athome Magazine - July/August 2019

SPECIAL ISSUE ro o m s e rv i c e

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POOLSIDE LIFE

SEASONAL STYLE

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200+ WAYS TO LIVE BETTER HERE

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contents JUL/AUG 2019 vol. 14 | issue 4

features

departments

23

6 EDITOR’S NOTE

POOL PARTIES Summertime is a state of mind with these all-season pool houses.

32

THE SOUND HOUSE A Fairfield beach house is an actual dream come true. in te rv i ew b y l au re n f et ter man

8 GET THE GOODS Summer Finds; Game On; Ultra Lounge

53

203 WAYS TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY Make the most of living on the Gold Coast with this special guide.

14 HOUSE PARTIES Best of the Gold Coast; New Canaan Nature Center Annual Lecture & Luncheon

32

112 BACK PAGE Meet the Good Life team

ATHOME IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY JULY/AUG 2019, VOL. 14, NO. 4. ATHOME IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY (ISSN 1941-9503) is published six times annually (Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec) by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St, Westport, CT 06880. Periodical postage paid at Westport, CT, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to ATHOME IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY, PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. US subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $29.95/2 years; Canada and foreign US$40/1 year, US$60/2 years.

on the c ove r gr ace design bui ld & tusk hom e + desig n | ph ot o gr a ph y a m y vi schio athomefc.com

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vol. 14 | no. 4 | july/aug 2019

creative/editorial director

Amy Vischio sales

editorial

sales management moffly media

senior editor

Lauren Fetterman

publisher, greenwich

Trish Kirsch

market editor

Megan Gagnon

publisher, new canaan - darien

advisory editor

Lisa Phillips Hingst

Donna Moffly

categories: automotive/builders/ landscape/sports & fitness

contributing editors

publisher, stamford

editor, stamford

Karen Kelly

Camilla A. Herrera

category: travel

editor, new canaan - darien

publisher, westport

Julee Kaplan

Gabriella Mays

executive editor, greenwich

categories: architects/interior design/ home furnishing/art & collectibles

Cristin Marandino editor, fairfield living; westport

Diane Sembrot

sales directors

Jennifer Petersen

art

category: jewelry

art director

Stephanie Delaney

Garvin Burke

regional account executive, southeast category: regional travel

production director

Kerri Rak

Jennifer Frank categories: doctors/dentists/finance/ insurance/business consulting

design assistant

Taylor Stroili

Rick Johnson

digital media manager

Amber Scinto

categories: real estate/lawyers

Ellyn Weitzman

digital editor

Diane Sembrot

categories: restaurants/wine & spirits/ catering

Hilary Hotchkiss

business

category: schools & universities

president

Jonathan W. Moffly

marketing

vice president/editorial & design

event development director

Amy Vischio

Deb Ryan

business manager

partnership manager

Elena Moffly

Kathleen Godbold

cofounders

strategic marketing director

John W. Moffly IV & Donna C. Moffly

Wendy Horwitz creative services art director

Molly Cottingham marketing & event interns

Katie Fehrenbaker, Nicole Frankenfield, Nicole Freitas and Lauren Ritchey

TO SUBSCRIBE, renew, or change your address, please e-mail us at subscribe@athomefc.com, call 1-877-467-1735, or write to athome in Fairfield County Magazine, 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755. U.S. subscription rates: $19.95/1 year (6 issues); $34.95/2 years (12 issues); $44.95/3 years (18 issues). Canada and foreign, US $36/year. Prices are subject to change without notice. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without express permission of the publisher. ©2018 athome in Fairfield County Magazine is a registered trademark owned by Moffly Media. The opinions expressed by writers commissioned for articles published by athome in Fairfield County are not necessarily those of the magazine.

FOR QUALITY CUSTOM REPRINTS/E-PRINTS, please call 203-571-1645 or e-mail reprints@mofflymedia.com PUBLISHERS OF GREENWICH, FAIRFIELD LIVING, NEW CANAAN • DARIEN • ROWAYTON, WESTPORT, STAMFORD and athome magazines 205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880. Phone: 203-222-0600; email: mail@moffly.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Lemuel Bandala: call 203-571-1610 or email advertise@moffly.com

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editor’s note /FULL OF LIFE

Me and Lauren Fetterman

ATHOMEFC.COM

a-list 2019 Don’t miss the biggest networking night of the year!

celebrating 10 years!

SAVE THE DATE: Sept. 11, 2019

I

f you asked a hundred people what “living the good life” means, you would get a hundred different answers. For some, this phrase translates to taking advantage of where you live—maybe that means enjoying time on the beach, shopping at your favorite stores or savoring a delicious meal out with friends. For others, it may mean something a bit deeper— going after what you truly want, spending quality time with those you love, or making a positive impact on the world around you. ¶ In this special issue, we’re exploring what it means to live the good life in a variety of ways. First, in Room Service, we stop by two different pool houses made for fun in the sun (and beyond) with style to spare (“Pool Parties” on page 23). Then we sit down with Fairfield resident Rebecca Timlin-Scalera, PhD, founder and executive director of The Cancer Couch Foundation. After she received a life-changing diagnosis, Timlin-Scalera and her husband decided to start living the good life now—for them, that meant designing and building the home of her dreams on the property she’s always wanted.

Today, they’re living on the beach in a custom home that feels perfect in every way. TimlinScalera details her inspiring journey and shares the story behind the house (“The Sound House” on page 32). Finally, we’re offering 57 pages full of ways you can make the most out of living in Fairfield County, with expert recommendations and in-the-know tips that will help you maximize life on the Gold Coast (“203 Ways to Live the Good Life in Fairfield County” on page 53) ¶ While you’re busy living the good life, don’t forget that the 10th annual A-List Awards is almost here! We hope you save the date—September 11—for the gala at the Palace Theatre in Stamford. Tickets will be on sale at athomefc.com from July 10-24 at a discounted rate, so be sure to take advantage of the deal and join us for the best networking event of the year!

AMY VISCHIO Creative/Editorial Director amy.vischio@moffly.com

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AMY VISCHIO AND LAUREN FETTERMAN: JULIEN JARRY; A-LIST CROWD: KYLE NORTON

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TAKE THE FUN OUTSIDE

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4 t o me, summer is the meaning of happy. it’s time t o bring c ol or int o your home and your yard and embr ace the season!

—kerri rosenthal, artist, founder + creative director, kerri rosenthal

5 6 1 FRESCOBOL CARIOCA Trancoso wooden beach bat and ball set; $245. mrporter.com

2 A SUMMER SHOP Neon Waves, backgammon and checkers doublesided travel game bag set; $65. asummershop.nyc

3 KERRI ROSENTHAL x RAILI CLASEN Custom surfboards; $1,950.

Westport; kerrirosenthal.com

4 RH Brunswick Parsons teak tournament table tennis; $6,146.

Greenwich, Westport; rh.com

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5 PILLBOX BAT COMPANY Baseball bats; $230 each. kaufmannmercantile.com

6 FREDERICKS & MAE

7 SUNNYLIFE

Bocce ball set; $150. shop.nordstrom .com

Luxe ride-on swan float; $70. sunnylife.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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1 DIPTYQUE Figure interior and exterior candle; $325. diptyqueparis.com

2 L’AVIVA HOME

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Bolivian hammock in toffee; $635. lavivahome.com

3 TERRAIN

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Angled obelisk chiminea; $428. Westport; shopterrain.com

4 SERENA & LILY Tortola lanterns; $198 each. Westport; serenaandlily.com

5 MADE GOODS Belda stool; $400.

CD Interiors, New Canaan; cdnewcanaan.com

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6 LILLIAN AUGUST Outdoor double chaise; $3,798.

Greenwich, Norwalk; lillianaugust.com

7 FARMHOUSE POTTERY

t o unify the interior spaces with the exterior living spaces, i l ove t o blend the same c ol ors and st yle. my favorite go-t o pl ace is in my own backyard—seasons t o o in darien.

—karen bow, karen bow interiors

6 athomefc.com

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ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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Huntsman swatter; $48. farmhousepottery.com

C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 Y E A R S

2019 Don’t miss the biggest networking event of the year.

September 11, 2019 Palace Theatre, Stamford  Buy your tickets now: athomefc.com/alist

house parties BEST OF THE GOLD COAST Hyatt Regency Greenwich, Old Greenwich

5 1 Dr. Steven Regenstein, Randi Regenstein, Barbara Colon, Kristin Studeny, Jennifer Schreier 2 Rose Monaco, Gina Colley 3 Nicole Charney, Bill Charney 4 Helen Lowenstein, Lesley Osborn 5 Gabriella Mays, Jonathan Moffly, Caren Hart Nelson, Donna Moffly 6 Lisa Hingst, Jessica Reynolds 7 Meredith Szheine, Kathleen Downey, Kristina Frattaroli 8 Jennifer Danzi, Rachel Shorten, Tina Pray, Joe Lockridge 9 Claire Garnett, Steve Garnett 10 Valentina Iacono, Alexandra Gonzalez 11 Wesley Peixoto, Mackenzie McMahon, Allan Grossmann 12 Aga Senecal, Paul Senecal, Marta Hryniszyn 13 Kimberly Johnson, Leann Scibelli 14 Julie Nightingale, Christine Naylor 15 Brenda Rivadeneyra, Haley Oliva, Adele McGoran

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house parties BEST OF THE GOLD COAST Hyatt Regency Greenwich, Old Greenwich

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6 1 Karen Brown, Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Jennifer Rattray, Kathleen Fillion 2 Julee Kaplan, Lisa Hingst, Lauren Fetterman 3 Caroline Steber, Caitlin Giambalvo, Stephen Giambalvo 4 Deb Ryan, Amy Sinclair 5 Alison Farn Leigh, Grace Leigh, Georgia Leigh 6 Dr. Steven Regenstein, Randi Regenstein, Jennifer Frank 7 Leann Kelly, Taylor Sechi, Robin Ashenfelter 8 Tim Elsner, Aimee Elsner 9 Emily Newcamp, Marietta Contandino 10 Kerri Rak, Karen Kelly

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house parties BEST OF THE GOLD COAST Hyatt Regency Greenwich, Old Greenwich

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house parties NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER LECTURE & LUNCHEON Woodway Country Club, Darien

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9 1 Ellie Cullman 2 Emily Fisher, Melissa Roberts, Lindsay Burns 3 Liz Rechter, Caroline Toce 4 Meghan Gould, Danielle Verardo, Rebecca Feinberg, Jennifer Dinatali 5 Allie Stinchcomb, Meghan Tatum 6 Lauren Erickson, Molly Reilly, Peggy Toce 7 Diane Beck, Veronica Verklin 8 Pua Kielland, Maia Sapanski 9 Natalie Jones, Krista Neilson 10 Rijalda Savino, Alison White 11 Amy Sorensen, Emily Burns, Olivia English, Ainsley Hayes 12 Alex Sullivan, Beth Rosen, Courtney White 13 Meg Leo, Ellen Zumbach 14 Emily Warshowsky, Ashley Petraska

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celebra ting

PHOTOS BY JACEK DOLATA & KRISTIN BURKE HYNES

1 0 years awards

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TOP 10 REASONS th to attend the 10 annual A-List Awards 1

Network, network, network!

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Turn new contacts into collaborators Enjoy a champagne toast to 10 years Get (and be!) inspired Support those who support you Make the (unofficial) best-dressed list Get a pic in our party pages Do it for the (Insta)gram Cure your FOMO Celebrate the local design community

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pool parties DIVE RIGHT IN—THE WATER'S FINE!

Nothing says "summer" quite like a day spent poolside.

With the warm sun on your face, plenty of fresh air and frequent dips in the water, it's hard to ask for anything more. But why let just one season have all the fun? Keep the feel-good vibes going with pool houses designed for year-round entertaining, relaxing, dining and more.

By maximizing functionality and style, these design pros show how easy it is to make summertime a state of mind.

This outdoor space

by Sam Allen Interiors emits resort-like vibes.

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sam allen

// S A M A L L E N I N T E R I O R S

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The scene: The main house,

PHOTOGRAPHY: STACY BASS; PORTRAIT: STACY BASS

located in beautiful Ridgefield, is a traditional Shingle-style home. The home is elevated, crisp, bright and familyfriendly. The color scheme for the interiors is mostly inviting neutrals. I would describe the house as traditional with an appreciation for detail. This was achieved with an assortment of interesting textured fabrics and rugs and various

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paint finishes that give the rooms depth and character. My goal was to create a feeling of calm and of a constant vacation as soon as you walk into the house, and it has a luxurious aesthetic. The clients are an active, loving family of four, and the kids are teenagers.

The concept: The family was look-

ing for a retreat and resort-like vibes for their pool house, but also a place for entertaining their large

extended family and friends.

The pool house features a custom stone pizza oven, outdoor bar and TV, custom stone wood-burning fireplace, outdoor wine refrigerator, beverage refrigerator and a kitchen in one of the wings. The covered outdoor dining area, with a large dining table that accommodates fourteen, is perfect for large groups. The pool house can be used in early spring and into late fall because of the outdoor fireplace, covered dining area and

heated saltwater pool. The idea was to create a space that was a fluid extension of the luxurious feel in the main house. We wanted to create something that was usable and family-friendly and that could easily transition from hosting large parties or intimate gatherings to relaxing alone with the family. This space is capable of all of these things, which is what makes it special.

It can be whatever you need it to be; it’s multifunctional.

The details: The color palette was

The impact: The custom natural

crisp navy and whites, cool gray tones (to connect the color story to the main house) and pops of geranium red in the pillows. For wood finishes, we stuck with a classic weathered teak. We used the same paint color and finish and the same polished nickel hardware in the pool house kitchen as we did in the main house in order to seamlessly marry the two spaces.

stone outdoor fireplace anchors the space. It’s centered between the two wings of the pool house, and it immediately draws the eye to the space’s symmetry. It serves as the focal point of the space, and it enhances the element of luxury that defines this pool area.

The fireplace is perfect for roasting marshmallows in the summer and snuggling with hot cocoa in the fall.

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Design professionals: Interior designer: Sam Allen Interiors, Westport; 203-984-5590; samalleninteriors.com Architect: MacMillan Architects, Ridgefield; 203-431-3329 Builder: Anthony J. Cacciola, AJC Contracting; 203-241-7632; ajccon.com Landscape designer: Craig Studer, Studer Design Associates, Ridgefield; 203-894-1428; studerdesignassociates.com

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athome

mark finlay+tina anastasia

The scene: This is a RegencyThe design of the house was style home on Long Island Sound. primarily driven by this balance The exterior is white stucco with of aesthetics. The wife spent time a slate roof. The restrained faรงade living in California, so the rear of material accentuates the precision the home is lined in large-scale of the lines and the architectural windows and many doorways for details of the house. The clients optimal indoor/outdoor living. are a couple with European heriThe concept: The couple have tage, and the Norwegian husband multiple properties and use this wanted a very minimal look while a retreat.

The house is geared maintaining a level of elegance. interview with k athryn herman, as d oyle herman design asso ciates

heavily toward entertaining, with the first-floor layout mainly comprising three open spaces. The outdoor dining and seating areas extend directly off of these main indoor entertaining spaces for hosting parties and groups of friends. The idea behind the pool house was to create a space that could be used all year long and that would

| phot o gr apher neil l andino

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIC PIASECKI; PORTRAITS: MARK FINLAY: SISSELA JOHANSSON; TINA ANASTASIA: LORIN KLARIS

// M A R K P . F I N L A Y A R C H I T E C T S & I N T E R I O R S

always feel engaged with the outdoors. During the summer, the doors open wide to create an airy space, and in colder months, the doors close, yet the volume of windows still makes it feel like you’re interacting with the outdoors.

The details: The color palette

was selected to make the space as bright as possible. The client

loved blues, and the hues played really well with the sweeping ocean views. The furnishings were selected to seat as many people as possible yet still allow room for games. The space needed to have the look and feel of an indoor room but function for outdoor use, so we used fade-, mildew- and stain-resistant fabrics. This means anyone can sit on the furniture with

a wet bathing suit, yet it’s soft enough for the comfort of indoor furniture.

Design professionals: Architect: Mark P. Finlay Architects, Southport; 203-254-2388; markfinlay.com

The impact: The type of doors

Interior designer: Mark P. Finlay

was definitely vital in fostering that indoor/outdoor atmosphere.

The scale and volume of windows were also key in giving the pool house that open-air feel while still offering the shelter of indoors.

Interiors, Southport; 203-254-2388; markfinlayinteriors.com Builder: Hobbs, Inc., New Canaan; 203-966-0726; hobbsinc.com Landscape designer: Doyle Herman Design Associates, Greenwich; 203-869-2900; dhda.com

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this page: A jellyfish-inspired chandelier, sourced through Tusk Home + Design, cascades down the stairwell. The foyer is painted in Rhinestone by Sherwin-Williams. opposite: The home’s façade was inspired by the Scaleras’ favorite place.

“We melded the idea of Ocean House with the idea of a beach house in Fairfield County,” says builder Gina Schapiro of Grace Design Build. “We didn’t want to copy it; we wanted this very much to be a house that looked and functioned in a way that suits their family.”

interview with rebec ca timlin-scaler a, homeowner ; gina schapiro, gr ace design build; & sar ah weil and, tusk home + design | st yling by lesley marl an | phot o gr apher amy vischio

THE SOUND HOUSE A Fairfield beach home is an actual dream come true

Rebecca, we’re sitting in your dream home on your dream property. When did it all begin? I’ve been coming to this beach

since I was 8 years old. My cousin went to Fairfield University, and I would visit her at college and thought it was so cool that she lived in a beach house on the beach. I then went to Fairfield University as well, and I met my husband, Tom, at a party several houses down from here that, coincidentally, was a house my cousin had lived in ten years prior. Before my husband and I moved back to town, I used to walk the beach and always thought this property was the prettiest one. It had these dunes next to it, and you could still walk to town and be part of a neighborhood. I used to write letters to the previous owner and told him that if he ever wanted to sell the property to please let me know. We couldn’t even have afforded it then, but I

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this spread: The home’s open floor plan and color palette capitalize on the view of the Sound out back.

“There are so many different shades of blues and greens that come off of the water and the sand, and the colors change throughout the day,” says interior designer Sarah Weiland of Tusk Home + Design. “The palette reflects that.” The pillows on the family room sectional are from Serena & Lily, and the kitchen’s blue cabinetry sidesteps the usual white.

“This particular blue, with a little bit of gray in it, is a color Rebecca wears all the time,” says Schapiro. “Her eyes just shine with that color.”

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thought we’d figure it out, that maybe we’d rent it. We ended up moving back to town about fifteen years ago, and we lived in a beautiful house on a marsh with wonderful neighbors. It was a perfect place to raise our kids, but in my mind, it was always my dream to move to the beach someday— I love the water and find it to be so peaceful.

above left: “Rebecca wanted to feel like she was in a mermaid’s grotto,” says Weiland, so the mirrored kitchen backsplash, sourced by Tusk Home + Design, resembles scales for an oceanic feel. “That backsplash was one of the most important decisions we made in the kitchen. It has the feel of movement, and it’s reflective of the water. It’s amazing.”

The pillows lining the banquette are from Kerri Rosenthal. above right: Hanging swings make the alcove in the kitchen a cozy place to catch up and enjoy a cup of coffee. The pillows on the swings are from Serena & Lily. opposite: A large wall of bifold doors blurs the line between inside and out. “The Scaleras wanted to completely open up the back of the house so they could have that sense of bringing the outdoors in,” says Schapiro.

When did the idea for this house first take hold? About three and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and it changed our lives.

I had a number of complications and was in and out of the hospital quite a bit for the first eighteen months. I had ten major surgeries and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Once we got through all of that, we were on vacation in February 2017. We were at a point where we thought there was a chance the cancer wouldn’t come back because it was at an early stage then—it was stage 3C—and I had gotten through all of the surgeries. But we knew life was short and that the cancer could come back, so we decided to move up our plans to build our dream

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house sooner rather than later. We had our friend call the previous owner, and lo and behold, though the house wasn’t even on the market, he was thinking about selling. It all just worked out—we bought the property that I had dreamed about all these years, and we started making plans to build. Then, a few months later, the cancer did come back. It had metastasized to stage 4, which means it’s terminal and there is no cure.

When it returns, the average prognosis is only about eighteen months, so we really didn’t know if I would still be here to move into the house.

We were already in the middle of building, but we decided to keep going, build our dream house and make it a place that, for whatever time I had left, would be a sanctuary and a place we loved.

decided to recreate it with our home. We wanted the turrets and little spaces that just felt carved out and cozy. The front of the house is very much inspired by Ocean House, with the round portico and mansard roof.

I like historic homes, and I wanted this to look like it had been here for 200 years, but just redone. I wanted it to feel accessible but not stuffy. The exterior looks a bit formal, and I wanted the interior to feel very livable.

What is it about the beach that speaks to you? I love this beach so

much. You can walk for miles on it, horses come in during the offseason, and I love watching the boats in the summer. Even in the middle of a storm, there’s never a bad day here. I feel like I’m in the middle of a painting, because every time you look out the window there’s something different to see, and we tried to make the view the focal point of the house with no window treatments in the back and not much art. With the dunes right here, I didn’t want much separation. I wanted it all to be integrated with as many natural materials as possible.

What inspired the vision you had for it? We decided to model it after

Ocean House in Rhode Island, which is our favorite place in the world.

It’s beautiful and has history to it, and it’s set in a quiet, quaint beach town.

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this spread: From the front door back to the family room, the Sound is always in view. “Almost anywhere you stand in the home, there’s a sightline to the water,” says Weiland. “That was very important to the family.”

The rattan lanterns by the fireplace, several of the books on the coffee table and all of the pillows in the family room are from Serena & Lily.

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“Rebecca has this old-world, wise-soul sensibility.

We didn’t want to build a house that felt like new construction.

We wanted it to have warmth .”

—gina schapiro

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this spread: The dining room, located off of the foyer, bears a coastal palette and flows directly into the family room.

Getting the details just right throughout the home was important to the design team. “You won’t see this house anywhere in Fairfield or Westport—it stands on its own. Everything about it is special,” says Weiland. “We didn’t follow the trends or make sure it appealed to the masses. This is Rebecca’s house. Every detail is what she wanted.”

That was very apparent during the reveal. “The Scaleras went away on vacation when the house was about 85 percent complete. It was like one of those home makeover shows,” says Schapiro.

“While they were gone, we finished the house, and Sarah did the install.

When the Scaleras got home, they sent a video of themselves walking into the house. It was really special to see their reaction, for them to share that with us. I got chills.”

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How involved were you during the design and build? I was here two or three times a day throughout the project. It was great to have a design team that was all-encompassing, where everybody worked together. Gina Schapiro of Grace Design Build and Sarah Weiland of Tusk Home + Design made it easy—it didn’t take them long to learn my style, and because we had Ocean House to base the style on, it was so much fun picking out everything. I wanted a classic house with a few surprise elements, and I didn’t want cookie-cutter. Gina had experience with really detailed, higher-end custom homes, so I knew she’d be great with the finer touches and details, and Sarah was great at including pops of different things. I know what I like when I see it, and I make quick decisions. Sometimes when the three of us would meet, they would have a selection picked out, and they’d have a game to see which one they thought I would pick!

no research funding goes to metastatic breast cancer, which is stage 4.

When your cancer metastasizes, your prognosis is often only a couple of years because no one has put any funding into it. I just couldn’t believe that, that you’re just left to die—that didn’t seem right. I had been working as a neuropsychologist at Norwalk Hospital, and I stopped practicing once I was diagnosed. Since then, I’ve dedicated my life to raising money for metastatic breast cancer research through The Cancer Couch Foundation.

We fund two labs that only focus on metastatic breast cancer, and we give 100 percent of the proceeds. I run the foundation on a volunteer basis, and it’s privately funded, so every dime goes to a lab at Dana-Farber and a lab at Memorial Sloan Kettering. We’re in a really fortunate position where every dollar we give is matched. I started the foundation three years ago, and we’ve put more than $2 million into metastatic breast cancer research, and they’ve already published three studies that we, in part, have funded.

It’s been really incredible to see what’s been able to happen, and we’re still going full force.

You also founded The Cancer Couch Foundation. Can you tell me about that? Before my cancer had metastasized to stage 4, I learned that almost

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opposite: The Scaleras had a media room in their previous house, so a media room in the new home was a must.

“Rebecca has a brain like no one else—she’s incredible,” says Schapiro. “She had very defined ideas about how to improve the spaces in their previous home and had the functionality of everything so well thought out.” The room is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue, and the pillows on the bunk are from Kerri Rosenthal (except for the yellow pillows and the pillows with fringe, which are the Scaleras’). The front pillows on the chairs are also from Kerri Rosenthal. left bottom: The powder room is wrapped in a York Wallcoverings paper sourced through Tusk Home + Design. right top: In the downstairs office, the wallpaper depicts the actual nautical chart of the property, with the home marked on the map as well as all mile markers and depths. Oversize rope knots were sourced for the drawer pulls, and floating shelves keep the focus on the paper. right bottom: Originally selected for the kitchen cabinetry, Benjamin Moore’s Slate Teal was used in the mudroom instead for a fun pop of color when entering the home. The rattan accessories are from Serena & Lily.

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this page: Installation day for the “jellyfish” chandelier in the foyer fell during a snowstorm.

“In the midst of this storm, we’re building scaffolding, we were there for seven hours getting the jellyfish at just the right height, and we’re watching as these men with big, burly hands are unwrapping these itty-bitty glass balls,” laughs Weiland. “That was my favorite day—the day we hung the jellyfish.” opposite: The master suite spans the entire length of the back of the house, but that wasn’t initially the case.

“In one of the earlier versions, the kids’ bedrooms had the best views in the house. But we told the Scaleras that this was their dream home; it’s OK to take up the entire back of the house,” says Schapiro. The wallpaper, sourced through Tusk Home + Design, looks like the ocean when reflected in the glass balcony doors opposite the bed. “The second Rebecca saw it, I didn’t have to convince her,” says Weiland. “It has the color gradation that you see throughout the day. Instead of competing with the view, it seemed like the perfect fit for that space.”

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“This project was a labor of love , and we wanted to make it perfect.

Rebecca was so happy and easy to work with— she made everyone on the job want to do their best .”

—sarah weiland

top left: All tile throughout the home was sourced by Tusk Home + Design, including the floor in the master bath. “That tile mimics the sand on the beach, like the entrance to a grotto,� says Weiland. The two painted leg stools in front of the tub are from Serena & Lily. opposite: The beachy tones throughout the home continue in the master bath, with its clean lines and serene feel.

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just no words. It all feels like a miracle. Even though I thought this property was amazing, I never thought we’d actually live here, that we’d be able to build a house like this. It all came together at the right time. Plans that we were putting off until retirement, we pushed them up, decided to go for it and live our life now, and here we are. The fact that my husband and I met at a party just houses away…it feels like it has all come full circle. It’s definitely a different feeling than last summer and fall, when the house was feeling tragic in a way. It was a labor of love, and I didn’t think I’d ever be living here; it was gut-wrenching.

We had moments where we thought we should abandon it, that we should build it and sell it, but it couldn’t have worked out better. From the style of the house to the location, it’s a dream in so many ways.

You moved into the house this past March. What has life been like since then? My cancer grew aggressively last summer, and it went to

my brain, liver, adrenals and bones. Once it goes to your brain, you usually don’t have that long. So, again, we didn’t know if I would be here to move into this house; it was a really difficult year. I have a very rare mutation that there happened to be a clinical trial for and, miraculously, I qualified for it. We moved into the house on March 17, and two weeks later on April 1, I got the news that my last scans showed no evidence of disease. That doesn’t mean the cancer is gone—I still have a terminal illness—but right now, it’s in remission. We don’t know how long that will last—it could be weeks, it could be a year—but it’s amazing. Being in this house, now having a chance at life…there are JUL/AUG 2019

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this spread: The Scaleras’ daughter helped design and accessorize her bedroom. “She really wanted it to be her own space,” says Weiland. “We chose the bed, bedside tables, draperies and the light, and then she had free reign.” The pillows on the bed and the heart plexi art on the wall shelf are by Kerri Rosenthal.

“Rebecca is the most driven person I know.

So many people wanted this property, and she said, ‘No, this is happening .’

And it all came together.

She’s amazing .”

—gina schapiro

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to be. I’ve never felt that way my entire life. I love the beach so much. My heart was always wanting to come here, and I came as much as I could, and now, I live here. This is a nice, new chapter for us. It’s a good new beginning. —interview by lauren fetterman

You named your new home Sound House. What’s the story behind that?

We named it Sound House because it’s based on Ocean House, because it’s on Long Island Sound, and because, as a psychologist, “sound” to me also means a sound mind, a feeling of calm. We’re also really into music, so “sound” relates to that as well; it has a lot of different meanings. Sound House is our version of Ocean House.

Resources: Builder: Grace Design Build, Stamford; 917-446-8214; gracedb.com Interior designer: Tusk Home + Design, Westport; 203-319-0001;

How does it feel to be living here every day? There was a period of time,

tuskhomeanddesign.com

with everything we were going through, when as a family we closed in a bit, taking care of ourselves. Now it feels like life has become more expansive in every way. We’ve opened up our home again, and I feel well enough to entertain and bring other people in. I feel like people were taking care of us for a while, and now it feels really good to be able to host and take care of other people. It feels very peaceful, it feels like I’ve arrived, and I always have the feeling that I’m exactly where I’m supposed

Architect of record: Donald William Fairbanks Architect, Southport; 203-345-6307; dwfarchitects.com Interior millwork design and architecture: Marybeth Woods Architect, Westport; 203-856-7406; marybethwoodsarchitect.com The Cancer Couch Foundation: Rebecca Timlin-Scalera, PhD, founder and executive director, 203-820-8692; thecancercouch.com

this spread: To complement her son’s sports-themed bedroom, Timlin-Scalera wanted him to have a soccer-themed bathroom, which was inspired by one she saw on Pinterest.

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Moffly Media has some good news to share!

The National Federation of Press Women and the Connecticut Press Club recently honored our editors, writers and photographers with

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HERE ARE THE WINNERS NATIONAL FEDERATION OF PRESS WOMEN WINNERS PUBLICATION EDITOR: Diane Sembrot, Westport SUPPLEMENT EDITOR: Amy Vischio and Lauren Fetterman, 2018 A-List Awards program, athome PERSONALITY PROFILE: Timothy Dumas, “Network News,” Greenwich FEATURE STORY: Timothy Dumas, “The Anxious Generation,” Westport PAGE DESIGN: Venera Alexandrova, “The Art of Conversation.” Greenwich

CONNECTICUT PRESS CLUB WINNERS FIRST PLACE FEATURE STORY: Timothy Dumas, “The Anxious Generation,” Westport HEADLINE WRITING: Lauren

Fetterman, athome PAGE DESIGN: Venera Alexandrova, “The Art of Conversation,” Greenwich PERSONALITY PROFILE: Timothy Dumas, “Network News,” Greenwich PUBLICATION EDITOR: Diane Sembrot, Westport SUPPLEMENT EDITOR: Amy Vischio and Lauren Fetterman, 2018 A-List Awards program, athome SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH: Kyle Norton, “Teens to Watch,” Fairfield Living

Vischio, athome SECTION EDITOR: Diane Sembrot, “Home,” Westport SPECIALTY ARTICLE, FOOD: Mary Kate Hogan, “A Food Lover’s Guide to Good Eats,”Greenwich

SECOND PLACE PAGE DESIGN: Garvin Burke, “80 Places to Eat!,” Stamford PERSONALITY PROFILE: Timothy Dumas, “A Tribute to Our Founder: Jack Moffly,” Greenwich PHOTO ESSAY: Stacy Bass, “Tres Belle,” athome PUBLICATION EDITOR: Amy

HONORABLE MENTION PAGE DESIGN: Katie Conte, “Escape Artists,” Greenwich PHOTO ESSAY: Jane Beiles, “New Aged,” athome PHOTO ESSAY: Amy Vischio, “Worth the Wait,” athome PUBLICATION EDITOR: Cristin Marandino, Greenwich

THIRD PLACE PAGE DESIGN: Garvin Burke, “Teens to Watch,” Stamford PHOTO ESSAY: Amy Vischio, “Carmina Roth,” athome SECTION EDITOR: Diane Sembrot, “Buzz,” Westport

TO ADVERTISE IN ONE OF OUR AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINES contact your account representative or Lemuel Bandala: Lemuel.Bandala@moffly.com

IT’S TIME TO GET SPECIAL COASTAL ISSUE

I

THE GOOD LIFE TEAM

venera alexandrova garvin burke carol dannhauser lauren fetterman beth cooney fitzpatrick megan gagnon kim gilby camilla herrera mary kate hogan julee kaplan elizabeth keyser joey macari cristin marandino donna moffly judy ostrow kerri rak diane sembrot taylor stroili amy vischio

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t’s no secret that our corner of the world has a ton to offer in the way of family fun, great shopping, cool outings and myriad of specialty services. So we got to thinking that it’d be nice to go beyond just our town borders in search of Gold Coast Treasures. (And wouldn’t it be cute if we came up with 203 of them?) What you have in your hands is the realization of that idea. With editors, art directors and freelancers all bringing their Fairfield County expertise to the table, it was a labor of love and, fittingly, took a village. We hope you’ll hold onto this issue and refer to it frequently for inspiration and guidance.

It runs the gamut—from fun and quirky to utilitarian and practical. After all, isn’t that what makes for a good life?

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life & style

out & about OPTIONS FOR WHEN THE KIDS ARE CLIMBING THE WALLS (ONE HAS THEM DOING IT LITERALLY)

GO WILD

STEVE BRILL

NEED FOR SPEED wildmanstevebrill.com

It’s a fairly dark exercise to think what might lead you to forage for food in the nearby woods. Yet, there is something undeniably compelling about knowing you could—and knowing which wild berry not to eat. Self-taught forager, author and tour guide “Wildman” Steve Brill leads groups on hands-on field walks and through in-house presentations, covering wild-plant identification and botanical and ecological concepts. At the end of the tour, as you’re knocking dirt off your boots, you’ll know which fruits, mushrooms, plants and more are edible and which are not.

“I also include health and nutrition info, history, folklore, mythology, anecdotes, jokes and recipe ideas,” he adds.

Brill and co-forager Violet (his daughter) run programs in the tristate area (most recently in Connecticut at Stamford Museum and Nature Center). See the event schedule online or contact him to set one up.

3

RPM RACEWAY

rpmraceway.com

VERTICALLY CHALLENGED

No.

2

BETA CLIMBING + FITNESS betarocks.com

4

UP IN THE AIR

STAMFORD DOWNTOWN

stamford-downtown.com

It’s no secret in Stamford that the UBS Parade Spectacular draws families from all over Fairfield County to kick off the Thanksgiving festivities. Held the Sunday before the holiday, rain or shine, thousands line the streets of downtown to cheer on some twenty giant balloon characters—look for Bob the Builder, Big Bird, Paddington Bear, Scooby Doo, Mr. Potato Head and others—along with award-winning marching bands, floats, clowns, dancers and, of course, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. It is considered one of the largest parades of its kind in the country, with attendance peaking at about 200,000. Definitely a must-see, but if you’d rather avoid the crowds and still take in the spectacle, head to the Giant Balloon Inflation Party the day before (Nov. 23, 3– 6 p.m.), on the corner of Summer and Hoyt streets, where kids of all ages get a sneak peek at how the giant balloons come to life. Last year, the event also included performances

by Cirquetacular aerial acrobats, Locust Performing Arts Center dancers, clowns and holiday characters, plus a visit from Santa. Think of it as an up-close-and-personal backstage pass into how the whole parade comes together.

Plus, finding a parking spot is much easier.

BETA Climbing + Fitness is one of the greatest hangout spots in Fairfield County. Visitors can select a $25-day pass or sign up for a membership and take advantage of the premier rockclimbing facility, fully equipped gym and yoga classes. BETA hosts a competition team, female ascents, youth programs and summer camps, and special events like its BETA Boulder + Brew meet-ups where climbers get in a good workout followed by cold beers on the mezzanine. athomefc.com

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Kick your next birthday party, corporate event or rainy Saturday into high gear at RPM Raceway in Stamford. The 90,000-square-foot facility is home to an indoor karting raceway designed like an authentic European track with speeds up to 45 mph. Groups of eight or more race for fastest times and bragging rights. This escapist haven also contains a glow-in-the-dark bowling alley, multiplayer virtual reality experience, high-tech arcade and a restaurant bar.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 5

MILL RIVER PARK

millriverpark.org

Located in the heart of the city, Mill River Park defines Stamford Downtown’s mantra, this is the place. The revitalization of the park is due in large part to the Mill River Collaborative, a nonprofit established in 2004 with the purpose and passion to make this green space a center for community, entertainment and environmental education. For the little ones, a ride on a horse, seal, rabbit and frog at the carousel or a spin on the ice rink in the winter months will do just fine. The Collaborative also hosts summer camps for ages five to fourteen, a Nature Tots program for toddlers and preschoolers and fun activities yearround. For adults, the Fit Club holds classes like Zumba and BollyFit open to the public from mid-May to midSeptember, and they’re free. There’s also a cornhole league you can join with friends, craft beer festivals and available space to rent out your own party or event in the park.

PHOTOGRAPHS CLIMBING WALL COURTESY BETA CLIMBING+FITNESS: PLOLO BY KATERINA MORGAN FOR GREENWICH POLO CLUB

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No.

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POLO: NOT JUST FOR THE ROYALS

GREENWICH POLO CLUB

greenwichpoloclub.com

Y

ou would be hard-pressed to find a more majestic sport than polo.

The power and beauty of the ponies coupled with the athleticism and determination of the players make this a gorgeous and exciting sport to watch. The Greenwich Polo Club, located in sprawling Conyers Farm, gives everyone easy access to the Gentleman’s Sport. On several summer Sundays (July 14 and 21, August 25, September 1 and 8), eager spectators arrive to enjoy an afternoon on the lawn. Bring a blanket and pack your own picnic or choose from one of several gourmet food trucks on-property. And be sure to bring the whole family—kids and dogs are welcome. You’ll see mixed attire, but it’s always fun to put on your polo best, floppy hat and all. There is a variety of ticket options: per-car passes start at $40 online and $60 at the gate for East Lawn seating; other options include Grandstand, West (VIP) Lawn, Player’s Lounge VIP, Grandstand Box, West Cabanas and the Player’s Lounge Suite. However, no matter where you sit, we guarantee you’ll be transported to a relaxed and carefree summer day.

It’s hard to have the Sunday Blues when watching high-goal polo.

fa s h i o n & j e w e l ry

attention shoppers AT YOUR SERVICE

SOMETHING NEW

8

10

mitchellstores.com

Since 1958, the Mitchells have made fashion their family business. And although the company has grown significantly since its inception, continuing to expand its presence with additional high-end department store locations beyond Connecticut and New York, it has stayed true to its original vision of creating a sense of community where customers feel like family. Come for the designer collections and to-die-for jewelry but stay for the unbeatable service, including a fashion emergency hotline, made-to-measure suiting, shoe, handbag and fur refurbishment, home delivery and closet consultations, to name a few. It’s these personal welcoming touches, like the coffee bar to keep you caffeinated or the kids’ corner to keep your youngsters entertained, that’ll make you feel at home.

SOPHISTICATED SWIM 7

ERES

No.

9

HAPPY CAMPER GROOVE

grooveforkids.com

eresparis.com Consider yourself lucky to have an Eres store on Greenwich Avenue. This local boutique is one of just seven U.S. locations, where beachgoers have access to the full line of iconic swimwear from the Parisian brand.

And while these suits do come with a luxury price tag (they’re a Chanel-owned company, after all), their timeless designs and exquisite cuts make them well worth the investment.

As a mother of three, Groove owner Corri Neckritz has mastered the market for what kids want. Her New Canaan and Westport locations are stocked with clothing, accessories and gift ideas for everyone from babies to college-bound grads. And when it comes to campers, she’s got you covered (down to a printable checklist). Stop in for personalized cabin essentials and care package ideas that will make their new friends jealous.

MICHELLE FARMER COLLABORATE michellefarmer.com

When it comes to women’s fashion, the access to so many options—both online and in store—can make it seem impossible to find something truly unique. But shoppers who’ve discovered Michelle Farmer Collaborate in Greenwich (most likely through the word-of-mouth praise from her devotees who have shopped her Hamptons and Florida locations) have stumbled upon a boutique that truly offers something different. Farmer’s vetted assortment of lesser-known global designer brands are mixed among her own signature label of bespoke and ready-to-wear pieces.

Resort wear, everyday looks and formal gowns are all available to shop in store, and her experienced team is on hand to help customers create that one-of-a-kind ensemble.

left: Michelle Farmer Jacquie dress; price upon request

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

RICHARDS/MITCHELLS

above: Inside/Nori; $620

LOCAL DESTINATIONS WORTH A SHOUT-OUT

No.

13

above: Gianvito Rossi PVC Criss-Cross Sandals; $695

ROUNDABOUT

roundaboutcouture.com

Ever wish you could shop the closets of some of our towns’ most stylish women? Roundabout is as close as you’re going to get, offering new and consignment designer favorites (think Alaïa and Chanel). Between her two Connecticut locations, owner Laurie Perren has amassed a selection of pre-owned couture and past season steals for up to 70 percent off original retail. She’s also the person to see when you’re looking to Marie Kondo your own wardrobe, but be warned: You may end up buying more than you plan to sell.

WELL-HEELED

No.

11

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

saks.com

Greenwich shoppers love shoes. That’s why Saks Fifth Avenue chose to open the only standalone boutique devoted entirely to high-fashion footwear, just around the corner from its flagship Greenwich Avenue store.

Part of the development of the Saks Shops in Greenwich, 10022Shoe is an escape into the fantasy world of mules, stilettos, sandals, sneakers and slides from your favorite sought-after designers. A VIP fitting room and complimentary delivery service add to the Cinderella experience, but unlike our fairytale heroine, we’d recommend not leaving any of these shoes behind.

THE REAL DEAL

above: Paul Taylor Navy Boucle Blazer; $595

MEN’S DEPARTMENT 12 theperfectprovenance.com

No.

14

vineyardvines.com

If you’ve not visited Lisa Lori’s The Perfect Provenance on Arch Street, well, what are you waiting for? The concept store—complete with café—is set in a gorgeously restored 1912 Victorian, the ideal environment for displaying gifts, housewares, art, accessories and, on the second floor, clothing boutiques for men and women. Everything Lisa has chosen for the store feels special, but her selection for the guys is especially worth the trip. These are not the pieces you’ll find elsewhere in town, and she’s stocked a mix of casual finds (tees

by Saint James and MadeWorn) with dressier options (suit separates by Paul Taylor and Robert Talbott), along with fragrances, swimwear and shoes. Take your man shopping or pop in for the perfect gift next time you can’t bear to get him another tie (although they have those, too).

above: The Large Tote; $650

LOCAL TREASURE 16 henrysleather.com

GET INTIMATE

SOLEIL TOILE

COMMUNITY TIES

VINEYARD VINES

PERFECT PROVENANCE

HENRY’S LEATHER 15

above: Jim Nantz Forget-Me-Knot Tie; $85

There will always be a new “it” bag, but there’s also something to be said for a classic leather carryall, carefully crafted from the finest materials available. This is the focus for Henry’s Leather, where you’ll find handbags in a limited number of styles and a range of eight colors. In addition to emphasizing quality over quantity, founder Peter Dooney has made sure to keep his manufacturing nearby, assembling the European-sourced materials at a factory in Norwalk. It was important to the Greenwich local to open his shop in the town where he grew up, and after a visit to his Lewis Street store, you’ll be glad he did.

soleiltoile.com

Every stylist will preach the importance of starting with the right undergarments to make an outfit work. But just because it’s important doesn’t mean it’s something most women want to spend any time thinking about. That’s why we love visiting Soleil Toile, where in-store experts help to eliminate the guesswork around bra-buying and shapewear. Whether it’s your first time going in for a proper fitting appointment or you’re looking to replace your current La Perla rotation, the staff is on hand to give you the support you need.

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Everyone knows its signature whale logo, but we like to recognize Stamfordbased Vineyard Vines as more than the summer-centric empire of preppy clothes that defines the local label. Since starting the company, brothers Shep and Ian Murray have made it a priority to give back to the community, going so far as featuring customers over models in their campaign imagery.

Partnerships with organizations like Children of Fallen Patriots, First Book, and those battling breast cancer and Alzheimer’s reinforce their philosophy that living the good life means more than just being a profitable business.

a r t s & c u lt u r e

starring roles FILM, MUSIC, ART AND THEATER—WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED ON A HIGH NOTE

GRACE NOTES

thegracenotes.com

Here’s an a capella singing group that’s really been around—for fifty-plus years. But no one else in the Greenwich area has yet to match the talent and popularity of the Grace Notes. Now fifteen strong, these ladies have sung in cities from Boston to Denver— even once at the White House. Their main mission is to brighten the lives of people in senior centers, schools and hospitals.

But did you know that for a donation, they’ll send you a quartet or octet to sing at a cocktail party or wedding shower? They’ll customize a tune for a birthday boy or deliver a singing telegram?

You can make that special occasion very special indeed.

ART SCHOOL

No.

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THE ALDRICH CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM

aldrichart.org

Tucked away in the center of Ridgefield’s charming Main Street, you’ll find Connecticut’s one and only contemporary art museum, The Aldrich. Bring the whole family for a day at the museum — they’re currently showcasing a stunning outdoor sculpture program. On display are works like Nari Ward’s Apollo/Poll, a thirty-foot tower that recreates the sign on Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theater, and Tony Tasset’s Deer, a twelve-foot-tall, twenty-foot-long, true-to-life white-tailed deer. Inside you’ll see an amazing new exhibition, Sara Cwynar’s Gilded Age, the artist’s first East Coast museum presentation. Her work spans photography, video, installation and bookmaking. Don’t leave before taking the kids to The Studio, an art-supply haven for anyone feeling inspired enough to create their own works. You can’t bring food or drinks into the museum, but you can easily walk to town for a late lunch after your visit.

Adults are $12; kids under twelve are free; admission is free every third Saturday of the month.

STARRY NIGHTS

CURTAIN UP! LIGHT THE LIGHTS! 21

20

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES

CURTAIN CALL

Sure it’s blockbuster season, but when summer in Fairfield County practically calls for spending as much of the season outdoors as possible—it will get chilly soon enough—it’s fun to learn that Stamford Downtown partnered with the Avon Theatre to host Monday Night Movies at Latham Park. New this summer, the festival began in June with screenings of Office Space and Anchorman and will continue in July and August with the movies Liar Liar, Clueless and the much anticipated singalong that will inevitably happen with Bohemian Rhapsody. Movie time is at dusk but come as early as 5 p.m. for beer from the Half Full Brewery Beer Garden and entertainment by Kunjan Collective. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and a picnic dinner or book your reservations at any of the restaurants surrounding the park. There’s little like dinner under the stars on a summer evening followed by a great movie with a nice cold one in hand.

Broadway may be just an hour away, but it’s a hassle getting there and, oh, those ticket prices! Why bother when we have Curtain Call right in our own backyard? This is Stamford’s longest-running, only nonprofit live theater and one of the few in Connecticut operating year-round. Actually, it’s two theatres—the Kweskin with its 184-seat auditorium and the Dressing Room, a smaller cabaret-style BYO-everything venue.

Together, they can mount a dozen full-scale productions a year like Annie and Mamma Mia! Underway this month is the (free) Shakespeare on the Green presentation of Much Ado About Nothing; Grease opens in September. Tickets hover around $30, and the shows are outstanding, since Fairfield County is filled with top talent. How special is it to see someone like Ted Yudain as the Man of La Mancha sing the soulful “Impossible Dream”? It’s hard to believe he’s a local lawyer in real life. Also year-round are writing, acting and dance workshops for kids and grown-ups. Watch out: The whole family could become addicted to this place.

curtaincallinc.com

stamford-downtown.com

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FILM MATTERS

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AVON THEATRE

avontheatre.org

… and if you go to the Avon Theatre in Stamford, you’ll find out why. Here, you can enjoy the finest of films: Hollywood classics (like The Wizard of Oz), documentaries (RBG), independents (Moonlight), and foreign (the French A Man and A Woman). Often there will be a director or producer on stage for a Q & A. To encourage the use of film in classrooms, fourth- to twelfth-grade teachers are offered free membership to this nonprofit film center. And for ten years, the Avon has held an essay contest for high school seniors going off to college—a grand total of $68,000 to date. The subject of their essays? Why Film Matters, of course.

GRACE NOTES: DARRYL ERSKINE; AVON BY GARVIN BURKE

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d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

HERE’S THE SCOOP What goes better together than pregnant ladies and ice cream?

How about pregnant ladies and free ice cream?

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SAUGATUCK SWEETS 203-642-4615; 203-292-8550

PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIE BIDWELL

Moms-to-be have it made at Saugatuck Sweets.

Nothing says summer like a cold, creamy scoop (or two) of ice cream. But our friends over at Saugatuck Sweets in Westport and Fairfield know that expectant moms may be in the mood for a cone any time of the year. And they are ready to serve it up—for free. That’s right! If you’re a mama to-be (or tobe again) stop into the shop for a cone on the house.

But be forewarned, ladies.

You may walk out with a lot more than the cone. With all the penny candy and other sweet treats, the place gives Willy Wonka a run for his money.

life & style

LIVING IN HISTORY Here’s a sampling of some local landmarks that provide clues to our rich and varied past, for history buffs and the simply curious

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THE FITCHAYRESPERKINS HOUSE WHERE: “Eighty-eight steps from the New Canaan train station” —Max Perkins

BUILT: 1836

STYLE: Greek Revival

HISTORY: Constructed by master carpenter and deacon of the Congregational Church, Hiram Crissy, the home stood on the site of an earlier school building and was built for Theophilus Fitch, his brother and his widowed mother. On the National Register of Historic Places, this structure currently has a modern heart by design.

Architect Richard Bergmann and his wife, Sandra—his design associate—lived and worked here from 1973 until 2018. The structure became both the Bergmann architectural office and the couple’s home. Bergmann created an interior for contemporary living, yet preserved the home’s classic elements, elegant proportions and columned façade. From the 1920s through the 1940s, Maxwell Perkins and his family lived here; he was the esteemed Charles Scribner’s Sons editor who helped launch the careers of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, Ernest Hemingway and many others.

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MARION CASTLE

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STRICKLAND ROAD HISTORIC DISTRICT

WHERE: Shippan Point, Stamford

BUILT: In 1914, from a design by the New York architectural firm Hunt & Hunt

STYLE: A neo-French Renaissance château

HISTORY: The Hunt brothers crafted this distinctive mansion for Frank J. Marion, an early pioneer of the American film industry. Constructed as a place for Marion and his family to retire, the “castle” has more than two dozen rooms and enjoys a beautiful prospect toward Long Island Sound. After Marion’s death at ninety-three in 1963, the home was purchased by David Cogan, an inventor who helped develop the first color television for CBS-Columbia Inc., and his wife, Martha. In 1978, the Cogans sold the property to Jay Kobrin and Gordon Micunis, who secured a place for this unique piece of Stamford real estate on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

PEQUOT LIBRARY WHERE:

WHERE: Cos Cob, roughly bounded by Post Road and I-95

BUILT: Four structures from the eighteenth century, eleven from the nineteenth century, and thirteen built after 1900.

The district was listed on the National Register in 1990.

STYLE: Colonial, Federal, Second Empire, Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, and Tudor Revival

HISTORY: The district’s centerpiece is the campus of the Greenwich Historical Society’s headquarters and includes the BushHolley House, a Dutch Colonial built in 1740.

The varied architecture of the twenty-eight structures within the district demonstrates how the neighborhood evolved from a commercial shipping port in its earlier heyday into a residential enclave. Unlike many historic districts, this one displays an unusual variety of styles, forms, and siting. The winding pattern of Strickland Road, shaded by mature trees, enhances its rural quality, and the proximity of many houses to the road simplifies a casual walking tour.

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Southport Village, 720 Pequot Avenue

BUILT: 1894, by architect Robert H. Robertson

STYLE: Romanesque Revival

HISTORY: The library was a gift to Southport by its founders, village residents Virginia Marquand Monroe and her husband, Elbert B. Monroe. This landmark public building—on the National Register— boasts many beautiful features. Its auditorium is well known for nearperfect acoustics; patrons can admire its magnificent Tiffany windows and wander along the stacks on its glass-tiled floor. Beyond structural beauty, the library houses an impressive collection, including such rarities as a near-complete Shakespeare folio from the seventeenth century and a copy of the 1860 Bien edition of John James Audubon’s Birds of America. In 2018, Pequot Library was honored as a Connecticut Treasure by the state’s chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

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LEES CANAL DISTRICT (PROPOSED AS STATE HISTORIC DISTRICT) WHERE: Westport, Canal Street between Kings Highway North and Main Street

BUILT: Houses circa 1805–1850

STYLE: Three Federal style, others altered but closely related

HISTORY: Many residents may not know that the Saugatuck River once provided a reliable source of power for the town’s many textile mills. The Phoenix Mill complex stood on a road called Phoenix Avenue, which ran between 9 and 15 Canal Street. If you are on foot, you may be able to see a single section of fence that marks the spot where this road once met Canal Street. A small cobblestone bridge on Old Kings Highway North crosses Lees Canal, is one of only six old, romantically styled spans that remain in town—and is suggested for inclusion in this well-preserved district; historic designation has been proposed by the Westport Preservation Alliance.

home & garden

above: With the help of an experienced architect and other professional consultants, an older home can have new life.

PRO TIPS

Greenwich architect Charles Hilton of CHARLES HILTON ARCHITECTS and New Canaan-based architect Dinyar Wadia of WADIA ASSOCIATES have both completed many renovations and historic restorations.

Here are their suggestions for a prospective or current owner of an antique or an older, architecturally significant property.

DINYAR WADIA

CHARLES HILTON

wadiaassociates.com

hiltonarchitects.com

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DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL AN ARCHITECT If the home you’re thinking of buying will need work, seek advice from an architect. One who has renovated older homes will know what to look for.

TAKE THE TEAM APPROACH In addition to an experienced architect, professional consultants may have specialized knowledge of preservation zoning incentives, antique construction methods and other helpful tips.

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OLD MATERIALS MAY BE HAZARDOUS Asbestos and lead could be lurking in older homes. Plumbing, mechanicals and insulation may also be antiquated. All of these are fixable, but come at a cost that homeowners should be prepared for.

RESEARCH Archives, libraries, deed books and atlases can offer clues to changes made to your house over time. A detailed history of your home will also provide stylistic pointers to inform the design and renovation process.

HOUSE: © TOM OLIVEIRA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

33 30 DO NOT FORGET THE BENEFITS An older home with mature trees, unique scale and interesting features is difficult and expensive to replicate.

STABILIZE PROBLEM AREAS FIRST The charming patina of age often comes with the entropic effects of time. Problems in old houses are often caused by water, so look for signs of damage such as rot, stained or peeling paint, mildew, damp basements or insect infestations.

art stars SAVE THE TRIP TO NEW YORK AND VISIT SOME OF THE EXCELLENT GALLERIES CLOSE TO HOME 34

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CAVALIER EBANKS GALLERY

GILLES CLEMENT GALLERY

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SAMUEL OWEN GALLERY

cavaliergalleries.com

gclementgallery.com

samuelowengallery.com

A top source for art in Connecticut for thirty years, this gallery was recently renamed to reflect the partnership of Ron Cavalier with Lindsay Ebanks, the longtime gallery director.

Expect to find a mix of classical museum-quality pieces and works by contemporary up-andcomers. With locations in Greenwich, New York, Nantucket and Palm Beach, Cavalier has its roots in sculpture. Owner Ron Cavalier grew up working in his father’s bronze casting foundry and helped restore the collection of sculptures on the Hirshhorn estate before it was moved to The Smithsonian. His galleries represent a true range, from a recent showing of important American artists such as John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt and Childe Hassam, to edgy modern pieces by Federico Uribe, whose animal sculptures are made from bullet casings.

“We work like art consultants, taking into account budgets, style preferences, your space and more, and put together a presentation of things from our collections and private dealers and collectors around the world,” says Ebanks.

Gilles Clement, owner of his namesake gallery and design studio, has art in his DNA. He grew up in Paris with artists Marina Kamena and Serge Clement as parents. The pair continue to create new art together and their works on display include “Jar Memory,” a series of recognizable art “preserved” in mason jars.

Other intriguing works hung within custom-furnished vignettes in the design store: video sculptures by MARCK that comment on women’s roles and David Datuna’s multifaceted collages made with optical lenses. As an interior designer, Clement typically plans rooms first and then curates the art for a space, but he has also designed around a piece that a client loves. For his gallery, he says, “I only select art that moves me. My passion is contagious, and that formula has worked marvels for me.

Let the artwork fascinate you, inspire you, and it will change you for the better.”

Opened ten years ago, this gallery owned by Lee and Cindy Milazzo paved the way for other contemporary galleries in Fairfield County.

“I show artists that I would hang in my house,” says Lee. “I pick art that’s sophisticated, has value and is also uplifting.” An artist himself (he creates under his middle names Charles Patrick), Lee appreciates pieces that have good process behind them, such as works by Vincent Mock, who welded together longline fishhooks to create the whale hanging from the gallery’s ceiling or British photographer Nick Veasey, who layers images from a powerful X-ray machine. Lee and his team are happy to help newcomers buy art.

He carries work ranging from a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands, so it’s accessible for many budgets.

His advice: “Buy what you like, not because somebody told you it’s a good investment or this is going to be the next big artist.”

LOCAL ARTIST TO LOVE: William Nelson of Redding.

His oil paintings fuse popculture icons and vintage cartoons, inviting the viewer to explore the link between the figures.

EMERGING ARTIST TO WATCH: Jim Rennert, whose sculptures include a series of business men in suits (some on Greenwich Avenue outside the gallery), has already received significant recognition.

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LOCAL ARTIST TO LOVE: Robert Mars, who lives in Redding, recently had a solo show in the gallery. His work blends iconic images of personalities such as Sophia Loren, Paul Newman and Kate Moss with compositions made of vintage newspapers, magazines and quilting patterns.

EMERGING ARTISTS TO WATCH: “Many people are not yet familiar with the street artists that defined the last decade; I recommend they check out Paul Insect, D*face, Cyclops and Ron English.”

LOCAL ARTIST TO LOVE: Peter Anton. His works are shown around the world and his Conversation Hearts collection “sold like candy” at Samuel Owen. “You’d think he’s making it in L.A. or New York, but his studio is this bright tree house in Fairfield.”

EMERGING ARTIST TO WATCH: Bisco Smith, a Bushwickbased artist, creates abstract works, mostly in black and white, that reflect street art and capture the rhythm of music in a visual form. “He’s blowing up. Price points are reasonable, and his work sells rapidly.”

BEYOND BOTOX

Cosmetic procedures aren’t for everyone. We get it. But for the women (and, yes, men) who want to stave off the signs of time, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular treatments

h e a lt h & b e au t y

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hen it comes to revitalizing the face and body, the beauty of today’s technological advances is that they constantly make it easier, and a little less painful, to tap into the fountain of youth, say the notable Fairfield County cosmeticfocused medical experts to which we reached out. It is why they tout treatments promising fresher complexions and toned torsos and hands that defy the vestiges of age, and share innovative procedures their patients are booking now to turn back the clock. While many dermatologists and plastic surgeons told us skin-tightening such as Ultherapy and body-contouring options such as Coolsculpting top their most popular treatment lists, they also piqued our interest with some new and intriguing specialties. Here, they delineate the ins and outs of some of their most sought-after, of-the-moment procedures.

37 DR. KIM NICHOLS

NICHOLS MD OF GREENWICH

kimnicholsmd.com

DR. GREGORY LATRENTA

PEAU GREGORY LATRENTA MD

THE TREATMENT

peauskincare.com

Dr. Nichols works to address multiple signs of aging around the eyes, including dark under-eye hollows, crepey skin and sagging brow lines with a combination of antiaging therapies to give the eyes a lifted, more youthful look without going under the knife.

THE TREATMENT

Total Eye Rejuvenation

HOW IT WORKS

Dr. Nichols administers either dermal fillers or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to artistically fill in under-eye hollowness and dark circles. She then uses a wrinkle relaxer, such as Botox, to smooth the forehead and lines around the eyes to give them a more awake look. After that she offers the ultrasound skin-tightening treatment Ultherapy to stimulate, build and restore lost collagen in the forehead, brow and around the eyes.

Finally, Dr. Nichols offers prescription-grade lash boosters, under-eye creams and sunscreen to enhance and protect the results.

THINGS TO CONSIDER FACE: © VALUA-VITALY - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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While bruising is a risk, Dr. Nichols administers a “bruise-away” protocol that includes laser treatments and topical arnica gel as well as ingested homeopathic arnica pellets to prevent post-treatment discolorations.

Breast Implant Removal and Replacement

Back in 2011 the FDA first noted an association with a form of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with textured breast implants placed in patients for either cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, Dr. LaTrenta explains. Subsequently, the FDA is now recommending patients with these implants have MRIs every seven years and replace the implants after ten years.

HOW IT WORKS

Dr. LaTrenta says that breast replacement surgery is done on an ambulatory, out-patient basis, making it much less invasive than the implant surgery of the past. Patients go under anesthesia, incisions are made, old implants are removed and new ones are inserted.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Besides the normal risks of surgery, which include bleeding and infections, there is a downtime recovery period, but Dr. LaTrenta says it’s much less burdensome than the original implant surgery. Patients can tend to their families and return to work in seven to ten days, and to exercise routines in two to three weeks.

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DR. OMAR IBRAHIMI

CONNECTICUT SKIN INSTITUTE

ctskindoc.com

THE TREATMENT Laser Skin Rejuvenation

HOW IT WORKS

Laser resurfacing involves the use of a single laser, or a combination of lasers, in single or multiple sessions.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Dr. Ibrahimi says it’s critical to have laser skin therapy done by a dermatologist.

“Too often, I’ve seen melanomas and other skin cancers lasered away, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and other complications.”

Also, results and downtime vary depending on approach; a more conservative approach usually involves less downtime and tends to yield modest improvements, while a more aggressive approach may yield more dramatic results sooner, but tends to require more downtime.

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DR. RHONDA KLEIN AND DR. DEANNE MRAZ ROBINSON

DR. TANYA FUTORYAN

MODERN DERMATOLOGY

WESTPORT DERMATOLOGY & LASER CENTER

moderndermct.com

THE TREATMENT

With more than thirty laser devices at his practice, Dr. Ibrahimi offers his patients a menu of options. He says lasers act as a “real life photo filter,” helping to reduce signs of aging like wrinkles and skin discolorations (including brown and red spots) and can even modestly tighten the skin.

Dr. Ibrahimi says cosmetic laser technology is advancing at such a rate that researchers are on the cusp of developing the first device to effectively treat acne.

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Dermal Fillers Used in Unexpected Ways While popular dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvéderm and other products have been around for a while, doctors are now applying them to other areas of the body besides the face. Modern Dermatology is using them to fill in the hands, to restore stretched-out ear piercings and plump up sagging body parts.

HOW IT WORKS

The doctors often use cannula to apply the filler to sensitive areas to minimize bruising and deliver a more comfortable treatment experience.

For hands the doctors use Restylane Lyft and Radiesse. These FDAapproved treatments for hand rejuvenation diminish lost volume that results in a bony, veiny appearance. To address ear piercings, the doctors inject hyaluronic acid filler (Restylane, Juvederm and Belotero) around the piercing to plump up the earlobe and strengthen its ability to hold an earring. The doctors are also using biostimulatory fillers like Sculptra and Radiesse on the body in areas such as chest, arms, legs and buttocks to treat laxity.

THINGS TO CONSIDER Bruising is a risk with any injected dermal filler therapy.

westportderm.com

THE TREATMENT

Vivace Radio Frequency Microneedling

This FDA-cleared procedure combines the collagen stimulating benefits of microneedling, in which tiny needles gently prick the skin, with the added benefits of radio-frequency therapy to naturally stimulate collagen production.

This minimally invasive treatment is getting raves for its ability to shrink pores, tighten the skin and alleviate discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles with virtually no downtime.

HOW IT WORKS

After a numbing cream is applied, a small handheld device is gently applied to the skin to deliver stimulating pulses of microneedling combined with radio frequency.

A typical treatment takes thirty to forty-five minutes.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Skin will have a red or pinkish hue, a bit like mild sunburn, for about twenty-four hours post treatment. Wearing makeup is discouraged for the same period of time. Otherwise, there is no recovery time, which is part of the procedure’s allure.

local gems fa s h i o n & j e w e l ry

THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM OUR OWN FAIRFIELD COUNTY JEWELERS. HERE, SOME FAVORITES SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE ON WEAR, CARE AND THE STORIES BEHIND THEIR OWN BELOVED PIECES 43

MANFREDI JEWELS manfredijewels.com

Q: What’s the best way to care for a luxury watch?

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ASHA BY ASHLEY MCCORMICK ashabyadm.com

Q: What’s your favorite way to wear your own jewelry?

A: “I love mixing both of our fashion and fine collections.

I think great style means mixing high and low.”

—Ashley McCormick, owner, ASHA

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HENRY C. REID & SON JEWELERS hcreidjewelers.com

above: .20 ct Diamond stud earrings in 14K white gold; $350

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LUX BOND & GREEN lbgreen.com

Q: What’s your foolproof gift recommendation for a buyer who’s unsure of the recipient’s taste in jewelry?

below: Perpetual Calendar 5039J; $39,000

A: “The go-to piece of jewelry has to be diamond solitaire earrings.

For a woman’s wardrobe, it dresses everything up or can be simple and casual, no matter the occasion.”

—John Green, President & CEO, Lux Bond & Green

above: Cigar band ring navy; $395

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Q: What’s the most important thing to know going into a jewelry appraisal?

A: “When going into a jewelry appraisal, be sure to bring any previous paperwork and grading reports along with any known history of the piece(s). Also, be sure you work with a qualified appraiser. Look for experience and continued education, which shows the appraiser has the most up-to-date knowledge and credentials. Finally, an appraisal should be done every five to seven years to align with current market values and ensure proper coverage so you can rest easy.”

—Greg French, President, Henry C. Reid & Son Jewelers

above: Antique-cut diamond cluster earrings; $25,000

IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS; MANFREDI JEWELS WATCH BY PATEK PHILIPPE

above: From the Fine Collection Pave Diamond Florence Pendant on chain; $3,800.

above: Retro aquamarine & diamond ring c.1940s; $11,000

A: “The best way to care for a luxury watch is to take it to your local authorized dealer that has a certified watchmaker on staff. Watches need to be serviced every three to four years. A certified watchmaker can ensure that the watch has not been magnetized, the water seal is in place for water resistance and the watch still has lubricants. It is important to think of your timepiece as a car; every so often you need to have it checked to keep it running.

With just a small amount of maintenance, you can preserve a watch for generations.”

—Roberto Chiappelloni, Owner, Manfredi Jewels

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BETTERIDGE

STEVEN FOX JEWELRY

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betteridge.com

stevenfoxjewelry.com

Q: If you could choose any item in the store, what would it be?

A: “My favorite items at the store are the handset Betteridge diamond clusters I wear every day. I wear the earrings in the smaller size, but the clusters are versatile, made in different sizes and as pendants, station necklaces, etc. With six fully faceted diamonds set in platinum, the center slightly raised, you get a three-dimensional feel, and the brilliance of the stones interacts making the combined sparkle often greater than that of a single stone. It’s very romantic, stunning from both the front and the side.”

—Lauren Yoon, Senior Sales Executive, Betteridge

above: Extra-large diamond Astra earrings (8.46 ct tw); $43,000

Q: Which estate piece has the best backstory?

A: “Throughout the stark winters in Russia, the master jeweler Fabergé worked on delicate floral studies to brighten the harsh landscape, and he was quoted as saying, ‘It is sometimes awkward to give jewels, but flowers are an acceptable alternative.’

This important Fabergé diamond gold enamel violets in rock crystal vase, circa 1908, symbolizes the influence of nature on collectible objects of desire.”

—Steven B. Fox, Owner, Steven Fox Jewelry

above: Celestial Moon + Star Pendant in 14K yellow gold with diamonds (.18 ct); $990

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JL ROCKS jlrocks.com

Q: What’s different about the way women wear/buy jewelry today vs when you started?

A: “The purchase of fine jewelry has shifted away from pieces that women buy just for special occasions and events. The same pair of earrings and layered necklaces are now worn for everything from dropping off children at school to barre class to professional attire. The casual lifestyle is here to stay, and this reflects how we wear our jewelry.”

—Jamie Camche, Owner, JL Rocks

above: 4.83 ct. fancy yellow cushion-cut ring

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MASTER GOLDSMITH, INC. ringart.com

Q: What’s your most memorable commissioned project?

A: “Building commissioned projects is a master goldsmith’s job description, but this 4.83 carat fancy yellow cushion-cut ring with half-moons was particularly fun. Not just because the quality of materials was inspiring, but it was so wonderful to have dialogue and input from the client about their appreciation for our handmade craft.”

—Russ Hollander, President, Master Goldsmith, Inc.

above: Fabergé diamond gold enamel violets in rock crystal vase; $425,000

“I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, He would have put diamonds on the floor.” –JOAN RIVERS

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a r t s & c u lt u r e

SCENE SETTERS Landmark Architecture for the Natural World and Spiritual Inspiration

F

above: The free-flowing architectural system River at Grace Farms, connects spaces while integrating with the environment.

IWAN BAAN

airfield County is a feast for those with an eye for design. A few wonders, though, delight everyone—architectural degree hanging on the wall or not. Unique, ingenious and inspiring, these structures have a way of getting attention. You’ve probably not only noticed them, but also pointed out these landmarks to visiting friends. Here are their stories.

FREE FLOWING

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GRACE FARMS

STACY BASS

gracefarms.org

The River is the signature feature of Grace Farms, a center for nature, arts, justice, community and faith in New Canaan. Made of glass, concrete, steel and wood, the building flows along the hill on which it is built. The unique design was created by SANAA, a Japanese architecture firm led by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. River connects glass-enclosed spaces: a 700-seat indoor amphitheater/ sanctuary, a research library, a commons with sofas and tables, a pavilion for conversation and tea, and a sunken multipurpose recreational and performance space. The property also has a walking trail and nearly seventyseven acres of meadows, woods, wetlands and ponds that remain protected. Art lovers will want to see the permanent installations by Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, Teresita Fernández and Beatriz Milhazes. “We set out to create a space that would communicate a sense of grace and peace for all; a place that would break down barriers between people and create new and unexpected outcomes,” says Sharon Prince, president and founder, Grace Farms Foundation, which owns and operates the center. “We hope that Grace Farms and our work across nature, arts, justice, community and faith initiatives will create new paths for the individual and common good, including significant publicprivate partnerships that create reverberating change throughout the world.” It opened in 2015 and is available to the public, free of charge, six days a week.

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above: The famous Glass House is architecture brilliantly at one with its surroundings.

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AT ONE WITH NATURE PHILIP JOHNSON GLASS HOUSE theglasshouse.org

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s your life so fabulous that you’re fine with everyone seeing it? Welcome to the Philip Johnson Glass House, a brilliantly designed private residence turned national treasure. The legendary Philip Johnson purchased five lush acres in New Canaan in 1945; the home, with walls of glass, was finalized two years later, marking the beginning of nearly five decades (1949–95) of building, remodeling and refining and accumulating forty-nine acres. It became a museum and site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which opened it to the public in 2007. “The Glass House is one of the nation’s greatest modern architectural landmarks,” says Communications Director Christa Carr, “with its innovative use of materials and seamless integration into the landscape.” The home features views of the ever-changing landscape of New England seasons. The property has fourteen structures, including a guest house, lake pavilion, painting gallery and sculpture gallery, with works by Frank Stella, Donald Judd, Julian Schnabel, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and more.

(Johnson shared the home with influential art curator and editor David Whitney).

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LIGHT THE WAY

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THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STAMFORD

The stainedglass walls of the Fish Church, designed

by Wallace Harrison, feature eighty-six hues.

fishchurch.org

In Modernist religious architecture, one of the most impressive is located in Fairfield County. Wallace K. Harrison designed The First Presbyterian Church of Stamford in 1954 (a century after the original was dedicated).

Set in its new location, the church has a distinctive design. From the outside, its shape resembles a fish, hence its nickname: “The Fish Church.” Reportedly, Harrison said the shape was “an elongated megaphone to spread the sound toward the rear…the fish symbolism was discovered later.”

Nevertheless, inside the belly of the fish, the sanctuary is a masterful manipulation of concrete, glass and wood into vaulted ceilings, soaring cantilevers and manipulated light that

attracts the devout and design-lovers alike. The soothing, immersive feel is enhanced by the soft channels of light, the heft of the exposed concrete, A-shaped ceiling-like ribs and more than 20,000 pieces of faceted stained glass, which, in 152 panels, depict the story of the Crucifixion (north window) and the Resurrection (south). A massive thirty-two-foothigh wooden cross and Visser-Rowland organ center one’s focus on the chancel. Harrison also designed the 260-foot high carillon tower (1968) made of concrete, stone and teak and topped with a thirtyfoot steel structure and five-foot-high cross.

Its fifty-six bells can be heard for a mile and half. This fall, the church begins a multiyear preservation effort.

UPWARD BOUND

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THE UNITED CHURCH OF ROWAYTON

ucrowayton.org

At the dedication of The United Church of Rowayton in 1962, Westport architect Joseph Salerno revealed his first church design. It was a wide departure from New England’s white wooden churches with steeples.

“The semi-circular seating pattern, with everyone ‘within smiling distance from each other,’ is a bold step away from the standard arrangement in parallel rows,” notes Robert Mutrux in Great New England Churches: 65 Houses of Worship that Changed Our Lives. “The free-form enclosing the 300-member congregation is an eloquent envelope that ascends ninety feet

above the floor in an effortless arabesque, culminating in a shaft of light. In the union of wall and roof, Salerno has added a touch of genius. He has gone a step beyond Frank Lloyd Wright, who referred to the spire of one of his churches as ‘a finger pointing towards God.’ Salerno has made the entire church into an upward-aspiring symbol.” In 1963, he was awarded the top honor by the American Institute of Architects.

The Rev. Donald Emig was notably supportive; the Meeting House (1955), House of Worship (1962) and Parsonage (1964) were all completed under his pastorate.

FISH CHURCH BY GARVIN BURKE; THE UNITED CHURCH OF ROWAYTON BY VENERA ALEXANDROVA

In this 1962 church, some see a seashell, a fish or a sail in the graceful slope that reaches upward.

home & garden

PAINTING A PICTURE

A new color or a faux finish may be just the refresher your space needs—make the most of your next paint job

GOOD LOOKS

FINISHING TOUCHES

CLEANING SUPPLIES BY ©MAGDAL3NA - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; DEUX FEMMES PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF DEUX FEMMES; HEIDI HOLZER PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL JOHNSON

Smudges, streaks, fading, cracking—the signs of a bad paint job are hard to miss. How do you achieve a beautiful, long-lasting result? Doug Kitchen from A. G. WILLIAMS PAINTING COMPANY shares ways to ensure an even coat inside and out. agwilliamspainting.com

Ready to go faux, impart texture or add a decorative flourish to your walls? Here are a few places to start.

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INTERIORS

EXTERIORS

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PRIME TIME “Prime with a primer.

Many paints claim to be self-priming, but if you’re using old paint, priming will ensure a longer-lasting finish.

Think of it as starting with a clean slate. It’s even more important if you’re using a paint with a sheen like eggshell, satin or semigloss.”

CLEAN SLATE “Ninety percent of homes need to be washed before painting. If you skip this step, you’re painting over a film of dirt, mildew and, if you live near the coast, salt. Paint needs a strong bond with a clean surface to last.”

DEUX FEMMES DECORATIVE ART & DESIGN

dfemmes.com

Deux Femmes Decorative Art & Design is a leader in fine specialty finishes for residential interiors with an established storefront in the Black Rock area. With over thirty combined years in the industry, Deux Femmes’ expertise spans from decorative painting to collaborative design, from color theory to custom work, and from surfaces to furniture and heirloom pieces.

55 WELCOME MATTE “Matte is the latest finish— it’s almost flat but washable.

It’s great for an older home that might have rough walls or old patches. An eggshell would accentuate the issue; a matte will hide it.”

56 BRUSH UP “Get quality brushes.Spend $15 to $20 on a decent two-inch sash tool for the trim and get a long bristled three-inch brush for cutting the walls and ceiling. Wash it well after every use and work a little dish soap into the bristles to keep the brush nice and soft. Put hand lotion on your hands before you start painting—they will clean much easier.”

58 REPAIR WEAR “If you see any cracks or soft spots in your trim, repair it as soon as possible. Homes built in the past fifteen years use wood that isn’t matured; when it gets wet and starts to fail (rot), it spreads quickly.

It’s much cheaper to catch it early.”

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CREATIVE EVOLUTION

patrickganino.com Patrick Ganino is the owner of Creative Evolution, a fullservice decorative painting and mural studio. Its clients have included business owners, celebrities, high-profile interior designers and many of today’s hit makeover TV shows. His specialty?

Creating custom oneof-a-kind paintings that range in size from small pieces all the way up to murals that cover twelve-story buildings. In addition, Ganino specializes in gilding, wood graining and chinoiserie.

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HEIDI HOLZER DESIGN & DECORATIVE WORK

heidiholzer.com

Heidi Holzer Design & Decorative Work creates custom artisan finishes for walls and ceilings using glazes, metal leaf and specialty plasters, often mixing with brass, abalone and other unusual materials. Holzer’s new venture, Trowel & Paper, is a handmade wallpaper company dedicated to creating unique and unexpected designs.

59 GOOD QUALITY “Prime all raw wood with an oil primer, then buy the expensive line of paint. It’s usually only $10 more per gallon, but it will cover better and be easier to apply and maintain.”

above: Intricate disguise work by Deux Femmes blended ceiling fixtures into existing wallpaper

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above: Abalone-embedded Venetian plaster with faux tortoise shell trim by Heidi Holzer

above: A master bedroom’s hand-painted mural by Ganino, commsioned by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design

h e a lt h & b e au t y

natural world CLEAN LIVING IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE PUT IN OUR BODIES

64 BEAUTY DETOX

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SHERWOOD GREEN LIFE

sherwoodgreenlife.com

It’s a good thing that biomedical engineer Rhonda Sherwood moved her Sherwood Green Life shop up the Avenue a bit in Greenwich. Now in the former Jonathan Adler space at 88 Greenwich Avenue, there’s even more room for nontoxic goodies.

And this is most definitely the one-stop shop for it all. Stock up on amazing skincare from brands like Indie Lee, Josh Rosebrook and Juice Beauty, among others. The shop also houses chemical-free makeup, hair and body products.

Look out for in-store events like mini-facials and appearances from brand owners. In addition to selling beauty products, Sherwood offers in-home consultations to help you live a healthy, nontoxic life.

ORGÁNACHS

organachsfarmtoskin.com

You’ve cleaned out your closet—nothing but “spark-joy” left.

You’ve cleaned up your diet—because you like avocados anyway.

Now it’s time to turn to beauty. Clean up your skincare, makeup and hair and body regimen with help from Siobhan McKinley, a local natural-products maven. The owner of ORGÁNACHS (Gaelic for organic), is driven by her former career in conventional beauty. Now she sources brands that, one, use pure organic and natural ingredients and, two, work. Stop in for a customized facial treatment with VOYA—organic seaweed skincare brand from Ireland and found exclusively at this shop in Connecticut.

Otherwise squeeze in a fifteen-minute AHA skin peel from VOYA. Siobhan can guide you to the best choices in skincare, bath and body, makeup, hair care and more, just for you.

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IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU Rhonda Sherwood

NEW BEAUTY & WELLNESS

“M

newbeautywellness.com

eh” is no way to go through life. So when your skin feels dry, your energy is misfiring, your back is tight or you’re irked by some other cumbersome human condition, you need pampering, pronto. Consider a state-of-the-art luxury spa such as New Beauty & Wellness. Bliss, by unofficial definition, means spa essentials (hello, NB&W Signature facial); medical treatments (think Botox and fillers); natural healing options (yes, energy work); a full menu of body treatments, from wraps to scrubs; a soak with Sweet Birch Magnesium Bath Flakes; massages with or without reflexology—and much more.

Consider the new Curated CBD Massage. Each treatment plan is customized and includes green options. Also, Dr. Carine Bonnist, N.D., can evaluate your needs and curate a naturopathic treatment plan, which could include nutrition counseling, homeopathy or ozone therapy—fingers crossed that it includes aromatherapy and a full-body massage. athomefc.com

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QUICK QUESTION

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NEFAIRE, A FRESH SPA

nefaire.com

The best pop quiz? It’s the one we take about our skin before a facial.

How does your skin feel midday? Without any moisturizer? Are you concerned about acne?

Where’s your stress level? With such info the licensed skin coaches at Nefaire, a Fresh Spa, can create a skin profile just for you and add expert advice on what to look for in products and how to design your skin routine. Their A+ answers are clean, natural treatments—they’ll whip up a fresh, personalized, food-grade facial on the spot. Manuka honey, please. Go for the quick thirty-five-minute treatment or stay as long as seventy-five minutes to include time for extractions or for an acupressure massage.

Additionally, they can recommend natural skincare products that, used over time, will address your specific needs. Go ahead, be needy.

JOHN GRUEN PHOTOGRAPHY

IT’S EASY BEING GREEN

life & style

TIME AND AGAIN

As timeless as a dog chasing a squirrel, we just can’t help running after the latest and greatest dangled before us. The modern world has plenty of flashy things to catch our eye, though we risk leaving a few old-fashioned goodies behind.

Luckily, some services that harken back to bygone days remain—and fill a need we didn’t know was missing until we found it (again). Here’s a sample of grassroots places that know the charm of a simpler time.

68 HOEDOWN

There are plenty of town farms, but the barn at Lachat in Weston is a commonly used backdrop for photos.

It’s a step back in time. The events they host are timeless, too—fireside music, cookouts, art shows, crafts, dances.

Don’t tell the kids it’s old-timey; they’re just having fun. lachattownfarm.org

above: Henri Helander and Jeanne Bloom

PHOTOGRAPH OF HENRI AND JEANNE BY ERIN PEARLMAN; HONEY ©VOLFF - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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MIND YOUR MANI

TO AND FROM

69 WE SCREAM

Set up in an historic building, Brendan’s 101 captures nostalgia as authentically as a wooden screen door.

It’s a sound of summer that transports you back to childhood. It’s selection of old-fashioned ice cream makes this neighborhood hangout an honest-togoodness time tunnel. Located along the Five Mile River in Rowayton, it’s flip-flop friendly, so slow down and enjoy your double scoop with sprinkles.

After all, you’re taking part in a sweet generations-old tradition. brendans101.com

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toandfromnails.com

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e have no shortage of nail salons. However, To and From is different. The second-floor space, just above Steam on the Post Road in Darien is a true oasis for those seeking real-deal nontoxic manicures, pedicures, massages and facials.

Co-owners Jeanne Bloom and Henri Helander are sticklers for the details—every single product from lotions and cuticle oils to sanitation products is medical-grade and totally chemical free. They even work closely with a chemist who will confirm or deny a product based on its toxicity. You can feel the cleanliness—pedicure bowls are used instead of typical pedicure tubs, and the simple bright white interior is a canvas for an extensive collection of pure polish colors from trusted brands like Deborah Lippmann and JINSoon. Technicians are skilled in nail art and nontoxic gel polish is an option, too. They also stock a couple of retail shelves filled with goodies from CAP Beauty in New York. Bonus.

UNDER COVER

70 HELLO, HONEY

You can find locally made honey and honey products. Here are a few buzzy places: Park City Honey, a Fairfielder’s entrepreneurial venture built on a love of local beekeeping and teaching the ropes to the next generation (130 John St., Bridgeport; parkcityhoney.net).

Monkey’s Pocket Apiary, a family-run business; look for the little bee driveway sign. Find fresh honey and honeybased products (2788 Black Rock Tpk., Fairfield; monkeyspocketapiary.com).

Red Bee Honey, a longtime apiary. Be sure to join a talk, tour or workshop to learn about the variety of local honey (redbee.com).

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“If you love something, let it go.” When The Remarkable Bookstore closed in the 1990s after some three decades, bibliophiles had no choice but to accept that it was gone. Goodbye to its quirky narrow aisles and creaky floors.

So long to digging out unexpected gems. Farewell to an easy place to run into friends. Its closing marked a change in the community—from artsy individualism to straight, safe and uniform. “If it comes back to you, it was meant to be.” Then one day, a homemade cart with sheltered bookshelves was wheeled into place downtown. It has the old shop’s distinctive wavy sign and lettering and bubblegum-pink paint. The Westport Book Cart, a book-exchange cart, is the cutest rebellion ever, like a tender shoot in a new sidewalk. Jane Green’s simple and ingenius gesture—sharing books from her private library—is a mobile mini replica designed and built by co-conspirator Ryan Petersen.

Find it on Main Street or near Bedford Square in Westport.

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

craft magic THE OUTPUT FROM A COLLECTION OF LOCAL BREWERS ESTABLISHES THAT GREAT BEER IS MADE RIGHT HERE IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

T

ake a tour of any brewery and you’ll learn that beer is made from water and grain, traditionally malted—as in soaked, sprouted and roasted—barley or wheat. The resulting mash is flavored and preserved with hops, then slowly fermented in cool temperatures. Today, in Fairfield County’s thriving brewery scene, that method is amped further with hops, spontaneous yeasts, light to dark malts, fruits and spices. Want to see how it’s made? Sign up for a tour and make time to stay for a tasting. Here what’s on tap.

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BREWPORT

brewportct.com

This large industrial space in Bridgeport draws big groups of friends and coworkers who gather at long, salvaged tables and benches, ordering up pitchers of beers from Brewport’s eight taps and additional guest taps. Seventh Inning Sipa is a citrusy session IPA (4.6 percent ABV), dry-hopped with Centennial. South End Pale Ale (5.2 percent ABV), a refreshing summer beer, has a light melon flavor from a new variety of melon hops.

Pairs well with the thincrust pizzas and salads prepared on-site.

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ASPETUCK BREW LAB

HALF FULL BREWERY

aspetuckbrewlab.com

halffullbrewery.com

Science is the theme at this small, hip, friendly location, with seven beers on tap including the summer session Blonde Ale (5 percent ABV), created to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the Black Rock neighborhood it calls home. Brew Lab’s Cosmic Siesta, a tropical, citrusy IPA, was named one of the best-designed cans in the U.S. Bramble Blackberry Sour is a delicious, popular thirstquenching combination of sweet and tart fruit.

BYOM (Bring Your Own Meal) or order takeout from neighborhood restaurants.

Optimism and fun are the driving forces behind this energetic brewery in Stamford.

The twelve beers on tap include Bee Enlightened, a clean, crisp honey kolsch with a touch of floral sweetness from Weston’s Red Bee Honey. Within Reach, a peach wheat, is slightly hazy, crisp, fruity with a hint of spice. Half Full’s calendar is chock-full of events, beer releases, pig roasts, comedy nights and food trucks.

In summer, enjoy the beer patio.

Named for Stamford’s nickname in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Lock City Brewing pays homage to the Yale & Towne Lock company that at one time employed 25 percent of the city’s residents.

athomefc.com

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FAIRFIELD CRAFT ALES

fairfieldcraftales.com Music is a leading ingredient at this small-batch brewery in Stratford; even the beers are named after songs. There usually are about twelve beers on tap, and these are regularly rotated. Try Peace Frog (as in The Doors song). It is made with fresh blood orange and palm sugar. Ring of Fire is a double IPA made with habanero peppers (8 percent ABV). Small, with a family-friendly clubhouse atmosphere, Fairfield Craft Ales celebrates beer and song with Vinyl Share Fridays and live music weekends.

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

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LOCK CITY BREWING CO.

BEER BY JULIE BIDWELL; LE FAT POODLE, CONTRIBUTED; MIXED DRINK BY THOMAS MCGOVERN

lockcitybrewing.com This small familyfriendly brewery in the Glenbrook section of Stamford has an ever-changing selection of drafts. Lock City is known for New England-style IPAs like Launch, a pale, hazy IPA (5.3 percent ABV), and Shake Your Booty (5.5 percent ABV), with lighter hops and a hint of fruit. BYOM and try a flight. Or order from food trucks on weekends. Outdoor seating in summer expands the space, which is decorated with craft beer cans collected across the U.S.A.

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TWO ROADS BREWING COMPANY

tworoadsbrewing.com A tour of this stateof-the-art brewery, the largest facility in Connecticut, is a must experience for anyone interested in beer. The campus is huge. The tap room’s interior glass wall overlooks the brewery’s large stainless steel tanks; it is open daily and has more than twenty beers on tap. Try Peach Jam (5.5 percent ABV), ale brewed with peach and a hint of hibiscus. Next door is Two Road’s new Area Two, which experiments with sour and cask-aged beers.

BYOM or order from visiting food trucks.

Area Two’s tap room serves artisan cheese and crackers from Fairfield Cheese.

GET HAPPY

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Two great spots put a new spin on traditional dining

No. above: La Boom! A far cry from the typical Eggs Benedict Sunday brunch

BETTER BACKWARD

SAY OUI 78

LE FAT POODLE lefatpoodle.com

Drive through Old Greenwich on a Sunday afternoon and you’ll see kids on scooters, parents pedaling their Babboes, friends chit-chatting on the sidewalk. Quintessential New England. Until you step inside Le Fat Poodle. Blackedout windows, music pumping, champagne flowing, partiers dancing (maybe on the bar).

Welcome to La Boom! One Sunday a month the popular French hot spot gets even more popular, more hot and more French, thanks to the dance party brunch. Themes vary (think Mardi Gras, 80s) and guests are decked out to match. Capacity is maxed at just seventy-five to allow room for mingling and dancing, so the brunch sells out quickly.

The menu is tailored to the theme, $55 per person not including beverages, tax and tip. And in case it’s not obvious, this is no place for the kiddos.

Twenty-one and over only. For date announcements follow the restaurant on Instagram or check the website.

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HARLAN SOCIAL

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harlansocial.com

airfield County boasts quite a number of fine dining establishments and fun-filled cocktail lounges with exciting happy hour menus. With so many choices, couples and groups can easily get the party started by the bar before making their way to dinner. But how many times have you wanted to continue the fun beyond dessert? For three years now, Harlan Social in Stamford has given its patrons the option to do just that by hosting a Reverse Happy Hour every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 9 p.m. to close. Held bar-side, revelers in good spirits can order light bites from the dinner menu—try the Harlan Chips and Korean fried chicken—and pair them with discounted beer, wine or a specialty cocktail like the popular Three B’s (honey bourbon, Captain Lawrence IPA and honeycomb) or the Blueberry Lemonata (Absolut Citron, muddled blueberries, basil and soda).The Reverse Happy Hour has been known to attract Harbor Point neighbors ready to kick off an after-party.

Made with Prosecco, St. Germain and bitters, it’s no wonder the Rosy Cheek is one of the most popular drinks on the menu.

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

diving in 80

BRUCE PARK GRILL

203-869-8006 Known to Greenwich locals simply as BPG or “The Grill,” this watering hole is the go-to spot for old-timer townies, baseball-hatwearing college kids and forty-somethings who hit BPG to hone their shuffleboard skills (the annual late-February/earlyMarch shuffleboard competition is quite the event and not for the uninitiated). Many refer to the bar’s signature thin-crust pies as the best pizza in town— whether you agree or not, for $5 you certainly can’t beat the price.

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BRENNANS

BY THE BEACH

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ERNIE’S

475-328-9331 Of the dive bars on this list, Ernie’s definitely fits the bill of hole-inthe-wall, thanks to its serious lack of square footage. If you’re looking to experience something other than the Darien you think you know, this is your place. Be forewarned, Ernie’s has been known to be the spot of a bar brawl or two over the years.

But hey, doesn’t that just add to the charm?

brennansbythe beach.com

Though this familyrun eatery doesn’t necessarily qualify as a dive bar, it’s perhaps the only neighborhood bar left in Stamford. And by “neighborhood bar” we mean it’s literally nestled next to homes in a residential area of Shippan. Given its location, Brennan’s could be easy to miss if it wasn’t for the half of a boat sticking out of the entrance. Enjoy a beer and some avocado fries out on the deck that seats forty. Just be sure to say hi to Oscar, the resident turtle lounging by the fountain.

BLACK DUCK CAFE

blackduck westport.com When this Westport landmark was in danger of closing its doors last fall, locals came out in full force to make sure the building that’s precariously (and famously) perched on the Saugatuck River would continue to sling drinks and serve up its celebrated stuffed burgers. Don’t be fooled by the dive bar motif, though. The food here is great—enjoy oysters, a lobster dinner, fried clams and tons more summer faves at a picnic table on the deck as you watch the sun set and the rowers cruise by.

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HORSESHOE CAFE

horseshoecafe southport.com

Unlike some of the other spots on this list, you do not come to the Shoe (as locals refer to it) for the food. Can you eat here? Yes. Whether you’ll want to is another question. But who needs food when you can play a game of pool, throw some darts, enjoy a local band, watch the game or strike up a conversation at the bar with any one of the colorful locals.

Located in the adorable enclave of Southport, the Horseshoe is an ironic neighbor to spots like the Fairfield Women’s Exchange and Switzer’s Pharmacy, making us love it even more.

“I drink to make other people more interesting.”

–ERNEST HEMINGWAY

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UMBRELLA ©KMIT /STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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e all know that there are plenty of chic spots to sip an artisanal cocktail while nibbling on tuna tartar or some other delicate bar snack. But what about the times you don’t want to worry about the state of your blowout and just want a simple vibe and less-than-healthy dining options? You’re in luck.

Our area is home to some pretty great dive bars, perfect for a day-after-hair-of-the-dog or just a low-key night out.

WHERE TO GO WHEN YOU’RE IN THE MOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THE GLITTERATI

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life & style

WELL READ

No.

Three independent bookstores thrive on offering good reads and great service

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n a world where Amazon rules, there’s something heartwarmingly special about shopping at an independent bookshop. Walk into any of our three local bookstores and you’ll see the difference as personal service reigns supreme—gather book recommendations from well-read shop owners and clerks, enjoy free gift wrapping and browse tons of titles—all within a charming little space. Stay in the loop on author appearances, readings and signings too.

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BARRETT BOOKSTORE

top: Isn’t it time to bring back the old-fashioned Sunday drive?

PHOTOGRAPHS: OPEN BOOKS ©TROTZOLGA /STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CAR AND WOMAN ©JCHIZHE /STOCK.ADOBE.COM; BOOKS PROVIDED BY BRANDS

WHERE GRAND MEETS SAND

T

here are plenty of amazing drives—like Rt. 35 N from Wilton to Ridgefield (if you love foliage and historic New England homes) or Valley Forge Road in Weston (if you love windy roads with views of a reservoir). But there’s one that might not come to mind: Beachside Avenue in Southport.

This stretch of roadway between Westport and Fairfield is a back-road escape when you just cannot deal with either the Post Road or I-95. With a fun curvy bend here and there, it also includes two impressive straightaways with home after multi-multi-multi million dollar home. These are the kind of estates that are typically found behind gates and up long driveways. Enough of them are on display to make this trip well worth it. The other main attraction is Long Island Sound. With unobstructed cliffside views, your speed—and stress level—will come way down. There are also beachside vistas (Burying Hill Beach and Southport Beach), which must unofficially rank among the top most photographed places in town—a timeless piece of perfect. When you’re in this neck of the woods, also be sure to take Old South Road, Harbor Road and Sasco Hill Road for more Instagram-worthy photos.

Whether you have an eye for grand homes and gardens or sunsets and sailboats, you won’t be disappointed.

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ELM STREET BOOKS

barrettbookstore.com

barrettbookstore.com

Barrett Bookstore at at 6 Corbin Drive in Darien has been in business since 1939 and just moved from its old home in Noroton Heights into new digs in the heart of Darien’s downtown shopping area. At roughly 3,600 square feet, the new location sits as part of the new Corbin District, a redevelopment project that will eventually bring lots of new business to town and is currently scheduled to be completed in 2022.

Elm Street Books at 35 Elm Street in New Canaan also offers a huge selection of books for all types of readers.

The shop prides itself on its diverse children’s section, which welcomes young readers with a cozy nook in the back to make little ones (and their parents) feel right at home.

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DIANE’S BOOKS

203-869-1515

You’ll find Diane’s Books just off the Avenue at 8 Grigg St. in Greenwich, and you’ll be glad you did. Diane’s specializes in family books and happens to be home to the largest selection of them in the whole country. Browse titles new and old as you’ll find them artfully placed throughout—even some purposely displayed on the floor.

THINK LOCAL Three local authors release buzzworthy summer reads

JANE GREEN The Friends We Keep The Westport native just launched this tale of three college friends who reunite after years apart.

Follow along as they rekindle friendships when a dark secret is revealed and changes it all.

WENDY WALKER The Night Before Walker, who calls Stamford her home, released her

latest thriller in May about a woman who moves from New York City back home to Connecticut with her sister, in a quest to make some big life changes.

Long-buried secrets are revealed as an internet date turns ugly.

EMILY LIEBERT Pretty Revenge Westporter Liebert’s newest thriller, out this month, promises to be a page-turner. The tale of revenge and betrayal is filled with twists, turns and lots of suspense.

“I find television very educating.

Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” –GROUCHO MARX JUL/AUG 2019

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“People who love to eat are always the best people.”

–JULIA CHILD

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

dock & dine NO NEED TO WAIT IN A VALET LINE AT THESE WATERFRONT HOT SPOTS

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L’ESCALE

THE RESTAURANT AT ROWAYTON SEAFOOD

lescalerestaurant.com With a name that means “port of call,” l’escale is a longstanding social scene favorite, thanks, in part, to its amazing views. And the generous amount of dock space is good news for hungry boaters.

The Mediterranean cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer highlights locally sourced ingredients, and the desserts by Pastry Chef Wendy Laurent will ensure you book that SoulCycle class. Since it’s connected to the Delamar hotel, the bar and kitchen are open all day. That’s a call we like to hear.

rowaytonseafood.com It doesn’t get any more New England than The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood. Set in a marina on the Five Mile River, the beloved restaurant serves up classics like clam chowder, lobster rolls, fried clams, oysters and shrimp along with simply and beautifully prepared fish dishes.

And maybe even better than the food, owner and avid fisherman Kevin Conroy is committed to supporting healthy oceans and has partnered with Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Seafood Watch program to serve sustainable seafood.

above: Our favorite “port of call”

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PRIME

stamford.restaurant prime.com No need to fight for a table by the window at this sleek eatery—nearly every seat in the house has a water view, thanks to the tempered glass walls. From inventive starters to over-the-top sushi rolls and classic steakhouse offerings like twenty-one-day dry-aged beef and fresh seasonal fish, there is something for everyone in your crew here. And if you’d like to cruise on over midweek, consider joining in on the Wednesday Wine Dinners (three course wine pairing for $60).

PHOTOGRAPH OF L’ESCALE CONTRIBUTED; SEAFOOD BY ANTHONY KOSTELIS

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n our coastal corner of the world, the number of public waterfront dining options are surprisingly limited. But those that do exist offer exceptional cuisine and, in some cases, a killer way to make an entrance—via boat.

Docking prices vary from day of the week to time of the year and space is, of course, limited; be sure to call in advance for a reservation.

The Whelk’s Pink Siniging Scallops with beans and meyer lemon

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No.

THE WHELK

thewhelkwestport.com

If you’re willing to roll the dice on a place to park your boat, head over to the Whelk on the Saugatuck River. There are four public spaces, which are shared by the businesses along the river. The good news is they are free. The bad news is there are no reservations. But the risk may just be worth it. Restauranteur Bill Taibe, a James Beard Award-nominated chef, serves up an amazing variety of creative dishes in a chic environment (with a touch of rustic thrown in). Options range from deviled eggs with fried oysters and whole grilled octopus to a good ol’ cheeseburger. And on a side note, Chef Taibe is known for his catchy and unpredictable playlists.

a r t s & c u lt u r e

SUMMER CONCERTS

GREENWICH SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERTS Binney Park, Old Greenwich greenwichct.gov JULY 28 AND AUGUST 25 7-8:30 P.M. Sound Beach Community Band

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, Greenwich (unless otherwise noted) greenwichct.gov

JULY 19: Gunsmoke

THU JULY 18: 60s Satisfaction— Relive the Era

JULY 26: Ratso & Friends

SAT JULY 20; Dave Kardas Band

AUGUST 9: CC: Legend

SUN JULY 21: The Barons—Oldies and Doo-Wop

AUGUST 16: Sugar Bear

THUR JULY 25: I’Liguri—Italian, American

AUGUST 30: Wingmen

SAT JULY 27: Lake Avenue Project

SEPTEMBER 6: Exit Ramp

SUN JULY 28: Mary Beth Sippin & Goldrush

SEPTEMBER 13: Barnstorm!

WESTPORT WESTPORT LEVITT PAVILION 40 Jesup Road Check Levittpavilion.com for schedule

SUN AUGUST 11: The 5 O’Clocks— Soft Rock, Pop, R & B

Free to New Canaan residents.

Rain date: In parenthesis No grills

DAILY

THU AUGUST 15: Kenn Morr Band— Folk, Rock, Americana

JULY 3 (no rain date): Mind the Gap —80s to Today’s Hits

SUN AUGUST 18: Keltic Kick—Irish, Scottish

DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND CONCERTS ON THE SOUND On the Island Beach ferry and Island Beach, Greenwich greenwichct.gov

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SAT AUGUST 10: Free Ride

7:15-8:45 P.M.

AUGUST 21: Billy and the Showmen—R&B

SEPTEMBER 20: Doug Allen

THU AUGUST 8: Vinnie Carr—Music and Memories

SAT AUGUST 17: Silver Steel Band— Jim Royle

AUGUST 14: The LP’s— Best of 70s & 80s

AUGUST 23: Cinnamon Girl

SUN AUGUST 4: The Glamour Girls— Swing, Soul, Pop

NEW CANAAN WAVENY SUMMER CONCERT SERIES On the lawn behind Waveny House, 677 South Avenue, New Canaan newcanaan.info

JULY 10 (11): Airborne— Contemporary Jazz

AUGUST 7: Bearcats—Jazz

AUGUST 2: Mods and Rockers

SAT AUGUST 3: Lackluster Bros

NEW CANAAN

JULY 31 (AUG. 1): The Royal Kings— Doo-Wop Band, 50s songs

JULY 12: Bob Button Band

SUN JULY 14: Yesteryear

THU AUGUST 1: The Bob Button Band—Big Band Era

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JULY 24 (25): Doug Allen— Singer/Songwriter, Acoustic Pop

FRIDAY NIGHTS 6-8:30 P.M.

SAT JULY 13: Silver Steele Band— Jim Royle

Weather postponement/ cancellation information: 203-861-6100 after 4 p.m.

JULY 31: Just Sixties—50th Anniversary Woodstock

DARIEN SUMMER NIGHTS @ GROVE STREET PLAZA dariensummernights.com

THU JULY 11: One Stop Pony Band—Neil Diamond, Billy Joel Era

SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 (25)

JULY 17 (18): The Bookends— 60s and 70s songs

DARIEN

SUN JULY 7: Al Thompson Jr. Jazz Ensemble

SUNDAY, JULY 21 (28)

JULY 24: Unsmoke—Country

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SAT JULY 6: Fairly Famous

WEDNESDAYS 7:30-9:30 P.M.

JULY 17: Sun Kings — Beatle Band Tribute

SAT AUGUST 31: Nine of Hearts

FAIRFIELD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES @ THE GAZEBO Sherman Green Gazebo, 1451 Post Road, Fairfield fairfieldct.org

Rain date: Thursday No pets, No grills JULY 10: Souled Again— Motown

SUN AUGUST 25: Kristen Graves— Folk Singer, Songwriter

FAIRFIELD

Our towns are swinging this summer with all kinds of music—from rock, pop, big band and doo-wop to folk, country, soul and jazz—all for FREE 94

SAT AUGUST 24: Mike Cusato Band

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WESTPORT TUESDAYS AT THE TRAIN Luciano Park, 8 Park Street Check westportwestonchamber .com for schedule

AND IN STAMFORD …

These concerts aren’t free but they’re a great bargain

AUGUST 7 (8): Finster—70s to Today’s Hits AUGUST 14 (15): The Short Bus— 70s, 80s & 90s songs AUGUST 21 (22): Otis and the Hurricanes—New Orleans Funk, Delta Blues

STAMFORD ALIVE@FIVE ON THURSDAYS Columbus Park, between Main Street and W. Park Place

STAMFORD WEDNESDAY NITE LIVE Columbus Park, Washington Boulevard

21 and Over Only, photo ID and $20 cash at the gate

6:30 p.m., rain or shine

Happy Hour: 5-6 p.m. $5 beer/wine

All ages: adults $20, children 12 and under free

Thursdays, 5 p.m., rain or shine

JULY 10: Andy Grammer

JULY 11: Shaggy

JULY 17: Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

JULY 18: 98 Degrees

JULY 24: War

JULY 25: Pop 2000 Tour, hosted

by Lance Bass of *NSYNC. Performances by OTown, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera, Tyler Hilton

AUGUST 28 (29): Fairfield Counts Band—Miller, Dorsey, Goodman, Big Band

Park Pass and Ferry fees apply Rain date: In parenthesis

JULY 31: Chubby Checker AUGUST 7: Jon Secada

AUGUST 1: Travie McCoy (of Gym Class Heroes) AUGUST 8: T-PAIN

Departs dock 4 P.M.; returns 6 P.M.

athomefc.com

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STAMFORD-DOWNTOWN.COM/ EVENTS FOR MORE INFORMATION

fa s h i o n & j e w e l ry

RSVP-READY

No matter the occasion, these stores will have you looking party-perfect FROCK STAR 100

LORD & TAYLOR

AISLE STYLE

lordandtaylor.com

IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

There is much to see at the recently renovated Lord & Taylor in Stamford. Among the impressive expansions: The shoe department grew by more than 3,500 square feet; the central jewelry department doubled in size; and the dress department is now 8,000 square feet and known as The Dress Address.

It’s here that you’ll be able to find everything from that last-minute LBD to options for a season’s worth of luncheons. The mix of quality brands and great value will have you returning for your next event.

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HELEN AINSON

helenainson.com She said yes, they set a date, and the search for a dress begins. For the mother of the bride or groom, that search amounts to finding something that’ll look just glamorous enough without taking attention away from the bride-tobe. For over forty years Helen Ainson has been helping women do just that.

Knowledgeable stylists are available to help you search through an endless selection of gowns from Jovani, Teri Jon, Tadashi and Daymor, among others. Need to add sleeves? Match a specific color?

Create a matching stole? They’ll do that, too.

right: Tadashi Shoji Hurley gown; $410 above: Quiz Ruffled crewneck jumpsuit; $69 JUL/AUG 2019

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athome

above: Lilly Pulitzer, Mini Lula Dress; $58 below: Southern Tide boys belmont estate check intercoastal performance shirt; $60

KID-FRIENDLY FORMAL 102

DARIEN SPORT SHOP dariensport.com

Getting your little ones dressed up doesn’t have to be a struggle. Among the offerings at Darien Sport Shop you’ll find everything you need for when the dress code calls for something a little polished. Michael Kors blazers and Southern Tide button-downs sit alongside casual-cool looks from johnnie-O for the boys, while girls have their pick of frocks

by Mayoral, Lilly Pulitzer and Un Deux Trois. In-store alterations are available.

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

BEST DRESSED The days of jacket-and-tie required may be gone, but let’s at least ditch the shorts and T-shirts for a night

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TONY’S AT THE J HOUSE

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ROGER SHERMAN INN

jhouserestaurant.com

rogershermaninn.com

An evening at Tony’s in Riverside is a social affair. Its owner, Tony Capasso, is the quintessential host, attending to every diner’s need, welcoming and addressing many by name while regaling guests with entertaining banter. Laughter follows Tony from table to table.

It’s a unique ingredient that not only makes everyone feel special but also harmonizes with a delectable menu that blends Italian comfort food with contemporary American fare. Arrive early for your reservation to enjoy the popular Greenwich Garden cocktail—citrus vodka, muddled cucumber, rose petal simple syrup, lime juice—with the fashionable crowd at the bar. And don’t pass up the Allen Brother Steaks, all dry-aged in-house. Or you can opt for one of Tony’s favorites, veal chop parmigiano. If he loves it, our guess is you will, too.

Panoramic views of gorgeous gardens, an elegant dining space and wine room, even a lovely pergola and inviting porch have been drawing families and couples to celebrate special events at this New Canaan gem for generations. Here’s a reason to put on that special dress you’ve been dying to wear: Reserve the new chef’s table (for up to eight guests) and you’ll be treated to a custom menu that includes optional wine pairings. Chef Alan Jayson, who joined the inn a few months ago, forages from an on-site vegetable and herb garden to prepare a seasonal menu for dinner and Sunday brunch. Among his specialties are the rack of lamb, Dover sole, chateaubriand for two, crepes suzette prepared tableside and his signature soufflés.

Honey! Where’s your blazer?

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VALBELLA

valbellarestaurants .com This landmark has been serving Italian delicacies to a tony crowd in Riverside for more than twenty years. It boasts three dining areas, a wine cellar and a patio where guests can enjoy a menu that includes the famed house-made trennete truffle pasta and Chilean sea bass wrapped in thin potato sheets in a creamy Dijon sauce. “At Valbella, our philosophy is that every customer is like family,” says owner Valerie Malfetano, who describes the restaurant’s atmosphere as “elegant, refined, welcoming and warm.” There is no required dress code, but it is common to spot patrons in sport jackets and cocktail dresses (we’re looking at you, Regis and Joy Philbin) raising a glass to a memorable experience and an unforgettable meal.

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THE CAPITAL GRILLE

thecapitalgrille.com So what if it’s a chain?

This popular destination in Stamford for power players and ladies who lunch continues to offer excellent steaks, impeccable service, a formal atmosphere and fresh twists on timehonored classics that make any meal into a special occasion. Word is a jacket and tie are no longer required, but patrons make a point of donning their best. How else can you enjoy your martini—considered among the town’s top—followed by panfried calamari with hot cherry peppers, Maine lobster salad with citrus vinaigrette and the bone-in Kona crusted dry-aged New York strip with shallot butter.

Birthday coming up?

Reserve the wine room and invite twenty-five of your closest friends.

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THOMAS HENKELMANN/ HOMESTEAD INN

homesteadinn.com

It is common to spot repeat guests—food critics, too—at this Relais & Chateaux property, where the contemporary seasonal French cuisine prepared by world-celebrated chef Thomas Henkelmann is consistently rated as one of the best. The New York Times gave it four stars, says co-owner Theresa Carroll. Housed in a 1799 farmhouse in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich, this eponymous restaurant, with its exposed chestnut beams, warm fireplace, original art and gleaming antique chandeliers, sets the scene for an elegant dining experience.

Make sure to begin your evening with a cocktail on the wrap-around veranda, suggests Carroll. “People always ask, ‘What should I have?’ And my answer always is, because I truly believe this, ‘You can have anything your heart desires, but if there is anything you’ve wanted to try, this is the place to experience it.’”

top: The Capital Grille offers diners the traditional ambience of an old world steakhouse. left: A culinary gem, Thomas Henkelmann at the Homestead Inn is a true standout with its charm and elegance.

HOMESTEAD INN AND VALBELLA BY THOMAS MCGOVERN; CAPITAL GRILLE BY JULIE BIDWELL

W

ith the advent of summer comes the welcome call to relax. It’s as if the rise in temperature gives us permission to unwind, ease up on social obligations and embrace the casual look. We eat lighter meals, focus on family and head outdoors. But even at the height of the season, special occasions call for a formal celebration. Or maybe, after weeks of sporting summer standards, you feel like dressing up for an evening out on the town. Lucky for us, some of our favorite dining destinations welcome —even gently encourage—a little formality.

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GABRIELE’S OF GREENWICH

gabrielesofgreenwich.com

Gabriele’s 28 oz.

Tomahawk bone-in rib eye

This is not your typical steakhouse. Whether you arrive straight from the office, dressed for a party or in a buttondown and jeans, guests walk down the corridor to a dining room that brings old-world charm to life. It is a refined space that gives them a first taste of what is to come. As Dana Cifone, the restaurant’s director of events and marketing, points out, there’s a story behind every dish prepared

by Executive Chef Joe Giordano. From the unique Kobe steaks to the fresh seafood towers or tuna tartare, served with a housemade crunchy wonton, the menu offerings are designed as a nod to the past but with a modern flare. Factor in the great service and Gabriele’s gives you a perfect excuse to sport your most glamorous look.

h e a lt h & b e au t y

what’s up, doc?

Our area hospitals are dedicated to keeping the little ones—and even bears, monkeys and dolls—healthy

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above: Helping kids become comfortable with the hospital can start by bringing in their stuffed friends for a checkup.

KID ZONE

STAMFORD HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT stamfordhealth.org

A visit to the emergency department (ED) is a seriously stressful event for little ones and their parents. The good news is that Stamford Hospital, since opening its new campus three years ago, has a separate and dedicated pediatric ED staffed with a team of pediatric emergency specialists and nurses. Here, children and teens are cared for in a separate nautically themed waiting room, triage and care units. Soothing touches include aquariums, stretchers outfitted like red wagons, and “bubbles, crayons and toys for the kids,” says Dr. Heather Machen, the hospital’s director of pediatric emergency medicine. “We try to make it less stressful for the parent and the child.” As the only pediatric ED of its kind in lower Fairfield County, the facility’s set-up also protects children from witnessing any adult or trauma care occurring in the main ED. “There’s so much that goes on in the regular emergency department that no parent should have to explain to their kids,” says Dr. Machen.

No.

THE GOOD DOCTOR

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f there ever was a chance of getting the kiddos to like going to the doctor, Greenwich Hospital’s Teddy Bear Clinic is it. Clear your calendar on October 6 from 12 to 3 p.m. and bring the whole family (plus some favorite stuffed friends) to the hospital for the annual event. Little ones register their plush buddies to be treated by physicians, nurses and other staff members at the hospital in twenty departments ranging from emergency and pediatrics to cancer prevention and cardiology. Stuffed friends are “admitted” and “diagnosed” before children bring them through stations for x-rays, ultrasounds, surgery, stitches and others, depending on the diagnosis. Young ones can listen to storytime, grab a healthy snack, tour an ambulance and leave with a bag full of goodies like stickers and tongue depressors so they can help their furry friends stay healthy at home. The event is free and open to all.

above: Kid-friendly surroundings help to make for a less stressful ED visit.

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FAMILY

HEALTHY CHOICE

greenwichhospital.org

Our local hospitals take great care when treating their littlest patients.

Greenwich Hospital recently took that concept a step further and in partnership with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital opened its new Pediatric Specialty Center, providing families access to nationally ranked specialists in every field of medicine including oncology, rheumatology, neurology and cardiology.

These specialists hold regular hours in Greenwich, easing the strain of families having to travel hours for appointments. Though complete with state-ofthe- art technology, the space was also designed to be bright and welcoming to children—and parents—who may be frightened and apprehensive (with interactive video screen, televisions, games and more). Other YNHCH Pediatric Specialty Centers include Norwalk, Trumbull and Old Saybrook. athomefc.com

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GREENWICH HOSPITAL: CONTRIBUTED; STAMFORD HOSPITAL: RICHARD FREEDA

GREENWICH HOSPITAL’S TEDDY BEAR CLINIC greenwichhospital.org

home & garden

HOME IMPROVEMENT We asked a few designers, architects and builders about how they recently met an everyday challenge with a smart solution

DAVENPORT CONTRACTING

PHOTOGRAPHY: AUSTIN PATTERSON DISSTON: JEFF MCNAMARA; DEANE, INC.: JANE BEILES; VANDERHORN: JAMES MERRELL; FINLAY: KIM SARGENT

AUSTIN PATTERSON DISSTON ARCHITECTS apdarchitects.com

The full-service architectural and planning firm is overseen by partner Disston.

“This new contemporary house is directly on the beach with expansive views of Long Island Sound. It’s also distantly visible from a well-beloved Westport path around Compo Point. To ensure privacy, we installed electronic frosted privacy windows. They can be turned on or off for night or day use.”

davenportcontracting.com

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MacDonald is the general manager of the firm, which builds and renovates custom homes.

DOUGLAS VANDERHORN

“We installed motorized screens for an outdoor covered patio.

A major consideration for the clients was the ease of operation when having the screens descend and retract.

Recent advances in technology have made these a viable solution for extending the use of an outdoor space.”

vanderhornarchitects.com

The full-service architectural firm, led by VanderHorn, specializes in residential design.

“Roll shades are built into the architecture for room darkening, for viewing the TV during the daylight and for privacy. At the press of a button, the room’s TV ascends from the shelf of the window paneling within which it’s otherwise concealed.”

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SCOTT HOBBS

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CALLA STUDIO

PETER DEANE

callastudio.com

Led by founder and creative director McNamara, the firm collaborates on design, build and renovation projects.

“Our client was striving for a minimalist look throughout her home but didn’t want to sacrifice function. We integrated a concealed desk into the kitchen cabinetry. Pocket doors allow the desk to be disguised when not in use.”

“These futuristic-looking pneumatic vacuum elevators are perfectly suited to any modern space. Totally self-contained, they’re an easy add-on, even as an afterthought.”

DOUGLAS VANDERHORN ARCHITECTS

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CALLA MCNAMARA

TALLMAN SEGERSON Segerson is a partner for this custom-build company.

WILL MACDONALD

STUART DISSTON

JOHN SEGERSON

tallmansegerson.com

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HOBBS, INCORPORATED hobbsinc.com

Along with brother Ian, Hobbs is co-owner and project executive of this custom-build firm.

DEANE, INC. deaneinc.com

“We’ve installed the K.N. Crowder Catch ’N’ Close pocket door hardware. It ensures that a pair of pocket doors open and close at the same time, don’t bang or end with a slam, and secures the doors in the open or closed position. It improves safety and excess noise and reduces wear and tear.”

Deane is the principal of the full-service custom cabinetry and design firm.

“The sliding backsplash is a creative way to access cooking essentials and watch TV when you’re ‘chef-ing’ it up. When the kitchen is ‘closed,’ slide the stone panel closed.”

JUL/AUG 2019

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119 MARK FINLAY

MARK P. FINLAY ARCHITECTS & INTERIORS markfinlay.com

Led by principal Finlay, this firm offers master planning, architectural expertise and interior design.

“When we design master baths that have spectacular views, we capitalize on them from as many vantage points as possible. Routing all pipes and plumbing above and below the shower provides a completely unencumbered view. Using glass enclosures means there are fewer walls for the plumbing to be set into. In this penthouse master bath, there are no walls— it’s a floating shower room enclosed in glass.”

This master suite closet by designer Amy Aidinis Hirsch is fabulous—and highly functional.

life & style

neat ideas LIVING STREAMLINED AND CLUTTER-FREE IS POSSIBLE. HERE’S HOW

CLOSET CLEANUP Ready to make over your wardrobe?

Follow these tips from personal stylist/ wardrobe consultant Trish McQuillen of STYLE DESIGN

120 REMOVE SEASONAL CLOTHES “Even if you don’t feel you have many ‘polar’ pieces, it’s easier to see the airy summer styles when the heavy winter pieces are stored away. This also allows you to look at each piece and discard/ donate what hasn’t been worn in the past few years.”

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PHOTOGRAPHS: SHOE CLOSET BY AMY VISCHIO; ALL OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CALIFORNIA CLOSETS

PURGING IS POWERFUL “We all know what’s stained, slightly torn or extremely ill-fitting in our closet.

We even know which pieces are trends from previous seasons. These items don’t improve our image or our confidence, but they can surely help another in need if donated to local causes.”

122 THE MENU METHOD “I’m a huge believer in organizing a closet by category, similar to a restaurant menu. Skirts get hung with skirts, pants with pants, just like appetizers, entrées and desserts.

It makes morning dressing that much easier.”

McQuillen also offers THE PINK PACKAGE, a complimentary wardrobe consulting service offered to women going through the challenges and treatments of breast cancer. It includes editing, outfitting and suggesting pieces that will enhance a survivor’s new image and figure. Along with local sponsors donating services or clothing discounts, the goal is to assist with every patient’s journey of creating a healthy, balanced mind and body while, literally, adding to their “new look” on life. styledesigninc.com

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above: Space-saving, nonslip hangers and storage boxes come in a variety of colors, sizes and styles. below: The Park Jewelry Case in dove grey

No.

TRUNK LOAD

CALIFORNIA CLOSETS californiaclosets.com

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our sentimental items of clothing, jewelry and knickknacks need a place to go. Don’t just fling them back into your nearly cleared-out closet; store them neatly and methodically. The new “Essentials” line by California Closets offers many amazing products like hangers, storage bins and ornate boxes for your jewelry and accessories to help you stay organized. “We believe that style is imperative to a life well-lived,” says Anne Marie Durley, marketing and sales assistant and social media manager for the Norwalk showroom.

“Chic organizational solutions are both practical and liberating. California Closets Essentials is full of high-end hangers and closet accessories that will give you your most organized wardrobe ever—with a premium, branded look, of course.”

Be sure to also check out California Closet’s new print magazine.

DONATION STATIONS After you’ve finished organizing and decluttering your closet, consider donating your gently used clothing to those who could use it most. Inquire with your local community center or church, or ask your favorite clothing stores if they offer special donation programs.

THE SALVATION ARMY Contact a local chapter in Stamford, Norwalk or Bridgeport for more information, or visit satruck.org for drop-off locations.

GOODWILL Serving the community since 1950, this organization has helped keep more than 21.5 million pounds of clothing and household items out of Connecticut landfills.

Visit goodwill.org to search for donation locations throughout Fairfield County.

BRIDGEPORT RESCUE MISSION This organization is dedicated to helping the homeless right here in coastal Fairfield County.

Donations are welcome at their donation center in Bridgeport.

Visit bridgeportrescuemission.org for details.

BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER You can schedule an at-home pickup for clothing, accessories and shoes. Visit bbbsswct.org to learn more.

VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA Leave clearly labeled bags or boxes of clothing, accessories and shoes marked “VVA” outside of your home, and a driver will pick up your donation and leave a tax deduction receipt. Schedule a pickup by phone at 800-775-8387 or online at vva.org.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS MID-FAIRFIELD COUNTY Consider donating suits and other professional apparel to this organization that helps women enter or return to the workforce. As many clients go directly to interviews, all donated items should be freshly dry-cleaned, laundered and ironed. Visit midfairfieldcounty. dressforsuccess.org to find drop-off locations throughout Fairfield County.

life & style

fa s h i o n & j e w e l ry

Toss out the old, make room for the new.

Or, you can adopt Raquel Garcia of RAQUEL GARCIA DESIGN’s belief that simplicity doesn’t always mean uncreative.

With her new service, Art of Display, she’ll make your rooms shine while also streamlining disorganization. Here are some helpful tips from the design guru.

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LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

“The living room is a place where you may spend quite a bit of time, either with family activities, or you may have a desk there.

Making this room clutterfree and organized so everything you love can be more front and center is easy to do with bookshelves, decorative containers and knowing how to place things. For example, keep books you love in neat stacks on a nearby sofa table, coffee table or other sturdy surface. If you have children’s toys, creative supplies or would like to hide media, place them in baskets and slide them under a coffee table or place them on the bottom of a bookcase shelf. Oversize woven baskets are ideal for open shelves.”

“Declutter the surfaces out in the open. Be thoughtful of each item on display—a lamp, plants, flowers, candle, photos and books. Use a divider inside a drawer of your bedside table for things like a remote, glasses, notepad, phone and whatever else needs to be tucked away but still accessible for use.

Make your bedside table functional and beautiful.”

126 KITCHEN “Keep your countertops clear so the design of your kitchen can be enjoyed. Use practical storage space so you can quickly reach for the items you need.

I recently had rolling shelves built into the wall of my client’s kitchen, so the different family members could easily access what they needed in the pantry.

Rolling shelves maximize access, making it easy to put away and retrieve what you need.”

128 BATHROOM “Keep the surfaces clear except for some pretty things you’d love to display, like your favorite perfume bottles, candles, flowers or whatever else inspires you. To declutter the bathroom more easily (which is often a place where products build up), pull everything out of the shower, cabinets and shelves.

Clear out the products you may have used but didn’t finish and haven’t been touched in months—bottles of shampoo, old makeup, last year’s sunscreen, old face cream. Freshen things up and streamline what’s in your shower and cabinet and keep things simple; try to keep only the essentials— decide what those are for you.”

Rates and services vary per state and project.

To get all the info on this service, visit raquelgarciadesign.com

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SHOP TILL YOU DROP SONO COLLECTION sonocollection.com

We’ve been watching the construction for what seems like forever. The time has finally come—the new SoNo Collection opens this fall in Norwalk. Located just off of I-95, the more than 700,000-square-foot mixed-use mall managed by Brookfield Properties promises to bring big changes to our shopping and dining landscape.

Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom have already committed to opening anchor stores and other mall faves like Sephora and J.Jill have signed up, too. Chain sports bar Yard House will also take up residence. But it’s still a mystery as to who else will fill the massive space, which can hold up to 100 stores and a 150-room hotel. Plans are in place for a twelve-acre public parklike space off of West Avenue, where shoppers can feel free to chill or dine at one of the restaurants with outdoor seating. At press time the mall was slated for a late October opening.

life & style

STAYING PUT

No.

above: A rendering of what shoppers can expect.

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130 athomeingreenwich.org athomeindarien.org stayingathomeinwilton.org … or “aging in place” or whatever you want to call it when people in their more advanced years don’t feel like leaving the comfort of their own homes and moving into some sort of retirement place. Well, At Home in Greenwich is helping them do just that without missing a beat. There are 200 similar groups around the U.S., including Darien, New Canaan and Wilton, all using the same model, slightly tweaked for their towns. The Greenwich membership fee—$500 a year for singles; $650 for household— will entitle you to a social network and 125 services provided by an army of volunteers and professionals. They’ll help you get to a doctor appointment, navigate your computer, pay your bills, engage a good plumber or organize a party—whatever it takes so you can stay home. In Greenwich alone, some 200 members ages forty-nine to 100 have happily signed up. athomefc.com

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IN OUR BACKYARD

NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER

newcanaannature.org

A

limited selection of New York Botanical Garden’s bountiful collection of art, gardening and wellness classes are available at the New Canaan Nature Center, saving you a drive to the Bronx.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BRANDS

MAKING ROOM

life & style

HOME RUN The best waiting room is your own living room

PHOTOGRAPH OF BOY © MICHAELJUNG - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; CAR ©6TH GEAR - STOCK.ADOBE.CO; COMB©PATRICK J. - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; QUENTIN ROW PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BRANDS

Whether you’re busy, have limited mobility, or are just dodging the public eye for some reason (your business, not ours), there are plenty of services popping up that bring the expertise to you

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BUG OFF

DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE

ROAD WARRIOR

IT’S HIS CALL

… or your office, a nursing home, rehab facility or emergency department, though hospitals are what Dr. James Brunetti wants to keep you out of. Realizing that his young family needed more of him, after eighteen years in practice the popular Greenwich internist transitioned to a more intimate concierge model with a one-time annual fee. Open for business 24/7, Dr. Brunetti now spends 30 percent of his time on in-home visits. When you need him, no matter the hour, he will arrive at your door with his nurse and a van full of equipment, including IV fluid, nebulizer, oxygen, supplies for drawing blood, an EKG machine and even an ultrasound machine, which he finds very helpful in the middle of the night on making the decision whether or not a patient needs to go to the hospital. His goal is to make it easier for his patients to stay in the comfort of their own homes.

Another great idea we didn’t think of: Get your car serviced at home. Mobile Mechanic CT, founded by Jordan Ranney, can take care of diagnostics, oil changes, fluid service, tune-ups, tires and brakes, suspensions, timing belts, and so forth while you hang out in the best waiting area ever— your home. The certified mechanic comes to you, at home or roadside (they cover Fairfield, Westport and Weston); yes, they offer free estimates and warranties.

Worried about lice? Hair Genies, founded by Allyson Greifenberger and Kristy Gordon, offers a check and, if needed, a pesticide-free, allnatural treatment. Choose between salon services in Norwalk and Byram or a house call. The service, which runs about two hours, is by appointment, but they try to make it same-day.

thehairgenies.com

mobilemechanicct.com

203-900-1090

MAN ON THE MOVE

No.

136 QUENTIN ROW

quentinrow.com

In a fun way to reach out to customers, Ryan Meserole is rolling out his brand Quentin Row to-go: a twenty-two-footlong mobile showroom with high-quality, handcrafted suits and shirts. Also, find him in Sconset Square in Westport at Gino’s Tailoring and online.

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Busy schedule? Doorbell Barbers is an on-demand, in-home barber service for men. Owner Christian Iannucci says he brings a full list of services—cuts, styling, manicures, hot-towel shaves, massage, shoe shines (cigar or bourbon with that beard trimming? Sure!)—to your home, office or wherever.

Whether you’re busy nailing down details for upcoming travel plans or getting groomsmen in shape before a wedding, you can book your appointment online and bring the licensed talent to your Fairfield County doorstep.

doorbellbarbers.com

home & garden

garden guardians WEATHER AND CRITTERS CAN WREAK HAVOC ON YOUR LANDSCAPE. HERE ARE SOME SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

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HOFFMAN LANDSCAPES

THE LAURELROCK COMPANY laurelrock.com

GEESE RELIEF

geeserelief.com

JP MCHALE PEST MANAGEMENT

Salt spray and salt water are lovely features of a property on Long Island Sound, but nor’easters and other rough weather can batter the plantings of coastal homeowners.

Hoffman horticulturist and arborist Rick King has plenty of experience in preventing salt damage and mitigating it post-storm. “We always add gypsum to the soil when a site is on the water,” notes King. “It helps to leach the salt from the soil.” He also advises choosing salt-tolerant species, such as various ornamental grasses.

For trees, King recommends junipers, as many evergreens are susceptible to salty environments.

Winterberry is a hardy shrub on the coast, as is viburnum, though the latter needs room to spread.

Away from the shore, wind can also disrupt the landscape. Broadleaf evergreens need shelter, and even burlap cover for harsh winters.

“A successful landscape is all about the right plant in the right spot,” says King.

Gone are the wasteful days of an automated lawn sprinkler system going full tilt during a rainstorm.

LaurelRock enhancements manager Tim Wells describes “smart” irrigation systems that adjust water delivery based on weather conditions. Any internetready device will control this advanced watering setup; it has soil moisture sensors that allow for monitoring and adjustments on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

“The rain sensors shut off the system, and controllers turn it on again once the water evaporates,” notes Wells. While this year’s wet spring may have gotten plants and shrubs off to a good start, weather is unpredictable, and the efficiency of the latest irrigation systems can help alleviate the burden of water restrictions when droughts occur. “Irrigation is an add-on in the landscape,” says Wells, “but it’s also an insurance policy against the cost of replanting.

Most customers find it worth the investment.”

An open lawn beside a body of water provides a tempting habitat for flocks of Canada geese.

Unfortunately, geese can be aggressive and messy—one adult can deposit more than a pound of waste on a lawn daily. Since 1997, Chris Santopietro has been solving the problem, thanks to the herding instinct of the trained Border collies that his Geese Relief team uses to discourage geese from clients’ property. Handlers use sheepherding commands, and the dogs respond by herding the geese. A dog will not harm the birds, but its demeanor discourages the flock, which sees the collie as a predator. The process requires daily visits, and over time the geese will decide to take up residence elsewhere. If you don’t yet have a flock to contend with, Santopietro advises: Don’t have bird feeders on your property.

If geese are beginning to gather, prospective clients can watch his team in action to observe the method’s effectiveness.

Rob Rieger of JP McHale notes that the firm handles abatement for most insect and animal pests that pose problems for local homeowners, from unwanted residents (e.g., skunks and squirrels) to many types of insect infestations. They first identify the problem and then remove pest habitats and, in the cases of larger animals, relocate them. “Our message is peace of mind, which we effect in a fast, non-intrusive, eco-friendly manner,” says Rieger.

The company also tries to help mitigate pest problems by offering pointers for prevention. Birds have plenty of food in the summer, so remove feeders that can attract squirrels and other rodents.

Eliminate standing water— birdbaths and pool covers are culprits—and create an air current with fans around your patio. Both practices can deter flying insects.

If you’re having a party, water plants and flowers just before; this mimics rain and keeps pollinating insects away until plants dry out.

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above: There are plenty of natural ways to keep your property picture-perfect and pest free.

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PHOTOGRAPH FOR GLENGATE BY NEIL LANDINO

DEFENSIVE MEASURES GLENGATE glengatecompany.com

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ordan Scott, CEO of Glengate, a landscape, pool and lifestyle company, discussed healthy landscapes with Dan Maki, a partner GLENGATE VP in charge of property care, as well as Mary Ellen (Mel) Lemay. (She directs the Aspetuck Land Trust, which engages with glengatecompany.com landowners throughout Fairfield County to encourage biodiversity with green corridors that crisscross the county.) All three noted that ticks and mosquitoes have become a problem on the local landscape because homeowners often unknowingly create landscapes where they will thrive. Thinning woodlands that surround your property opens airflow, which discourages swarming mosquitoes and creates a healthier environment for the lawn. Also recommended are wood-chip barriers between woodland and lawn; ticks avoid open areas. Lemay adds, “Creating meadow on a property provides room for sun-loving flowers and shrubs, and ticks won’t go there.” Maki recommends native plants and shrubs that encourage beneficial wildlife—bees, butterflies and birds—such as pepperbush, New Jersey tea, bayberry and spicebush. The list of attractive natives is long and diverse, and while some non-native plants are quick growing and visually attractive, such as Japanese barberry (a tick magnet!) or burning bush, in the long run they discourage the biodiversity that local plant species can preserve.

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life & style

where do I ...?

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WE’VE GOT THE 411 ON SOME PRETTY UNIQUE SERVICES

SILVER LININGS

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144 THE SILVERSMITH

silversmithshop.com

tradeupholsterycompany.com

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ave the cats done in your brocade love seat?

Did a kid flip a plate of goulash on a dining room chair? Call Trade Upholstery in Cos Cob. Better yet, stop by this humble little shop tucked away on a quiet little street where miracles have happened since 1970 when John Lienhardt took over. “It’s called Trade Upholstery, because I’d say 90 percent of our business comes from decorators,” explains this third-generation upholstery man whose father came from Germany.

And the fourth generation, sons Rick and Ron, are there hammering and stitching away beside him, while his wife, Liz, keeps the books and hovers over her “boys.”

They do things the old-fashioned way—taking that wing chair down to bare bones (no covering over covers), redoing frames, whatever—and will tackle anything, from your needlepoint pillows to upholstering the walls of a converted barn. Yes, indeed, the decorators go here, and you can, too.

above: A handsome wing chair lovingly restored the old-fashioned way

LEADER IN LEATHER

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143 OCCHICONE FINE LEATHER GOODS

914-937-6327 Just over the Greenwich border in Port Chester, we have a bit of a celebrity—Joe Occhicone of Occhicone Fine Leather. The man is a true artist in the world of leather, having descended from five generations in the trade in Italy and being open for business for three decades. His is no ordinary shoe repair shop. He can make anything from scratch—custom shoes, alligator handbags, belts, even a little decoration to perfectly match the one gone missing from your favorite pair of shoes. Big shops like Mitchells/Richards and Saks have discovered them, too—“them” because this is a family business, with his wife, Rosa, daughter Anna, five grandsons on a free Saturday, plus ten others. Joe has trained them to do things his way, the good old-fashioned way. athomefc.com

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Actually, more than silver linings.

We’re talking about solid sterling.

That’s the specialty of The Silversmith in Greenwich. In 1997 Mark Fakundiny left the corporate world to take over from his father, a German silversmith who had a shop in town for thirty years. With Mark’s wife, Jennifer, and cousin Mike Billowitz joining him, they do it all: appraise estates, buy fine pieces (Downton Abbey-esque tableware), sell gifts (like candlesticks and picture frames), and repair things (the broken arm of a chandelier or great-grandmother’s dented coffee pot). Recently they were busy engraving trophies and graduation presents and restoring a giant lion’s head door knocker a foot-tall.

The craft is ancient, the tools modern, and The Silversmith a unique resource.

IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

TRADING UP TRADE UPHOLSTERY

fa s h i o n & j e w e l ry

ONE-OFA-KIND Fashionable finds that will have you standing out from the crowd SUIT UP, STYLE HEROES 146

STEPHEN KEMPSON LONDON

stephenkempson.com While Stephen Kempson London isn’t the only place to indulge in the pure pleasure of ordering a bespoke suit in Fairfield County, this Westport studio has advantages that those in the know appreciate. You can count on expert help every step of the way to your new fully custom suit, complete with in-house work done by hand. You can also expect the rich experience of choosing from fine fabrics, polished patterns and enhancing embellishments.

Further, you can round out your dapper look with shoes and accessories. Perks include in-house tailoring, wardrobe consultation and ready-to-wear options—all in a handsome, riverside studio. The workroom has ample elbow room and oversized work tables to lay out fabric options and to stack up shirt, jacket and tie choices to create different looks. The comfortable seating area is like a gentlemen’s club—just add cigars and whiskey. Clothier Stephen Kempson clearly enjoys his work, and he can draw on years of experience in technique, client care and refined style to help— his English accent is just a ridiculously perfect extra.

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above: Glenn Beyus as Elvis

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PLAYING DRESS UP SOPHIA’S COSTUMES AND GIFTS sophiascostumes.com

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ruising the Greek Isles? How about a Cleo wig and King Tut headdress for that special night on board? Chaps and Stetson for a Greenwich Riding and Trail fundraiser? A fringed flapper dress and white dinner jacket for a Gatsby party? Sophia’s in Greenwich has it all—hundreds of costumes and accessories to rent; and if you just must take home a glamorous gown for keeps, you can buy one here. Vintage clothes and jewelry are a specialty of this eclectic boutique, in town for over thirty years. So are Sophia Scarpelli’s pet beagles that Sophia and Glenn Beyus, her costume guru, dress up as witches, Hell’s Angels and Tinkerbells on occasion.

Take time to browse. There’s no place like it for good, clean fun.

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GUNS INTO PLOWSHARES? 147

JESSICA MINDICH’S CALIBER COLLECTION

calibercollection.com Better yet—guns into jewelry.

And Greenwich resident Jessica Mindich is doing an amazing job of it. Back in 2008, the former General Council launched Jewelry for a Cause, designing custom pieces to raise money for schools and nonprofits. But an auspicious conversation about urban gun violence with Cory Booker, then Mayor of Newark, took her a giant step further.

Renaming her company the Caliber Collection, she began partnering with the Newark police to make jewelry from the melted metal of the illegal and unwanted weapons and shell casings gathered in their buyback programs.

Each bracelet, necklace and cufflink is stamped with the serial number of a weapon and the name of the city— now including Hartford, San Francisco, Detroit, Miami and Las Vegas—where it was collected. To date, Jessica has taken over 3,000 guns off the streets, and sales of Caliber products in eighty-seven countries have raised $275,000 for police buybacks. You’ll find them on-line or at Perfect Provenance in Greenwich. A unique and inspirational gift, what?

home & garden

TO MARKET WE GO A look at a few over-the-top homes on the market right now

LIFE’S A BEACH

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148 ROWAYTON LIVING

Waterfront homes along the Five Mile River in Rowayton don’t pop up on the market that often. And when one does, it’s almost never as gorgeous as 5 Rowayton Avenue. The custom contemporary beachfront home comes with all the bells and whistles—heated limestone floors, automatic solar shades and even a TV that hides into the ceiling so it doesn’t block those panoramic water views. The stunning steel staircase and wood ceiling beams just add to the architectural beauty. Outside you’ll be able to throw the best parties—a pool and spa and three levels of outdoor space. Contact listing agent Stacy Book at William Raveis and for $4.999 million you could call the 6,269 square-foot home yours.

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INSIDE OUT

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149 GREENWICH LIVING Over the top even by Greenwich standards, at $29.5 million this Lake Avenue residence designed by award-winning architect Dinyar Wadia was the most expensive house on the Greenwich market until very recently (in late May Houlihan Lawrence’s Sally Maloney listed a Belle Haven waterfront estate for $39.5 million). Rivaling the stunning interior of the twenty-six room home are the magnificent gardens and outdoor entertaining spaces (18,000 square feet on three acres).

“Amarpali is an impressive, one-of-a kind estate combining new construction with impeccable old-world grandeur.

The property is exceptionally designed for intimate or grandscale entertaining and blends formality with comfort seamlessly,” says listing agent Amy Balducci of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Who needs Versailles when you’ve got Amarpali?

KING OF THE JUNGLE

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150 WESTPORT LIVING Into having it all?

Welcome to 54 Lyons Plains Road, Westport—on the market with agent Faith Schachne at William Raveis for $6,499,000. Beyond the mahogany gates, follow the beautifully landscaped driveway to this 2008 estate created by Austin Patterson Disston Architects and Michael Greenberg Associates. A fivebedroom, four-car garage Colonial, it has of-the-moment SAVANT Smart House System to manage Apple TV, lighting and HVAC. The athome magazine A-List Awardwinning kitchen is a chef’s dream, with a LaCorneau 150 stove, two vaulted ovens, Wolf double ovens and a custom island— plus, the 1,500-bottle wine room is pretty nice. Enjoy more of the good life in the gym or stroll down the stone terraces for a dip in the pool/ spa and warm up by the outdoor fireplace afterwards. Squeeze in a game on the state-of-the-art HarTru tennis court, with custom fencing and windscreens, or pick produce from the Homefront organic garden.

home & garden

PHOTOGRAPHS OF 54 LYONS PLAINS ROAD BY JOHN VIDELER

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE

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151 NEW CANAAN LIVING

Owning 32 Brookwood Lane in New Canaan would be pretty cool. And it’s not just because famed singers Paul Simon and Edie Brickell currently live there. Or because the Dana family (Dana Farber, and the Charles and Norma Dana Foundation) lived there, too. The home is set in a thirty-two-acre private park, stunningly landscaped with a rock-rimmed pond surrounded by meadows, woodlands and a massive great lawn. There are formal walled gardens, too, which were originally designed under the hands of former owner Marjorie Green, daughter of GM founder William Durant. Listed by Leslie Razook of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, this 1938 8,525-square-foot whitewashed brick Georgian has six bedrooms, ten bathrooms and spacious living spaces with five fireplaces. The kitchen could use a redo, but if you’re looking to invest into that $13.9 million price tag, you’ll want to put your own stamp on it, anyway. And besides, you’re getting a gorgeous outdoor pool and a 2,400-square-foot guest house that’s already set up as Simon’s private recording studio. Bonus.

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LIFE BY DESIGN

Q&A CINDY RINFRET

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RINFRET, LTD. rinfretltd.com

MARI ANN MAHER

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THE ANTIQUE AND ARTISAN GALLERY theantiqueand artisangallery.com

AMY AIDINIS HIRSCH

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AMY AIDINIS HIRSCH INTERIOR DESIGN, LLC amyhirsch.com

MICHELLE MORGAN HARRISON

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MORGAN HARRISON HOME

morganharrisonhome .com

KAREN BOW

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KAREN BOW INTERIORS karenbow.com

JANE GREEN

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AUTHOR

janegreen.com

The top three local restaurants I frequent

Where I live and work

My personal style

I live in Shippan Point on the beach in Stamford, and I work at 39 Lewis Street in Greenwich

Updated classic and timeless

Le Penguin, Polpo and Fat Poodle

Balducci’s

I live in a stoneand-stucco Mediterranean-style house circa 1910 in Silvermine, and I work in Stamford

Defined by my passion for travels to India and Europe in search of the rare and unusual. I guess you could call me eclectic!

Café Silvium— ”the best kept secret in Stamford!”— the Spotted Horse Tavern in Westport, and the Tavern at GrayBarns

The Greenwich Farmers’ Market

I live in a modern farmhouse in Greenwich and also work in Greenwich (born and raised)

Classic with a slight edge

The Spread, Tony’s at the J House and Terra Ristorante Italiano

Greenwich Cheese Company

I live in an over 200-year-old Colonial in New Canaan and also work in New Canaan

Clean, simple and elegant

The Inn at Pound Ridge and Rowayton Seafood, and I love taking my kids to Mecha Noodle Bar in SoNo

Walter Stewart’s

I live in a Dutch barn Colonial in Darien, and I work in Fairfield County

Universal

Locali, Bodega and Rosie’s

I live in an old, creaky cottage in Westport, and I work in a fantastic coworking space in Southport

Mercurial— sometimes elegant, sometimes funky, often weird

Artisan, Parker and Pane E Bene (because sometimes we need to hear each other speak)

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My favorite market

Palmer’s Market

Spic & Span in Southport— great combo of prepared foods and groceries

PORTRAITS: AMY AIDINIS HIRSCH, MICHELLE MORGAN HARRISON AND CINDY RINFRET: NEIL LANDINO; JANE GREEN: JERRI GRAHAM

home & garden

We asked six style-setters about where they live, what they love, some must-haves and a few must-dos

Where I go for a wardrobe refresh

For a great hostess gift, I head to …

My favorite piece of jewelry

My go-to drink

McArdle’s Florist and Garden Center

Saks

Home Boutique of Greenwich

An antique locket necklace

A tequila mojito at Le Penguin

East Coast Wholesale Flowers in Norwalk

COS in Greenwich

Patrick Mele’s boutique in Greenwich

My Paloma Picasso enamel-andsterling-silver linked necklace

A glass of Oban Scotch at Prime in Stamford

Isabelle et Vincent in Fairfield for my favorite macarons

McArdle’s Florist and Garden Center

Saks

Terrain in Westport

A pair of goldand-diamond earrings from Yossi Harari

From Val’s Putnam Wines, a glass of silver tequila and ripe margarita mix, sitting by my fire pit

Gelato & Cioccolato in Cos Cob

Whole Foods or Nielsen’s

The Vince website or thereset.com. I don’t have time to shop!

One Kings Lane or my inventory

A set of goldand-blue-lapis earrings from Addison Weeks.

I love everything they do.

A sidecar at Jesup Hall in Westport— they have a fabulous bartender!

Rosie in New Canaan. They have great cupcakes and divine chocolate chip cookies!

Flowers & Flowers

by Adam Manjuck

The shoe department at Mitchells

Kirby and Company in Darien

My Roberto Coin cross

A glass of red sangria at Brasitas

Flour Water Salt Bread in Darien

South Moon Under— because I am secretly fourteen years old

Millie Rae’s or Bel Mondo

A tiny delicate necklace my husband bought me for Valentine’s Day from JL Rocks

An Añejo tequila on the rocks with a wedge of lime at Pearl at Longshore

The English section in Stop & Shop for a Bounty (candy bar)

Where I buy my flowers

Compo Farm Flowers, but I order them either from Botanica or Fresh Flower Bar in Fairfield

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When I’m craving a sweet treat, I head to …

Black Forest Pastry Shop

IMAGES ZXBCVNZBVCNBZ CNZBC NZBX

French fries are made in a dedicated fryer to avoid cross contamination at Press Burger in New Canaan.

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

safety first HAVING FOOD ALLERGIES DOESN’T MEAN MISSING OUT ON DINING OUT

FRIES BY SHAMIKA PANDIT; PEPPERS BY ©VELBORT - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; BARTACO BY MANNY VARGAS; PIZZA BY DANIELLE HARTOG; CAKE COURTESY OF IZZY B’S BAKERY

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e’ve all met someone with food allergies. Research estimates that 32 million Americans are currently living with food allergies, including 5.6 million children. One in thirteen children is diagnosed each year, and roughly 40 percent of those kids are dealing with allergies to more than one food.

The numbers are scary. But our towns have no shortage of restaurants and other food businesses that go above and beyond to ensure the safety of local diners.

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QUICK AND EASY

MEXICAN FIESTA

If you need a quick, safe lunch, consider heading to Press Burger in New Canaan. Not only are the burgers and hot dogs made from grass-fed meats, but it offers choices for those with food sensitivities (such as gluten-free hamburger buns or lettuce wraps).

It has a dedicated fryer for French fries, so you don’t have to worry about cross contamination. Also delicious (but open only seasonally), the Apple Cart in New Canaan’s Mead Park and Waveny Pool offers gluten-free breads, wraps and chicken nuggets. They do serve peanut butter, but the staff is super careful about using a separate area of the kitchen with dedicated utensils and cutting boards.

Mexican food traditionally offers a wide variety of options for those with food allergies—especially if you hold the cheese and opt for corn tortillas over flour. Boxcar Cantina in Greenwich, Bodega in Darien, Bartaco in Stamford and Westport and Tequila Mockingbird in New Canaan are skilled in serving those with food allergies and can be trusted to keep diners safe.

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160 SOMETHING SWEET

STAY AWHILE

Chef and owner Pam Nicholas started Izzi B’s when her own daughter, Izzi, was diagnosed with an egg allergy at one year old. Realizing how tough it was to find treats for her to enjoy, Nicholas took it upon herself to develop safe recipes so that “everyone can have a treat,” no matter what they’re allergic to. Now offering truly delicious baked goods (think cupcakes, cookies, cakes, bread, bagels, etc.)—all free of the top eight allergens—Izzi B’s products can be found in local markets including Palmer’s, the Westport Farmers’ Market and Whole Foods. All products are natural or organic, free of preservatives, trans-fats and refined sugar. But what really makes her unique for the local set is that Nicholas will take special orders from loyal customers. Just send her an email to request specific birthday cakes (Elmo, princesses, she’s even created a stunning 3-D Disney Cruise ship cake) and she’ll whip up something rather impressive. You can pick up from her commercial kitchen on Knight Street in Norwalk. pam@ ibcakes.com

If you’re looking to please an array of palates, head to Bare Burger in Stamford or Ridgefield. The menu is filled with safe options from vegan burgers to gluten- and nut-free chicken tenders. Your server will also be sure to note all allergies in their tablet as you order. New Canaan’s South End owner Nick Martschenko’s own son has numerous food allergies, so he is hyperaware of the dangers of cross-contamination.

He also makes sure to stock gluten-free pastas and breads. Executive chef and owner Nube Siguenza at Cava in New Canaan, Scena in Darien, 55 in Fairfield and Harvest in Westport and Greenwich prides herself on being your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Regulars have said the staff will remember your face and your food allergies as soon as you walk in.

Now that Chef Luis is in the kitchen at Gates in New Canaan, you know it can be trusted. His now-closed namesake restaurant on Elm was always a fave for its allergy-friendly menu choices. Newbrook Kitchen in Westport is worth a try for so many with food allergies and sensitivies. Go for the cauliflower crust pizza, topped with non-dairy cheese that’s insanely good. There are also salads, burgers and treats—all dairy-, glutenand grain-free. Yum.

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top: Bartaco has lots of options for those living with food allergies. middle: Newbrook Kitchen’s Hotel California cauliflower crust pizza with avocado and dairy-free cheese. bottom: Izzi B’s custom cakes can be special ordered via email. Here, a 3-D Disney Cruise cake to celebrate a local six-year-old.

home & garden

TIME TO CLEAN UP

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Going green can start at home–here’s how

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GREEN IS GOOD DUJARDIN DESIGN dujardindesign.com

163 THE MOST IMPACTFUL CHANGES YOU CAN MAKE “Never use chemical pesticides, rodenticides or herbicides on your lawn or garden, because you track it into your house on your shoes.

Begin from the outside in, not the inside out. It’s good for us, our kids, our pets and the planet.

I can’t separate what we do for people from what we do for the earth.”

164 PRACTICAL GREEN MATERIALS “Use no-VOC paints and floor finishes; these are water-based. If you don’t have a wholehouse air filtration system, a company called Austin Air makes excellent room-sized filters, perfect for the baby’s room or family room where we spend the most time.”

above: A green home minimizes its environmental impact. This space, designed by Dujardin Design, shows that green and gorgeous can go hand in hand.

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No.

WHERE TO BEGIN

hours a day, breathing everything in, so we need to protect them.

Our bodies detox in the wee hours of the morning, when our liver and kidneys are doing their job, so sleeping on an organic mattress with organic sheets is key.

Bedrooms need to be dust-free—no wall-towall carpeting, which collects dust; no piles of books in the corner or lots of stuffed animals.

Keep the bedrooms clean and pristine.”

“Just as our skin is the largest of our body’s organs, the largest percentage of surface area in a home is the ceiling, walls and floors.

The goal is healthy indoor air quality, so we want to use paints and finishes with no- or low-volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If we get that right, we’re more than 60 percent of the way there.

“One place I like to begin is in the nursery or baby’s room. Babies often sleep twenty

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QUICK TIPS TO GET ON THE PATH

USE NONTOXIC CLEANERS. Make your own with white vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.

For more ideas, read Debra Lynn Dadd’s Home Safe Home.

SWITCH TO ELECTRIC APPLIANCES. When your gas appliances have worn out, make the change; electric appliances produce less fumes and vapors, which can be deleterious to our health.

PUT STUFFED TOYS IN THE DRYER TO KILL DUST MITES. If your child has asthma or allergies, this is key. And keep these toys in the playroom rather than the bedroom.

PHOTOGRAPH: DURSTON SAYLOR

I

n her book, Comfort Zone, interior designer Trudy Dujardin of Dujardin Design explores the idea that design should go beyond aesthetics to become the means to create healthy places to live, work and play. She defines green design as “all about health,” and recently launched a green design consulting business.

“We spend 80 to 90 percent of our time in containers—houses, schools, cars, offices, buses, airports—and we’re obligated as designers to keep those containers clean and free of toxins. At the same time that we’re caring for the health of our spaces and our personal health, we need to be thoughtful of what we put out in the world, so that we do our part for a healthy environment for everyone,” she says. “To me, that’s green design.” That statement prompted a question-and-answer session with Dujardin.

BUYING POWER 167

SUSAN MACLEOD INTERIORS

susanmacleod interiors.com

Susan MacLeod is a Rowayton-based interior designer, a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and a Green Accredited Professional.

“I believe buyers are more environmentally conscious now than ever, and I think there is definitely a green evolution going on—from fashion to food and now interior design,” she says. MacLeod shares a few tips to help ensure that what you’re buying is safe, nontoxic and manufactured responsibly: CHECK SEALS When buying furniture, always make sure that the wood is legally harvested from responsibly managed forests.

Check for seals from third-party certifiers such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

GO ORGANIC The textile industry accounts for more toxic waste pollution of water than any other industry. Toxic chemicals are used to grow natural fibers and create synthetic fiber.

Choose organically grown natural fibers, such as wool, linen and cotton, and look for Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKOTEX certifications.

GIVE NEW LIFE Finally, recycle and reclaim!

EXPERTS WHO CAN HELP

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168 TRILLIUM ARCHITECTS trilliumarchitects.com

Architect Elizabeth DiSalvo founded her Ridgefield-based firm with the goal of marrying beauty, usability and cutting edge efficient design. The company is committed to creating sustainable designs for both new construction and green retrofits of existing homes.

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169 BPC GREEN BUILDERS bpcgreenbuilders.com

Established in 1998 by brothers Mike and Chris Trolle, BPC Green Builders is one of the very first builders in Connecticut to specialize in high-performance, sustainable, green homes. The company works with architects—both those trained in green building methods and materials and those without such training—to provide new homes and renovations that meet homeowners’ requirements for sustainability.

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170 HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS energizect.com

Low-cost audits of your home’s energy use are available through Home Energy Solutions, a program cosponsored with funding from Connecticut State and funds from local utility providers. Click on the “Home” tab at energizect.com for more information; you can save money and help the environment.

No.

SMART HOME TECKNOW

L

iving simply doesn’t mean doing without; it means living smart.

And that leads to more: more time, more space, more security, more options for a home that works for you. TecKnow, a Westport firm founded by Phil Levieff, specializes in smart tech for today’s (make that tomorrow’s) home. “A light, a lock, a thermostat, a car, a solar roof,” says Kim Burke, COO, “these are all connected devices and can be part of a whole smarthome ecosystem to maximize security, energy efficiency and convenience.”

Home automation now uses the power and efficiency of both cutting edge technology and the sun. “There are a lot of things to consider when incorporating smart devices,” she says, “but at the top is, how secure is the device and what platform does it utilize?” With a master’s degree in cyber security and masterful interest in IoT [Internet of Things] space, she accepted our challenge to name her top five picks for laying a foundation upon which to create a smart home.

CONNECTION “Internet connectivity and choice of router— make sure to harden the device to minimize risk.”

SECURITY “A secure, interoperable platform for peace of mind. We recommend Apple HomeKit.”

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HOME ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES homeenergytechnologies.com

Home Energy Technologies president, Peter Harding, has over thirty years’ experience in home construction and home energy rating.

He consults with architects, builders and homeowners to provide qualifications for programs that include ENERGY STAR for homes and the National Green Building Standard.

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SOUND “Apple Homepods for voice-activated automation of smart devices. They have

great sound quality and versatility and can be paired for stereo effect.”

EFFICIENCY “Smart thermostat, such as Ecobee, to maximize energy efficiency.”

SOLAR “Solar and solar storage—the Tesla Powerwall offers clean and efficient energy and backup energy storage in the event of a power failure. Better than a generator—no noise.”

home & garden

IN LIVING COLOR

Whether you’re searching for a new go-to hue or your next go-bold pick, we’ve got you covered

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KIMBERLY HANDLER

MEGHAN DE MARIA

KATHY HODGE

TINA ANASTASIA

JILL KALMAN

KIMBERLY HANDLER DESIGNS

MOSS DESIGN

SAGE DESIGN

MARK P. FINLAY INTERIORS

JILL KALMAN INTERIORS

kimberlyhandlerdesigns.com

mdmossdesign.com

Kimberly Handler

sagedesign.com

markfinlayinteriors.com

jillkalmaninteriors.com

Meghan De Maria

WILD CARD

I recently used Benjamin Moore’s Sweet Vibrations as a vibrant pop in a neutral gray space. We put it on the back of bookcases, used the same color for a custom oomph backgammon table and tied it together with a coordinating fabric for a chair and throw pillows.

WILD CARD

Farrow & Ball Charlotte’s Locks, a playful, bold orange, brings great energy to any space. It’s the perfect pop in a playroom or a kid’s bedroom. It also works well in a mudroom, offering an unexpected moment.

WILD CARD

WILD CARD

My wild choice has to be Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Blue. It never strays into the navy category—it needs to be more of a star than that! It gives you the freedom to pair it with other bold colors like apple green or a graphic-patterned rug.

Kathy Hodge

Tina Anastasia

Sunny Afternoon

by Benjamin Moore makes for a fun and contemporary look when paired with grays or blues. Do the inside of a cased opening for an interesting prelude into a room, or go for an accent wall for a bold look.

WILD CARD

One of my favorite bold shades is Farrow & Ball’s St Giles Blue.

It’s great for a kitchen island, mudroom, front door, built-ins, a stripe in a kid’s space and more.

A strong color in a highgloss can amp it up even more when accenting a ceiling or an office.

Jill Kalman

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

Benjamin Moore’s Balboa Mist is an amazing color for a hall, kitchen, living room, you name it. In the days of gray, it’s a neutral color with a bit of warmth and a touch of gray undertones.

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball transforms any room into a timeless space. With rich greenblue undertones, it’s striking as a backdrop to a modern living room but works equally well in a transitional space.

Donald Kaufman Color’s 16 is a gray taupe or taupe-y gray, depending on your mood and time of day. I’ve used it in calming rooms like bedrooms, but also as a clean backdrop to bright colors in a family room.

While there are so many whites to choose from, my go-to for a background base is Benjamin Moore’s Super White. It’s the best bright white I’ve found that can stand up to any color palette.

Benjamin Moore’s Intense White is a popular pick for me when creating a neutral backdrop for any space.

It’s light and airy, and it can be combined with so many other color palettes.

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PAINT CAN BY ©LEONID - STOCK.ADOBE.COM, KIMBERLY HANDLER BY KRISTEN JENSEN; KATHY HODGE BY WILLIE COLE PHOTOGRAPHY; TINA ANASTASIA BY LORIN KLARIS; JILL KALMAN BY JULIA DAGS

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here’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint to completely transform a familiar, tired room into a brand-new space. We asked fifteen designers to each choose two colors: one that knocks it out of the park, and one that nails it every time. If you’re ready to embark on a home makeover, consider this your paint primer:

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SAM ALLEN

KAREN BOW

ELENA PHILLIPS

GRAHAM VEYSEY

CARMIÑA ROTH

SAM ALLEN INTERIORS

KAREN BOW INTERIORS

ELENA PHILLIPS INTERIORS

GOOD BONES DESIGN BY GRAHAM VEYSEY

CARMIÑA ROTH INTERIORS

samalleninteriors.com

karenbow.com

Sam Allen

elenaphillipsinteriors.com

carminarothinteriors.com

goodbonesdesign.com

Karen Bow

WILD CARD

I used Pleasant Grove

by Benjamin Moore to paint my office. It was a risk, but I am obsessed. It echoes Tory Burch’s living room, and I think it’s fresh, different and stylish.

WILD CARD

Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain is a dramatic dark gray with warm undertones, perfect for interior and exterior. When used in an entire room, it has an industrial quality; when used as a trim accent, it can move to historical.

I’ve used this color on kitchen cabinets and exterior house trim seamlessly.

WILD CARD

Elena Phillips

You can’t look at Benjamin Moore’s Yellow Rain Coat and not think sunshine! It’s a strong color, so a little goes a long way. I see it as a bold accent color for those who like to live a little on the edge.

It would be cheerful on an island paired with white marble counters, polished nickel hardware and green, blue and white accent colors.

Graham Veysey

WILD CARD My wild card has to be Calamine by Farrow & Ball. Why? Good luck trying to convince a husband that the entire bedroom—walls, ceiling and trim—should be painted a soft petal pink. But when I have succeeded, there are no complaints. It’s soft and fresh yet has a wonderful richness.

WILD CARD

One of my favorite bold hues is deep purple.

This color is incredibly versatile and plays well with other saturated colors and neutrals. We lacquered the walls of a formal dining room in Pelt by Farrow & Ball, and it serves as a stunning backdrop for the owner’s collection of contemporary art, which contains vivid colors like teal and chartreuse.

SAM ALLEN BY MINDY BRIAR PHOTOGRAPHY; CARMIÑA ROTH BY STEPHANE KOSSMANN

Carmiña Roth

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball is my favorite gray shade.

It’s calming, light, airy and a great neutral for living spaces like family rooms and living rooms.

Anything goes with walls in this color, which makes it a good “safe bet.”

Sea Salt from Benjamin Moore is a moody gray-green that does not reflect light. The color goes beautifully crisp in the daytime and transitions into a deep, warm tone as the sun sets. It’s incredibly versatile as it relates to other colors. I’ve used this hue on kitchen cabinets combined with natural stones that range from blue to gray. The result was perfection.

To me, Farrow & Ball’s Borrowed Light is the “universal donor” of paint colors. It can truly work in almost any project in a variety of applications. It’s a soft, ethereal blue with subtle gray undertones. It pairs really well with both cool and warmer colors as well as a mélange of woods and metal finishes. Since it’s such a restful color, it works really well in a bedroom.

My safe bet has to be Benjamin Moore’s Simply White. It is aptly named—it’s simply white, and I simply use it all the time. It has the right touch of cream yet stays fresh and lively without going too rich.

If I had to pick one safe color to use again and again, it would be Farrow & Ball’s Strong White.

It’s my favorite neutral color for walls. It looks great in every type of light and blends well with both warm and cool tones.

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MELISSA LINDSAY

MICHELLE MORGAN HARRISON

FIONA LEONARD

ROBIN HENRY

CHRISTINA ROUGHAN

PIMLICO INTERIORS

MORGAN HARRISON HOME

FIONA LEONARD INTERIORS

ROBIN HENRY STUDIO

ROUGHAN INTERIORS

pimlicointeriors.com

morganharrisonhome.com

Melissa Lindsay

fionaleonardinteriors.com

robinhenrystudio.com

roughaninteriors.com

Michelle Morgan Harrison

WILD CARD

WILD CARD

I love Benjamin Moore’s Amazon Green. I used it in high-gloss on cabinetry in a “her office” project recently, and it is stunning with Phillip Jeffries’ Brushstroke Silk Watercolor wallcovering in a blue-green palette.

It pairs beautifully with brass accents.

I took a chance on Fine Paints of Europe’s Van Gogh Yellow on my own front door—and it passed my bravery test with flying colors (so to speak). It’s the perfect perky backdrop for all seasons, from boxwood wreaths to summer planters. And it livens up the backs of built-ins with an unexpected pop.

WILD CARD Fiona Leonard

Robin Henry

There’s nothing basic or even terribly blue about Benjamin Moore’s Basic Blue, which is more purple and has a richer depth of color than a “safe” midnight blue. It would make a fabulous dining room. I picture a silver tea paper ceiling and back-painted glass walls in this color with a spray of silver “stars” washed over it.

WILD CARD Color becomes an experience when Benjamin Moore’s Viridian in high gloss is applied to the walls of a room. Mixed with burnt gold hardware, dark oak and marble sculptures, it creates a timeless, classic room. This is a wow encounter!

Christina Roughan

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

When you’re looking for a neutral that is just a step up from white, Benjamin Moore’s Calm reads as a very subtle, “barely there” gray, especially when paired with white trim. I used this color in my living room, and it’s just so soothing (and if there’s any chance of making my house more ‘calm,’ I’ll take it!).

I have used Benjamin Moore’s Graytint for the past few years. It has replaced Benjamin Moore’s Shoreline, my previous go-to shade.

Graytint is a bluer tone than the warmer Shoreline, and it adds an extra layer of light to the room. It pairs beautifully with steel blues and whites.

For years, Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy was my go-to for dining rooms, boys’ rooms and studies—but I found myself longing for a variation on its moody, dusty tone. Enter Benjamin Moore’s River Blue, a twist on “dark and stormy” that plays well with a wide range of shades.

athomefc.com

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GO-TO HUE

GO-TO HUE

Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath is such a perfect, versatile workhorse of a color.

A tempered lichen/ gray/brown, it’s grounding on trim and doors.

I have it throughout my house, where it sets off green, pink and blue.

Try it on walls, too. It’s a great neutral because it’s luscious and deep.

Farrow & Ball’s Ammonite is my favorite color to turn to when instinct seems to stray.

This color on the walls, mixed with soft whites and brass mid-century objects along with moss green mohair and brown woodwork, is so chic, you feel more special in the interiors. This kind of combination becomes a space that’s always welcoming and soothing.

MELISSA LINDSAY BY MIXIT, INC.; MICHELLE MORGAN HARRISON BY NEIL LANDINO; FIONA LEONARD BY DAVIDSON MCCULLOH

WILD CARD Benjamin Moore’s Dakota Woods Green, a super-rich “army green,” is especially striking when it coats every surface of the room—walls, trim and ceiling. I recently painted an entire library in this color, and it’s our client’s favorite room in the house. It pairs beautifully with rust orange, beige and gold tones.

life & style

CHRIS KIMBALL

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ORGANICALLY SPEAKING MIKE’S ORGANIC mikesorganicdelivery.com

lean eating is far from a passing fad, it’s here to stay. We know to shop locally and organically when possible. And luckily we live in an area where that’s pretty easy. We’ve got plenty of great famers’ markets a quick car ride away. But Mike Geller of Mike’s Organic takes the concept to a whole different level. Partnering only with local organic farmers, fishermen, artisans and producers, Mike offers a huge variety of items—from beef, chicken and fish to cold-pressed juices, prepared foods, packaged snacks, artisanal cheeses, and staples like milk and eggs. Shoppers can order home delivery a la carte, sign up for weekly seasonal package delivery or shop the aisles of the Stamford warehouse whenever the mood strikes. Oh, and did we mention Mike is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet?

life & style

in the know

PROTECT YOUR MONEY WITH GOOD ADVICE YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED—BUT DO

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No.

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clapboardhill.com

ongratulations, you’ve got your retirement funding all figured out, what with your fully funded 401(k), that house in tax-friendly Florida, and perhaps a pension or two. But who says investing for retirement is just about you? You can leave a multigenerational legacy for your children or others who can benefit from your prescient planning, says Thomas Pacilio, senior managing partner of Clapboard Hill Private Wealth in Westport. When it comes to retirement investing and cash flow, gifting is often overlooked. But giving to others and to charities can leave a legacy that ensures your hard work benefits the people and ideas you care about most. It doesn’t take a whole lot of money to impact future generations. Long after your kids go to college, you can contribute a little something each month to 529 college savings plans for your grandchildren or greatgrandchildren. And if you’ve got more resources, talk with your family about starting a family-managed foundation or donoradvised fund.

©GOODLUZ /STOCK.ADOBE.COM

A LASTING LEGACY THOMAS PACILIO

KNOW YOUR POLICY 190

BARBARA STEVENS

©CHRISTIAN HORZ /STOCK.ADOBE.COM

randinsurance.com Homeowners policies might provide a bit of protection against cybercrime, says Barbara Stevens, president of Rand Insurance in Riverside, but look into more coverage when you’ve got a lot to lose.

What else might you overlook?

Consider this: A leaking toilet on the second floor in your home can cause more damage than a kitchen fire. Water damage accounts for up to 60 percent of all insurance payouts, so fix those leaks.

Speaking of water, insurance coverage for weatherrelated floods and earthquakes is generally excluded by basic homeowners policies. Check your policy for details and get additional insurance if you’re at risk.

Also, keep in mind that there’s a limit to how much coverage your policy provides for valuables such as jewelry, furs, silver, musical instruments and artwork. If you want to make sure something is protected, says Stevens, call your agent and line up specific coverage.

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SEPARATE WAYS

CAROLE ORLAND

broderorland.com

When it comes to divorce, the dirty little secret is not that one of the partners had an affair; rather, it’s that this transgression will not significantly affect the court settlement. Here in Connecticut, assets in most divorce cases nearly always get split down the middle. As for his affair with the dog groomer? That might nudge the needle a bit, to 55/45 or maybe 60/40 percent—but beyond that? Not likely.

Child support is mandated by state guidelines, and alimony, too, falls within a range that any reputable divorce attorney can estimate. Even Parenting Plans are predictable, reflecting the availability of each party to parent the children. While the court considers all circumstances in a divorce case, says Carole Topol Orland, attorney and cofounding member and partner of Broder & Orland LLC in Westport and Greenwich, it doesn’t have to apply any of them to the settlement.

So why make divorce a war? Find an experienced attorney beforehand who can clue you in on the likely outcome, saving you lots of anguish, time and money.

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MIND YOUR BUSINESS NANCY HANCOCK

pullcom.com

Oh, the challenges of starting a business: getting your hands on enough capital, finding good help, purveying quality products and more. With so much to do, who has time to figure out all that partnership paperwork? You do. Or you should, anyway, especially if you’re planning to work with a partner. Otherwise you might find yourself exposed, sued, liable or worse down the road.

Oftentimes, fear of selecting the wrong entity leads a new entrepreneur to start a business without the protection afforded by entities such as corporations and limited liability companies. Say you and a business partner hire someone to run a lemonade stand for you, and you start operating that business. This sets the wheels in motion for responsibilities to the employee and the customers and triggers a legal relationship between you and your business partner that you might not be aware of. Before you know it, you are exposed in ways that neither you, nor your partners, anticipated.

This is avoidable. Form your entity as soon as you start operating your business. Says Nancy Hancock, attorney and member at Pullman & Comley LLC, you can usually change it later if you selected wrong the first time.

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above: Your will is not the only estate planning document that you need to worry about.

No.

AS YOU WISH

DANIEL P. FITZGERALD

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cl-law.com

hank goodness you’ve drafted your will, so now you don’t have anything to worry about. Actually, maybe you do. Contrary to popular belief, your will does not control what happens to everything you own upon your death. Certain types of property, such as retirement accounts and life insurance proceeds, are passed along according to beneficiary designations on file at the institutions where those assets are held.

What, you skipped that when you set them up, planning to fill them out “later”? You are not alone, says Daniel Fitzgerald, a partner at Cummings & Lockwood LLC/ Private Clients Group in Greenwich. The terminology you may have glanced at—“joint tenants with right of survivorship” or “transfer on death accounts”— sounds confusing, but it means that the property will pass directly to the listed beneficiary, regardless of what your will outlines.

As part of the estate-planning process, take inventory of your assets and track down beneficiary designations. Make sure they are what you want them to be, so that assets will pass to the intended recipients. This is especially critical when changing financial institutions or changing spouses, as, in each case, beneficiary designations are often overlooked.

d i n i n g & e n t e r ta i n i n g

hot shots LOTS OF GOOD THINGS ARE BREWING AT THESE AREA CAFÉS

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RISING STARS 194

RISE BREWING COMPANY

risebrewingco.com

Next time you spot Rise cold brew coffee, consider picking up a can to support local entrepreneurs Jarrett McGovern, Grant Gyesky and Justin Weinstein.

The Brunswick alums started the business in 2016 and, well, everyone’s been buzzing about it since.

GOT GRINDS? 195 Don’t toss them.

Coffee grinds are a great way to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms that help your plants thrive.

Don’t have a garden?

Plenty of local botanical centers will take them off your hands for use in their community gardens.

Whether you’re a purist who likes your coffee black, or an afficionado who prefers lattes topped with art, Fairfield County has at least twenty places to get your caffeine fix.

PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS MCGOVERN

hether you’ll travel for coffee or you’re traveling and crave coffee, Fairfield County’s outstanding coffee bars are serving special beans, blends and brews. These cafés don’t just serve up a cup of joe, they support ethical farming and trade, sustainability, local businesses and community. That’s why they’re such great places to catch up with friends, hold a meeting, work, study, or just take a moment to treat yourself.

TASTER’S CHOICE

No.

196 BREWED AWAKENING Great coffee can finally be found all over Fairfield County. A guide to the area’s GREAT CAFÉS, near and far.

ADA’S KITCHEN & COFFEE Riverside adaskitchenandcoffee.com COFFEE BARN Wilton coffeebarnwilton.com GRANOLA BAR Fairfield Greenwich Stamford Westport thegranolabarct.com KIRBY & CO. Darien kirbyandcompany.com LAS VETAS LOUNGE Fairfield 203-255-1958 PACIFIC CAFÉ Stamford pacificsbr.com/cafe ROOST Darien roostdarien.com SONO BAKING COMPANY & CAFÉ Darien South Norwalk Southport sonobaking.com STEAM COFFEE BAR Greens Farms steamcoffeetea.com TURNING POINT COFFEE ROASTERS Stamford turningpointcoffee roasters.com

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CFCF ROASTERY & CAFÉ

coffeecaferoasters.com The energy’s high in this buzzing contemporary café and roastery on Greenwich Avenue, where you can explore how beans (blends and single origin) and roasts (dark, light, French, or Italian) can have flavors ranging from citrus to chocolate. Pair a cappuccino with a whole wheat croissant and enjoy a variety of comfortable seating— leather armchairs with tables at just the right laptop height and a cozy mirrored brick nook. Great for peoplewatching, plus dogs are allowed.

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LORCA

lorcacoffeebar.com Spanish-flavored Lorca is hip, youthful and fun, serving Counter Culture coffee and spotlighting guest roasters in a small storefront on Bedford Street in downtown Stamford. Painted brick walls are decorated with energetic drawings. You must try the churros, which are crunchy and soft, and the gluten-free almond St. James cake.

A knitting club meets here weekly. The new Cos Cob location shares a home with Fleischers, and the menu features its grass-fed, locally sourced meats. Cortado and a Cuban sandwich anyone?

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CAFFÉ NERO

humbledcoffee house.com

Beans roasted by Stamford’s BonJo Coffee Roasters are brewed in an inspirational setting.

“My cup overflows with blessings, Psalm 23:5” reads the text art on the wall. Belief in single or double-shot espressos are both embraced; the velvety Flat White has two shots.

Seating is comfortable with couches, leather armchairs, cowhide ottomans in an openraftered space that is relaxed and inviting.

Treats are delivered daily from local artisan bakeries, including Liz Sue Bagels.

203 COFFEE TALK Want to join the coffee culture conversation?

Here is a JAVA GLOSSARY of (not so common) terms for your next café meeting, so you can roast with the best of them.

COLD BREW New method of brewing double the amount of beans in roomtemperature water for twelve to twenty-four hours, creating a milder, less acidic, some say sweeter, coffee.

CORTADO One part espresso, two parts foamed milk

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ESPRESSO NEAT

caffenero.com/us

neatcoffee.com

This is a traditional dark, woody, Italian café with cozy groupings of wingback chairs, couches, table lamps, suspended bookshelves and a big communal table in the heart of Darien. Part of an international chain of 800 cafes, Nero sources blends of handpicked beans (certified by Rainforest Alliance).

Its signature blend, Classico, is bold, toasty with dark chocolate flavors, and the latte and cappuccinos made with it are the most popular.

Want to grab something to eat? The Parma baguette spread will transport you to Europe.

NEAT nerds know their Bourbon Sidra from their Kolla Bolcha. Seasonal single origin beans are personally sourced, roasted and brewed by a dedicated team that honors farmer and bean in this downtown Darien shop. The clean, bright, windowed space is outfitted with wood chairs painted in soft shades of pale blue and green. Grab a flaky apple turnover, baked next door at Flour Water Salt. Seasonal bonus: outdoor seating with a soothing fountain shaded by trees.

TUSK & CUP FINE COFFEE Wilton tuskandcup.com ZUMBACH’S GOURMET COFFEE New Canaan zumbachsgourmet coffee.com

HUMBLED COFFEEHOUSE

No.

SHEARWATER COFFEE BAR

shearwatercoffee roasters.com

Organic beans grown on small farms are roasted in small batches at Shearwater’s roasting facility in Trumbull, in a special Diedrich IR-12, efficient infrared roaster.

At Shearwater’s coffee bar in the Brick Walk (Fairfield), serious young barista’s pull espressos, steam milk and pour frothy designs over the tops of white porcelain cups. The cappuccino is remarkably rich, smooth and soft. Yes, you should have a chocolatecovered salted caramel from local BE Chocolates. This just in: Shearwater is opening a second coffee bar in Westport.

“Even bad coffee is better than no coffee at all.”–DAVID LYNCH JUL/AUG 2019

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DRY CAP Topped with a dry, bubbly foam FLAT WHITE 1:1 mix of espresso and milk steamed together into a velvety micro foam MACCHIATO Two shots of espresso, one layer of milk NITRO BREW A cold brew infused with nitrogen and dispensed from kegs to create a super smooth, silky, mild drink.

POUR OVER Made from a coarser grind of bean. Boiling water stays on the beans longer, creating a more caffeinated drink.

RISTRELLO A “short” espresso—a concentrated shot made with finely ground coffee

2019

MOFFLY MEDIA’S

Lineup Mark your calendars!

Darien

and New Canaan’s

B E ST B A RTE N D E R CONTEST

Presented by NEW CANAAN-DARIEN+ROWAYTON MAGAZINE

September 11 | 5:30–9:00 p.m.

September 25 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.

PALACE THEATRE Stamford

JAGUAR LAND ROVER Darien

2019

M O F F LY M E D I A

Coming this Fall Greenwich

December 5 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.

WESTPORT PLAYHOUSE Westport

7TH ANNUAL

Want to see party pics, videos and more details about the 2019 events? Go to ilovefc.com/events

advertisers index BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT Austin Patterson Disston Architects, apdarchitects.com ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 Bender, bendershowrooms.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Cornerstone Contracting, cornerstone-builders.com �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11 Deane, deaneinc.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4 Gault Family Companies, gaultstone.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2 Glengate, glengatecompany.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Neil Hauck Architects, neilhauckarchitects.com ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 3 Robert A. Cardello, cardelloarchitects.com ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 TecKnow, tecknow.me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 The Hudson Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

DECORATING & HOME FURNISHINGS Lillian August Furnishings + Design, lillianaugust.com ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Schwartz Design Showroom, schwartzdesignshowroom.com ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Sitting Pretty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Wakefield Design Center, wakefielddesigncenter.com ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9

EVENTS A-List Awards, athomefc.com/alist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 20, 21 Moffly Media’s 2019 Event Lineup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

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DESIGNERS’ OWN HOMES ISSUE UP NEXT! ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: Lemuel Bandala: call 203-571-1610 or email advertise@moffly.com

JUL/AUG 2019

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athome

postscript DONNA MOFFLY FOUNDER, GREENWICH MAGAZINE

“Being surrounded by interesting people, and Fairfield County is full of them—bright, talented, energetic, creative, capable, funny, caring and on my wavelength.”

CRISTIN MARANDINO EDITOR, GREENWICH MAGAZINE

“Working out with my trainer Marianna at Chelsea Piers and then immediately undoing all of the good by hitting an outdoor patio to have cocktails with friends. I like to think of it as life balance.”

MEGAN GAGNON MARKET EDITOR

“Raising my three kids alongside the friends I’ve made since moving to Fairfield nine years ago. Also, cold rosé and Le Penguin fries.”

BETH COONEY FITZPATRICK FREELANCE WRITER

“Watching my teenage baseball pitcher strike out an opposing batter as I sip a perfectly chilled ice tea—lots of lemon, extra ice.”

CAMILLA HERRERA EDITOR, STAMFORD MAGAZINE

“Enjoying the small things, like a decaf Americano from Turning Point Roasters, kayaking off Bocuzzi Park in Stamford Harbor, a pernil arepa from Valencia Luncheria (but only after crushing Ted’s Sunday boxing class at Upper Deck Fitness).”

MEET THE GOOD LIFE TEAM Months of brainstorming, writing and design went into creating this issue. We thought it would be fun to introduce you to the people behind it all. We asked each of them to fill in the sentence: The Good Life to me is…

GARVIN BURKE

VENERA ALEXANDROVA

ART DIRECTOR

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

“Enjoying a dirty chai from Coffee Cafe Roasters in Greenwich. The best coffee buzz in the morning and worth all the calories.”

“Driving through Southport along the winding coastline; it’s like a mini-vacation every day on my commute to work.

Every season you get to enjoy a different landscape.”

FREELANCE WRITER

“Enjoying the classic pleasures of this place.

My personal favorite is a comfortable chair with a view of nature, whether it’s the Sound or a backcountry landscape.”

EDITOR, WESTPORT AND FAIRFIELD LIVING MAGAZINES

“Enjoying life’s simple pleasures, one of which is picking up healthy food to go (a Nourish Bowl from Organika or something from the hot bar at Organic Market) and eating by the water at Sasco Beach in Fairfield.”

“Appreciating the beauty of where we live and all the opportunities there are to try something new so close to home—and occasionally stumbling upon another great little coffeeshop.”

“A glass of rosé on the back deck at Rowayton Seafood.

A friend with a boat to pick me up wouldn’t be so bad either.”

MARY KATE HOGAN

KIM GILBY

FREELANCE WRITER

ART DIRECTOR, NEW CANAAN • DARIEN MAGAZINE

SENIOR EDITOR ATHOME

“Slowing down and spending time with those I love.

That quality time is even better when accompanied by food from Rainbow Thai!”

JULEE KAPLAN EDITOR, NEW CANAAN • DARIEN

“Summer days spent boating on the Sound and paddleboarding in Greenwich Cove.

Nothing’s more relaxing than time on the water.”

“Enjoying a delicious meal with my family.

It’s so fun to have dinner and laugh with the kids.

Preferably with seafood and a glass of wine.”

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“Seeing friends at a workout in the morning—hair up in a ponytail, no makeup—and then running into them later, looking impossibly cool. Every day I run into these go-getters. They’re running businesses, launching fundraisers, writing novels or doing something else creative and brilliant.”

LAUREN FETTERMAN

TAYLOR STROILI

FREELANCE WRITER

“Kayaking with a BFF at Penfield Beach at sunrise, afternoon hike at Lake Mohegan, dinner on my patio with the family, concert and dancing at Fairfield Theatre Company with my husband.”

DIANE SEMBROT

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DESIGN ASSISTANT

CAROL DANNHAUSER JUDY OSTROW

AMY VISCHIO

ELIZABETH KESYER FREELANCE WRITER

“Being part of the community—the overlapping circles of friends and friendsof-friends I run into at Sport Hill Farm in Easton, Shearwater Coffee in Fairfield, Harborview Market in Black Rock, the Westport Country Playhouse, Play with Your Food at Fairfield Theatre Company, and my favorite dive bar BRYAC for a burger when Red Planet is playing.”

JOEY MACARI EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

“Living a life full of different experiences.

Whether it’s trying out a new coffee shop (sorry, Lorca) or changing up my dayto-day routine; new passions, interactions and ideas make the world an exciting place.”

KERRI RAK PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

“Weekend nights on the patio surrounded by family, friends and nothing but laughs.

And if yoga pants are involved, now you’re really living the good life!”