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DESIGN +DECOR VOLUME 16 ISSUE 6 - 2019
Editor-in-Chief Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen Contributing Writers Deborah Brannon, Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Pam Gersh, Anna von Stelzer-Worth, Kait Shea, Anastasia Storer Contributing Photographers Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria Giovan, John Gruen, John Hannon, Paul Johnson, Neil Landino, Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Daniel Milstein, Janice Parker, Durston Saylor, Debra Somerville, Eric Striffler, Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography Copy Editor Elena Serocki Graphic & Web Design East Coast Home Publishing
Publisher Shelley E. McCormick sm@dd-mag.com 203-545-7091 Advertising Director Dante Golio Account Managers Alessandra Flanagan Leslie Hayden Kim McDonnell Lisa Winter Michele Woodman Design + Decor 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 Design + Decor is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.dd-mag.com; Subscriptions: one year, $28; two years, $50. Back issues can be purchased at www.dd-mag.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, Design + Decor, 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 or e-mail: mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by Design + Decor are not necessarily those of the magazine.
EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 DD-MAG.COM
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DESIGN +DECOR
CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY NEW YORK
VOLUME 16 ISSUE 6 | 2019
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The Cocoon: A Vacation Home Ideal for Rebirth
Sustainable, Biomorphic and Passive House principles come together to create a home for maximum well-being. Story by Ross Robinson | Photography by Caylon Hackwith
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Of Sea and Sod: Serenity on the Sound
Cormac Byrne and his team of professionals at Jones Byrne Margeotes Partners craft a waterfront residential project in Fairfield County, CT, for a long-term commercial client. Story by Alder Grove | Photography by Devin Groody
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A Traditional Georgian home with a Modernist Appreal
Douglas Graneto Design transforms a traditional Georgian home into a secluded contemporary haven. Story by Meryl Siegman | Photography by Peter Murdock
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Elemental Seduction: A Residence in Connecticut Beckons Years of collaboration result in pure magic for an architect and his client couple in Westport, Connecticut. Story by Alder Grove | Photography by Barry A. Hyman
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Editors Letter Ask the Experts Profile
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EDITOR’S LETTER
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n this round of Design + Decor, we again visit the topic of Biophilic Design, but this time from the architects standpoint. In the last issue of Design + Decor, our Designer Issue, we asked what the term meant to our interior design partners and it was so well received, our architect partners asked if they could have a go on this wildly popular trend in design. We’re glad they asked! Also in this issue, we have four wonderful stories encompassing very unique and individual styles. It’s always a surprise to see what wonderful projects we have to share with you from issue to issue and we enjoy showcasing the diversity that is our region. Be sure to read our feature story on Nina Edwards “Cocoon House”. Recently completed, Nina shared with us her amazing sustainable home in Long Island. This experimental home is creating quite a stir in the shelter world and we a pleased to be the first to feature her home in its entirety in print. This home is surely going to garner many awards in the next few years. Architect Peter Cadoux also shares with us a fabulous, unique home in Westport, Connecticut where the homeowners had the vision to work closely with Peter to create something very special. This home is so well executed and the results stand for itself.
Matthew Kolk
Enjoy,
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- Editor in Chief
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MELANGE
POLISHED
Marcus Sconce in Brass Marcus wall light will be the Avant Gard piece you’ll want in sophisticated home decor. With a delicate lighting aftermath, this wall sconce will be the adorning piece in a modern hotel lobby or in a mid-century dining room with a splendid effect. Customizable, this modern wall sconce will give you a timeless aesthetic with a modern feeling. delightfull.eu Miranda Pineapple Table Lamp Built in the shape of a classic pineapple, which has been a classic symbol used in decorative arts and architecture, this modern table lamp conveys a sense of hospitality. essentialhome.eu
Karat Drawer Handle The world of diamonds was the key factor that led us to our furniture drawer handle Karat. Is extravagant in its modern form and draws down the same state of purity and uniqueness a cut diamond does. Inspired in the fineness of a precious metal, with Karat series of cabinet hardware, you can uniquely articulate with divers design aesthetics and create a sculpture scheme. pullcast.com
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Spear Cabinet Handle The imponent Spear Cabinet Handle was inspired by the Celtic sun god that possessed the “Invincible Spear”. A legend has it that the spear was blazingly hot, and it became hotter the longer it was used. It was stored in a vat of water at night to keep it from catching fire and scorching the earth. covethouse.eu
Lapiaz Bathtub Black lacquered high gloss fiberglass with a sheet of stainless steel; Tub: High gloss black lacquered casted iron; Tear: Gold painted tears with high gloss varnish. maisonvalentina.net
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NO5 II Cushion Elegant shapes in velvet, hand embroidery, natural silk and dazzling jacquards with decorations. A piece of art with timeless SOUL. homesociety.com
Kleopatra Rug Kleopatra, a carpet inspired by ancient Egypt, not only for the chromatic choice but also for the linear and rigid graphics that served as the basis of language throughout history. In ancient times communication was done through symbols, icons and images, Kloepatra presents forms that had as influence the hieroglyphs. demoraisinternational.com
Atlas Cabinet Handle Atlas is a cabinethandle where you can read the diversity and complexity of a metropolis, cities that are created by everybody to everybody. Embark on a journey with our door hardware and engage with our Atlas furniture handles, transposing to your furniture designs like sideboards, cupboards and cabinets, a noble and rich scheme. pullcast.eu
NO3 Cushion Elegant shapes in velvet, hand embroidery, natural silk and dazzling jacquards with decorations. A piece of art with timeless SOUL. homesociety.com
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ARCHITECTURE
1786 Bedford Street Stamford, CT
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INTERIOR DESIGN
www.jbmparch.com
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Colosseum Console The Roman Colosseum is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Inspired by its empowering presence, Colosseum Console Table was created. Made of Red Lacquer with translucent black with gloss varnish, this modern console table will help you bring the most enduring icon of Italy to any home decor. brabbu.com Infinty Drawer Pull Infinity states for a family of handcrafted drawer pulls with a promise of an everlasting elegance and luxe through time, perfect for your cabinet drawers. A set of Decorative Hardware Drawer Pulls, you can touch over and over again, exuding feminine grace. covetparis.com
BASIE WALL LAMP Basie wall light fixture is a modern representation of the sci-fi aesthetics of the 1960s. The vintage midcentury lamp has a set of distinctive features which make it a stunning statement piece. It is an indoor wall light handmade in brass, with a center shade made in aluminum and a mesmerizing gold-plated standard finish. The lamp shade is lacquered a glossy white for a more modern look. delightfull.eu MIRA[AGE] Cabinet The MIRA[AGE] cabinet results in the culmination of emotions and selfexpression. Our most experienced craftsmen were challenged to give life to a piece that mixes a various range of materials and embodies different techniques. In this cabinet all the details count and together they create a unique and exclusive piece. homesociety.com
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Helios Mirror with Soft Gold Leaf Finish In Greek Mythology, Helios was the personification of the Sun. It is said that each dawn, he rose from the far ends of the earth with the shining aureole of the Sun. This inspired the creation of Helios mirror. With a finish in golden leaf, this decorative mirror will bring a charming touch to a blank wall. brabbu.com
Maya Chair The Maya civilization had maize as one of the primary elements of their culture. Personified as a woman, Maya’s Maize God was the inspiration behind MAYA Upholstered Chair. With legs in matte aged brass, this velvet accent chair has the sensual and delicate forms of the goddess, making it the perfect seating solution for an elegant living room set. brabbu.com
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ASK THE EXPERTS
Architecture: Carol Kurth Architecture, PC Photography: Albert Vecerka / ESTO
LEGACY CONSTRUCTION NORTHEAST Q&A with Legacy Construction Northeast partners and brothers, Chris and Tom Yaroscak
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+D: What made you two decide to work together and create Legacy Construction? Tom: We grew up in the construction industry, with a father who was an architect and a grandfather who was a master carpenter, so creating and building were always in our blood and a shared passion. We both received college educations from top construction management programs: me from Purdue University and Chris from Roger Williams University and NYU. Chris and I worked together starting at a very early age—we evolved from paper routes, to framing crews, to building over 75 homes together. Chris: In 2005 the timing was right to continue our legacy, feed our passion for building, and pursue our dream of working together, so Legacy Construction was born. We continue to have a high level of mutual respect for one another, and our skills and strengths complement each other. D+D: Who is your typical client? Tom: Our typical client is someone who understands the value of a strong relationship and the importance of quality. Cost and budget are very important elements, but these must be met with quality materials, precise craftsmanship, accurate flow of information
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Coltrane Floor Lamp Coltrane Floor Lamp in Matte Black with Gold inside inspires a deep connection with the innovation and expression of Jazz music. covethouse.eu
Architecture: Carol Kurth Architecture, PC Desire Chair Ignite your desire to be wanted in the comfort of this provocative, fully upholstered and a positive working relationship from the pleated entire chair. team.A textured, hammered metal band outlines its curves the way the mind Chris: They are families in towns with highly regarded outlines the female desire.schools, somewhere between first-time home buyers to the retirement set. bykoket.com
The design team made more changes to the exterior of the home, which D+D: Legacyan Construction is aTocustom builder acts was previously off-white color. create home the classic whitethat colonial as a general contractor or construction manager on new construclook the clients wanted, Michael Smith Architects exchanged the offtion renovations. process doessiding your firm go through to whiteand siding with whiteWhat trim for all-white and trim with black be awarded the projects you are bidding on? shutters on all the windows. Tom: bidding large partdelivered of our business. After receiving Finally,Project Michael Smith isArchitects on its promise to create aspace newfor house plan from an architect or owner, we spend three or entertaining outdoors. “The outdoor entertaining areas are remore weeks pricing out every component of the project, from tree ally nice,” says Michael. “They include a new swimming pool, outdoor clearing to thewith front-door hardware. is a team kitchen, patio trellis, covered porchThe andprocess a new pool ‘house’effort; room several of us work on these bids, going back and forth between that is attached to the home and was converted from an old first-floor subcontractors and suppliers to make sure all elements are acguest suite.” counted for. It’s a labor-intensive process that many prospective clients may take the bidding The more After several yearsfor andgranted multipleduring renovation projects,process. the home is everyinformation we get up front, the more accurate and inclusive thing the clients first dreamed it would be when they purchased our the proposal can be. Many times we are given only preliminary plans, home. which rely on allowances for areas that don’t have specification or details. We’re very particular about trying to provide the most Architect reasonable realistic allowances possible. Often our proposMichael Smith and Architects als are compared to those of other bidders, who may assume less Michael Smith expensive allowances, in turn lowers their bottom line. Un41 N Main Street #101 which Burlesque Console Table less the prospective client is about bid levelNorwalk, CT the 06854 Revisit dazzling world of a very Frenchknowledgeable cabaret through the Burlesque ing, they might not realize the proposals may not be represented console. The acrobatic loops & spins of the base paired with black 203.563.0553 exotic skins a black crystal on each one of the 4 drawers exude the accurately andand fairly. michaelsmitharchitects.com mysterious traits of a feisty diva. bykoket.com
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Monaco Monaco, a waterjet mosaic shown in polished Dolomite, Carrara, Cornflower Glazed Basalto, and brushed Aluminum, is part of the VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3 - 2019 Liliane™ Collection by Caroline Beaupere for New Ravenna. Editor-in-Chief newravenna.com
Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen
Architecture: Ken Okamoto, AIA
Contributing Writers Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Pam Gersh, Kait Shea, Anastasia Storer, Anna Wirth
rated ound nsert er an msto chen. ht ing gives uides ted asciglass; illy meand as ing and, ed” fond e adain. erior stique hrop ars eautiomaricolouth her’s gved so elow. shan, llook devyural. This etion of rtant lph glassthe ts.com exhas eces. ward artfocal rated atfof is the mont rop that der I am aytoof shen I eNH, palant sson arrow winNH ping. ant sucative “so ger a per take st.” box, eom and spewere le to tural, tpped of dthe versoon im, nder, the ation way hieve ctinials, bric mong reat tting.
Sika Armchair
Contributing Photographers Sika is a deer specimen Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria Giovan, rooted in Japan whose John Gruen, Paul Johnson, Neil Landino, strength and elegance Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Daniel Milstein, inspired Sika wingback chair. Durston Saylor, Debra Somerville, EricThe Striffler, most distinctive features Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography of this wing chair are the Copy Editor Elena Serocki
button detailing in the inner back, the nailhead trim and the brass details of the arms. covethouse.eu
Graphic & Web Design East Coast Home Publishing
Publisher Shelley E. McCormick sm@dd-mag.com Chris: Meeting face-to-face with the architect and prospective client to present our bid is203-545-7091 mandatory for us. The job is much
more than numbers on a page; we want prospective clients to Account Manager get a feel for our integrity, passion and commitment. We want Alessandra Flanagan to make certain that our af@dd-mag.com personalities align, and that we are going to have a positive working relationship. We will potenDecor tially be working together Design for a + prolonged period of time. We 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 from, what is most want to understand where they are coming Floridawant 34113from the process. We important to them and Naples, what they Fax: 203-286-1850 love what we do and want the client to love it as well and have a great experience. The relationship is extremely important to us and will continue for years ahead. Design + Decor is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.dd-mag.com; Subscriptions: one year, $28; two years, $50. Back issues can be purchased at www.dd-mag.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, Design + Decor, 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 or e-mail: mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by Design + Decor are not necessarily those of the magazine.
D+D: How do you think the industry as a whole should streamline and improve the overall planning, design and building process? Chris: I would suggest that clients seek to contract with an architect for full-service architecture, most importantly complete Lapiaz Sideboard plansThe and specifications. The more complete the information, Lapiaz Sideboard originates from one of Boca do Lobo’s iconic design the pieces. more accurate oursame pricing can be.created That ahelps Based on the aesthetic that legacy,in thechoosing Lapiaz SideEAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING board takes exceptional craftsmanship design to a new orders, realm. Consisting a builder, mitigates difficult and change and 7485 Inspira repricing Circleand #1203 of two Lapiaz is finished stainlessmany steel that makes forindividual a muchmodules, smoother process. Todayin polished we are seeing Naples,the Florida 34113 portarys a perfect mirror, with a poplar root wood veneer interior. plans being pricedDD-MAG.COM at a preliminary state, where too many or bocadolobo.com
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Architecture: Carol Kurth Architecture, PC
not enough assumptions can be misleading and problematic down the road. D+D: What building trends have you seen evolve over the last 10 years? Tom: One of the main changes I see is the move toward more energy-efficient homes. This stems from building code requirements, and has brought about some very effective new materials and building practices. The homes we’re building today are far more energy efficient and have lower carbon footprints than similar homes of 10 years ago. We keep very well educated on the new products and techniques that come about. We’re big advocates of making each home we build as energy efficient as we can and exceeding the building code requirements.
Architecture: Carol Kurth Architecture, PC Photography: Albert Vecerka / ESTO
Another trend is the turn toward the more modern or transitional home. Ten years ago and prior to that, we were involved in a lot of very traditional projects. Now the tendency is toward more modern features and elements. I enjoy creating all types of projects. Design + Decor
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Architecture: Carol Kurth Architecture, PC Photography: Albert Vecerka / ESTO
Architecture: Carol Kurth Architecture, PC Photography: Albert Vecerka / ESTO
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Chris: I think there is a trend towards homes I would call “jewels”—much smaller than the voluminous homes of the past. I define a jewel as a home that is well designed, using all its space and appointed with great fixtures and finishes.
Chris: Coming back to a happy client after completion and having a dinner celebration with the client and design team is incredibly rewarding. Being referred to new clients by existing ones is very satisfying as well.
D+D: There are so many components to a successful project. Aside from the obvious factors such as budget, quality control, schedule and communication, what other elements should a prospective client consider as integral to the process? Chris: Another area that might not be considered as important is risk management and transfer. A certificate of insurance is only a piece of paper and tells you nothing about what your subcontractor holds for an insurance policy. Prior to any trade working on our sites, we vet each and every policy to ensure that all contractual obligations are met and risk transfer is in place. This process shields the client and architect from any potential lawsuits that may arise. This exercise is not always popular and often met with resistance, but we have educated some of our trade professionals in the process, as many don’t know what their policies hold or exclude. A perfect example of this was when we were vetting a tree-clearing contractor prior to excavation. We found he was excluded from tree felling—exactly the operation he was hired to perform! He had no idea that the policy excluded this operation. He has since added this to his policy and was able to work on our project.
Tom: I’ve always enjoyed being a part of making something from scratch, creating something from the ground up. When I was a child, my father the architect would pack us in the car, weekend after weekend, to tour some of his current projects. I was always fascinated to watch these projects take shape and evolve from piles of dirt into works of art. This excitement has remained with me, and that—coupled with the satisfaction of developing a relationship with our clients and sharing the whole experience with them—is extremely rewarding and my favorite part of the business and the legacies we build.
D+D: What is your favorite part of being in this business?
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Resource: Legacy Construction Northeast Chris Yaroscak Tom Yaroscak 10 New King Street Suite 208 White Plains, NY 10604 914.273.4511 legacydevelopmentllc.com
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BIOPHILIC DESIGN IN ARCHITECTURE 2019 ANNUAL ARCHITECTS ISSUE
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ELIZABETH JAHN
ELIZABETHJAHN.COM
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ven from an architectural perspective, biophilic design is still an important consideration when designing a home. Architect Elizabeth Jahn says it is absolutely important as every space has some connection to nature. “Every building has a context and relates in some way to their surroundings.” She explains that making this harmonious connection is important to our well-being. Key elements such as how light, natural breezes, and nature are captured by a building are important in biophilic design to create a harmonious connection between building and site. Capturing the breezes was important in the pavilion design because there is no artificial conditioning of the rooms. Creating an outdoor space that compliments its surroundings and takes advantage of the site’s stunning views resulted in an open plan with large sliding screen doors, which allow for cross ventilation and natural light. This pool pavilion is located on a sloping site and offers a sheltered dining porch and screened sitting room and changing room. It was important to Elizabeth’s clients to have a space for entertaining guests and relaxing that merged the boundaries between interior and the beautiful exterior spaces. Elizabeth shares that they “encouraged a modern approach with parity of detail but warmth of material that would relate to the surrounding landscape. The full height sliding screen doors allow for flexibility of space while the horizontal plane of the red cedar ceiling unifies the separate rooms, while the covered side porches open up to the backdrop of birch trees and extended views of the reservoir in the distance.” Elizabeth and her team used the same fieldstone used on the walls of the main house, and carried them through to the pavilion, forming a low sitting wall. An important detail that is commonly found in the area. Bush-hammered stone and natural cedar were also used in the pavilion.
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The thoughtful use and positioning of this building certainly honors its lush surroundings to create a magical flow that brings the outside in. Working alongside a landscape architect, Elizabeth and her team have masterfully created a space that merges so beautifully with the natural world around it, it feels as though it was always meant to be there- a simple and natural oasis. Architect Elizabeth Jahn Architecture Elizabeth Jahn One Kings Highway North Westport, CT 06880 203-571-1175 elizabethjahn.com Landscape Architect Devore Associates Diane Devore 2557 Burr Street Fairfield, Connecticut 06824 203.256.8950 devoreassoc.com Assisting Colleague Anne Nixon
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MELISSA SPOELSTRA BLUEPRINTDREAMS.COM
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ost would agree that the idea of biophilic design simply relates to our inherent desire to be close to nature. There are countless ways in which nature can be brought into the design of our modern built spaces. So how is such a concept applied from an architectural perspective? Melissa Spoelstra, architect and owner of Blueprint Dreams, says biophilic design in architecture can be achieved by capturing views of the outside through windows, letting natural light penetrate the interior spaces, and selecting organic materials used in the interior. For Melissa, biophilic design is an important concept for her and her clients, and it can be accomplished in subtle ways. Using smaller or larger openings in certain spaces creates a natural flow within the home that one follows without really noticing. This small detail allows someone to travel through the home as its designer (and owner) intended. Think: large openings towards a great entertainment area for guests, versus a smaller entry into a hallway that leads to bedrooms or private areas. How exactly does this relate to nature? Well, nature isn’t always random, and the layout of your home shouldn’t be, either. Loving nature and the unique sense of peace it provides doesn’t always translate to having a living garden in your home. In the case of this particular project, Melissa says that during the conceptual
design phase, she included some organic elements, such as oak wood instead of tile to go over the radiant flooring throughout the home, to add warmth to the spaces. Without bringing in other organic elements or materials, Melissa says it is always important to consider the location of a home and its surroundings. If clients purchased a plot of land with a lake behind it, you can bet they’d want a view of that lake. This was absolutely true for Melissa’s clients. Taking into account the secluded and lush location of this property, she applied the biophilic concept by thoughtfully positioning the home and including large, strategically placed windows that offer panoramic views of the outside. It was just another brilliant way to connect this home to the natural world around it. Architect Blueprint Dreams Melissa Spoelstra 203.610.7463 blueprintdreams.com Interior Designer Design House Lorna Patton 203.414.2805 Design + Decor
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GEORGE DUMITRU STUDIODUMITRU.COM
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or architect George Dumitru, following a biophilic design is an age-old practice. For as long as humans have been creating and building their own spaces, he says, they have drawn inspiration from nature and found ways to incorporate the outside in. As our world and climate changed, so did the ways in which we looked at architecture and our surrounding landscapes, so that incorporating nature was not as important as being protected from it. In recent years, the concept of bringing nature back into the home has regained popularity, as we again find appreciation for our natural world. Biophilic design is a goal and an essential element of today’s architects. Global location is also extremely important, explains George, as this will often determine design style and materials used. In the past, for example, northern regions that are typically exposed to cold weather conditions for extended periods of time would not have been so eager to use materials like glass, as it offers very little added warmth. Today we know that any number of materials can be used, regardless of location and weather conditions, because certain technologies allow us to compensate where needed. George offers the example of Bali in Indonesia, where doors and windows are rare features in homes. This is due to an inviting climate free of bugs and excessively harsh weather conditions, as well as a very different set of values than we have in the United States. Design + Decor
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Stateside, of course, we absolutely value doors and windows. For many of George’s clients, large windows are a must. “No one wants to feel like they live in a box!” he says. For many reasons beyond privacy, our world does require us to have protection from nature, yet this does not completely restrict us from appreciating it. Again, spatial consideration is essential. When working on a project, George asks, “What views are available? How do you relate to this space and how will you live in it?” Building a home is a deeply personal process, and considering a client’s lifestyle makes a difference in the final result. For this project privately situated in a wooded area, George used large glass windows throughout the ground floor and in the common areas of the home as a way to bring the outside in and offer fabulous views of the surroundings. He and his team thoughtfully placed bedrooms in a pinwheel design, each with its own large balcony, giving each room a completely unique view of the outside world. Another incredibly stunning feature of this residence is the catwalk that connects the left wing to the right wing of the home. Although it starts from within the home, the catwalk is open to the outside and lined with a glass railing. Serving as an interesting feature instead of a standard enclosed hallway, the catwalk literally connects the inside of the home with the outside world. Architect Studio Dumitru George Dumitru 49 Richmondville Avenue, Suite 106 Westport, CT 06880 203.226.5156 studiodumitru.com
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MICHAEL MORITZ STONEWATERARCH.COM
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New Jersey home tucked into the hillside about 45 minutes south of New York City encapsulates all that is biophilic design. Michael Moritz, principal of Stonewater Architecture, masterfully designed this home for his clients, taking into consideration their desire to embrace the spectacular view. “My understanding of biophilic design as an architect is connecting the inside and outside nature,” says Michael, “but also using the design to not impact the environment.”
meadow, the owners can enjoy the flowers from spring through fall, and then take in the gray and snow that rolls in during the winter. The south-facing home looks toward hundreds of acres that make up a land trust, so it won’t be developed. The windows in the back are designed so that every room has a view that takes in the surrounding nature. One unique challenge of the home that fought against a biophilic design was the fact that the owner is a car collector and needs a lot of garage space. To overcome this, Michael designed a lower-level garage with a car turntable, so what looks like a one-car garage actually houses six cars. This not only cuts down on the number of garage doors, but also on the amount of pavement and asphalt necessary for the garage. Other design elements of the home that embrace nature are the first-floor infinity-edge pool and skylights throughout the home that provide light in the areas built into the hillside. Blending seamlessly into its surroundings, this home is a perfect example of combining nature and architecture.
“We approached the project with the idea of not disturbing the hillside,” he continues. “It was a lot that hadn’t been built on before, and the owner didn’t want to be the person who came in and plopped a house right on top of the hill.” Instead, the client wanted to follow a Frank Lloyd Wright philosophy where the structure is built into the hillside. It was also the owner ’s desire that the home not be visible from the street— in fact, all you can see as you approach the home is a wall with several glass panels that serve as the front entrance. “ The hill rolls up and on top of the roof, so when you see it from the street, all you see are trees and the roof garden; you see very Architect Stonewater Architecture little of the home,” says Michael, explaining the approach. Michael Moritz The hillside home is all about embracing the New Jersey 908.380.2496 change of seasons as well. With the residence overlooking a stonewaterarch.com
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new home in Connecticut that embraces architectural features from another time also capitalizes on a beautiful lot with stunning views. According to Scott Raissis, owner of Thompson Raissis Architects, using the concepts of biophilic design is “inherent in the design process, no matter what. It’s the mindset of a lot of homes we do because many of the homes are directly connected to nature.” In designing this residence, Scott’s primary charge was to capture the views and, he says, “open up the house to the site.” The owner is a master gardener so, according to Scott, “It was important that the house be sited well on the property.” With two acres of land to work with, he and his design team took advantage of the natural contours of the land and sited the house appropriately without disturbing some of the key features, such as the rolling backyard and stone outcroppings. Both the interior and exterior features of this home practice the concept of biophilic design. This shingle-style home with a European flair showcases timber and wood throughout the property. Scott says the client wanted a “rough look” to some of the Design + Decor
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design elements, which include an outdoor wooden pergola made of twigs. His team also designed “a timber bed frame for the client’s son, with a timber frame ladder to the loft, using wrought-iron metal for the handrails.” Each of these design elements helps to bring the outside in, as do the large windows throughout the home. The client also worked hard to choose the right exterior color to fit the style and surroundings; Scott says the final selection was “conducive to the environment.” While the concept of biophilic design is important in all homes, when working with views such as these, the process of bringing the outside in becomes even more critical. Scott achieved his greatest goal in building this new home with an old spirit because “it hit all our marks with regard to the design agenda” and his client was very pleased with the result. Architect Thompson Raissis Architects Scott Raissis 381 Boston Post Road Darien, CT 06820 203.399.0100 tr-architects.com Design + Decor
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iophilic design is all about capturing views, blending the outside with the inside, and using colors and materials that reflect the environment, according to Robert A. Cardello, founder, and David LaPierre, partner and project manager, of Robert A. Cardello Architects. “People are innately attracted to natural elements such as light, water views, etc.,” says Robert. Not only is it important to incorporate these elements, it’s also vital to “incorporate the site to all projects,” he says. This unique waterfront property in Norwalk, Connecticut, was no exception. The clients commissioned the architects to design a home that would be perfect for entertaining both family and neighbors. “It was clear from our first meeting that they wanted to develop something new and special,” says David. “In every meeting we discussed the importance of casual living and frequent gatherings. We were delighted at the prospect of designing a house that invites neighbors in and provides fun and recreation in beautiful spaces. In short, we were tasked with creating a great family fun house.” A generous open floor plan accomplished this goal while also featuring components in line with biophilic design. One of the most important factors the design team addressed was positioning the home in just the right place to capture the best angles of the water views. Other technical challenges to overcome with this project included “addressing the flood elevations, working with multilevel terracing, and maintaining proper building heights,” says Robert. The project showed that, while biophilic design is an appealing concept, sometimes it is inherently difficult to implement. The design of the home truly succeeds in bringing the outside in. The rear terrace can easily be accessed through 12-foot sliding glass doors that open fully to the outside. A glass-walled pool that is heated year-round provides outdoor enjoyment for owners and guests. “The lower terrace is accented with a ‘wall of fire,’” says David, which also brings natural elements to the design. Finally, balcony access from the upper floors enables the owners to take further advantage of their spectacular views. This Connecticut home is a perfect example of the many different ways that designers can bring the natural features of a property inside so the owners can enjoy them all year long. Architect Robert A. Cardello Architects Robert Cardello David LaPierre 60 Post Road West Westport, CT 06880 203.853.2524 Greenwich Office 6 West Putnam Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 cardelloarchitects.com
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The Cocoon: A Vacation Home Ideal for Rebirth Sustainable, Biomorphic and Passive House principles come together to create a home for maximum well-being. Story by Ross Robinson | Photography by Caylon Hackwith
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In front of the energy-efficient fireplace sits Nina’s Beanie Sofa, a bean bag design composed of natural materials.
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cocoon combines many traits we look for in good architecture. It protects us from the elements to create a comfortable home, while adding privacy in a graceful and appealing design. It keeps the good in and the bad out, and does it beautifully.
seum of Architecture and Design. Her 3D-printed solar Latitude Light won the 2017 A’ Design Award and the 2018 Made in NYC Award.
A Long Island, NY, vacation cottage aptly named “The Cocoon” does all of this and more. The organically shaped structure sits within a naturally landscaped property and brings all the comforts of home. Rounded walls cradle and provide visual and physical warmth, while glass opens the home to the beauty, breezes and scents of the surrounding nature.
The layout is designed to fit the requirements of the lot. The L-shaped home and 1,730-square-foot footprint work with the land and its surroundings, maintaining a 150-foot clearance from the area’s wetlands and a 35-foot clearance from neighboring properties. With close neighbors to the north and west, and views and cool ocean breezes to the south and east, the home is designed to bring privacy while taking full advantage of its natural conditions.
Like many natural forms, the design of this residence has more to it than first appears. This LEED-certified home is designed to work closely with nature. It uses organic shapes, sustainable construction and a combination of Passive House principles and environmental technology to make the most of its surroundings while also giving back. Architect Nina Edwards Anker designed the vacation cottage for herself and her family. She is the founding member of the nonprofit urban design company Terreform ONE, and has held teaching positions at schools including Sotheby’s Institute, Oslo School of Architecture and the Pratt Institute. She and her company NEA Studio are known for award-winning furniture and lighting products that showcase her passion for sustainable design and biomorphic design principles. In 2015 her Landscape Sofa won the Good Design Award from The Chicago Athenaeum Mu-
Nina and her studio experiment with forms, new ideas and manufacturing processes that support sustainable living. When it was time to design her home, she put all these practices into play.
Biomorphic design is used throughout, evoking shapes and patterns found in nature and living organisms. This design principle is also shown in her furniture designs, such as her Beanie Sofa in the living room and her Algae Lamps above the dining table. Nina worked with Licciardi Builders, engineering firm LaufsED and prefabrication company Unalam to bring her concept to life. The rounded walls bring privacy on the north and west, clad in cedar shingles that blend in with the look of the historic neighborhood. Part cocoon, part wave-shaped, the large curves are both graceful and welcoming, inviting interaction as if it were a flowing landscape or a rounded Richard Serra sculpture.
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The walls make a grand statement in the open floor plan and are kept clean by setting the entranceway and fireplace hearth outside the interior frame. Along the southern side, the design is sliced and angled to accommodate large windows, sliding glass doors and skylights that work together to maximize views of nature, invite ocean breezes and bathe the home in light. Circular Benefits of Round Design There are added benefits found in the round design and methods of construction. Passive and sustainable design principles work together, efficiently circulating air and regulating temperatures for comfortable living. The home uses nature to its advantage while benefiting the environment with specialized LEED construction. Her indoor/outdoor chairs, called Knotties, sit near the C-shaped Cantilever Table made of recycled polished stainless steel. The Solar Chandelier above the chairs add engaging reflective light, powered by solar-powered photovoltaic modules and translucent materials. The light projects engaging shadows and doubles as a wind chime. Nina’s Algae Lamps, composed of translucent molded algae, hang above the dining area. On the table sit her award-winning 3D printed solar Latitude Lights for added ambient light; they illuminate the space automatically at dusk.
Rather than use steel to create the frame, Nina opted for timber to maintain lower carbon emissions and maintain a more natural environment for living and breathing. The rounded shape allows for high 16-foot ceilings, while using between 15% and 20% less material on the walls, floor and roof than standard rectangular buildings with equal square footage. Design + Decor
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The round design also channels rainwater into the cistern that, in turn, waters the landscaping. Ovoid designs such as this have other unique benefits. Like circular structures such as Mongolian yurts and Navajo hogans, they make homes energy efficient and comfortable. The cocoon shape works with the glass and nature to create an environment that is not too hot and not too cold, but just right. In cooler months, sunlight warms the walls along the north and west, heating the home while meeting cooler air from the windows for balanced temperature regulation. The curved walls also work to channel temperature and airflow. The high ceiling takes heat up and away, curving warm air and guiding it to glass skylights, which cool it, bringing it down again. As the air continues to rise and fall, it acts as natural air conditioning. The rounded shape also moves fresh air and breezes easily throughout the home. In times of the year when weather is particularly cold, the energy-efficient fireplace brings all the needed warmth. Sight and Sound Another important trait for creating a peaceful living experience is sound control. Nina worked with Obelisk Consulting to reduce interior and exterior sound. Inside, sound softens while travelling along the rounded walls, making life more comfortable while resting, speaking with friends or listening to music. On the exterior, the curved wall acts much like an aerodynamic structure in a wind tunnel, guiding sound around it rather than against it. Visually, the round shape creates the feeling of being enveloped in visual warmth. The softness of white walls also acts like a projector of colors, lines and shadows, beautifully displaying, stretching and moving them for an inviting show.
Her Vanity Table, inspired by the shape of melting snow and icicles, is designed to hold everything from cosmetics to keys and plants.
The Clear Benefits of Glass Curved walls are only part of the home’s story. Glass along the southern side is an important element for light, temperature and mood. The visual benefits of glass are used to their fullest, letting in the expansive Design + Decor
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beauty of surrounding nature. The glass also helps with temperature regulation due to its positioning with the sun. In colder months, sunlight warms the glass and surrounding walls to create passive heat gain. The skylights help maximize the amount of light and warmth entering the home from fall to spring. On warm summer days, the wide sliding glass doors open to allow in ocean air that is further cooled while passing over the water from the nearby cistern. On hot days, shades and large swaths of drapery reduce solar heat gain by 50%. In the hallway leading to the bedrooms, the glass brings visual and emotional comfort. The colored skylights have their history in Goethe color theory that associates colors with feelings and emotions. For the home, the darker vermillion red near the master bedroom represents sunset and rest, while the deep yellow near the living room represents energy and activity. Sunlight interacts with the skylights, which lights the floor and surrounding white walls and brings about delicious reflections and colors that create an engaging dance and warm interaction. These reflections are always in motion, constantly shifting, expanding and contracting based on the positioning of the sun, moving along the curved and straight walls like hands on a biorhythmic clock. Tight Construction Along with natural temperature regulation from the glass and walls, the house uses ultra-tight construction to allow simple air handlers to heat and cool the home. Nina wanted to avoid the blasts of cold air from air conditioning in the summer and dry air from heating during the winter. This meant blending heating and cooling strategies and controlling humidity levels through Passive House principles. She worked with mechanical engineer Jordan Goldman from Zero Energy DeDesign + Decor
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Outside sit Nina’s Crystallized Dining Table and Chairs.
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sign, opting away from the large HVAC systems required in the leaky homes in the surrounding humid continental climate. A minimally designed system was installed in ultra-tight, well-insulated construction for more effective ventilation and air channeling while controlling humidity levels. Plants are also strategically used for stability.
the home were sliced downward and opened. The water softens the look of the structure, tying together the architecture and nature through reflections off the water and nearby glass, while blurring the lines between the interior and exterior. The water also brings light into the home, while casting reflections and powering Nina’s Solar Chandelier.
Cool, Clear Water Outside the home, water brings a blend of aesthetic, environmental and comfort benefits. Rainwater is collected in the cistern and used for watering the landscaping, while also further cooling the ocean breezes in the summertime. The cistern and reflecting pool emulate the rounded design of the home, running parallel to the glass and mirroring the design as if
Beyond the water sits an undisturbed landscape that provides plenty of room to interact with nature while creating attractive views from the inside, where Nina and her children enjoy all the comforts of home. With all these internal and external traits working together, this vacation home’s blend of natural and sustainable design works with its surroundDesign + Decor
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ings to create an ultra-balanced environment. It brings tranquil comfort while letting the homeowners delight in all the senses. Like a cocoon itself, this home is made to reenergize—and does it in style.
Resources: Designer and Architect nea studio Nina Edwards Anker NEW LAB, Brooklyn Navy Yard 19 Morris Ave, Building 128 Brooklyn, NY 11205 917.690.5480 neastudio.com Builder Licciardi Builders 381 Old Riverhead Rd #11 Westhampton, NY 11977 631.259.3882 Structural Engineer LaufsED Will Laufs 46-01 5th Street Long Island City, NY 11101 212.529.3905 laufsed.com Mechanical Engineer Zero Energy Design Jordan Goldman 156 Milk St. Suite 3 Boston, MA 02109 617.720.5002 zeroenergy.com Electrical Engineer Avioworks Michael Edwards 50 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016 212.686.4554 avioworks.com Sound Engineer Obelisk Consulting Charles von Mueffling 171 Madison Avenue, Suite 1333 New York, NY 10016 212.563.1700 obeliskconsulting.com drafting Anna Agoston Raphael Walter Design + Decor
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Of Sea and Sod: Serenity on the Sound Cormac Byrne and his team of professionals at Jones Byrne Margeotes Partners craft a waterfront residential project in Fairfield County, CT, for a long-term commercial client. Story by Alder Grove | Photography by Devin Groody
A welcoming arrival court offers sleek styling and comfortable digs for the owners in their newly constructed home
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t was an easy choice for the homeowner couple to collaborate with Jones Byrne Margeotes and Partners (JBMP), as they’d worked with the firm on commercial projects in the Fairfield County area. With their children grown, the clients needed to downsize, and they asked JBMP to help them find the right place for their new custom home. After looking at a number of potential locations, the owners fell in love with a little slice of heaven on the water, just over the New York state line on the Connecticut side. “The owners were coming from a large traditional-style home they had built in Westport 15 years earlier, and they were looking to move to a smaller home on the Long Island Sound,” Cormac Byrne explains. “We’d previously worked with an architect and a builder to design and construct a much more traditional and larger home, so our design brief here was different and quite a departure for our clients.” “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.”– Chinese proverb
The linear Living/Kitchen/Dining layout all share the views out to the water.
The project team took a “good neighbor” approach to easing the new residents into the neighborhood, which was well established, with many families living in their homes for three, four or even five decades. JBMP carefully Design + Decor
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Modern casework and an island define the kitchen space, leaving enough room to gather at an informal eating table.
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Lift and slide doors line the water side of the house on the main and lower levels.
navigated various deed restrictions and view easements for the neighbors on each side of the property. “We took much care in designing the home to ensure that the neighbors’ panoramic views were maintained, and the house was sited accordingly,” Cormac recalls. The team commissioned 3D renderings and virtual walkthroughs and presented them to the people who lived next door, assuring them that the new construction would preserve their excellent views of the sound. Byrne and his team set out to design a more traditional exterior for the residence, balancing strong, stone-clad vertical elements with an uber-green horizontal poly-ash siding material. Ribbons of horizontal glazing around the perimeter of the building meet stringent coastal energy code requirements. Long-lasting standing seam roofing adorns the hips and gables sitting atop the residence. Low-maintenance exterior finishes confidently separate the happy homeowners from the elements along the seashore. On the main and lower levels along the water-facing façade, feather-light lift and slide doors create easy passage from the home’s public areas to the sloping back lawn that descends to the shoreline. JBMP’s careful exterior material and window and door selections ensure that these will require little or no
maintenance. From the two-car garage and small parking areas adjacent to the front entry, several steps beckon residents and guests up to the covered entry porch and through the front door to a wood-floored entry. Their attention is quickly drawn through the space to a vertically slatted wall of white oak at the back of the stairs. “The goal was to immediately see the expansive views beyond,” Cormac explains. “The staircase in the very center of the house was designed to be sculptural yet ‘see-through.’ Glass railings and the white oak screen help define the space, but allow for a visual connection at the same time. The stair is open from the lower level through to the second floor.” The main level consists of public spaces including a modern kitchen, family and dining room. These interconnected spaces comprise an open plan that shares wood floors, stone pilasters and wood headers. Each borders the water-facing rear façade, with openings through several lift and slide stacking glass doors onto a large deck. Beyond the deck extends the 180-degree panoramic water view, where the homeowners can witness the full majesty of beachfront sunrises and sunsets. At the lower level, facing the water, the Design + Decor
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same layout of lift and slide glass panel doors mirrors the main level above. This level functions as an entertainment space that connects with the stone terraces at the back of the house. Both covered and open-air exterior spaces provide gathering areas to commingle, come rain or shine. Working on waterfront projects always involves a compliance with regulations. Luckily, JBMP does this sort of project all the time—indeed, navigating city, state and federal codes and statutes is par for the course for Cormac and his firm. Placing the home well above flood elevation reduced 72
the need for several flood-ready measures that may have been required otherwise. Its elevation keeps each floor safe from any water intruding, even during the most powerful storm surges. The designers also implemented smart home technology throughout the residence to automate and customize several features. Simply by swiping a few buttons, the homeowners can adjust, monitor and control lighting, mechanized shades, audiovisual components, heating and air conditioning from anywhere in the world.
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Custom casework and Marvin lift and slide doors create luxurious space overlooking the Long Island Sound beyond.
Vertically slatted white oak screening surrounds the open stair on the main level.
“There is no place more delightful than one’s own fireside.”–Cicero Of paramount importance in the completed design was the concept of connecting the outside and inside spaces. The design utilizes materials and planes to create unbroken lines that link exterior and interior zones. When the windows and doors are open, continuous finishes of wood, stone and tile are arranged to define volumes that blur the transitions. Exterior and interior lights align to further emphasize the transitional connection.
On the lower floor, dark stone flooring anchors the level to the land, providing a comfortable feeling of continuity as one passes from interior to exterior. A casual stroll from the walk-out lower level leads to a waterside terrace, complete with low benches, stone walls, a fire feature and planters where people can reflect and connect with the natural landscape. Despite Cormac’s many years of experience working on seaside projects, he is still pleasantly surprised when wide-water views command his attention, no matter how many times he has visited a project or construction site. To tie the new home into the one-acre plot, Cormac and his clients turned to landscape Design + Decor
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Glass guardrails,dark stone flooring and invisible base trim collide on the lower level producing noticeable sophistication.
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A patio with a fire feature, low stone walls and planter provide a venue to connect with the natural landscape.
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architect Bruce Eckerson of Eckerson Design Associates, who integrated the building into the land by designing the pathways, terraces and outdoor seating areas. The intrepid homeowners decided early on to diverge from their previous home’s interior design of traditional millwork, paneling and crown moldings, and opted for a modern theme throughout their new residence. Clean lines and sophisticated junctions rule the day, as JBMP’s Kristen Rinaldi developed the detailing necessary to achieve this objective. Instead of base and window trim being proud of wall finishes, the designers imposed reveals and recessed materials where planes and materials intersect. Finely crafted base reveals join wood and stone floors to high-quality wall finishes. Doors and windows wear low-profile reglets on the outside and return with highly finished gypsum on the inside to create simple details that appear crisp and flawless. The wide swaths of glass at the water-facing elevation add to the modern transparency while allowing residents to enjoy the breathtaking views of the sound. Kristen worked with the owners on the furniture, art, decorative rugs and all the fixtures and equipment. They selected final finishes that bring ease, free-flowing movement and comfort to each room. Wood features such as casework and stair cladding were carefully chosen to augment and enhance the tone and color of the wood floors and architectural finishes. “Home is a shelter from storms—all sorts of storms.”–William J. Bennett Approaching the house from the asphalt-concrete paved driveway, you are greeted by a sense of both invitation and protection. Two opaque, fullyglazed doors conceal the contents of the garages, while an imposingly tall
building façade announces the strength of the residence. The ample glazing at the front entrance coaxes you to look directly through the house to the wide body of saltwater beyond. The street-facing elevation holds its ground and lets you know this is indeed home, where you can enter, be safe and relax. Completion of this handsome project brought to fruition the goals of the homeowners, the intentions of the architects, and the skills of the builders, who achieved great success in this challenging endeavor. Resources: Architecture & Interior Design Jones Byrne Margeotes Partners Cormac Byrne, James Margeotes & Kristen Rinaldi 1786 Bedford Street Stamford, CT 06905 203.531.1588 jbmparch.com Landscape Architect Eckerson Design Associates Bruce Eckerson 21 Ann Street, Unit AC-1 South Norwalk, CT 06854 203.212.3679 eckersondesignassociates.com
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A TRADITIONAL GEORGIAN HOME WITH A MODERNIST APPEAL Douglas Graneto Design transforms a traditional Georgian home into a secluded contemporary haven. Story by Meryl Siegman | Photography by Peter Murdock
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hen a family with three teenage daughters purchased this stately Georgian mansion just down the road from where they lived in Westchester County, NY, they hired Douglas Graneto Design to decorate every room in the house as well as the pool house and outdoor living area. Having lived in a close-knit neighborhood with homes on smaller lots, the family relished the idea of moving into a home with more indoor and outdoor space and the luxury of total privacy. Douglas Graneto, the principal of Douglas Graneto Design, welcomed the opportunity to create an inviting, functional and gracious home for his clients, starting with a clean slate and open minds. “I was exceptionally excited about this project,” recalls Douglas. “ The house has so many great things going for it—a beautiful entrance with a double-height ceiling and a library, a fantastic outdoor screened-in porch, and a beautiful open kitchen with a breakfast area—not to mention a spectacular family room.”
With a degree in art history, a background in custom furniture production, and a deep knowledge of both vintage restoration and modern furniture, Douglas was the perfect choice for this compelling project. Thanks to his love for classically influenced modernism, he is dedicated to individuality and the juxtaposition of old and new. Moreover, Douglas designs bespoke custom furniture and accessories, giving him the unique ability to tailor his interiors to exactly match his clients’ tastes and fit into their individualized spaces. Sited at the end of a private lane and backed up against a golf course, this 12,000-square-foot residence, built in 2009, features seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. As a visitor drives down a fairy-tale driveway to approach the majestic house, it appears as a magnificent solitary structure looming on a vast horizon, true to its Georgian heritage. Characterized by its sense of proportion and balance, the home is spacious and grand, surrounded by endless views of the northeastern countryside. It sits on a charming freshwater pond surrounded by a bucolic path. Design + Decor
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The Donghia u-shaped sectional in the living room offers a contemporary but classic look.
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The cashmere fabric on the chairs and curtains are by Loro Piana. The curtain fabric is trimmed in suede.
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A Hudson Furniture table, sconces and chandelier paired with Holly Hunt dining chairs and sideboard create a sense of elegance, opulence and comfort.
The owners were ready for a change with the décor of their new home. “ They wanted something serene with a modern feel, evolving from traditional with a collection of American antiques to something more contemporary,” Douglas explains. “Everything ended up with a true shift from where they started.” He chose a muted palette with colors to help create the warmth and texture he believed the house called for. To warm the tone of the home’s expansive spaces, he chose darker, earthy woods. Entering the house, a visitor is immediately taken in by the foyer, with its grand, sweepDesign + Decor
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ing circular stairway and soaring ceiling. According to Douglas, “Double-high ceilings add to the sense of spaciousness and grandeur of the public rooms.” A dark wood balustrade with painted white spindles accentuates the stairway and upstairs balcony. Light-colored etched wainscoting without hardware, specifically chosen by the clients, and a dark wood floor make a stunning first impression. A custom-sized Kyle Bunting hair-on-hide rug and a Lindsey Adelman chandelier add distinctive touches. An evocative sculpture by the contemporary Spanish artist Jaume Plensa keeps watch from under the staircase. French doors framed in dark wood serve as the perfect en-
trance to the library. With a vintage desk from Donzella Antiques, a vintage chandelier from John Salibello and Holly Hunt chairs, this cozy retreat provides perfect office space for the owners to work from home in comfort and style. Douglas cleverly extended the existing mahogany paneling to create custom display cases to showcase the owners’ unusual collection of vintage guitars. The living room is a symphony of neutral grays and taupes. Its centerpiece is a sectional sofa by Donghia, offset by Lorin Marsh ottomans and a David Weeks chandelier. Douglas himself designed the custom marble coffee table to pick up on the color palette and transitional style of the room. Design + Decor
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The dining room offers picturesque views of the pool and pool house, framed by the lush countryside. The family room is the perfect venue for the family to come together and relax, featuring a sofa created specially for the setting by Douglas, and curtains fashioned from Holland and Sherry fabrics. Overall, the space exudes a calming, classic and updated transitional look, with only a splash of vibrant color provided by the artwork gracing the softcolored walls. The open kitchen is the perfect setting for family meals, with a charming breakfast nook framed by floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of a peaceful outdoor setting. Upstairs, the master bedroom retains the soft palette of the rest of the house with a Vladimir Kagan sofa and a custom bed designed by Douglas to accommodate the expansive space. As for the children’s bedrooms, “ The owners were on the same page with the soft, neutral color palette,” says Douglas, “but they allowed their trio of teenaged girls to choose the hues they wanted for their own rooms—which ended up being pink, purple and blue.” Douglas decided to retain the home’s original wide-plank oak flooring, layering it with texture and color by laying down area rugs throughout the house to create a sense of warmth and comfort. His choices ranged from a tonal Edward Fields runner on the foyer stairs to a muted striped rug from Beauvais Carpets in the family room. Throughout the home, the walls are plastered in varying finishes, colors and sheens, depending on the mood Douglas wanted to create: a matte finish in the kitchen and family room for a relaxed feel, Venetian plaster with a subtle pearlescent finish in the living room for elegance, and French plaster in a natural limestone finish in the entryway for a traditional feel. The walls are punctuated with eclectic artwork 86
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In the master bedroom, the bed is designed by Douglas Graneto, the sofa by Vladimir Kagan and the vintage chairs by Milo Baughman.
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curated with the help of the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, NY, featuring modern, contemporary and African art. And what mansion would be complete without a full gym in the basement, where the owners can work out in complete privacy?
Resources: Douglas Graneto Design Douglas Graneto 61 Ridgeview Avenue Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203.622.8383 douglasgraneto.com
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ELEMENTAL SEDUCTION: A RESIDENCE IN CONNECTICUT BECKONS
A crisp and simple contemporary aesthetic dominates the exterior of the Bluewater Hill house. Inside, the rules get more flexible as people are kept on their toes with colorful surprises around every corner.
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Years of collaboration result in pure magic for an architect and his client couple in Westport, Connecticut. Story by Alder Grove | Photography by Barry A. Hyman
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Tall expanses of rainwater glass allow maximum light penetration and keep all visual ingress at bay.
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new ground-up private residence is the culmination of a string of collaborations between Peter Cadoux, AIA, of Peter Cadoux Architects and his husbandwife clients on the Connecticut coast of the Long Island Sound. Client Deborah Harper Bono conjured up some enchantment with Peter on the themes and interior design of the hilltop house that both architect and owners define as “an event.”
of life on our planet, namely, the elements of earth, air, fire and water. Peter understood this was a different approach to design than most people begin with, and that magic and opportunity were afoot. Next, Deborah perceived a theme forming in the ethers. Each space in the house would act as a transporter, carrying one to far-flung locations, evoking emotions as one passes from discrete vignette to vignette. Architectural finishes in each setting would claim their own colors, textures and tones while travelling a meandering path across time and continents.
Programming meetings with Peter and Deborah’s husband started with a few lofty parameters for the project. First, the place was to be special. The home was to embody and emphasize the quintessential ingredients
“What makes this house so interesting,” Deborah explains, “is that it’s elemental and also experiential. You’re not just living there, you’re going from opportunity to opportunity. You’re going to London to play squash,
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Cloud lighting fixtures, designed by Frank Gehry for the Belux lighting collection, stake a claim for the element of air, hovering nearby the coziest element of fire in the form of a modern fireplace.
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A custom chaise lounge with coordinated soft furnishings throughout the living area, and custom ceiling treatment, all executed by Heidi Holzer Design and Decorative Work, create an elegant and relaxing atmosphere.
you’re going to India to go swimming, you’re going to the Metropolitan Opera to have dinner. That chandelier over the dining room table is a copy of the chandelier in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. So when you’re having dinner, you’re having dinner at an elegant dinner party, not just the same breakfast bar.”
“Everywhere you look, there’s a meaning. Everywhere you look, there’s a feeling. Everywhere you look, there’s a surprise.” —Peter Cadoux, AIA Earth, air and water are represented in the exterior cladding materials. Peter and his team composed the house Design + Decor
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in the form of three boxes. The contemporary architecture showcases a connection to water in the blue color of the steel structure that comprises the pool house. A red-brown box announces itself as the earth-associated element, cloaked in wood-look Prodema paneling on a rainscreen system. A third volume, clad in white limestone, brings to mind the qualities of air. A green roof rests comfortably atop the largest volume of the home; its low slope form recalls previous residences designed by modernist masters and moves to a higher plane the earth’s greenery, which was borrowed at the footprint. At 9,000+ square feet, the house coyly presents itself to the street as a much smaller building. Surprises await around every corner in the five-bedroom, six- bath residence, including the fullness of a large hidden walk-out level that emerges gloriously downslope at the back of the building. From the street façade, an educated onlooker might guess the house is around 2,500 square feet. 96
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One of the most special aspects of the house, in Deborah’s view, is the interplay of the home’s planes, lines and layers. Serious mojo is apparent where the forms create nested boxes that hold the three-story open staircase, the pool house and the main living space, which is capped with a roof deck. There is a transparency that links all the pieces together. It’s a complex assembly of the transported vignettes, held in a sort of magnetized flux, as the open floor plan deftly thwarts the potential for disorganization and delivers new surprises across each threshold. All the characteristics fit together to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. The central spine of the wide-open stair serves as a focal point in the public area. On the ceiling are two amazing features that are not likely to be matched anywhere in the world. The first jaw-dropping feature is a 25,000-strong dis-
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The formal dining area shares an invisible border with the kitchen beyond. The light fixture over the table is a replica of the chandelier in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.
play of LED lights that comprise a star map on the ceiling. The ceiling’s surface is painted midnight blue, so the points of light disappear into a realistic night when the star map is switched off. Included are shooting stars, accurate placement of planets and stars, and the zodiac signs of both homeowners. The celestial sky, as it’s called, exerts a force downward on the observer, firmly grounding one’s awareness to the massiveness of the Earth below. Chalk up another mark in the earth element column. Directly adjacent to this starry night is another wonderful and unique hallmark of the Bluewater Hill abode: a Foucault pendulum. Usually reserved for museums, this 19th-century invention of French physicist Leon Foucault is the first simple evidential display showing the rotation of the Earth. A large copper-lined lead bob is hung 39 feet from its housing on the ceiling, where
Venetian plaster in purple and dusty bronze jazz up the powder room vibrantly.
the weight is powered by a low-voltage charge that keeps it moving pendulously, back and forth, in the same direction. What’s truly mind-expanding about the pendulum is that it’s recording the rotation of the Earth. A massive, sandfilled glass bowl yields its surface to the bob’s point, which demonstrates the rotation of the Earth as the sand shows a radial pattern, while the pendulum rotates over the course of time. The element of earth is called forth through the dual creations of the celestial sky exhibit and the slow, steady marks of the Foucault pendulum. “The Foucault pendulum is extraordinarily cerebral and scientific. You really could never understand, even with an image, how special it is.” —Peter Cadoux, AIA
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The element of earth is represented with the red fire granite island solidly anchoring it’s place in the kitchen.
Fire is also included in the composition, with several linear fireplaces burning for attention. The main fire feature is a 12-foot-long modern fireplace All the push-button blazes are exaggerated and are vignettes unto themselves, putting on display that familiar orange friend that beckons to heat your bones on a winter’s eve. Not to be outdone or uncounted, the element of water is exigent in its very own spatial volume. Beyond an etched glass door lies one of the biggest surprises of the residence: a large, airy, transparent room with soaring glass ceilings, fenestrated walls and custom murals on three sides. Long-time artistic collaborator Elizabeth Hartstein worked with the homeowners on the themes and Easter eggs of the expansive murals. Deborah suggested playfully as the murals were being composed, “No pressure—just paint it like God did it.” The waterfall spouts tumble soothingly into the swimming pool, which is adorned with an infinity edge on the patio side. The pool-house vignette acts as a time machine, placing one in a tropical locale that evokes a ruin of a palace in India. Deborah elucidates the aesthetic in the transparent blue volume: “We turned that into not just a regular pool house, but into a conservatory that has this ancient aspect to it.” Nonnative, subtropical plants grow in the conservatory as you are transported 98
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to the subcontinent. Stone blocks are laid out to imitate a freshly uncovered archeological dig. “It feels like you are transported not just to a warm pool room, but to a warm pool room that is in a different time and place,” Deborah says. Air is the element that surrounds us all the time, with several examples of spaciousness and levity popping up throughout the residence. The open, multilevel stair invites a deep breath, providing transparency through the interior of the public spaces and unimpeded light from the outside. Cloud light fixtures, staples from the Belux lighting collection (these particular ethereal forms are designed by Frank Gehry), are introduced into the air below the celestial sky. The lights themselves are nods to the airy nature of wispy clouds passing under the vastness of the stars above. A formidable island anchors the kitchen space, confidently displaying the fire-red granite finish that surprises with a bold pop of color. Deborah says the pattern on the granite looks like a satellite view of the Grand Canyon; Peter likens it to a deep crack in the earth. In any case, attention is grabbed and held with the uniqueness of the finely polished surface. Additional spectacular earth elements are the countertops in the master bathroom,
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For the exotic bedroom sanctuary, the wall color was a custom blended Venetian plaster, offset by the goldleaf- and- glass fireplace surround.
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where undermount LEDs illuminate the semiprecious sliced geode slabs. The effect is enchanting at night and equally impressive during daylight hours. Millions of years of sediment and crystal development are polished to exhibit an immaculately honed surface. One of the most surprising components of the house is color. Fine Venetian plasters are prominent throughout the vignettes. Heidi Holzer Design and Decorative Work oversaw all the applications of venetian plaster and perlatta that were painstakingly executed by her team throughout the house. The powder room is finished in a purple plaster. The ceiling is a dusty bronze Perlata plaster. The mirror wall differentiates itself with a uniform small square tile, winking with a dark iridescence. Deborah’s office is adorned all in pink. On the walls closest to the floors, a subdued pink starts making its way upward. Gaining depth, the pink becomes a deep fuschia at the top of wall and becomes a canopy covering the office ceiling. Peter and Deborah combined forces to splash color around in many rooms. Peter explains that the inconsistent consistency of wild variations in color makes what could be a chaotic color
scheme work due to its rigorous application throughout the project. Deborah points out that plenty of surfaces have a negative color, which serves to balance and subdue the louder choices. The lavenders, creams and silvers in the living room are dense but not flashy. It is in these moments of a subdued color experience that one can pause, breathe and venture into the next textural and hue immersion. Our exploration of the Bluewater Hill house would not be complete without some discussion of pattern. The planes around the central stair are rainwater glass, used to achieve a dual-pronged strategy of admitting unfettered light into the interior of the home, while obscuring the outsider’s views into the private spaces. “Rainwaterpatterned glass allows total visual privacy, but does not interfere with light transmission into the home,” Deborah explains. “It’s similar to the quality of light in Japanese architecture, where rice paper is used to admit light but maintain complete privacy.” The mantra here is minimal texture, maximum light. Expecting the unexpected is the pervasive experience at this residence. On Design + Decor
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All planting designs were created and installed by Allan Broadbent, Landscape Architect of Granoff Architects and The Laurelrock Company
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Elizabeth Hatrstein worked with the homeowners to develop the theme of a ruined Indian palace. She was commissioned to create several murals to bring the theme alive.
the way to the squash court, one opens the door on what is assumed to be the lowest level of the house. Yet there’s another stairway leading down to the court. A crystal chandelier, imported by Deborah’s great-grandmother, lights the observation hall, whose floor is lined with Oriental rugs. A brocade-upholstered bench squats neatly for spectators at the regulation-sized squash venue. Warm woods clad the vertical surfaces, and crisp built-ins balance the steel and glass of the playing court wall. A portrait of Deborah’s great-grandmother watches over the tidy space, honoring family ancestors with coziness and warmth. “I didn’t want it to look like a health club— I wanted it to look like a gentleman’s club in England,” Deborah explains. “So that’s one of the things that happened. All these things have a surprise attached to them, even when you see it all the time.” Deborah and her husband find immense satisfaction living in and experiencing each vignette. Peter Cadoux’s expertise coalesces perfectly with the homeowners’ interior aesthetics that joyfully await, surprising everyone around every corner and behind Design + Decor
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Finely-crafted finishes create a pathway of surprising vignettes.
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Ancestors keep watch over a tidy squash court viewing area.
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The master bedroom affects a cool smolder in blackened bronze and silvery champagne.
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A roof deck replete with an outdoor kitchen provides an ocean peek toward the horizon. Top Right: Hand-painted Venetian plaster collaborates with wild patterning in a greyscale vignette. The element of earth makes its presence known.
every well-selected door. Projects that achieve this level of success come along rarely. It’s a testament to Peter’s wisdom and skillfulness—in addition to Deborah’s intuitive and wellplaced design sensibilities—that this home really comes together in spectacular fashion. With its low-maintenance exterior finishes, green-energy components embodying the lowest possible carbon footprint, energy-saving construction assemblies and integrated smart home technology, this house is a grand slam. And, in discussing his collaboration with Deborah, Peter notes, “We’ve been working together Design + Decor
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on so many projects that she’s not simply my client— she’s my friend as well.”
Resources: Architect Peter Cadoux Architects, P.C. Peter Cadoux 35 Post Road West Westport, CT 06880 203.227.4304 cadouxaia.com Interior Design Collaboration with Owner Deborah Harper Bono and: Heidi Holzer Design and Decorative Work Heidi Holzer 18 Church Street Redding, CT 06896 203.544.9471 heidiholzer.com Mural Paintings Elizabeth Hartstein Hartstein Painting Arts Bridgeport, CT & Los Angelas, CA Landscape Granoff Architects Allan Broadbent, Landscape Architect 330 Railroad Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203.625.9460 granoffarchitects.com
Three jewel boxes nestle into the hilltop site, providing the homeowners ample well-lit space on the lowest level. The pool house aligns with the element of water, the central volume, clad in limestone and the uphill-most jewel box, clad in Prodema paneling, both strongly represent the element of earth
The Laurelrock Company Burton DeMarche 969 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 203.544.0062 laurelrock.com
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PROFILE
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ROCHE BOBOIS TO FEATURE JOANA VASCONCELOS AT ART BASEL MIAMI
n Roche Bobois’ collaborative fashion, the French furniture brand has challenged world-renowned Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos to recreate six of their iconic pieces to exhibit during Art Basel Miami. The works will be exhibited at the Perez Art Museum Miami from Monday, December 2, 2019 - Thursday, December 5, 2019 and later auctioned off, with the proceeds being donated to the Joana Vasconcelos Foundation, whose mission is to support those who make art their life’s journey. Joana preserved the essence of the Roche Bobois pieces while instilling her own artistic flair to the project. two Ava chairs, Lady G and Nuage Armchairs, the Sismic and Cute Cut Coffee Tables, and a composition of the iconic Mah Jong have been reimagined and adorned in gorgeous colors and various crochets, truly keeping with Joana’s creative style and techniques. Roche Bobois roche-bobois.com
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STEPHEN KENT JOHNSON
March 21–24, 2019 Piers 92 & 94 NYC Buy tickets now addesignshow.com
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DIFFA’S DINING BY DESIGN New York 2019 diffa.org
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