Westport Magazine, March/April 2020 by Moffly Media

the H O M E & R E A L E S TAT E issue

MARCH/APRIL 2020 | $5.95

a guide for homeowners Wise steps when buying and smart updates for staying through the years

time for a change

PURE DESIGN Romancing Simplicity with Yvonne Ferris

Making the big decision to redesign, renovate or move

spring fashion! The Alluring Confidence of Grounded Earth Tones and Liberated Bright Patterns

The interior designer creates peace at home

THE HEIGHT OF STYLE

| WESTPORT | HUNTINGTON | GREENWICH | MITCHELLSTORES.COM

GET YOUR SPRING ON

contents MAR /APR 2020 vol. 22 | issue 2

features

LIGHTEN UP

15 BUZZ Children’s books by Alan Katz; CBD comes to Main Street; Tuck Gin; learning how to listen; concierge medicine

by judy ostrow

24 SHOP House of blues

HOME SWEET HOME

26 GO Full luxe at Four Seasons Philadephia; fun in Hawaii; BMW 745E

Professionals guide homeowners through smart investments over the years. by jill johnson

Freshen up in the colors, prints and styles you’ll need to express yourself this spring. Enjoy the new crop of beautiful designs.

12 EDITOR’S LETTER

by dia ne ta l b ot semb rot

STATUS REPORT

Step inside the brilliantly streamlined and bright home of interior designer Yvonne Ferris.

SPRING FASHION

departments

34 HOME California Closets updates this classic space-saving trick; clean facade with party vibe in back, with Cardello Architects; industry pros answer whether to redesign, renovate or move

40 DO Dream Spa looks good at twenty; Naked Fig events; old-school fun gets upgraded at Pinstripes

by megan gagnon

49 PEOPLE & PLACES

Inside philanthropic parties, galas and celebrations 54 FINANCE FIX

Getting financial clutter under control

88 CALENDAR

on the c over: interior design by yvonne ferris c over photo gr aphy by: nancy hill WESTPORT MAR/APR 2020, VOL. 22, 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. westportmag.com

JANE BEILES; CONTRIBUTED

87 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

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vol. 22 | no. 2 | mar/apr 2020 creative director

Amy Vischio executive editor

Cristin Marandino

editorial editor

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Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

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Megan Gagnon advisory editor

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Joey Macari books correspondent

Emily Liebert

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editor’s letter

MAR/APR 2020 / DIANE TALBOT SEMBROT

hen you decided to move to town, you were struck by something. OK, maybe you grew up here—that just means you stayed for a reason. What was it? I hear “Compo Beach” often, and “The great schools,” and “It’s quaint, yet close to the city.” But closer than that? You found a place that felt like home and you made it your own. This issue is all about that. I take the long way home some days, like when I find myself with a bit of extra time or when I just need to decompress. I choose certain drives that show off the most beautiful homes, from perfect-condition antiques with their proud name and date plaques by the front door to brand-new contemporary homes that elegantly mark a new chapter in local home design. I appreciate them, whether it’s on the curvy back roads of Weston or the straightaway on Beachside Avenue with its grand mansions secreted away behind gates and tall plantings. Luckily, as the local magazine editor, I find myself invited into some of the our towns’ most stylish homes. I get to learn from local designers, architects and real estate pros, and then I share it with you. For this year’s home and real estate issue, we bring you on a tour of Yvonne Ferris’s home. A designer, she has brilliantly streamlined her own home so that only the most necessary

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and meaningful pieces remain. It’s clear that a great deal of thought went into what is used in each space, and natural light floods each room. Gone are window treatments and big storage pieces. This is graceful simplicity, making it somehow more personal and breathtakingly refined. Next, writer Jill Johnson talked to local real estate pros. She asked what we homeowners should be thinking about before we buy property, what we should do in the first three years, how to maximize the middle years, and what to do if we’ve lived in, and still love, our home for more than ten years. These pros have seen it all and share actionable advice. What if you don’t know if you should stay or go? We’ve all faced that moment when you need to make a change, but wonder if it’s best to redesign, renovate or simply pack up and find a whole new place. Again, we trust experience and asked an architect, a designer and a lifestyle realtor for their best and most serious homeownership wisdom. Enjoy the issue—and if you’re out and about some day, stuck behind a driver going too slowly, it’s probably me. I apologize. I’m simply enjoying the local scenery. Who could blame me?

diane.sembrot@moffly.com

WILLIAM TAUFIC

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BY THE BOOK

CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR ALAN KATZ ON WESTON, WRITING AND WIT by joey macari

YOUNG READERS

Having published dozens of children’s books, the author shares facts and has fun.

CONTRIBUTED IMAGES

insights into their ot off the truly life-changing presses! Alan inventions. Then, I Katz, children’s offer some humor author and longtime about how those Weston resident, things have impacted has published a new, my life and the lives of tandem book series: my kids. A chance for Awesome Achievers young readers to learn, in Science and and a chance for them Awesome Achievers to laugh! in Technology. In the series, Alan sheds What book was light on some of most fun for you? the lesser-known The first in the series, heroes in STEM Take Me Out of the (science, technology, Bathtub and Other engineering and math) above: Children’s book author Alan Katz Silly Dilly Songs, was with the same zaniness a blast to write. It was that has defined his my first book for kids, and it was an extension style over the decades. Best known for his of my work as a writer for The Rosie O’Donnell 2001 songbook parody, Take Me Out of the Show (where I wrote or cowrote hundreds Bathtub, Alan has also worked for hit television of song parodies). Incidentally, I’ve recently programs such as the Pinkalicious cartoon turned the nine Song books [in the series] into series and The Rosie O’Donnell Show, as well The Silly Dilly Musical, and we’ve had more as contributed several articles to The New York than a dozen performances at the wonderful Times and the New York Daily News. Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Alan and his family just moved to Milford Norwalk. Performances are scheduled to after making Fairfield County his home base for continue throughout 2020! creativity and community outreach for decades. We spoke to the author who shares anecdotes Do you have any writing quirks? on his writing process, his time living in Weston I can write anywhere and everywhere—a pad, and the inspiration behind his latest work. a pencil, and I’m in business. I sometimes dictate my work onto my MacBook Pro. What was the inspiration behind Awesome Achievers? What do you love about Weston? I’ve written more than thirty-five books for As a Weston resident for twenty-six years, I’ve kids—all of them funny and fictional. But as always enjoyed the rich cultural experiences— a reader and a parent of four, I crave facts. By terrific libraries, theaters, museums, great combining information and humor, I hope historical societies and more. I’ve also got a I’m giving young readers the best of both terrific group of friends in the area—quite worlds. For example, in profiling the inspiring a few noted children’s authors—and we get achievers behind discoveries such as Velcro, together to support one another’s efforts. Post-it Notes, seat belts, Siri and more, I deliver MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

FACTS Awesome Achievers in Science: Super and Strange Facts About 12 Almost Famous History Makers

MORE FACTS Awesome Achievers in Technology: Super and Strange Facts About 12 Almost Famous History Makers

AND SOME FUN! Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs, the first book Alan Katz penned for kids

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GREENER PASTURES NEW RETAIL SPACE, NEW ENGLAND HEMP FARM, OPENS ON MAIN STREET by joey macari

YOUR CHOICE

Drops, rubs and capsules— there are plenty of options to try.

TINCTURE for you

TINCTURE for pets

Full Spectrum Pet Drops made Tincture Drops, with full-spectrum 1000 mg, in hemp oil, Peppermint flavor 500 mg ($44.99) ($44.99) above: Inside the warm and welcoming new retail space on Main Street below: Brian J. Edmonds, CEO and cofounder

didn’t work, he turned to CBD products and found immediate relief. He says operating the new retail space in his hometown is an opportunity for him to give back and advocate for high-quality products. “Before becoming a daily user of CBD, I had to be extremely cautious of my body. Whether it was working out, going for a run, or even falling asleep at night, my body was constantly in pain,” he says. “For about a year now, I have been using CBD every day, and it has changed my life. Working for New England Hemp Farm has made me realize how many people could actually benefit from CBD, no matter the severity of the condition.” Stop by 136 Main St., Westport, or roadtrip to headquarters at 13 Fort Hill Rd., Groton; also newenglandhempfarm.com.

to create products with very minimal THC (the psychoactive component in hemp) and how to create a product line that works. As a result, their brand includes tinctures, edibles, topicals and even pet products. “New England Hemp Farms products are made of the highestquality ingredients available and are always third party, independently tested for potency and purity,” says Brian. “Our tinctures can be taken internally, which help provide a sense of calm, while our roll-ons and creams help with sore muscles and aches and pains.” Westport store manager Colin Bannon—a 2013 Staples High School graduate—saw the benefits of hemp firsthand after suffering from back and shoulder issues. After traditional forms of rehab

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EDIBLE Full Spectrum Liquid Capsules with 25 mg hemp oil ($54.99)

HEADSHOT CONTRIBUTED; BOTTLES BY APRIL PRIDE

airfield County, as hip and forward as it is, is all too weary of the fast trends of the last few years. From the multipurpose cauliflower to the gotta-have-’em Fila sneakers, trends come on quick and die hard. One trend that shows no signs of stopping is CBD products for health. New England Hemp Farm, a Connecticut-based CBD business, trusts the upswing in demand for it as a health supplement will continue and is making sure that the benefits are available for the long haul with its new retail space in town. “In the age of opioids and overprescription, we think CBD is an effective, all-natural way to deal with aches and pains,” says Brian Edmonds, cofounder with Keith Bunovsky. They founded the business after Brian suggested Keith try CBD lotion to soothe joint pain. It worked. This, along with their agriculture experience, inspired them to explore natural pain relief as a business opportunity. So, they learned all they could about hemp, how

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GIN AND BEAR IT W

POUR OVER WISDOM WITH NEW WESTON DISTILLERY, TUCK GIN by joey macari

We think we may be one of two or three brands in the world that are going to these extreme lengths of FRESH, RAW INGREDIENTS. — fernando alvamiras

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WHERE TO TRY TUCK IN TOWN The Spotted Horse Amis Jesup Hall

KELLY A. SIEGRIST OF KELLY ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY

add just the right amount of sweet and bitter needed in a quality gin. “We are part of a ‘new world’ movement, working to redefine and reestablish gin,” Fernando says. “Our formulation is quite unique. We think we may be one of two or three brands in the world that are going to these extreme lengths of fresh, raw ingredients, individual maceration, individual distillation per botanical; then each one rests in a demijohn glass for a month, which slowly and deliberately blends over a ten-day period. This is the core reason why Tuck is making the vodka drinkers reconsider gin.” The brand’s tagline—“Modern. American. Craft”—embodies the spirit of American gin drinking, dating back to its bootlegging, bathtub days, where the juniper berry was celebrated for its versatility and wild side. It is American-made and grown, concocted with the newest technologies and void of any shortcuts that would detract from its freshness and crafted with the utmost care. For those who want to get into gin, but don’t know where to start, Fernando advises: “Just try it. Forget that you got sick on gin when you were thirteen. Forget that your grandmother’s gin made you reel when you caught a whiff of her glass. Try it with soda water. It does not need more citrus, so avoid the lemon or lime, and just throw a piece of something green from your garden, like rosemary or sage, as an aromatic.” Tuck Gin can be found at most liquor stores across Connecticut and New York. See more at tuckgin.com.

ho is a gin drinker? Some might imagine Tommy Shelby from BBC’s Peaky Blinders—a rougharound-the-edges antihero with hooded, plotting eyes who has a habit of swirling his dewy glass and taking quick sips while puckering his lips and clearing his throat. However, the truth is that gin is in. Just ask Tuck Gin, a new distillery based in Weston. Westport magazine shared a glass with Cofounder and Sales Director Fernando Alvamiras, who distilled, dispelled and even spilled on the rumors and rewards of gin. “This is not your grandmother’s gin,” Fernando says. “It does not taste like what so many people think gin is all about—that it’s like a Christmas tree sliding down your throat. Tuck Gin is a whole new experience: balanced, nuanced, creamy-smooth—not bitter, juniper/Christmas tree restrained— with some spiciness from green cardamom, floral notes from fresh Jasmine flower and citrus from fresh hand-peeled organic pink grapefruit peel.” Tuck gets its name from the Saugatuck River, which flows partly in Weston. Fernando founded Tuck Gin alongside Geoff Shafer, Alex Metviner and Jonathan Davies in 2018, although Jonathan had been perfecting the concoction from scratch for years out of his “washroom.” Their batches are distilled in Greenport, New York, and perfected in Weston to ensure quality and freshness. All botanicals incorporated into Tuck Gin are brought in live and never dried, which separates them from competitors. Ingredients like grapefruit come straight from West Coast groves, are hand peeled and

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hear this The secret to success just might be a basic skill we never learned: LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER by diane sembrot

COAUTHOR Dr. Mary Siegel

NARRATOR Matthew Wunder

e’re all about self-improvement—such as, hitting the gym, consulting nutritionists, mastering new tech— but we might be overlooking a skill we thought we learned: communication. Whether in business (closing a deal or hiring a new employee) or in love (learning about someone on a first date or understanding our spouse of a decade), we could hone our ability to understand and be understood. For clarity, accuracy and productivity, we need constructive listening. The book Are You Really Listening: Keys to Successful Communication (donoghueandsiegel.com), by psychotherapists Dr. Paul Donoghue and Dr. Mary Siegel, offers techniques for listening better. Dr. Donoghue is the director of Community Psychological Consultants, a private practice in Stamford, and the director of Touchstone Communications, a consulting firm on communication skills. Dr. Siegel is a psychologist at Community Psychological Consultants and has served on the boards of Connecticut chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. The book was first published by Sorin Books in 2005. So what about the obvious option: to go from page to audio (on Audible, Amazon and iTunes)? Local financial advisor Matthew Wunder (wunderfinancial .nm.com), who uses the book with his team and other financial advisors, volunteered to narrate it. Here, the authors share more about the latest chapter of the book’s longevity, and why its lessons are needed now. Why did you write the book? PD: “For forty years we have been teaching communication skills to business, education, religious and civic groups. After repeated requests from participants for reading materials after seminars, we decided to write Are You Really Listening?”

What’s the main takeaway? PD: “Despite the fact that listening is essential in personal and business relationships, it is woefully absent in most interactions. We trust that the book heightens the need for better listening everywhere in peoples’ lives. We hope that the audio

Why don’t we listen? MS: “We don’t listen because we have never been taught to listen. Instead of listening, we acquire non-listening behavioral habits, such as defending ourselves, judging the speaker or giving advice. Sometimes we even think that we are listening when instead we are talking about ourselves, telling ‘me too’ stories, or presuming that we have already heard what the speaker is saying and then feeling free to launch into what we want to say.”

book helps listeners recognize that there are specific skills to be learned in becoming a good listener.”

How does it help at work? PD: “We can’t really offer pertinent information to our client or customer without first clarifying the need we are being asked to meet. Not listening

Why now? MS: “When there are so many distractions in modern life and so many temptations to multitask, it is more important than ever that we

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results in misdirected and confusing advice. Consequently, time is wasted while frustration mounts. In addition, listening to another person connects to the other in a trusting way, which allows for smoother and more effective interaction. Listening is the essential characteristic of good team building. In a study conducted by Bloomberg Businessweek, a large group of MBA recruiters from multiple industries were asked to rate fourteen skills and qualities that would be most important to see in a candidate applying for employment. Of the fourteen identified qualities, such as leadership skills, analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, the recruiters overwhelmingly chose communication skills as the most important ability.” What can we do right now? MS: “We can today make listening a priority in our family relationships and in our business interactions. We can slow down by asking ourselves: Am I at this moment focusing on the other and trying to understand the speaker’s feelings

and needs? We can begin to experience the joy and satisfaction of truly connecting with the people in our lives.” How did Matthew get involved? PD: “Our narrator, Matthew Wunder, CFP, is the head of Wunder Financial, a boutique financial planning practice within Northwestern Mutual in Westport. Matthew’s voice lent itself very well to our project, and his passion for our work around listening made him a perfect fit. He and his team report growing their practice five-fold since first engaging us twelve years ago for coaching on a situational basis. They further report significantly improving outcomes in their professional and personal lives from our work as well.” Anything else? PD: “Listening comprises one essential element of effective communication. Honest sharing of oneself is the other half. Our book We Really Need to Talk—not on Audible yet—focuses on the skill of authentic selfdisclosure, a skill as missing from much human interaction as is listening.”

CONTRIBUTED IMAGES

COAUTHOR Dr. Paul Donoghue

learn to focus and listen when someone is speaking. The rewards of respectful attentive listening are profound. When we truly connect deeply with another, we get out of ourselves to appreciate another person, to learn about the other’s feelings, needs, values and beliefs. Learning to give genuine attention is actually learning to love.”

FINDING A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR IS EASIER THAN EVER. Stamford Health Medical Group believes primary care is important for keeping you and your loved ones healthy. With more than 130 primary care physicians and specialists across Fairfield County, we make it easy for you to find a doctor close to home. We offer flexible hours that fit your schedule, and we accept most health insurance plans. To make an appointment, visit StamfordHealth.org/PrimaryCare or call 888.898.4876.

DARIEN • GREENWICH • NEW CANAAN • NORWALK • RIVERSIDE • STAMFORD • WILTON

buzz

Going to a concierge doctor means you have access to 24/7 on-call care.

CONCIERGE CONVERTS with higher technology and a very personal touch.” Going concierge allows Karol to carefully limit how many patients she sees, which enables her to listen closely and do diagnostics in the office instead of sending people to many specialists or for unnecessary testing. Dr. Puglisi cites one example how concierge care can be life changing. He mentions a 55-year-old male patient who was obese,

PRIVATE PRACTICE

Pros and cons of going concierge PROS ●

24/7 on-call physician care ●

Personalized attention and detailed wellness plans

●

Insurance coverage for some tests, procedures and medications

CONS ●

Pay an annual membership fee You will likely need to have a health insurance plan in addition to the concierge doctor

●

here’s a good deal of buzz surrounding “concierge” medicine, as well as an equal amount of debate about whether it’s a service that only the wealthy can afford. Recently, we sat down with a couple of concierge doctors to separate fact from fiction. Dr. Glen Puglisi, cofounder of Glenville Medical Concierge in Greenwich, says he started his practice five years ago because he was searching for a way to provide more time for his patients. He saw a concierge practice as a way to do just that. “While the concierge model has fully delivered on that promise, the benefits have been even more profound than I originally envisioned,” he says. “My relationships with patients, nurtured with undivided attention and a deepening knowledge of what’s going on in their lives, have grown to the point where I consider each a member of my extended family—and I care for them in just that way.” Similarly, Dr. Nina Karol at Concierge Physicians of Westport says her decision to go concierge occurred as a result of factors affecting medical care across the country. “The increased pressure to see more than 20 patients daily and document every detail in a cumbersome electronic record culminated in some burnout,” she says. “I wanted to get more control over my medical career and derive more enjoyment from seeing my patients. My partners and I wanted to run a new practice more like an old-fashioned medical one, but

Most large insurance plans will not cover concierge services

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prediabetic, and sedentary when he first visited. The concierge practice allowed time for them to work together on a wellness plan, with constant communication and ongoing monitoring. “We completely reversed the course of his condition,” he explains. “He lost 25 pounds as a result of eating and exercising very differently than he had previously. He is no longer prediabetic, dramatically decreased his risk of cardiovascular disease, and most importantly, is enjoying all the benefits of a fuller, more vibrant life. Being able to achieve that transformation is the greatest reward of being a concierge physician.” So, are there any downsides? “As soon as you say the word ‘concierge,’ people assume this is a service only for the very wealthy,” Dr. Karol says. “We all pay a lot for our medical insurance, me included. What people do not understand is if something goes wrong, how important it is to have a personal guide helping to steer you. Not having a caring, involved doctor is like trying to navigate choppy seas in the dark without a boating license when you are at your most vulnerable. Our practice accepts insurance and is in-network, something patients do not associate with ‘concierge’ care.” While all concierge practices structure their fees individually, most of them assess an annual membership fee, typically around $2,500, and also submit bills to insurance.

PHOTO BY © LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

A NEW TREND IN PERSONALIZED MEDICINE IS NOT JUST FOR THE ULTRA WEALTHY by christ y c ol asurd o

THE BEST ORTHOPEDICS BY FAR IS NEAR. HSS Orthopedics and Stamford Health have teamed up in Connecticut. The same expertise that earned HSS U.S. News & World Report’s

New patients welcome.

#1 ranking for orthopedics in the nation can be found locally

To learn more or make an appointment with an HSS

through its unique collaboration with Stamford Health. As a U.S.

specialist, please call 877-589-8545 or visit

News & World Report Best Hospital in the Faireld County area,

HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

Stamford Health attracts world-leading specialists, including HSS for orthopedics. HSS Orthopedic specialists see patients at HSS Stamford at Chelsea Piers. If surgery is necessary, the HSS surgeons operate at the award-winning Stamford Hospital and Stamford Health Tully Health Center. We’re here for you because how you move is who you are, how you are and how you live. Most major insurance plans accepted.

HSS Stamford 1 Blachley Rd Stamford, CT 06902

shop by megan gagnon

TRUE BLUE

A CLASSIC SHADE FOR A NEW DECADE

oral is so last year. With Pantone’s declaration of Classic Blue as the color of the year, we have a new excuse to fill our homes with pieces in the reliable and comforting shade of cobalt. Reminiscient of the sea and sky, the color feels traditional (think your favorite Chinoiserie accents) but also works in modern applications (imagine a large monochrome canvas painted à la Yves Klein). If you’re looking to try something blue, why not check out what’s in store at some of our favorite local design shops. Here, a few fresh picks.

PILLOW TALK

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL Pair of blue Louis Poulsen lamps; $925. Eleish Van Breems Home, Westport; evbantiques.com

3 TABLE IT

Baltic end table, lacquered in Farrow & Ball California Blue; $2,000. The Tailored Home, Westport; thetailored homect.com

4 westportmag.com

TRAY CHIC Verano tray; starting at $58. Serena & Lily, Westport; serenaandlily.com

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Vintage indigo pillow; $398. Bungalow, Westport; bungalow decor.com

FEATURING

SPRING/SUMMER 2020 COLLECTION + MANY OTHER DESIGNERS

Where fashion gets personal. Styling Women since 1983. WESTPORT & DARIEN TINADRAGONE.COM

go left: The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, with 180 rooms and 39 suites, is the city’s tallest building and the tenth highest in the country. top, right: Vernick Fish, overseen by Chef Greg Vernick, is a modern oyster bar designed by Tihany Design bottom, right: Artistic Director Jeff Leatham’s floral art and Brian Eno’s soundscapes greet guests.

LAND OF LIBERTY

NEW FOUR SEASONS CROWNS PHILLY’S TALLEST BUILDING

hen you first arrive at Four Seasons Philadelphia at Comcast Center—the highest situated hotel in North America— it’s impossible to miss the breathtaking, panoramic views of “The City of Brotherly Love.” The less-than-one-year-old property, which marries state-of-the-art technology, a focus on wellness, inspiring artistry and unrivaled hospitality, was the perfect weekend getaway to celebrate my oldest son turning ten. As a special treat, the birthday boy was delivered freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!

STAY Located between the building’s 48th and 60th stories, the 180 rooms and 39 suites exude modern luxury and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with unsurpassed vistas of the city and beyond. The entire Comcast Center, along with the interiors and furnishings of the hotel, were designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster. Artistic Director Jeff Leatham created floral art in his signature style found throughout the property. And Tokyo-based teamLab crafted a giant digital floral experience as a modern expression of traditional Japanese painting techniques in the arrival lobby. If the idea of relaxing in a bubble bath as you overlook the greater Philadelphia area delights you, book one of the Skyline Corner Suites. Fun fact: 180 tons of birch wood was used for the millwork in every guest room.

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CUISINE Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has entered the building with his City debut Jean-Georges Philadelphia on the fifty-ninth floor and JG SkyHigh cocktail bar one level above. The French-American chef ’s internationally acclaimed cuisine occupies an atrium with forty-foot glass walls where you can partake in a power breakfast, a sunset cocktail and a mouthwatering meal. The Maine Lobster roasted with Romanesco Cauliflower, Romesco Sauce and lime is divine! Of course, there’s also James Beard Award–winning Chef Greg Vernick’s Vernick Fish—a modern American oyster bar with global flavor combinations for lunch and dinner. The Roasted Porgy with jasmine rice, andouille sausage and creole broth is a must.

PORTRAIT BY DREAMSCAPE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL IMAGES OF FOUR SEASONS AT PHILADELPHIA COMCAST CENTER USED WITH PERMISSION; PHOTOGRAPHS OF RESTAURANT AND LOBBY BY CHRISTIAN HORAN

BY EMILY LIEBERT

book bag

past and future. secrets and destiny. you can’t go wrong with these page-turners from five of the most seasoned and exciting authors

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: BY GREER HENDRICKS & SARAH PEKKANEN

top, left: The Skyline Corner Suite includes a table for four top, right: Sophisticated dining at the Jean-Georges Philadelphia on the fifty-ninth floor bottom: The Cityscape Suite offers views of City Hall and the Delaware River below: The fifty-seventh floor has an indoor pool that seems to spill into the sky, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a wellness boutique and seven-room spa for pure serenity.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIAN HORAN

PAMPER The Hotel’s fifty-seventh floor, dubbed “a haven of health and wellness” is home to a state-of-the-art fitness center in partnership with celebrity trainer and Four Seasons Global Fitness Advisor Harley Pasternak. There’s also a 30,000-gallon indoor infinity-edge pool that “spills” into the sky, a wellness boutique and a spa. Signature treatments include the Crystal Anti-Pollution Journey and the Warm Crystal Massage.

SIGHTSEEING There’s no shortage of things to do in Philly. From the Liberty Bell, the Museum of Art, and the Franklin Institute to Independence Hall and running up the Rocky Steps (at the bottom of the stairs, snap a photo with the bronze statue of Rocky from Rocky III). With that said, what my son and I enjoyed the most was The Philadelphia Zoo (the first true zoo in the U.S.) and lunch at Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s largest and oldest public markets, offering the broadest variety of food stalls under one roof. DiNic’s signature roast pork sandwich is out of this world.

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

This heart-pounding novel is about a downand-out woman who sees someone throw herself in front of a subway train. She entangles herself with the glamorous Moore sisters, who seem to have it all. Or do they? And what secrets will result in a deadly confrontation?

THE GRACE KELLY DRESS BY BRENDA JANOWITZ In 1958 Paris, a seamstress sewed a Grace Kelly replica gown for a bride-tobe. Decades later, a bride-to-be inherits the dress but doesn’t want it. She doesn’t know the painful secret that altered her mother’s life as she once planned to wear the same dress.

A HUNDRED SUNS BY KARIN TANABE Set in the stylish framework of 1930s Indochine, this work of historical fiction follows the American wife of a French Michelin heir. Driven to preserve the family fortune, she ensures that her trail of secrets stays buried. This one is evocative and suspenseful.

IN FIVE YEARS BY REBECCA SERLE Dannie Cohan is asked, Where do you see yourself in five years? The next day she wakes up five years later in a different apartment, with a different engagement ring. When she wakes again, she’s back in 2020. Then, fourand-a-half years later, she meets the man from her vision.

SEAS THE DAY FINDING THE MAGIC IN MAUI IS ABOUT FAR MORE THAN THE

GORGEOUS BEACHES AND STUNNING LANDSCAPE

undreds of guidebooks have been penned promising visitors access to the “real” or “hidden” Hawaii. They include advice on where to find secret waterfalls and unspoiled beaches, and which stop on the Road to Hana will lead to the “Hawaii of your dreams.” The thing these guidebooks miss—and it’s at the heart of experiencing authentic Hawaii—is meeting the Hawaiians themselves. There is a Hawaiian word, mana, that means the life energy that flows through all things and humans. Though I have traveled to this remote island chain

many times, I had never experienced mana. Until, as unlikely as it sounds, I checked into a very special beachfront hotel on Maui. Kaliko Storer’s title is Cultural Advisor at the Andaz Maui. However, it’s not possible to reduce what she does to a simple title. To those of us with scant knowledge of Hawaiian history, this role could seem unnecessary. As I peppered her with trite questions about where to find the elusive real Hawaii that our readers would be eager to visit, she gently returned me to the same answer again and again. Meet the people, sit, listen, be. I had a lot to learn.

MICHAEL MAXWELL - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

by kim-marie evans

TO DO ON-PROPERTY

BELOW: PACIFIC DREAM PHOTOGRAPHY

above: The outrigger experience is a must-do activity righ: Chef Isaac at the Andaz Maui below: Wilson Evans explores the beach

We know that Hawaii became the fiftieth state in 1959, but what many of us don’t know is that natives believe their monarchy was overthrown and their land illegally annexed. Teaching the Hawaiian language was banned until 1987. And by then, only 1 percent of the population could speak it fluently. Part of the resurgence of the local culture is the language. Kaliko’s job isn’t just teaching tourists, but also the staff. One of her many efforts is to normalize the Hawaiian language. “We have a Hawaiian word of the day program that we launched. I think it’s important to reclaim the Hawaiian names for places and other things.” Disney’s Moana taught us that ancient voyagers could navigate the stars using just their hands. Standing under the boundless night sky measuring the distance to the North Star with my palm, I learned that I could as well. Classes on celestial navigation are another of Kaliko’s educational efforts. Kala Tanaka looks a bit like Moana, young and sweet. But she is a serious Wayfinder

who guided an entire crew and hulking double-hull canoe through dark waters using nothing more than her diminutive hand. When asked how she would know if we were off course, she replied that she could feel it—in the waves and in the wind. Learn more about the legacy of ancient voyaging at hokulea.com. Though the Andaz Maui was recently voted one of the best hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler, it’s not the modern design or the cascading infinity pools that make it worth a visit. The resort spans fifteen beachfront acres just up the coast from the more well-known Four Seasons Maui. The term “house reef ” is used by hotels to indicate that guests can swim to a coral reef from the property’s shore. The Andaz has a house reef, and a swim around the rocky corner reveals an entire playground of sea turtles. Though you can borrow snorkel gear and rent a kayak, you won’t meet an octopus without a little help from an expert. Book the MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

Get a Lomilomi massage at the Awili spa, ask for Jamie. The one-hour massage is $190. Add the custom oil blending experience and create your own massage oil using local ingredients; for $55 you’ll leave with your creation and the hotel will keep your recipe on file for future use. Book a Chef’s Table dinner at Ka’ana kitchen. Only four guests are seated per night and the six-course meal is created “a la

minute” for each guest and can be accompanied by expert wine pairings. Ask for Charlie the sommelier, and if you’re lucky he might pour some of his 1927 port or other rare vintages. Capture the perfect photo with a complimentary session from Pacific Dream Photography. The forty-five-minute shoot is free and guests get a $50 credit toward prints. Digital images start at $79.

TO DO OFF-PROPERTY

two-hour outrigger snorkel expedition ($139 per person). Ask if you can get on Koa’s boat. Kekoa Cramer is the beach crew manager, a competitive outrigger canoe rower and erstwhile sea-life whisperer. We had been in the water for about ten minutes when he swam up cradling an octopus. He assured me that as soon as he “calmed it down,” I could hold it. On a two-hour trip, we met Honu (sea turtles), octopi and all manner of tropical fish. Though the hotel offers guests complimentary new GoPro video cameras, leave it in the room for this outing. Be in the moment, and Koa will snap the photos. left: According to Open Table, Mama’s Fish House is the second-most popular restaurant in the United States. below: Rooms with a view at the Andaz Maui

GETTING THERE:

There are no direct flights to Maui from the East Coast. Either fly to Honolulu from JFK and then connect to Maui (airport code OGG) or connect through San Francisco or Los Angeles. The Andaz has 301 rooms, including thirty-five suites and eleven private villas. All rooms have a private lanai.

Eat at Mama’s Fish House. It sounds like a tourist trap, but it’s not. This iconic waterfront restaurant serves up some of the best— and most expensive— food you’ll ever eat. Reservations are hard to come by, so book early. Taxis are expensive on the island; rent a car from the hotel’s on-site Enterprise. While there, drive a mile up the road and watch the real surfers ride the waves at Ho’okipa. If you’re not an expert, don’t try to get in on the action; a lifeguard will stop you. Some lessons are learned the hard way. mamasfishhouse.com Spend the day relaxing on nearby Makena Beach, also known as Big Beach. Follow signs for Makena, the beach is through the trees. Though it’s rated the No. 1 beach in Maui, it’s not crowded and is great for boogie boarding, though the shore break can be rough. The beach has lifeguards, restrooms and food trucks.

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CONTRIBUTED; TOP PHOTOGRAPH BY ©FOTOGESTOEBER - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

above: Makena Beach is one of Hawaii’s largest undeveloped beaches—a perfect place to escape the crowds of some on Maui’s more crowded beaches.

Learn to surf in nearby Kihei. The combination of warm, shallow water and gentle rolling waves makes this the perfect place to learn. Maui Waveriders promises that you’ll stand up during your first lesson or it’s free. A private lesson, $150 for two hours, includes the board, rash guard and booties. Your glory will be captured by photographers from No Ka Oi—it’s only $30 for all your digital images. (Fun fact: historians believe the phrase “pursuit of happiness” in the constitution was inspired by surfers.) mauiwaveriders.com

Heaven in ConneCtiCut Far from the madding crowd, in the Litchfield Hills, lies a quiet getaway. Set on 113 acres and bordering extensive woods and lakes, Winvian Farm was created to recharge and indulge. The five-star cuisine, the wines, the spa and the service are as unexpected as the experiences that one ultimately enjoysâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just around the corner.

winvianfarm.com

ELECTRIFYING THE LUXE BMW’S 745E ADDS A TOUCH OF HYBRID POWER by chris hodenfield

magnificence. Our optioned-up tester had it all, including the “Panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof,” the M Sport package, and luxury rear seating complete with TV monitors and massage seats. For the price, you’d expect the sound acoustics of Carnegie Hall, and Harman-Kardon Surround System does in fact present a sonic wallop. Mastering the controls was not difficult (an area in which some manufacturers have failed miserably). BMW offers other engine packages that either lessen or increase the cost. All of them feature the 7-series’ burly front

Fairfield County. Driving to the station on a cold winter’s morn, you are sparing the engine while the electric motor (which alone will take you to 80 mph) eases you silently down the road. When the EV battery is drained, the gasoline-fueled turbo 6 alone is a mighty accomplice. Long-distance drives take you past 400 miles. Normal jaunts around town will deliver a combined mileage in the mid-30s. The all-wheel-drive system adds to driver assurance. On the road, the 745e again presents two faces. For all its heft, it’s devilish fun to drive even as it coddles you in a soft leather

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grill, which is something you’d expect in a monster truck. In an era when luxurious SUVs hold sway, it is still a welcome, regal romp to light out in a swift, well-made sedan like the 745e.

STATS BMW 745E XDRIVE Base price: $95,550, as tested: $119,875 Drivetrain: 280 hp 3.0-liter turbo 6 with 111 hp electric motor. 388 hp combined. AWD EPA mileage ratings: 19 city/ 26 highway EV range: 18 miles

CONTRIBUTED

MW’s new 745e delivers just what you want out of a posh German styler: an opulent interior, confidence in the curves, and hell-raising power. The “e” tag in the name signifies something else—100 horses’ worth of electric boost. The 745e is what you might call a “sorta hybrid.” Officially it’s a plug-in hybrid, although in my thoroughly wonderful week in this car, I never actually bothered to plug it in. Braking and coasting will restore juice to the EV battery, which supplies a max 18 miles of added, electric-only range. It’s a useful configuration for

SCAP CHRYSLER | JEEP | DODGE | RAM

W W W. S C A P C H R Y S L E R J E E P. C O M

430 Tunxis Hill Road | Fairfield, CT 5 Year/60,000 MILE

203-384-0005 EXT: 3102 Rick Hecker

POWERTRAIN WARRANTY

home by diane sembrot

aybe you’re downsizing from a fourbedroom Colonial to a one-bedroom condo or maybe you just bought your first apartment. Congratulations! It’s time to make it your own—and super-functional. Making the best use of a small space is about simplified living, meaning that you keep exactly what you want and everything has a space. Because clever storage and practical organization are the two pillars of small-space success, we turned to the masters: California Closets, a business dedicated to containing stuff around the house. While their systems can take on huge projects, everything from garages and entryways to kitchens and pool houses, we zeroed in on clever options for maximizing

above: The West End Loft offers storage and display options and includes pull-out drawers to be used as nightstands

living space. We were not disappointed by the suggestion: a Murphy bed. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a bed that folds up into

the wall. Did Gene Kelly’s tight apartment in the classic film An American in Paris come to mind? Trust us, today’s version of a Murphy bed is far and beyond what was available to our grandparents. California Closets’ standard wall bed feels like a traditional bed, and you can lift it either feet up or side up (so you can hop in it from either side). The side-tilt version is a good fit for tight spaces, such as a playroom or an office. When opened, it takes up less of a footprint into the room. Usable storage is included; the mechanisms are sturdy enough to last for years; it’s easy to use; and left: The Bancroft Townhouse combines media center with storage and sleep

your room or your guest room gains hidden space to use during the day. Both versions are far more than functional, too. They’re also eye-pleasing. “Our wall beds allow you to create a multifunctional room without additional space,” says Hannah Nieves, director of marketing and trade development. “Beautiful cabinetry, finishes and shelving transform a space into a comfortable sleeping area when needed. A well-designed wall bed respects the aesthetic and primary purpose of the room, allowing it to seamlessly serve two or more functions.” When deciding on a custom home-storage solution from California Closets, you would have a chance to meet with an experienced designer. This is a complimentary home visit, and the designer would ask about what you’re looking for and take room measurements. Then you would get a good picture of what the space would look like by reviewing it with their proprietary 3-D CAD software. The designer would show you what the installation would look like in your home. Finally, systems are manufactured in Shelton, and installed exactly as designed by the company’s team. CONTRIBUTED

OPEN UP M

FROM APARTMENTS TO SPARE ROOMS, DON’T SACRIFICE AN INCH OF SPACE

35 elm street westport | serenaandlily.com

home

left: The front of the house, with its sweeping roofline and sweet pathway, is welcoming. right: The back, with s dramatic fire feature, is perfect for entertaining.

THE FUN HOUSE

ave a taste for contemporary, but don’t want to rock the boat in your traditional neighborhood? We found a solution: Do both. Robert A. Cardello Architects has proof that it works. “This home looks pretty traditional from the front but has a very modern flair around back and inside,” says David LaPierre, partner and its project manager. “It was clear from our first meeting that [our clients] wanted to develop something new and special. In every meeting we discussed the importance of ‘casual living’ and ‘frequent gatherings.’ We were delighted to be designing a house that invites neighbors in and provides fun and recreation in beautiful spaces.” While the owners dreamed of good times ahead, the architects thought about the work to get there. “Although ultimately the house screams fun and comfort, there were many technical challenges to overcome in the initial design: addressing flood elevations, working with multilevel terracing, maintaining proper building heights,” says LaPierre. “However, the most important early-on factor was angling the house plan properly to capture the best possible views of the water.”

The transitional lines of the interior and the open-floor plan provide plenty of space to relax and enjoy. The kitchen and eating area flow into the living space, while the family room— featuring a shuffle board and retractable viewing screen—can be separated by a large sliding barn door. The upstairs master suite and bedrooms enjoy spectacular views and balcony access. The third-floor gym is complete with a golf simulator. And there’s more. “The rear terrace area is an everyday vacation. A twelve-foot sliding glass wall joins the inside to the outside,” says LaPierre. “The outdoor living space features a glass-walled pool, which remains heated all year-round, and a mid-level spa area, which cleverly disappears under a sliding cover, doubling as a lounge. The covered seating area enjoys a cozy fireplace and fantastic views. The lower terrace is accented with a ‘wall of fire.’ ” Despite all the extras of a modern-day family party house, it’s still a good neighbor. “The traditional front exterior is in stark contrast with the modern aesthetic of the water side,” explains LaPierre. “Sweeping rooflines and a classic shingle-style look westportmag.com

allow this house to fit nicely into the quaint neighborhood street.” Cardello is a well-established, award-winning, full-service residential and commercial firm, and its design powerhouses dream up creative plans for luxury homes across Fairfield and Westchester counties. They also respect where we live. “The beauty of New England extends far beyond the fall foliage season. Whether set among the rolling hills or along the coastline, the architecture of New England is perhaps one of its most renowned and photogenic assets,” notes Robert A. Cardello, founder. “But people live differently than twenty, fifty or a hundred years ago.” Homeowners respect tradition, but adapted for modern living. That starts with floor plans for an informal lifestyle with occasional formal gatherings. It also means letting gathering spaces, inside and out, flow together. And because today’s homes are large, homeowners appreciate low-maintenance finishes and energy-sipping materials. “Whether new construction or renovation, RAC designs are meticulously crafted to adapt with the ever-changing lifestyles of those who reside within.” So, yes, dream big.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODRUFF BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGNING FOR TODAY’S LIFESTYLE, AND FITTING INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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the premier home design competition

Set your sights on a win in 2020! If you have a project or firm in CT, go to athomefc.com and find out how to get on the A-List!

Join us for the A-List Awards Gala! September 16, 2020 at the Palace Theatre in Stamford.

ENTER BEGINNING MARCH 1 ! athomefc.com

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home

REMODEL, REDESIGN

THE EXPERTS

the designer

Melissa Lindsay, co-owner of Pimlico Interiors

the DESIGNER In September 2019, after eighteen years in New Canaan, Pimlico Interiors (pimlicointeriors.com) moved to Westport. It was time for a change, which is something most homeowners know all about. Refreshing the design of one’s home is not only invigorating, it also introduces changes that make for better, more efficient living. The firm settled into its comfy new nest at 1300 Post Road East, itself nestled among like-minded design aficionados: bird. salon, Kohler, Surface of Westport and Lars Bolander. Pimlico’s co-owners, Jill Kakaletris and Melissa Lindsay, team up to offer a full range of design services, from full-scale construction to reworking existing spaces. Having just been through the process themselves, as well as having helping countless clients decide what changes are needed, they offer advice learned from experience. WHEN TO DECORATE versus renovate? The single most important question to

ask is: Are your interior spaces functional for modern living? An expansive open floor plan in your kitchen and/or main living space is essential for today’s living. So this may mean taking down some walls and reconfiguring interior spaces. Renovating is a larger project to undertake but worth the investment to update your spaces to modern living. However, many rooms can dramatically transform with a decorating facelift. There may be an architectural element that is less than desirable— think an unappealing vanity or countertop—that can become less noticeable with a strong decorating plan. Paint and lighting can do wonders! We recently updated a butler’s pantry by painting all the stained wood cabinetry a rich deep taupe. We added antique mirror backsplash, new cabinetry hardware and a beautiful light fixture. The space was completely unrecognizable from its prior dated self. A seasoned interior designer will provide you direction on where it’s worthwhile to renovate and where in your home decorating can achieve more change than you may have expected.” —Melissa Lindsay

the architect

Brad DeMotte, R.A., owner of DeMotte Architects

the realtor

Mar Jennings of Mar Jennings Real Estate

above: Making a modern kitchen work for a charming 1916 cottage westportmag.com

above: The renovation provides extra living space.

the ARCHITECT While you may have a plan in mind, flexibility might be the trick for success. Take, for example, a local cape replaced with a Colonial. The owners intended to add a second floor, but then talked about higher ceilings on the first floor. The project took a new direction, and Brad DeMotte and his team at DeMotte Architects (demottearchitects. com) were soon drawing up a new 7,000-square-foot dream home with an impressive front porch. The kitchen, breakfast and family rooms are tucked away in the rear of the house to take advantage of the southern exposure, the second floor has a master suite and three big bedrooms, and the main stairway extends dramatically. They’re living large and loving it. THE DECISION TO BUILD a new house came very early in the process—at our first meeting, I believe. In general, when you have a one-story house and would like to remove the roof and build a second-story addition, that typically means that all of the

JENNINGS HEADSHOT COURTESY OF S&J MULTIMEDIA LLC; PIMLICO ROOM BY JANE BEILES; LINDSAY BY SHE SNAPS PHOTOGRAPHY, JENNIFER MARRELLI, DEMOTTE IMAGES, CONTRIBUTED

t’s that time. The house is feeling a bit tight or the layout is awkward. Something has to give. But is it a matter of redesigning a room or the whole house; remodeling it; or simply packing up and moving into a new place? Before you pick up a hammer or start scanning local real estate listings, read what local home pros advise.

OR MOVE?

AN ARCHITECT, AN INTERIOR DESIGNER AND A REALTOR WEIGH IN ON THE RIGHT HOUSE FOR YOU

ROSEBROOK GARDEN BY MATT WOOD

the REALTOR

bedrooms on the first floor will now be on the second floor. The first-floor bedrooms rarely remain as is, so most of the first floor typically gets ‘heavily’ remodeled to create additional living space. Even if a taller ceiling is not desired on the first floor, these types of projects also are good candidates for tearing the existing house down to the first-floor subfloor and building a new two-story house as the cost is essentially the same. If the foundation is in good condition and the size and shape doesn’t negatively affect the proposed design, it can remain and built on to reduce the construction cost. For any project where the cost to gut and remodel a house starts to get close to, or even exceed, the cost of new construction, building new is typically the preferred route. For example, if you had a 50- to 100-year-old, 3,000-square-foot house that was going to cost $1 million to gut and remodel, doesn’t it make more sense to tear the house down and build a new house in its place for the same cost? The exception to this would be if the house was a well-designed and well-built architectural gem, in which case it would make sense to remodel.” —Brad DeMotte

outdoor space. Read on for his valuable advice when you’re deciding if you should stay or if you should go. A few smart updates might be all you need to fall in love with your home again—though he’ll happily give you his real estate card, too.

If you’re not sure if you need an interior designer, an architect or a realtor, consider all three at once: Mar Jennings (marjennings .com). He’s the man behind the lifestyle brand—showcasing his talent and passion for all things home and garden (Emmy-nominated and Telly Award–winning TV host, executive producer and best-selling author) —and behind Mar Jennings Real Estate at Higgins Group Private Brokerage. From quick switches to full overhauls, he knows that truly enjoying the space once it’s done and dusted is what matters. Rosebrook Gardens is not only his own home, it’s also his home-project creative space. It’s

‘DO I RENOVATE OR SELL?’ is a question that comes up often. These days the best return on your investment comes from reinvesting in your home. But how to increase your family’s comfort and still get a great return on your investment? The answer is clear and simple: Be sMARt about it. For example, luxe finishes and high-end appliances not only increase both style and function, but also garner the best return in any housing market. Consider the finishes of a room before any

above: An updated back patio, with added fire pit, additional landscaping and new furnishings, creates an outdoor room oasis at Mar Jennings’ Rosebrook Gardens home.

not the same year to year—that would never do for someone with experience in all things around the home—which proves that it can be smart to stay put and simply evolve the existing space, from small changes done in a weekend or large overhauls as needed. For his property’s most recent renovation, he partnered with Gault and Outdoor Living & Design in Fairfield and transformed the

major changes. A tired bathroom could benefit from more space, but not at the expense of losing a closet or encroaching into another room. Updating what’s in the existing footprint could still provide a major transformation and visual benefits—think things like heated floors, a solid wood vanity, beautiful tile and hardware and a new commode. Together these items make for a huge

MARCH/ APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

makeover while still working within your space. Over the years, my home, Rosebrook Gardens, has seen many transformations within its footprint, each dedicated to maximizing the existing space and finishes rather than tearing down walls. For example, my front door now goes beyond functional: When I replaced the old one with a beautiful Dutch door, I was able to greet guests while keeping my schnauzer, Daisy, inside and not rushing their feet. Similarly, my fireplace insert was neither acceptable nor desirable for me, so it was replaced with a complete stone and brick firebox build out. It is more substantial and relevant for my home’s style. During my kitchen renovation I paid attention to the appliances and textiles for a luxe over-the-top transformation without tearing down walls. I decided against going open concept, so finishes and touches all had to do more, design-wise. Shiplap ceiling, a custom window over the sink and bespoke cabinets elevated the existing footprint, while a custom black La Cornue stove became the jewel in the space. Today’s renovations are about more than just adding extra footprint. Lifestyle touches are more important. Buyers will pay up for the details, while homeowners are finding more comfort in their homes with budgets set aside for textiles, lighting, wallpaper and custom luxuries: plantation shutters, cedar shingle roofs and copper details. Coffered ceilings, shiplap and beadboard have been rediscovered as the most desirable applications added. Homeowners, buyers and anyone who visits a home will always love the details of a well-appointed lifestyle home. The best renovations begin with paint, updated light fixtures and classic well-proportioned rooms.” —Mar Jennings

do by diane sembrot

above: A spa treatment room at Westport's Dream Spa & Salon—get ready for a beautiful experience

DON’T WAKE ME

FOR TWENTY YEARS, DREAM SPA & SALON HAS BEEN PAMPERING, TREATING AND RELAXING US, HEAD TO TOE drag in our sack of wishes and worries, settle into a warm and comfy treatment room, and, then, instantly let everything go. No tension, like a wispy reed in that peaceful river. Some of us stop by to treat the lower-back pain or nagging shoulder knot that comes with tension we don't even realize we're holding. Others book an appointment because of tough workouts—it’s easy to forget that we weekend

warriors are all-too human. The rest come in to enjoy the pleasure of beauty treatments and, occasionally, a new look. It all happens under one roof, where we seek the better things in life: a collagen facial, a Swedish massage, a gingerlemongrass body scrub, a French manicure, an eyebrow wax, makeup and/or a full head of highlights and a head-turning new hairstyle. Two decades in, this place knows us.

“We have longevity and success because of the relationships we have created with our clients and staff. Retention of both is equally important. WE TAKE PRIDE IN CREATING the best experience and sharing our expertise in A FRESH AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.” —lori dodd, owner westportmag.com

KYLE NORTON

ream Spa & Salon (dreamdayspa.com) is turning twenty, and don’t we all want to celebrate that by tossing our daily stress and worries to a metaphorical river and imagine them floating away? That may not be a typical party, but it feels right for this lush spa and salon, and it’s what a massage feels like here. We pop out of the traffic on the Post Road and roll into a parking spot. We arrive at the door,

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BACK TO NATURE

NAKED FIG TAKES ON THE ART OF VEGAN EVENTS by eliz abeth keyser and create Naked Fig events, while Jeffrey Selden is running the planning and execution. “Seventy percent of the recipes are Matthew’s,” Selden says, “And about 30 percent are ours. We know the catering world, and it’s different from what Matthew Kenney does in restaurants,” she says. “We needed to create one-bite hors d’oeuvres.” Cooking Kenney’s recipes re-ingited her passion. “Matthew’s food is exquisite and sophisticated,” she says. At a recent launch party for Naked Fig in MSC’s NYC event space, guests tasted mini raw zucchini lasagna, sweet pea falafel, and kelp noodle cacio e pepe. Plant-based eating is not a trend, Selden says, it’s the future. “I would love our clients who aren’t vegan to have one of these Naked Fig events,” she says, “and surprise their guests.”

PHOTOGRPAHY: FOOD © ADRIAN MUELLER; PARTY BY PHILLIP VAN NOSTRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

hen Marcia Selden Catering (MSC) got a call from Matthew Kenney Cuisine, looking for a partner to expand his plant-based restaurant empire into the world of high-end catering, it was a fullcircle moment. Robin Selden, MSC’s managing partner and executive chef, was a fan of the chef since the ’90s, when he opened Matthew’s on the Upper East Side of NYC. She and her friends would eat there, enjoying the food, and moments when the handsome chef, named Best New Chef by Food and Wine in 1994, said hello. Since then, Kenney has devoted himself to raw and plant-based cuisine. He’s opened many restaurants nationally and internationally (now operating thirtynine, according to his website), including Double Zero. He’s published ten books, including Everyday Raw. Meanwhile, last June MSC catered a vegan wedding for 300 in Greenwich. The guests, even the meat-and-potato types, were blown away. “Wait a minute. This is vegan?!” Naked Fig, the partnership between Stamford-based MSC and California-based Kenney, will create luxury, plant-based, vegan party food for catered events across the country and in Canada. Robin Selden will lead the culinary team that’ll execute

Naked Fig Catering, a culinary brand from Marcia Selden Catering and Matthew Kenney Cuisine, celebrated its launch at Above Twelve (a Marcia Selden exclusive NYC event space). The party, called Garden of Eden, served plant-based cuisine.

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M O F F LY M E D I A

GOLD COAST C O N N E C T I C U T • 2020

The nominations are in! Now it’s time to

VOTE for your favorite local businesses for Best of the Gold Coast BESTOFGOLDCOASTCT.COM Voting ends MARCH 15

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frame of mind

Pinstripes' upscale BISTRO, BOWLING and BOCCE modernizes good old-fashioned fun

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top: Upscale bowling means comfortable seating, brand-new lanes and lane-side food and drinks. center: The restaurant serves Italian and American choices, from woodfired pizzas to Blackened Ahi Tuna bottom: Slip into a cozy booth

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN VIDELER

turn. Here you relax in plush sofas and lounge ucky thirteen! Nearby Norwalk welcomes chairs—and your food and beverages are the thirteenth location of Pinstripes served game-side. (pinstripes.com), an “experiential dining“We are excited to bring Pinstripes’ sophisand-entertainment concept.” What does that ticated fun to Norwalk,” notes Dale Schwartz, mean? It means we can now grab friends and founder and CEO. “Adding to The SoNo family and enjoy a game of bowling or bocce Collection’s spectacular shopping, dining, and a table filled with Italian-American cuisine. art and lifestyle destination, we will offer a Drop by the shiny new The SoNo Collection welcoming entertainment experience for the to try-and-taste the first Pinstripes location Fairfield County community.” in Connecticut. Its 26,000 square feet features Pinstripes, Inc., founded in 2007, is headtwelve bowling lanes, four indoor and outdoor quartered in Chicago and operates locations bocce courts, and private event spaces that can in Illinois, Minnesota, D.C., Maryland, Kansas, accommodate from twenty to 1,000 people. Texas, Ohio and California. Work up an appetite while It has also announced plans having fun at the courts, “We are excited to roll out more venues. lanes and event space, then indulge in tasty Italianto bring PINSTRIPES’ Rooted in a nostalgic love of bowling, Pinstripes is American cuisine, fine sophisticated fun about connecting with wines, handcrafted cockto Norwalk. Adding one another—having fun tails and an ever-changing to The SoNo together, beyond just going selection of craft beers. Collection... to dinner. Schwartz paired The menu, with housewe will offer bocce and bowling, Italian made dishes that feature and American cuisine and A WELCOMING locally sourced ingredients, wines, and gelato and ice includes tempting options ENTERTAINMENT cream. (He came up with such as filet mignon, mapleEXPERIENCE.” the name “Pinstripes” by glazed salmon, wood-fired —dale schwartz, founder and ceo connecting bowling “pins” pizzas, handmade pastas, with “pinstripe” formal attire.) salads, handcrafted sandFor special occasions, wiches and gelato. Plus, each such as birthdays and anniversaries, clients season brings chef specialties. Pinstripes serves work with a team to create customized menus, lunch and dinner seven days a week as well as games and activities that suit their style. They hosting Happy Hours, offering a late night menu can choose from the flexible-use ballroom, and serving filling weekend brunches. which seats up to 200 guests; one of the Just as the food is not your standard fare, private reception rooms; the 3,000-square-foot these aren’t your average bowling lanes— outdoor patio and fire pit area; or, of course, the they’ve gone luxe. The bowling lanes and bocce bowling lanes and bocce courts. courts are meticulously maintained. Moffly Ready to play? Reservations are not mandatory, Media Senior Art Director Venera Alexandrova but recommended. Each bowling lane accomvisited on opening night and remarks: “The modates up to eight people; each bocce court, ball doesn’t roll down the lane, it floats.” Also, up to ten (see pricing online). forget about plastic seating while waiting your

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women BUSINESS Influencers

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people&PLACES by joey macari

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NEIL LANDINO 1

GOLF CLASSIC / Near & Far Aid

Full Swing

ear & Far Aid hosted its popular and productive annual Golf Classic at the prestigious Country Club of Fairfield. Golfers signed up to “Crush Poverty.” The event helps the organization raise funds that support programs aimed at closing the opportunity gap for low-income individuals and families in Fairfield County. Fairfield County Bank served as title sponsor at this year’s golf tourney, and Moffly Media served as a proud presenting sponsor that day. »

1 Ryan Morgan, Stuart Zarich, Tim Powers and Kevin Owens 2 Edgar Cullman, Barbara Isreal, Bruce and Susan Barnet 3 Graham McConnell and Evan Healy 4 Patrick and Sarah Berges, Debra Kendall and Dave Berges 5 Event Cochairs Samira Cwanek and Lindsey Muldoon 6 Andrew Kello MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

people 1

1 The Hart family 2 Actor/emcee James Naughton at the podium 3 Family rides for charity 4 Bikers race to the finish line 5 Chris, Ryan and Meghan Raveis 6 James Naughton and Bill Raveis 7 Volunteers pose at the photo booth 8 Friendly game of tug-of-war 9 Danielle and Ryan McGrath 10 The Raveis family

WILLIAM RAVEIS RIDE + WALK / William Raveis Charitable Fund

Ride On

he annual William Raveis Ride + Walk fundraiser took place at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk with an enthusiastic and generous crowd of local supporters. The proceeds from this family-friendly event directly benefited the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, which funds the most promising scientists conducting cutting-edge research to find a cure for cancer. The Ride + Walk event included a 5K walk, a 12-mile, 25-mile and 50-mile bike ride, as well as a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100-yard dash and other entertainment. Tony Awardâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;winning Broadway, television and film actor, James Naughton, served as master of ceremonies.

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY KYLE NORTON

people 2

LIGHTING THE WAY / Star, Inc.

Star Light

CONTRIBUTED

ver 300 guests attended the eighteenth Annual Fundraising Dinner and Auction at Woodway Country Club in Darien to benefit STAR, Inc., Lighting the Way. The event raised more than $350,000 for the organization. Partygoers enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a Mediterranean-themed dinner, and participated in silent and live auctions. A highlight of the night: STAR participants and family members shared stories of the organization’s positive impact and support in their lives. The money raised will fund programs helping people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Fairfield County towns. »

1 Brennan Glasgow, Kristy Jadlos, Julie and Peter Moeller 2 Jennifer and Jack Murphy 3 Dee and Andrew Stefanou 4 Lou and Christen Garcia 5 Tom, Barbara and Todd McInerney 6 Flo Carbone, Nella and Joe Viesta 7 Dounya and A. J. Discala 8 Andy and Meredith Pettijean 9 Henry and Madeline Vasquez and Barbara Fitzpatrick 10 Friends of Peter and Julie Moeller of Darien

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

Spring Luncheon featured speaker

Brittany Packnett Cunningham A leader whose “voice is going to be making a difference for years to come.” - President Barack Obama

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Stamford Marriott Visit ppsne.org/Luncheon

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JUNE 8 – JUNE 26, 2020

MARCH 5, 2020

Brunswick School’s coeducational Summer Session offers classes to students interested in building a foundation in various disciplines. We offer a wide variety of courses to Middle and Upper School-aged students and specialize in preparatory work for the academic year ahead. Visit Brunswickschool.org/summersession for more information on courses and how to apply. For more information:

Paul Withstandley Director, Brunswick School Summer Session 203.625.5861

FEATURING LORNA LUFT

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Event Sponsors (as of 1/10):

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people 1

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

1 Jennifer Ferrante, John Walsh and Nancy Lewis 2 Terry Eldh, Luisa Francoeur, Will Page and Lisa Goodrich Page 3 Wendy and Ross McKeon, Leslie and Chan Wheeler, Dee and Brian Chapman 4 Staples High School student musicians get ready to perform under the tent 5 Jim and Mary Ellen Marpe with Mo and Jen Tooker

ROUNDABOUT

COUTURE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY VIDELER PHOTOGRAPHY

STAND UP FOR HOMES WITH HOPE / Home with Hope

Take a Stand

NEW + RESALE

he Twelfth Annual Stand Up for Homes with Hope was a huge success at The Quick Center for the Arts. The nearlysold-out crowd gathered under the party tent for cocktails and conversation, then strolled over to the theater to be entertained by comedian Pete Holmes and opening act, Lara Beitz. The evening raised about 15 percent of the housing agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual budget and allows Westport-based Homes with Hope to expand its care for over 100 area homeless individuals and families every night. W

Since 1989

Greenwich, Westport New York City

roundaboutcouture.com

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

fınance fıx

MONEY / BY CAROL LEONETTI DANNHAUSER

SPRING CLEANING TAX TIME IS A CHANCE TO GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER

ax time means hunting for documents in creaky file cabinets, overstuffed shoe boxes and worn-out envelopes, only to shove them back again once returns are filed. This season, maybe you can get your financial documents in order just as you tackle the rest of your spring cleaning. Then when you’re done, ahhh, everything is in its place. A systematic approach works best: gather, organize, shred, take action. Pick a day (or weekend or month) and commit to the task. “Pull the Band-Aid off,” says Daniel E. Paige, Director of Financial Planning at Wunder Financial in Westport. “It’s an effort outweighed by many benefits.” First, gather all of your account statements, whether paper or electronic. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, look to your tax return for help. “Lots of people have money sprinkled all over the place,” he says. “You can use your 1099s to inform you. They list

Is there an old card that you’re not using anymore? Is it worth getting a new card?” Paige says. Online calculators, such as on bankrate.com, let you compare mortgage variables. Wallethub .com helps you compare credit card rates, fees and features. While you’re online, order a free annual credit report, just to make sure everything is in order. Look to annualcreditreport.com, the only website authorized by the Federal Trade Commission for a free report. Track your budget. (The free tool mint.com can help.) “Even for many high-net-worth folks, there’s an emotional stress to spending. You might feel a sense of deprivation” if you don’t buy what you want, Paige says, but spend too much and your pile shrinks too fast. You’ll need to

know how much you take home, after taxes, retirement funding and everything else. In these days of direct deposits, many people aren’t paying attention to how much actually gets deposited. Then, gather a year’s worth of credit card and bank statements to see where your money goes. Try not to judge; you’re on a reconnaissance mission. Consider a bucket approach: Create goal-specific accounts (include fun purchases) and automatically fund them each month. X goes into the recurring bills fund, Y into the new car fund, Z into the vacation fund. The key is to automate the savings. W NOTE: Daniel E. Paige uses Wunder Financial as a marketing name for doing business as representative of Northwestern Mutual (NM). Wunder Financial is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Paige is a representative of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company®, a subsidiary of NM and limited purpose federal savings bank. Financial Representatives do not render tax advice; consult a qualified tax professional.

SHRED IT AND FORGET IT WHAT SHOULD YOU KEEP? » Seven years of tax returns and supporting documents » One year of bank statements » Your annual credit card statement » Shred your old insurance policies when the new ones arrive. » Hang on to your homeimprovement receipts at least until you sell your house, and then treat them as tax-supporting documents. » Keep annual 401(k) statements until you retire.

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HEADSHOT, CONTRIBUTED; SHREDDER, © LOLOSTOCK - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Daniel E. Paige

the source of your income, gains, interest, distributions and the like.” Bundle similar accounts— savings in one pile, checking in another, retirement in a third, and so on. First, compare fees. Then reduce your number of savings accounts and maximize the interest on your cash stash. Your savings accounts might be earning a small percent interest rate right now, when there’s a chance you could earn more in a CD or high-yield savings account. A financial advisor can recommend an account best suited for your individual financial needs. And consider poking around online sites such as nerdwallet.com and bestcashcow.com to get an idea of what is offered. Consolidate 401(k)s and other retirement accounts, but consult with an advisor or accountant to avoid costly tax errors. While you’re at it, rebalance your asset allocation. If you don’t have an advisor, the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org) can help you find a fee-only planner nearby. Do the same with your debt— car loans, credit cards, student loans, mortgage, etc.—with an eye on reducing interest. “I don’t think a lot of people understand that they can have lower debt. Look at your statements. With your mortgage, what’s the rate and the terms? Is it worth refinancing? With your credit card, look at the fees, the interest and the benefits.

EXTENDS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO

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WE RAISE OUR GLASSES WITH A TOAST TO THE MITCHELL FAMILY AND THEIR EXTRAORDINARY PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT TO BRIDGING THE OPPORTUNITY AND SERVICE GAPS IN OUR COMMUNITY

MIND THE GAP

Over 170 juried artists, local food and drink, live music & family art activities in beautiful downtown Westport.

New Dates!

WestportDMA.com

Sat & Sun, May 30-31 10:00AM - 5:00PM

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

Visit our expanded Emerging Artists Exhibition In partnership with MOCA Westport

Church Lane, Dowtown Westport

LIGHTEN This designer loves to renovate. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how she gave A LIFT TO THE OLD HILL HOUSE she now calls home.

by judy ostrow

In the living room, a Husk lounge chair and ottoman from B&B Italia and a pair of chairs by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso in a Holly Hunt patterned fabric flank Tom Dixon coffee tables.

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phot o gr aphs by nancy hill

UP S

ome homeowners like to periodically renew the interiors and exteriors of a home they keep for a generation or more. Others, the more peripatetic variety, finish a house, live in it for a while, and then fall in love with another one. Yvonne Ferris puts herself in the latter category. As an interior designer, she is in the business of transforming environments. As a homeowner, she will find a place with potential, perform a makeover, spend a few years there and then move on. “I had recently sold a house that I renovated in Southport and was looking for a new home,” she recalls. “I love renovating, so I was definitely open to something that needed work. I truly enjoyed living in Southport, but I had come to really like Westport as well, so my focus was on finding something there.” What she found was a shingle-and-stone house in the Old Hill neighborhood. The home’s original section had been built in 1938, similar in style to many of the fieldstone houses built by Frazier Forman Peters in Old Hill, around Westport and in the surrounding towns in the 1920s and ’30s. Added to in the 1980s, the place she found was large and well-sited, and Ferris saw the possibilities. “I wanted to peel back the layers of the house and get it to a more minimal place. It had great bones but felt dark and heavy inside,” she says. While the exterior remained as she found it, except for the addition of two more windows, she went to work on the interiors. “There was so much stone; the walls were painted in dark colors, the floors had a dark stain, and even the stair rails were black wrought iron. This house has many large windows, so I wanted to capture all the light that they brought into the space.” To accomplish this, she removed almost all of the stone from inside the house, including the cladding on the family room and living room chimneys. In the family room, which has

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

above: The white marble countertop is beautiful and practical. below: A Lindsey Adelman chandelier illuminates the dining room table. opposite: The kitchen cabinets are the original oak installation, augmented by updated hardware, absolute black granite countertops and farmhouse sink, and an oversized kitchen island in the same oak as the cabinetry, with a marble top.

exposed wood beams and ceilings that soar, she raised the firebox to create a plinth for sitting or fireplace accessories; here, she also painted all the walls white, including the fireplace wall. All that remains of the home’s old stone accents is the fireplace surround in the living room. She loves its clean angles and the look of the St. Laurent marble. BRIGHT OUTLOOK Ferris’s go-to paint color—decorator white— has been used throughout the house on walls and ceilings, except for the media room, for which a darkened environment is logical; there, her choice was a shade called Day’s End. But even with its subdued palette for optimal video viewing, Ferris chose a white sectional sofa to continue her light-and-bright theme. “I like the look of pale wood and very light stains on floors,” says Ferris. To accomplish

westportmag.com

I wanted the look and durability of a commercial KITCHEN, and this stone is bombproof.

left: The living roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrangement gets a pop of caramel color and lots of comfort with an Extra Soft multilevel sofa by Living Divani. below: The informal dining area off the kitchen displays the designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penchant for mixing chairs for table seating; four fabric chairs are Tom Dixon, the other two are from Bertjan Pot for Moooi. right: The powder room is a fun mixture of custom old world plaster walls by master painter Nilson Vitti, an antique chair in Holly Hunt fabric, concrete vanity and shelf, and an ultra-soft sheepskin rug underfoot.

We use the dining room for Thanksgiving and Christmas... when we dine there, WE ALWAYS HAVE A FIRE GOING in the living room, which is open to the dining room.

above: A white Cloud sofa from Restoration Hardware and cocktail table from Property New York create counterpoint to the dark media room walls. below: Ferris designed the family room sofa, covered in a blue Rogers & Goffigon velvet; above it hangs a painting by Erin Parish.

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

This house has many large windows, so I WANTED TO CAPTURE ALL THE LIGHT

that they brought into the space.

westportmag.com

this aesthetic, which harkens to many Belgian interiors, she sanded the home’s existing floors and then bleached them several times to achieve the effect she wanted. “Making them lighter also makes the rooms feel brighter and larger,” she notes. In the kitchen, the designer retained the lightstained oak cabinets, adding simple modern hardware with a scale and heft that harmonize with the room’s other metal fittings. Ferris, who has two children in college, wanted a kitchen that would be durable and low maintenance. For working countertops, backsplash, an integral farmhouse sink, and two inserts in the wood floor in front of the sink and stove, she chose absolute black granite. “I wanted the look and durability of a commercial kitchen, and this stone is bombproof,” says Ferris. The kitchen is also well scaled for the family’s entertaining needs. Ferris had the large island made with the same oak as the cabinets, adding an elegant white statuary marble top so friends and family can gather around for informal dining and snacking. And while the adjacent dining room is spacious and glamorous, it tends to be a special occasion space. “We like to hang out more in the kitchen and the family room than in the formal dining room,” says the designer. “We use the dining room for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and when I have more than six dinner guests. When we dine there, we always have a fire going in the living room, which is open to the dining room.”

left; The designer’s office provides plenty of space for creation. Its details include a Paper Chandelier from Moooi, vintage zinc file drawers, and a seriously modern 1946 Reale table by Carlo Mollino.

THE DARK SIDE Although every room speaks to lightness, modernity and comfort, Ferris also built in a bit of surprise with the first-floor guest powder room—always a spot for a unique and ingenious treatment. “It has a very distinct look based upon the mix of its components. The walls have an old world waxed plaster finish in black, which master painter Nilson Vitti did for me. The sink and MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

I like the look of PALE WOOD AND VERY LIGHT STAINS on floors...making them lighter also makes the room feel brighter and larger. above: A soft and peaceful arrangement for her dreamy white master bedroom includes some sparkling highlights; Ferris designed the silver shams with fabric from Leather by Edelman. below: The sophisticated use of blackand-white contrast

opposite above: Ferris has fun with details, like the ballerina legs of a table she found at ABC Carpet and Home in New York. The clear side table with stacked books is a clever way to add visual space to the room. opposite below: The white â&#x20AC;&#x153;porcupineâ&#x20AC;? on the wall, bottom, is actually an African headdress.

shelf are made of black concrete—a total antithesis to the plaster walls. We used rose gold as the metal for the taps, a Holly Hunt upholstered antique chair, handmade Allied Maker sconces, and a gray sheepskin rug that is great when barefoot. I love the powder room.” Deciding on her favorite room is difficult. “There are so many great spaces,” she says. “While the idea is always to renovate and sell, I always fall in love, especially with this house. It is very different from any of my other houses, but it has incredible soul. It is a happy house, and my kids love it—as does everyone who walks through the door. While its exterior seems a bit serious, once you get inside, it is white, bright and welcoming. I would definitely like to stay here for awhile.” Resource: Yvonne Ferris Interiors, 606 Post Rd. E., Ste. 583, Westport; yvonneferrisinteriors.com

HOME GUIDE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

A Must-Read

ou’ve dreamed about it for years. You’ve pored over the real estate section, imagining the day when that walk-in closet or wine cellar is yours, when you’ll never put a quarter in a washing machine again, and your kids have a neighborhood to explore and a door where their heights can be etched for posterity. Your first home. How sweet. It can be, but it also can go sour quickly—or in the long run—if you aren’t careful to protect your investment with smart updates and wise planning. Some of Fairfield County’s finest realtors are here to guide you through the steps to keeping your house, and its resale value, in tip-top shape.

right: 454 South Pine Creek, Fairfield, is a new 4,531-square-foot Nantucket-style Colonial, with five bedrooms, gourmet kitchen, master bedroom suite, five and a half baths and more: $1,249,000 / Victor Vitti with Higgins Group

by jill johnson

westportmag.com

by ji ll joh ns on

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

BEFORE YOU BUY

HOUSE HUNTING

Looking for a home? Michelle Genovesi suggests working with a good realtor to understand the market and learn about the towns and schools.

“Determine how much house you can afford by getting pre-approved. Understand how much down payment you will need and don’t forget to factor in closing costs. Research neighborhoods to find the best fit…. Open houses are a good way to discover neighborhoods and value.”

above: Called The Nest, this glorious property on Pequot Avenue is new construction, designed by architect Mark Finlay and landscape by designer Doyle Herman Design. Aside from over three acres of waterfront with private beach, the 11,000-square-foot, seven-bedroom home has a rooftop observation deck. below: Pool pavilion and sun-filled room listed: $16,500,000 / Michelle&Company with William Raveis

michelle genovesi michelle&company

westportmag.com

POWER OF NEGOTIATION

PHOTOGRAPHY: OPPOSITE PAGE, ALL COURTESY WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE; THIS PAGE, ALL IMAGES CONTRIBUTED

Are you hesitant to negotiate your buying offer? You’re not alone.

“Don’t just look at houses on the Internet. The pictures don’t tell the full story. People are looking at fewer houses because the Internet has so much information, and they are excluding homes they should be looking at.… Buyers are looking at the asking price of houses and not really testing the waters. Sellers are looking for people to bid. There needs to be more communication. New buyers today have grown up in the Internet age, where they look at Amazon, see the price, and that’s the price. But a seller may have grown up in an era when everything was negotiable. A good agent will help you figure out who is negotiable and who isn’t.”

todd gibbons

william pitt/sotheby’s international Realty

above: 4 Middlebrook Lane, Wilton, offers 7,465 square feet on 2.77 acres atop open and beautiful Middlebrook Meadow. Built in 2016 by Bear Paw Builders, the home is timeless. listed: $2,799,000 / Todd Gibbons with William Pitt/Sotheby’s International Realty

MAKE YOUR MOVE

How many homes should you see before you buy? There’s no magic number.

“If you see a home that you like, then move on it— especially if it’s priced well. If it’s appealing to you, chances are it is to other buyers as well. Despite what you may read, homes that are priced well do sell at list and above, particularly if there are multiple offers. It’s like a relationship—you can’t always describe what works, but when it does, you know it.”

above: 193 North Avenue, Westport, a 1763 Colonial on 12.7 acres is called “Wisteria Court.” It’s been renovated and expanded with pool and tennis court. listed: $5,600,000 / Al Filippone Associates. LLC MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

al filippone

al filippone associates, llc

Around-theHouse To-Do List of Home Improvement Ideas, per Michelle Genovesi.

EARLY YEARS The deed to your new house is in your hands. Now what? (One tip from personal experience with my less-than-organized hubby: Do not put it in a pile of junk mail!) Here’s some key advice: KEYS: “Change the locks—all of them. You don’t know who has a key from the previous owners: babysitter, dog sitter, Uncle John who came to water the plants, the handyman for easy access, the ex who didn’t want to sell in the first place. There was a reason there was only one key at the closing!” SMOKE ALARM: “Did you know that the test button on your smoke detector only tells you if the alarm sound works, not if the detector works? The alarm sound is important and should be checked, but so should the ability to detect smoke! The way to check that the smoke detector works is to light a long, wooden kitchen match, blow it out and hold it near the unit. If the smoke sets off the alarm, you are good. If not, replace the batteries and try again. If it is still not

working, buy a new detector.” WINTER PIPES: Every winter, disconnect and store all exterior hoses. Keeping them connected can trap the water and you run the risk of frozen pipes. UPKEEP: Regular maintenance for your AC and HVAC is a must to keep the systems running smoothly and avoid surprises. CURB APPEAL: Keep up with the exterior maintenance of your home. LANDSCAPE: Don’t plant trees too close to your home: eight to ten feet for small trees (thirty feet tall or less) and thirty to fifty feet for medium to tall trees.

GET COOKIN’

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so it is smart to be sure it is current and updated.

STEP TO IT

Refresh your home by repainting as well as maintaining floors and carpeting.

ADD SPACE

Add square footage by finishing a lower level or attic space to boost value.

TOP IT OFF

Stay on top of any wood rot or roof issues.

HEAD OUTSIDE

Add outdoor living vignettes with landscaping and decks.

SAVE YOUR ENERGY

nancy pantoliano

berkshire hathaway homeservices

Consider ways to save energy, such as improvements to windows and insulation.

MIDDLE YEARS

above: 1852 Hillside Rd., Fairfield, a 6,122-square-foot home with six bedrooms, was completely renovated and rebuilt in 2006 with more updates in 2019 for a light, bright look—plus, chef’s kitchen, outdoor fireplace and patio on flat 2.57 acres: $1,980,000 / Linda Blackwell with Houlihan Lawrence

linda blackwell

HOME IAMGES BY CTPLANS

houlihan lawrence

It’s been three to ten, or more, years. You have settled into your new home and finally find yourself with some time and money to make a few updates. Congratulations! Here are some ideas from Nancy Pantoliano.

“The kitchen is the heart of the home and the most valuable room. Keeping it current helps maintain a home’s value. With innovative remodeling ideas, you can enjoy a kitchen that reflects a fresh style, improves the layout and lighting, and adds entertainment flexibility, convenience and ease of cooking. Enjoy the updates now and get great return on your investment later.” KITCHEN

FLOORS

Upgrade kitchen cabinets. Choose high-quality doors, hinges and drawers for long-lasting value, as you spend so much time in the kitchen and they add value and functionality.

Replace wall-towall carpet with hardwood floors. They add instant value and warmth to your home.

achieve the “style de jour.” When you go to sell in ten years, you will be glad you did.

HEATING & COOLING

STYLE

Upgrade your old thermostat to an energysaving, programmable one.

Stay away from the latest trendy fad. Opt for timelessness, and accessorize to

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

UP TO CODE If you’ve bought near the water and your house is not FEMA compliant, raising the house may be a consideration or even razing and rebuilding in some cases. “FEMA’s codes are always changing,” says Todd Gibbons. “A house that was

compliant four years ago might not be now. Raising a house makes a big difference in resale value—if it’s a house that makes sense to raise. Buyers don’t want to go through that process.”

WHY PERMITS ARE NOT OPTIONAL

THE LONG HAUL

fter a decade in a home, the kids may start heading off to college. You may ponder if you need so much space or should save more for retirement. “If you have a mortgage, it might pay to downsize to a smaller mortgage to reduce your monthly expenses,” says Michelle Genovesi. “Downsizing also means spending less to maintain your home and property and helping your cash flow, so you aren’t drawing from your investments. A disadvantage can be having less space for guests and family to visit and having to downsize your furniture and other possessions.” Draw up the pros and cons of selling. “If you aren’t ready to make a change, you will not be in the mindset to make smart decisions about price.”

“Always, always, always get permits for work you are doing on your home,” says Nancy Pantoliano. “Check with your local town building department if you are not sure whether you need one. There are three very good reasons for this.” 1. SAFETY “Usually, there is an inspection to be sure that the work is done to safety standards and codes. Consider the liability if the deck you just had built collapses during your first BBQ. Someone gets hurt and your homeowner’s insurance won’t pay because you did not get the proper permits to insure that it was safely built.”

2. PAPERWORK

above: 418 Harbor Road, Southport, built in 1874, has twelve-foot-plus ceilings and magnificent architectural details. listed: $2,395,000 / Amy Curry with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, New England Properties

they are exposed to the best architects and designers, in restaurants, hotels, shops and housing. Everything is new and shiny and that’s what they are looking for.” Al Filippone agrees: “Updated kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. Maintain your home with annual touch-ups and maintain your property. Just before placing your home on the market, give areas that are worn a fresh coat of paint, de-clutter extensively and ensure that your home presents itself impeccably.’”

How do you know if you’re ready to stay with your longloved home or make a clean break and start over some place new? According to the pros, you have work to do. Consider what you love about the home you are in and what you are looking to change, says Nancy Pantoliano. How much of your “stuff” are you willing to let go? Do you want room for guests? In the long-term, might you need one-level living or to take in an aging parent? Are you looking to eliminate or reduce mortgage payments? If you do decide to sell, Todd Gibbons emphasizes

that buyers today tend to be averse to homes that need work. “Overall maintenance is critical.…Buyers fifteen years ago would paint and fix this and that, because that’s how they grew up,” he says. “Buyers now often don’t know how to fix things, don’t have time with a long commute, and want everything ship shape. The people looking in our area are coming from the city, where

westportmag.com

“Any buyer will want to know that there are permits to insure any work was done properly. (A potential buyer’s mortgage company may insist on permits.) If you don’t get them now, it will cost you much more to get them later. You may even need to pull out any/all of the work you did if it is not to code.”

3. MONEY “Your uncles/brothers/ friends just may not know what they are doing. If you have work done and there is an issue, like a fire, as a result, good luck with your insurance. No permit, no payment.”

PLAYING FAVORITES

SPECIALTY ROOMS FOR YOUR PERFECT HOME

n the second half of 2019 we saw a shift in attitudes of buyers of luxury properties in Fairfield County,” says Ryan Raveis, copresident William Raveis, Inc. and a Fairfielder. “The decline of average sales process of higher end has slowed, and buyers are beginning to realize the bargains are out there. Already this year we have seen increased traffic in our open houses and are bullish on the 2020 real estate market.” Desirable luxury homes distinguish themselves by boasting exceptional building materials, excellent design, abundant space and, of course, stunning views. But there’s more—they’re also customized to the owner’s specific interests. Here, we peek inside a few specialty rooms in homes currently listed with Raveis. Though that could make anyone happy, these passion projects especially please the current homeowners. –Diane Sembrot

PHOTOGRAPHY: WINE ROOM BY VIRTUAL 203 FOR LESLIE CLARKE HOMES / WRRE; THEATER ROOM BY BORGATTA PHOTOGRAPHY; ALL COURTESY WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE

“

1 1

HOME THEATER This home theater begs one to stretch out and enjoy a good movie. It’s tucked away inside “The Nest,” an exceptional listing at 1125 Pequot Ave., Southport. With a billiards room, pool house and pool with jaw-dropping views of the Long Island Sound, it’s a dream for entertaining or escaping at home.

2 2 3

WINE At fifteen by twenty-seven feet, this architectdesigned wine cellar at the listing 33 Woodside Ave., Westport, can hold 1,800 bottles. With temperature and humidity controls and framelessglass entry, in-wall speakers, mahogany shelving, it allows for spontaneous tastings and proper aging.

GOLF Having your own golf simulator can be a true game-changer. Rain or shine, perfect your swing, shave shots from your score and let go of your stress. With this system at a home that sold just before press time, the new homeowner can experience playing top-tier courses worldwide, without leaving home.

3 MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

SP R I N G FA SH IO N 2 0 2 0

BEST OF

produced by megan gagnon

A STYLISH NEW SEASON OF COLOR, PRINTS AND CLOSET STAPLES, FRESH FROM THE RUNWAY AND READY TO SHOP NOW

2020 TREND

HAUTE CHOCOLATE Make cocoa your new fashion flavor

CULT GAIA

Eden heel; $398. cultgaia.com

4 OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Wood link earrings; $250. Neiman Marcus, The Westchester; neimanmarcus.com

FENDI

Logo Mania brown belt or crossbody convertible bag; $1,690. Mitchells, Westport; shop .mitchellstores.com

1 HOBBS

Bess skirt; $290. Greenwich; hobbs.com

NEW NEUTRAL “brown t ones are extremely versatile and have a warm, sophisticated richness t o them. a great alternative t o bl ack, they'll take you effortlessly from summer through winter. i l ove pairing a cho c ol ate silk slip dress with ch unky cashmere and a gold str appy sandal.” –Michelle Farmer founder + president, Michelle Farmer Collaborate

westportmag.com

5 KARLA COLETTO Joana ruched underwired swimsuit; $396. Soleil Toile, Westport; soleiltoile .com

OSCA R D E

LA R E N TA

6 JOHANNA ORTIZ

Ruched cottonblend top; $495. modaoperandi.com

O R T RY T H I S

7 HENRY'S

Zip top tote; $750. Greenwich; henrysleather .com

SEEING RED A bold and bright take for spring STUART WEITZMAN

Espadrilles; $295. Greenwich; stuartweitzman .com

RO KS AN DA

GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

Betty knot sandals; $895. giuseppe zanotti.com

VIC TOR IA BEC KHA M

J.CREW

FARMER PHOTO BY NEIL LANDINO, FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Blouse; $98. Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport; jcrew.com

YUZEFI

Dolores leather satchel; $595. Saks Fifth Avenue, Greenwich; saks.com

VINCE

Double breasted blazer; $485. Greenwich, Westport; vince.com

10 MANDKHAI

Yak wool ribbed jumper; $622. Michelle Farmer, Greenwich; michellefarmer.com

MICHELLE FARMER

Silk pants; $575. Michelle Farmer, Greenwich; michellefarmer.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

2020 TREND

MIX MASTER

PIERRE-LOUIS MASCIA Blouse; $475. West, Westport; west2westport.com

Tie together silky scarf motifs, graphic florals and bold color for maximum effect

6 VERSACE

Pleated silk skirt; $1,225. versace.com

4 LELE SADOUGHI

Small paper lily earrings; $125. lelesadoughi.com

1 HERMÈS

SPRING MIX

Clic H Panoplie Equestre bracelet; $700. Greenwich; hermes.com

“get your spring on with b old pat chworks and bright scarf prints. d on't be afr aid t o mix and mat ch pat terns, just be sure t o stick with c omplimentary c ol ors. our team of st ylists are here t o help you find the perfect print and make it your own.”

3 2 VALENTINO

Valentino Garavani VLOCK Carpet Reedition shoulder bag; $2,945. farfetch.com

ETRO

Patchwork print kimono jacket; $2,830. etro.com

ER DE M

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–Andrew Mitchell-Namdar co-owner, Mitchells, Richards

O R T RY T H I S

7 ALICE AND OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET

Deonna pleated dress; $595. Greenwich; aliceandolivia.com

TO DYE FOR

Hippie-chic meets high fashion

GI VE NC H Y

D IO R

MITCHELL: CONTRIBUTED; FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

LA VIE REBECCA TAYLOR

Sleeveless tie dye jumpsuit; $325. Fred, Westport; thefredshop.com

THINK ROYLN

Wingman bag in denim tie dye; $218. thinkroyln.com

8 CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Spetsos sandal; $595. us.christianlouboutin .com

9 LA DOUBLEJ

Palazzo pants; $620. ladoublej.com

MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

JIMMY CHOO

Love Oasis tie dye pump; $625. Mitchells, Westport; Richards, Greenwich;Â shop .mitchellstores.com

2020 TREND

BUSINESS CASUAL Work these earth-toned separates—vests, utility pockets and all—into your wardrobe

4 MAX & MOI

Vanille camel blazer; $513. Perfect Provenance, Greenwich; theperfect provenance.com

5 WANDLER

Anna leather bag; $660. net-a-porter.com

SHONA JOY

Eames utility linen playsuit; $320. intermix online.com

TOP THIS

CLUB MONACO

Peechie flat; $198.50. Greenwich; clubmonaco.com

CAR OLI NA HER RER A

1 AGNONA

“i l ove trench c oats and bl azers this season. the trench has a very cl assic l o ok cl osed and belted—great for business—or kept open with the belt tied in the back. l ayer with a great t-shirt and a fl are or skinny je an for a hip, chic, sp ort y l o ok. as for bl azers, a singleor d oublebreasted st yle is one of the best go -t o items you can have in your wardrobe.” –Tina Dragone owner, Tina Dragone

Silk pleated trench; $3,790. Bergdorf Goodman; bergdorfgoodman.com westportmag.com

O R T RY T H I S

6 JOIE

Brently pant; $228. Greenwich, Westport; joie.com

JO N AT H AN

PUFF LOVE When it comes to these sleeves, bigger is better ZARA

Poplin top with bow; $39.90. Greenwich, Norwalk; zara.com

SI M KH AI

VERONICA BEARD

KATE SPADE NEW YORK

WARBY PARKER

Beale sunglasses; starting at $95. Greenwich; warbyparker.com

Anouka vest; $395. veronicabeard. com

Exotic bloom poplin dress in hot cider; $498. katespade.com

ULLA JOHNSON

DRAGONE: CONTRIBUTED; FASHION IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

Puff sleeve cotton blouse; $195. Nordstrom, The SoNo Collection; nordstrom.com

GUCCI

Princetown GG canvas slipper; $790. gucci.com

10 LOVESHACKFANCY

L'AGENCE

Celine jacket; $325. Tina Dragone, Darien, Westport; tinadragone.com MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

Rikki floral cotton top; $265. loveshackfancy .com

westportmag.com

T H E A L Z H E I M E R ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N CO N N EC T I C U T C H A P T E R

Celebrating Hope 2020 T H E Eighth A N N U A L

K AT E A N D J I M C L A R K

EUGENIA ZUKERMAN

renowned flutist and former CBS news correspondent, eugenia zukerman, will share personal remarks about her journey living with alzheimer’s disease from her new memoir l i k e fa l l i n g t h r o u g h a c lo u d fo l lo w e d by a p e r fo r m a n c e o f d e b u s sy ’ s “ sy r i n x ” o n t h e f l u t e .

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Thursday May 14, 2020 6:00-9:30 The Westport Inn 1595 Post Road East

SOME LIKE IT HOT! To book, go to www.tasteofwestport.com call CLASP Homes (203) 226-7895 x144 Generously hosted by The Westport Inn and sponsored by Moffly Media

TO B E N E F I T C L A S P

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yacht

THE DARIEN FOUNDATION

live performance by

THREE SHEETS to the WIND

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EVENING

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captain’s cocktails

Hors D’OEUVRES

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4 25 20 Darien,Connecticut

GOURMEt dinner stations

Beneﬁt Co-Chairs: Alison Muench and Byrne Pozzi Kathy Arrix Kesti Aysseh Margit Bluestein Sean Calvillo Marla Chandler Kelly Clifford Kerry Coppola Kate Coyle Shannon Doherty

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Kristin Peterson Edwards Sarah Evans Suzanne Flannery Brooke Gies Carol Glassmeyer Michelle Gottfried Kate Gregory Gina Gromelski Sarah Guilbride Anne Holmes

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B:4.75"

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S:4.25"

26 2020

advertisers index ART & ANTIQUES Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture . . . . . . . . 10

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING

Near & Far Aid Thank You . . . . . . . . . . 55 The Novel Tea Featuring Lara Prescott . . 82 Optimus Healthcare/A Building

AUTOMOTIVE

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Land Rover Fairfield . . . . . . . . . . Cover 4

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BUSINESS & FINANCE Cummings & Lockwood LLC . . . . . . . . . 8

DECORATING & HOME FURNISHINGS

Taste of Westport to Benefit CLASP . . . 84 Westport Young Woman's League 42nd Annual Minute Man Race . . . . . 86 Women in Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

FASHION Mitchells/Richards . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 3 Roundabout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Tina Dragone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Serena & Lily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING EDUCATION & CHILDREN

Marcia Selden Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Brown Pre-College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Naked Fig Catering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Brunswick School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Winvian Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Columbia University . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Fairfield University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

HEALTH & BEAUTY Hospital for Special Surgery

for the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County Presents: The Next Generation of Dance Ailey II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

EVENTS 6th Annual Greenwich International Film Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 6th Annual Greenwich Restaurant Week . . 45 A-list Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 The Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter Eighth Annual Celebrating Hope 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 American Red Cross A Salute to

Orthopedics/Stamford Health . . . . . .23 Nuvance Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Stamford Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

JEWELRY Lux Bond & Green . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2, 1 Rolex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2, 1

LANDSCAPING, NURSERY & FLORISTS Homefront Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

NONPROFIT AmeriCares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

REAL ESTATE

Service and Valor Red & White Ball . . 84

35 Hudson Yards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Best of the Gold Coast 2020 . . . . . . . .43

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices . . . . 17

The Darien Foundation Presents

William Raveis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Yacht Rock On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 I Stand With Planned Parenthood Spring Luncheon . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

2013 JAVIER SÁNCHEZ MINGORANCE-STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Fairfield University Quick Center

MISCELLANEOUS Westy Self Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 MARCH/APRIL 2020 WESTPORT

STOCK.ADOBE.COM

ENTERTAINMENT

We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs. Weddings should have a current Westport, Weston or Wilton family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day. Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted. Send Information to: Joey.Macari@moffly.com Westport Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880

calendar

MARCH / APRIL 2020

by joey macari

Make It Big

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, APRIL 18–19 Remarkable STEAM is calling on all builders, makers and dreamers to celebrate the power of innovation at the ninth annual Maker Faire Connecticut. The statewide event is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a place where people show what they are making and share what they are learning. For more information, go to connecticut.makerfaire.com.

SAT. 28 MUSIC

MARCH TUES. 3 BOOK TALK

WestportREADS will host novelist Kate Walbert to kick off Women’s History Month at the Westport Library. Walbert will discuss her fiction novel, A Short History of Women. The novel looks at the 1914 movement through the lens of the family of suffragette Dorothy Townsend all the way through post 9/11. For more info, visit westportlibrary.org.

WED. 4 JAZZ

Harvest Wine Bar and Restaurant will host saxman David Davis during its up-incoming #jazzitupwednesday’s. Davis has performed at venue’s across the country alongside Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J and Sean Puffy Combs, to name a few. Enjoy great food, wine and

music at one of Westport’s coolest restaurants and bars. For more info, visit harvestwinebar.com.

SAT. 7 ARTS

MoCA Westport will be holding the Inaugural Gala and VIP Preview of its Spring Exhibition this month. MoCA Westport is a visual and performing arts organization dedicated to creating arts experiences that enrich the lives of area residents and the entire community. For tickets, go to mocawestport.org.

SAT. 7 - SUN. 8 FAMILY FUN

Take your little ones to the Maritime Aquarium and participate in a Lego building event for a King crab. During “Lego Weekend,” experts from Play-Well TEKnologies will oversee the creation of a big, coral-reef and aquatic animal scene made

entirely out of Lego’s. The fun event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. To learn more about the event, go to maritimeaquarium.org.

SUN. 8 FAMILY FUN

Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport will be hosting guests big and small at the Jurassic World Live Tour event. The adventure experience brings to life dinosaurs from the mighty Indominus Rex to Blue the Raptor in a live, one of a kind event guaranteed to delight all ages. For tickets, go to websterbankarena.com.

FRI. 13 - SUN. 15 BOOK SALES

From 1 to 5 p.m., the Westport Library will be hosting its annual Spring Book Sale. The weekend long event includes indoor shopping on fiction, trade paper backs, westportmag.com

Grammy nominated singer and star of NBC’s This Is Us, Mandy Moore, will be playing at the Ridgefield Playhouse. The platinum-selling artist will be making her only Connecticut appearance at the Playhouse, singing songs from her six studio albums, ahead of her newest album release, Silver Landings, which drops this month. Tickets start at $90. For tickets, go to ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

Speaker at event whose theme, Unite & Rise, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment of women’s right to vote. For more info, visit fccfoundation.org.

SUN. 26 RUNNING

APRIL

The Westport Young Woman’s League will be hosting its forty-second annual running of the Minute Man Race on at Compo Beach. Check in starts at 7 a.m., with the 5K run starting at 8:30 a.m and 10K run/ 5K walk at 8:40 a.m. The event also includes a kids fun run, photo booth, awards ceremony and more. Moffly Media is the exclusive media sponsor for this event. Register at wywl.com.

FRI. 3 LUNCHEON

TUES. 14 THEATER

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Fund for Women & Girls Annual Luncheon will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich. The event will host celebrated feminist writer Margaret Atwood, of the highly acclaimed Handmaid’s Tale and its recent sequel, The Testaments. Atwood will serve as Keynote

Westport Country Playhouse will run the Tony-award winning musical Next to Normal to kick off the start of the 2020 season. The musical tells the contemporary story of a suburban family coping with crisis and mental illness, directed and choreographed by Marcos Santana. Tickets at westportplayhouse.org. W

CONTRIBUTED

cookbooks and children’s books, with special deals and other amazing offers. For more info, visit westportlibrary.org.