.0%&3/
$-"44*$
8*5) " $-"44*$ 5",& 0/ .0%&3/ 4)"1&4 063 41*3*5&% /&8 $0--&$5*0/ $0/7&:4 063 *$0/*$ $0.'035 8&-- 13*$&% */ 4503&4 */ 450$, 3&"%: '03 %&-*7&3:
PRESENTING: Cynthia 95� Sofa 95�w x 39�d x 32�h in 100% pewter linen ($3710) $2595, Eartha Large Cocktail Table 63�w x 32�d x 15�h $1745, Horizon 8’ x 10’ Rug in vanilla $1595, Sterling Table Lamp 23.5�h $450, Tribute to Music 42�w x 54�h $1995.
GREENWICH CT 45 East Putnam Avenue / 203.661.4480 / Convenient parking available. SOHO One Kenmare Square / 210 Lafayette BTW Spring & Broome / 212.431.2575 www.mgbwhome.com
WESTPORT, CT | 203.341.0413 | INFO@MARSILVERDESIGN.COM | WWW.MARSILVERDESIGN.COM
Imagine...
an endless vacation at home
www.escapesinc.com
203-966-2843
THE DRAWING ROOM
DesignBoutique&CafĂŠ
The destination for tea enthusiasts, inspiration see kers and design fanatics five suburban avenue cos cob ct 0 6 8 0 7 203.661.3737
www.thedrawingroom.cc
! No weak tea here oom Cafe The Drawing R field County’s was voted Fair r lunch and favorite spot fo afternoon tea!
visit us online for more information on our teahouse events,
Kenleigh and Mike explore the big blue marble gathering ingredients for authentic design, unique home goods, memorable gifts and enticing cuisine.
Let our design team revitalize your home this spring, and realize its full bloom potential !
exit 5
exit 4
interior design ser vices, and brilliant boutique finds!
Spring for inspiration at The Drawing Room
ADVERTISEMENT
BLACK Interior designer Suzanna Wanicka From Ridgefield CT. wanted something extraordinary for her dining room so she turned to Wainscot Solutions INC to help her get it done. This room shown before (below right) was as ordinary as can be. Suzanna had a vision of high Wainscot Paneling and a paneled ceiling with Mirrors in it! With the perfect chandelier already picked out all she needed was the right company to pull it off. Do you have a dream room? Call us now 860-354-3638 to schedule an appointment. www.wainscotsolutions.com or for weekly design inspirations blog.wainscotsolutions.net
BEFORE
iH design studio
interior design and decoration
203-969-7227
www.ihdesignstudio.com
You could say this changes everything. Or just say “wow.” The new Jenn-Air ® Pro-Style® series turns the kitchen into a place where anything is possible. Where you can cook with real power. Feel the strength of commercial-style precision. Scale new culinary heights. These appliances deliver an entirely new level of performance and design, and our ranges feature the industry’s most powerful burner available.* The Pro-Style® series will take your kitchen way beyond gorgeous.
*Among leading brands.
Receive a FREE DISHWASHER with the purchase of a select Pro-Style® range or wall oven and cooktop during the Your Purchase Your Reward event.** Visit an S.K. Lavery Appliance Company showroom near you.
North Haven
West Hartford
sklaveryappliance.com
**See store for complete details and qualified models. Only valid at participating Jenn-Air Brand retailers. Customer will receive an instant credit at the register for the retail price of the free appliance. All products must be purchased on a single order/receipt. Offer good only in the U.S.A. No substitutions allowed. ARV of free product, $1257. Retailer alone determines actual resale price. Promotion valid until April 30, 2011. ® Registered Trademark/TM Trademark of Jenn-Air, U.S.A. ©2011. All Rights Reserved.
MICHAEL FEIN
From the Editor
New England and Points Beyond YOU’D THINK THAT THE EDITOR OF A STRICTLY REGIONAL
architecture and interiors magazine might have little cause to stray outside the comfortable confines of his own corner of the world. After all, the professionals whose work would concern him, the houses and gardens that would be appropriate for his publication, are all, by and large, located within an easy four hours’ drive of his front door. Well, my schedule over the past few months pretty much demolishes that assumption. In between jaunts to Newport, Portsmouth and New Canaan, there have also been designrelated journeys to places like Paris and Los Angeles. It’s true that such excursions have their touristic side, and I’m hardly going to complain about being forced to spend an occasional afternoon trudging the grueling length of the rue de l’Université. But however far these places might be from Essex and Cos Cob in a purely geographic sense, on the aesthetic front the connections can be very close indeed. Paris in late January is home to one of the biggest design trade shows in the world, Maison & Objet, as well as a small-
12
New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
er but, in terms of pure cachet, perhaps more rarified event, Paris Deco Off. Thousands of architects, designers, editors and shop owners converge to scope out the hottest trends, pick up new product lines, catch up on gossip and drink kirs. The first annual Design Bloggers Conference, probably the largest, most comprehensive gathering so far of that burgeoning community, convened at the end of February in a particularly stylish corner of West Hollywood. Surrounded by storied destinations such as the Pacific Design Center, Almont Yard and the La Cienega Design Quarter, we all spent two intensive days sharing experiences, inspiration, best practices, technical information—and of course more gossip. But what, you may still be thinking, does all this really have to do with a New England–based magazine? Although our region continues to have very much its own characteristic look and feel, all of us are increasingly immersed in a thoroughly national and international conversation about what good design can mean. The houses featured in the following pages show influences from England, France, Italy, China, India and American folk art, yet all of them clearly belong just where they’re situated, in Connecticut. The furniture and accessories they contain are ever more likely to have been culled from sources across the United States or across the ocean, but under the curatorial eye of local design teams. Part of my job as an editor, even in a territory comprising only a single state, is to keep abreast of the global influences being felt—and exerted—by our top designers, and to help guide readers—some of whom are those same designers—to the trends and resources that will fire their creative imaginations. So while I’m sitting out Milan’s Salone del Mobile and North Carolina’s High Point this spring to catch a few days in the office, I’ll probably head back to New York again in May for the ICFF, Kips Bay Show House and Design Week. No sacrifice is too great for the cause!
Kyle Hoepner, Editor-in-Chief khoepner@nehomemag.com
Pamela Jimenez Interior Design
Pamela Jimenez Design 203-570-1444 www.pamelajimenezdesign.com Please visit my collection of 18th Century English antiques and Mid-Century Modern at Hamptons Antique Gallery, 441 Canal Street, in Stamford
PHOTO MICHAEL J. LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE • CONSTRUCTION • GARDEN SERVICES SUDBURY DESIGN GROUP has long been recognized as one of the leading landscape architectural firms in the region, working with discerning residential and commercial clients in the Greater Boston area, and throughout New England, for more than 50 years.
740 Boston Post Road | Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776 SUDBURYDESIGN.COM 978.443.3638 (MA) 401.789.5889 (RI)
SPRING 2011 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2
80
38
Featured Homes 48 Bless This House A couple raises a historic church from the dead, giving the abandoned
house of worship in Old Lyme new life as a family home. ARCHITECTURE: LAURENT T. DUPONT • PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL PARTENIO • WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY STACY KUNSTEL
60 Modern Movement A Greenwich couple takes a big step toward the contemporary, sweep-
ing away a classic colonial look for a fresh approach that better suits their active young family. INTERIOR DESIGN: MICHELLE MORGAN HARRISON • PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN GOULD BESSLER • TEXT: PAULA M. BODAH • PRODUCED BY STACY KUNSTEL
70 Joint Adventure A New Canaan couple merges two modernized condos, creating a single
home that honors an old house’s past and gives it a beautiful future. ARCHITECTURE: MARK HOWLAND • INTERIOR DESIGN: NANCY SERAFINI • PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL PARTENIO • TEXT: MEGAN FULWEILER • PRODUCED BY STACY KUNSTEL
98
80 Colonial Revival Classic meets contemporary in a family-friendly—yet still sophisticated—
Greenwich home. INTERIOR DESIGN: LINDA RUDERMAN-ROSIER • PHOTOGRAPHY: LAURA MOSS • TEXT: KATIE KEATING • PRODUCED BY STACY KUNSTEL
Departments 12 From the Editor 26 Artistry: A Cut Above With vivid color and a fluid, painterly approach, Deborah Weiss
enlivens the ancient art of woodcut printmaking. BY NENA DONOVAN LEVINE 32 Made Here: Bright Ideas The authentic reproduction fixtures crafted by Richard Scofield
Historic Lighting burn brightly into the next century and beyond. BY NENA DONOVAN LEVINE 38 Outside Interest: Perennial Favorite This Fairfield County backyard is designed for
year-round enchantment. GARDEN AND INTERIOR DESIGN: ELLEN LEVINSON • ARCHITECTURE: JOHN P. FRANZEN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN VANDEN BRINK • TEXT BY MEGAN FULWEILER
92 Design Life Our candid camera snaps recent gatherings that celebrate architecture and design. 94 Calendar Special events for those who are passionate about fine design. 98 Perspectives Three area designers envision a garden paradise.
60
Wish List: Lindy Weaver shares favorite kitchen design products. 106 It’s Personal: Favorite finds from the staff of New England Home. 108
On the cover: Vivid hues and a lively mix of patterns play against a classic backdrop in a New Canaan home reworked by designer Nancy Serafini. Photograph by Michael Partenio. To see more of this home, turn to page 70.
110 New in the Showrooms Unique, beautiful and now appearing in Connecticut shops and
showrooms. BY KARA LASHLEY 114 Resources A guide to the professionals and products featured in this issue. 120 Advertiser Index 128 Sketch Pad Hand-sketching is a valuable tool for New Canaan architect Amanda Martocchio.
16 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
B U I L D E R S
O F
H O M E S …
B U I L D E R S
O F
D R E A M S …
B U I L D E R S
F O R
L I F E
Wright Brothers Builders have been building and renovating custom homes in Connecticut and New York for the past 25 years. We are a Certified Green Professional with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. 325 Post Road West l Westport, CT 06880 l Phone: 203.227.8215 l Fax: 203.227.0408 Website: www.wrightbuild.com l Email: info@wrightbuild.com CT Contractor’s # 519933 Westchester Lic. # 06178-H94
Bold Spring Designs at Apadana
iNVERNESS WHITE ROSE
BLIPMARKS RED
CHANT BLACK
KIWI GRENADINE
Apadana Fine Rugs 539 East Putnam Ave, Cos Cob, CT 06807 (203) 422- 0700
www.apadanafinerugs.com
Your one-stop source for the ďŹ nest modern and antique area rugs available in the world today.
Admired for more than just their beauty
7ESTWOOD -! s -ILFORD #4
Lace 2141L
Marble and Granite, Inc. has the largest inventory of unique stones, CaesarStone and Curava in New England. We take pride in customer service to both homeowners and the trade to help you choose a spectacular countertop that will last for many years to come. To learn more, please visit www.marbleandgranite.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kyle Hoepner khoepner@nehomemag.com HOMES EDITOR
Stacy Kunstel skunstel@nehomemag.com SENIOR EDITOR
Paula M. Bodah pbodah@nehomemag.com MANAGING EDITOR
Erin Marvin emarvin@nehomemag.com ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORS
Jared Ainscough jainscough@nehomemag.com Sorae Lee soraelee@nehomemag.com ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kara Lashley klashley@nehomemag.com
Comfortably sumptuous furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories for your exceptional coastal home
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Cheryl and Jeffrey Katz candjkatz@nehomemag.com Karin Lidbeck Brent klidbeck@nehomemag.com Louis Postel lpostel@nehomemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Regina Cole, Caroline Cunningham, Megan Fulweiler, Nena Donovan Levine, Nathaniel Reade
www.CottageandBungalow.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Robert Benson, Bruce Buck, Tria Giovan, Sam Gray, John Gruen, Warren Jagger, Richard Mandelkorn, Laura Moss, Michael Partenio, Greg Premru, Eric Roth, James R. Salomon ••• Subscriptions To subscribe to New England Home’s Connecticut ($15.95 for one year) or for customer service, call (800) 765-1225 or visit our Web site, www.nehomemag.com. Editorial and Advertising Office 530 Harrison Ave., Suite 302 Boston, MA 02118 (617) 938-3991 (800) 609-5154 Editorial Submissions Designers, architects, builders and homeowners are invited to submit projects for editorial consideration. For information about submitting projects, e-mail emarvin @nehomemag.com. Letters to the Editor We’d love to hear from you! Write to us at the above address, fax us at (617) 663-6377 or e-mail us at letters@nehomemag.com. Upcoming Events Are you planning an event that we can feature in our Calendar of Events? E-mail information to calendar@nehome mag.com, or mail to Calendar Editor, New England Home, 530 Harrison Ave., Suite 302, Boston, MA 02118. Parties We welcome photographs from designor architecture-related parties. Send highresolution photos with information about the party and the people pictured to pbodah@nehomemag.com.
20 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
DOTSIE DORAN AMY ANDREWS NANCY ELSBERRY NICOLE LIMBOCKER
3 3 E A S T E L M S T R E E T, G R E E N W I C H ( 2 0 3 ) 6 6 1 - 4 8 4 4 ( 2 1 2 ) 3 7 1 - 3 3 5 0
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, NEW ENGLAND HOME’S CONNECTICUT
Roberta Thomas Mancuso rmancuso@nehomemag.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Kathy Bush-Dutton kbushdutton@nehomemag.com Andrea Kolden akolden@nehomemag.com Kim Sansoucy ksansoucy@nehomemag.com Robin Schubel rschubel@nehomemag.com Angela Stevenson astevenson@nehomemag.com PRODUCTION MANAGER
Glenn Sadin gsadin@nehomemag.com MARKETING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Kate Koch kkoch@nehomemag.com CIRCULATION MANAGER
Kurt Coey NEWSSTAND MANAGER
Bob Moenster ••• Advertising Information To receive information about advertising in New England Home’s Connecticut, please contact us at (800) 609-5154, ext. 713 or info@nehomemag.com.
r o b e r t
d e a n
a r c h i t e c t s
Robert Bruce Dean, AIA
111 Cherry Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
t
(203) 966-8333
Editorial and Advertising Office 530 Harrison Ave., Suite 302 Boston, MA 02118 (617) 938-3991 (800) 609-5154
•••
w w w. ro b e r t d e a n a rch i t e c t s . c o m
NCI Corporate Offices 2305 Newpoint Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043 (800) 972-0189 Home Design Division PRESIDENT
Adam Japko SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
Stuart Christian DIRECTOR OF PUBLISHING OPERATIONS
Rick Higgins
CHAIRMAN/CEO
Daniel R. McCarthy CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Gerry Parker GENERAL COUNSEL
Susan Deese 22 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Shell Decor
LIVING WELL WITH ST YLE
WWW.SHELL-DECOR .COM Greenwich, CT 203-422-2034
Follow us on
www.colonyrug.com 800.458.4445
Exceptional Quality Area Rugs & Carpeting
Private Residence: Nantucket, MA | Seldom Scene Interiors, Wendy Valliere
1 6 5 / " . , * 5 $ ) & / 4
6 5 /" .
,
*5
4 0 6
E a s t
P u t n a m
$)&/
&TU
www.putnamkitchens.com
A v e
•
C o s
C o b ,
C T
•
4
1
h7HERE ,UXURY BEGINS v
2 0 3
6 6 1 - 2 2 7 0
Artistry
A Cut Above With vivid color and a fluid, painterly approach, Deborah Weiss enlivens the ancient art of woodcut printmaking. BY NENA DONOVAN LEVINE
“B
lock prints? I made one at camp.” Ridgefield artist Deborah Weiss sometimes gets that response when she mentions her work as a woodcut printmaker. But as anyone who sees Weiss’s creations realizes at once, they’re a far cry from a camper’s craft project. Those a bit more familiar with the medium will also recognize how much her work departs from traditional woodcut printmaking. Her fluid, diaphanous studies mingle and merge a dozen hues, bursting the constraints of the age-old form. Weiss’s work resembles that of earlier printmaking masters, like Hans Holbein in the sixteenth century or Katsushika Hokusai in the nineteenth, about as much as Water Lilies resembles the Mona Lisa. Holbein printed and bordered his representational scenes in stark black ink; Weiss creates ab-
stract imagery in lush tones. Though colorful, Hokusai’s work—even his well-known Great Wave—is static, motionless; Weiss’s woodcuts, by contrast, seem to ripple and flow across the page. The form can be “very strict and rigid,” the artist acknowledges, “but I’ve turned it into something that’s freer and less restrained.” A former graphic designer, Weiss fell in love with the medium a decade ago, inspired in part by her interest in handmade Asian papers, with their unpredictable Clockwise from above: Branch to Branch (Green Print Portfolio), thickness and random editioned woodcut, 19" × 42"; coloration. Today, she creWatermarked III, unique wood ates two distinct styles of relief print, 23" × 22"; Vernal Season, unique woodcut, 17" × 17" woodcut prints. The first involves layering numerous printings with opaque and transparent inks to produce striking multi-hued abstractions. The artist’s Silk Road and 26 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Watermarked series exemplify this major facet of her output, whose textures and sense of movement evoke both the natural world and the layered, woven feel of textiles. Weiss also works in another mode, using nontoxic inks to print botanical silhouettes on lokta, a handmade paper from Nepal. In these bold, hand-pulled prints, which Weiss has assembled in a separate collection called Green Print Portfolio, the silhouettes float among the mysterious, shadowy stains and blotchy freckles inherent to the organic paper.
Your Vision...
Our Passion.
• Design/Build • Renovations and Restorations • Custom Homes
203.966.3399 www.urbaneconstruction.net New Canaan New York City Southampton
Artistry
As fluid and spontaneous as her art appears, a careful process underlies it. While each piece offers “an element of surprise,” Weiss says, “there are always technical issues that come into play.” Selecting the right wood species for the block is crucial, as the grain affects how much detail she can carve. Weiss typically turns to tight-grained Shina plywood, locally sourced luan or birch, or salvage wood, whose grain resembles rivulets and eddies. Carving time depends on the wood, but it’s never a quick job. Using implements such as futatsu wari (Japanese precision tools), a large wood gouge and a small Dremel power tool, Weiss carves her patterns and images onto wood blocks that are larger than the paper. The technique allows her to position the sheet on different parts of the same block for multiple overprintings. She always makes the first printing in an opaque ink, adding subsequent layers in transparent hues. The artist has to reckon with how the colors will change when laid over each other, and how they’ll absorb—or not absorb—into the paper. Sometimes she cuts a full-size sheet into wide sections, which gives her greater freedom in placing the paper on the block, reassembling the sections to create the final work. Weiss’s unique methods, which she honed at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, have won her plenty of recognition. She has exhibited nationally, including at the 28 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
International Print Center New York, as well as in China. Her work can be found in many private and corporate collections, such as those of Fidelity Investments, Unilever and the RitzCarlton and Four Seasons hotels. In November, Kean University in New Jersey will mount Clockwise from above: print a solo show of Weiss’s woodfrom the Silk Road series, cut artistry. unique woodcut, 26" × 17"; “We have had a terrific reStructure in Nature (Green Print sponse to Deborah’s work,” Portfolio), editioned woodcut, 60" × 30" and 34" × 16" says David Behnke, of Behnke Doherty Gallery in Washington Depot. “Her wonderful sense of color, manipulation of registration and use of the woodblock grain itself as part of her compositions . . . make her prints instantly recognizable.” Indeed, whether or not they know anything about woodcut printmaking, people are drawn to Weiss’s abstract, nature-based imagery. “I hope viewers appreciate work that suggests rather than dictates,” she says. “When someone tells me that a particular print or series reminds them of something they have observed, I am pleased.” • Editor’s Note To see more of Weiss’s work, visit her Web site, www.deborahweiss.com.
Crea ng meless design for over thirty years
sheridan interiors Fine home furnishings you can live with
198 Danbury Road Wilton, Connec cut 06897 ph: 203. 762. 2888 www.sheridaninteriors.com Showrooms open to the public
For Fun, Some Read, Some Dine , Some Attempt
MT. EVEREST.
We Make Shutters.
BACK BAY S HUTTER C O. I NC . totally passionate about shutters速 (and shades too!) 78i.22i.0i00 www.backbayshutter.com Geographically flexible.
Like us on Facebook!
More than Just Good Looking Radiators… Green and Energy Efficient too!
For over 50 years, Runtal Radiators have been the favorite among architects and designers for their superior style and comfortable radiant warmth and today the other aspects of Runtal are appreciated as well — durability, energy efficiency and cleanliness: • Constructed of cold rolled steel — Runtal Radiators are built to last. • The flat tube construction provides a quiet blanket of radiant warmth without the usual drafts, cold spots, or dry air. • Runtal panels are easily cleaned and are the choice of many hospitals and medical facilities for their superior hygiene. • Runtal’s unique design provides much greater heat transfer. • Efficient even at system water temperatures as low as 120° F — or less! • The Towel Radiators are also offered in self-contained electric versions as well as hydronics. For more information or a dealer near you call 1 - 8 0 0 - 5 2 6 - 2 6 2 1 or online at:
w w w. r u n t a l n o r t h a m e r i c a . c o m Factory and showroom located in Haverhill, MA
Made Here
Bright Ideas The authentic reproduction fixtures crafted by Richard Scofield Historic Lighting are designed to burn brightly into the next century and beyond. BY NENA DONOVAN LEVINE
T
century luminaires—or, as Doreen dubs them, “antiques of the future.” If you’ve visited Colonial Williamsburg, the restored Stone Mill at the New York Botanical Garden or the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, you’ve likely come across the company’s handiwork. But historic preservationists aren’t the only ones who’ve seen the light. Scores of homeowners have been charmed by Scofield Lighting’s aged tin and copper lanterns, intricately carved chandeliers resplendent with 22karat gold leaf, and sconces fitted with pewter reflectors and hand-blown glass. The company offers about fifty standard designs, ranging in price from $300 to $5,000. In this age of mass production, the Joslows hold fast to the 32 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
MICHELLE PARR PAULSON
TOM JUDGE
he work of Richard Scofield Historic Lighting tends to leave people scratching their heads. Is it real or reproduction? By all appearances, the company’s fixtures seem to hail from such periods as colonial New England or ancien régime France. In fact, their electric bulbs might be the only giveaway that the lights are crafted at a twenty-first-century Ivoryton workshop owned by Doreen and Jon Joslow. There, the company’s artisans create faithful reproductions of seventeenth-, eighteenth- and nineteenth-
idea that well-crafted pieces endure. In keeping with that conviction, the company relies almost entirely on authentic materials and tried-and-true methods. The hand tools Scofield artisans use to trace their patterns and bend and fold metals are “old, old, old,” Doreen says, their handles scarred by nicks and burns. For copper, iron, wood and other raw materials, the company turns to New England suppliers.
8EVE 7LE[ (VMROW 8EFPI
4EVG 1SRGIEY 7MKREXYVI 'LEMV
1SI
0EFVEHSV 6IXVMIZIV 46-')0)77
The exterior sconces Scofield Lighting created for the Ocean House are a shining example of the company’s penchant for authenticity. Whereas some manufacturers would have painted or plated the fixtures, attempting to prevent rust, Scofield’s craftsmen used sixteen-ounce copper, which acquires a lovely blue-green patina in salt air. Coatings inevitably degrade in seaside environments, Jon explains, but untreated copper pieces “last practically forever” when exposed to the elements. It’s safe to say that master craftsman Richard Scofield, the company’s founder and a stickler for historical accuracy, would approve of the Joslows’ leadership. After setting up shop in Stamford in 1974, Scofield eventually moved the company to Main Street in Chester, where Doreen and Jon— passionate lighting collectors—first ventured into the store. Five years ago, they bought the company from a former employee (who had inherited it upon Scofield’s death and moved it to Ivoryton) and proceeded to quadruple their business by forging relationships with designers, architects and builders. Designer Rhonda Eleish, co-owner of Eleish van Breems Antiques in Washington Depot, is one of their devotees. “I’m very picky about lighting. There’s a lot out there that’s very flimsy,” she says. Scofield’s fixtures, on the other hand, “age beautifully. The quality is really phenomenal.” While the company’s designs are a natural fit in period or new-old houses, Eleish, whose firm is known for Swedish-style interiors, finds that they look unexpectedly fresh elsewhere. “I can use their pieces in European, even contemporary projects,” she says. (Her favorite is the versatile English Box sconce, an aged tin stunner embellished with a gold leaf detail.) For the Joslows, it’s a treat to collaborate with clients on the custom projects that account for almost a third of their sales. Recently, Doreen worked with Jack Franzen, principal of J.P. Franzen Associates Architects in Southport, to design 34 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
MICHELLE PARR PAULSON
TOM JUDGE (2)
Made Here
some grand lanterns for the Southport Congregational Church’s community hall. On a smaller scale, Scofield’s artisans will gladly modify the size of a fixture, make subtle adjustments to the finish or proportions or incorporate an aspect of the installation site, such as an arch or quatrefoil. Given their superb craftsmanship, it’s no surprise that the company’s creations are sought out by lighting lovers throughout New England and beyond. “If there’s beauty in it, it’s going to travel,” Richard Scofield Doreen notes. (A Scofield Historic Lighting chandelier once jour(860) 767-7032 neyed from over her own www.scofieldhistoriclighting.com dining room table into the home of a dinner guest who fell hard for it.) “There are no shortcuts and no schools that really prepare our apprentices for what our fixtures demand from them,” Jon adds. True craftsmanship “takes root in the heart. There must be a passion . . . for excellence and proportion, and pride in the outcome. Our craftsmen simply love what they do, and it shows in our fixtures.” •
ThinStone project featured on the DIY Network ThinStone, Old Redding Rounds
TRADITIONAL STONE REVOLUTIONIZED Selected from the ďŹ nest quarries, ThinStone™ channels the character of traditional stone into a lightweight, easy-to-use and economical true stone veneer, perfect for home improvement projects. From traditional to modern and everything in between, ThinStone is offered in a variety of colors, textures and styles, giving your project a superior lifespan and enduring aesthetic to match.
A natural stone product brought to you by Connecticut Stone
Call (203) 204-3031 or visit us online at connecticutstone.com to learn more.
PARDO PHOTOGRAPHY
20 CHURCH STREET GREENWICH, CT 203.625.0491 WWW.RIDARCH.COM
RIDBERG+Associates Architects
.YWX PMOI XLI GSRHYGXSV SJ E ½RI SVGLIWXVE MX MW SYV I\TIVXMWI EX QEOMRK EPP XLI TMIGIW ½X XSKIXLIV WIEQPIWWP] XLEX XYVR E GPMIRX´W ZMWMSR MRXS E WLEVTP] JSGYWIH VIEPMX]
11 Riverfield Drive, Weston, CT 06883
Robin McGarryASID Interior Design
203 454 1825
www.RobinMcGarry.com
Outside Interest
Perennial Favorite With its charming pool house and plantings that range from elegantly formal topiaries to a rainbow of luxuriant blooms, a Fairfield County backyard is designed for year-round enchantment. BY MEGAN FULWEILER • GARDEN AND INTERIOR DESIGN: ELLEN LEVINSON • ARCHITECTURE: JOHN P. FRANZEN
38 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
BRIAN VANDEN BRINK (2)
T
he ideal time to peek in on this Fairfield County paradise might be late afternoon, when golden sun patinas the roses. On the other hand, early-morning dew clinging to the silvery lamb’s ears is something to behold. And, of course, moonlight has its charms. Not limited by the clock or even the calendar, this pretty garden offers constant rewards. Summer, though, is its main focus and the season that best highlights not only the appealing plants and pool but also the wellconceived plan. Recently included in the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Gardens, the impressive setting owes its merits to owner Ellen Levinson, an interior and garden designer. When she and her husband, John, decided it was time for a pool, they didn’t just plunk it down willy-nilly. Instead, they carefully studied their two-acre property for suitable locales. One thing was for certain: the couple didn’t want the pool crowding their historic 1830 home. Southport architect John Franzen, whom the owners had previously enlisted to design their handsome garage, was recruited to help. With his guidance, the Levinsons determined that a far corner of the deep yard was ideal. This savvy solution left plenty of Above: Antique stone obelisks open grass and, at the same guard the idyll’s side entry. time, created a feeling of disRight: No ordinary utilitarian building, the green garage has tance and a sense of removal its fair share of flowers includfrom everyday occurrences. ing hydrangea, golden hops Pool—and picturesque pool and Russian sage. house—would serve as a destination. With family and friends in tow, the owners could travel down to the pool and spend long, languid afternoons relaxing. A backdrop incorporating a stone wall and a mass of green shrubs and trees would help ensure that the gathering point would remain a private world—a remarkable feat considering there are nearby neighbors and a busy town within walking distance.
Diverse Experience leads to Results.
In today’s complex real estate market having someone with diverse experience can mean the difference between moving in or moving on.
Robin Kencel - Participated in over $80 million worth of Real Estate Transactions - Founder of Ellsworth-Ford, a leader in Historical Residential Renovations in Greenwich - More than 10 years experience in Marketing Fortune 100 Companies - MBA from Kellogg Graduate School - World Ranked Ballroom Dancer Realtor, Greenwich, CT
203.249.2943 robin.kencel@gmail.com www.robinkencel.com
Outside Interest “We also wanted the pool house to look like it had always been here,” Levinson says of the roughly 500-square-foot cottage that sprang up. And with a fieldstone façade and cedar-shingled sides, it most assuredly does. The arched front door is reminiscent of a fairytale house or, as Franzen sees it, “a sweet New England farm building.” A cedarshingled roof heightens the spell, as does the pergola that cools the stone patio for al fresco meals. Come July, trumpet vine dripping through the pergola bursts into bloom, its apricot flowers lasting through September. Levinson saw to it that the building was equipped with all the amenities, including a dressing room, bathroom and kitchen. White-pickled pine paneling and cheery yellow cabinets exhale a fresh, garden-y feeling of their own. A reproduction oldfashioned cookstove with modern capabilities lends a playful note. And wet feet come and go on the
40 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
BRIAN VANDEN BRINK (3)
limestone floor with never a worry, making the day-off ambience all the sweeter. “An indoor sitting area was unnecessary,” the designer says with a laugh. “If you’re here it’s to enjoy the outdoors.” The alluring blue-as-sky pool sports a diving stone (much more romantic than a board) and a bluestone surround. Beyond—just over the low stone wall—are the robust flower borders, which are Clockwise from top: Garden also visible from the house furniture by Giati elevates and, according to Levinson, the comfort factor. Pots of almost always feature somelush annuals add a color splash. Among the plants thing in bloom. in the espaliered apple-tree Consulting with garden bed are brunnera, lilies, designer Ken Twombly, who lamb’s ears and lirope. was then with Twombly Nursery in Monroe, Levinson unleashed her horticultural creativity. Sculptural topiaries—spiral Alberta spruce at the front entrance and spiral boxwoods at the side entry—are immediate attention-getters, but that’s just the beginning. Close examination reveals layers of shapes, colors and textures. Spring offerings like azaleas, lilac standards, volup-
tuous peonies and baptisia give way to classic summer treats such as catmint, salvia and phlox. Roses are abundant. Repeat bloomers such as Pink Meidiland, Carefree Delight and Carefree Wonder sing out for weeks on end alongside bright Happy Returns daylilies and hydrangea. The fall finale is led by peegee hydrangea and stalwart chrysanthemums. Winter—but who needs to look ahead?—affords the garden an opportunity to show off its structure. Topiaries along with clipped and variegated boxwood, daphne, Japanese maple, a crabapple tree and buddleia wantonly flaunt their curvaceous shapes in snow. The only annuals Levinson allows are those that burst like fireworks from containers. Not content with familiar fillers, the clever designer follows her mood, composing a dramatic array with, say, datura, Abyssinian gladiolus, lantana, ipomea and verbena. “In my pots, I always use contrasting foliage— could be golden, silver, variegated, burgundy—to make the whole arrangement pop,” she says. Like all the other elements in this noteworthy garden, the ever-lush display never fails to elicit appreciative sighs and admiring words. • Resources For information about the professionals involved in this project, turn to page 114.
Creative Classic
unique. elegant.
Inspired Family Fun Surprising
Exceptionally beautiful interior spaces
TR Design Terri Reilly ASID allied Ridgefield, Connecticut 203.994.4366
trdesignasid.com
Comfort. In all the ways you value. l country club homes d e s i g n. r e n o v a t e. b u i l d.
Large or small, or somewhere comfortably in between, an affordable custom home can be yours with Country Club Homes. Expect exceptional quality, designed for your lifestyle, and crafted by people who care. Today, quality also means sustainability. Intelligent use of space. Responsible energy consumption. Geothermal heating and cooling. Imagine, your values reflected in your home. With Country Club Homes it’s comforting to know that’s part of the package. C O U N T R Y C LU B H O M E S, I N C. ' 4 62 D A N B U R Y R O A D, W I LT O N , C T 0 6 8 97 ' 203 .762 .0 550 ' C O U N T R Y C LU B H O M E S I N C .C O M
Rinfret, Ltd. offers complete interior design services by Cindy Rinfret, the award-winning
designer and author of Classic Greenwich Style.
In addition, Cindy has a premier design shop, Rinfret Home & Garden at 354 Greenwich !"# Avenue. $
Photograph by Michael Partenio
354 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 info@rinfretltd.com ! " ! # $ %
203.622.0000 ph: www.rinfretltd.com ! # $ %
Art Completes the Home. Enhance your distinctive home with paintings from New England’s foremost gallery.
Ų
2VJEMFZ $PNQBOZ #VJMEJOH $PMMFDUJPOT PG %JTUJODUJPO .BJO 4USFFU /BOUVDLFU ."
XXX 2VJEMFZ"OE$P DPN
/FXCVSZ #PTUPO ."
% *$ ( ' ' #)% %! )!&# ! "#! % " # % #! & % " $%$ #! ! *$ ' " #% %$ (!# %! % # %! # % % $ % % &# % $ #$ # % % !! $% #% ( % $ ) !# %#) $" $ !& % #%!"$ #! % %! " #% % #! % $%#& " %$ $ & % ( # !& !&# % " #% % % %& & # "& $ #! !# % ' # ( # ! $ !&# % "!#% ! ! ! %! $ ! !# ' $ % &$ %! ) *$ ! % !&% !#( &#) #$
We are Outdoor Kitchen and Living Specialists
Award Winning Outdoor Lighting Specialist We can build the “Preferred Lifestyle you so deserve.” Live beyond the walls of your home outdoors. 203.250.1030 • Mike.Preferred@att.net
www.OutdoorlivingCt.com www.NightlightingDesigner.com
%,):!"%4( %!+).3 /5 2 3! ,% (!3 ! 34/2 9 !,, )43 / 7 .
4(% !..5!, 25' &!"2)# 3!,% -!9 %VERY YEAR PEOPLE TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO ATTEND THE %LIZABETH %AKINS SALE WHERE THEY FIND A SPLENDID SELECTIONOF OF OUR RUGS AND FABRICS PRICED UP TO OFF PLUS OTHER ITEMS CREATED OR CHOSEN JUST FOR THIS OCCASION &IND OUT more at elizabetheakins.com Our studio is now open to the public with a splendid selection of pillows, fabrics and rugs. 4AFT 3TREET 3OUTH .ORWALK #4 s s -ADISON !VENUE .EW 9ORK .9 s elizabetheakins.com %LIZABETH %AKINS )NC ©
Bless this House
A couple raises a historic church from the dead, giving the abandoned house of worship in Old Lyme new life as a family home. Written and produced by Stacy Kunstel • Photography by Michael Partenio • Architecture: Laurent T. DuPont • Builder: Michael Avgerinos
48 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
The living room retains vestiges of its former life as a church with its high ceilings and subtly stained glass windows. An eclectic mix of antiques— including old religious icons that speak to the 1843 building’s past—and new pieces create a warm ambience.
Homeowner Michele Mergy kept the original tile that runs throughout the former church. Facing page top: The church’s center aisle now leads to a modern kitchen instead of an altar. Facing page bottom: The Mergys removed the church steeple and added a sunroom off one side, but left most of the structure in its original state.
C
Call it Divine Providence. Michele and Lee Mergy were living in New Canaan when they cheerfully began to entertain the idea of a summer residence in Michele’s hometown of Old Lyme. Rolling through town one afternoon with their two children in tow they passed the church on Old Lyme Street where, as a child, Michele had attended Mass and taken her first Communion. A for-sale sign stood plugged into the unkempt lawn and the front door had been left wide open. Curious, the Mergys wandered into the large clapboard structure that had been sitting neglected for at least a few years. The pews where Michele had once bowed her head had long been sold, leaving the building vacant and still. No choir in the loft to summon parishioners, no echoes of sermons past, just a neglected space threatening to mar the otherwise pretty main street. That afternoon the couple went to the broker’s office with an offer. “It was basically an abandoned building,” says Michele. “We walked right in and I said I had to have it.” It was potential rather than nostalgia that drew Michele to the space. The soaring ceiling, slate-tile floor details and arched stained-glass windows looked to her more like a family home than a house of worship. Being in the picturesque downtown area
just a minute’s walk from the ice cream stand, shops and Cooley Gallery wasn't bad, either. Built by the Baptist Society in 1843, the church had held congregations since before the Civil War. Sold to the Catholic Church in the 1930s, it served as a community mainstay until it was shuttered in 2003. Purchasing the building took almost eight months, giving Michele more time to plan as well as assemble an architect and builder team, which included family friend Laurent DuPont of Laurent T. DuPont AIA Architects and Mike Avgerinos of Avgerinos Contracting, who had worked with the couple on three other projects. Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 51
Midcentury modern Castelli chairs join a massive eighteenth-century English oak dining table. Facing page top: A collection of furniture covered in vintage linen provides a cozy spot by the ďŹ replace. Facing page bottom: A variety of artifacts add to the home’s personality.
52 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
“I do a lot of historic renovation in my work,” says DuPont. “I jumped at the chance to work on this one. I’m a history buff, and this is an architecture that is truly lovely. It’s a circa-1840s church on a very historic street, where you’ll find a collection of period houses—Italianate, Victorian, Federal—but this was a beautiful, simple, white New England church.” Creating spaces to live and sleep within the lofty building was the first order of business. The Mergys and DuPont took advantage of the existing choir
The soaring ceiling, slate-tile floor details and arched stained-glass windows looked to Michele Mergy like a family home. loft, dividing it into two bedrooms and baths for the Mergy’s fourteen-year-old son and ten-year-old daughter. DuPont kept the area along the balcony exposed as a sitting/play area for the children, setting the bedroom walls away from the sight line from below. “Both Lee and Michele were very sensitive about keeping the character of the church,” says the architect. “We kept the choir loft look and had the open sitting area span the width of the nave.” Michele and Lee took up residence on the first floor in what were probably changing rooms behind the altar, carving out a small master bath next to the bedroom with a vintage looking claw-foot tub and
side-by-side sinks. What was previously the priest’s office to the left of the altar became Lee’s home office. Fond of the sanctuary’s open format, DuPont and the Mergys tried to keep the airy feeling as much as possible in designing rooms for living. Two walls that float on either side of the center aisle now divide the former sanctuary space into four Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 53
The Philippe Starck Ghost Chairs seem to disappear among the garden plants and owers. Facing page clockwise from top: Michele created the claw-foot, granitetopped coffee table, then surrounded it with Philippe Starck bubble chairs. Antique and vintage statuary completes the look.
54 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
The furnishings Michele chose reect a reverence for the space, balanced with a dose of whimsy.
Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 55
Modern mixes with antiques and animal prints in the master bedroom. Facing page: The Mergys added the sunroom addition for a sitting area bathed in natural light in contrast to the stained-glassďŹ ltered light in the living room.
areas. Two—one a living room the other a space with a pool table—fall under the children’s bedrooms, giving them a lower ceiling height. Two additional sitting areas along with the dining room lie in front of the loft under the full height of the church’s ceiling. “I wanted to keep a loftlike feeling, but we needed some walls for privacy,” says Michele of the minor division between areas. “Two gas fireplaces separate the four spaces,” says DuPont. “The center aisle of the church basically remained the same.” The end of the nave, where the altar once stood, now holds the kitchen. Two steps up from the home’s main level, it serves as a look-out point with a view of almost every room in the house. DuPont worked with Michele to orient the space to the middle of the church, placing a large wooden island in the center and separating it from the seating area with a balustrade. “I wanted to get the sense of an altar,” says Michele of the kitchen island. “I love antiques, and I love the look of wormy, stained, worn wood.” The island top has the feel of an old butcher-block. A slab of two-inch-thick Carrara marble surrounds the sink, and the perimeter counter and backsplash are also Carrara. Above the island hangs a crystal chandelier, one of ten in the house. After the renovations the Mergys spent a summer here, then discovered it was too hard to leave. What
After the renovations, the family spent a summer in the house, then decided it was too hard to leave. was initially a summer home felt more like somewhere they would like to live full time. As they waited for the New Canaan house to sell, Michele began filling the open spaces with antiques. While she says she is not a religious person, she found herself more drawn to religious icons now that she’s living in what was God’s house. “In the space I try to recognize all religions,” she says. “There are antiques from various denominations—Buddhist, Hindu, Egyptian, crosses, angels from Germany.”
The furnishings Michele chose reflect a reverence for the space, balanced with a dose of whimsy. Giant stone paws ground the large coffee table in front of a vintage leather sofa. Michele chose mostly English chairs and sofas with exposed seams and tiny nailhead trim upholstered in vintage French linen for the sitting areas. “I thought the simplicity of the upholstery would balance well in the space,” she says. “I wanted it to be a clean, peaceful atmosphere. There’s so much color in stained glass windows that I didn’t want much color in the upholstery. Keeping the upholstery simple feels modern.” There is a peace that pervades the space, whether intentional or not. “I almost feel like I saved the space because I was a little girl here and had my Holy Communion here,” says Michele. You could say the heavens opened for the Mergys to move in. “It’s a joyful space and we saved it,” says Michele. • Resources For more information about this home, see page 114. Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 57
Come visit our beautiful showrooms at one of these locations: Westerly, RI
Groton, CT
Putnam, CT
114 Cross St. Westerly, RI 02891 (401) 596 7775
553 Gold Star Highway Groton, CT 06340 (860) 446 1140
71-81 Front St. Putnam, CT 06260 (860) 928 2781
8DP 8@;@E@J ?@IJ:? @EK<I@FI ;<J@>E
>I<<EN@:?# :K s NNN%88?@IJ:?%:FD s )'*%--(%()--
MODERN
MOVEMENT A Greenwich couple takes a big step toward the contemporary, sweeping away a classic colonial look for a fresh approach that better suits their active young family. TEXT BY PAULA M. BODAH • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN GOULD BESSLER • INTERIOR DESIGN: MICHELLE MORGAN HARRISON, MORGAN HARRISON HOME • BUILDER: WELDON CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT • PRODUCED BY STACY KUNSTEL
onny and Joe Bob Edwards found much to love in the traditional, colonial-style house they bought when they moved from Texas to Greenwich six years ago. The six-bedroom home was in good shape, thanks to a renovation by previous owners, and offered plenty of space for the couple and their three young sons. The large yard held a pool and multiple terraces, making it a welcoming place for the sort of outdoor entertaining that had been so much a part of the family’s life back in the Southwest. • As they settled in, Bonny decorated the house in a style that suited the classic exterior. Traditional furniture and accessories took up residence against a palette of greens, reds and golds. Now and then, though, she found herself attracted to pieces with a slightly more contemporary feel and began to wonder if a more modern look would better suit her active family. “I wanted to lighten things up, and make the house more soothing and airy,” she says. • On the advice of a friend, she invited Greenwich-based designer Michelle Morgan Harrison to take a look at the house. As the two talked and Morgan Harrison showed photos of her previous work, Bonny was
B
60 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Designer Michelle Morgan Harrison brought drama to the living room with a wall of antiqued mirrored panels and glamorous materials like the silvery white sofa fabric and the combination of a silver-and-white patterned fabric from David Hicks and a metallic linen from F. Schumacher (facing page) on the chairs.
impressed with the designer’s approach. “She did different styles for different people,” she recalls. “She didn’t have her own style that she was imposing.” To give Bonny and Joe Bob the look they wanted without doing away with their favorite things, Morgan Harrison went through the house with the couple, identifying furniture, art and accessories they loved too much to lose. “It wasn’t so hard,” Bonny says. “There were some paintings and some rugs, but I was really ready for a change.” Previous owners had put on an addition intended to open the kitchen and enlarge the family room. Because the new space had a high ceiling while the older section still had its low ceiling, the family room—while indeed larger—was functionally the equivalent of two smaller rooms. Morgan Harrison brought new and old spaces into a harmonious whole by replacing the high ceiling 62 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
in the addition with a lower, coffered ceiling. Playing off the handsome white cabinetry and a pillared halfwall in the kitchen, she added columns on either side of the family room. The fireplace that had stood largely ignored at one end of the older space now became the
In the living room, the designer introduced silver and white to dramatic effect.
The libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark wood paneling was lightened up with a coat of luscious butterscotch-colored paint. Facing page: Restful aqua mixed with neutrals forms the palette for the main living spaces. Spring 2011 New England Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connecticut 63
Classic and modern elements mingle in the dining room chandelier. The dining chairs wear an easy-to-clean Sunbrella velvet. Facing page bottom: The brass-and-glass tableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shape is a perfect match for the tufted dining chairs. Facing page top: Colonial-style light ďŹ xtures and bar stools made way for a more modern interpretation. 64 New England Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connecticut Spring 2011
focal point for the spacious new family room. “I love how the kitchen flows into the family room now,” Bonny says. Cozy but traditional furniture was swapped out for low-lying sofas with an elegant modern shape and sleek barrel chairs that are every bit as comfy as the overstuffed easy chairs they replaced. A pair of rich-toned oriental rugs made way for one large and lovely silk carpet from Stark in a luxurious goldenwheat color. And the reds, greens and deep golds of the old space have given way to a breezy palette of aqua, camel and buttercream. “I knew I wanted a more neutral look,” Bonny explains. “When we started looking at fabrics I was drawn to the pale bluish-greenish. It’s soft; it’s so soothing.” The same restful color scheme forms the basis for the living room, but here Morgan Harrison has ratcheted up the glamour in a big way. The aqua has lightened to the palest of blues and is found only in the wool-and-silk rug and the occasional toss pillow. The camels and buttercreams of the family room have morphed into dazzling golds, and the designer has introduced silver and white to dramatic effect. The room’s far wall seemed to waste its potential, standing as little more than a backdrop for the seating area. Morgan Harrison covered the entire expanse with panels of antiqued mirrored glass, adding visual impact and making the room seem much larger. A swoop-armed sofa wears a sumptuous silverywhite linen. A pair of Hollywood-elegant Thomas Pheasant chairs that Bonny and Joe Bob already owned were recovered in a combination of metallic linen from F. Schumacher and a silver-and-white patterned fabric from David Hicks.
As grown-up as the new decor is, Morgan Harrison made sure the house remained kid-friendly.
Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 65
A golden sunburst mirror and a vintage brass peacock provide finishing touches. Lightened up, too, is the library that doubles as Joe Bob’s office, where Morgan Harrison painted the dark paneling a luscious butterscotch shade, then added a boldly patterned carpet in a soft neutral and dressed the windows in simple linen with a butterscotch trim. As grown-up as the new decor is, Morgan Harrison made sure the house remained kid-friendly. “It really needed to work for a family,” she says. “The trick was the fabrics I chose. I used a lot of vinyl and Kravet’s Smart Weaves fabrics.” In the dining room, for example, the chairs are covered in a Sunbrella velvet that Morgan Harrison swears is indestructible. “You can spill ketchup on it and it wipes right up,” she marvels. The sophisticated tone of the living areas continues to the bedrooms. In the master bedroom, the designer converted the velvet draperies into roman shades and brought in a new bed with an upholstered wingback headboard. The boys’ rooms, too, find a way to be stylish yet age appropriate and a bit whimsical. For the youngest son, who was moving from crib to “big boy” bed, she created a playful room in a palette of cranberry, dark brown and cream. For another son, who needed some persuasion to give up his Star Wars–themed room, she outfitted the space in irresistible deep, dark chocolate and buoyant orange. “It’s fun and modern,” Morgan Harrison says. “It’s a great room for a boy to grow up in; it’ll grow with him.” Indeed, the whole house has taken on a more fun, modern aspect that’s just right for its young family. • Resources For more information about this home, see page 114.
The boys’ rooms, too, find a way to be stylish yet age appropriate and a bit whimsical.
66 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
A sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom is kid-friendly but not babyish. Facing page top: Coffered ceilings forge unity between the family room and kitchen. Facing page bottom: Velvet roman shades and an upholstered headboard add a plush note to the master bedroom.
Imagine a website where an entire world of deďŹ nitive kitchen design and high-performance appliance ownership is yours. From online videos, personal showroom visits and product demonstrations to buying recommendations, cooking classes and white glove appliance service in your home, there is simply no other place like Clarke. Visit our website or call for more information today. 393 Fortune Boulevard U Milford, MA 64 South Main Street U South Norwalk, CT 800-842-5275 U www.clarkecorp.com
WILTON, CONNECTICUT
P. 2 0 3 . 5 6 3 . 0 5 5 3
WWW.MICHAELSMITHARCHITECTS.COM
A New Canaan couple merges two modernized condos, creating a single home that honors an old house’s past and gives it a beautiful future. Text by Megan Fulweiler • Photography by Michael Partenio • Architecture: Mark Howland • Interior Design: Nancy Serafini, Homeworks Interior Design • Builder: Bogdan Gutowski, BG Construction • Landscape Design: Paul Winsor • Produced by Stacy Kunstel
70 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Existing and new brickwork blend seamlessly. Facing page top: Behind the pristine white fence, lilac standards and well-clipped boxwood hedges enhance the reborn historic homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character. Facing page bottom: The handsome rock was relocated for optimum viewing.
Joint
Adventure
ike so many of us, Mike and Mary Helen Fabacher avidly monitor real estate ads. “Somehow no matter where we are, we always manage to find ourselves looking at the photos in realtors’ windows,” Mary Helen says with a laugh. Still, it’s not all daydreaming. In twentyeight years of marriage, the venturesome couple has owned a dozen houses. The quintessential example of the care and thought they bring to each new address, though, could be their most recent acquisition—which, after six years, happens to be the nest where they’ve stayed put the longest. They hadn’t planned on tackling such a robust project, but how could they have resisted? The lovely old house (the oldest part dates back to 1741) had been divided into two separate condos. One was for sale. Although smitten, the Fabachers decided it was far too small. On the chance the other owner might also be interested in selling, Mike knocked on the door and inquired. Lo and behold, everything fell together. Instead of purchasing half a house, the Fabachers became caretakers of one of New Canaan’s oldest homes. There was just a slight bump in the road on the way to their moving in. Bringing the house up to today’s living standards meant an overhaul of everything from the roof right on down to the systems and interior. The home’s bones were awe-inspring (work would reveal the original chestnut timber frame and hand-hewed joists), but there was also a slew of old-age problems as well as some
L
72 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Gingham, dots and ďŹ&#x201A;orals both vivid and subdued mingle in the living room. Facing page top: A Jacobean-style humpback sofa adds liveliness. Facing page bottom: Shortening the living room made room for a snug library.
modern additions that compromised the Colonial’s integrity. For help, the owners recruited experts they’d relied on in the past: Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, interior designer Nancy Serafini and architect Mark Howland (who was at that time with Berg/Howland Associates; he now heads an eponymous firm in New Canaan). Serafini has completed three projects with the Fabachers, including one on Nantucket, Massachusetts, where she also maintains a home. “I think of Mary Helen as a dear friend,” Serafini says. “She’s one of the warmest people I know.” As it turned out, having friends on the lengthy job was a plus. The home’s pedigree subjected it to stringent preservation requirements and close scrutiny by the town’s Historic District Commission, all of which Howland took in stride. “This kind of work is great fun,” he says. “It’s like a wonderful puzzle, getting things to fit together and, at the same time, safeguarding a home’s character. Everything you do needs to be sympathetic to the home’s age.” Outside, the renovation brought fresh clapboards, reproduction doors and efficient windows made with old glass to original dimensions. Southport-based garden designer Paul Winsor saw to the landscape, creating memorable gardens all around. He resurrected aging hardscape and devised new stonework that would look like it had been in place forever. A long list of plants that complement the architecture includes peonies, lilac standards, hydrangeas in myriad colors and rows of sprightly boxwood. Inside, an extensive set of improvements transpired to merge
If conviviality can be rated, the dining room, with its conversation-promoting round table, scores high. the two units into a comfortable whole. The dividing wall and a flight of contemporary stairs were demolished. In the oldest section of the house, existing rooms were stripped to their framework to allow for the installation of up-to-date mechanicals. Once the modern systems were in, walls were re-plastered, doors were revamped with restored pre-Revolutionary hardware and handsome moldings—a collaboration between the architect and Mill River, Massachusetts, custom millwork designer Neil Blackwell—went up. A beautiful kitchen was also created, connecting via the breakfast room to a twentieth-century addition that holds the totally rehabbed family room, playroom and garage. 74 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Designer Nancy SeraďŹ niâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talent for marrying patterns plays out again in the dining room. Facing page top: Custom wood pulls enhance kitchen cabinets. Facing page bottom: A nineteenth-century chandelier lights the breakfast area.
“The master bedroom’s canopy gives the illusion of height,” Serafini says. Facing page top: An old sleeping porch became a sunwashed master bath. Facing page bottom: A needlepoint chair is the bedroom’s finishing touch.
Upstairs blossomed, too. A medley of wee rooms became a spacious master suite with sitting and dressing rooms, while a former sleeping porch morphed into a sumptuous bath with a pedestal tub and mosaic floor. As Howland and Serafini skillfully drew the picture together, the house regained its past glory and acquired a bright future. The traditional but lively decor enhances the transformation. Furnishings are casually elegant—no hands-off museum airs. Rich colors, such as the dusty rose of the fabulous strié wallcovering in living room and library, highlight the handsome millwork and evoke the coziness older homes are known for. (In shortening the rectangular living room to improve its proportions, Howland found space for the snug, richly detailed library.) At living room windows, side panels marry with fabric valances. But library and kitchen windows sport a less formal attitude with brisby-pleated cafe curtains parked just above the midpoint. “Hanging cafes in that fashion is a trademark of mine,” Serafini says. “They heighten the room and give privacy, but don’t shut out light.” If conviviality can be rated, the dining room, with its conversation-promoting round table, scores high. An amenable size for small groups, the room is also ideal for a candlelit dinner for two. Walls clad in a dreamy blue Brunschwig & Fils linen-and-cotton print fabric add to the delicious intimacy and up the prettiness. The sunny kitchen is, as the owners had hoped, the hub of all activities. The motif—cheery wallpaper, meticulously executed custom cabinets crafted by Michael Humphries Woodworking in Northfield, Massachusetts, and countertops of white marble and black granite—suits the home’s age. Stainless steel appliances add a hint of modernity. As the astute Howland explains, there’s also symmetry, which gives order to all the elements and prevents the kitchen from coming across, he says, “as a modern imposition.” Reclaimed chestnut floors link the kitchen with the breakfast and keeping rooms. The last, with its impressive hearth and original mantel, is the Fabachers’ favorite spot. One wonders, though,
The traditional but lively decor enhances the transformation. Furnishings are casually elegant. how do they decide? Every space, including the master bedroom with its flower-strewn curtains and canopy, venerable framed needlepoints and warm reddish carpet, fairly hums “welcome.” Commendably, Howland, Serafini and the dedicated owners have fused past and present. The question is, will the urge to move on strike the couple again? If it does, clearly it will be to another home’s benefit. • Resources For more information about this home, see page 114. Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 77
Sanson Inc.
The best kept secret in New England
fine cabinetr y & millwork
DESIGN | INSTALL ATION | CUSTOM FURNISHING | STAIR S | PANELING | COFFERED CEILINGS
Since 1951 builders, homeowners, architects and designers have come to Sanson. Some bring a plan and some bring an idea or a dream. Sanson does the restâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; on time and within budget. Our quality and service have passed the test of time.
Residential & Commercial 860.224.2700 | www.sansoninc.com
Julianne Stirling, ASID | 766 Old Post Road, Fairfield, CT (203) 255-5422 | www.stirlingdesignassociates.com
COLONIAL REVIVAL
Classic meets contemporary in a family-friendly—yet still sophisticated—Greenwich home. TEXT BY KATIE KEATING • PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURA MOSS • INTERIOR DESIGN: LINDA RUDERMAN-ROSIER, LINDA RUDERMAN INTERIORS • LANDSCAPE DESIGN: WESLEY STOUT ASSOCIATES • PRODUCED BY STACY KUNSTEL
W
inter’s frigid grip has finally relaxed its tight hold and surrendered to the gentler spring breezes that seem to bring us back to life each year in New England. The lengthening days infuse our homes with natural light and help awaken the sleeping landscape that surrounds us. It’s a time for change, both inside and out. • Situated on fourteen acres in the backcountry of Greenwich, this classic center-hall colonial epitomizes just such a sense of transition. While traditional architectural elements provide a framework for the home, the interiors have been given a fresh, contemporary design by Linda Ruderman-Rosier, of Greenwich-based Linda Ruderman Interiors. “The clients’ goal for their home was to have a comfortable living space that was functional for their young family, with a sophisticated design aesthetic,” RudermanRosier says. Frequent travelers and avid art collectors, her clients wanted to be “surrounded by peacefulness and comfort” when they returned home. • The foyer establishes that
80 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
The foyer’s antique marble makes a dramatic statement beneath a contemporary velvet settee. Facing page: The living room’s custom “see-through” mahogany and velvet sofa unites two of the room’s three seating arrangements. Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 81
Clockwise: A sunny yellow sofa and a painting by Australian artist Tracey Moffatt warm the foyer’s niche. Luxuriously upholstered pieces mix cleverly with bronze, acrylic and wood in the living room. The house wears a stately, traditional façade.
Quiet drama reigns in the formal living room, where the designer made the most of the long, narrow space.
82 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
peaceful sensibility right away with walls painted a quiet neutral set off by handsome millwork in a crisp white. Such tranquility doesn’t preclude a dose of the theatrical, however, in the form of a vivid painting by Australian artist Tracey Moffatt, which hangs above a clean-lined sofa the color of a Meyer lemon tucked in a niche along one wall. The black-and-white marble floor adds further excitement, pulling the eye through the space and into the heart of the house. Quiet drama reigns again in the formal living room, where the designer made the most of the long, narrow space. “This proved to be the most challenging room of the project because of its size,” says Ruderman-
Rosier. “My intent was to create three different seating areas, yet make the room feel very interactive when occupied by a large group.” Taking center stage is a custom mahogany and velvet back-to-back, “see-through” sofa designed by Ruderman-Rosier to bring a touch of old Hollywood glamour to the room. One side of the sofa looks toward a wall of windows, where the light spills onto a second seating area presided over by a grand piano. The other side of the sofa completes an arrangement that includes a set of Edward Ferrell club chairs and a Henry Royer bronze-and-glass coffee table. Glass-and-acrylic cigarette tables—just the right size to hold an evening Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 83
French doors and high windows give the breakfast room the feel of a greenhouse. Facing page top: Lush landscaping surrounds the pool and softens the lines between outdoor living spaces. Facing page bottom: The spacious veranda affords plenty of seating.
84 New England Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connecticut Spring 2011
Windows have been purposefully left unadorned, blurring the lines between interior and exterior. cocktail—provide a bit of additional sparkle. A second sofa snuggles in a classical recessed niche opposite the room’s fireplace. French doors flanking the fireplace lead to the well-manicured grounds, which are also visible from cleverly designed window seats at each end of the room. Windows have been purposefully left unadorned, blurring the lines between interior and exterior and flooding the room with natural light. The Jim Thompson silk wallcovering adds a sumptuous layer to the room and, along with the Paul Lee rug of silk and wool, brings the seating arrangements into happy cohabitation. The result is a room equally well suited to the energetic buzz of a large cocktail party or a quiet evening with a few close friends. In contrast to the subtle tones of the living room, the library boasts rich, warm color in the knotty pine paneling surrounding the fireplace and in the deep blue of the room’s velvet sofa. “I wanted the room to embrace you as you entered the space,” RudermanRosier explains. To accomplish that, she says, “I incorporated varying textures, such as luxurious velvet, cashmere, leather and wool, into the design scheme.” Brass andirons in a classical Greek key motif shine from the double-sided fireplace, which looks through to the dining room. A sleek brass-trimmed Jansen coffee table echoes the gleam of the andirons. A paint-
ing by Damien Hirst, part of the homeowners’ large collection of contemporary art, keeps watch over the cozy scene. Nowhere is the connection between indoor and outdoor environments more evident than in the airy double-height breakfast room off the kitchen. Windows on two levels and multiple French doors that open to the Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 85
“If I had to use one word to describe the master bedroom it would be serene,” Ruderman-Rosier says.
landscape convey the feeling of being in a large, luxurious greenhouse. The strong rectilinear elements of the room’s architecture are softened by the curvaceous table and chairs and the hexagonal floor tiles. One set of French doors looks out on a terrace, where the JANUS et Cie table and chairs seem to mirror their indoor counterparts. The terrace is part of a creative landscape, designed by Ruderman-Rosier along with Wesley Stout Associates, that weaves together native plantings, verdant lawns and architecturally inspired planters overflowing with colorful blooms. The importance of the outdoor environment comes into play again in the master suite, where RudermanRosier integrated the views into her design. In the sitting area, three windows behind a desk have been left bare to allow maximum exposure to the outside. The large center picture window that frames the custom contemporary desk is bordered on either side with double-hung windows adorned with a circular motif. That delicate scrolling is echoed in the ceiling medallion and chandelier, as well as in the sleeping-area fabrics that drape the windows and cover the bed. 86 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Millwork, including the recessed-panel doors of the sitting room’s built-in cupboards, gives the suite a rich, classical look. In the sitting area, RudermanRosier created a little sanctuary, covering the curved sofa, club chair and tufted ottoman in a calming neutral fabric with an interlocking trim motif. A glassand-metal oval table adds more texture to the space and provides a reflective surface to catch the light that floods in through the windows. The designer tied the sleeping and sitting areas together with another carpet of silk and wool by Paul Lee. The sleeping area holds a second spot for lounging, a custom-designed sofa in a recessed bay along an expanse of dividedlight windows. Here, the windows are dressed in a combination of gently pleated roman shades and traditional floor-to-ceiling drapery panels. “If I had to use one word to describe this room it would be serene,” Ruderman-Rosier says. “My intention was to create a clean, tailored, relaxing sanctuary, and I think my clients would agree that we were successful in doing just that.” As night falls, the room’s sense of restfulness and tranquility offers the perfect ending to the day and the promise of a bright tomorrow. • Resources For more information about this home, see page 114.
Natural light spills into the master bedroomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sitting area. The window detail is echoed on the ceiling and in the chandelier, coffee table and fabric trim. Facing page left: Bold colors and warm wood set a cozy tone in the library. Facing page right: A second sitting area is tucked into a niche near the bed.
COLDWELL BANKER
I N T E R N A T I O N A L®
The Luxury Div ision of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
GREENWICH, CT
World-class 14±acre equestrian estate with a Georgian Manor House, 20-stall barn, groomsmen apartments, jumping arena, riding trails, paddle and tennis court, pool/spa, and pavilion. TAMAR LURIE $16,250,000
FAIRFIELD, CT
Georgian-style estate in prestigious Sasco Hill with 21 rooms replete with period details. 4.57 acres of pristine grounds with guest house and views of Long Island Sound. JESSIE FERRIS $3,950,000
GUILFORD, CT
Sachem's Head Nantucket Shingle-Style on 1.27 acres with pool along Long Island Sound features spacious rooms, tall ceilings, a superb kitchen, mahogany decks and glorious views. JOE PISCITELLI $2,550,000
GREENWICH, CT
Gated 10,000+ square-foot Doron Sabag English manor with exquisite entertaining venues, a large master suite, luxurious pool, brick terraces, wine cellar, beautiful vistas and heated 23-car garages. BARBARA ZACCAGNINI $14,900,000
MADISON, CT
Vintage Gambrel Colonial restored to enjoy the understated elegance of the past and convenience of today. Breathtaking views of Long Island Sound and the salt marsh. Walk to beach. MARIE LEE $2,950,000
LYME, CT
Early American Colonial exceptionally reconstructed on 3.6 waterfront acres with plaster walls, original materials, a state-of-the-art kitchen, five bedrooms, and cove access. MADELINE MATTSON $1,695,000
CBPreviewsLuxuryEstates.com
WESTPORT, CT
New six-bedroom classic Shingle-style waterfront home features water views from nearly every room. Grand foyer, gourmet kitchen, luxurious master suite and a deep-water dock. KMS PARTNERS $9,250,000
OLD SAYBROOK, CT
Converted oceanfront barn in a historic enclave with glorious beaches and a golf course offers large open spaces, a master suite with private staircase, and seaside patio. LUCRETIA BINGHAM $2,850,000
LYME, CT
Dramatic custom country retreat on 12.5 acres features 3,200 square feet, five fireplaces, a first-floor master suite, stunning kitchen and beautiful water views. R. PARKMAN / D. GREGORY $1,250,000
800.767.0078
©2011 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned and Operated by NRT LLC. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Timeless C r ea t io n s
www.MarvinGardensUSA.com
raveis.com
“The Best Website in Real Estate” 2 00,000+ L i s ti ngs • Sol d Propert i es • A l l Local Housing Da ta & Gr aphs • All MLS Ope n House s
10 million world-wide visits annually Visit raveis.com & type in MLS# for multiple photos/detailed descriptions on these homes
The Lake House
Greenwich, CT $12,950,000 MLS#77308, Jean Ruggiero, 203.552.0937
New Canaan, CT $5,525,000 MLS#98481499, Wendy Brainard, 203.253.7790
Built by MILTON
Greenwich, CT $4,995,000 MLS#98488942, Hannelore Kaplan, 914.450.3880
Westport, CT $4,499,000 MLS#98466172, Jillian Klaff Homes, 203.858.2095
Greenwich, CT $4,995,000 MLS#77506 Charles & Rita Magyar, 203.550.1929 Agent/Owner
Old Saybrook, CT $3,695,000 MLS#G578262, Linda Graydon, 860.573.7618 Agent/Owner
Westport CT $3,500,000 MLS#98488052, Michelle&Company, 203.454.4663
East Norwalk, CT $2,950,000 MLS#98486757, Marion & Bob Palcsik, 203.246.9093
New Canaan, CT $2,699,000 MLS#98489150, Julia Davis, 203.219.1504
New Canaan, CT $2,649,000 MLS#98489577, Melissa Rwambuya, 917.670.5053
Westport, CT $2,550,000 MLS#98453379, Linda Raymond, 203.912.4440
Southbuy, CT $2,485,000 MLS#W1059388, Shari Sirkin, 203.910.3207
Westport, CT $2,345,000 MLS#98488434, Jeanette Dryburgh, 203.246.1168
Trumbull, CT $1,275,000 MLS#98489527, Mark Markelz, 203.668.3838
Built by MILTON
Westport, CT $2,399,000 MLS#98485276, Jillian Klaff Homes, 203.858.2095
For more information on these and other luxury homes or to speak to an Exceptional Properties Specialist, call 877.298.2780.
greenwich ct | 203-302-1086 | www.shorelinepaintingct.com green options available
Design Life Out and about in celebration of design and architecture in Connecticut
FAIRFIELD DESIGNER JULIANNE STIRLING ISN’T ONE TO SIT
around feeling sorry for herself. When she found herself mired in the winter blahs last year she brought a handful of fellow design professionals together and started DESIGNERS WHO DARE. The group helps its members define goals and build strategies for Should your party be achieving success. “We’ve seen minor here? Send photographs miracles happen because of these or high-resolution images, meetings,” Stirling says. with information about the event and the people in the SHELTER INTERIORS held a photos, to New England Home, leather and wine event at their 530 Harrison Ave., Suite 302, Milford studio and store. Design Boston, MA 02118, or e-mail images and information to professionals were treated to a talk pbodah@nehome about the process of procuring and mag.com. processing high-end leather, courtesy of Kevin Cleary of Edelman Leather, as well as to a wine tasting lesson with Len Gulino, aka The Wine Tutor. A glass of good wine can go a long way toward relieving the winter blahs, we believe, especially when it’s combined with a fun evening of networking and learning. Ridgefield designer Terri Reilly and her crew had a busy winter. They helped celebrate the Ridgefield Guild of Artists FESTIVE HOME SHOW, an annual event during which the galleries in the guild’s 200-year-old barn are transformed by local designers and the public is welcomed to browse and buy. Reilly and her colleagues at TR Design also had a brush with fame when they staged the Connecticut home of one of the rap world’s biggest stars for the reality show MTV CRIBS.
MTV CRIBS From left to right: Lori Bova, Annie Hill and Terri Reilly
DESIGNERS WHO DARE From left to right: Jean Marie McLaughlin, Katie Keating, Ellen Dunn, Andrea Williams, Julianne Stirling and Eileen Corbin
SHELTER INTERIORS FESTIVE HOME SHOW Robin Curnan, Susan Buzaid, Terri Reilly and Lori Bova
92 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
From left to right: Kevin Cleary, Ellen Dunn, Carolyn Kron and John Arabolis • Lisa Izzo and Len Gulino • Michael Brinkerhoff, Tricia Izzo and Kevin Cleary • Robin Horn and Pippa Ellis
SHARON MC CORMICK DESIGN, LLC
FINE INTERIOR DESIGN 8 8 8 - 4 9 8 - 5 9 8 8 | i n f o @ s h a r o nm c c o r m i c kd e s i g n . c o m W W W. S H A R O N M C C O R M I C K D E S I G N . C O M
Calendar Special events for people who are passionate about design
Now in the Galleries
APRIL 1
Jenny Dubnau: Head On The subjects of artist Jenny Dubnau’s most recent series of straightforward portrait paintings include artists Shimon Attie, James Esber and Thilo Hoffmann—all of whom currently have work on view at The Aldrich. This selection of sitters functions as a mirror reflecting back upon those whose own projects focus on portraiture, enabling them to examine their own feelings when the gaze is turned on them. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield; (203) 438-4519; www.aldrichart.org; noon–5 p.m. Tues.–Sun.; $7
14
far.org; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; $60 advance, $75 day of tour
January 30 through June 5
Design Hollywood: 2011 ASID CT Student Fashion Show Teams of students and design professionals create “wearable art” made out of wellknown manufacturers’ products; designs are inspired by Hollywood films. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the Connecticut Coalition of Interior Designers. Black “designer” attire requested; RSVP by April 8. Fantasia, North Haven; (203) 322-2263; www.asidct.org; 6–10 p.m.; $40–$85
29 Near & Far Aid House Tour
Featuring five exceptional designer homes in exclusive enclaves of Westport, Southport and Greenfield Hill. A pretour Designer Power Breakfast with guest speaker Jamie Drake will be held at the Patterson Club (9:15–10:45 a.m.; $65) and, after the House Tour, a Toast the Tour cocktail reception (7–9 p.m.; $100–$200) at a beautiful waterfront home in Southport. Fairfield/Southport/ Westport; (203) 259-1710; www.nearand
MAY 5
Art to the Avenue
49th Annual Outdoor Ridgefield Antiques Market Great dealers and new enthusiasm ring in this annual antiques market, to benefit the Lounsbury House Community Center. Featuring appraisals by Jack and Rosie De Stories of Fairfield Auctions in Newtown. Lounsbury House lawn, Ridgefield; (914) 273-4667; www.cordshows.com; 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; $7
12 New Canaan Cares Kitchen &
Home Tour Join more than 500 tour goers and experience a number of exclusive homes throughout New Canaan. A gourmet boxed lunch can be reserved in advance ($15). Additional tour information is provided at the time of ticket purchase. New Canaan; (203) 966-7862; www.newcanaan cares.org; 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; $50
JUNE 7
Spring Garden Tour Enjoy a rare peek into private home gardens in the Stamford area. To complement your experience, each garden has knowledgeable UConn Master Gardeners to answer your questions, as well as local artists and musicians. Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, Stamford; (203) 322-6971; www.bartlettarboretum.org
Send notice of events and gallery shows to Calendar Editor, New England Home, 530 Harrison Ave., Suite 302, Boston, MA 02118, or by e-mail to calendar@nehomemag.com. Photos and slides are welcome. Please submit information at least three months in advance of your event. 94 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Clinton (860) 669-7278 www.sylvangallery.com February 16–May 29 Group Show Group exhibition by gallery artists
Through May 31
Art to the Avenue, the Greenwich Arts Council’s annual spring celebration, turns Greenwich into a strolling art gallery that brings contemporary artists to downtown store windows through the month of May. All art is for sale. Opening Night festivities are Thursday, May 5, from 5:30–8 p.m. Greenwich; (203) 862-6750; www.greenwicharts.org
7
Sylvan Gallery
Silvermine Galleries New Canaan (203) 966-9700 www.silvermineart.org February 27–April 1 Martin Kremer: Cathness Lines A one-man show by Martin Kremer
Lyme Art Association Old Lyme (860) 434-7802 www.lymeartassociation.org March 4–April 23 On Holiday: The Artist Travels Featuring work inspired by artists’ travel experiences
Kehler Liddell Gallery New Haven (203) 389-9555 www.kehlerliddell.com March 10–April 10 Kristina Kuester-Witt & Alan Shulik Painter Kristina Kuester-Witt presents figures in conversation; Alan Shulik’s photography captures the spirit of the moving figure
Flinn Gallery Greenwich (203) 622-7947 www.flinngallery.com March 24–April 27 June Einhorn: A Retrospective A tribute to accomplished artist June Einhorn
Zorya Fine Art Greenwich (203) 869-9898 www.zoryafineart.com April 21–May 31 Bohdanna Kesala An exhibition of Bohdanna Kesala’s acrylics, oil and wax on canvas
Photo: Neil Landing Photography
REFINED DESIGN… FR20 3,//$5 72 3,//OW MORGAN HARRISON HOME Michelle Morgan Harrison ,QWHULRUV 6SDFH 3ODQQLQJ .LWchen & Bath Design 2 Old Stamford Road New Canaan, CT 06840 tel: 203.554.0941 fax: 203.966.5514
website: www. morganharrisonhome.com
JMKA
architects
www.jmkarchitects.com
North Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.698.8888
17 Kings Highway North Westport, CT 06880 203.222.1222
It’s not as easy as it looks on TV.
Great interior design takes hard work – and the skills of a qualified designer. Let us help you find someone with the education, experience and commitment to get it done right.
View portfolios for professional interior designers in your area at:
www.asidct.org AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Perspectives Fresh outlooks on design and resources
Garden Sanctuary: Benches
• Three area designers envision a garden paradise • Wish List: Designer Lindy Weaver picks kitchen favorites • It’s Personal: Finds from the staff of New England Home
CAROLYN KRON AND TRICIA IZZO
St. Croix Bench from Holly Hunt “This contemporary bench is hefty enough to stand alone on a patio or under a pergola. It would offer great extra seating for a garden cocktail party.” THROUGH SHELTER INTERIORS TERRI REILLY
O’Brien Ironworks Mandarin Settee “Imagine sunning yourself on this beautiful garden bench with a cup of tea and a favorite book—life is good. Available in China red and several other colors, the bench could be used indoors as well.” THROUGH TR DESIGN
SARANDA BERISA
Keswick Bench by McKinnon and Harris “I love this bench because it comes in a variety of great colors and has a fantastic lacquer powder-coated finish. Its fresh, classic look blends harmoniously with garden scenery.” THROUGH WADIA ASSOCIATES
98 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Marble Granite Limestone Counter Tops Vanity Tops Fireplaces Tiles Tables
34 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850 tel (203) 847-6880, fax (203) 847-3902 www.casatellimarbleandtile.com Custom fabrication of marble and granite since 1988 IMAGES BY LAURA MOSS PHOTOGRAPHY
Perspectives
Planters
TERRI REILLY
Chinese Symbol Planter by Pennoyer Newman “The four seasons are depicted in Chinese symbols on the sides of this exquisite planter. The piece can stand alone as a beautiful sculpture, but filled with an array of greens it becomes even more spectacular.” THROUGH TR DESIGN
SARANDA BERISA
Antique Honeycomb Chimney Pots “A beautiful garden sanctuary has to have stories to tell. This stunning pair of circa-1870 chimney pots originally graced a country house in Norfolk, England, and would be lovely holding baskets of flowers on either side of a garden entrance.” THE ELEMENTAL GARDEN, SOUTH WOODBURY, (203) 263-6500, WWW.THEELEMENTALGARDEN.COM
CAROLYN KRON AND TRICIA IZZO
Seibert & Rice’s Poetry Pot “This pottery vase has a beautiful shape, whether you use it as a planter or as a decorative piece in your garden. Some of the words have been intentionally rubbed out to give it an ancient look. We love the thought of relaxing in the garden and composing a poem of our own.” FLEURESCENT, MILFORD, (203) 283-7880
“I always try to finalize a space with a piece of the past,” says Saranda Berisa, director of interior design and decoration at Wadia Associates. “New England residents are very in touch with history and love to tell friends the stories behind items in their homes.” WADIA ASSOCIATES, NEW CANAAN, (203) 966-0048, WWW.WADIAASSOCIATES.COM
100 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Perspectives
Focal Points TERRI REILLY
Stainless Steel Chain Sculpture by Gold Leaf Design Group “This spectacular hanging sculpture features polished balls that seem to float on a flexible stainless steel rope. When several chains are grouped together, a faint tinkling sound enlivens the garden.” THROUGH TR DESIGN
CAROLYN KRON AND TRICIA IZZO
Parramatta Arbor “The perfect size for an intimate grouping of furniture, this arbor could be tucked in a secret garden as an unexpected surprise, or used as a focal point near a large planting area.” TRELLIS STRUCTURES, EAST TEMPLETON, MASS., (888) 285-4624, WWW.TRELLISSTRUCTURES.COM
SARANDA BERISA
French Wrought Iron Gazebo “This beautiful antique gazebo could serve as an enchanting outdoor dining room. I envision it covered with climbing hydrangea and roses, both of which have a long-lasting, aromatic bloom and look gorgeous even when not in season.” THE ELEMENTAL GARDEN
Going into business together was a natural move for longtime friends Carolyn Kron and Tricia Izzo. The designers recently opened a second studio and shop, offering furniture, accessories and great gifts. SHELTER INTERIORS, WESTPORT, (203) 341-9535, AND MILFORD, (203) 301-4886, WWW.SHELTERINTERIORSLLC.COM
102 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
The only work room you will ever need...
CUSTOM INTERIORS SHOP, Inc. Hand-Crafted Horsehair Furniture & Re-Upholstery • Custom-made Furniture • Furniture Re-upholstery • Fabric Wall Coverings
Call for an appointment to visit our expansive showroom Website: www.CustomInteriorsShops.com Email: CustomShops@optonline.net
7 Gleason Avenue Stamford, CT 06902 p. 203-975-9927 f. 203-975-9968 TO THE TRADE ONLY
Perspectives
Tables TERRI REILLY
Water Mill Side Table from McGuire “Thanks to its tightly woven top, this petite drum-shaped table doubles as a stool. Though it resembles traditional wicker, its woven resin construction gives it a fresh, contemporary look.” THROUGH TR DESIGN SARANDA BERISA
Fluted Lotus Side Table from Mecox Gardens “I adore glazed pottery, and this is a great way to bring it into a project. I just love the imperfections in the glaze. This piece can function either as a side table or as extra seating. Its solid form would balance out an airier bench, giving the arrangement a pulled-together elegance.” THROUGH WADIA ASSOCIATES
CAROLYN KRON AND TRICIA IZZO
Jacques Garcia Chi Chi Side Table from McGuire “We love this table for a garden sanctuary because of its great modern style. With the metal rivets reminiscent of nailhead accents, it has an indoor furniture look that’s unexpected for the outside.” THROUGH SHELTER INTERIORS
Whether the setting is traditional or contemporary, elegance and comfort go hand in hand for Terri Reilly, an Allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, who’s been creating unique spaces for her clients for more than twenty-five years. TR DESIGN, RIDGEFIELD, (203) 994-4366, WWW.TRDESIGNASID.COM
104 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to have your own private island.
ROOMS EVERLASTING
l New Canaan l www.deaneinc.com Kitchens l Libraries l Baths l Media Rooms l Wardrobes Stamford
Our family proudly celebrates 50 years in the wish-fulfillment business
Perspectives • Wish List
2
What are some things you’d love to use in a project?
LARA TOMLIN
1
Lindy Weaver, Cos Cob You could say that Lindy Weaver’s path to becoming a kitchen designer was 100 percent organic. Passionate about cooking and growing her own food, Weaver remodeled her family’s kitchen in the early ’80s—“my Martha Stewart phase,” she calls it—and friends soon recruited her to transform theirs. “And it just snowballed from there,” Weaver says. Whether it’s a two-tiered cutlery drawer to maximize storage or a customized charging station for cell phones and iPods, no detail is overlooked in a Lindy Weaver kitchen. “It’s not just how the kitchen looks,” she says. “It’s what goes on inside the cabinets.” Of course, her designs are just as beautiful as they are functional. “I believe in maintaining a strong architectural connection between the kitchen and the house,” she explains. Despite the trend toward more minimalist design, Weaver notes, “The idea of the kitchen as the heart of the home, that’s still there. It’s still the room where—not only is food stored and prepared—homework gets done, things get Googled. It’s where the family lives.” DETAILS BY LINDY WEAVER DESIGN ASSOCIATES, COS COB, (203) 8696764, WWW.DETAILSEAST.COM
5
3
4
1 Vassaro Chandelier by Gregorius Pineo “At just over four feet long and two feet wide, this glorious light fixture would make a large rectangular island the visual focal point of any kitchen. The scale is bold, but the feeling is light and airy thanks to the glass side panels.” AVAILABLE THROUGH DETAILS 2 Hudson Barstool from Design Within Reach “I love comfortable island seating—a place to hang out when reading the newspaper or checking out the latest news on your iPad, or just to sit and gab with friends and family. This stool is one of the most comfortable I’ve ever had the pleasure to sit on. Philippe Starck’s design executed in recycled aluminum will last forever. And it brings an ‘edge’ to all but the most traditional kitchen settings.” GREENWICH, (203) 422-2013, WWW.DWR.COM 3 Metal-Trimmed Cabinetry “This door is made of fumed, quartered European larch veneer and is framed with faux antique iron trim—a wonderful look for a butler’s pantry or wine cellar. Or better yet, a kitchen with simple concrete counters.” AVAILABLE THROUGH DETAILS
4 Sub-Zero’s PRO 48 Refrigerator “I wasn’t a fan of all-stainless steel refrigerators until Sub-Zero introduced the glass-door version of the PRO 48. A true commercial look and a multitude of compartments make this refrigerator/freezer visually interesting.” COUNTY TV AND APPLIANCE, STAMFORD, (203) 327-2630, WWW.COUNTYTV.COM 5 Farmhouse Sink by Sun Valley Bronze “What a luxury! Hand-cast in solid bronze, this sink is so very elegant— and indestructible. It’s available in different finishes and would fit as easily into a more contemporary kitchen as it would into a farmhouse.” AVAILABLE THROUGH DETAILS
106 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
Perspectives • It’s Personal Favorite finds from the staff of New England Home’s Connecticut
Kyle Hoepner, Editor-in-Chief Coming in April: Litchfield Style: Classic Country Houses of Connecticut, a new book by design writer Annie Kelly and her gifted photographer husband, Tim Street-Porter. If the more casual, offhand take on American eighteenth-century style—surfaces not too pristine, colors not too saturated, upholstery not too tightly tailored—makes your heart beat faster, this book will be a little bit of heaven. Even the occasional trespass into nineteenth-century territory is kept quite chaste, although we do get a dollop of something grander at the end courtesy of Carolyne Roehm. The book makes a fun pairing with Jane Garmey and John M. Hall’s Private Gardens of Connecticut, brought out last autumn by The Monacelli Press. Place the two tomes side by side, for example, to experience both indoors and out Robert Couturier and Jeffrey Morgan’s French-flavored neoclassical fantasy in South Kent, or savor two more essays at capturing the charms of a property designer Bunny Williams already chronicled at length in her own An Affair with a House. $45. AVAILABLE THROUGH WWW.RIZZOLIUSA.COM OR AT AREA BOOKSTORES.
Stacy Kunstel, Homes Editor Midcentury design is a hallmark of New Canaan, where such treasures as Philip Johnson’s Glass House and Marcel Breuer’s former home (both of which are open to the public) sit among the clapboard classics that most people associate with the town. While I’m not hunting for my own modernist masterpiece to live in, I do love browsing Mason in downtown New Canaan for authentic antiques from the middle of the twentieth century. I recently came across this mint-condition shell chair by designer Hans Wegner sitting among the other Danish masterpieces there. I love the extra-broad back and spindly arms of this piece. Now if only Wegner had made an outdoor version. $3,200. NEW CANAAN, (203) 966-6655, WWW .MASONSTYLE.NET
Erin Marvin, Managing Editor Prints: Friend or frenemy? A minimalist at heart, I tend toward the latter, eschewing plaids, florals and stripes for solid colors. Few exceptions—a small Greek key pattern brushing the hem of a curtain, a pale, tone-on-tone damask wallpaper— appeal to my subdued design sensibility. With that said, I do see their appeal, especially when they add pops of color to an otherwise muted room. Take these brightly patterned Bungalow pillow covers from John Robshaw, which would make great accents to an indoor sunroom or outdoor seating area. Robshaw originally used this type of heavy cotton for rugs before trying it for these casual pillows. “The rough cotton takes the block and dye reluctantly, which creates a softer layered print,” he says. A soft layered print sounds like a mighty fine exception to my otherwise pattern-free palette.
108 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
JOHN GRUEN
$130–$190 EACH. AVAILABLE THROUGH OLLEY COURT, RIDGEFIELD, (203) 438-1270, WWW.OLLEYCOURT.COM
R
D
R
E
A
M
S
E
A
L
I
Z
E
Rob Sanders Architects LLC The Carriage House 4 3 6 Danbury Road Wilton, Connecticut 0 6 8 9 7 p 203.761.0144 f 203.761.0073 e info@rsarchct.com
D
New in the Showrooms Unique, beautiful and now appearing in Connecticut shops and showrooms BY KARA LASHLEY
1
2
3
4
6 5
1 Style and sustainability coexist perfectly in the Cosmo sofa from Cisco Brothers, a recent arrival at Comina. Made in Los Angeles of eco-friendly materials, the sleek sofa is shown here in a delightfully neutral velvet fabric. We like it au naturel, or bedecked with a colorful menagerie of pillows. NEW CANAAN, (203) 966-0555, AND WEST HARTFORD, (860) 233-9726,
3 Take a walk on the wildly beautiful side with Mark Inc.’s Mantra carpet. Handknotted in Nepal of 100 percent silk, it's divine in Glacier Blue (shown here) but is also available in custom colors, as well as silk, wool and jute blend options. This is one mantra we’ll want to repeat all over the house. GREENWICH, (203) 861-0110, WWW.MARKINCCARPETS.COM
WWW.COMINA.COM
2 We’ve seen coral, seahorse and sand dollar motifs aplenty, but we’re still charmed by the latest ocean dweller to surface on the tabletop: this whimsical sea turtle from Vagabond House. Available at Woodbury Pewter, the fun, functional serving piece is finely crafted of pewter and sustainably harvested Makah wood. WOODBURY, (800) 648-2014, WWW.WOODBURYPEWTER.COM
110 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
5 Ignite a mini explosion of color with the Volcano bowl, one of many fresh accessories available at Olley Court. Handblown in Argentina, the glass vessel comes in five shades; here, it conjures sea and sky in a gorgeous blue. Pair it with a couple of the shop’s John Robshaw pillows for an instant spring makeover. RIDGEFIELD, (203) 438-1270, WWW.OLLEYCOURT.COM
4 Covered in pristine white cowhide, this sophisticated stool may well cause a stampede toward the Wakefield Design Center. The glamorous statement piece, exclusive to the design center, measures 18 inches square and stands on gleaming chrome legs. And it’s not the only hot item in stock: a blue-green mercury glass lamp also caught our eye. STAMFORD, (203) 912-1438
6 Don’t let its classic proportions fool you: Baker’s Maze armchair isn’t afraid to show its playful side. Part of the Michael S. Smith collection, which debuts this spring, the seat features an unexpected cutout back and nailhead detailing. Maze may be steeped in traditional English style, but it’s hardly stodgy, especially in daffodil-yellow upholstery. GREENWICH, (203) 862-0655, WWW.KOHLERINTERIORS.COM/BAKER
%&4*(/ '03 5)& 8": :06 -*7& 803, 8&451035 t .*-'03%
50 BROAD STREET ARMORY SQUARE DOWNTOWN MILFORD, CT 203.301.4886
VISIT US NOW AT www.shelterinteriorsllc.com
*OUFSJPS %FTJHO 4UPSF 4UVEJP 130'&44*0/"- */5&3*03 %&4*(/ 4&37*$&4 t 3&.0%&-*/( %&$03"5*/( '63/*4)*/(4 "$$&4403*&4 t $6450. 8*/%08 53&"5.&/54 t +&8&-3: 6/*26& (*'54
AUSTIN PATTERSON DISSTON ARCHITECTS
Southport, CT (203) 255-4031 Quogue, NY (631) 653-1481 New Milford, CT (860) 210-7852 apdarchitects.com
New in the Showrooms 8 7
9
10
11
12
7 Is it beach season yet? Serena & Lily’s crisp and breezy Ventura bedding has us dreaming of a getaway to a seaside bungalow. Made in Portugal and available at Linen Press, the duvet sports a medallion print in sandy beige, while the all-cotton sheets are adorned with aqua-colored rings—just right for a beachy boudoir. MYSTIC, (860) 536-5192, WWW.LINEN PRESS.COM
8 Spring has sprung at Spruce Home and Garden, where it’s all about brightening up the indoors with garden elements. Decorated with vibrant poppies, this pretty bone china dishware from Red Vanilla brings a delicious pop of color to the tabletop. Its graphic design and square shapes certainly whet our appetite for springtime style. NEW MILFORD, (860) 3554383, WWW.SPRUCEHOMEANDGARDEN.COM
112 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
9 Color us happy. The Modern Colors collection of couture fabrics from Kravet promises to breathe new life into a winter-weary room. Featuring saucy stripes (shown) and other bold patterns, the collection includes embroideries, silks, sheers, linens and textures in captivating hues like aqua, chartreuse and coral. Let the mixing and matching begin! STAMFORD, (203) 504-2640, WWW.KRAVET.COM
10Stunning . . . seductive . . . streamlined? Whatever it stands for, this S-shaped side table, a new arrival at Pimlico Home, will add a touch of serious style to any living space. Clad in aged brass, the unique piece measures 16 inches by 12.5 inches, and stands 18.5 inches tall—the perfect perch for a refreshing libation. NEW CANAAN, (203) 972-8166, WWW.PIMLICO HOME.COM
11 Look what just washed up at Design Solutions—the enchanting Beachhead Mirror from Currey & Company. Rustic yet refined, it could add a bit of seashore chic to any abode. Indeed, we think it’s one of the fairest mirrors of them all, particularly when teamed with the store’s coordinating driftwood lantern. NEW CANAAN, (866) 903-3744, WWW.DESIGN SOLUTIONSTORE.COM
12 There’s a lot to like about the Lawson chest, now starring in Mitchell Gold’s spring lineup. Its simple shape shines in a white lacquer finish, and two pairs of mirrored doors get the royal treatment with fancy fretwork. The chest’s supporting cast includes a pair of complementary side tables, a console table and an étagère. GREENWICH, (203) 661-4480, WWW.MGBWHOME.COM
)-!').% 4(% 0/33)"),)4)%3 7(%. %6%294().' 9/5 .%%$ )3 5.$%2 /.% 2//&
i*AN FYDJUFE UP BOOPVODF PVS OFX 4' DVTUPN XPPEXPSLJOH BOE GVSOJUVSF EFTJHO XPSLTIPQ w
5NBRIDLED CREATIVITY #OLLECTIVE INGENUITY 4URNKEY EXECUTION
cleargroup ! 5 4 ( % . 4 ) # , 5 8 5 2 9
INTERIOR DESIGN BUILD FO R LA ND A ND S E A
W W W C L E A R G R O U P I N T L C O M
Resources A guide to the products and professionals in this issue’s featured homes
OUTSIDE INTEREST: PERENNIAL FAVORITE PAGES 38–40
MASON STYLE, LLC | 48 ELM STREET | NEW CANAAN, CT 203.966.6655 | WWW.MASONSTYLE.NET
Garden and interior designer: Ellen Levinson, Ellen Levinson Design, Southport, (203) 255-0217 Architect: John P. Franzen, J.P. Franzen Associates Architects, Southport, (203) 259-0529, www.franzenarchitects.com Builder: Howard and Kenneth Ryan, H. Ryan Builders & Son, Southbury, (203) 515-6378, (203) 264-2484 Plant consultant: Twombly Nursery, Monroe, (203) 261-2133, www.twomblynursery.com
BLESS THIS HOUSE PAGES 48–57 Architect: Laurent T. DuPont, AIA, Architects, New Canaan, (203) 966-5185, www.ltdupont.com Builder: Mike Avgerinos, Avgerinos Contractors, New Canaan, (203) 966-3310, www.avgerinos contractors.com Landscape design: Old Lyme Landscape, Old Lyme, (860) 434-5311 Pages 48–50: Dean Gipson coffee table from Harborview Center for Antiques, Stamford, (203) 325-8070, www.harborviewantiques.com. Page 51: Kitchen cabinetry and island by Chris Elwood, Essex Architectural Millwork, Groton, (860) 304-0346; flooring from Exquisite Surfaces, Greenwich, (203) 422-2005, www .xsurfaces.com; Dean Gipson upholstered bench from Harborview Center for Antiques; antique chandelier from Hiden Galleries, Stamford, (203) 363-0003, www.hidengalleries.net. Page 52: Dining table from John J. Gredler Works of Art, New York City, (212) 966-2514, www.jjgredler.com; Castelli dining chairs from Ghislain Antiques, New York City, (212) 4507988, www.ghislainantiques.com; chandeliers from Harborview Center for Antiques. Page 54: Outdoor furniture by Philippe Starck through Design Within Reach, Greenwich, (203) 422-2013, and Westport, (203) 227-9707, www.dwr.com. Page 56: Late nineteenth-century bed from Harborview Center for Antiques.
MODERN MOVEMENT PAGES 60–67 Interior designer: Michelle Morgan Harrison, Morgan Harrison Home, New Canaan, (203) 554-0941, www.morganharrisonhome.com Builder: Weldon Construction Management, Shelton, (203) 926-9535 Painting: Shoreline Painting Contractors, Greenwich, (203) 302-1086, www.shoreline paintingct.com Pages 60–62: Chairs by Thomas Pheasant through Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Greenwich, (203) 862-0655, www.kohlerinteriors.com, with seat fabric by F. Schumacher, New York City, (800) 523-1200, www.fschumacher.com, and back fabric by David Hicks through Lee Jofa, New York City, (212) 688-0444, www.leejofa.com; sofa from Lee Industries, Newton, N.C., (800) 892-7150, www.leeindustries.com, with fabric from F. Schumacher; white pillow fabric from Kravet, Bethpage, N.Y., (516) 293-2000, www.kravet.com; 114 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
gold pillows from The Drawing Room, Cos Cob, (203) 661-3406, www.thedrawingroom.cc; drapery fabric from Kravet; drapery rods from Gaby’s Shoppe, Dallas, Texas, (800) 299-4229, www .gabys.com; coffee table from Hickory Chair Company, Hickory, N.C., www.hickorychair.com; carpet from Mastour Galleries, New York City, (212) 685-0060, www.mastourgalleries.com; brass peacock from Mason, New Canaan, (203) 966-6655, www.masonstyle.net; mirrored wall from Notre Monde, Columbus, Ohio, (614) 4444596, www.notremonde.com; sunburst mirror from Worlds Away, Memphis, Tenn., (901) 5290844, www.worlds-away.com; tabletop tray from Lillian August, Norwalk, (203) 847-3314, www .lillianaugust.com; large vase by Barbara Barry for Global Views, New York Design Center, (212) 7258439, www.globalviews.com. Page 63: Dining table and chairs from Hickory Chair Company; chair fabric from Sunbrella, Glen Raven, N.C., (336) 221-2211, www.sunbrella .com; vases from Lillian August; drapery fabric from Kravet; drapery rods from Gaby’s Shoppe; chandelier from Visual Comfort, Houston, Texas, (713) 686-5999, www.visualcomfort.com. Page 64: Carpet from Stark Carpet, Norwalk, (203) 899-1771, www.starkcarpet.com; chairs from Hickory Chair Company with Lee Jofa seat fabric and back fabric by Robert Allen through DesignSourceCT, Hartford, (860) 9513145, www.designsourcect.com; drapery fabric from Kravet; drapery hardware from Restoration Hardware, www.restorationhardware.com; table lamp from Arteriors Home, Dallas, Texas, (877) 488-8866, www.arteriorshome.com. Page 65: Bar stools from McGuire through Baker Knapp & Tubbs with vinyl seats from Kravet; pendant lights from Remains Lighting, New York City, (212) 675-8051, www.remainslighting.com. Page 66: Sofas from Hickory Chair Company with Kravet fabric; barrel chairs from Lee Industries with Kravet fabric; accent table from Global Views; stools from Hickory Chair Company; coffee table from Pearson Furniture, High Point, N.C., (336) 882-8135, www.pearsoncompany .com; rug from Stark Carpet; Calvin Klein drapery fabric through Kravet; lamp from Visual Comfort; bedroom lamp from Visual Comfort; bed from Hickory White, www.hickory white.com. Page 67: Bed from Bassett Home Furnishings, www.bassettfurniture.com; bedding from Pottery Barn, www.potterybarn.com; desk and desk chair from West Elm, www.westelm.com; rug from Dorello Carpets, Norwalk, (203) 8470335; pillow from Jonathan Adler, New York City, (212) 772-2410, www.jonathanadler.com.
JOINT ADVENTURE PAGES 70–77 Architect: Mark Howland, Howland Architecture Studio, Somerville, Mass., (617) 661-2030, www.howlandarchitecture.com Interior designer: Nancy Serafini, Homeworks Interior Design, Wellesley Hills, Mass., (781) 2377666, and Nantucket, Mass., (508) 825-0825, www.homeworksinteriordesign.com Project management and millwork design: Neil Blackwell, Mill River, Mass., (646) 541-2122, www.neilblackwell.com Garden designer: Paul Winsor, Paul Winsor Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 115
Photographer - Philip Ennis
Fi nished in Fabric european elegance (860)346-4843
| mark@finishedinfabric.com
Finished in Fabric is a family-operated, European-trained workroom that specializes in antique upholstery done in Old World style with hand-sewn edging and horse hair. The all-inclusive workroom can fulfill all of your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upholstery and drapery needs, from decorative pillows, headboards and bedding to fabric walls and complete drapery installation.
9 Benedict Place G r e e n w i c h, C o n n e c t i c u t 0 6 8 3 0 Telephone 203.769.1030 www.sblonginteriors.com
Resources LLC Garden and Landscape Design, Southport, (203) 255-0056 Builder: Bogdan Gutowski, BG Construction, New Canaan, (203) 253-7535 Cabinetry and millwork: Michael Humphries, Northfield, Mass., (413) 498-0018, www.michael humphries.com Custom draperies: Christopher Robert, Architexture, Boston, (617) 822-2543 Pages 72–73: Sofa through Antiques on Five, Boston Design Center, (617) 951-0008, www.antiqueson5.com; sofa fabric by Scalamandré, Boston Design Center, (617) 574-9261, www .scalamandre.com; drapery fabric by Marvic through Webster & Company, Boston Design Center, (617) 261-9660, www.webstercompany .com; carpet by Stark Carpet, Boston Design Center, (617) 357-5525, www.starkcarpet.com; Pulcinella strié chair fabric by Scalamandré; Piedmonte chairs by Brunschwig & Fils, Boston Design Center, (617) 348-2855, www.brunschwig .com, with Portal Weave fabric in poppy by Lee Jofa, Boston Design Center, (617) 428-0370, www.leejofa.com; bench fabric by Marvic through Webster & Company; wing chair fabric by Marvic through Webster & Company; Pearson multicolored carpet by Stark Carpet; green lamp by Harborview Center for Antiques, Stamford, (203) 325-8070, www.harborviewantiques.com Page 74: Wallcovering from The Martin Group, Boston Design Center, (617) 951-2526, www.martingroupinc.com; wall light through Webster & Company; cafe curtain fabric from Sonia’s Place, New York City, (212) 355-5211; rug by Stark Carpet; tole chandelier through EvansLeonard Antiques, New Canaan, (203) 9665657; gate-leg table, stick-back chairs and still life through Janis Aldridge, New York City, (212) 588-1187, www.janisaldridge.com. Page 75: Chair fabric by Lee Jofa; Plougastel linen-and-cotton wall fabric by Brunschwig & Fils. Pages 76–77: Headboard in antique walnut by Louis J. Solomon, Hauppauge, New York, (631) 232-5300, www.louisjsolomon.com; headboard and bed skirt fabric by Old World Weavers from Stark Carpet; side table from Antiques on Five; carpet by Stark Carpet; bathroom floor tile by Urban Archaeology, Boston Design Center, (617) 737-4646, www.urbanarchaeology.com; window shutters by Back Bay Shutter, Woburn, Mass., (781) 221-0100, www.backbayshutter.com; bathtub by Sunrise Specialty Company through Billie Brenner, Boston Design Center, (617) 348-2858, www.billiebrennerltd.com; tub fixtures through Urban Archaeology.
COLONIAL REVIVAL PAGES 80–87 Interior designer: Linda Ruderman-Rosier, Linda Ruderman Interiors, Greenwich, (203) 5529700, www.lindaruderman.com Landscape architect: Wesley Stout, Wesley Stout Associates, New Canaan, (203) 9663100, www.wesleystout.com Pages 80–83: Wall fabric from Jim Thompson through AsiaStore, New York City, (212) 327-9217, www.jimthompson.com; carpet from Paul H. Lee Carpets, New York City, (212) 656-9995; “see through” sofa by Linda Ruderman Interiors, made by Daniel Scuderi Antiques, New York City, (212) 947-2499, www.danielscuderi.com, Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 117
DANIEL CONLON
ARCHITECTS
Daniel Conlon, AIA | LEED AP 4 Old Mill Road | P.O. Box 418 | Georgetown, CT 06829 (203) 544-7988 | www.dconlonarchitects.com
203.655.8739 | 523 post
road, darien
www.dariendesigncenter.com Public/Trade
Resources and upholstered by J. Edlin Interiors, New York City, (212) 243-2111, in Rogers & Goffigon fabric, Greenwich, (203) 532-8068; sofa in niche from Edward Ferrell, New York City, (212) 758-5000, www.ef-lm.com, upholstered in Rogers & Goffigon; Edward Ferrell club chairs in Lee Jofa fabric, New York City, (212) 688-0444, www.leejofa .com; club chairs by Holly Hunt, New York City, (212) 755-6555, www.hollyhunt.com, upholstered in Lucia Phoenix by Rogers & Goffigon; chair by fireplace by Linda Ruderman Interiors with fabric by Rogers & Goffigon; square coffee table by Holly Hunt; oval coffee table by Henry Royer through Niermann Weeks, New York City, (212) 319-7979, www.niermannweeks.com; end tables designed by Linda Ruderman, made by Daniel Scuderi Antiques; small glass tables by Allan Knight, Dallas, Texas, (214) 741-2227, www.allan knightasso.com; table lamps from Baker Knapp & Tubbs, Greenwich, (203) 862-0655, www .kohlerinteriors.com; floor lamps by Carole Gratale through Edward Ferrell; chandelier from Wired Custom Lighting, New York City, (212) 446-6025, www.wired-designs.com; table in foyer by Linda Ruderman Interiors, made by Daniel Scuderi Antiques; yellow sofa from Edward Ferrell in fabric by Tassels & Trims, Greenwich, (203) 622-0271, www.tasselstrims.com. Page 84: Chandelier by Formations through Holly Hunt; Berman/Rosetti dining table through Edward Ferrell; chairs designed by Linda Ruderman Interiors with David Sutherland fabric, New York City, (212) 871-9717, www.davidsutherlandshowroom.com. Page 85: Furniture and fabrics by JANUS et Cie, New York City, (212) 752-1117, www.janusetcie .com. Pages 86–87: Sofa and chair from Edward Ferrell in Rogers & Goffigon fabrics; pillows from Cowtan & Tout, New York City, (212) 753-4488, www.cowtan.com; carpet from Stark Carpet, Norwalk, (203) 899-1771, www.starkcarpet.com; end table, made by Daniel Scuderi Antiques; table lamp from John Rosselli Antiques, New York City, (212) 750-0060, www.johnrosselli antiques.com; headboard made by Interior Decorating by E & J, Long Island City, N.Y., (718) 609-6336, www.interiorsbyeandj.com, with fabric by Rogers & Goffigon; chaise made by Daniel Scuderi Antiques, upholstered by J. Edlin Interiors in fabric by Pollack, New York City, (212) 627-7766, www.pollackassociates.com; benches made by Jozef Custom Ironworks, Bridgeport, (203) 384-6363, www.custom-ironworks.com, upholstered in Rogers & Goffigon fabric; draperies made by Interiors Haberdashery with Hodsoll McKenzie fabric through Zimmer & Rohde, Stamford, (203) 327-1400, with trim from Tassels & Trims; carpet from Paul H. Lee; sitting area sofa from Ebanista, New York City, (212) 223-1318, www.ebanista.com, with Hodsoll McKenzie fabric through Zimmer & Rohde; club chair and ottoman made by Interior Decorating by E & J in Rogers & Goffigon fabric; slipper chair in Rogers & Goffigon fabric from Edward Ferrell; coffee table and floor lamp from John Boone, New York City, (212) 758-0012, www.john booneinc.com; chandelier from Nancy Corzine, New York City, (212) 223-8340, www.nancy corzine.com. •
DAVENPORT Contracting, Inc. 203-324-6308 •
www.dvnport.com
Photos by David Sloane
Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 119
Advertiser Index A helpful resource for ďŹ nding the advertisers featured in this issue
Albano Appliance & Service, LLC 122 Amy Aidinis Hirsch 59
Apadana Fine Rugs 18 Aqua Pool & Patio Inc. 107 ASID CT 97 Austin Patterson Disston 111 Back Bay Shutter Co. Inc. 30 Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens 126 Boxwood Interiors 127 Brooks and Falotico Associates, Inc. 41 Casatelli Marble and Tile Imports 99 Catherine Cleare Interiors, LLC 127 Clarke Distributors 68 ClearGroup LLC 113 Coldwell Banker Previews International 88 Colony Rug Company 24 Connecticut Stone 35 Cottage and Bungalow 20 Country Club Homes 42, 127 Custom Interiors 103 Daniel Conlon Architects 118 Darien Design Center 118 Davenport Contracting 119 Deane, Inc. 105
nukitchens nukitchens
120 New England Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connecticut Spring 2011
DesignSourceCT 124 The Drawing Room 4â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5 Earthscapes Inc. 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;3 Elizabeth Eakins 47
I N T E R I O R A R C H I T E C T U R E & D E S I G N | C U S T O M M I L LW O R K
Jean Marie McLaughlin, ASID jm@jmacinteriors.net 203.966.0828 | www.jmacinteriors.net
Residential Design & Build Renovations & New Construction 203.972.1409 www. GardinerLarson .com
&
G ardiner L a r s o n Comfort + Beauty + Quality
• CONNECTICUT • WESTCHESTER • • THE HAMPTONS • VERMONT •
HOMES
Three generations of experience are behind our expertise and quality service. Family-owned and operated since 1952, we work with architects, designers, cabinetmakers and individual homeowners to supply major kitchen appliances from leading manufacturers. In addition to our knowledgeable sales staff, we also offer installation of the appliances we sell. And, if we install Miele and Viking products, customers enjoy an additional year on the warranty for free. We even have a resident chef who conducts our continuing education program, which includes cooking classes, free manufacturer demonstrations as well as personal and in-home instruction on how to maximize appliance performance.
albanoappliance.com â&#x20AC;˘ 914.764.4051 â&#x20AC;˘ 83 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY Showroom hours: Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Advertiser Index Finished in Fabric, LLC 116 Gardiner & Larson Homes 121 Grandberg and Associates 125 The Granite Group 58 Hilton-VanderHorn Architects 101 iH Design Studio 8–9 Jenn-Air 10–11 Jmac Interiors 121 JMKA Architects 96 Katherine Cowdin 21 Klaff ’s 45
FROM TRADITIONAL TO MODERN
The LaurelRock Company 109 Mar Silver Design 1 Marble and Granite Inc. 19 Marvin Gardens 89 Mason Style, LLC 114 Michael Smith Architects 69 Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams Inside front cover
Morgan Harrison Home 96 Neil Hauck Architects LLC 117 NuKitchens 120 Pamela Jimenez Design 13
Photos by Eric Roth, house by Philip Johnson, paintings & sculptures courtesy of art+interiors.
Parc Monceau 33 Preferred Properties 146 Putnam Kitchens 25 Quidley & Company 44
26 Arcadia Rd., Suite 6 | Old Greenwich, CT (203) 540-5350 | www.VictoriaLyonInteriors.com
Ridberg & Associates 36 Rinfret Design Limited 43 Riverbank Creative LLC Back cover Spring 2011 New England Home’s Connecticut 123
Advertiser Index Rob Sanders Architects 109 Robert Dean Architects 22 Robin Kencel 39 Robin McGarry 37 Runtal North America 31 Sanson Inc. 78 SB Long Interiors 116 Sharon McCormick Design LLC 93 Shell Decor 23 Shelter Interiors 111 Sheridan Interiors 29
DesignSourceCT
Connecticut’s Premier To-The-
Shoreline Painting Contractors, Inc. 91
Trade Interior Design Showroom, showcasing a world of decorative resources in one convenient location.
Stirling Design Associates 79
Designer Referrals are available for retail customers.
Sudbury Design Group 14–15 Total Care 127 TR Design 41 Urbane Construction 27 Vandamm Interiors 115 Vicente-Burin Architects 122 Victoria Lyon Interiors 123 Wadia Associates Inside back cover Wainscot Solutions 6–7 William Raveis Real Estate 90 Wright Brothers Builders 17
DesignSourceCT
LLC
1429 Park Street, Suite 100 | Hartford, CT 06106 860.951.3145 | www.DesignSourceCT.com
124 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
New England Home’s Connecticut, Spring 2011 © 2011 by Network Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. Editorial and advertising office: New England Home, 530 Harrison Avenue, Suite 302, Boston, MA 02118, (617) 938-3991, (800) 609-5154. Corporate office: Network Communications, Inc. 2305 Newpoint Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, (770) 962-7220.
GRANDBERG & ASSOCIATES A
R
C
I N T E R I O R S
H
I
T
E
A R C H I T E C T S
t. (914) 242-0033
C
T
S
P L A N N I N G
f. (914) 242-5937
info@grandbergarchitects.com
BARTLETT ARBORETUM & GARDENS Spring Garden Tour Tuesday, June 7 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Explore 5 local private gardens in addition to the Arboretum’s themed gardens. Enjoy an outdoor luncheon and shop specialty boutique vendors.
For ticket information call 203-322-6971 or visit www.bartlettarboretum.org The Bartlett Arboretum is a not for profit organization located in Stamford off the Merritt Parkway Exit 35.
B O X W O O D home & interiors
44 East Avenue New Canaan CT 06840 (203) 972-1010 Fax (203) 972-3030 www.BoxwoodInteriors.com
Sketch Pad Design ideas in the making
Whether it’s a rough “napkin” sketch that may generate the organizing design principle, or a studied rendering of a complicated three-dimensional detail, hand sketching is an invaluable part of my creative process. The sketches shown above are studies both of the big picture (a living space with a fireplace “wall” housing mechanicals and kitchen storage) and of a smaller area within that interior. Materials, texture and scale are considered. The larger perspective sketch might be shared with clients to help them visualize the space or to solve a particular design issue. The bottom sketch is a tool to help expose connections between materials and planes and determine how to address them. In this case, a satin-finish stainless-steel trim was introduced to visually reinforce the edges between stone and tile. My work does not depend on an overlay of traditional ornament to provide interest and meaning. Rather, more emphasis is placed on the utility of the design, an interesting combination of materials, the impact of light and the level of craftsmanship. Even in this digital age, sketching remains an important problem-solving tool. AMANDA MARTOCCHIO, AIA, AMANDA MARTOCCHIO ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, NEW CANAAN, (203) 966-5707, WWW.AMANDAMARTOCCHIO.COM
128 New England Home’s Connecticut Spring 2011
A NEW SHINGLE STYLE HOME DESIGNED BY WADIA ASSOCIATES
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN ~ INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATION ~ CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT (203) 966-0048 ~ WADIAASSOCIATES.COM
Interior Design | Architectural Consultation | Product Design
Riverbank Creative, LLC When details matter P. O. Box 516 | Essex, CT 06426 860.767.1693 | RiverbankCreative@att.net