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contents MAR/APR 2022 vol. 24 | issue 2
features
departments
62
by diane talbot sembrot
10 EDITOR’S LETTER 13 STATUS REPORT
LOVE STORY
BUZZ Selectwomen of Westport; Sweet P Bakery; The Post
A Brooklyn couple visits Westport, falls in love with a cottage, and stays. The redesign makes it perfect.
SHOP Special! Spring Fashion
by ju dy o strow
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DO Camoro Salon; preventing injuries; book picks
THE STATE OF REAL ESTATE
HOME Danish Modern at EVB; Lake + Hill Interiors; Diane Karmen’s home studio; Timothy Oulton on Main Street
Our annual report on who’s moving in, who’s moving out and what it means for those of us staying put. above: Seating vignette at Eleish van Breems store in Westport below: Home fitness studio, designed by Diane Karmen
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EAT Gabriele’s 57 PEOPLE & PLACES
WHERE THE GREEN THINGS GROW
60 VOWS
Now that you have a bit of land all to yourself, what are you going to do with it? Landscaping ideas, for making your outdoor space work for you.
87 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 88 POSTSCRIPT by d onna mof f ly
by t om c on nor WESTPORT MAR/APR 2022, VOL. 24, NO. 2. WESTPORT (USPS/ISSN 1941-9821) is published bi-monthly 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 WESTPORT, PO BOX 9309, Big Sandy, TX 75755-9607. U.S. Subscription rates: $19.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years; Canada and Foreign $44/1 year, $72/2 years.
on the c over victoria morris and andrew selva’s westp ort cot tage, with design work by shelley morris photo gr aphy jared kuzia
ELEISH VAN BREEMS BY NEIL LANDINO; DIANE KARMEN HOME STUDIO BY LUV BAJAJ
by ji l l john son m an n
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SAVOR & SAVE Greenwich Restaurant Week celebrates the amazing food and drinks available from the talented chefs and bartenders in town. This is a fun and social way to get a taste of their talent. Enjoy specials all week!
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vol. 24 | no. 2 | mar/apr 2022 editorial
editorial director
Cristin Marandino–cristin.marandino@moffly.com editor: westport, fairfield living, stamford
Diane Sembrot–diane.sembrot@moffly.com style & community editor
Janel Alexander
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books correspondent
Emily Liebert contributing editors
Megan Gagnon–editor, athome Elizabeth Hole–editor, custom publishing Julee Kaplan–editor, new canaan • darien Veronica Schoor—assistant editor, athome Amy Vischio–creative director-at-large, athome copy editors
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Terry Christofferson, Lynne Piersall, David Podgurski, Scott Thomas contributing writers
Liz Barron, Tom Connor, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser, Kim-Marie Evans, Elizabeth Keyser, Jill Johnson Mann; Judy Ostrow, Eleanor Vail editorial advisory board
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Diane Sembrot digital marketing manager
Rachel MacDonald–rachel.macdonald@moffly.com digital assistant Lloyd Gabi–lloyd.gabi@moffly.com Calendar@Moffly.com Editor@WestportMag.com Weddings@WestportMag.com
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WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?
vol. 24 | no. 2 | mar/apr 2022 publisher
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publisher, athome, fairfield living publisher-at-large, greenwich jonathan.moffly@moffly.com Hilary Hotchkiss account executive hilary.hotchkiss@moffly.com Rick Johnson account executive rick.johnson@moffly.com Kathleen Dyke partnership and big picture manager kathleen.godbold@moffly.com Rachel Shorten events director rachel.shorten@moffly.com Lemuel Bandala sales assistant lemuel.bandala@moffly.com Eillenn Bandala business assistant eillenn.bandala@moffly.com
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editor’s letter
MAR/APR 2022 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT
THE CALL S
HOW TO SCAN: OPEN, AIM & TAP
yet, when I see the photos of the home, I see great style. The design is fresh and modern, yet also perfectly in tune with the history of the place. It is somehow ageless, yet also current. Moreover, the design choices—including essential renovations despite the pandemic— are clever and make the most of the space. I think you’ll agree. See the story, “Love Story,” written by Judy Ostrow, inside this issue. No matter what type of house you live in, you’ll appreciate the design decisions about light, flow, color and interest. And don’t forget, it’s also a story with a lot of love. Actually, the issue has plenty of home design ideas, from an interior designer’s home-fitness studio, a Wilton home’s professional redesign, a tour of modern Danish finds at Eleish van Breems, and a sighting of a very British furniture-and-decor shop opening on Main Street. Maybe these pages will help you decide if it is time to take on a full renovation if you’ve just moved here or simply freshen things up before putting your house on the market. Creating a space that works for you and makes you feel good—that smile when you turn the corner and everything in your favorite room looks and feels right—is one of the joys of living. That’s no secret to locals. Our area has lots of designers, architects, builders and home decor shops, so there’s help at hand to bring your style home. You’ll know you’ve done it right when you want to tell the world about it—or, at least, your hometown magazine.
diane.sembrot@moffly.com
WILLIAM TAUFIC
SCAN TO VISIT US
ometimes it pays to answer your phone. Heaving a heap of heavy shopping bags into the car one by one, a handbag dangling uncomfortably on my wrist, a mask slipping and gusts of wind throwing my hair every which way and especially over my eyes, I hear my phone ring. Of course. Dig through the purse. Nope, don’t recognize the number. Besides, I feel like I’m in a bit of a battle here, so I let it go to voicemail. And it rings again. Humph, OK, get it. I jump in the car, clear my face and swipe up. “Hello?” While it could have been a call about my car warranty expiring (not) or an investment opportunity in a bridge (no), it turned out to be a Westporter. A new Westporter. Just moved here from the city. And he’s calling about his wife. This could be the start of an unusual pitch about her moth collection or her complaint about a recent article on bagels, but it turns out to be an inadvertent declaration of love for his wife, who has no idea he is calling me. You see, his wife is an interior designer and has just moved to the area, and her husband thinks it is crystal clear that her work should be featured in the town magazine. His admiration for her work (and her) comes through with every speedy sentence. It is charming, and so I agreed to call her. That call turns into another love story. This time for the couple’s grown daughter, who has also just moved to town from the city. She is married and she and her husband fell in love not only with Westport, but also with a cottage not far from her parents’ new place. How could I resist all this familial affection, especially when it comes wrapped up with a tidy bow in the form of a local cottage? Better westportmag.com
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Candice Savin, Jennifer Tooker and Andrea Moore
TAKING CHARGE GETTING TO KNOW OUR THREE SELECTWOMEN
T
he vote was close—4,237 for Republicans Tooker and Moore to 4,168 for Democrats Steinberg and Savin—but those 69 votes made history. Add in first names and it becomes more obvious why. Jennifer Tooker and Andrea Moore won the seats of First and Second Selectwoman in last November’s election, and they appointed Candice Savin as Third Selectwoman, creating Westport’s first-ever all-female Board of Selectwomen. We sat down with these three impressive leaders to get the scoop on their backgrounds, goals for our town and what this moment means to them. by jill johnson mann • photography by andrea carson MARCH/ APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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Jennifer Tooker / first selectwoman GOALS FOR 2022: “Establishing the Traffic Advisory and Neighborhood Safety Commission; completing the Longshore Park Capital Improvement Plan; advancing the downtown plan with focus on changes to Parker Harding Plaza and Jesup Green; and, critically, guiding the community and our local businesses out of the pandemic continues to be a top priority.”
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “Addressing the effects the pandemic has had on the social and emotional well-being of the community is a challenge that we collectively face, as no age group has been exempt. We are so fortunate to have the Westport Together coalition, including experts from the Town, the schools and PTA, and the nonprofit network, already in place to lead this crucial effort. We will continue to leverage and expand the reach of Westport Together so we can provide the resources residents need. [Locals can] follow on Facebook and Instagram for more details.”
WESTPORT FAVES Beautiful Spot: “Compo Beach.”
Tell us about your background and how you landed in Westport. “I was raised in Dallas and majored in economics and international studies at the University of Notre Dame. I then spent the next twenty-two years at the global reinsurance company Gen Re. After twelve years in London, my husband and I were relocated to Gen Re’s global HQ in Stamford. While on our search for homes and communities close to Stamford, we saw Compo Beach and knew immediately that Westport was where we wanted to live. Compo brought me here. The people have kept me here.” How did your career prepare you for the role as First Selectwoman? “It helped me develop some of the most important skills for this role, including deep management experience and a commitment to building consensus and solving complex problems.”
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What inspired your civic engagement in Westport? “Shortly after moving here, I was appointed to the Conservation Commission. It gave me insight into the importance of local government and was the catalyst for me to pursue public service on a full-time basis. I knew that serving in local government was the way I wanted to contribute to my community. Following the Conservation Commission, I served in several elected positions, including the Board of Ed, Board of Finance and Second Selectwoman.” What did you learn about Westport while campaigning? “I absolutely love the job of governing and serving our constituents. Whether meeting with local business owners and clergy, parents and students, or nonprofit leaders and volunteers, listening to members of our community and working with them and our amazing town employees is really what this job is all about. I continue to be impressed by our residents—they are talented, savvy and dedicated to Westport.”
Leisure: “Paddle Boarding.” Culture: “I’m a season ticket holder at the Westport Country Playhouse.” Hidden Gem: “In Grace K. Salmon Park there is a point with a bench where you have a stunning view of the Saugatuck River. It’s a beautiful spot—and Salmon is my maiden name, but no relation.” People Watching: “I always enjoy going to Compo Beach and seeing and catching up with friends and neighbors.”
It’s a historic moment, with three selectwomen in office. Do you think women govern differently? “This team has a diverse set of skills and experiences, and together I believe we will deliver great results. I think all leaders bring their unique perspective and life experience to the job. For me, that includes being a mother, a care-giver daughter, a wife, a loyal friend and a retired financial-services executive. We ran on our leadership style and our management expertise, and I am very proud to lead the first all-female Westport Board of Selectwomen.” Tell us a little about your family. “I have a wonderful husband, Mo, and three terrific children, Jack, Riley and Nicole. It would be impossible to do this job without their unconditional support. I am also blessed to have my parents here in Westport, as they have recently moved to town. I’m very lucky!” Something about you that would surprise people: “I am an avid morning runner, with weekly mileage in the twenty-five- to thirtymile range. It serves as my ‘personal time,’ and I don’t know what I’d do without it!”
S
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Al
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ENVISION LIFE AT
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Andrea Moore / second selectwoman GOALS FOR 2022: “We are committed to keeping Westport a terrific place to live, work and play. Our goals include completing the Longshore master plan, launching an overall parks plan, moving forward on upgrades to downtown and creating a Traffic and Safety Advisory Commission. During the election, I had specifically discussed working on a plan for better communication from Town Hall, including engagement with new residents.”
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “Westport is a great town and a soughtafter community as can be seen from the influx of new residents and businesses. The pandemic has changed the way we live our lives. Westporters have made lifestyle changes that impact the way our town is being utilized. Residents are in town more often and our downtown, our recreational facilities and our roads are being used more than ever. We need to adapt to the changes, address issues that are within our control and make investments to support our residents’ changing needs.”
WESTPORT FAVES Beautiful Spot: “Compo Beach.” Leisure: “Walking anywhere near the water—the beach, Saugatuck or downtown. Time on the beach or boating.” Culture: “Remarkable Theater and Chamber Concerts at the Imperial Lot, Candlelight and Pops Concerts, Westport Country Playhouse.” Hidden Gem: “I love walking my dogs to town on the pathway behind the Levitt. The view up the river never fails.” People Watching: “Anywhere and everywhere! Our town is full of so many interesting people.”
You grew up in Westport. Were you born here and when did you settle down here? “My parents moved out of New York City right before I was born, so I am a born-and-bred Westporter. I worked in the city after college but would find myself back in Westport with my city friends on weekends, especially in the summer. My parents got sick in my late twenties and that accelerated my move here.” What inspires your civic engagement in the town? “I first got involved on the board of A Child’s Place Preschool fifteen years ago and since then have been on numerous boards in town, mostly related to children and education. I ran for the RTM six years ago when two friends (also Staples grads) suggested there was a need for more people with an understanding of the Westport schools. I feel lucky to live in Westport and be raising my daughters here, so giving back and getting involved in town government was an easy decision. After RTM, I ran for the Board of Finance and have served there for the last four years. As a native, I truly feel like my long-term connections here coupled with my relationships with parents through the schools helps me understand the interests of a real cross-section of Westporters.”
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What is your educational and professional background? “I graduated from the University of Massachusetts School of Management with a degree in finance. I started my career at Salomon Brothers and worked for fifteen years at several firms in banking, equity research and institutional sales. I left UBS in 2006 after Janna, my second child, was born. My finance and business background has helped me as an RTM and BOF member and now on the BOS with an understanding of budgets and financing.”
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It’s a historic moment, with three selectwomen in office. What does this mean to you and our town? “As the mom of three high-school daughters, the importance is not lost on me. What our children see us do is more important that what we tell them, so to see three women at the helm—plus a woman as chair of the BOE (Lee Goldstein), BOF (Sheri Gordon), and P and Z (Danielle Dobin)—certainly sets a great example for our children. We have a strong Board of Selectwomen with varied backgrounds. The town is in good hands!” Tell us a little about your family. “My husband, Dave (who also grew up in Westport), and I have three daughters: Tessa is a senior, Janna is a junior and Ella is a freshman. They all attend Staples. We also have two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Hazel and Wally, and two cats, Trixie and Jax.”
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Something about you that would surprise people: “I found out my father was Jewish after he passed away in 1996.”
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Candice Savin / third selectwoman GOALS FOR 2022: “First and foremost is seeing our community safely through the challenges of Covid, and I am dearly hoping 2022 is the last year when this challenge is at the top of the agenda. On a more optimistic note, I am looking forward to seeing positive changes in our downtown that embrace the Saugatuck River and continued investment in our school buildings.”
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “Our biggest long-term challenge is climatechange resiliency. Dealing with increased flooding and storm damage will require both public and private investment. The town government can take the lead by revising codes and regulations, educating citizens and businesses on best practices, and making strategic investments to harden our assets.”
WESTPORT FAVES Beautiful Spot: “Sherwood Mill Pond.” Leisure: “Dinner at Compo Beach with friends.” Culture: “Booked for the Evening at the Westport Library.” Hidden Gem: “Burying Hill Beach.” People Watching: “Granola Bar.”
Where are you from and how did you land in Westport? “I grew up in the Hartford area and always knew Westport as a beautiful and vibrant town. When the time came to move my growing family out of New York City, the choice was easy.” What inspired your civic engagement in the town initially and what continues to inspire you? “As soon as we moved to town in 2002, I jumped into community activism with both feet. I have served as co-chair of Westport Library’s Booked for the Evening fundraiser for over a decade, served on the boards of The Conservative Synagogue and Hadassah, and held various PTA roles. In 2016 I joined the BOE and served as its chair from 2019 to 2021, and that really took things up a notch. Through each of these experiences I became more invested in the welfare of our community. And I’ve met so many inspiring Westporters along the way who are also hard at work making a difference for this community.” What is your educational and professional background and how have your career experiences helped you in your roles in our town? “I am a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Duke University School of Law. I began my career as a criminal prosecutor in the city and that is where my interest in public service really began. When my children were young, I was a full-time stay-at-home mom for six years. In 2005 I started my own law practice here in town and I have been a practicing real estate attorney ever since. My professional experiences with legal analysis, public speaking, entrepreneurship and understanding the drivers of our local real estate market have all prepared me well to be a part of the town’s leadership team.” It’s a historic moment, with three selectwomen in office. What does this mean to you and our town? “For me, the best part about women leaders in Westport is the example it sets for our children. And this moment is not just about three selectwomen; we currently have women chairs of the Board of Education, the Board of Finance and the Planning and Zoning Board. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the town’s leadership.” Tell us a little about your family. “My husband, Dan Gross, is a journalist, and we have two children, Aliza and Ethan, both of whom went through the Westport schools K to 12. Ethan is a college sophomore and Aliza is a second-year medical student. As a family we love to cook, travel and play Bananagrams.” Something about you that would surprise people? “I’m a good skier, and I am a little bit obsessed with pop culture.”
westportmag.com
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top row: Sweet P Bakery’s blueberry muffins are served daily at The Porch at Christies • Andrea and Bill Pecoriello’s volunteer work helped them identify a need for meaningful work for disabled adults. • Promoting the positive bottom row: Graduates of the baking course • Pop tarts at The Porch • Décor sets the vibe
SO GOOD!
W
hen you buy a blueberry muffin, a strawberry pop tart or colossal cookie at The Porch at Christie’s (theporchatchristies.com), you’re doing more than eating a delicious, sweet treat, you’re helping make people’s lives better. The pastries are baked by the first five graduates of Sweet P’s baking program for disabled adults. Sweet P is the nonprofit arm of The Porch at Christie’s, the restaurant that opened at 161 Cross Highway in May 2021. Andrea and Bill Pecoriello, Westporters of long standing, got the idea when they noticed how few services there are to teach employable skills to developmentally challenged adults. They and their two
professional pastry chefs, Terri Cahn and Mary O’Brien, developed a two-part, ten-week, hands-on course on baking foundations and producing Sweet P’s signature baked goods. The positive benefits flow both ways. For the newly minted bakers, a sense of confidence, independence and pride. “One young man works for us just three hours a week. His dad said, just those three hours made his confidence soar,” says Andrea. For the community, local families, and Bedford Middle School students who flock to The Porch in the afternoons, interactions with servers with disabilities, show that “differences don’t matter,” as well as examples
of shining positive attitudes. “Sometimes the world is not the nicest place, but when you step up on The Porch, you’re welcome, included and equal,” says Andrea. “It’s beyond our wildest dreams, the number of people who tell us they’ve been touched by Sweet P and The Porch.” There has been so much interest in the classes that “the waiting list could fill the program four times over,” she says. Having developed a replicable model and production system based on a color-coded kitchen, adaptable to individual skills, the Pecoriellos are looking at expanding the program. Check the website (sweetpbakery.org) for the latest updates and events.
CONTRIBUTED
SWEET P BAKERY CREATES SWEET OPPORTUNITIES b y e l i z a b e t h k e y s e r
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contemplate a
LUXURIOUS NEW LOOK E XPLORE A WORLD OF E XCEPTIONALLY CR AF TED FURNITURE THAT YOU CAN PERSONALIZE IN THE FABRIC S, LE ATHERS, AND FINISHES OF YOUR CHOICE .
BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN APPOINTMENT TODAY WESTPORT
627-629 POST ROAD EAST 203.221.3134 ©2022 Ethan Allen Global, Inc.
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buzz
Home Base
Friends team up to open THE POST by eleanor vail
T
above: Two of the owners, Laura and Deb
top, left: The Post provides design services, including for custom work, and inspirational vignettes all others: The selection changes seasonally but always brings a fresh, upscale look to the individual pieces and how they work together.
CONTRIBUTED
he Post, a local design store, is built upon decades of friendship. Co-owner Deb Placey brings a city vibe, calling on her years of traveling from Westport to New York, with the modern home décor. Co-owners Laura Wilson and Laurie Baur contribute a country-and-coast combo via Missouri. The story begins in St. Louis, where Placey and Wilson became childhood friends. Then in college, Placey met Baur through her dorm placement. Placey kept in contact with these friends throughout her twenty-seven-year-long career as a sportscaster, a year as a stay-at-home mom and two years as the co-president of the charity Pink Aid. After helping to renovate the Fairfield County Hunt Club and helping friends and family with design work, she decided to commit to the work full time. Meanwhile, Wilson was in St. Louis running her own design store, still thriving after ten years. During one visit, Placey and Wilson hatched the plan to bring the store to Westport but with a new angle. “We were like, we want to do this, let’s do this together. Done. Doing it,” says Placey. Placey handles customers; Wilson manages retail, inventory and pricing; and Baur contributes interior design experience. “All three of us bring different things,” says Placey. “It’s really been a good working relationship.” Baur and Wilson fly in and Placey runs the Westport location and makes the everyday decisions. They have daily check-ins and agree 99 percent of the time. When they don’t agree, negotiation comes easily. “We’ve been friends for forty years. Everyone’s like, ‘Yeah, good luck, wink, wink,’ thinking being in business with someone will be hard, but it’s just been fabulous,” Placey says. The proof is in The Post’s ability to attract customers and let them “meander at their leisure,” says Placey. “If they want to just browse, we’re happy to just let them breathe— let their cares go away for a half an hour.” The store soothes the edges with comfy blankets, lighting, mirrors, candles, wall art and more. It’s the kind of place that has something for everybody and it feels like home.
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T:9"
BETTER MOVEMENT. BETTER LOCATIONS. Hospital for Special Surgery and Stamford Health bring the world’s finest orthopedics closer to you. In Stamford, Hamden, and now Wilton, expert care is around the corner. To learn more about our in-person and virtual appointment options, visit HSS.edu/StamfordHealth
Most major insurance plans accepted.
1 Blachley Rd. Stamford, CT 06902
12_23_WPT_FOB_BUZZ_MAR_APR 2022.indd 23
2080 Whitney Ave., Suite 280 Hamden, CT 06518
195 Danbury Rd., Suite 200 Wilton, CT 06897
2/11/22 10:59 AM
shop produced by janel alex ander
TRENDS
Spring is about bold post-pandemic trends—size, color and texture you will want to start dreaming about now.
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Connecticut 203.353.8000 MSC 2022 9x10.875.Orange.indd 1 24_31_WPT_SHOP_March/April-NEW.indd 25
marciaselden.com
New York 212.921.4100 11/27/21 2/9/22 9:24 4:47 AM PM
shop
NILI LOTA N
TIBI WARDRO BE NYC Double Breasted Blazer, $995, wardrobenyc.com
L'AGE NCE
BIG
Jayda Jacket, $595, Westport, tinadragone.com
From double-breasted to belted and longer lengths—this is a trend we are ready to get behind in a “big” way
NI L I LOTAN Valerie Jacket Mustard (also in black), $1,250, Greenwich, saks.com
M ADEWE L L Dorset Blazer $175, White Plains, The Westchester, madewell.com
Curbside Ankle Jean, $238, Greenwich, Westport, intermix.com
Your basic denim will get a refresh with all the new shapes surfacing. Dip your toe in with a straight shape, rigid denim or take this season’s balloon shape for a ride.
AN I N E BI NG Sonja jean, $229, aninebing.com
AG OL DE Cherie Rigid High Rise Straight Leg Jean, $190, modaoperandi.com
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
M OTH E R
WEAR IT WITH
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Cameron Carpenter
Friday, March 11, 2022 • 7 p.m.
David Brooks
Frédérick Gravel
Democracy: Choices and Challenges
This Duet That We’ve Already Done (so many times)
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 • 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 7 – Saturday, April 9 , 2022 • 7 p.m.
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shop
ANTHROPOLGIE
Tassels and strings are the latest evolution from last year’s crochet craze. Fringe crosses the personal style profile giving Western, BOHO and rock ‘n’ roll vibes.
ON THE
NET-A-PORTER/ BOTTEGA VENETA
CHLOE
NE K E I A Brass and Leather Chandelier, $4,925, ngalatrading.com
Z I M M E RM ANN Postcard Shell Fringe Skirt, $1,450, zimmermann.com
L AM ARQUE
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
Leather Fringe Jacket, $495, Greenwich, saks.com
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shop WEAR IT WITH
BOT TEGA V E NE TA
Lean into the trend and layer on swinging accessories.
Fringe Pouch Bag, $1,495, Greenwich, therealreal.com
P I NKO Tweed Fringed Edge Dress, $394, farfetch.com
JO H ANNA O RT I Z Fringe Cotton Blend Midi Dress, $1,450, modaoperandi.com
CH RI STO P H E R K ANE Crystal Chain Tee, $395, Norwalk, White Plaines, bloomingales.com
A . E M E RY
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
Tuli Sandals, $180, kirnazabette.com
JIM M Y CH O O Suede Mules with Crystal Chains, $3,125, jimmychoo.com
MARCH/ APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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ALTUZARRA
CHLOE
SUNNY
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
Bright, third-rock-from-the-sun colors were rocking the spring runway. From Altuzarra tie-dye reds to Chloe tangerine and golden yellows, warm colors are perfect for a post-pandemic boost to keep us feeling vibrant and happy!
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shop T H E E L DE R STAT ES M AN Stripe Italian Smoking Jacket, $1,955, Westport, shop.mitchellstores .com
UL L A JO H NSO N Cut Out One Piece, $315, modaoperandi.com
EST E L L E
Coral Colored Stemware, $175, Greenwich, hoaglands.com
L AP I M A Lisa Red Solid Sunglasses, $493, us.lapima.com
T I BI Sporty Nylon Asymmetrical Balloon Skirt, $475, tibi.com
A.L .C. Blakely Dress, $495, Rye, New York, angelasedit.com
M O RAN M ART I N
Melinda Charm, $575, martinejewelry.com
ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS
WEAR IT WITH
SAB LY N Miranda Silk Midi Skirt, $450 Greenwich/ Westport, intermix.com
Pair sunny colors with their neighbors across the color wheel. They will ground the deep saturation by offering a cool contrast.
UL L A JO H NSO N Plisse Satin Peplum Top, $395, Greenwich, Westport intermix.com
BOT T EGA VE NE TA
T HEORY Shaped Cardigan Navy, $395, Greenwich/ Westport, theory.com
V INCE Hand Crochet Grid Cardigan, $695, Greenwich/ Westport, vince.com
MARCH/ APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
Leather Envelope Bag, $3,500, Greenwich Saks, saksfifthavenue.com
CH LO E Leather Slide Sandal, $795, Norwalk, White Plains, nordstrom.com
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do above: Designer Christopher Maya designed the new space. right, top: Owners Elie and Danielle right, below: The light-filled salon
Head Turner
BOUTIQUE SALON brings a NYC STYLE to Southport relaxed and inspired to feel and look your best. It’s a place where people unwind and enjoy their time away from the daily grind and leave with amazing hair.” A full salon, it offers cuts, color, treatments and more, and, says Danielle, “I would say the biggest feature is the talent of our staff. We all came from the city, so, naturally, we bring a completely new way of doing hair to Connecticut.” As for what local clients are asking for, she adds, “Everyone, at least in Connecticut, is asking for a more updated look, and I would say what almost all of our clients want is attention to detail specifically to them and a quality service.” Opening a salon and attracting talent is a roll-up-your-sleeves challenge in the best of times. During a pandemic, it seems it would be even more work. Yet the owners see it differently. “We are so blessed to have created a
business where people can go and speak with one another and give people joy throughout this crazy time. And no matter what is going on in the world, self-care still is, and always will be, a priority,” says Danielle. See more on Instagram @scamorosalon.com.
FAVORITE PRODUCTS FOR LATE WINTER/EARLY SPRING SKIN We carry Skin Nectar by Bio Alchemy Olfactive, a must for these winter months. HAIR The Christophe Robin color shield shampoo/conditioner combo is a favorite—as well as the David Mallet color mask.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID GALLO
C
ome March, it’s time to think about a change for spring or just a bit of luxury at the tail end of a bitter winter. So it was welcome news to hear that CAMORO SALON opened in Southport, right next to the Delamar. Husband-and-wife co-owners Danielle and Elie come to the business with big city experience, Danielle spent twelve years with Marie Robinson in New York City and Fekkai, where she met Elie (who worked with Frederic Fekkai for twenty years, including at Fashion Week). Together, they bring this experience and a bit more of NYC to the new venture in Fairfield, their adopted home since 2018. “Our decorator, Christopher Maya, is the talent behind the gorgeous space,” says Danielle about the chic and welcoming salon, which is attracting a steady booking of clients from the city and Fairfield County. “It’s a place to feel
by diane sem brot
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do by liz ba rron
Is pain, especially with age, normal?
Overall, no, but there are different types of pain. Exercise-induced soreness is normal, but true pain that comes from an injury to a joint or tissue is not normal. In addition to injuries, pain is common among aging athletes and from degenerative joints and tendons, but it still isn’t normal and should be addressed. How can someone decipher between occasional stiffness in muscles and joints and problematic pain?
KNOWING WHEN IT’S TIME TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR ACHES, PAINS AND INJURIES ISN’T ALWAYS AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS WE WOULD LIKE. HERE’S HOW TO KNOW IT’S TIME TO SEE A DOCTOR.
U
nderstanding what can be treated at home and what needs medical attention is key in keeping our bodies healthy and active. We checked in with Dr. Nicholas Sgrignoli, assistant
attending physician in Primary Sports Medicine at Hospital for Special
How does someone who is injured know when it’s time to see a doctor?
Loss of strength, function or the inability to put weight on joints means you want to see a doctor right away. Any injury with symptoms and pain that is getting worse after a few days you would also want to have looked at. A muscle strain can take two to four weeks to heal, but after a few days, the pain should dissipate and your function should significantly improve. Overall, if the injury is limiting your activity or daily functions, it’s a good idea to have it checked out.
Surgery in Stamford to learn more about what to look for and how to
What are the signs that an injury may be a
know when it’s time to call someone like him. Primary sports medicine
break? Is bruising/swelling indicative of the
physicians are trained in primary care medicine with a specialty in nonoperative sports medicine. They help patients with injury diagnosis, rehab, pain management and with safely returning to sports and leisure activities while closely monitoring medical conditions.
severity of the injury or not necessarily?
Swelling and bruising are extremely common for breaks, with that said, there isn’t always a telling correlation. You could have a break with little bruising or a significant amount of swelling with no break. There are two types
UNSPLASH
Game On
With age, we find that muscles and joints become stiffer and lose elasticity in tendons which can lead to higher injury rates. I usually tell people that normal stiffness lasts for no longer than 10-15 minutes and goes away once they have loosened up. Persistent stiffness, that lasts for more than an hour in the morning, is more of a concern because it can be correlated to an inflammatory issue. Swelling, redness or warmth of the joints are all also things to look out for that may be signs of a problem.
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HOW CAN WE PROACTIVELY AVOID INJURIES?
No. 1 WARM UP
Try to loosen up joints and muscles and break a small sweat before getting into a highintensity phase. Spend at least 15 minutes trying to utilize the muscle groups that you’ll be using during the faster paced portion of your workout.
No. 2 TAKE TIME FOR RECOVERY A lot of type-A athletes and highintensity recreational trainers don’t think about recovery. Taking at least one day off a week is beneficial for adults, and taking at least two days off a week is helpful for younger athletes. Ensuring that you are getting proper sleep, nutrition and hydration is also key.
No. 3 GO SLOW
Start new activities slowly and have recovery days in between to assess how your body is responding to new activity. Don’t go from doing nothing to trying to run three to four miles. If you haven't run consistently, start with a walk or jogging training program.
No. 4
DON’T PUSH THROUGH PAIN
Many athletes are familiar with pain and used to playing through it, but it will only make injuries worse.
No. 5
UNSPLASH
INCORPORATE VARIETY INTO EXERCISE
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With a mix of cardio, strength and balance exercises, you will be less likely to encounter overuse injuries. Try alternating your workouts throughout the week.
“Loss of strength, function or the inability to put weight on joints means you want to see a doctor right away.” –DR. NICHOLAS SGRIGNOLI
of fractures: acute, which is sudden and typically occurs from a fall or sudden episode and stress, which is from overuse and repetitive motions like running or jumping. Acute fractures happen quickly, as opposed to stress fractures which get worse over days to weeks. With any injury, if pain is worsening and there is swelling or loss of function or pain during an activity, it’s time to see a doctor. What common injuries are you seeing lately? What activities are causing them?
People have continued to be very active with racquet sports throughout Covid. Activities like paddle and pickleball can bring patients in with tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. We are also seeing a lot of plantar fasciitis from people that are working from home and spending most of the day walking around the house barefoot. Does stretching before and after exercising really matter?
There is actually no consistent research to show that stretching helps prevent injuries. With that said, a dynamic warm-up is definitely beneficial and important. You are much more likely to get hurt by jumping right into a sport with a cold, tight muscle. Any amount of stretching is most effective when your muscles are warm. So for a soccer player, doing lunges to activate muscles and work on lengthening as a warm up is better than just sitting down and doing a V-stretch. For those with tight muscles and asymmetric flexibility, stretching at the end of a sporting event would be best. One thing to note is that stretching should never be painful. You should feel the muscle, but it shouldn’t hurt. I also don’t recommend bouncing, rather a slow controlled movement to release muscle tension.
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WELL READ
WITH WARMER WEATHER JUST AROUND THE CORNER, SPRING INTO SPRING WITH THESE 10 STANDOUT NOVELS FROM FICTION’S LEADING LADIES. YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!
THE GOLDEN COUPLE BY GREER HENDRICKS AND SARAH PEKKANEN
THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED BY LISA JEWELL
From the No. 1 New York Times bestselling authors of You Are Not Alone, An Anonymous Girl and The Wife Between Us comes this transfixing novel about eccentric and provocative therapist Avery Chambers, who says if she can’t resolve your issues in ten sessions, she won’t work with you. Maybe that’s why her controversial methods are so successful and almost preoccupying enough to fill the void she feels since her husband’s death. But when golden couple Marissa and Mathew Bishop seek Avery’s counsel after Marissa cheats on her husband, things do not go as planned, and nothing good can come of it.
In this electrifying story of psychological suspense from the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of Then She Was Gone, one enchanting summer night in suburban England, a young couple vanishes after attending a party at the vast estate of a new college friend, leaving their baby behind with his grandmother, who’s desperate to find them. Fast-forward a year, when a writer moves into a cottage near the same estate (known as the Dark Place) and uncovers a cryptic note that reads, “DIG HERE.” This one will have you flipping the pages at warp speed.
THE LIZ TAYLOR RING BY BRENDA JANOWITZ
SECRETS OF OUR HOUSE BY REA FREY
SOMEBODY’S HOME BY KAIRA ROUDA
It’s the late 1970s and Lizzie Morgan and Ritchie Schneider are madly in love, as they experience Long Island’s breathtaking beaches and luxurious yachts. But, like any relationship, theirs is not perfect, and they end up taking a nine-month break that concludes with the gift of a magnificent elevencarat ring—strikingly similar to the diamond Richard Burton bestowed on Liz Taylor following their own hiatus. The ring was a representation of the Schneiders’ enduring commitment…until it wasn’t. When it suddenly reappears decades later, the Schneiders’ three children are desperate to get their hands on it, but the path to determining the heirloom’s destiny is punctured with old grievances and plenty of anguish, especially when a secret is unearthed that makes them question everything.
Desi’s dream getaway home, nuzzled in the mountains of North Carolina, is sleek, lavish and alive with obscure secrets about the man she desires, whom she knew long ago before purging him from her life altogether. The man is definitely not her husband. When Desi arrives from Chicago with her family to the spend the summer there, even more secrets threaten to emerge and she’s forced to cope with a marriage in jeopardy, her seventeenyear-old daughter’s first love and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. As this rousing domestic drama unfolds, and the fear of a future in peril intensifies, Desi comes to realize that the bonds of family can withstand even the most powerful current.
On the heels of her last novel, The Next Wife, USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda delivers a stirring suspense novel about what should be a peaceful neighborhood, a charming home and an encouraging fresh start. But, when Julie Jones leaves her stifling marriage and, along with her teenage daughter, seeks a new beginning in Oceanside, California, they’re confronted with a big problem. The former owners have left their son Tom behind, and, even though Julie believes he’ll vacate in three days, Tom’s plan is that he’s never going to leave. There’s one thing you can be sure of…before the weekend is over, someone will get their comeuppance.
CONTRIBUTED
by emily liebert
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do
THE MAGNOLIA PALACE BY FIONA DAVIS
THE TOBACCO WIVES BY ADELE MYERS
HOME OR AWAY BY KATHLEEN WEST
WOMAN ON FIRE BY LISA BARR
ONE ITALIAN SUMMER BY REBECCA SERLE
New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis is back with an enticing novel about twenty-one-year-old Lillian Carter, whose mother passed away eight months earlier during the Spanish flu outbreak of 1919, leaving Lillian’s life in shambles. For years prior, she was a coveted artists’ model in New York City, but lately her work has withered and an impending scandal has rendered her without a safety net. When she takes up employment as a private secretary to the arrogant and severe Helen Frick at the Frick mansion, Lillian becomes entangled with the family’s drama and finds herself ensnared in a web of amorous rendezvous and pilfered jewels, the risks of which are a matter of life or death. Fifty years later, English model Veronica Weber has her own opportunity to earn money for her family within the former Frick residence-turnedmuseum. When Veronica and her burgeoning art curator colleague Joshua come upon hidden messages in the museum, they’re lead on a quest to resolve Veronica’s financial troubles, which could also expose the truth behind a decades-old murder.
Set in the 1940s, this lively historical debut about the hazards of big tobacco, follows budding seamstress Maddie Sykes. She arrives in Bright Leaf, North Carolina—a vibrant and flourishing nirvana— where her aunt has a prosperous sewing business with a dazzling clientele, the wives of influential tobacco leaders. Before long, Maddie realizes that her new neighborhood isn’t exactly as idyllic as it first appeared and that bad luck seems to plague many of the women, as do considerable health concerns. Coincidence? Not so much, according to Maddie’s discoveries. She knows that blowing the whistle on big tobacco is the right thing to do, but how can she when it’s the key to everyone’s survival, and she doesn’t know whom to trust?
There was a time when Leigh and Susy were dear friends and teammates in line to win an Olympic gold medal in hockey. However, when Leigh’s design for the final roster boomeranged, she abandoned her dream, which included the very person privy to her secret. Twenty years later, Leigh’s life is on the right track— she’s found success in both the personal and professional arenas and is mom to a hockey prodigy. Then a career opportunity takes her family back to Minnesota and the cutthroat world she escaped. It also lands her in Susy’s circle again, a constant reminder of her once-teammate’s Olympic grandeur. Tension aside, Susy wants Leigh to accompany her in the coaches’ box, while Leigh feels that maintaining a safe distance is the only way to conceal her history with Jeff, her former coach. But then suggestions of favors in trade for her son’s ice time surface and Leigh faces the predicament of whether to admit what happened at the liability of her marriage or play Jeff’s game. She may just have to rely on Susy after all.
A determined journalist… an international art scandal focused on a Nazi-looted masterpiece… secrets, greed, sacrifice and love. These are just a handful of the ingredients in this triumphant novel from Lisa Barr, author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables. After landing a job with Chicago’s top investigative reporter, Dan Mansfield, Jules Roth is tasked with an assignment that’s both odd and clandestine, which is to unearth the most celebrated painting of renowned Expressionist artist Ernst Engel, Woman on Fire, stolen by the Nazis seventy-five years ago. Why? Because legendary shoe designer Ellis Baum is dying and he’s intent on possessing the portrait immediately. In the meantime, Margaux de Laurent, an art heiress and gallerist in Europe— who always gets what she wants—is also looking for the painting. Her only obstacle is Jules, who has Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson, on her side— and he’s all too aware of how merciless Margaux can be. May the best woman win.
If you loved Rebecca Serle’s New York Times bestseller In Five Years (it’s a must-read), you’ll consume this poignant and memorable tale about the enduring attachment of a mother and daughter. After Katy’s mom and best friend Carol dies, not only is she distraught, but she also has to embark alone on the trip of a lifetime they had planned—two weeks on the Amalfi Coast, in Positano, where Carol spent the summer before meeting Katy’s father. However, once Katy arrives, she instantly senses her mother’s essence. That, along with the picturesque scenery and culinary delights, buoys her spirit. Then, out of nowhere, a thirtyyear-old Carol appears— alive and well—and Katy is deeply confused. They spend the summer together, as Katy comes to know a Carol who’s not the mother she remembers. This divine novel is about recovering from loss and how those who are closest to us will always be present.
MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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home by diane sembrot
SPRING RENEWAL DANISH MODERN, W I T H I T S F O C U S ON HIGH QUALITY AND SIMPLE DESIGN, ALSO HAS TRIUMPHANT LONGEVITY phot o gr aphy by neil l andino
left: Danish cabinets with shelves; a Warren Platner vintage coffee table for Knoll in front of a Borge Mogensen midcentury leather sofa; and a mid-century Swedish vases by Arthur Percy for Gullskruf. above: 1970s leather and chrome Safari chairs by Karen Mobring; 1960s chrome-and-wood column clock; and Austrian brass pin wall art
I
n a world gone chaotic, our homes have become the reliable gentle hug at the end of the day. While that comfort comes through in different styles, from ultra-clean contemporary polish to the exuberant color, pattern and texture interplay of maximalism, one style vies for the top spot: Scandinavian.
work with a variety of makers and craftsmen and bring a fresh approach to everything they do. People have noticed. They’re doing well, even expanding the local shop (they have another location in Nantucket) to two to-thetrade buildings across from the Saugatuck railroad station. They even renovated space to suit their style and showcase their treasures in vignettes and ever-changing arrangements in the boutique. On a recent visit, they mention that Danish Modern in particular has found a foothold. “It refers to furniture design from the period of Danish design masters of the late 1940s to the early 1970s,” says Rhonda. “Today, when we refer to it, we are referencing a design perspective that is as much about great design as it is about lifestyle and sustainability.” This perspective, applied to furniture and furnishings, is
To uncover the wide appeal of this home-design hero, we turned to Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems, the Nordic-style experts behind Westport’s ELEISH VAN BREEMS (evbantiques.com), a home furnishing and design company and retail store that specializes in antique, vintage and contemporary Nordic style. They
notable for its minimal ease, which is to say, it pairs form and function without fussy embellishment. It indulges in the essentials, being practical and pleasing. It appeals to the calmness found in organization. Think wood, curves, natural colors, soft textiles and leather. “Danish Modern speaks to how we aspire to live,” says Rhonda. “There is a focus on healthy living; design that supports the family. It is about less is more, with clutter and extraneous items being a thing of the past. It speaks to a wide range of people because people want a simpler life—one with less complication.” It also champions craftsmanship, which squares with Rhonda’s take: “Clients are gravitating to quality. They are spending more money on fewer items. There is a return to understanding that quality and good design hold their value over the long haul.”
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home below: Handblocked Scandinavian linen pillow in blue and white, photograph of Iceland by Matt Wood and a Niels Bach rosewood coffee table in the showroom
above and below: A Danish Credenza always makes an inviting bar and elegant storage space.
This living room in Greenwich, designed by Rhonda Eleish, is an example of how the pure, clean lines of Scandinavian modernism can work seamlessly with art from any period and create a soothing backdrop for living.
SPRING TRENDS Shoppers can get a feel for Danish Modern by shopping the store, but Eleish van Breems also works directly with professional designers. Here are Rhonda’s picks for what’s hot now: SOPHISTICATED STYLE Comfortable, highdesign furniture and accessories. SPACE AND FLOW Ways to extend exterior spaces, especially where indoor and outdoor have a dialogue. PRACTICAL VERSATILITY Flexible spaces that can be used for a variety of purposes—for example, a formal dining room that doubles as a workfrom-home area. PERFORMANCE FABRIC People are living more in their spaces, so they want fabrics that keep up with that. AUTHENTIC ANTIQUES They are looking for patina and the soul that antiques add to interiors. They are also returning to investment buying for antiques.
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MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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home left: The kitchen has a custom built-in banquette, custom leather/wipeable seating and soothing combination of simple millwork and natural materials. below: A walk-in pantry with labeled canisters, glass doors and a coffee station help keep things accessible and functional.
Our Home Designers at Lake + Hill transform this FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOUSE in Wilton
phot o gr aphy by willie c ole
A
home in a quiet corner of town. Adorable kids. A couple of dogs. It was suburban gold. But for new homeowner Ariana Villalta, it was, somehow, dull. “Here’s our deal. We moved in 2019, a family of seven to this vanilla house in Wilton. It sits on three acres and met all our needs, including a wonderful location, pool and great schools,” she says. “But it was very boring. I have a young family with four kids and two golden retriever puppies and a whole lot of chaos. We wanted to make the home inviting, calming, kid-friendly and joyful.” It needed a change, and she was the one to make it. Born in Brooklyn, Ariana has degrees in fashion and business and worked in handbag, furniture and advertising design. In 2005 she moved to Asia to work for a furniture designer. “I fell in love with the industry, products and ability to help others create a home they loved,” says Ariana, now co-owner with Ali Vanderpool of Lake + Hill Interiors. Ali claimed her calling in 2007 when she renovated her New York City condo. She learned so much from the experience that she decided to attend a degree program at New York School of Interior Design. “I knew it would be my lifelong career,” she says. Read on to discover how Ariana and Ali transformed that bland home into a spectacular wonderland.
The family room and kitchen share a line of visibility and good flow yet are distinct spaces.
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What went into the project? “Our goal was a global, modern approach that incorporated warm tones and tons of texture for a cozy, livable environment. Our style is a mix of West Coast casual and practical. The house was updated, so no contractor or architect was needed. Covid hit and we never left, but our vision of a superwarm and inviting space solidified. We kept the palette neutral, the materials natural and the furniture approachable and clean lined. We worked with our team of design professionals that included local wallpaper installers, electricians, painters and so forth, but did no major renovation work. Every room of the house is now redesigned to meet our needs and includes a cozy family room, shared kids’ bedrooms and bathrooms, informal dining space, sunroom, in-law suite, primary suite, living room and mudroom.” How did this project come about? “Our family grew from a family of three to a family of seven and outgrew our first home. We looked for several months for the right fit and walked into this one and immediately knew we had found our new home. We also fell in love with the backyard, which includes a pool and almost three acres of cleared land for our kids and puppies to run around on.” Favorite parts of the finished project? “We love the reading nook we added to our family room with shiplap and drawers for games. We also love our bonus sunroom because of how much natural light it receives and the year-round ability to experience indoor/outdoor living. And my living room—it has beautiful peaceful sunsets, comfortable deep couches and the perfect balance of warmth and beauty.”
above: The Phillip Jeffries grasscloth on the walls adds dimension and warmth. Layered rugs and multiple seating areas set the space for enjoying games, TV and reading together. below: The Lake + Hill designed nook—with Schumacher cushions in performance fabric and original artwork by Brooks Anderson— balances the weight of the TV in the room. MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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home What did you first think when you saw the house? “We needed to have it immediately. We thought the house felt warm, family-friendly and had a great first floor layout conducive to entertaining and everyday living. Not too small or too big. The house was simple but provided us with a blank slate to infuse our personal taste. There was a finished in-law suite that met the needs of my father who was coming to live with us.”
right: The dining room's round table and cozy chairs keep things comfortable in an otherwise formal space. The Rug Collective washable rugs are easy-care yet high design. A CB2 Bubble chandelier completes the vibe. below: Wallpaper with tones of blue and modern art help the living room feel cohesive.
What did you learn? “That our home will never be complete! We are constantly finding beautiful things to add and collect. Being that we are such a large family, our needs are always changing and our home has to be adaptive. Also, nothing will ever be perfect and that’s OK!” Where did you discover favorite finds? “Etsy for beautiful custom lighting and rugs, Philip Jeffries and Minks to Sinks flea market for antique finds, CB2 to infuse some modern fun, the rug collective for washable rugs because of the sheer amount of dirt and performance fabric from Schumacher and Kravet for custom pillows and seats.”
below, left: An adult escape, the living room's minimal furniture is paired with high texture and performance fabric on the deep-seat couches. right and below: This bonus room brings in the outdoors. The doors open to the backyard and sunsets.
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above: The middle daughter's room has a bit of the whimsical and neutral throughout. Custom Indian blankets, Anthropologie wallpaper and linen bedding create a layered and feminine space.
How to Start Your Next Project above: The youngest daughter and son share a gender-neutral, unfussy room. Daybeds and neutral colors make the space adaptable.
below: The oldest daughter, a tween, choose Phillip Jeffries vinyl grasscloth. The RH chandelier, PB Teen brass bed, Etsy art and layered French pillows and bedding add femininity.
No. 1 research and plan We like to bring in any relevant trades and collect as much information as possible from the start. Then we draw up floor plans, put together inspiration boards with images, colors, textures, finishes and materials. We like to do a deep dive with our clients on what their family lifestyle and needs are. Then comes the final initial step of cost analysis and breakdown before we begin formulating design direction.
No. 2 avoid the designer's pet peeves Primary colors. Mismatched floors. Shiny '90s brass. Boob lights. Clutter. Catty-corner furniture. Homes with no soul. Furniture that's not to scale. Shall we go on…?
above: This shared bathroom optimizes space with a custom mirror and various storage areas to hide products and clutter. "Bathrooms and bedrooms should be areas that are functional and zen," says the homeowner. MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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MAKE IT WORK
I N T E R I O R D E S I G N E R D I A NE KA RMEN ’ S H O M E F I T N E S S S T U D I O
phot o gr aphy by luv bajaj
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Diane Karmen
“In January 2020 I finally decided to upgrade my little laundry room area, which was in a small, dysfunctional closet at the top of the stairs. We moved and expanded it into an adjacent storage closet under the eaves of our small, 1940s Cape house,” she says. “The stuff I did not throw out ended up in my son’s former bedroom along with a lot of materials, like fabric and rug
hen not helping clients transform their homes into beautifully designed dream homes, Diane Karmen (dianekarmen.com/ homes/westport) is recharging her creativity by working out. But it was the shock of the pandemic that brought those workout sessions home. Her daydream plans for a small space evolved into a fitness studio.
samples, I use in my decorating business. The room was a disaster, but I put blinders on until I could figure out what to do with the accumulated junk.” Then the March 2020 lockdown happened. She and her husband both started working from home and “tried to carve out spaces for ourselves where we could each work and work out.” She cleared space in that cluttered bedroom,
PORTRAIT BY DEBBIE HAZAN
above: The designer found space by removing the ceiling, exposing the brick chimney and ditching a closet that stuck out into the middle of the room.
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“There has been a lot of tragedy and not many good things to come out of this pandemic. Having this space helps me get through these tough times.” —diane karmen, interior designer
the only place in the house where she could meditate and work out. Then, inspiration struck. “One day I was lying on a yoga mat staring at the ceiling and, as the pandemic dragged on, got motivated to make this into a dedicated workout and meditation space. We removed a makeshift closet that stuck out into the room, raised the ceiling to the roof joists to give more height—helpful for when I use my jump rope—and exposed a brick chimney hidden behind a wall that took up space unnecessarily. I painted everything, including the chimney, Benjamin Moore Super White and added track lighting. I stripped and bleached the old yellow pine floors and created the ‘art gallery’ space I pictured in my head. We eventually added a full complement of exercise equipment and left an open space area to workout, stretch or meditate.” Today, she says that bedroomturned-home-studio was a lifesaver, and she credits her friendship with her coach, Julie Migliaccio (in opening photo), owner of Evolution Sports and Fitness in Westport, for creating a personalized fitness program to be done at the gym or at home. “Once the pandemic hit and all the gyms shut down, I was able to continue my workouts,” says Diane, who is surprised by her own motivation. “I can work out whenever I want—I get first dibs over my husband—in a beautiful, inspiring space. We still love it and use it every day,” she says. “There has been a lot of tragedy and not many good things to come out of this pandemic. Having this space helps me get through these tough times.” CLOSER LOOK : To learn more about the laundry room project, check out Most Lovely Things blog by Annie Diamond: mostlovelythings.com/laundry-room -renovation-small-space/
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by diane sembrot
Timothy Oulton’s Westminster Button Jack’dN Brok’n Sofa
Vintage Rebel
above: The biggest changes was removing the ceiling, exposing the brick chimney, and removing a closet that stuck out in the middle of the room.
A new chapter for TIMOTHY OULTON on Main Street
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he story of Timothy Oulton, a British décor destination, begins in 1976. Tim Oulton’s father, Major Philip Oulton, opened an antiques shop in the UK. He was proud of his country, his military service and his store, and those influences became part of Tim’s signature style (along with a dash of rakishness, a leftover from boarding school). The blend reveals a taste for luxury, traditional techniques and authenticity. It shows up in his collection of stores, which is expanding globally, including in California, Florida and New York City. The furniture and accessories will be available at the brand’s first stand-alone gallery in Westport. Read on as the founder shares his vision.
above: Timothy Oulton's Whitecliff Sofa
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awards
the premier home design competition
You have to be in it to win it! Visit athomealistawards.com to learn more about getting on the 2022 A-List.
Enter beginning March 1st!
P L AT I N U M S P O N S O R
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GOLD SPONSORS
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home What is the world of Timothy Oulton? “Our core philosophy is based around giving people a great hosted experience. We’ve always been driven by this realization that we only have one life, so we should elevate every moment to the utmost. The stores, the furniture, our hospitality projects… everything is a vehicle for delivering a visceral experience. It’s got to move people in some way. We’re unique because we’re not purely a design company. It’s more than that. It’s about the craftsmanship, the materials, the story.” What is the aesthetic of the brand? “We use classic materials and traditional hand-finishing techniques, but with a modern twist—a slightly subversive energy. Everything is handcrafted using time-honored techniques and beautiful authentic materials. It always starts with the materials; we don’t even decide on the shape until we’ve got a material in our hands. We bring old timber from the UK, leathers from Brazil and Argentina, and stone, crystal and glass. We’ll look at the materials and ask, what can we try and do with this? The product isn’t for the fainthearted. It’s very strong visually, and that’s something we really focus on.” How has it evolved? “I think in the early days we were known for being quite a masculine brand, but that’s changed over the years. I’m really happy with how varied our aesthetic has become. We can do rugged and casual, we can do sleek and polished, and we can do our own take on modern glamour. Some of our lighting pieces are incredibly glamorous. I think the biggest evolution for us was introducing the Noble Souls collection a few years ago. It’s the first full sofa range made using 100 percent natural vegetable-dyed linens. It’s still epic but in a simple, calming way. I think it’s crucial to evolve as a designer. We are constantly looking to innovate in both our designs and the materials we use.”
“We use classic materials and traditional hand-finishing techniques, but with a modern twist.” —timothy oulton
Timothy Oulton’s Bay Swivel Chair and Shimmer Bar Cabinet
Your story is rooted in antiques. How is the brand compatible with current furniture and decor styles? “Vintage never dies. It has a story, and that’s what draws people to it. Vintage will always be a big influence for us, whether it’s in the design or the materials, but we put our own modern twist on it. I always talk about the Gyro Crystal—a rococo chandelier. Pretty as it is, it’s boring on its own, but whack it in a cage and it just becomes something else. I stand by the mantra, ‘Be Relevant or Be Dead.’ We borrow ideas from the past, but we make them our own.”
Timothy Oulton, founder and creative director
WHAT TO EXPECT
“Westporters should expect an immersive feast for the senses—our best-loved furniture, lighting, and home accessories showcased in a captivating setting. We want you to make yourself at home, relax on our chairs, touch everything, put your feet up on the couch. We can help you find that one statement piece or bring an entire room or house to life with the help of our 3D room-planning service. It’s somewhere you can come, have a glass of champagne, or a cup of tea in a beautiful vintage teacup, and enjoy the experience.”
Any favorite pieces? “It’s hard to pick a favorite. It’s a bit like asking who your favorite child is! I’ve always loved our Shabby sofa—it’s so effortlessly cool, and our new Gentle Shepherd sheepskin collection is just epic. We’re working on some other new designs, which will launch throughout the year so watch this space.”
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eat
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GONATION
Scan here for more great places to EAT & DRINK!
above: Sophisticated banquette seating, white linens, chandelier lighting and woodwork below: Roasted rack of lamb with potatoes, broccoli rabe and a cabernet reduction
Class Act
The Curtains Open at GABRIELE'S in Westport
G
et ready to plan your meal backwards at Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse—start by putting in an order for a dessert soufflé for the end of the evening. Are soufflés Italian? Not really, but they are luxurious, and Gabriele’s is all about upscale luxury. Gabriele’s, formerly of Greenwich, has reopened in Westport next to the Westport Country Playhouse. It has reconfigured and renovated the space, replacing the country feel of wood walls for millwork. The rooms are brighter and fancier, tables set with white linens before cozy banquettes and chandeliers overhead. A glass wall between the clubby, dark-wood bar and front dining room is great for people watching on both sides.
by eliz abeth keyser
The old Gabriele’s in Greenwich was hedge fund heaven, known for the expensive cars that pulled up to valet parking. The new Gabriele’s continues the affluent theme. On a recent evening, as guests of the restaurant, we sampled a parade of dishes. It was a Wednesday, and the restaurant was buzzing. A group of women gathered to celebrate a birthday at the big, carved wood table in the center of the room warmed by the new slate-surfaced fireplace. Gabriele’s menu features steak, seafood, pasta and desserts. That’s why you’ll want to plan your meal backward. Because you have to try the desserts. There’s a pastry chef in the kitchen updating the classics, baking, whipping and
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Spring Luncheon
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Abortion access is in crisis in the United States. Join our biggest event of the year to talk about abortion access, locally and nationally, and support sexual and reproductive health care services at Planned Parenthood. Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for those attending in-person.
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tossed with papparadelle, and the wide, tender noodles caught the rich, meaty sauce and melting Parmesan. Starters (remember, we’re working backward) include classic clams oreganata. Grilled octopus seemed lost on a fussy plate decorated with dots of aioli and chimichurri, along with potatoes, beans, chorizo, capers and charred lemon for squeezing over the octopus (the nicest touch on the plate). Salads are substantial and good for sharing. We passed on the classic iceberg, blue cheese and bacon salad for a more healthful and colorful beet salad with strawberries, pistachios and goat cheese croquette. At the end of the meal, after an espresso, the long-awaited moment arrived. The server placed the soufflé before us. It had been hard to choose. Chocolate? Pistachio? Grand Marnier? It seemed that the orange brandy flavor would end the meal on a cloud. The waiter poured a shot of Grand Marnier cream sauce into the center of the soufflé. Our spoons hovered.
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BOB CAPAZZO/MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE.
top, left: Gabriele’s signature Trenette Aragosta with lobster tail and truffle fonduta top, right: Pastry Chef Ruben Palma’s Napoleon with butter puff pastry, vanilla bean mousseline cream and caramelized almonds left: Dry-aged Tomahawk Bone-in Rib Eye below: Stately bar with a private nook bottom: “Passion for Chocolate” Valrhona chocolate mousse atop flourless chocolate cake and adorned with spun sugar
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GONATION
assembling ethereal Napoleons, whose flakey puff pastry crackles into layers of sweet whipped cream and caramelized toasted almonds. Cheese cake is draped in bourbon caramel sauce (with a hint of salt), scattered with toasted pecans and topped with a scoop of homemade gelato. Plates are decorated with caramelized sugar shapes that absolutely should be eaten, and quenelleshaped scoops of homemade gelato and sorbet. Steaks (including boneless and bone-in filet mignon and Tomahawk rib eye) are aged twenty-eight days, and the chef will fire it up anyway you want it. I recommend putting yourself in the hands of the chef for a pink, juicy medium rare. But if you want them to cook it medium, they will. If you’re splurging, you can add on a lobster tail to your steak, or have it Oscar style, with crab, asparagus and hollandaise. For us, a grilled porterhouse, with its combination of filet and strip, was enough. There’s a choice of four sauces, including classic peppercorn and a more contemporary truffle butter. For sides, we went for mascarpone mashed potatoes over the extra, extra large baked stuffed potato, which a friend says is the biggest baked potato she’s ever seen. Spinach gratin, baked in a cast-iron pan and topped with breadcrumbs, lacked a creaminess we associate with steakhouse spinach. Broccoli rabe, sautéed with garlic, is a better option if you’re trying to make a stab at something healthful. Main courses for seafood lovers include a thick filet of Chilean sea bass over seafood risotto with lobster, clams and mussels. For vegetarians, there’s a roasted cauliflower steak served with carrot-ginger purée, succotash and toasted pine nuts. Of the pastas, cavetelli with broccoli rabe and sausage, topped with a deepfried basil leaf, was our favorite. Bolognese was
2/9/22 5:06 PM
2022 G
RESTAURANT WEEK RUNS MARCH 29-APRIL 3 7TH ANNUAL
RESTAURANT WEEK Get Your Ticket to the Hottest Foodie Event in Town…
Sample tasty light bites. Sip creative cocktails. Mingle with top Greenwich chefs.
OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Wednesday, March 29 • 6 - 9 p.m. • $75/Ticket
Hotel | Restaurant | Spa |Coffee Bar
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Visit GreenwichRestaurantWeek.com or scan here to purchase tickets and view a list of participating restaurants.
BOB CAPAZZO/MOFFLY MEDIA’S BIG PICTURE.
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greenwichrestaurantweek
To become a particpating restaurant or sponsor the opening night party, contact Andy Amill at andrew.amill@moffly.com
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2022 Greenwich Restaurant Week Ad copy[86].indd 2
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“brave, breathtaking … a feel-everything musical …” THE NEW YOR K TIMES
MEET THE LEGENDARY WESTPORTPLAYHOUSE.ORG | 203 227 4177 DON JUAN AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE.
tickets on sale maRch 1!
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people&PLACES by alison nichols gr ay
Scan the code for more PARTY PHOTOS in our gallery!
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TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION OF GREENWICH / Bistro V
Cheers to Community
PHOTOGRAPHS BY BOB CAPAZZO
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he inaugural Bistro V bar takeover was hosted by local real estate agent and Transportation Association of Greenwich (TAG) board member Jen Danzi. One hundred percent of the proceeds of the special Celebrating Greenwich cocktail, as well as generous tips from happy-hour partygoers, was donated to the TAG organization. Follow @BistroVersailles on Instagram for updates on upcoming bar takeover events. ridetag.org; versaillesgreenwich.com »
1 Live music is always a good idea. 2 Shahryar Oveissi, Giovanna Miller 3 Marc Penvenne, Tom Torelli 4 Tips for TAG 5 Withley Verdiner, Ajcharaporn Bellas, Carmen Chalonec, Brian Hawkins 6 Grace Aslanian, Kimberly Treibick, Jen Danzi, Ali Gray, Emily Martin 7 Rosé all day 8 Jen Danzi behind the bar MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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WINE STORAGE COMING WINTER 2022
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PHOTOGRAPHS 1 & 5 BY BOB CAPAZZO, PHOTOGRAPHS 2, 3 & 4 BY DENICE DUTRA-LAVERIS
Our secure temperature control facility will provide private spaces for any size collection Visit our website for more details DR. KATIE TAKAYASU / Splurge
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The Power of Plants
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r. Katie Takayasu, a Stamford Health Integrative Medicine physician, recently introduced her new book, Plants First: A Physician’s Guide to Wellness Through a Plant-Forward Diet, at a sip-and-shop event at Splurge in Greenwich. Guests had the chance to meet her, hear her speak about the benefits of a plant-forward lifestyle and sample some delicious light bites featured in Plants First. Dr. Katie built drkatie.com to share her passion for lifestyle balance and cooking. Through her detox programs and Wellness Insights practice she helps patients recognize their ability to find balance in the mind, body and spirit. Sign. Us. Up. drkatie.com »
Visit us at Hollowtreestorage.com 203.655.2018 131 Hollow Tree Ridge Road Darien, CT 06820
1 Denise Spilman, Gina Pastore Mugavero, Shelly Shah 2 Splurge looking festive for the book signing 3 One of several tasty recipes from Plants First, roasted beet hummus 4 Mary Alice Puente, Splurge owner, Sonia Malloy, Dr. Katie Takayasu 5 Courtney Evans, Ellen Sweeney, Dr. Katie, Jun Takayasu, Lisa Clarke MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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KATHLEEN ELIZABETH GODBOLD & WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE DYKE 1
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athleen and Will met in the spring of 2011 while at college in Boston. They became fast friends working part-time jobs at Vineyard Vines. But the friendship really blossomed when the store requested that Will dress up in a hot pink whale costume to promote the label during Boston’s Marathon Monday and Kathleen was tasked to help him navigate getting into the costume. Friendship quickly led to courtship. After eight years together, Will proposed while on a walk through the Boston Public Garden, where they had often spent time after dinner dates. When Reverend Franky Jean announced that the couple was officially wed, the pair exited San Pedro Catholic Chapel in Islamorada, Florida, to a trumpet rendition of Cat Stevens’ “Morning Has Broken.” A reception followed at Pierre’s of Islamorada (where the Netflix hit Bloodline was filmed). The colorful flowers throughout the ceremony and reception were in loving remembrance of the bride’s mother, Connie, as was Kathleen’s veil, worn by her mother on her own wedding day. The bride, daughter of Christopher Godbold and the late Connie Godlbold of Florida, graduated from East Ridge High School and Suffolk University. Kathleen is our very own partnerships manager for Moffly Media. The groom, son of George Dyke of Vermont and Elizabeth Fox of Greenwich, graduated from Brunswick School and Boston University. Will is an ocean freight trader for GENCO Shipping & Trading in Manhattan. The newlyweds live in Old Greenwich and are planning a getaway to Spain and Portugal this spring. G
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1 Basking in the moment 2 Will with his groomsmen 3 Officially official 4 Kathleen with her bridesmaids 5 The wedding party with family 6 Tropical blooms 7 Something blue 8 The newlyweds’ casita 9 The tent under the stars 10 That dip, that kiss! 11 Standing room only 12 Besties from the couple’s weekends in Weekapaug 13 The father of the bride, Chris, having a blast 14 A cheeky flower girl, Lola Portela 15 The little man with the rings, A. Fox Barker 16 Kathleen with Leigh Murphy and Kelly Markey 17 Will having a dance with his mom, Elizabeth MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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LOVE STORY A young Brooklyn family pulls up stakes and embraces country living in a vintage stone house, which they redesigned to make it feel like home by judy ostrow
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Victoria Morris’s love of color is reflected in the deeply hued entry walls, painted with a product that creates the effect of Venetian plaster. left: The owners were charmed on their first sighting of the 1920s-era stone house.
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above: A small, antique Swedish table is flanked by hairpin-legged modern seating—part of the eclectic scheme. opposite: Red velvet chairs from BluDot create a focal point at the living room hearth.
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he journey of Brooklynites Victoria Morris and Andrew Selva and their son (now a toddler) mirrors that of many other urban dwellers who have rediscovered home in Westport and environs in the past two years. Settling down in April 2020 for what they thought would be a temporary nest in her parents’ New Canaan house, following the cataclysmic arrival of Covid-19 in the New York metro area, they enjoyed their time as a three-generation household.
By June, Victoria and Andrew had begun to entertain the notion of life in the suburbs. “We had every intention of moving back to the city, but as we helped my parents prepare for a move after selling their New Canaan house, I came across a listing in Westport for a 1929 stone house,” recalls Victoria. Having grown up in another leafy suburb, her discovery struck an immediate chord, reawakening a youthful dream of living in a Cotswold cottage surrounded by greenery. “The price had dropped a couple of times, and when we went to see
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it, we were about two weeks ahead of the tidal wave of city dwellers who came looking for a house in Connecticut. For me, it was love at first sight. Even though we knew there were things about it that needed fixing, we put in a bid that was accepted. It was the first and only house we looked at.” For the fixing, she had an instant solution that she knew would be perfect. Her mother, interior designer Shelley Morris, had been her adviser for furnishings and décor since her college dorm days. Delighted that her daughter, sonin-law and new grandson would practically be neighbors
in Connecticut (she had found a house for herself and her husband nearby), Shelley partnered with Victoria to plan the interiors of the new Morris/Selva family home. Shelley has always liked to create clean, light and elegant spaces. Throughout her professional career, her design work puts her clients at center stage, and her daughter’s home was no exception to the rule. Their designer-anddaughter experience is a kind of roadmap for decorating and remodeling for other city dwellers who moved quickly to suburban homes during the pandemic.
It was love at first sight. Even though we knew there were things about it that needed fixing, we put in a bid that was accepted. It was the first and only house we looked at. —victoria morris
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Part of the couple’s photo collection, a framed Petros Koublis image, punctuates one corner of the living room; the childfriendly sofa is from CB2. below: The designer curates the view between rooms.
ST E P BY ST E P To begin the project, the pair tackled basic needs for an updated flow and modern comfort. Structural improvements focused on important spaces: replacing an obtrusive beam in the living room with an invisible steel support; warming the master suite floor with radiant floor heating to keep out the cold from the garage below; moving a toilet from a tiny closet off the primary bedroom and creating a more complete and functional bath. With her reliable local contracting sources and experience with renovation projects throughout the New York metro area and beyond, Shelley could efficiently perform the refreshing process that a new suburbanite requires of an older home. Walls were freshly painted in white. “It enhances and reflects the light in an older home that might have smaller openings than newer construction,” says Shelley of her frequent go-to wall treatment.
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“She knows my taste, so throughout the house you’ll find evidence of her design expertise as well as the details that reveal that I’m a color person,” adds Victoria. In the front vestibule—always a great location for a bright statement— the walls are painted with Roman clay, a paint product from a California company that resembles Venetian plaster. Its warm hue is embracing, echoed with a cozy pair of velvet chairs at the living room hearth. Other lively accents of art and accessories—many from the Brooklyn apartment— reveal little punches of color as well as a sophisticated blend of modern forms and timelessly appealing antiques. Victoria and Shelley—mom and grandmother to baby Logan—were both aware that delicate fabrics and porous surfaces are vulnerable to active toddlers. Therefore, designer
Victoria and Shelley kept the kitchen cabinets from the previous owners, with a few edits. Retaining the rustic wood countertop, they shortened the island to capture more floor space and added a top of honed black granite. above: Decorative touches include flatweave rugs sourced online from Lulu and Georgia.
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above: A Niermann Weeks lantern chandelier and black-and-white Staffordshire china create a vintage counterpoint to the modern lines of the table and dining chairs.
T I M E A N D P L AC E Another key factor in this design project was its timing, in the midst of lockdowns and contactless deliveries. The team had mom’s keen and experienced eye to see her daughter’s project through to a good conclusion. “In addition to my daughter’s home, I did several projects for other clients at the height of the pandemic. It was a challenge to shop online for everything. While many of the sources I used were familiar, I had to keep my fingers crossed that the merchandise would be as well-crafted and look as attractive in the real space as it did on the screen,” notes
and daughter checked off “child-friendly” as a requirement for many of their furnishing choices. “While some of the pieces are heirlooms and others are design classics, we knew that most of the upholstery would get a workout from our son,” says Victoria. “So we sourced chairs and other soft seating from popular retail brands.” “It’s a concern of young clients that their children have the run of their house,” says Shelley. “And, fortunately, so many retailers are producing attractive pieces with clean, modern lines. They will hold up until the family feels ready to upgrade to investment-quality upholstered pieces.”
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above left: The Odegard stair runner and upstairs hall carpet reveals a taste for Asian motifs; Victoria and her family have collected numerous objects of Far Eastern origin. above right: White walls and window wells reflect light and brighten the interiors. right: Her office was already outfitted with shelves for Victoria’s collection of mementos and photos; her mother added doors to the lower shelves to stow office supplies and files.
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Shelley. Happily, the virtual shopping excursions proved successful. When combined with antiques that had belonged to both of her grandmothers, or gifted to Victoria from her mom, as well as the couple’s growing art collection, the resulting design provides a satisfying, eclectic look. The charms of 1920s architecture—deep window wells with beautiful casement frames and arched openings between rooms— provide a perfect backdrop for the mix of furnishings and accessories. The layout also provides something that their previous 1,100-square-foot city apartment could not: his-and-her dedicated offices for the work-from-home protocol their jobs still require. Also, beyond the spaciousness and function of their new place, their property provides a private outdoor setting for themselves and their young son. Victoria and family love their new/old house. “We can step through the French doors of our kitchen and have dinner outside, and Logan gets to run freely in his own backyard. We even harvested peaches and apples from the fruit trees that are part of our landscape. The bottom line is, it’s just magical.”
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She knows my taste, so throughout the house you’ll find evidence of her design expertise as well as the details that reveal that I’m a color person. —victoria morris
While the original toilet enclosure was awkwardly placed in a closet, the new space is modernized and fully equipped. opposite: The primary bedroom’s gothic features—arched windows above the bed and arched doors into the bath—as well as the black bed wall enhance the drama of the space.
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OUR TOWNS’ REAL ESTATE CLIMATE REMAINS HOT by jill johnson mann
PHOTOGRAPHY BY REALTY PLANS
State of Real Estate
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This outstanding property on Warner Hill Road, Southport, is a custom-built farmhouse designed for today’s needs and done with reclaimed antique wide-plank flooring, hand-hewn beams and fieldstone fireplaces. It has five bedrooms, pub-style bar, pool and poolhouse (Linda Blackwell, Houlihan Lawrence; listed at $2,250,000, it recently sold)
he pandemic grabbed all of us by the throat two years ago. Families fled New York City and flooded into Fairfield County. Residents here were initially paralyzed but then reassessed. Some sought more land far from neighbors’ germs. Many needed more space for home offices and virtual schooling. Soon prices rose as demand climbed. Month after month, Covid-19 hijacked our lives. We are adapting to the pandemic, in both how and where we live, as new variants continue to haunt us. The terrordriven relocations have subsided, but lifestyle adjustments and reevaluation of priorities mean some of the trends of 2020 persist—but with significantly less inventory. Read on to learn more about what is bolstering a seller’s market in Westport, Weston and Wilton; what buyers are looking for; and how to get the best value for your money.
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State of Real Estate
The Pandemic Effect “W
e’re continuing to see a very robust demand for homes in our towns,” says Linda Blackwell at Houlihan Lawrence. “I think the pandemic has shifted how and why people are buying in ways that will last for quite a while. What began with a frenzied fear of Covid, and people seeking areas they considered safe havens, has become more about life choices. Businesses and lifestyles have changed. People are working from home or on a hybrid schedule. Families are coming out of the city and buying a second home and switching to a primary residence here.” Even some folks who did not feel compelled to escape the city have ended up here. “Movement of people has caused more movement of people,” explains Blackwell. “Friends saw their friends moving, came out to visit and discovered the attraction: spectacular towns close to the city, great schools, good taxes, arts and amenities. Even if they weren’t necessarily scared into moving, their friends moving changed where they lived. People are taking stock of their lives and making life choices that are more well-rounded. I’ve also seen
Millennials, Californians & Corporate Shifts
people moving to be closer to relatives after not seeing them for over a year or losing a family member to Covid.” That being said, the huge influx from New York City—making up about 35 percent of purchases across our towns in 2020—has dropped off in most areas. “From January to October in 2021, we had 19 percent of buyers from the city in Westport, 13 percent in Wilton, but 30 percent in Weston,” says Joni Usdan of The JoniHomes Group at Coldwell Banker. “This desire for more land is pandemic related. For years I heard: The less land, the better.” Usdan has also noticed another Covid-related trend with empty nesters: “Some are not downsizing when they thought they would as their kids have been staying with them or visiting more, and they also want their home offices.” While many are looking to move here—or move within our towns to what they consider their pandemic dream home—some homeowners are still reluctant to put their houses on the market. “There are still those who want to sell but are concerned about opening their homes to strangers and possible Covid exposure,” says Berkshire Hathaway’s Nancy Pantoliano. “Also, the day-to-day can be unpredictable because of the chance of someone becoming positive: showings missed, closings pushed, inspections delayed.” Construction delays are common due to supply issues and costly materials. This market favors a nimble, fast-moving buyer yet also a patient one.
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t’s easy to attribute real estate trends to the pandemic, but it’s not the whole story. “Yes, the workplace shifts that changed the housing market during Covid have been in the spotlight,” says Joni Usdan, “but the major market shift was a systemic one already brewing: a generational change. Millennials who have been marrying later or having kids later—they are still the largest segment of the homebuying market. They are looking for a community, a yard, good schools. A few years ago, conventional wisdom was that Millennials will rent forever or live in their parents’ basements forever. Not so much!” Nancy Pantoliano says, “Some Millennials who thought they would always be city dwellers made the move. Many grew up here and find themselves being drawn back here.” Another effect of this Millennial wave is a resulting ripple of their parents keeping a foot in Fairfield County. “Some empty nesters move to warmer climates but also want to have a home base here near their children and grandbabies,” comments Michelle Genovese of MG Homes. Several realtors noted Californians coming this way. “I’ve seen a lot of California buyers in the last couple years,” says Usdan. “The rest of the market is more job centric, but the luxury and uber-luxury market—people in this market can maybe move anywhere now and are choosing our great East Coast towns because of all we have to offer. We are a bargain compared to California.” Blackwell concurs. “The influx is not just from the city but from California also. As corporations are shifting, we are seeing executives getting moved around as well. There is a lot of relocation from unexpected places. Also, the international buyers—missing for a while here and in New York City—are reentering the scene.”
We’re continuing to see a very robust demand for homes in our towns. I think the pandemic has shifted how and why people are buying in ways that will last for quite a while. —linda blackwell, Houlihan Lawrence
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PHOTOGRAPHY: 157 EASTON RD, CONTRIBUTED; 3 DEVON RD., ORIGINAL BY JOHNNY PEREZ PHOTO & VIDEO
above: This beautiful property, with a seven-bedroom home, at 157 Easton Rd., Westport, is located riverside, with a waterfall and swimming hole, as well as a two-bedroom cottage, greenhouse, indoor pool/spa, steamroom, tennis court and outdoor yoga studio. Built in 1955 with renovations in 2020, it is listed at $7,995,000; Michelle&Co. Team at William Raveis Real Estate. below: This custom Nantucket-style home, at 3 Devon Rd. in Greens Farms, includes a pool, poolhouse and tennis court. Listed at $5,195,000, it sold recently for 5,500,000; Joni Usdan, Coldwell Banker Realty
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Low Inventory N
o one can deny that inventory is extremely low. “A few years ago, we had 450 homes on the market in Westport, and it was not uncommon for homes to be on for eight to twelve months and sell at 92 percent of asking price,” says Usdan. “Our inventory dropped to under 100 in 2021. There have been similar drops all over Fairfield County. Homes are selling at asking price in the first weekend.” She reiterates, “We were shifting toward a lower supply before Covid. Interest rates were low and Millennials were aging into the marketplace. That shift would have happened whether or not we had a pandemic.” While some forecasters predict short supply will eventually drive buyers away, Usdan believes that’s an oversimplification: “Someone who wants to buy a home statistically won’t wait beyond eighteen months, even if they don’t find a hospitable buyer environment, so I’m betting these ‘generational shift’ buyers are going to continue to take advantage of low rates, lower taxes than urban areas in the Northeast and the significant tax benefit a primary home mortgage still provides.” Usdan has seen a trend in homeowners here planning to sell but then stalling or deciding not to. “Some are staying because of a newfound love for Connecticut. The feeling that finally their beloved home is being admired by the appreciating market—that’s irresistible to a lot of property owners. It’s been a beautiful thing to see, after selling homes all these buyer market years, where our owners felt so beat up, discouraged by soft prices and bad press, jumping what was perceived at the time to be a sinking ship. Tables sure have turned, but realestate cycles have never been abrupt twists; they’ve been longer trends.”
Let’s Make a Deal E
motional purchases were rampant in 2020, but the logical, educated buyer was back for 2021– 22. “People are more thoughtful about the price they will pay and whether to get involved in a bidding situation,” says Michelle Genovese. “I always advise to try not to get involved in the emotion of bidding, but put the number on the table that you can say to yourselves, ‘It’s OK we lost it.’ ” Nancy Pantoliano adds, “Cash is preferred in bidding wars, so one has to either have enough cash or have gone through the full process of getting approved for a loan so that you are assured you will be able to close. Rates are rising and will continue to do so. And if someone has changed jobs during the pandemic or decided to pursue their dream as their own boss, qualifying may be a challenge.” At the end of 2021, traditionally the slowest quarter, Joni Usdan had two listings that both sold in the first weekend they were listed. “One had eight offers, the other eleven, and many were noncontingent offers—no contingency for inspection or mortgage,” she says.
Our inventory dropped to under 100 in 2021. There have been similar drops all over Fairfield County. Homes are selling at asking price in the first weekend. —joni usdan, The JoniHomes Group
“Buyers are waiving contingencies right and left just to get a foot in the door.” Usdan expected these homes to go to Millennials, but both went “to empty nesters who could pay way up and aren’t concerned if the homes don’t appraise at that value.” Genovese notes that pools continue to make a splash with buyers, who may not be traveling as much or sending their kids to camp. “Properties north of Post Road, with more land, are in demand, as are in-home offices (two preferred) and in-law areas.” Those who don’t demand turnkey condition will find better deals. “Buyers who are willing to take on a home that needs some work or redecorating—they will get much more value for their money,” says Usdan. “There was no appetite for that during the buyer’s market—everyone wanted new or like new. Buyers have become more forgiving but houses that aren’t updated sell at a much deeper discount.” Linda Blackwell has noticed such a variety in where and what people want that realtors have had to abandon preexisting beliefs of what clients want. She says, “New areas are getting their moments in the sun. There has been new construction in areas we didn’t expect to be desirable. This new outlook has refreshed all parts of town. Some people moving from the city to suburbs don’t want to feel isolated; they want to be able to walk to town and restaurants. And there’s the opposite extreme, looking to Coleytown, Weston, Green Hill, Redcoat, where they can find a more private setting. It has really been fun and exciting. For a while everyone wanted a new construction with five bedrooms, a mudroom and a pool. Having people exploring and open to different styles is invigorating.” With a market that is transacting so quickly, Usdan advises, “It’s critical to stay positive, open-minded and strategic. A sense of humor helps a lot too!”
STACK OF BILLS ©NATA777_7 - STOCK.ADOBE.COM; OPPOSITE: REALTY PLANS
State of Real Estate
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above: Located at 12 Old Stage Coach Rd., Weston, this Colonial with five bedrooms was built in 2000 and has a new roof, updated interior and two acres with a large patio, covered outdoor kitchen and space for a pool. Listed for $1,599,000 with Lori DiBartholomeo, Coldwell Banker Realty
Rental Market T
he rental market is tight, as buyers buy time to find the right home, city slickers test out the area, and homeowners hesitate in becoming landlords. Pantoliano says, “Rentals are hard to come by and monthly rent is increasing.” Usdan says, “The Hamptonsesque summer rental price
A Sunny Forecast
increases that we’ve seen locally for, say, those ‘executive’ furnished homes with a pool— those prices spiked last year and the year before largely due to travel restrictions. We don’t know yet what will transpire in 2022 with variants, etc., but this same issue will have an effect on would-be landlords listing, as well as tenants coming for seasonal as well as yearly rentals. Scarcity is what has kept prices up. We show scarcity and quick absorption of whatever comes on. This has been the story across the board, all around the country.”
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oting that the pandemic affected everyone and spurred on moving just as other major life events (marriage, a new baby, a new job) do, the National Association of Realtors recently reported a decrease in average home tenure from ten to eight years—the largest single-year change in home tenure since NAR began collecting this data. “There’s no way of knowing what curves Covid will throw us, but trends in real estate tend to be long,” says Usdan. “It’s not going to be just a minute-long seller’s market. It won’t turn on a dime.” Pantoliano concurs: “Prices are still rising and inventory falling. All the trends point to an increase above the average this year in home prices and then slowing to the average increase in the following few years.” Chief Economist Mark Fleming at First American offers a bright outlook: “The economy is improving, and Millennials continue to age into their prime home-buying years in large numbers, so the context remains good for the housing market.”
Rentals are hard to come by and monthly rent is increasing. —nancy pantoliano, Berkshire Hathaway
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UNSPLASH
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UNSPLASH
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Few things speak to a new lease on life like the annual migration from the great indoors to the greater outdoors. Now that the days are growing longer and warmer, we’re coming back to life along with the perennials from seasons past. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors roamed for miles to find enough food to sustain them and their tribe in hostile environments. Here in the third year of the pandemic, however, we need only step out the back door armed with hand trowels and gardening hats to sustain our bodies but also reinvigorate our minds and soothe our souls. This spring, landscape architects and designers across Fairfield County are responding to homeowners’ interests— not in manicured lawns and showcase gardens but in sustainability and doing what’s best for the environment. These professionals are ditching the formality of boxwood borders and orderly flower beds for unmade beds, free-ranging meadows, native plantings and water in any number of forms. They’re also designing large, handsome vegetable garden structures and offering a range of options for helping homeowners become increasingly self-sufficient and truly at home on the range—even if it’s the suburban range. westportmag.com
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TOP TWO PHOTOS BY UNSPLASH; COURTESY OF WADIA
One sign of the new informality is the open meadows alive with swaying grasses, vibrant wildflowers and pollinator plants that attract songbirds, bees and other beneficial insects. On a less than an acre of land in Westport, Jay Petrow of Petrow Designs created an open meadow of wild grasses—Korea feather grass and fountain grass—that resembles an impressionist painting but one that changes colors as the seasons change. It covers just a 30’ by 30’ section of the owners’ backyard but looks like a bigger planting than it is. “You don’t need to eliminate an acre of grass—you can start with just a small area,” says Petrow, who in the off-season creates abstract expressionist paintings that at times are informed by his meadow designs. “Late in the day in the winter when the sun is in that golden time, it hits these grasses and the colors come through. The grasses add texture and color and movement in the wind and can look good through much of the year.” Other landscape designers and professional gardeners report requests for elements that satisfy an almost primitive impulse. “The proper term I think is probably ‘homesteading,’ although I think most of our clients don’t think of themselves as homesteaders,” notes John Carlson of Homefront Farmers in Redding. Carlson’s company builds and maintains vegetable gardens as well as other forms of selfsufficiency, “But in fact that’s what we’re doing when we add beekeeping and maple sugaring, and chicken cooping and mushrooming. We’re just expanding the way they can produce food at home." Even traditional architectural firms that offer landscaping services are loosening their grip on
Landscape trends are leaning away from the perfectly manicured boxwoods in favor of natural grasses and vegetable gardens that allow homeowners to live off the land.
tradition in a bow to Mother Nature. New Canaan architectural firm, Wadia Associates designs formal mansions frequently informed by classic British estates, with formal landscapes to match. (As if to verify the firm’s commitment to authenticity, Prince Charles, a champion of architectural preservation, contributed the preface to Dinyar Wadia’s coffee table volume, New Classicists: Wadia Associates, Residential Architecture of Distinction.) The firm’s partial transition away from contained formal gardens reflects a growing sensitivity among homeowners to conservation and a greater appreciation of land and space. Something new that Wadia clients are asking for is a “live roof ”—flat, grassed surfaces, over a series of drainage systems, that aids thermal regulation below and makes that part of the home blend naturally into the landscape.
“I think the phenomenon of Covid has reminded us that space is a luxury,” Wadia says. “For a long time people were moving away from backcountry in Greenwich and now the desirability of having that kind of land is quite high. They’re also looking for more ways that they can engage with the environment organically, literally and figuratively. We have a lot of clients who are asking for greenhouses and gardens—not a formal, boxwood-framed garden but a vegetable garden.”
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top left: Mark Finlay’s entry design with overflowing greenery. above and left: James Doyle Designs’ created suburban homesteading where clients could grow veggies and raise chickens. right: Homefront Farmers’ designed an enclosed garden surrounded by bright florals.
Even more formal estates are embracing, in Wadia’s words, “a degree or rural sensibilities.” For a large stone manor, a greenhouse used for temperate plants and as a nursery overlooks a grid of raised flower and vegetable beds set between broad, gravel and slate paths.
TOP LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK FINLAY; CHICKEN COUP AND CHIKEN BY ALEGRA ANDERSON; ENCLOSED GARDEN COURTESY OF HOMEFRONT FARMERS
During World War II, the U.S. government rationed staples and asked citizens to plant “Victory Gardens.” Some 20 million answered the patriotic call, producing fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families. It’s telling that residential architects and landscape designers today are designing home herb and vegetable patches—“Pandemic Victory Gardens,” if you will—on their own properties. Southport architect Mark Finlay, whose firm designs 10,000- and 20,000-square-foot mansions, had built for his wife a three-section garden structure of raised beds on a side portion of their property. Andrew Tyrrell of Black Rock Compost Company in Bridgeport custom-built the 20’-by20’ structure out of rot- and insect-resistant white cedar, which is completely enclosed in 1”-by-1” black deer fencing. Tyrrell’s company also manages the composting for the garden year-round. “It’s a big garden, so I designed it like a clerestory style, like a church, so the tomatoes and zucchinis are in the middle section and in the wings herbs and lettuces that grow low,” Finlay explains. The center section is nin feet high, the wings seven feet high. Deer fencing covers the top because, as Finlay found, “birds fly in and poke holes in the vegetables, then the squirrels come in ad finish the job.” The space doubles as a retreat from the stresses of life in a pandemic. “In the middle of the summer when it’s in full bloom,” the architect notes, “it’s like a really quiet Zen room.”
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right: Architect Mark Finlay designed and Andrew Tyrrell built this custom garden structure out of white cedar and deerresistant fencing.
ENCLOSED GARDEN, COURTESY OF MARK FINLAY; VEGETABLE GARDEN BY NEIL LANDINO
below: A garden design by James Doyle.
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A James Doyle Designs water feature
above: Wadia Associates installed a long reflecting pool that runs under a bridge and to the front of the home for an immediate sense of tranquility. below: Another Wadia design showcases a natural stream running through a slew of plantings,
WATER FEATURE BY NEIL LANDINO; TOP AND BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF WADIA ASSOCIATES
Pools remain a top draw for homeowners, and especially for homebuyers from the City hot to have water in any setting. These are not our parents' pools but rather complex interactions of design, construction and mechanics. James Doyle Design Associates in Greenwich partners with structural engineers and others to create what he calls “The Moses Effect”— water separated from other water within the same walls of a swimming pool. But water also serves simpler purposed. “Obviously pools are designed for practical use,” says Doyle, “but water features bring an extra-sensory element to the land that’s very calming.” At the entrance to a magnificent French chateau on eight acres, Wadia Associates installed a long reflecting pool that runs under a stone bridge to the front door. Fountains in the entry courtyard, meanwhile, send plumes of water skyward. “The idea was to give the homeowners an immediate sense of tranquility when they come home,” says Wadia. “There’s the gentle sound of water, reflected light and lily pads. It’s a little bit of Monet in Greenwich.” Meanwhile, streams both natural and man made are primal elements—a lifeforce—that sustain birds, small animals and the human spirit. To reach a modest house on a small lot in
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Native plants and pollinators: Black Eyed Susan, Switchgrass, and Echinacea,
TOP LEFT WATER FEATURE AND POOL BY ALEGRA ANDERSON; TOP RIGHT WATER FEATURE BY NEIL LANDINO
here and above: While pools are still a top priority for homeowners, James Doyle says he has begun to add many more types of water features into his landscape designs to create a feeling od tranquility throughout the properties.
Darien, the owners and visitors drive over a bridge and narrow stream. Jay Petrow removed the pachysandra crowding the banks and in its place, around boulders he had trucked in, put in a wealth of native plants and pollinators: Black Eyed Susan, switchgrass, asters and echinacea, among others. “I thought that would be a beautiful scenesetter for the property,” Petrow says. “I was excited about changing the landscape from what was basically an ecological desert of lawns and Pachyasandra and boxwood to something that not only looks better to me but benefits the environment.” Not that a lack of water should be a deterrent. On Dinyar Wadia’s New Canaan property, the man-made stream features a flow regulator that controls the speed of the current and the level of water, which can be lowered during heavy rains. Now that’s what we call a modern water feature. MARCH/APRIL 2022 WESTPORT
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CELEBRATING HOPE FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022 6:30 - 9 pm Stationed Dinner, Entertainment, Program, Silent & Live Auction 9 - 11:30 pm After Party on the roof of The Village featuring DJ April Larken
For tickets, sponsorships and additional information, visit celebratinghope.givesmart.com or contact Sadie Caccimelio, srcaccimelio@alz.org or 203.807.5845 86 westportmag.com
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advertisers index FOOD, CATERING & LODGING
AUTOMOTIVE Scap Chrysler Jeep........................................................................................33
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NONPROFIT
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REAL ESTATE & SENIOR LIVING
Connecticut Public Television........................................................................ 51
LCB Senior Living............................................................................................12 The Greens at Cannondale.............................................................................. 6
EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT Alzheimer's Association, Celebrate Hope......................................................86 Fairfield County Community Foundation.......................................................87 Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts................................................ 27 Greenwich Restaurant Week..........................................................................55 Planned Parenthood......................................................................................53 Near & Far Aid Benefit.................................................................................... 58 Westport Country Playhouse.........................................................................56 WYWL Minute Man Run..................................................................................39
The Mill............................................................................................................15 Willliam Raveis-Shelton HQ...................................................................Cover 4 MISCELLANEOUS A-List.............................................................................................................. 49 Big Picture Photography.................................................................................51 Contemporary Art Museum...................................................................Cover 3 Drew Klotz........................................................................................................ 8
APRIL 22, 2022 GREENWICH HYATT
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FOR TICKETS & TABLES: FCCFOUNDATION.ORG/FWG22
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postscript
MAR/APR 2022 / DONNA MOFFLY
S
April is also the start of the Silly Season around here and more ways to lighten our wallets.
o we’re now into March with its Ides. The Romans used the term to refer to the day of the full moon. Nothing especially unlucky about that, except for Julius Caesar who got himself stabbed twenty-three times by some disgruntled fellow senators on March 15, 44 BC (Any comparisons with Washington today is purely coincidental.) Next comes April with its tax deadline—a tough time for a lot of us, too. Sure would be swell to win the lottery, like Russ Herman’s son-in-law Dave Novalis did in New Jersey— big time. He stopped for milk on the way home from work, spotted a sign announcing the state lottery had topped $20 million, bought ten tickets and pow! He and Lisa had to pay a lot in taxes on their windfall, but still… .It couldn’t have happened to a nicer pair. The tax people also want to know how much money you give away, so you need to track that, too. Back in March 2011, I wrote an article entitled “Unsolicited Solicitations,” trying to figure out what it would cost if you donated the minimum for every nonprofit request that arrived in your mailbox in a year. Not by e-mail, text or phone call. Politics excluded. I listed repeaters just once; but if a charity hit you on national, state and local levels followed by a fundraising gala in town, it got entered four times. (With no specific price tag, I assigned $50.) On New Year’s Day 2010, I started saving the envelopes in a kitchen drawer and on December 31 added them up. Result: If you’d donated the minimum across 453 causes, you’d be out $61,811.23! Don’t even think about what it would be today. April is also the start of the Silly Season around here and more ways to lighten our wallets—for nonprofits to give us have plenty
of chances to “win” stuff, whether we want it or not. My husband, Jack, the ultimate team player, liked to help get things going by raising his paddle for opening bids at live auctions. We once got stuck with a condominium in Tobago, billed as accommodating five, which in fact had only one bedroom. Instead of a trip, we took a tax write-off. At a silent auction for Greenwich Symphony, Jack bid on two ski houses, hoping for one, and got both. Never mind that I hated skiing, but we headed north twice with some friends and had a ball. At a Community Answers Fashion Show, we landed a pony party for our grandchildren at Cindy Steinmetz’s stable and a visit to NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams on what turned out to be the day the stock market crashed in September 2008. Though just a bystander, I must admit that one Eagle Hill School auction brought me to tears when a gentleman won a golden retriever puppy and handed him over to a teacher who had just lost her dog. She cried, too. And, oh, those raffles. Do I covet an autographed basketball? Not much. But Jack got lucky at a Planned Parenthood benefit, and eight of us got a lunch tour of MOMA. Then there are the games. At a St. Paul’s fundraiser Jack signed me up—dragging my heels—for the Heads and Tails competition. When it finally got down to just Roy Glah and me on the dance floor, I went for heads and won tickets to Billy Elliott, dinner in New York City and a roundtrip limo ride. Who could ask for anything more? At my age today, “things” are out. But I still savor adventure and anything I can eat or drink. And it would always be nice to win the lottery.
VENTURE PHOTOGRAPHY, GREENWICH, CT
OF MOSTLY MONEY MATTERS
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Not Dior’s New Look III
A Group Exhibition
Open through March 25th Featuring works by Hans Withoos, Miss Aniela, Naomi White, Nikolina Petolas, Fares Micue, Alice de Kruijs, Vicky Martin, Julie de Waroquier, Sonya Revell and Queef Latina, Isher Dhiman, Elly Azizian, and Anya Anti
+
For private viewings please call (203) 557-0223 The CAMP Gallery at Westport 190 Main St Westport, CT 06880 www.thecampgallery.com
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Milkmaid at the Zuiderzeedijk Hans Withoos
2/9/22 12:02 PM
ME
VT
$20.5 Billion
NH
Total 2021 Company Sales Volume
29,000 Units
NY MA CT
Total 2021 Company Transactions
140 Offices in 8 States
RI
CT l FL l MA l ME l NH l NY l RI l VT
4,400+ Sales Associates
FL
#1 Luxury Broker by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®* #1 Family-owned business in the Northeast and Florida #1 Independent Brokerage in eight-state footprint #1 Independent Brokerage in almost every local market #1 Market Share on Jupiter Island, FL and in Hobe Sound, FL** #1 Market Share in Port Royal, Naples, FL** Welcome to the No. 1 Family-Owned Real Estate Company in the Northeast and Florida. The best just got better. *by Luxury Portfolio International, the luxury arm of the Leading RE Companies of the World, 2018. **William Raveis Real Estate exceeds all other brokers in Market Share in Port Royal, Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound according to the SWFLAMLS and the RAPB Beaches MLS for the time period 1/1/2021 - 11/31/2021. Non-MLS transactions, including non-MLS transactions of William Raveis, are not included in this tabulation. This information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
203.227.4343 | 47 RIVERSIDE AVE | WESTPORT | CT 06880
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