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HOME+DESIGN JULY / AUGUST 2015
2015 Amazing Transformations Issue Blow Your Mind Before And Afters From Our Areas Top Talents
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EAST
COAST
HOME+DESIGN AMAZING TRANSFORMATIONS 2015
ISSUE 75
FEATURES
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Amazing Architecture
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Idyllic Interiors
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Cooking Kitchens
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Luxurious Landscapes
Wadia Associates Michael Smith Architects Gatehouse Partners Gardiner Larson Builders Hobbs Incorporated Studio Dumitru
Alisberg Parker Architects Julia Contacessi Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors Robin McGarry Interior Design Jan Hiltz Interiors Linda Ruderman Interiors Design Dot Susan Marocco Interiors Keller Eaton Architects
TR Building & Remodeling Studio Dearborn Karp Associates
Lynne Scalo Design Austin Ganim Landscape Design JMKA | Architects Hoffman Landscapes Ambrosio Landscaling
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Editors Letter Luxury Resource Guide
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E A S T
C O A S T
HOME+DESIGN AMAZING TRANSFORMATIONS 2015
ISSUE 75
Editor-in-Chief Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen Contributing Writers Tracy Dwyer, Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Lollie Mathews, Jennifer Jackson-Outlaw, Sarah Robertaon, Kait Shea 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 shelley_mccormick@yahoo.com 203-545-7091 Account Managers Lisa Dearborn Patrick Giddings Lollie Mathews Business Development Randi K. Lehrman, Esq. Marketing & Sales Advisor to the Gold Coast Distribution Man in Motion East Coast Home + Design 111 Forest Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06824 Fax: 203-286-1850 East Coast Home + Design is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.eastcoasthomepublishing.com; Subscriptions: one year, $28; two years, $50. Back issues can be purchased at www.eastcoasthomepublishing.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, East Coast Home + Design, 111 Forest Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06824 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 East Coast Home + Design are not necessarily those of the magazine.
EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING 111 FOREST AVENUE FAIRFIELD, CT 06824 EASTCOASTHOMEPUBLISHING.COM
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HOME+DESIGN JULY / AUGUST 2015
2015 Amazing Transformations Issue Blow Your Mind Before And Afters From Our Areas Top Talents
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EDITOR’S LETTER
Matthew Kolk and Architect Jeff Kaufman
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his issue of East Coast Home + Design is always a crowd favorite and I think we have outdone ourselves this year. Just by the sheer variety of styles included in this issue, the sophisticated reader is bound to find something that peaks their fancy and get the left side of the brain working. What I take away from the submissions we have received from our partners is an interesting mix from different disciplines: we have architects showcasing kitchens, interior designers sharing outdoor spaces and so on. It shows that if you are truly talented, you constantly want to expand the level of creativity you can share with your clients. Kudos to all our partners involved in this issue! Our September issue is shaping up to be a wonderful one as well as very interesting! The theme of this years Annual Designer’s Issue is “Travel by Design”. A study on how the design community takes inspiration through travel and incorporates it into their various projects. What we have received so far have been amazing and extremely educational. We look forward to sharing these vastly different projects in our upcoming issue. We hope that you enjoy this issue as much as we do. Sit back, enjoy the beautiful weather and find inspiration within these pages.
Matthew Kolk Editor-in-Chief mattkolk@me.com
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hen people think of an amazing transformation, they often think this means there has to be a dramatic renovation of a structure,” explained Phillip Dodd, Wadia Associates’ senior design associate and director of marketing. “But sometimes all it takes are a few minor changes to make a great impression.” So when the Wadia design team was asked to update a relatively small (under 3,000 square feet) colonial-style guest home that sat on their client’s existing property, they jumped at the opportunity to showcase how small changes can make a big difference. “The client was looking for this property to feel more like a retreat than a guest house,” Phillip said, “so many of the changes were centered on meeting the customer’s request.” Due to current zoning regulations, the team was unable to completely tear down the structure. Instead, Phillip replaced the white vinyl siding and traditional shingles with those made of rustic cedar wood. He
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also removed the shutters and added a Dutch gable. Perhaps the most significant alteration was to the scenery outside. Keeping with the retreat theme, Phillip collaborated with the landscape architects of Doyle Herman Design Associates to create a lush garden paradise. Their changes included adding an elegant rose trellis and a stone pathway leading to the main entrance. Once the work was completed, the clients were thrilled at how much could be accomplished on a modest budget—which, according to Phillip, is exactly what made this project such a shining success. ARCHITECT Wadia Associates 134 Main Street New Canaan, Ct 06840 203.966.0048 wadiaassociates.com
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s with many of his designs, Michael Smith was inspired by New England coastal architecture when he renovated this 1910 residence. “The house had fallen into a dilapidated state, and the family wanted to restore the living space to what it used to be, with the addition of many modern features common today,” said Smith. These features include a large, open living space and kitchen, complete with custom interior features. The client, a young family, was relocating from New York City and wanted to maintain the historic nature of the house. “They didn’t want a big, new house with a great deal of space they didn’t need, but wanted to modernize,” Smith continued. He and his team created a feeling of openness and light with the addition of windows, custom interior features, and the whites, blues, and grays common in New England coastal designs. 22
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Story by Lisa Gant
“One of the challenges was the grade of the property, which dropped off severely from front to back,” Smith explained. “We had to reconcile this with the living space to maintain a feeling of connectedness with the yard.” Smith was pleased with the end result. “The clients were great to work with,” he said, “and the renovation turned out really well.” ARCHITECT Michael Smith Architects 462 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 203.563.0553 michaelsmitharchitects.com 24
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In The Art Roundtab Dept. Fi
shingle style facades on these projects because people want that comfort exterior that feels like home. But as architects, how are we challenging ourselves to translate the more modern interior to a different exterior, whatever that is? Scott Hobbs: People look at modern houses and think, it’s going to leak like a sieve, this is a nightmare, but that is no longer true. If you’re in New England, you’re designing for a snow load, and you have a heck of a flat roof, you’ve also got a heck of an infrastructure there that you don’t need most of the time. Whereas, if you have a pitched roof, you can shed the load, distribute it. So as the products continue to develop perhaps we’ll see more of a shift toward more contemporary and modern structures. Lucien Vita: We are pleased to find that clients who love modern design are feeling emboldened by the growing trend toward modern interiors, and in fact are looking for a fully modern exterior as well. We believe that the acceptance of our passion for modern interiors is leading to a growing confidence and acceptance of modern exteriors. Howard Lathrop: People want energy efficient houses, they don’t ask for contemporary or colonial, they want them energy efficient. So when you go through what it takes to make an energy efficient house, you end up with a contemporary vernacular on the outside and everyone wants contemporary on the inside, so I think it’s technology that’s driving a lot of this. Michael Black: I’ll go the opposite and say I don’t think the trend is there. I think we’re fooling ourselves if we think we’re seeing a trend. I think we’re talking the difference between stylepantry and form. It’s aboutinclude Today’s accessories how we use spaces, the trend is coming with the Millennial generaconvenient pull-out shelves, racks and tion and that’s going to explode and change everything. Forget Artist Julia Contacessi bins for placing cans andabout other foods traditional, contemporary, it’s going to change the entire house. withinWe’re easy reach.
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Gatehouse Partners
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lthough primarily known as one of Connecticut’s premier custom homebuilders, the team at Gatehouse Partners had been searching for the ideal opportunity to try their hand at the spec house market. So when firm partner Randy Sullivan stumbled upon the quirky frame home in North Greenwich, he knew he’d found the perfect project. “We were really fortunate to have located the home when we did,” Randy explained. “The guy who built the original home did it by himself over the course of 15 years. He was a very eccentric artist, so the home had a lot of unique features. We realized it would be a great space to showcase our work.” Because of the environmental regulations, one of the most challenging parts of the construction process was obtaining the permit. The home sat 26
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Before on protected wetlands, so the team had to take care not to disturb much of the lush landscape. Once they obtained the proper permission, however, they got to work on transforming the space. The team quickly began reconstructing the home, adding a covered porch and brick walls. Randy also replaced the home’s unique stainedglass windows with more traditional selections. For curb appeal, the team utilized the services of a landscape architect to help develop the exterior without disturbing the wetlands. They added a three-car garage and a driveway, and installed a swimming pool complete with both a vanishing edge and a waterfall feature. To enhance the spa-like setting, trees were placed strategically around the pool area. BUILDER Gatehouse Partners 11 Henry Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.532.9486 gatehousepartners.com ARCHITECT Paul Stephan Marchese Architects 15 Greenbriar Lane Greenwich, CT 06831 203.869.2759 paulmarchesearchitects.com INTERIOR DESIGNER Kuckly Associates PO Box 385 Croton on Hudson, NY 10520 914.479.1700 kucklyassociates.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Conte & Conte Landscape Architects 28 Langhome Lane Greenwich, CT 06831 203.869.1400 9 Bedford-Banksville Road Bedford, NY 10506 conteandconte.com East Coast Home + Design
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he owners of this 1960s home were concerned that, because their house is oriented at a 90- degree angle to the road, no one could tell which side was the front. The designers at Gardiner and Larson Homes came up with the perfect solution: draw attention to the main entry door by changing both the architecture and the driveway and landscaping. “The home had a two-level, Southern-type porch, which looked a bit out of place on the house,” explained Judith Larson. “So we removed the upper level, revised the roofline and raised the height of the columns and porch ceiling of the main entry porch across the front.” Judith also added a custom decorative porch roof balustrade to draw attention to that side of the house, so people would recognize it as the front. The Gardiner Larson design team renovated much of the interior space and created an addition with a large private office, bedroom and bathroom. Renovations include a more open foyer, dining room, updated laundry room, widened hallways, and custom window seat and
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bookcases. “Perhaps most important, we replaced a steep and narrow main stair with a wide and gently rising stair with a graceful volute,” Judith said. “This made a huge difference to the feel of the house.” Her team also recognized the need to open up the interior spaces and to enhance the flow and natural light. “Most of the homes built in this time period have eight-foot ceilings, rather than the nine- to ten-foot that are more common today,” she said. “We compensated by adding many large windows and enlarging openings between rooms, often removing doors altogether.” BUILDER Gardiner & Larson New Canaan, Ct 06840 203.972.1409 gardinerlarsonhomes.com
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Gypset Travel assouline.com
Design by Sara Baldwin for New Ravenna, The Aurelia from Delft Collection is a modern American interpretation of a centuries old familiar craft, . Shown here is a hand cut jewel glass mosia shown in Lapis, Lazuli, Lolite, Mica, Absolute White and Blue Spinel. jamieshop.com Ibiza Lounge Collection restorationhardware.com
The Jenning Brutalist Ribbon Table Lamp will dazzle in the modern home with striking illumination, simple geometric designs and bold metal done in a gold leaf finish. zincdoor.com
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Zanzibar Ticking Woven Cotton Rug dashandalbert.annieselke.com
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HOBBS INCORPORATED
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his 1726 home was in need of a renovation to fit the busy lifestyle of its owners, a young couple and their four children. The challenge faced by Jason Schellhase of Hobbs-Care was to create a livable, modern renovation plan while changing few of the historic wood features. This was particularly problematic because the home’s aging structure had to be altered in order to proceed with the renovation. “The house was so out of level because it was originally built with trees,” Schellhase explained. “The client’s vision was to keep everything as original as possible.”
Hobbs-Care created a feeling of continuity throughout the home, with custom white cabinetry in the kitchen and corresponding white built-in shelving units and paneling throughout the living and dining rooms. The client chose various light-colored paints for the walls, which provide beautiful contrast with the existing plank wood flooring. Copper detailing was added to the home’s exterior to add contrast and as a nod to its historical elegance. Schellhase and his team are continuing their work on this home, with renovations to the master bedroom and nursery, and the conversion of the existing garage into a storage room.
Schellhase and his team, in partnership with their client—who remained very involved with the day-to-day millwork and kitchen designs—devised a plan to fix the uneven structure while keeping as much of the original tree work as possible. A local cabinetry firm was tapped to create custom kitchen fixtures, while Hobbs-Care crafted a great deal of millwork throughout the house, including custom railings and staining. The team was able to keep one of the railings in the back stairway, which was original to the house, to celebrate its historic foundation.
BUILDER Hobbs Incorporated 27 Grove Avenue New Canaan, CT 06840 203.966.0726 hobbsinc.com
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STUDIO DUMITRU ARCHITECTS
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hen is a kitchen more than just a kitchen? That’s the question recently posed to the architects at Studio Dumitru while in the middle of a large-scale renovation at a client’s home.
“The kitchen was dark and felt closed off from the rest of the house,” explained firm founder George Dumitru. “The homeowners saw the kitchen as a central meeting place because they did a lot of entertaining, and we felt it was important to open up the space.” George went to work, removing the walls that separated the kitchen from the family room. To create a synergy between the two spaces, he extended wood flooring into both rooms. Next he installed larger windows to bring in more natural light. Finally, George placed the breakfast area by the window in the family room, allow36
ing the family to dine in the sun. Because the clients wanted a more contemporary feel, the spaces were painted a soft white to better blend with the rich brown modern sofas and ottomans. To make the area more inviting, the design team accessorized with plush pillows and throws. A mix of strategically placed lighting pieces gives the area a sophisticated finish. ARCHITECT Studio Dumitru Architects 49 Richmondville Avenue Westport, CT 06880 203.226.5156 studiodumitru.com
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ALISBERG PARKER ARCHITECTS
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he desire to merge fresh interiors with classic architecture led the clients to seek assistance from the esteemed architecture team of Alisberg Parker. The clients, a young family with three small children, were referred to the firm by an interior designer whom the architects had worked with in the past. “This was a secondary residence that the family used as a retreat from the city,” explained architect Ed Parker. “They sought a more open feeling for the interior of the house, and wanted the house to open to the bucolic Westchester landscape.” The project required a complete renovation of the existing colonial home. ,Alisberg Parker gutted the interior, expanded the kitchen and family room, and added several new spaces, including a garage, exercise room, office and guest room. East Coast Home + Design
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The team also stripped down the heavy wooden detailing to better accommodate the client’s more modern tastes. The rooms were painted a cool white to provide a clean setting in which to display the family’s large collection of contemporary art. Throughout the home, Ed commissioned several custom-made features—such as stair balusters, custom millwork and moldings—to help modernize the space. To add a bit of dramatic fun, he also installed a “nifty lift” in the master bedroom, which raises a painting to reveal a flat-screen TV opposite the master bed. Finally, the grounds were developed to include a tennis court, pool and pool house, playground, fire pit, hiking trails and gardens. “Everyone on the team was excited to work with our original vision for the property to create a wonderful retreat for the owners,” Ed marveled. “The biggest challenge was getting the municipality to share our excitement and allow us to complete the project as planned.” ARCHITECT & INTERIOR DESIGNER Alisberg Parker 222 Sound Beach Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.637.8730 alisbergparker.com 40
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JULIA CONTACESSI
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or conceptual abstract artist Julia Contacessi, amazing transformations are all about the emotional impact of art. “When they’re finished, I like to use my pieces to tell a story,” said Julia. “I don’t always plan out the processes, so the creation happens organically.” Once she’s finished with each painting, she often tests her work in different spaces. Doing so not only gives her a real-life exploratory lab in which to play with each piece, but also gives her a chance to show her potential clients the power of adding art to any space “I find that many clients fear commissioning art for themselves,” she said. “So these experiments are as much about getting them to feel comfortable with that, as they are for me.” This is the case regarding the three examples she chose to share with ECH+D. In each model, Julia demonstrates how easy it is to use art to
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change the expressive direction of each room. In the living room, Julia replaced a rectangular mirror hung much too high above the white couch with an oversized painting filled with lush blues and golden trim. The addition creates a more intense focal point for the eye. Above the fireplace, the pristine painting adds a sense of calm to what was previously a cluttered space. In the bedroom, a trio of pieces offers the perfect atmosphere for a blissful night’s sleep. ARTIST Julia Contacessi Norwalk, CT 203.216.1259 juliacontacessi.com
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LARA MICHELLE BEAUTIFUL INTERIORS
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or the designers at Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors, inspiration comes from a variety of sources. “I am very influenced by my clients,” explained Lara Michelle. “We maintain a lot of communication before and during a project. I ask them to send pictures of what they like, set up Pinterest boards, or point out features that appeal to them in my other designs so I can grasp their style.” The client’s lifestyle is another very important consideration. In this case, the renovation was for a young family who was relocating from Manhattan. “The client has two little kids,” she said, “so everything had to be child-friendly—not too fragile or delicate.” With that in mind, she and her team used hardy, easy-to-clean but attractive materials.
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Photos by: Chaun Ding
Lara and her team renovated the entire house, including the pictured office and powder room. “The client runs her own business out of her home, so the functionality of the office was a big consideration,” Lara explained. To provide an attractive place for office storage and display, she installed a custom built-in shelving unit, including hidden TV components, along an entire wall. “The client loves gray, so the major surfaces throughout the house are varying shades of gray with pops of 46
color in each room.” This is shown through the yellow accessories in the office, and pink and yellow features in the powder room. INTERIOR DESIGNER Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors 914.939.5777 laramichelle.com
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Outdoor
house and, most importantly, in the outside living areas where they also entertain. Outdoor weatherproof TVs are another popular item being added to alfresco living areas. One can only imagine the convenience of sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful weather while watching the game or your favorite television show! These TVs are sleek LED screens that are mounted either above a fireplace or in a pool house. “Outdoor TVs and outdoor theaters have their own independent systems,” Glenn says, “meaning you can watch any source you like—cable, satellite, Blu-ray, Netflix, Amazon, etc.—while someone inside the home can watch anything he or she likes.” It is an added luxury that seems to be catching on. With all of these high-tech specialties, Conor emphasizes, “Most of our systems today utilize our constant companion, the smart phone, for complete system control. We simply ensure that Wi-Fi is strong around the pool area, and the clients can choose their music, raise their hot tub temperature, and turn on their lights from anywhere.” Glenn reminds homeowners that, while planning an outdoor A/V system, working with your electrician or builder might seem like a good idea at the time. But “customers end up having so many problems with the project and paying much more overall to fix the sub-par work,” says Glenn. “If they just came to a professional, reputable audio/video company at the start, they would save money and get the results they like.” Resources:
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Westfair TV of Fairfield
Realm Conor Coleman 140 Water Street Norwalk, CT 06854 203.552.5272 realmcontrol.com
Westfair TV Glenn Levinson 1961 Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 203.255.1671 westfairtv.com
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ROBIN MCGARRY INTERIOR DESIGN
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t has often been said that size doesn’t matter. And that adage certainly applies to this astounding transformation achieved by the team at Robin McGarry Interior Design. The project, which was completed for one of the firm’s existing clients, was to redesign a small (approximately 600-square-foot) carriage house on the homeowner’s main property. “The structure was there, but it was largely unfinished,” said Robin McGarry, interior designer and founder of her eponymous firm. “The main house was very traditional in design. However, for the guest house, the owner wanted a more modern feel.” Robin drew much of her inspiration for the project from the rugs that the client had selected for the space. The floor coverings provide the blueprint for the muted tones throughout the home. The neutral greens and blues blend well with the buttery Tuscan gold American leather sofas in the living East Coast Home + Design
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room. The colors also provide the perfect backdrop for the client’s carefully curated art collection. The custom curtains, resplendent with metallic thread woven within the leaf pattern, complete the look. One of the project’s biggest challenges was selecting barstools for the dining area, which the client had requested. It was important to find seating that was just the right size for the small kitchen space. After an exhaustive search, Robin
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was able to locate the perfect polished stainless-steel stools with swizzle walnut feet. INTERIOR DESIGNER Robin McGarry Interior Design 11 Riverfield Drive Weston, CT 06883 203.454.1825 robinmcgarry.com
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an Hiltz transformed this living room for a young family who wanted a beautiful but livable space on a budget. “The wife liked the color blue and the husband liked orange,” said Jan. “I incorporated both colors to create a departure from the beige-on-beige room.” “The clients had originally made some purchases, including the sectional, rug, and ottoman,” Jan continued, “but they weren’t happy with how 54
the room turned out.” She built the room around these existing features with the addition of colorful accessories, including a custom orange chair. “The chair is the grounding feature of the room,” she explained. “It is a more modern style to balance the more traditional sectional.” The room’s various openings, however, provided a design challenge. “The room has three sliding doors plus a large window,” Jan said. “Our challenge was to make the room look cohesive with all the openings.”
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JAN HILTZ INTERIORS To overcome this problem, she and her team made the back window the focal point of the space, with a light window treatment flanked by a pair of lamps to draw the eye through the room. Jan believes that clients with a limited budget do not have to settle for a space they are not thrilled with. “I find that with a lot of young couples—as many of my clients are—their budget is always a consideration,” she said. “I am happy to work with any clients who are interested
in making their space more beautiful, despite the budget.” INTERIOR DESIGNER Jan Hiltz Interiors 21 Bridge Square Westport, CT 06880 203.557.4320 janhiltzinteriorsllc.com East Coast Home + Design
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LINDA RUDERMAN INTERIORS
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n designing this grand entry space, Linda Ruderman drew inspiration from the original Moorish architecture of the house, including an existing star design on the ceiling. Linda removed the original ceiling and created this dramatic update. “We distressed the ceiling using chains, hammers and other methods to give it an aged look,” she said. “Then we worked with artist Richard Holton of Holton Arts, who created stencils on site to create patterns with vegetable dyes.” The stencils were also used to hand paint a corresponding pattern on the silk window treatments.
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“The client requested that we design the house in keeping with its original style and feel,” Linda explained. To do so, she sourced antique furniture and accessories, including the center table, carpet, Spanish-style chairs and antique gilded iron columns flanking the sofa. “I love the juxtaposition of contemporary art with the antiques,” she said. “That was a challenge, but a welcome one. It’s cool the way the two looks play together.” The biggest concern for Linda’s team was that all work on the house had to be done during the client’s six-week summer vacation. “We had six weeks to do our magic,” she said. “The preparation and orchestration prior to him leaving was intense. It was a real team effort.” INTERIOR DESIGNER Linda Ruderman Interiors 74 Greenwich Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203.552.9700 lindaruderman.com
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sk Designdot’s Megan Wunderlauch what she believes is the driving force behind any amazing transformation, and she’ll say it’s all about being inspired by the customers. “I understand what will best meet my client’s needs and then keep this overall design in mind to furnish their interior spaces,” explained the boutique’s founder.
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When Megan was approached by a family looking to modernize their home, she jumped at the chance to remake the space. “It was a residential space that needed freshening due to years of a loving and vibrant family living and working inside its walls,” Megan said. “Previously, they didn’t have luxury of time to plan for new furnishings or a muchneeded interior paint job.” The client was also open to selling the home, as family members had grown and moved away.
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Before Megan, who was referred to the client through a real estate agent and family friend, met with the clients to get direction for the project. Because of the client’s love of deep colors, she incorporated reds and purples in much of the redesign. The master bathroom was completely renovated. And, mindful of the family’s pending move, the design team elected to break up large sectionals while renting a few items to warm up the space. INTERIOR DESIGNER Designdot Residential Interiors Megan Wunderlich 12 Fieldcrest Road New Canaan, CT 06840 203.449.6993 thedesign-dot.com
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he family room in this Westchester Georgian Colonial had previously been in the garage, but with multiple generations of the client’s family now utilizing the home, it was time for an update. Susan Marocco Interiors transformed the family room space by departing from the traditional, formal furnishings with a more casual, family-friendly feel. “It’s not only my clients who use the space, but also their children and grandchildren,” Susan explained. “The ottomans open with child-proof hinges for storage, and all of the fabrics received a protective coat of Fiber-Seal to ensure that crayon marks and spills can be easily cleaned.” The kitchen is located just off the family room, so it was important for Susan to create a flow between the two rooms. This is achieved by carrying the gray and red color pattern through both rooms, beginning with the gray Venetian plaster walls and red accent pieces. The space also features a custom alligator skin-covered end table and beautiful French antique art deco television console. 62
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Before In renovating this space, Susan and her team designed a comfortable, familyfriendly but also sophisticated space. “The tag line for my company is ‘approachable elegance,’ which is really represented here,” said Susan. INTERIOR DESIGNER Susan Marocco Interiors Bedford, NY 10506 914.234.7066 susanmaroccointeriors.com
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hen renovating this turn-of-the-century Victorian waterfront home, Robert Keller of Keller/Eaton Architects was inspired by the home’s history. “At some point, we believe around 1940, the house was substantially altered,” Keller explained. “Part of the house was demolished, and all the Victorian details were stripped away, resulting in a bland and oddly proportioned building. Fortunately, there were photographs of the original house that enabled us to understand what the building had been, and we were able to design the exterior renovations and additions more in keeping with the original intent.” The client, a couple with children, wanted to be respectful of the home’s historic nature and take advantage of the waterfront views, while ensuring that it fit their active lifestyle. Keller and his team highlighted the original staircase and floors in the design of the interior, and then created a new dynamic interior for a family living in the 21st century. “When renovating a house, I am influenced by the family’s lifestyle and needs, and by the scale of the existing site and surrounding community,” Keller said. “If it’s a renovation project with additions like this one, the goal is to make the new spaces feel seamless with the existing ones, while still creating a home that is updated and easy to live in.” ARCHITECT Keller Eaton Architects 510 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, NY 10543 914.835.0095 rkdea.com 66
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SMEG Small Appliances An Interview with Marco Barralon, showroom manager at Clarke Appliances in Norwalk ECH+D: What’s new in your showroom in 2015? Marco: This year we have so much that is new at Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero and Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen. Our two signature brands are in the midst of rolling out more new products than ever before in the history of the appliance industry—and at Clarke you can see more models of Sub-Zero and Wolf than anywhere else in New England. We are particularly excited about the expansion of Sub-Zero’s integrated refrigeration, which now comes in 30 sizes and configurations. You can design any refrigerator-freezer layout you can imagine. ECH+D: What noteworthy shifts have you seen in homeowners’ appliance needs? Marco: The needs are still the same—food preservation (refrigerators and freezers) and cooking (ranges, ovens, cooktops). However, now the technology offers options never before thought of in those categories, such as convection, induction, steam ovens, dual-fuel, humidity-controlled wine storage and the list goes on. The features are endless, and it takes a lot of dedication for designers and homeowners to learn their options. There are more choices in the marketplace, and consumers can get just about anything they can imagine.
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ECH+D: What is your top-selling appliance? Marco: Our best seller is still the Wolf 48-inch Dual-Fuel Gas Range with six burners and a griddle. The look is iconic, and the performance is unsurpassed in the industry. While some homeowners prefer to install it with black knobs, most people love the signature red knobs that are synonymous with Wolf. What is the biggest mistake you see homeowners making when purchasing appliances? Often homeowners think about cabinets first. They think of what the layout of their kitchen will be before they understand their appliance options. It is key to start with the appliances and work from there. When homeowners come to the Clarke showroom, they find options they never dreamed of, and then they are back redesigning the layout. If you are working with designers, they will thank you when they don’t have to rethink the design once you have chosen appliances.
ECH+D: What is special about shopping at Clarke? Marco: The special thing about Clarke is that it is about shopping, not buying. You visit a Clarke showroom to find inspiration, take an appliance “Test Drive” and learn everything you need to know about the latest options in appliance technology. It is one part of designing a kitchen that is truly fun and informative. Your Clarke consultant is incredibly knowledgeable about these products, and Before will answer all your questions and help you understand the options.
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his antique home was in need of modern updates while maintaining its original charm. TR Building and Remodeling was contacted to fix the inefficient spaces in the kitchen, laundry/ bathroom, mudroom and back hallway. Judi Stoogenke and her team were able to reconfigure the available spaces to fit the life flow of the homeowners. “The clients wanted to keep the design clean and simple, but make it highly functional,” said Judi. “We had worked with them before on a garage addition, and knew that their wonderful antique colonial would once again pose some architectural challenges.” One challenge in particular was the house’s low ceilings and uneven floors. The TR Building and Remodeling team solved this problem by leveling the entire floor and scaling the upper cabinet doors proportionally.
into a mudroom, pantry area and command center, and transformed a walk-through into a pantry and bar. The wood on the sliding barn door was original to the house and was found in a crawl space. Finally, the design team transformed the kitchen, which had been divided into a workspace and dining space, and opened it up to create one large family-friendly space by incorporating an island-height “table” and a large work island. INTERIOR DESIGNER TR Building & Remodeling 28 Vitti Street New Canaan, CT 06840 203.664.1303 trbuilt.com
“We took a room that combined a full bath and laundry room and made it into a private powder room/laundry room with dog washing/ gardening shower,” Judi explained. Her team also reworked a hallway East Coast Home + Design
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hen it comes to renovating, sometimes less is definitely more!” exclaimed Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn kitchen design. Her clients had recently purchased a mid-century colonial home in the Greenhaven neighborhood of Rye, NY. The house boasted a beautiful lot and pool, but the interior needed an overhaul. Upon the recommendation of their neighbors, the homeowners called on Sarah to design the kitchen. They also brought in Brad DeMotte of Demotte Architects to draw a new space for a large first- and second-floor addition. Robertson, however, after considering a 500+-square-foot addition to the first floor, recommended that the clients skip the addition entirely. “The renovation they were considering nearly doubled the first floor in size,” she said. “It would have been wonderful, but I felt it was overkill for the house.” She convinced the owners to pursue a rework of the existing space, which was more “in keeping with the scale of their home.” Working within the existing space, Robertson had to leverage every inch of storage in the kitchen. “The clients have a growing family, and they needed very specific storage for their kitchen,” she said. “They wanted everything organized and thought out.” A 48-inch cooktop was a must-have, as was a large food pantry. “Putting the sink on the island gave us room to breathe in all the work areas of the kitchen. It also provides a view while doing the dishes, which is a must-have in my mind!” Robertson’s signature built-in paper towel holder helps limit clutter on the island top. “I designed several new storage concepts specifically for her, and they have all worked out beautifully.” “The homeowners wanted a light, airy and clean look with classic details,” said Robertson. “But they were also very specific about their need for robust, low-maintenance finishes, especially for the countertops. PentalQuartz in Lattice worked well for the countertops because it has a soft veining pattern that is very neutral and classic.”
Light was also a big consideration within the new kitchen. “Although the banquette has a large window, the main kitchen is an interior space, so we wanted to add some reflective surfaces to bring the light back into the room,” she explained. “We added antiqued mirrored glass to the fronts of the pantry and corner cabinet to accomplish this.” The kitchen transformation has been a resounding success for the homeowners. “They put a huge amount of time and effort into planning this kitchen, and it really paid off in functionality,” says Robertson. The young family’s two daughters, ages 2 and 4, can sit at the island and color, and then tuck away art supplies into hidden drawers when they are done. An occasional crayon or marker on the countertop is an easy cleanup. “We plan to raise our kids in this house,” said the homeowner, “and I think our new kitchen will stand up to the abuse and still be beautiful years from now!” KITCHEN DESIGN AND CABINETRY Studio Dearborn 914.915.2707 studiodearborn.com ARCHITECT Brad DeMotte 635 Danbury Road Ridgefield, CT 06877 203.431.8890 demottearchitects.com INTERIOR DESIGN Lorraine Levinson 914.393.6389 lorrainelevinsoninteriordesign.com
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Arnold Karp of Karp Associates brought his 30 years of experience to renovate this space for some very special clients—his in-laws. “They had lived in the same home for more than 30 years and relocated to a smaller residence,” Arnold explained. “Their previous home was a ranch, so moving to a place with stairs was a little different.” To make the clients more comfortable with this change, Arnold left a space in the pre-design plans for an elevator. Design-wise, the client gravitated toward contemporary looks, which Arnold combined with more classic and timeless features to create a clean, bright aesthetic. “We typically try to create design projects that have some timelessness to them,” he said. “I hate to walk by something you can tell was built in a certain time period.” He and his team created a great deal of custom fixtures for the space, including kitchen cabinetry, vanities and even custom trim. The house is located in an older complex, where the first generation of owners was moving away, so many new owners were moving in at the same time as Arnold’s clients. His team faced some interesting scheduling challenges as many new residents were remodeling at the same time. BUILDER Karp Associates 34 Elm Street New Canaan, CT 06840 203.972.3366 karpassociatesinc.com
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ynne Scalo had just completed work on her client’s main home when she was asked to help design a pool house being built on the property. The client’s only direction? Make it fabulous and kid-friendly.
Known for her sense of timeless glamour, Lynne envisioned a fun, functional, elegant space that could be enjoyed by all ages. So, upon entering, visitors are greeted by a kitchen area with a chic custommade silver cube-shaped light fixture. In the adjacent laundry room,
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the deep charcoal and white horizontal pattern along the walls adds a spirited sense of drama. As a nod to the pool outside, Lynne included a pair of decorative nautical lanterns. Finally, in the bathroom, the lively patterned Schumacher wallpaper ties in with all of the pool houses’ furnishings and makes the small space a treat for the eyes. On the patio, Lynne created an oasis that brought the comforts of the
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indoors just steps away from the pool. To accomplish this, she brought in light-colored furniture as well as a beautiful table and chairs for meals overlooking the water. The result is a space that is long on charm without the fuss—which the clients love! INTERIOR DESIGN Lynne Scalo Design 19 East Elm Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.222.4991 lynnescalo.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Sean Jancski Landscape Architects 43 Purchase Street Rye, NY 10580 914.967.1904 sjlandscapearchitects.com
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JMKA | ARCHITECTS THE LAURELROCK COMPANY
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This client had engaged the landscape architect, Laurelrock Company of Wilton, CT, to develop a landscape plan for the rear of their home in Greenwich, Connecticut. The house is a shingle style house style set on 4 acres overlooking a conservation reserve. The house had an existing porch, but it was only four feet deep and not very useful. Laurelrock asked us to design a new porch to run from the family room to the backyard. We designed a new porch that is approximately 24 x 16. During the design phase of the porch we suggested to the client to add additional windows from the bedroom and design a new rooftop live garden. This would bring in more daylight as well as open the room to a great view of the newly landscaped backyard and create a private outdoor space from the master bedroom. We put in a hipped 4’ x 8’ skylight to make sure there was always plenty of daylight on the porch. The skylight became a sculptural element in the rooftop garden. We also added a French door from the kitchen to the backyard. This created an entrance to the back yard directly from the kitchen to a new loggia element that framed a new designated eating area. The French door also brought much needed daylight into the kitchen. The end result is a new outside entertainment area, which overlooks
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magnificent landscaped exterior rooms. A loggia, which connects directly with the kitchen, has become the outdoor grill and eating area. A path from the loggia takes you to a stainless steel hot tub. The design was successful in creating a transformed outdoor living area which includes a living room (the porch), a dining room (the loggia) with a cooking area as well as entertainment in the hot tub which is all woven together with the new landscaping. ARCHITECT JMKA | Architects Jeff Kaufman 17 Kings Highway North Westprot, CT 06880 203.222.1222 jmkarchitects.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT The Laurelrock Company 969 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 203.544.0062 laurelrock.com
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he owners of this long-neglected Southport, CT, garden could see the hidden potential in their new property. Although it was in need of a major renovation, several mature trees and shrubs provided the property with a backdrop for the gardens. Many of the plantings, however, had become overgrown and unruly and were not salvageable. After identifying which plants would remain, Austin Ganim Landscape Design began the transformation. The initial phase involved pruning to rejuvenate some of the plantings, and removing the massive climbing hydrangeas that obscured a fieldstone staircase leading from the house to the stream area. Later phases involved removing invasive burning bush, cleaning up debris left by previous owners, and creating new planting beds to provide a buffer between the lawn and stream. Although the house orientation, perpendicular to the street, takes
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advantage of the rolling topography and views to the stream below, portions of the existing front walk were rather tight to the building. To enhance the entry experience and engage guests with the adjacent landscape views, designers created a new walk that incorporated a curve and more spacious planting beds. Since most of the property is in the front yard and visible to adjacent pedestrian traffic, the homeowners chose to embrace the public nature of the space rather than screen the street side. They requested that the design be colorful and provide yearround interest for all to enjoy as they pass by. Creating a design with four seasons of interest was integral to the plan. Evergreens provide the backdrop for a thousand spring bulbs on the hillside, followed by summer flowers and an exceptional fall foliage display. The beds incorporate a wide variety of plantings, from drifts of native perennials and shrubs near the stream and perimeter, to more ornamental species near the house. From the first blooms in February
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until November, there is almost always something in flower. The colors of the garden transition throughout the year: in spring the white flowers of shadblow trees and fothergilla complement the yellow and white daffodils; as the season progresses, jewel-toned rhododendron blooms in shades of rich purples and deep pink. Shortly afterward, pink and white dogwoods are complemented by drifts of purple alliums and blue catmint, transitioning the garden to a pastel-colored palate. In contrast, the front foundation plantings provide a bold pop of color throughout the year, with the dark green foliage of the boxwood hedges complementing the colorful combination of annuals and perennials. The late summer garden is rich in textures, as soft green and white variegated foliage complement white panicle hydrangeas and drifts of bee balm. The variegated leaves of mature canna lilies provide a striking contrast to the deep red tones of aging hydrangea blossoms and fall foliage displays. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Austin Ganim Landscape Design 320 Kings Highway Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824 203.333.2003 austinganimlandscapedesign.com
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hen these Darien homeowners called Hoffman Landscapes, they were looking to do a complete overhaul of their backyard area. It was old, outdated and overgrown. The many sloping areas throughout made it difficult for children to play and adults to relax and enjoy. When viewing the back of the house, it is apparent that several additions were built, giving the charming home a flowing, built-over-time feeling. What was awkward from a landscaping point-of-view were the many doors, decks and patios all leading to the outdoors. There was no clear focus to the space. To minimize the “clutter” of entryways and create flow, one set of steps was widened, one set was closed off and an existing deck off the back of the house was morphed into a lovely balcony. Outdoor LED lighting was added throughout to assure usability into the evening, and an outdoor audio system was installed for lively entertainment. Consideration was given to the materials used, and how to best make the overall space functional yet modern, without compromising the integrity of the home. The designer liked the gently curved cobblestone steps he found in the yard at the beginning of the project and resurrected them to add softness to all the home’s geometry. Combining old and new, the contrast of a more formal layout with the bucolic transitional materials connects the two terrace spaces, giving structure and symmetry to the property. The convenient outdoor kitchen is close to the house while modular furniture allows multi-positioning opportunities and contrasts nicely with the age of the home. When speaking about the architectural design elements, Matthew Biron, Landscape Architect on the project says, “It’s the juxtaposition of apparent opposites that makes it all work well. A combination of a more formal layout was achieved using the cobblestone embedded steps as a rustic secondary transition to the lawn area. In addition, we added retaining walls using native stone to provide a foundation for the East Coast Home + Design
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bluestone patios and walkway. The retaining walls provide a nice backdrop for two colorful perennial gardens below that include knockout roses, salvia, rudbeckia and hydrangea. A shed dormer addition to the back of the garage afforded the perfect place for a wandering garden that leads to the terraces. Upon entering, a Miss Kim lilac welcomes you. Flowering shrubs such as Endless Summer Hydrangea and inkberry, mix with other colorful perennials. An espalier is flanked by fountain grasses. The family loves their new outdoor space, especially the kids. With proper planning, an outdoor eyesore can become an oasis for your family and guests to enjoy for many years to come. And when spaces are designed and built with care and thought, the end result will surely be a wow! LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Hoffman Landscapes Wilton 203.834.9656 Greenwich 203.637.1131 Fairfield 203.254.0505 Litchfield 860.868.0103 Westchester 914.234.0304 hoffmanlandscapes.com
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evin Ambrosio of Ambrosio Landscape Solutions designed this custom outdoor living space for a family that had remodeled their home, but had not updated their landscaping accordingly. “One of the most important things to consider in landscape design is relating the outdoor spaces to the indoor spaces,” Ambrosio explained. His clients had previously installed a Belgian-style block courtyard that did not flow with the design of their home. Ambrosio’s challenge was to create a usable outdoor living space that felt like an extension of the home. “In this case,” he said, “we created several separate outdoor ‘rooms,’ each with its own purpose: a patio for entertaining, a quiet place for reading, an entrance to the home, etc.” Many of the home’s interior details were taken into account when creating exterior features. For example, the steps to the custom trellis relate to features in the family room. The topography of the land itself created an additional challenge, with a severe slope that added to the feeling of disconnectedness. To address this, Ambrosio crafted a multi-level terrace design with a custom entrance and tiered patio, complete with custom masonry. He created usable space that fit the client’s lifestyle with the custom stonework, and then softened the appearance with lush and attractive landscaping. LANDSCAPE DESIGNER Ambrosio Landscapes 86 Mountain Road Redding, CT 06896 203.762.5167 ambrosiolandscapes.com
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Luxury Resource Guide 2015
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HOME+DESIGN JULY / AUGUST 2015
2015 Amazing Transformations Issue Blow Your Mind Before And Afters From Our Areas Top Talents
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CHRISUpholstery
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or over two decades, Chris Upholstery has been providing top quality design and craftsmanship to Fairfield County as well as the New York Metropolitan area. Owner Chris Hamalidis has 35 years of experience as a designer and craftsman, with design and workmanship training in Greece and America.
Specializing in everything upholstery, Chris Upholstery is a full service enterprise: from the upfront consultation and design to custom fabrication to fit any customer need or desire. And, Chris Upholstery has long standing relationships with some of the most reputable designers in the area – collaborating with these
style experts to produce high-end quality and unsurpassed workmanship. From furniture and window treatments to pillows, customer satisfaction is paramount. Having been featured in various publications like Architectural Digest, Florida Design, East Coast Home + Design, At Home Magazine, Chris Upholstery’s goal is to create best-in-class pieces that will be cherished by their clients for years. Chris Upholstery 73 Main Street Norwalk, CT 06851 203.8497716 chrisupholstery.com
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Luxury Resource Guide 2015
AITOROAppliance
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he Aitoro Family has been an important part of the Norwalk landscape for over 67 years, beginning in 1948 when Anthony Aitoro and his sons Vincent and Rudy opened the store on Ely Avenue. Although two of the founders – Anthony and Rudy – have since passed away, three generations of Aitoros are still actively involved in the business. Tony Aitoro – “ Tony A” as he is known – is Chief of Operations and the face most commonly associated with the store these days. Together with his brother Vinny and cousin David, they make up the executive team that keeps the business running. Vinny’s son Eric and Tony’s sons Anthony, Jr. (AJ) and Michael represent the fourth generation of this proud family-owned business (original founder Vince, Sr. can often be seen in the store!) They feature the latest appliances from Viking, Sub Zero, Wolf, Electrolux, GE Monogram, Dacor, Thermador, Bosch, Bluestar and more. In early 2015 Aitoro underwent a major renovation to their showroom to create the best appliance experience imaginable with state-of-the-art working kitchens and interactive displays. The transformation will be complete in Fall 2015.
table events are held at the store throughout the year – by the Norwalk Education Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Al’s Angels and many more. The Aitoro family loves to showcase their store and the amazing appliances and electronics they offer; and Tony A is often cooking up a storm in one of their nine live signature kitchens. You may even see a guest chief whipping up something wonderful on Saturdays during their expert cooking demonstrations. Aitoro Appliance 401 Westport Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 203.847.2471 aitoro.com
Strong community involvement has been a cornerstone of the Aitoro family business since they opened their doors – and continues to this day. Many chari-
THINKTANKFitness
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ave you ever had a great experience working one on one with a personal trainer or sports coach? If you have there are a few things that would have stood out: their attention to detail, their focus on your specific needs, and most importantly their passion for reaching and exceeding your expectations. At Think-Tank Fitness we take the same approach to designing your home gym as a fitness professional takes to getting you to victory. Our designs are customized to fit your lifestyle. The choice and layout of every piece of equipment, the atmosphere, and even the media equipment, are all taken into consideration in order to elevate your home fitness experience.
Think-Tank designs are not one-size fits-all, and a room full of equipment does not benefit every single client. You may need something as simple as a single spinning bike and a Netflix remote control, parked in from of a wall-mounted television; simplicity at its finest. Perhaps you are going for something a little more ambitious; perhaps you are looking to give yourself a total body makeover. A multi-functional cable machine, a treadmill, a stairclimber, and a customized range of dumbbells could be the way to go in your case. Each client is different in regards to their needs, but every client is just as important to us when
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it comes to providing personalized detail and top of the line products to our projects. By possessing a thorough and relevant understanding of the fitness products available today, and a strong relationship with the top brands in the business, we are able to provide you with the best suited equipment for your needs. We even offer personal training services for clients looking for that extra push. Give us a call to schedule your home gym design consultation.” ThinkTank Fitness Patrick Giddings 203.842.8750 thinktankfit.com
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