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EAST
COAST
HOME+DESIGN May / June 2016
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ISSUE 80
Green Isle A historic home takes center stage when lifestyle expert Mar Jennings & Tiefenthaler Home Builders join forces to bring it new life Story by Jennifer Jackson-Outlaw Photography by Neil Landino
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Gold Coast, Golden Design Story by Christine Benton Photography by Marco Ricca
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Feng Shui from Scratch Building and Designing a Westchester Home Story by Maria Brown Photography by Davidson McCulloh
DEPARTMENTS 8 12 38 96 Front of Book May 2016.indd 5
Editors Letter Outdoor Spaces In The Field
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Melange Ask The Experts Events
Profile
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E A S T
C O A S T
HOME+DESIGN May / Jjune 2016
ISSUE 80
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 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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EDITOR’S LETTER
Matthew Kolk and Foster lyons at the after party of the Builders and Architects Roundtable
Events, Events and more Events...welcome to spring. East Coast Home + Design and our partners have been very busy lately. This Spring started off with our Annual Architects and Builders Roundtable, our largest to date. It has truly become a “who’s who” of the industry and firms are definitely measured by their absence. As you will see in this issue, we had a very fruitful and meaningful conversation at Gault in Westport, which continued on at dinner at Rive Bistro until the late hours of the night. I’m not sure what the better conversation was, at Gault or Rive. I can only say that the banter was lively and it’s really cool to be a part of the passion that encompasses this industry. Move forward, Horizon Builders and ECH+D hosted a panel discussion at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, featuring Lynne Scalo, Phillip Dodd and Foster Reeves, speaking about the “Ideal Collaboration”. restarting a series we had done for years featuring many AD100 names. This lecture series has been our hidden secret to filter the scholars from the novices in our industry. Needless to say, we all were very pleased. All three speakers presented wonderfully and it’s a pleasure to learn something new from each of them. That’s why we do this right? And finally, Our Designer Vignettes in collaboration with Sorelle Galleries has been fantastic. In this issue, we show the vignettes of Andrea Romeo and Stephanie Rapp. This series goes through the entire year. In collaboration, we are allowing the homeowner to see what artwork can look like in their own homes, through an art gallery, interior designer and various showrooms providing product hand selected by the designer. If you haven’t experienced it, you should stop by Sorelles Gallery in New Canaan, It’s very cool. As always, please enjoy this issue. I had a lot of fun putting this one together. It’s chock full of really, really great design! Matthew Kolk mattkolk@me.comck
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Melange
The Great Outdoors
Capital Lighting The Hinkley Lighting Mondrian is a tiffany glass outdoor wall light available in and Buckeye Bronze finish.The tiffany glass style is sure to complement any decor. 1800lighting.com
Capital Lighting The Kichler Ashland Bay is a nautical outdoor hanging lantern available in and Weathered Zinc finish. 1800lighting.com
Dedon Barcelona Low Dining Table This low dining table in solid teak brings the warm look and feel of wood to your outdoor dining and lounging experience. dedon.de
Stark Old World Weavers Oak Bluff shown in Kumquat, Turquoise and Indigo 100% Outdoor starkcarpet.com
McKinnon and Harris Duval Alexander Sofa mckinnonharris.com
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Thibault Portico in Kiwi Shibori Dot in Marine Blue Geode Ikat in Navy Available at Schwartz Design Showrooms in Metuchen, New Jersey and Stamford, Connecticut schwartzdesignshowroom.com
Dedon Barcelona Daybed Available in left or right configurations, this daybed consists of a corner module, a footstool and a special cushion set. dedon.de
McKinnon and Harris Maury Cafe Table with 36� Square Adams Big Top mckinnonharris.com
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OUTDOOR SPACES Move outdoors with this inspiring collection of outdoors spaces created by our areas top creative talents.
ARTEMIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS artemisla.com.com
SELLARS LATHROP ARCHITECTS sellarslathrop.com
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Artistic Tile ARTISTICTILE.COM
Christopher Spitzmiller pair of wide zig zag lamps in marigold christopherspitzmiller.com “Yellow is the most luminous of all colors in the with purchases and shipping, and can even suggest accommodations, spectrum, in almost every culture it represents if needed. sunshine,happiness, and warmth”
We arrive at Antichita Trois, where I’m introduced to Alberto Anfodillo. Once again I’m whisked away—indeed, my feet barely touch the Gypset Travelof a somber palazzo. Of course, the ground ground!—to the interior assouline.com floor is reserved for acqua alta, and thus left vacant. We enter an elevator that is small even by European standards and are brought to the most spacious rooms of his magnificent palazzo. Alberto guides us through his treasure trove of antique paintings on reverse glass; a collection of lions (the symbol of Venice); ancient boxes, some as PUZZLE CHANDELIER beautifulbyonathe inside the outside; furniture; paintings; glass; and, Inspired house of as cards, our Puzzle Chandelier is made ofsheets course,ofchandeliers (this is Venice, all). I’ve always been fond of solid brass layered into after a dynamic composition. The clients wanted an open, free-flowing house that would take adThe Modernist warmed by the luminous of Architectural Venetian Murano chandeliers, now I’mup convinced that antique Design Baldwin forfeel Newisand Ravenna, Aurelia fromLathrop vantagebyofSara a dramatic waterside location onaThe a cove. Sellars metal. your Chandelier above circularoftable, like is theHang way to go.isPuzzle Delft Collection a modern American interpretation a cenArchitects and Landscape Architects were fortunate to colourArtemis Nixon, or in a here fabulous turies old familiar craft, . Shown is a foyer. hand cut jewel glass laborate on this classic modern home. jonathanadler.com David Rachtian a Venetian partialMica, Persian descentWhite on hisand father’s mosia shown inisLapis, Lazuli,ofLolite, Absolute side. Spinel. At his shop we find antique Persian rugs from Tabriz, Kashan, Blue While Howard Lathrop of Sellars Lathrop provided the overall deIsfahan and China, around which one could easily build a room. This jamieshop.com sign direction for the house and the site, he knew it wasCollection important thoughtfully arranged and packed antiqueIbiza storeLounge also features glassto bring in Tara M. Vincenta from Artemis, a firm known for its exrestorationhardware.com ware, silverware, jewelry and important, sought-after Jewish pieces. pertise in coastal plants and sensitive ecological locations. Howard What catches my eye are paperweights from the 1950s, decorated says he and Tara “worked collaboratively to meld the interior of the with mythological creatures. house with the exterior.”
D U N E
Orseola and Chiara walk me back to where the tour began, and I am “Hedgerows and stone walls work together to form the interplay of pleasantly surprised to find myself in familiar surroundings. Then I planes and solids that create the design aesthetic,” he says. The palrealize we have made a large circle, and they have given me a lesson ette of hardscape materials is limited to washed river rock, narrow in getting around Venice, too. concrete pavers, Ipe wood deck tiles and native stone outcropping. Retaining walls are natural concrete matching the pavers. A native Leaving Venice is like parting with a lover; I daydream to linger a stone wall runs adjacent to the road and at the parking area. little longer before returning to reality. Visitors can at least can take comfort in bringing something back home—a beautiful lion, box, Tara provided a clean, simple landscape that fits the architecture and chandelier, a commissioned Luigi Bevilacqua fabric for that very spespectacular waterfront setting. As she explains, “Howard and I were cial upholstery and/or unique bag. Finds like these add sparkle to The Jenning Brutalist Ribbon was to be simple and architectural, in agreement that the landscape interiors and wardrobe, lifting one out of the sea of sameness. Table Lamp will dazzle thethe home, with the use of clipped particularly at the entrancein to modern home ivy withgroundcover, striking il- concrete plank walkways and verboxwood hedges, Venice is a bewitching city that I can’t wait to get back to as soon lumination, simple geometric nacular stone site walls.” as possible. It makes me yearn for more. And it makes me wonder, designs and bold metal done Scalamandre Spring 2016 fabric Where will The Antiques Diva takeIndoor/Outdoor me to travel and shop next? BIZET TABLE in a gold leafwas finish. One of the project goals to extend the direct coastal vegetation book. The colors Linda has selected are the stunning hand-wrought base is topped into following: the house,27056-002 allAzincdoor.com while becoming part of the shoreline. To achieve Surf, 27059-002 Surf, 27058-002 The Antiques Diva &with Co circular tempered glass. Distinctively Surf, 27067-003 scalamandre.com this the team used a varietySurf of ornamental grasses and perennials, Toma Clark Haines individual a range including echinacea, Russian sageand andsuitable joe-pye for weed to fill of in among up, I love these fabrics for settings. + 49 (0) 171 “Surf’s 386 2213 Before period andfresh contemporary the native shoreline vegetation and enhance the natural cove setting. remind me of the water” christopherguy.com antiquesdiva.com spring, theyZanzibar Ticking Woven Cotton Rug dashandalbert.annieselke.com
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Howard designed a large glass on the south façade to provide passive solar energy. It is made to collect, store and distribute solar energy by supplying heat in winter and rejecting heat in summer. While this beautiful glass performs important work, it also maximizes views to the water year-round. The landscaped areas outside are designed to integrate with the interior of the house and reinforce the waterside character of the site. Dwarf fountain grass is planted between the retaining walls near the house to link the shore with the house. A wildflower mix on a slope between the rain garden and shoreline plants further reinforces the connection of the house with the water. Tara was well aware from her landscape perspective that the classic modern aesthetic of the home required a certain restraint. Sensitive to the simple, clean lines in both the home’s design and the natural elements, she defined outdoor spaces as an extension of Howard’s architecture. She made sure, she says, that the “plantings soften further 14
away from the home, integrating with the natural environment and the waterside setting.” A Green Giant arborvitae hedge is planted the full width of the property to contain the site and provide privacy from adjoining neighbors. Defining the entrance from the driveway into the house is a gateway formed by an Ilex hedge and a Himalayan birch. A row of Vardar Valley boxwoods reinforces the path to the front door, which is the only solid element in the glass-walled entry pavilion. A bed of English ivy extends the floor of the entry through a glass wall to the outside. The 2,800-square-foot rain garden is filled with plants that can withstand flooding followed by dry spells, including serviceberry, river birch, joe-pye weed, blue flag iris, echinacea, black-eyed Susan and Northwind switchgrass. Howard and Tara shared a common vision for the exterior elements, and their final product is one they can be proud of. The finished home exudes a classic modern aesthetic and lends itself to an environmentally-conscious design.
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FREDDY’S LANDSCAPE freddyslandscape.net
Many of us can remember the joy of swimming in a fresh-water pond or lake all summer long as kids. Up until now, most children have never had a natural swimming experience due to chemical treatments, polluted waters and more. Freddy’s Landscape Company of Fairfield, CT is bringing that fresh -water experience back as the only licensed dealer in Connecticut for BioNova Natural Swimming Pools and waterscapes. These organic pools are 100% chemical free and purify the water using plants. The biological filtration system makes an ecologically-friendly pool, which requires less energy and maintenance. Pools designed as natural “pond-like” water oases, traditional styles, or with a modern, sleek aesthetics. Existing pools can even be retrofit to become chemical free as well. BioNova Natural Swimming Pools have been making a splash in Europe for over 25 years and have just recently made it to the United States.
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DEVORE ASSOCIATES devoreassoc.com
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The CIA Beverage Gardens For centuries, beverages have reflected the culture of specific societies. People will often meet to drink. Café’s, coffeehouses, teahouses, pubs, and bars exist throughout the world and are social gathering spots. This custom dates back as far as ancient Greece where people would meet at a ‘Symposium’ to discuss events and ideas while drinking watered down wine. Except for water and milk, almost every great drink is derived or flavored by a plant, or numerous plants. Root beers, herbal teas, coffee, hard liquor, wine, juice, hard cider and beer are all dependent upon plants. Many of the plants in these gardens create the key component of a beverage. Grapes and apples are used to make juice, wines and ciders. Wheat, rye, or barley is often used in creating a mash which in turn produces spirits and beers. Herbs such as mint and chamomile create a tisane or herbal tea. Other plants are used for flavoring purposes, such as hops in beer, juniper berries in gin and sassafras in root beer. Some of the plants in this garden are native to the northeast; others have been introduced from foreign countries. There are five distinct gardens in the plaza that explore the use of plants in making beverages. So, the next time you toast with a glass of wine or beer, sip a cup of tea, or dink a soda, remember that it is most likely derived or flavored by a plant!
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HOFFMAN LANDSCAPES hoffmanlandscapes.com
A small lot. A sloping backyard. A busy road. Neighbors within a stone’s throw. A walk out basement. A tiny, unremarkable patio. A need for soccer space. Other must haves: pool. A desire to entertain year round, out of doors. “Challenge” hardly captures the enormous task faced by Matthew Biron, landscape architect with Hoffman Landscapes, Inc. of Wilton, CT when approached by the homeowners, who had recently moved from California. “The family had been in the home about a year. With three young daughters who were avid soccer players, the owners expressed a need for space where their kids could practice and play, however, a sloping yard made that an issue. It also presented obstacles with installing a pool. So to start, the entire yard had to be re-graded.” Blending two of earth’s basic elements The homeowners also wanted an outdoor space they could enjoy and where they could entertain friends. “Fire & water” were elements they knew they wanted. They discussed at length the merits of a fire pit versus an outdoor fireplace, finally settling on a Rumford fireplace, which generates more heat than most other structures in an outdoor environment. The idea for the spa was spurred by a number of factors. It enabled them to incorporate a waterfall, which dampens noise from a nearby road, in addition to creating a soothing ambience. And because the waterfall is located at the shallow end of the pool, it can be 20
enjoyed by children as well as adults. Finally, its placement next to the fireplace was designed to create a discreet outdoor space that could be used in colder months. “We placed footings in the patio which eventually will support a canopy overhead, encompassing both the seating area next to the fireplace, as well as the spa itself ”, said Matt. “The spa becomes an ‘extension of the seasons’ as it forms a bridge between the pool’s edge and the fireplace seating area.” A balance of stone and plant material Achieving the right balance of ‘hardscape’ and ‘greenscape’ is key to designing a space that is both functional and beautiful. Starting with the patio, which was originally about 15x20 square feet and constructed of bluestone, the surfaces were expanded into a more functional space that would be large enough to accommodate a dining area as well as a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. The surface area around the pool, spa and fireplace is granite. Surrounding the upper patio, on stair risers and walls is Connecticut field stone, which provides a strong natural ‘anchor’ for the lawn and plantings while also reflecting the color palette of the bluestone in the patio. The curved wall at the back of the property separates the play area from the entertainment space, hiding a trampoline. The Carpinus trees planted in front of the wall screen out a neighboring cul de sac. Transitioning an interior color palette to exterior spaces
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The homeowner worked with an interior designer on the furnishings and color palette for the interior rooms of the house and wanted to use a similar color scheme in nearby outdoor spaces. Low maintenance perennials and sun-tolerant grasses are seen throughout: Russian Sage, Black-eyed Susan’s, Sedum, Geranium ‘Roxanne’, and Calamagrostis (or feather reed grass) are interplanted with spectacular white ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas. Show stopping ‘Endless Summer’ hydrangeas line a fence leading to the patio and delight with pink or blue blossoms (and in some years, as shown here, both shades!) Aside from their profuse blooms, these are very hardy shrubs which stand up well to Connecticut winters. Practical touches make living easy Aside from the beauty of the overall space, a number of functional elements were considered when planning the overall design. For example, instead of a woodpile eyesore, there is convenient space for firewood to be stored, tucked within easy reach beneath seating next to the fireplace. The granite surrounding the pool was chosen because it retains less heat in summer than the bluestone on the upper patio, and therefore easier to walk on barefoot. A rectangular pool shape not only enabled the installation of an automatic pool cover, providing fewer hassles for the homeowner, it is also safer for families with young children. Finally, accommodating the walk out basement was key to keeping kids in wet bathing suits from going in and out of the main living quarters of the house. The interplay of stone walls, fencing and plantings creates an incredibly private and original space for a family to finally indulge their interests and passions all year round.
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AUSTIN GANIM LANDSCAPE DESIGN austinganimlandscapedesign.com
This property’s primary garden space is in the front yard on a corner lot in a shoreline community in Darien, CT. The site is unique in that there is no backyard, the client chose to embrace the open nature of the site and rather than wall the open space of the property off from the neighbors to create a garden not only for their personal enjoyment but also by the many pedestrians that pass by. The central circular lawn is surrounded by gardens, that transition throughout the seasons. A stepping stone path meanders through the garden in a series of gracious curves, providing a connection between the drive, front door and the steps to the street below. Mature maples in the front corner and side property line anchor the landscape and provide counterpoints to the size of the house. Beneath the shade of these trees the pathway opens up into a 22
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choides, is native to the northeast and its evergreen foliage provides year round interest. Goldenray: The leaves of this moisture loving perennial emerge a chocolatey purple color and mellow to deep bronzy green, Ligularia dentata ‘Britt Marie Crawford’ features late summer bright yellow daisy-like flowers. Hakone Grass: This shade tolerant ornamental grass provides a soft texture that moves with the gentlest of breezes, the green and gold stripes of Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ develops fuchsia streaks after the first frost, for a brighter look ‘All Gold’ provides an electrifying chartreuse yellow pop of color. Lenten Roses: Hellebore flowers, in shades of pink, burgundy, white and yellow, emerge between late fall and early spring. The semi-evergreen foliage is sometimes accented by red veins and blue green mottling. Helleborus ‘Winter Thriller Mix’ includes a combination of both single and double flowers in the full color Lucian Vita spectrum and will naturalize over time. Hosta: A mainstay of shade gardens, provides a contrasting texture to fine foliaged shade plants and once fully established the large foliage suppresses weed growth. Fragrant summer blooms in shades of white, lavender and purple attract butterflies and hummingbirds. From tiny miniatures less than six inches tall, such as Hosta ‘Cameo’ to giants such as Hosta ‘Blue Angel’ approaching almost four feet in height, this diverse group of perennials provide colorful foliage combinations in shades of green, blue, white and chartreuse - Hosta ‘Remember Me’ is a true chameleon, the yellow center of its new leaves matures to a bright white in contrast to its blue green margins. Lungwort: Spring flowers emerge over several weeks in white and pastel shades, changing colors as they age. Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ features dark pink to purple blooms with silver polka-dotted foliage, Pulmonaria ‘Opal’ blooms in white fading to soft pastel pinks and blues with silver mottling. Solomons Seal: Pairs of leaves edged in cream, line the arching stems of this medium sized perennial, in early summer fragrant Michael Smith sitting area,hang whereonguests can view into both the gardens the white bells the underside of the stems, and theand fall the water. foliage turns bright yellow. Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’ is a tried and true performer, once established the plant will slowly The in the garden provide from early createplantings aLyons: dense colony. Foster I’m a contractor so I’mfloral goingdisplays to do whatever the April until well into November in pastel hues. Anemone and crodesign professional tells me, but designers actually have some influcus are the earliest to appear, followed a design blend pink, purple Whether you areclient looking to up create a focal point in aof sea of green or ence on what the ends with. So,byare professionals on and white tulips interspersed with purple allium provide a blocks of color toa more enjoy contemporary from afar, incorporating unique foliage into average pushing idea or a classical one?spectacular springadds garden display for weeks. summer the landscape months of interest the garden. Toother. ensure that Susan Ailsberg: I don’t think it’s many onetothing or In theearly I think pink and white astilbe are complemented by blue catmints you haveisselected theI appropriate plants for your garden, bothand the everyone doing it, think it’s a change. geraniums, emerge as amongst the moisture andwhile light requirements for your selections. Peter Cadoux: I’mfragrant kind of lilies intrigued by desired all accents the plant responses because colorful drifts. The summer incorporate combinations everybody in the room is sayingmonths pretty much the same thing. What of roses, hibiscus, hydrangeas and re-blooming lilacs. Fountain Resource I’m seeing is clients that don’t want wasted space and technology grasses complement purple beauty berries and blue beard flowers ASLA, PLA isEva notChiamulera, such a horrible thing. I haven’t really heard a contradictory for fall interest. A combination of boxwoods, rhododendrons Austinexcept Ganimmaybe Landscape thing theDesign, diningLLC room component of it and there is a and creeping junipers provide thethere backisdrop the winter 320 Kings Highway Cutoff happy medium there. I do believe still for a gathering areagarthat den, hydrangea flowers dry in place and the seed heads theto SILVER METALLIC Fairfield, 06824than wants to CT be larger just BRANCH the breakfast table but doesn’t of want WITH GLASS BASE grasses blow to in the the LAMP shore of line 203.333.2003 be ostracized front thebreezes. house where no one is going to use lionspaw.co it,AustinGanimLandscapeDesign.com it can be used more if it’s in a location in an open plan.
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LEGACY CONSTRUCTION NORTHEAST legacydevelopmentllc.com
When the current owners of this sprawling Scarsdale, NY, abode first found their future dream home in 2011, it was not quite as thoughtfully refined as you see it today. Rather, the Hudson Valley colonial was full of potential but still “very vanilla,” says Nicole Riess of Legacy Construction Northeast, the custom homebuilding firm brought in to refresh the space. And refresh it they did: working hand-in-hand with Old Greenwich-based architects Alisberg Parker and Manhattan interior design firm Vicente Wolf Associates, Nicole and company began an end-to-end renovation that left the residence fully updated with a clean and modern aesthetic—inside, that is.
mind “swimming by Memorial Day.” The great transformation began with an extension of the back terraces and the removal of restrictive railings that had previously blocked the flow to the expansive yard. Using simple stone veneer, the team turned the area immediately outside the kitchen into a stylishly accessible spot perfect for relaxing and socializing. Rounded Bedford Stone steps mirroring the shape of the house create an amphitheater-style entrance to the vast lawn, where they are met by a second small series of subtle bluestone steps tucked into the grass.
With rich marble countertops, cool hardwood flooring and a circular wall of windowed doors blanketing the room in natural light, the open concept kitchen now easily leant itself to entertaining family and friends. But step out those back doors, and the tranquil, go-aheadand-stay-awhile environment quickly changed. Instead of the luxurious entertaining space desired, the expansive outdoor area was sadly underutilized, covered with a worn tennis court years past its prime and packed full of copious overplanting and rock outcropping that left very little clean, usable outdoor space.
The out-of-date tennis court? Gone, and replaced with a large, perfectly level—and thus perfectly usable—stretch of grassy terrain and an oversized rectangular pool and spa, complete with electric retractable cover and surrounded by a formal boxwood garden boasting iceberg roses, hydrangeas and rotating seasonal annuals. A state-ofthe-art sound system by InnerSpace Electronics of Port Chester, NY, is seamlessly integrated throughout, but you wouldn’t know it: the speakers and subwoofers are all hidden or disguised among the natural elements. Despite being incognito, the full-range speaker system— controlled via iPhone or iPad—emits such strong, even sound that Nicole jokes the owners “could put on a concert for all of Scarsdale.”
And so in early 2013, operation-renovation moved outdoors, with a focus on maintaining “interior-quality materials that also truly work in the outdoor elements,” explains Nicole. The family’s goal was clear: to make the outside as immaculate and enjoyable as the inside— and to do so quickly. Indeed, she recalls, the family certainly wouldn’t
Next to the pool sits a trellis-covered dining terrace, featuring a fully-functioning bar with a stunning concrete waterfall top, built-in barbecue and refrigerator, making it just as easy—and appealing—to dine outdoors as in. Across the smooth stone sits an open-air pool house with an outdoor shower, retractable roof, plush sofas and flow-
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ing white fabrics inspired by designer Vicente Wolf ’s travel in Asia. “I wanted to step outside of the box of your typical ‘pool/dining’ area,” he explains, ultimately “creating a space that invokes a sense of quality and serenity through texture, woods and a neutral color palette.” Every corner of the property “truly focuses on enhancing the joy of entertaining outside,” says landscape architect Rivi Oren, who worked closely with the owners to ensure all elements of the ceremonial lawn were both beautifully curated and easily utilized—including a culinary-grade vegetable garden that sits to the side of the home. Bursting with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, herbs and a rotating selection of seasonal vegetables, the picturesque garden is surrounded by warm yellow roses and daisies interspersed with golden-toned grasses. Accomplishing such a fast-paced transformation of the property “had its challenges,” acknowledges Nicole. These include quickly completing extensive underground drainage and coordinating tight movement from one task to the next. But in the end, she says, “I’m proud to say every element came together seamlessly to create a new paradise, of sorts.” As the sun sets, a subtly dramatic lighting setup showcases the path to a charmingly rustic stone fire pit that sits along an axis across the yard from the dining area. Made with classic fireplace bricks and complementary Noble Hill stone, the fire pit can accommodate more than a dozen revelers around it at any given time. And indeed it often does, as the owners proudly use it almost every night possible. Because when your yard feels like a luxurious vacation destination, it can be rather difficult to conjure a convincing reason to head back indoors.
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HUESTIS TUCKER ARCHITECTS huestistucker.com
When Bob Tucker of Huestis Tucker was asked by homeowners to add a pavilion and pool patio area to their 1890s home near the water, he was excited at the prospect. Bob’s architectural firm worked on the project in phases over a number of years. He first renovated the stucco-style Shore Colonial home and designed and built the patio. Then his team constructed the large rectangular pool and spa. Next he turned his attention to the pavilion, which the homeowners wanted mainly to gain some privacy from the neighbors. “They had tried plantings,” Bob explains, “but the trees had a hard time surviving in close proximity to the salt water.” His solution added solitude and practical convenience. Bob also made sure the pavilion matched the smaller-structured home. “It was a real balancing act to get the proportions of the existing house to work at this scale,” he says. The pavilion acts as a continuous piece of the home while keeping with its style. 26
Because the existing bluestone pavers porch reached all the way around the home, Bob’s team made sure the pool deck was “designed to be a continuation of the porch on the back of the house,” he says. It certainly provides a seamless effect, which is important when adding to an existing home. For the outdoor fireplace, the team was careful to use the same New England fieldstone that is embedded in the walls of the home. This makes for a well-proportioned focal point against the white shuttered walls and windows. An important element is the design of the roofline so it is not attached to the house. This enables the addition to be “considered as an outbuilding for zoning purposes, and placed closer to the side-lot line and rear-lot line,” Bob says. To complete the project, Huestis Tucker used Gro Pro Landcaping Co. of Old Greenwich to design and install the landscape plantings.
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Ask the Experts 2016 Fourth Annual Builders + Architects Roundtable Discussion
$ize Matters... Story by Susan Heller | Photography by Neil Landino
..In building, renovating and resale. The conundrum for builders and architects is to anticipate and address the myriad factors that impact those realities while serving their clients with creativity as well as integrity. There are many moving parts in the world of home building and design, the most important of which is relationship.
sion these professionals bring to the party. As a professional creative, I am aware of how the times and economies of scale are impacting the marketplace, but it was fascinating to hear how the parameters defining generations, can and sometimes do supersede the general sensibilities of the times.
The Roundtable Discussion is a popular and growing event, hosted by Sam Gault of Gault Energy & Stone. Many of the participants know one another and this event provides a welcome opportunity to talk shop and catch up before the more formal discussion begins. People who are new to the area or the event find opportunities to do the networking thing and get a sense of who builds what kind of architecture where, what the new trends are and importantly, create possibilities for crosspollination on future projects.
With over 40 of the top-tier builders and architects from Fairfield and Westchester County in attendance, there was plenty of intellectual fire power and experience to inform the discourse.
I’ve reported on the last three Builders + Architects Roundtable Discussions and I’m always impressed by the thought processes and pas28
Publisher Matthew Kolk threw out the first question about the three basic categories: the 30 somethings, the 40’s and early 50’s and late 50’s and older, age groups. His feeling was that typically, the 30 something’s are building their first home and for the most part are not looking at the house as a home for the next 20 years. It’s a place to start. The 40 to 50’s crowd are into their second or third house, have a family and this one is the “big” one for them. The late 50’s
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Ira Grandberg
demographic are often empty nesters seeking to downsize and free themselves from the costs of maintaining a large home. The question being, “Is this break down accurate for 2016 or have things shifted, and if so, toward what?”
..
As it turns out, different people have different definitions for the different generations. For the sake of consistency we’ll define Baby Boomers as those born from 1946 to 1964. Gen X and Gen Y overlap, from 1965 to 1984 for the previous, and somewhere in the mid-1970s through the mid 1980’s for the latter. And then you have the Millennials, mid 1980’s to 2004 and everybody has something to say about them. The general mud-slinging cites them as bratty, entitled, spoiled and totally subsumed within whatever screen they’re staring into.
Anthony Minichetti
So let’s start there. In 2014 Forbes Magazine cited Fairfield County as one of the top 16 places in the nation for young professionals to work and
Sean Murphy
East Coast Home + Design
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Ann Sellars
live. 2015 was the year that the Millennial population stepped up to and over the numbers of the Baby Boomer generation. Almost half of them were teens or younger when Facebook and iPhones began to rule the world. And by 2025, they will comprise fully 75% of the nation’s work force.
Howard Lathrop
Phillip Dodd
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According to some of our experts, the Millennials or as they’re sometimes known, Generation Y, are in fact, a very tough generation to work with. In particular, the younger representatives of that group. That said, comments were also made to the effect that they were wise beyond their age and very discerning in their tastes. Younger clients are also more aware and better educated about issues of sustainability. They want low VOC paints and LED lighting, but what they don’t want, is to be part of the process. They want to walk into a home and have it ready to live in. Literally. Outfitted with everything from top of the line pots and pans, hanging in a specially designed Not-So-Lazy Susan that keeps them from clanging and banging, to bath towels and wine glasses. They don’t want traditional New England anything, they do want modern textures, innovative wall treatments and furnishings with lots of light and space for entertaining. When it comes to ultra-modern interiors, all bets are off which translates to exciting design possibilities. Over the years, one of the recurring themes of the Round Table discussions has been the disconnect between the creation of modern interiors for clients that facilitate family interaction (great rooms, lots of glass, integrated kitchens and family rooms) and the traditional presentation of exterior architecture. Now that the Millennials outweigh the Baby Boomers, it may only be a matter of time before their progressive and insistent vision of a future that is keeping
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Chuck Hilton and Ed Parker
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Sam Gault
Todd Drury
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Judith Martin
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Foster Lyons and Tony Savino
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Lucian Vita
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Chris Pagliaro and Bob Tucker
up with the times transforms the skylines of at least a few towns and certainly whole neighborhoods will eventually coalesce into completely new architectural presentations. Naturally, the meme “There’s an app for that” takes on a whole new meaning when considering Millennials. High-end digital entertainment is a given, sometimes with multiple screens in a single room as well as access to technology in every room. But they’re also looking to create “smart” homes they can control from their tablet, phone or computer and not just state-of-the-art remotecontrolled heating and cooling capabilities. They also want appliances such as a refrigerator (complete with a touch screen of its own) which will notify you if you’re running low on yogurt (or champagne) or cookware you can adjust from the office by changing the temperature and the cook time so your meal will be ready as you roll into your geofencing-capable garage. Addressing energy efficiency is continuing to enter the conversation across all generations; some want geo-thermal or solar, but the question is, are they willing to pay for it? The general consensus among the Roundtable was that many more natural products and technologies that address sustainability and don’t gouge too deeply into the building budget need to be developed.
Arnold Karp and Robin Carroll
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Generation X knows what they like. They are independent and want instant feedback but are also willing to listen. Having watched their Boomer parents deal with job insecurity, they strategized and created careers that ensured long term viability.
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Still, there is something of a split with this group; luxury is still important (billiard room, double master suites, massage room, expansive wine cellar) but they’re also concerned about potential resale. For instance, even though his clients maintain they would never actually use a tub, one architect explained, they wanted a luxury version installed for potential future resale cachet. Gen X’ers want to make the house fit the lifestyle they’ve evolved just in case it does end up being their forever home, or in case they want to hand it down to their kids. The tightrope walk for builders and architects is to help clients separate perception from reality. Baby Boomers are also dealing with the “what-ifs” but in a different way. Many want to downsize, minimize the upkeep and maximize the high-end pieces they’ve grown to love. Perhaps create a comfortable home on a single floor, with no stairs. But what if they need space for the kids and grandkids to move into? It appears that a confluence of sociological and economic factors have conspired to create this “new” (more like historical) reality of generations living together. Built in baby-sitters are one perk but so is the ability to take care of aging parents. So you have ceilings with silver-leaf finishes, a steam oven, an espresso machine, and five bedrooms instead of two? The kicker comes when in an attempt to have it both ways, a client will ask for a much smaller house but with a dining room/great room, that will accommodate twenty. So by the time all the different considerations are added in, a house that started “smaller” at 3,000sq. ft. or 4,000sq. ft., balloons to 8,000sq. ft. or 9,000sq. ft. Then there are those Boomers who are actually looking to upsize as they also assist their Gen Y kids buy homes. Security and storm-related issues have prompted new product development such as unbreakable windows. Ageing and health issues are being addressed by installing elevators. Many Boomers are also renovating existing homes, building up or alternately, increasing the footprint to accommodate quarters for kids and grandkids. Additional separate quarters across the pool or on the lower forty create the perfect place for retired friends to come stay for an extended play-date.
Rob Sanders and Ross Tiefenthaler
Jon Brandisi, Peter Sciarretta and Michael Sciarretta
At the end of the day, what remains crucial is the relationship and ongoing communication between and among clients, architects and builders. It was noted by more than a few, that the intimacy and long-term interaction of renovating and building, require superior listening skills as well as a willingness to be up-front and honest about what will and what will not be in the best interests of their clients, whatever generation they hail from. The good news is that all of the professionals in attendance at the Roundtable have, as their over-arching intention, the desire to provide their clients with a space and a place they can call home. Michael Smith
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RESOURCES
Kristen Sullivan, Leigh Overland and Randy Sullivan
Alisberg Parker Ed Parker 222 Sound Beach Road Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.637.8730 alisbergparker.com
Gault Stone Sam Gault 11 Ferry Lane West Westport, CT 06880 203.227.5181 gaultstone.com
Anthony Minichetti Architect Anthony Minichetti Connie Minichetti 1 West Elm Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.992.1922 amarchitectllc.com
Grandberg & Associates Architects Ira Grandberg 117 East Main Street Mount Kisco NY 10549 914.242.0033 grandbergarchitects.com
AP Savino Tony Savino 1 Park Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.698.1147 apsavino.com
Green Home Consulting Judith Martin 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue Suite 206 South Rye, NY 10580 914 967 2956 greenhomeswestchester.com
Bespoke Residential Design Phillip James Dodd 34 East Putnam Avenue, Suite 115 Greenwich, CT 06830 203 900 1030 pjd-architect.com Brindisi & Yaroscak Jon Brindisi 1082 Post Road Darien, Connecticut 06820 203.656.1948 brindisiandyaroscak.com Arnold Karp, Robin Carroll and Chris Yarosak
Charles Hilton Architects Charles Hilton 170 Mason Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203 489-3800 hiltonarchitects.com Cornerstone Contracting George Pusser 301 Valley Road Cos Cob, CT 06807 203.861.4200 cornerstone-builders.com Gatehouse Partners Kristen Sullivan Randy Sullivan 11 Henry Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.532.9486 gatehousepartners.com
Hemingway Construction Michael Sciarretta Peter Sciarretta 115 Mason Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.625.0566 hemingwayconstruction.com Horizen Builders Foster Lyons 31 St. Roch Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203.717.1331 horizonbuildersinc.net Huestis Tucker Architects Bob Tucker 15 Research Drive, Suite 5 Woodbridge CT 06525 203.248.1007 huestistucker.com Karp Associates Arnold Karp Robin Carroll 34 Elm St, New Canaan, CT 06840 Legacy Construction Northeast Chris Yarosak 4 MacDonald Avenue Armonk, NY 10504 914.273.4511 legacydevelopmentllc.com
Christopher Murphy and Bob Tucker
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Leigh Overland Architects Leigh Overland 235 Main St #104 Danbury, CT 06810 203.794.9001 ldoverland.com Michael Smith Architects Michael Smith 41 N Main St #101 Norwalk, CT 06854 203.563.0553 michaelsmitharchitects.com Murphy Brothers Contracting Christopher Murphy Sean Murphy 416 Waverly Avenue Mamaroneck, NY 10543 914.777.5777 murphybrothers.com
Chris Pagliaro
Bill Leavy and Shelley McCormick
Pagliaro Bartels Sajda Architects Chris Pagliaro 3 Pine Street Norwalk, CT 06854 203.838.5517 pbs-archs.com Rob Sanders Architects Rob Sanders 436 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 203.761.0144 rsarchct.com Sellars Lathrop Architects Anne Sellars Howard Lathrop 1 Kings Highway North Westport, CT 06880 203.222.0229 sellarslathrop.com Tiefenthaler Ross Tiefenthaler 314 Wilson Avenur窶ｨ Norwalk, CT 06854窶ｨ 203.857.0055 tiefenthaler.com TR Building and Remodeling Todd Drury 28 Vitti Street 窶起ew Canaan, CT 06840 203.664.1303 trbuilt.com
Foster Lyons, Chuck Hilton, Heather Pusser and George Pusser
Vita Design Group Lucian Vita 57 Main Street Westport, CT 06880 203.283.1561 vdgarch.com William Leavy Architecture William Leavy 194 Millard Street Fairfield, CT 06824 917.838.3428 f. wlarchitecture.com
Shelley McCormick and Ira Grandberg
East Coast Home + Design
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In the Field
THE CRAFTSMAN Handmade Designs Inspired by American Craftsmanship Story by Christine Benton | Photography by Neil Landino
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Aaron Dewitt of Hammered in Time
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ome people think craftsmanship is a dying art. After all, it has to compete with the current desire for instant gratification, one-click buying and the must-have-it-tomorrow way of American life. But, fortunately, a core group of artisans still believe in quality and American-made craftsmanship, and they are determined to not let the tradition fade away. Handcrafting is all about a love for design, a passion for perfection and the desire to keep improving. For the creators of handcrafted, quality products, craftsmanship is the center of their lives. It’s the reason they get up and go to work every morning— and they are constantly thinking of new ways to innovate. Their credo is that, without craftsmanship, you just have a pile of parts thrown together, without a care for how they fit or the value of the end product. Craftsmanship represents the soul of the crafted piece, which comes from the mind, the tools, the knowledge, and the hard work of the craftsman. Constantly inspired by the world around them, craftspeople believe that, because of this passion to create, manufactured items will never make crafting obsolete.
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Four men and women at the forefront of keeping the artisan tradition alive were interviewed for this story: Aaron Dewitt, who, together with his wife, Angie, runs Hammered in Time in Derby, CT; Justin Hawker, owner of Hawker Metalworks and the Industrial Revival Furniture Company, based in Shelton, CT; Cynthia Davis, who, together with her partner, Rena Paris, runs Wallovers in Fairfield, CT; and Richard Brooks of Brooks Custom in Mt. Kisco, NY. East Coast Home + Design
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If you want to live in a country that builds things, you have to buy things your country builds.
Justin Hawker of Industrial Revival Furniture Company
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Hammered in Time
Aaron Dewitt has been involved in every aspect of metal fabrication and welding since the age of 19. He comes from a family with a tradition of working with one’s hands: his father was a machinist, his grandfather owned a sheet metal company and his great-grandfather was a blacksmith. He is very thankful to his parents for sending him to a technical high school. Working for years doing restaurant interiors and storefronts, Aaron knew what customers were looking for with respect to quality and durability, so he started an Etsy store. He began by making barn doors from reclaimed wood, and then turned to
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Industrial Revival Furniture Company
stools, which have been his main focus since 2013. He loves to design and produce beautifully crafted bar stools. Aaron enjoys the freedom to design a stool any way he or his customer wants. He usually goes into his shop with an idea and comes out with a new stool, and then brings it home for approval by Angie and their five kids. He uses steel for the frames, and oak and marbled cedar or Douglas fir for the seats. All the frames are 100% welded, with no bolts. Aaron’s East Coast clients typically ask for his rough-sawn “Nan-
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Cynthia Davis and Rena Paris
tucket” stools, which are very light and have straight lines. He is particularly proud of his “Fiesta” stool, which he designed from an oil painting. He made the prototype on a Saturday and sold 30 of them to the Grand Old Opry Hotel in Nashville by the following Tuesday. Other popular stool designs include “Cantina,” “Manhattan” and his hand-made swivel stools. Aaron is also the manufacturer of the super-popular “Keg Urinal,” which started out as a joke but now numbers more than 300 in sales across the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia. Justin Hawker, owner of the Industrial Revival Furniture Company, first took up welding in 1999. After graduating in 2005 from the Wentworth Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, he went to work for an architectural firm. But in 2009 he was unexpectedly laid off and had no plans for the future. However, helped along by a family tradition he describes as “gumption” and the support of a few friends, he accumulated enough orders within weeks to start his own business. He began by doing ornamental steel work, which developed into restaurant outfitting, stairs, window walls, custom structures, doors, etc. Also skilled at making quality handcrafted smaller products, Justin began by creating yard and garden sculptures, which he sold every weekend and during the summer at craft shows. Over time, what became more important than the size of a project was 42
spending more time with his family, so he is now focused on furniture, smaller fixtures and similar projects. When one of Justin’s tables for a local restaurant anda bunch of other furniture was featured in a few magazines, this became the jumping-off point for his custom furniture business. Justin works in the trending field of “vintage” and “industrial” American design. He uses a lot of steel plus a fair share of wood. Most of his pieces are on the heavy side, but they ’ll last a few generations. Many of the complex profiles he uses for stools and tables are cut out on a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) plasma table. Aside from that, his work involves the basics of cutting, heating, bending and welding. Clients who buy furniture for their homes typically ask for details to be adjusted to make the piece more their own, so Justin works with them to make sure they get something they ’ll love. His furniture has been gaining popularity not only all along the East Coast, but also in Colorado and California. To Justin, craftsmanship is vitally important, so he passes his craft along to others via welding workshops, where enthusiasts can learn to cut, weld, grind and go home with some great furniture and pride in their achievements. Ultimately, Justin believes that if you want to live in a country that builds things, you have to buy things your country builds.
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Cynthia Designs
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Cynthia Davis has been a decorative artist since 1993. After earning her BA from the University of Vermont in 1984, she began a career in marketing, but never stopped being involved in art as a hobby. When the first person paid her to paint his walls, she decided to make a career change. Cynthia pursued decorative arts studies in the U.S. and abroad, including courses at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Pratt University in New York. One of her European projects involved working on a design team to faux paint an 18-room chateaux in France, in association with Prismatic Paintings Studios in Cincinnati. She is currently a national decorative arts teacher accredited by the International Decorative Artisans League. In 2015 Cynthia earned a master’s degree in intercultural service leadership management from the School of International Training in Brattleboro, VT. She founded Our Woven Community, a program that uses her intercultural service leadership and creative skills to help educate and empower refugee women who have been victims of war and genocide. Cynthia is the owner of Cynthia Designs, a business that specializes in unique paintedsurface finishes, but also features her handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry crafted with semiprecious stones, metals and antiques. She is also the co-founder, along with Rena Paris, of Wallovers, a company offering more than 50 “allover” stencil designs, and the creator of “The Topper” and “The Wallbuster” stencil brushes. Decorative artists for over 25 years, Cynthia and Rena make use of a wide variety of materials and techniques, including glazes, plasters, glass beads, glitter, metal foils, metal 44
Richard Brooks
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Brooks Custom
leaf, custom-designed stencils, hand-painted murals, and lime and fresco ornamentation. Coffee grounds, shells, antique buttons, pennies and other items find their way into their unique finishes. The two artists transform walls, furniture, backsplashes, sinks, lighting fixtures, countertops, ceilings and stairs, and change surfaces to resemble concrete, stone, leather and unique ornamental moldings. They bring their phenomenal creativity and skills as painters and colorists to each project. After 20 years of hand-cutting stencils for clients, the partners decided it was time to reproduce and sell them to others. Decorative painters and homeowners around the world now use Wallovers stencils, a unique line of repeatable, wallpaper-like stencils for walls and furniture. More than 55 designs are available, but the individual artists who apply the finishes can create an infinite number of innovative designs. Artists administer their own unique paint products through Wallovers stencil designs that repeat across the surface using “puzzle-like� registration marks for the artists to follow. Homeowners rely on Cynthia and Rena to bring a unique, handmade quality to their rooms, as they watch the artists bring the customer’s vision to life with their hands. In the end, the customer is part of the process and feels his or her own personality exuding from the completed work. Richard Brooks grew up in New York and obtained a degree
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shi for len ext Sco to you ah tha roo to rar Lu des int We lead Ho for wh you ery tha Mi the I th how tio tra
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in engineering before beginning work in the antique furniture and restoration business. Although there is no family tradition for what he does, he was not pressured to follow any predetermined path, but instead was encouraged to pursue his passions in life. When he realized he wanted to create his own products instead of just repairing the work of others, he studied with a master Swedish cabinet maker to learn more about the woodworking trade. His first experience with creating his own designs came when he furnished his first home in the early to mid ’70s. This led to the formation of Brooks Custom in 1977. Richard loves integrating and experimenting with different materials, including wood, concrete, metal and glass. To remain competitive and cost-effective, he combines working with modern machinery with hand-detailing. In his shop, only the most experienced craftsmen use hand tools to create the quality products for which he is known. He has a regular group of top-class architects, designers, and kitchen and bath showroom owners, whom he has worked with over the years. He also has clients who come back to him each time they redo their home, move to a new location or need to renovate their kitchen. Brooks Custom specializes in quality, handcrafted kitchen products, including countertops, range hoods, backsplashes and furniture. Countertops are fashioned in wide-plank wood, stainless steel, glass, copper, bronze, pewter, zinc and concrete. Furniture encompasses end-grain and edge-grain butcher block tables. His clients on the East Coast typically ask for quality wood countertops, butcher blocks and dining tables. Right now he’s especially excited and happy with the specialty finishes he is using on his liveedge tabletops, which include pewter, stained maple, washed maple and zinc cold cast.
Story by Lisa Gant
Richard’s latest line is the “Bistro Collection,” featuring cold-cast, metal-finished countertops in zinc, nickel, pewter, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze and stainless steel. The metal coating, which is 80% real metal, is applied and bonded to a real wood core or to an exterior grade substrate. Cold-cast countertops have a living finish that will continue to evolve throughout the lifetime of the top. They have a distressed look, imperfections and patina that create a time-honored or rustic appearance. His business represents an innovative and creative resource for designers, architects and others in the decorating trades in the Hudson Valley region. And, indeed, Richard doesn’t think that craftsmanship is dying out. He believes that people in the decorative and building trades are fueled by their passions, and in them find a consistent way of life. For as long as there are artists and creatively minded people, craftsmanship will never fade away. 46
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Front of B Ourdoor
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 most more modern interior to a different particularly during the first few ne of the challenging conditions in any provide adequate water to the plants,Resources exterior, whatever that landscape is? is shade, it can be caused by several fac- years while their root systems establish, even drought tolerant or xeriScott Hobbs: People tors looksuch at modern housestrees andand think, it’s going to become established enough as large canopy adjacent build- scape plants will need sufficient water Hammered in Time elcome It’sstruggling atrue. new Ifyear to andsurvive in that it’s months a new start. Isn’t itDewitt great? time autilizdigit thevein, dry hot of late summer. 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One great item instead of of blue, purple and pink, five the determine the amount of sunlight, understanding whether the space that bloom in white or pastel shades 203.268.8928 We non-important believe that theitems. acceptance of was our the passion for modern interiors is Because we want to live in smaller spaces, more responsibly. Storage, catch phrase of 2015. Why? from a few days to several weeks; receives partial sun, partial shade, full shade or deep shade is critical floral display can last for anywhere cynthiadesigns.com leading to a growing confidence and acceptance of modern exteriors. to preventing the plants from becoming misshapen by stretching for however individuals seeking bolder colors or four seasons of interest Howard People want energy houses, they don’t Isunlight, lookLathrop: forward working with partners in 2016 to showcase individual innovations and showcase their talents our audience. examine the possibilities ofWallovers perennials withtounique foliage, or leafto scorch caused bymy tooefficient much sun. A landscape thatask re-theirshould for Starting contemporary or colonial, they want them energy efficient. So this February, we have partnered with Sorelle Galleries in New Canaan to create vignettes with our Interior Designers to showcase patterns, two tones and seaceives four to six hours of direct sunlight each day during the growing from interesting textures, to variegated Rena Paris their Each what vignette will in upcoming issues of ECH+D. when youtalents. go through it takes to featured make anshade, energy efficient house, sonal variations. Selections can be 203.268.8928 mono-chromatic, integrate comseason is considered partial sun be or partial additionally spaces youwith end large up with a contemporary vernacular on the outside and ev- plementary colors, or contrasting colors and textures to create visually canopy trees referred to as having dappled or filtered light wallovers.com SECRET LOVERS In March Issue, weshade will our annual and Architects Roundtable.” This is my themes personalsuch favorite event. lively eryone wants contemporary onbe thefocusing inside, so I think it’sto“Builders technology dynamic spaces. Mono-chromatic as silver andA white are the partial shade. 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EDITOR’S LETTER
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E A S T
C OA S T
HOME+DESIGN
MAY/JUNE 2016 Well Opener May.indd 49
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GREEN ISLES
A historic home takes center stage when lifestyle expert Mar Jennings & Tiefenthaler Home Builders join forces to bring it new life Story by Jennifer Jackson-Outlaw | Photography by Neil Landino
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A view of the historic Green Isle home, built in 1908.
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hen meeting Mar Jennings for the first time, you can’t help but notice his infectious enthusiasm when he talks about design. This isn’t surprising, considering he has been preparing for his role as one of America’s top lifestyle experts since he was a child. “I really believe I’ve been designing my entire life,” says the Westport, CT, native. “It has always been an important part of my being.” Although Jennings began his working life many years ago as a successful banking executive, he eventually realized he could no longer deny the inevitable pull that gardening and design had on him. So he began to take a closer look at his previous homes, spaces he’d created for friends and even his office at the bank to draw inspiration for what should be his next move. What Jennings discovered was what would become the core basis of his signature style: the six principles of what he describes as “Casual Luxury.” 52
“As I was looking back over some of my favorite places,” he recalls, “I noticed that certain things always stood out: The creative use of lights and reflections. The organic elements represented through plants. How I sought to repurpose and reuse items throughout.” “These principles repeated themselves time and time again,” Jennings continues with a smile. “And that is what led me to create Casual Luxury. It worked in every space, no matter what size. It is a way of living purposefully while embracing things like Mother Nature and the elements whenever possible.” This revelation gave Mar the encouragement he needed to step away from what was a very lucrative career in finance and head toward his current mission of bringing the gospel of Casual Luxury to the masses. This mission would lead him to appear on The Today Show and HGTV as well as write two bestselling books, Life on Mar’s: Creating Casual Luxury and Life on Mar’s: A Four Season Garden. Yet with all his successes, Mar could never have imagined that the one project that would bring him the most acclaim would come from a chance meeting.
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Of all the spaces, the living room is the most formal, with silk window treatments and muted tones throughout.
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The family room was specifically designed for child-friendly comfort with sisal carpeting, grass-cloth wallpaper and a couch updated with Belgian linen fabric.
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Green Isle Awaits Enter Yvonne O’Kane, a talented architect by profession and, more importantly, a wife and mom to a brood of three busy children. The family lived in a historic home in Westport that they affectionately nicknamed “Green Isle,” as a nod to both their Irish heritage and the lush green gardens nearby that they adored. The home, which was built in 1908, was in desperate need of updating. So when the homeowners decided to add a pool in 2014, they realized it was the perfect opportunity to make a few other changes. “We had also recently made a switch to natural gas,” says Yvonne, “which required us to remove a lot of equipment from our basement level, and left us with lots of new space.” As her family ’s plans were beginning to take shape, Yvonne realized she needed a project manager to handle all the moving parts common to a renovation project. Then she remembered her brief introduction to Mar back in 2011. “I met him at his home during a garden tour,” she explains. “I remember how much I liked his personality and admired the layout of his home. His design philosophy was actually very close to my own.” It was then that Yvonne decided to consult with him to see if he would be a good fit for the project. The result was pure magic. A Star Design Team is Born After that initial consultation, the family decided to renovate the newly empty basement to include a media room, kitchenette and bathroom. It was during this time that Mar suggested the O’Kanes bring in the talented team at Tiefenthaler Builders to join them on the project.
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One of the kitchen’s main highlights are the elegant cabinets custom made by Veronica Campbell from Kitchens by Deane in New Canaan, CT. The client insisted that this elegantly carved wooden table be a main focus in the kitchen. Opposite: The updated staircase now features a cozy hideaway for the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Ivy Lee Rose.
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“Mar first became familiar with our work when he toured a house we built during Westport Historical Society ’s annual Holiday House Tour,” remembers Tiefenthaler company president Ross Tiefenthaler. “He was so impressed with the quality of the building, the custom cabinetry and the attention to detail that he called us to look at this project.” Another reason Mar wanted Tiefenthaler’s expertise was his background in rebuilding historic homes. “Every historic home has challenges and pleasant surprises,” continues Ross. “This home needed major updating—including new roofing, windows, siding, electrical and plumbing, as well as complete renovation of the finishes in every single room—while still maintaining the charm of the original structure.” East Coast Home + Design
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The quest to maintain the home’s structural integrity was of extreme importance given the strict rules of the Westport Historical District Commission. Every major change would have to undergo a rigorous approval process that could potentially slow down the construction schedule. Luckily for the homeowners, Ross and his crew were experienced in getting approval from the group. Lights, Camera… While Tiefenthaler was seeking approval for its initial plans, another idea involving the project was rapidly taking shape. Although Mar had had significant television appearances in the past, he was looking for a way to further expand his Casual Luxury brand on the medium. At the time, he had pitched the idea of highlighting some of his home makeover projects to the local ABC affiliate, and suggested that Green Isle be part of the production.
This gorgeous writing desk is actually one of the client’s favorite furnishings.
For the parties involved, the on-screen union made perfect sense. Mar would have a platform on which to share his six design principles, while the builders got a chance to show viewers their skilled artistry at work. And the O’Kanes would benefit from a reduced rate for Mar’s work, while having their journey memorialized on film. The initial project began in March 2014 with the expansion
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of the media room. Because the patio pool was just steps away from the lower level, Mar decided to bring in materials that could withstand the occasional wet child sitting down. So he made sure the custom sectional was upholstered in Sunbrella fabric, while the wood-looking tile underneath was actually water-resistant porcelain flooring. Because proper illumination could be a challenge for the space, the team installed windows that not only allowed for more natural light, but also provided a view of the pool area. Mar also added refurbished bookshelves as well as framed photographs taken by one of the children. Beyond the media room, the design team added a small bathroom featuring blue glass shower tile and elegant limestone flooring. Also installed was a small kitchenette, just perfect for grabbing snacks on the way out the door. Television cameras rolled during the entire process, capturing everything from the tearing down of walls in the kitchenette to the family ’s excitement at seeing the finished product. Ratings soared as the audience could not get enough of the project. And neither, it seems, could the O’Kane family—which is why Yvonne felt inspired to extend the renovation plans to the rest of the house. “When it started, it was only supposed to be one special,” Yvonne recalls with a laugh. “But it was such a great
Casual Luxury is on display in the master bathroom, with its heated mother-of-pearl flooring and cherry blossom wallpaper. East Coast Home + Design
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The media room’s porcelain tile is specifically designed to look like wood. Opposite: A strategically placed window brings in some much-needed natural light to the kitchenette on the lower level. This island built from recycled barn wood serves as the centerpiece of the studio.
experience for all of us, we wanted to see what we could do to update the rest of the home.”
to take advantage of Mar’s extensive gardening knowledge to update the landscaping as well.
The producers of the show agreed and essentially expanded the show, now titled Life of Mar’s: The Home Makeover Show, to a 13-part series. The new plans called for an overhaul of the kitchen, living rooms, bedrooms and bathroom spaces. Yvonne also wanted
Casual Luxury in Action With a new strategy on taking on the rest of the home, the team got to work on updating the residence. In the family room, the O’Kanes were looking for a space that was relaxing with just a touch
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of decadence. So Mar added new textured wallpaper and sisal carpeting to give the room a more lived-in feel. He repurposed a beloved couch with some more comfortable cushions. He also converted a closet to a faux fireplace, along with some much-needed upper cabinet storage. In the kitchen, the goal was to have a welcoming place that is just as inviting to a group of friends playing cards as it is to a hungry teenager. To accomplish this, Ross’s crew gutted the entire space and relocated the main waste pipe that ran through it. They moved the laundry area and changed the space to a butler’s pantry; they also installed new bell jar light fixtures that provided the perfect mood lighting to the wooden kitchen table below.
Homeowner Yvonne O’Kane and Mar Jennings
To further brighten things, the Tiefenthaler team added two windows just above the farmhouse sink. The old flooring was replaced with lighter ceramic tile, and the custom cabinets
were given a stylish high-gloss finish. One of the kitchen’s most unique features is the inclusion of a La Cornue stove. The legendary French brand, known for its impeccable design and cooking quality, had to be shipped directly from the manufacturer and installed utilizing the company ’s exclusive white-glove service. “Yvonne had fallen in love with this brand of stove and asked that I include it as part of the renovation,” explains Mar. “I have to admit, I wasn’t immediately sold on it until I saw it myself. But it was so exciting to watch them work and put it together—especially when it came time for the white-glove service delivery.” It was during the kitchen portion of the building that the trio ran into one of their biggest challenges: how to refinish the staircase. Because of building restrictions imposed by the commission, the team had to find a way to redo the stairs without completely tearing them down. Eventually Ross and Mar East Coast Home + Design
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were able to work out a way to reinforce the base of the stairs while adding painted beadboard to give it a textured finished. They even included a cozy hideaway for the family ’s newest addition, an adorable Miniature Schnauzer named Ivy Lee Rose. Technicolor Dreams While the team worked to keep the colors more muted throughout the home, they decided to be more playful when it came to the children’s rooms. “We wanted to make their rooms both youthful and timeless,” Mar says. “So we made sure we put cheerful colors and patterns in their rooms.” In the girls’ room, comforters in vibrant pinks and oranges pair perfectly with the lively carpeting. In their shared bathrooms, bright green wallpaper with vegetation patterns adds a surprising touch of color. For the son, the team opted to hand paint the wall a rich denim color to make it look like the fabric. To give the room added character, the accessories in his sitting room are done in various shades of blue. For both the family and the construction team, the journey to update Green Isle was truly a rewarding one. And it appears it was for the viewers, too, as Life on Mar’s: The Home Makeover Show was recently nominated for two local Emmy Awards. While there are many reasons why people responded so well to the 64
show, Ross Tiefenthaler believes audiences embraced it so warmly because it was obvious that everyone loved working together. “Renovating or building a house should not be overly stressful or something to fear doing,” he says. “Creating the environment you want your family to live and entertain in can be exciting and gratifying, as long as you put together the right team. The O’Kane family, Mar Jennings and Tiefenthaler Construction found a synergy that made this project fast-paced and fun, and the end result is absolutely gorgeous.” Resources Interior Designer Mar Jennings Lifestyle Homes Mar Jennings 6 Brookside Park Westport, CT 06880 203.227.7935 marjennings.com Builder Tiefenthaler Ross Tiefenthaler 314 Wilson Avenur Norwalk, CT 06854 203.857.0055 tiefenthaler.com
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The completely transformed 1960’s– style ranch house. Renovations included a new roof with a redesigned roofline and the construction of a cupola. The old shingles were replaced and the exterior painted in a taupe/gray color. Fieldstone, shutters, and a walnut front door made the updated façade complete. The new horse-shoe-shaped driveway involved an extensive excavation.
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GOLD COAST Golden Design Story by Christine Benton | Photography by Marco Ricca
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The many-windowed living room, with lots of natural light, was renovated with a tongue-in-groove ceiling and new oak floors. The existing corner fireplace was retained to serve as the room’s focal point. A comfortable sofa and armchairs invite relaxation and the layered ivory and navy area rugs draw all the elements in the room together.
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efore its renovation, this was a typical 1960s one-story ranch house. The homeowners wanted to transform it into a sprawling, open-concept design where they could retire and enjoy their golden years. With an eye to the future, they required that the house have as many ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) modifications as possible. The home is located in Oyster Bay Cove, on the stretch of the North Shore of Long Island appropriately named the “Gold Coast” because of the palatial mansions and estates built there by several wealthy families in the early 1900s. Oyster Bay was named even earlier: “On June 4th, I anchored in a commodious haven on the north of Long Island. We found fine oysters there, from which the Dutch call it Oyster Bay.” —Diary of David deVries, Voyager, 1639 As the residence is beautifully situated adjacent to a prestigious golf course, the owners felt that a Hampton-style home would be more in keeping with the building’s surroundings. The challenge was to design an open and spacious floor plan while simultaneously creating a cozy and inviting ambience. Award-winning interior designer Kim Radovich of Kim E. Courtney
Interiors & Design, based in Huntington Bay, Long Island, collaborated with architect George Suddell to create this Eden from the inside out. Kim is all about restoring integrity to design, and she accomplishes this with each project—whether it’s infusing new construction with classic detail, or lovingly preserving a historic estate. Her background in the fine arts from the renowned Parsons School of Design informs her signature style. Kim’s firm provides an array of services in both residential and commercial design, including consulting, space planning, architectural detailing, sustainable (green) design, custom furniture design and even feng shui. George Suddell is the head of Suddell Architects & Builders, located in Huntington, a diverse architectural firm committed to the belief that architecture should profoundly enhance the quality of daily experience. The original house had never been updated. It still had old linoleum and carpeting on the floors, and ancient Formica on the kitchen counters—and it definitely did not have an open floor plan. Kim and George completely transformed the house over a period of one year, making renovations that included roofline changes, a new roof, the addition of a cupola, and the reshingling and painting of the exterior in a taupe/gray color. Fieldstone, shutters and a walnut front door were added to the façade. To open up the space, some walls were East Coast Home + Design
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Opposite: The round dining table in rich walnut is circled by a grouping of chairs with walnut legs and upholstery in ivory with a navy welt. The area rug reflects the color palette used throughout the home.
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The kitchen presented a major test of architectural innovation because of its almost galley-like, very narrow shape, which could not be enlarged. taken out, leaving a total of four bedrooms, one of which is used as an office. The existing swimming pool and surrounding stone patio, which were not in very good condition, were also renovated. A large excavation was necessary to create a horseshoe-shaped driveway. The original garage under the house was backfilled, and a new garage was erected at grade level. This enables the homeowners to drive straight in and provides access to the kitchen from the garage. The designers opened up most of the ceilings and enhanced them with a tongue-in-groove application of wood and beadboard, creating a more spacious look. To augment the quality of the natural light, the ceilings are painted white throughout the house. The old linoleum and carpeting were removed and new oak floors laid down; these are finished with a deep walnut stain with a satin finish. 72
One requirement of the owners was that the window treatments at the back of the house provide privacy when needed, but not conceal the view of the swimming pool and golf course. Designers met this challenge with the use of cornices that are subtle enough to reveal the view, but also able to accommodate blinds that can be easily drawn in the evening. The front windows are dressed in paneled drapes. The kitchen presented a major test of architectural innovation because of its almost galley-like, very narrow shape, which could not be enlarged. Also, as one wall was mostly windows, it was a challenge to install enough cabinets. An L-shaped working island with low seating was added to complete the space. The outcome is a wonderfully designed, custom-built kitchen in a difficult space. The dining area contains a circular walnut dining table. This is surrounded by chairs with walnut legs and upholstered in a resilient
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One wall of the kitchen. As the opposite wall was mostly windows, it was quite challenging to provide enough cabinets.
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indoor/outdoor ivory-colored fabric with a navy welt. The living room has mostly windowed walls and is flooded with the magnificent Long Island light. The focal point of the room is the corner fireplace, which is flanked on both sides by huge sliding doors with transomed windows above. (One set of doors leads out 74
to the redone patio and the other to the swimming pool, both overlooking the golf course.) The room is furnished with comfortable ivory-colored sofas and a linen-wrapped cocktail table. Layered ivory and navy area rugs complete a space that invites relaxation. An extension on the back of the house that had previously been used
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A gorgeous custom wool rug in ivory and shades of blue enhances the master bedroom.
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as a family room was turned into the master bedroom suite. Double doors lead to a small terrace looking out over the golf course. A very beautiful custom wool rug in ivory, navy and periwinkle and a ceiling fan complete the light and airy ambience of the master bedroom interior. The master bedroom has two en-suite bathrooms (his and hers), each tiled with Carerra marble and each featuring its own walk-in closet. Hers contains a soaking tub and a shower, while his has a shower only. Her shower is done in a subway tile, and his in a basket-weave inlay. All hardware is polished nickel. The home has a total of five bathrooms: two in the master bedroom suite, one each adjacent to the two guest bedrooms, and one in the pool area. The homeowners had a few collectibles, but their major requisite regarding interior design was that it be organized around the collection of artwork painted by a family member. These diverse, abstract paintings were reframed and accorded places of honor on the various walls of the house. Apart from a few repurposed pieces, all the furniture was selected by Kim. A change of color with a touch of lemon in one of the two guest bedrooms.
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One of the homeowners, a retired landscape designer, wanted as much attention paid to interior detail as exterior detail. Her career provided her with an eye for color, which is reflected in the interior design of the house. The main color palette
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The rear of the house with its garden landscaped by one of the owners.
is ivory and navy blue, which provides a striking contrast to the deep mahogany of the floors and the rich walnut of several pieces of furniture. The aim was to create an interior as unfussy as possible with simple lines—a crisp and clean look. Attractive ivory and navy area rugs in soft geometric designs are scattered throughout the house. Cushions and lamp bases pick up the same color scheme throughout the rooms.
added to the two guest bedrooms, with lemon-painted walls and a matching bed cover. Simple lighting is key to providing unobtrusive soft evening light throughout the home. The finished transformation is a home with outstanding architectural appointments and a stunningly beautiful interior. Kim and George made the perfect team for this project and, according to the owners, “They nailed it!”
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Resources Interior Designer Kim Radovich Kim E. Courtney Interiors 50 New York Avenue Halesite, NY 11743 631.868.0595 kimecourtneyinteriors.com
Architect George Suddell Suddell Architects and Builders 202 East Shore Road #11 Huntington, NY 11743 631.421.2595 suddell.com East Coast Home + Design
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Feng Shui from Scratch Building and Designing a Westchester Home Story by Maria Brown | Photography by Davidson McCulloh
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A short hallway to the left of the front door leads to a formal sitting room, with French doors opening to a patio beyond.
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usan Alisberg of Alisberg Parker Architects appreciates that her work often brings the opportunity to learn new things. So when a couple contacted her to help them build and design the perfect feng shui home, she jumped at the chance. “It was a huge education along the way,” Susan says, “but it was exciting to be educated. Every project presents different challenges—and that’s what makes it all fun.”
The adherence to feng shui principles begins in the architecture of the house. The rooms of the home, for example, must be encompassed in a rectangular main volume with no significant appendages. However, two very shallow bay windows were incorporated to soften the look of the house from the front. The homeowners also wished to have some overhead protection at the arched front door, so while a substantial porch overhang was not possible, a custom iron and glass portico was installed instead. Additionally, since the garage must occupy a separate space according to feng shui, it is here only minimally connected via a glass-enclosed breezeway.
Susan was on board from the very beginning, assisting the clients in locating a property that met their needs. They succeeded in finding a large piece of land in a secluded area, where the house could be oriented to face the backyard and allow maximum sunlight to stream through the windows. An existing home on the property was removed, but a pool and much of the landscape were preserved.
Architecture again complies with feng shui in the foyer, where the door cannot face the stairs and it must not be possible to look straight through the home. Therefore, the main rooms of the first floor are situated off the foyer to the sides, with the immediate view to the wall of a butler’s pantry.
As the project kicked off, Susan was fortunate to participate in a Buddhist ceremony in which fires are lit with special materials at each corner of the house to bring good luck for construction of the home and its future. “I loved the opportunity to do the ceremony,” Susan recalls. “The client’s mother had sent things from China, which we included in the ceremony—things you probably could never have found here.”
Visitors are greeted in the foyer by a white Buddha atop a table with curved pedestal, carved from a single piece of wood. The interior design throughout the house continues to reflect feng shui principles as well as the clients’ focus on family life. (They have two children.) It also offers plenty of versatile space for entertaining. “They were looking for neutral, clean design that was still warm and accentuated with pops of color,” says Susan. “And I think we accomplished that well.” East Coast Home + Design
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The sitting room features a grand piano, where family members can showcase their musical ability. Multiple light sources allow adjustment for the perfect ambience.
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Opposite: In the dining room, the trim provides a pop of color. A sitting room off the master bedroom is large enough for the family to gather.
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A sitting room to the left of the foyer is an excellent place for this musically-inclined family to gather to hear one another play the grand piano or to greet more formal guests. The overhead light shades are actually wood bent into a petal shape. “We believe that light fixtures bring a lot of character to the house, so we work hard to bring them into it,” Susan explains. “We tend to use more neutral materials, but we rely on the lights for a bit of sparkle.” Glass doors on either side of the fireplace separate the sitting room from the more casual family room. The doors are a thoughtful touch 88
to separate the rooms when one member of the family is playing the piano and another watching television. While both rooms feature a fireplace, they are actually separate units placed back-to-back. The family room light fixtures again add an organic feel, this time covered in a straw material. The stool in front of the fireplace has a carved Indonesian wood base, adding another touch of the unexpected, as does the blue sectional sofa that faces the television. The double sets of French doors in both the sitting and family rooms open to a large curved patio.
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The large kitchen was designed to accommodate two cooks and provide room to entertain, with multiple seating areas. A large butler’s pantry is just one aspect of the home geared toward entertaining.
A doorway from the family room leads toward the butler’s pantry. A vestibule in the hallway contains plenty of storage for children’s toys and other family-related items. The space is wallpapered in a large pattern reminiscent of leaves. “Wallpaper is a way to decorate without bringing in as much artwork,” notes Susan. This particular design adds warmth and character to both this space and the foyer (from which a wall can be seen) without being overwhelming. The kitchen contains several elements from the must-have list. First, husband and wife are both passionate about cooking, so there had to
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The family room offers versatile seating for entertaining. (Pendants: Coconut Bead Lanterns from Arteriors)
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be plenty of room for them to work simultaneously. Second, there had to be ample space for entertaining. With a large island, small sectional sofa in the corner and a breakfast table, this design fits the bill. In the dining room, the client’s own table is used with bench seating on one side and chairs surrounding. Lighting again plays a starring role in the design. Here, however, Susan decided to keep the room more neutral and use the molding for her source of color, incorporating a rich brown tone. The first floor also includes a small study near the kitchen where the children can do homework, a mudroom that leads to the garage breezeway and a library to the right of the front door. Four-inch oak plank flooring unifies all the spaces. There’s also a very large playroom in the basement, giving the kids plenty of room to themselves. Laundry is located on the second floor, with the home’s five bedrooms. There, the master suite features its own sitting room, offering a place for the family to gather upstairs when it’s time to wind down for the evening. Finally, a usable third floor allows plenty of room to grow in the future. “I’d done one project before with some feng shui, but it was a renovation,” Susan says. “This was from scratch. We got a book out and read the rules, and I came to understand and appreciate feng shui. It was a fun project!” Resources Architecture Interior Design Alisberg Parker Architects 222 Sound Beach Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.637.8730 alisbergparker.com Builder Legacy Builders Northeast 4 MacDonald Avenue Armonk, NY 10504 914.273.4511 legacydevelopmentllc.com East Coast Home + Design
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Designer Vignettes Series at Sorelle Gallery Fine Art in New Canaan
Rustic Luxe
Romeo + Baglio Design
Andrea Romeo and Rebecca Baglio of Romeo + Baglio Design created a stunning pairing for an entryway or any room to compliment that “statement piece” of art. An uncommon take on a rustic console with hammered metal detail is juxtaposed with contemporary lucite chairs and modern accessories provided by Schwartz Design Showroom in Stamford. This vignette provided the perfect backdrop to Julia Contacessi’s “Rising to Grace”, Susan Morosky’s “Natura Eve”, and Stephen Ciuccoli’s “Elephants”. Romeo + Baglio Design Andrea Romeo | Rebecca Baglio 23 Knollwood Drive, Ridgefield, CT 06877 203.448.7669 romeobaglio.com 94
www.eastcoasthomepublishing.com
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Purple Obsession Stephanie Rapp Interiors
Stephanie Rapp Interiors was inspired by an explosion of the color purple in a piece of Abstract art by Julia Contacessi called Bliss. Its energy, expressing all shades of that regal tone, led her to create a seating area for lively conversation anchored by 2 low slung Bernhardt Lance chairs with striking brass frames. The aged brass and shagreen console table from Interlude provides a landing spot for accessories accented with purples, pinks and gold, all referencing back to the alluring art hung on the wall above. In the corner resides a white marble drinks table from Interlude alongside an eyecatching chair of Pony hair and leather. It’s a quiet moment within the vignette enveloped in a purple Zimmer + Rhode silk while boxed abstract squares by Teodora Guererra cascade down the wall. Furniture and accessories provided by Wakefield Design Center, to the Trade. Featured art provided by Sorelle Gallery. Stephanie Rapp Interiors
374 Good Hill Road Weston, CT 06883 203.216.5835 stephanierappinteriors.com Sorelle Gallery Fine Art 84 Main Street New Canaan, CT 06840 203.920.1900 sorellegallery.com East Coast Home + Design
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Profile
TERRI RICCI INTERIORS
Terri Ricci takes her interior design business forward with another milestone – a new interior design studio in Norwalk’s up and coming Wall Street Design District. Having spent the past 8 years working from her home office, Terri recognized the need to find a larger space to accommodate her growing business. “As my project demands expanded, I needed more room. After looking at several locations, I knew I found the perfect site when I discovered this raw space. The opportunity to work with a clean slate and create an environment from the ground up was fun and energizing,” comments Terri.
The newly established studio accommodates Terri Ricci Interiors’ growing team for the company ’s ongoing interiors projects for clients across the nation, including Martha’s Vineyard, Palm Beach, Aspen, and the New York metro area. This loftHlike space showcases bespoke furniture, lighting, home accessories, and artwork reflective of Terri’s signature style. Terri and her team surround themselves with inspiration that captures the warmth, sophistication and layered simplicity of what makes Terri Ricci Interiors a great experience. 96
“I love my new home away from home. It’s been an ideal place for me to immerse myself in the interior design process. And, it’s ideal for meeting with existing and prospective clients,” notes Terri. Terri Ricci Interiors shares its space with Polart Group, a boutique luxury, highHend renovation firm owned by Wesley Armatowski, her husband. Terri Ricci Interiors 10 Knight Street Norwalk, CT 06851 203.642.3202 terriricci.com
www.eastcoasthomepublishing.com
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Covers May 2016 ECH+D.indd 3
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Covers May 2016 ECH+D.indd 4
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