50 minute read
STATUS REPORT
Music Beside the River and Under the Stars
A NEW SEASON AT WESTPORT’S LEVITT PAVILION
by tom connor
This July and August, downtown Westport will come alive again with the sounds of music as the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts presents its forty-ninth summer concert season. One of the largest and longest-running premier outdoor festivals in the country, the Levitt will host more than fifty concerts this summer, the majority of them free.
The town has long been home to wellknown artists and musicians—from folk heroes Eric von Schmidt and Fred Hellerman of the Weavers to jazz great Gerry Mulligan,
buzz STATUS REPORT
left: Argonaut & Wasp takes the stage July 23 below: The amazing Levitt Pavilion, which will host fifty free events, is set alongside the Saugatuck River.
left: See Allison Russell, whose 2021 debut album earned three Grammy nominations, on Aug. 21.
right: M. C. Taylor, frontman for Hiss Golden Messenger performs Aug. 12.
singer Michael Bolton and Chic cofounder and Emmy Award–winning songwriter Nile Rogers. So, it’s only natural that the Levitt would draw top and emerging talent.
Among the free performances beginning in July will be the Brooklyn new-disco group Argonaut & Wasp, making its debut at the Levitt, and Incendio, a virtusoic guitardriven ensemble that plays a wide range of Latin music. “Incendio is as fiery as the name sounds,” says Carleigh Welsh, the Levitt Pavilion’s director of development and marketing. “You really think that the guitar strings might burst into flames!”
But the highlight of the summer is the Levitt Pavilion’s “Stars on Tour” series of paid ticketed events. Over the years, the series has featured performers the likes of Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Judy Collins, Melissa Etheridge, The Beach Boys and The Doobie Brothers, among many others.
On Sunday, August 21, the series will present the Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell, whose 2021 solo roots-inflected album, Outside Child, was nominated for three Grammy awards. “We had the great privilege of presenting her in 2018,” says Freda Welsh, executive director. “She’s an exciting artist, someone who Westporters normally would have to travel to see.” The series will also host a double bill on Friday, August 12, featuring the Irish singer Aoife O’Donovan, a Grammy Award–winning songwriter and cofounder of the folk trio I’m With Her, and Hiss Golden Messenger, a folk band from North Carolina.
Situated behind the Westport Public Library, the Levitt Pavilion is a key component of plans for redesigning the downtown (see “A River Runs Through It” in our March/April 2022 issue). Just as important, the Levitt doubles as a unique communal gathering spot.
“I think that people will just appreciate, more than ever, the chance to come together,” Carleigh notes. “In addition to what’s happening on stage, there’s a magic to the landscape on the banks of the Saugatuck, under the stars. For a lot of the artists, it is a creative home—it’s not lost on them that there’s a deep love and appreciation for the arts in Westport.”
right: See Aoife O’Donovan, a Grammy award-winning songwriter and musician, on Aug. 21 below: The band Incendio takes the stage July 31
In addition to what’s happening on stage, there’s a magic to the landscape on the banks of the Saugatuck, under the stars...there’s a deep love and appreciation for the arts in Westport.
CARLEIGH WELSH, Levitt Pavilion’s director of development and marketing
Keep It Simple
The comfort of the new brand HANESIE
by georgette yacoub
right: The brand Hanesie, founded by Ellie Haney, includes sweats, t-shirts and hoodies
Life was unmemorable for some before the start of the pandemic. For Elizabeth “Ellie” Haney, on the other hand, March 2020 was one of the toughest times in her life.
She was in her last semester at school at the University of Delaware; her boyfriend had broken up with her; and the Covid pandemic began, so she was thrust into quarantine— something that is particularly hard for her since a huge part of her anxiety gets triggered from being alone. “I’ve always struggled mentally,” she says, “but my last semester of college was unbearable.”
One day at school, she randomly came across a YouTube video of two girls tie-dying clothes. “Something about it was so pretty and simple,” Ellie says. She tried it and immediately fell in love. The process—waking up the next day to see how the dye had set—“gave me something to look forward to in the morning. It helped take away my debilitating anxiety.”
That is how Hanesie Clothes (hanesie.com) was born.
Eventually, Ellie was selling clothing to her friends and building a small following on Instagram, but she put it aside when she accepted her first “real” job after graduating in May. “The entire time I was there, I felt like I belonged somewhere else,” she says, “that I was meant for something else.”
She pushed through, until a conversation she had with her boss. The two were casually talking when Ellie mentioned Hanesie Clothes and how much she loved it. To Ellie’s surprise, her boss encouraged her to follow her passion and become an entrepreneur. So, she did.
Hanesie Clothes is a comfort clothing line— hoodies, crewnecks, sweatpants, heavyweight T-shirts—with a mission: to be a brand that physically and emotionally supports those who struggle with mental health. The brand also partners with nonprofits, like Words of Hope for Life, whose mission is to implement new ways to integrate mental wellness into communities.
Each collection serves a purpose, whether that’s encouraging self-love or being unapologetic for who you are.
“My whole life, I felt like I glided through and never did anything extraordinary. I was just there,” she says. “I had never felt proud of myself. Having that feeling now really inspires me. I’m proud of how many dark places I’ve gotten out of, and I’m using this platform to inspire others to do the same.”
The line started with a love for the tie-dye look.
above: Shopping for kids clothes is a lot of fun, with the fresh new looks at YOYA Westport boutique, founded by Cristina Villegas
FUN!
CHILDREN’S CLOTHES WITH JOYFUL PERSONALITY, AND EVEN A TOUCH OF SWEET VINTAGE, AT YOYA
by georgette yacoub
YOYA is a designer kids’ and concept retail store—with an arm in interior design (Casa YOYA)—that is high-end without being pretentious. The space feels like an extension of home. It’s clean, airy and playful, with a deliberate juxtaposition of color and texture, vintage and new. Racks of unique children’s clothing line the perimeter. On the far end of the space, near where owner Cristina Villegas consults with her home-interior clients, are shelves stacked with one-pieces, jackets, dresses and sets, sitting neatly against a wall lined with whimsical wallpaper.
Villegas walks over in a billowy, animal print bohemian dress and thick-framed glasses. Her outfit is paired with a red set of sneakers that, well, just make sense.
She came here from Colombia. “I had $500 in my pocket. My plan was, well, I didn’t have a plan,” she says, laughing. “I went to FIT during the day and worked at night at restaurants and bars. It was the greatest New York City experience you could ever have.”
She was working for an Italian mill in a travel-heavy role when she got pregnant with her first child. She took a break but, after a year, had a calling to get back into it. That is when YOYA was born. YOYA is what Villegas used to call her Aunt Gloria as a child, and it’s a name that stuck. So, she named the store in her aunt’s honor.
above: The shop is known for its collection of adorable children’s clothing. below: YOYA also has clothing for adults and accessories with a well-traveled feel.
The first rendition of YOYA was a cozy shop in New York’s West Village that built a cult-like following. At the start of the pandemic, what was once a healthy business started to suffer, and Villegas was forced to close YOYA’s doors.
She and her family moved to Weston, and while she thought she was out of retail forever, she started to miss it. So the second rendition —YOYA Westport—was born.
Villegas travels to different shows in Paris, Italy and New York where she picks her favorite pieces from the collections of highend kids’ designers. She edits and curates the pieces, displaying them by color, changing the collection in her store seasonally. Each piece is so unique and deliberately chosen that moms often joke, “Do you have this in my size?”
And while children’s clothing takes the mainstage, Villegas carries artisanal lamps, rugs, candles, incense and bags for moms. She works directly with artisans in Colombia and Mexico, so a part of her retail is dedicated to curated finds from her travels as well.
Drop by to see more. The shop is located at 8A Sconset Square (second floor), Westport; yoyanyc.com.
Cozy Gourmet
Peeling back the incredible dining at Allium Eatery
by elizabeth keyser
above, left: The ultimate unicorn cake with rainbow ruffles center: Next-level Strawberry Shortcake and, of course, Cookie Monster right: An elegant ivory-and-gold cake
SO SWEET!
SPREADING LOVE THROUGH BAKED GOODS by eleanor vail
Upon entering FOREVER SWEET BAKERY, the impossible is deemed probable. With towering cakes of various colors and cupcakes of unimaginable quantities and varieties, owners Frances and Sky Mercede make customers’ sweet dreams come true. This Norwalk bakery is rooted in family ties with Frances following in her parents’ path of being a baker and her husband, Sky, helping with customer service, coordinating orders and marketing. It is Frances’ recipes that have been the foundation for their many cakes for decades and have won the shop “Best Cupcakes” in Moffly Media’s (this magazine’s) Best Of readers’ poll eight years in a row.
Sky describes himself as the “supporting husband,” which undercuts the amount of work he actually does, including running their extensive number of social media platforms, directing their outreach programs and encouraging community involvement. The bakery’s community involvement is a big part of what they do, year-round. For example, during the cold winter, the bakery held a clothing drive of hats, gloves and scarves for a local homeless shelter. They frequently raise money for homeless shelters nearby in addition to surprising newly opened businesses with cupcakes on their launch day. Sky describes their bakery as “community oriented,” with much more to come in terms of giving back to the area.
Customer service is also a priority. Sky says the goal of Forever Sweet Bakery is to “treat customers like kings and queens.” The bakery is able to customize their cakes, and frequently do so, according to customers’ requests with references to pictures online or even just ideas in their head. When asked what limit this customization has, Sky proclaims confidently that the bakery can create anything. With cakes of cars, ships and castles of multiple tiers, it appears the limit of this customization is sky high.
Frances and Sky present the idea of a family-owned business on a larger scale with community-focused values and customer service at the core of their success—call them their secret ingredients.
Think Big
SPENCER GABOR on trusting his inner artist, finally
by diane sembrot
above: Mural of the two people high-fiving is for Oak Street Health in Queens. below: Man holding keyboard is Jammin.
Go big, because dreamers are also doers. Just ask Spencer Gabor. The 2015 Staples graduate is a self-taught designer and illustrator who has found a bold style that appeals to well-established business clients, such as NPR, Harvard Business and lululemon. His work resonates naturally, even with those who have seen it all.
Although art called to him for years, he ignored it. “I definitely suppressed it. I thought being an artist wouldn’t be a viable career path, which resulted in me actually majoring in finance at college. Eventually, around my junior year, I realized I couldn’t help it and frantically figured out a path into a more creative career.” After graduating, he worked on the creative teams at ad agencies—that is, until the pandemic hit. Then he turned to full-time freelance work and says he never looked back. “There was a lot of soul-searching in that process, but I’m so glad I did it.”
Committing to a career one finds risky is no small decision. Soul-searching was the process he needed to go through in order to more comfortably come into his own as an artist and all that comes with it. For example, Gabor welcomes constructive criticism and the back and forth between a client and himself. “I love it! No joke. I get really skeptical when things go too smoothly. I feel like the client might just
be inexperienced in working with artists and just wants to get the project moving,” he says. “Of course, there’s a balance between overprescriptive direction and quality feedback, but a good art director plays a crucial role in making an artist’s work better with the right feedback.”
Another part of being an artist is not just a client seeing it, but also the public. Putting your imagination out there, especially on a big wall, could be a vulnerable moment. Or is it? “The goal is always to get you to stop and stare,” he says of his mural style. “I look to use bright colors and clear imagery to make a statement. For me, personally, seeing my work on a large scale is everything. The trust a company puts in you to draw on their walls feels amazing and something I’ve dreamt of doing for years.”
Gabor, who uses an Apple Pencil on an iPad to retain the hand-made feel in his work, describes the style as “bold and silly—a lot of long-limbed characters in expressive poses with round simple heads. Portraying emotion without facial features is a fun challenge, and I am drawn to bright colors and rough textures.”
He believes his style appeals to big clients because of the “approachability and ambiguity” in it. “My characters are often genderless/raceless,” he says. “Because companies like these put a large emphasis on diversity, this sort of fits within their needs in a more neutral way. Additionally, I think there’s an upbeat nature in my work, which can lighten an advertisement campaign or more serious topic.”
That levity belies personal depth, too. “I have super-bad anxiety,” he shared in an interview on dribble.com, “and making it known and apparent has always lightened the burden of trying to hide it. One of my favorite illustrators describes this concept as ‘sad for fun,’ where serious topics are depicted in a bright and bold manner so people can feel less alone and know their struggles are OK to talk about. Since we spend so much time on social media, I think digital art pieces like these that are posted on platforms like Instagram can be super beneficial.”
As a final thought, he says, “You don’t need to be technically sound or that gifted. Just create something unique to you and others will find it interesting. Also, give your dream career a shot. Everyone owes that to themselves.”
left: Two panels was for Blue Back Square in West Hartford below: Two people running for lululemon in NYC
above: A saxophone player in Feelin’ Jazzed below: Pattern of random objects in Things from My Walk.
1 2 Pool Side Chic
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style note:
Using separates to layer up or down through your day is a great way to keep cool, comfortable and chic!
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1 CASTAÑER Carina ankle-tie espadrille wedge sandal, $140, Bloomingdale’s, Westchester; bloomingdales.com 2 SWIM TOP Recycled crepe scallop bikini top, $98, Unsubscribed, Greenwich, Westport; unsubscribed,com 3 SWIM BOTTOMS Recycled crepe high-waisted bikini bottom, $88, Unsubscribed, Greenwich, Westport; unsubscribed,com 4 MR SMITH Sea Salt Spray, $37, and Paste, $37 5 TOP Beach PJ robe, $225, Unsubscribed, Greenwich, Westport; unsubscribed,com 6 PANTS Beach PJ pant, $178, Unsubscribed, Greenwich, Westport; unsubscribed,com 7 STEPHEN PINK Porcelain bead earring, $38, Chou Chou, Rowayton; shopchouchou.com 8 BOTTEGA VENETA String jacquard towel tote bag, $1,900, Richards, Greenwich and Mitchells, Westport; shop. mitchellstores.com
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SUMMER LOVE A NEW LINE OF FRAGRANCES BOTTLES THE BEST OF THIS BEAUTIFUL SEASON by diane sembrot
For some of us, summer comes and goes too fast. We love this season’s relaxed vibe, slowing down with the comings and goings of the tide and the puffy white clouds floating by. We always wish there were a way to linger longer in summer. Turns out, we aren’t alone. Beth Maloney founded a Fairfield business inspired by what she calls “the endless possibility of the season”—and with SUMMER HOURS captures summer’s moments in scents.
Even better, her fragrance portfolio is made with clean ingredients. When coming up with her first four scents, Maloney collaborated with Sarah Horowitz-Thran, an artisan perfumer. “These fragrances are made from the highest-quality natural and safely synthesized ingredients available,” notes Horowitz-Thran. She means that the brand’s fragrances are free from ingredients banned in Europe—and they are cruelty-free and vegan. Check for yourself; Summer Hours lists what’s in the bottle for you to read. Even the attractive packaging uses recycled or recyclable materials.
Below are the brand’s four eau de parfums, named with warm days in mind. Not sure which to pick? Consider trying the Sample Set with trial-sized spray vials of all four fragrances (8 mL for $40). Shop for your favorite at summer-hours.com as well as at indie retailers (Kule, Frances Valentine) and luxury hotels (Four Seasons Resorts, Life House Hotels).
No. 1
LE WEEK END
We’ve held meetings, returned phone calls, agreed to deals—and now it’s the weekend. This blend features cut grass, honeysuckle, peony, linden blossom and verdant woods. Summer Hours calls it: “The pursuit of happiness.”
No. 2
ROMANESQUE
We’re feeling noble, fancy and timeless—call us perfect. This pinnacle of wellbeing is captured with fresh fig, bergamot, lemon, rose and Mediterranean pine. Summer Hours calls it: “The timeless allure.”
No. 3
NEW WAVE
Life is better at the beach, just watching the waves crash along the shore. This waterlover’s summer scent is a fresh combination of lemon, sea salt, neroli, jasmine and white musk. Summer Hours calls it: “The captivating sea.”
No. 4
80º
The ideal summer temperature is, of course, eighty degrees. It’s described in a mixture of orange, coconut, orange blossom, neroli and jasmine. Summer Hours calls it: “The perfect day at the beach.”
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Freshen Up
AHH, SUMMER…IT’S TIME TO SLOW DOWN, SPEND TIME IN THE SUNSHINE AND CATCH UP ON SOME MUCH-DESERVED SELF-CARE. HERE, SOME GREAT
LOCAL SPOTS TO UNWIND, RECONNECT AND FEEL BETTER THAN EVER by liz barron
With the quest for inner harmony constantly growing, the options for finding such solace in Fairfield County are seemingly always expanding. With options ranging from light and cryo therapies, to yoga, massages and tachyon chambers, there is sure to be something for everyone in southern Connecticut looking to improve overall well-being.
CHECK BODY-MIND
883 Boston Post Road, Darien
checkbodymind.com Founder Amber Kemp is a certified clinical hypnotherapist, mindfulness coach, yoga instructor, Reiki practitioner, licensed massage therapist, life coach, and advocate of Biohacking for longevity. The goal of CHECK Body-Mind is to help clients feel their best by tapping into the mind, body, soul connection by placing equal importance on each element. CHECK Body-Mind offers monthly membership plans as well as one-off specialized treatments such as cryotherapy, LED light therapy, compression therapy, massage and assisted stretch sessions. Its Tachyon Meditation Chamber allows for clients to be induced into a meditative state and experience deep relaxation and peace. “Tachyon is a subatomic energy particle that is said to move faster than the speed of light” and its health benefits range from relaxation to long-term boost of the immune system and detoxification.
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KAIA YOGA
kaiayoga.com Kaia Yoga has your workouts covered with locations in Darien,
Greenwich, Old Greenwich,
New Canaan and Westport. Sign up for power flow and hot yoga classes to barre, meditation and stretching-based offerings. The belief that all aspects of the mind and body must be integrated in order to achieve balance is why the Greenwich and Darien studios also offer massage therapy. Kaia understands that healing touch “is essential to help relieve the daily stresses of your high-paced life.” All locations also offer live stream and interactive classes via Zoom and on demand for those who would prefer to find their Zen at home. Additionally, Kaia provides educational programming such as teacher trainings and workshops in a variety of modalities.
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RESTORE HYPER WELLNESS
1055 High Ridge Rd., Stamford 877 Post Road East, Westport
restore.com Less inflammation, better sleep, more energy and aging slower—sign us up. Restore Hyper Wellness is all about “proactive healing to help people do more of what they love,” says Uwa Osagie, general manager of the Stamford Restore. With an additional location in Westport, Restore Hyper Wellness creates individualized treatment plans for clients to assist in achieving health and wellness goals. Their list of services ranges from cryotherapy to IV drips and biomarker assessments to oxygen facials. IV drips, they claim, allow for high doses of nutrients to be delivered directly to the bloodstream. Restore offers drips with taurine, an organic amino acid that aids in muscle recovery and increases energy and focus. For those looking for immune support drips with B vitamins, vitamin C or glutathione, the “master antioxidant” are ideal choices.
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ELEMENT MEDICAL AESTHETICS
80 Main St., New Canaan
elementct.com There is nothing quite like the feeling of refreshment and renewal that comes with taking time for yourself. Skin care is part of self care and Element Medical Aesthetics helps clients to bring out their inner glow with both a relaxing and educational experience. Owner and skincare expert Merry Thornton prides herself on providing long consults so clients have time to understand her recommendations. Her approaches can involve improving skin texture and tone with peels and lasers, restoring lost volume with fillers, addressing lines and wrinkles with wrinkle reducers such as Botox, among other treatments. “My favorite part of my job is that I can instill confidence in my patients so that they feel as beautiful,” she explains. “I have been seeing a lot of patients postpartum lately. Between pregnancy and caring for a new baby, they haven't been able to devote time to themselves. When they leave my office, they have a little more pep in their step.”
A CLEAN START
A SKINCARE AND BEAUTY BOUTIQUE PIVOTS, ADDING SERVICES by diane sembrot
Taking care of yourself—doing the right thing for you— should not be difficult. In fact, it should be both simple and comforting. Take, for example, skin care and beauty. Siobhan McKinley, who founded ORGÁNACHS FARM TO SKIN (organachsfarmtoskin.com) as a clean-beauty boutique, recently updated her Westport shop to also offer skin- and body-wellness services. The boutique is now both retail and experience, with two new private rooms for services, such as facials, eyebrow shaping, body treatments and body waxing; plus, most recently, an infrared sauna, new skincare products and a wellness club.
When did you first open the boutique in Westport?
I opened in March 2016 as the premier clean beauty boutique in Connecticut.
What sets it apart—that is, what is its mission?
My mission was and is to bring clean, safe, high-performing organic skincare to the Westport community and Connecticut as a whole. I was empowered to inform women of the healthier alternatives in effective organic skin care and crush the myth that chemicals and harshness were necessary to a good skincare regimen. A curated assortment of the best brands in clean beauty and offering the highest quality organic treatments sets ORGÁNACHS apart from other beauty businesses.
What is new now—you have more space?
I recently renovated my boutique so I can now offer a private space for our expansion into skin and body wellness. We will be launching our Skin and Body Wellness Club where customers receive monthly discounts on their services and access to our growing list of VIP wellness partners who will be extending discounts to our club members.
What are the new services?
Our new facial treatments include a 100-minute Instant Lift Organic Restorative facial and our organic body treatments, launched in May, will include Organic Warm Spiced Mud Wrap, Organic Seaweed Leaf Body Wrap, Organic Seaweed Body Buff, Organic Lavender and Seaweed Sugar Glow. Waxing and eyebrow services are now available. Our new stateof-the-art infrared sauna, the three-in-one mPulse Believe with preset health programs
Siobhan McKinley, owner of ORGÁNACHS above: The boutique, along with clean skincare and beauty products, now also offers skin and wellness services.
and custom set options. Adding infrared services is the perfect marriage to our skin and body wellness mission. Infrared warms the body from within, instead of just heating the air around us. This provides a unique opportunity for health benefits beyond a traditional sauna. Also, not all infrared saunas are equal, and this is why educating my customers on the sauna that I have chosen is important. As an avid user myself, I am thrilled to offer this experience to my customers.
What prompted the changes?
I wanted to extend beyond offering clean skincare products to a more extensive skincare experience for the face and body. It is always a benefit if a client can experience organic skin care first hand and see the difference in their skin. Adding the infrared sauna is part of the full-body wellness experience that I am striving for. The near infrared LEDs have been shown to increase collagen and elastin, improving overall skin appearance. In addition, infrared offers health benefits such as improved sleep quality, detoxification, immunity- system boost, increased metabolism and fat burn, stress reduction and faster muscle repair.
Any advice for skincare during July and August?
My must-haves—sunscreen and a hat! I love the suncare brand Suntegrity for its natural ingredients and for its tinted sunscreens, as well as Josh Rosebrook's Nutrient Day Cream tinted. Take care of your skin on your entire body, not just your face. Exfoliate to remove sunscreens and moisturize and protect.
Anything else you want to add?
I'm always striving to find the best in organic and natural skin care and beauty, and I will be adding new products this summer from African Botanics and Manasi 7.
TRY THIS by diane sembrot
A few live performances to get very jazzed about are coming to the area this July and August
left: Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis comes to Ridgefield right: The emerging artist Mariel Bildsten comes to Westport
LEGEND: JULY 10
Don’t miss out on experiencing a legend. Jazz trumpeter WYNTON MARSALIS comes to The Ridgefield Playhouse for a late-afternoon concert to end the weekend on a high note. Curtains rise at 4 p.m.; see details at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
VINTAGE: AUG. 7
May not be jazz, technically, but certainly has a jazzy feel. We’re talking about STEELY DAN, which comes to the new Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater. Tickets and show details at livenation.com.
NEW: AUG. 20
All that jazz continues in August with MUSIC AT MOCA: MARIEL BILDSTEN, a Jazz at Lincoln Center Emerging Artist. The trombonist plays a wide range of styles, pushing the music in innovative directions. Hear her play, locally, at MoCA Westport. See more at mocawestport.org.
home
above: The glass doors, tall windows and light color palette create an airy and soothing blend. this photo: Natural wood elements and industrial accents are an unbeatable combination. Adding nature to the room brings in life and warmth.
LIGHTEN UP LEIA T. WARD OF LTW DESIGN, BRINGS BALANCE, CALM AND LOTS OF NATURAL LIGHT TO A SOUTHPORT HOME MAKEOVER
by diane sembrot • photography by andrea carson
During the best of times, creating a soothing space at home is a perfectly brilliant idea. During chaotic times, nationally and globally, all the better to have a feathered nest that can serve as a retreat to find a safe moment of ease. Without such times and places to renew, we would have nothing to give back to the world.
That said, not all of us are gifted about creating the look. Sometimes it takes a professional’s eye to design a room, or even a whole house, that brings a vague vision or even just a wispy sentiment to life. Open the door, then, to Leia T. Ward, founder and principal designer of LTW Design, an award-winning staging design firm specializing in exclusive luxury properties. Named one of the top ten luxury stagers in the country, her firm’s expertise provides her access to an expansive inventory of furniture, accessories and artwork. A leader in her field, Ward and her team have staged exclusive homes ranging up to $20 million, including the residence of Bruce Willis and Emma Hemming.
With influences from her extensive travel, her design signature is an elevated blend of textures, capturing natural light and emphasizing clean lines in her projects. The LTW brand has a signature style of
above: A bright gold faucet becomes the focal point of a flawlessly minimal design in the kitchen.
casual sophistication, creating calm and beautifully balanced spaces. In other words, less is more—and what goes in works with everything else. She calls on her decade-long experience in the television and magazine industries in New York City. LTW Design projects have been featured in national magazines, including House Beautiful and Town & Country.
Let her enter your home like a fairy godmother to bring you the gift of serenity—uplifting colors, sane storage, harmonious patterns, balanced sheens, luxe layers, smart furniture layouts, and more. She handles the complex decisions to nurture the beauty of ease for the owners.
We recently sat down with her to learn about her sack of skills and used a local project as an example. This was a design project in Southport. The waterfront brick Colonial home has a gallery hallway that connects the entire space, filled with the pitter-patter of the owners’ young children.
There’s plenty to learn here and apply to your own home project.
above: The restrictions of the design allow one to appreciate the way the elements—shine, color, shape, material—support one another and create a cohesive look. below: A modern take on a kitchen bar
Tell me how this project came about?
This project came about because our clients saw our work from our Cove Project, and it spoke to them and the aesthetic they were envisioning for their own home. It was an old brick home that my clients—a fun, young couple—bought me in and said, "We want a modern home." The challenge was making this older Colonial home with a lot of small closed-off rooms into an open, sunny modern home. It was a complete overhaul. A year and a half later, the dream became a reality.
What did you first think when you saw the house?
When I first saw their home, I saw all the endless possibilities. It was a dark, older, traditional home with many small rooms and low ceilings, but all I saw was the finished product—a space that was open, airy and flooded with light.
What are your first steps when taking on a big project?
When taking on a project, the first step is having a concept meeting to ensure that the client’s vision and our vision are in sync. Once that is determined, our team then works backward. What I mean here is that instead of starting with the foundation of a space and building upon it until it is what was envisioned, I immediately see the finished space and work with my team from the end point. We sketch out what we want it to be and then source and layer in the details with our incredible vendors.
below: The fireplace serves as a cozy gathering space on cool evenings. right: Natural light floods into this room, anchored by a large sofa and black side table.
The seating area includes a large double-layer coffee table in soft white, with the seating using polaropposite shades of gray with a shared plush feel. above: Curved deep-seated chairs arranged around a round table is shape playing at its best. The black ceiling turns the expected on its head for a gorgeous touch of drama. below: The glass railing opens the space, and the metal accent adds an edgy urban element.
It takes a real team effort to make it happen!
Pick a favorite room and tell me why it works.
It’s so hard to pick a favorite room on this project because we love them all! To see each one transform was the best part. I love that we added a gallery hall to create the feeling of an open-floor plan, raised the ceiling height and flooded the first floor with the natural light it was missing. My goal was to make this older home feel open and light, so we bumped out the entire back wall of the first floor and created a wall of floor-toceiling windows.
What are a few of your favorite moments of the finished project?
My absolute favorite part of any project is the final reveal. Nothing beats the moment our clients walk into their finished home for the very first time. After much work, collaboration and effort by so many, nothing feels better than seeing the looks on our clients’ faces and how happy they are when they see in real life what we had imagined for so long. We love hearing, “Do I really get to live here?” And the tears— there have definitely been tears. It feels so rewarding to see our clients loving where they live.
What can others learn from the design decisions you made?
Less is more. Always. Period.
Where did you source a few of your favorite finds?
We love supporting local vendors and artisans in America when we can. Many of our other vendors are overseas, and we have the opportunity to connect with them twice a year at market to see all the new items.
Any design pet peeves?
If I never see a fireplace on an angled wall again, I’d be a happy camper! Actually, all angled walls for that matter.
Anything else to add?
Working on this project was a labor of love with incredible clients who were very involved and passionate about the design process. After a year and a half, we are beyond thrilled that they can now enjoy their family in their new home. We are grateful to have been a part of the process.
above: The dark gray walls paired with the dark gray sofa provide a cooling effect to rest and recharge. left: The main bedroom has a cohesive mix of soft white furnishings that confidently intermix textures.
above: The main bedroom has a soft gray padded headboard with beach-washed gray side table with minimal embellishment.
left: The main bath has a deep rounded tub, full glass shower and gold accents as well as a romantic chandelier, though the windows provide ample natural light. above: Bold restraint with frameless mirrors, unpaneled windows and touchless faucets.
Law Offi ces of
GARY I. COHEN, P.C.
1100 Summer St., 3rd Floor, Stamford, CT 06905 PH: (203) 622-8787 giclaw.com
Attorney Gary Cohen is a 1965 graduate of Yale University and 1968 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served as articles editor of the Virginia Law Review and was elected to The Order of the Coif, a national honorary law school society. He has received numerous professional accolades, including being named by Town & Country magazine as one of the Best Family Lawyers in the United States. He is a past president of both the Connecticut Chapter of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a Founding Diplomat of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only professional association that limits its fellowship to only 100 members in the entire United States. Attorney Sue Georgiades earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Connecticut in 2010 and received her J.D. from the University of Connecticut in 2013, where she concentrated her elective studies in matrimonial law and was an editor of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. Her internships with the supervising judge of the Nassau County, New York Family Court and Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence further developed her credentials as a superior family lawyer. Both attorneys proudly af rm that, “Our rm does not handle cases; we represent people who give us the privilege of seeking to resolve their family dispute issues with competence and sensitivity by the application of our training and experience as both negotiators and litigators.” Mr. Cohen adds, “I have had the honor of being named to Super Lawyers for many years, but my pride in my nomination pales in comparison to my pride and pleasure in Sue Georgiades’ well-deserved recognition this year as a Rising Stars honoree among Connecticut’s family bar. Congratulations, Sue!”
Maggie’s Tavern
Cocktails & Casual Dining at Winvian Farm
winvianfarm.com
QUICK CHANGE
IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL DESIGN TACKLES LITTLE CHALLENGES AND FULL MAKEOVERS
by diane sembrot photography by the finish
Some people are fine with change. The rest of us are brought through it with less zeal. Take, for example, moving from New York City to a Connecticut suburb. It’s different here. One way new neighbors have been dealing with the adjustment is by redecorating their new homes—outfitting them to appeal to the previous lifestyle while absorbing the new. Of course, the need for change can call to any of us, including those of us who were born here and begin thinking a change around the house would be a satisfying pick-me-up.
Take, for example, a Westport project completed by Southportbased The Finish (thefinish.co). This was a project for a local family who needed help in their living room and family room. They had pieces from a previous apartment that just didn’t work with their new historic home in Westport, so they turned to The Finish to create a family-friendly environment that also felt sophisticated. They already had a mix of boho, midcentury and eclectic pieces, but their style had evolved over time to become clean and modernist with classic elements, so the team
The Finish offers design advice for a single room or whole house. above: The designers helped the homeowner develop a cozy scheme, then brought it to life with fresh pieces, such as the velvet chairs.
brought it all together to create a cohesive look. They also painted the dark ceiling in the dining room for a bright, fresh change.
“The client reached out to us after seeing our work on Instagram. She liked that we could help her solve design dilemmas without having to redo her home,” says Stephanie Purzycki, The Finish’s CEO and co-founder, along with Kaitlin Madden. The business was founded in 2019. As for those challenges in the Westport home, Purzycki says one in particular comes to mind. “The client had furniture pieces from a previous apartment that didn’t go with the aesthetic of the home or her evolving style. We had to figure out creative ways to incorporate old and new to make the space cohesive and feel intentional. Also, long lead times were a huge challenge! She had to wait a year for a new sofa.”
One of the other “musts” for the project was to bring in an upscale restraint to the feel. “We started by picking out the fabrics to create a new softer scheme in the room to base the full redesign around,” says Purzycki. That was achieved with creative solutions. “We reupholstered vintage chairs in a beautiful velvet that my client won at an auction.” Velvet sounds wonderful, but does it work for every home? She adds, “Our client does have small children, so we had to be mindful of selecting fabrics that were durable enough to handle messy little hands.” Each project is unique, of course.
HOW That’s why The
IT WORKS Finish pairs clients
Clients can book with designers to thirty-minute virtual take on specific or one-hour in-person appointments. The Finish matches them challenges or whole homes. They’ll with designers best do small projects, suited to the projects. like accessorizing
During the consul- furniture or tation, clients can ask for advice or inspiration or review design picking window treatments, as well pain points. For big as full overhauls, projects, they can go mood boards to over details and get a completed projects. proposal with a wish list of items and prices. But the projects are custom— clients work with
The team picked durable fabrics to handle the demands of a young family.
left: Finishing touches include designing shelving arrangements. below The project included a mix of new and existing pieces.
the designer, in person or over Zoom. One of the design lessons learned can be applied to nearly any project. “You don’t always need to start with a blank slate to create the look you love,” says Purzycki. “Buy quality furniture that will last, and if your style changes, consider reupholstering the piece instead of buying a new one.”
Another money-saving change was creative. “She was also able to spray paint a vintage ceiling fixture instead of purchasing a new, and more expensive, option that would likely also encounter delivery delays.”
The new living room works for family time as well as for entertaining friends.
go
left: The gorgeous entry to The Peninsula Beverly Hills center, top: The welcoming front desk to the spa center, bottom: The Living Room at The Peninsula Beverly Hills is lush, luxurious and regal—a wonderful place to sit and talk with a friend. right: Room service is next-level at the hotel.
above: Be enveloped in a masterful mix of white, cream and blue in the main bedroom of the Grand Deluxe Suite (also called The Blue Suite) below: The Peninsula Suite (or Green Suite) Living Room, in a harmonious, and even royal, palette of cream, green and gold.
A SHINING STAR
TRADITIONAL LUXURY IN THE CITY OF ANGELS
BY EMILY LIEBERT
Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, a short walk from Los Angeles’ iconic Rodeo Drive, The Peninsula Beverly Hills offers lavish accommodations, mouthwatering cuisine and a newly designed world-class spa. Cushioned by lush, tropical gardens, the property feels like a private home, with its welcoming staff and unparalleled service. Upon arrival, I was escorted to my room, where a plate of artfully displayed handmade macarons and a pillowcase monogrammed with my initials awaited me. (Yes, you get to take the pillowcase home!) If you’re in search of a truly special destination for your next vacation out west, look no further. And don’t be surprised if you spot a few celebrities in the lobby.
STAY
Featuring 195 luxurious guest rooms, including thirty-eight suites and seventeen private villas, the accommodations are appointed with expertly curated, custom-made furnishings that reflect the hotel’s subdued opulence.
I stayed in one of the 585-square-foot Villa Studios, which feature large sleeping and sitting areas, a modern fireplace, and a private entrance, allowing guests complete privacy. The serene color palette and rich wood furnishings completed the overall sumptuous décor.
If you’re interested in a larger space, book one of the 825-square-foot Peninsula Villa Suites, which are set in free-standing villas, boast spacious garden-view balconies and are bathed in plenty of natural light.
Guests can also hang their hats in one of the four signature one-bedroom suites, each with its own color palette, ranging from tranquil rose and blue hues to soothing green and white. These suites combine classic elegance and state-of-the-art technology and also include contemporary kitchens with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances.
Of course the pièce de résistance is the 2,336-square-foot Peninsula Villa, which is the property’s largest accommodation. Nestled
in a landscaped garden patio, this spectacular two-story bungalow is accented with blue-andwhite Chinese porcelain pieces and opens onto a private patio with a hot tub and gate to the street.
above: When you're ready for some pampering and wellness treatments, book time in the spa; here, one of the treatment rooms. below: Cool off by the hotel's pool.
RELAX & REJUVENATE
The newly renovated spa is home to seven treatment rooms, a nail suite and a serenity lounge ideal for recharging. I recommend the 24K Gold Age-Defying Facial, an invigorating treatment that will heal and enrich your skin. It also boosts collagen production and cell renewal, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles, through the restorative powers of 24K gold leaf. It will leave you fresh faced and glowing from the inside out. If you have trouble sleeping or feel low on energy, try the Recovering Traveler, designed to bring balance to the body and relieve jet lag. The experience includes marma work, lymphatics and a bronze kasa bowl technique to draw out excess heat. Additionally, it helps eliminate fluid retention and strengthens the immune system.
Once you’ve been appropriately pampered, rent one of the twelve private cabanas by the sixty-foot outdoor rooftop pool and hot tub and unwind on a deluxe chaise lounge with a signature cocktail or fruit smoothie. Each cabana is equipped with cordless telephones, flat-screen TV, Bluetooth speakers, heaters, fans and a safe. For a one-stop shop, book the spa cabana and enjoy a manicure, pedicure or massage while your family and friends go for a swim.
If exercise is your preferred method of relaxation, head to the Fitness Centre, which is outfitted with state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment, including treadmills, cycles and elliptical trainers, and strength and weight training apparatus by HOIST. Post-workout delight in the Himalayan Salt Saunas.
WINE & DINE
With culinary offerings at The Peninsula are a feast for the foodie soul. Start off with a cocktail at The Club Bar with its dark wood, California birch panels and deep leather chairs encircling the fireplace. Options include rare single-malt whiskies, scotches, tequilas, and cognacs, as well as a broad assortment of wines. I loved the “La Drama,” made with Suntory Haku vodka, grapefruit, crème de mûre, lime zest and a spicy note of jalapeño.
The Roof Garden is a destination for both locals and hotel guests, serving inspired Californian cuisine with fresh herbs and vegetables grown in the rooftop garden. Ffavorites are the Octopus Tostada with avocado mousse and cucumber radish and the Skirt Steak with crispy potatoes, pork chorizo and tomatillo.
Dine at The Belvedere for Parisian-style brasserie fare with a modern twist on classics such as Saffron Risotto Croquette and Rotisserie Chicken Crepe. My top choices were the Charred Caesar with Brussels sprouts, kale, garlic croutons and white anchovy and the Seared Diver Scallops with chanterelles, zucchini flower and lobster jus. Celebrate with a complimentary Laurent Perrier champagne toast every evening at 8 p.m.
Last, but definitely not least, afternoon tea in The Living Room is a must. In addition to the extensive menu of green and exotic flavored teas and the free-flowing bubbly, the towers of sweet and savory bites are accompanied by a classical harpist. I’ll admit it was hard to select only a few items, but I relished the pastrami with horseradish, pickles and mustard caviar along with the curried chicken with almonds and raisins. If dim sum is your thing (it’s definitely mine!), go for the Shanghai pork dumplings and the Peking duck pot stickers. For dessert, the strawberry elderflower cake and the Purple Haze and peach crostini are winners.
SIGNATURE TOUCHES
The Peninsula stands out for its enduring attention to detail and unique special events. Along these lines, every Thursday at 5 p.m. guests can partake in a cocktail-making lesson with a professional mixologist (tastings included!). Another fabulous feature, if you book one of the hotel’s elegant suites, is the complimentary use of a luxury BMW for the length of your stay. This will allow you to drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu or continue on past Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez wine country.
If you’re on a tight time schedule, you’ll appreciate the hotel’s ‘Peninsula Time’ offering —a distinctive experience which provides guests the flexibility to check in and out at any hour at no extra cost (black-out dates and booking channels do apply).
When traveling with children in tow, upgrade your reservation to include Camp Peninsula, a program that embodies the spirit of camping right at the hotel. It kicks off with a special welcome from the property’s lifesized mascot, Peter Bear, and continues with a camp counselor whisking the kids away to their guestroom where an enchanting teepee awaits…and then engaging them in a hotel-wide scavenger hunt with a decadent treat of flameless s’mores to top it off.
BOOK NO FURTHER
SEARCHING FOR SUMMER’S HOTTEST READS? YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. THESE EIGHT PAGE-TURNERS ARE PERFECT FOR A DAY AT THE BEACH OR A LOUNGE BY THE POOL.
by emily liebert
FOUR WAYS TO WEAR A DRESS
BY GILLIAN LIBBY
Westport native Gillian Libby delivers a sparkling debut with this buoyant novel about protagonist Millie Ward, who’s been fired from her job and decides to visit her best friend Quincy in California. While she’s there, she wouldn’t mind a romantic interlude with Quincy's brother, Pete. As her friends from home help her pack for the trip, the little black dress they shared in college resurfaces and reminds them of the luck it brought them back then. The question is, will the dress works its magic again and help Millie find the happiness she truly deserves?
PLEASE JOIN US
BY CATHERINE MCKENZIE
Nicole Mueller’s life is a mess. Her success as a lawyer is in jeopardy and she’s about to lose her apartment. Enter Panthera Leo, a private networking group for professional women. In an attempt to resuscitate her career—despite her husband Dan’s concern that it sounds like a cult—Nicole joins their retreat in Colorado where she’s grouped with a CEO, an actress, a finance whiz and a congresswoman. When Nicole returns home, things quickly turn around thanks to her new network, until she’s called on by the congresswoman and coerced into covering up a crime.
WEST SIDE LOVE STORY
BY PRISCILLA OLIVERAS
In this star-crossed love story about two feuding Texas familias, Mariana was raised in the nurturing household of Casa Capuleta. As a means of helping her adoptive parents resolve their financial issues, she and her younger sisters must win the Battle of the Mariachi Bands against Hugo Montero, their father’s biggest rival. There’s just one thing standing in the way…Mariana’s illicit attraction to Angelo Montero, who also has feelings for her. Will their relationship survive the challenges inherent in their situation? And will they be able to bring peace to their long-disputing familias?
THE BEACH TRAP
BY ALI BRADY
Fifteen years ago, at the age of twelve, Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill became best friends at Camp Chickawah. Then they found out that they were actually half-sisters and broke all ties with each other. When their father dies suddenly and leaves them both a beach house in Florida, the two women are not happy about it. But they formulate a plan—to refurbish the decrepit home so that Kat can buy Blake out. Of course their visions for renovation are not the same. Add in their shared pasts and a couple of summer romances and they may become the sisters they never were after all.
MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
on the next page
BOOK NO FURTHER
THE WEDDING SEASON
BY KATY BIRCHALL
What happens when Freya Scott, a recently rejected bride, has to attend seven weddings in one summer? Her friends create a major distraction by devising a series of crazy challenges for her to fulfill at each event. For example, getting stuck in an old church bathroom until she’s rescued by the vicar and, also, making out with a barman at a French château. As the “fun” ensues, Freya begins to realize that saying “I do” isn’t the be all and end all, that there may still be a love story in her future.
THE LADY DI LOOK BOOK
BY ELOISE MORAN
What was Diana trying to tell us through her clothes? This visual psychobiography of icon Lady Di poses and answers this question through its stunning images and new interviews with some of the people who dressed Diana. From her pink gingham pants and pastel-yellow overalls to her sexy Versace dresses, power suits and athleisure, British fashion journalist Eloise Moran has studied thousands of pictures of the princess and brings to light things no one has noticed before. In addition to being a feast for the eyes, this book is a comprehensive study in the way the world’s most adored royal communicated through fashion.
THE CHARMED LIST
BY JULIE ABE
High school student Ellie Kobata leads a very private life. So private, in fact, that she can’t even tell her best friend what she’s hiding… that she’s part of a secret magical community. The only person who would really understand is Jack Yasuda, a childhood friend who inexplicably no longer associates with her. By senior year, Ellie is tired of being a wallflower and ready to take some risks—for better or for worse. So she makes a list of thirteen things what will help her come out of her shell. When number four—revenge on Jack—goes seriously awry, Ellie ends up stuck in a car with him driving to a magical convention and she’s convinced she’ll never complete her list. Only she may be very wrong, since number thirteen is “fall in love.”
MY WIFE IS MISSING
BY D. J. PALMER
Michael Hart’s wife, Natalie, and their two young kids have disappeared from their New York City hotel room while on a family vacation, and he suspects they’ve been kidnapped. Unfortunately, Michael is wrong. Natalie left quite willingly without explanation and both he and the police want to know why. Of course he can’t tell them that a shocking revelation about him might have encouraged her quick escape. Natalie, for her part, knows that’s exactly why she left and she has no intention of returning. There’s just one issue— her chronic insomnia has caused disabling delusions. Now, with her children’s lives on the line, Natalie is desperate to stay one step ahead of Michael, as she begins to recognize that she’s the only person who can save all of them.
