East Coast Home + Design V15 Issue 5 by East Coast Home Publishing

EAST

COAST

HOME+DESIGN CONNECTICUT | NEW JERSEY | NEW YORK

$5.95 US

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THE DESIGN ISSUE 9/14/18 2:09 PM

THE PLAYERS

EAST

COAST

HOME+DESIGN

C D

H I

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P O

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THE DESIGN ISSUE A. Catherine Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;arbanville / Design Sherpa

M. Jan Hiltz / Jan Hiltz Interiors

B. Trish Herson / Design Sherpa

N. Christine Hiltz / Jan Hiltz Interiors

C. Linda Ruderman / Linda Ruderman Interiors

O. Sabrina Mastroianni / Sabrina Ann Interiors

D. Lara Michelle / Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors

P. Jennifer Howard / JWH Design + Cabinetry

E. Elisa Grayer / Elisa Grayer Interiors

Q. Julie White / Julie White Interiors

F. Ralph Vuolo / Ralph Vuolo Interiors

R. Melissa Adams / Adams Interior Design

G. Amy Zolin / Clarity Interiors

S. Monica Kahn / Monica Kahn Design

H. Robin McGarry / Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

T. Cami Weinstein / Cami Weinstein Interiors

I. Dwayne Bergmann / Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

U. Diana Weinstein / Diana Weinstein Designs

J. Debra Yelner / DLY Interiors

V. Dinyar Wadia / Wadia Associates

K. Katherine Kelly Rhudy / Reed & Acanthus Interior Design

W. Lisa Davenport / Lisa Davenport Designs

L. Amy Andrews / Hilton Interiors

X. Maria Lolacono / Maria Lolacono Interiors

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EAST

COAST

HOME+DESIGN VOLUME 15 ISSUE 5 | 2018

Culture

The 2018 Annual Interior Design Issue

114 Home as a Work of Art-

Monica Kahnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegant interior design for her personal home has created a magnificent masterpiece in Scarsdale, New York Story by Anastasia Storer Photography by Peter Krupenye

128 Downsizing in

Downtown Greenwich

Debra Yelner of DLY Design helps her client downsize from a country estate home

Story by Anastasia Storer Photography by Kyle Norton

DEPARTMENTS 18 24 38

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Editors Letter Ask The Experts Art Department

20 30 142

Melange In The Field Profile

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E A S T

C O A S T

HOME+DESIGN VOLUME 15 ISSUE 5 - 2018

Editor-in-Chief Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen Contributing Writers Deborah Brannon, Lisa Gant, Susan Heller, Pam Gersh, Jessica Rivest, Kait Shea, Anastasia Storer Contributing Photographers Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Phillip Ennis, Tria Giovan, John Gruen, John Hannon, Paul Johnson, Neil Landino, Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Daniel Milstein, Janice Parker, Durston Saylor, Debra Somerville, Eric Striffler, Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography Copy Editor Elena Serocki Graphic & Web Design East Coast Home Publishing

Publisher Shelley E. McCormick smccormick@eastcoasthomepublishing.com 203-545-7091 Account Managers Alessandra Flanagan Teressa Mazzara East Coast Home + Design 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 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 Publishing, 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 or e-mail: mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by East Coast Home + Design are not necessarily those of the magazine.

EAST COAST HOME PUBLISHING 7485 Inspira Circle #1203 Naples, Florida 34113 EASTCOASTHOMEPUBLISHING.COM

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EDITOR’S LETTER

F S A C

or the first issue of this new year, we have introduced pecialty we enter This theour “dog the years day term weofcame summer, up we isspaces. theinto theme ofis this Design Issue and asulture new roundtable to group of’s” informative andwith infor find those thesay, time rooms to that enjoy don’t family fit into and friends. the usual Entergenre Iteresting must our designers came to the plate with articles. The First Annual Kitchen Designer of taining the truly home. in our These backyards rooms andareenjoying cool....really our Staycool. some amazing examples of working with Roundtable. They cations. the spaces that not a homefeaas their are clients to integrate thisonly intodefine each home unique, but give you a little insight into the persontured in this issue. We have brought together a talented group of heavy-hitting designers alities While enjoying the ahomeowners this much themselves. needed a look around to talk of about variety of topics such downtime, as: trends intake kitchen design, the your home. Ask yourself what would you change to make All of our designers did a wonderful job. Not only that, but they changing landscape of the buyer and how to identify and marketyour to a We home had more so much enjoyable fun andgate-fold thethis envysection of thetogether neighborhood. Well, Like all look stunning on putting our cover! So muchfor funyou. putting new generation of clients. kids this issue issue in a together. candy of Eaststore. Coast Home Home theaters, + Design wineisrooms, the perfect man caves, place unique to start. offices on roundtable and on andinon. What’s not love!of South We produced thisand lively partnership withtoClarke INorwalk, would like to thank Stark in Stamford for hosting our annual where the event was held, as well as a fantastic meal following Working This issue with is our packed partners with to compile Amazing this Transformations. section was fun as well. photoshoot, they were gracious hosts and helped make this very the discussion provided by Match Restaurant of South Norwalk.From Each Architecture talented firm Interiors, was soThanks excited Kitchens share to for Landscapes, each with we’ve us that got special for all to involved. totothem allspace of their efforts. it you made covered. me realize The talented just how firms lucky included we all are in to this be able issue to provide do this East Coast Home + Design would like to thank Sean Clarke, Marco for you living. many We all creative get to to solutions make people to enhance your allwith gethome totoon take life Thisa with is such a fun issue put together. It’s We wonderful have Barallon and Heather Beland of Clarke forhappy. partnering us thea persons through wildest thoughtful dreams beauty. for their home and make it a reality. My all of the creative firms in the same room, catching up, exchangevent, the talented chefs from Match for providing a wonderful meal partners get to enjoying design itofwhat and and share it share with ing all ideas and is theit basis ofget ourto and of the participants the build roundtable forwe taking thepublication... time to you. Take your time with this edition, hear what our industry partCommunity. their infinite knowledge of this very intricate segment of the shelter ners have toour sayreaders. about the issues of each project and their industry with We solutions. hope that this you issue. enjoy this as are much as we do. We had a blast Please enjoy The issue stories a wonderful read and who putting it together. I hope this inspires you to take a lighter side knows, it may give you the opportunity to connect with certain We hope you all enjoy this new addition and much as we all did producwhen Creativity it comes flows to through your home the and pages. have a little fun when planning designers for your next project! ing it for you and look forward to making this a staple in our publicayour tion. next project. Enjoy, Until our next issue, The Architects Issue, I wish you all the Enjoy, best. Enjoy,

Matthew Matthew Kolk Kolk

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- Editor in Chief -- Editor Editor in in Chief Chief

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MELANGE

PERFECTLY PLUM TINA ANASTASIA

MARKFINLAY.COM

Splinter Works “Hammock Bath Tub” Designed by XYZ Designers and Photo by Samar Al RawasStuck by the synergy between shapes of two compelling symbols of relaxation, a hammock and a bath tub. Suspended from the walls, it does not touch the floor, waste water flows directly into a floor drain underneath. markfinlay.com

Holly Hunt- “Lens Table” -Design by McCollin Bryan Plum glass top with black metal frame markfinlay.com

KitchenAid “Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Mixer in Plum Berry with Glass Bowl” kitchenaid.com

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Marie Burgos Design – “Ballroom Molecular Chandelier” in Purple Rain Mouth blown purple glass with hand painted edge and polished gold base markfinlay.com

Jan-Kath -“Serapi Queensbury Double Sky” rug in the yellow / purple silk markfinlay.com

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MELANGE

NOW WE’RE COOKIN’ ILVE APPLIANCES ILVEAPPLIANCES.COM

“ILVE’s style is constantly evolving and adapting while still keeping true to its old-world Italian charm,” says Melissa Haber, Vice President for EuroChef USA. “An ILVE range is the focal point of the kitchen, and the new solid door option is another way that designers and consumers can personalize their appliance for a look that is truly their own.”

ILVE Pro Series: Modern Italian Design for the Masses A sleek, modern design and a sharp price point matched with ILVE’s superior quality ensure that this is no ordinary kitchen appliance. The new line flaunts chef quality features including a removable griddle, high BTU brass burners and a built-in warm drawer to keep cooked food at an ideal temperature for serving. Meet the ILVE Majestic II Collection: Old-World Style with New-World Cooking Technology The new collection features all of the elements customers know and love from the longstanding favorite Majestic collection with upgrades for style and efficiency. A highly sought after 36” size option will be available in 2018, with 30”, 40”, 48” and 60” sizes to follow. Designers and homeowners can choose between gas, dual fuel and induction top connection options. ILVE will be the first appliance company to offer a 40” induction range in the U.S. Market

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Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ILVE Majestic Solid Door Range: Traditional Style Redefined ILVE, known for their handcrafted Italian appliances, adds even more ways to customize their award winning ranges with a new, traditionally inspired solid door option for the ILVE Majestic collection. The new solid door range is completely windowless and features traditional ILVE Majestic handrails on the oven doors.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Custom Collaborations with Connecticut Stone Story by Tyra Dellacroce

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onnecticut Stone in Milford, CT, has been in business for 70 years, and although many things in the industry have changed over that time, one thing has remained the same: lifestyle plays a big role in what works for each client. “We start by asking a lot of questions about culture, how people live, how they entertain, what their family looks like and what’s important to them,” says Tyra Dellacroce of Connecticut Stone. For instance, if the homeowner is a cook, he or she will need countertops that can withstand wear and tear, and may want different types of surfaces throughout the kitchen. If clients are designing a second home that won’t be used yearround, they may favor beauty over durability. Quality is always important, however. “We deal with clients all over the lifestyle spectrum today: empty nesters, young families and single-person households,” says Tyra. Other important trends Tyra sees are people downsizing or rightsizing and living in urban areas

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for the convenience and lifestyle options they find there. In a kitchen in Fairfield County, CT, the client wanted a comfortable, beautiful getaway for her family. The countertops in the island are Red Fire granite in a very bold, two-toned hue. “She wanted her family and guests to be able to sit, eat, drink and not worry about maintenance,” says Tyra. The Red Fire granite has so much contrast that wooden chairs were used at the counter to pick up the warmer tones. On the lower perimeter of the countertops, the client chose Calacatta marble in white with gray undertones for her work area because she has no problem taking care of it as she cooks. The contrast between the eating space and the workspace is one of the most striking elements of the kitchen because all the surfaces work so well together. For the backsplash, the homeowner chose an industrial Neolith slab in dark gray, with a metallic

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sheen that is only one-quarter-inch thick to give it a seamless look. “The really neat thing about this client was that she was not married to trends; she knew who she was and exactly what she wanted,” says Tyra. “She made a replica of a light fixture that she loved from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and used it over the dining table.” The client’s eclectic taste comes through in other features, too, such as the Walt Whitman quote over the cabinets, which reads, “I sing the body electric” in neon lights. “The finished project is a sleek, modern space that exudes warmth just like the client,” concludes Tyra. The bathroom in a house in Westchester County, NY, was designed around creating a “ wow” factor: the client envisioned it as a piece of art that would leave his guests feeling energized and excited. “He is an empty nester, so this is not the primary bathroom and he doesn’t have to be concerned about young

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children,” says Tyra. “The entire project was totally design-driven, because he is a big lover of art and wanted to be inspired whenever he walks into the room.” A lot of thought went into how to best “ wrap” the slabs around the niches in the walls. The bathroom features an open shower concept, and everything is either waterproof or clad in marble. Olympic Striato marble in gray and white was used throughout the room on walls, floors and the ceiling. A floating vanity with a pure white marble top is inset with motherof-pearl on either side of the sink. The contractor for the project was DPD Builders in Bedford, NY. “The client was very happy and excited about the finished project,” says Tyra. “One of our primary goals is to make sure there is no buyer’s remorse; that’s why we ask so many questions upfront.” The owner of a home in Fairfield County, CT, wanted one thing: a very large custom-built integrated trough sink. The family has an active household, so the kitchen gets a lot of traffic and a thorough workout every single day. The green Costa Esmeralda granite that the client selected was her “happy ” color and serves as a reminder that life isn’t always so hectic. It’s also durable, maintenance-free and beautiful—a necessity for a busy family. “She wanted a large sink to handle the needs of her large family, so we designed a fourfoot-long sink, and she was ecstatic,” says Tyra. This one-of-a-kind custom kitchen was a collaboration among Connecticut Stone, interior designer Amy Zolin of Clarity Home Interiors, and Beinfield Architecture. The custom-gray limestone countertops in Pietra Del Cardosa were cut to a thickness of one and five-eighths inches and feature a coin edge detail all the way around. “A large family lives here, and even though the countertops are not maintenance-free, these clients were willing to accept the material’s limitations because of its aesthetic value,” says Tyra. “The kitchen is gorgeous.” Connecticut Stone worked with G2 Design and Mark Finlay Architects to design this kitchen around the individual needs and tastes of the clients. The wife is a serious cook, and they both love the outdoors. “We put together a combination of materials that honored her background in landscape design, and out of that grew the countertop herb garden that can be harvested year-round,” says Tyra. They chose a white Calacatta Caldia marble with gray veining for the kitchen countertops and a backsplash in Jazz Glass by Artistic Tile. The island is accented with blue upholstered chairs for a more traditional feel that the husband loves. The Calacatta marble is not maintenance-free, but the homeowners felt confident that they would be careful cooks in the kitchen. “Even though the house is quite large, because these clients travel quite a bit, they didn’t need a huge kitchen, so they focused on quality,” notes Tyra. “That’s one of the biggest trends we see today.” Resources: Connecticut Stone Tyra Dellacroce 138 Woodmont Road Milford, CT 06460 203.882.1000 connecticutstone.com

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IN THE FIELD

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A New Wrinkle in Kitchen + Bath Design Photos by Frank Webb

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Frank Webb Home’s new location in Piscataway, New Jersey

t’s an exciting time to be designing kitchens and baths. Once thought to be the utilitarian rooms in the home, both bathrooms and kitchens today offer a signature expression of each homeowner ’s lifestyle. Whether you have small or large spaces, there are trending products that can actually change the way you live and how you feel about the place you call home. “ There are so many wonderful new products to consider when you are remodeling or building a new home today,” says Dan Lorenz, director of showrooms for Frank Webb Home. “We’re seeing some very definitive customer trends in our showrooms all over the Northeast. Both designers and homeowners are working to integrate these spaces more

seamlessly into the rest of the home. They ’re choosing products, accessories and finishes that help to eliminate clutter, simplify life and create a more architectural feeling in bathrooms and kitchens, whether they are large or small spaces.” While the introduction of a new color was often the most innovative change in the kitchen and bath industry in the past, now both large manufacturers and independent craftsmen are changing the residential landscape with new designs, fascinating materials and technology that actually makes daily life easier. No longer behind closed doors, bathrooms and kitchens are now being designed as a showpiece that reflects a personal aesthetic. Here are just a few examples of how that is happening:

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Personalized Bath Furniture One of the fastest growing trends is personalized furniture for the bath. Both designers and homeowners are thinking out of the box when it comes to storage solutions for this heavily trafficked space in the home. The traditional vanity, with its cabinet base and toe kick, is being replaced by stunning pieces that set the style for a very personalized room. Some are painted, others weathered or lacquered, with tapered or hairpin

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furniture legs, period details and unique hardware. The exterior styling is only part of the story, however, as the interior of these new bath furniture options include charging stations, flexible storage compartments, roll- out hampers, electrical outlets and more.

of styles and finishes, offer ease of use for any age. Curbless showers, once seen only in healthcare facilities, are now being reimagined in exceptional tile and solid-surface designs and requested for the most exquisite designer projects, due to their beautiful aesthetic and ease of use.

Freestanding Tubs Bathrooms are becoming more architectural, elegant and relaxing, and nowhere is this more evident than with the sculptural design of freestanding tubs. From acrylic to metal to handcrafted solid surface material, these tubs make a statement in any bathroom. Even for the small bathrooms often found in city condos or New England’s iconic cape homes, you can find beautiful freestanding tubs starting at just 54” long.

“Product design today allows homeowners to enjoy both style and function in a whole new way,” says Dan. “We are seeing a very large uptick in accessible living interest. Luckily, homeowners who have enjoyed beautiful homes for decades can age in place and integrate new products that offer comfort and safety without sacrificing the look to which they ’ve become accustomed. Plus, younger homeowners are becoming savvier about the fact that accessible living is a design principle that benefits everyone in the family.”

Redefining Accessible Living If you hear the words “accessible living” and think of institutional design, heavy grab bars and limited options, think again. Remodeling with today ’s beautifully designed accessible living products benefits every member of the family, adds value to your house and may allow you to stay in your home for the rest of your life. Trendy handheld- showers help those with physical challenges and are also great for bathing children or pets. Lever-handle faucets in the bathroom or touch fixtures in the kitchen, available in a myriad

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Resources: Frank Webb Home 180 Centennial Avenue Piscataway, NJ 08854 732.393.7555 For a list of additional locations, please go to: frankwebb.com

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ART DEPARTMENT

Window Dressing Photographer Karen Shulman captures the window displayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Bergdorf Goodman with her own bit of panache. Story by Pam Gersh

Umbrellas

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aren Shulman is a self-taught artist with a natural eye. When she has a camera in her hand, she becomes the producer, set designer and lighting expert of every photo she takes. She sees photography as a theatrical performance in which she is granted the opportunity to blend creativity and imagination and form a unique piece of art. A successful photographer, Karen sells her work and travels the world on trips to build her craft. It is her amazing second act. Karen began in the darkroom in the 1970s, but her dreams of going to art school were sidelined by her father, who told her to do something practical to support herself. “In a way I’m glad I didn’t go to art school because I wasn’t ready,” says Karen. Instead she became an occupational therapist and eventually worked in the pharmaceutical industry, winding up her career in 2012 as an associate director of medical education. In 2007, however, she found herself living by the ocean in Hull, MA, where she took a class with noted photographer and teacher Lance Keimig. “I knew retirement was right around the corner for me,” Karen explains, “and I’d finally have time to dedicate myself to learning more about my passion, photography. This was a way to reinvent myself, because staying in the corporate rat race was not an option. Putting a camera in my hand helped guide me where I needed to go in a time of transition.” Lance was impressed with his stuTaxi

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East Coast Home + Design

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Queen of the Night

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Let them eat Cake

dent. “When I first met Karen, she was just getting started,” he says. “Her energy and enthusiasm were intense, but she didn’t know what to do with it. Over the years, I’ve watched her transformation from an eager student to an exhibiting artist. During that relatively short time, her drive has only intensified, and she has developed a distinctive style and personal vision that are the hallmarks of a mature visual artist. Every time I see her work, Karen blows me away with what she’s created.” As Karen took courses to perfect her technical side and hone her craft, she got jobs in real estate photography to help pay for her trips and education costs. She and her husband, Bill, split their time between homes in Plymouth, MA, and Fort Myers, FL. It was in Florida that another pivotal event changed Karen’s course: She displayed her photos at a street fair in Fort Myers, where she was approached by a gallery owner who encouraged her to create a hard body of work. Over the next few years, Karen put together a collection of images from her travels. “I’ve learned that if I take 500 photographs and get one I love, I consider that a success,” she says.

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During a business trip in New York City in 2009, Karen found herself captivated by Bergdorf Goodman’s window displays. She spent hours photographing the changing windows and light, using the glass as a reflection and juxtaposing the Bergdorf windows with New York City streetscapes. Out of a fascination to see beyond what the customer sees, she began one of her most important projects, “Window Dressing.” The project features 24 extraordinary color shots that capture the interior display of window mannequins and the reflection of the exterior world as it bounces off the windowpane. Two distinctly different worlds of fantasy and reality are blended into one unique moment. “Window Dressing is ever-evolving, and I return frequently to shoot more images so more pieces are added to the collection every year,” she says.

Artist Studio

Karen had her first solo show of Window Dressing in Fort Myers in 2014. Judith Liegeois, owner of the eponymous gallery in Naples, FL, loved Karen’s work and asked that her photographs be displayed in her galleries. “Karen’s eye, through the lens of her camera, is transporting,” says Judith. “I feel as though I have entered into her photographs when I look at them.” Karen has sold 18 pieces of the collection at the Judith Liegeois Gallery. “Judith encouraged me to make my pieces larger, into 40- by 60-inch images, and she sells them to the public at two storefronts and through her interior design group,” says Karen. “She’s championed my work and been my most ardent fan and patron. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”

18 N. Union St, Lambertville NJ 08530 P: 609.773.0224 www.pirelaatelier.com New Jersey | New York | Florida

Interior, Commercial & Landscape Design New Construction & Renovations

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Bergdorf Girl

Feathers and Lace

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Over The Moon

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Karen also credits much of her success to other mentors and supporters, including Bobbi Lane, a commercial photographer in Boston. “Much of Karen’s work is dynamic,” says Bobbi, “like the Window Dressing series, which provides insight into many layers of our commercial and tangible ‘exterior’ world. Each object or scene has its own presence and dignity, like an old soul who has seen much in his lifetime. The quality of light and stillness of Karen’s compositions invite us into the inner world of peace and serenity. It’s impressive that one artist can understand the depth in both existences and bring forth the story that will touch the viewer.” Karen has won multiple awards, including Best Photograph for Ice Lagoon in Iceland from Still Points Art Quarterly magazine, and Best In Show for Stairway to Heaven from the South Shore Art Association. Her work has also appeared in many art shows in the Boston area, and is frequently featured in art industry magazines. “What I have learned in my second act is that it’s okay to break the rules,” says Karen. “Having confidence to do what I want is the real game changer in everything I create— completely different from working in the corporate world.” Karen believes the keys to her success are seeking advice from others and remaining open-minded about her work. “The transition from the corporate world to the art world made me slow down and stay in the moment, because when I have a camera in my hands, I fall captive to the world of observation.” Resources Karen Shulman

Photo Credit: Bobbi Lane

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Karen Shulman Karen Shulman Photography kshulman.com

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CULTURE The sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another.

2018 ANNUAL INTERIOR DESIGN ISSUE

here is more to the concept of culture than ancestry and heritage. For Susan Tully, working with these clients involved creating a home environment that would provide a refuge away from their hectic, fast-paced work culture. “ They wanted a place where they can retreat to enjoy the beautiful nature surrounding their house in Vermont,” says Susan. “ The husband loves his connection with the state, and I wanted to 46

bring that to the design. Driving from New York to Vermont, the energy level changes dramatically. Vermont’s energy is calmer, and you’re surrounded by the gorgeous green of the mountains.” The two buildings pictured here are part of the larger family compound, each created to meet a specific need. For the former, the clients wanted an entertainment space that was large

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SUSAN TULLY

SUSANTULLYINTERIORS.COM

enough to accommodate their family and friends; the latter was built to house the husband’s personal library. Looking at the annex, one might be surprised at its “plain” exterior—until you remember the clients’ love of nature. The simplicity ensures the building allows the beauty of the surrounding countryside to take center stage on the property. Inside, the design is a wonderful juxtaposition of city

and country. Susan seamlessly combines modern materials and clean, contemporary lines with natural woods and stone, resulting in a space that is reflective of both the wife’s modern, industrial aesthetic and the husband’s pastoral preferences. Susan echoed the green of the mountains outside via the Wolf Kahn painting and the backlit apple-green panels behind the commercial-size bar. East Coast Home + Design

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The library, next door to the annex, was designed as a place not just to sit and read, but also to write a letter or simply enjoy a few moments of solitude away from the livelier annex. Susan took inspiration from the library at the University of Dublin, with its floorto-ceiling wood shelves, and she added furnishings with gentle curves to enhance the ambience of the space. “ There’s a quiet and a strength that surround you when you walk into a wonderful library,” Susan says, remembering her recent visit to the university ’s library. “I wanted that same feel here.” The whimsy of the painting over the fireplace at first seems out of place, but it holds special meaning for the husband. The brightly colored ice cream cones and popsicles are a reminder that he should not take himself too seriously. Each of these buildings was given its own unique identity, separate from the rest of the compound; each is intended to transport the visitor upon stepping inside. The annex takes you to the streets of SoHo, while the library wings you all the way across the Atlantic; indeed, one can easily imagine a tweed-jacketed country squire sitting in front of the fireplace. “I love taking the client’s ideas and giving them an even more dramatic version than they thought possible,” says Susan. Her designs have given her clients a home culture that is the perfect sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. East Coast Home + Design

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DIANA WEINSTEIN DIANAWDESIGN.COM

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hen it comes to culture, it’s our growing global culture that most interests Diana Weinstein, principal of her eponymous interior design firm. “Culture is so many things, of course,” she says, “but we really live in a global society today, and that has had a tremendous influence on us— how we dress, how we eat, and how we live. I like an eclectic, layered look that pulls from different styles and cultures because it’s an expression of this new global culture we are living in now.” Architecture and culture are also intertwined: the way we choose to design the physical structures of our homes is as much influenced by our culture as the things we choose to put in them. Diana likes to encourage clients to break the mold. “It’s fascinating because I’ll see people with these older historical homes who decorate them in a very traditional way for the architecture, and I like to show them they don’t have to do that. I believe you can decorate the way you want; there really are no hard and fast rules anymore.” There is something about a Victorian home that— perhaps paradoxically—encourages playful experimentation when it comes to their interior design. The multiple different rooms, the little nooks and crannies, the gingerbread both inside and out—all seem to beg for furnishings that are as unique and interesting as the home itself. Diana’s clients for this Victorian home in the Montclair, NJ, area gave her

creativity free rein. “They wanted a ‘wow’ house that would be really special, push the boundaries of design and be a conversation-starter for guests,” Diana explains. “The clients knew I liked to mix cultures and use lots of layers, and that process meshed perfectly with what they wanted to achieve.” Glimmering gold lips above the living room mantel are not just symbolic of the clients’ desire for a home that encourages people to talk, but are also indicative of Diana’s funky, fresh design for the entire home. Interesting curios and art pieces abound and are brought together in intriguing and unusual ways: a chunky, three-dimensional sideboard is paired with a classicalinspired lamp with a Roman bust and a soothing seascape painting in the entryway, and wooden African wildlife statuary tramp along the same set of living room shelves as a grouping of lollipop-like globes and a delicate ceramic vase. In the dining room, Diana gives a nod to the Victorian’s love of flowers with the profusion of blooms in the wallpaper, the tubular flowered lighting fixture and the sectional mirror. A brilliant blue hue is used to create visual cohesion as you move through the rooms on the main floor. Diana’s background in art history and her time working at the Whitney Museum in New York City have influenced her work as an interior designer. She develops her designs with a curator’s eye, artfully bringing together disparate elements and objects to create captivating, fascinating rooms for her clients.

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SABRINA MASTROIANNI SABRINAANNINTERIORS.COM

ur culture is an integral part of our identity as unique individuals and, whether consciously or not, most of us want to find ways to present our culture and personality to the world. “Culture is a good part of what I do as a designer,” says Sabrina Mastroianni of Sabrina Ann Interior Design. Our home is not only a way to show who we are, but to surround ourselves with the things that make us happy and reflect our innermost spirit and personality. “Design is not just visual; it’s also emotional,” says Sabrina. “I know a space is complete when it not only looks good, but feels good, too.” Sabrina credits respected interior designer Robin McGarry with helping her discover and refine her own process of approaching design, which is focused on helping her clients bring their personal design visions to life in their homes. “I’m proud not to subscribe to a ‘signature style,’” Sabrina says, “as it leaves me open and flexible to work with any client’s design preferences.” For this project, Sabrina helped the client create a design that would reflect the client’s creativity and love of travel and beauEast Coast Home + Design

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Artistic Tile

offwell with as chrome fixtures. replaced the old with a new as RESOURCES the hope ofDesigners a story that is not yetvanity over—that crewhite one boasting gray quartz countertops and nickel hardware. They ation and life continue. I’d like to acknowledge my collaboraArchitectural Kitchen Design hung silver-framed mirrors and installed new glass sconce fixtures with tors and friends, Corey Grant Tippin andNuKitchens Kim Nelson, who John Rehm Joe Najmy a nickel finish. Across from the vanity, they added a lovely pedestal tub have brought a whole lot ARTISTICTILE.COM of beauty into this world.” Lisanew Rehm Nakashima in front of the window. As an extra touch,Karin the team crafted a cus825 Barnum Avenue Cutoff 132 Water Street A, tom linen closet and fit it into the eaves of the home. Italian porcelain In showcasing their creativity and compassion is this# powerful Norwalk, CT 06854 Stratford, CT 06614 tile replaces the old flooring; chosen for its look and durability, it coorwindow display project, these top designers each offer a unique 203.831.9000 203.378.6911 dinates well with the other elements, offering a clean feel to the space. design but all convey the same message: spread the word, raise nukitchens.com http://customkitchensct.com In the center the floor, care, a focalcompassion point was created by laying awareness andof promote and hope in theoffset fight white tiles in a brickwork subway pattern, complementing the mosaic against HIV/AIDS. Paramount Peacock tile usedChristopher on the walls of the shower. As finishing touches, Stone the walls are Carlo Jona adorn the Natasha Vecca painted a soft gray, and custom Kravet window treatments 338 Courtland Avenue 2 Dearfield Drive windows in soothing shades of blues, grays, cream and taupe. Stamford, CT 06906 Greenwich, CT, 06830 Resources 203.353.9119 203.862.9333 Christopher Spitzmiller pair of wide zig zag lamps in Working with marigold Toran Harper, the homeowners marveled at how their christopherspitzmiller.com paramountstone.com peacockhome.com Farrow and Ball Designer Resources drab, 1990s-style transformed into ainclassy, “Yellow isbathroom the most was luminous of all colors the clean, relaxwith purchases and shipping, and can even suggest accommodations, Locations and Designers in almost every ing havenspectrum, thatClarke perfectly reflects theirculture taste. it represents Tile America ifus.farrow-ball.com needed. Alexander Doherty sunshine,happiness, and warmth” Brian Kriesfather, Sean an Clarke converted from old chicken coop by the homeowner’s Alexander Doherty Design skiing INTERIOR DESIGN Brookfield, Marco Barallon vacations the love for Vermont andWfarmhouses were providWe arrive and at Antichita Trois, wherebarns I’m introduced toFairfield Alberto AnfoAlexander Doherty 71 85th Street #4A Toran Harper Interiors for its next life. A chance Manchester, Haven Heather ing the inspiration encounter would mean, dillo. Once again Beland I’m whisked away—indeed, my feet barely touch the Upper West Side New York, NYNew 10024 Leslie Toran New London, Stamford 64Gypset Sathe Main Street however, that “whole barn” would somehow be attached and integrated Travel ground!—to interior of a somber palazzo. Of course, the ground 322 Columbus Avenue 212.390.1572 Acrylic bench with Mongolian Fur Seat Kimberly Harper Hatford CT assouline.com into existing house, with Joseph’s allowing it to We neatly insert worlds-away.com floor isNorwalk, reserved for06854 acqua alta, anddesign thus leftWest vacant. enter an New the York, NY 10023 alexanderdohertydesign.com 203.942.3376 203.777.3637 203.838.9385 itself into a small corner had previously been and the are galley kitchen. elevator that is small eventhat by European standards brought to 212.799.0900 toranharper.com tileamerica.com clarkeliving.com So half cozya -flight Worlds Away- yet interesting in main house gives The barn spacious being offset from the the most rooms ofvertically his magnificent palazzo. Alberto guides Antonino Buzzetta any room the feelingBuzzetta ofhisantreasure old barntrove built of intoantique the hillside, and also creates us through paintings on reverse glass; Antonino Antonino Buzzetta Design fasciTrish Herson Interiors Connecticut Stone spacesofinside, including views of the upper timbers up-close and anating collection lions (the symbol of Venice); ancient boxes, some as Flatiron 39 W 14th Street #504 PUZZLE CHANDELIER Trish Herson Tara Dellacrowe through the trusses toofthe areas below. beautiful on the inside as the outside; furniture; paintings; glass; and, 32 E. 22nd Street New York, NY 10011 Inspired by a house cards, our Puzzle Chandelier is made 203.878.1013 138 Woodmont Road ofNew course, chandeliers (this is Venice, all). I’ve always been fond of sheets of solid layered into after a dynamic composition. York, NY 10010 917.971.0571 trishhersoninteriors.com Milford, CTbrass 06460 The clients wanted an open, free-flowing house thatbetween would interior take adThe focal point of this specialty space is the interplay The Architectural Modernist feel isand warmed up by the luminous of Venetian Murano chandeliers, now I’m convinced that antique 212.334.8330 antoninobuzzetta.com Design by Sara Baldwin for New Ravenna, The Aurelia fromLathrop 203.882.1000 vantage of a dramatic waterside location on a cove. Sellars metal. your Puzzle Chandelier above a which circular table, like and the expressed structure of the truss, is elegant, isspaces theHang way to go. Delft Collection is a modern American interpretation of a cenThymewere and Place Designbeauticonnecticutstone.com Architects and Landscape fortunate colour Nixon, or in fabulous foyer. ful to old behold andArtemis a surprise toasee inArchitects the middle of stylish oletomariCarmina Roth Carmina Roth turies familiar craft, . Shown here is a hand cut jewel glass Sharon Sherman laborate on this classic modern home. jonathanadler.com time Rowayton, CT. The windows and skylights let theWhite east and south David Rachtian is a Venetian ofLolite, partial Persian descent on his father’s 32 East Putnam Roth Interiors mosia shown inAvenue Lapis, Lazuli, Absolute and Deane Inc. 385 Clinton Avenue erie’s team decided to update them toMica, anCarmiña off-white finish. Doing so sunlight filter down and through the timbers into theTabriz, spacesKashan, below. side. At his shop we find antique Persian rugs from Greenwich, CT 06830 203.987.5961 Blue Spinel. Peter Deane Wyckoff, NJ 07481 tifully complement her personal art collection. “It was important to not only helped lighten the rooms but also offered the enduring look While Howard Lathrop of Sellars Lathrop provided the overall dePhoto credit: the Chuan Bing. imagesbychuan.com On certain effect is very cathedral-like, yetbuild casualaand natural. Isfahan anddays, China, around one could easily room. This 203.422.0990 carminarothinteriors.com jamieshop.com 1267 East Main Street incorporate the for artwork in which the designs and to201.847.1400 showcase the client’s that the couple wasthe seeking. Plus, the color helped provide a sense of sign direction house and the site, he knew it was important Ibiza Lounge Collection As much interest as 06902 possible has been created vertically; ascending the thoughtfully arranged and d’art packed antique store also features glassStamford, CT artifacts and unique objets from herthymeandplacedesign.com travels,” she says.for its uniformity within the home. from to bring in Tara M. Vincenta Artemis, a firm known exrestorationhardware.com unique staircase tucked southeast intersection, a visitor has ware, silverware, jewelryinto and the important, sought-after Jewish pieces. 203.327.7008 Connie Cooper Connie Cooper pertise in coastal plants and sensitive ecological locations. Howard grays, whites, silver, “really makesOther the artthe sense ofdeaneinc.com climbing into the rafters which to some secret place. focal What catches mytaupes eyeclearly areand paperweights from the 1950s, decorated 396 Post Road East Cooper Designs The client’s artwork inspired andConnie influenced Sabrina’s stunThe couple were thrilled with the results—a timeless home that is says he and Tara “worked collaboratively to meld the interior of the work stand out nicely,” she says. points areCT the06880 see-through stone fireplace,58the classic rotated Vermont with mythological creatures. Westport, High Point Road ning designs. In one a richasavocado the painting to just as with welcoming toroom, their kids to their hue adultallows guests. house the exterior.” window at theRow topKitchens of the barn gable, and the interior lighting that Front 203.221.3117 CTcable 06880 take the was spotlight. The clean line of the theWestport, sofa centered beneath the White also integrated into sleeker modern powder Matt Garrdina takes advantage of the timber purlins. Orseola and Chiara walk me back to where the tour began, and I am 203.256.9183 painting creates the perfect frame, and Sabrina used patterned accent “Hedgerows and stone walls work together to form the interplay room, which was long andmyself narrow, and needed its fixtures toofI Barbara Laughton pleasantly surprised to wine find inhighlight familiar surroundings. Then Caleb Anderson conniecooperdesigns.com pillows with a brilliant color to that same color in the INTERIOR DESIGNER planes and solids that create the design aesthetic,” he says. The palbe small and modern. Lara believes that whitesgiven important New Avenue The barn frame provided by circle, Ward Timber Frames, ofareWalpole, NH, realize we haveCanaan made aand large and they me a match lesson D & 117 D Building painting. The curtains decorative plate on have the coffee table Valerie Grant ette of hardscape materials is limited to washed river rock, to use in smaller rooms and dark rooms that have no narrow winNorwalk, CT 06850 and the ingenuity of Bruce too. Ward of BruceCaleb WardAnderson and Sons, Alstead, NH in getting around Venice, Suite 1519 the wallor color toget pull the entire room together. Another piece of Valerie Grant Interiors concrete pavers, Ipe wood deck tiles and native stone outcropping. dows don’t much In this case, Lara “didn’t want 203.849.0302 (603.835.2313) made this light. specialty spaces project a resounding suc979 Third Avenue Drake / Anderson artwork is echoed in the upholstery of a side chair and in the patina 14 Friar Tuck Circle Retaining walls are natural concrete matching the pavers. A native to clutter the islong wall artwork,” she to says, “soa frontrowkitchens.com cess. Leaving Venice like empty parting with with a lover; I daydream linger New York, NYruns 10022 67atIrving Place, 12th Floor colors ofwall the large mirror frame. Summit, NJ 07901 stone adjacent to thepatterned road and the parking area. instead I chose a delicately silver-white wallpaper little longer before returning to reality. Visitors at least can take 212.752.5544 New York can NY 10003 917.921.1916 JWH Design Cabinetry to fill the wall&with a bit of shimmer and tons of interest.” Resources: comfort in bringing something back home—a beautiful lion, box, 212.754.3099 Having a Jennifer client with ansimple artistic, whimsical aesthetic allowed Sabrina valeriegrantinteriors.com Tara provided a clean, landscape that fits the architecture and Howard The white, silver and gray color scheme keeps the small room Joseph Matto Architects chandelier, a commissioned Luigi Bevilacqua fabric for that very speMichael Herold drakeanderson.com tolight play1111 with the design, mixing patterns and furniture styles by masspectacular waterfront setting. As she explains, “Howard and I were Boston Post Road and bright evenunique thoughbag. it has no like windows. Joseph Matto cial upholstery and/or Finds these add sparkle to 160 Route 17 North terfully color andlandscape shape towas create connection cohesion. Rye, NY 10580 The using Jenning Brutalist Ribbon in agreement that the to be simple andand architectural, 72 Bridge Street interiors and wardrobe, lifting one out of the sea of sameness. Paramus, NJ 07652 Michael Herold The end result a tasteful that client’s own 914.967.6020 Table will dazzle incolor thethefor particularly the entrance to home, with thethe use clipped Lara likes toatis pick a whiteeclecticism wallreflects paint with aoftint of Shelton, CTLamp 06484 201.265.4030 Michael Herold Design and vervivacious personality and lifestyle. jwhdesigns.com modern home with striking ilboxwood hedges, ivy groundcover, concrete plank walkways the color that will coordinate with any other colors in the 475.282.4183 Venice is a bewitching city that I can’t 287 waitS to getStreet back#8 to as soon Main lumination, simple geometric nacular stone site walls.” room. She then uses ayearn brighter whiteAnd on itthe window trim, joemattoarchitects.com as possible. It makes me for more. makes me wonder, Patrick Mele Lambertville, NJ 08530 KLAFFS Our homes can as much andone expression of who we are color as our on clothes designs andbebold metal doors and ceilings to contrast with the off-white the Cockatoo Wallcovering Scalamandre Spring 2016 Indoor/Outdoor fabric Where will The Geragi Antiques Diva take me to travel and shopour next? Upper East Side 609.460.4763 Nick and jewelry—perhaps even more so because sometimes fashion BIZET TABLE inher aThe gold leafwas finish. One of the project goals to extend the direct coastal vegetation wall. Unless clients insist, she tries to steer them away osborneandlittle.com book. colors Linda has selected are the Sweeney Construction 142 73rd Street mydesignermichael.com 28 Washington Streetseat stunning hand-wrought base is topped taste has to take aallAback when wepart present our public face to the Lyra Artisan Fire Bowl zincdoor.com intoEast the house, while becoming ofSurf, the shoreline. Topractiachieve following: 27056-002 Surf, 27059-002 27058-002 from white fabrics on upholstered items, for obvious Patrick Sweeney The Antiques Diva & Co New York, NY 10021 Norwalk, CT 06854 Create linear designs in any residential or commercial with circular tempered glass. Distinctively Osborne and Little fun in a child’s room or perhaps a mudworld. Inside our homes, however, there are no constraints. Sabrina’s Surf, 27067-003 Surf scalamandre.com this the team used a variety of ornamental grasses and perennials, calCircle reasons. The only white/light-colored upholstery fabric 51 Drive Toma Clark Haines outdoor with thesuitable sharp 90Mele degree 212.737.7400 Patrick 203.866.1603 room bathroom or clients any living space needing unexpected pops ofinset individual and for a range of designs allow her tospace show their true selves—their culture and including echinacea, sage and joe-pye weed to color fill in among she likes to use isup, aRussian faux-leather vinyl walls and gently sloped firefresh feature offabric, thefor Lyrawhich Artisan is great Greenwich, CTklaffs.com 06830 “Surf’s I love these fabrics + 49 (0) 171 386 2213 Before period and contemporary settings. 203.550.2264 their personality—in the most personal and intimate of spaces. the native shoreline vegetation and enhance the natural cove setting. at resisting stains Fireme Bowl, available spring, and they dirt. remind of the water”in two sizes. 203.515.1956 christopherguy.com antiquesdiva.com patrickmele.com Zanzibar Ticking Woven Cotton Rug

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AMY ZOLIN

CLARITYHOMEINTERIORS.COM

esign is like an intricate puzzle for Amy Zolin of Clarity Home Interiors. “I love the selection process,” she says, “where we decide which of our amazing resources we’re going to use, and then put all the pieces of the puzzle together to create a beautiful, finished design.”

Culture is part of what makes us who we are, and for Amy, discovering her clients’ culture and personality is an integral part of her process. “Understanding clients is imperative for a successful project,” she says. “Understanding how they will want to live in the home can bring us clues to their culture. For example, are there rooms for formal entertaining, where fabrics can be more precious? Are there areas where anything goes? Often, personal possessions inherited from the client’s family or that came from their travels need to be displayed. We had a client who carried

the Olympic torch in Russia, and I had to make a special wall-mounted stand to display the torch.” For this client, a young couple with two children, finding ways to reflect the energy and spirit of the millennial generation was key to Amy’s design. The couple wanted their personality to stand out, and they didn’t shy away from brilliant colors and patterns. The result is a vivacious, bright design that is both playful and glamorous. Amy’s choices in wallcoverings are bold, intended not merely as backdrops for the rooms, but as visual elements in and of themselves. The Élitis Brit Pop vinyl wallpaper livens up the small powder room, eggplant walls in the family room create an eye-catching frame for the room’s artwork, and an imperial yellow color highlights the knickknacks on a built-in shelf and the dotted stripe pattern on the wallpaper. Amy fearlessly plays with shapes, textures

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and patterns throughout the house, using them to evoke emotion and create ambience: the living room is cozy yet formal with its neutral palette and soft curves, while the family room has an upbeat, funky atmosphere. The monochromatic color palette of the master bathroom creates a serene sanctuary, the perfect place to relax in a bubble bath with a glass of wine after a busy day. The greater cultures to which we belong are not the only things that influence who we are, and for Amy, it’s vital to find ways to make a home evince the unique personal culture of her clients. “Too often our culture doesn’t represent our individual beliefs and personalities,” she says. “I think the home is a place to reflect on who we are and who we want to be, and to be grateful for our dreams and family. It’s a real privilege to be able to enter the world of our clients to get to know them and their families. Helping them create their perfect home is a gift.” East Coast Home + Design

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MARIA LOIACONO

MARIALOIACONOINTERIORS.COM

ut of tragedy, this home in Rye, NY, literally rose from the ashes to stand yet again. In 2014, a fire destroyed much of the house and the owners’ belongings. Their designer, Maria LoIacono of Maria LoIacono Interiors, helped them rebuild and simplify their style. The evolution of the space reflects the transformation the family has undergone over the years. Maria first worked on the home in 2002, when she did a complete renovation of the 10,000-square-foot space. During the first design project, the clients had four young children and preferred a traditional style. “You can really define this home as ‘before the fire’ and ‘after the fire’ in its aesthetic,” says Maria, “because we changed from brocades and toiles to a much more simplified palette with unique classic design elements.” Originally, Maria designed the house around informal spaces for the children and formal spaces for the adults. Now that the children are young adults, the clients have no need to worry about things being broken, and the house has a more casual feel that everyone can enjoy while encapsulating elegance with livability. Before, the living room had flowered brocaded sofas and Persian carpets. Today the space has clean lines with gray sofas and a modern area rug that makes you feel comfortable enough to put your feet up. The dining room used to have a country feel with a French Provincial fabric on 58

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the chairs; today the chairs are covered in a fun, modern graphic material that lightens up the traditional heavy chairs and table, all complemented by abstract artwork with a bit of whimsy. Previously, the master bedroom was decorated in a blue-and-white toile and had a stately air about it. Today the room has been turned into a tranquil space with an almost monastic vibe featuring grays and neutral colors. An elegant Tony Duquette Dandelion chandelier brings an ethereal feeling to the space. “ The client was wowed by the fabric for the master bed because she remembered it from the hippie days of her youth,” says Maria. “It reminded her of things that were important to her.” The artwork in the master bedroom and throughout the house is a collection of Hermes scarves that survived the fire, which were given to the client by her father years ago. The scarves were sewn together and suspended in glass, so they can be enjoyed as art every day. Right off the master bedroom is a sitting room with an electric blue sofa where the couple can relax or read the paper early in the morning without disturbing anyone else in the house. The library has a bookcase that extends to a rounded dome area. Maria used simple leather pulls on the cabinets with elegant stitching and silver rivets that add a little drama. The mohair sofa is designed in a blue-and-gray mohair. The coffee table from Promemoria, handcrafted in the Lake Como area of Italy, has beautiful bronze and leather accents. 60

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In the kitchen, Maria combined both traditional and modern elements once again, with a Warren Planter kitchen table from Design Within Reach, surrounded by Eero Saarinen chairs. The light fixtures throughout the house came from Seattle-based Light Art, known for its innovative and creative designs. “ This house illustrates a trend away from decorating only to make spaces look rigid,” says Maria. “ Today it’s about how we live and how we want to feel in our space. It’s a more so phisticated way of living and a big culture change.”

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DEBRA YELNER DLY-DESIGN.COM

s there such a thing as American culture? The easy answer is that there is, but when you delve deeper, things become murkier. “I confess when I first heard we were going to talk about culture, it was quite the conundrum,” says Debra Yelner, principal of DLY Design. “Culture is so many things; it’s a complicated and provocative subject.”

things that immediately come to mind when considering the subject of American culture—came from somewhere else in the world. Modern American culture was certainly strongly influenced by its European beginnings; indeed, it could be said that the cultures of Europe were the foundation of our culture. But there are now so many layers brought here by immigrants from all over the world that the only thing we can say about To look at true American culture, you’d have to look at the American culture is that it enthusiastically borrows from any cultures—plural—of the Native Americans who were here culture—anything we find pleasing to our senses. “We were long before “America” ever existed. Everything else—all the the New World—and still are, in many respects,” says Debra. 62

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“ The American culture is allembracing. We adopt and adapt whatever we like, which is why it can be difficult to point to specific hallmarks of American culture from the perspective of interior design.” And perhaps that’s what it really comes down to. America’s melting-pot beginnings, combined with the European individualistic mindset, have created a society in which culture has become a personal thing, trumping heritage and ancestry. “I’ve yet to have a client explicitly talk about their culture when we have our conversations,” Debra says. “For most of us, culture isn’t something we think about consciously, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t influencing us. It just means it’s all happening on the subconscious level. We are creating culture even when we’re not trying to do so consciously.” What makes up an individual’s personal culture? Certainly one aspect can be found in all the artifacts a person chooses that have a personal meaning or evoke a certain feeling in him or her. For one of Debra’s clients, part of the family ’s personal culture is a pizza oven. Every kitchen of every home the family has owned has had a pizza oven because the husband loves to make pizza, and his pizza making has become an integral part of the family ’s customs and traditions. There’s more to culture than physical artifacts, however. “My clients celebrate their culture not just through the objects they hang on the walls or place on the shelves,” notes Debra, “but in how they live their lives every single day spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. I find ways to express that in my design.” Debra says the most important part of her job is to encourage her clients to find their own personal culture: “Let the inside of your home reflect who you are.” East Coast Home + Design

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ELISSA GRAYER ELISSAGRAYERDESIGN.COM

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ften when we talk about design, the focus is on the adult spaces of the home, with little to no attention given to the areas meant for the youngest members of the family. For Elissa Grayer, principal of the full-service design firm that bears her name, one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of a client project is being able to, as she says, “create wonderful spaces in the home for the children—places where their creativity can flourish and grow.” One thing that many of Elissa’s clients have in common is a family culture centered around their children. While in decades past, children’s spaces within the home were often kept out of sight, Elissa finds that her clients welcome the inclusion of their children in the overall design of their homes,

and not merely in a few sequestered rooms. “I like to incorporate play areas both large and small throughout the house,” Elissa explains. “Designing built-ins with comfortable reading nooks encourages parents and children to sit and read together. Outside, I prefer to build active spaces with features like playhouses, rope swings and climbing walls, where the whole family can come to play.” Her goal is to use design to bring families together in the home and provide alternatives to television, computers and the other technological devices that so often have our children’s attention. Adults tend to forget that children have a culture all their own, separate from the collective familial culture, born out of their life and school experiences, hobbies and games, daydreams and fancies. Children need spaces they can call their East Coast Home + Design

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own, where they can feel independent from their parents to safely explore and develop their own identity. One such space is this fabulous attic conversion designed by Elissa to become a combination bedroom/playroom. It gives the client’s son his own special, cool space, complete with large-screen TV, a foosball table and a vintage Pac-Man arcade game. A smaller room was partitioned off to hold the young boy ’s toys and action figures, and a ladder leads to a “secret” reading loft high above the rest of the room. The design has plenty of room 66

to shift and change as the boy matures and his interests and needs change. The toy room can become a study space, and the children’s books can be replaced by high school textbooks. Elissa just as effortlessly creates designs for her adult clients as she does for their children. Her interior designs are sophisticated, timeless and perfectly tailored to support the needs of her clients’ lifestyles, no matter what their age.

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JENNIFER HOWARD JWHDESIGNS.COM

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ennifer Howard, owner of NY-based JWH Design & Cabinetry, received an exciting call in February 2017 from a top California designer, Jon de la Cruz, and Hearst Publications. The request was that JWH play a pivotal role in the completion of the 10th Annual House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year in San Francisco. The project was the kitchen of a 100-year- old mansion that included gracious entertaining and living spaces, as well as numerous bedrooms. The critical kitchen space, however, was locked between exterior stucco walls with grand windows, an interior elevator and back stairs. “ The goal was to maximize the storage and function for this big family with eight kids, while maintaining Jon’s creative vision that won him this honor,“ says Jennifer. The added challenge was to complete this project in time for the opening of the 50th Annual San Francisco Showhouse.

vertical space, we had to steal from Peter to pay Paul, so we specified a tall boxed corner that could be easily framed by the contractor without slowing down the critical timeline,” says Jennifer. This allowed for a clean transition from the open pantry shelves and created its own wine area. The wine cabinet has lift-up storage above, plus extra cabinetry and a countertop on the right, creating an attractive and practical part of the overall kitchen design. The designer ’s theme of the kitchen was “mise en place,” a French culinary term for “putting everything in place.” Explains Jennifer: “ This concept fit beautifully with the overall aesthetics of the space, and applied to everything from everyday dishware, to the wide array of appliances, and even to the pantry staples.” Open wood-and-metal shelving allowed for maximum storage in the narrow section of the kitchen; the glass jar system is by Blisshaus. “It’s a great organizational system, both on open shelves and as inserts in drawers, because clients can see what they have and what they need, which results in less waste,” says Jennifer. As with many California homeowners, it was important to this family to buy in bulk, reduce packaging waste and make more organic choices.

Thermador provided its new 36-inch refrigerator and freezer columns and a 60-inch steam range to meet this large family ’s needs. To make these major components fit on the main wall in the kitchen, Jennifer ’s solution involved covering an existing window from the inside, while maintaining the exterior façade. A trick she had used in previous renovations, “It was an amazing opportunity for JWH to be brought into this also created critical space for a double spice cabinet and this major project on the West Coast,” says Jennifer. “Hava dramatic metal hood. ing worked with Jon de la Cruz on previous California-based projects, he knew our JWH team could meet the cabinetry A late request came from the sponsor for the inclusion of a requirements of this large family and the tight deadlines of tall Thermador wine unit. “Having essentially run out of tall the showcase.” East Coast Home + Design

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JAN HILTZ

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carsdale, NY, is known for being an affluent community with a thriving social scene. Today it’s full of young families with dual-career spouses who need practical spaces where they can both work and play. The emphasis in home design is very much on quality, beauty and decorating with high-end pieces that are also resilient to the wear and tear of an active family. “The challenge in Scarsdale is to design one-of-a-kind spaces that are transitional and functional, where clients can entertain one night and use the room the next day for everyday living,” says Jan Hiltz of Jan Hiltz Interiors. For the owners of this 1990s home, Jan’s team took what was once an empty, dark room and brought it into the present with design elements of soft colors, bright custom-color walls and a lot of lighting. The goal was to make the room cozy by creating multiple seating areas that are also great for entertaining guests. “The homeowners actually kept this room empty because they preferred to wait and complete the space with exactly what they wanted,” says Jan, “rather than spending money to fill it with things they would eventually replace.” She and her partner, Christine Hiltz, worked to brighten the room by covering dark hardwood flooring with light area rugs by Nourison, and by replacing heavy draperies with airy sheers. They also used three pairs of lamps to light the large room. Two high-end Dorya sofas in slightly different styles—one with leather detailing, and both the same cream color— inspired the layering of different textures throughout the room. Touches of gold complement the textures in the wood chairs and are accents in the coffee table and mirrors. An upscale game table creates a multifunctional space for doing homework, playing card games or entertaining. “The coffee table was taken from another room in the house, and is now more balanced with organic pieces around it,” says Jan. “We made sure not to overwhelm the cream with too much gold, so you see it in small accents like the coffee table frame and in the pillows. The Nourison area rug is a muted backdrop that complements the overall elegance of the room.” Abstract pieces of artwork modernize the room, adding to its eclectic signature.

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JULIE WHITE

JULIEWHITEINTERIORS.COM

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ulie White, principal of Julie White Interiors, is a wellness designer. “I create high-end, soulful spaces that support my clients in living a well life,” she says. “My job is to find out what ‘home’ means to each client, and then create that. The single most important thing is to begin and end your day with a sense of wholeness, and that happens when you create unity between the walls that surround you and who you are inside.” The most important question she asks her clients is, “What do you want this to feel like?” In talking about culture, Julie acknowledges its complexity, noting that it not only comprises things like ancestry, where we live, and religion, but is also deeply rooted in the entertainment, social media and news we consume each day, as well as in the technology that has become such an integral part of our lives. Julie’s focus is on discovering the absolute best from her clients’ culture and using that in the designs she creates for them. “Culture can have positive or negative effects on us,” she says, “so we need to be very intentional about pulling as much of the good stuff as we can into our daily lives, creating surroundings that reinforce and support our health and happiness.” What better way to feel our best than to have homes that exemplify our best selves? For one client, this meant literally building a home around the library the husband had always wanted. “The client had a deep interest in the history of our nation’s past. He wanted a classic Ben Franklin mahogany library,” says Julie. “From this I intuited he was looking for that feeling of tradition and a sense of the weight of history.” Everything seen in this incredible, three-story space was curated by Julie. A rare bookseller provided all the books, and Julie found unique objects and artifacts to build a history for the room, including a 4,000-year-old meteorite from Argentina, prehistoric beetles, and a large slice of a nautilus shell. The client found a pair of early-1800s terrestrial and celestial globes from England, and they were given a place of honor near the room’s primary seating area. The globes were also the inspiration for the room’s domed ceiling, which was hand-painted in place by the artist, Michelangelo-style. At each corner of the ceiling is a constellation representing one of the four zodiac signs of the family members. The finished room is breathtaking, a truly immersive experience that transports you back in time and feels much older than it is. “Design has the power to shape our experience; I believe that our environment has an impact on how we feel,” says Julie. “What I care about most is creating spaces that make your heart beat. Every space I design fosters wellness and reminds you that well-being begins at home.” East Coast Home + Design

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LARA MICHELLE LARAMICHELLE.COM

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ulture is a complicated subject. It’s not just our past—where we came from and what our heritage is. It’s also our future —where we’re going and who we want to be when we get there. Since founding Lara Michelle Beautiful Interiors more than 20 years ago, Lara has been fortunate to have had clients who’ve come to the U.S. from all over the world, many of them looking for ways to blend the culture they came from with the culture they came to. “I find that my clients want to embrace American culture,” says Lara, “so while they absolutely want to represent their heritage and where they came from, they don’t want to solely hold on to their past, but rather remember it as they move forward with their life here.” And while Americans often don’t think in explicit terms about their culture, Lara finds that her clients from other countries do. “I’ve had clients who were originally from India and South Africa, and when we began our discussions about what they wanted, they talked about having their culture represented in their homes.” Lara’s job then becomes finding ways to marry the client’s native culture with American culture. “I never want the ordinary or the cliché in my designs,” she says. “Specific color palettes, textile patterns and textures are all ways I’m able to subtly represent a client’s native culture.” Many of her clients have children, and that factor also plays an important role in Lara’s designs. “Since my clients tend to be young families, practicality takes precedence. I always choose furnishings that are beautiful, but they have to be comfortable, durable and easy to clean as well.” Starting from a neutral palette and using sumptuous fabrics that look and feel good, Lara adds just the right amount of bold colors and patterns, like the jewel-hued accent pillows and throw blanket in this cozy living space. The furniture is plush and cushioned, avoiding hard woods and edges, to prevent bonked heads and bruises should little ones be playing nearby. Soft and subdued colors in the bedrooms give the spaces a somnolent, soothing ambience that is perfect for winding down and relaxing before bedtime. Culture is our past, present and future. It binds us in time and place, and whether consciously or not, we all seek ways to express that culture in our lives and homes. East Coast Home + Design

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HEIDI THRUN

BELMONDOWESTPORT.COM

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nterior designers find inspiration in the cultures they came from and belong to, just as their clients do. For Heidi Thrun, owner and principal of the design firm Bel Mondo, inspiration comes not just from her home country of Australia, but from her many travels and many years living here in America. It’s no wonder the name of her firm means “beautiful world” in Italian. “A lot of my design work is influenced by how I grew up in Sydney, which is very coastal, very cosmopolitan,” says Heidi. “Australians tend to be very casual, and they like clean lines in their homes, but with a touch of comfort. They also love to travel and entertain, and that has influenced the culture as well. Australian homes have open floor plans because they’re perfect for entertaining guests.” When she moved to the U.S. 12 years ago, Heidi noticed that the open floor plan was becoming increasingly popular in America as well, and she found that many clients were wanting a more casual, relaxed vibe in their homes as a refuge from the hectic outside world. One of her favorite things to do is spend time with a client at her design boutique and studio in Westport, CT. There, she’s always experimenting with new design elements and creating vignettes intended to inspire and show clients how materials and furnishings can be put together to create a simple, functional space that is also beautiful. “I love the atmosphere there; it’s a very relaxed, happy environment, and that’s exactly what I want to create in my clients’ homes,” Heidi says. “I love constantly creating, coming

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up with new ideas to suit everyday lifestyles and make it fun at the same time.” Starting from simplicity, Heidi adds layers to her design with care to maintain balance and not overwhelm the eye. She chooses furnishings with softer lines and gentle curves for a less formal, more easygoing ambience. There are chairs to curl up in with a good book, and couches for afternoon naps. Her palettes start with a neutral base, and then she deftly adds color, often with nature as the inspiration, using it to evoke the memory of a breezy spring day by the sea or a dreamy twilit summer’s eve. Whether it’s a single room makeover or a full house remodel, Heidi’s goal is to give her clients a home that allows them to relax and shed the stress of the day—their own personal haven. 80

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DINYAR WADIA WADIAASSOCIATES.COM

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ulture defines us—it grounds us to our past and influences us, whether we are aware of it or not. Dinyar Wadia, principal of Wadia Associates, grew up in the Indian city of Bombay (Mumbai since 1995), which was once under the rule of the Portuguese before becoming the crown jewel of the British Empire. As a result, this metropolis developed a rich, diverse culture with influences from all over the world. Its architectural heritage is just as diverse, with a wealth of disparate architectural styles woven together into a beautiful tapestry that unfolds in its streets and neighborhoods. From Gothic to Hindu to Islamic and even Georgian, the styles and culture of this incredible city continue to inspire and infuse Dinyar ’s work today. “Culture always finds its way into my work,” Dinyar says, “and no matter what my current project is, the magnificent architecture I grew up around finds its way into my thinking and my designs.” It’s only natural for him to talk to his clients about their culture. “ The keystone of our firm is client-centered design,” he continues. “ To accomplish this, we must listen very carefully to our clients’ needs, which naturally stem from their culture, traditions and family interests. From that, we create the perfect custom home.” No two homes designed by Dinyar and his team are ever alike. His care and attention to detail are unsurpassed when

it comes to infusing a home with the energy and life of his clients. One client wanted to include something in her home’s conservatory to remind her of her children. Dinyar designed four drawings, one for each child, that would become custom-carved stone lintels above the windows. Intricate and beautiful, the carvings bring each child’s personality to life. Each is individual, but tied together by the recurring oak leaf and acorn motif, a symbolic representation of the relationship between parent and child and the family as a whole. Another client, seeking a way to incorporate his East Indian heritage into his home, found a b re a t h - t a k i n g 17th-century bronze statue while on a trip to India. Another designer might have placed it on a side table or a pedestal, but Dinyar knew it needed a place of honor and designed a custom, builtin alcove with a shelf for the statue. He not only placed it in the residence, but made it a part of the physical structure of the house itself. The architecture that surrounds us informs our taste and personal style. Dinyar wants his clients to always imagine how their home can complement and support their lifestyle, and he is always seeking a way to bring his clients’ culture to life in his work. “Culture is what makes our design relevant to the way our clients live,” says Dinyar. A home by Wadia Associates will be extraordinary: filled with tradition and style, and uniquely personal for each and every client.

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DWAYNE BERGMANN ROBIN MCGARRY DWAYNEBERGMANN.COM

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alancing disparate client goals with budgetary and aesthetic preferences is a challenge that Dwayne Bergmann and his team at Dwayne Bergmann Interiors relish with every new project. Here, the objective was to find the perfect design solution for a couple from two very different cultural backgroundsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Colombia and Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who also had very different tastesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one loved bold colors and romantic imagery, while the other was a Modernist at heart. How does an interior designer reconcile all this into a comfortable and appropriate home? East Coast Home + Design

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For the Dwayne Bergmann team, the solution was to not pick particular design elements from one culture or the other. Instead, they sought to find common ground by respecting the “sensibility” and spirit of each, rather than the use of literal references or clichés. While white is the predominant color used, the crisp forms are softened with warm colors to create intimacy. Plush fabrics play against the simple geometry of the rooms and custom cabinetry. Unexpected contrasts showcase the merging of different preferences and highlight the designer’s ability to be traditional and innovative at the same time. Upon entering the home, the visitor steps onto a floor made of colored cement, a non-traditional flooring material. Colorful artwork recalls the homes of Colombia, while the stylish pattern of the skylights and steel stair rail are contemporary. In the kitchen are bold, chunky chairs with wrought-iron bases, a horizontally banded island base, countertops with bright blue tile backsplashes, hanging glass lights and metal ceiling fans—all blending the two design styles and blurring the lines between them. A quiet corner features a woven rattan and leather club chair, a modern mosaic rug of horsehair, a clean-lined rosewood lamp base and a traditional dresser. Deep brown walls and velvet curtains serve as an elegant backdrop. A wall of “punched” square window openings plays up the thick-walled construction of the house, with an extremely thick and comfortable mattress and bed linens perched atop a “floating” bed platform. A quilted headboard and stainless-steel light fixtures accent the composition. While achieving harmony and balance is always critical for Dwayne, he finds it especially fun and rewarding to accomplish this objective in a project featuring ideas from different cultural directions. 86

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Roundtab

Joe Passero

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Nick Sajda

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TRISH HERSON DESIGNSHERPA.NET

o we take culture for granted? Many of us do, for most of us don’t spend much time contemplating it, even when we’re designing a home—a personal, intimate space that is meant to be uniquely us. “Most people don’t consciously infuse culture into their interiors,” says Trish Herson, principal of Design Sherpa. Since most of us spend our entire lives living in the culture we were born into, we just don’t think about it. It’s simply instinctual, and no doubt still exerts its influence on us. Contrast that with those who come to America from other countries. Finding themselves elsewhere, they think about what their culture means to them, and when they design their homes, culture is often at the forefront of their minds. It is with her first- and second-generation American clients that Trish has had some wonderful interactions about culture, as she did with the client for this project, whose parents were from Guatemala. “This was such a special project,” Trish says. “As the client and I talked, it became very obvious how essential it was to her that we find ways to infuse her home with the Guatemalan culture of her parents. Her mother is such an important part of the family, especially in her role as grandmother to the children.” 88

Guatemalan culture is deeply connected to its lush, verdant environment, reflected in the custom artwork over the fireplace mantle in the living room. Women still wear traditional clothing, which is dyed in vivid colors and woven with bold geometric patterns and symbols of nature, such as animals and flowers. Trish brought the look and feel of those beautiful textiles into the home in the intriguing prints and bright pops of color throughout the house, and in the representations of animals found in almost every room. Leopard spots are scattered across accent pillows and table lamps, rabbits and owls hide in plain sight, and a herd of zebras prance across sapphire blue curtains. The pièce de résistance is the plaque from Guatemala in the dining room. At first glance, it appears unassuming. It’s only when you get closer that you see it is hand carved, depicting a flowering tree with two birds in a nest. Trish marries it with a pair of wooden oars—a nod to the husband’s Olympic rowing past—and a drapery fabric that echoes the birds and flowers. Bringing the client’s culture into the home design requires gaining an intimate understanding of the homeowner. Trish excels at this, allowing her to create uniquely beautiful, uniquely personal designs for her clients.

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SUSAN ANDERSON WHITEBIRCHSTUDIO.COM

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Manhattan couple decided to downsize but still wanted to be close to the city, so they bought a new pied-à-terre just a half hour away in Bronxville, NY. Susan Anderson of White Birch Studios, worked with the couple to incorporate the new with the old to make sure the space felt like home. She used pale blues and grays and off-white for a “not too cool” but comfortable atmosphere, and accented the space with several visual light lamps. “Having your treasures around you evokes your personal memories,” says Susan, “so I placed the client’s art, books and photographs throughout the apartment.” The clients entertain frequently, so the designer used a lot of transitional furniture to allow the clients to move it around and adapt the pieces to meet their seating and guest needs. Susan added bookcases to the dining area to give it a cozier feel and to house artwork and books from their previous home. Area rugs cover the dark brown hardwood flooring, and draperies soften the space. The antique brass leaf artwork over the bed and the abstract piece in the living space are also from the client’s former apartment. “These clients travel a lot and also have a country home,” says Susan, “so I worked with them to create a calm space that is a sophisticated urban getaway.” East Coast Home + Design

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CAMI WEINSTEIN CAMIDESIGNS.COM

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o much of our culture is tied to where we grew up and where we live. With a country as large as the U.S., our culture often seems less tied to national identity and more to regional identity, with many Americans defining themselves by the specific area in which they grew up. America’s regional subcultures are distinctive and memorable. There is a marked difference, for example, between the cultures of the South, the Northwest and New England. We even have microcultures in metropolises like New York and Los Angeles. “When I think of American culture, I think of a California surf style or a sophisticated city/Park Avenue feel,” says Cami Weinstein of Cami Weinstein Designs. “There’s also the Brooklyn-hipster industrial vibe, as well as the gracious Southern living and hospitality. All of them are American, all of them are distinctly their own.” If there’s a common thread that runs through our ideas about American culture, it’s that our homes are refuges from the fast-paced, nonstop, highoctane outside world. “I t’s important to slow down and share meals with family and friends,” Cami says. “Family rooms and kitchens are impor-

tant hubs for the home. Dining rooms, too, can be places where family and friends can come together; they’re a great place to share meals, of course, but the large table is also fun for board games, cards or conversation.” Cami’s client for this project was a Silicon Valley executive who traveled a lot and wanted this smaller home in Laguna Beach, CA, to be carefree. It was intended as a no-muss, no-fuss home where he could decompress. “The design I did for his Los Angeles home is much more formal, so the goal for this one was ease,” Cami explains. The way she flips the script by creating a very relaxed and breezy atmosphere inside, with the more formal arrangement for the outdoor covered patio area, is fantastically fun. Cami’s choice of easy-care furnishings in earthy hues and natural materials make the interior look and feel like a day at the beach. The ambience is the slow exhalation at the end of a long, busy day. “Our personal environments should be both healthy and beautiful,” Cami says. “Coming home to a space you love is key to creating that sense of well-being and happiness.” And this is true no matter where you live in this country of ours.

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CALLA MCNAMARA CALLA.STUDIO

n the small coastal village of Rowayton, CT, Calla McNamara has created a true live/work space in every sense of the concept. She purchased the home, built in the 1800s, from a family that had lived in it for two generations, and quickly set about making it her own. She wanted an open, airy space with the feel of a beach house, so she whited out most of the walls, leaving only the original wood beams, and lacquered the floors white. The original freestanding closet was kept for storage. It was, in a sense, like coming home, because Calla grew up in a house built in the 1780s. “It reminded me of my childhood home so much that I wanted to preserve as many of the original details as possible,” she says. The 1,400-square-foot space may be small, but it is mighty. It encompasses both her living space and her studio, at times blurring the lines between the two. Art and reference books are spread throughout, and she designated specific areas where she can meet and brainstorm with clients. The white walls function as a blank canvas that allows her to see materials in their purest form and light. The studio and living space are separated by a floating barn door that is original to the property. She keeps her professional design materials there and works at a white Parsons desk with a repurposed light fixture overhead. An antique pitchfork stands over the room and is a bit of a conversation piece. “As a designer, you come across things you love that you think you can use at some point for a client, but you end up

keeping them for yourself, and you evolve an eclectic taste,” she laughs. Calla has furnished the space with vintage and modern pieces. The black Togo leather chairs in the meeting area create a casual space for her to meet with clients, and a coffee table from Ligne Roset sits in the middle of the grouping. Beneath it all is an area rug from J.D. Staron. A contemporary bookshelf holds art, design and source books for easy accessibility. The black-and-white artwork is from Hijack, an up-and-coming artist who is the son of Mr. Brainwash, a well-known street artist. She also has photographs from her artist father displayed in front of the freestanding closet and throughout the home. The white sectional in another part of the house is used as Calla’s personal space and has Moroccan kilim throw pillows that she purchased at the Brimfield Antique Flea Market in Massachusetts. On the coffee table in front of the sectional are design and art books that inspire her work and African beads that she also bought at Brimfield. “This space serves as a haven to me, and all of my choices here were very personal,” says Calla. An Eames chair sits in another corner next to a tulip end table, another item she collected and fell in love with. “The property is beautiful with old trees and a garden, so I’m very lucky to be able to use that space to unwind,” she says. “I placed modern chairs outside in the garden under a tree, and when I look out, it serves as inspiration for my creativity.”

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MELISSA ADAMS GRUBER AIDESIGNNY.COM

he visceral elements of beach living are many and most people try to bring nature into their beach homes in numerous ways. But these clients didn’t just want to fill their home with meaningless flotsam and jetsam that mimicked the ocean. So, every piece was selected and curated with a very discerning eye to create a tranquil setting where you can relax and experience living by the sea everywhere you go. Although you’ve left the beach outside, you feel as if you’ve found another part of it inside the house. “I wanted to emulate the unique experience of the Hamptons and the pristine beach by layering textures, finishes and materials that encapsulate the tactile beach experience,” said Melissa Adams Gruber, Interior Designer. The overall experience is that of exquisite detailing with no expense spared that symbolizes the “less is more” philosophy of great design. When you enter this new beach house in West Hampton Dunes, in Long Island, the first thing you experience is a feeling of peacefulness. From the moment you enter the home the views of the ocean and bay beckon you in to the serene surroundings. The color of the sea is reflected in the upper hallway where the azure blue grasscloth wallpaper by Stroheim is complimented by a custom carpet runner that is a weave of the azure and a beach glass green by Nasiri. The nautical light fixtures from Rejuvenation, with blown glass globes, create an ethereal feeling. Every detail was collaboratively selected with the overall goal of creating a coastal retreat, not just a house. Specific attention was paid to every minute element and how it built upon the transformative mood that the house elicits. For instance, in the living room, the large piece of artwork from Kravet is created from hand shaped coco wood “petals” and windows are accented by sheer curtains with interwoven paillettes by Fabricut, creating the effect of the sun reflecting in the sand. The mood is further enhanced by a nautical

sconce light hanging from a rope one might find on a boat by Currey & Co. The client is an experienced boatman and he appreciated this type of small attention to detail in every room. Because house size is limited by zoning regulations in the area, the 3,000 square foot house created its own unique design challenges with wall space, windows and artwork. “We decided upon beautiful mirrors from Made Goods and used them throughout the house. They are really works of art all on their own and they make great use of the negative space because they reflect the water outside in,” said Melissa. The mirror in the bedroom is white washed teak and completely finishes the room when combined with the dresser from Redford House and the custom window treatment. It’s all pulled together with the patina of the paint called Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams, that is a color straight from the ocean. Another mirror dominates a bathroom space, one with inlaid bone juxta positioned against a wall of wavy white tile by Atlas Concorde, paired with a polished nickel sconce from McGee & Co. In the back mudroom, Melissa was able to take the clients out of their traditional comfort zone a little by designing an interwoven tile floor by Iris Ceramica, in a herringbone design that is reminiscent of a beach boardwalk. Shiplap was used sparingly on the interior walls, as was a louver detail that emulated that of the exterior as designed by architecture firm Daniel Contelmo Architects. It’s the second project that Dan and Melissa collaborated on for the clients, the first was their primary home in Westchester County eight years ago. “I was thrilled to that our client was building a beach house. They were so much fun to work with. I appreciate their attention to detail and their discerning taste. My sensibility of worrying over every little detail matches theirs,” she said.

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AMY ANDREWS HILTON-INTERIORS.COM

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ulture is all around us, everywhere and all the time. It encompasses far more than just where we grew up, our religion and our heritage. “Culture can be the music you listen to, or the literature that inspires you,” says Amy Andrews of Hilton Interiors. “Culture is an appreciation of all the many aspects that make us who we are. It’s inevitable that it’s incorporated in our homes. It’s part of our very being.” A house, too, can have something akin to a culture, stemming from where it’s located and the natural environment surrounding it. “Is it a suburban family house, a seaside vacation home, a city apartment or a mountain top retreat? Our homes have a natural connection to the culture that exists where they are geographically located,” Amy says. “It’s almost a given that the culture of what is outside will be woven into the inside and reflect the homeowners’ lifestyle. Wherever a home is, the outside environment makes its way in.” Amy’s design for this client’s second home in Martha’s Vineyard incorporated elements that represent and speak to each family member and their multifaceted personal culture, while fully embracing the cozy seaside culture that is the hallmark of the small island’s residents. The use of white as the primary palette color imparts a clean, crisp look to the home’s main living spaces. It also allows Amy to use color to amazing effect, alternately creating rooms with a luxurious glamour, as in the master and guest bedrooms, and more modern, almost whimsical spaces, as in the breakfast room and study. A covered enclosed porch and an adjacent covered patio take advantage of the home’s ocean views; Amy creates a visual connection between the two with the wood-andwicker furnishings featuring bright cerulean upholstery. When the doors are opened, two spaces become one, creating a single, seamless outdoor living space that offers plenty of room for larger gatherings and entertaining. Our definition of “home” and all the things that are part of that—a particular painting or set of family photos, the smell of a favorite family meal or fresh-cut flowers, the treasure brought back from an overseas vacation—are tied into our culture. “The more I know about my clients, the more beneficial it is in creating their home,” Amy explains, “and the more I’ll be able to create spaces that reflect their lives and give them the home they are looking for. It was an absolute joy to weave together this client’s cultural elements and to design a home truly fit for this family and their need for an oasis away from their busy lives.” East Coast Home + Design

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LISA DAVENPORT LISADAVENPORTDESIGNS.COM

isa Davenport, principal of Lisa Davenport Designs, believes that getting to know her clients well before she starts a project is an important first step. That’s why she begins every client relationship with an eightpage questionnaire that asks about their passions, hobbies and interests and what is important to them. “We work hard to set the stage to tell our clients’ life stories because we believe that—aside from functionality—living spaces should reflect a homeowner’s personality and what’s important to them,” explains Lisa. For a client who is a chemist but also enjoys the kitchen, Lisa curated lab beakers from the 1960s and reimagined them as flower vases, and repurposed an antique bread-baking tin that she collected while antiquing in Texas. It brought back memories of her own beloved grandfather who owned a bakery. Those are just a few of the special touches she used on the coffee table of a renovated sunroom in a 1980s home in Glastonbury, CT. The total renovation included new ceilings, windows, flooring and furnishings all in lighter tones with a transitional elegance. The room can get very cold in the winter, so Lisa added a nine-foot sliding glass window that stacks left and right between the sunroom and the kitchen so it can be closed off in inclement weatherduring the bitter cold New England winters. After his retirement from the corporate world, this client decided to go back to his roots, literally. His father was a master gardener 100

with an amazing green thumb, and he’d taught his son quite a bit about gardening and farming, but the client never had time to embrace his history until he retired. Lisa was asked to create a garden as a tribute to his father. She and her client developed a work of art within sight of a new carriage house also designed by Lisa. “I painstakingly laid out the garden grid and used faux timber (cement) to build raised beds that you can see from the carriage house,” she says. The raised beds also give the client easy access to his plants. “He’s a long-time client, and I was as surprised as anyone by his interest in gardening,” she notes. Now he can enjoy the carriage house that she topped with an antique cupola, another nod to his father’s barn on the farm where he grew up. “I love that we can return elements of history and even reinvent them for our clients,” says Lisa. In the South End of Boston, a historic brownstone underwent a kitchen renovation that had some surprising twists and turns. “Like many very old homes, this one wasn’t designed with functionality in mind. The kitchen was on the ground floor and actually below street level, so when the client requested taller ceilings, we had to jackhammer out the slab, dig down 18+ inches, and remove all the rubble and materialtake 18 inches of dirt out in wheelbarrows up ramps to the street,” she recalls, laughing. As she was going through the house one day, she noticed there was an unusable closet one flight up from the kitchen in a narrow hallway. “It’s one of those weird design flaws where they had extra space and really didn’t know what to do with it,” she says. But she knew ex-

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actly what to do with the space. Inspired by the family ’s heirloom sideboard, she imagined filling that space with a builtin display piece for her client’s mother’s crystal along with a built-in bar service. She moved the family china cabinet into the space and worked with a cabinetmaker to design a drop-down serving bar, thus saving space and allowing for the careful fit of the treasured crystal alongside the newer pieces. The china cabinet/bar unit now sits right next to the dining room and is enjoyed during family gatherings. Transforming a nice backyard into a fullon at-home resort was the focus of the next project. Inspiration was taken from the clients’ memories of their travel experiences as a young couple, when they enjoyed outdoor dining spaces and pizza ovens throughout Europe. Now that they have young children, the pizza oven takes center stage at family gatherings, and their kids lay out all the ingredients, make their pizzas and then float off in the pool or sit around the outdoor living area, watching a movie. “It’s a staycation destination for this family and their friends,” says Lisa, “because traveling with very young children is not always easy.” The backyard is now a three-season destination with a pool, full-service outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, fireplace and lanai. It also features a swim-up bar and a fire-and-water waterfall that can be accessed via remote control. Explains Lisa, “We collaborated with architect Jack Kemper of Kemper Associates Architects in planning the layout and choosing the natural materials and finishes.” East Coast Home + Design

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EMILY LYON ALLEN BETH FIELD LYONFIELD.COM

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erging the old with the new while preserving memories from the past was the design goal for this project in New York City. Emily Lyon Allen and Beth Field of Lyon Field Interior Design found many unique challenges working with a client who moved from a pre-World War II apartment in Gramercy Park to a brand-new apartment building in the West Village. The focus of the project was to take her beautiful traditional pieces and marry them to the new open floor plan that has walls of windows. “She has beautiful pieces, and our goal was to make her feel comfortable with the design process and to give her a soft landing in a new, very different place,” says Emily. The client’s previous apartment featured defined formal and informal spaces and a proper place for everything. “She’s a real collector and has a very interesting art and objects collection that she loves,” says Emily. “We worked with her to choose as many of her pieces as we could to create a functional space where she felt at home.” To help their client embrace the wall-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and open living spaces, the designers took advantage of the beautiful views and focused on creative ways to showcase her traditional pieces in the modern space. The large columns in the living area were covered with tall fig trees, and the office walls were lacquered in muted cream paint to act as a canvas. Curating pieces from the old apartment, the designers used a custom-made banquette in a cat-scratch silk velvet in coral to anchor the dining space. The warm coral tone influenced the new lighter, warmer tones of the new color palette for the rest of the apartment. The propeller on the wall behind the banquette has an 11-foot wingspan and was an item that the homeowner was quite eager to feature. “She spends a lot of time at her dining table now, and enjoys it as a multifunctional space,” says Beth. One-of-a-kind custom lighting fixtures from Urban Electric, located in Charleston, SC, were handcrafted in an oval-and-square shape and used over the dining and living room areas. “You won’t find another light fixture anywhere like these,” says Emily. “Each fixture was tweaked down to the interior paint color.” The Lucite and brass coffee table in the living room area is new and gives the room a fresh look against the backdrop of some older pieces. Instead of a large painting, a gallery wall of photos behind the sofa was designed to give the space a more modern feel. The custom-made carpet by Stark is a handmade silk embedded with blue tones, which the homeowner chose with the designers. To help the client enjoy the new views, the designers placed a desk right in front of the windows and reupholstered a chair from her old apartment in a lighter pattern, with pops of coral. “The views of the river are amazing, and she gets wonderful light as the sun goes down,” says Beth. Even though the client was out of her comfort zone during the process, Emily and Beth both noted that she was very courageous and open to taking chances throughout the project. East Coast Home + Design

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LINDA RUDERMAN LINDARUDERMAN.COM

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Houston, Texas has fast become one of the country’s

Phoenix Grill for perfect living and entertaining inoutdoor style. When The Wittuspremiere Phoenix cities grill is the addition to an open area these trendy clients called Designed on LindabyRuderman that longs for ayoung, functional sculptural element. Bent Falk of Denmark and made in the USA,on thethe body is made of Cor-ten steel Interiors to collaborate construction and design which is known for its long-life durability and the natural patina that it of a high-rise condominium with panoramic views of the takes on over time when exposed to the outdoor elements. The tall city, the firm shape was thrilled to get ongrillboard. conical of the Phoenix forms a chimney that creates a natuand all the that furnishings. or room thatdirects has been thoughtral draft allows youAtohome build fires faster and the smoke away from the cooking area. Grill dimensions: 6’3”h X 24”w 20”d. fully edited is a space where the design is well appointed, soX that LRI collaborated with Anthony Minichetti, of Anthony Minichetti Ar-

all the LLC, elements space have reason and and purpose for chitect, also within based inthe Greenwich CT,a to combine transform being there. And sometimes we have things just because we love four existing apartments into an entire floor of luxury living space for them! Shelves be project, accessorized withwas books, the client. From or thetabletops inceptioncan of the the client eagerfamily to disphotos, collectibles and a children’s clay pot, but it can all edited cuss and explore the decoration of the space. LRI chose tobekeep the to lookcolor andpalette feel organized and meaningful. The samepops goesofforvibrant artoverall neutral. Thoughtful and intentional work, whether haveand family Picassos, a dethe Kooning or colors, includingyou yellow teal, photos, were added to reflect wife’s upa combination of them all. Walls with art that are skillfully placed bringing in Mexico. Although the space is undeniably transitional, small and layered lookcan andbefeel wellthroughout executed—therefore, well edited. nods to Texaswill culture found in textural choices, most notably custom designed patchwork cowhide ottomans in the Library. As designers, we are always editing. We edit plans and we edit research. We whenareweyoung, prepare to have meetalready with our clients.anWe listen, Although theedit clients they amassed important take notes and inventory, all to be assembled and edited into art collection that LRI has had the pleasure of featuring throughout an the outlineIn for the project. We pieces have plans, sketches,and piles of fabrics, space. addition, many new were selected customized for photography, cut sheets, paint boards, the new space byfurniture LRI. Because of theirdecorative art appreciation, the firmwallpawas able perincorporate samples, lighting—you name it. Eventually, through theincluding design to many sculptural décor pieces into the design, Elica Nikola Tesla process, all this work will be edited down to be the beginning a a custom Pucci chandelier designed by renowned artist Herve VanofDer elica.com/US-en room, an office or a whole house. Straeten, custom Lorin Marshseries, tortoise console, global a bespoke Sharon MarAs part ofathe new Air Cooking Elica—the leader in kitchen ston sculptural chandelier, and a sculptural bronze base coffee table from ventilation hoods—unveils Nikola Tesla as its first aspirating induction cooktop. It combines functionality of two appliances (cooktop Interior designer Gibson said,home “The room wellupon edVan Den Akker justGrant tothe name a few.once A highlight of the spacewas occurs and hood) into one product, eliminating the need for a range hood and ited, with every piece of furniture having a distinct purpose and entering the space from the elevators. An intricately patterned limestone providing a clean Firebird Grilland simple design aesthetic. meaning.” I think thatdesigned is well by stated and black marble floor LRIand and articulates supplied bywhat Paris“edited” Ceramics The Wittus Firebird grill, designed by Bent Falk of Denmark means in the interior design community. Edited in interiors says a sets aand stunning tone for any Further showcasing thearesidence’s “At Elica, we usein the advanced technology inthat the industry coupled made themost USA isguest. perfect for spaces want cylindriwith Italian design to create elegant and innovative appliances,” said room is styled, organized and meaningful. It is a space that is decocal outdoor grill. Made of durable Cor-ten steel and measuring transitional appeal, the custom abstract rugs in both Living Room areas Francesco Casoli, Elica President and Chairman. “The new NikolaTesla 4’3”h X 19”w X 19”d, the Firebird’s innovative curved design rated and well thought out at first glance—however, no one knows add to the overall artistic vibe of the space, while Holland and Sherry revolutionizes thesmoke kitchenupspace by replacing thechef. rangeComes hood with a an venthe away from the just directs how well thought outand it in really is. An room towith me is aa custom embroidered draperies the Living and Dining Room take tilation system that conveniently built into theedited induction cooktop itself.” adjustable grillisrack with stay-cool handles that has a built-in room that has form and function. These are the rooms and homes step back towards traditional. pairgrill of can bronze John warming andthe frying surfaceAinmatching back. This also be Boone used we admire, to spend time in, want to livespaces in! together. as aspoke firewant pit when cooler weather rolls around. modern chandeliers ties the twoand Living Room

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RALPH VUOLO

RALPHVUOLODESIGNS.COM

ow often do any of us take the time to think about culture—not just our own culture, but the concept itself? Explore culture and how it affects the way we design our homes, and its complexity quickly becomes clear. If you’re lucky, there comes a moment of clarity, when viewpoints intersect and crystallize into what can perhaps be called an epiphany. One such moment came during a conversation with Ralph Vuolo, who is both an interior designer and a historic preservationist. Ralph’s love of history and architecture plays an influential role in his approach to design in unexpected ways. “I’m passionate about the preservation of our architectural history—I helped to establish a major historic district in Greenwich, Connecticut, which I consider one of the greatest achievements of my career, “says Ralph. “But when I design, I’m mindful that we don’t live in the past. I like to juxtapose traditional and modern; I enjoy the challenge that comes from bringing the past and present together in designs that are, at their heart, a reflection of the client and their lives.”

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And when you think about it, isn’t that what culture is? The marriage of our past and present, the bringing together of a multitude of disparate—and sometimes seemingly contradictory—elements, weaving together the rich tapestry that encompasses all that we are. This particular project is an exemplar of how culture can be reflected in the home, as well as Ralph’s ability to seamlessly bring together furnishings that span multiple decades and continents. “These clients were very focused on incorporating their culture into their home. One had roots in the Czech Republic, and the other had grown up in Pennsylvania. Both had fallen in love with Africa during their travels and wanted it represented in the home. In addition, they were looking to modernize and brighten; they wanted to bring warmth and color to their 18th-century house.” Ralph found a pair of vintage Art Deco-style chairs designed by Jindich Halabala (a Czech modernist designer), and they became the hub of the room design. He reupholstered them in a bright, cheery orange, matching the clients’ paintings and a hand-painted pottery table lamp that was an-

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other of his finds. He paired the chairs with a classic 1950s Chesterfield sofa—again reupholstered, this time in white leather—and a coffee table made from a repurposed mill wheel from Pennsylvania. Another room became an homage to the lands and wildlife of Africa. Everything is faux—the clients were adamant that they wanted nothing that required the suffering and death of the animals they had come to treasure. The result is a space with an unusual, eclectic style that is unique and deeply personal for the clients. To infuse a home with culture as masterfully as Ralph does takes more than just technical skill: It requires an intimate understanding of the client to be able to transform a home into a visual metaphor for those who live within it. East Coast Home + Design

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KATHARINE KELLY RHUDY REEDACANTHUS.COM

erging the old with the new was the inspiration for this project in New Canaan, CT. Built in 1982, the 8,000-square-foot home was purchased by a young couple with three small children and needed many updates. Katharine Kelly Rhudy of Reed & Acanthus Antiques and Interiors with the homeowners in 2015 and 2017 to not only renovate the space, but to refurbish furniture and add artwork and antiques. Creating a perfect stage for both the new and old pieces, Katharine used different-style wall coverings, colors and finishes to differentiate the formal and informal areas.

with more transitional pieces to make the homeowner’s space personal and interesting,” says Katharine.

The entrance hall combines the owner’s grandmother’s antique sewing chest with a beautiful harbor scene by Donald Kirkpatrick from Butler Fine Art, and also features a Circa Lighting chandelier, an antique regency bench and Stark carpeting on the floor. “The entryway pretty much summarizes how I try to combine fine art and antiques

“Prior to the renovation, the clients purchased several pieces of furniture that are a combination of antiques and reproductions clearly favoring a traditional style,” says Katharine. They also inherited several upholstered pieces they wanted to keep. “The goal was to use the existing pieces but to lighten, brighten and make the space more

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To a dramatic backdrop for the art and antiques in the front entry hall, the designer added raised panels below the chair rail and a very fine textured linen wallpaper by Stark to make the space grander and more formal. Down the hallway is an alcove featuring a Hepplewhitestyle bow-front mahogany sideboard, an oil painting by Ann Larsen, and French mid-century modern lamps from Bungalow in Westport, CT.

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youthful while maintaining a degree of elegance,” she continues. So fabrics from Cowtan & Tout, Lee Jofa and Duralee were used to create a more contemporary color palette of aqua, creams and beiges. A mix of classic pieces, such as a pair of 19th-century French club chairs and a 1930s gilt neoclassical coffee table, were combined with contemporary accessories and modern furniture like the metal, mirror and glass Henredon tables. Over the mantle, the Stephen Parrish oil painting from Butler Fine Art is framed by a pair of French crystal sconces, offering a sharp contrast to the large contemporary painting by Mary Buergin above the sofa, purchased from Sorelle. “The homeowners are attracted to paintings with water views, and they loved the painting because it was fun and bright and added a bit of warmth to the large space,” says Katharine. The dining room features a Chippendale-style dining table and chairs and a serpentine mahogany sideboard, which were the clients’ own

pieces purchased from Safavieh Furniture in Stamford, CT. Because the dining room is a transition space between formal and informal rooms, a Stark wallpaper with a traditional medallion design in aqua and gold was used to enhance the flow between the spaces. “In a house this size, the family lives mainly in the informal rooms like the kitchen, family room and finished basement with a playroom,” says Katharine, “so we wanted durable materials that will withstand wear and tear in those areas.” In the back hallway—the entrance the family uses most—Katharine played up the client’s youthful and playful nature with tan-and-cream chevron wallpaper from Thibaut, and added the ebonized giltwood bench covered in a durable and stainresistant Crypton performance fabric. The hardwood floors, original to the house, were refinished in a dark hue, and Stark carpeting was used throughout the house for its style and durability. East Coast Home + Design

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HOME AS A WORK OF ART Monica Kahnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegant interior design for her personal home has created a magnificent masterpiece in Scarsdale, New York Story by Anastasia Storer Photography by Peter Krupenye

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t’s the job of the interior designer to take empty space and, from that nothingness, create beauty. Much of the time, of course, that beauty is rightly expressed through the eyes of the clients and their ideas about what is and is not beautiful. That’s why it’s always a special delight to see the personal homes of interior designers: they give us a glimpse into how the designers themselves perceive beauty.

Sight lines from the front entryway offer views of three of the home’s art pieces from the moment you walk in the door. The stairstep-pattern Saddlemans hide rug mirrors the staircase leading to the second floor. The Richard Serra painting is framed by the Holly Hunt sconces on either side and the CASTE Design bench directly below. The second-floor landing has a painting by James Nares, commissioned specifically to fit the space. The Bocci chandelier creates a constellation of light cascading down the center of the foyer.

Monica Kahn’s perception of beauty undoubtedly has its foundations in the time she spent studying and practicing fine art at Cornell University. “But after taking some courses in architecture and interior design, I realized my true passion lay in using my artistic talents to create beautiful interiors,” she says. After graduation, Monica cut her professional teeth designing large-scale corporate interiors all over the world while working for a number of prestigious New York architectural firms. Designing the offices of several law firms led to her designing the interiors of the attorneys’ homes. In 1998 she established the firm that bears her name, with a focus on residential interior design for custom luxury and estate homes in New York and Connecticut. Her artistic approach to design, combined with her formidable skills as a designer, have won East Coast Home + Design

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The artwork was a special commission by Ian Davenport, designed in two parts to open up and reveal the television above the Chesneys fireplace. The square coffee table by Christian Liaigre grounds the two Holly Hunt sofas.

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her numerous awards, including two ASID Design Excellence Awards in 2017 from the New York Metro chapter for her Residential Bedroom and Children’s Room designs. Design as Art Monica’s approach to interior design hearkens back to her fine art beginnings, with her utilizing the same perspective an artist uses when viewing a blank canvas. “I see every design project as the creation of a work of art,” she explains. “Starting with the floor plan, each piece I choose—down to the minutest detail— is carefully considered for its contribution as part of the overall composition, at both the room design level and the house design as a whole. I want every angle and view to be a beautiful vignette while still remaining functional and useful.” This project-as-art perspective means Monica is most in her element when it comes to doing the design for an entire home. “I enjoy all design, but I really love when a client comes to me with a full-house project, as it allows me to create a consistent theme throughout the home that ties everything together.” It’s no surprise, then, that Monica and her husband chose to do a new construction instead of purchasing an existing house when it came to their own home. Opting for a new build offered Monica not just an entire home in which to give her creativity free rein, but the opportunity to actually partake in the design

of the home’s architecture itself along with the architects, providing the perfect blank canvas for her interior design talents. “We chose Alisberg Parker Architects because we loved their work which fit these qualifications perfectly. They designed our home to have an old world quality feel yet with all the modern accoutrements. They used exquisite custom detailing, not only for the exterior, but also for the extensive interior paneling, moldings and cabinetry throughout” Monica says. It was important that the home not look new; Monica wanted it to appear as though it had been there for years. It also needed to fit in seamlessly with the surrounding homes in the area, which, like many Scarsdale neighborhoods, were primarily Colonial or Tudor style. “The architects were very open to my ideas and input, which was essential, as I wanted to keep a lot of our existing furniture and art,” she says. “I also had ideas for the layout of the home and the flow of the space so it would meet our needs, both functionally and aesthetically.” Cum Laude group was the general contractor and executed the design flawlessly using their expert craftsmen, and Doyle Herman Design Associates to create the landscaping for the twoacre property. The finished home was exactly what Monica had envisioned: a classic Georgian Colonial that blended in with nearby homes East Coast Home + Design

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The living room’s neutral palette becomes the canvas for the brilliant coquelicot and daffodil hues of the Ron Erlich painting. The Baccarat chandelier softens the space and adds elegant glamour.

and offered her the architectural backdrop she needed to create this spectacular showcase of the family ’s contemporary furnishings and modern art collection. Art as Design Monica’s crafting of the perfect canvas for her design work is incredible, leaving nothing to chance. Many of the rooms in the home were influenced and shaped by the artwork and furnishings she knew would be in them. “During the initial design phases, we actually planned the location and placement of the existing art and furniture I knew we were bringing to the new home, so we could design the spaces so the artwork would be displayed at its best.” In the dining room, this meant forgoing the wainscoting to ensure the pair of Robert Longo portraits would be properly hung close together as a single visual display, without any rigid lines or shapes behind that would constrain the exuberant, free-flowing movement in the artwork. Monica purposefully chose soft neutrals for the home to focus and enhance the spotlight on the art collection. “I wanted that neutral palette so the splashes of color in the design came from the artwork,” Monica says. She also made sure the home’s main floor layout included unobstructed sight lines to lead the visitor ’s gaze to the art on display. From the moment you step into the house, it’s obvious that the art collection isn’t an afterthought but an integral part of the interior design. In fact, two paintings commissioned especially for the house are the focal points for the home’s design, 120

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The duo artworks by Robert Longo add whimsy and movement to the formal dining room. Above the Troscan table is an Eclipse chandelier by Ochre.

A James Kennedy painting is given center stage in the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s study, centered above the Holly Hunt sofa. A leather and steel desk by Christian Liaigre is paired with a Donghia desk chair.

and Monica placed both where they can be seen from the entryway. The first is the primary visual pathway when standing at the front door: The eye instinctively follows the straight line in front of it down the hallway to the wide, open doorway leading to the family room. Above the fireplace is a custom Puddle Painting by Ian Davenport. Not only is it an immediate attention-grabber with its flowing lines of brilliant color, it is also an ingenious way to hide the roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s television. The 122

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second painting, just above the first, is the oceanic blue and frothy white abstract painting by James Nares. It is hung on the landing leading up to the second floor, beautifully highlighted by the cascading Bocci chandelier. Love of Light Monica loves working with lightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and it shows. She masterfully builds layers of radiant light in the rooms and spaces of

Urban Archaeology light fixtures and brushed stainless steel create a kitchen space that is expansive and bright. Counter stools by Knoll provide an unobtrusive area to sit and have a morning cup of coffee at the kitchen island. An informal dining area in the kitchen is created with a circular table by Knoll, centered in front of the space’s banquette below the paned bay window, which is flanked by custom kitchen cabinets by JEM Woodworking. Two slabs of Calacatta marble form the kitchen island and backsplash.

the house, using light not merely as a tool for illumination, but at times as a design feature all its own. Window treatments and built-ins are used to visually frame the multipaned windows, and windows are directly incorporated into Monica’s designs in the beautiful vignettes she creates in the rooms throughout the home. The lighting fixtures for every room are all custom and unique—lovely pieces of art just as they are— with each one chosen to enhance the ambience of the room in

which they are installed. Monica uses light in other ways as well, with her choice of materials that are meant to play with the light. Some materials reflect—like the glass transoms above the doorways of the family room, and the large mirror above the buffet in the dining room. Other materials bring sparkle and shimmer, like the fixture chosen for the “hers” master bathroom, the delicate East Coast Home + Design

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The wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s master bath is elegantly feminine, with a lovely violet flower offering a single touch of color.

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living room chandelier and the heavy glass block lighting in the kitchen. The polished woods and burnished metals both reflect and absorb to create luster and sheen. For the master bedroom, where she wanted a quieter, more soothing atmosphere, Monica used sheer curtains to soften and tone down the light to a translucent glow. Even the James Nares painting incorporates light through the iridescent paint that shimmers and glistens when the light strikes it. Designers’ homes are quite possibly the truest expression of their creativity, as well as a representation of the unique qualities they bring to their work. And just as Monica encourages her clients to fill their homes with things they love, her own home is filled with things she and her husband love, creating a design that is both personal and intimate, with a timeless elegance that will outlast current trends. Monica’s background as a fine artist and her continued love and appreciation for art have come full circle in her own home with a design that not only incorporates fine art, but becomes a work of art in and of itself. Resources:

The custom MKD bed is a cozy invitation to relax after a long day. Table lamp by Circa Lighting atop a custom MKD nightstand. The master bedroom’s reading area is created with an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair from DWR and a West Elm floor lamp. The small side table by Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams is the perfect size to hold a book and a cup of tea.

Monica Kahn Monica Kahn Design 917.734.4944 www.mkahndesign.com Alisberg Parker Architects Susan Alisberg Ed Parker 222 Sound Beach Avenue Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203.637.8730 alisbergparker.com East Coast Home + Design

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Downsizing in Downtown Greenwich Debra Yelner of DLY Design helps her client downsize from a country estate home with a new construction Story by Anastasia Storer | Photography by Kyle Norton

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ebra Yelner, owner and principal of DLY Design, a boutique interior design firm, calls herself a concierge designer. “I’m available to my clients 24/7; whenever they need me, I’m there,” she says. “I see interior design as a service, not a product, and I view my relationship with clients as one where I sit beside them at the table, not across from them.” Debra’s highly individualized, bespoke approach to interior design has given her many repeat and referral clients, including this client, with whom Debra has worked for more than 20 years. This time it was to ask for help in downsizing from a Georgian-style mansion in the country (a home that Debra and her husband created and built) to a home half the size in downtown Greenwich, CT. From Horses to Houses Debra didn’t set out to be a designer; initially, she was an equestrian and a trainer for several barns. “I thought my entire future was going to be in the horse business. But I woke up one day and decided I didn’t want to spend every day getting up at four o’clock in the morning!” she says with a laugh. “I’d always been an artist, so I decided to go to school for art.” She started out with a major in painting, but after meeting a developer who loved her artistic eye and asked her to choose the paint colors for a spec house he was building, she fell in love with the process. “I changed my major to design and architecture,” she says. And that was that.

Beautiful details add romance to the front exterior of the home, including muntins to create filigree-like shapes in the transom, sidelights and arched windows flanking the custom-made natural walnut wood door, and delicate wrought-iron lanterns. In the center of the door is a decorative English-style doorknob with a rosette design.

Never one to aim low, Debra graduated from college and immediately moved to New York City, determined to get a job in the Big Apple. She was hired as a design assistant for Bloomingdale’s, where she worked on the interior design of all the store’s model rooms. After that she East Coast Home + Design

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worked for a Wall Street commercial interior design firm, designing interiors for multimillion-square-foot building projects. She might have continued on that career path, except that she got married. She inspired a love for architecture and design in her husband, and the two created a business together, building spec homes. “We were in the midst of a sabbatical in 2008 when a friend insisted that I help him with his home in Naples.” That was the start, and her business evolved and grew via word of mouth. “I don’t really advertise,” Debra says. “My business is mostly referrals from other clients.” Debra’s clients and projects are as unique and individual as she is, and include magnificent estate homes, restaurants and country clubs. “When you look at my portfolio,” she says, “there is no single ‘style.’ My job as designer is to help my clients visualize and develop their style to bring it into reality. Whatever 130

they want, I’ll make it happen.” Every Inch Counts Debra’s experience building spec homes has certainly influenced her work as a designer—and also gives her knowledge and expertise that make her unique among her peers. This knowledge served her well with this project, where the architect asked her to do the preliminary feasibility study and layout of the home. “As they were long-time clients—not only did I do their Georgian home, I did the design of their Naples home and their children’s New York apartments—I knew how they lived and already had a good grasp on what they liked and needed in terms of function,” Debra explains. The purchased lot presented some very unique architectural and design challenges. It was narrow and deep, with one length angled slightly inward from the front of the lot to the rear. This meant that the team had to create a home that didn’t feel

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A custom-made weathervane rests atop the cupola, with a turquoise lightning ball that matches the color of the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shutters. A dovecote brings a touch of the Old World to the home.

The home had to be designed to fit the downtown Greenwich lot, which was both deep and narrow.

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Usually a masculine space, the study is actually the wife’s office. The mint green wall color lifts the weight of the room, and the soft sofa and throw pillows soften the dark wood and ambience of the room.

like there was a long “bowling alley ” going through it, Debra recalls with a smile. And though the clients were downsizing, they still had a number of furnishings and special belongings they wanted to bring to the new home. Debra says this led them to create a motto for the project: “Remember, every inch counts.” This was incredibly important to the clients and to Debra as well. As she explains, moving homes can be fraught as clients have to decide what to keep and what to do away with. “When I work with a client who is moving, I go through the house with them, and I take pictures. We talk about each piece of furniture, the artwork, everything—there’s always a story behind every piece,” she says. “We work together to decide where the furniture they want to keep is going to go in the new home. This is part of what gives the home life and energy—and that is the heart of what I provide to my clients: I design homes that have a soul.” The new design had to maximize the space available to allow the clients to comfortably fit their lives into the home, while also having outdoor living and entertaining space for enjoying the beautiful Connecticut summers. An additional challenge was to make the home’s exterior maintenance-free, as the clients are away six months of the year. “I really love our solution,” Debra says. “We designed the main floor plan to alternate rooms, so you never have walls 132

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The pocket door leads to the study. All the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doors and floors were done in natural walnut wood.

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on either side of you.” This keeps the house from feeling closed-in, and it cleverly hides the fact that the overall footprint of the home is long and narrow. There’s a lot of optical illusion in the millwork and the flooring, all designed to make the spaces seem wide and open. And while the team was able to include a backyard terrace, they also created a stunning rooftop patio entertainment space, thus giving the home a smaller, more intimate outdoor space as well as a large, open one that’s perfect for summer barbecues with friends. The two spaces give the clients exactly what they wanted: outdoor areas they can enjoy that are completely weatherproof and require no significant maintenance. The Soul of a Home How do you create the soul of a home? By reflecting the lives and passions of those who live within its walls, and by adding lovely details that breathe life into the design.

The music parlor serves as the home’s living room and was designed around the baby grand piano and the antique double-domed secretary.

Even though her clients needed a maintenance-free exterior, Debra still wanted it to be beautiful. She chose Hardie board siding and stone for the exterior, and went with landscaping that includes no lawn, but instead uses self-sustaining hedges, shrubs and trees that don’t require extra watering or a great deal of pruning and shaping. While the stone courtyard was born out of necessity—the clients needed a garage, but Debra and the architect didn’t want the garage doors to face the street—the execution is such that the pale stone leads the eye to the welcoming front entry with its paned sidelights and arched windows. The exterior design incorporates many exquisite details that add romance and character to the home: the custom-made walnut wood door, the gas-lit lanterns atop the pillars flanking the East Coast Home + Design

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The family room is a cozy space, with custom built-ins flanking the fireplace and a family portrait wall. The French doors let in plenty of light and offer a lovely view of the back terrace.

driveway entrance, and the mustache-bracketed wrought-iron sconces over the garage doors. Adding further visual appeal are a dovecote in the gables and a weathervane with a turquoise ball matching the color of the shutters. The overall effect is to create an atmosphere of warmth, coziness and comfort, all before a visitor even enters the home itself. Once inside, you see how clever the floor plan truly is. “It’s really a series of vignettes,” Debra says. “It’s a little like an interlocking puzzle, with each room being one piece of that puzzle.” Tying the rooms together are the archways used throughout, the custom natural walnut flooring, the detailed moldings, and the subtle, soft perfection that is the wall color. “That’s Benjamin Moore HC173, Edgecomb Gray,” she explains. “I just love it— it’s the most friendly, wonderful color. It’s beige, mushroom, sand and off-white all in one.” The trick, according to Debra, is to pair it with white trim. The result is a beautiful backdrop 136

for the clients’ antiques and favorite furnishings brought from the previous home. Musical Melodies and a Rabbit’s Heart The home’s décor evokes the interests and loves of both husband and wife, as well as the life they made together with their children. The portrait wall in the family room was lovingly recreated based on a similar wall in the clients’ previous home, and the rooms are filled with their treasured antiques and furnishings. The husband’s career as a music executive is on prominent display in the game room, which contains mementos of gold and platinum record achievements and a wall of photographs to mark those occasions. In the music parlor, a baby grand piano (a gift from an artist the husband worked with) takes center stage, along with an antique phonograph player on display near

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The Calacutta marble backsplash is perfectly bookmatched, and the extra-wide kitchen island offers a quiet place for a quick morning cup of coffee.

The full butler pantry offers additional kitchen storage. Through the door is a peek at the breakfast space.

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The combination mudroom/laundry is whimsical, with subtle patterns on the backsplash and wall over the washer and dryer.

A cushioned bench provides a comfortable place to sit and fold clothes while watching the widescreen TV over the washer and dryer.

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The master suite offers separate his and hers master bathrooms with closet space. The wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bathroom was done in white and silver to create a clean, crisp atmosphere.

The masculine counterpart to the study, the game room has mementos and memorabilia from the husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career as a music executive.

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The stone terrace provides a maintenance-free backyard space, important to the clients as they are away for six months of the year. A large wood-burning fireplace is the centerpiece of the design, with a matching Wood Stone pizza oven. Additional bench seating also provides storage space for the chopped wood. The French doors lead into the family room at the back of the home. Opposite: There is a full barbecue station as well as an outdoor kitchen, complete with a dumbwaiter leading to the main kitchen. The dovecote detail is used here as well.

the fireplace. The clients’ children are musicians, too, so the instruments and music memorabilia represent their loves and lives, too. The rabbits are another story. They are the wife’s good luck charm, and their presence in the home is a bit more subtle—apropos for a creature that is soft, quiet and able to hide in plain sight. Their most noticeable presence is in the wife’s study and the home’s combination mudroom/laundry. The latter is 140

symbolically appropriate: as the hearth and home are historically under the guardianship of the woman, it is the wife’s heart that welcomes the family into the home through the mudroom, rather than the more formal front entrance used by visitors and friends. But look carefully, and you’ll find the rabbits elsewhere—often in plain sight, yet blending in with the room so as to be almost unnoticeable. There’s one on the kitchen counter near the stovetop, and another in the butler pantry, holding pencils.

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Resources: INTERIOR DESIGN Debra Lee Yelner DLY Design 64 Richmond Hill Road Greenwich, CT 06831 203.921.5566 dly-design.com

Debra prides herself on creating designs that are expressions of her clients’ lives and the deep loves of their innermost hearts. “All my clients are very confident and unafraid of who they are and of showing themselves to the world,” she says. “ They aren’t looking to fit into current trends; they want homes that reflect who they are. I encourage everyone to be bold and to build a home that is truly unique to them.”

ARCHITECTURE Ridberg & Associates Architects, PC 20 Church Street, Suite A4 Greenwich, CT 06830 203.625.0491 ridarch.com PHOTOGRAPHY Kyle Norton Photographer kylenorton.com 914.584.3819

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PROFILE

WITTUSFIRE BY DESIGN F

Photography by Curtis Lew

ireplaces are at the top of the list when it comes to furnishing comfort, togetherness and harmony. Indeed, a fire adds ambience, intimacy and loads of warmth to an environment. Wittus–Fire by Design can offer all of the above. The store’s showroom sits in a thickly wooded area in the quaint town of Pound Ridge, NY, and its bucolic location is apropos for the products Wittus sells. A native of Denmark, Niels Wittus and his wife, Alyce, created the company more than 40 years ago with the goal of providing a wide range of high-quality European-designed hearth products to local consumers, architects, contractors, the design community and dealers nationwide. Being in the industry for so many years, the couple can attest to the beautiful design, superior craftsmanship and high efficiency of the imported stoves and fireplaces they offer. Their products also fit the mold of Niels’ Danish heritage, which includes the concept of hygge (pronounced HUE-gah)—the art of comfortable living and happiness. The Wittus showroom is filled with welcoming vibes, bright colors and hearth products that have the power of bringing warmth to the home. Which products have the best hygge? The Shaker wood-burning stove, for one, was designed by Antonio Citterio of Italy at his 142

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wife’s request to be a heat source for their home. Once word got out through friends and family, however, Citterio’s classic design of the Shaker stove gained mass appeal and took off as a popular product among the general public. Another favorite product is the cookstove, which not only heats, but also nurtures the soul with tasty, home-cooked food. Wittus offers the Klassic cookstove conceptualized by designer Bent Falk, Romotop’s Lugo from the Czech Republic, and the de Manincor Domino Maxi from Italy. The store also features wood, gas and pellet-burning fireplaces, and a wide variety of hearth accessories. A stop at the Wittus showroom offers one-stop shopping with style. Niels and Alyce take pride in pleasing their customers and providing a one-on-one experience reminiscent of days gone by. Wittus is not only a brand but a place where customers can forge a relationship that lasts for years to come. Come visit the showroom, be greeted by Wittus’ beloved dog, Darby, and enjoy the ultimate Danish hygge experience. Wittus 40 Westchester Avenue Pound Ridge NY 10576 914-764-5679 wittus.com

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Alyce and Niels Wittus

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EVENTS

Wilson Avenue Loft Artists Greet Holiday Beat with “Rhythm”

hey ’ve Got Rhythm! The Wilson Avenue Loft Artists (WALA) –an 11 year old Norwalk based consortium of artists from Fairfield County and beyond – will ring in the holidays with a new exhibition, “Rhythm”, which opens with a Public Reception on Friday, November 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. and continues with Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday, December 1st and 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sixteen artists will share their talents, tempos and themes in the exhibition “Rhythm”, promising much improvisation, a medley of colors and a variety of movements – some lively, some tranquil - to create a harmonious visual experience for viewers. The annual Open Studios offer the community a unique opportunity to see not only an outstanding array of finished artwork, but also works in progress and the individual studios where the work is produced.

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The exhibition will be curated by Ben Ortiz, former Curator for several Connecticut museums including the Discovery, Housatonic and Barnum Museums. A lifelong art collector himself, he is currently an independent art advisor and owner of Bozarte, Art of the Americas in Ridgefield. WALA will donate a portion of the art sales to the Grace Shanley Memorial High School Scholarship Fund at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking (CCP) in Norwalk. A talented artist herself, the late Mrs. Shanley was an early, enthusiastic member of WALA as well as founder of CCP. WALA is located at 225 Wilson Avenue, second floor (elevator available) near the intersection with Ely Avenue. The entrance is behind the building, off Ely Ave. For further information: www.wilsonavenueloftartists.com

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