Design + Decor CT/NJ/NY Volume 19 Issue 3 by East Coast Home Publishing

DESIGN +DECOR

CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY NEW YORK

THE OUTDOOR ISSUE

$7.99 US/$8.99 CANADA

DISPLAY UNTIL 08/15/22

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DESIGN +DECOR

CONNECTICUT NEW JERSEY NEW YORK

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3 | 2022

BELLE HAVEN BEAUTY

A Classic Colonial Gets a Very Modern Makeover Story by Meryl Siegman | Photography by Neil Landino

EVERYDAY GETAWAY A young family exchanges the city life for an everyday weekend lifestyle

Story by Heather Shoning | Photography by Neil Landino

ESTATE SIDE

Lake life in Syracuse calls for a Georgian manor Story by Heather Shoning | Photography by Durston Saylor

DEPARTMENTS 10 Editor’s Letter 14 Ask the Experts 78 Profile

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EDITOR’S LETTER

DESIGN DECOR +

VOLUME 18 19 ISSUE 4 3 - 2021 2022

Editor-in-Chief Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen Contributing Writers Deborah Brannon, Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Alder Grove, Anna Hunter von Powell, Stelzer-Worth, Meryl Siegman, Kait Shea, Heather Anastasia Shoning Storer

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

love this time of year in the Northeast. The weather starts to become warmer on a regular Copy Editor basis, allowing us to spend Elena more time outdoors, theSerocki grass is green and the beauty of our area shines. Paulette LeBlanc Graphic & Web Design East Coast Home & WebPublishing Design This year, we Graphic finally get a step back to normalcy: vacEast Coast Home Publishing

cinations are available to all, and we can start packing away those pesky masks. What a fantastic gift to bring in the summer months. Publisher We had a great time puttingGroup together this year’s Outdoor SpacGroup E. Publisher McCormick es Issue. Our wonderful Shelley partners shared some fabulous outdoor Shelley sm@dd-mag.com E. McCormick spaces with us, and we think these impressive projects will inspire sm@dd-mag.com 203-545-7091 you to take your own home to the next step. 203-545-7091 Account Managers Our feature stories, “A Classic the Country ” and “Modern in Account JaneinO’Reilly Manager Montauk,” are also top-notch. Both Kelly Amesprojects Smith have that wow factor,

and their attention to detail is nothing short of magical. Design + Decor

Forestissue Hills Boulevard We hope you enjoy this 349 special of Design + Decor, and we Naples, Florida 34113 look forward to sharing our Amazing Transformations Issue—my personal favorite—in July. We’ll be showcasing great projects in a variety of +styles. If you’d likeperyour project firm to beSubscriptions: a part of Design Decor is published six issues year. To subscribe:or www.dd-mag.com; year, $28; $14; two years, $20. this, one please reach out$50. to Back us. issues can be purchased at www.dd-mag.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, Design + Decor, 349 Forest Hills Boulevard Naples, Florida 34113 or e-mail: mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by Design + Decor are not necessarily those of the magazine.

Matthew Kolk Best,

- Editor-in-Chief

EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING 349 Forest Hills Boulevard Naples, Florida 34113 DD-MAG.COM

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EDITOR’S LETTER

DESIGN DESIGN +DECOR DECOR

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Monaco Monaco, a waterjet mosaic shown in polished Dolomite, Carrara, Cornflower Glazed Basalto, and brushed Aluminum, is part of the VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3 - 2019 Liliane™ Collection by Caroline Beaupere forVOLUME New 18 ISSUE 3 - 2021 Ravenna. Editor-in-Chief newravenna.com

Matthew J. Kolk Editor-in-Chief mattkolk@me.com Matthew J. Kolk 203-820-1092 mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen Managing Editor James Eagen Contributing Writers Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Pam Gersh, Contributing Writers Shea, Anastasia Wirth DeborahKait Brannon, Lisa Gant,Storer, SusanAnna Heller, Alder Grove, pring has Sprung! As we start to open pools, wipe Anna von Stelzer-Worth, Kait Shea, Anastasia Storer down the patio furniture and send out invitesSika forArmchair Contributing Photographers Sika is a deer specimen backyard parties we can be thankful all of the Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria for Giovan, Contributing Photographers rooted in Japan whose John Michael Gruen, Paul Johnson, Landino, memories that are yet to beNeil make withGiovan, loved and ones Jane Beiles, Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria strength elegance Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Milstein, John Hannon, PaulDaniel Johnson, Neil and friends John alikeGruen, in our first post-covid spring inLandino, two inspired Sika years! wingback chair. Durston Debra Striffler, MarkSaylor, La Rosa, TimSomerville, Lee, DanielEric Milstein, The most distinctive features Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography of this wing chair are the Durston Saylor, Eric Striffler, Carl Verlund In light of this, we are proud to share with you some wonderbutton detailing in the inner Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography ful outdoor spaces in this issue, our “2022 Outdoor Issue”. trim and back, the nailhead Copy Editor the brass details of the arms. Elena Serocki Copy Editor I’m an outdoor guy. I appreciate effort and care thatcovethouse.eu goes Elena the Serocki Web Design into creating an outdoorGraphic living&space surrounded by beautiful East Coast Home Graphic & Web Design features, furniture and plantings. ToPublishing me, this is truly a “livEast Coast Home Publishing ing” living room.

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When we started this magazine almost 20 years ago, the outPublisher doors were mainly for landscaping and small areas to evjoy Shelley E. McCormick the warmer months. This has dramatically sm@dd-mag.com Group Publisher changed in the past 203-545-7091 10 years or so. People began toE.accept outdoor living in their Shelley McCormick sm@dd-mag.com homes. They went from two season areas to three and someAccount Manager 203-545-7091 times four season areas chock-full of luxuries, much to my Alessandra Flanagan personal delight!

D U N

af@dd-mag.com Account Managers Jane O’Reilly I hope you enjoy this issueKelly as Ames much as we do and it inspires Design + Decor Smith

you to create or improve your personal “living” living room! 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Until next issue.

Naples, Florida 34113 Design + Decor 203-286-1850 349Fax: Forest Hills Boulevard Naples, Florida 34113

Best,

Design + Decor is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.dd-mag.com; Subscriptions: one year,+ $28; two years, $50. issues can be purchased www.dd-mag.com; at www.dd-mag.com. For editoDesign Decor is published sixBack issues per year. To subscribe: Subscriptions: rial Editor, Design$50. + Decor, #1203at Naples, Florida 34113For or editorial e-mail: oneinquiries: year, $28; two years, Back 7485 issuesInspira can beCircle purchased www.dd-mag.com. mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: call Shelley McCormick 203-545-7091. inquiries: Editor, Design + Decor, 349 ForestPlease Hills Boulevard Naples, Floridaat34113 or e-mail: Reproduction whole or in advertising part withoutinquiries: permission is prohibited. All projects described in this pubmattkolk@me.com. For Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. lication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use ordescribed exploitation Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects in are this given or implied. The opinions expressed byuse writers by Design Decor are publication are for private, noncommercial only.for Noarticles rights published for commercial use or+ exploitation not necessarily those of the magazine. are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by Design + Decor are not necessarily those of the magazine.

Lapiaz Sideboard Matthew J. Kolk The Lapiaz Sideboard originates from one of Boca do Lobo’s iconic design EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING Editor in chief

pieces. Based on the same aesthetic that created a legacy, the Lapiaz Side349COAST Forest Hills Boulevard EAST HOME PUBLISHING board takes exceptional and design to a new realm. Consisting Naples, Florida 34113 7485 craftsmanship Inspira Circle #1203 of two individual modules, Lapiaz34113 is finished in polished stainless steel that DD-MAG.COM Naples,the Florida portarys a perfect mirror, with a poplar root wood veneer interior. DD-MAG.COM bocadolobo.com

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MELANGE

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Dolce Cocktail Napkins Add a sweet touch to your dining scene with charmingly embroidered cocktail napkins that feature kiwis, peaches, blueberries and watermelons on a white Festival linen base. sferra.com

Avila Chair The mixed-material Avila Collection masterfully integrates historical elements to create a contemporary classic. Avila’s low-slung seating and distinctive raked legs nod to midcentury design, while a signature single back support echoing ancient Greece creates an open, architectural framework. The silhouette’s inset handwoven panels and nuanced angles add textural dimension and visual balance. rh.com

Aura Dining Collection Aura is a modern, elegant, lightweight collection combining powder coated aluminium frames, teak table tops with aluminium inlay plus stackable sun loungers and armchairs accented with teak armrests. teak.com

THOR Pro-Style Modular Outdoor Kitchen Suite THOR Kitchen’s redesigned Pro-Style Modular Outdoor Kitchen Suite features a sleek, masculine design aesthetic with new enhancements, including recessed handles and larger surface areas. The modular nature of the 6-piece suite allows homeowners the flexibility to arrange the pieces in any configuration. thorkitchen.com

La Paz Celebrating bold geometric form, our collection from Harrison and Nicholas Condos is an inspired homage to refined Danish design. Distinguished by embracing curves, crisp angles and an openwork tripod leg, La Paz is sculpture as seating. The handcrafted aluminum frame is wrapped in a rich, textural all-weather basketweave, lending a sense of airy lightness to the silhouette. rh.com

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ASK THE EXPERTS

ON ARCHITECTURE Design + Decor chats with Christopher Pagliaro of Christopher Pagliaro Architects Story by Elena Serocki

+D: The Majority of architecture is designed for the eye; do you feel it important to also incorporate multi-sensory architecture to the overall project? Chris: People believe that architecture is designed for the eye because it is a visual art. Whereas I agree with the importance of visual order (or disorder) and scale, I have always approached architecture as being more about what one does not see. Architecture is about the subconscious. What makes one feel good? How does the scale feel? At what point do you feel a sense of place? This is what separates architects from builders who see commodity but are not trained in understanding the “delight” that lets someone know when something is right. How does a ray of sunlight create a curiosity that draws you around a corner? How does the scale of an entry to a room make the experience of that next room right? Why does the sound of a vehicle’s tires slowly rolling across a gravel driveway create a serenity that says “summer”? You cannot simply take a high school gymna-

sium and clad it with moldings and materials and say that architecture is about the eye. It isn’t! D+D: Do you feel the Architect should insert themselves more into the building process? And if so why and how? Chris: Now, more than ever, architects must insert themselves into the building process. Recent supply chain delays, combined with the inflation of labor and material costs, have caused the industry to re-think the critical path of a project, and have intensified the need for value engineering. I have never believed that throwing money at something was the solution. Architects have the responsibility to “create” – not just to “respond and answer”. Creativity sees its way through the clichés of the industry, not only in the design of a structure, but in its execution. Product development, new technologies, our social and environmental responsibilities are all necessary instruments to the composition. Building Science is more important than ever. How we mix design intent with energy codes, cost, building and

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human health – we have come a long way since the days of 2x6 framing, fiberglass insulation, building wrap, and an exterior shingle. I personally rely on the industry to keep us up to date with product development and availability, as well as the experience and knowledge of the builder, and seek to work with them in creating the most effective, fiscally responsible approach to the design intent. The table is round – we must share the same goals and objectives – and my job is to oversee the combination of all of this en route to the architectural objective. D+D: Chris, you have been in the game for some time now and have seen different styles trending in the architecture of a home. What style would you say stands the test of time? And Why? Chris: Yes, I have “been in the game for some time now”, and instead of feeling “old” I am cherishing the wealth of experience and knowledge that comes with that. I have never been a fan of assigning styles, names, or brands to architecture. All good architecture stems from the basic principles of classi-

cism, and the success of a design should always follow those principles. Modern architecture is an interpretation of those principles, even if by choice, deciding how to break that classicism. Consider that a school of music, or a theatre department would never ignore the basic musical scales, or fail to utilize the foundation of theatre through Shakespeare. One does not have to replicate that, but should be able to build on those principles and can then create from that – even the deconstructive structure. So, I believe that designers should have fun with “style”, as long as whatever that style may be is fundamentally correct. Think “music” – the basis of the 50’s and 60’s, versus the Led Zeppelin of the 70’s, the deconstructivism of Punk, and how that transformed into Hip-Hop and today ’s Pop. Each provided its own “classics” – and each genre also “dates” the product. That should not be lost on architecture – trend is fun, but trend dates things. Architects and clients should always be aware of that. D+D: Why did you become an Architect?:

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Chris: I wanted to design baseball stadiums – then one day my mother explained to me that you had to become an architect – not just a “stadium architect”. Through my education I fell in love with the Shingle Style and wanted to design waterfront residences. My passion is not solely about the architecture, it is about working with people to create their home – their lifestyle! The experience of arriving home from work, returning from vacation, waking up each morning, and the opportunities that are, abound.

is so costly and time consuming, I have concern that future generations will not have the patience to build new projects. We must open our eyes to the industry as whole, and the built environment in which humans want to love.

D+D: Tell us a secret about yourself that no one knows yet?

Resource:

Chris: There is a lot of architecture that is still buried somewhere inside of me – just waiting to explode. I have been doing this professionally for 35 years, yet still feel as though I am on that first rung of the ladder.

Christopher Pagliaro Architects Christopher Pagliaro 320 Post Road, Suite-160 Darien, Connecticut 06820 203.838.5517 christopherpagliaroarchitects.com

D+D: Your biggest pet peeve in the industry?

D+D: 5 words that describe your family? Loving. Compassionate. Driven. Growing up (two words in that!)

Chris: A loaded question! I am appalled at the overly regulated world in which we live. Lawyers and written words repress creativity. Imagine if all of these land use agencies existed throughout civilization? We travel to places that would not exist, such as the Amalfi Coast and just about every European city that developed along a river. Our land use approval process

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ASK THE EXPERTS

KITCHEN DESIGN 101 The Dos and Don’ts of Kitchen Design with Doug Getty of Ring’s End Story by Hunter Powell

+D: How do you assist in helping your clients identify their kitchen needs?

Doug: Firstly, I meet with them in a face-to-face appointment. That is far better than trying to do things through email. If you’re talking to someone about their kitchen, you need to meet face-to-face as there are so many little things you can pick up on about the person much more clearly. I do use a client survey and get pictures of their kitchen to get their input on their existing kitchen as well as their wants and dreams for how it should turn out. Often times clients come to me to find solutions for problems that exist in their current kitchen. I get to know them in these ways to learn how to fix that with a new design. D+D: What makes a great kitchen design? Doug: Great kitchen design has to start with the function of the kitchen. We always ask ourselves first if the kitchen is safe and pleasing to work in for the people living in it. We have to pinpoint those aspects first, as they are the most important part of any kitchen design. The second most important part is appropriate aesthetics. By appropriate, I mean aesthetics that correlate to the client’s location and the overall aesthetic of the home. We don’t want a log cabin kitchen in a beach front home. Additionally, it is crucial to

the longevity of the design to use quality materials for the kitchen. Quality countertops, cabinets, appliances, and anything else in the room needs to be built to last. Finally, and what can sometimes be overlooked, is making a design that will work for the future of the client’s life. As they age, will this kitchen still be right for them? The kitchen needs to be in balance in aesthetics as well as for a person’s life. D+D: Organizing is so important in our homes but most of the time, it can be daunting. What are some tips on how best to keep your kitchen organized? Doug: What I try to do when I design a kitchen is to utilize the myriad kitchen accessories for kitchen cabinetry that are available. Whether it be spice racks or blind corner susans, I use everything at our disposal to give everything a space. I try to give everything an area. For instance, cloth areas for dish towels and a communications area for a telephone. I then build the area from there. I also give each area accessories to aid in keeping the areas organized. In this way, a kitchen designer can help people live and organize better. D+D: What are some trendy things in the kitchen that homeowners should avoid and why?

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Doug: Choosing bizarre and flashy countertop colors is a trend that I see a lot of right now. For some aesthetics this can work but ultimately, they typically do not last. Also, going for brands in appliances that are not widely used in the U.S. to go for a more unique look. Clients often get frustrated down the line when choosing lesser used manufacturers as they can be very hard to service with access to parts being difficult. Some other trends I have seen have less than lasting results due to wearing out, are cheap cabinetry to save money, ornamental cabinets, and glaze work on cabinets. People prefer simplicity and higher quality work, and they both hold better over time. Resource: Rings End Doug Getty 28 Hope Street Niantic, CT 06357 800.390.1000 ringsend.com

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ASK THE EXPERTS

THE DECLUTTER EXPERTS

Organizing the home with Elizabeth Lulgjuraj of California Closets NY Story by Hunter Powell | Photography by Stefan Radtke

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+D: How should homeowners begin their organizing journey to achieve a decluttered lifestyle that will last through the warmer months? Elizabeth: They should begin by creating a space for each item, no matter how small. Organizing a home can feel overwhelming at first when looking at the big picture. That’s why taking the journey one item at a time and finding a space for each individual item can cut down on that feeling. Go through your storage needs and design with that in mind; then each item will have a place for it to return to once it is finished being used. If you start with a space for each piece of your home, you won’t have to reorganize as the seasons change. D+D: What spaces in the home need the most organizing to keep out the mess that spring and summer bring? Elizabeth: We’ve found organization to be critical in spaces like the garage, mudroom and entryways of a home. These rooms can obviously get very messy, but the organizational issues can impact the entire home. Organization starts here and flows through the rest of the home. If an entryway or mudroom is well organized and has a space for every item that is left there, it starts good practices for decluttering every time one enters the home. D+D: Small spaces can be tricky. What are some solutions to maximize storage potential when working in a confined space? Elizabeth: Small spaces need organization the most. Just because a space like a closet is small, that doesn’t mean there aren’t numerous items that can clutter the space quickly. That’s why it all goes back to every item needing to have a space. In small spaces, you have to maximize the height of the space since there is less room to work with. Add in things like shoe cubbies and wall

hooks to take advantage of the space even when there is not as much floor space to work with. D+D: When a wardrobe transitions from season to season, spacing needs to change. How do you accommodate making the solution adjustable on an as-needed basis? Elizabeth: Storage needs change from season to season, so adjustability is a necessity for our clients. That’s why our systems are fully adjustable for seasonal needs. Throughout the year, the things we bring into our home and use on a regular basis change depending on the season. We utilize storage systems that can change with those needs, and are always ready for a change in our daily routines. Clients can create the storage they need from season to season. D+D: What finish colors, textures and types of hardware are trending this spring? Elizabeth: We are seeing a lot more beige than ever before. It is really cropping up in everything as the must-have color for this spring. Beige has definitely made a statement. Wood-grain texture on interior hardware and minimalist hardware have also been huge in the interiors scene. Resource: California Closets NY Elizabeth Lulgjuraj 16 Saw Mill River Road Hawthorne, NY 10532 914.592.1001 26 Varick Street New York, NY 10013 646.486.3905 565 Westport Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 203.924.8444 californiaclosets.com

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IN THE FIELD

OUTDOOR SPACES 2022 Great outdoor ideas from country escapes to coastal compounds Stories by Kathleen Syron

emingway Fine Homes is in an enviable position as a turnkey builder; they are usually hired to design and build both the interior and exterior spaces of a home. That has given them the opportunity to become experts at indoor/outdoor living. Now, with people spending more time at home, that seamless integration between the interior and exterior is becoming more and more important. “The idea is to provide all the luxuries of interior living, outside. Whether that be, entertaining, dining, watching a movie or just enjoying the peace and quiet of nature, we should be doing that in comfort”, states Peter Sciarretta of Hemingway Fine Homes. Peter finds one of the fascinating aspects of building a house is understanding the property, where it sits and how it is intended to be used. Peter has noticed that people who buy homes in the country are different than people who buy homes on the water. And the way they use their homes is different as well. However, they both want to extend the indoors out. People who buy homes on the water are expecting to see people, especially if they have beach access, so privacy isn’t a pressing issue. Instead, creating entertaining areas that maximize the water view is the most important. The vast expanse of an ocean view expresses hope and gives the viewer a natural outward expression. The homes on the water usually require a lounge sitting area with a view to the water and the bigger, the better. The area will differentiate itself with the inclusion of a firepit, cocktail table and separate flooring such as gravel or pavers. They will also have many functional aspects face the wa-

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PETER SCIARETTA HEMINGWAY FINE HOMES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARL VERNLUND

ter including bbq, spa, and TV. Waterfront pools seem redundant, but the idea of sitting in warm water while overlooking a clear view of the ocean is the height of luxury and good design. And outdoor showers are a necessity for active swimmers. On the other hand, country home owners are looking for an escape; a solitary or small enclave of people, to commune with nature. The views in the country evoke introspection and a feeling of being nestled or cradled so privacy is more of an issue. And the views in the country are limited or have the possibility of being interrupted. So, It’s important, in a country build, that interior and exterior placement of spaces be framed properly to allow for privacy and picture perfect views. Resource: Hemingway Fine Homes Peter Sciarretta 115 Mason Street Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 203.625.0566 hemingwayconstruction.com Design + Decor

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EVA CHIAMULERA AUSTIN GANIM LANDSCAPE DESIGN

andscapes and gardens are most often created to provide beautiful vistas and define spaces; some are intended solely to be looked upon while others are intended to engage. Designing a series of garden rooms for a growing family on a hilltop property presented a series of challenges as well as opportunities to integrate fun and functional plantings. This recently constructed home was set into a hillside, although the front yard provided a gently sloping lawn as an area for children to run and play, the back yard was segmented into several relatively level areas at different elevations with steep embankments and tall retaining walls between. Areas at higher elevations were exposed to adjacent homes, a combination of strategically positioned flowering trees and hedges provide both privacy and a planted barrier at the edges of the spaces. A series of outdoor rooms connected by steps were created to provide spaces for dining and entertaining. The steps were specially chosen for their wide depth to accommodate toddlers learning to navigate stairs, small lawn areas provide easily monitored play spaces adjacent to seating areas. The landscape integrated a combination of edible plants; dwarf blueberries and raspberries for the children to pick; the owner uses the pergola to grow hops for brewing; as well as a small area for vegetable gardens. Within the garden beds color foliage and pollina-

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tor plants were select to create visual interest and allow the children opportunities to observe the bees, butterflies and other insects. The landscape provides year round interest and accommodates the needs of the entire family. Resource: Austin Ganim Landscape Design Eva Chiamulera, ASLA, PLA Landscape Architect 320 Kings Highway Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824 203.333.2003 austinganimlandscapedesign.com

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ELISA MIRET POLLINO WESLEY STOUT ASSOCIATES PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO

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Westport, CT couple recently found themselves to be reluctant empty nesters. Although their grown children had moved away (locally), they still wanted the ability to host large family gatherings with outdoor activities that multiple generations could enjoy. The current house was not adequate for this new chapter in life, so they decided to move closer to the coast and build a home and garden the whole family could enjoy. Wesley Stout Associates were there to build the garden of their dreams The original home on the site was demolished in favor of a new build. The new property owners worked with Shope Reno Wharton Architecture, a nationally acclaimed architecture firm renowned for their refined “old world style” residential new builds, to create a beautiful and functional design that will remain relevant over time. They chose a dark rustic shingled style house that blended well with the natural surroundings. Due to the property being located in the Coastal Flood Zone (CFZ) a number of eco-based issues had to be addressed. The CFZ is regulated in terms of where the house sits on the property, the elevation of the house and the drainage. The coastal condition along with the request for active outdoor spaces inDesign + Decor

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formed the siting of the L-shaped house to maximize the backyard for pool and lawn games. The final design had the house elevated to promote proper drainage which created natural levels in the property. Early on in the design process, Wesley Stout Associates were brought in to create the outdoor living areas and integrate the spaces with the exterior of the house. It was very important to the clients to have a multi-generational outdoor setting with clearly defined spaces and experiences. They wanted plenty of space for the grandchildren to run around and play, a dining area, pool, firepit and formal gardens and plantings. Although the property was not especially large, Wesley Stout Associates were able to give them everything they requested in a design that is a nod to days gone by and yet enduring. The gardens begin by looking out a bay window in the kitchen at two large 18th century planters filled with begonias and lantana. This sets the mood and the intention for the rest of the exterior; to create moments within the property. Elisa Miret-Pollino, designer with Wesley Stout, wanted to keep the back of the house light, so they used cedar lake stone, a multi-colored gold and cream-hued granite, for the hardscape flooring. The stone works well with the browns of the house and the green of the plantings. The area between the patio and the pool is an open meadow for the grandchildren to play.

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The pool area just off the meadow is surrounding by planted flowers and pots of differing colors that will transition all summer. The delicate and colorful flowers are kept within one area to enjoy, so they don’t clash with other functional areas. Beyond the pool is a firepit and a pebble garden of differing grasses. “What was unique about this project is the distinctive style within each garden moment. The linear garden with its traditional 18th century planters that lead to a pebble garden with clean and modern lines and plantings. The pebble garden leads to an equally modern fire feature overlooking the pool with a background of a very natural meadow garden, creating a stunning kaleidoscope of texture and color that slowly unfolds. This all creates a great sense of surprise and discovery choreographed throughout the property ”, explains Elisa. In their on-going pursuit of their mission “to exceed our client’s expectations”, I believe Wesley Stout Associates delivered with their multi-functional, inclusive and inviting landscape design and implementation. Resource: Wesley Stout Associates Elisa Miret-Pollino 96 Main Street New Canaan, CT 06840 203.966.3100 wesleystout.com

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MEGAN O’HALLORAN SIDELI TILE & STONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIOBHAN STANTON

revious clients of Sideli Tile and Stone contacted owner and lead designer, Megan O’Halloran to help them select materials for their new project in Dobbs Ferry. The clients had a large back yard and wanted to build a pool and a beautiful outdoor kitchen to overlook their park like surroundings. As is the trend of the times, their clients wanted to bring the style and comfort of the indoors outside. They wanted to build an outdoor kitchen that worked functionally and aesthetically as if it were inside. Sideli do many outdoor spaces, as their products are so multi-functional, and really enjoy working with high detail projects such as this kitchen. Choosing a stone that complements all the elements of a design equally is always a challenge but that can be compounded by having to choose a material that is weather resistant. These homeowners needed a lot of guidance on their stone selection and color options because of the climate, but they trusted the process with Sideli Tile which made their decision that much easier. “It was important for us to listen to their concerns, needs and desires and incorporate that into our designs and material choices”, explains Megan. Sideli knew that they had to work with a very dense hard stone, like a granite or quartzite, that could withstand all NY climes. They tested many stones in extreme temperatures to determine their strength. After many trials, Sideli chose to work with a quartzite which did not get overheated in the summer or crack in the cold. “We made sure to thoroughly explain

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the need for a dense material such as quartzite and go through all the many options. They really needed a specific material that could fulfil their wish list,” continues Megan. The clients also wanted an impressive stone that would be the feature of their outdoor kitchen. They originally wanted to go with a dark bold color, but after testing many stones in the heat, Megan decided that a lighter grayer color would look better and not get so hot on a scorching summer day. Megan chose to work with Princess White Quartzite for the countertop because it maintains its cool stone temperature and the bright white and contrasting grey veins is a beautiful pop against the green expanse of the back yard. Resource: Sideli Tile & Stone Megan O’Halloran Lead Designer 914.274.8888 sidelitilestone.com

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JOHN + KIM CONTE CONTE & CONTE PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL LANDINO

couple came to Conte & Conte to help them with their new outdoor space. Their move to the country was enhanced when they decided to build their dream home and garden. The time it took to locate the property, design the house, and landscape and then construction took over 3 years to complete but, all the time and effort was well worth it when you see how their house seamlessly integrates with the property. Conte & Conte of Greenwich, CT were brought in to design, plant and cultivate the exterior landscaping of their new house build. Conte & Conte worked with architect David Scott Parker, interior designer Round Hill Design and builder Significant Homes and the Landscape Construction/Masonry team at Fairfield House & Garden to interpret

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and deliver their client’s requested design style; understated classic. “Most of our clients rely on us to devise the design direction and then make the material choices. This project gave us a unique opportunity to work with a talented interior designer who had clear opinions for the exterior of her house”, states Cleo Abrams-Horsburgh, Partner and Landscape Architect at Conte & Conte. The wife is an interior designer with an impeccable vision which Conte & Conte were happy to accommodate. The homeowners were firm in wanting an understated and classic look but it took a while to land on the perfect design. The exterior siding of the house also went from being a rustic horizontal timber (in the initial design) to a more modern vertical ship lap. The property is an open space with a slight slope cascading down to a lake. The natural plateaus were easily converted into functional terraces. The first terrace encompasses the home, a covered porch, lounge area and the second floor of the pool/gym house. There are steps that lead to another landing which contains the first floor of the gym/pool house, green walkways and a secluded bbq/dining area. A few more steps down reveals the pool level with amazing views across a meadow down to the lake. Conte & Conte have a policy of using as many native plants as possible. They also wanted to make sure the design was simple and low maintenance. For these reasons they kept the plant pallet mostly green with some pops of color. This required they spread a large swath of wild flower seed mix down the cascading meadow. Other colorful plants include two Crepe Myrtle trees whose shock of red against the green site is festive in the summer and winter. The team at Conte & Conte also made sure to reuse any material found on the site. This helps the new build visually blend with the property. The stones used for the retaining walls flanking the driveway were excavated from the property while building the home. They then used a special grouting process to convey an aged patina of the stones and give the appearance the walls had been there for centuries. Resource: Conte & Conte Kim and John Conte Greenwich, CT | Bedford, NY 203.869.1400 conteandconte.com

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BELLE HAVEN BEAUTY A Classic Colonial Gets a Very Modern Makeover Story by Meryl Siegman | Photography by Neil Landino

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The marble floor was created to make a statement upon first entering the home. Matching Picassos are hung over the console tables at the entrance to the dining room. The chandelier is from Jonathan Browning. A large Lichtenstein immediately catches the eye

hat better place to raise a family than Belle Haven, CT? Originally built as a summer escape for well-to-do New Yorkers, this enclave in Greenwich is considered one of the town’s most desirable coastal communities. Originally designed by Frederick Olmsted’s landscape architectural firm, it was marketed as a “residence park” with amenities that included a beach, casino and tennis club. This is where a couple with 3 young children bought a 2-story center hall colonial on a private street as their primary residence. Featuring 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and a full basement, this classic white colonial with black shutters was designed and built by the renowned Kaali-Nagy Company of Greenwich—a design build firm founded 40 years ago. Today, it is the premier de-

veloper of ultra-luxury properties in Fairfield County, its name recognized as the standard for sophisticated living. A Relationship with an Interior Designer For this renovation project, the owners hired Linda Ruderman Interiors of Greenwich. An award-winning interior design firm known for its high-end residential design, classic interiors and customer-centric focus. LRI’s success is due to its solid design principals, and its ability to customize each project to create spaces of purpose, practicality and comfort. President and owner, Linda Ruderman, specializes in classical interiors thoughtfully adapted to today ’s modern lifestyles. LRI was a natural choice, because Linda had already worked with the home’s owners on two previous projects: the design of their Tribeca loft and their second home in Pelham, NY. She was already Design + Decor

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familiar with their lifestyle, tastes and needs. “The challenge”, Linda explains, “ was combining the contents of their 2 former residences. Our goal was to use as many pieces as we could in a way that fit into the style of the home and the clients’ lifestyle”. Because this new home was so much larger than the two previous properties combined, she also sourced many additions to its interior, including furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories. By combining the old with the new, Linda created an interior with an

organic, cohesive flow. Linda took the style of the home into consideration when doing the design, saying, “My approach to designing a home is to incorporate the architecture of the house into the interior”. The scope of the work included renovating all the bathrooms, and the entire ground floor, including kitchen, living and dining rooms, foyer and family room.

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The carpet was selected from Stark Carpets. The walls feature De Gournay gold embossed wallcovering with a chinoiserie pattern. The vases on the custom server were designed by LRI.

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The custom carpet is from Stark Carpet A Frank Stella graces the wall above the settee The chair is from Dennis Miller The curtains were designed by Larsen

A Modern and Fun Look Throughout “My clients have extremely fun taste”, Linda told us. “They wanted a design that was young, and somewhere between traditional and contemporary. It needed to be comfortable, family-focused and great for entertaining”. Items on their wish list included separate dressing rooms and bathrooms in the master suite, and identical rooms for their two little girls, but each with a different color scheme. One was pink and the other was blue. Design + Decor

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All the hardware was supplied by Waterworks. The wall sconces are from Circa Lighting. The light blue-gray paint color is Nimbus from Benjamin Moore.

Linda graciously took us on a virtual tour of this spectacular house, explaining her concepts and how she executed them, as we went from one stunning room to another. A Foyer that Wows “I always start with the entry ”, Linda explains. “When the clients bought the house, the foyer had a wood floor, just like the rest of the house, nothing special. I suggested we add some wow factor and a little drama”. And that she did, starting with a custom limestone floor from Paris Ceramics. Working with an existing pattern, she played around with its scale, ultimately coming up with 42

a striking design that her clients loved. “Now the home has the ‘ welcome to my home’ dramatic entrance it deserves”, Linda says. The existing millwork was left in place, with some new paneling added. Linda replaced the high-sheen gloss with one that was softer. The table came from one of the clients’ previous homes, but with a smaller tabletop to fit the foyer. The dramatic chandelier is from Jonathan Browning Studios. The owners’ impressive art collection played a major role in the interior design scheme. Linda took full advantage of the beauty

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The chandelier is by Alison Berger for Holly Hunt. The carpet was selected from L&M. The summer dining room opens up into a lush back yard.

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and scope of the pieces, hanging a large Lichtenstein on one wall, as well as matching Picassos over the console tables flanking the entry into the dining room. An Elegant Living Room The living room is a combination of existing furniture from the clients’ other residences that Linda had reupholstered, and new pieces that she selected to complement the look. For this comfortable but stately room, Linda added a coffee table from Holly Hunt, a custom Stark carpet, a pair of Holly Hunt drink tables, and a Philip Jeffries wallcovering. Because the focal point of the room is the Frank Stella artwork hung over the small sofa, everything else was toned down so as not to distract from its beauty. A Family-Centric Library Linda prefers to call the library “the formal family room”, where the family can get together and enjoy each other’s company. This room was completely renovated, using reupholstered furniture from the clients’ other homes, and marvelous new additions chosen by Linda. They include Studio Van Den Akker chairs, a carpet from Stark, a Philip Jeffries wood veneer wallcovering, and a custom hair-on hide that Linda designed with Kyle Bunting. The trussed ceiling, designed by Linda, features a custom chandelier by Wired. The Two Dining Rooms The majestic colonial features two dining rooms: a formal dining room and a summer dining room. The focal point of the main dining room is a fiber-optic light fixture by artist Sharon Marston. The summer dining room, just off the kitchen, is reimagined from the family ’s Tribeca loft. Every piece from the ManhatDesign + Decor

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tan apartment was incorporated into this gorgeous second dining room, even the built-in, which was dismantled and reassembled in the new home. A custom light fixture by Alison Berger for Holly Hunt, graces the summer dining room. A Brand New Kitchen The original kitchen was completely renovated with the addition of a butler’s pantry, which was painted, along with the island, in Benjamin Moore Nimbus, a light blue gray with a high gloss. Linda selected all new hardware from Waterworks, a backsplash from Artistic Tile, Circa Lighting wall fixtures and added new cabinetry. Everything came together with a charming, welcoming look. A Masterful Master Bathroom The master bathroom was a full gut renovation. Linda designed a custom marble floor in collaboration with Waterworks, and installed a custom wallcovering by De Gournay, complete with beadDesign + Decor

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The free-standing tub is from Waterworks, curtains from Larsen. The custom armoire was designed by LRI.

ed centers. Linda designed the custom armoire herself. The intricate laser-cut millwork reflects the floor design. “It was an amazing renovation”, Linda concludes. “We are very proud that we did everything – all the bathrooms, kitchen and complete lower level – in just 8 months! Our clients are over-the-moon in love with their new home”. And well they should be, with the perfect interior for their magnificent colonial home. Resource: Linda Ruderman Interiors Linda Ruderman 74 Greenwich Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 203.552.9700 lindaruderman.com

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EVERYDAY GETAWAY A young family exchanges the city life for an everyday weekend lifestyle Story by Heather Shoning Photography by Neil Landino

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eghan Pardi got tired of packing up and leaving the city for Sag Harbor or Windham for the weekends with her active family. They longed for easy access to beloved activities, such as sailing and skiing. While city living with the children was easy when they were young, as they got older and more involved in sports, it meant packing up each weekend—so, they jumped ship. They always knew if they were going to leave the city, Greenwich would be their first choice. They are big boaters, so they wanted a place near the water, and as it turned out, they bought the home of the first Commodore and founder of the Riverside Yacht Club. In 1888, George I. Tyson gave a portion of his own land to establish the club where the Pardi children now sail. “Life is simpler; we stay home on weekends,” Meghan says. “The kids have local friends and sail at the yacht club right next door.”

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Fresh white woodwork and the updated marble slab on the fireplace give this living room a modern take on a traditional home. The grand staircase takes on a modern twist with square-edged stair treads and new rail spindles in a clean, geographic design.

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The homeowners—especially Meghan—were very involved in the design of this new home. “Because they had had a weekend house in Sag Harbor, they knew what they wanted here, to serve as a weekend retreat and everyday home. This is everything in one,” says Nancy Galasso of Nancy Galasso Interiors. Rewriting History While the location and bones of the Victorian home were top-notch, the finishes felt dark and heavy. The homeowner wanted a fresh, modern take on the historic property. “We wanted to retain the beautiful character of the home,” Meghan says. She turned to Galasso and Diane Karmen Interiors for assistance. “They helped with the finishes and new decor in our Sag Harbor new construction home as well as our ski home in Windham,” she says.

The formal dining space features the homeowner’s favorite blue with contrasting head chairs that have clear acrylic legs. The acrylic makes them feel light and airy contrasted against the dark navy table. The geographic upholstery lightens the mood of this more-formal space.

To make the home fit the new family, they added an attached garage and mudroom, removed some interior walls to open spaces and eliminated one bedroom in favor of a larger primary suite with a sitting area and a large closet. But the heavy lifting—as far as the aesthetic of the home goes—came in the form of updating the home’s fireplaces, painting the oak Design + Decor

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millwork and adding in modern touches. “He’s more traditional and she’s a bit more modern,” says Galasso. “The house was very traditional because it was close to 150 years old. So, the project was about marrying the traditional with the modern.” In its long history, the home has been remodeled and additions tacked on to the original footprint, but the woodwork—typical of the home’s style, there is a lot of it—remained natural oak creating a heavy, dark feel throughout the space. It was in great shape, so the designers opted to simplify the profile around the windows, and then painted it all white for the fresh, clean look the homeowners wanted. They updated the staircase; it retains its Victorian charm but with modern treads and railing pickets. Each addition to the home brought its own style and created a patchwork of flooring—all wood but a variety of wood species and plank sizes. “Some of the floors came from trees that had been on the property,” says Meghan. She loved the character but wanted a hint of consistency. “We redid the floors to a more neutral gray,” says Galasso. “There were probably four different floors in the house from all the different additions.” The design duo created other updates that eliminated some of the fussiness of the Victorian and replaced it with a modern take. For instance, the built-in in the dining room was heavy and “serious looking,” said Karmen. So, they replaced Design + Decor

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Galasso and Karmen were able to salvage much of the original cabinetry and gave it a fresh look with white paint. The marble cabinetry was also from the original kitchen. The glass half wall is the perfect solution for retaining the bi-level organization of this kitchen and family area while keeping the wide-open feel the homeowner wanted.

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The homeowners’ love to entertain and this game room is the perfect spot for the children and friends to gather.

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it with a modern version that would function better while adding an updated touch to the space. They eliminated a wall with a hulking fireplace that separated the kitchen from the family room and replaced it with a glass half wall that still creates separation, because the family room sits a few steps lower than the kitchen. They updated the remaining fireplace in the living room to a large marble slab surround with a rounded opening. To suit the family’s active lifestyle, they also added outdoor living spaces and a swimming pool. Finishing Touches Because the point of this relocation was to combine the family’s active lifestyle with everyday life without leaving home, Galasso and Karmen took that into consideration when planning the gathering spaces of the home. It was easy to create the balance of the traditional with the modern by keeping many of the traditional bones of the space and mixing in modern furnishings. “We kept their front door, their whole entryway, which is very traditional, and it looks great,” says Galasso. “Then you walk into the living room to see more modern pieces of furniture.” A clear acrylic coffee table and gold accent tables and lamps throughout the space give it a crisp, elegant feel while the plush sofas and poufs for additional seating Design + Decor

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give the more formal seating area a less formal vibe, perfect for this family. Although the renovation called for lots of white woodwork and gray flooring, the homeowner didn’t want her home to appear too monochromatic. So, her favorite color—blue— emerges in a variety of forms throughout the design. Once a closed-off space, the kitchen and family room area now open to one another offering the family a relaxed atmosphere. “They wanted a comfortable, updated family area, so, it’s not uber modern, but it’s not traditional either,” says Karmen. In the kitchen, they managed to save much of the cabinetry and gave it a fresh, crisp white painted finish. They also saved the original thick marble countertops, and then because the family needed a larger island, they supplemented cabinetry and opted for a granite countertop with a soft linen finish. There is a casual dining table in the kitchen, as well as seating Design + Decor

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Because this home was designed for staying put instead of escaping on the weekends, a pool and several gathering areas were important to the design. The children can have friends over while the adults also have plenty of space to mingle.

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at the island. A few steps down, and past the glass half wall, is the casual family room. “We love the openness when you walk in,” Meghan says. “Previously there was wall and fireplace between the kitchen and family room.” An overstuffed sectional with an accompaniment of comfortable chairs offers ample room for the whole family to gather. Windows and doors line two sides of the sunny space. “When you look through the kitchen and in the family room, in a certain direction, you can see Long Island Sound,” Karmen says. The French doors lead to the entirely new outdoor space designed for entertaining with several seating areas, a firepit and a new swimming pool. “Originally, there was no access to backyard,” says Meghan. “We put in windows to have views of the water and backyard. We also added French doors and a deck off the kitchen for outdoor living with dining and lots of gathering spaces.” In addition, the home’s lower level features a large entertaining space with a screening room and a game room with a pool table. Although it’s in the lower level, the space is still bright and cheerful. The design team hired Deux Femmes Decorative Art to create a fun paint treatment for the walls above the wainscot, and the furnishings are made for casual fun, such as

the director-style chairs and bar-height upholstered benches in bright red. “With this home, our kids have more space to run around. They can swim and it’s much easier living than in the city. The kids bike around our neighborhood, my son plays lacrosse and practices in the front yard, boating is easier—we can even walk to our boat,” Meghan says. “With Nancy and Diane—I’ve done multiple projects with them—I always love the finished project. Each one has felt very appropriate to the place but unique and in sync with our sense of aesthetic.” Resource: Nancy Galasso Interiors Nancy Galasso Diane Karmen 1559 Post Road Fairfield, CT 06824 203-981-8587 nancygalassointeriors.com

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ESTATE SIDE Lake life in Syracuse calls for a Georgian manor Story by Heather Shoning | Photography by Durston Saylor

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here’s something both stately and understated about Georgian architecture. Its essence hearkens back to early colonization in the early 1700s, when settlers used British architectural building manuals—pattern books. The construction of these buildings reflected colonial growth and prosperity. The imposing stone or brick façade and stature give this style its grandness, while the calming symmetry gives it an inviting air. The same is true of the Georgian manor that sits on the shoreline of Skaneateles Lake outside Syracuse, NY, which was designed by Wadia Associates, based in New Canaan, CT.

Mimicking historic Georgian properties, the home exudes a feeling of history, as though it were added onto over time, with the central main area being stone, while other sections have siding. The observatory features the carved limestone panels over the windows as a nod to the family that lives here.

The homeowner knew exactly what she wanted, and Dinyar Wadia, principal of Wadia Associates, was able to translate the client’s words and hundreds of inspiration photos into the language of this opulent home. “She was very focused and knew exactly what she wanted,” says Dinyar. “She wanted a Georgian house, which is a very formal style without it being staunch.” A variety of design elements Design + Decor

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The grand staircase, window and ceiling ornamentation takes its cues from British neoclassical architect Robert Adams.

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While the doors and windows remain the same throughout the home, the living room takes a departure with additional vertical casings on the fireplace wall and in the corners of the room. The egg-and-dart pattern graces the cornice in this room.

come together to achieve the formal design that still feels like a warm family home. According to Dinyar, the color and texture of the siding, the proportion of the doors and windows, and the dormers and the lookout on the top give the exterior of the home the relaxed Georgian feel. Growing Up with Architecture Designing a project of this magnitude requires a sophistication of talent—a deep understanding of the language of the period architecture, as well as a love for the craft. Dinyar came by both organically. While he was growing up in Mumbai, his mother was a builder specializing in condominiums. He jokes that while the structures she built made her wealthy, they were not particularly beautiful. “She had an architect, Mr. Thucker, who didn’t have any taste except the taste in his mouth, and his designs were awful,” Dinyar says. “So I always said to her that one day I’d show her she can do better than Mr. Thucker.” Joking aside, Mumbai is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in the world, and Dinyar’s mother was sure to expose him to it. “I lived two minutes’ walking distance from some of the more beautiful build-

ings in the world,” he says, “and even though she was intent on making money, she was also intent on pointing out to me the beauty of these buildings.” Dinyar attended the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, which at the time offered a faculty in architecture undergraduate degree. He learned all about proportion in classical architecture there by doing numerous measured drawings. “Every year you’d have to do two or three existing buildings that you measured, and then you drew them up to scale,” he says. “That’s the best way to learn good proportion in classical design.” By the time he finished school, he had designed three apartment buildings that his mother had built. Dinyar went on to get his master’s degree from Columbia University, and then to work for one of his professors as an apprentice of sorts before striking out on his own. Employing His Talent In 2020, the Institute of Traditional Architecture named Wadia AssociDesign + Decor

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ates Number 9 on its list of top traditional architects in the world. It’s easy to see why Wadia was the top choice to design this sprawling Georgian home. Leading a team of three architects from his firm, Dinyar spent nearly two years overseeing the project down to the very last detail. The hallmarks of the style on the exterior of this home include the symmetrical form and placement of multi-pane windows, a hipped roofline, stone walls, the elaborate entry portico and door surround, ornamental cornice and the belt course running horizontal through the middle of the structure. “Every home is such an intimate place for a family, and it has to carry the distinct signature of the owners when you’re building a house like this,” says Joel Pidel, senior design associate. “There’s nothing prefabricated about this. Every grout line, every molding, every floorboard is thought about and detailed so nothing is overlooked.” To that end, to meet this homeowner’s desires and needs for her legacy property, says Joel, the interior details sometimes take leave of a strict Georgian style. “It’s not specifically Georgian throughout, though it draws on the work of architects David Adler and Charles Platt,” he says. “Certain rooms have a different flavor than you might have found in a period Georgian house—for instance, the finishes, colors and other ornamental features.”

Very much a mix of styles, the dining room displays an overt chinoiserie style in the wallcovering and furnishings, while the millwork remains Georgian in nature.

A recognizable example of this blended styling is the dining room, with its Georgian modillion blocks, chinoiserie wallpaper, lattice-style fretwork in the chairs and overDesign + Decor

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The look in this family kitchen is very much a departure from the rules of Georgian design, and is instead designed for casual living. The room provides ample seating areas as well as space for making everyday meals.

doors, and classically traditional fireplace design. “The inspiration for this room was taken from a dining room the owner had seen in a book about David Adler’s architecture,” says Joel. To ensure that no space feels out of place or takes too deep a departure from the Georgian style, certain design elements repeat throughout the home, with only slight changes. The doors and windows are the same throughout. The cornice carries through most rooms of the home with slight variations—for example, some rooms have an egg-and-dart pattern, while others have a lamb’s-tongue detail. The baseboard and casing profiles might repeat through a suite of rooms, but the next suite might exhibit a variation on the previous motifs as a way to provide variety within familial unity. The methodology behind this design mimics the one settlers followed in building these homes—there is a hierarchy. “The more important rooms get the more elaborate or larger molding profiles, and the lesser important rooms tend to get smaller and less elaborate profiles,” says Joel. “That serves both a hierarchical function and as a function of cost. The more expensive rooms are going to be the public rooms and the primary suite.” He adds that a certain amount of negotiation happens during the design. “You’re trying to give the client what they want, but when you’ve been doing this for 15, 20 or in some cases 40 years, you might know a little bit more 72

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than the client doing it for the first time,” he says. “And there’s a give-andtake in the process of educating the clients while trying to give them what they want, by translating what they are asking for from another context into this specific context.” Dinyar says the client came into this project very clear on what she wanted because she had done her homework and had many inspiration images. “Her reference library is probably better than most architect offices’ reference libraries,” he says. And because she was so well-educated on the period style, she questioned Dinyar at every turn. “She is a fantastic client—very focused and very challenging,” he says. “I had to prove to her each time I did something that it was just the right thing to do.” By way of example, the homeowner challenged Dinyar on the design of the Dutch door. “The proportion needs to be a little bit different—because of multiple locking mechanisms—than a regular Dutch door with a spectrum lock,” he says. “And she would not just accept that. She had to research why the door looked different.” Making It Personal Because this home is intended to be a legacy for the family, which includes four children, the homeowner wanted to personalize it in a subtle way. Dinyar came up with the idea of carved limestone panels to represent each child.

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While the service pantry doesn’t exude a Georgian feel, it carries a very classic feel with a highly polished look, adding an almost dark, moody speakeasy feel.

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The home backs up to the Skaneateles Lake, offering multimillion-dollar views and plenty of land to house the pool, pool house, boathouse and more.

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The client shared with him the specific interests of each child, and he created four unique designs that are carved in limestone blocks and embedded in the walls of the conservatory. The estate caters to the way the family lives. Outdoors is a pool with a pool house, tennis courts and a boathouse. Inside, the home features three kitchens, one of which is a large catering kitchen for the extensive entertaining the homeowners do. In the end, the entire estate—especially the main house—is exactly what the homeowner wanted, whether it stuck strictly to Georgian style or not. “The moral of the story is, just because you haven’t done it previously, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try something different,” says Dinyar. “She pushed me, and it was very successful.” Resource: Wadia Associates Dinyer Wadia 134 Main Street New Canaan CT 06840 203.966.0048 Florida Office 375 S County Road Palm Beach FL 33480 561.282.9449 wadiaassociates.com Design + Decor

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PROFILE

A Century of Quality Lumber Work Interstate + Lakeland Lumber Celebrate 100 Years Story by Hunter Powell

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or decades, Interstate + Lakeland Lumber has supplied clients with full service building materials and the finest custom millwork around. But in 2022, they have something a little extra to celebrate as they commemorate the company’s 100th year in business. Interstate + Lakeland Lumber was started all the way back in 1922 by Leon Kahan. Beginning as a simple woodshop, the business would continue to grow over the years into a thriving lumber business. In modern times, the company supplies all things necessary for quality builds and covers a wide variety of innovative products to ensure that every build made with their materials is of the highest quality. The Kahan name has carried on through the years as well. Interstate + Lakeland Lumber takes great pride in having been family owned and operated since the very beginning in 1922. Sheldon Kahan is the current president and CEO, and marks the third generation of the family to run the business. His son, Ben Kahan, who is their current senior marketing manager is also the 4th generation to work for company. Ben had a lot to say about the pride the company takes in supplying innovative quality materials of a wide variety. Ben says that Interstate “serves businesses and homeowners with the latest and most innovative features for whatever they might need to build. Lumber is really only a small part of what we do. Whether it be doors, windows, decking, siding, or whatever may need to be built, we do it all. From a simple 2x4 to an entire home, we make sure that it’s done the right way every time”. Their biggest pride and joy is their custom mill work shop, that supplies every client with made to order work for whatever they might need to build. Ben describes it as “a massive 40,000 foot facility where

all the mill work done is done in house”. This is also where all of their company’s signature collections are built, such as their molding collection that features designs from throughout the company’s history. According to Ben, the team at Interstate always have their “ears to the ground” to keep up with the best new practices for quality lumber work. “We are always hungry to learn more about everything in the business”. This includes so much more than just lumber. A recent prevailing build material that the company is able to mold and supply is PVC. Ben explained that the material is much more efficient than wood due to its ability to last the lifetime of the home while wood will decay over time. “Come to us and our team and you are getting the full benefits of our century of experience. We always make sure we’re delivering the best and newest high-end products. Our wealth of knowledge and experience that we have on our team makes us the number one stop for all building materials”. Ben could not have described why Interstate + Lakeland Lumber has had so much success as a family run business for 100 years. As they prepare to release a book on their company’s rich history, the future could not look any brighter for Interstate or their clients. Here’s to another 100 years for Interstate + Lakeland Lumber providing people with the tools necessary to build with quality in all things big and small. Interstate + Lakeland Lumber Ben Kahan 247 Mill Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.413.1684 interstatelumber.com Design + Decor

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PROFILE

New York’s Finest Arrives in Florida West Chin Architects Are Bringing Top Quality Design to Miami

est Chin has been one of the most notable names in New York architecture and interior design for many years now, winning numerous awards and earning a place on multiple lists as one of the best designers in New York City. West owns three architectural design branches under the name West Chin Architects in New York and Connecticut, with three accompanying showrooms featuring top of the line high-end home collections under the name West Out East. Being named one of the top 100 best architects in New York City is no small feat, but it all comes with the territory for a high-end designer like West. With so many clients moving to Florida however, it was time for West Chin Architects to explore new horizons and open a brand-new design office right here in South Florida. Located in beautiful Coconut Grove in Miami, West’s team has already hit the ground running, bringing their distinct high-end design work to Florida. “We have already begun work on several projects here in Miami and are very excited about being in The Grove. Miami and South Florida as a whole are optimal for what we want out of design,” says West. With so many new homeowners here in Florida, West bringing his vast array of high-end design experience from New York to Florida is highly valuable. For West Chin, calling his knowledge in the field great is underselling him, as his drive to craft beautiful homes has been a lifelong passion. West started learning the trade of architecture around the age of 12 from his father who also worked in the industry. From there, he never looked back. West opened his first design/ build firm in 1992, which would prove to be the foundation for the very first branch of West Chin Architects. His team has 30 years of high-level accolades in design and quality work to back that up, but for West and his team, it all begins and ends with the client experience. West explained, “We do everything from the ground up, from construction of brand-new homes all the way to decorating homes themselves. What we really try to do for our clients though is curation for their lifestyle. We are really good about listening to clients so that we can reflect their lifestyle and comfort.” Being one of the top designers in New York comes with crafting some of the most stylish and modern homes around of course, but what makes the team at

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Story by Hunter Powell | Photographs by Marco Petrini, Eric Laignel and Jessica Dalene Weber

West Chin Architects great is their ability to combine that style with functionality that is tailor fit for each client. West describes this process as, “listening to the client and understanding their needs even when they cannot fully communicate it.” For instance, if a client mentions they eat out a lot, then they, West’s team, knows that they should design the kitchen with the deliberate thought that appliances and surfaces won’t be used as much. Whereas designing a kitchen for a family with kids that cook every night needs to have safety measures put in place to make sure kids are not hurting themselves on the appliances. Combining style with functionality sometimes also means working with limited ability while still maximizing a home. West describes this through a recent project in Rhode Island, saying, “This was a jewel box house on the ocean, and because of environmental restrictions it was very small for a high-end home. The challenges presented in this coastal environment were very different compared to the city, so we had to maximize what we were given. So we decided to put their swimming pool on the roof, which turned out to be amazing. It gave far greater use for a roof terrace and allowed for a full view of both sunrises and sunsets from the pool. That’s how we work to get everyone’s lifestyle into their home no matter where they are”. With their new branch here in Florida, it surely won’t be the last magical home that they create on the ocean. West says, “Our goal here in Miami is to bring new ideas to the industry here in Florida where it is lacking in resources. We have a lot of people who are moving here to these areas from other places like New York but they don’t have as many designers who are prepared for their wants and needs. We are looking to fill that gap”. One thing is for certain, West Chin Architects are a name to keep your eye on for years to come here in South Florida, West Chin Architects & Interiors Designers West Chin New York City East Hampton, NY Westport, CT Miami. FL wcarchitect.com

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