HOME North/South Edition by HAN Network

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

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

Give Your Home A New Look ~ MURALS ~ ~ TROMPE L’OEIL ~ ~ WALL TECHNIQUES ~ ~ FAUX FINISHES ~

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FEATURES Strong, sturdy, everlasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 WIC answers the call of the wild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Home is where the hearth is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11 A treasured trove of antique beauties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-13 Treasure Hunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 Design ideas and inspiration abound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30-31 DEPARTMENTS Racking One’s Brain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9 Into the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20-21 Home of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22-23 Homebodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28-29 Cookbook Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32-33 Home Moaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-35 Window on Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-37 Cover: Home of the Month in Ridgefield.

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

November 2008

Strong, sturdy, everlasting AND NO SPLINTERS by Jeannette Ross

See Tables page 16

Jeannette Ross

Don McNeill may have set out to simply make a sturdy table for his daughters to play at, but what he has come up with is a solid piece of child-friendly furniture that will last through generations of youngsters. The play table, with its patented extendable leg, is the centerpiece of Nec-A-Nec, the company Don formed with his wife, Susan. The company is named for how their daughter used to refer to her home state, Connecticut. The McNeill family lives on a quiet street in Ridgefield with their two dogs, Warren and Daisy, a bearded dragon and a parrot named Zeke, who is so anxious to meet people you’d think he was running for office. A former Wall Streeter who left the industry in 2001, the year his father died, Don more or less fell into woodworking. Don’s father was a sales rep for a lumber manufacturer. “We used to butt heads all the time about cutting old-growth forests,” Don said. (Don was against, his father was for.) “My grandfather was also passionate about wood,” he continued. “All of a sudden there were a lot of tools around.” Around this time, Don and Susan purchased some cherry dining chairs and Don decided he would build a table to go with them. “It was a testament to my ignorance,” he said with good humor. A sculpture class at SUNY Purchase, in which his project was a handsome wood cabinet, soon followed. He got an A. After that he was a man on fire, building a loft bed for his daughter, a fireplace mantel, a bench with a shelf for storage, and more. A mahogany bed is in the making and maple planks stand by, waiting to become a new dining table. “The learning curve has been enormous,” Susan said. All Don’s projects were produced in a cramped basement workshop, with a few tools in the garage. During this time he also suffered from severe back pain. But none of this stopped him from creating the play table.

Don and Susan McNeill’s daughters were the inspiration for his adjustable-leg play table.

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Relax in Spring, because your furniture has been reﬁnished! HOME, a Hersam Acorn special section, Ridgefield, Conn.

WIC answers the call of the wild by Kelly Coleman

Wildlife in Crisis

It’s not every day that one gets to feed oatmeal cookies to dozens of baby raccoons or mend the wing of an injured hawk, but for the volunteer staff at Weston’s Wildlife in Crisis (WIC), it’s every day, ALL day. The round-the-clock caretakers answer calls at the little desk in WIC’s office from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day of the year. When I visited, it was summertime, the animal mating/breeding season, so the phone rang off the hook with calls from the wildlife-conscious public. The director of Wildlife In Crisis, Dara Reid, founded the facility in 1989 after working at a similar center. During the 80s, it was the only one that rehabilitated wild animals. When that center closed, she decided to take it over, because “there was still a definite need.” Today, Wildlife In Crisis is still the only facility of its kind. If Mrs. Reid is the backbone of the facility, the heart of WIC lies in the committed interns. During the summer, the three primary interns were Kat Sylvester, Chelsea DeBay and Anna Clark. Each intern brings a unique background to the facility, and usually ends up finding her calling while working there. For instance, Ms. Sylvester, a senior in college this year, with a biology major, had her heart stolen by the countless baby raccoons. Ms. Clark, who graduated from university two years ago with a double major in marine biology and zoology, worked in public relations for two years. She became interested in WIC because she thought it

Wildlife in Crisis rehabilitates all wild animals that are brought to its facility in Weston.

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Wildlife in Crisis

would be a good way to ease back into her interest in environmental science. While working here, she soon found herself becoming “the bird lady,” primarily excelling in handling all the avian residents. Prospective interns, who are interviewed by Mrs. Reid, are required to have a bachelor’s degree in biology, but as for any previous experience, Mrs. Reid said, “there really is no way you can get an experience similar to the one you have here. All our methods of healing are completely unique to this center, so the only way you can learn them is by interning or volunteering here. No other place can give you the same hands-on experience.” Selected interns then move into a cozy apartment located above the Wildlife In Crisis office, to eliminate commuting to work. Ms. Clark felt that living on site was important because “on our busiest nights we don’t finish until about midnight, and then we’re up again at 7 to start again.” Interns usually sign up for a specific season. Summer season is considered from April until early November, and winter season lasts from November through April. Of the three interns, Ms. DeBay is notable for staying at WIC the longest — nine months. When it comes time to release an animal, Ms. DeBay described the center’s approach. A vital point is that WIC does not believe in euthanasia. If an animal cannot be returned to the wild, it becomes a permanent resident at the center. Some of the current ones are Stevie the blind blue jay, two seagulls and numerous hawks. Ms. DeBay said that all animal releases are “soft releases,” ones that are planned to ease the animal’s transition into the wild. One tactic, Ms. DeBay said, is to “try to mimic whatever they would get from nature, or anything they would need from their parents as best we can.” Healed animals are released only into designated “‘safe spots,” areas where there are few predators and where it is known that food will be available on a daily basis. These areas are usually the properties of people affiliated with WIC. The patients at Wildlife In Crisis are brought to the center by a concerned public. Ms. Clark said, “We don’t discriminate against any species here. You name it, we have it.” Wildlife In Crisis now has between 30 and 50 permanent residents who receive quality care every day. Permanent dwellers included, WIC has approximately 300 animals to care for every day. Mrs. Reid depicted her work as “all-consuming.”

A tubful of baby flickers are only five of approximately 300 animals that are cared for each day.

To find out more about WIC in Weston, go to www.wildlifeincrisis.com. If you have any questions concerning a wildlife situation, call 203-544-9913. The phone continually rings for 12 hours a day, signifying the public’s ongoing sense of duty to come to the aid of any wildlife in crisis. Kelly Coleman, a Ridgefield Girl Scout, is working on her Silver Award Project, which requires 40 hours of community service. Choosing to work with WIC, in addition to writing this article, she is baking cookies for the raccoons and will teach other scouts about the importance of wildlife conservation. ■

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

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RACKING I ONE’S I BRAIN ■

Not ‘Driving Around in my Automobile’ by Tim Murphy I thought I had parked my car on the street. But as my wife and I drove down the block in her car, we didn’t see it. Maybe it was in one of the visitor spots in the parking lot behind our condo. Nope, not there either. It had to be on the street. We drove more slowly this time, taking a closer look. Again, no sign of it.

Ever had anything stolen? It’s a weird, unsettling feeling. And it takes a little while for the realization to sink in. At first you think that the item must be around somewhere, just agonizingly misplaced. You look for a while, then you look some more. Finally, it hits you: Someone else now has what was recently yours. It’s a weird, unsettling feeling. About 10 minutes after I called the police to report my car stolen, an officer arrived to get more details. Sheepishly, I told him that I hadn’t seen it in nearly two days. I had driven home on Thursday night and remembered parking near the end of the quiet tree-lined, dead-end street where we live in Stamford. My wife and I were both off on Friday and used her car that day and on Saturday. We were on our way to Ridgefield early Saturday evening to have dinner and celebrate our two-year wedding anniversary by staying at the inn we had stayed at on our wedding night. A few blocks away from our home, I realized that the SAT book I needed for a tutoring session in Ridgefield the next morning was in the back seat of my car. We turned around to get it. That’s when we noticed the car was missing. The police officer — a helpful, friendly guy in his mid 30s — said the vehicle had been spotted in Bridgeport on Saturday morning. It was parked in a suspicious area, he said, and someone had reported it to the police. But because I hadn’t yet realized it was missing, there was no record of the car being stolen. A check of the license plates revealed only that the car was legally registered, to me. In stressful situations, it’s often wise to think how things could be even worse. And so at that moment, I was relieved that my car hadn’t been involved in anything outrageous, like a bank robbery or a drive-by shooting. If so, the See Racking One’s Brain page 38

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

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

HOME STAGING

Home is where the hearth is by Nancy Turturro

A comfortable but dark-paneled family room was given a facelift to make it brighter and more welcoming. See page 40 for the result.

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

In the Wild West of the current real-estate market, where lowball offers, frustrated sellers and tight credit have made the situation between buyer and seller resemble the gunfight at OK Corral, there is a new sheriff in town. One who appears on the horizon, assesses the potentially lethal situation, tells the folks that things are going to be different from now on, does the job, and moseys on to the next crisis, leaving the involved parties with a whole new outlook on life. That new sheriff is todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home stager. As anyone who has watched HGTV knows, these are the people who paint, move furniture and accessorize to the delighted oohing, aahing and hand-clapping of their thrilled clients. Well ... Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not always quite like that. Kellie Eudowe, owner of Home & Hearth Interiors, does home staging both for sellers and for those who simply desire a more beautiful home. Kellie said that even as a child she was constantly decorating her bedroom and moving furniture. Thus a home stager was born.

November 2008

“I had the smallest dorm room in college, but it was where everyone hung has worked part-time as a stager. When she opened her own business this year, out because I made it cozy and inviting. When I lived at home, my room was her associate, Jen Santi, noted that next to their children, people’s greatest pride always immaculate, and I was always moving and changing things in the house. is in their homes. It reflects their tastes and lifestyle and, in their eyes, it is a I was always bugging my parents to change the wallpaper but they never listhing of beauty. tened to me ... until they put their house on the market,” she said with a laugh. As we all know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Unfortunately, buyers do Having faced resistance to change on the home front, Kellie said that was a not see the beauty in your family pictures, kids’ artwork on the refrigerator and more typical response than those on television shows. the comfort of that well-worn recliner. The key to successful home staging is to “There was only one time when the homeowner let me have free rein, with a convince the homeowner of this fact. few restrictions. But more often, I have to rely on my master’s degree in social work and ability to be tactful to help clients maximize the use of home staging,” See Staging page 24 she said. Even a cooperative client may present some problems, which points to the importance of hiring a stager early if you plan to sell your home. The client who let Kellie have free rein was almost too enthusiastic, and had packed away most of her personal possessions, leaving Kellie hunting for items to accessorize. Along with successfully staging and selling two homes of her own, Kellie ��

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HOME Vol.XII, Number 11 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 November 2008

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

MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD

A treasured trove of antique beauties by Lois Alcosser Of all the Main Streets of Fairfield County, Ridgefield’s Main Street epitomizes the idealized Norman Rockwell image of tradition-laden classic American homes. Nineteen Main Street is one of these historic homes — a three-story, white clapboard Victorian with black shutters, spacious front porch, garden in back, sun room — the kind of house that calls for awnings and perhaps an American flag. This is Maplewood, built in 1890 by one of Ridgefield’s affluent families, and once owned by a direct descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This is a beautiful example of the finest Victorian style. A 14-room house that has been lovingly maintained and updated by Carol and Bob Whitley, who have made it their home for 25 years, it’s where their children grew up and the grandchildren now have their own specially decorated rooms. Mrs. Whitley explains its name. “When we first moved to Ridgefield in 1984, there was a maple-syrup grill at the back of the property, and many, many maple trees. In the old days, neighbors would come to tap the trees, and cook nonstop for days to make a rich maple syrup for a celebratory breakfast.” Mrs. Whitley happens to be a decorator, and her affection for the Victorian period is evident everywhere, in the preservation of turn-of-the-century features like pocket doors, floor-to-ceiling double mirrors and original hardwood floors. But she has seen to it that the kitchen has been carefully planned and renovated. The original hardwood floors are custom-stenciled. The cabinets were handmade on site during renovations. The three-zoned kitchen has a cooking area with a long Maplewood is one of the many beautiful old homes in this picturesque village.

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

November 2008

counter for food preparation is opposite the stove, a microwave and a handy second sink. The middle zone is spacious enough for a large, round dining table. Mrs. Whitley made sure there was everything needed for family living and entertaining: Viking range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, recessed lighting, and a kitchen annex with separate sink, office area and fireplace. A long, built-in cupboard with glass doors holds china, glassware, cheese boards, and platters. The tiger maple counter is the perfect setting for a large buffet. While the kitchen was being renovated, plywood was removed from a wall and an original brick fireplace was discovered. Framed in black marble, it is still being used. Cited as a historic home by the Ridgefield Historical Society, 19 Main Street has been admired on many house tours as an exceptional example of an authentic 19th-Century home, customized for 21st-Century living. The house is situated on more than an acre, which stretches from the back garden like an endless green carpet in summertime, a vibrant field of color in the autumn and a pristine white landscape on a snowy day.

Entering through the original front door, with its distinctive turn-switch buzzer, you’re in a foyer, where original flooring and moldings create a pleasantly Victorian ambiance. Next is the parlor, with nine-foot ceilings and a large bay window with window seat. Original floor-to-ceiling mirrors flank each side of the entrance to the library, with a corner fireplace. Mrs. Whitley saw to it that all the charming touches of history were retained, but added the most up-to-date conveniences. The parlor leads you to the sunroom/family room, with windows all around. This was originally a screened-in porch until the Whitleys made it an all-season haven. The sunroom’s French doors lead to a hot tub, in-ground gunite swimming pool and cabana with sauna. From the foyer or library, the dining room welcomes family celebrations or festive dinner parties. See Main Street page 18

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Treasure Hunt AT THE ARTISTS’ MARKET by G. Lisa Sullivan

Jeffrey Price

You’ve probably heard about people winning shopping sprees at supermarkets, toy stores and home-improvement centers. The local news shows usually depict the lucky winners running up and down the aisles, grabbing goods from the shelves and filling their shopping carts with as many items as is humanly possible, all in a span of about two minutes. Well, if it were up to me, I know exactly where my dream shopping spree would occur, and where I could fill my cart to my heart’s content: the Artists’ Market, at 163 Main St., Norwalk. It’s a place to find the perfect gift (make that gifts!) for yourself, or anyone else. And it’s really easy on the eyes. From the moment you walk through the sparkling glass front doors of the 40-year-old shop/boutique/gallery/museum/framing center (it’s really a conglomeration of all of these), you’re confronted with a virtual treasure trove of unique classic, contemporary and handmade American crafts, artfully displayed and beautifully illuminated by track and recessed lights. There is so much to see in this inviting shop — where you can purchase a pewter baby spoon for $24, a liquid light kaleidoscope for $175 or a framed vintage poster for $2,000 —that you could do most of your Christmas, Hanukah, birthday, wedding, baby shower, Valentine’s Day, Boss’s Day, Glass paper weights are one of many fascinating items at this boutique, gallery and framing center.

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Grandparents’ Day, any day shopping here. There truly is something for everyone. Art History

See Artist’s Market page 26

Jeffrey Price

It all started back in the early 1970s, when a group of local artists decided to form a business. “The Artists’ Market really began as an after-school project for local art teachers,” explains Jeffrey Price, an art-history major and graduate of the University of Connecticut, whose entrepreneurial spirit prompted him to take over the operation in 1978. “At the time, you had to go to Vermont to find handmade American crafts, and these local artists, who were producing their own such works, decided to open a center for the many arts and crafts collectors here in Fairfield County.” Fashioned after the market centers and flea markets of the 1960s and 70s, the Artists’ Market was designed, created and intended as a place for area artists to sell their work. “Today, we’re much more of an arts and crafts gallery, with pieces from artists all over the country,” Jeffrey says, “and the original center is now really three businesses in one.” First, there is the framing end of the operation, with Jeffrey’s framing staff attending to this handcrafted segment. “I have 10 staff members here, with three devoted just to the framing,” he says. Clients can purchase artwork — historical maps, graphics, rare vintage posters, photography — in the store and have it framed, or

Artists from across the country are represented in this shop of craftworks, both large and small.

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

Tables continued from page 5

McNeill photo

Today Don is without pain, and he has a brand new barn in which to build the tables. Each is the size of a standard train table (49.5 inches wide, 33.5 inches deep, 20-25 inches high) and made of white ash, a hardwood. Although the pieces are cut with power tools, each table is hand-finished and hand-planed for a smooth, shiny surface. “When it’s hand planed, the wood is sliced smooth rather than being abraded with sandpaper,” Don explained. “With sanding, it’s almost not fair to the grain.” Don sharpens the blades for his many planes himself, and as he demonstrated the technique, he took off an exquisitely thin ribbon of wood. The finished piece was shiny enough to see a reflected image, just like a mirror. There will be no splinters from this wood. The top of the table is like a picture frame, with colorful sheets that can be dropped in for a play surface. Each sheet is made of a flexible, synthetic material, and purchasers may choose from a number of designs, including a neighborhood of houses, castles, dinosaurs, a sea of fish, car and train tracks, and a moonscape, perfect for action figures, knights and princesses, model trains and cars, cowboys and horses. The flip side is plain white so children Castles, dinosaurs, train tracks, there are a variety of colorful play sheets for the table top.

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show, Festive Home: Objects for Living and Giving, Dec. 5-21, at 34 Halpin Lane in Ridgefield. (Details are online at rgoa.org.) In addition to the play tables, Don also accepts commissions for all types of custom woodwork. ■

McNeill photo

can write or draw on it with washable markers. Play surfaces from other manufacturers, such as Thomas the Tank Engine, can also be dropped in. The table is sized so young children can reach halfway across, but as they grow, so too does the table. Don received a patent on his original design for the table’s legs, which can easily be extended from 20 to 25 inches in height. The legs are also set under the play surfaces, as opposed to right on the corner, to prevent stubbed toes. As for sturdy, in informal testing, the McNeills know the table can hold a minimum of 275 pounds. The wood used in construction is one inch thick. The only non-wood materials are the play surface and small knobs on the legs. When the children finally outgrow the table — and before they have a chance to pass it on to their children — it can be used as a utility or potting table for plants. It could also be cleaned up and used as a generously sized coffee table, minus the dinosaurs, of course. This table is made completely in the United States. The wood comes from the Northeast. Don spends about 20 hours building each table in Ridgefield. The play surface was designed by a local artist, is photographed in Danbury, and printed with UV-cured dyes in Rochester, N.Y. (It is not laminated.) Don sells the tables directly through his Web site — necanec.com — where prices and details are online, or you may simply call him at 203-431-0621. As a member of the Ridgefield Guild of Artists, he will also be at the guild’s annual holiday

Along with the tables, Don McNeill also takes orders for custom woodwork.

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

Main Street continued from page 13

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This spacious and graceful Victorian is ideal for both family gatherings and entertaining.

In the serene section of Main Street, the house is much roomier than it appears from the outside. A charming staircase leads to the second floor, with master bedroom and bath. One master bedroom wall contains built-ins and closets and there’s an additional extra-large closet. There are three smaller bedrooms, one of which is currently used as an office. The laundry room has ceramic tile flooring and custom cabinetry. In addition to a large bathroom, there’s an actual water closet from the original home. There are three more bedrooms with hardwood floors on the third level. This is a home for a family to grow up in, a four-season home ready for summertime swimming parties, hot tub and sauna recreation, and year-round outdoor games and exercise, in total privacy. A true long-term investment for a growing family, Ridgefield’s 19 Main Street makes entertaining a pleasure and welcomes guests with grace. Comfortable, relaxed living is tangible in every room, embellished by the rare details of American histori�� impressive �� and desirable of Ridgefield’s cal architecture. It is truly one of the most �� stately homes. For more information, call Carol Hanlon of Coldwell Banker at 203-240-1233; Web site, Carolhanlon.net. ■ ��

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INTO I THE I GARDEN ■

A sampler of summer highlights by Donna Clark

Donna Clark photos

The gardening year 2008 has come to a close. As I’m writing this, we’ve had an overnight low of 25 degrees. I saved my fall lettuce crop with a triple row cover, and the brussels sprouts and kale are still looking tasty. I want to report on our first year with the Easy Elegance roses. They are wonderful this first year, growing to a three-foot-high shrub in most gardens. We’ve had at least three bloom periods and no diseases. My favorite ones are Kiss Me and Yellow Submarine. We made our yearly trip to middle Kansas in late September, and were lucky to witness the Monarch butterfly migration. There on a farm in Claflin, we stood in the yard while hundreds of butterflies circled around us and hundreds more rested in a nearby tree. What a fantasy! It was a still day, which is unusual in Kansas, and we figured they were waiting for a good northern wind to carry them on south. I’ve often been asked if I get stung by bees since we are working among them so much. It varies, but I guess I am stung about twice a summer. Usually it’s my fault

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because I have covered a bee with my palm while cutting a dead flower. The main I will be growing it from now on. This is a paprika-type pepper that holds heat in problem is in the early morning when they are still resting. Since they are bumble its ribs. It is sweet and spicy with thick flesh, and is the choice for roasting, grilling, bees not wasps, their sting isn’t as bad and they really are just warning us to stay salsa, and salads. It is a medium- sized plant growing to about 2-1/2 feet. The wonaway. derful thing about this plant is the amount of peppers it produces. I usually plant about 12 pepper plants, a combination of King Arthur and Red This was Virginia’s first summer working with us, and I kid you not when I say Knight. These are bell peppers, and at best I will get five to seven fruits per plant. she was stung at least five times. Finally Pam and I started watching her motion in Well, this Krimzon Lee had over 30 fruits, and I’m really guessing on the number. the garden, and the answer was obvious. Virginia was petting the flowers, well actually she was moving her hand over the plants in an unconscious movement that was angering the bees. She was using her hand motion to enjoy the flowers, in addition See Into the Garden page 43 to sight and smell. Well, she is an artist. Now for a few new plants that I’ve heard about during the summer. The first �� one is Buddleia Lo & Behold. This is a proven-winner introduction, and I was privileged to receive a couple of samples this June. ��

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I potted them up and was very impressed. A truly miniature buddleia in continual bloom, it is a woody ornamental plant that looks like a bedding plant with a height of two to three feet, making it much easier to use in your garden than the big woody plant of the past. It still is a butterfly magnet with a deep purplish-blue flowers from midsummer to frost. I’m planning to use it as a ground cover in some of the gardens I maintain. One other good point is that it does not produce seed so it will not become invasive. Did I mention that Buddleia needs full sun? The other hot new plant is Amsonia Blue Ice. This perennial has intense blooms in late spring to early summer. What’s so great about it is that it blooms an extra few weeks from the normal amsonia and is just 12-to-15 inches tall. Blue Ice has sturdy stems, so it grows in a tight cluster. It loves full sun to partial shade. This is truly a low-maintenance plant that I am planning to use on a hillside, which has the perfect conditions. Virginia gave me a pepper plant to try this summer, and I am so grateful. Krimzon Lee is from Johnny’s Seed, and November 2008

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Euphorbia Diamond Frost, a good substitute for baby’s breath.

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

A House Of Diversity LOCATION: Within minutes of downtown Ridgefield and the train station, this house has plenty of privacy as well. PROPERTY: More than two acres provide lots of open space, an inviting pond setting, and decks from which to enjoy it. HOUSE: This 10-room Colonial-style home, with four bedrooms and three and a half baths, has some interesting design features. The living room and master bedroom have turret sitting areas, and the master bath has a fireplace, whirlpool tub, double sinks, an oval window, and oversize shower. There are hardwood floors throughout, a gourmet kitchen with sun-filled breakfast area, and an office with coffered ceiling. The family room with sliders has a fireplace, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bonus room, perfect as den or playroom. GARAGE: Three-car, attached. PRICE: $1,159,000. REALTY: Keller Williams. Agent: Homevision Group, 203-438-4066. Photography: David Ames.

Home of the Month November 08

Staging continued from page 11 One of her first clients was Dawn Forgione, who works full-time and is the mother of a toddler. Following the staging of her entire home, she passed Kellie’s name on to friends and family. “We were putting our home on the market, and I thought my house looked just fine, but needed a few touches,” Dawn said. The kitchen that Dawn thought was perfect had to be cleared of clutter, including the countertops. Family pictures were put away, and the nursery with all that adorable “stuff ” was cleared. “I had to leave because I was objecting too much,” she laughed. “At first I wasn’t happy with the nursery, but Kellie put the books in a cute basket and ornamental items on the shelves. It really looked much neater,” Dawn admitted. Kellie spruced up the living room by placing baby items in the TV cabinet and adding a storage bench, leaving “stuff ” hidden but accessible. After the fact, Dawn loves the difference. “I feel more organized. It is much easier and faster to clean up, and because I work full-time that is a huge factor. While the house is on the market it looks great but is functional and livable,” she said. Beth Carmichael, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Westport, was the one who encouraged Kellie to do home staging full-time, after seeing her Westport home. “At the open house, everyone raved about this home. I told Kellie she was a natural. The home was so attractive, and word of mouth brought Realtors and buyers in. We had a huge turnout and lots of clients asking to see the house. It sold within three months,” Beth said.

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

November 2008

But can you stand to live in a perfectly staged home? “Yes, yes and yes again,” said Kellie, who, with a husband and two children under the age of 3, has staged her home for living. “When I stage a home for selling, I am very conscious that it takes time to sell a house in today’s market, and it may be for as long as a year that the owners are going to be there, and they have to be comfortable. If they cannot live with the changes, once we leave they will move things back and the staging will not be successful,” she said. “Jen and I take time to get to know our clients,” Kellie said, “because, for most people, this is emotionally draining, and we try to always remember that. Even if you are excited about it, moving and showing your house to strangers is stressful, and, in this competitive market, it is so important that the house shows well.” Dody Whitehurst, a Realtor with William Raveis in New Canaan and Rowayton, said she knew Kellie was a success when she returned to a client’s house weeks later and they had not made any changes after the staging. “Kellie was patient, accommodating, creative, and sensitive. She was generous with her time, and what she did made a huge difference, and the broker feedback has been very positive,” Dody said.

“You have to move gently, but decisively. We had one couple who was accommodating about painting, relocating furniture, taking down wallpaper, and adding new fixtures, but after a while they had had it, and dug in their heels about the family room, where they spent a lot of time,” Kellie said. “In this case, they had a dark-paneled den from the 70s, which was a real negative compared to the rest of the house. I showed them a pale, pale green paint chip that matched a color in their couch, which could really open up the room. Knowing them well by this time, I knew that the husband was a procrastinator, and if we didn’t move quickly it wouldn’t happen. Fortunately, they had See Staging page 40

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Artist’s Market continued from page 15 bring in their own pieces, like one customer’s signed John Wayne poster, for framing. While the business may have its roots in the time-honored tradition of handmade goods, patrons are offered the convenience of a state-of-the-art computer system, where photos of their artwork can be downloaded and various frames tried out before a final decision is made. A Rare Find

With an international fine arts division, the Artists’ Market is one of the largest resources of M.C. Escher masterworks in the world, according to Jeffrey, who has had a passion for the artist’s work since his father, an academic, introduced him to it in the 1960s. “I began buying Escher prints during the 1970s from science people my father knew,” he recalls, “and I slowly built my collection. Today, the Artists’

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Market is the only permanent gallery exhibit of Escher’s work in the world ... the rest are in museums or private collections.” The Artists’ Market, which is open seven days a week, features a special room devoted to Escher’s work, and Jeffrey schedules special exhibits. “I’ve sold to clients both locally, nationally and internationally, with the Internet accounting for a good portion of the Escher sales,” he says. “I love that art doesn’t get used up, but rather tends to be kept around. There is an immortality in these works that is truly precious.” A large portion of the Artists’ Market clientele comes for the contemporary arts and crafts. “This shop has always looked like a more crowded version of my living room,” Jeffrey says. “In fact, my original 1980s kitchen table, covered now with a mirror, today serves as a display piece in the store!” Art-ifacts

Jeffrey notes that the blown-glass pieces in particular have become a favorite with customers, as have the one-of-a-kind ceramics. “These statement-making pieces would look wonderful on the center of a table, and they make ideal gifts for virtually any occasion,” he says. Hand-forged metal measuring spoons and cups, hammered copper candlesticks, glass champagne goblets, vases and paperweights, larchwood cutting boards, faux-finished tables, bronze wind chimes, jewelry, beaded handbags, color-changing candle snuffers, small glass lamps, letter openers, ceramic salt and pepper shakers, glass Christmas ornaments, nature-inspired pottery, clocks made from old gears and movie projector parts, a multitude of frames, and hand-painted wooden salad bowl sets are just some of the arts and crafts available. “Our store tends to look a little handmade, but that’s not such a bad thing,” Jeffrey says. “I like people to know that our pieces are handcrafted, and that each item is made with heart and soul.” For more information, call 203-8462550, or visit the company’s Web site: www.artistsmarket.com. ■

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

Jeffrey Price

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November 2008

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HOMEBODIES ■

Six of one, half dozen of another by G. Lisa Sullivan Earlier this fall, I watched a squirrel scamper to its nest with a nut clenched in its mouth, and I assumed the little critter was busy gathering and storing food for the upcoming winter. I couldn’t help but wonder, however, just how many nuts the squirrel planned to collect. I mean, how did he know how much he needed? Anyone who knows me, even slightly, can probably tell you I’m just not good at math. Spelling, grammar, writing ... I’m pretty comfortable with all that. When it comes to numbers, however, it’s literally all Greek to me. Probably the six most frightening words anyone has ever said to me are, “Honey, will you please balance the checkbook?” (It’s actually seven words ... see,

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I’m not kidding you, I really am bad at math!) I don’t know why my husband would even want to me to have anything to do with our checkbook. Once I write a check and record the amount in the little registry, I never think about it again. Unlike my little squirrel friend, I have no concept of “budgeting,” and I usually just assume there’s always going to be enough money to cover the checks I’ve written.

pasto, and some homemade ciabatta on the side, for those who couldn’t live without their bread. On the designated day, Susie arrived with the order right before the faculty was coming in to eat, and I couldn’t help but notice that the tray of grilled chicken salad looked awfully small. “Do you think that will be enough?” I asked her. “Joe said this tray should feed at least 50,” Susie replied. “I think we’ll be fine.”

Checks And Balances

A few years ago, my husband attached a credit card of some type to our joint checking account, so that if for some reason we (meaning, me) were to spend more than we have in the account, the credit card, or the “special thing,” as I like to call it, would cover the amount. It’s like he gave me license to go shopping anytime I want. “Sweetie, guess what?!!!” I said to my husband recently. “The new Crate & Barrel store opened up in Westport! I’m going to run over there and see what they have. Do you have the checkbook?” “Honey, the account is a little low right now,” he replied. “Do you mind waiting until I get paid next week?” “But we have the special thing!” “I know, but we still have to pay for the special thing, and we also have to pay interest on it. The special thing is really only there for emergencies, you know.” Fortunately, I maintain my own little separate account (call it my mad money), where I squirrel away my freelance writing paychecks and the birthday money my parents send me. When my back is up against the wall, I dip into my mad money, but only when I absolutely have to. I guess when it comes to my own hard-earned money, I can budget after all. Portion Distortion

In addition to my lack of accounting skills, I’m also the world’s worst judge of food portions. Maybe it’s due to my own love/hate relationship with food (I love food, but hate to diet and exercise), but I usually make too much. The thought of running out of food, especially when you have company, is simply appalling, in my mind, a fate worse than death. I’m pretty active in the PTO at my daughter’s elementary school, and each September, another mother, whom I’ll call Susie, and I organize a Welcome Back Lunch for the entire staff. I get an approximate number of attendees from the principal, we order the food (usually sandwiches and pasta salads from Joe, a local caterer) and serve the meal in the school library. This year, we decided to mix things up a little. “Why don’t we order grilled chicken salad instead of sandwiches?” Susie suggested. “The teachers are all trying to eat healthier, and we always end up of with tons of hero sandwiches left over ... no one wants to eat such a heavy lunch anymore.” I agreed, and Susie placed the order: one large tray of grilled chicken salad, two half trays of pasta salad, an anti-

Chicken Little

As the faculty lined up at the buffet table, I subtly moved the grilled-chickensalad tray down to the far end of the table, where Susie was serving. I put the pasta salads, bread and antipasto at the beginning of the line, where I was dishing out food, hoping to fill the staff ’s plates with those items and leave little room for the grilled chicken salad. I could see the line quickly growing, multiplying and extending practically out into the hallway, as the eager staff members queued up to eat. “You might want to give out really small portions,” I whispered to Susie. “I don’t think we’re going to have enough!” By the time the principal arrived, close to the end of the line, there were literally four skimpy lettuce leaves left in the tray, and no chicken. I was blushing up to the roots of my hair, mortified that we didn’t have enough (did it look like we were cheapskates?), and wishing that we had stuck to our original menu of hero sandwiches. After all, wouldn’t it have been better to have too much than not enough? Maybe no one cared that there wasn’t enough grilled chicken salad, but I think next year we’ll order grilled chicken salad AND sandwiches. Just don’t ask me to figure out how much we need. ■

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YWCA DARIEN/NORWALK HOUSE TOUR

Design ideas and inspiration abound by Jennifer Fallon

Autumn is a beautiful time of year — the perfect time to look around and gain inspiration. Local decorating buffs are certain to be inspired by the beauty in the details of five Darien homes on this year’s Autumn Look Around house tour, sponsored by the YWCA Darien/Norwalk. The tour is a fund-raising event to benefit the YWCA’s numerous community service initiatives and family programs. It will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 9:30 to 2, and will offer an exclusive look into five stunning homes featuring distinctive design and architectural elements. One of the homes on this year’s tour is a fabulous Colonial with original architectural details and decorated throughout with beautiful antiques and fabrics. An open floor plan features unique kitchen details, such as stainless-steel counters with

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November 2008

a stud-like trim and handmade cabinetry. Outdoors, outstanding gardens and a pool complete the polished look. Another tour highlight is a beautifully renovated Cape, just a hop, skip and jump from Pear Tree Point. Eye-catching elements include cleverly designed built-ins and storage, a uniquely shaped kitchen island and a clock window, inspired by one in a London museum. This Francophile dream is filled with antiques and hints of France. A stunning backcountry Darien home boasts a designer kitchen and laundry room by True North Cabinets. The library, which is adjacent to the living room, is a special place in this home, which was renovated in 2004. The décor throughout is beautiful, and the flowing window treatments in the dining and living rooms are especially noteworthy. A cozy outdoor space on the second-floor porch overlooks the front yard, which is a paradise for nature lovers. Beach aficionados will adore the waterfront home with its fun yet sophisticated beach-inspired décor. The home, renovated in 1998 and 2006, features a kitchen with unusual teak countertops to complement the water views. Clever storage spaces, including pull-out cabinets on either side of the stove, are beautiful yet practical touches. Three gorgeous Waterworks bathrooms and a recently installed Wagner pool complete the water-inspired look. What family wouldn’t love a family-friendly home with uniquely decorated children’s rooms? Built in 2006 in a waterfront neighborhood, the attractive house is oustanding for its children’s dream bedrooms — each with a different theme. A playroom loft has its own tree house and mural, and the spacious kitchen/family room easily accommodates the home’s five children. Right next to it is a children’s study area, perfect for after-meal homework assignments. A spectacular patio with outdoor fireplace, pool and pool house completes the family compound. Proceeds from the tour support the many YWCA programs, which include Better Beginnings prenatal and newborn health-care classes for young mothers, Funbusters programs for local youth and young adults with special needs and disabilities, the New Directions program to enable divorced or widowed women to return to the workforce through its counseling and training programs, and the

Parent Awareness Network, which provides support and education to parents and children to encourage the healthy, positive development of youths and families. The Autumn Look Around tour is made possible with the help of house-tour sponsors New Canaan-Darien Magazine and the SoNo Baking Company and Café and of the individual house sponsors Two Men and a Truck and Wheeler Real Estate. The YWCA is supported by the community fund of Darien. The YWCA Darien/Norwalk is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving women the support and tools they need to transform their lives, be confident in their choices and raise healthy families. Its national mission, eliminating racism and empowering women, translates locally into a vision to create opportunities for growth, leadership and empowerment for all women and families. Tickets for the Autumn Look Around cost $50 each. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit ywcadariennorwalk.org or call the YWCA Darien/Norwalk at 203655-2535. ■

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COOKBOOK I REVIEW ■

A kosher cookbook for everyone by Susan Miller From Stamford-based author Ronnie Fein comes Hip Kosher, Easy-to-Prepare Recipes for Today’s Kosher Cooks (LifeLong Books, $16.95, pb, Da Capo Press). It delivers on the subtitle’s premise and arrives in time for appealing, hassle-free holiday cooking, as well as everyday meals. It’s always been mystifying why kosher cookbook writers feel a need to detail the Jewish dietary laws; wouldn’t a kosher cook already know them, and, if not, seek education elsewhere? But now I see the wisdom as evidenced in Ms. Fein’s introduction — one can always learn more. For example, turkey’s status was formerly unclear, although today it’s definitely allowed. Who knew?

The non-Jewish cook who buys this book for the delightful recipe collection will understand why babyback ribs or cheeseburgers are missing, and how to appropriately entertain kosher guests. Additionally, this is perhaps the only kosher cookbook that includes details of halal cooking, which shares several food prohibitions with Kashruth, as well as requiring humane animal slaughter. This extends the appeal of Hip Kosher to Muslim cooks. But really, anyone can find dozens of delicious, contemporary recipes here, each accompanied by helpful tips. Ms. Fein assures us that aluminum foil can stand in for parchment in her colorful 15-minute Baked Snapper en Papillote, and tells how to get those grid marks on Grilled Salmon with Ginger-Scallion-Cilantro Butter.

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November 2008

Eggplant with Yogurt and Pine Nuts is today’s type of food and an addictive dip. The brightly seasoned Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes and Honey is easy and has broad appeal; honey and chicken blend in many Jewish recipes. By the way, kosher chickens consistently rate very high in blind taste tests, and the general perception is that quality is high, too. Empire brand’s kosher turkey is among the top rated of all turkeys, again demonstrating how kosher food and brands have become mainstream and available in any supermarket. Pomegranate-Glazed Turkey would be nice for Yom Kippur, pomegranates being one of the classic New Year’s fruits. Make it again for Succoth, or Thanksgiving ... it’s that good. Desserts can be tricky since you cannot serve anything with dairy after a meat meal. Consider Spiced Oranges with orange-flower water or Clove and Lemongrass Poached Prunes (fresh Italian prune plums), but not butter-based Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies. You don’t have to be a kitchen wiz, which perhaps explains why there’s no chicken soup — not a single recipe — nor a good brisket. These classics are sorely missed. I am not happy; your Bubba will not be happy. Surely Ms. Fein could have streamlined them, while keeping the essential character.

GRILLED SALMON WITH GINGER-SCALLIONCILANTRO BUTTER 4 salmon fillets or steaks, about 6 oz. each, 1 to 1-1/2 in. thick 4 tbs. teriyaki marinade 2 tsp. honey-Dijon mustard 3 tbs. butter, room temperature 1 tsp. minced ginger 1 medium scallion, minced 1 tsp. minced fresh cilantro 1-1/2 tsp. lemon juice or ricewine vinegar Preheat an outdoor grill or oven broiler with the rack about 6 in. from heat source (or use a grill pan). Mix the teriyaki marinade and mustard. Grill or broil the fish about 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness, or until cooked to the degree of doneness desired. While fish is cooking, mix butter, ginger, scallion, cilantro, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Serve each piece of salmon topped with some of the seasoned butter. Makes 4 servings. excerpted from Hip Kosher, Da Capo Press, Cambridge, Mass.

November 2008

But no one would connect this collection to the heavy overcooked, overstuffed classics unfortunately so stereotypical of old world “kosher” cooking; they are a world apart. The salt level is acceptable, often a problem with kosher recipes. Kosher cuisine has already become mainstream. Bagels and lox are everywhere; the kosher aisles in the supermarkets continue to expand, as do other ethnic aisles. Slowly we’ve become part of the global marketplace. It’s too bad the visuals are so poor. Without a single photo, and with a bland, no-nonsense format, this plain Jane cookbook won’t win any points on presentation. Ms. Fein’s intelligent, informative writing and good, workable recipes deserve better. Maybe for the second edition? ■

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HOME I MOANER ■

Rockers by Ben Guerrero The end is near. All the t’s are crossed and there are just a few i’s to be dotted. I’m not talking about the apocalypse. I’m not talking about the election, although, depending on the outcome, the results might be indistinguishable. I’m talking about our bathroom project, which started in June.

The major carpentry has been finished; all that remains are a couple of plywood shelves in the new linen closet and a few coats of enamel. My old buddy, Elbow, contractor extraordinaire, assures me that the painters will be coming by on Monday morning. We need one more color. The bathroom sink sits on a wooden frame that should be better coordinated with the small, dark Turkish-marble squares that pepper our beautiful floors. An English paint company, Knickers and Crisps (by appointment to HRH Elizabeth Regina II, no less), has a color named Prince Albert’s Waistcoat, which is as perfect as it is expensive. The day’s entertainment was watching me wait in line at the paint store while big, burly painters ordered five-gallon buckets of linen white — for the same amount I was shelling out for my measly quart of Prince Albert in a can. While waiting in line, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, one of those clearplastic report covers next to the register. It was a self-produced brochure for a mason named Mano De Las Piedras that, other than a contact phone number, consisted entirely of photographs of Mano, standing next to projects he’d completed. There was enough evidence of his artistry in Belgian block and fieldstone to prompt my phone call from the parking lot to discuss our walkways. A few years back, we had the porch done over, and during that epic (Home moaner, August 2007), we had a second set of stairs installed that led, after the fence guy was done, directly to the street where our cars get mangled. The idea was to shorten �� our snow shoveling distance. Melissa had always talked about getting flagstone walkways installed to go with this new configuration, lest we shovel the grass away each �� winter. Mano could possibly be the right man-o for the job-o, and then we would really truly be done with this gigantic and expensive renovation project. Mano arrived at my doorstep as sched�� uled. He is a man of Shrek proportions, with an interesting beard that grows only from his chin and is long and obsessively �� well combed. He writes us an estimate, which is palatable, and promises to begin work on Saturday morning. Melissa, aware of the repetitive stress disorder I have developed in my wrist from writing all the checks that have been generated over the past months, has agreed to foot the bill for this particular project. Mano explains that when the time comes to pick up the material, we are going to have to either give him some �� cash or go along with him and his mute, diminutive and sinewy sidekick, Ramon, so we can pay for it. Melissa thought she’d �� like to go to the mason supply place in order to hand-select the stones we’d be using, but Saturday, at 11 a.m., while Melissa was striking a “downward dog” pose at yoga class, Mano knocked on the door and informed me it was time to get stoned.

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November 2008

I was the client, dressed in my Saturday leisure wear, chatting with Melissa who had, by now, returned home. Stone is sold by the ton, which means if you buy an odd piece that weighs 200 pounds, they figure out its weight as a division of a ton. The flagstone was somewhere over $250 a ton, but the individual pieces are priced by dimension and presented to the naïve buyer — me — in terms of square footage. Since the product is created by millions of years of geological comings and goings, the thicknesses of the slabs vary. Ramon had a design in mind, based on the dimensions of the walkways that he and Mano had carved from our lawn. As the swarm of men collected the stone pieces into a central location, another man came over with a pad of paper in his hand. He began to write down what we were planning on taking, all the while doing the math on the margins. Ramon, Mano and this man, who was clearly a bit higher up in the XYZ

Ben Guerrero

See Home Moaner page 42

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consultation to discuss your needs” We formed a caravan, with Ramon at the lead, the two masons in their pickup www.fairfieldcountygenerators.com trucks, while I took up the rear in the Camry. They led me into the light industrial area of a nearby urban center, and into the dust cloud behind the gates of XYZ 314 Wilson Avenue, Norwalk Stoneworks. Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Marine & RV Like a landlocked Jacques Cousteau, I entered a new and unexplored world of Sales • Service • Installation • Parts adventure. My history of masonry, and all things stony, has been limited to an occa24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE sional bag of Redi-Mix at the Home Depot, and many childhood years at my father’s side, watching him fit the glacial rocks of New England into endless garden walls around the old homestead. His LLC™ Aztec blood pumped through his strong arms and spindly legs, making him a natIGH FFICIENCY ural builder of sturdy walls. Evidently the trait did not pass along to me. But I have IREPLACE RATES dabbled with limited success, constructTHOUSANDS SOLD in Litchfield County alone! ing occasional crumbly walls and sinking • Twice the Heat Output, burns half the firewood. patios. • Eliminates most smoke problems. XYZ Stoneworks is the domain of men • Totally Self Feeding, no fire poking. of manly masonry. Mano and Ramon • Safety First...No more flaming logs rolling out onto the hearth. were regulars, and our arrival signaled a • New! Custom ornamentation now available. flurry of broad-shouldered attendants, • High End Wrought Iron Look & Feel! some on forklifts, ready to help us 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE thumb through the rows of flagstone, as Quality Lifetime Construction • Affordably Priced! if they were extremely heavy prints in a There has never been anything quite like it! Flintstonian art gallery. Ramon, coming SIZES TO FIT ANY FIREPLACE! PRICED AT $79 AND UP to light as the true “brains of the outfit,” withdrew a small notebook from his back (860)496-7907 • (800)274-7364 pocket and began to recite the dimensions 219 Wheeler Road • Litchfield, CT of the stones he’d need in Spanish. The Hours: Tues.-Sat. 8-5 pm, Sun. 12-5 pm attendants lifted individual pieces from Closed Monday the stacks and Ramon scrutinized them with an artist’s unique brand of cynicism. Call For Directions & Information On

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WINDOW I ON I REAL I ESTATE ■

Whether plain or fancy, how to save on energy costs by Jane K. Dove With the coldest months of the year now almost here, area homeowners are looking to save on energy expenditures. Although winter energy costs may not hit the extreme highs predicted earlier, they will still be up significantly from 2007 to 2008.

There are many ways to save, some basic and some more advanced. They all result in achieving the goal of conserving energy, and the ever-increasing chunk of the family budget that goes to pay for it. Simple And Effective “If I could give only one tip to homeowners, it would be to insulate their attics,” says David R. Leopold of Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection of Fairfield. “Up to 70% of heat loss in a home can be through the attic because heat rises,” he says. “A well-insulated attic means you will burn less oil in the winter. Oil is a non-renewable fossil fuel, and less oil consumption means less pollution and contributing less to global warming.” Attic insulation also means using less air conditioning in the summer, David says, because it cuts down on the summer sun’s “radiator” effect — hot attic air trapped above the home’s living space. David recommends using either cellulose or soy-based, water-blown insulation instead of traditional fiberglass. “They are way more effective and efficient insulators, and their installation techniques eliminate all the gaps and holes you find �� with fiberglass,” he says. �� Tuning up heating equipment is sec�� ond on his list. “As home inspectors, we often see heating equipment that hasn’t been tuned up in years,” he says. “If you need an incentive, remember that a 78% Joe Rizzo, Proprietor - Country Road Associates LTD. efficiency really means that 22 cents of “We’re the only makers of 19th every heating dollar is going straight up Century style furniture to use your chimney.” 19th C. barnwood.” David says another simple fix is a proShown here: FARM TABLE. Farm tables grammable thermostat, available for about bring to mind families enjoying a bounty $20 at home-improvement stores. “By of good eating. That’s why we have connecting just two low- voltage wires, adapted it for contemporary living or following the instructions, and you can traditional settings. This simple, yet uniquely beautiful dining table is 72” L x automatically set back your sleeping and 36” W x 30” H, and comfortably seats 8. ‘daily away’ temperatures by 10 degrees.” Also custom cabinetry, chairs, mirrors, benches, Other tips include closing the fireplace Oriental rugs and more “I sell barnwood very reasonably. Call me for a price quote.” damper on the chimney and installing a spring-loaded chimney-top damper to • Traditional hand craftsmanship • Each piece individually signed, • FLOORING in rare chestnut, wide-board white pine, oak, heart pine, • Hand-rubbed wax finish for dated & numbered by joiner trap warm air. hemlock, cherry, walnut & more a mellow satin patina • Send $5 for our color brochure “When you leave your house in winter, • Random widths from 3" to 20" close the shades on the north and east • Barnsiding in different natural colors, faded red, Open Tues.–Sat. 10am-4pm, Sunday & Monday by appointment silver gray, and brown sides of the house, and open them on the COUNTRY ROAD ASSOCIATES, LTD., • Large Quantities available • Deliveries throughout the USA south and west sides for insulation and 63 Front Street, P.O. Box 885, Millbrook, NY 12545 • HAND-HEWN BEAMS up to 13" wide, random -lengths 845-677-6041 FAX 845-677-6532 solar gain,” he says.

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November 2008

“Also, caulk every cold-air penetration point you detect around your house, including where the air conditioning lines and the pipe for your hose faucet enter from outside,” he says. “Put an insulated “cozy” over the hose bib to prevent drafts in winter. Install foam electrical outlet gaskets to prevent air intrusion.” Finally, David recommends purchasing special tape and sealing all air ducts. “Don’t use regular duct tape for this,” he says. “Duct tape might hold the world together, but it doesn’t work on air ducts — it falls off.” Integrate Systems For Big Savings “When it comes to helping homeowners save on their energy bills,” a systems-integration approach can yield excellent results,” says John Davis, head of Davco Custom Electronic Solutions of Norwalk. Mr. Davis says his company takes a “whole house” approach to reducing energy, since controlling electricity consumption is a high priority for many homeowners. “Electric costs are high and going higher,” he says. “We install automated lightingcontrol systems that handle dimming, timers and adjustments for times and events of the day. Our typical system can save 20 to 25% a year on a home’s electric bill. Systems can be installed during construction or retrofitted.” John says most new luxury homes feature automated energy-control systems. “Even if you start with a basic system, it can be upgraded and expanded over time. For example, automated shades are becoming more and more popular. When the sun comes up,

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they open. When it goes down, they close. This has become a big seller over the past couple of years.” John says automated HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) control is also quickly gaining in popularity. “We can provide clients with a central ‘smart thermostat’ tied in with all the other thermostats in the house,” he says. “In effect, it can ‘talk’ to the other automated systems in the house, providing an advanced level of control over energy expenditure.” Davco also installs complete power-management systems. “These automatic systems monitor consumption of water, electricity, gas, and oil,” he says. “The system can produce a real-time graph that pinpoints consumption levels and costs in each category. We can then amend the usage through automation. When we are done, all you have to do is press a button to change your consumption levels.” John says he believes automated energy-conservation systems are the wave of the future. “The abilities of automation to save energy are really endless,” he says. “New technologies are constantly springing up, and it is no longer just used in large luxury homes. As technology improves and takes hold, automation is becoming more mainstream. One day in the not too distant future, every new home will use the technology in some form or another.” ■

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

Racking One’s Brain continued from page 8 cops would have arrived unannounced at my door, possibly with guns drawn, and not nearly as friendly or helpful. Like Lucy, I would have had some explaining to do. I supplied the officer with a few telling details, such as the cracked mirror on the passenger side and the pile of clothes in the trunk. But he said it was unlikely the car would be found again. He guessed that it was probably bound for a chop shop in Bridgeport, where it would be broken down for parts. He gave me a copy of the stolen vehicle report and told me to call my insurance company — and not wait two days to do so. Finding it reassuring to come across a police officer with a sense of humor, I managed a small chuckle. When I told people about the theft, many of them had the same reaction: Why would someone want to steal that car? They had a point. It was a 1996 Honda Accord, forest green, with 130,000 miles. In addition to the cracked mirror, there were other aesthetic hiccups. A small but enlarging rust spot on the trunk, a slight white scratch on the rear end of the right side, a tiny dent by the front left tire that caused a tiny creaking sound whenever the driver’s-side door was opened. Nothing hideous, yet

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enough blemishes to make one wonder why the thieves had chosen my car when there were a few shiny metallic Mercedes nearby. Turns out they didn’t need that SAT book to know their stuff. Older-model Hondas are prime theft targets because demand for parts is high. The cars are popular and durable, meaning someone is always looking for replacement parts, which can be had cheaper on the black market. I imagined the chop-shop employees would be particularly pleased upon discovering the brand-new radiator I had recently installed. Some older Japanese-made cars are also stolen for the so-called tuner market, where cars are modified for road racing. Since my car’s pickup was almost not vroomy enough to pass a Vespa, this scenario seemed implausible, unless someone had the time, patience and know-how to embark on the Sistine Chapel of modification projects. Last year, the 1991 Honda Accord was second only to the 1995 Honda Civic in overall vehicle thefts in the United States, according to information gathered by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. To protect against thefts, the NICB recommends a “layered approach.” This involves a four-step action plan that includes common sense (locking the car doors), an alarm or other warning device, an immobilizing device (fuel cutoff or smart key to prevent car from being driven), and a tracking device such as a LoJack system. I had to answer no to the final three options — my only warning device came from the front passenger side door, which often squeaked when opening because of hinges that needed oiling. And even though I had locked the door and taken the keys, common sense probably couldn’t be checked off either. Accustomed to treating the car as if it were a college dorm room, I had the back seat filled with newspapers and the passenger seat and floor strewn with empty water bottles from the gym. My wife frequently mentioned that all that clutter might attract thieves. Extending a repetitive theme in our marriage, she was right.

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November 2008

My insurance company mailed some paperwork to be filled out and returned. But before I sent it back, something unexpected happened. The car turned up. It was found abandoned on a street corner in a deserted part of Bridgeport and towed by the police to a garage. The front left tire was missing, and there was damage to the front fender, the instrument panel and the ignition. A claims assessor from Liberty Mutual went to the garage and ruled the car a total loss. Before it could be towed to a salvage station, I had to go to the garage, clean out the car and remove the license plates. Even though the car had been in the family for 12 years — my dad had bought it in 1996 and then sold it to me for the affordable sum of $1, when he and my mom moved to Arizona in 2002 — I didn’t share the same close bond that some people do with their vehicles. It was merely something that got me from Point A to Point B. When my wife’s car payments were finished next May,

I was going to have no trouble getting rid of the car and buying something much newer. But seeing it like that at the garage, gimpy from the missing tire and damaged from where the ignition had been smashed, turned me wistful. It seemed a harsh, traumatic end for a car that had spent many peaceful weekend days taking my dad to and from the Ridgefield golf course. I filled up several large Glad bags with the clothes and papers and water bottles the thieves had wisely left behind. When I told a mechanic working at the garage that I had forgotten to bring a screwdriver to remove the plates, he came over and did it for me. I was picking up some pennies from the floor of the back seat when I heard him call to me. “Look at this,” he said, holding up the back license plate with a rusty key my dad had attached long ago in case of getting locked out. “They didn’t even have to break in.” ■

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Staging continued from page 25 family members who would pitch in and help. I ran down and got the paint. They cleaned the walls, and a daughter and boyfriend came in the next day and had it painted by that afternoon. And what a difference a simple coat of paint made!” Kellie said. Barbara Hickey of Juner Properties was the Realtor for this home, and, seeing the results, hired Kellie and Jen for another home. “All I could say was, ‘Wow!’ when I first saw the den. They had taken a room that was dark and dated, and the new color made the whole room pop. It was a considerable change,” Barbara said. Stagers may meet with a good deal of resistance. “If the seller has lived in the home a long time, there is a tremendous emotional attachment that has to be acknowledged and accommodated,” said Kellie. Rearranging the furniture and painting the paneling a pale green made the whole room ‘pop.’ What a difference a coat of paint made! See page 10.

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November 2008

The benefit of professional stagers is that they look at your home with fresh eyes, know what realistically can be accomplished, and can help you with the difficult task of clearing out items. In one case the husband insisted on keeping his chair in the den. A compromise was reached when the women dressed up the chair with a colorful afghan and a couple of throw pillows, solving the impasse. “You have to remind the sellers that the goal is to sell the house and some changes need to be made,” Kellie said. An unexpected benefit is that many clients learn to love the changed lifestyle. Removing items that are disposable may be traumatic, but many have found it to be liberating to get rid of stuff. Kellie said the first step is to remove personal belongings, such as photos and collections, and to get rid of excess furniture. “It can be overwhelming and difficult. You have to do it room by room, and pick and choose what you are going to keep in the house, pack to move or throw out. “Staging your home can make your life simpler, more beautiful and better organized, and you will be happier and calmer when you walk in the door. That is the social worker in me,” said Kellie. Home & Hearth Interiors LLC, 203-984-9362, keudowe@optonline.net. ■

STAGING TO LIVE OR SELL • Clutter makes a house look and feel chaotic. • Less clutter and furniture make rooms look bigger. • If you have young children, use of a piece of furniture as a toy chest. • Clear countertops. Designate a cabinet for coffee pot, toaster, etc. In the bathroom, use clear containers to store items for easy access. • Clean closets once a year, ruthlessly, and store seasonal clothes. • Use a digital photo frame for family pictures. • If linen space is limited, use baskets to display bathroom towels. • Antique books, quality artificial flowers and candles enhance every home. • Stage seasonally, fun for you and the family. Change the scent of the candles from citrus in summer to apple pie in fall and evergreen in winter. Fill vases with seashells and candles in summer and cranberries and green candles in winter.

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

Home Moaner continued from page 35 pecking order, carried on a trialog in idiomatic Spanish from three different South American countries, while I looked on with suburban, gullible skepticism. It was all part of the act. I realized it at once, and I was reminded of the gigantic mercado in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where I had spent a large chunk of a memorable summer 35 years ago. It was there I learned to appreciate Mexican beer, fine cigars, the art of bargaining, and, much to the surprise of the men at XYZ Stoneworks, Spanish.

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

“No, no, no,” I said, trilling my double r’s and transforming all the n’s with tildes into enyays, “I did not ask you what it cost, I asked you what it was worth.” This sentence, transposed into English for the monolingual American reader, loses a bit in translation, but suffice it to say, it got my foot in the door, negotiation-wise. Like any good vendor, the man with the pad opened up with many paragraphs of argument on his behalf, peppered with colorful Spanish adjectives. Instantly conjuring up memories of this market of my youth, the body language came back to me and I struck a stubborn pose. Needless to say, the Spanish did not, since, as previously stated, it had been more than three decades since I was shaving pesos off the price of pottery in the Mercado Central. I can barely remember most English words anymore. Still, the men were impressed, and we ended up having a good time and making what I was assured, by Mano and Ramon, was a good deal. Later, back at the Hacienda de la Hinge Rustica, Mano and Ramon were mixing up yards and yards of cement and pouring it into forms that had been set up that morning. I knew then and there that my instincts in the paint store had been accurate: I was going to have really good walkways. These two characters would be setting the flagstones on at least six inches of cement; they were not, as I said to Mano, going anywhere. The last bit of cement had been poured by the light of the porch lamp. I considered sitting sentinel over the soupy slabs in case a band of mischievous neighborhood wise guys decided to leave a last�� ing mark à la Grauman’s Chinese in the middle of the passing night. The slabs were set-up and unmolested the next morning when Mano and Ramon returned to the job. By the end of the afternoon, I had two fresh flagstone walkways leading to the street: one for us and one for the mailman. They needed to return to XYZ on Monday to get one more stone, claiming the guys over there had given them one of an improper size. I am writing this on the night shift, a few hours before Mano and Ramon will be in my yard, fitting the last stone in place and cleaning up the debris. I am confident the job will be done to our satisfaction. In the spring, when the grass comes in, all of the disruption from the past few months will have faded from my memory like the conjugation of the subjunctive verb tense. But stepping out on the porch and surveying the flagstone path will scratch up a memory, renewed after 35 years of hibernation. The smell of fruit, bright colors and the difference between value and cost, as the last bit of dust is carried away in an April breeze. Papel o plastico? ben.guerrero@sbcglobal. net. ■ November 2008

Into the Garden continued from page 21

Euphorbia Diamond Frost is an annual that is usually grown in pots. This summer we tried it as a bedding plant, and believe it is a good replacement for gypsophila (baby’s breath). Questions or comments: donnaclark@ix.netcom.com. ■

I’ll just say, this is a great plant for those of you with limited space. I can see it growing in a barrel and being the only plant you need for peppers. Another plant from Virginia this spring was Persimmon Orange Tomato. I’ll also grow this one next year, simply because it is the last tomato I picked this fall. I’ll admit it is the first yellow tomato I’ve grown, and on my first burger, the yellow slice made me think I had a cheeseburger, but it is a really mild-flavored tomato. You can get the seeds from EcoBroker® Totally Tomatoes at totallytomato.com. One of my late-seeded varieties had is a certified real estate me fooled. I thought it was arugula, professional who understands from the leaves, so I even had a couple of “green” homes, energy leaves on my sandwich. Then as I walked efficiency, sustainable by the row, I spotted white roots growing design, healthier environments, — it was a radish called Discovery. It’s a daikon/long white radish, and I love it. and value.

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

November 2008