New Canaan-Darien & Rowayton Magazine, March - April 2018

MARCH/APRIL 2018 | $5.95

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CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2018

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Following the expansion of a traditional farmhouse, designer Julie Nightingale and her clients remake the interior of a Darien home with simplicity and style.

13 | STATUS REPORT BUZZ: Kevin Conroy turns

72 | Country House Remix

BY JUDY OSTROW

78 | Master Work

A dedicated gardener creates a lush and varied landscape to surround her family’s Darien home.

BY JUDY OSTROW

87 | Home Game

10 | EDITOR’S LETTER

grief into good works

SHOP: The latest prints, palettes and picks, pulled from spring runways

GO: The perks of a private plane; Lincoln Navigator

HOME: Haggerty Pools on what’s hot now

These are the top trends to consider if you’re buying, selling or simply want to stay informed as you consider the value of your home.

DO: Joshua House Fund

BY LIZ ANDERSON STEINKE

EAT: Tavern at GrayBarns serves up local and seasonal fare to impress even the most discerning palate; the ABCs of rum

94 | Escape Artists

Pack your bags. Three designers take us on a trip with vacation-ready collections full of summer style.

48 | FINANCE FIX How to choose the right accountant

57 | PEOPLE & PLACES Waveny Park Conservancy; Silver Hill Hospital

61 | VOWS Wilkinson—Weber Silverman—Seldin

112 | DON’T MISS THIS

helps teens give back; a healthier mani-pedi; core fitness; men’s health

BY MEGAN GAGNON

on the cover: master bedroom by jane beiles

NEW CANAAN • DARIEN & ROWAYTON MARCH/APRIL 2018, VOL. 18, NO. 2.

NEW CANAAN • DARIEN & ROWAYTON (ISSN 1942- 1028) is published bimonthly 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 NEW CANAAN, PO Box 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. subscription rates: $19.95/1 year (6 issues), $32.95/2 years. Canada and foreign: US $40/1 year, US $66/2 years.

4

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STACY BASS

78

Architect: Neil Hauck Architects Photographer: Tim Lee

203.966.0726

www.hobbsinc.com

CONNECTICUT • NEW YORK • NEW JERSEY • RHODE ISLAND

DISTINCTIVE HOMES, ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS

eat

people

home

go

shop

buzz

On the go or online at home, you can easily access our coverage of interesting people, stylish finds and fashion, fun things to do, new restaurants and more. All the news is at newcanaandarienmag.com. See you there!

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JULY/AUGUST 2017 | $5.95

Simply the

BEST Celebrating the finest of everything in Fairfield County

Winner, Best New Restaurant

2017-2018 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL GUIDE

6

ilovefc.com the best of fairfield county living • published by moffly media

SPIGA

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PHOTOGRAPHS: EAT, GRAYBARNS BY NOAH FECKS; PEOPLE,LIGHT A FIRE BY MELANI LUST; COBBLECOURT BY STACY BASS; GO, JETSMARTER, CONTRIBUTED; SHOP, TO AND FROM NAILS, CONTRIBUTED; BUZZ. WOLF + FRIENDS BY KRISTIN CHAMERS

newcanaandarienmag.com

VISIT, DISCOVER, SHARE.

VOL. 18 NO. 2

MARCH/APRIL 2018

creative director Amy Vischio

editorial executive editor Cristin Marandino editor Jeanne Craig market editor Megan Gagnon advisory editor Donna Moffly assistant editor Colleen Crowley

contributors editors Camilla A. Herrera — Editor, Stamford Diane Sembrot — Editor, Fairfield Living and Westport contributing editor Kathryn Satterfield writers Malia McKinnon Frame, Judy Ostrow, Liz Steinke copy editor Terry Christofferson

editorial advisory board Robert Doran, Sue Frelinghuysen, David Genovese, Nancy Helle, Claire Hunter, Robyn Kammerer, Rita Kirby, George McEvoy, Julianna Spain, Amy Wilkinson, Torrance York

art

art director Paula Winicur senior art director Venera Alexandrova senior art director/status report Garvin Burke contributing art directors Katie DeFlorio Conte, Westport; Holly Keeperman, Custom contributing photographers Moffly Media’s Big Picture production director Kerri Rak

digital

digital media manager Amber Scinto

digital editor Diane Sembrot

sales & marketing

chief revenue officer Pete W. Michalsky

publisher Lisa Hingst

sales management publisher, stamford: Karen Kelly — Karen.Kelly@Moffly.com publisher, greenwich: Trish Kirsch — Trish.Kirsch@Moffly.com publisher, westport: Gabriella Mays — Gabriella.Mays@Moffly.com sales directors regional travel: Stephanie Delaney — Stephanie.Delaney@Moffly.com fashion/beauty: Monique deBoer — Monique.deBoer@Moffly.com doctors/dentists/finance/insurance/business consulting: Jennifer Frank — Jennifer.Frank@Moffly.com schools & education: Hilary Hotchkiss — Hilary.Hotchkiss@Moffly.com real estate/lawyers: Rick Johnson — Rick.Johnson@Moffly.com restaurants, wine & spirits, catering: Ellyn Weitzman — Ellyn.Weitzman@Moffly.com jewelry: Jennifer Petersen — Jennifer.Petersen@Moffly.com advertising opportunities and web coordinator: Lauren Stevens — Lauren.Stevens@Moffly.com executive director, event marketing Laurinda Finelli director, event marketing Caroline C. Steber partnership manager Kathleen Godbold event coordinator Alexandra Pemberton creative services art director Molly Cottingham strategic marketing director Wendy Horwitz

business

president Jonathan W. Moffly vice president/editorial & design Amy Vischio vice president/finance & operations Brian R. Feidt vice president/sales & marketing Pete Michalsky vice president/treasurer Elena Moffly founder & chairman emeritus John W. Moffly IV founder & editorial advisor Donna C. Moffly

published by FAIRFIELD LIVING, GREENWICH, NEW CANAAN • DARIEN, STAMFORD, WESTPORT and ATHOME magazines

205 Main Street, Westport, CT 06880 phone: 203-222-0600 fax: 203-222-0937 Mail@MofflyMedia.com TO SUBSCRIBE, renew, or change your address, please email us at subscribe@ncdmag.com, call 1-877-467-1735, or write to New Canann - Darien magazine, 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755. U.S. subscription rates: $19.95/1 year (6 issues); $32.95/2 years (12 issues). Canada and foreign, US $40/1 year and US $66/2 years. 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 New Canaan - Darien magazine is a registered trademark owned by Moffly Media. The opinions expressed by writers commissioned for articles published by New Canaan - Darien are not necessarily those of the magazine. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, please call 203-571-1655 or email advertise@mofflymedia.com. FOR CUSTOM REPRINTS/E-PRINTS, please call 203-571-1645 or email reprints@mofflymedia.com 8

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

EDITOR’S Letter

JEANNE CRAIG

Pretty Things coffee table of yours for an issue filled with beautiful things. Our annual home issue showcases spectacular photographs and visual inspiration, and it offers a few wellcrafted stories about people in our towns who know how to create lovely things.

In the story “Master Work” on page 78, Stacy Bass focuses her lens on a stunning garden in Darien. Stacy, who has two top-selling books of photography to her credit, is celebrated nationally for her images of gardens, and her nature work is distinctive because she chooses to shoot at daybreak. For this story, she went behind the hedgerow of a private home to capture verdant spaces at dawn. Her camera takes you on a tour of what looks to be a magical landscape. Stacy reveals the objects in bloom with the same care that a gardener lavishes on new buds. Complementing Stacy’s images are words by Judy Ostrow, who thoroughly enjoyed interviewing the home’s owner, Katie Keith, for the story.

Katie is that special breed of gardener who possesses both vision and technical skills.

She conceptualized the lush garden rooms that surround her home, and then rolled up her sleeves to do the hands-on work of execution.

And while we’re on the subject of vision, let’s talk about Julie Nightingale, a 10

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

Rowayton-based interior designer and top talent in the area. In the story “Country House Remix” on page 72, you’ll learn how Julie helped Kathy and Evan Calio remake the interior of their Darien home with simplicity and style. The couple wanted a clean and calming environment, plus low-maintenance finishes and furnishings because they have young children. Julie created forward-thinking solutions with style and character.

While this is our home issue, we couldn’t help but add a feature on fashion, as now is the time to shed those cold-weather layers and find your best looks for spring.

Market Editor Megan Gagnon had a serious chic streak when she put together the spectacular Shop section that begins on page 16. We think you will find something here to help you channel that inner runway goddess. So, go ahead, amp up your street style and work those runway trends around town, because spring is the time to flaunt all that is pretty.

jeanne.craig@moffly.com

WILLIAM TAUFIC

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BUZZ status report

CIVIC LEADER

Giving Back Love, Loss and

Kevin Conroy talks about supporting the town of

Rowayton and how he honors his son Jack’s memory

W

alk down the main drag of Rowayton Avenue and you’ll find pretty much everything at your fingertips: an upscale market, post office, hardware store, community bank, restaurants and a residential barn building. It’s safe to say that many of these places of necessity and comfort wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for KEVIN CONROY, real estate investor, restauranteur and—because of recent life events—a powerful advocate against addiction. We asked the longtime local business owner about his numerous contributions to the community and his recent work with the nonprofit organization Shatterproof.

I read somewhere that long ago it was your mission to revitalize the downtown community.

When did you get your start in Rowayton? I’ve lived here since I was 19.

When Barbara and I were raising our four children here, we were all about trying to build a great community with amazing resources and a unique village feel. I started by investing in real estate and running a fish market, and then opening a waterfront restaurant, Rowayton Seafood. In 2000, I bought the old Rowayton Market and spent two years renovating it so our town would

have a gourmet market with a beautiful deck and marina. I sold it, but I still love investing in local businesses. Next, I bought the property across the street and rebuilt it completely, adding a few shops and some residential units in back. Then, I moved down the street a bit and invested in building the SoNo Ice House hockey rink.

You’ve made so many contributions to the community over the years. How do you like to give back? I love the community of Rowayton.

It’s a very family-oriented place where people reach

Kevin Conroy INSET: Kevin with his son Jack

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

13

BUZZ out to others who need help. It feels like home, and I like having a central place where people can gather and enjoy life, family and friends.

I love supporting local families, schools and community organizations including the Rowayton Civic Association, our fire department, Rowayton Elementary School, Shakespeare on the Sound, and local charity events. Until recently, my focus has been on kids and education.

What changed the way you direct your giving?

I still donate to the organizations I’ve given to in the past, but I’ve added more. The biggest thing that’s ever happened to me is the terrible loss of my son Jack, three years ago from a drug overdose.

He was an amazing boy and was a natural athlete who liked lacrosse, skiing and snowboarding.

He loved being on the water, especially surfing and fishing. He was very relaxed, but also a fierce protector who everybody wanted to be around. Jack would have been 24 this year. These days, I live for my kids Will (27), Henry (22) and Grace (20), and my goal is to remember Jack’s love, honor his memory and recognize what a serious addiction he had.

What advice would you give to people who suspect that a loved one is experimenting with drugs? The moment you uncover that someone is caught up in drugs, you must do everything possible, immediately.

Addiction is so powerful and fast-moving, and once someone is in its clutches you are fighting

14

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

for that person’s life. The longer the addiction goes on, the more damage is done to the brain and the more difficult it is to fight the disease.

After Jack died I felt paralyzed. Thoughts of, “What didn’t I do? What did I miss?” put me in a very dark place. My son’s death was a terrible tragedy. Now, I ask myself how do I rise up, honor my son’s life, and talk openly about how to help. I want to take action to another level to help other families dealing with addiction. No one wants to talk about it, but we need to forget the stigma and the shame.

I’m lucky that I have the help of lots of people with access to resources that can make a big impact.

Tell me about your involvement with the nonprofit organization Shatterproof. I met CEO and founder Gary Mendell shortly after Jack passed.

My entire family had lived this serious addiction that Jack had, and we fought it hard. My thoughts after he died were, “What do I do? Who do I donate to? How can I help and make sure other people don’t suffer?” I found an invaluable resource in Shatterproof, and I’ve been fortunate to have the support of many local people and friends as I’ve begun to support this organization. I love being in a small town and rallying the community for an important cause.

How does Shatterproof help drug addicts and their families?

Shatterproof is committed to ending the devastation that the disease of addiction has on our families. In just

ABOVE: Henry, Kevin, Grace, Barbara and Will Conroy at a fundraiser for Shatterproof, a nonprofit that helps people dealing with addiction. RIGHT: Barbara’s book

four years, more than 150,000 people and 130 companies have put their support behind the nonprofit, and together they’ve saved thousands of lives. Shatterproof has championed legislation in fourteen states, ensuring that doctors who prescribe opioids are required to follow certain safety precautions, and expanding access to the overdose-reversing medication Naloxone, which will save more than 10,000 lives over the next decade. The organization also advocates tirelessly to ensure that those who need treatment for addiction have access to health insurance that provides the same quality of care offered to those suffering from other diseases, at the same relative cost.

In 2016, Shatterproof launched a comprehensive website that families can use to learn about prevention, treatment and

recovery; all the information is based on proven research. The group’s most important initiative is to completely transform the treatment system in the United States.

In addition to your work with Shatterproof, what are you doing to honor Jack’s memory? Jack’s mother, Barbara Bates Conroy, has a new website, (dearjack.love) that offers information and resources surrounding addiction, recovery, grief and loss. Her book, Dear Jack, A Love Letter, will be available on Amazon and through Barnes and Noble in April, the third anniversary of his passing. All proceeds will go to the Jackson Scott Conroy Foundation. The foundation’s mission is dedicated to supporting teens

and young adults suffering from opioid and heroin addiction. Costly treatment centers are often out of reach for many families, so we will award partial and full scholarships to fund treatment through an application process and support anyone struggling with addiction. My life has changed forever, and I miss and love my Jack every day. I truly want to thank everyone who has helped me in the past so I can help others. –Malia McKinnon Frame

For more information, go to shatterproof.org

LIVE TRANQUIL We all have passion. And passion springs from inspiration, which begins with your surroundings.

That’s what home is. Family. Friends. History. An amazing view. ATMOSPHERE. Art. It’s what makes a space a home — because home is where you truly L I V E .

wi l l i amp itt.co m DARI E N & ROWAY TON BROKERAG ES Pro p er t i es Featu re d: 1 16 N earwate r L a ne Da r ie n, CT | 6 Tho m es S tre et Rowayton, CT Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

SHOP

status report

SPRING FASHION

p r o d u c e d by m eg a n g ag n o n

SPRING LOADED The latest prints, palettes and picks, pulled from spring runways and ready to shop now CHECK, PLEASE

Fresh takes on classic gingham pg 18

SEEING SPOTS Dots are on point this season

pg 18

GARDEN VARIETY Mix a bouquet of red, pink and purple

PUNCH LINES

Stripes look on the bright side pg 22

ISLAND TIME Floral prints go tropical pg 22 16

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

pg 20

ALICE AND OLIVIA

BY STACEY BENDET Rylyn top; $195.

Lonnie jacket; $795. Merrill skirt; $995. Greenwich; aliceandolivia.com

Sophisticated Brilliance I N ARC HI TE CTU R AL G LAS S

Transform your shower & bath with free-floating architectural glass, hung without conventional hardware and rail devices for an elegant look & custom fit.

Do you love wine? Then imagine your very own wine room right in your home!

We can custom build to fit any space!

Architectural glass office enclosures are a light contemporary alternative to traditional office rooms and dividers.

Have you ever imagined or actually seen structural glass fencing for pools and outdoor perimeters?

S ER V I N G C ON N EC T I C U T A N D N EW Y OR K H O M E O W NE RS, C OR P OR A T E A N D C OMMER C I A L C L I EN T S F O R O V E R 50 Y E A RS. C A L L 2 0 3 -8 0 3 -2 3 4 0 A N D B E S U R E T O V I S IT O U R A RC H I TE C TU RA L G L A S S S H OWR OOM A T A MER I C A N F R A ME L E SS.C O M / SH O W RO O M

SHOP

Checks Mix

Get graphic with monochrome gingham

6 7 1

2 Sonia Rykiel Carolina Herrera

3

9 11

8 10

4

Hot Spots Add fun & flirty polka dots to your print mix

1. JOIE Cirila; $148. Greenwich, Westport; joie.com 2. GUCCI Princetown check fabric slipper; $750. gucci.com 3. THEORY Gingham classic skinny pant; $345. Greenwich, Westport; theory.com 4. MAR Y SOL Pompei bag; $135. shopmarysol.com 5. J. McLAUGHLIN Mercer ballet flat in picnic gingham; $178. Greenwich, New Canaan, Southport; jmclaughlin.com 6. CLUB MONACO Roenna pump; $349. Greenwich; clubmonaco.com 7. JOHANNA ORTIZ Polka dot trench dress; $1,700. Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich; saks.com 8. OSCAR DE LA RENTA Ball tassel earrings; $490.

Copious Row, Greenwich; copiousrow.com 9. SAINT LAURENT Sleeveless ruffled and pleated top in lipstick dot printed silk Georgette; $1,590.

Neiman Marcus, The Westchester; neimanmarcus.com 10. ZARA Embellished city bag; $39.90. Greenwich, Stamford; zara.com 11. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Bibariellita polka dot wedge in latte/black; $1,145. christianlouboutin.com

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

5

Where fashion gets personal.

Alexis • L’Agence • Zadig & Voltaire • Frame Elizabeth & James • Milly • St. John • ATM

www.tinadragone.com

SHOP

Monique Lhuillier

Tibi

Freshly picked, from poppy to lilac

MSGM

Roksanda

Salvatore Ferragamo

Petal Palette

1 6

4 2

10 7

5

3

8 9

13

12 1. GIGI BURRIS Ete straw hat; $388. modaoperandi.com 2. L’AGENCE Chamberlain blazer; $595. Tina Dragone, Darien, Westport; tinadragone.com 3. PELLE MODA Berlin sandal; $129. Shoe-Inn, New Canaan, Westport; shoeinn.com 4. ST. ROCHE Camille blouse; $205. Spree, Darien; spreedarien .com 5. COTTON CITIZEN Pink skinny jeans; $295. intermixonline.com 6. McQ BY ALEXANDER McQUEEN Glasses; $169. Lord & Taylor, Stamford; lordandtaylor.com 7. MIGNONNE GAVIGAN Mini Elle hoops; $125. anthropologie.com 8. RAG & BONE Nova sneaker; $350. Greenwich; rag-bone.com 9. SHARI’S PLACE Private label ostrich bag; $2,690. Greenwich; sharisplace.com 10. STELLA McCARTNEY Mini Falabella tote bag; $870. stellamccartney.com 11. ACNE STUDIOS Mock leather jacket; $1,550. mytheresa.com 12. LONGCHAMP Sandal; $445. Greenwich; longchamp.com 13. HOBBS Silvia dress; $480. Greenwich; hobbs.com

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NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

11

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SHOP

Fruit Stripes

Coloring in the lines never looked so good

5 4

3

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

9 2 7 Dries van Noten

1

Surfer Girl

8

10

Island-inspired florals bloomed on spring runways

1. EDIE PARKER Wicker heart bag; $1,495. edie-parker.com 2. MARA HOFFMAN Cora tie-waist striped wrap skirt; $225. Soleil Toile, New Canaan, Westport; soleiltoile.com 3. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Stripe silk wrap midi dress; $428. Darien Sport Shop; dariensport.com 4. ALICE AND OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET Lonnie embroidered cropped bomber jacket; $795. Greenwich; aliceandolivia.com 5. ALEXANDRE BIRMAN Lolita high heel sandals; $625.

Saks Greenwich 10022-SHOE; saks.com 6. STUART WEITZMAN Carla; $455. Greenwich; stuartweitzman.com 7. JUDITH LEIBER COUTURE Birds of Paradise clutch; $3,995. Mitchells, Westport; Richards, Greenwich; shop.mitchellstores.com 8. MARC CAIN Blazer; $560. The Westchester; marc-cain.com 9. TORY BURCH Max espadrille slide; $228. Greenwich; toryburch.com 10. MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Sapphire flower print pant; $975.

Richards, Greenwich; shop.mitchellstores.com

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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status report

PRIVATE JET OPTIONS • LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

BY KIM-MARIE EVANS

Plane & Simple

We outline the options for traveling in

true jet-set style

T

ŠSTEFANO GARAU/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

hink flying private is only for celebrities and trust fund babies? Though they might be the most obvious passengers, skipping the security lines and overly familiar pat downs is becoming more accessible for the rest of us.

The reasons to fly private are as numerous as the ways to do it. It could be an emergency that demands an overnight flight from a small airport; a snowstorm that cancels a flight, stranding desperate skiers; or simply the desire to travel in style to a blowout birthday celebration.

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Kim-Marie hops aboard VistaJet

If you need a jet and you need it now, but you don’t plan on making it a regular thing (though you may change your mind after seeing how the other half flies), you’ll need a jet broker. There are 2,500 different charter operators.

We suggest checking out Magellan Jets. It offers on-demand charters that will meet your specific needs (this travel writer used them to book a flight from Jackson Hole to Joplin, Missouri—you won’t find that on a Delta itinerary). All of its charter planes meet such rigorous safety standards that it was the first private jet broker accepted by the Air Charter Safety Foundation.

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While it’s hard to compare prices, an approximate quote for a flight from White Plains to Turks and Caicos on a Hawker 400XP that seats seven, is roughly $32,000 round trip. A single firstclass Delta flight runs around $3,200, so it’s not that much more for a serious upgrade. Magellan also offers the option to buy a jet card and book flights against your balance. magellanjets.com

discretion and access to private entrances. netjets.com

WHEN REGULAR PRIVATE ISN’T ENOUGH VistaJet is all over celebrity Instagrams. Spotted deplaning its distinctive aircraft? Will and Kate, George Clooney and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Flying private is already pretty swank, but flying VistaJet is even better. Its flight attendants are trained at the Butler’s Institute of London, its Nobu partnership takes in-flight fare up a notch and it even promises better cabin air. They pressurize at

PART OF THE CLUB If you want to fly private all the time but don’t want to take on the hassle of actually owning a plane (I mean, who does?), consider a jet club membership. Fractional

CONTRIBUTED

ONE AND DONE

ownership means that the whole plane is yours—no shared flights, just shared ownership.

NetJets makes life simple—you buy a Jet Card and book flights against the balance. A twenty-five-hour membership card on a light jet starts at $170,000. Need a bigger plane because the whole squad is coming?

NetJets says it has the largest fleet of private planes and prides itself on making upgrading easy. Members can book and board in as few as four hours. Dogs are not only welcome—special doggy meals are offered.

If paparazzi are a problem, NetJets will provide

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Membership requires a three-year commitment— shoulder-brush with Clooney not included. vistajet.com

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BLACK LABEL Price as Tested: $96,570 Drivetrain: 450-hp 3.5-liter V6 twin turbo

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EPA Mileage Ratings: 16 city/ 24 highway

New Glory

Lincoln’s

The Navigator: Max-sized luxury

I

n its drive to be noticed again, Lincoln’s designers have determined their new grandees should have what they call “a captivating stance.” Indeed, the freshly remade Navigator SUV creates quite the presentation in your driveway with its blockbuster face and stylin’ rims. The looks might dazzle, but what’s amazing is how they made a vehicle of such Alpine size handle so damned well. The Navigator takes a big leap forward in the Big Luxury niche.

As you approach the Navigator with key fob in your pocket, it senses your arrival and lights twinkle hello. A running board emerges to help you step inside, where ambient lighting (of your hue choice) soothes your brow.

The interior surfaces are elegant. The dash has real buttons for many critical functions, which makes it easier—not to mention far safer—than the touch-screen controls once in fashion. The nav unit is a snap.

When you move away from the curb, the Navigator just feels, well, nimble. It steers with a creamy ease. The insanely tight turning

radius makes braving a crowded parking lot a mere trifle, and the ten-speed transmission is always in the right gear and ready to leap.

Don’t ask me how they got a three-ton, 450-hp vehicle to average 20 mpg.

In inclement weather, the Navigator’s various AWD driving modes (such as “slippery”) can be accessed with a quick turn of a dial. Hard braking feels as easy as laying your head on a feather pillow.

On a long drive, you feel as though your salon chair is calmly sailing through space. It’s tall enough that you feel you can peer over the dark side of the moon, but there is none of the topheaviness that used to bother these big fellows.

The second row can be ordered as a bench for three or with two captain’s chairs, a console and video screens. The second- and third-row seats can be flattened with a touch of a button.

In a crowded field of contenders, the new Navigator really steps out. Our tester was the maxed-out Black Label edition, but other versions start in the low $70,000s.

—Chris Hodenfield

CONTRIBUTED

With a membership to JetSmarter, no miles are clocked. You fly “free” as often as you want throughout the year. The catch? You’re sharing the plane with other members, itineraries can be limited and flights longer than three hours can cost extra.

There are two levels of membership. For $15,000 annually you can fly unlimited on scheduled flights that are under three hours. However, you can only book two legs at a time. So hopping from destination to destination needs to be booked as you go.

For $50,000 annually you don’t pay a surcharge for flights longer than three hours and you’re able to book four legs at a time.

There is a $2,500 initiation fee for the less expensive membership, but we have it on good authority that it can be negotiated.

Membership at both levels allows you to book seats on JetSmarter shuttle flights between cities or spend-up and charter a flight that suits your specific need but only pay for the seats you use.

In addition to the regular flights, JetSmarter creates routes for popular events like SXSW, Art Basel and Sundance Film Festival.

Booking is done through the app. This service is perfect for the gadabout who is free to jet to Miami last minute to escape the frigid temps and doesn’t need a specific date or time. jetsmarter.com

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Dive In T

BY MALIA MCKINNON FRAME

HAGGERTY POOLS

The pools of today are more than pretty watering holes—they’re backyard destinations

he decision to put in a pool can benefit the entire family and add a new dimension to your outdoor lifestyle. “The two main reasons our clients build pools are Roger Haggerty for recreation and to create a space for entertaining,” says ROGER HAGGERTY, OWNER OF HAGGERTY POOLS in Norwalk. If you’re in the market for a pool, the first step is creating a landscaping plan that considers the size of your yard and your budget. Here are some features to consider when constructing the pool of your dreams.

GET SPORTY

Many people are putting in shallower pools or “sports pools,” where the shallow end extends into a six- to seven-foot deep end, as opposed to eight to ten feet,” says Haggerty. This gradual slope makes it easier to accommodate several people who want to play volleyball or basketball, or exercise in the water.

without fully submerging yourself,” says Haggerty.

You can use your own lounge chair or buy sunshelf-specific lounges.

HOT HANGOUT

“An average hot tub size is eight feet by eight feet, with enough space for eight jets and four people, but a spa tub can be customized,” says Haggerty. The size

GO REMOTE

Many pool owners are choosing user-friendly automated

SHELF LIFE Those who

love to lounge around the pool but can’t stand the heat should consider a sun shelf. “These wide ledges, also called Baja shelves, are built into the shallow end and are great for sitting on. You can sunbathe and keep cool here on hot days

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COVER UP Automatic pool covers have come a long way. Most are made of vinyl for square or rectangular pools and run on tracks along the edges. If you have a free-form pool and want to splurge, Grando makes a high-end, custom-cut cover that floats in the water ($75,000 and up). Says Haggerty, “Pool covers provide safety and keep unwanted people or children out.”

systems over fixed controls. “Jandy and Pentair are the top two remote systems that control everything from pool and spa heat to lighting,” says Haggerty.

These systems can be synched to your current home automation system, and you can access the app on your smartphone. “People love the convenience of remote controls, and it helps you to be more energy efficient,” he says.

FINISH IT OFF “Most of

our clients go for a light or dark gray or a light or dark blue plaster, depending on the color of their patio stonework or tile, their preferred color palette, and whether they want to blend or contrast with the surroundings,” says Haggerty. He also likes using quartz or

pebble finishes, which add a slight texture to pool walls, are durable and prevent color fading.

“Pool finishes depend on water chemistry, and if yours isn’t maintained correctly it can change color over time.”

ADD CHARM “People

are really mixing it up when it comes to the area around their pools,” says Haggerty. With landscaping, one idea is to add latticed pavers with grass in between.

Haggerty says clients are asking for accoutrements to enhance their outdoor space. “Fire pits are great places to gather,” he says.

Outdoor kitchens with pergolas, bars, fireplaces and TVs are also getting a lot of play. “These special outdoor spaces create a great sense of community for family and friends.”

ROGER HAGGERTY: ALEXANDRA PEMBERTON; POOL: CONTRIBUTED

WHAT’S TRENDING NOW

of your spa will dictate placements of the jets, and you should also consider the bench height, depending on how much of your body you want above the water. “Another hot trend is to use glass tile on the inside of the spa, which creates a vibrant sparkling effect that’s spectacular on sunny days,” says Haggerty.

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THE JOSHUA HOUSE FUND • A BETTER MANI-PEDI • CORE STRENGTH • MEN’S HEALTH Darien teen Emma Webb nailing a wall in place

Darien teenagers, their parents, local builders and the recipient family work together to raise the walls of what will become a new home.

Building Dreams take time out of their own lives to change someone else’s

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olunteers from the Darien-based Joshua House Fund travel each year to a remote corner of Appalachia to build a home for an impoverished family; this year the goal is to build two. We talked to board member LISA WEBB about the organization, which recently marked its twentieth anniversary as a local nonprofit.

HERE ARE FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE JOSHUA HOUSE FUND

1

SECULAR SUCCESS While the group was started as an in-house effort of St. Thomas More Church, it later transitioned into an independent, nondenominational charity supported entirely by

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volunteers. Each year it raises enough money to build at least one house—about $73,000—and then does just that. The homes are built within McCreary County in southern Kentucky, one of the poorest counties in the

U.S. The group has completed twenty-six houses in the past two decades.

2 “Spending a week with my son... just working alongside each other... it was really transformative for both of us.”

LISA WEBB FUND BOARD MEMBER

CHANGING LIVES Families chosen to receive a home have to own the land where it will be built and have enough annual income to afford the taxes on the property, but are generally too poor to qualify for a mortgage, Webb says. This year’s picks are a single dad of a 5-year-old boy who lives in a leaky mobile home with no insulation, and a family of four whose current house is in such disrepair it is uninhabitable during the winter.

CONTRIBUTED

The Joshua House Fund enables local teens to

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HANDS-ON HELP About ten high school students from Darien are selected for the annual June trip, and are accompanied by a parent. The volunteers pitch in with the actual home building, though no previous construction experience is required.

The Fund pays for all the building materials, and hires a local supervisor and crew—often unemployed veterans—to start the foundation and finish the construction once the Connecticut volunteers leave. Volunteers pay for their travel and lodging.

4

OFF-SCREEN TIME Webb, who has gone on several building trips with her own children,

said the first one she took was a revelation “not just because you are doing something great for a family that lives in dire poverty, but spending a week with my son without cell phones, without TV, just working alongside each other … it was really transformative for both of us to do that.”

5

PHANTOM FUNDRAISING Rather than host a swanky night on the town, the group runs a spring fundraiser called the Phantom Ball. Participants are asked via a mailed “invitation” to enjoy a night to themselves and donate to the cause instead. Visit joshuahousefund.org for more information.

—Liz Anderson Steinke

New England Natural Elegance

866.872.9441

WEEKAPAUGINN.COM

TOP: Joshua House Fund Vice President Kevin Treesh, President

Barb Luby, and board members Lisa Webb and Amy Fraser; BOTTOM: The group celebrates at a park in Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, at the end of a recent building trip.

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CONTRIBUTED

relax and escape to your new favorite seaside destination, where elegant accommodations, impeccable cuisine and unforgettable experiences await you. White sand beaches lead to quiet pond-side evenings; rich historic charm intertwines with contemporary design; thoughtful luxury amenities and activities meet barefoot elegance. Indulge, savor and fall in love with every natural moment.

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Nailed It

t he

g r an d

dam e

Darien’s newest nail concept wants you to consider a more mindful manicure

NAIL POLISH: © IMAGEHUB-STOCK.ADOBE.COM; TO AND FROM: NAILS CONTRIBUTED

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o and From doesn’t feel like a nail salon, in the best way possible. The space is more spa/modern beauty boutique hybrid, created with careful consideration by founders Jeanne Bloom (a Norwalk native) and Henri Helander. The two met studying fashion in New York and after years of friendship, saw an opportunity in Bloom’s hometown for a business that married her stylish approach to nail art with his passion for clean skincare.

The result is a truly unique experience, where beauty and wellness coexist.

Guests choose from a wall of polish colors by JINsoon, LVX, Deborah Lippmann and Habit, all brands that remove up to ten of the harshest chemicals found in most bottles. There’s even a nontoxic soft gel option and mini polishes for younger visitors. Services (manicures start at $25; pedicures at $35) include chemical-free lotions, oils, and scrubs, all performed by expertly skilled technicians.

In creating a space, Bloom and Helander focused on a clean, minimalist aesthetic with luxe touches.

Comfortable seating in neutral tones from Design Within Reach replaces the standard massage chairs, while custom manicure stations stand on sleek brass legs and include thoughtful phone-charging ports. You can charge your phone and recharge your mind—all in one place— and enjoy the perks of polish in a healthier environment.

—Megan Gagnon

A Destination of Exceptional Character and Spirit elegant accommodations, impeccable cuisine and unforgettable experiences await you. Private white sand beaches lead to blissful relaxation in the OH! Spa; rich historic charm intertwines with chic design; thoughtful luxury amenities meet coastal elegance. Indulge, savor and fall in love with every moment of the season with us.

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CoreValues A new training program at Chelsea Piers challenges fitness strength, stability and agility in a whole new way

P

icture yourself planking on a stability ball or squatting on a balance trainer. To offset the inherent imbalance that is introduced, you engage the core. As trainers often say, activating these muscles will help you remain steady while helping you improve overall balance, stability and strength, which is essential to staving off the ravages of age.

That thinking has recently

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shifted and today also applies to young athletes and fitness fans.

By working on core strength and enhancing mobility and balance, anyone can boost athletic performance and muscle response and endurance while also lowering the risk of injury from an early age.

This is where Reaxing comes in, which is currently having a moment. Offered locally only at Chelsea Piers, Reaxing introduces instability to other

right: Weights filled with sand-like material sway with movement, adding a new balancing challenge to this weighttraining move.

kettle bells (and more) that they used during the workout. Adding extra difficulty to the session were Reax Boards, which are, simply put, slightly raised platforms on accordionlike bases that shift in response to body movement and weight, or to a trainer’s electronic instruction by way of an app.

So now picture this: planking on a stability ball half-filled with liquid, while on a moving platform. That’s what I call serious core engagement.

For more about Chelsea Piers’ Reaxing classes, Athletic Club membership and youth athletic training that incorporates Reaxing, visit chelseapiersct .com. —Camilla A. Herrera

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CHELSEA PIERS

above: Trainers PJ Johns (front) and Kevin Kosis demonstrate the added balancing challenges created by planking on a stability Fluiball while on a Reax Board, a platform that moves in response to weight and movement.

established moves by simultaneously engaging additional muscles and building on the body’s ability to react, making a workout more challenging and effective. To that end, imagine slamming a medicine ball that is half-filled with fluid, or doing dead lifts with a barbell with rubber-like weights that are not attached to the ends but hang from them.

During a recent packed class that incorporated these and other Reaxing tools, participants worked hard—some struggling more than others— to adapt to the unique challenges created by movement and rotation set in motion by the various weights, chains,

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Guy Talk

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WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW 1 KEEP UP SELF-EXAMS

While urologists recommend regular selfexams should begin in teens as young as 15, it’s important for men to keep the habit up for a lifetime. “Even though you tend to see this in younger men, I’ve diagnosed testicular cancer in men in their 50s,” says Dr. Rosoff.

2

TALK TO THE PEDIATRICIAN

Parents should not assume their pediatrician is covering the finer points of self-examination with their teenage sons. “There’s a lot to cover in a teenager’s well visit,” says Dr. Rosoff. “Talk to your pediatrician [and] let them know you would like that [talk] to happen.”

3

KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS

Boys born with undescended testicles have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer. Since undescended testicles are often repaired when boys are babies, Dr. Serels says, some men are unaware of this risk factor. So, it’s important for parents to share this background—and any family history—with their sons. “It’s also something your doctor should know,” he adds.

4

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Caught early, testicular cancer has cure rates in excess of 90 percent, and

responds well to a regimen that includes chemotherapy and radiation, says Dr. Serels. Surgical removal of the testicle is required and men can opt for a prosthetic replacement. “I’ve found that whether they decide on a prosthetic tends to depend on age,” he says. “Younger patients tend to go in this direction because they are more self-conscious.”

5

WHAT ABOUT FERTILITY?

Dr. Rosoff says normal fertility usually returns in about two years for men treated for testicular cancer. Some men opt to bank sperm if their regimen includes chemotherapy.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID ©AFRICA STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

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he good news about testicular cancer is that it’s a relatively rare disease with impressively high cure rates when caught early. The downside is that males most often afflicted by it—teens and young men between 15 and 34—don’t always have the disease on their personal health radar. “It can be challenging at times because you are not talking to a demographic that is particularly worried about cancer,” says Dr. Craig Tifford, a Stamford resident and orthopedic surgeon who is a sixteen-year survivor of testicular cancer diagnosed at stage four. “Since there’s no blood test and no imaging test for this, my mantra is selfexam. It’s the only way to catch it early.”

Indeed, urologists who diagnose testicular cancer stress the importance of regular self-examination as the most proactive way to catch it when it’s most treatable.

Dr. James Rosoff, a urologist affiliated with Greenwich Hospital and an assistant professor of urology at the Yale School of Medicine, says testicular cancer usually presents with a small, painless lump, about the size of a dime, that is palpable when touched by hand. “Just [by] checking once a month in the shower, you should be able to tell if something is not normal,” he says.

Dr. Scott Serels, chief of urology at Norwalk Hospital, notes that the importance of self-exam probably isn’t being discussed enough because in 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of primary care experts, recommended against routine testicular cancer screening. (It reaffirmed that decision in 2009.) “Their thinking was because it’s so rare, screening is actually creating unnecessary anxiety,” he says. “As urologists, we…have a different perspective.

There’s screening for breast and colon cancer, which can and does save lives. We know if you encourage men and boys and their doctors to check for this, you can stop the disease in its path and that can improve outcomes.” —Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick

Regular self-examination is key to early diagnosis and successful treatment of testicular cancer

HEY, CANCER. NOW IT’S TWO AGAINST ONE. MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING PHYSICIANS NOW AT NORWALK HOSPITAL

United against cancer. Now, Memorial Sloan Kettering medical and radiation

oncologists are onsite at Norwalk Hospital — leading and delivering team-based care alongside Norwalk Hospital’s own cancer experts. It’s a powerful collaboration that

offers both advanced science and highly personalized care. And, for patients, that adds up to more than a fighting chance. For more information, visit MSKatNorwalk.org.

EAT

status report

TAVERN AT GRAYBARNS • RUM 411 Signature Grayhound cocktail

Roast chicken with new potatoes

New Classic The Tavern at GrayBarns in a newly renovated inn serves comfort food with a twist. by carol leonet ti dannhauser photographs by noah fecks

A

few weeks before we hoped to have dinner on a Friday at the wildly popular Tavern at GrayBarns in Silvermine, we logged onto the reservation portal. Just two choices: 5:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. What was all the fuss about?

On a cold and dark afternoon, we settled in at a cozy table for two by the roaring fireplace. It hardly seemed possible this was once the Silvermine Tavern, which closed in 2009.

New owners Andy and Marsha Glazer have transformed not only the tavern, but also the adjacent inn and surrounding property. The color scheme and design, a warm and welcoming cream and wood, with whitewashed floors and handmade lighting fixtures along with original beams 40

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

and accents, is beautiful, curated, tasteful and comfortable.

A small shaft of bread appeared, as well as grass-green crystals atop a dollop of butter. Our server Kristen told us that Steve the bartender moonlights as a forager. Later, Executive Chef Ben Freemole said he’d brought home about twenty-five pounds of ramps from Steve, pickled the whites, and put the greens in his dehydrator for three days, knowing he could “do something interesting” with the ramp powder.

Chef Freemole said the Glazers wanted the food to match the environment. “They were looking for a modern take on a tavern, an unstuffy place where you can let your hair down. They wanted it to be seasonally and locally inspired.

Photo Credit: Donna Cheung Photography

Everything was absolutely perfect! I couldn’t have imagined it any better. The next day, every single guest sent a text saying how amazing the caterers were. You did such a great clean up you would have never known there was a party. Thank you for doing such a wonderful job and making my job so easy. It was such a treat to be a guest at my own party!

—A M Y S . , N E W C A N A A N

G o u r m et M a r ket

•

S c r atc h B a ke r y

•

Local Produce

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B utc h e r S h o p

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O f f-S ite C ate r i n g

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F l owe r s

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G i f t s & D e co r

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C u l i n a r y To u r s

EAT Hamichi Crudo with mint, cucumber and aji chili

Roasted oysters with nduja and crispy shallots

Burger with triple cream purple mustard and red wine onions

QUICK BITES 1. Executive Chef Ben Freemole’s resume includes time at Melisse in Santa Monica, the Fat Duck in England, and the now-shuttered wd~50 in Manhattan, famous for using molecular gastronomy to transform fresh, farmers’market ingredients.

2. The menu is seasonally and locally inspired. The selections change every few weeks.

3. New owners Andy and Marsha Glazer have transformed The Tavern, which used to be the Silvermine Tavern, the inn and the surrounding property.

TAVERN AT GRAYBARNS 192 Perry Ave, Norwalk 203-580-1900 tavernatgraybarns.com

DINNER

Tues.–Sat.: 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Sun.: 5 p.m.–9 p.m.

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That leaves us a lot of room for interpretation.”

With one taste of the ramp salt and butter— perfectly crunchy-creamy, with a faint garlic essence—we understood.

We ordered roasted oysters, which came sizzling on hot rocks. Roasted uni butter, made from sea urchin, formed a golden crust on top. Its rich and caramelized lusciousness overpowered the oysters, which sadly got lost in the mix.

We’d askwed to split the pear, fennel and crab soup, and the kitchen sent out two bowls without comment or added cost. The layers revealed themselves with each spoonful: a little sweet crunch from the Seckel pears playing perfectly off of shaved green onion; celery root and butter for depth; a generous scoop of fresh, sweet and bright Jonah crab. When I finally opened my eyes and looked at my companion, we spoke without words: We wanted another bowl apiece.

Our next small plate arrived. Care had been taken to cut delicata squash and green apples in wafer thin half-moons, and pomegranate seeds, pistachios and a few perfectly positioned green lavage leaves created a stunning canvas. The squash had been pickled, bruleed and roasted, but we couldn’t single out one preparation from the next without trying too hard, due to the pool of straciatella at the dish’s base. Fun and fussy were competing on the plate, ending in a draw.

The menu changes every few weeks, which keeps things interesting but limited. We ordered a cheeseburger ($20), fettucine with crab ($29) and smoked cauliflower ($22).

The homemade fettucine felt a tad too al dente.

The dense pasta overwhelmed the delicious and delicate lemony buttery sauce. The smoked cauliflower was cut like a steak and beautiful to behold in its Sicilian-inspired sauce. But my companion reached for the salt when it came to the cauliflower itself, and I wished for something absorbent to swirl in that delicious sauce of basil and mint leaves, curls of red pepper, pickled onions, pine nuts, golden raisins and more.

Our burger, served with a pickled green tomato, orange American cheese and an aiolibased béarnaise, was perfectly medium rare. We took a juicy bite into the toasted bun. Pickled, cheesy, salty, creamy layers introduced the main meaty event. Why was this burger so perfect? An unctuousness lingered in the best way with each swallow. Later, Freemole told us he’d asked the butcher to grind bone marrow into the mix of chuck, brisket and short rib.

By now, more than two hours had passed, and the joint was jumping. We had to strain to hear Kristen when she asked if we wanted dessert. We thought about it. In the end we decided to move along. We knew how hard it was to get a table.

EVERY MOMENT has the potential to be a defining one

Our Pre-K through Grade 9 academic program is deliberately designed to bring out the unique personal strengths of every child. Our students progress naturally and confidently from day to day and year to year — prepared, grounded, joyful and emboldened. Because what a child experiences, understands and feels today shapes what he or she will become.

COME TAKE A CLOSER LOOK! Upcoming admission event: May 2 Early Childhood (ages 3, 4, 5) Close-Up

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635 Frogtown Rd, New Canaan, CT • (203) 972-0771 • www.countryschool.net A co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9.

P H OTO G R A P H BY JA N E B E I L E S A R C H I T E C T U R E B Y B R O O K S & FA L O T I C O

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MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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EAT

NOW TRENDING

Did you hear?

Rum is having a moment. High time to acquaint yourself with this sweet, aromatic spirit

ABCs of RUM

Rum flavors range from the floral to funky, offering much to explore. To get you started, here are some types and brands to consider tasting.

F

Aged

irst brewed from by-products of sugar making in the English West Indies in the early 1600s, rum was a “hot, hellish and terrible liquor,” one early critic noted. Over the next 200 years, advances in distilling, filtering and flavoring transformed rum into a smooth and sweet spirit.

Today, distillers are increasing flavor by returning to traditional methods. Though the market is still dominated by white, spiced and flavored rums, which are less expensive and easy to mix, quality and craft are on the rise, and easy to find. —Elizabeth Keyser

Ron Centenario 30 Year Aged goes for $150 a bottle. The Costa Rican distillery’s 20 Year is a bargain at $50 a bottle.

American Craft Rum

High Wire Distilling, in Asheville, North Carolina, ferments fresh crushed sugar cane to make a craft rum in the traditional French West Indies rhum style.

Cachaça

Brazilian rum made from fermented sugar cane has a high-octane punch.

White cachaça, mixed with mashed limes, sugar, and poured over crushed ice, is a caipirinha. Try sipping aged cachaça after dinner.

Cask Aged

Mount Gay, the oldest rum brewery, releases annual selections of ten- to thirty-year-old rums, under the Mount Gay 1703 label.

It’s sweeter than white rum, with caramel notes.

Dark

Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year, and El Dorado, from Guyana.

Flavored

Rum

Coconut-flavored Malibu is the classic. Who doesn’t love what it does for piña coladas?

Distilled from molasses.

Hogo

Single Barrel

A traditional method of reusing fermented sediment from the bottom of the stilling pit. This produces high levels of esters, flavor compounds that are deep, earthy and nutty.

Try Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still super hogo.

Infused

Rum takes well to being infused with fruit, herbs and spices. Think pineapple, ginger, citrus, or rosemary. Try infusing at home!

Jamaican Rum

This is a traditional, fruitier, funkier style found in Appleton Estate Reserve Blend and

Rhum

Distilled from sugar cane.

Don Q 10 Year Aged, and Gran Añejo 9–12 Year Aged, both from Serallés Destilería in Puerto Rico (open again since Hurricane Maria) are favorites of connoisseurs.

Special Wood Finishes

Ron Abuelo, from Varela Hermanos in Puerto Rico, is aged in Oloroso sherry and port casks.

Spiced

Captain Morgan has steered to less sweet Black Spiced Rum and Sherry Oak Finish rum.

White

Clearer and crisper than dark rum. Better for mixed drinks.

APERITIF Rum is one of the few spirits drunk warm.

L’Escale’s hot Cool Runnings, a blend of Dos Maderas rum (Barbados and Guyana rum aged in Spanish sherry casks) and warm, infused apple cider, is a great way to start your evening when dining in Greenwich.

COCKTAIL South End in New Canaan serves Urusala’s Punch, rum with pineapple and orange juice, and grenadine.

DINNER At Farmer’s Table in New Canaan, chef Robert Ubauldo suggests having a mojito or rum punch with his Shrimp Mojo, or guacamole and chipotle salsa tacos. He uses Panamanian Caña Brava white rum, aged three years, in his mojito, and Blackwell rum in the punch, a blend of pineapple, orange and lime juices.

DIGESTIF Because aged rums have complex, rich and sweet flavors, Try lingering and sipping them straight or over ice.

You can thank me later.

Elizabeth Keyser has written about beer, wine and spirits for newspapers, magazines and blogs. She has sat on the Yankee Brew News tasting panel and judged craft and European brew contests.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ©ALENKADR - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Sipping Encouraged Pairings ideas for before, during or after your meal

For over a century, Cummings & Lockwood has provided sophisticated legal representation to individuals, families and businesses.

WEEKDAYS 5:30-10AM

Estate & Tax Planning

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Banking & Lending

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Is not just something we do; it is what we do.

WILLS AND TRUSTS WEALTH TRANSFER

COUPLES COURT 7:40AM

TAX PLANNING PHILANTHROPY DAVIDSON, DAWSON & CLARK LLP COUNSELLORS AT LAW 60 East 42nd Street New York, NY 212-557-7700

36 Grove Street New Canaan, CT 203-966-8759

www.davidsondawson.com

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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SPOTLIGHT:

ROWAYTON

THE RESTAURANT @ ROWAYTON SEAFOOD Located on the Five Mile River Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Brunch 203-866-4488 Open 7 days

ROWAYTON SEAFOOD MARKET Fresh Fish, Lobsters and Take Away 89 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton 203-838-7473 Open 7 days

rowaytonseafood.com

SPOTLIGHT:

ROWAYTON

Offering unique artisan goods, home furnishings & design services

165 Rowayton Avenue Rowayton, CT 06853 1-203-939-9163 www.mgrahamandco.com

ACCOUNTANT

Add It Up

In a year of big changes in taxes, a top goal for homeowners now should be to find the right accountant

C

ongratulations if you’ve already filed your 2017 tax returns.

Better buckle up; your 2018 return could be full of surprises.

As you’ve probably heard by now, the new federal tax law features different tax brackets, deductions, calculations, exemptions and more.

PETER LAFORTE “The rules have all changed,” says Peter LaForte, CPA, the owner of LaForte Financial Services in Stamford and Fairfield. “For people with high state and local taxes, it’s not going to be pretty.

We’re going to get clobbered.” Now is the time, he says, to step back and crunch some numbers for 2018. Ask yourself, “Is what I’ve done the best way forward?”

You don’t have to do this alone. That’s what your trusty accountant is for. If you have one, that is. Many financially savvy Fairfield County residents pride themselves in DIY money management, serving as their own financial planners or tax-filers. Others rely on that same family friend who’s been filing their taxes for years.

But these might not be the smartest paths to prudent post-tax-reform planning. It’s time for a reckoning.

Ask LaForte what makes a good accountant and he’ll set you straight. “The question is, what makes a good accountant for you? The answer depends on your needs.”

Accounting is a wide-ranging field, with experts in estate planning, small business, audits, corporate work

ASK YOURSELF… “Did you get the service, time and advice you needed? Did someone help educate you? Did they seem happy to work with you? Did they make themselves available?

Were they competent?”

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–PETER LAFORTE

and more. “Hopefully, the CPA knows what he can and can’t do. It’s like choosing the right doctor.”

Start with a recommendation. Ask your friends, family members, financial adviser, banker, attorney or colleagues. Then check the provider’s credentials.

“Are they a CPA? Do they maintain their license? You can do this easily online through the Connecticut Board of Accountancy’s e-license lookup. If not, it doesn’t mean they’re bad. But you want to know.”

Don’t cold-call these folks just yet; give them a few weeks to recover after the April 15 filing deadline.

Come May, call a few and see who gets back to you.

LaForte says his new clients commonly complain that their former accountant went MIA after tax season and didn’t reemerge until fall. “Or they say, ‘I’m not important enough for him. I’m not big enough for him. He doesn’t answer my phone calls.’”

Ask to visit. “Accounting is very personal. Meet him or her in person. Get a feeling of the vibe of the office—some places are complete chaos with huge piles of stuff everywhere!”

Bring your tax returns from the previous two or three years, and ask questions that relate to your situation. If you’re self-employed or have a small business, if you have a lot of capital gains and losses, if you have rental property—all of these factors can tax the wrong accountant. The right one, though, will be eager to help you improve your bottom line. “If you don’t feel comfortable that this person understands you and your needs, keep looking,” LaForte says.

Understand how much the service will cost you, and what you’ll get in return.

Whatever you do, don’t assume tax reform won’t affect you. “The first person I did a projection for… went from itemized deductions in the $70,000-ish range to $24,000, the new standard deduction,” LaForte says. “We have multiple moving parts here.

You have to piece it together.”

by carol leonet ti dannhauser

NEEDCHANGES TO THE KNOW NOW

EVERYONE TAX DEDUCTION

The total deduction for state and local taxes (property, income, sales, etc.) is now capped at $10,000 annually.

STANDARD DEDUCTION

The standard deduction increases to $12,000 for singles and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $6,350 and $12,700.

HOMEOWNERS MORTGAGE INTEREST

Mortgage interest deduction is capped at $750,000, versus $1 million in 2017.

PARENTS

529 SAVINGS PLANS

These plans can be used to pay for kindergarten through high school, in addition to college and grad school.

HEADSHOT, CONTRIBUTED

Fınance Fıx

LIFE IS COMPLICATED. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. We know Local We know Wealth We know Investing We know Trusts We know Estates We know Retirement We know Family We know Businesses We know Philanthropy We know Solutions Let’s Talk. www.peoples.com/insights wealthmanagement@peoples.com +1 203 338 5510 Investments and Assets held in a fiduciary account are not deposits, or other obligations, are not guaranteed by People’s United Bank, N.A., are not insured by the FDIC, by any other government agency, or by People’s United Bank, or any of its affiliates, and may lose value.

* SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

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your summer. your vision.

Discover new skills while having loads of fun.

June 18 – August 3 One, three, and six-week programs Grades 1-12 Sports Clinics

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Make your next step your BEST step.

Many students are looking to gain an advantage that will improve performance in the classroom. Salisbury’s five-week program focuses on critical reading, writing, math and study skills needed for success in high school and beyond.

Program highlights include: SAT/SSAT Prep • College Admissions Advising College Essay Writing • Independent School Advising Weekend Travel • Athletics Program

Register Today!

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Salisbury Summer School July 1 - August 3, 2018

For Boys and Girls Entering Grades 7 - 12 251 Canaan Road, Salisbury, CT • 860-435-5782 salisburysummerschool.org

VILLA MARIA SCHOOL

Over 40 Years of Success in Inspiring Students with Learning Differences

Brunswick School SUMMER

SESSION

2018

A Coeducational Enrichment & Preparatory Program for Grades 6 –12 J U N E 11 – J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 1 8 Brunswick School’s coeducational Summer Session offers classes to students interested in building a foundation in various disciplines. We offer a wide variety of courses to Middle and Upper School-aged students and specialize in preparatory work for the academic year ahead. Visit Brunswickschool. org/summersession for more information on courses and how to apply.

For more information:

Paul Withstandley Director, Brunswick School Summer Session 203.625.5861 summersession@brunswickschool.org

JULY SUMMER PROGRAM Grades K-9

Registration Begins on Feb. 1st

2 203-322-5886 x104

Villa’s Summer Session was Amazing.

Our Child Learned a Ton and had a Blast!

www.villamariaedu.org/summer /

4:1

Student-Teacher Ratio

161 Sky Meadow Drive, Stamford, CT 06903

MOFFLY MEDIA’S

2018

Event Lineup Mark your calendars!

SPRING • SUMMER

7TH ANNUAL

B E ST BARTE N D E R C O NTE ST by

May 16

Greenwich Country Club Greenwich

MAGAZINE

2018

June 13 Harbor Point Stamford

July 19 Hilton Stamford

August Delamar Greenwich Harbor Greenwich

FALL • WINTER

Darien’s

B E ST B A RTE N D E R awards September 12 Palace Theatre Stamford

CONTEST

Presented by NEW CANAAN-DARIEN+ROWAYTON MAGAZINE

September 27 Nielsen’s Florist & Garden Shop Darien

5TH ANNUAL

RESTAURANT WEEK November J House Greenwich

7TH ANNUAL

For more information and sponsorships please contact Laurinda Finelli at 203.571.1614 Want to see party pics, videos and more details about the 2018 events? Go to ilovefc.com/events

2018 December Westport

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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ish D2018 Feast your eyes on these irresistible eats right here in our own backyard. The restaurants on the following pages offer a wide variety of old and new favorites, from classic comfort food to new and exotic dishes.

Check out their mouth-watering Instagram photos, learn what inspires both chefs and owners alike and what keeps customers coming back for more.

Disthe2018h

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Table 104 Osteria Bar 299 Long Ridge Road, Stamford

203.388.8898 | table104stamford.com

@table104_osteriabar

Interview with Managing Partners Domenico Iovieno & Walter Cappelli

If you weren’t cooking for a living, what would you be doing?

I would be entertaining people on the Amalfi Coast.

The person you would most like to cook for My mother

What inspires you?

as well as a fabulous u-shaped bar where our guests love to sit, eat and enjoy our 104 Negroni Americano.

Over-the-top request This may sound silly, but someone once asked us to make linguini with clams without clams, isn’t that crazy?

We try to re-create a familiar atmosphere from where we grew up. There, people have a great passion and love for food and wines. We try to incorporate this into our guests’ experience, so that their interaction with us is fun and unforgettable.

People rave about

Fun facts to share about your establishment

What is the one piece of equipment you can’t do without?

We have a great outdoor patio that opens in April and stays open as long as the weather permits. We also have a space downstairs for private parties,

Our wood burning pizza oven that was shipped here from Italy. Our pizza chef Massimo who originates from Naples, makes our classic Neapolitan

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Barolo braised beef with homemade pappardelle, grilled octopus with scallions and celery, shaved Brussels sprouts salad with raisins and pine nuts and, to top it off, our dark chocolate and hazelnut tiramisu.

pizza with sourdough crust, which gives it a fluffiness and a crunch like no other.

We more importantly respect the temperatures, the quality and the skills of our pizza chef.

All of these things have kept Table 104 a meaningful part of the community for over four years.

Imagine it’s the last weekend on earth.

Which city are you eating in?

Tokyo, eating sushi or Sperlonga (small town on the coast of Italy), eating linguini with mixed seafood.

When did you know you wanted to be a chef?

As a young boy, I always enjoyed watching my family cook for others. I grew up in the restaurant industry and my family owns a restaurant in Furore (Amalfi Coast). Surrounded by that

environment, I developed a passion for food, family and cooking for others.

What keeps your customers coming back?

Our customers come back for the warm atmosphere, the positive vibe and the consistency of our traditional cuisine.

Cooking style Modern Italian comfort food

Your favorite dish to prepare Homemade sausage ragu

Favorite cookbook Flour + Water=Pasta by Thomas McNaughton with Paolo Lucchesi

Top three condiments you can’t live without Extra virgin olive oil, yuzu (a combination of citrus flavors) and garlic, of course!

Disthe2018h

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Festivities

2 Wilton Avenue, Norwalk 203.847.7774 | festivitiesevents.com

@festivitiesct

Interview with Managing Partner/Event Consultant Roe Chlala & Executive Chef Bill Kaliff

If you weren’t cooking for a living, what would you be doing?

ROE: I would work for a think tank—I love research.

BILL: I would be an architect— I love to create from scratch.

The person you would most like to cook for BILL: I would love to cook for Jacques Pepin. After studying with him and following his work over the years, I love the love he has for his craft and his attention to every ingredient. I would also love to cook for Yotam Ottolenghi. His approach to food, robust and colorful, is one that I am in total sync with.

What inspires you?

BILL: I am inspired by stylish living in any design form. I am also inspired by innovative chefs and bringing that experience into a catering environment.

ROE: You never know what will inspire! From the colors in waters

to a table made from a slice of redwood, it’s so much fun to think, “What could I do with this?” I am mostly inspired by our clients’ dreams. I love to meet with them and through conversation, see their celebrations come to life.

Over-the-top request As custom caterers, we love to design and create new and exciting food experiences. Over-the-top requests can come into play when we are asked to fit gracious food service into a tight timeline. The pressure is on!

Fun facts to share about your establishment In our thirty four years, we have moved just once, and now our Festivities campus occupies 6,000 square feet of creative space. Our commissary/kitchen is where our chefs create the delicious foods that are such an integral part of our clients’ celebrations. Our Collaborative Studio and Tasting

Room is where we meet our clients and create events. Our Atelier is where we build custom pieces that make our events unique. And our Foundation store, “Pass on the Love,” is our community outreach mission. These elements make us who we are.

People rave about Our Food. Creativity and deliciousness are our food’s calling cards. When people ask me, “what’s Bill’s food like?”, I simply say, “It’s layered with flavor, colorful and really delicious!” And we cannot forget our team. The Festivities team works with our clients through the entire event planning process—one touchpoint at a time, culminating in gracious, attentive service. Our clients know that whatever they need, we are there to provide it.

What are you known for?

We are known for our quality and

creativity with food. We love what we do and are very hands-on. For us, an important part of our food philosophy is that food at an event is to be an entertaining experience.

Imagine it’s the last weekend on earth.

Which city are you eating in?

BILL: At home with foods I grew up with (and fresh French fries).

ROE: At home. We eat so well at home, and I know that is where I would want to be.

What keeps your customers coming back?

Trust and quality. Our clients trust us with the important milestone events in their lives. They know that they can count on us for quality food, service and business practices. Our menus evolve to meet the changing needs and tastes of our clients. We stay fresh and fun!

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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The Westy Mission To give our Customers peace of mind by continuously providing the finest service, buildings and ethical standards in the storage industry.

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of Wilton LLC Dr. Felipe Ordonez

Your It !

Smile is Impor tant and You Know Dress $335

Helen Ainson DARIEN

Shop online or in-store Mother of the Bride/Groom • Clothing & Accessories for all occasions • Shoes, Lingerie & Gifts

1078 Post Road • (203) 655-9841 • helenainson.com Sizes 2-24 7

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“Great dental practice for the whole family.”

“High quality service, professional and friendly.”

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We will improve your smile to its best.

Using the latest technology and techniques: Veneers / Crowns / Whitening / Implants Metal free Restorations …and our commitment to achieve 100% satisfaction.

MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES ACCEPTED 142 OLD RIDGEFIELD ROAD | SUITE 204 | WILTON CT

Call us: 203 762 7300 Cosmeticdentistrywilton.com

PEOPLE & Places

WAVENY PARK CONSERVANCY • PHOTOGRAPHS BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE/MARILYN ROOS

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he Golden Gala was one of the most talked about events of the 2017 social season. Actor, comedian and producer Christopher Lloyd, along with his wife, Lisa, were honorary cochairs for the black-tie fundraiser that was held at Waveny, the estate once owned by Lloyd’s mother, Ruth. In the 1950s, she entrusted the house and property to the town of New Canaan. The gala was organized to raise money for Waveny Park Conservancy, which manages the upkeep of the grounds. active participants in Waveny’s fundraising 1 Christopher and Lisa Lloyd 2 Dorothy Rappaport, Janie Epstein, Adrianna efforts—are the honorary cochairs. For more Paradiso, Robin Grossman 3 Jim Campbell, Kristin and Lloyd O’Connor information go toWalbert, wavenyparkconservancy.org.

4 Sharon Stevenson, Laura Sara Hunt 5 Tom and Joy Cromin, Olin Lancaster, Vicki Reynolds, Pamela Lancaster 6 Karen Mackle, Mike and Amy DeVito 7 Kathleen Goldbold, Jonathan Moffly, Kathy Karl 8 Susan Rein, Jean Doyen De Montaillou 9 Lisa Richardson, April Kaynor, Christine Saxe 10 David Havens, Lisa Richardson and Chris Richardson

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WAVENY PARK CONSERVANCY

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1 Tucker Murphy, Melissa and Eric Thorkilsen, John Murphy 2 Sarah Seelert, Reed Campbell, Sue Campbell, Karen Mackle 3 Anne Schimmeck, Anne Wagner, Michelle Riley, Maria Magliacano, Liz Keogh 4 Steve Osman, Caroline Garrity, Jonathan Garrity, Harley Osman 5 Rich and Cathy Townsend 6 Tracy Bollag, Lisa and Christopher Lloyd, Eric Phillips, Michael Bollag 7 Muffy Lewis, Doug and Ellen Zumbach, Kajsa Sheibley 8 Christopher Lloyd, Arianne Kolb, Lisa Lloyd 9 Randy and Debbie Gordon, Laura and Craig Costigan

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE/ MARILYN ROOS

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| | SILVER HILL HOSPITAL | |

Health Care Champions SYLVAIN GABOURY, PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM

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ilver Hill Hospital recently held its eighth annual benefit, the Giving Hope Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Grammy Award-winning musician Nile Rodgers received this year’s Visionary Award, which recognizes an individual who through personal contributions and action has helped remove the stigma of mental illness or addiction. Silver Hill Hospital’s new President and Medical Director Dr. John Santopietro welcomed guests and delivered remarks. More than 375 guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and a live auction. The evening raised more than $1 million for Silver Hill Hospital’s Patient Financial Aid Fund. silverhillhospital.org

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1 Hugh and Shannon Kelly 2 Trey and Kate Laird 3 Kathy and John Santopietro, Rocco and Lisa Marotta 4 Cipriani 5 Jenny Esposito, Sperry DeCew 6 Marissa Walker, Alexandra Zerzan 7 Paul Dalio, Kevin Hines 8 Tony Kiniry, Trey Laird, Todd Dodge, Jim Hodel 9 Johnny Podell, Nile Rodgers 10 Dr. Sigurd Ackerman, Elizabeth Moore

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Attention Best of Winners!

You asked for it and we listened!

We received hundreds of requests on how you can get additional marketing materials and signs to announce YOUR BEST OF WIN! We’re proud to announce Moffly Media’s official Best Of The Gold Coast & Best Of Town ONLINE STORE! Proudly display your win to the community with:

PLAQUES

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ORDER NOW at bestofgoldcoastct.com These special keepsakes provide yearlong in-store marketing for your business!

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON BEING A 2017 WINNER!

VOWS I do!

ARIANA LOUISE WILKINSON & ROSS JAY WEBER

by colleen crowley

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROCKSTEADY IMAGES

B

e thankful for good friends and good brothers; you might find love because of them. When Ariana was at Elon University, she attended a party with her best friend. There, they met up with Jeremy, who had invited his younger brother Ross. Ariana and Ross immediately clicked and shared their last first kiss that night. Although Ariana moved to Boston for medical school, the couple remained together. Six years later, knowing how much Ariana loved animals, Ross took her to the Beardsley Zoo. There, he had arranged for a special experience with the wolves and anteaters, topped off with a proposal. The couple were married by minister Susan Pfiel at the Roton Point Association in Rowayton. During the reception, the wedding cake got knocked over.

Whether it was the vibrations from enthusiastic dancing, an accidentprone guest or the table simply collapsed, nobody knows. The bride is the daughter of Amy and Bruce Wilkinson, of New Canaan. She received her doctoral degree from Boston University School of Medicine and practices emergency medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida.

The groom is the son of Jill Bloom of Hollywood, Florida, and Sandy Weber of Delray Beach, Florida. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University and practices at the Miami Accident Center.

The couple honeymooned in Barbados before returning home to Miami.

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1 Fresh and elegant table settings 2 Amy Wilkinson, John Hammel, Bruce Wilkinson and Joyce Hammel 3 Friends from Elon with the bride and groom 4 The cake, fully intact 5 The newlyweds share a moment on the shore 6 Exchanging vows 7 The bridal party

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VOWS

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1 The couple enjoys a private moment 2 With friends and family 3 Fairy tale florals filled the reception venue 4 A clever monogram topped the cake 5 The couple’s rings 6 The dramatic first dance 7 Swashbuckling newlyweds duel for guests 8 The bride’s richly hued bouquet

| | DARA CALLIE SILVERMAN & DOUGLAS WEST SELDIN | |

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH WIGLEY FOR ROB SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY

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t’s common for couples to fight; not so common to sword fight on your wedding day. This flair for the dramatic is what brought Dara Silverman and Douglas Seldin together in the first place. Several years after graduating from Skidmore College with a degree in theater, Doug was invited back to guest direct a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dara had been cast in the lead role of Puck, and the show was a success. The following year, after Dara received her degree in theater, she joined Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts, where Doug had been working. They started spending time together and began dating not long after.

Soon, they discovered a mutual love of all things Disney, and when the time was right, Doug pulled off an extra magical evening during their third holiday trip to Disney World. At Les Chefs de France, where they had their first “Disney date,” servers presented Dara with a bouquet of white carnations topped with a glass slipper, as Doug kneeled and proposed.

Mr. Terrance Clarke, a friend of the couple, officiated at the ceremony at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, New York. During the ceremony, mentors and friends performed a marriage blessing from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Dara is the daughter of Trudy and Martin Silverman of Westfield, New Jersey. Doug is the son of Carol and Peter Seldin of New Canaan. They both act and teach at Shakespeare & Company. The couple honeymooned in Spain before returning home to Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Who will be the BEST? It’s up to you!

2018

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Suffering from

SEASONAL ENT ALLERGIES? CT ENT Sinus Center in Norwalk Can Help You Get Back To Gardening Fun!

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Dr. Robert Weiss, Medical Director of CT ENT Sinus Center Dr. Michelle Leonard, Director of ENT Allergy

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When an ENT allergy sufferer experiences symptoms that affect quality of life, it’s time to take action.

s spring trees and flowers burst into bloom, ENT-related allergies start to flare up and make allergy sufferers miserable. If chronic seasonal or environmental ENT allergies cause you to have itchy watery eyes, sinus pressure, and a runny nose, Dr. Robert Weiss and Director of ENT Allergy Dr. Michelle Leonard, and their team of experts at CT ENT Sinus Center in Norwalk can help.

Ear, Nose and Throat specialist Dr. Robert Weiss explains: “When an ENT allergy sufferer experiences symptoms that affect quality of life, it’s time to take action. Many people are afraid to get tested for ENT allergies because they fear shots or frequent trips to the doctor. At CT ENT, our team of specialists will get to the root of the problem, and provide a treatment plan to combat allergens such as pollens, animal dander, molds, and dust mites.”

Looking for a long-term solution for ENT allergies? A series of simple allergy drops administered under the tongue at home may be all you need to clear up the debilitating symptoms that make springtime so difficult.

Drops are also a safe and effective treatment for children.

CT ENT offers ENT allergy testing on the same day as your consultation, so you won’t need to make another appointment.

In addition to ENT allergy treatments, CT ENT offers a simple procedure for those suffering from chronic sinus infections. This minimally invasive treatment utilizes gentle balloon dilation and has been clinically proven to provide relief from painful sinus symptoms. The in-office procedure works to eliminate sinus issues, with minimal down time. In fact, most patients are back to doing the things they love the next day.

If you’re suffering needlessly with ENT allergies or sinus issues, it is time to break the cycle at CT ENT so you can get outside and enjoy the season.

CT ENT Sinus Center Hearing and Balance 761 MAIN AVENUE, ROUTE 7, SUITE 101 NORWALK, CT 06851 203.716.6008 • CT-ENT.COM

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SOUTHE RN Waterfront Properties

PARADISE

Water view

THERE ARE A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL COASTAL COMMUNITIES DOWN SOUTH, BUT FOUR LOCATIONS TOP THE LIST John’s Island JANUARY 2016 GREENWICH

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John’s Island

It’s your lifetime. Spend it wisely.

Life on John’s Island, a magnificent, private paradise surrounded by miles of Intracoastal Waterway and pristine beaches nestled along the Atlantic Ocean. Embodying the island’s beauty and spirit, the 1,650± acre community offers three championship golf courses, 17 Har-tru tennis courts, squash, pickleball, croquet, health & fitness center, spectacular Beach Club, two newly renovated Clubhouses, vertical equity memberships and more. Treasured by families that live and play here, come discover why John’s Island is simply the place to be.

JohnsIslandRealEstate.com

Oceanfront Beach Club : Three Championship Golf Courses : 17 Har-tru Tennis Courts : Vertical Family Membership Squash : Pickleball : Croquet : Health & Fitness Center : Three Miles of Private Beach : Ocean-to-River Community

Exclusively John’s Island

Newly Renovated & Private 4BR Lakefront Home

Renovated 4BR/5.5BA Home, 120’ Ocean Frontage

Privacy Is Paramount! 3BR Retreat, 130’ Ocean Frontage

5,243± GSF, Bonus Theater Room, Hardwood Floors

6,423± GSF, Ocean Views, Cabana, Island Kitchen, Pool

7,364± GSF, Panoramic Ocean Views, Lush Landscape

Gourmet Island Kitchen, 2nd Level Guest Suite, Pool

Lower Level Opportunity To Add More Living Space

Billiards, Bonus Study, Bunk Room, Pool, Cabana

631 Indian Harbor Road : $2,995,000

620 Ocean Road : $8,100,000

670 Ocean Road : $5,850,000

Impressive 4BR/5.5BA Retreat, Indoor/Outdoor Living

Exceptional 4BR Retreat, 110± Feet Water Frontage

Exquisitely Renovated 5BR+Den/6BA With Cabana

5,227± GSF, Central Location, Loggia w/ Fireplace, Pool

6,667± GSF, Pool, Infinity Edge Spa, Summer Kitchen

6,163± GSF, Pool Views, Outdoor Fireplace, End Lot

Gorgeous Signature 16th Fairway & Water Views

Pocket & Roll Down Screens/Shutters, Dock, Cabana

Wood Floors, Custom Finishes, Gourmet Kitchen

285 Indian Harbor Road : $4,150,000

255 Island Creek Drive : $5,800,000

601 Sea Oak Drive : $3,475,000

Exceptional 2BR/2BA Oceanfront Condominium

Unique Opportunity! Two 1.72± Acre Lots Available

Architecturally Distinguished 5BR+Office/6.5BA

2,250± SF, Unsurpassed Direct Ocean Views

Combined Total 260± Ft. Ocean Frontage & 3.4± Acres

7,121± GSF, Private Street, Preserve Views, Pool

Updated Kitchen, Private Pool & Beach Access

674 Ocean Road : $4,400,000

Summer Kitchen, New Dock w/ Intracoastal Access

900 Beach Road #182 : $2,200,000

676 Ocean Road : $4,500,000 w/ dune crossover

80 Stingaree Point : $5,250,000 (pre-construction)

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7 7 2 . 2 31. 0 9 0 0 : Vero B e ach , F lorida : J o h n s I s l a n d R e a l E s t a t e . c o m

It’s your lifetime. Spend it wisely.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Waterfront Properties

John’s Island

People in search of that perfect home near the water only have to glance at the numbers. While Connecticut possesses all of ninety-six miles of coastline (give or take a submarine base), Florida and the Carolinas offer more than 1,800 miles of oceanside living possibilities. Time to head South?

The choices down in the sunny southland are, of course, vast, but Fairfield County seekers have discovered four areas worth real attention. You want, after all, more than proximity to water. Careful zoning and low housing density are musts, and so is access to the finer things in life.

Perhaps the most special property in Florida is on what’s called “the Treasure Coast,” north of Vero Beach in Indian River Shores. John’s Island is situated on 1,650 acres that span a tremendous piece of land between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway. Thousands more acres are protected wetlands. If you don’t want that Georgian mansion facing the ocean, the other options are equally divine, whether it’s a house on the golf course or a Bermuda-style condo. Most homesites offer views of the waterways that wend through the magnificent development.

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John’s Island

Outside the gates are those all-important services such as great schools, medical facilities and private airports.

No matter the size of the house, miles of private beach await the John’s Island residents. The twenty miles of private roads through tree-lined streets ensure that it’s safe to send the kids out on their bicycles. The safety factor of all this has made it popular with families as well as the weekenders.

The dining opportunities at its beach and golf clubs, along with its three gorgeous, highstatus golf courses, have put John’s Island at the top of all the travel-magazine rankings.

For more, see johnsislandrealestate.com or call 772.231.0900.

Hopping down to Florida is now easier than ever, with direct flights daily from Westchester to West Palm Beach. Once you’re in this happening city, though, the array of residential locations might seem daunting. If so, we recommend a call to the Peters & Hyland team of Illustrated Properties. Connecticut native and longtime Florida resident Jennifer Hyland knows the exacting needs of the Connecticut buyer.

From the golf or waterfront condos (including quiet, 55 and over communities) up to trophy estates on Palm Beach and Jupiter Island, Jennifer’s inside knowledge of market inventory and values is unrivaled. And from Lost Tree Village and Bears Club to the hot

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Waterfront Properties

new Jupiter Country Club, your successful search begins with Jennifer Hyland and Illustrated Properties. Call 561.632.4042 or visit PetersHyland.com.

Connecticut buyers have no interest in the standard peas-in-a-pod developments, and thus the brokers at Dale Sorensen Real Estate have assembled a distinctive list of properties in the Vero Beach area for examination. Owner/broker Matilde Sorensen is currently high on Windsor, a distinctive community designed around the ideals of easy social interaction. Starting at $2 million, the 350 homes range from cottages to glorious villas with endless sea vistas. One prized estate shows how

Jupiter Country Club

Welcome to the Palm Beaches A beautiful lifestyle awaits you … from Condos to Grand Estates, Peters & Hyland will assist you with all your Real Estate needs.

JUPITER ISLAND | $10,500,000

EQUESTRIAN | $2,650,000

NORTH PALM BEACH | $4,250,000

HIDDEN KEY | $2,198,000

Jennifer Hyland | 561.632.4042 | PetersHyland.com Over $1 Billion in Closed Sales

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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Waterfront Properties

masterful design can create a beautiful harmony between life and art. Windsor also offers all the in-demand amenities including golf, equestrian trails and the Beach Club overlooking the ocean. For a tour, call 772.532.0010 or visit MatildeSorensen.com.

If the historic charm of South Carolina is luring you in, then the first stop should be Dataw Island, a charming community blessed with the convivial spirit that once was in abundance in nearby Hilton Head before it got famous. Dataw’s cordial vitality is not accidental. Besides the heart-melting beauty of its lowcountry location, the design of the development—the walkways, the glorious clubhouse, the marina, the care for

Dale Sorensen

For nearly 40 years I have helped clients find their home in Vero Beach.

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IN INDIAN R I VE R COU N T Y

IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA

IN THE NATION

R A N KE D I N 201 6 BY R E A L T R E NDS 1 0 0 0 AS A DV ERT ISE D BY T H E WSJ

MATILDE SORENSEN

B R O K E R / O W N E R 772.532.0 010 m sore nse n@sore nse nrea lesta te.com m at i l desorensen.com

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Waterfront Properties

wildlife—adds to a great neighborly air and feeling of life satisfaction. The lagoons and waterways that run through the Dataw property are nothing less than hypnotic.

Players who traverse the two sensational golf courses are constantly confronted by the majestic scenery.

Dataw is attentive to what people want at this time of their lives and made sure residents get a full and elegant lifestyle. New construction is available, but the master plan calls for no more than 1,100 houses. Call 843.838.3838 for information on Dataw Island or visit dataw.com.

Dataw

HISTORICAL CHARM. NATURAL BEAUTY.

Extraordinary Living

“Bliss Award: Best South Carolina Community” (Real Estate Scorecard)

“#1 Best Community in South Carolina” (Best Retirement Destinations)

“2017 USTA Facility Award” (One of four private communities recognized)

Six miles from historic Beaufort, South Carolina!

“Best Kayaking” “Best Island Community” “Best Health & Wellness” (ideal-LIVING)

(843) 8 3 8 - 3 8 3 8 Dataw.com

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THIS PAGE: The breakfast area creates a comfortable space for casual meals, with easy-care materials and surfaces for the homeowner’s young family.

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Country House

REMIX

Following the expansion of a traditional farmhouse, designer Julie Nightingale and her clients remake the interior of a Darien home with simplicity and style. by judy ostrow p h oto g r a p h s b y j a n e b e i l e s MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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hen they first saw the place—an older farmhouse and barn on nearly three level acres in Darien—homeowners Kathy and Evan Calio knew they had found something special.

“The property was the main selling point,” says Kathy. Beautiful acreage in a desirable neighborhood and the possibility for enlarging the house factored into their decision to buy. Before closing on the deal, Kathy had already enlisted Rowayton designer Julie Nightingale to help her refresh the interior.

“I wanted to make sure that what we envisioned was doable. We wanted a clean, calming environment. The existing house had rooms that were small and in need of updating,” she recalls. The Calios hired builder John Sullivan to do a gut renovation— opening up rooms along its rear elevation, and creating an extension to provide more space and light. The couple and their three small children then proceeded to do what many families might find close to impossible: live in their home throughout the monthslong construction project.

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OPPOSITE: The open-plan family room

features a calming palette and is surrounded by views of the beautiful backyard. LEFT: Glass and steel doors lead to the home office and add a contemporary feel to the entry hall.

BELOW: Rowayton artist Charlotte Sabbagh painted the abstract canvases in the dining room and master bedroom.

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Custom light pendants in the kitchen are by Helen Gifford.

“They were good sports,” remembers Sullivan, who moved the existing cabinets and appliances to create a temporary kitchen for the family in the garage.

His crew extended and deepened the foundation, constructed a large new kitchen and bright, open living spaces, and reworked the home’s dated layout.

“Evan and Kathy moved out of the master bedroom and into the guest room for the duration. It was sometimes chaotic for them, but somehow they made it work.”

As construction progressed, Kathy and her designer started putting together the furnishings and decorative elements of the new rooms. Julie understood the couple’s aesthetic, and so the hunt began. One of the big changes was an expansive, open 76

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space that encompasses a large kitchen with a more intimate breakfast area, and a family room.

Says Julie, “Kathy wanted lowmaintenance finishes and furnishings because she has active young children.

But she was still looking for solutions with style and character. Along with the clean, modern lines that she favors, she also has a bit of bohemian sensibility.” This prompted Julie to introduce Kathy to artists’ and artisans’ workshops where she could find unique furnishings and accessories that add distinctive accents to each room.

In the large open-plan space, the breakfast area where the family gathers in the morning features a warming gas fireplace and a round table with chairs

upholstered in attractive and sturdy indoor/ outdoor fabric. Next to the hearth are the children’s fur-topped stools, for a whimsical touch, and a Gus Yero painting adds color to the vignette.

“Gus is a Hamptons artist,” notes Julie, who made a number of trips with Kathy to eastern Long Island galleries and studios.

“I like to take clients out there to source fresh design ideas.” In the kitchen, for example, the pendants were custom made by lighting designer Helen Gifford, whose Bridgehampton studio provides unique glass creations for an international clientele.

The kitchen island—broad and long to accommodate the family of five—is formed from a single slab of delicately patterned,

low-maintenance quartz. Julie covered the five sleek counter stools in faux leather, acknowledging the realities of constant use and heavy traffic. While beauty is a foundation for the design choices, practicality is a subtle constant.

“We always had the children in mind when we looked at furnishings,” says Kathy.

She wanted everyone to enjoy the spaces, without worrying about the potential for wear and tear in a busy family’s home.

In addition to functionality, Julie and her client made extensive use of simplicity as a design value. For architectural accents, horizontal shiplap paneling highlights focal points around the house: the range hood in the kitchen, for instance, and the hearths in both the family room area and the master bedroom. And by darkening existing floors—“just shy of black,” says Julie— they provided a unifying background for the custom rugs chosen for each room. While whites and neutrals are the basic elements of the interior palette, Julie has used color as a punctuation point throughout the house—in a piece of art or a surprise feature like the bold-patterned wallpaper in the dining room.

Distinctive lighting fixtures are among Kathy’s favorite elements of the renewed interior. Lindsey Adelman’s “Branching Bubble” chandelier illuminates the dining room. Other pieces from such design luminaries—pun intended—as Oly Studio and DWR enhance each room, just as a signature piece of jewelry completes a simple, elegant dress.

One standout here is the master bedroom’s “Random Light,” designed by Bertjan Pot for Moooi. More than three feet in diameter, the fixture was the perfect centerpiece for this large space. When it arrived, one problem became apparent: It was too large to fit through the door to the house. The solution was simple: The team squished it through the entrance and the bedroom door, whereupon it popped itself back into shape. “It gives and takes,” notes Kathy with a grin.

The family has been living in the newly designed spaces for some time now, which is why Kathy has a tough time calling out her favorite part of the home. Instead, she says something that is music to any designer’s ears. “I love all the rooms. It’s impossible to choose just one.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Dramatic volume

and soft textures in the master bedroom make it a calming retreat; custom flatpaneled cabinetry in the master bath; an abstract painting and small ginger jars add pops of color to the master bedroom.

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A parterre features rustic tuteurs for clematis to climb.

MASTER WORK

A dedicated gardener creates a lush and varied landscape to surround her family’s Darien home

by judy ostrow p h oto g r a p h s b y s ta c y b a s s

LEFT: Large vintage urns planted with heuchera, coleus and alocasia flank the main entrance to the house.

RIGHT: This rose variety, called “Don Juan,” gracefully climbs the timber-framed porte cochere.

hen Katie Keith went house hunting more than a decade ago, she and her husband sought out the Tokeneke section of Darien on the advice of friends. As she appraised the available properties, a secluded two-acre parcel with mixed topography caught her attention. Unlike many buyers who prefer a level piece of land, as a gardener she wanted some variety in her environment. This lot had natural slopes and curves that appealed to her sensibilities.

To design a new house, Katie enlisted Scott Raissis, who at the time worked for Greenwich architect Jim Thompson. Armed with her files of clippings and pictures of homes she admired, she conveyed her appreciation for an architectural tradition that includes the work of John Calvin Stevens, an innovator in the Shingle style who practiced in New England in the early 1900s. “Scott understood what we wanted, and we hit it off right away,” recalls Katie. “He got it right on the first drawing.”

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Raissis, who now has his own firm in Darien, repositioned the original plan for the Keiths’ house at Katie’s request. “We did not want to disturb or remove some beautiful rock outcroppings,” says Katie, who was already thinking of possible plantings.

Once the purchase was made and drawings were in progress, Katie and her family took up residence in a quirky and much-remodeled older house on the property that was slated for demolition; they then rented a nearby house while their new one went up. From this vantage, Katie made herself available for the daily decisions involved in home building, and also got a sense of her property and its fine points, gradually developing a plan to make use of the property’s diverse terrain. “I wanted the home’s interiors and exteriors to connect with each other; my ideas included lots of texture and toneon-tone, some manicured features and some free-form ones. And I wanted an all-season landscape, one that would maintain interest throughout the year.”

She carefully considered the approach to the house, off a narrow

The rock garden features shade-loving perennials, such as creeping phlox, hellebore, sedum and astilbe.

THIS PAGE: Clematis “Jackmanii” adds color to the landscape. OPPOSITE: Varieties of flowering plants and shrubs

were used in the areas close to the house. Many, like the Korean lilac tree at right, add fragrance when in bloom.

“Walking around my yard, appreciating the plants, is one of life’s simple pleasures, something that I will always love.”

and quiet road. Her thoughtfulness produced one of the highlights of the front elevation’s plan: the curving gravel driveway, lined by carefully tended plantings of evergreens and perennials.

“I love the stone driveway,” says Katie, who enjoys the crunch of the pebbles when she or an arriving guest turns into the property. Equally appealing is the timber-framed porte cochere—a feature of many Shingle-style designs that provides a sheltered entry to the house.

“A crew from upstate New York put it together in the traditional way, joining the posts and beams with pegs,” says Katie. This rustic structure hosts twining, climbing roses that bloom in the summer, lending color and fragrance to a welcoming architectural detail.

The evergreens and shrubs that line the driveway get special treatment to maintain their tailored appearance. For a number of years, Katie enlisted a gardener with masterful pruning skills to keep them in shape.

“There was no one like Vincenzo,” she says of the gardener. When he retired, Katie herself took over the first prune of the boxwoods

in the spring. For many years she has also employed Mike Olivieri and his firm, Michael and Sons Nurseries, to install shrubs and trees and care for the landscape. Olivieri studied with Michael Dirr, a University of Georgia horticulturist and an expert on woody plants, and he brings this expertise to his work on the property. All of the deciduous trees and bushes were chosen and are maintained for a pleasing visual structure of trunks and branches that show gracefully through the leafless winter months.

“Not too long after I got started with the design of the landscape, I realized that I wanted to know more than I did. So I started taking courses,” says Katie, who studied in the Master Gardening program at the University of Connecticut for several years, achieving Master Gardener in 2010 and advanced certification two years later.

Because of her initial decision to maintain the property’s natural features, Katie has been able to create enough variety in her landscape so that the dimensions of the parcel appear much larger than the actual acreage. At the sides and rear of the landscape, woodland areas

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LEFT: An overhead view of the landscape reveals the property’s gently sloping topography. Green features include a massed planting of viburnum and roses at the corner of the patio. RIGHT: Coleus varieties fill vintage planters.

provided locations for the installation of some beautiful trees as part of the property’s boundary; and the preserved outcroppings have become an ideal setting for a rock garden.

The slope of the land also makes the large views dynamic, and creates an opportunity for formal terraces close to the house, a great sweep of lawn below, and a pool area that has the feel and tranquility of a private pond. A deeply shaded area has become a woodland garden; the sunny patio plantings include viburnum and roses. One rock formation soaks up enough of the sun’s heat so that even crape myrtle, generally grown in more southern climates, has a perfect spot to thrive.

Hardscape details create harmony with the home’s Shingle-style form, blending elegance with a bit of graceful rusticity that honors the country location. Case in point is the pergola, formed of sinuous locust posts and beams, which shelters one end of the pool area. Katie found its creator after admiring a holiday display of handmade rustic stick furniture in Hermès’ window in New York. This led her to the 84

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artist, Charlie Baker, who designed and built this unique structure.

Other decorative features dot the landscape. A metal armillary, the focal point of a formal parterre, is flanked by rustic tuteurs woven with clematis vines. A wire orb is positioned gracefully on a stretch of lawn. For the man-made ornaments, Katie mentions some favorite sources—Old Farm Nursery in Sharon, R.T. Facts in Kent.

Other creative sources of inspiration included shows, such as Bunny Williams’ Trade Secrets, an annual plant and garden antique sale that the designer spearheads for a women’s charity in Litchfield County.

After a number of years putting together the landscape, Katie has embarked on a new project—a family property in Nantucket, where she is again starting a garden from scratch. While she’s excited about the new project, she’s quick to say she still treasures her Tokeneke property for the enjoyment it has provided for her, her family and their friends.

“Walking around my yard with a glass of wine, appreciating the plants, is one of life’s simple pleasures that I will always love.”

Details like the pergola, formed of sinuous locust posts and beams, blend elegance with a bit of graceful rusticity.

33 SUNSET HILL ROAD, NEW CANAAN, CT

375 WEST ROAD, NEW CANAAN, CT

53 BLUEBERRY LANE, DARIEN, CT

$6,500,000 I 6 Beds I 6.2 Baths I 33SunsetHillRoad.com Premier Location I Impeccable Design with Pool & Terraces New Canaan Brokerage I Page Growney 203.984.9535

$4,595,000 I 6 Beds I 7.2 Baths I 9,879 Sq. Ft. The Best in New Construction I Dramatic Millwork New Canaan Brokerage I Robert Blosio 203.249.7164

$4,495,000 I 6 Beds I 6.2 Baths I 8,793 Sq. Ft. 3 Acre Estate with Pool & Tennis Court I Guesthouse Darien Brokerage I Pam & Mitch Roberts 203.249.7646

23 LLEWELLYN DRIVE, NEW CANAAN, CT

48 LEEUWARDEN ROAD, DARIEN, CT

1671 PONUS RIDGE, NEW CANAAN, CT

$3,995,000 I 6 Beds I 5.2 Baths I 8,782 Sq. Ft. Stone & Shingle Custom Estate I Two Private Acres New Canaan Brokerage I The Sneddon Team 203.219.3769

$3,675,000 I 5 Beds I 5.2 Baths I 48Leeuwarden.com Understated Elegance I Superior Quality & Craftmanship Darien Brokerage I Carolyn Brook 203.550.0821

$3,595,000 I 6 Beds I 7.2 Baths I 9,596 Sq. Ft. Art Collector’s Paradise I Elegant Entertaining Spaces New Canaan Brokerage I The Sneddon Team 203.219.3769

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148 OLD KINGS HIGHWAY NORTH, DARIEN, CT

$1,995,000 I 4 Beds I 3.1 Baths I 3,850 Sq. Ft. Renovated Townhouse I Walk to Town & Train New Canaan Brokerage I Leslie Razook 203.918.4452

$1,495,000 I 3 Beds I 2.1 Baths I 3,309 Sq. Ft. House, Barn & Guest Cottage on the Silvermine River New Canaan Brokerage I Anne H. Krieger 203.984.9188

$1,380,000 I 4 Beds I 3.1 Baths I 148okhn.com Affordable Luxury I Close to Train & Town Darien Brokerage I Carolyn Brook 203.550.0821

williampitt.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

by liz anderson steinke

WHEN IT COMES TO THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET, BIGGER WAS ONCE BEST, BUT THAT’S NOT THE CASE IN 2018. Today’s buyers are often looking for modest homes, less of a yard and an X factor that is more June Cleaver than Kim Kardashian. “That sense of neighborhood and community is back,” says Jake Fay, sales manager at William Raveis in Darien.

Perhaps that’s why median sales prices were up in the past year in Darien, New Canaan and Rowayton. But choosy buyers largely remain in the driver’s seat, which means sellers need to focus on presentation and pricing. Here are more real estate trends top brokers report as the spring house-hunting season begins.

2018

Overall sales were up year-over-year in both Darien and New Canaan in 2017, with New Canaan showing a particularly impressive jump after a tough 2016.

There were 250 homes sold there, a nearly 36 percent increase from the year before, with the biggest gain in the $1.5 million to $2 million price point. But the median sale price was up just 1.3 percent year-over-year, to $1,517,500.

“You’re not getting more for your house this year just because houses are selling,” cautioned Ashley Howell Petraska, director of business development and sales for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in New Canaan.

Darien saw a 15 percent increase in the number of properties sold—the highest mark in at least a decade—and a 4.3 percent increase in the median sales price, to $1,440,000. In both towns, however, the median sales price remains below levels achieved in 2014 and 2015.

In Rowayton the same number of properties sold in 2017 and 2016 but the median sales price was up 10.4 percent, to $1,330,275. Lynley Middleberg, the brokerage manager at William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Darien, said what’s also notable in Rowayton is that properties that hit the market there have been moving relatively quickly.

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High-End Headaches

Waterfront home in Darien

The good news for owners of properties on the high end in New Canaan is that 2017 was the year those homes started to sell again. In that town, five houses sold in the $5 million and up range, compared to just two the year before. The bad news? According to Candace Blackwood at Berkshire Hathaway in New Canaan, more than one big home sold for $1 million or more below a previous sale price or initial asking price.

“It’s very obvious that people are taking huge haircuts. They’re not getting what they paid [initially] or what they put into them,” she says.

Jeff Kelly, office manager at Houlihan Lawrence in Darien, says properties that remain strong in the luxury price point are on the waterfront, due to its limited availability. “A house that’s big for the sake of being big is not attractive to people,” he says. “Off the water, an extremely large home on a big piece of real estate is suffering here.” What will make a big property move is a low enough price that buyers believe they are getting a deal, realtors say. Middleberg says Darien’s notable sales included a seventeen-room estate on Long Neck Point that went for $18 million in the spring after being on and off the market for about four years, and another in the same neighborhood that sold for its full asking price of $6.8 million.

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NEIL HAUCK, a Darien-based architect, has been designing custom homes for over three decades. We asked him what’s hot in current design, how his clients’ tastes are changing and what choices he thinks will hold up best in today’s market.

Neil Hauck

WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING IN HOME DESIGN?

One of them certainly is toward what I would call more modern architecture, particularly inside the house. I find that the old traditional moldings and bead board is going by the wayside.

People are looking for more fresh and modern designs. Rather than putting in wood burning fireplaces, people are maybe having one wood burning fireplace and then stark modern fire boxes, which are gas flames that are very modernlooking. Raised-panel cabinet doors are giving way to either very modern flush panels or sometimes recessed Shaker-style panels. I’m also finding people are tending to downsize a bit. So they will often forgo a formal living room or dining room—or sometimes both—in favor of one sort of large continuous space that has a sitting area, dining space and kitchen in it.

DARIEN HOME: KYLE NORTON

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By the Numbers

ON HOME DESIGN

Neil Hauck designed this outdoor space for homeowners who were looking for the luxury of entertaining, no matter the weather.

WHAT ABOUT ON THE EXTERIOR? That’s one thing

that doesn’t change a lot in this region. The New England styles are all very aesthetically pleasing, so people who move to this area do want often to follow one of those styles, though I am finding that more people want modern interpretations of traditional styles like Shingle style and colonial architecture. For instance, people are moving away from shutters and moving toward metal roofs rather than wood. There’s also more flat trim, less embellishment, larger windows. Large door openings are in demand too, either through sliding doors or pocket doors. They offer the ability to open up a wall by 10 or 12 or more feet so the room becomes wide open to the outside. Twenty years ago, people would have nice terraces which you’d access through French doors. Nowadays people are doing outdoor rooms.

I did one recently in Darien. The whole (outdoor) structure was freestanding. It was almost like a mini house with no walls. It had a roof structure that was supported by posts, a nice seating group and a table.

NEIL HAUCK ARCHITECTURE: TIM LEE

WHAT HOME STYLES WILL HOLD THEIR VALUE MOST OVER TIME? In New England I do

think the more traditional styles, as long as they are done well and done in such a way that the interiors are up to date—that is, state of the art with things like the appliances, televisions and audio visual systems. I think those styles tend to hold value more because they appeal to a broader market. Modern architecture, even at its best, really appeals to people who like modern architecture, and if you’re a traditionalist you’re not going to buy a modern house. But if you like modern architecture and see a good traditional design with some modern features inside, I think you might be attracted to that.

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The Millennial Puzzle

As you would imagine, millennials are driving many of today’s home-buying trends. What they’re after, say realtors, is a simpler lifestyle. “They’re looking for suburban [homes] now, and people didn’t think that would be the case. They’re coming in and looking for new [construction], they’re not looking for huge, and they’re not looking for a lot of land,” says Dave Wilk at Coldwell Banker in Rowayton. Casey Lange, an agent at Halstead in Darien, says location is another top request, with in-town homes selling well. “Convenience is a priority,” she says.

In the past, Fay says, many buyers “didn’t care if they had a neighbor within an acre or two.

Now people are more drawn to the cul-de-sacs and the streets that have cool Halloween things going on, stuff that really speaks to the community part of it. Many buyers will say, ‘I don’t want to live on a street with a double yellow line.’”

Realtors unanimously agree the other truism across the current market is that few buyers want to take on a fixer-upper, despite the popularity of that genre on TV. Homes that sell well are, at minimum, “move-in ready,” with some buyers asking to see only new construction.

“When I first got into the market twelve years ago, everybody wanted a project, they wanted to buy a house and fix it up and make money on it,” Petraska says. “Now, people are so busy they don’t even want to pick a paint color.” New buyers are also extremely choosy, Fay says. “It’s not show them ten houses and they’ll pick one, it’s show them thirty or forty houses and maybe they’ll pick one.” This generation of buyers is also more concerned than earlier generations about a property’s short-term resale value, in part because they live in a world where people no longer stay at the same job for decades.

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How to Get It Sold

In the current market, realtors say, preparation is everything, and sellers may want to seriously consider spending some money on improvements. Decluttering has always been a mantra, but it’s basically mandatory now. Lange often advises people to take out 50 to 80 percent of their furniture while adding neutral accent pieces to make the space seem more open and modern. In addition, consider repainting interior spaces—opt for neutrals like grays and white. Remove heavy drapes to let in more light and make sure hardwood floors are in top condition. Improving a kitchen and a master bath may also be worth the money. Paint darker wood cabinets the more currently fashionable white, or change out linoleum countertops. Even smaller things can have a big impact, Blackwood notes, like switching out a faucet or a dated light fixture. Outside, keep the property looking clean and manicured.

Petraska says the goal should be to make the house look livable, not sterile. “Organizing the pantry, organizing a closet, making it look simply lived in is usually the best,” she says.

Gillian DePalo, sales vice president at William Raveis in New Canaan, warns homeowners shouldn’t “test” the house’s sales appeal before making improvements. “Once it’s been exposed to the market, it’s hard to change opinions about its condition,” she says. Yet Wilk cautions sellers not to put more money into the house than they are going to get back. “If it’s a total gut job, price it accordingly,” he says.

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The Digital Future

For those who don’t have the time or money to hire a professional stager, redo a kitchen or furnish a vacant house, technology has an answer. Augmented reality and virtual staging are arriving on the scene, and with more buyers getting their first and best impressions of a property online, realtors are excited about its possibilities.

Computer programs allow realtors to create images of what a room would look like with a more modern dining set, custom couches, or a whole different type of cabinetry. “Then you can really shine online a bit, instead of having empty rooms or not-so-pretty furniture,” Fay says.

They also help people visualize how they could decorate a currently vacant space.

Fay’s agency, for example, is using the technique for a $7.55 million waterfront home on Salem Straights in Darien. The property is new construction, but virtual staging has allowed the listing to include pictures of a tastefully furnished living room with white, modern couches, a round wood coffee table and glowing fireplace; seating in the kitchen; a comfortable dining space; a cozy family room; an inviting private office; and a master bedroom with crisp linens on a bed facing shelves with artfully arranged books. Online, the house looks to be straight out of a shelter magazine, but if a prospective buyer were to walk through the door of the actual house, those rooms would be empty.

Middleberg says her agency plans to begin using an augmented reality app that can show people on a screen how things would look if they were changed out in an existing house, as they are touring it. “I think that’s going to be a big trend,” she says. “It’s insane what the technology is coming out with. You don’t have to have virtual reality goggles on your face. It’s literally holding your tablet up to a wall.”

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The latest technology, which includes virtual staging and augmented reality, is giving potential buyers a more customized experience.

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SPECIAL TOUCHES

New construction by Michael Smith Architects

What makes a home stand out in a market where inventory has not been a particular issue, especially at higher price points? “If you have an expensive house, you’d better have a generator,” says Blackwood, along with high-end appliances and the detail and molding work clients have come to expect for that cost. An existing pool won’t make or break a deal, she says, but for more expensive homes, “the ability to put in a pool is key.”

ENTERTAINING SPACES

Open floor plans and outdoor “rooms” with amenities like fireplaces and kitchens are increasingly popular with today’s buyers, realtors say. “Especially with the new buyers, who really prioritize the quality of life, outdoor entertaining spaces—and entertaining spaces that translate from indoor to outdoor—are a huge benefit for a home,” says Lange.

JANE BEILES

ECO-FRIENDLY UPDATES

Energy efficient heating systems and other eco-friendly updates are also high on the wish list for younger buyers who are more concerned than their parents’ generation with their carbon footprint, says DePalo. New and/or recent construction has the highest appeal but it has to also be good quality, realtors caution.

“If you have a house that’s 1990s construction, but you can feel every step in it, that definitely turns buyers away,” Petraska says. “If you walk into a house that was built then but is a good, solid construction, that one will sell before the other one that’s shaky.”

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The Right Number

While homes are moving, pricing is critical, especially in slower segments— one of which is the $2 to $3 million market for homes that are not new in Darien. “It’s been very difficult for us as realtors,” Kelly says. “In many cases the owners of these assets acquired them in a much headier time, sometimes in bidding wars. A lot of sellers are finding they’re having to part with these homes at a price they really didn’t want to sell at. You can sit there and say your house is worth $3 million until your neighbor sells for 2.5, and then you have a problem.”

Wilk says pricing a house lower may seem counterintuitive to sellers, but it can work. “It’s hard in this business because people are typically used to saying we can start here and come down,” he says. “But if a seller picks the right number to start, it may trigger a bidding war that ends up with the house selling over the asking price.”

Lange says because of relatively low interest rates, some buyers are looking at a wider range of price points than in the past. Consider a buyer who’s considering homes between $2 and $3 million. “What’s really hard about that is some are looking in that range because they think a $3 million house may sell for $2.3 million, while others are looking because they really can buy up to $3 million.” That’s where an experienced realtor who knows the market comes into play, she says, because that person will know “a home priced at $3 million used to be 3.8 and it’s not going to sell for less.” Likewise, she says, a realtor with a deep knowledge of comparable listings can help a seller pick the right price to stand out against other competitors. “Those agents have been in those homes,” she says. “They know what the house looks like, the quality of the bedrooms, and how it will show.’”

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TAX FACTS Darien’s Knobel Hill offers luxury living for seniors

These days, many downsizers are moving out of the local market in search of more tax-friendly retirement locales, but Rowayton remains appealing to older buyers who are drawn in by its smaller beachy homes and vibrant social life. New Canaan, with the largest stock of condominiums, also serves a niche for this population. Here, the price of condominiums was up 15.9 percent in 2017, Lange says, with a similar number of condos sold. In Darien and Rowayton, smaller numbers of units trade each year. Darien saw eighteen condos sell in 2017, up from twelve in 2016; Rowayton saw six versus nine. Prices were down 12.7 percent in Darien and 33.3 percent in Rowayton.

Fay says a lot of downsizers would like to stay in the area, but there aren’t enough options.

“Obviously Rowayton’s an easy place to move to, but prices there have gotten close to Darien prices, so what are you downsizing to? You’re not downsizing your budget.” Realtors would love to see more of a condo market in Darien to meet demand. “I think everyone’s sort of hoping Baywater Properties comes through with this downtown project,” he says. “A good condo product can move here, but where are you going to build it?”

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Economic Forces

The Baywater project has been among those buffeted by outside economic forces, with developer David Genovese announcing in late fall that he had reduced the 11-acre proposal’s scope due in part to concerns about the current state of the retail market. Realtors say the state’s economy and changes in federal tax law have also thrown some potential kinks into the residential sales market in this part of Fairfield County, though they are not sure whether those concerns will translate into actions on the part of buyers and sellers. “A lot of [federal tax] deductions have been eliminated, but people still buy houses based on their needs and not tax law,” DePalo says. “Housing is both a financial and emotional decision. People are going to make it based on their finances, the feel of the town, the education system and proximity to their job.”

Lange says a lot of buyers at a recent open house were asking about the tax changes. But she notes some may feel very little impact at all depending on their tax filing status. Plus, the state’s relatively low property taxes compared to its neighbors continue to remain appealing.

Says Fay: “I think we have a [state] leadership issue that hopefully gets changed. But there are still really good schools. We’re on the coastline, and it’s less than an hour to the city. With all the negative headlines, it’s still a pretty good place to live. And that’s not changing.”

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MORTGAGE INTEREST If

you are buying a new home or a second home, you’ll find yourself subject to a lower limit on the tax deduction allowed for mortgage interest. Before, interest paid on the first $1 million of that debt was deductible; for any new mortgages that closed after December 15 that limit has dropped to $750,000. Existing homeowners are grandfathered in at the earlier level. But if they want to use a home equity line of credit to make improvements, they’ll be hit by another change: The interest on those payments is no longer tax-deductible.

PROPERTY TAXES There is a new $10,000 limit on the deduction for the combination of state and local income taxes, sales taxes, real estate property taxes, and personal property taxes, and a new, higher standard deduction–$24,000 for a married couple filing jointly.

Carroll expects most families in this area will continue to benefit from itemizing their deductions. “Anybody with a mortgage of $750,000 is still going to be itemizing,” he says. “Because they’re still at $20,000 of mortgage interest expense.”

SELLING A HOME The $500,000 capital gains tax exclusion for married couples ($250,000 for individuals) on the profits from a home sale has not changed, as long as the property was used as the seller’s primary residence for 24 of the last 60 months prior to the sale. Deductions can still be taken off that profit calculation for closing costs on a property. Of course, if you sell your house for less than you paid, none of this applies.

DENNIS M. CARBO PHOTOGRAPHY

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The New Empty Nest

There are some big changes in federal tax law coming into effect in 2018. We asked Robert F. Carroll, a Darien-based attorney and certified public accountant (darientaxguy.com), for a primer on what’s new.

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Deadline to Enter - May 1 SAVE THE DATE for the A-List Awards Gala! September 12, 2018 at the Palace Theatre in Stamford.

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Q&A waists and halter necklines, styled with red lips, sunglasses and chic silk head scarves. Each one makes the case for elevated summer dressing, including some sequined numbers that’ll play well next to a sparkling sea at sunset. And Temperley, who is the muse for her own designs, will have plenty to choose from for her next holiday, whether she’s escaping to the coast or to her beloved countryside estate.

From a very early age, I knew I wanted to be creative. My mother has been one of my biggest inspirations. Growing up in rural Somerset, I was encouraged to be creative. I loved making things.

I would rip up fabric and get into a lot of trouble for destroying my mother’s favorite shawls!

Tell us about the spring collection.

The collection transports us to the Temperley Riviera, where the summer never ends.

SUMMER SET

ALICE TEMPERLEY

ALICE TEMPERLEY IS A COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART, which may come as a surprise to those who know her only as the face of the London label that has become synonymous with It-Brit girl style. But her Somerset roots account for the birth of her creativity and the free-spirited approach to fashion that has woven its way into all the things she touches. It’s those touches—the intricate embroideries, exquisite embellishments and unabashedly romantic silhouettes— that have set her apart and made her a red carpet regular. While her dresses and evening wear are usually the showstoppers, she creates separates and jumpsuits that feel just as glamorous, and this season was no different. Models strutted throwback looks with cinched 96

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What’s your favorite part about designing the evening wear pieces?

I love discovering new techniques, such as innovative embroideries or fabrics. It is so important to always evolve and push the boundaries of what we are creating.

What’s your own go-to evening look?

I always like to feel effortless, no matter how decadent an outfit might be. My current go-to look for the evening is the sequined Bardot jumpsuit and coat from my summer collection.

What’s your summer uniform?

Easy, effortless summer dresses in lightweight silks and cottons and bright, feminine prints. Either halter neck or off-shoulder; comfortable and versatile. I can layer with a leather jacket if needed. Or louche, lightweight tailoring that we have in the

summer collection. I usually wear flat shoes in the summer, perhaps a panama hat, and I am never without my Leica camera hanging round my neck.

How does England/London inspire your work?

Temperley London is a quintessentially British brand.

Being British means we can tell an authentic story, draw on our sense of eccentricity and celebrate our unique sense of humor. We stay true to our heritage by celebrating craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail.

Which cities/places offer the most style inspiration?

I am always inspired by places I visit, from souks in Marrakech to the architecture and interiors on the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Paris for exhibitions, book shops and flea markets. Understanding a culture and absorbing everything around you is what I try to do whenever I travel. And most importantly, London and Somerset. London is a creative hub and it is an exciting place to be—from art to music to design.

There is so much to see and do.

Who is the Temperley London woman?

She is feminine, free-spirited and individual. She is not a slave to trends and appreciates quality, attention to detail and craftsmanship.

How has the fashion industry changed since you started?

The pace of the industry has

PORTRAIT: TOMO BREJC. RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNER

How did you get started designing?

changed. Everything has to happen at a greater speed.

There is a hunger for newness and it is important for brands to stay relevant and always evolve. Brands can now engage directly with consumers. It is so important to maintain integrity and authenticity with everything you project as a brand on social media and websites. Storytelling has never been easier.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

What do you love to do when you’re not designing?

My highlight so far would have to be when I received my MBE [Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] from the Queen in 2011. That was an incredible experience and really made me realize how far Temperley London had come in such a short space of time. I feel very proud of our achievements.

Spend time with my son, my family and friends. I’m constantly inspired by the people I am surrounded by and I never stop thinking about designing, even when I’m not in the office. Traveling is very important for me. I want to take my son on adventures and give him experiences that he will never forget. And filling my

house in Somerset with the people that inspire me and having long lunches, walks and evenings spent by the fire.

Shop Temperley London at: net-a-porter.com modaoperandi.com temperleylondon.com

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Q&A I have loved fashion since I was a little girl, and I had always hoped I would be involved in the industry somehow. I started in PR for Gucci in Paris, then production for Kevin Krier & Associates in New York. I worked as a design assistant for Oscar de la Renta in New York and was a design consultant for Tory Burch and Ungaro in Paris.

Where did the idea for Les Bonbons come from?

PLAYING BY EAR

REBECCA DE RAVENEL

EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW HER NAME, YOU’VE SEEN HER WORK. Rebecca de Ravenel’s Les Bonbons earrings, those delightful cascading silk cord-wrapped orbs in a rainbow of candy colors, became the accessory of summer, dangling from the lobes of every chic woman around town. Simultaneously elegant and playful, they reflect the style that de Ravenel—who split her childhood between Bahamian beaches and Parisian streets—has come to personify. It’s a natural progression, then, that the designer’s next venture would include both handbags and a ready-to-wear collection full of caftans, kimonos and dresses that she herself favors and that complements her latest take on statement jewels: a mix of earrings and bangles in floral and seashell shapes, crafted from carved wood and mother-ofpearl. The natural nod to beachy glamour—and de Ravenel’s breezy but sophisticated approach—will have us all aspiring to her brand of chic island living.

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There really was no rhyme or reason; I started designing for me.

I’m always making something or other with a glue gun. The people at the Los Angeles flower market probably think I’m a florist. When I came up with the idea for Les Bonbons, it was because I needed a pair of lightweight statement earrings that didn’t end up on the table in the middle of dinner.

I have collected jewelry for a long time, but rarely can you find a pair that are comfortable to wear all evening long. This sort of earring had a moment in the late 80s, early 90s, and I had the idea of wrapping Ping-Pong balls in silk thread and voila!

Why switch gears from jewelry to clothing?

I didn’t set out to be an accessories designer; it sort of just happened. Introducing ready-towear was a very natural evolution for me; I always thought I would be a clothing designer before anything else. My approach has always been about dressing the divine girl in the divine room.

What inspired the new collection?

My spring/summer collection was inspired by a few trips I took this past year (one being Japan).

Color inspires every aspect of how I live and how I think, and of course my beloved Bahamas.

The clothing in this first collection really complements the earrings, as opposed to being the other way around. I think that women have invested in my earrings season after season because of their versatility; you can wear them during the day or for something more formal, and the clothing was designed with the same intention.

I like to put myself in another woman’s shoes and imagine what she is doing and what she would want to be wearing. This spring/ summer is all about sophisticated comfort, with accessories that quite literally bring the beach to you!

Which of the cities you’ve lived in inspires you the most?

My home is the Bahamas, and I think I live my life through islandcolored glasses. There is a tropical undercurrent to anything I do, whether it be with my designs or in my home. The Bahamas for that easy-breezy colorful feel, Paris for its sheer beauty and history, New York for its energy, India for its multitude of scents, colors patterns and architecture...it can go on and on. I also believe that what can inspire you one year may not the following. Timing in life, like most things, has an effect on inspiration.

What’s your go-to summer uniform?

A long, floaty floral dress, a straw basket, preferably barefoot and dare I say, my earrings!

What do you pack for a summer getaway?

Packing light is something I have a very hard time with. If you ask around enough, it is sort of a joke.

For a quick summer trip, I will pack my Athena caftan, a floral dress, my new long polka dot skirt that can be worn with a bathing suit during the day and a T-shirt are key. And of course, a multitude of

PORTRAIT: AMY NEUNSIGNER. LOOKBOOK IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNER

Tell us about your fashion background.

accessories (thankfully I have a few of those). Always leave room in your bag to pick up treasures from a local market; you never know what you may find.

Favorite travel destination?

Why? I love traveling more than anything; there are so many places I still want to explore and too many places I love, to count. I am constantly traveling for work now, but every free chance I get I return home to the Bahamas. Even though I rarely leave my house when I am there, it is simply my favorite place on earth.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

I still pinch myself when I see

women wearing my earrings in real life. Anywhere from a grocery store in Los Angeles to walking down Madison Avenue or at a cocktail party in the Bahamas. It is simply the most exciting thing in the world and always will be.

Modern style icon?

Carolina Herrera. We were at a party together recently; she forgot her brooch and picked up a flower from the table (in lieu of a jewel) and pinned it to her dress. It was totally effortless and completely divine.

You’ve worked with some of fashion’s greats. What’s the best advice you’ve received about being a designer?

Be kind. Kindness is memorable.

Shop Rebecca de Ravenel at: barneys.com, fivestoryny.com, goop.com, kirnazabete.com, matchesfashion.com, modaoperandi.com, rebeccaderavenel.com, thewebster.us

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handmade in Peru and India). Each move has been deliberate and considerate, including the time she’s devoted to raising her three young children.

For spring, Johnson treated her audience to a runway lined with fresh flowers and looks that included everything from eyelet, frills and florals to structured denim in unexpected shades. They amount to another enviable feminine capsule from a designer who’s quickly becoming a fashion household name. As her presence continues to grow—she opened a Bleecker Street store last year—devotees will not have to travel far to find her.

How did you get started designing?

EXPLORER’S EYE

ULLA JOHNSON

ULLA JOHNSON’S CLOTHES HAVE THE POWER TO TRANSPORT—often to an airy, ethereal plane where romantic floaty dresses pair best with bare feet and tanned skin—and it’s her pursuit of discovery and travel that drive her to create the dreamy pieces that inspire such wanderlust. Although raised in New York, she saw the world with her archaeologist parents, each adventure and destination informing what would become her signature style.

Her rise from racks at small boutiques to Barneys fixture has been a slow one, evolving from a few initial pieces to full collections defined by tailored bohemian frocks, gauzy separates and reworked denim.

Challenging the breakneck speed at which the current fashion machine moves, Johnson is a breath of fresh air; her focus is on thoughtful designs and a reverence for details and materials (many 100

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It was a very organic process.

I studied psychology in college and did work around fashion theory and the way clothes can serve to empower the wearer; how they can make women feel.

I just started sewing pieces here and there, and then some friends opened a store and I designed a few things for them, and it just sort of grew from there. I had a very clear vision even from the start as far as what was important to me in the collection; integrity of materials and process, timelessness, craft, ease. These have all been touchstones throughout the growth and evolution of the brand.

What inspired your spring collection?

The spring 2018 collection is a dialogue around transparency, the desire for something pure and open, as told through a juxtaposition of materiality.

I wanted to explore the idea of invisible protection, of clothing as poetic armor, and a bold femininity that is both impermeable and crystal clear.

or field, a nebulous feeling that begins to cohere into a mood and silhouette. This is a very free and inspiring time.

What’s your summer uniform?

Diaphanous silk frocks or crisp poplin ones, ruffled crochet bikinis, our handwoven baskets, and natural leather sandals

What are your favorite destinations for summer travel?

The Mediterranean. I grew up going to Dubrovnik and Hvar every summer, so it holds a super special place in my heart. We go as a family every year to different spots, as I always love to see new things. The last few years we did Ibiza, Puglia, Antiparos—all amazing!

Which cities/places offer the most style inspiration?

Peru and Morocco are probably my all-time favorites as far as the richness of color and the tradition of weaving and knitting that is still very much alive in these places. But really, anywhere and everywhere. Lately, I am obsessed with the Gaucho culture in Argentina and Uruguay.

What’s your favorite part about designing a new collection?

Who is the Ulla Johnson woman?

I absolutely love approaching a clean slate, clearing our minds and our boards of all that was before and starting to build anew.

I often start with something quite gestural; the brush strokes of a certain painter, a palette or texture inspired by a garden

She’s not easy to pin down. She is a traveler, a roamer, perhaps a mother, perhaps a professional, perhaps both, or neither. She is self-possessed and optimistic, she embraces color and pattern and cares deeply about the integrity of that which she loves.

PORTRAIT AND RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNER

Q&A

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the fashion business?

The calendar has become so fast-paced, the demand for new product so consuming, that there is no longer downtime, or just time to be pensive and process.

Trying to find space for dreaming is a challenge.

How does being a mother inform the way you design?

I mean, being a mother informs everything about who I am and what I make. I have to say it has

made me hyper-efficient with my time and very good at multitasking. In a practical sense, it has made the idea of ease become even more central to what I do but has also really opened up my creativity. Children are so uninhibited. I try to learn from them every day.

When did you feel like you’d made it?

What advice would you give to other designers looking to build their own brands?

Hang out with my family. Cook dinner with friends. Escape to Montauk on the weekends.

Go to art shows. And arrange flowers. I am obsessed.

Have a distinctive and unique vision, and stay true to it.

I never want to feel that way!

I am always pushing myself and my team to do more, to improve on our strengths, to evolve and grow and learn.

What do you love to do when you’re not designing?

Shop Ulla Johnson at: GREAT STUFF, Greenwich, 203-861-6872; Westport, 203-226-1271 TOGS, New Canaan, 203-972-2871 WEST, Westport, 203-557-4157 ullajohnson.com

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of

HALL FEMME Celebrating legendary women in art

THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE MOFFLY MEDIA

EVENING OF ART, WINE & JAZZ SERIES Join us in the lobby for wine tasting by Pera Wines and an art exhibit!

MARCH

2 Ann Hampton Callaway and Cyrille Aimee Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald’s repertoire

23 Brubeck Brothers Quartet ft. Dan & Chris Brubeck

APRIL

3 Brian Culbertson “Colors of Love Tour”

Award-winning contemporary jazz & funk!

ALSO COMING UP MARCH

15 Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

“Jane,” “Sara,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” “We Built This City” & more!

16 An Evening with the Celebrity Housewives

Hosted by WSFB’s Scot Haney Starring Teresa Giudice, Brandi Glanville and Carole Radziwill

ANNUAL GALA Saturday, May 19

westportartscenter.org 203.222.7070 Exclusive Media Sponsor

APRIL

14 An Evening with Bebe Neuwirth

Accompanied by pianist Scott Cady

19 Paul Anka - Celebrating

60 Years of Hits – His Way!

203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG 102

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

of

HALL 1 3 7 ISL A N D C R E E K D R . | J O H N ’S ISL AN D | VE R O B E ACH, F L O f fe re d at $ 4, 750,000

FEMME Celebrating legendary women in art

Exceptional riverfront with wide open vistas of the Sound. Classically designed by esteemed architect, John Brenner. Comprised of 3 bedrooms, 4.2 bathrooms plus office (optional 4th bedroom) & separate 2 bedroom guest cottage. Perfectly positioned on ideal lot with 135 ft of bulk-headed river frontage complete with a private dock and lift.

Just moments to John’s Island golf club and beach club.

MATILDE SORENSEN

B R O K E R / O W N E R

772.532.0010 | mati l desore nsen.com msorensen@sore nsenreal estate.com

2018 BENEFIT SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 FROM 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM Cocktails, Dinner, Silent Auction, & Dancing. Featuring live music

FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY WAREHOUSE 70 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT

ANNUAL GALA Saturday, May 19

westportartscenter.org 203.222.7070 Exclusive Media Sponsor

Tickets : www.habitatcfc.org/annual-benefit

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

103

Put Your Brand in THE SPOTLIGHT REACH AN ENGAGED AUDIENCE OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN This spring, more than 300 female professional will gather to network, share ideas and hear the stories of successful female entrepreneurs Sponsorship Benefits: • Full Day Format • Opportunity to host your own custom speaker session • Reach over 300,000 readers with a full page profile or display ad in all our town magazines • Experiential marketing at your own display space at event • Brand exposure on all web and social media channels

TIERED SPONSORSHIP LEVELS AVAILABLE! For more information contact Caroline Steber: caroline.steber@moffly.com • 203.571.1631

SAVE THE DATE! WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 • 8:45 a.m.— 2:30 p.m.

GREENWICH COUNTRY CLUB • 19 Doubling Road

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

MOFFLY 8 T H AMEDIA’S N N U A L10TH

WOMENINBUSINESSFC.COM

WOMEN, WEALTH AND WISDOM

This year’s event features a full day program including a breakfast, interactive sponsor sessions, networking, keynote speaker luncheon and awards presentation.

MELANI LUST PHOTOGRAPHY

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

A portion of the ticket proceeds benefitting: BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE

106

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

Cinco de Derby CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT ANNUAL GALA SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Race Post Time: 6:34pm) COCKTAILS & SILENT AUCTION DINNER & LIVE AUCTION Derby Chic Attire

ON THE WATERFRONT WEE BURN BEACH CLUB, ROWAYTON, CT HONORING JAMES A. COLICA AND GE CAPITAL www.childguidancect.org/gala

Our Mission

The Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut is dedicated to improving the mental and behavioral health of children and teens through treatment, education, and community support.

The Event

All proceeds from CGC’s gala will ensure that our community’s highest risk children receive the best possible mental health services. Every dollar raised will help us lead a struggling child down a path to a happier and healthier life.

Exclusive media sponsor Moffly Media

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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Save the Date Thursday, April 26, 2018 6:00pm – 9:00pm Woodway Country Club 540 Hoyt Street Darien, CT 06820

Join us to honor the organizations and people who help our clients own the path to a successful future.

(203) 866-1057 x129 www.501auctions.com/opendoorshelter events@opendoorshelter.org

OPEN DOORS 4 Merritt Street Norwalk, CT 06854

ODS01000006_GALA_AD_2018_FNL.indd 1

1/31/18 4:59 PM

S AV E T H E D AT E !

NEW COVENANT CENTER’S 14TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY BREAKFAST Featuring Guest Speaker

J E F F FA G E R

Executive Producer, 60 Minutes

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2018 Woodway Country Club | 540 Hoyt Street | Darien, CT 7:00 A.M. Networking Coffee | 7:30 A.M. Event Program For tickets visit: 2018NewCovenantCenterBreakfast.eventbrite.com For information email: lhinds-simpson@ccfc-ct.org

JEFF FAGER Executive Producer, 60 Minutes

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Ne w Canaan Community Fou nd at ion’ s

Spirit of New Canaan

LU NCH EO N

honori ng S po nso red by:*

Meg Domino Kathie & Leo Karl, Jr. Tom McLane Chris Schipper

Bankwell Karl Chevrolet Debbie & Joe Rucci / Rucci Law Group Aquarion Greenwich Hospital HTG Investment Advisors Rand Insurance Karp Associates New Canaan Board of Realtors Bob & Sarah Seelert * S po ns o rs as o f 1 / 30 /1 8

WOODWAY COUN TR Y CLUB AP R IL 24, 2018

To purchase your ticket, please call 203.966.0231 or email mernst@newcanaancf.org

To purchase your tickets, please call 203.966.0231

dinner dance Saturday, April 21, 6pm

Delamar, Greenwich Harbor

2018 Champion for Recovery Dr. Lloyd Sederer

Chief Medical Officer New York State Office of Mental Health

Laurel House Town Champions Darien: Amy Bell Executive Director, Darien Community Association

New Canaan: Amy Wilkinson Board Member, Rotary Club of New Canaan

Fairfield/Westport: Kim Meier President, Near & Far Aid

Rowayton: Cathy and Neal Konstantin Public Education Advocates

MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BOB CAPAZZO, KRISTIN HYNES, MELANI LUST & MARSIN MOGIELSKI

PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEOGRAPHY

SOCIAL MEDIA

Moffly Media is one of the leading providers of professional event photography and marketing services in Fairfield County.

We capture compelling, high-quality images of individuals and groups at meaningful events. With our wide range of capabilities from video to social media, Moffly will customize a marketing program that’s just right for you.

LEARN MORE! CONTACT KATHLEEN GODBOLD AT KATHLEENG@MOFFLYMEDIA.COM OR 203.571.1654

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS AUTOMOTIVE

EVENTS

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Stamfod Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

A-list Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 April in Paris 2018 Benefit . . . . . 103 Best of the Gold Coast . . . . . . . . 63 Best of the Gold Coast Online Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Cinco de Derby/Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut Annual Gala . . . . 107 End Allergies Together . . . . . . . 106 Moffly Media's 2018 Event Lineup . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 New Canaan Community Foundation's Spirit of New Canaan Luncheon . . . . . . . . 109 New Covenant Center's 14th Annual Celebrity Breakfast . . . 108 Open Doors Gala & Auction 2018 . . . . . . . . . . 108 Spring for Abilis . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Succeeding in the Community/ Resources to Recover Dinner Dance . . . . . . . . . . . 109 The Novel Tea Featuring A.J. Finn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Westport Arts Center Hall of Femme: Celebrating Legendary Women in Art . . . . . . . . 102, 103 Women in Business . . . . . . 104, 105

CT ENT Sinus Center Hearing and Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

BUILDING & HOME IMPROVEMENT American Frameless . . . . . . . . . . 17 Hobbs, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Neil Hauck Architects, P.C. . . . Cover 3 Robert A. Cardello Architecture + Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 RR Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

BUSINESS & FINANCE Cummings & Lockwood LLC . . . . . 45 Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP . . . 45 GuardHill Financial Corp. . . . . Cover 2 People's United Bank Wealth Management . . . . . . . . 49

DECORATING & HOME FURNISHINGS The Collected Home by Risa King. . . 31 Melissa Graham & Co. . . . . . . . . . 47 Susan MacLeod Interiors . . . . . . . 23

EDUCATION & CHILDREN Brown Pre-College Programs . . . . 50 Brunswick School . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Camp Playland . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Columbia University . . . . . . . . . . 50 ESF Camps at Greenwich Academy . . . . . . . . 37 Greenwich Ballet Academy . . . . . . 37 The Greenwich Country Day School Summer Day Camp . . . . 37 King School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 New Canaan Country School . . . . 43 Salisbury Summer School . . . . . . 51 Tabor Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Villa Maria School . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Wolfeboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

ENTERTAINMENT The Ridgefiled Playhouse . . . . . . 102 Star 99.9/The Anna & Raven Show . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

FASHION

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of Wilton LLC/Dr. Felipe Ordonez . . . 56 Memorial Sloan Kettering Physicians at Norwalk Hospital . 39 ONS Orthopaedic Neurosurgery Specialists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Western Connecticut Health Network . . . . . . . . . . . 11

JEWELRY Lux Bond & Green . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 New Canaan Fine Jewelers . . . Cover 4 Rolex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4

LANDSCAPING, NURSERY & FLORISTS Earthscapes Landscape Management & Development Inc. . . . . . . . . 33 Hoffman Landscapes . . . . . . . . . . 7 Homefront Farmers . . . . . . . . . . 29 Stems & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

REAL ESTATE Berkshire Hathaway HomeServies/ New England Properties . . . . . . 21 William Pitt/Sotheby's International Realty . . . . . . 15, 86 William Raveis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Helen Ainson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Mitchells/Richards . . . . . . . . . 2, 3 Roundabout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Tina Dragone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

REAL ESTATE, DESTINATION Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc./ Matilde Sorensen . . . . . . . 70, 103 Dataw Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING Festivities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ocean House . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Palmer's Darien . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood . . . . . . . . .

Table 104 Osteria Bar . . . . . . . . .

Weekapaug Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55 35 41 46 54 34

Illustrated Properties/Peters & Hyland/Jennifer Hyland . . . . . 69 John's Island Real Estate Company . . . . . . . . 66, 67

MISCELLANEOUS Big Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Westy Self Storage . . . . . . . . . . 56 MARCH/APRIL 2018 NEW CANAAN•DARIEN

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Don’t Miss This MARCH/APRIL 2018

Tues. 27

Wed. 18

Thurs. 26

A Chef’s Tasting Join foodies at a fundraiser at Richards of Greenwich to benefit Shatterproof, which helps individuals and families affected by addiction. 6 to 9 p.m. 359 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, shatterproof.org

Cirque de la Mer The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is a colorful and interactive venue for its annual fundraiser and Red Apple Awards ceremony. 6 p.m. 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, maritimeaquarium.org

Open Door Shelter Gala The nonprofit dedicated to providing shelter, support and a path to success for residents in the greater Norwalk area hosts its 35th annual gala and auction. 6 to 9 p.m.

Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt St., Darien, opendoorshelter.org

FOOD

Wed. 28 Novel Tea The Darien Library’s fundraising luncheon features A. J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window. All proceeds will go to library resources. 12 to 2 p.m.

Wee Burn Country Club, 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd., Darien, darienlibrary.org

FCCF Fund for Women & Girls Luncheon The annual spring luncheon benefitting the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s fund for girls features special guests with Billie Jean King. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 East Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich, fccfoundation.org

HOLIDAY

RCA Easter Egg Hunt At this annual event hosted by the Rowatyon Civic Association, basket-toting kids scour the community center grounds for candy-filled eggs. 10 a.m. 33 Highland Ave., rowaytoncurrents.com

APR. Wed. 4

LUNCHEON

MAR. Thurs. 1

COMMUNITY

Fairfield County Giving Day Give back to local nonprofits during this 24-hour online challenge.

Give from your personal device or from partner stations around town, including the library. fcgives.org

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Fri. 2

Sun. 25

Midwinter’s Night Dream This fundraiser for Shakespeare on the Sound raises money for the 2018 production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The dinner gala is at the Loading Dock in Stamford.

Curtain at 7 p.m. 375 Fairfield Ave., Stamford, shakespeareonthe sound.org

The 1777 Danbury Raid and the Battle of Ridgefield Guest lecturer Ed Hynes talks military history at the Rowayton Historical Society. While there, be sure to visit the beautiful gardens. Pinkney House, 177 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, rowaytonhistorical society.org

GALA

NEWCANAANDARIENMAG.COM

LECTURE

Black & White Masquerade Opus for Person-to-Person (P2P) hosts its spring fundraiser. Proceeds support P2P, Country Club of Darien, 300 Mansfield Ave., Darien, opus4p2p.org

Sat. 21

COMMUNITY

Sat. 31

Thursday, April 5

Sat. 21 GALA

LUNCHEON

Ladies Lunch

GALA

I Stand with Planned Parenthood Southern New England Planned Parenthood hosts its annual spring luncheon, featuring Faye Wattleton, former president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Congressman Jim Himes and his wife, Mary, will receive the Community Impact Award. Stamford Marriot, 243 Tresser Blvd., Stamford, plannedparenthood.org

Rowayton Trash Bash Join the community effort to help clean up town. Arrive at the community center at 9 a.m. Trash bags and gloves are provided. 33 Highland Ave., Rowayton, rowaytoncurrents.com

Mon. 23 LUNCHEON

Reach Prep Annual Spring Lunch Celebrate Reach Prep scholars and local partner shools. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Greenwich Hyatt Regency, 1800 East Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich, reachprep.org

Tues. 24 LUNCHEON

Touch a Life Luncheon The New Canaan Community Foundation’s fundraiser benefits the Spirit of New Canaan foundation. Proceeds go to financial assistance for New Canaan families in need. 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

GALA

Sat. 28 FAMILY

Father Daughter Ball Rowayton Library’s annual fundraiser features food, music dancing, crafts, portraits and more. Proceeds benefit programming and circulation assets for the library. 4 p.m.

Roton Point Association, 15 Pine Point Rd., Rowayton, rowayton.org

Sat. 28 GALA

Spring for Abilis Gala Proceeds from the event will help the nonprofit Abilis provide essential services for the special needs community in lower Fairfield County.

6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Wee Burn Country Club, 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Rd., Darien, abilis.us

Sat. 28 GALA

April in Paris Enjoy cocktails, dinner, silent auction and dancing at the themed spring benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. With your gifts, this nonprofit builds homes to transform lives. 6:30 to 11 p.m. The Warehouse at Fairfield Theatre Co., 70 Sanford St., Fairfield, habitatcfc.org

( for more fun events visit newcanaandarienmag.com )

FOX SEARCHLIGHT

Billie Jean King

by jeanne craig

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