41 minute read
SHOP TALK
shoptalk by veronica schorr THE LATEST DESIGN NEWS
top: Lucenti custom millwork closet systems keep you stylish and organized. bottom: An Ernestomeda K-lab kitchen is sleek and modern. above: Biagio Lucenti, proud owner of Lucenti Interiors. left: Neutrals brighten this living space featuring a Res Italia wood accent wall and FlexForm furniture.
LA BELLA VITA
GREENWICH GOES INTERNATIONAL WITH ITALIAN LUXURY FROM LUCENTI INTERIORS
In the new Lucenti Interiors showroom, third-generation artisan Biagio Lucenti brings “the beautiful life” to downtown Greenwich. Offering custom millwork, an expanding selection of Italian brands exclusive to Lucenti Interiors in Greater Fairfield County (Ernestomeda, FLOS, Edoné, Pacini & Cappellini) and ever-attentive customer service, you won’t want to miss stopping by. Using in-house CAD drawings or floor plans and elevations from an architect, the Lucenti Interiors team can create any custom environment, for both residential and commercial projects.
If you do stop in, expect a warm Italian welcome. “Walking into the showroom is like being transported to the center of all design in Milan,” says Lucenti. “My clients will experience the quality, luxury and representation of what the true Italian lifestyle is about, all while being guided by an authentic Italian wearing cutting-edge Italian fashions, oozing passion for the products and wildly gesturing through broken English. It doesn’t get better than that!” And indeed, it doesn’t.
The showroom is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday by appointment, but Lucenti Interiors is happy to accommodate anyone’s schedule. 124 East Putnam Ave, Greenwich; lucentiinteriors.com
Your Inspiration. Our Expertise. RingsEnd.com | 800·390·1000
above: Grayson De Vere’s new storefront oasis offers a curation of eclectic finds and expertly styled vignettes.
Cool & Collected
GRAYSON DE VERE returns to Greenwich Avenue with flagship store opening
Interior designer Julia Grayson founded Grayson De Vere, aka GDV i.e., in London. Since its inception in 1998 as a design studio, Grayson De Vere has opened pop-ups from East Hampton to Greenwich and has expanded to offering interior elements as well as a full range of bespoke interior design services, project management and luxury staging.
GDV i.e. reflects Grayson’s “innate sense of how best to feather one’s nest on a stylish and sustainable level. The new flagship store is the perfect oasis for pure and sustainable design and holistic wellness and beauty.” Put simply: she wants your space to bring you joy, inspire radiant good health, and cultivate happiness.
With brands like The Organic Pharmacy, Sien + Co, Costa Brazil, natureofthings, and Rani Arabella, to name just a few, Grayson De Vere’s shop has interior elements for the most discerning shopper. They even offer personal shopping experiences for clients—and comfy sofas to relax on, too. 88 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich; 203-661-0116; graysondevere.com
above, left: 100% organic, plant-based products by Saya, an Australian skin and bodycare company, and a fun Zebra Tray by AVF on the top shelf. above, right: Handmade wood serving bowls and cutting boards (in black) by LA-based The Wooden Palate.
SCANDI CRUSH
STOWED HOME COMES TO BEDFORD SQUARE
STOWED Home is best known for high-quality, Scandinavian-inspired furniture with clean lines and timeless design. Owner Elissia Sigalow created STOWED out of necessity: while redesigning her own home, she couldn’t find furniture that met her standards for quality or personal design aesthetic. She soon began collaborating with artisans and craftspeople before establishing an upholstery plant. Shortly afterward, her “minimalism at its best” brand was born.
The showroom at Bedford Square highlights STOWED’s commitment to elevated minimalism. “I just love that the spaces feel like you’re walking into a European boutique. They provide a perfect home for our unique mix of seating. Truly, a Californian-meets-Nordic vibe,” says Sigalow.
Handmade seating and modular furniture feature supple leather, natural wood, and European fibers. From benches and ottomans to upholstery and accent chairs, STOWED has pieces you’ll take from your first apartment to your forever home. Sigalow’s eye for style ensures that your space will be filled with no-frills luxury and high-quality pieces for years to come. 12 Elm St, Bedford Square, Westport, 203-349-5867; stowedhome.com
above, left: STOWED owner Elissia Sigalow. above, right: Minimalist spaces are practical and beautiful without being unrefined; hand-crafted woods and soft neutrals calm and delight the senses. below: A STOWED modular living space.
shoptalk
HOUSE BLEND
THE POST OPENS IN WESTPORT WITH ROOM-READY PIECES FOR EVERY DESIGN PERSONALITY
left: Wicker baskets and ocean-foam whites are waiting to be blended into a coastal space. right: Contrasting black and white pieces are the perfect combination for creating a modern “city” vibe.
City, country, coast; these three distinct styles represented in our towns are now available to shop at Westport’s latest home and gift destination. For owner Deb Placey, a Southport resident and former sportscaster, interior design started as a side gig but eventually morphed into a second career. With The Post, she has a place to share all her finds with her local friends and fellow designers. “Our unique space feels less like a store and more like the dreamy collab studio and hangout of a trendsetting designer. We invite you to stop in, peek around and disappear from the real world for a while,” says Placey. A lifestyle outpost for furniture, lighting and accessories, including linens and art, The Post carefully curates its selection with a focus on local items. Brands like Westportbased STOWED Home, Worlds Away, Bungalow5 and Kravet can be found among its stylish treasures. And the best part: you can take your products home with you the same day. Whether you want a space that screams salty air, welcomes wide-open spaces or feels edgy and industrial, The Post has everything you need. 1799 Post Rd East, Westport; 203-292-5700; thepostct.com
above: At The Post, you’re invited to “disappear from the real world for while.” Or, you can just disappear into this plush couch.
Private Tour
A NEW BOOK showcases gorgeous interiors from “Quintessence at Home With” lifestyle blog
above: An inviting interior—complete with a lounging Frenchie—from At Home With Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors.
above: Salk and Bewkes’ new book will be released in March by Rizzoli.
Susanna Salk and Stacey Bewkes are names synonymous with interior design; not only are they a successful design author and a photographer, respectively, they’ve garnered over one million monthly YouTube viewers of their beloved series, “Quintessence at Home With.” Now, the design duo has taken their talents to the publishing world. At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors walks readers through the most stunning spaces featured in the series (including visits to textile designer John Robshaw and the West Hollywood home of chef Lulu Powers), with neverbefore-seen photography by Bewkes and suggestions from Salk on how to incorporate design elements from each home into your own environment. “Our goal from the beginning was to give design a voice,” Salk says. Whether it’s natural daylight and neutrals brightening a restored home, a colorful outdoor cabana or a rustic flower room, these designs demand to be seen (and heard).
At Home With Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors by Susanna Salk and Stacey Bewkes Photography by Stacey Bewkes; $50 Rizzoli New York, March 2022
above: Timothy Oulton, founder and creative director.
—timothy oulton above: Timothy Oulton’s Westminster Button Jack’dN Brok’n Sofa. left: Timothy Oulton’s Bay Swivel Chair and Shimmer Bar Cabinet. below: Timothy Oulton’s Whitecliff Sofa.
English Accents
BRITISH DÉCOR DESTINATION opens in WESTPORT
by diane sembrott
In 1976, Tim Oulton’s father, Major Philip Oulton, opened an antiques shop in the UK. Since then, the brand’s effortless blend of luxury, tradition and authenticity—with a hint of rakishness—has expanded globally to stores in California, New York and Florida. And now its first standalone gallery has come to Westport, bringing its sought-after taste in furniture, lighting and home accessories. “Vintage never dies. It has a story, and that’s what draws people to it. I stand by the mantra, ‘Be Relevant, or Be Dead.’ We borrow ideas from the past, but we make them our own,” says Oulton. By using classic materials and traditional hand-finishing techniques, all with a modern twist, Timothy Oulton has defined itself as creating a product that “isn’t for the faint hearted. It’s very strong visually, and that’s something we really focus on.” The brand also prides itself on the experience it creates for customers. Shoppers can find anything from a single element to tie a room together, to a complete redesign using Timothy Oulton’s 3D room-planning service—and everything in between. 42 Main Street, Westport; 203-939-1504; timothyoulton.com
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At JP McHale Pest Management, our goal is to provide a superior client experience at every point of interaction. Simply
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Our Mission
The mission of Breast Cancer Alliance is to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure. To promote these goals, we invest in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved.
Breast Cancer Alliance, 48 Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830 info@breastcanceralliance.org Yonni Wattenmaker, Executive Director
To learn more visit breastcanceralliance.org
breastcanceralliance @BCAllianceCT @breastcanceralliance
Powder Fresh
SMALL ON SPACE, BIG ON STYLE. A POWDER ROOM PRESENTS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO GO BOLD, WHETHER YOU'RE LOOKING TO EXPERIMENT WITH STATEMENT STONE OR PAPER THAT POPS. LET THESE DESIGNERS SHOW YOU HOW TO GET A WHOLE LOOK OUT OF A HALF BATH.
by megan gagnon
Waterworks R.W. Atlas deck mounted marquee lavatory faucet with metal lever side mount handles in brass; Daphne mirror in patina brass; R.W. Atlas wall mounted double arm sconce with glass shades in brass; R.W. Atlas single tier 24” metal shelf in brass; Manchester undermount rectangular sink.
175 POST ROAD WEST, WESTPORT, CT 06880 203.454.0032 KARENBERKEMEYERHOME.COM
Stone Bold
Tori Legge
STIRLING MILLS INTERIOR DESIGN
Age and style of home: This was a full renovation of a home built in the early '90s. The family wanted an updated, modern feeling that could grow with them.
Design concept: We really wanted this powder room to feel elevated and formal for entertaining guests. We pulled a dark navy from the stone for the wall color.
Biggest challenge: This is an extremely small powder room with high ceilings. Incorporating a custom floating vanity enabled us to design it to fit the space perfectly.
Custom touch: Painting the ceiling, walls and trim the same color. All trim work was done in a high gloss to complement the sheen of the vanity stone.
Favorite part: Amazing and trusting clients who let us have free reign of the space.
Resources: Interior Designer: Stirling Mills Interior Design, New Canaan, 203-594-9596; stirlingmills.com Stone: Dushi Marble and Granite LLC, Stamford CT, 203-978-0038; dushimg.com Architect: Brooks & Falotico, New Canaan, 203-966-8440; brooksandfalotico.com Paint: Shoreline Painting, Norwalk, 203-302-1086; shorelinepaintingct.com
Paper Flowers
Meghan De Maria + Courtney Yanni
MOSS DESIGN
Age and style of home: This is a beautiful Colonial home built in 1948 that has been added onto through the years. This is the second home we’ve worked on for this client. This is their forever home.
Design concept: We kept the design very classic with a modern mix to keep it fresh. We always like to go bold in a powder room as it’s a small space that can handle a big design. This powder room is off of the entry way down a short hallway through a lovely milled door casing. It feels a bit like you’ve found a hidden room. The hallway heightens the drama of the wallpaper. Stepping into the powder room is like entering an enchanted world.
Biggest challenge: The scope of the project did not include new floors and vanity, so the challenge was how to make a fresh design statement while keeping these existing elements. Our goal was to find a wallpaper that was bold and transformative, while relating to the architecture of the home.
Favorite part: The CW Stockwell “KanShie” wallpaper is our favorite feature in the powder room. This is a recommissioned pattern, and we were the first to install it in over 50 years. That felt special and exciting. The paper takes its imagery from the American Arts and Crafts movement and Chinese enameled porcelain.
Custom touch: The Vaughan light fixture beautifully mirrors the circle pattern in the marble floor in a subtle way that does not compete with the wallpaper. We finished the space with understated yet elegant bathroom accessories, including hand towels from Fig Linens in Westport.
Resources: Interior designer: Moss Design, Southport; 917-292-6153; mossdesignct.com Wallpaper installation: Jameson Wallcovering, Fairfield, 203-372-0777
Cool Jewel
Lee Ann Thornton
LEE ANN THORNTON INTERIORS
Age and style of home: This traditional house was built in the early 2000s.
Design concept: Our goal was to create a home with pops of color and personality.
Biggest challenge: The challenge with this project was making a spec house feel like a custom build using wallpaper and attention-grabbing details.
Custom touch: We painted all the trim in a strong color to enhance the jewel box effect and designed custom antique mirror paneling on the wall of the vanity.
Favorite part: We love the warmth of the color palette mixed with the glimmer of the mirror.
Resources: Interior Designer: Lee Ann Thornton Interiors, Greenwich, 203-485-0322; leeannthornton.com Bath fixtures: Waterworks, Greenwich, 203-869-7766; waterworks.com Lighting: Apparatus, New York, 646-527-9732; apparatusstudio.com Wallpaper: Quadrille, New York, 212-753-2995; quadrillefabrics.com Wallpaper installation: JD Paperhanging, 917-406-5319
Wash & Glow
Iris Michaels
KAREN BERKEMEYER HOME
Age and style of home: This home is a 1980s contemporary farmhouse style.
Design concept: Two concepts were at play when choosing the powder room backsplash. The first was an attempt to continue the contemporary farmhouse feel established in the kitchen, with the black and white tile referring to the black accents in said kitchen. Additionally, one of the main ideas when designing a smaller space is to grab control of the eye with something attention-getting, to keep one from noticing how small the space is. The dramatic look of the selected tile accomplishes this very successfully.
Biggest challenge: The size of the room. Eighteen square feet is such a tiny amount of space to work with, even for a powder room.
Custom touch: It’s not shown in the picture, but the sink sits on a floating countertop. Having an open space under the countertop made the powder room feel much lighter.
Favorite part: The beautiful black, metal mosaic backsplash, which we ran all the way up to the ceiling.
Resources: Interior designer: Iris Michaels, Karen Berkemeyer Home, Westport, 203-454-0032; karenberkemeyerhome.com
this spread: One look at the stone house in its wooded setting was a case of love at first sight for Victoria and her husband.
above: Flowers line the path leading to the front of the 1920s era home. opposite page: Victoria Morris’s love of color is reflected in the deeply hued entry walls, painted with a product that creates the effect of Venetian plaster.
The journey of Brooklynites Victoria Morris; her husband, Andrew Selva; and their son (now a toddler) mirrors that of many other urban dwellers who have rediscovered home in Westport and environs in the past two years. Settling down in April 2020 for what they thought would be a temporary nest in her parents’ New Canaan home, following the cataclysmic arrival of COVID-19 in the New York metro area, they enjoyed their time as a three-generation household. By June, Victoria and Andrew had begun to entertain the notion of life in the suburbs.
“We had every intention of moving back to the city, but as we helped my parents prepare for a move after selling their New Canaan house, I came across a listing in Westport for a 1929 stone house,” recalls Victoria. Having grown up in another leafy suburb, her discovery struck an immediate chord, reawakening a youthful dream of living in a Cotswold cottage surrounded by greenery.
“The price had dropped a couple of times, and when we went to see it, we were about two weeks ahead of the tidal wave of city dwellers who came looking for a house in Connecticut. For me, it was love at first sight, and even though we knew there were things about it that needed fixing, we put in a bid that was accepted. It was the first and only house we looked at.”
For the fixing, she had an instant solution. Her mother, interior designer Shelley Morris, had been her advisor for furnishings and décor
i’m a color person.”
—victoria morris
above: Part of the couple’s photo collection, a framed Petros Koublis image, punctuates one corner of the living room; the child-friendly sofa is from CB2. right: The designer curates the views from the openings between rooms.
since her college dorm days. Delighted that her daughter, son-in-law and new grandson would practically be neighbors in Connecticut (she had found a house for herself and her husband nearby), Shelley partnered with Victoria to plan the interiors of the new Morris/Selva family home.
Shelley has always liked to create clean, light and elegant spaces; her professional career puts her clients at center stage, and her daughter’s home was no exception to her rule. Their designer-and-daughter experience is a kind of roadmap for decorating and remodeling for other city dwellers who have moved quickly to suburban homes since 2020. STEP BY STEP To begin the project, the pair tackled basic needs for an updated flow and modern comfort. Structural improvements focused on important spaces: replacing an obtrusive beam in the living room with an invisible steel support; warming the primary suite floor with radiant floor heating to keep out the cold from the garage below; moving a toilet from a tiny closet off the main bedroom and creating a more complete and functional master bath.
With her reliable local contracting sources and experience with
above: Victoria and Shelley kept the kitchen cabinets from the previous owners, with a few edits. Retaining the rustic wood countertops on the cabinet walls, they shortened the island to capture more floor space and added a top of honed black granite.
above: A Niermann Weeks lantern chandelier and black-and-white Staffordshire pieces create vintage counterpoints to the modern lines of the table and dining chairs.
renovation projects throughout the New York metro area and beyond, Shelley could efficiently perform the refreshing process that a new suburbanite requires of an older home. Walls were freshly painted in white. “It enhances and reflects the light in an older home that might have smaller openings than newer construction,” says Shelley of her frequent go-to wall treatment.
“She knows my taste, so throughout the house you’ll find evidence of her design expertise as well as the details that reveal that I’m a color person,” adds Victoria. In the front vestibule—always a great location for a bright statement—the walls are painted with Roman clay, a paint product from a California company that resembles Venetian plaster. Its warm hue is embracing, echoed with a cozy pair of velvet chairs at the living room hearth. Other lively accents of art and accessories—many from the Brooklyn apartment—reveal little punches of color, as well as a sophisticated blend of modern forms and timelessly appealing antiques.
Victoria and Shelley—mom and grandmother to baby Logan—were both aware that delicate fabrics and porous surfaces are vulnerable to active toddlers. Therefore, designer and daughter checked off “childfriendly” as a requirement for many of their furnishing choices.
above: Victoria’s grandmother’s antique dough chest sits next to a hairpin-legged chair and a sculptural brass Gingko floor lamp. right, top: The Odegard stair runner and upstairs hall carpet reveals a taste for Asian motifs; Victoria and her family have collected numerous objects of Far Eastern origin. right, bottom: White walls and window wells reflect light and brighten the interiors.
TIME AND PLACE Another key factor in this design project was its timing, in the midst of lockdowns and contactless deliveries. The team had mom’s keen and experienced eye to see her daughter’s project through to a good conclusion.
“In addition to my daughter’s home, I did several projects for other clients at the height of the pandemic. It was a challenge to shop online for
“For me,
it was love at first sight, even though we knew there were things about it that needed fixing.”
—victoria morris
—victoria morris
everything. While many of the sources I used were familiar, I had to keep my fingers crossed that the merchandise would be as well-crafted and look as attractive in the real space as it did on the screen,” notes Shelley. Happily, the virtual shopping excursions proved successful.
When combined with antiques that had belonged to both of her grandmothers, or gifted to Victoria from her mom, as well as the couple’s growing art collection, the resulting design provides a satisfying, eclectic look. The charms of 1920s architecture—deep window wells with beautiful casement frames and arched openings between rooms— provide a perfect backdrop for the mix of furnishings and accessories.
The layout also provides something that their previous 1,100-squarefoot apartment could not: his-and-hers dedicated offices for the workfrom-home protocol their jobs still require. Also, beyond the spaciousness and function of their new place, their property provides a private outdoor setting for themselves and their young son. Victoria and family love their new/old house.
Resources: Interior Designer: Shelley Morris Interiors, 203-801-9911; shelleymorrisinteriors.com Rugs: DS Rugs by Danny Sanchez; danny@dsrugs.com Paint: Creative Painting Services, 203-382-4688 Carpenter: Luis F. Silva Carpentry LLC, 203-942-9236
oppposite page: Her office was already outfitted with shelves for Victoria’s collection of mementos and photos; her mother added doors to the lower shelves to stow office supplies and files. right: The primary bedroom’s gothic features— arched windows above the bed and arched doors into the bath—as well as the black bed wall enhance the drama of the space. below, right: While the original toilet enclosure was awkwardly placed in a closet, the new space is modernized and fully equipped.
A STOWED Home bench, perfect for kicking off your boots, is a great addition to this rustic and modern mud room. Market bags by Calla Cane (hooks by Sawkill NYC) add functional whimsy.
interview with calla mcnamara, calla cane photographer ellen mcdermott stylist anna molvik
NEW BALANCE
An antique farmhouse gets a modern update
above: Natural light pours into the kitchen through Klar windows, adding beautiful contrast to the dark center island and flawless cabinets. The 16’ island holds two ovens, a dishwasher and the main sink, as well as a seating area on the far end with stools by Sawkill NYC.
What was your client’s top priority? Nod Hill is a quintessential Connecticut farmhouse, including a detached barn, art studio, chicken coop, tree house and pond. The house is situated on a scenic Wilton Road speckled with vintage homes and old-growth trees. Homeowner Susanna Carrillo fell in love with this charming property but was living with the challenges an 1800s home brings: low ceilings, meandering floor plans, lack of natural light and leaky windows and walls that made the old part of the home unbearable in the winter and summer months. While the renovated portion of the home was more livable, it did not integrate well into the original structure and lacked the same charm. Susanna is creative at heart. She owned and operated an art studio for children called Paper Scissors Oranges, located in Darien, Connecticut, for a decade. She wanted a forward-thinking home that offered her a backdrop to play with art and accessories over time. Her home reflects her personality and is filled with an eclectic mix of art, furniture and color. As a mutual friend once said, with Susanna you never have to color inside the lines.
How important was natural light for this renovation? We always design with the intention of bringing natural light into the home. It just feels good. The introduction of floor-to-ceiling metal windows allowed us to capture the light and the natural landscape. The kitchen and dining room are wrapped in glass, which allows the sun to gently track through the space throughout the day.
The contrast between the light and dark accents in your design is beautiful. What was the influence for this modern palette, given this is an antique home? The introduction of dark architectural elements and light textural materials allowed us to play with the juxtaposition of new
above, left: The sleek, masculine liquor cabinet is both functional and beautiful. above, right: The client’s clever inset book nook is the perfect place to display cookbooks and pottery. Chair by STOWED Home. right: Fresh produce from the farm, including eggs and fruit, inspires cooking in this elegant kitchen.
—calla mcnamara, calla cane
left: Custom-designed cabinets by Calla Cane, fabricated by Kramer Lane Construction, are finished in Black Satin. Serving boards from Black Creek Mercantile & Trading Co. are waiting to be adorned with farm-fresh goodies. The countertop is luxurious Black Granite.
and old in the home. We did some gentle nudging when it came to the dark kitchen cabinets and counters. We saw the opportunity to create a quiet backdrop for Susanna’s colorful life. In addition to Susanna’s creative eye, the day-to-day hauls of this small farm breathe life into the space: fresh chicken eggs, herbs and cut wildflowers contrast and warm the rich colors. We used a balance of dark and light to create a space that allowed her to effortlessly layer in her life.
What were the top priorities for the kitchen? Like most homeowners, Susanna viewed the kitchen as the heart of her home. She loves to cook and entertain, so this piece of the project felt important. She voiced that she was tired of her cluttered countertops and wanted to find a way to conceal her appliances and dishware. It was critical to her that this space felt comfortable and light-filled. In her previous kitchen, she struggled to find space to both cook and entertain. She wanted to make sure there was a defined seating space and workspace in the new kitchen. Working within the original footprint of the home, we were challenged to create additional working space without increasing the width of the room. We added three large steel-framed windows at the far end of the kitchen to capture natural light and make the space feel larger. The 16’ island holds
opposite page, above: This kitchen nook is one of the coziest seats in the house. A bench by STOWED Home and a hand-thrown bell by Mquan adorn the perfectly placed window counter. opposite page, below: Marvin windows allow natural light to make the dining area feel larger than it is. The client’s existing dining table is accented by Natural Wishbone and Black Era (at the head of the table) dining chairs from Design Within Reach. above: Inset cabinets are smart for storage and easy on the eyes. The client’s glassware shines against the dark background.
two ovens, a dishwasher and the main sink as well as a seating area on the far end. The cabinetry conceals a coffee station with a marble countertop and pocket doors that allow Susanna to hide her most used appliances. The kitchen is entirely custom, including painted interior cabinetry and LED lighting to make the contents of the cabinet visible.
What was particularly challenging about this project? The living room was situated in the original part of the home. It was cold and leaky in the winter, which caused Susanna and her family to avoid spending time in the space. They were really interested in restoring this part of the house and adding a wood-burning fireplace to heat the home during winter. Susanna hoped that this could be a future gathering space but wasn’t sure how to encourage movement from the kitchen to the living room. In reconfiguring the floor plan of the first floor, we felt it was important that the living room fireplace could be seen from the kitchen and dining area. We wanted the living room to feel both connected to the main living area but also serve as a visual destination for guests. Another interesting challenge we faced was the ceilings, which were below 8’ tall. We had to find creative ways to reinvent the interior space, yet still provide the modern amenities of a new construction build.
The inset cabinets and the interior glass paned walls are special touches that we really love. What made you include these bar and glassware storage areas? It is important to be creative and opportunistic when you are working on a renovation. You often find things in the walls that can hinder the design. We were pleasantly surprised to find a cavity in the living room wall that allowed us to create a glass storage cabinet. The glass partition walls are a great way to make a small space feel open and airy. Rather than closing Susanna into a small office, we designed the office to be displayed.
“The introduction of
dark architectural elements allowed us to play
with the juxapostion of new and old in the home.”
—calla mcnamara, calla cane
left: A plush Living Divani sofa is the centerpiece of the living room, designed to be visible from the main living area to naturally encourage gathering. Throws by Jenni Kayne and Rosemary Hallgarten are ready for cozying up by the fireplace, which has a custom-designed wood holder by Calla Cane. Sculptures by Re Jin Lee add to the contrast of dark and light elements.
this page: The living room is a “visual destination” for guests and family members alike. opposite page, above: Interior glass-paned walls create healthy boundaries (namely, to preserve the client’s peace in her home office) without disrupting the main living area’s light, airy and open feeling. The Lambert & Fils Beaubien sconce beside the painting is from Sunday Shop. opposite page, below: A moody, minimalist bathroom features lighting by Apparatus, a Restoration Hardware mirror, and a Watermark custom marble vanity.
To what extent did the surrounding landscape of Nod Hill influence your design choices? It was important to us that we draw the natural beauty of the property into the space. The home had previously oriented away from natural viewpoints; we worked to open that side of the house and make it connect with the landscape. From the kitchen and dining room, you have views of the antique barn and pond.
What is your favorite component of this renovation? There were so many resources of inspiration to pull from during this project: from Susanna’s personality, to the family’s interests, to highlighting the serene and vast landscape of their property. It feels great to have brought new life into a space and to make it both practical and visually appealing in design and function. Susanna has remarked that her favorite part was the “reveal” after our install, to see her vision achieved by combining old elements with new.
What are you most proud of accomplishing with this project? We are most proud of the final floor plan. It is amazing how you can transform the look and feel of a space so dramatically by moving the right walls. I remember walking through the new space after it had been framed and thinking it felt really good. —interview by veronica schorr
Resources: Designer & Architect: Calla McNamara, Calla Cane, Rowayton, CT & Solana Beach, CA; callacane.com Builder: Kramer Lane Construction, Stamford; 203-515-8541; kramerlane.com
this page: The client’s custom desk, designed by Calla Cane and fabricated by Kramer Lane Construction, makes working from home look more like working from a five-star hotel. Desk chair by STOWED Home. opposite page, above: White space sparkles in the primary bath, with mirrors by Rejuvenation, Apparatus lighting, and a custom-designed vanity by Calla Cane, fabricated by Kramer Lane Construction. Fresh-cut wildflowers from the farm complete this peaceful retreat. opposite page, below: Zellige tiling from Nemo Tile Co. creates a shimmery effect behind the client’s irresistible soaking tub.
FARM FRESH
A new build, a historic barn and the creative vision for a fashionable family
interview with vincent falotico and chuck willette of brooks & falotico | photographer jennifer holt
above: A centuries-old farmhouse connects seamlessly with a new, modern building to create a cohesive home. right, top: The original two-story barn was built in 1730. right, middle: The bucolic property was originally a working dairy farm. right, bottom: Steep roof pitches—a hallmark of farmhouse-style homes— at varying heights create visual interest.
Who lives here? Vincent Falotico: Tyler Mitchell (owner and men’s manager at Richards, Greenwich), his wife Stephanie, their two young children and dog, Banksy.
How did you come to work together? Chuck Willette: They reached out to us after seeing us on social media. They were moving from San Francisco and came across a property we had done. There were a couple of our homes that really stood out to them, so we took them on a tour. That’s where it all started.
What were the original buildings on the property? CW: We never tore anything down. All the buildings—the guest house, the silo, the barn—all of that was there. There was some maintenance and interior finishing needed on the barn structure—for both aesthetics and safety—and we put new garage doors on the existing barn.
above: Visitors approach the home by driving through the restored antique barn toward a fieldstone fireplace. right: The Belgian block courtyard was designed for throwing parties. opposite page, top: The clad windows and doors are black to modernize the home. opposite page, bottom: Adirondack chairs circle a rustic fire pit.
above: The new wing of the house is clad in corrugated metal siding and a standing seam roof. opposite page, top row: In the entry, Belgian bluestone floors offer a smooth transition from outside. bottom row: A Greg Gorman photograph of Andy Warhol and the Mitchells’ collection of art books greet visitors in the entry.
Driving in through the barn is so unique. How did you come up with that? CW: The design was a nod to the property itself and the historical value of the barn, which we were able to amend and open into this old-fashioned courtyard. Then you see the cobblestone fireplace and it’s a welcoming place, even a place to throw a party. It felt like it was a little bit more protected and something that was a little more special.
Tell us about the shelving that you see as you enter through the front doors. CW: You’ll see that shelving detail repeat quite a bit, both on the first-floor entry and second-floor entry and in the great room as well. Tyler is a collector, whether it’s the National Geographic magazines or his unbelievable collection of coffee table books. He wanted places to store and display what he has collected over time. VF: It’s a front entry, but it’s also an entertaining space with Belgian bluestone flooring to the mudroom, which backs up to the barn, and there’s a connection to the second floor as well.
What sort of challenges come with designing one large living space? VF: Again, we were reinterpreting a barn, and the majority of the living spaces are in this one volume with two places to sit, a place to watch TV, a dining space and the amazing wine cellar. Once you create a space like this, how do you also create a scale that’s comfortable to live in every day?
above: A secondary, more casual seating area within the great room faces the main floor’s only TV. right: The cellar preserves the Mitchells’ wine collection without hiding it.
above, left: The more formal of two intimate seating areas in the great room. above, right: A collection of National Geographic magazines that belonged to Tyler Mitchell’s grandfather. below: More art books (and reading spots) flank a plaster and granite fireplace.
left: A sweeping great room, inspired by homes in Napa Valley, where the Mitchells have spent time.
“My favorite part of the house is the 40-foot great room cathedral ceiling with industrial steel trusses and shiplap. During the day, it’s the most dramatic site and the space gets filled with a crazy volume of dynamic sunlight. At night, the indirect glow of the LED lights and the slow spin of the industrial
fans take my breath away. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
—tyler mitchell, homeowner
above: A 12-seat banquette, in lieu of any formal dining room, makes for casually elegant dinner parties. left: Overscale light fixtures and exposed beams highlight soaring ceilings. right: A La Cornue range and concealed hood are the kitchen’s focal point.
—vincent falotico
left: Parallel waterfall edge marble islands, each with a farmhouse sink, provide ample space for cooking and entertaining.
left: Andy watches over the family dog, Banksy. opposite page, top: Dedicated spaces for displaying art give the home a gallery-like feel. opposite page, bottom: More collections from the Mitchells’ travels are on display in the hall, with gallery lighting from Restoration Hardware
That’s where the trusses came in, the lighting fixtures—to give it scale. It’s why we have texture on the ceiling. We made almost urban façades in the two walls, so we broke it down among the windows, the framed wine cellar and breakfast nook and mirrored it on the other wall. There’s a rhythm to it, a balance. You engage this room all the time; when you enter, when you circulate on the second floor with the bedrooms.
Tell us about this gorgeous kitchen. VF: It was all about that La Cornue range, and it was always about putting a kitchen in a room that was always going to be seen; you don’t want it to look too much like a kitchen. We wanted it to look more like furniture, with storage concealed and a big walk-in pantry. You’re not looking at refrigerators all the time. CW: They did a lot of entertaining out West. As we continued to evolve and choose the finishes, we backed into the decision to do the waterfalls on the islands and the integrated sinks, just to keep everything a little cleaner and not introduce more elements into the room. We had the continuation of the punched openings where the range sits match that of the linear fireplace and the book storage.
—chuck willette
right: Natural light and mirrored walls create an airy and functional closet. below: Garment and accessory storage fit for a family of local retail icons. opposite page: The couple shares the spacious shoe closet, where custom shelves give every item a place, and a branch light fixture hangs in the center.
The closets were clearly a priority. What was the design plan for them? CW: As we continued to walk through the closets and do the interior elevations to determine how much linear storage they needed, it became apparent that we might need a little more space. What became the shared shoe closet (with cathedral ceiling) was an unfinished attic above the rooms below.
How did the grounds shape your strategy for the exterior? CW: Our main goal was within creating this courtyard where you have these sight lines and these glass points, which capture the pond and the field. The breakfast room, for example, is three walls of glass and gives you the view of the pasture and the pond and is a great cozy corner to sit in. VF: Outside was about simple forms, reimagining what a front porch looks like. The exterior’s materials were more about color, tone on tone and texture.
—interview by megan gagnon
Resources: Architecture: Vincent Falotico, Chuck Willette, Brooks & Falotico, New Canaan; 203-966-8440; brooksandfalotico.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BOB CAPAZZO, KRISTIN HYNES, MELANI LUST & MARSIN MOGIELSKI
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ART & ANTIQUES
Heather Gaudio Fine Art, heathergaudiofineart.com����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25
BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT
California Closets, californiaclosets.com����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11 Charles Hilton Architects, hiltonarchitects.com�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5 Douglas VanderHorn Architects, vanderhornarchitects.com��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 2, 1 Garrett Wilson Builders, garrettwilsonbuilders.com��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������13 Gault Family Companies, gaultstone.com������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 23 Karen Berkemeyer Home����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������29 KLAR Studio-Windows and Doors ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������31 Ring’s End, ringsend.com�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21 Robert A� Cardello Architects, LLC, cardelloarchitects.com�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17 Tischler und Sohn, tischlerwindows.com����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 4
DECORATING & HOME FURNISHINGS
Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design, amyhirsch.com������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2, 3
EVENTS
A-list Awards, athomealistawards.com������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������37
LANDSCAPING, NURSERY + FLORIST
James Doyle Design Associates��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9 Homefront Farmers���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15
MISCELLANEOUS
Alzheimer’s Association������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 35 Best Of Gold Coast�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������Cover 3 Breast Cancer Alliance�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27 Flowcode��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33 JP McHale Pest Management����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������27
REAL ESTATE
The Mill ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7 Ocean House���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19
