Design + Decor Volume 19 Issue 6

APARTMENT REDUX

Long-time clients called on Antonio Pippo Interiors to upgrade their Chelsea high-rise.

THE LOST ART OF PARTI

2022 Annual Architects Issue

SAG HARBOR CHARMER

A weekend getaway becomes a full-time home.

Stories by Kathleen Syron

Story by Heather Shoning

Photography by Neil Landino

Story by Meryl Siegman

Photography by Michael Biondi

DESIGN +DECOR

Editor-in-Chief

Matthew J. Kolk

mattkolk@me.com

203-820-1092

Managing Editor

James Eagen

Contributing Writers

Deborah

Kait Shea, Anastasia Storer

Contributing Photographers

Parti is a French word shortened form of parti pris, which is generally translated from French as ‘decision taken’ or ‘point of departure’. Parti is not heard as often within architecture as it once was; today, many people use the term concept instead.

Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria Giovan, John Gruen, John Hannon, Paul Johnson, Neil Landino, Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Daniel Milstein, Durston Saylor, Eric Striffler, Carl Vernlund, Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography

Copy Editor

Elena Serocki

Partis were first used in France’s Ecole des Beaux-Arts during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when architecture was still taught there and, as technology takes over the hand drawing phase of architecture, is becoming an unused skill.

Ilove this time of year in the Northeast. The weather starts to become warmer on a regular basis, allowing us to spend more time outdoors, the grass is green and the beauty of our area shines.

Graphic & Web Design

East Coast Home Publishing Group Publisher

This year, we finally get a step back to normalcy: vaccinations are available to all, and we can start packing away those pesky masks. What a fantastic gift to bring in the summer months.

We decided to have some fun with our architects by requesting them to take a step back to architecture school, do a little drawing and detail their renderings and process. The article is fascinating and details the thought process of each design in a very thoughtful manner.

We had a great time putting together this year’s Outdoor Spaces Issue. Our wonderful partners shared some fabulous outdoor spaces with us, and we think these impressive projects will inspire you to take your own home to the next step.

Shelley E. McCormick sm@dd-mag.com

203-545-7091

In our Ask the Experts department, we go to the industry to have a detailed conversation on what the new trends are coming up in the new year. The responses give you a little tid-bit when planning your next project and some in site as to where the industry is leaning in 2023.

Account Managers

Matthew O’Brien

Our feature stories, “A Classic in the Country” and “Modern in Montauk,” are also top-notch. Both projects have that wow factor, and their attention to detail is nothing short of magical.

Kelly Ames Smith

Design + Decor

349 Forest Hills Boulevard

Naples, Florida 34113

Our Events department provides some highlights from our recent Builders + Architects Roundtable. This discussion was clearly the most informing I have been a part of in the nine years we have conducted them. It is very important for me to hear what our partners have to say, how they handle challenging situations and to share their knowledge with each other. These discussions are always lively, but even Tony Aitoro, our sponsor for this wonderful event had to take a moment to acknowledge the skill and complexity of the construction of these highly technical homes. Thank you for hosting us Tony.

We hope you enjoy this special issue of Design + Decor, and we look forward to sharing our Amazing Transformations Issue—my personal favorite—in July. We’ll be showcasing great projects in a variety of styles. If you’d like your project or firm to be a part of this, please reach out to us.

Best,

We hope you enjoy this issue. There is a lot to absorb.

Design + Decor is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.dd-mag.com. Back issues can be purchased at www.dd-mag.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, Design + Decor, 349 Forest Hills Boulevard Naples, Florida 34113 or e-mail: mk@dd-mag.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Publisher Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091 or sm@dd-mag.com. 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.

We wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season and we will see you all in 2023!

Matthew Kolk - Editor-in-Chief

EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING

349 Forest Hills Boulevard Naples, Florida 34113 DD-MAG.COM

Matthew J. Kolk Editor in chief

Brannon, Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Alder Grove, Anna von Stelzer-Worth,

MIND THE CURVE

A one-on-one with Arteriors directly from High Point Fall Market 2022 arteriorshome.com

Ronaldo Chandelier Crafted in layers of pillowed forms, creating a sculptural effect.

Rosabel Chandelier

The inspired fixture is created with pivoting, flat-faced, white alabaster discs, encased in antique brass iron.

Rudolf Accent Table The pedestal table is crafted in a radial blonde marquetry veneer that mimics the straw marquetry.

Sutton Dining Chair

The classic ladder-back style is redesigned with a dipped wishbone silhouette and tapered legs.

Sanders Bar Cart Crafted in a silhouette inspired by classic tea carts with a frame wrapped in russet leather and blonde oak serving trays.

Story by Hunter Powell

Another new year is upon us, and with it comes all sorts of exciting possibilities for our lives and our homes. A fresh start can also mean reinvigorating our living spaces with new touches to give our homes the breath of fresh air we may be craving. As we head into 2023, some of the design industry’s best and brightest are keeping up-todate on the hottest looks in interior design. Whether you’re thinking of doing a full-scale renovation or just wanting to add a few small changes to your home, here are some ideas you’ll want to keep in mind.

D+D: What colors are trending for 2023, and why are you choosing these color palettes?

Kristen Furman, Design Director West | Out East

West | Out East has been one of the most notable names in New York architecture and interior design for the past 30 years. The company has showrooms in New York City, East Hampton, NY, and Westport, CT. Once listed as one of the 100 best architects in New York City, West | Out East brings a modern sense of class and style to every project it touches.

Kristen: For us, you will typically see a lot of whites, grays and neutrals for architectural materials, while adding pops of color through

Davenport Contracting

Karen Berkemeyer Home

furniture. We normally go much lighter for our design projects.

Interestingly, however, one new aspect of color we’re trying out in our design can be seen in the study of our showroom. We painted the walls a dark olive and a much lighter color on the ceiling. We also utilized warmer tones for the furniture to complete the look. This is a more masculine aesthetic, and we also wanted it to feel welcoming when people enter. As it turns out, that space has been the most well received of the entire showroom. That response to warmer, richer environments has shifted our perspective heading into 2023 to start using deeper tones for our designs. This shift seems to be due to more people working from home and desiring even more soothing looks in spaces like dens, bedrooms and even dining rooms.

One key aspect of this color focus is the lighter coloring as the eye gets closer to the ceiling. This adds a sense of height to the room, so that darker tones don’t take away from the visual space in the room. Utilizing plants or foliage is also very important to us, as they add a sense of life through color in the room.

D+D: What color palettes are trending in the kitchen for 2023?

Karen Berkemeyer, Owner/Designer

Karen Berkemeyer Home

For over 30 years, Karen Berkemeyer Home has provided a one-stopshop design experience for kitchen and bath design. Its team of de-

signers provides custom cabinetry, tile and stone, plumbing fixtures, countertops and more. Karen and her talented team bring comprehensive knowledge to every client’s home, whether it be a simple upgrade or a complex, large-scale project.

Karen: I’m still seeing a lot of white, specifically more soft whites. Those tones seem to be taking over the stark whites that have been popular in recent years. We’re also seeing a lot of different shades of green coming into the kitchen. Gray greens and pastels in particular are getting to be very big. Grays and taupe are definitely not going anywhere, either, as popular colors choices in the kitchen.

We’ve also been starting to mix a lot of light wood tones, such as rich cut white oak with the white and green tones that are trending right now. Some kitchens we’ve done even have three different finishes. For instance, one project might feature a white perimeter, with color on the island and oak tone on the bar. Using multiple finishes is one direction we’re definitely heading right now.

More color in the kitchen is one way people are moving, and I think it’s great. More color in the cabinets and materials of the kitchen gives the space more distinction and, as a designer, I find it wonderful to work with. Green in particular is making a resurgence.

D+D: What are some ways to bring the feeling of “wanderlust” into the home?

West | Out East

Karen: Probably the biggest way we use is featuring a spa bathroom in the design. Clients can imagine themselves on the beach or somewhere else far away, while enjoying the comforts of their bathroom in their own home. That’s the biggest way to bring that feeling while keeping the clients calm and relaxed in their space.

One thing you have to be careful with is making more permanent choices based on travel experiences, because you might get tired of it in a few years. I try to draw inspiration from homeowners’ wanderlust in things like color usage or wallpaper, rather than elements like cabinetry and flooring.

When working with clients who want that wanderlust feeling they got from their travels, I find it often dictates their color choices. They tend to go with cobalt blues, the greens that are trending, and even rich gold tones for their homes.

D+D: What is the perfect trifecta of materials for the kitchen in 2023?

Jennifer W. Howard, Owner/Designer

JWH Design & Cabinetry

Jennifer Howard started JWH Design in 1996, and now offers her distinct knack for spatial awareness in design projects all across the country. Her design team creates custom cabinetry with materials built in the firm’s own mill shop, allowing clients yet another way to embrace their own unique style.

Jennifer: There has been a steady increase in incorporating wood species, warmer paint colors and mixing metals in our kitchen designs. This is a trend

Interstate Lumber

West | Out East

we love because it not only adds visual interest and personality to each home, but it can also be practical, offering long-term value, style and durability.

For instance, hardwoods like rift cut white oak and natural walnut stand up beautifully in busy areas. Stainless steel is an excellent material for sink faucets and undermount sinks, and yet this decision doesn’t have to dictate the other finishes in the room. One recent renovation project incorporates natural walnut detail on the hood, open shelves and bar countertop, which contrasts with the light painted cabinetry. The plumbing fixtures are stainless steel, whereas the cabinet hardware and light fixtures are a mix of satin brass and matte black. Even the quartzite countertops are leathered to provide an extra layer of texture while offering excellent durability.

D+D: What is your take on rounded or curved kitchen islands, and what makes them such an appealing feature?

Fred Puksta, Product Designer Crown Point Cabinetry

Crown Point Cabinetry is a family-owned -and -operated business that creates handcrafted custom cabinetry for the kitchen, bath and wherever else a homeowner might need its services. The company specializes in a wide variety of period styles, from Early American to Victorian. Crown Point provides its superior cabinets across the country, and has the reputation of being one of the nation’s highest quality cabinetmakers.

Fred: Rounded or curved islands always attract one’s eyes, primarily because

CrownPoint Cabinetry

Karen Berkemeyer Home

they look “different” in juxtaposition to the predominantly rectilinear shapes that comprise the majority of a typical kitchen design and/or most architecture. There is an aesthetic “softness” to curves that is very appealing to many. And there is a physical benefit to maneuvering around the soft lines of a curve, rather than the hard-pointed geometry of a corner. Curves are technically more difficult to produce, and therefore can be more expensive to include in one’s design. But sometimes these very barriers and the previously mentioned benefits drive a client to further differentiate their designs from what is typically produced.

D+D: Why do you think arches are making a comeback?

Brian MacDonald, Principal Davenport Contracting

For more than 35 years, Davenport has been a top-quality firm for both fullscale builds of custom homes and renovation projects. The company also has a home-focused division that handles smaller scale renovations, additions and maintenance. For President Brian MacDonald, Davenport’s hard-earned reputation rests squarely on the care his team members show their clients, as well as the homes they build for them.

Brian: Arches are a universal architectural form dating back thousands of years. They add interest, rhythm and graciousness to a building. The design of an arch

Interstate Lumber

JWH Design + Cabinetry

incorporates a circle that represents unity, integration, wholeness and harmony. Our homes are a place of refuge from the world around us; we look to our homes to enfold and cherish ourselves and our families.

An archway presents an invitation to enter a space. In one recent project we completed, archways connect the kitchen to the breakfast room and family room. Keeping the theme consistent, an arch encloses the cooking stove as well. An interesting design element is the bookshelves built into the arched passage—a creative storage solution.

In a limestone home we worked on, arches break up the linear aspect of the rear façade, giving a pleasing rhythm to the home. From the interior, the same arches lend a graciousness to the room.

D+D: What are some focal points to bring into arch design?

Ken Mittlestadt, Millwork

Interstate + Lakeland Lumber

Interstate + Lakeland Lumber has served its clients for more than 100 years, offering a wide variety of custom millwork, construction materials and design services. The company always keeps its ears to the ground to make sure it is offering only the most on-trend and cutting-edge products and services available.

Ken: Decorative arched elements are added to many homes to provide an interesting design and sometimes focal point to various areas throughout the house. Windows and doors are often designed with arched tops or elliptical tops, which sometimes carry through to the interior design. In the interior, arched openings are also created with the same shape added to the doors, cabinets and cased openings. The real added beauty is how these elements are trimmed out with beautiful casings both on the interior and exterior. Arched openings and windows can completely change a simple design into something very unique and eye-catching if done tastefully and proportionately.

Having the proportion of the arch correct is a focal point in the design of the arch: too small or too large can ruin the whole concept. When designing the shape of the arch, it is important to understand the chosen shape with the architectural style of the home. Once this determined, designing a special decorative treatment is the next and most important step. Sometimes the arched openings will have curved paneled jambs that can be the most impressive element in a room or hallway. Most curved woodwork is very labor intensive and can add a big expense, but when done right, it can be the most talked-about design feature in a home.

Fred: Arches have been with us from ancient times, and I believe they have never left, though they may be used more sparingly in modern times as accents or focal points. Their appeal is that they “look different” from the typical rectilinear forms that dominate most spaces. People building custom often want something different from what they see in the marketplace. Arches and curves can be an element to deliver that difference. An ellipse can drive that differentiation even further. The ellipse can be even more eye-catching, since it is an arch without the same symmetry. If an arch is more difficult than a straight line, then an ellipse can be more difficult than an arch. An ellipse is not used as often as a typical arch, and therefore has unique factors that some say elevate the richness of the piece to a higher degree than the typical arch. Therefore, for any given design, we always try to see if the ellipse may be a more suitable solution

CrownPoint Cabinetry

CrownPoint Cabinetry

CrownPoint Cabinetry

versus the typical arch.

Resources:

Karen Berkemeyer

Karen Berkemeyer Home

175 Post Road West Westport, CT 06880

203.454.0032 karenberkemeyerhome.com

Kristen Furman West / Out East 133 Fifth Avenue, Second and Third Floors Entrance on 20th Street New York, NY 10003 212.529.3636 westouteast.com

Jennifer W. Howard

JWH Design & Cabinetry 1111 Boston Post Road Rye, NY 19589 914.967.6020 jwhdesigns.com

Brian MacDonald

Davenport Contracting, Inc. 78 Harvard Avenue Stamford, CT 06902

203.324.6308

davenportcontracting.com

Ken Mittelstadt

Interstate + Lakeland Lumber 247 Mill Street Greenwich, CT 06830

203.531.8050

interstatelumber.com

Fred Puksta

Crownpoint Cabinetry 462 River Road

Claremont, NH 03743

800.999.4994

crown-point.com

Davenport Contracting

The Role of a Landscape Architect

When we think of who’s involved in building a high-end home, we think of architects, engineers and interior designers. We don’t often consider the work of landscape architects, who play an important role in the overall design and outcome of the project. Some of us don’t even know exactly what they do, other than plant trees and bushes. In this issue’s “In the Field,” we explore the role of the landscape architect in a high-end residential project: at what stage the firm gets involved, and the tools it uses to collaborate with the rest of the team, including the client, architect, engineer and interior designer.

The Landscape Architect

We spoke with Nancy King, one of the principals at Seventy Acres Landscape Architecture and Design in Sandy Hook, CT. Seventy

Acres is known for its holistic approach and commitment to finding sustainable and innovative design solutions that enhance the clients’ outdoor experience and create a lasting connection with nature. As manager of the firm’s collaborative design team, Nancy sees her mission as reinforcing the relationship between her clients and the environment. “My philosophy is that landscaping should be dynamic,” she says. “What we create shouldn’t always look the same, but rather change with the seasons. I like re-wilding properties and returning them to nature.”

The Project

The property is located in Westchester County, NY. Almost seven acres in size, it is graced by gorgeous, undulating meadows. “Most properties don’t have meadows this beautiful after the landscaping work is done,” Nancy says. “Its starting point was really good.” The

Story by Meryl Siegman

Working as a Team from the Beginning of the Project for a Cohesive Design

house was designed by Trillium Architects in Ridgefield, CT, a firm specializing in passive house, net-zero and off-the-grid new homes.

Nancy describes the home as a “legacy” property, one that is intended to stay in the family for generations to come. In addition to putting energy-efficiency and a low-carbon footprint at the top of their list of priorities, the environment-conscious clients had a keen interest in contemporary Japanese design for the private areas immediately surrounding the house. The home features an interior atrium inside the front door, creating an internal garden that can be viewed from inside. Outside is a koi pond, a bridge that leads into the internal landscape, and a contemporary lap pool with a Japanese influence. And there are lots of stunning meadows.

The Timing

At the suggestion of the architect, Seventy Acres was brought in at the very beginning of the project. This was critical to creating a comprehensive design that flowed from the home’s exterior to its interior. “By collaborating with the clients, architects and engineer from the start,” Nancy explains, “we are able to understand where the house will be sited, and learn the essentials, such as the location of the septic system.” Taking the clients’ desires into consideration—lap pool, gorgeous meadows, walking trails, long views, private gardens in a contemporary Japanese style—Nancy and her team studied factors such as circulation, topography and how water moves

through the property to come up with a master plan: a schematic drawing showing how all the areas can be arranged and connected.

The Technology

Interior designers and architects use 3D rendering to create a threedimensional, computer-generated image that shows what an architectural project will look like when it’s completed. “It allows us to show connections between indoor and outdoor spaces,” Nancy explains. “We render the site’s topography in 3D, while the architecture firm does its own 3D model of the building. Those programs speak to each other, allowing us to merge them. It’s very exciting to see them come together; it helps clients understand what we are doing. To see the finished image is mind-blowing. It becomes a functional tool for all aspects of the project.”

The Future

The house is in the final stages of completion, yet the landscaping has not even begun. With the master plan and 3D renderings complete, this part of the project will start in the spring of 2023. The work will be ongoing because it will take years for all features of the landscape to grow in, requiring perseverance and patience.

“When you work with all these professionals, including soil scientists and structural engineers, everyone is doing their piece,” Nancy says. “They are 100% focused on what they are doing, but nobody is looking at the entire picture. That’s the job of the landscape architects.”

Resources:

Seventy Acres LLC

27 Glen Road, Suite 303 Sandy Hook, CT 06482 203.491.2405 seventyacres.com

Asher Browne Gardens

Japanese Gardens

Asher Browne, Principal asherbrowne.com

Trillium Architects

Elizabeth DiSalvo, Founder & Principal Architect trilliumarchitects.com

BPC Green Builders, Inc. Mike Trolle and Chris Trolle Principals & Founders BPCgreenbuilders.com

Kellard Sessions Consulting Civil Engineering Services kelses.com

DESIGN DECOR

APARTMENT REDUX

Long-time clients called on Antonio Pippo Interiors to upgrade their Chelsea high-rise.

Story by Heather Shoning

Photography by Neil Landino

Antonio Pippo started working with these clients more than 10 years ago. Over the years, he had worked on three of the couple’s homes, so when they purchased an apartment in the Chelsea section of New York City, they decided to call on him again.

The clients did not intend for the apartment to be a full-time residence, but a central hub for when their adult children came to visit. The homeowners wanted it to reflect their casual—yet sophisticated—lifestyle. It had to include several gathering areas to accommodate their whole family, and spaces to display the artwork of the couple, who are avid art collectors.

The homeowners worked with Antonio to plan the remodel in phases so they could move into the apartment. Since, aside from their artwork, they brought only a few pieces to the space, they started with all new furnishings. The unit also needed a new kitchen, overhead lighting and an AV system. The owners moved in and got through the holidays of 2019, but then the pandemic hit, so the couple decided to live in another residence while Antonio managed the project remotely. The 14th Street building in Chelsea retains its historical charm while it has an “industrial modern vibe,” explains Antonio. He drew on the window frames’ deep charcoal—almost black—to provide an accent color that punctuates the entire home.

The carpet, by Stark Carpets, provides a sophisticated, geometric grounding to the space. A cocktail table from the owners’ previous home incorporates dark metal with glass to keep the piece light while complementing the warm color palette.

Antonio says the kitchen layout and functionality didn’t align with how these homeowners would use the space. The original design included a double refrigerator on the left side of the room, a stovetop with an oven underneath, and no pantry space. The wife complained she couldn’t cook a turkey in the existing oven. “I decided to flip the refrigerator to the right and included a single fridge,” Antonio says. “They didn’t need two since it’s not a full-time home. On the left, where the refrigerators used to be, is now a pantry with a microwave and a coffee bar. That allowed space for a full range with two double ovens.” He also increased the size of the island to add more storage.

The homeowners love color—and not just in the artwork they collect. Taking a cue from that and the gorgeous sunlight that streams through the penthouse windows, Antonio specified Lulworth Blue from Farrow & Ball for the lacquered-finish cabinetry. He incorporated lower cabinetry in whitewashed oak to keep the high gloss from overpowering the space. Cristallo Quartzite tops the island and backsplash area. Bolier from Decca Home swivel barstools with Holland & Sherry black leather upholstery sidle up to the island. For the kitchen nook, Anto -

nio designed a custom table and bench, and then added Design Within Reach chairs to complete the space.

The adjoining dining room centers around a dining table from Bright Group, the light color anchored by the hammered brass base. The Design Within Reach chairs have a sleek, mid-century look with leather seats and rich teal Holly Hunt velvet backs. The light fixture from Cameron Design House is sculptural and keeps the space light and airy. To delineate the spaces in this open-concept floor plan, Antonio used curtain panels that create a sense of separation between the kitchen and dining room and the dining and living areas, but don’t interfere with sight lines, block the city views or prevent light from flooding the home.

The open-concept living area rounds out the living room. Keeping the palette warm with taupes, browns and touches of black, Antonio selected a Holly Hunt medium brown fabric for the sofa. “It’s this beautiful crushed velvet—the kind that, the more you sit on it, the more it ages really well,” Antonio says.

Vintage

Thayer

Coggin chairs and a navy Eames lounge chair

Inside the hefty metal cabinetry are glass shelves. “They disappear, and glassware on the inside appears to just float there,” Antonio says.

Antonio designed a waterfall countertop using Cristallo Quartzite with cream and gray veining. The perimeter countertops and backsplash are also Cristallo, but without the gray undertone.

provide the sleek sophistication the designer sought for each space. The coffee table is one of the few pieces the homeowners brought to the new home. He added a pony hide ottoman and a Holly Hunt floor lamp in the corner, which provides an interesting sculptural element as well as a beautiful glow at night. The homeowners didn’t want a television above the mantel, which was the perfect spot for displaying the couple’s pair of Warhol prints of Queen Elizabeth. Instead, a ceiling-mounted television drops down with the press of a button for viewing, and then hides away when finished.

Antonio teamed up with Amuneal to design the wet bar tucked in the corner to the right of the fireplace. The rolled steel cabinetry has solid metal doors on the bottom, showing off its natural gunmetal-like sheen, while the upper cabinets have frosted glass doors with a textural wire mesh element. “I didn’t want to see what was inside,” Antonio says. “When it’s lit at night, you see this beautiful, colorful glow of the glasses from inside, and these obscured opaque shapes.” The backsplash is antique mercury glass that extends inside the cabinetry, so the homeowners view

A flowing light fixture from Ralph Pucci International fits the dining nook perfectly above the custom table, without blocking the city views.

beautiful reflections instead of dark metal when they open the doors.

Antonio designed another bar area on the rooftop deck for entertaining. “When you came off the elevator, before you went out to the rooftop, there was this dead space,” Antonio says.

“I said to my clients, ‘Why don’t we create a small bar area so when you are entertaining and grilling upstairs, you don’t have to keep running up and down?’’’ They loved the idea. Antonio designed the niche to include pullout drawer refrigerators from Sub-Zero, and storage for dinnerware and sundeck towels. It also doubles as a serving area and, of course, a bar.

The L-shaped space needed to accommodate four separate areas—an outdoor kitchen, a dining area, a cozy living room and a place for relaxing and soaking up the summer sun. The living room area includes an outdoor sofa by Lee Industries with fabric from Perennials Fabrics and two chairs from JANUS et Cie. The faux marble coffee table is lightweight and perfect for moving around the space. The nearby dining table and chairs are from Brown Jordan. Antonio chose white to keep the look light around the dark table, made from an outdoor material designed not to retain heat from the sun. For the sundeck area, the lounge chairs are by DEDON in its own orange outdoor fabric. Accent pillows draw in color from the rooftop landscaping.

Designed to feel like a luxury resort, the primary bedroom features a rich, textural Holland & Sherry wallpaper with a brushstroke design.

Antonio partnered with Gresham Lang Garden Design to create the perfect plantings for the outdoor space. Gresham, president of the company, recommended planters to match the building’s slate-colored metal façade and existing roof fencing. “On the upper terrace, we used trees, grasses and vines on the walls to soften the architecture,” says Gresham. “The trees and grasses are placed in corners and on the perimeter to frame and anchor the different spaces. The glass wall and railing are kept clear of plants, so it doesn’t obstruct the view or access to the edge of the roof.”

Inside the apartment, the original layout for the primary bedroom had the bed against the wall that would best capture the views of Hudson Yards. From a design perspective, however, this didn’t sit well with Antonio. He suggested moving the

bed—which still captures the views—and covering the entire wall with leather panels as opposed to a traditional headboard. Antonio played with squares and rectangles until he created a unique pattern that then translated to panels upholstered in Designers Guild faux leather in a rich taupe-gray color. The result is both warm and modern. Bedside tables are a taupe wood finish with leather pulls. The sitting area in the primary bedroom features two chairs from Avenue Road, which made the move with the homeowners. “They were in her office in their country house,” Antonio says. “She just loved them. Architecturally, they’re just beautiful with the cutouts on the sides.” He knew the scale would be perfect for this space. Behind the chairs sits a fluted-wood dresser by Bolier for Decca Home. Alpaca wool carpet is an impeccable choice that completes the luxury bedroom retreat.

Resource: Architect/Builder/Contractor

Camille Reno Reno Designs Inc. 140 Riverside Boulevard Apartment 2002 New York, NY 10069

917.935.9030

Interior Design Antonio Pippo

Antonio Pippo Interiors 100 Round Hill Road Armonk, NY 10504 914.462.1289

ajr-interiors.com

Wet Bar Design

Amuneal 200 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1314 New York, NY 10016

215.535.3000

amuneal.com

Landscape Design

Gresham Lang Garden Design, LLC 382 Macdonough Street Brooklyn, NY 11233

212.598.1151

greshamlanggardens

THE LOST ART OF PARTI

2022 ANNUAL ARCHITECTS ISSUE

Stories by Kathleen E. Syron

In architecture, a parti is a design concept or organizing principle for a building. It should show, usually in the form of a clear and simple diagram, what your building is all about. A parti is produced in the early stages of the design process, before the plan, section and elevation.

Carol Kurth, FAIA, ASID, of Carol Kurth Architecture + Interiors believes a parti diagram is “more than just a floor plan of adjacencies. It is how you explore the vision and the inspirational thought behind the design. It is how you transfer the ideas from your mind and imagination to paper.” Many architects find it limiting to go directly to the computer to sketch out ideas. The pencil-to-paper approach allows for a more fluid natural conceptualization of ideas, enhancing the creative process.

Carol recently designed an exciting project involving a teardown and

new construction. She first met her clients when they asked for a consult on a previous home they owned. Their needs as a family were changing, and they were investigating the possibility of adapting their current home so they could stay in the area. After visiting the home and understanding the homeowners’ program, Carol suggested they research other properties, eventually leading them to a location in Greenwich, CT, to design their forever home.

The firm’s design process begins with extensive research about the clients, their lifestyle and the property. Developing a program that meets the client’s needs is part of the process. This is the moment

the initial conceptual design ideas begin formulate—the parti. One request from this client was to create an area for their love of tango dancing. The ceiling height of their previous home limited their dance practice for lifts. For the new home, “Tango House,” Carol imagined a dance studio with a sweeping roofline symbolic of the uplifts done in ballroom dancing. Rather than have the tango room as a subterranean space, she envisioned a light-filled dance studio to take center stage of the home. The selection and interplay of materials, along with engineering and construction capabilities, bring the architectural design intention to life.

The architecture firm often uses parti diagrams at the outset of its

projects. “The parti aspect and having a strong concept help you make intentional decisions,” says Carol. “It gives an organizing principle to a project.” Over time, the parti drawings become more detailed and site-specific until they seamlessly transition to the next stages of the process: the use of 2D and 3D software to communicate the detailed architectural designs.

Resources:

Architect

Carol Kurth

644 Old Post Road

Arcade Building

Bedford, NY 10506

914.234.2595

carolkurtharchitects.com

Builder Legacy Construction Northeast legacydevelopmentllc.com

Thermory USA

thermoryusa.com

The Hudson Company

thehudsonco.com

ROBERT CARDELLO DAVID LA PIERRE CARDELLOARCHITECTS.COM

AConnecticut couple with two kids recently hired Cardello Architects of Westport, CT, to build their dream home. They had seen Cardello-designed homes in their neighborhood and had always admired the firm’s work. So when they bought the waterfront property they had long desired, they called David LaPierre, principal architect at Cardello, to create their new residence. A derelict house on the property did not meet FEMA codes and required substantial updating. A remodel would have entailed lifting the house and moving all the mechanicals to update the structure, so it was decided that building a new home would be more financially sound.

The young family had an interesting and fun-loving lifestyle, which led to a few atypical requests.

They entertained a lot, and wanted to make that the focus of the house. They requested that the recreation room be on the main floor of the home, along with a smaller family room. The rec room would accommodate a wet bar, billiard table, stage, drop-down movie screen, skee-ball game and foosball table, among other activities. The recreation room would lead outside to an entertainer’s paradise of pool and waterfront sports.

As is typical, David, the project manager on the build, went to the site for an initial visit and started designing a week later. The Cardello design program entails a predesign stage, during which the team gathers all information relating to the site; the schematic design stage, which is all the hand sketching; and design development, which utilizes the computer and involves deep diving into the details. “With all our clients,” David explains, “we use a checklist and ask a lot of questions about each room and the adjoining spaces. This is often illustrated as a bubble diagram. We develop the bubble diagrams to see where we might position spaces on the site relative to each other. This process is helpful for the clients to understand how they would relate to each room, and how the rooms relate to each other and the property. We usually sit with the site plan and sketch on top of the site plan, deciding major points in the house.”

David does his first hand sketch in the office, with the help of a lot of brainstorming. “We first start with a massing model with boxes and forms, just to generally get the shape, and then sketch over the top of it,” he says. The first design schematics presentation to the clients are all hand drawn. Once the team gets the go-ahead on the design, they move to the computer to start focusing on the details.

The first sketch and the final result always differ, as adjust -

ments need to be made throughout the design-build process. According to David, “In trying to achieve excellence, the design process never ends.” Cardello architects are constantly reviewing the design at every stage, making sure every decision improves the overall intent.

Resources:

Architect Cardello Architects

Robert A. Cardello

David La Pierre

60 Post Rd West Westport, CT 06880 203.853.2524 cardelloarchitects.com

Interior Design: Julie Nightingale Design

17 South Beach Drive Norwalk, CT julienightingaledesign.com

Kitchen: NuKitchens

132 Water Street South Norwalk, CT nukitchens.com

Doors & Windows: Marvin Glass Sliders: Weiland Sliding Doors weilandslidingdoors.com

GEORGE DUMITRU STUDIODUMITRU.COM

Studio Dumitru Architects has successfully relied on word-of-mouth advertising for more than two decades. “Our reputation is our marketing,” says the firm’s owner, architect George Dumitru. “We believe that the better you perform, the better your chance of getting the next job.” This was the case recently, when a couple sought out George after being referred to him by a previous client. The family had just moved to the Northeast, and they were having difficulty locating a house that fit their needs and style. They preferred a modern house to the traditional New England style, so they decided to buy a wooded lot with a deserted house, tear down the structure, and build their dream home.

George and his team’s first approach to this project was to gather the pertinent information about the land, codes, surveys, sunlight, water rights, topography and soil analysis, and understand how all these factors would affect the build and the homeowners. Only then did George see the property. He walked the land with the couple, listening to how they spoke about the views and how they saw themselves on the land. This was just one of a series of conversations that George would have with his clients to understand them. He then studied all this information before

he started the design. “It all begins with a pencil and a paper,” he says. “Everything begins with a line.” George uses this method for everything he builds. He roughly sketches out his ideas, but doesn’t show the client any of his sketches until he knows the design is buildable on their land.

It’s not enough for George to start with a floor plan and build up, or to start with the exterior mold and insert the rooms. An architect must always think of the project as a whole. These clients had asked for a modern home, so George felt he had some leeway around his design. “On a traditional project, the rules were written many, many years ago, and you kind of have to respect certain patterns, profiles and details,” he explains. “In modern architecture, there are no rules. It all comes down to the sensitivities of the designer, size and proportion, and how the house will sit on the land.” In this project, the design has the pattern of a pinwheel, and every bedroom has its own view of the property. George also connected the master bedroom wing with the other bedroom wing via a hallway that is cantilevered outside the footprint of the house. Those are the types of nonstandard design elements that modern architecture allows.

George put together a report of both hand- and computerdriven drawings as the starting point to discuss changes the clients wanted to make. While most architects often go through many iterations of a build before the clients’ final approval, these homeowners loved George’s design and made only very small adjustments. This is a regular occurrence for George, who credits all the work he does before the pencil hits the paper. “You need to have many conversations with the clients before starting the design process,” he explains. “I’m always questioning them about different design elements and styles, slowly understanding their aesthetic. In the end, every project is a team effort, the sum of the work of many other designers, builders and the client, who has the desire for a unique house—one we can all be proud of.”

Resources Architect

Studio Dumitru Architects

George Dumitru

25 Sylvan Road South, Suite I Westport, CT 06880 203.226.5156

studiodumitru.com

Interior Design

Melanie Dennis

MJ Interiors New York, NY 212.988.2650

Landscape Design

Bruce Eckerson

Eckerson Design Assoc. South Norwalk, CT 203.212.3679

ALake Warmont property in Warren, CT, was due for a major overall. The property was owned by a middle-aged couple with grown children who had used the cottage as a vacation/summer home for the past several decades. The cottage had fallen into disrepair over the years, and the homeowners thought it was time to tear down the existing structure and replace it with a home that could be a multigenerational asset for their family. The residence would remain a vacation property, but the couple planned to spend more time there with their expanding and extended family.

Daniel Conlon was referred to the couple by previous clients of the architect. The clients wanted a timeless design appropriate for a lake property that looked like it had been there for a long time and could be enjoyed for decades to come.

Dan’s philosophy is that the characteristics of the site determine the build and should be respected. The first step in his design process is a site survey and planning. On this project, Dan chose to save a significant number of trees to frame the building site and make the property look timeless. Next, Dan hand sketched the site

plan, and then quickly transitioned to the computer. As with most projects, there were too many details to include in a hand drawing—he had to handle these using the computer.

Another aspect of the design that Dan focused on was the visual connection between spaces. It was important that views were properly framed, and that the transition between exterior/interior space be seamless. The idea was to give every window an incredible view, and to give every interior room a sight line through to a second space to a view of a third space. Dan believes it’s cost- and time-prohibitive to communicate this idea through hand sketches—a realistic 3D model is much preferred and easier to accomplish. He may start with a sketch for a site plan or a simple design idea, but he very quickly moves onto the computer. “We have been using Archicad for over 20 years,” he says. “It’s such a powerful communication tool, because it doesn’t lie. A hand sketch can make you see what you want to see, but the computer forces you into reality.”

Dan tends to do the whole design process through computer-aided design (CAD) software. “It allows me to make design changes late in the design process—and it is a much better design communicator than a hand sketch.” Indeed, his clients expect him to use CAD software. Conlon often sends his clients a 3D interactive model of their project so they can walk through the home and see the building from all angles and at any time of day. His clients are usually computer savvy and want

photo-realistic pictures of their new homes. Architects are constantly struggling for clarity in their designs, and the complexities of every build require incredible organization and precision. Dan believes he can accomplish this only by using CAD software.

Resources

Architect

Daniel Conlon Architects

Daniel Conlon

11 Grumman Hill Road, Suite 1B Wilton, CT 06897 203.544.7988

dconlonarchitects.com

Builder

Olson Development, LLC

Mark Olson

159 Brushy Hill Road Newtown, CT 06470 203.972.7722

olsondevelopmentllc.com

Landscape Architect

BYLA

Ben Young

323 North Lewis Street, Suite N P.O. Box 594 Ketcham, ID 83340 208.720.0215 byla.us/team

Interior Designer Havilande Whitcomb Design

Havilande Whitcomb 91 Franklin Street Westport, CT 06880 203.227.7902 hwdesignllc.com

Landscape Contractor

North Stone Landscaping 45 Legion Road New Milford, CT 860.210.1766

rchitect Chris Pagliaro has been in business long enough to appreciate how technology has influenced the industry. “The evolution of design has changed now that architects have access to sophisticated 3D software,” he says, “but the essence of design and my process are the same.”

The owners of a property in Westchester County, NY, hired Christopher Pagliaro Architects to build them a new home on the water, with their one request that it be monochromatic red. As always, Chris’ first step is to walk the property with the clients so he can get a sense of the space, seeing where the sun rises and sets. He asks the clients: Where do you want the rooms to be? Where do you want to wake up? Where do you want to be in the afternoon? Where do you want to place the outdoor living area in relation to the house, so the house doesn’t cast a shadow over the pool? Then he considers how people approach the property, and how they come home every day. Where do they park? How do they enter the house? Where do they put their things? All the time he is naturally sketching in his head, though he is hesitant to offer much thought while walking the site. He prefers, instead, to work with pencil and paper until he comes up with a workable design. Chris makes a lot of sketches before he hits on the winner.

The first design presentation to the client is hand drawn and scale accurate. With this presentation, Chris is not necessarily looking for a decision from the clients, but rather to generate a conversation. The presentation shows the design in terms of room relationships they expressed are important to them. The goal is for them to come back with com -

ments and edits.

Once the clients agree on the concept and layout, the design goes into development and straight to the computer. The computergenerated documents and drawings help facilitate a deeper understanding of the build. As the software has improved, Chris heads to the computer more quickly than before. For a very long time, the quality of rendering software was poor and looked cheap, which was a turnoff to clients. Today, Chris and his team can even create virtual reality walkthroughs for their clients so they can feel the space around them. “Architecture is not what you see,” says Chris. “It’s about how you feel. It’s a subconscious experience.”

Rosource Architect Christopher Pagliaro Architects

Christopher Pagliaro

320 Post Road, Suite 160 Darien, CT 06820

203.838.5517

christopherpagliaroarchitects.com

DINYAR WADIA

It is hard being voted the ugliest house in Darien, CT. But that was the case for a gray eyesore located on prime real estate, at the corner of Long Neck Point and Pear Tree Point. A brave middle-aged couple with a young daughter took on the task of turning this ugly duckling into a swan, but were at a loss when it came to the design. They called Dinyar Wadia of Wadia Associates to help solve their problem.

Dinyar met the couple at the site, and what he found was a horribly built house with an even worse exterior. The clients walked him through the property and described what they wanted to achieve. The list included a new stairway and hall, an open family/kitchen/breakfast room, and an office for the husband. The main issue, though, was the exterior, and Wadia used it as the driving force in the design. The back of the property, which faced the water and is seen by every passing boat, was flat, uninteresting and of no particular design genre. It also had an unbalanced and asymmetrical look. Adhering to design elements common in Darien, Dinyar sought to create a more traditional symmetrical home. This required thinking about how to remass the structure.

The existing house had a main floor that was cut up into separate spaces, with a playroom set apart from the rest of the house. Dinyar’s idea was to open it all up into one big space, and convert the playroom into an office. The office would then receive an addition that Wadia would recreate on the other side, for the breakfast room. To unify the house, Wadia added a center balcony, changed all the doors and windows, and reworked the attic to add dormers for an art studio. His next challenge was to explain and present these ideas to his clients. For most

people, visualizing a 3D object is very difficult, so hand sketches illustrate what can’t be understood in a computer-generated elevation.

Wadia’s process is very simple: Once he gets to know the client and has learned all the limitations and regulations for the house and property, he begins to sketch. The main objective of the hand sketch is for communication purposes. It is important for the client to understand the rooms and connections, and how

they relate to each other. For Dinyar, providing a hand sketch of the property and some interiors has always been part of his presentation to clients. He believes clients will have a stronger reaction to a hand sketch than they would to a computer-aided design elevation, which encourages discussion around the design and a quicker decision-making process. Wadia moves to the computer when he gets into the finer details of the plan and prepares the construction documents.

Wadia Associates

Dinyar Wadia

134 Main Street

New Canaan, CT 06840

203.966.0048

wadiaassociates.com

Resource Architect

LAURA CASALE LAURACASALEARCHITECT.COM

Laura Casale lives and works as an architect in her hometown of Manhasset, along the North Shore of Long Island, NY. The village is a close-knit community on the water, with many locals staying in the area for generations. Laura’s lifelong friend and Manhasset local approached her to take his recently purchased 1960s colonial revival house and “renovate, restore and expand it.” The homeowners had bought the house as their forever home and family meeting place. They have grown children, one grandchild (with expectations of many more), and a large extended family who all live locally. It is not unusual for the couple to have 25 guests for Sunday dinner. One of the most important parts of the renovation, therefore, was the side addition of a multiuse room designed as an English conservatory. There had been a smaller 1980s porch enclosure on the site, but the homeowners needed a larger space to entertain, hang out and watch TV in front of the fire while enjoying views of the water and pool. They also needed the room to seat 26 for dinner when cleared of furniture. The challenging part of the project was designing a structure that was large enough to fit the site without crowding the pool.

The first step for Laura on any project is the site analysis, which includes learning about the factors that affect what can be built on the site, such as zoning restrictions, building codes, coastal issues, sunlight and much more. Laura meets the clients at the site so they can show her how they live

and describe the changes they want to make. She can usually make quick sketches of their ideas on the spot to show options. After defining the design-build program with the client, Laura goes to the desk and begins to draw. This is her happy place. As Laura describes it, “I enjoy drawing and mapping out the design by hand. It keeps me in the enjoyment of the process of design; I’m happier drawing. I can use computer-aided design (CAD), but I can only think and design by hand.”

Laura earned her architectural degree at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture in New York City, when CAD was just being introduced to students and professionals. Pratt put more emphasis on hand drawings, which gave Laura a solid foundation and a preference for the art form. She also received master-class training in hand sketching at several New York City firms, including Swanke Hayden Connell, Perkins+Will, and Butler Rogers Baskett, where Laura worked before opening her own firm.

Laura does all the schematic drawings by hand (free sketch, scale-accurate and even yellow trace), which she believes her clients prefer. “Hand drawings hearken back to a time when artistry was truly appreciated, and hand-drawn blueprints and perspective drawings became a joyful part of the design process for the clients,” she says. At the beginning of any project, both the architect and the client are trying to conceptualize the design. The hand sketch is a joyful experience that also helps clients visualize the design.

Reosurce Architect

Laura Casale Architect

Laura Casale

84 Bridge Road

Manhasset, NY 11030

516.365.5896

lauracasalearchitect.com

Arenowned jazz musician and his wife called on Hiland Hall Turner Architects (HHT) to create a number of small cottages, which would be a family retreat along the southern shoreline of sparsely inhabited Tupper Lake in Nova Scotia. The cottages were to contain two en-suite bedrooms and a studio space that could double as a guest room. The clients wanted all the living spaces oriented to the view across Tupper Lake, but left

the design up to Hiland and his team.

The environment’s fauna and waterfowl were the inspiration for the form of the first cottage. The design process went in many directions before the cottage evolved into its final form, which emulates the “wingspread” shape of many of the waterfowl that frequent the lake. The cottage’s form expressed the living environs and its relationship to the secluded woodland

lake. The home was designed to allow in as much of the view and defused light as possible to incorporate the environment into the living areas of the house. Cedar trees are plentiful throughout the property, and natural cedar planking was used as a solar screening device in some areas of large glazed walls, creating a pattern of diffused light within the cottage. Natural indigenous materials were also utilized to meld the environs into the character of the building.

The parti drawing, according to Hiland, “is the idea of a thing in its simplest terms that brings forth the glimmer of an idea in order to visualize a thought. Without vision, there can be no creation. Parti diagrams are produced in a childlike manner, allowing the mind and hand to express the simplest of forms and ideas, unencumbered by the rigor of intellectual forethought. The design process is one of understanding the goals of the client both emotionally and intellectually through discussions of philosophy, rather than of how many or how large.”

Hiland’s design process is a bit different from that of most architects. Instead of discussing his client’s “must haves,” he prefers to search for the meaning of the build with his clients. His questions revolve around why they are building a house, why they have chosen this property, and what pleasant memories can be embroidered into the structure from a person’s past or present to create a sense of personal experiences. “The environment, the topography, the sun’s path, the prevailing winds, the views, the fauna, the character of the site—all must be synthesized and envisioned by the ‘artist/ architect’ to create something that is both of the owner and of the natural

world,” explains Hiland. “This should be why we are architects—to create buildings that are a physical expression of these two forces.”

The remainder of Hiland’s process is the focus and due diligence needed to put materials and structure to the form. The notion of bringing the infinite into the practical, tangible world is done by working from the largest component to the smallest of details. After hand sketching the parti drawings, Hiland employs AutoCAD as a drafting tool to refine all the components of the house. “Design is a process of trial and error of refinements until all areas of the building have been thoroughly resolved,” he says. It is the architect’s job to combine artistic vision with technical building expertise to bring structures to reality. HHT uses 3D digital rendering as a useful and immeasurably important tool to assist the owner and the builder. The expression “a picture can speak a thousand words” certainly applies in this case.

Resource Architect

Hiland Hall Turner Architects

Hiland Hall Turner

126 Oldwick Road

Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889

908.696.0072

hhta.com

SAG HARBOR CHARMER

A weekend getaway becomes a full-time home.

Story by Meryl Siegman | Photography by Michael Biondi

Acouple living in New York City searched for a long time for a second home in the charming town of Sag Harbor on Long Island, NY. Unable to find one that satisfied their needs, they finally purchased a residence on a half-acre lot, just off the main thoroughfare that runs from Southampton. The next thing they did was tear down the house.

With the opportunity to make a completely fresh start, the couple hired Pamela Glazer, founder of the eponymous architecture firm, to help them realize their vision for their weekend getaway. One of the East End’s most sought-after architects, Pam is known for her impeccable aesthetic with a focus on environmentally thoughtful designs. Her innovative approach to home design combines both modern and traditional elements with an eye to sustainability. Pam and her team tailor each project to their clients’ lifestyle and tastes, incorporating the natural setting of the home into their design.

Pam describes the property as “uneventful,” with just the tiniest view of Sag Harbor Bay across the street. The challenge, as she saw it, was to “look inside” to create the aesthetic and living experience that her clients sought, while incorporating a peaceful outdoor space and a swimming pool into the overall picture. “Sometimes my work is easier when the view is the home’s most important feature,” says Pam. “But, in this case, we had to create the environment.” It helped to have two mature cherry trees with a magnificent spring bloom right outside the door.

The chicken-coop windows on the north side were intended to reflect the barn-like look of the house.

A Place to Gather

“The clients wanted a home that would reflect an earlier era, when families spent their time around a shared hearth space,” Pam explains. To that effect, they insisted on having smaller than average guestrooms decorated with just the bare minimum—bed, nightstand, bench for suitcases and hooks on the wall to hang clothes, with some artwork thrown in—to encourage overnight visitors to join them in the great room or outside on the deck, rather than to linger in bed. The smallest

The living room structure was painstakingly constructed with mortise-and-tenon joints.

The open shelving is both appealing and practical. A rolling ladder gives access to the top shelves.

The 360-degree fireplace hanging from the ceiling was designed to be visible from everywhere in the living area.

bedroom measures a mere nine feet, four inches by ten feet, nine inches, barely large enough for a queen-size bed.

The 2,200-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home features a kitchen and living and dining area that is completely open, with the master bedroom and bathroom off one side of the building, and the three guestrooms off the other. Among the clients’ priorities was a modest house that was easy to maintain. “As opposed to house maximus, they wanted house minimus,” Pam recounts. “We struggled to keep the house as small as possible and still include all the features they desired.”

The result is a charming, modern, barn-style house that is wonderfully balanced and fits seamlessly into its setting. When viewed from outside, the barn-like structure appears to have two stories, so it’s a surprise when you enter. What you see are exposed wood beams, a soaring cathedral ceiling and a sense of expansiveness that is light and airy, all with a welcoming rustic feel.

In addition to a house with just a single story, the owners also

requested a fireplace that could be seen from anywhere in the living space. As a solution, Pam designed a spectacular 360-degree fireplace that hangs from the ceiling as the centerpiece of the open living area, adding visual warmth to the space for gathering.

Even the kitchen was designed with entertaining in mind, with an open plan so the couple can prepare meals while engaging with guests who are milling around. “They cook a lot,” Pam says of the homeowners. “They wanted things to be easily available, so we created open shelving. The result is a really simple design, without too many embellishments. If you’re a serious cook, simplicity is best.”

Reclaimed Materials

Pam is known for sourcing as many sustainable materials as possible for her projects. In fact, 50% of the materials used for this house are reclaimed. When the clients expressed their interest in an old, barn-like look for their new home, she immediately thought of using repurposed exposed beams. “Instead of ordering brand-new

The blue sliding door to the master bedroom picks up on the barn-like feel of the home.

cedar beams, we found a vendor who hunted down original ones,” Pam recalls. “He ended up finding gorgeous oak beams in a barn in Chicago that was built around 1900. He even drove them to Sag Harbor himself.” The contractor, she continues, was able to lay out and number each beam so they could be easily reassembled in their new location. “We spent a lot of time putting them back together in the best way possible, with blemishes hidden against a wall.”

For the modern support structure, Pam chose mushroom wood, a specific type of reclaimed wood sourced from mushroom processing facilities. In addition to being sustainable, it has a natural beauty with a marvelous texture. She was impressed by the talent and artistry involved in the construction of the wood-beam frame. The contractor implemented the venerated mortiseand-tenon technique used in building old barns, adding to the structure’s authentic barn-like look. “A lot of people don’t understand how to do that kind of woodwork,” she says approvingly.

The home’s other sustainable features include siding made from high-density compressed fiber cement panels that are 100% maintenance free. The floor around the hearth and in the foyer are covered in French hexagonal terra-cotta tiles from the 19th century. With its south-facing backyard, the house is sited to take advantage of passive solar energy, incorporating an expanse of glass to create the maximum amount of solar gain. A large overhang offers protection from the sun during the summer months.

Maximizing Privacy, Minimizing Noise

Because the house is located on a busy road, Pam designed a small courtyard around the entrance to the home. It serves to maximize privacy and reduce street noise while providing an additional outdoor seating area. To reflect the farmhouse style of the interior, she created massive, 16-foot-high barn doors constructed from mushroom wood, with hardware purchased from a company specializing in barn doors.

Primary Residence

The house was built as a weekend getaway for the clients, who were living primarily in New York City with the intention of eventually moving to Sag Harbor over the course of many years. When construction was completed in June 2019, the homeowners could not have predicted the arrival of the pan -

A double lounge chair on the deck practically hangs out over the pool itself.

demic just a few months away, and how it would speed up their timetable. As one of the owners so eloquently put it, “The house seemed to blossom and rise to the challenge of supporting us in its new role as pandemic bunker in a way we never could have expected. We were already intimate with every detail through the course of construction, but now those same facets seemed to elevate themselves to embrace us in a way we never predicted.”

Pam is almost brought to tears recalling this sentiment from her satisfied client, who goes on to say, “Where the house really excelled was its ability to literally calm us as the world outside seemed to fall apart. The finishes, the proportions, the fenestrations—these selections were made on the basis of their excellent aesthetics, but now they combined to provide a radiant, soothing energy that is literally helping us get through the day. In turn, we find ourselves thinking about our house, our home, with tremendous gratitude to it—and to Pam for her design vision—for being our lifeboat as we chart this crisis.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Resources:

Architect: Pamela Glazer Architect 54 Eastway Drive Southampton, NY 11968 631.283.8898

pamelaglazer.com

Builder/Contractor: Blair Dibble Builder Southampton, NY 631.283.2565

blairdibble.com

Landscape Architect: Ray Smith Associates

Southampton, NY 631.287.6100

raysmithassociates.com

Flooring by the Hudson Company

Windows/Doors by WeatherShield

THE ROUNDTABLE

2022 Ninth Annual Builders + Architects Roundtable

On June 16, 2022, Design + Decor held it’s ninth annual Builders + Architects Roundtable at Aitoro Appliances in Norwalk, Connecticut. With a bevy of the premier Architects and Builders from the Metro New York Area, the discussion lasted for nearly two hours and could have ran well past that mark.

Matthew Kolk, Owner and Editor in Chief of Design + Decor conducted the discussion based on three topics: Supply chain management, acquisition and retention of talent and contacts in during an uncertain time while maintaining customer expectations.

A special thank you to Tony Aitoro for hosting the event and participating in the fascinating discussion.

Photography by Yolo Studio