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Fiber And Furniture Where Art & Imagination Meet

Energy Savings Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easier Being Green

Into The Garden Pleasures, Pests & Design

A Hersam Acorn Special Section Greenwich Post New Canaan Advertiser The Wilton Bulletin The Redding Pilot

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

Home of the Month in Darien. Bryan Haeffele photo.

Chateau Inspired Darien

Vol. XIII, Number 11

Home of the Month

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

November 2009

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

Fiber and furniture Karol Setlak photo

WHERE ART AND IMAGINATION MEET by Lois Alcosser A curved desk by Gregory Clark is part of a current exhibit at Artifact Design Group in Wilton.

Torn encyclopedia pages, clothespins, old zippers, printed florist paper, dry arrowroot vine, sea grass, old cloth tape measures and safety pins are some of the more unexpected materials used by a unique group of fiber artists from all over the world, along with more traditional hemp, linen, silk, horsehair, linen and gold leaf. From their minds and fingers, there is no material or texture that is not transformed into museum-quality wall hangings and sculpture. A current exhibit (which continues through Nov. 28) by Artifact Design Group in Wilton gathers works of fiber art and mates them with contempo-

Jin-Sook So’s Untitled is composed of steel mesh, painted and electroplated in silver and gold leaf.

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November 2009

rary museum-quality furniture designed by Gregory Clark, founder/owner of Artifact, along with his wife Elizabeth. Mr. Clark was introducing his latest line of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, limited edition tables, chairs and desks, The Gregory Clark Collection, combining equally original materials like patinated wrought steel pedestals with tabletops of glass or limestone. “We don’t make more than nine of something. They’re very high-end, museum-level products that we enter in shows around the country,” Mr. Clark explained. The exhibit was curated by browngrotta, a private home/gallery in Wilton, where Tom Grotta has assembled a collection of even more stunning examples of contemporary weavers’ creativity. Mr. Grotta, whose specialty is photographing works of art, said, “I know the artists and their work, but I don’t fully appreciate and understand what they have done until I photograph it.” Two of the wall hangings by Carolina Yrarrazaval of Chile are of hand-woven, hand-dyed hemp, linen and cotton and seem to change color and shape as you look at them. “Humidity and any change in temperature makes the natural fibers subtly move,” she explains. “They look alive, I love that.” Grethe Sorensen of Denmark Gregory Clark’s G-Spot Rocker wove “Red Dots on Autumn combines fabric, patinated Colors,” a linen panel that mimmetal and exotic wood. ics the changing color of leaves. –Karol Setlak photo

“Though it looks simple, it’s actually made of linen dyed 15 colors,” she said. Nancy Koenigsberg’s studio is on 57th Street in New York City. Her piece “Impact” has four layers of square-knotted grids, each different, made of thin color-coated copper wire, with a feathery plume of foil-wrapped paper. “I like working with very basic techniques, with high tech materials,” she says. “ Some work I name before I even start and some others it’s hard to find a name for.” Fiber artists of this caliber have instinctive responses to materials. Carolina doesn’t like wool. “I prefer difficult materials with more character. They’re never static, they change as you look at them.” That’s precisely why Mr. Grotta believes that wall hangings should not be flat against the wall, but suspended a few inches away. “If you want it to look like a painting, buy a painting,” he says. Purchasing furniture designed by Mr. Clark means owning a future family heirloom. Mr. Clark’s design versatility is destined to be legendary. At 11, he was making prize-winning miniature furniture. At 17, his tambour desk won a national competition, which named him the best student craftsman in the country. An industrial designer for over 40 top-brand companies, he created the first razor to contour to a face for Schick. Purchasers of such furniture and fiber art are either very wealthy or art-addicted. Prices are in the See Fiber and furniture page 25

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High tech heaven SUPERIOR SYSTEMS FROM SIERRA by Robin E. Glowa

Salvatore Dovi Photography

Sierra Audio Designs can put you in the lap of luxury or just simplify your viewing and listening pleasure.

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The magic of movies and music can transport you to a place of wonder and beauty. Transforming your home with the right audio/video equipment can create an atmosphere where adventure, relaxation, excitement and knowledge all become possible. John Del Gigante has been creating systems that bring his customers intense viewing and listening pleasure for 30 years. “I started in this business when Nixon was in office,” John says laughing. “I had a retail store specializing in car stereos and home audio/video until 1996. When I sold my business, I began to focus on my passion, which is home video and sound.” John can design a system for any situation and any budget. He is highly attuned to what the customer needs and to keeping the project costs in line. “I will not sell a $2,000 amplifier to a customer if a $300 piece will work best. Every customer is

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November 2009

Salvatore Dovi Photography

important to me,” John says. “I don’t care if they buy a big system a little system; my goal is to make sure they are happy.” John’s wife Sheryl proudly emphasizes her husband’s devotion to customer satisfaction. “John is truly customer-oriented. He runs this high-tech business with a down-home philosophy – give the customers exemplary service! John is available to his clients at any time, he’s just a great guy to talk to and takes the time to answer any questions. We’ve been at a Yankee game and gotten calls. In fact, he even had to help a customer while we were on our honeymoon!” Sierra Audio Video offers a multitude of services including pre-construction wiring and structured wiring, design and installation of various systems, whole- house audio distribution systems, dedicated home-theater rooms or areas, cable/satellite wiring and installation, outdoor speaker/control systems, architectural audio design and installation, and lighting controls. Not only John can design and supply the equipment for each project, he can develop a room from concept to completion. John feels that audio plays a key part in creating the entertainment atmosphere. “It’s a visceral thing,” he explains. “Imagine if you can, the difference between just seeing a picture of a gun shot, as opposed to hearing a canon shot while watching a movie. The audio is what makes it all come to life.” Music lovers will appreciate John’s years of knowledge and expertise when implementing audio systems. “CDs are becoming a thing of the past,” he says. “Music is going wireless ... it’s all about computers.” An audio distribution system allows people in different rooms of the house to listen to music of their choice. John installs touch screens that not only enable the homeowner to set up a fantastic music library with specific play lists, the touch screen also displays current weather conditions and can be programmed to control lighting as well as security cameras. The touch screen gives access to international radio stations as well, so listeners can pull in exotic sounds from around the world.

Sierra Audio can design a system for any situation and any budget.

When it comes to video, John says, “You can create a media room that the whole family can enjoy, and you don’t need a huge space.” John and Sheryl, who have a lovely media room in their home, invite potential clients to come and experience it. Once seated in the Del Gigantes’ media room, John presses the remote, the blinds automatically slide down to cover the windows and the doorway, and a giant wall to See High tech heaven page 38

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It’s getting easier to be green by Jenny Cox

Doyle Coffin Architecture

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The typical older house in Connecticut loses so much heat that “it’s as if a door is left open all the time,” architect Peter Coffin said. Peter is a partner at Doyle Coffin Architecture of Ridgefield, which specializes in green-building practices and sustainable design. With the winter heating season approaching, he said now is a great time for homeowners to take stock of their home’s energy efficiency. Most homeowners can trim their heating costs with simple, relatively inexpensive home improvements, Peter and his partner John Doyle contend. But to go beyond the basics and transform the home into a great space to live with less environmental impact and less monthly overhead, Doyle Coffin Architecture recommends homeowners turn to an experienced architect. “Our comprehensive approach includes a full analysis, starting with complete ‘existing conditions’ drawings and resulting in a full ‘green retrofit’ to meet the homeowner’s specific goals,” John said. “We address the property’s sun angles and contextual features, and determine where the structure’s inefficiencies are.” The “green retrofit” considers the structure itself – the energy supply, air flow and quality, water management systems, as well as proper detailing. John is a LEED-accredited professional, which means he has demonstrated the knowledge of green-building practice required for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. He believes the move toward sustainable building practices is a challenge to everyone. “In this economy there are no throw-aways,” he said. “In the United States, buildings use 30 percent of the country’s total energy and 60 percent of the electricity. “Any project we do, we take the approach of high performance and efficiency,” he said. “For some people, it’s about the bottom line. For others, it’s just the right thing to do.” Energy Saving Tips/Sealing The Envelope

To cut energy costs, think of the house as an envelope, and look for ways to seal it, Peter said. Many older New England homes lose heat around the windows. When they were constructed, builders typically did not insulate window frames, so the cold air seeps in around the windows. An insulation company can blow in additional insulation to make the house tighter. Windows and doors should be checked for heat loss, and caulked and weather-stripped as needed. Properly fitting storm windows can dramatically cut heat loss, Peter said. “Anyone with single-pane glass windows should consider replacing them.” Installing programmable thermostats in place of single-setting units is an easy energy saver. “Programmable thermostats allow you to have the heat go back up just before you get home from work or before the kids get home from school,” he said. “You can buy them at a hardware store. Everyone should have them.” Beware of “vampire” appliances that use electrical power even when they are not in use, John said. Appliances in “stand-by” mode account for as much as 20 November 2009

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See Green page 21

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Smart House/A Machine to Live In

Today’s technology makes legendary architect Le Corbusier’s description of a house as “a machine for living in” more apt than ever. To celebrate the industrial age, Le Corbusier designed the Villa Savoye, in a suburb of Paris, to emulate a machine. “Today’s equivalent is a ‘smart house,’” John said. “Today it is possible to log in and check the inside and outside temperatures, as well as the hot water in your tank, and turn your lights on and off and your heat down from anywhere.” Recent tax incentives for geothermal and solar systems have made alternative- energy sources more affordable. Geothermal units use vertical or horizontal underground loops to draw on the earth’s internal temperature for energy-efficient heating and cooling. Solar energy can be used both for heat and for light, and the energy can be stored in large batteries. Solar lighting tubes are an attractive way to bring sunlight into the home, giving an emotional lift through natural light. With ever-rising energy costs, John believes that in the future, most houses will be powered by a combination of direct electrical current and alternating electri-

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percent of home-energy use. Plug appliances into a power strip rather than directly into an electrical outlet so that they can be switched off when not in use.

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

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INTO I THE I GARDEN ■

Garden pleasures, pests & design by Donna Clark

Donna Clark

Achillea Pomegranate, which blooms from June through September, has velvety red flowers.

November is the time to turn off the outside water, plant bulbs and put garden ornaments and pots in an area protected from the weather. Clay and cement pots or ornaments need to be protected from rain during the fall and winter, because if there are any cracks that fill with water and then freeze, they could break. This summer I spotted a statue of a woman outside the consignment center here in Ridgefield. I called to find out the price as soon as I arrived home. She is a little over three feet tall and made of concrete, which was once painted white, but enough paint has now flaked off to give it a great look. The price was very reasonable, so immediately I returned and purchased her. It took two of us to get her into the passenger side of the truck, and after she was seat-belted in, I brought her home. I placed her in the garden and named her Venus. After cutting back the garden around her I realized she would look so much better if she were not enclosed in flowers – she needs to be showcased in her own space. I’ll work on that next spring. She has been moved to the garage for the winter. I have a few observations on the gardens this wet, cool year. The Japanese beetles were here in September instead of July. The worm that eats the buds of petunias and monarda came late or not at all. My yard is deer-fenced, so you can understand my shock when I passed the penta in the front yard and it had been eaten. All the new growth on top was nipped. After walking the fence and deciding it was all intact, I again checked the Penta. There they were – two tomato horn worms. This is a green worm with huge eyes that eats so much in a couple of days, it would appear that a deer had been nibbling. I kept watch, and eventually there were seven worms in all – my scissors took care of them. The best new perennial for us this year was Pomegranate Achillea. The bloom is from June through September; it is 24 inches tall with rich, velvety red flowers. As usual, I started with eight plants that went into four gardens. Of course, one of

C A R P E T I N G • N AT U R A L S T O N E

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November 2009

them was mine, but when the landscaper came to check his work at one of our clients, he hurried over to ask me the name of that wonderful plant. I have to admit that we also planted Achillea Strawberry Seduction in several gardens, and we continually had to reach under the foliage to find the label. The colors are really very close, but we decided that Pomegranate was the best. Now I have a report on my battle with the voles. They are still here and multiplying. After cutting back the gardens, I see all their two-inch-round holes. I lost most of my tulips last year to them, so I needed to step up the battle. I put a mousetrap baited with peanut butter right by the hole, and covered it with a flower pot to keep the birds away. I was using the new plastic mousetraps that are like clothespins – easy to set and easy to release. They never caught a vole – I will say they did catch mice in the basement. So I decided to try the old-fashioned, Victor wooden mouse traps. I placed four traps (remember this is war), and in just three days I had trapped five voles. Pam and I visited a public garden this fall to check it out. What a mess it was! I will say it was being perfectly maintained, but good maintenance can’t make a garden look good. You do need a good design. There are certain rules we all go by. Since this was an island garden (viewed from all sides), the tallest plants should be in the middle of the garden, and their height should be no more than half the width of the garden. Clearly all rules had been ignored, and there were plants that were over four feet tall throughout the garden, which was only six feet wide. I sat on the bench in the middle and tried to enjoy the view, but it was not possible. The moral is, there is a purpose in rules for sound garden design and they should be followed. My best tip is one I read in a 2003 “Organic Gardening” magazine, which I filed in my pest and weed folder. Although I didn’t have Creeping Charlie in my lawn at

that time, in the last couple of years it has been creeping in. Mix one-quarter cup of borax (find it at the supermarket), two to three teaspoons of Ivory soap into one gallon of hot water; then spray the mixture on the weed. This will slowly kill it and will not kill the grass. There is a new petunia from Proven Winners called Pretty Much Picasso. With a name like that I need to grow it. It has a deep violet throat and a softer violet petal surrounded by a chartreuse edge. It is a vigorous grower with a strong trailing habit. Watch for it this coming spring. Questions or comments: donnaclark@ix.netcom.com. ■

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Expert appraiser searches for treasures by Lois Alcosser “Just because it was your grandmother’s doesn’t mean a thing.” — Peter Curran

Nancy Vorel

There has never been so much hope in one small corner of the Cider Mill School gymnasium as there was at this year’s Senior Community Day, when Peter Curran, of Antiques Road Show fame, volunteered to do free appraisals of possible treasures (maximum three per person.) Mr. Curran is a revered expert, knowledgeable about a full range of antiques. He is also an amazingly patient man, who takes his job seriously, whether volunteering or receiving generous fees. He simply refuses to be rushed, though he was quite aware of the rows of eager faces watching his every move. People brought bags and boxes of objects they thought and hoped might be precious finds, worth more than they’d ever imagined. There were dusty, faded paintings, teapots, inkwells and vases of unknown origins, a medieval-looking velvet-backed chair, greatgrandmother’s bracelets, dad’s school ring, silver cigarette cases, watches, lamps that had once been bowls and bowls that had once been lamps. With mysteriously shaped parcels, wrapped in tissue paper and possibly too precious to be out of sight for a minute, people kept arriving, discouraged by so many waiting ahead of them, but even more determined to take advantage of this obviously extraordinary Well-known appraiser Peter Curran recently starred at Wilton’s Senior Community Day. opportunity to possibly possess wealth. Soon it was necessary to give out numbers, bakery style. Numbers 1 through 5 had been waiting outside the door a half-hour before the event started. Mr. Curran does appraisals for dealers and auction houses and frequently travels abroad to locate specific antiques for his clients. He’s a member of the �� Antiques Appraisal Association, an organization that accepts only top-caliber appraisers. He had done some appraising at the same event two years ago, but the �� response was nothing like this. Perhaps because there were more announcements �� in the papers. Perhaps because this time, �� Mr. Curran said he would suggest places that might be interested in buying valu�� ables, if anyone was interested in selling. �� Most people were quite interested in �� selling. When number 45 had been given �� out and Mr. Curran was at number 12, �� people became testy and hungry, won-

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dering was it all worth while? But of course, the answer was yes! And so numbers 20 through 47 reluctantly decided to wander around and visit the many attractive, souvenir-laden sponsors’ tables, where every possible service for older adults was displayed: heart, ear and eye health, at-home care, insurance, housing, finances, assisted living, physical therapy, community events, rehab, free food, music, prizes — everything free! Every few minutes, someone would stop by to ask, “What number is he up to now? I’ve got number 62. Do you think he’ll have time for us all?” Perhaps. Mr. Curran loves what he does and relishes the possibility of discovering treasures. He continued his careful, thoughtful appraising, listening to each person’s story of where they found Aunt Alice’s candlesticks or how they’d bought a painting at a tag sale and stashed it away in the attic for years. Did he find anything of real value? Why yes. “There were some very nice and rare early pieces, such as a pair of early 19th Century Chinese Export porcelain cache pots, depicting the Hongs in Canton. There was a sterling silver salver from the early 18th Century and a Jacobean side chair from the 17th Century. It was great to see real period antiques. They are hard to find these days.” (For neophytes like me, a cache pot is an ornamental casing to hide things, such as an ordinary flower pot, and a salver is a small flat tray that held letters or calling cards, though in ancient times it was the tray on which a servant would taste the master’s food to make sure it was wholesome.) After the first two hours, it was obvious that unless some of the rules changed, several people were going to be very disappointed. Instead of three items, it would have to be only one. And after number 70, there’d be no more numbers distributed. There were deep sighs and much dismay. But Senior Community Day is only three hours long. At 3 p.m., the gymnasium had to be restored to its usual identity.

Since I had somehow become the number caller and the general disciplinarian, I begged Mr. Curran to speed things up. “Yes, I ought to speed things up,” he smiled, but nothing changed. He had promised authentic, conscientious appraisals and that was what he was going to do. One woman was wheeling around what appeared to be a colonial baby carriage, made of wooden slats. She felt she had something extraordinary, but sorry, she was told, it’s a reproduction, probably around 1940 when they were doing things like that. After the official closing of the event, a few people just wouldn’t leave. Like children sneaking candy, they slid their way to Mr. Curran, deaf to any of my objections, and sure enough, got their full share of his time and attention. But nothing was very interesting, and their only triumph was their persistence. Two years from now, at the next Senior Community Day, Mr. Curran will be asked to participate once again, and he’ll be asked if he can please limit the time spent on each appraisal. But he probably won’t be able to. ■

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Friday Night Bites MAKING MEALTIME INTO FAMILY TIME by G. Lisa Sullivan Friday nights are definitely the best time of the week for me. Friday night signals the end of obligations, of carpools, of PTO meetings and office meetings, of rides to piano lessons and soccer practice. In our family, Friday night is the perfect time to breathe a sigh of relief and settle in with those we love after a busy week, and what better way to get reacquainted than by cooking, eating and crafts? Fortunately for me, there is a new cookbook exploring this exact topic. Karen Berman, a Fairfield resident, writer and author, has recently penned Friday Night Bites (Running Press, $14.95), a cookbook designed to bring busy families together, particularly on Friday nights when the week’s many school and extracurricular activities are concluded, and homework and household chores can be put off, according to the author. “Friday night is our night to call a halt to all our running, and simply revel in the company of the people we love most,” explains Karen, a working mother whose eight-year-old daughter, Jessica, keeps her constantly on the move. “Like

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many children, my daughter has always been a selective eater, and it’s been a challenge to find foods – healthy foods – that she will eat.” Consequently, Karen, a graduate of Mount Holyoke College who earned a certificate from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, tends to stick to simple recipes, and one of her favorite weeknight foods is eggs. “People don’t tend to think of eggs for dinner, but a meal of scrambled eggs and a baked potato is easy and quick, and kids tend to like them,” she says. Family Fun

The dinners in Friday Night Bites are slightly more complicated than Karen’s family weeknight fare. In creating her new cookbook, she has combined childfriendly, themed recipes with simple related crafts that children can work on while their parents cook. “I came up with most of my ideas simply by being a mom,” Karen recalls. “Each of the 20 chapters in the book is devoted to a single-themed dinner, and the recipes relate to the night’s theme, either by virtue of a traditional name given a new application, such as floating island cast as a tropical island for Dinnertime on a Pirate Ship, or a whimsical name of my own making, such as the appetizer in Ye Royal Dinner – the Princess and the Sugar Snap Peas.” The book avoids typical kid’s meals, like macaroni and cheese, pizza and chicken fingers, as Karen encourages parents to expand their families’ food rep-

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ertoires. “Some of the recipes in this book are quick and easy, while other dishes require a little more time,” she says. “If you can do some of the prep the night before, not only does it make preparing the meal the next night a lot easier, but it can help to get the kids involved and excited about the dinner to come.” Each chapter outlines a plan for an evening’s meal, and includes tips for shortcuts and make-aheads, ideas for activities and crafts, and trivia boxes that Karen titled Table Talk, which include questions on the evening’s theme that children might ask, and information that parents might find useful.

The Kiddie Table

Knowing that children often like to cook with their parents, Karen has marked recipes with a distinctive hand icon, designating those recipes that she believes are conducive to children’s participation. “However, if you’re working with a sharp knife or a hot pan or pot, and don’t want little children to get involved, you can set your child up with the simple craft that goes along with each dinner, which will keep your child busy while you cook,” she says. Most of the recipes yield four adult servings, which Karen believes are flexible enough to accommodate many family configurations and appetites. “Friday Night Bites is about exploration, culinary as well as intellectual,” she says. See Friday Night Bites page 40

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Chapter themes include “Under the Sea,” “Into the Forest,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Ye Royal Dinner,” “You Might Even Be a Pop Star!” and “Super Heroes to the Rescue!” Recipes feature catchy names, such as Golden Tresses Pasta with Olive Oil, Toad-in-the-Hole, Quesadillasaurus, Bat ’n’ Ball Banana Split and Pixie Salmon Patties. “I tried to create recipes that would sound appealing, and which kids would want to try,” Karen says. In the “Teddy Bear Picnic” chapter for example, the menu includes Red Ants on a Snowy Log (breadsticks, cream cheese and dried cherries), HoneyKissed Pork Tenderloin, Sunshine Cornbread, Fruity Field Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette and Baby Bear Claws (puff pastry and chocolate-covered raisins). The craft accompanying this chapter focuses on making bonnets or boaters for your child’s teddy bear, while the Table Talk section explains how the teddy bear came to be. November 2009

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HOME I MOANER ■

Chilling out by Ben Guerrero The house on Rusty Hinge Road came with a fairly new gas furnace. It is connected directly to a municipal gas line that lies beneath the pavement on the other side of the chain-link fence. Last March, Melissa told me that the heater was on the fritz. This was a new experience. With my old oil furnace, I could go down into the cellar and press the button on the red box. If the gods are in alignment, the problem was fixed. This gas unit has no such button and unlike the oil variety of yesteryear, there is no international-safety orange sticker on the side of the machine displaying the contact telephone number for service.

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Ben Guerrero

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I called the gas company, and after going through a couple menus got a human on the line who told me that the gas company doesn’t “do that sort of thing,” and I should find myself a reliable plumber who specializes in heater repairs. So I contacted a contractor friend who recommended a plumber buddy who I called, and that afternoon his truck was at the curb and he had his nose inside the fallow furnace. “You burned out the motor,” he told me in very sketchy English. “I will go to my supply house on Monday and get you a price.” It should come as no surprise that the heater finked out during an early March cold snap, and on a Saturday morning, so we could plan on pretty much freezing various nether parts off until midweek. Melissa, the saver, the collector of things, went to the basement and retrieved a couple of electric oil-filled radiators she had bought when she lived out in far more temperate Oakland, Cal. These portable units served her well in the short, mild winters of the bay area. “Don’t be silly,” I chided her, “How will these things help us?” This is a big old house and those tiny things are like pebbles in the ocean.” Unfazed by my chiding, Melissa plugged them in, and in a couple of hours, with the aid of some baffling laws of physics, the oil-filled electric radiators

had transformed a sizable portion of the chill in the house to a comfortable level. “I think it’s actually warmer than our furnace,” I remember thinking as my fingers thawed and I was able to type again. On Monday, I called the plumber. He let me know that his supplier not only did not have the motor BUT they could not get one. “It’s discontinued.” Discontinued? He suggested I go online. I did, and after poking around for parts numbers, model numbers and serial numbers, I located a brand new, non-returnable part at a warehouse somewhere in Illinois. I had it FedExed out to me at breathtaking expense, and it arrived on my frozen porch by the end of the week. Deciding that he was kind of flaky, I fired the plumber. Ultimately, I ended up calling the number on the side of a truck, Demitri Plumbing and (more importantly) Heating. They were able to fit me into their schedule that day. A pleasant gentleman with a baseball cap and his name (not Demitri) embroidered on his pocket brought his tools in from the cold and in 10 minutes our house was vibrating and getting warmer. “I guess I didn’t need that non-returnable motor after all.” I said. See Home Moaner page 41

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Mastering kitchen design THE TRAINING IS INTENSIVE by Lois Alcosser

Courtesy Kitchens by Deane

Concealed storage rules in today’s kitchens.

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What’s the latest in kitchen countertops? Are scullery kitchens really popular? And what do they mean by “logical chipping”? Ask Alice Hayes. Alice, a Ridgefield resident who works for Kitchens by Deane, is now nationally recognized as a CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer). “It isn’t easy,” Alice comments, regarding the rigorous requirements to achieve such a designation. To reach the highest level of achievement offered by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Alice had to have earned initial certification, followed by intensive education, training and examination. She had to win awards, publish articles and demonstrate at least an additional 10 years’ experience beyond the time of her first certification. See Mastering kitchen design page 30

one of a kind pieces.

from lamps to candles to frames to paintings. each piece has its own story.

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November 2009

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Peter Coffin and John Doyle, right, recommend a “green retrofit” to save money and energy.

Green continued from page 9 cal current stored from alternative-energy sources. “If you can run just part of the house on solar power, you’d see a big savings,” he said. A knowledgeable architect can provide advice on how to best use today’s technology, John said. “Let’s say you have an antique house with an uninsulated addition and poor windows, maybe the addition uses electric baseboard heat and is not efficient. As an architect you can take that piece off and marry a more efficient piece that adds functionality and brings the overhead down. You might reorient a porch so that it takes advantage of natural light and heat, or open up the top of an existing room so you have a more natural wash of light. “Our expertise is to look at the whole picture,” he said. “Today’s home buyer seeks out houses that are not only well-designed but provide long-term sustainability, including cost and energy efficiencies. By having an experienced architect ‘green retrofit’ your home, you add both value and marketability.” ■

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

Chateau Inspired Home of the Month

November 2009

LOCATION: This home has an impressive setting overlooking the Cou PROPERTY: More than an acre of professional landscaping surrounds HOUSE: Twelve spacious rooms provide a graceful flow for casual and f matic 20-foot ceilings, French doors and floor-to-ceiling windows offe is a living room, a dining room, a family room, a kitchen, six bedrooms and one-half baths. GARAGE: Four-car attached. PRICE: $5,400,000. REALTY: William Pitt/Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Agent: Sonia Smith, 203-655-8234. Photography: Bryan Haeffele.

untry Club of Darien. the house in privacy. formal entertaining. Draer expansive views. There s, three fireplaces and five

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

November 2009

Jo Barker’s Drift, woven from cotton and wool, is an example of textile art on display.

Fiber and furniture continued from page 5 four-or-five figure range. One imagines that living with these works of art, each a museum-quality piece, must be very exciting, constantly feeding the imagination. As Mr. Clark says, “Every artist ultimately selects a medium to express his or her personal vision. I’ve chosen furniture, where form, function and sociological meaning all merge together.” American fiber artist Wendy Wahl chose discarded, deconstructed, “reconstructured” encyclopedia pages. Karyl Sisson chose old cloth tape measures, old zippers, and mini-spring clothespins. Such a collection teaches observers that usable materials are everywhere. The most mundane, taken-for-granted objects in our lives can be re-invented as art, as theater for the eyes and endless mysteries for the mind. The Artifact Design Group Gallery and Design Studio is at 2 Hollyhock Road on Route 7 in Wilton; 203-834-7757; artifactdesigngroup.com or browngrotta.com. ■

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

Festival of Trees SPARKLING CONFECTION OF HOLIDAY GIFTS AND DECORATIONS by Pat Lennon

Sparkling decorations, wreaths, garlands, holiday linens, flowers and gifts are here, too.

Every two years the Ridgefield Community Center opens the Christmas season with the Holiday Festival of Trees, which turns the interior of the Lounsbury House into an enchanting display of sparkling beauty. This major event is the showpiece of the women’s committee of the Community Center. The group, founded about 50 years ago, is dedicated to the ongoing interior restoration and preservation of this historic landmark. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, the decorated trees will be judged by Tina Phillips, local artist and teacher; John Frey, Ridgefield’s state representative; and Ridgefielder Carolyn Kepcher, former star of television’s The Apprentice. There are five categories: Best in Show, Most Original, Most Artistic, Best Use of Color, and Best Use of Material. We do appreciate their support for this event, giving of their time and talent. The festival begins Thursday evening with a Champagne Preview Party on Nov. 19, from 7 to 10. It is a festive affair with sumptuous hors d’oeuvres from Country Catering, with champagne and sparkling water underwritten by Ridgefield’s Keller Williams. Those attending are the first to see the beauti-

Elegantly decorated Christmas trees are a highlight of Ridgefield’s Festival of Trees.

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

November 2009

fully decorated trees that are available for sale, giving them the opportunity to own one of these magnificent creations and first choice of the many boutique treasures. The festival itself begins Friday, Nov. 2O, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 21. As you walk toward the house bedecked with fresh garlands and greenery, you will notice a large sleigh beside the door. Think of it as a photo op – put the kids in the sleigh, get out the camera and click. The large front door will be decorated outside and inside by the talented Greg Fisk. Each room of the first floor has a display, mostly of the lovely trees. They are decorated by organizations and merchants who have purchased them and then used their talents to magical effect. Each of the mantels will be designed by decorators from the community, and will be magnificent. The committee is working on some holiday table settings for your entertaining inspiration. Everywhere you look, you will be truly inspired for the upcoming Christmas season. After touring the delights of the first floor, go up the grand staircase, artistically decorated by Greg Fisk in a woodland theme, to the holiday boutique. Three of the upstairs rooms and the large hall will be filled with multi-themed holiday items of all kinds, such as a variety of gold, silver, mica and mercury trees. There are holiday and non-holiday linens, plates, serving dishes and vases. For the sweet tooth, there is homemade toffee. There will be garlands and wreaths to decorate your home, inside and out. This has always been an outstanding and varied boutique. Many of our popular consignors are returning: Santas etc., Arts and Flowers, Ann Kromer, Amy Dickinson, Fabrications, Trinkets and Treasures, and the addition of Miniatures by Monica Doll Clothes, selling American Girl doll sleepwear and holiday dresses. There will also be some fresh wreaths available. All three days, we look forward to the excitement of people coming and going during the festival. One of our favorite events is the Teddy Bear Tea for the little ones with their parents. This charming but elegant event takes place in the mansion’s dining room, serving special juices and cookies to the children and tea, scones and jam from Cafe Svago to the adults. To the delight of the children, Mrs. Santa Claus comes to visit and read to them. Seating is limited and reservations are required for both children and adults. The children’s Teddy bears are welcome.

We hope you all can come to the Holiday Tree Festival – it is a beautiful event! Holiday festival and boutique hours are Friday, Nov. 20, 10 to 8; Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 to 5; Sunday Nov. 22, 11 to 4. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, children 12 and under, $2. Reservations are required for the Champagne Preview Party on Nov. 19; tickets are $40 per person. Call 438-4123 or e-mail gailrenken@gmail.com. Reservations are required for the Teddy Bear Tea: Nov. 20, 10 and 2; Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21 and 22, 11, 1 and 3. Tickets are $12 per adult and child. Call 438-6962 or email teddybeartearcc@yahoo.com. ■

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

A quintessential New England holiday celebration by Eileen Murphy Imagine a traditional New England holiday scene, with carolers gathering on the village green for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Snow falls softly as you stroll past quaint white-steepled churches and down the brick-paved sidewalks lining downtown streets. The elegantly decorated homes throughout the picturesque town leave you wanting more. On Dec. 4, the quintessential New England Christmas comes to life as the Newcomers Club of New Canaan hosts its biennial Homes for the Holidays house tour. Five architecturally diverse homes will be decorated by local professional designers, each of whom has chosen a holiday theme. • An antique farmhouse built in 1881 is the oldest home on the tour. Recognized as a historic property by the New Canaan Historical Society, the home features beautiful archways and timeless details, which will be dressed for the holidays by Sybille Campbell and Anne Martyn, co-owners of La Grange de Silvermine in New Canaan. The French-born designers will use their native country as inspiration for the décor. • The New Canaan Historical Society has acknowledged a second home on The Newcomers Club of New Canaan hosts a tour of five distinctive homes dressed for the holidays. the tour for “offering an aesthetic gift to the town and a pleasant trip into the past.” Built in 1900, the home features beautiful moldings and period stone work. Stephanie Sigg, Fiona Sigg and Polly Dwyer of Country Design in New Canaan will transport guests to the turn Vol.XIII, Number 11 of the century with décor influenced by is a special section to: the movie “Holiday Inn,” starring Bing Greenwich Post, The Darien Times, O f a ll decorating styles, Crosby and Fred Astaire, which feaNew Canaan Advertiser, I specialize i n YO URS. The Ridgefield Press, The Wilton Bulletin, tured the song “White Christmas.” The Redding Pilot and The Weston Forum • Notable for different reasons is a in Connecticut, olgaadlerinteriors.com 1956 modern home designed by John and The Lewisboro Ledger Johansen. Johansen is the last surviving in New York (203) 438 – 4743 • member of the Harvard Five, a famous

HOME 47,000 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 •

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

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group of architects who built homes in After the sun has set and the lights New Canaan in the 1940s. The home in the homes have dimmed, an evehas extensive glass walls and dramatic ning trolley tour will take guests past the professionally illuminated exteriors views of the Rippowam River. Designer of the showcase homes, as guides proJason DePierre of Jason DePierre vide interesting commentary on New Designs in New York City imagines Canaan and its history. The trolleys tour-goers as guests at a sophisticated will greet guests downtown, where the mid-century New Year’s Eve celebration. town’s annual Holiday Stroll will be • Combining the past and present, taking place. After returning from the an 1850 barn inhabits the same four Holiday Lights Tour, visitors can wanacres as a country estate built in 2004. der back down those brick-paved streets The main house features soaring beams with glowing shop windows, enveloped and iconic antiques, including a rockby the warmth of the holiday spirit. ■ ing chair owned by JFK. The barn has been converted into a guest house with A 1900 home’s decorations were inspired by the movie Holiday Inn. a beautiful chestnut ceiling. The entire property inspired Lisa Hilderbrand, co-owner of Welhil Interiors of Norwalk, to create an English Country Harvest theme. • Sitting high on a hill, with sweeping views of a New Canaan reservoir, the last home on the tour showcases the talents of modern-day craftsmen. The 12,000Tickets for the two tours and luncheon may be purchased online at nchosquare-foot stone and shingle manor was designed and built in 2005 by Judith lidayhousetour.com or at the following New Canaan shops: Pimlico, Country Larson and Bill Gardner of Gardner Larson Homes of New Canaan. Designer Designs, New Canaan Toy Store, Milestones and William Raveis. Melissa Lindsay of Pimlico in New Canaan will create an idyllic child’s Christmas Date: Friday, Dec. 4. morning, inspired by the movie “Polar Express.” Time: 10 to 4 (Holiday House Tour); 6 to 9 (Holiday Lights Trolley Tour). New Canaan merchants are also working with the Newcomers Club to help Holiday House Tour $65; Holiday Lights Trolley Tour $10 for adults, $5 stimulate tour-goers’ senses by filling the showcase homes with the sights, sounds for children (ages two and under ride free). and aromas of the season. Upon entering a home, visitors may be greeted by warm Luncheon: 11 to 2, $35 for a three-course lunch; tip and non-alcoholic cups of hot cocoa or the smell of ginger cookies baking in the kitchen. Boutiques beverage included. at each home will offer gifts perfect for all those on your list. A silent auction will All proceeds from this event are distributed to local charities. take place at the Roger Sherman Inn, which will also be offering a special Homes for the Holiday pre-fixe lunch menu.

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Champagne Preview Party • Teddy Bear Tea HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

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Popular all white kitchens are known as “sculleries,” but in truth they are quite elegant.

Mastering kitchen design continued from page 18 In Alice’s case, there was also pure serendipity. She began with a part-time job at Karpy Custom Kitchens in Yonkers, a high-end operation. She was there five years. Then, while she was having a new house built in South Salem, the builder asked her to design kitchens for him. An ad for a kitchen designer in a local paper landed her a job with St. Charles Kitchens by Girard, where she was trained in sales and introduced to Peter Deane, who was hiring designers for his Stamford showroom. Today she is one of the four CMKBDs at Kitchens by Deane in Stamford and New Canaan, and president of the Southern New England chapter of NKBA, as well as vice president of professional development.

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

November 2009

tions that do much more than just “spruce up” a kitchen. Kitchens by Deane also does baths, media rooms, libraries and closets. By the way, to answer those questions: a new countertop material is solid bronze. “Logical chipping” is a technique for a chic distressed look. The chipping is located strategically where it would naturally occur with use. To speak to Alice Hayes or one of her master colleagues, call 327-7008 in Stamford, 1267 East Main Street, or 972-8836 at 89 Elm Street in New Canaan. ■

Courtesy Kitchens by Deane

Susan Morrow Photography

Most everyone knows that when selling a house, one of the most crucial rooms is the kitchen, and often, hopeful sellers are told: “Spruce it up!” Next to aesthetics and quality of appliances, work flow and storage are basic factors. “You need to know who’ll be using the kitchen,” Alice explains. “If it’s a husband and wife, they may want double sinks. If children are going to help cook, there needs to be a lower counter level for them. Every client has a personal vision of a dream kitchen, and you have to work with that, and with the space, of course. I’m currently working with a client who has five children and a small kitchen. Fortunately, we’re able to expand into the porch.” What’s new in kitchens? Just about everything. According to Alice, the traditional look of a pristine, white kitchen is currently very popular. (The look is called “scullery,” but it’s actually quite elegant.) The ingenuity of storage is amazing. Everything is concealed, for a feeling of total neatness. Dishwasher, refrigerator, smoothly invisible. Built-in drawers for dinnerware. Swing-out skateboard shelves for odd shaped pots and pans. Storage for lids. Built-in recycling containers. A decorative pillar pulls out to reveal rows of spices. The requisite dining island has become a peninsula, extending out in an L-shape. “Less is more now,” Alice notes, and some of the most exciting new kitchAlice Hayes, Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer. ens have a sleek, linear look that’s almost like a V.I.P. office. Kitchens by Deane has a concept called “the living home.” The kitchen is described as a “Zen-like refuge from the demands of the outside world.” True, the serenity of today’s kitchens results from the innovative built-in design, the durable materials, the sophisticated colors. “We often get an architect’s drawing. Our job is to make it work.” Is it all expensive? A big, gorgeous kitchen is bound to be. But Kitchens by Deane also does repairs, renovation and has the know-how for small but effective transforma-

Sophisticated colors, durable materials and innovative built-ins make kitchens family havens.

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

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RACKING I ONE’S I BRAIN ■

Got issues? TV may have an interest in you by Tim Murphy Kids say the darnedest things. And sometimes it can cost you a shot at television. When six-year-old Falcon Heene innocently responded to one of his dad’s questions by saying, “You guys said that we did this for the show,” while appearing on Larry King Live last month, his father’s dream of a reality show based upon the family’s fear that Falcon had accidentally gone airborne in a

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homemade flying saucer over Colorado was the only thing that vanished into thin air. By that point, though, who was really surprised? Once we learned that Richard Heene and his family had previously appeared on two episodes of the contrived reality show Wife Swap, it seemed just a matter of time before truth, not Falcon, ascended. That the veracity came on live television from the boy who was a pawn in papa’s plan gave the tall tale a denouement of exquisite irony. But call it what you will – sad, criminal, outrageous, pathetic – Richard Heene’s wacky hoax also speaks loudly about something else: The lengths that people will go to get on television, now that television is courting the bizarre. Before cable and the subsequent explosion in channels, getting on television required some doing. You pretty much had to be an actor or actress, the host of a talk show interviewing actors and actresses, or part of the evening news team. Anyone outside those roles hoping to land on TV had to do something really special, such as landing on the moon. Back then, the only time the non-famous received air time was when they were being led away in handcuffs.

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

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November 2009

In the pre-cable world, getting on television was, simply put, a huge deal. When I was in elementary school, another student told us that while he and his mom were in the city that morning, they had been interviewed by a reporter for one of the New York local-news programs. The word spread, and many of us sat down to watch the six o’clock news, eagerly expecting to see our classmate. The segment appeared, but our friend and his mom did not. While we all felt let down by the editing, our friend was devastated. He vowed to never watch the station again, and based on the vitriol backing those words I wouldn’t be surprised if he kept his pledge. Now, though, the average person has a much better chance of appearing on television. The reality show boom has created unprecedented opportunities, particularly for those with outlandish personalities, and the rise in local cable channels means more air time for town politicians, teachers, athletes, etc. If those routes aren’t open, there’s always the opportunity to wave frantically from behind home plate while on your cell phone. You’ll look like an idiot, but you’ll still be on TV. Of course, many of those same viewers calling you an idiot are themselves implicated. Because audiences react more strongly to unsettled behavior, programmers are always on the lookout for the next cast member who will throw temper tantrums and annoy the heck out of everyone else. Years later, David “Puck” Rainey is still the most memorable, Googled character in the history of The Real World.

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With so much competition for TV lunacy, the odds of oddballs finding a big audience and star power are slim – gluttony no longer feels like a five-course meal but rather a trip through every channel on the remote. Still, the potential for semi-celebrity status and monetary reward remain enough of a siren song that some people will do nearly anything to get on television – even if that means embarrassing themselves or their family. And despite the increased competition for viewership, chances are someone will be watching. In 2008, the average American watched more than 151 hours of television per month, or about five hours each day. That was an all-time high. The typical home now houses 2.5 people, and 2.86 television sets. Those numbers reflect television’s enduring popularity, aided these days by both Internet streaming and the recession. But perhaps the real power is measured in dimensions – the way someone appearing regularly on even a non-conspicuous 26-inch screen can come to be seen as larger than life. As long as TV works that magic, there will be plenty of people like Richard Heene trying desperately to get on it. But they may want to adopt a new strategy. With new channels popping up like zombies in Night of the Living Dead, it’s just a matter of time before all but one American family has appeared somewhere on television. That kind of notoriety and storyline will have programmers drooling and leave the family enviably positioned. Who wouldn’t want to watch a show about them? ■

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

SCENE: 38 LANGNER LANE, WESTON

The romance of theater lingers by Lois Alcosser

Larry Metz

What began with a reconstructed barn evolved into a home like no other.

The perfect enhancement for the extraordinary home

Every house has a story, even a notable history, but only a few have a remarkable romance built into its very beams. Such a place is 38 Langner Lane in Weston. It was originally conceived and constructed by Lawrence Langner, the man who founded the Theater Guild, the Westport Playhouse, the Washington Square Players, the Shakespeare Theater in Stratford. A playwright, director and producer, Mr. Langner was also an eminent patent attorney, whose business helped fund the birth of contemporary American theater. Mr. Langner was a friend of Eugene O’Neill, George Bernard Shaw, Tennessee Williams, Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, Ethel Merman, Agnes DeMille and many more of the most celebrated names in the theater. Season after season, 38 Langner Lane was the glorious destination for rehearsals, creative controversies, discussions and decisions that shaped the future of the American theatrical scene. Knowing all this, entering the huge grand room of the house is in itself a dramatic experience. With a cathedral ceiling two and a half stories high, the 30-foot by 50-foot room is actually a reconstructed barn that the Langners moved to this perfect site and then built the house around it. Looking up at

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the original hand-hewn beams, feeling the opulence of the space with its many charming conversation areas, stunning dining space, two-story stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling picture window, is a definite thrill. The view, overlooking trees, lush plantings and a brilliant skyline, is a breathtaking moment, especially seeing the 45-foot-diameter swimming pool with stone benches and steps, where countless outdoor rehearsals took place. My instinctive response was “Bravo!” But the next question was: how about everyday life? What about bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen? What about appliances, heating, septic system? The current owners have carefully retained every inch of the spirit and integrity of Langner’s design, and following the Langner tradition of sparing no expense, they have made it totally comfortable and efficient for family living. For example, the gourmet kitchen with Christopher Peacock designed cabinetry has the look and the convenience of the most wellendowed kitchen anyone could want: limestone floors, Chinese marble countertops, Viking appliances, Subzero refrigerator, Miele dishwasher, breakfast island, multiple picture windows ... plus a 35-foot cathedral ceiling with chandelier and track lighting in overhead beams. On the second level, there are two master bedroom suites, and two additional bedrooms. The traditional front master suite has a fireplace, sitting area and spacious bathroom. The second newly added master suite has a dressing room, spa bath, marble shower and French doors leading to a private stone patio overlooking the pool. The original hayloft is now a library, with a balcony overlooking the Grand Room. Space that is currently used as an indoor gym could easily be another bedroom, playroom or office.

The distinctive gourmet kitchen has a 35-foot cathedral ceiling.

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See Romance of theater page 39

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

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WINDOW I ON I REAL I ESTATE ■

‘Underwater’ world: owing more than your house is worth by Jane K. Dove By now, almost everyone is familiar with the term “underwater.” It is used to describe a home whose value is less than what the homeowner paid or owes on the combined mortgage and home equity line of credit. A recent Deutsche Bank analysis of the battered United States housing and mortgage market estimates that on a national basis, 25 million borrowers, representing 48% of all Americans with mortgage loans, will end up underwater before home prices begin to finally stabilize in a year or two. Dawn Grabover, a Realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate of Ridgefield, said that our area of Fairfield County is fortunate not to have the underwater problem to the extent seen in other areas of the country and the more urban parts of Connecticut, but it definitely exists. Diving Into The Deep End

So how do people find themselves in this unhappy situation? “The main reason,” Dawn says, “is they probably purchased their home at the height of the real estate boom or had significant equity in their existing

home and took a home equity line of credit to borrow significant amounts of money against its value.” With the home not worth as much, due to the overall decline in real estate prices, they still owe the money borrowed, and now they are underwater. Homeowners in the deepest trouble are those with homes they intend to sell in the near future. If they find a buyer, they will take a loss – sometimes a large one. “But if they are not planning to sell they can simply sit tight, continue to make their payments and hope that home values will rebound as the market changes for the better.” Dawn believes the increase in homes underwater is tied closely to the good old days of easy credit. “Money was just so easy to come by in the years of the boom, which led to the housing recession,” she said. “There were very few checks and balances in place, and many people were able to live the American dream of homeownership with ease.

FOR SALE

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November 2009

Dawn says it is now well known that many of these individuals got into their homes with very little or no money down, questionable credit scores, no income verification, adjustable rate or negative amortization mortgages, piggyback mortgages – the whole witch’s brew of lax lending standards. “As the adjustable rate mortgages reset upward, some mortgage payments doubled, and home owners simply couldn’t make their payments,” Dawn says. “When severe job losses are thrown into the picture, things only get worse.” What To Do?

Dawn says many lenders are restructuring mortgages to limit their loss exposure. “It used to be that the homeowner had to be in default before they would even consider restructuring, but with the number of short sales and foreclosures around here on the increase, banks are now more accessible and willing. “If you really don’t have to sell, hang in there and wait for the market to bounce back,” she says. “I’m sure it won’t be bounding back anytime soon, so it does depend on your needs. If you really need to sell and have experienced hardship, talk candidly with your lender and see if they will agree to work out a short sale.” Short Sales Often Long

“The first thing I want to say about a short sale is that it is not short in time,” says Dawn. First, the home’s selling value must be less than what the homeowner owes on the mortgage. A short sale may be achieved after the bank evaluates the homeowner’s situation or hardship and decides it will accept less than it is owed and release the lien. It sometimes will forgive the debt.” A quick check of local real estate listings reveals more and more ads that contain the term “short sale,” emblematic of homeowners struggling to rise to the surface and shed their debt. Buyers focus on these listings with laser-like vision, because they know they might be able to get an excellent buy. But what about the anecdotal evidence that many homeowners just walk away from their underwater property? After all, they no longer have any equity, so why stay and struggle to make payments on a declining asset?

“The big problem with just walking away is that the debt does not evaporate,” says Dawn. “It will follow you, and you will probably have to declare bankruptcy, a major hit on your credit rating that lasts for years. A short sale saves you from declaring bankruptcy, but it will still mar your credit rating until you can build it back up.” Hope For The Future

Dawn says that although she sees a large number of short sales and foreclosures in areas like Danbury, Stamford and Norwalk, she believes the banks are trying to price the homes close to market value as long as they are in a good location in good condition. “People are buying them up,” says Dawn, “but I am sure we will still see them sprinkled throughout Fairfield County for another couple of years.” Dawn says that buyers looking to feast at the foreclosure and short-sale table should also keep in mind the human element involved. “I know many potential buyers are looking for great deals, but I hope they understand there are people on the other side of the transaction who have lost their home, stressed their entire family, and lost some of their pride. Hopefully they will repair their pride and their finances someday, but for now, they do deserve a measure of empathy.” ■

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High tech heaven continued from page 7 wall picture grabs your attention. Sheryl says, “Taking the family out to the movies is so expensive. With the media room equipment, you can actually have an even better quality movie-theater experience with all the comforts of home! “A family media room is great; moms love it!” Sheryl says. “Parents feel safe when their kids and friends are enjoying a movie or show; they know where their kids are.” Families find themselves enjoying more time together with a room like this, she says. John adds, “Music concerts are just fabulous on this big screen. And the games sector of video is still growing – Xbox, etc. It’s great fun to play games with your kids and encourage family time.” John and Sheryl have the VUDU server for their media room, an online movie system that once installed offers 16,000 movies at your fingertips. John says, “With VUDU, a high definition (HD) signal is immediate. This is a great system. Until you see it, you can’t fully appreciate the quality.” Quality and service are the hallmarks of Sierra Audio Video Designs. If a customer needs a kitchen TV installed, a small-scale system for a bedroom designed and built or a full home theater with seating, John ensures optimum design and placement of each of the components. “I know what people like and I have proven to them that they don’t have to overspend. One of my best customers started with just a $75 expenditure. “I think we have built a reputation on caring for the customer, and virtually all my business comes from customer referrals,” John says. “If someone has a problem, I say call me whenever you need help. I think one of my customers said it best when he sent us this testimonial: ‘I just wanted to thank you for all your time, effort and expertise in setting up my home theater. Your knowledge, diligence and attention to my needs and idiosyncrasies was second to none. (Obviously as co-chair and coceo of IMAX corporation I can get a little finicky about image and sound, and you nailed everything.) I look forward to working with you again.’” For more information on Sierra Audio Video Designs, call 459-8887, 470-2734, sierraavdesigns.com. ■

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CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS UPHOLSTERY & REUPHOLSTERY FINE FURNITURE BEDDING & ACCESSORIES FLOOR & WALL COVERINGS KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN ONE DAY REDESIGN

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November 2009

Romance of theater continued from page 35 But in terms of an office, consider this: there is a separate carriage house, used by the Langners for staff housing, that has been transformed into a stunning office, with built-in oak cabinets, desks and bookcases. It could be equally useful as a studio or guest house. The nearly three-acre estate is currently called Apple Hill, which seems like the most understated and humble title possible, but there was a flourishing apple orchard on the property, and at the entrance is a symbolic apple tree, beautifully pruned to gracious dignity. Larry Metz

Apple Hill offers a magical setting, whatever your lifestyle.

AUTOMATED GATE SYSTEMS NORWALK OFFICE (203)

MAIN OFFICE (203)

838-5971

407-8913 Larry Metz

The grand room was the setting for stellar gatherings of Broadway and local theater personalities.

FORMAL AND GARDEN STYLES INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED ADVANCED & RELIABLE SYSTEMS OF AUTOMATION, COMMUNICATION, VIDEO AND CONTROL ON-CALL SERVICE.

With its broad manicured lawn, fish pond and brook, there’s a feeling of private serenity, yet 38 Langner Lane is just over an hour from New York City, seven miles from the beach, within two hours of major ski resorts and minutes from 20 miles of hiking trails. It’s close to area shopping, excellent restaurants 60 CONNOLLY PARKWAY HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT 06514 and entertainment, and best of all, it’s a spectacular creation of limitless imagination, a dramatic oasis, a romantic retreat. What will living here be like? It’s difficult to leave 38 Langner and �� return to the mundane. Because it is �� so inimitable, it rouses the imagina�� tion and suggests an enticing lifestyle �� — a magical setting for an active, �� growing family; ready for a banquet �� or wedding, or an intense creative achievement. Like the expectation �� before a curtain rises, 38 Langner Lane �� promises all the experiences of full and memorable living. � �� To visit the property, contact Barbara � �� Jasinski or John Karlson of Team3Realty, �� William Pitt Sotheby’s, 762-2220; � �� Team3Realty.com. ■

DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC.

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Friday Night Bites continued from page 15

YANKEE DOODLE CHICKEN SKEWERS (from “You’re a Grand Old Flag” chapter)

Parents can easily adapt the recipes to suit their own child’s tastes, as in the case of the Wizard’s Magic Salad Pouch, in which different types of vegetables could be substituted for those specified in Karen’s recipe. Having perfected most of the recipes in her own kitchen, Karen learned quickly what did and didn’t work. “For my Inside-Out Turkey Wraps, for example, I discovered through trial and error that Muenster or Swiss cheese worked the best, as American cheese split when it was rolled,” she explains. “I feel that dinner can and should be a launching pad for all kinds of interaction, and preparing meals as a family is simply a great way to get everyone together and talk about the world.” ■

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American Hardwoods Custom Millwork and Flooring “Green Building” Wood Products

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

CCL

Responsible Forest Management 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C. FSC Supplier SCS-COC-001435

CONSTRUCTION & LANDSCAPE, INC.

For Prices & Information: www. cwghardwoodoutlet.com ��

(203) 834-9859 Free Estimates & Consultations

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Mix the ketchup, soy sauce and 1 tablespoon oil in a shallow, nonreactive glass, ceramic or plastic container. Cut the partially frozen chicken breasts into 1/2-inch chunks and place them in the marinade, turning to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes. When you are ready to cook, spray the grill rack or broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray and preheat the grill to medium-high heat or preheat the broiler. Assemble 8 skewers, threading each with a piece of sausage, a wedge of onion, a chunk of chicken and a tomato, repeating the pattern once, and ending with a piece of sausage. Brush the tomato and onion with a little oil. Discard the chicken marinade. Place the skewers on the grill or broiler pan, and grill or broil for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Makes 4 servings.

CA S T E L L I

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2 tablespoons ketchup 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 table olive oil, plus more for drizzling 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, partially frozen Nonstick cooking spray 4 precooked garlic or plain chicken sausages, each sliced diagonally into 6 pieces 2 small to medium yellow or white onions, each cut into 8 wedges 16 grape or cherry tomatoes

– Complete Excavation Services – Drainage Systems – Driveways – Lawn Installation – Masonry/Stonewalls – Walkways/Patios – Material Delivery – Trees/Shrubs – Complete Landscape Services

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Home Moaner continued from page 17 “It was simply a dingus schnobber,” the technician explained, adding numbers up on an invoice. Of course it wasn’t really a “dingus schnobber” that needed tweaking – it was something equally as unfamiliar to my vocabulary. “It happens all the time,” the kindly technician explained, “It’s the first thing I always check.” I wrote out a big check and handed it to my new friend. “Your plumber should have known that much.” “You know anybody that needs a motor?” I asked, seeing a fairly hefty portion of a week’s pay in an unopened box on the cellar floor. “I could take it off your hands but it is of no value to us,” he said. “Skip it,” I told him, graciously leading him out the door. March became April and we opened the windows and turned off the furnace. The warm blur of summer went by. We tried to put it off as long as we could, but a couple days ago, we turned on the heat. Again the comfortable hum of the motor could be felt throughout the ancient beams and boards. The dust

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bunnies and cat hair that had collected over the summer were rudely awakened from hibernation and made airborne as the warm air came blasting out of the registers. And then, alas, no heat. When I returned from work one morning, the oil-filled radiators were back on the job. Before I went to bed, I had an appointment set up with Demitri. The next afternoon, the house was humming and I was writing a check to Demitri, who assured me that my furnace would be giving me many more years of happy service. I need a new roof and the paint is peeling and I would really love to put in a new garage. In spite of Demitri’s attempts at calming my qualms, am I going to need a new furnace? Good thing Melissa saved these oil-filled radiators. Maybe I just need a new house. Meanwhile I’ll go online and look for a replacement dingus schnobber, ben. guerrero@sbcglobal.net. ■

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

November 2009