totally convinced I would be winning the Rachael Ray kitchen!” More than a year later, in December 2007, after many more meals cooked in her “boring” kitchen, the phone rang. The Rachael Ray show wanted to know if the Treonzes had done anything with their kitchen. The law of attraction brought Laura’s conviction to life. Laura says, “ I definitely believe in the law of attraction. If you really feel and believe in something, it will come.” She goes on to add, “It’s been an amazing year. The greatest things happen when you change your expectations, attract good experiences and good people, and are happy about whatever comes your way.” Positive thought often connects the right people at the right time. For the Treonze CopyCat kitchen, the right people came together to accomplish the task at hand. Skip Wyatt, owner of the Mr. Handyman franchise, which serves Shelton, was selected to work with the Rachael Ray crew. As the area’s top provider of professional home-improvement services, Skip was absolutely thrilled to work on the Treonze project. With a tight budget and a fixed schedule, it was essential for the TV crew to work with a building crew who could pull all the details together — quickly and accurately. “My guys know how to do carpentry, Sheetrock, tiling, plumbing, electrical — essentially everything involved in building houses. Most of my technicians have more than 20 years’ experience and they know how to get the work done.” Working closely with Evette Rios, a designer and close friend of Rachael Ray’s, the Mr. Handyman crew implemented the fresh, exciting and colorful makeover for the Treonze family last February. Skip recalls that the schedule to complete the job was a three-day effort. “We worked very long days,” he said. “We had the challenges of working around the camera crew, between retakes

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

June 2008

and lighting issues. Everyone had to make sure they did their job right.” The technicians who worked on the job were Armand Giorgio of Milford, lead technician, Tony Vidiera of Monroe and Randy Murray of Fairfield. Skip adds, “We were really pleased to be a part of the CopyCat Kitchen project. Working with Evette was great. She was able to do the design so the look of Rachael Ray’s kitchen was duplicated as closely as possible.” A short video of the CopyCat Kitchen project may be accessed by going to handymanct.com. There, Evette Rios explains many of the money-saving ideas that went into the project, and even provides Web addresses for the products used in the renovation. One particular feature that provides the Rachael Ray vibe is a giant magnet that completely covers the refrigerator in a robin’s-egg blue. “Pieces stick to the fridge really well; they won’t move until you peel them up,” Laura says. “You can also stick things on top of it. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stick my kid’s artwork on it, but it works great!” Evette’s enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge would inspire many owners to update their own homes with her affordable and creative techniques. Transforming the Treonzes’ humdrum white workspace to a wonderland of colorful whimsy is a terrific testament to her creativity. Now that their project is complete, and the thought has become reality, is the Treonze family truly happy with the new kitchen? “We’re really happy with the transformation,” Laura says enthusiastically. “The new colors have really warmed up the kitchen. My daughter loves the magnet wall; it’s her studio. My kids feel so much more at home in the kitchen. When kids come over, and we always have kids of different ages coming through here, they all say, ‘This kitchen is cool!’” Skip Wyatt of Mr. Handyman may be reached at 203-373-7717, or visit the Web site at mrhandymanct.com. ■

The

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Monthly

Vol. II, Number 6 is a special section to: The Valley Gazette, The Oxford Gazette, The Stratford Star, The Milford Mirror, The Amity Observer, The Trumbull Times, Fairfield Today, The Huntington Herald, The Monroe Courier and The Easton Courier • 80,000 copies published monthly • Jackie Perry, editor Bryan Haeffele, designer • Thomas B. Nash, publisher • For advertising information, call 203-438-6544 Ridgefield 203-926-2080 Shelton • For information on editorial submissions, call 203-894-3380 E-mail: home@acorn-online.com • Extra copies are available free at the Hersam Acorn office, 1000 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, Conn. Copyright 2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, LLC

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

Welcoming front doors EXTEND AN INVITATION by Joanne Greco Rochman

Bryan Haeffele

Colorful doors are ornaments for a home as jewelry is for those within.

The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

Look at a garden trellis covered with clematis, leading the way to a flowery garden, and, instinctively, you want to walk through it and enter that garden. The same applies to the narrow opening of a woodland path, a cut-away in an old stone wall, an opening through a row of hedges, a gated white-picket fence, or the lamp posts, pillars and iron gates of a driveway. They all share an innate welcome and an invitational nature. Nonetheless, as soon as people start talking about attractive entrances, many immediately think of decorations for their front doors. Well, there’s a lot more to front door entrances than meets the eye. Sure it looks great to walk up to a front door that has a beautiful wreath or floral spray on it, but what you put on your door tells more about you than you think. Recently, Long Wharf Theatre challenged its set designers and artists to transform what were described as “mundane spaces.” Eight artists created doors for Long Wharf ’s June 5 gala, titled Opening Doors. Artist Keith Hyatte had this to say about doors, “A door is a barrier, decorated and embellished to impress and reveal the identity of the person within. Doors welcome, warn, or defend. I love color and texture, and I love gold, too. My door is a celebration … I consider it like jewelry.” I found that statement to be very telling, not only because it made me think about doors in a new way, as jewelry, but because it said that doors reveal the identity of the person within. Of course, it’s true. Veterans like to flank their doors with flags or bunting, but most of us are quite content hanging a purchased wreath of artificial seasonal flowers on our doors. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with that, and indeed the symbolism of a circular wreath does offer a welcoming, unending circle of community, friendship and love, it does overlook an opportunity for all of us to personalize the most visible invitation to our homes — our front doors. A woman down the street has a lovely Williamsburg blue house with a bright yellow door, and that really reflects her bright and sunny personality. The thing is, there’s a lot more to door decorating than I had given thought to. Once I started investigating front doors, I was surprised to learn that some people actually hang original artwork on their front doors. Imagine! June 2008

best reflect me and my husband, I realized that I could hang a couple of golf clubs on a pretty plaid ribbon or, heaven forbid, even an old pair of golf shoes on that door. This past winter, I did see that one of my neighbors had hung ice-skates on her door, so why not golf shoes? I could even dress them up with a couple of score cards (well, only the ones that prove I shot under 100). We both love gardening and landscaping, and we both like poetry. So I asked myself, what best in my garden reflects the two of us? I walked around the yard and as soon as I laid eyes on good ol’ Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, a specimen planting, I knew had found what I was looking for. This shrub has curious blossoms that look like cattails, but what we like best about it is its corkscrew-shaped branches. It’s quite an unusual plant with curlicue tendrils. We like to use these branches in flower arrangements. This plant captures our appreciation for the unique and the dramatic. I intend to find a branch with plenty of tendrils and attach the ends of it to some pretty wired ribbon. Then, I’m going to laminate some favorite lines of poetry and suspend them from the tendrils or glue them directly onto the branch. In that way, I’ll have something that reflects the occupants of our home. Now, what are you going to do to personalize your front door? Remember, it’s the first thing that welcomes guests to your home. ■

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Bryan Haeffele

Whether you have a wreath hanging on your door or not, there’s no reason why you can’t create an interesting doorknob hanger. The options here are endless. I’ve seen photos of angels and stars dangling from doorknob hangers. Welcome signs are also popular, and when you make your own, there’s no end to the possibilities. Once you realize that your home, including the front door, should be true to you and not the latest trend, you’ll know what to emphasize and how much works. Remember, over-decorating can be lethal. It’s interesting that at Christmas time people decorate their doors in all kinds of ways. I’ve seen doors that were wrapped like packages and featured giant bows. Why people only think to decorate at Christmas is a puzzle, since the wooden canvas is available day after day, year after year. I read one article from Home and Garden online where a designer liked to hang oil paintings, china plates, baskets, urns, and plastic platters on her door. She would decorate them with ribbons and garland. Even more amazing, one summer that same decorator hung a wall clock on her front door. The face had pretty images of birds on it, so it lent itself to the outdoors, and, more important, it impressed visitors with her originality and creativity, which is what this person is all about. I also saw photos of giant monograms and antique stars on some doors. When I started to home in on what would

A home’s entryway offers a glimpse into the personality of its owner; it might be just color or something more distinctive.

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The HOME Monthly, a Hersam Acorn special section, Shelton, Conn.

June 2008