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HOME December 2008

’Tis the Season Heirlooms For The Holidays

for the holidays

Unique, Cherished, Practical Gifts

A Dramatic Renovation Sheep Barn To Country Cozy

‘Smart’ House Luxury Combines With Old-World Charm

Home of the Month Outstanding Details New Canaan

The Darien Times The Ridgefield Press The Weston Forum The Lewisboro Ledger

Bryan Haeffele photo

Greenwich Post New Canaan Advertiser The Wilton Bulletin The Redding Pilot

Vol. XII, Number 12

A Hersam Acorn Special Section

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FEATURES ‘Smart House’ luxury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Heirlooms for the holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Teaching the ‘Grands’ to give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 From sheep barn to country cozy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Fine furnishings to light up your home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27 Building a sustainable future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31 DEPARTMENTS Window on Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Home Moaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Interior Insights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Home of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23 Into the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25 Shopping with Fran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33 Away from Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35

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Cover: Home of the Month in New Canaan.

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

December 2008

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WINDOW I ON I REAL I ESTATE ■

Mortgage trouble? Seek help ... it’s out there! by Jane K. Dove Like unwanted lumps of coal tumbling out of a Christmas stocking, the terms “credit crunch,” “underwater,” mortgage work-out,” and “jingle mail” are currently bedeviling area homeowners faced with keeping their mortgages afloat. But according to attorney Gary Seymour, head of Seymour Law Firm of Shelton, homeowners should not surrender to fear, confusion and lack of knowledge when they are threatened with losing their homes to foreclosure. “Even if you have fallen months behind in your payments, help is out there,” Mr. Seymour says. “You need to reach out and say you need it. Don’t let guilt about your predicament keep you from being proactive.” Harsh Economics

Gary said southern Connecticut, like the rest of America, is in a foreclosure crisis. “There are many, many people out there that simply can’t keep up their mortgage payments,” he said. “The overall debt picture is very harsh. And when you add the possible loss of a job, things get even worse.” Gary said that back in the real-estate boom years of 2002 to 2007, people simply took on more debt than they could afford. “And now property values don’t support the amount of debt,” he said. “The real estate market is flooded with properties with no or negative equity. The numbers of bank-owned properties are increasing dramatically and dragging down prices for everyone.” However, Gary says homeowners who are “underwater” in their mortgages, meaning they are carrying more debt than the property is actually worth, do have

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some options to keep them in their homes either temporarily or permanently and allow them to keep their credit relatively intact. “Unfortunately, a large number of people who purchased homes in 2002 to 2007 are now under water,” Gary said. “This is not a good situation, but it is tolerable as long as you can continue to make your monthly payments. If you have a loss of income, things become dramatically worse. You are trapped and cannot sell your house for a gain or refinance your way out of trouble.” Getting Help

Gary says homeowners in this situation should not ignore their plight when their mortgage payments become overwhelming, but consider a “short sale,” where the lender will accept less than the total amount of debt against the house in order to avoid foreclosure. “To obtain a short sale, the homeowner has to go hat in hand to the bank,” Gary said. “He or she has to provide extensive documentation to support their request Frankly, it can be a lengthy and excruciating process, but many homeowners do achieve success and stave off a foreclosure.” Another option for beleaguered homeowners who want to stay in their homes is a loan work-out or loan modification. “Connecticut passed a new law earlier this year that enables qualified homeowners to actually force their lender into a See Window on Real Estate page 38

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‘SMART HOUSE’ LUXURY

Combines with old-world charm by Jane K. Dove

This house with the latest in technology can be monitored and controlled on site and from afar.

With many homeowners in our area spending long hours working, traveling or staying in a second or vacation home for extended periods of time, monitoring a residence from afar, whether it’s Manhattan or Mozambique, can be both convenient and stress-reducing. Did a recent winter storm and power outage have any impact? Did the cleaning crew show up at the appointed time? Have there been any unauthorized attempts to enter? Are all HVAC systems up and running properly? These are only a few things homeowners might want to check on from a distance. And for those who simply want the latest in technology for their daily use, the system also fills the bill. HOBI award-winning builder John Klein of Penbrooke Caledon LLC has been in the business for many years, and says his new approach to home construction will now focus on “smart house” design. He says the result combines luxury with the latest in technological design, which can be monitored and controlled on site and from afar.

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December 2008

Wave Of The Future

“I believe this is the wave of the future, and I will probably not build another house without using this approach,” he says. “My newest home at 2 John Todd Way in Redding features a sophisticated Vantage home-automation system, where access, lights, shades and draperies, music,

security, temperature, and all utilities can be programmed, monitored and controlled either locally or remotely via the Internet.” John says each of these different features, and others, can be programmed individually to suit the owner’s needs. “If you can think about it and want to control it, you can,” he says. The best time to install a system is in the building process. “Although some elements can be retrofitted, doing it from the ground up yields a more seamless result,” John says. Automated systems are being installed in more luxury homes than ever before. “A few years ago, they were limited to ultra-luxury homes,” he said. “But now, with improved technology, the costs have come down, and it is feasible to install them at a wider variety of price points.” John says the Vantage system in his Redding home has many programming options. “Want to come home from work in the winter to a warm home with the lights on? Or raise and lower your blinds during the day to conserve energy? Get your home up and running for guests that are using it in your absence?” he asks. “Once programmed, all that can be accomplished in a few minutes on the Internet.” Function And Beauty

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The “smart” Redding home offers an array of luxury features, many supported by the Vantage system. Beautifully designed and constructed, it won a 2008 HOBI award for Best Spec House in the $2 to $ 3 million bracket. (The Home Builders �� Association of Connecticut confers its �� awards annually in a variety of categories.) ��

The entry’s stained-glass window represents the home’s fine craftsmanship and complements the sophisticated Vantage system, which contols lights, shades, music, security, temperature, and utilities.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Smart house continued from page 7 A tour of the farmhouse-style shingle house, set on 7.5 acres bordering 16 acres of open space, shows John’s close attention to quality construction and the finest of finishes. The 15-room, five-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot home includes antique flooring, furniture-quality cabinetry, a three-story center hall cupola, and a walk-out finished basement. From the mahogany-floored porch to the mahogany door with sidelights, the quality of the home is immediately apparent. Some features on the first floor include a living room with oversized windows, a dining room with half-walls designed to create a feeling of openness and a dropped ceiling in an octagonal shape.

An adjacent library has a gas fireplace and a stained-glass transom. Floors throughout the home are imported antique hemlock, and first-floor ceilings are all 10 feet high. Several of the rooms have French doors leading to a spacious rear patio of New York bluestone, with a fieldstone sitting wall with a wrought-iron accent. The luxury kitchen features white antique-style cabinetry from Custom Furniture Design of Litchfield. Counters and a large center island are polished granite in tones of gray, cream and beige with a honed Jerusalem gold limestone backsplash. The kitchen also has a spacious family dining area and an adjacent small office with more custom cabinetry. A fieldstone fireplace with raised hearth is the focus of the adjacent family room, which opens to a rear patio. John has made abundant use of raised decorative paneling throughout the house and accented all rooms with extra-wide moldings and trim.

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December 2008

Moving upstairs, the master suite and the other rooms feature nine-foot ceilings with extra-large windows. His and her walk-in closets, an adjacent office and sitting room or nursery complete the space. The master bath has a Kohler soaking tub, steam shower, and ample storage space, and floors are more polished Jerusalem gold limestone with mosaic insets. The family bedrooms each have their own limestone-floor baths with generous closet space. A second-floor laundry room has a work counter, shelving and a sink. The fully finished lower level has a raised-hearth fireplace, another bedroom and full bath and the same beautiful wood floors seen in the rest of the house. “The lower level is quite light and bright, with French doors opening to the outdoors. It is truly a part of the living space of the home, both in style and finishes,” John says. “I am very pleased with the exceptional detail and elements of old-world charm that were incorporated into this project,” he says. “The Vantage technology makes it even better, and its new owner will have the best of both worlds: elegance and luxury combined with the latest technology to make owning it as pleasant and worry-free as possible.” John has priced his smart and elegant house at $2.65 million. For more information: 203-952-6439 or penbrooke@optonline.net. ■

Antique-style cabinetry, granite countertops and luxury appliances highlight the spacious kitchen.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

HEIRLOOMS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Unique, cherished gifts, and practical, too! by Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

Throughout many holidays, my mother-in-law has given me gifts of smart clothes and accessories. The woman knows style. She once owned a boutique in Greenwich. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but nothing compared to her last present. When I opened the box, white pearls cascaded delicately through my fingers. I was touched when I learned the pearls had belonged to my husband’s late grandmother. As a first-generation American, my own parents’ property was left behind in Eastern Europe during World War II. I now have the pearls to pass along someday to my now 14-year-old daughter, and she to the next generation. Heirlooms, family possessions handed down from generation to generation, give you a claim to the past as well as the future. They may also make a commonsense holiday gift. Whether passing on an heirloom or gleaning a new one to spark the tradition, begin the process by rummaging through bookshelves and jewelry boxes, and search out the nooks and crannies around the house. It sure beats the holiday shopping stress, and there’s no immediate cash to fork out. Moreover, recycled attic treasures complement the green lifestyle movement. A far cry from regifting – rewrapping a previous,

unwanted gift – the sentimental value of heirlooms can satisfy finicky or “got everything” types on the gift-giving list. For additional keepsake ideas, explore the Fairfield Museum and History Center’s display, Family Connections: Telling Our Stories Through Heirlooms. Curator and exhibit creator Adrienne Saint-Pierre hopes to inspire visitors to re-evaluate their own heirlooms. “Some of the items we have in the display were actually given as gifts originally, and passed along to a descendant as a gift,” she said. Take, for instance, a silver cann (mug). Originally owned by Thaddeus Burr (born in Fairfield in 1700), it was bestowed to his youngest sister upon his death in 1755. The five recipients’ names engraved on the mug later helped historians trace this timeless gift through seven generations. “People are interested in hearing the stories that go along with items. I think if it were purely about the dollars-andcents value, it would become pretty boring. There is almost

A long-handled, three-legged coffee pot dating to the 1740s was struck by lightning, leaving a small hole near the handle.

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December 2008

See Heirlooms page 29

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Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

a universal desire to have a connection to your ancestors, to know something about them,” Adrienne said. Unless a permanent record accompanies an heirloom, an object’s oral history can be lost through time. An engraved message on a 1740s three-legged coffee pot with a hole by its handle may have been salvaged from the junk pile. The Hebrew translation explains that a flash of lightning pierced the coffee pot, saving the bystanders from severe injury. To this day, engravings memorialize metal and other objects. Alternatively, gift givers can videotape or record a CD that documents the significance of the heirloom. “When I am dead in my grave, and all my bones are rotten, remember me when this you see, that I may never be forgotten,” a Colonial Fairfield resident once wrote on the bottom of his portable desk. Modern-day gift-givers of keepsake furniture, jewelry boxes and larger items can write the history with permanent marker directly on the objects or seal the written account in an envelope and fasten it to the heirloom. Holiday celebrants could also write dedications in treasured books. In fact, the oldest artifact in the museum’s collection is a 1608 Bible. Historically, inscribed Bibles serve as some of the earliest family records. Metaphorically, books denote the handing down of wisdom to the next generation.

A collage to celebrate a bar mitzvah today will become a treasured family heirloom in the future.

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Sally Maraventano

A Regional Italian Cooking School in Wilton, Connecticut

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Stop by our Annual Holiday Open House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 from 1-4 pm • Sample Sally’s antipasti and dolci • Register to enter a drawing for a free cooking class • Gift certiﬁcates available for adult handson homestyle Italian cooking lessons (including luncheon or dinner with wine) and Kids Cook Italian classes and camp • And Sally’s Spring Culinary Tour to Lucca, Italy with Valter Roman, “The Tuscan Chef” May 23 – 30, 2009 • Shop for all of your holiday gift-giving needs: autographed copies of Sally’s cookbook, “Festa del Giardino”, Cucina Casalinga aprons, extra virgin olive oils, special gourmet Italian products and selected Italian ceramics

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Cucina Casalinga 171 Drum Hill Road • Wilton, CT 06897 203.762.0768

Visit our website: www.cucinacasalinga.com for a schedule of classes, special events, corporate teambuilding and private parties To register or receive a printed schedule, email us at: info@cucinacasalinga.com

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HOME I MOANER ■

Dining out by Ben Guerrero Recently, Melissa and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary, a remarkable milestone in this world of stunt marriages. To celebrate, we decided to push our personal financial limits and make a reservation at one of the snazziest restaurants within comfortable driving distance. The place we picked is located in the middle of nowhere in a renovated stone barn on a very well-manicured farm that has been preserved for the public interest with an eye toward self-sustaining agriculture. We were told that there were pigs and chickens somewhere among the hundreds of acres. The map, available at the gift shop, indicated greenhouses, gardens and compost heaps. From our perch on the terrace adjacent to the coffee shop, we could see fields and fences and busy workers, zooming around in the last moments of daylight, behind the wheels of shiny, new farm buggies, emblazoned with the farm’s impressive logo. Later, as the hour of our reservation approached, we entered the lounge area of the restaurant and checked in with the maître d’hotel. Even though we are accustomed to following a waitress in a bowling shirt to a sticky booth in the corner, we assumed the service here would be exemplary. We did not expect to step into some old black-andwhite movie where the man at the desk practically wept with rapture at our arrival.

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While an assistant took our coats and parcels, the maître d’ apologetically bade us take a brief cocktail opportunity next to a crackling fire in the lounge, as our table was prepared. In the lounge, everything was flawless. Even the logs in the fire were perfectly seasoned, free from sizzle and hiss, warming our chilled cockles as we eschewed booze in favor of quiet pre-prandial meditation. In mere moments, our table was ready. Short of personally carrying us into the dining room on sedan chairs, the obsequious maître d’ conveyed us into the vast, dark space lit exclusively by candles, probably hand-dipped onsite using wax from the beehives we drove past on the way in. We were seated at a comfortably large table with a white linen tablecloth. Another server, while bowing and scraping, held our chairs as we settled in. The dark room was ... kind of Christmasy, candles flickering, servers padding about efficiently. There was a table in the center of the room with an eight-foot-tall floral arrangement, clearly concocted from farm-harvested flora. Bigger than that, however, was the absence of blaring noise. So often, in our forays into trendy restaurants, we take care of our conversation in the car on the way over, since we usually get din with our dinner. Market studies in the industry must have revealed an economic advantage to opening high-ceilinged eateries with the acoustics of an overturned, steel-hulled aircraft carrier. Combine that with tables full of screaming kids and music blaring through multiple speakers, and you have the recipe for modern restaurant success.

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

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December 2008

Ben Guerrero

Unfortunately, even placing your order with the requisite slacker waiter in these places requires screaming point blank into the side of his head. But here at the elegant restaurant in the renovated old stone barn, the ambiance was calming. The bass-line rumble of the patron conversation combined with the delicate counterpoint clanking of silverware on hand-thrown china. The wine steward hovered, of course, but we weren’t interested. Instead we selected an alcoholfree Gewürztraminer that was uncorked in front of Melissa in the darkness. He poured a dash in her glass; she sampled it, and nodded approval. Just like in the movies! After filling our glasses halfway, he nodded and asked, “Wood mite to half so the watt ergot?” Melissa shook her head, but I decided to ask him to repeat the question, which he, of course, did. Not that it helped. I came to realize that he was offering to top off our faux Gewürztraminer with seltzer, a suggestion it turns out we should have run with. It tasted like honey, watered down with maple syrup, both products undoubtedly harvested within the grounds of the farm. Perhaps insulin as a chaser? The menu is simple. Tell us how many courses you’d like, and we’ll bring you whatever we have lying around. By lying around I mean what they have recently harvested nearby. We made our selection and within a few minutes the courses were brought to us one by one.

There was a thimbleful of birch bark consommé served on a bed of moss collected from the north side of a maple tree. Tournedos of heirloom acorns braised in pasteurized squirrel milk served on a shingle that blew off a nearby roof. Braised fetlock of Monongahela freshwater seahorse, served demitasse over a reduction of organic road apple cider. Tossed baby Kentucky-bluegrass salad with blood agar in a petri dish with wasabi-chocolate vinaigrette. Gnashed Hudson River clam teeth, poached by local out-of-work recreational boat owners and delivered flambé at tableside in Pyrex egg cups by white-coated lab technicians on horseback. And on and on like that it went. Plate by mysterious plate. Tiny individual portions presented with dramatic flourish, complete with poetic descriptions of the chef ’s handiwork. Everything was delicious, and by the time we licked the last microscopic bit of gooseberry foam off the dessert spoons, we’d been sitting at the table for close to three hours. Though we are modern American fast-food, triglyceride, corn-based, petroleum-fueled consumers, every now and then it’s good to stop to really enjoy the bounty of the land, to sit across the table from someone you love and enjoy a good, healthy meal. See Home Moaner page 18

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Teaching the ‘Grands’ to give by Polly Tafrate December 18, 2007 Dear Children, You keep asking me what I want for Christmas. Now I’ve decided. Please take your kids shopping and let them choose a present for me. It doesn’t have to be expensive – a fancy bar of soap will do – but I want it to be something they choose. Then take it home, give them wrapping paper, scissors and tape and leave the room. This way it will truly be from them. Love, Mom My finger tapped the “send” button before I could reconsider. I anticipated a return e-mail or a phone call – neither came. What prompted me to do this? For years I’ve been bothered by the frenzy of my grandchildren (the Grands) as they open their bonanza of presents on Christmas morning. When one of their parents asks them to hand me a beautifully wrapped present with everyone’s name on the gift tag, they do, but they never wait to see it unwrapped. And when I thank them, I get a blank stare in return. I came up with this idea in the middle of the night when my mind was freeassociating as it made its “to do” list. I remembered the excitement of the first grade classes I’d taught in the weeks before Christmas and Hanukah. One of our favorite activities was making and wrapping the presents. The kids brought

The delight is mutual and the joy of giving needs no explanation.

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December 2008

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Christmas morning. When he handed it to me, he said with a serious expression, “It breaks.” With great care I peeled off the silver-foil paper. Four layers of newspapers cushioned his gift – a rectangular ceramic platter. He’d made it in school, and I just knew it was meant for his parents. I looked up at my daughter with a questioning look. “He insisted on giving it to you,” she said. Jackson went on to tell me how he rolled out the clay, painted it with two coats of paint and then glazed it. When I turned the plate over, I was tickled to see his little fingerprints unintentionally embedded in the clay. “It took weeks to make,” he said, and then told me the steps again. We decided that this would be the plate for Santa’s cookies. Jackson’s older sister, Isabel, waited until bedtime to give me her gift. We share a love of books, and she’d copied a passage from one of her favorites. She proudly pointed out the words she’d changed “to make it read better.” I admired her efforts at perfect second-grade handwriting, evidenced by the number of eraser smudges. Of course, I lavished hugs, kisses and high-fives on each child, thanking them repeatedly. They couldn’t hear this enough, as throughout the next few days they’d ask, “Grandma, did you really love my present?” After all the Grands were in bed, I apologized to their tired parents for giving them such little warning. “Your kids know me well,” I said. “Their presents couldn’t have been more perfect.” I waited to hear their thoughts. My daughter-in-law said that next year she’ll take her kids shopping for Daddy’s gift and he’ll do the same for her, which made the other set of parents nod in agreement. To my delight, this giving wasn’t forgotten the next day, nor the next week or months. Jackson continues to tell me the steps it took to make the platter, Jacob always looks for the pyramid on my desk and reminds me, “I gave this to you, Grandma,” which encourages his sister to ask the where the music box is. “Waiting safely in the attic for next Christmas,” I tell her. And the budding author, Isabel, just smiles. I hope she’s thinking of her next book. ■ ��

in holiday paper from home, and I supplied the tape when their rolls ran out, which they all did. Their conversations weren’t about what they would get, but how much their families would love this gift and where they would hide it when they got home. I was hoping to resurrect this same joy in my Grands, but it was chancy. My wait ended on Christmas Eve afternoon when my son, Chip, and his family arrived. His wife, Lauren, greeted me with these words, “When I got your e-mail, I was furious. I said to Chip, ‘I already bought your mother a gift. Now she tells us what she wants.’ But I did what you asked, and you know what? It was one of the best things we did all week.” She explained how she took each kid individually to Target to shop for Grandma. They pushed the cart up one aisle and down the next, until they found the perfect present. I’d assumed the Grands would give me their presents on Christmas morning when the rest of the gifts were exchanged, but it didn’t happen that way. Fouryear-old Samantha was literally dancing with glee as she flung her coat on the floor and handed me a lumpy package slathered with tape. “Merry Christmas, Grandma.” I carefully removed the layers of pink-glitter paper, murmuring a few times, “What could this be?” “It’s a surprise,” she answered and her bouncing intensified. I gasped when the paper fell away to reveal a ceramic Christmas tree music box. Samantha clapped her hands in delight as her mother took pictures. She helped me wind it up, so everyone could hear “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” dozens of times. A few hours later, her seven-year-old brother, Jacob, handed me a package wrapped in his favorite outer-space paper. His enthusiasm wasn’t as overt as his sister’s, but there was a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face. He watched intently as I unwrapped a small, blue glass pyramid – “To remind you of your trip to Egypt,” he said. I was touched by his thoughtfulness. My daughter’s family had arrived a few days before and her kids were watching their cousins give Grandma gifts. Four-year-old Jackson kept pestering his Dad to get his from its hiding spot in the car, even though they’d agreed to wait until

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INTERIOR I INSIGHTS ■

The art of the powder room – creating a lasting first impression by Olga Adler As the holidays approach, we will be entertaining much more often than usual, so what better time than now to get your “public” rooms ready for friends and family to admire? A powder room today is as much about style as it is about function, and it is a formal room just like a living room or a library, so making sure that the guest powder room is in top shape should be a priority in any well-appointed house.

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No other room, with the possible exception of the foyer, is seen by guests more often than a powder room. Visitors pay a lot of attention to how the room is decorated – and your style and hospitality are on display. Originally the anteroom of a woman’s toilet, in which makeup and clothing were adjusted, the expression “powder room” was later extended to a women’s toilet itself, and eventually used to describe a small first-floor toilet room in a house – a lavatory for guests. But from the beginning, a powder room was a special space, and once nicely decorated, it was a room that revealed a home owner’s style and taste. The smallest space in a house, a powder room is easy to decorate on any budget. It is also the easiest space if you would like to experiment with color, texture and patterns. Quite often it is the “bravest” room in an otherwise “safe” house. Many homeowners choose to make a big statement and turn their powder room into a real jewel box. The quickest fix for a tired powder room is a new wall treatment. Whether it is a solid paint in a dramatic color, faux finish or wallpaper, it is the easiest change you can make. Large, dramatic patterns work well in small rooms, making them appear larger, as opposed to small-scale patterns. Any kind of glossy finish will also do the trick – an oversized damask pattern featuring both large scale and sheen variations See Interior Insights page 19

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The restaurant where Melissa and I celebrated our eighth anniversary is a wonderful choice for such a meal. Even though I am used to eating gigantic steaming plates, overflowing with tons of unhealthy food (usually covered with cheese), I have to say my palate was pleasantly surprised even if my outstretched stomach remained unsated. The bill, however, delivered in an antique wicker creel, squelched my appetite and cost the lion’s share of my monthly mortgage payment, but it was worth it. Fortunately, there was a Wendy’s right by the on ramp of the highway home. Would you like some food with that fresh-ground pepper? ben. guerrero@sbcglobal.net. ■

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HOME Vol.XII, Number 12 is a special section to: Greenwich Post, The Darien Times, New Canaan Advertiser, The Ridgefield Press, The Wilton Bulletin, The Redding Pilot and The Weston Forum in Connecticut, and The Lewisboro Ledger in New York • 52,000 copies published monthly • Jackie Perry, editor Jessica Perlinski, designer • Thomas B. Nash, publisher • For advertising information, call 203-438-6544 • 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, 16 Bailey Avenue, Ridgefield, Conn. (behind the town hall) Copyright 2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers, LLC

Box 1019 Ridgefield, Conn 06877 203-438-6544 December 2008

Interior Insights continued from page 16

Ogla Adler

comes to mind as a perfect solution. Do not be afraid of dark colors; they make for dramatic statements in small spaces. And don’t forget about the ceiling, so often overlooked and painted a boring white. Try applying a high-gloss finish for a unique and stylish look. A large pedestal sink or antique vanity is a great choice for a powder room. Pair it with a handsome faucet in a finish coordinated with light fixtures, and you’ve established the “great bones” of an elegant powder room. Speaking of lighting, a unique chandelier and/or recessed lighting should be accompanied by vanity sconces that ban harsh shadows and help fulfill a powder room’s original function – applying or correcting makeup. Speaking of functionality, a beautiful mirror has an obvious practical purpose, but it may also create an interesting visual effect as it reflects the space with its colors, textures and light. It makes a small room feel more spacious. If your powder room has windows, well-designed window treatments are critical for powder-room décor. They control the natural light and provide privacy, but, first and foremost, they are another very important style element in a room. Fabric shades and valances – simple in form but dramatic in fabrics – are my personal favorite. Keep your powder room warm and cozy with dimmed lights, fragrant candles, fresh guest soaps and thick hand towels. In my powder rooms, guests will also find a bottle of hand lotion, very delicate perfume, Q-tips, and scented loose powder. I was at a party recently at the home of a friend who recently moved into her new quarters, so the guests were curious to see how she transformed the space. She is an artist, and one of the most creative people I know, so together with the other guests I wandered from room to room in awe – she did such a great job! And then we opened the powder room door... it was the most beautiful room in the whole house, with perfect lighting, absolutely stunning drapes and so many creative touches this column is too short to list. As I am writing this several weeks later, I still can’t get that room out of my head! So, get to work, make your powder room truly special, and start some positive word of mouth among your friends this holiday season. Olga Adler is an interior designer with a studio in Ridgefield. E-mail questions or comments to olga@olgaadlerinteriors.com, or call 203-438-4743. ■

Even with a small budget, a powder room can be transformed into a jewel box.

WILLIAM F. VERRILL

CABINETMAKER

Ogla Adler

December 2008

FINE WOODWORKING - FROM DESIGN TO INSTALLATION

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From sheep barn to country cozy by Janis Gibson

A view of the silo and the upper window wall of the master bedroom displays the blending of old with new.

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For the past 15 years, Judy and AJ Di Mattia have been lovingly renovating and restoring an unusual home with a colorful past on Old Branchville Road in Ridgefield. The 100-foot-long building was constructed on a granite ledge between 1900 and 1910 as a sheep barn, complete with grain silo and corn crib. It was converted to a house around 1950, probably by its occupant from 1951 to 1965, actor Anthony Quinn. Before he became famous as an actor, Quinn studied art and architecture, including a brief time with Frank Lloyd Wright. He created two floors in the three-quarter stone silo, and made the second floor his art studio. The subsequent owner was an art expert and restorer, who, it was later discovered, made copies of artwork customers brought to him for appraisal or repair, then kept the originals to sell while returning the forgeries to the owners. Once caught, he made a deal with the FBI to ID the forgeries and relocate to the West Coast. While living in the house, however, he painted a mural on three walls of the dining room, which still remains. Judy and AJ were not in the market for a house 15 years ago. They had been trying to buy land in the area to construct a new house, but had been unable to finalize the deal. Meanwhile, said AJ, “I kept driving by this long, neglected-looking yellow building, wondering what it was.” After their deal fell through, AJ took one last look at the land ... and noticed a For Sale sign in front of the yellow box. “I was curious, so I called the Realtor. As ��

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soon as the front door opened and I saw the remaining stable half-walls, I knew it was something special. I called Judy and said, ‘You have to come see this.’” Long fans of the architecture of quaint bed and breakfasts in Vermont and Quebec, Judy and AJ found they liked the idea of restoring something old rather than creating something new. Two weeks later, the Di Mattias bought the property. “We knew the house and yard would need a lot of work,” said AJ, “but it always helps if you don’t know that you’re doing. We had no idea of what we were getting into.” See Sheep barn page 42

After stripping off the siding and barn skin to update the structural and mechanical aspects, what is now an eye-catching home looked most like a giant Lincoln Log set.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Ho m e o f t h e Mo n t h

Outstanding details

December 2008

LOCATION: On a scenic road in New Canaan, this elegant home is close to town and the train station. PROPERTY: Two beautifully landscaped acres include stone walls, gardens, a brick-paver driveway, and a pool with spa. HOUSE: A home of outstanding quality and detail, this Georgian colonial has a two-story entry with wainscoting, a living room with fireplace and french doors, a dining room with wainscoting and french doors, a family room with builtins, wet bar and cathedral ceiling, an eat-in kitchen with fireplace and french doors that lead to a terrace and pergola, a library with fireplace, wood paneling, built-ins and french doors, a solarium with french doors, and a sitting room with built-ins. A master suite has a fireplace and bath, and there are four more bedrooms. Altogether, there are six full and two half baths. The lower level includes a rec room and wine cellar. GARAGE: Three-car attached. PRICE: $3,600,000. REALTY: Country Living Assoc. Agent: Pamela Stutz, 203-966-7800. Photography: David Ames.

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INTO I THE I GARDEN ■

In summation, with an eye to ’09 by Donna Clark

Let’s bid a fond farewell to 2008. Politically, it was a busy year with lots of changes to come. The gardening year was really quite good. Plenty of rain ... I think I only watered a couple of times. There were no late or early frosts to devastate the crops and, at least for the gardens I maintain, there wasn’t an insect or disease problem. But there was the vole and mice problem. We had at least five of our gardens that were undermined with voles. We discovered this when we were cutting the plants back. My theory is that because some cats have been eaten by varmints, they are being kept inside. My trusty neighbor cat has become very old, and I guess its no longer interested

in hunting. In one garden, we did spot a large snake, so I hope that will be the answer to keeping nature in check. Voles eat bulbs and the roots of plants, making them a real threat. My solution this year was Molemax by Bonide. I bought it at Agway in Danbury, but have also seen it at the hardware store here in town. In gardens with voles (including and especially mine), we have placed a tablespoon of Volemax on top of each tulip bulb. This product contains castor oil, which is supposed to repel voles, moles, squirrels, and even rabbits. I will let you know next spring if this works. Collections can be a fun hobby, and I �� have certainly done my share. I have collected daylilies, hostas, pink depression glass, and rabbit statues. I bring this up because collectibles are a good idea for gifts, whether you are buying a gift for yourself (as I frequently do) or for a friend. When I declared I was collecting pink depression glass, I was given pieces from all the members of my family. I remember where each piece came from and where I purchased the rest. Some of my rabbits have been gifts, but I have collected many from trips, and when I see each one it brings back memories of that day. There are many things to collect for a garden, so start today. Another gift idea is a book. I just finished a new one that I would recommend to everyone, even if you aren’t a gardener. This one is a fast read and very interesting – OK, I read it cover to cover to find out all I could about some palms. The book is Seed to Elegance (Studio Monarch, Norfolk Island) by Kevin Williams, which tells about the Kentia Palm, which is found on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. You can buy one on Amazon or at kentiapalmbook.com. As with any mystery, I don’t want to tell you too much – just enough to get you to read the book. It’s story includes mutiny and love for an island princess, brutish servitude in a penal colony, intervention by �� a stylish Queen Victoria, and the dreams �� of a Norfolk Island serviceman when he

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December 2008

returned from World War II. “So,” you ask, “What is a Kentia Palm?” Well you’ll have to get the book. Another new book for 2008 is The Garden Primer by Barbara Damrosch (Workman). This is a revised and updated version of her first edition. She says you can’t help but pick up a lot of new information in 20 years of gardening. I’ll buy it just to see what she has learned. I know I have learned so much in my 25 years of gardening, but there is always more to know. Here’s a bit of information from Horticulture magazine. Did you know that you need to rotate your plantings of petunias? There is a disease called Phytophthera nicotiana, which invades the stems and disrupts the vascular system, causing the petunias to wilt and die. Fungicides are not very effective, and I wouldn’t use them anyway, so rotate the crops. You have to grow a flower from a different family. The petunia is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), so try zinnia, lantana or verbena. You should wait four years before growing petunias in that spot again. The seed catalogs are coming this month, and Johnny’s Selected Seeds has just arrived. I usually page through all the catalogs and mark anything that looks like something new I should try. In Johnny’s, I see Barbados, which is a glossy green summer-crisp lettuce, and Slick Pik YS 26, a spineless, extra-early yellow summer

squash. If you don’t get this catalog, you can reach them at 1-877-564-6697, or Johnnyseeds.com. If you are planning a vegetable garden for next year, now is the time to order seeds. It’s best to order them by mail because you have a much larger selection, and they will all be fresh. I store the seeds in a closet that has an outside wall – it stays cool and, of course, it’s dark in there. This year it has become a bragging point to say how many mice you have caught. Phil O’Brien is doing some painting at my house, and I was telling him that I had trapped 12 mice so far, and he beat me with 13 – six at his house and seven at his in-laws. Questions or comments: donnaclark@ix.netcom.com. ■

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HOUSEWARMINGS IN OLD GREENWICH

Fine furnishings to light up your home by Isabelle Ghaneh

Housewarmings offers a diversity of styles in sofas, chairs, tables, and accessories.

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

For Joe Caiati’s grandfather, Ellis Island was his introduction to America, when he arrived here at the turn of the century. “He was an immigrant with no means. I did research online and found the ship he came on from Bari, Italy, in 1908,” Joe said. Joe and his wife, Judy, have owned Housewarmings in Old Greenwich for the past five years, but that’s their retirement gig. They have been in the home furnishings field for over 45 years, and they owned the Caiati Drexel Heritage stores that were located throughout Westchester and Fairfield County. The Caiati family will celebrate 100 years in the furniture business in 2012. Joe’s grandfather, Vito, a master craftsman, was the founder of the original company. “My grandfather had eight children, and Michael, my father, and his two brothers continued the business. My two uncles left in the early 1960s, and my brother and I joined my dad, around 1963. Lauren and Jennifer, my two daughters, worked in the Drexel stores, and now their children help out in Housewarmings, continuing the family tradition of working from an early age,” Joe said. Joe is proud that the fifth generation of Caiatis are involved in the business. “My grandchildren love to help out,” he said. At one time the Caiati Drexel stores had 125 employees, and when Joe closed the business in 2000, he didn’t sell the name – he just hung it up “in the tradition of sports players who hang up their numbers. We retired the name.” After a year of retirement, Joe and Judy were looking to get back into the home furnishings market they loved. When the opportunity came to buy Housewarmings, they jumped at the chance. “My father worked since he was seven years old, and my grandfather used to say he worked since he was four. I worked with my dad since I was very young. I learned a great work ethic from my dad and grandfather, and it’s what keeps me young and healthy. It’s a great gift they passed on to me, that I passed on to my children and now to my grandchildren,” Joe said. Joe loves working, and he follows the best career advice there is, which is to do what you love. He suggests that anyone considering retirement decide to look at their retirement the same way they would a job. “If you don’t actively plan your retirement the same way you would any other job, then you can be lost once you actually retire. Set up an itinerary for yourself. It sounds appealing, at first, to be able to do nothing all day long, but in reality it’s not healthy, and you can find yourself at loose ends very quickly.

December 2008

I enjoy working, and I think working is better than just putting a golf ball along everyday,” Joe said. Joe and Judy recently expanded Housewarmings by buying the space next door, which used to belong to Cozy Nails. Housewarmings now boasts 3,200 square feet, and with the additional floor space, Joe can display more of the products that he and Judy are so proud of. “We represent the coastal country look in furnishings and slipcovers, and we do formal and casual, along with contemporary and shabby chic. We have an extensive selection of fabrics, and numerous choices in colors and styles. We offer barn-board, recycled cocktail tables, dining-room tables and end tables. They are custom built to the customer’s specifications. We work with small factories in and around New England,” Joe explained. Customer service is a big part of what Joe and Judy provide to their customers. “If you buy it today, you can enjoy it tomorrow. Anything you find in our showroom can be in your home tomorrow,” Joe said.

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Housewarmings has an ASID interior designer on staff to help customers with their decorating needs. If you are unsure of the best way to accentuate your existing pieces or you want to create a whole new look, Joe’s interior designer is more than happy to help you. “Our interior designer goes to our customers’ homes and helps them make the right choices,” Joe said. Housewarmings has a wide variety of home furnishings, from sofas to love seats, chairs and accessories. Walk through the store and you will be greeted by an array of lamps, objets d’art and oil paintings. Of course, true to its name, Housewarmings also offers a large gift selection of housewarming gifts. “If you are going to visit friends or family, and you come in here to select an occasional gift, it will be properly tissued and bagged, and you can go right on to your occasion,” Joe said. See Housewarmings page 41

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Heirlooms continued from page 11 Also on display, Colonial samplers, linen stockings and towels may encourage present-day sewers to stitch and personalize a one-of-a-kind present. Pointing to a framed fabric collage commemorating an Easton boy’s bar mitzvah – mementos were chosen to illustrate his significant remembrances – the curator noted it was an example of a new heirloom or an heirloom-to-be, created specifically with that in mind. Likewise, shadow boxes that preserve wedding, christening or other milestone garments, scrapbooks, even recipe collections can encourage the tradition. Admiring showcased jewelry, Adrienne commented, “Charm bracelets are something that people can do today. This one was started in the early 1900s. Some of the charms on it are particular to the woman it belonged to originally.” Virtually anything can be a keepsake. Swords, guns and other wartime heirlooms, which may represent patriotic or heroic actions, are an interesting choice. In the collection, for instance, there is a pocket watch from a Civil War soldier killed in the Battle of Gettysburg, which was passed along to three generations of Fairfield descendants. Handmade toys at the exhibit are another unique example. Part of the display consists of questionnaires pertaining to personal heirlooms. One visitor noted how a play slide (once a rare commodity) is now being enjoyed by a third generation in California. After producing such a thoughtprovoking exhibit, one cannot help but wonder, does the museum curator have a family heirloom? No. Her parents were originally from England. However, what better time for a scavenger hunt in the attic to maybe unearth a trinket or two as an heirloom-to-be? This holiday season: Hunt until you drop. ■

DETAILS The Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, is open seven days a week. Admission: $5, adults; $3, students and seniors; members of the museum and children under 5, free. Visit fairfieldhs.org or call 203259-1598. Note: The gift shop is ideal to scout for new heirlooms! December 2008

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SMITH RIDGE PROPERTIES

Building a sustainable future by Janis Gibson Craig Lenahan, founder and president of Smith Ridge Properties LLC, grew up in the construction business and has always built green, although he prefers the term sustainable. “My parents were in the construction business,” he said, “and were building green long before it was called that. They specialized in taking down old barns and converting them to or reusing the components in houses. So I grew up with reuse and recycling of materials.” After being in the industry for 20 years, Craig launched Smith Ridge Properties in 2004, establishing his headquarters in Georgetown. He also became involved with some of the residential aspects of the redevelopment of the Gilbert & Bennett wire mill, now under way by the Georgetown Land Development Co. “I could see what Georgetown can be, and I wanted to be part of it,” he said. “Gilbert & Bennett is being redesigned in such a way as to bolster the economy in the area, and is a fantastic example of transit-oriented development (a Metro-North rail stop will be added to the complex). People will be able to use this project for a future model for urban living,” he said. A LEED-certified company, Smith Ridge belongs to the U.S. Green Building Council, which is a government entity that sets standards for construction practices using sustainable or green materials in new construction and remodeling. With a focus on environmental and economic impact, Smith Ridge designs to build using sustainable or renewable materials. Craig noted that while some products and systems may cost more up front, those costs can be recouped over time – a time that is shrinking – and then real cash savings will occur. But even more important, he said, are the savings to the environment. Using geothermal technologies, for example, which tap into the near constant Smith Ridge, which is a full-service company that designs, builds and maintains homes, also has a handyman and an emergency call service. 50- to 60-degree temperature of the upper 10 feet of the Earth, “is the safest, cleanest, most reliable space-conditioning system you can buy,” said Craig, “and �� will save homeowners 30% to 60% on monthly energy bills.” The upfront cost is drilling the wells and installing the heating and cooling exchangers. �� By combining geothermal with solar �� technologies, he said, a home or build�� ing HVAC system can be virtually car�� He also encourages the use bon-neutral. �� of radiant-heated floors in new construc� tion. While acknowledging that people �� who choose his firm for their renovation �� and construction work tend to under�� stand more about the environmental �� impact of the materials they work with, �� he stressed that “these techniques are not �� just for the wealthy. Everyone eventually � �� needs to do this ... we are slowly losing � our planet.” Two materials he likes that can be used in place of tree wood are cork – “You literally skin the tree and it grows �� back” – and bamboo, which when cut �� down will grow back within a year.

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December 2008

“These are made into durable products that can be sanded and stained, and are very attractive,” he said. People can start small, with something as simple as choosing VOC paint (one that is free of volatile organic compounds) the next time a room needs refreshing. A list of environmentally sensitive products can be found at the Green Guard Web site, greenguard.org. Craig calls Smith Ridge a “full-service company that designs, builds and maintains homes through their life cycle.” Working with its subcontractors, the company

has developed a handyman and 24-hour emergency call service for such things as heating, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry services that is available to anyone, not just its own clients. As part of his commitment to Georgetown, Craig had hoped to convert the old barbershop building on Main Street to retail use, with a design center on the second floor. “We originally were going to save the building,” he said, “but when we started doing the conversion work, we discovered it was so far gone structurally that it was See Smith Ridge page 40 ��

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Smith Ridge Properties builds stylish homes using sustainable or green materials in both remodeling and new construction projects.

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SHOPPING I WITH I FRAN ■

An old-time general store clad in modern-day attire by Fran Sikorski Where have all the family-owned department stores gone? I grew up in a department-store era. There was one on every corner in Bridgeport – Howland’s, Smith-Murray, Leavitts, D.M. Read, Skydels, Nyden’s. One by one, these all-purpose shopping stores disappeared when the malls moved in and personal service became a thing of the past.

Fran Sikorski

If you live in Katonah or the surroundarea, you have been fortunate to have ing Charles Department Store, Inc. experienced the many services of the 113 Katonah Avenue Katonah, 914-232-5200 family-owned Charles Department Store 9 to 6 Mon. to Fri., 9 to 5 Sat. (known simply as Charles) now in its 11 to 4 Sundays, 85th year. It’s one of those great American between Thanksgiving and Christmas “Main Street” stores where everybody knows your name. The business was started by Charles and Isabelle Raneri, who founded the original Charles Dry Goods store in 1924, and continues successfully today with guidance of grandsons Jim and Dave Raneri, the sons of Phillip and Claire Raneri. Phillip and Claire took over the store in 1967 with Claire as bookkeeper and Phillip as entrepreneur, starting an in-store radio, TV and small-electronics repair business. They raised five children, four boys and a girl, and the entire family worked at the store. In 1976, Phillip’s son, Jim, came into the store full-time, followed by his brother, Charles is one-stop shopping, from clothes to housewares to everything in between. David, in 1977. The second floor was enlarged by 1980 to include men’s and women’s clothing. Trunk shows and instore demonstrations continue to attract new clientele. �� Charles Raneri emigrated to the United States from Sicily when he was �� 14 years old, settled in Mt. Kisco and worked as a peddler along the rail�� road. He opened his first store in Mt. �� Kisco and expanded to a larger space in �� Bedford Hills before moving to the cur�� rent location in 1939. �� In 1889, the building was one of 55 �� structures hoisted atop huge logs and �� pulled by draft horses from old Katonah �� to the high ground of new Katonah. By �� relocating the community, a dam could �� be built across the Croton River to ease a �� critical water shortage in New York City. �� Today, the building retains its Victorian design with clapboard walls, �� original tin ceilings and creaky wooden �� floors. The store itself is effectively run �� by Jim and Dave, who worked there �� after school and on vacations, and have “stayed true to our grandfather’s �� vision of incomparable personal service combined with top quality products,”

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December 2008

Fran Sikorski

according to Dave. Both brothers carefully select all items in the store, providing customers with the best possible choices, answers to questions and service with a genuine smile. One percent of sales is donated to Planet Earth for environmental projects. “We have a dedicated staff, some with long service, and together we have fine tuned the business by re-arranging seasonal merchandise, and we often remind shoppers there is a second floor. If we do anything else, it will be to develop our Internet business,” said Dave. “Business has been good,” continued Jim, “and 2007 was one of the best years we’ve had. Our clientele enjoys the Western Europe concept of shopping that we are providing, and we are located near so many cultural events – Caramoor music festival, Katonah Museum of Art and the John Jay Homestead state historic site.” Only Jim and Dave work full-time. Part-time hours are also arranged for high school, college students and other sales associates. What’s in a name? A walk through Charles is a revelation. Clothing for men and women includes such names as Pendleton, Woolrich, Bill’s Khakis, Rainforest, Alex Cannon, Victormay, Horny Toad, Royal Robbins, Eileen Fisher, David Brook, Sarah Arizona, Icelandic Designs, Splendora, and Fresh Produce. Moving along, we come to high-end BBQ equipment, watches, luggage and knives by Swiss Army, small appliances, Jura Capresso, Cuisinart, Chef ’s Choice, Keurig, and Waring, in addition to irons, mixers, ricers, Crock-Pot, waffle irons, popcorn poppers, griddles, microwaves, toaster ovens, and wireless weather instruments. You can also buy Green Mountain Coffee, maple syrup and popcorn kernels. Shoes for the family are here, too – by Rockport, Teva, Keen, Merrell, Naot, UMN, Keds, New Balance, and warm boots by UGG, Ulu and Kamik. Serving pieces of Burgundy clay from Emile Henry French tableware can be taken from freezer to oven and straight to the table, and there’s Emerilware and OXO gadgets for every cooking chore. Think you’ve seen it all? There are light bulbs, shoe laces, lobster pots, fly swatters, flags, batteries, flashlights, and cleaning supplies, and I found paper cups for baking muffins, too. “If you don’t see what you want, tell us, and we will get it for you – pronto,” the two owners said enthusiastically. To find Charles Department Store, take Exit 6 on I-684, go west on Route 35, and take the first left on to Woods Bridge Road into Katonah, left at the library onto Parkway, and right on to Katonah Avenue. ■

Designer clothing and footwear is well represented, and don’t miss the terrific bargains during endof-season sales.

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“19th CENTURY BARNWOOD IS MY BUSINESS” “We’re the only makers of 19th Century style furniture to use 19th C. barnwood.”

Joe Rizzo, Proprietor - Country Road Associates LTD.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

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AWAY I FROM I HOME ■

Nonantum Resort ... ‘Oh the wild joys of living!’ by Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

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Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

Maine’s Kennebunk River dances ... shimmering beneath the morning sunshine. Nearby is Nonantum, a grand dame of the sea, celebrating her 125th birthday this year. Despite her age, she is as strong and smooth as a mussel shell, hued in the same gray-blue nautical palette. The resort’s stately image could inspire both incandescent prose as well as poetry. In fact, English poet Robert Browning’s words – “Oh the wild joys of living!” – encompass both the hotel, its setting and the Native American meaning of her name – “rejoice.” Browning, no doubt, had his own source of inspiration, but one

During its 125 years, Nonantum has welcomed celebrities, dignitaries and a diversity of travelers.

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could imagine that if he had journeyed through her doors, the literary world might have benefited even more. Nonantum, however, has been a beacon of inspiration to many travelers, fulfilling the vision of its builder, retired sea captain Henry Allen Heckman. Initially, he and sea captain Joseph Hubbard constructed the Sea View House in 1882. Once the partnership dissolved, Heckman, motivated by his hunch that a grand hotel would attract a grand clientele, erected another lodge on the Kennebunkport side of the Kennebunk River, opposite his first commercial enterprise. On July 4, 1884, he unveiled a 26-guestroom hotel commanded by a staff of 10. His vision soon energized the tourism industry, then in its infancy, and, by 1894, the hotel had doubled in size. That same year, a Georgian revival façade was added, enhancing the main building. In 1902, the addition of a wide front piazza became a permanent landmark. During its 125 years, celebrities, dignitaries and travelers from all backgrounds have stayed at the 111-guest-room Nonantum, surrounded by an array of collectibles that pays homage to the resort’s humble roots.

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In the the Carriage House, the main building, Heckman’s safe, imprinted with his name, provides an authentic touch to the Victorian-style furnishings, high ceilings and hardwood floors in the lobby’s common area. Among those who have passed through this time capsule (constantly being renovated!) are Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong, Paul Newman, President George H.W. Bush and his son, President George W. Bush. During his fund-raising efforts this past July, John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, held private receptions at both Nonantum and at Walker’s Point, across the harbor, summer home of George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara. The 41st President has spent more than 80 summers at the Kennebunks, which offer some of the few sandy beaches in Maine. “Bush Country,” as it is aptly referred to, consists of five towns – Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Cape Porpoise, Goose Rocks, and Arundel. See Away from Home page 36

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Away from Home continued from page 35

Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

Guests, many repeat vacationers, don’t come to Nonantum to rub elbows with the rich and famous. The main attraction is the resort and its surroundings, which exude both a sense of escape and comfort. Outdoors, a full-time gardener, Nancy Ames, has created a seven-acre haven, artfully perfected, ready for framing. In-season, guests can sail on an authentic wooden lobster boat, the Rugosa (207-967-5595), which docks at Nonantum’s marina. Guests can also board the Kennebunkport trolley (intowntrolley.com) and listen to local lore during the 45-minute jaunt. Indoors at the resort (a leader in “green” environmental conservation), the icing on the cake is the complimentary old-world/new-world fusion. Long corridors connect the 55 guestrooms at the Carriage House. Guests can expect modern amenities, including WiFi Internet access, within the Victorian decor, and overnighters can reserve Riverview Jacuzzi rooms or family units. The adjacent three-story Portside Lodge, built in 1987, has 56 modern, full-amenity guest rooms, featuring three different layouts. Cottage-white furnishings, comforters with seashell and palm tree motifs, and expansive window views (rooms with porches recommended) of the coastline add a seaside-feel to the experience.

Sea View House, the original inn, was the inspiration of a retired sea captain, Henry Allen Heckman.

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HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

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December 2008

SIDEBAR Nonantum Resort: 95 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport, 800-552-5651, nonantumresort.com. The facilities, available for weddings and other special events, open April through early December, are a half mile from the center of Kennebunkport – about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Fairfield County. All room rates include breakfast, use of outdoor pool (Memorial Day to Columbus Day), turn-down service with special treats, free WiFi access, and free local telephone calls. Off-season room rates (without water view) start at $99; check the Internet for special packages. Kennebunkport Tourism: 207-967-0857, www.visitthekennebunks.com.

Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell

During mild weather, the Carriage House staff leaves the front door wide open. The gesture is reflective of the resort’s “doing whatever it takes” philosophy of hospitality. The motto seems to suit, with a staff that acts like extended family. Many of them have a long tenure at Nonantum. The Ginn family, Maine natives, planted the seed in 1996 when they purchased the resort. Graciousness extends to the resort’s 95 Ocean restaurant. Chef Steve True is a culinary genius. His dishes, featuring traditional New England flavor, are a diner’s odyssey in taste and design. Off property, travelers will find other memorable dining options. Consider the home-cooked, down-home appeal of Wayfarer (207-967-8961), 2 Pier Road in Cape Porpoise. Back on the home turf of Nonantum, guests will likely find innkeeper Jean Ginn Marvin in the lobby area. Her smile is contagious. Actually, one could sum up her cheerful demeanor in one word ... rejoice! ■

The Kennebunkport resort is available for weddings and other special events from April through early December.

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�� HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Window on Real Estate continued from page 3 modification,” Gary said. “Once again, you have to take a proactive approach and defend your mortgage and your home.” Gary said more and more banks are willing to sit down with their customers and do loan modifications. “Some banks have even declared moratoriums on foreclosures, and more and more work-outs are available,” he says. “A big mistake many homeowners make is thinking there is no help out there, but that is not true. You must be proactive. I tell my clients, ‘Hope alone is not enough. You have to have hope plus action.’” In addition to short sales and loan modifications, Gary said filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is another option. “If successful, you get to keep your home, get relief from other debts and can start to rebuild your life.” The final, most drastic step in losing a home, known in the industry as “jingle mail,” is to be avoided at all costs, Gary said.

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“Realtors use this term to describe homeowners who simply give up, mail in their keys and walk way from the property,” he said. “This is the absolute worst thing you can do. You lose everything, and your home probably ends up being trashed or destroyed by pipes bursting over the winter. If you have an income, you can get help.” Gary said homeowners should also realize that time is on their side in staving off a foreclosure. “In Connecticut, you have somewhere between seven and nine months before you face actual eviction,” he said. “There is no reason not to use this time to save your home. Many people think it’s all over after the 90-day default period, but really that’s just the beginning. There is plenty you can do, even if you are many months behind in payments. The lender doesn’t want your house.” Unfortunately, even with help out there, less than half of threatened homeowners seek help of any kind, Gary said. “They ignore bank notices, hide their problem and then it’s too late,” he said. “If I could say one thing, it would be, ‘Reach out.’ You owe it to yourself and your family to defend your home. There is help out there if you are willing to be proactive and seek it out.” Seymour Law Firm, 203-924-6700; Web sites, theseymourlawfirm.com or justiceforhomeowners.com. ■

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Smith Ridge continued from page 31 way beyond cost-effective to remodel and restore it. So we are taking it down and constructing a new building in its place.” Elements of the original building – beams, flooring, decorative items – will be incorporated in the new building, which will be constructed according to U.S. Green Build standards (usgbc.org), using 30% less wood than standard construction. It is expected to be completed in September 2009.

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The exterior design will have a Swedish influence that honors Gilbert & Bennett’s heritage, and will look like wood but will use maintenance-free cement board and trim. These materials will also give the building a better fire rating for insurance and safety purposes. The building will make use of current environmental practices, including geothermal, as well as local sources and distributors to reduce material travel distances. The three-story building will have two 800-square-foot retail units on the ground floor and 3,400 square feet for the Smith Ridge office and design center on the second. “People can come in to learn about sustainable materials and techniques,” Craig said, “as well as bring in photos of their homes that can be scanned into a computer-aided design program so they can get renovation ideas.” In keeping with its concept of reducing waste, the design center will have few brochure handouts, Craig said. “The paper materials we have are more for reference. We encourage people to use company Web sites as much as possible.” Smith Ridge Properties (203-493-3110), Web site SRPHome.com, is a good place to start collecting information and to find links to related Web sites. ■

Love to cook or know someone who does? If you or someone you know would like to be featured in our Food & Drink column, please contact Jeannette Ross at jross@acorn-online.com

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December 2008

Housewarmings continued from page 27 In addition to a large collection of aromatic and colorful candles, Housewarmings has seasonal items perfect for each holiday occasion, and, yes, that does include delectable goodies sure to please everyone’s taste buds. Check out the pumpkin-spice pancake mix, beautifully packaged, or the cider mix for hot and spicy beverages. They would look great popped into a gift basket or given alone as a hostess gift. Of course, you may just want one for yourself! Joe and Judy are in for the long haul at Housewarmings and have no intention of retiring a second time. “We have wonderful customers who come to us from all over the area, and we service a wide range of towns. We love coming to work. Our jobs and our family are our life,” Joe said. Sounds like Vito would be proud! Housewarmings is at 235 Sound Beach Ave., Old Greenwich. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10 to 5:30, 203-637-5106. ■

Housewarmings’ furnishings come in formal, casual, contemporary and shabby chic.

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December 2008

HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

Sheep barn continued from page 21 Initially they stripped off the siding and barn skin. “It looked like a giant Lincoln Log set,” AJ recalled, and much of the structural and mechanical updating was done from the outside to preserve the interior plaster walls. From the street, the home looks like a single story with a couple of dormers, but it is a story and a half. In the back, built into a ledge is a second floor at ground level. The upper level originally served as the hay loft. The pulley beams can still be seen protruding from the walls. In the 1950 conversion, two sets of sliding barn doors on either side of the front door were replaced with leaded glass windows and doors, but the graded cobblestone ramps created for the sheep remain. The last major job, completed earlier this year, was renovating the kitchen and turning what had been a wide hallway into an entry with seat and storage and a butler’s pantry/laundry room. It was designed and built by Steve Shaw of Shaw Houseworks, who did his first job on the home – repairing and re-roofing the corn crib – about eight years ago. Steve’s second project was replacing the 12-by-12-inch upstairs windows, as well as several short ones in the living room. The roof line of the second floor had A mural in the dining room was painted by a former owner who was an art restorer and a forger.

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to be recessed in two places to accommodate full-size windows. The fanlight windows on the western end of the house, however, are original. As with all the work Steve does, the kitchen renovation was a collaboration between Steve and the homeowners, determining what they wanted and what they didn’t, and working to retain as much original material as possible. “I have an affection for antique restoration,” said Steve. “There is so much to work with to be able to restore what once was, and I very much enjoy projects like this one.” With 30 years of building experience, Shaw Houseworks does jobs large and small, has a custom cabinet shop and mills its own moldings. For the past decade, Steve has designed and built large homes in Ridgefield, Westport and Guilford, both custom and on spec. It turned out that the copper-clad post in the middle of the Di Mattias’ kitchen was structural, plus they wanted to keep the hand-hammered copper hood and counter of the stove island. And although Steve suggested they replace the nearly 60-year-old cupboards, Judy and AJ wanted to keep the originals, the upper doors of which are shutters. So the existing wood was cleaned and restained and the hardware all replaced. The gold Formica countertops were replaced with granite, and the backsplash replaced with tiles. In a tip to the building’s origins, AJ took a picture of a sheep sculpture, and its image was engraved on eight tiles, which were scattered throughout the backsplash. The floor of both areas, formerly a black-and-white checked rubberized linoleum, was replaced with marble tiles. The most dramatic change, however, was in the ceiling in the kitchen and the adjoining space. Both were drop ceilings of plaster board, and nobody was certain what would be found when they were removed. Stripping away the plaster board, beams were revealed, as was plumbing, including a large drain pipe, and electrical wiring. The decision was made to reinstall plaster board between the beams in the kitchen, leaving about three-quarters of the beam exposed. In the butler’s pantry, however, the beams are fully exposed, and the ceiling is the underside of the floor above. The butler’s pantry/laundry room now features a wall of cupboards, a farm sink and an antique chestnut countertop above the washer and dryer.

A Step in Time

What’s the next project in the house? Aside from updating an upstairs bathroom, nothing major, said the Di Mattias. With an old house, they said, there is always maintenance, but now is the time to more fully enjoy all their labors. Based in Newtown and Westport, Shaw Houseworks LLC may be called at 203270-1990 or e-mailed at shawhouseworks@charter.net. ■

In the backyard, colorful gardens frame the home and silo.

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December 2008