June 2012
ivanka’s fashion bouquet earthy delights from Persia to The Botanical Garden
taking root
Winston Flowers arrives in Greenwich
summer
Shaping the land
Byers, Kramer and Johnson
at home
with Daniele Churchill
Stacy Bass
A shutterbug alights
sculpting
IF YOU HAD JUST ONE WISH... www.1884Collection.com
June 2012
sculpting summer 12 Oh naturel 14 The constant gardener 16 Opportunity knocked 18 The divine Persian garden 20 through the lens brightly 23 celebrating the outdoors 26 Churchillian achievements 28 Take a seat 30 Sculpting nature
2
34 Dialing for dahlias 36 home is where the art is 40 A professional edge 42 nature's palette 44 stone-cold calling 48 Trumping life with style 64 Floral fixations 69 No rain date?
Aristide Malliol's “Night,� perhaps contemplating the Hudson River in the background, at Kykuit. Courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley.
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June 2012
Features
46 wares
Patio perfect
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Artful living, indoors and out
57 wares
Planters galore
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The mystique of Lalique
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Bloomin’ dresses
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Les nouvelles
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Loafin' around
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Petal power
72 wagging
Please don't eat the daisies and petunias
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Sleek and sculpted
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Where nature and civilization embrace
78 wine&dine Of roses and rosés
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Trimming the fat
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Planting good health
83 when&where
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8 Meet the visitors 10 Editor’s letter Cover photograph by Yossi Michaeli
4
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waggers new waggers
JANE K. DOVE
DAVID BRAVO
cappy devlin
PATRICIA ESPINOSA
Alissa frey
Larissa Bundziak
martha handler
sarah hodgson
GEOFF KALISH
sam kopf
Olga Loginova
debbi o’shea
Bob Rozycki
MICHAEL ROSENBERG
Jennifer pappas
is a senior at Ardsley High School. In the fall, she will attend East Carolina University, where she will major in communications. Larissa enjoys volunteering at the local Ukrainian youth center and spending time with friends and family. In the future, she plans to become a public relations specialist.
Will Rappaport is a senior at Fox Lane High School in
Bedford. In the fall, he’ll be attending Bucknell University where he will be a member of the men's varsity swim team and will be majoring in international relations. His hobbies include writing and going to the movies.
ERIKA SCHWARTZ
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editor's letter Georgette Gouveia
T
his month, we at WAG are one with Cyrus the Great, Claude Monet, Nelson A. Rockefeller and just about anyone else who has ever sculpted a garden and thus, touched the divine. Gardens, as you’ll see, have ancient roots. The Bible itself begins in a garden and introduces one of our favorite horticultural associations – lush vegetation and even riper passions. But it’s not just about being au naturel when you’re out in nature – though painters and sculptors have certainly reveled in depicting that (as much as we’ve relished looking). There is a flowering of the spirit in those who “cultivate their gardens,” as Voltaire would say – whether it be our preternaturally poised covergirl Ivanka Trump unveiling her line of floral dresses; shutterbug Stacy Bass freezing the Blakeian moment of a rose’s perfection; Charlie Johnson fashioning fruitarian ornaments; Daniele Churchill conquering home, garden and business; or Max Avi Kaplan designing flowery accessories that both conceal and reveal.
&
There are those who cultivate their gardens quite literally, be it the landscape architects Renée Byers and Robin Kramer; Mariani Gardens in Armonk; Winston Flowers in Greenwich; or the folks who run the Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo; Kykuit, the land-
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mark Rockefeller estate in Pocantico Hills; and Storm King Art Center in Mountainville – three of the loveliest spots on this green earth. (And how fortunate are we to have them in our backyard.) For those in the mood to sing a “Flower Drum Song,” we’ve got Lalique vases and
pots from some of the top garden centers to display the blooms and accessorized furnishings from which to admire them. Still, you know how it is at WAG: We can’t resist mixing our metaphors to have a little fun. So our “Sculpting Summer” issue also looks at trimming the fat, tightening the tush and tickling men’s tootsies (with grooming products and masculine sandals), along with the sleek lines of the Mercedes SL roadster. Speaking of sleek, our own Class & Sass, alias Martha and Jen, kick their workouts up a notch and discover that what they really love about sports are the tailgate parties. Last but not least, we introduce two new plantlings in our garden – our high school interns Larissa Bundziak and Will Rappaport. We hope these tender shoots will continue to be nurtured until it’s time for harvesting when they go off to college this fall. n
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Édouard Manet’s “Le déjeuner sur l’herbe.”
Oh naturel Planting seeds in the garden of earthly delights
E
ver since Eve tempted Adam – or so he said, the wimp, blaming the wife – nature in general and gardens in particular have been the settings for hot, moist, steamy, liquid sex. Makes sense when you think about it – all that flora and fauna, those birds and bees, pistils and stamens and other good things you learned in school and soon forgot. The celebrated – from kings and conquerors to artists and writers – remembered. Nebuchadnezzar II was said to have built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to soothe his wife, Amytis of Media, who pined for the lush terraces of her homeland. Heads of state have often used horticultural imagery to woo their wives. Napoleon wrote Josephine letters expressing how he longed to romp in her garden. I don’t think he was talking about the rose garden at Malmaison, their home outside Paris. 12
By Georgette Gouveia Napoleon’s snappy come-on is reminiscent of the sentiment in Thomas Mann’s “Joseph” novels, in which Potiphar’s cougar of a wife yearns for hunky, virginal Joseph to water her field. Right. Literature, which likes to speak of love in bloom and virgins deflowered, has always known what to do with and in a garden – be it the “Roman de la Rose,” the medieval French poem in which a young man courts his beloved in a secret walled garden, or John Berendt’s nonfiction novel “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” in which Savannah’s ripe greenery becomes a metaphor for all kinds of funky stuff. Recently, movies and television have picked up the spade to plumb one of the favorite female fantasies – the gardener who transforms the woman’s space and then her uptight (sex) life. Witness the beguiling Simon Baker – now starring in CBS’ “The Mentalist” – in the
charming “Something New,’’ persuading a stunning, high-powered financial exec (Sanaa Lathan) to let down her bougainvillea. And aren’t we thrilled that brittle but glamorous pathologist Megan Hunt (Dana Delaney) now has a gorgeous, super-understanding landscape architectboyfriend, Aiden Wells (Jamie Bamber), to till her, ah, troubled soul in ABC’s “Body of Proof"? Like Ken Doll, Nancy Drew’s boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, and Hello Kitty’s beau, Dear Daniel, Aiden gives all and expects nothing. In other words, he’s completely fictitious. With all that tilling and watering, it’s no wonder that people are sometimes au naturel in nature – at least in art. All those frolicking gods and goddesses at Roman villas, French palaces and even the great American estates like Kykuit in Pocantico Hills. Not to mention put-upon biblical
heroines like Susannah and Bathsheba, who look mighty fetching being spied upon in their garden baths. Still, nudity can come as something of a shock in nature, as it does still in Édouard Manet’s “Le déjeuner sur l’herbe” (“The Luncheon on the Grass”), an 1862-63 oil on canvas that casually juxtaposes a nude woman and two fully clothed men picnicking in a grove while a woman in a diaphanous chemise bathes in a background stream. That’s Manet’s brother, Gustave, and brother-in-law, Ferdinand Leenhoff, as the men, with the nude woman a composite of the artist’s wife, Suzanne Leenhoff, and favorite model, Victorine Meurent. The way the strap slips from the backdrop woman’s chemise and the fruit and bread tumble from a basket in the foreground suggests that more things are being loosened than lunch. n
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Claude Monet in his garden at Giverny. Private Collection: Roger-Viollet, Paris, The Bridgeman Art Library.
The constant gardener Botanical celebrates Monet’s floral works By Georgette Gouveia He was, of course, best known for those dappled canvases – shards of color reflecting the play of light on land and water – that gave birth to a movement that remains one of the most popular in the history of art. But Claude Monet “really was as brilliant a gardener as he was a painter,” says Todd Forrest, the Arthur Ross vice president for horticulture and living collections at The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. “He said he owed his paintings to his flower gardens. There he experimented with colors. It’s impossible to separate Claude Monet the painter from Claude Monet the gardener.” So instead The Botanical Garden is celebrating the fusion of the natural and the artistic in “Monet’s Garden” (through Oct. 21), which considers the Impressionist luminary (1840-1926) in 14
painting, poetry, music, photography, landscape architecture, food and plenty of flora. Flowers are the centerpiece. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, The Botanical Garden’s Victorian glasshouse, has been transformed into an evocation of the artist’s beloved vine-draped pink stucco home at Giverny, France, where he lived with his second wife, the former Alice Hoschedé, and their eight children. “He and his family did all of the gardening,” says Forrest, who describes Monet as “an incredibly adventurous plantsman. In the Clos Normand, or Norman Enclosure, a preexisting walled vegetable garden, he took the bones and created one of the most effusive gardens anywhere” – one filled with irises, narcissi, tulips, roses, dahlias, sunflowers, gladioli and scented geraniums to mir-
ror the shifting seasons. “If it were colorful and created an impact, he grew it,” Forrest says. The Botanical Garden re-creates the Grand Allée from the Clos Normand, including a path of green, rose-covered arches lined by flower beds. The Conservatory also features a Japanese footbridge decked in mauve and white Asian wisteria extending over a picturesque pool encircled by willows, bamboos and flowering shrubs. The bridge will be familiar to anyone who knows Monet’s “Nymphéas” series of water-lily paintings. The actual water lilies will be in the Conservatory’s Courtyard Pools, beginning in July. Monet’s paintings of the delicate aquatic flowers were born of two events that took place in 1889-90 Paris. First, water-lily pioneer Joseph Bory LatourMarliac visited the World’s Fair there,
"he owed his paintings to his flower gardens. There he experimented with colors. It’s impossible to separate Claude Monet the painter from Claude Monet the gardener.” — Todd Forrest
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Monet in front of his house at Giverny, 1921. Réunion des Musées Nationaux / Art Resource, NY. Photograph by Patrice Schmidt.
spurring Monet to buy some of the plants from Latour-Marliac’s nursery. Then the exhibit of Japanese woodblock ukiyo-e prints – the so-called “pictures of the floating world,” depicting fleeting earthly pleasures – fired the imaginations of Monet, fellow Impressionist Mary Cassatt and Post-Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh. They began incorporating not only Japanese imagery into their works, but the use of flat blocks of color. For Monet in particular, art fed the garden and the garden fed his art. “Monet’s Garden” is yet another example of how The Botanical Garden takes an interdisciplinary approach to subjects that have ranged from Charles Darwin to Emily Dickinson. Last year, The Garden brought Andalusia to the Bronx with an evocation of the Alhambra that embraced savory tapas, the sinuous flamenco and the sensual poetry of Federico García Lorca. Monet, too, is getting the multifaceted treatment. There will be a Poetry
Walk perfumed by the words of Monet’s Symbolist contemporaries, including Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Rimbaud and Verlaine; concerts of works by Debussy, Fauré and Roussel; documentaries on Impressionism and the relationship of Monet’s art to food; a historical exhibit on Giverny in the Rondina Gallery that will include two rare Monet paintings; and a show of photographs in the Ross Gallery by Elizabeth Murray, who helped restore Monet’s estate. The Botanical Garden has also collaborated with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan on an app that will enable users to call up Monet paintings at The Met and learn more about the flowers in them as they’re viewing the flora. “What we’ve learned in doing these large exhibitions,” Forrest says, “is that we can tell really interesting stories not just about the beauty of plants but about how they fit into the larger culture.” For more, visit nybg.org or call (718) 817-8700. n
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Opportunity knocked And Robin Kramer opened the door onto a garden path By Patricia Espinosa
“I do a lot of simple plant schemes, but in masses. So I’m not going to do three of these and two of those and four of them. I’m going to use 80 of these and 150 of those, because I really want those moments when something does flower…to be a big moment.” 16
Photographs courtesy of Robin Kramer Garden Design.
“A really good garden tempts you outdoors,” says Greenwich landscape architect Robin Kramer, whose work is marked by its bold and confident strokes. Traditional plantings are juxtaposed with modern statements, resulting in a look that is fresh and uniquely her own. But it’s the geometry of her garden designs that give them their structure and proportion, an influence she picked up from her days living in London where she visited myriad gardens. “In Europe, the gardens are a lot about the structure,” she says. “They start with really good bones.” That structure is what provides the calm that allows Robin to hit those high notes with her show-stopping moments. The Rhode Island School of Design graduate’s career began as a children’s book illustrator. But when she and her husband moved to London, she decided to give that up to start a family. Unbeknownst to the new mom, her time living in Europe would be spent cultivating her second career. It was there in London that Robin became enthralled with gardening. She visited public and private gardens in England and throughout the rest of Europe. Those memories, along with studying the way Italians terraced the land, are all experiences she would later draw on as inspirations for her designs. When the expatriate moved back to Greenwich and built a new home, she naturally hired an Englishman – garden designer and friend Simon Johnson, who shared her aesthetic sensibility – to build her dream garden. The Greenwich Garden Education Center included the house on its garden tour, where it gained a lot of attention. So much so that the next day Robin got a call from a woman asking her to design her garden. When she told the caller it was her designer, Johnson, whom she should hire, the women responded with, “No, I want you to do it.” “The fascinating part in life is you never know where things are leading and if you’re open, certain times you have these moments where there’s a convergence of opportunities,” says Robin, describing her first client. Meeting Johnson changed her life. So when the opportunity came and that door opened, she walked through it. “For me, it’s not landscaping. It’s really about creating spaces that are outdoors, but are really driven by the emotion of connecting to the people you live with, to the people you want to have over and to your physical surroundings,” she says. The garden is a narrative that requires a lot of structure for the plot to unfold, Robin says. She doesn’t want to show you the whole thing at once. She wants to romance you, entice you with the unexpected. Completely ignoring what is the front yard and what is the backyard, her designs move you around the property, inviting you to experience opportunities. “If the best sunlight is on your way to the front door,” she explains, “then I’m going to make a place where you
sit in your front yard, which is sometimes difficult for Americans to understand, because they want the big lawn and the plants at the bottom of the house. They want that whole foundation planting thing. They’re apprehensive about creating spaces like that at the front of the house.” Building a garden, in Robin’s view, is like building the interior of a home. You wouldn’t want to live in an open box, so you create spaces where you greet people when they arrive, a place where you eat and a place where you sit, with hallways that lead to other spaces. The same idea holds true for her gardens. “Robin saw the hidden potential in our backyard and has given us a space that we never dreamed of,” says client Eileen Deschapelles, a Riverside resident. “Her incredible vision took the project to a whole new level.” Creating fresh ideas using old materials is the designer’s signature. “Boxwoods have been around forever,” Robin says. “I tend to use them in big masses. If it’s just a single row, I’ll stack them up to create bigger geometric forms. I use them a lot on terraces. Instead of a boiling hot, big bluestone terrace in the summer, I use big masses of boxwoods to create a sense of intimacy, enveloping you when you’re outdoors without being closed in.” Robin’s gardens are not English gardens, though they do borrow many English elements. They tend to use a lot of very American plants such as hydrangeas, peonies and irises as well as vincas as ground cover. “I do a lot of simple plant schemes, but in masses,” she explains. “So I’m not going to do three of these and two of those and four of them. I’m going to use 80 of these and 150 of those, because I really want those moments when something does flower…to be a big moment.” Admittedly obsessed with the details, Robin remains
In this Robin Kramer design, rows of boxwood enclose the bluestone terrace, creating an intimate setting with crisp, white McKinnon & Harris furniture, an oversized I-shaped stainless steel water sculpture and two silver garden gazing globes.
focused on her individual clients just as she did with her very first client and prides herself on her personal attention to each job. One of the things that makes Robin’s work unique is that she manages every aspect of the job from conceptualizing the design to the installation. She credits her one-of-a-kind gardens to her ability to work closely with the best landscape contractors, masons, car-
penters and irrigation and lighting specialists. Most other big firms cannot offer that personal attention. “How do you delegate your aesthetic, your reaction to a site? You don’t,” she says, “without watering down what it is you do.” For more information about Robin, visit her at robinkramergardendesign.com. n
17
The divine Persian garden Copyright The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
By Georgette Gouveia
“The Eavesdropper.”
A
ll gardens are the same from a functional point of view. But as landscape architect Achva Benzinberg Stein observes, “They differ in detail and expression of form.” And what determines that difference is the place itself – its geography and its history. So California’s gardens have Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Mexican flavors; the South’s, French and Far Eastern; and the Northeast’s, English. But in a sense, all these gardens have their origin in the Middle East, home of the biblical Garden of Eden. “It’s an ideal, not a particular place,” says Navina Najat Haidar, curator, Department of Islamic Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. Nevertheless, the earliest evidence of gardens, in the West at least, comes from the Middle East, specifically Egypt and Persia. Around 2000 B.C., Egypt established the basic elements of the garden – vegetation, pools, a wall or other kind of enclosure, says Stein, founding director of the graduate program in landscape architecture at The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture at City College of New York. Small models of the deceased’s dwellings, with particular emphasis on the gardens, were included in Egyptian tombs, suggesting another element now evident in many cultures – the link between the garden and the divine. Perhaps nowhere has this connection been more apparent than in the Persian garden, one of the most influential achievements in horticultural history. Ranging from modern-day Turkey and Egypt to Central 18
“The Story of the Princess of the Blue Pavilion.”
Asia and northern India, the Persian Empire began with the chivalrous Cyrus the Great, who reigned from 558 to 528 B.C. Building his capital at Pasargadae (pah SAR gah day) in what is now Iran, Cyrus created a garden whose structure is familiar to us today. And once again, geography was destiny. “The topography in Iran is quite dry,” says Sheila R. Canby, the Patti Cadby Birch curator in charge of The Met’s Department of Islamic Art. “It’s not desert, just arid.” The solution, she says, was to drive water from mountain streams and snow through an underground system into intersecting rills that divided the royal garden into quadrants, with a pool in the center. Flowers, including roses, tulips, irises and poppies, lined the channels, beyond which bloomed fruit trees – wild sour cherry, almond and pomegranate, symbol of Persian power. The Persians’ gift for gardening was not lost on their archenemies, the Greeks, for whom the garden was a sacred space. As described by Penelope Hobhouse in her invaluable “Gardens of Persia,” the historian-soldier Xenophon translated the Persian word for garden, “pairidaeza” (meaning “around the wall”), into “paradeisos,” or paradise, which became synonymous with the Garden of Eden in Greek translations of the Bible. Some 200 years after Cyrus, his great admirer, the young Greco-Macedonian king Alexander, conquered his empire, tagging native flora and shipping it home to his mentor Aristotle, who had trained him in the medicinal botanical arts. Alexander’s military descendants would do much to spread Greco-Persian culture east and west. But what really disseminated the notion of the Persian garden as a true paradise was the rise of Islam in the seventh cen-
“Zal Consults the Magi.”
tury. As Muslim conquerors swept west and east, becoming the Moors and the Mughals, respectively, so, too, did their fantastic filigree architecture, their shimmering illuminated manuscripts, their leafy, geometric tiles and rugs and their murmuring gardens, whose channels became the rivers of everlasting life – water, milk, wine and honey. Readers will immediately recognize the Persian garden in the haunting beauty of India’s Taj Mahal and Spain’s the Alhambra. For an Islamic evocation closer to home, you need travel no farther than Kykuit, the landmark Rockefeller estate in Pocantico Hills. There you’ll find the Inner Garden, whose intersecting rills and verdant quadrants, crowned by Aristide Maillol’s “Bather Putting Up Her Hair,” make the Rockefellers one with Cyrus the Great. n
At The Met
For a more thorough discussion of the Persian garden, a visit to The Met’s new Islamic Wing is a must. Sheila Canby and Navina Haidar, who served as two of the catalog’s editors, suggest a number of works that you might wish to explore, including the serenely lucent Moroccan Court, the “Persian Garden Carpet” and such fanciful illuminations as “Zal Consults the Magi” – from a glorious Met edition of Firdausi’s juicy “Shahnama” or “Book of Kings” – and the Mughal jewel “The Story of the Princess of the Blue Pavilion.” Works like these do much to reinforce the notion of the Persian garden as a heaven on earth. For more, visit metmuseum.org.
brightly through the lens Stacy Bass’ garden photos blossom into a book By Mary Shustack
Stacy Bass finds great satisfaction in capturing the essence of a garden, no matter its style. The Westport photographer says she wants her work to evoke “what it was like to share that space.” And her photographs – gathered in the new book “In the Garden” (Melcher Media) – do just that. You’ll pause to appreciate the simple beauty of a dewdrop edging off the petal of a black-eyed Susan, delight in the rustic charm of wild-rose bushes nestling into a meadow’s well-worn fence and sense the drama that a sculpted head of Saturn brings to a grove of rhododendrons and hostas. “I really tried to vary (the shots) so that the viewer could have the chance to see very different things,” Bass says. In total, she has gathered dozens of artistic and inspiring glimpses into 18 of Connecticut’s private gardens, with the 224-page book serving as a meandering tour through stops that include Westport,
A two-faced head of Saturn is the centerpiece of a grove of rhododendrons and hostas on this New Canaan property. Photograph by Stacy Bass.
Stacy Bass. Photograph by Pamela Einarsen.
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A Westport homeowner echoed the movement of the shoreline in these well-placed sculptures, a wheel that appears to be in motion and a man whose umbrella is a fountain. Photograph by Stacy Bass.
New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich and Fairfield’s Greenfield Hill. And the personality of each garden, whether it be a manicured study in French style or a low-key country ramble, comes through in the images that Bass was determined to capture at dawn. Despite having to get up at 4 a.m., pack equipment and drive in the dark, Bass says it was a special time. “There’s something about being by myself in a beautiful space in the morning with my equipment. It’s magic.” Bass, a fine-art and editorial photographer who specializes in gardens, interiors and architecture, estimates she has photographed 60 to 70 gardens in her career, some of which she went back to for the book. “I don’t want to call it a ‘best of,’ … but it is a ‘best of,’” she says.
The shoots
Bass first encountered many of the gardens through work on specialty and lifestyle publications and advertising assignments. Her approach was always the same: “I try not to look at the scouting shots, because there’s something about having that gut reaction to when the sun comes up.” Essays by Suzanne Gannon introduce each garden, offering the perfect balance between meeting those behind the creations and exploring the gardens’ highlights. Some of the gardeners had professional training, while others are avid amateurs. And for every sprawling proper22
ty explored, there’s a peek into a quarter-acre showpiece. Bass says the book is already connecting with hard-core gardeners, those in the design field and even those who simply like a pretty picture. “It’s nice, because it’s appealing to people for different reasons.” And Bass, who credits designer Andy Omel with helping shape the book, is able to look back with pride at a sometimes stressful endeavor. Laughing, she shares that it was a lot of excitement mixed with a “tiny bit of paranoia that the boat from China (bearing the final product) would crash and sink,” with her books landing at the bottom of the sea.
A career choice
Bass, who grew up in Westport, says her father was an amateur photographer who collected all kinds of equipment. “I’m telling you there was more equipment in that cabinet than anyone should have. He had all these lenses and stacks of films. I think I was fascinated with all the trappings of photography.” As a young girl, she’d take pictures at camp, not worrying “Is this a good picture?” but to simply preserve memories. She became more serious about it during her days at Barnard College, eventually making a deal with her parents to put law school on hold to pursue photography. “We agreed that I would try it for a year out of college,” and she went on to study at the Maine Photographic Workshops, where she was further sparked. “It made me
really want to do this.” Despite early critical success, Bass soon realized it would not be an economically viable career. So next came New York University School of Law, a brief time practicing and then applying her legal skills to working for a motion-picture and television company. She took photographs along the way, and once her youngest child, now 11, went off to kindergarten, Bass realized she was “looking to go back to what I really love.” She created a website that caught the attention of an art director who first assigned Bass to shoot a garden. Other assignments followed and “Before I knew it, I was the garden photography person….I’m OK with that. I am a garden photographer, but I’m not only a garden photographer.” Bass embraces her career and is proud her children – she and husband Howard Bass, a partner at Ernst & Young in Manhattan, are raising four – have seen her succeed. “I think it’s really important to show kids that creative careers are worth pursuing. I don’t think it’s a message they get anywhere else.” And as Bass now juggles assignments with lectures and book signings, she has yet another new task – overseeing the creation of her own garden. “My hope is that sometime this summer, I will schedule to shoot my own garden – and I will get up at dawn, too.” We’d expect nothing less. For more information on Bass and “In the Garden,” visit StacyBassPhotography.com. n
celebrating the outdoors Outdoor sculpture at Mariani Gardens, Armonk.
By Georgette Gouveia Photographs by Bob Rozycki 23
M
Topiary outside the greenhouse.
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ark Mariani has always been impressed with the European garden center tradition of blending trees and shrubs with a dining and shopping experience. So when Winkler’s Nursery in Armonk was looking to sell seven years ago, Mariani knew just what to do. The result is Mariani Gardens, which has for the last four years been named one of the top 25 garden centers in the United States by Garden Center Magazine. It’s easy to understand why. The center offers a sleek mix of plants, shrubs, trees, fashion and home decor in a 17,000-square-foot gray wood, stone and glass building minutes from Interstate 684. The roughly 4 and one-half acre complex includes a storage building and a handsome gray clapboard office building whose gray-green granite interior, complete with a watch-your-step-or-you’ll-bein-the-drink pool, is haute moderne. The garden center itself contains two 3,500-square-foot climate-controlled greenhouses. Outdoors, you’ll find an array of herbs, hanging plants, topiaries, fruit trees and glazed planters to put them in. Nature is the song that runs through Mariani Gardens and vice president Sam Walsh is one of its maestros. “It’s no different than being an art or car collector,” he says.
Walsh spends his winters traveling from Oregon to Florida to find the best, most unusual trees and shrubs, based on tips from private owners, collectors and nurseries. There is a small “digging window” in early spring to uproot and transport the finds. Then it’s time to sell them at Mariani. Walsh points to two gorgeous 37-foot fastigiated (tapered) copper beeches – each worth $32,500 – that are on their way to a home in Greenwich. A 50-yearold spreading copper beech from Virginia retails for $47,000. It is the most expensive offering at the center, though Walsh says there are plantings that go for as little as $3. Mariani is a full-service installation and landscaping operation, although it does not do maintenance. Deer-proof boxwoods are the most popular purchases for the garden. But the big trend this year is flowering fruit trees – apple, peach, plum, nectarine and yes, even citrus, though the last should be brought indoors for the winter. “Ten years ago, it was swimming pools,” Walsh says. “Five years ago, tennis courts. And now it’s orchards. The satisfaction clients get being able to pick fruit off trees right by their pools is amazing.” The trend also mirrors the personal taste of Mariani himself, whose Greenwich home has strawberries, blueberries,
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figs and even olives, Walsh says. Inside-outside, the trend is modern seating that marries the house proper to the landscape. “It’s all about the comfort,” says sales associate Erika Petrilak, pointing to the resin-infused wicker Brown Jordan Tangier Collection in beige with splashes of yellow, which retails for around $6,000. On a sparkling spring day, some visitors admire such furnishings while others take a break in the Mariani Café, which serves zesty soups, salads, sandwiches and breakfast all day. (The turkey and brie Panini is a Walsh favorite and we concur.) Not that he and the staff of 40 have any time for leisurely lunch or lounging. In spring, the workday begins at 6:30 a.m. and goes on “as long as it possibly can,” Walsh says with a laugh. Is it any wonder that the entire complex was built in 72 days in the winter of 2007? The place opened April 27 of that year. “That’s how Mark does things,” Walsh
says of his boss, who started in landscaping and excavation 30 years ago when he was just 17. Recently, Mariani Gardens formed a partnership with Spruce Home and Garden to run the retail portion of the garden center. (Spruce also has locations in Westport, New Milford and West Hartford.) The more unusual items in Spruce at Mariani Gardens include a life-size teak root horse sculpture ($4,950); a pale blue stone garden table with four stools ($980); antique green iron mermaid garden ornaments ($63 each); a butterfly ball hanging ($48); faux moth orchid stems ($35 each) and an elegant black-and-white owl print tote ($18). Among the available sumptuous coffee table books published by Assouline, one title is particularly telling. It’s “The WellLived Life” by former House & Garden editor-in-chief Dominique Browning. The title crystallizes the Mariani experience. n
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D
Churchillian achievements Daniele Churchill triumphs at home, in the garden and at business
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By Jane K. Dove Photographs by David Bravo
aniele Churchill has created a spectacular home and garden in Bedford that mirror her exquisite, eclectic taste. “And above all,” she said. “It is a happy house.” An owner of Churchills of Mount Kisco, a specialty clothing boutique, she has used her keen eye for beauty and design and love of order and tranquility to craft a living environment that is both a feast for the eyes and a balm for the senses. “I never second-guess myself,” she said as she showed off her breathtaking creation. “I make a decision and then stick to it. Everything I have brought in here just seemed to work out perfectly. I bought a lot while the house was under construction. But the overall result is just what I had hoped.” That self-possession is rooted in the heartland. “My mother was a Parisian who my dad brought home to the Midwest,” Churchill recalled. “I grew up in the restaurant business, with my family owning and operating a four-star French restaurant in Omaha. I was the youngest of four children and worked in the business from the time I was a little girl. When my parents divorced when I was 17, I ran the restaurant myself – very successfully.” The restaurant led to Churchill meeting her husband, Lee Einsidler, an executive in the liquor industry. “Lee was transferred back to New York City and we married in 1984,” she said. “We moved around with his assignments, finally ending up in New Rochelle after some time in Chicago and New Jersey.” The couple have two sons, Aaron, 26 and Jeffrey, 23. “From New Rochelle, we moved to a contemporary house right next door to this one,” Churchill said. “That was 18 years ago and basically where we raised our family, with the boys attending Bedford Village elementary and Fox Lane high schools. We still own the house.” Several years ago, Einsidler decided he wanted a bigger house for the family. “We knew our neighbor next door so we made her an offer six years ago, knocked down her house and started building this one,” Churchill said. “Lee wanted a large pool, so that became an integral part of our plans.” Daniele said she had a vision of a large, landscaped pool backed by terraces, a huge covered porch with a fireplace and another tall fireplace inside a big room overlooking it all. “I saw glass, stone and wood in a variety of combinations,” she said. “I worked closely with an architect, but I would say 80 percent of the ideas were mine.” Creating an aura of peace and tranquility was also high on Churchill’s list. “I wanted soothing surroundings, both inside and out,” she said, “I do yoga several times a week and have a special room just for that. Everything you see here was created to be natural and kind to the senses.”
Inside out
The heart of Churchill’s home is the spectacular pool, terrace and family room combination. One flows smoothly into the other, with design elements of stone and a variety of warm-colored natural woods creating the seamlessness. The 85,000 gallon salt-water pool with two infinity
edges is bordered by an array of manicured plants and shrubs. Colors abound, with scarlet Japanese maples serving as accents to a variety of green hues, while towering shade trees frame the outer perimeter. A trickling waterfall provides a soft and soothing background accompaniment. Flagstones in varying shapes and sizes offer generous terrace space for sitting, sunning and entertaining on multiple levels. Outdoor furnishings are mostly of wood, with tones that harmonize perfectly with the hues in the flagstones. “At night, there is wonderful up-lighting to accent certain specimens,” Churchill said. “And speakers are hidden among the shrubbery.” Stepping up onto the 65-foot-long covered porch, guests can sink into deeply-cushioned chairs or sit at large wooden tables positioned on radiant heated floors. Overhead, the wooden roof features a planked finish, magnificent hanging chandeliers and several fans. Special nano doors slide open completely, linking the porch to the interior family room. In one corner of the porch, cushioned couches are positioned in front of a stone fireplace. A large gas grill makes outdoor cooking easy. Entering the family room, visitors are immediately struck by the 35-foot beamed ceilings, a 14-foot stone fireplace with a huge circa 1880 clock face reclaimed from a tower in London and a broad, furnished balcony. All light fixtures have been custom-made, and the room is accented with a 1,250 gallon salt-water tank filled with colorful fish. The family room has a wet bar at one end and a luxury kitchen accented with copper counters and black walnut cabinets at the other. Opening off of it are “his and her” cabanas with baths joined by a central sauna and a steam room. The first floor is completed by a separate apartment with a small kitchen area and luxury bath. Younger son Jeffrey is the current occupant. The home’s second floor has four bedrooms and baths,
including a master bedroom with luxury bath and a walkup, walk-in closet. Arched wooden doors with broad moldings, all custom-made, form yet another unifying design element throughout the home. The lower level, with its diamond-shaped coffered ceiling, boasts a 10-seat movie theater with leather recliners, a yoga room, a large “hang-out” room with fireplace and wet bar, and a 250-gallon reef and coral fish tank. Throughout the home, Churchill has decorated with an eye to the eclectic and the unusual, as well as a variety of geometric shapes and patterns. She has created unity of design by choosing colors of mahogany, burgundy, rich beige, taupe, honey, amber, ochre and mustard. The end result is a home that glows with warmth and color, inviting guests to linger in the calm ambience she has created.
Back to business
Once Churchill finished building and decorating her home, she decided to take a new direction and started Churchills of Mount Kisco, an upscale designer clothing boutique. “I had had some major health challenges, had my marriage come to an end and decided it was time to try something different,” she said. “I went into the store with a partner, Lori Land, and we opened our doors in 2009.” Churchills features a full line of designer clothing and accessories for men and women. “We like to think of it as one-stop shopping,” Churchill said. “We carry everything from casual to eveningwear, including shoes and jewelry.” Some of the labels featured at Churchills include René Lezard, Dear, alldresssedup, Giorgio Erato, Current/Elliott and Elizabeth Weinstock for women; and J Brand, Hanro, Form v Function, Vince, and Rag and Bone for men. The store boasts some well-known clients, including Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and singer Rob Thomas. In addition to being at Churchills every day, Churchill
is also very active in the local community. “I have gotten involved with fundraising for the Mount Kisco Library, donated to the Mount Kisco 9/11 Memorial; and helped start a music therapy program at Northern Westchester Hospital,” she said. “I am also active with a pediatric cancer charity, the Mount Kisco Child Care Center and Pets Alive, a no-kill animal sanctuary in Middletown and Elmsford.” At this point in her journey, Churchill said she is happy with her full and vibrant life, loves her daily interaction with her several lively dogs and enjoys giving back through her charitable work. “It’s all about finding the right balance,” she said. “I believe I have done this in my home, personal and business life. I am an optimist who believes in continually moving forward and I will." n 27
The Taconic Lounge in multiples by Munder-Skiles.
Take a seat By Mary Shustack
A visit with John Danzer, the witty, charming founder of garden-furniture firm Munder-Skiles, might find you seated in one of his designs. But as the conversation continues, you might find yourself offered another chair to try out and then another. Each one will be singularly artistic and incredibly comfortable – the perfect introduction to the range of Munder-Skiles. Headquartered in Garrison with a studio/showroom on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the company has been producing its signature furniture and accessories “very much below the radar,” Danzer says, for 20 years. When it comes to garden furniture, Danzer is clearly tired of the same old. “You talk to most people. What do they know? Adirondack, Adirondack, Adirondack – and that’s it,” he says. 28
Sure, that iconic design has its admirers, though Danzer playfully flops his head back to mimic the angle that is not everyone’s favorite, despite the chair’s enduring popularity. “I think we all respond to silhouettes,” he says. “I think a lot of people buy by silhouettes. They don’t even think about comfort.” But Danzer has specialized in adapting historic forms for a contemporary audience, a process that has earned the company a select following.
The Munder-Skiles’ way
“We still sell mostly to the trade, to decorators,” Danzer says, though his database now boasts some 15,000 discerning design lovers around the world. The Munder-Skiles clients, Danzer says, are “people who are interested in craftsman-
ship, interested in design, interested in history.” Munder-Skiles, Danzer explains, uses two of his great-grandparents’ names. The nod to his own family history had a bonus: “It sounded fancier than my name.” Danzer, who’s from Baltimore, was a lifelong gardener in the midst of a successful Wall Street career, when “I walked out on my birthday when I was 37.” Traveling and photographing the world found him focusing on his keen interest in gardens and garden furniture. Soon, he was in London lecturing on the history of garden furniture. Returning to America, he expanded that specialty into a job designing what had so long fascinated him. And with that came early success. The ergonomic Taconic chair (a trademarked piece), earned the Roscoe Award for “Best American Chair” in 1994. By 2000, the
New York School of Interior Design offered “Re-Inventing the Garden Seat,” a Munder-Skiles design retrospective. Danzer worked with and befriended such design luminaries as John Saladino and the late Albert Hadley (said to have called Danzer the first “exterior designer”) as he continued to develop the MunderSkiles approach. “We design it. We produce it. We distribute it. We photograph it,” he says. “When you call us, it’s all internal.”
Inspiration everywhere
On the morning of a recent conversation, Danzer says he was up until 2:30 a.m. going through magazines to add articles and photographs to his massive archives that already include countless books, rare catalogs and all kinds of
ephemera. (Yes, all will be turned into Danzer’s own book). “I’m a lunatic about it, and I know it,” he says. “I’m the library. If you look in my bag, it’s full of clips.” And whether it’s a parchment-paper catalog from the 19th-century, a magazine clip from last week, a $5 garage-sale find or a $5,000 antique chair, all provide inspiration for the company’s creations, which are crafted in Costa Rica. Danzer is involved in every aspect: “I love the whole science of it….Furniture has to be engineered. It’s not just blocks, squares with big cushions. There’s a whole mess of quiet stuff going on in there.” He loves the challenge of taking a classic, such as the Windsor chair and making his own version.
rather a welcoming retreat that is separate from what you find inside. “Really – what do you need?” Danzer will ask. If he could name one goal? “Try to get
opening in the coming months. “It will be purely focused on garden furniture,” Danzer says, before adding with a laugh, “It’s not a gift shop. I don’t want to be inventorying garden gloves – and soap.”
People shouldn’t try to do every last thing – “eat, sleep, entertain, take a shower, watch a movie” – outside, he says. Don’t turn the backyard into a loft but rather a welcoming retreat that is separate from what you find inside.
Living out of doors
Danzer says people often blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. “When you put something out into an exterior, it domesticates it,” he says. “Even on a sunny day, your eye gravitates to it.” So it should make a statement, a singular statement. “We sell garden rooms,” he says. “We do not sell outdoor rooms.” People shouldn’t try to do every last thing – “eat, sleep, entertain, take a shower, watch a movie” – outside, he says. Don’t turn the backyard into a loft but
John Danzer
them away from one big patio… I try to get people to utilize their entire property, not just walk out and ‘plunk.’”
Moving ahead
As part of the company’s anniversary celebration – to be marked officially in October – Danzer shares that a MunderSkiles showroom in Garrison will be
Instead, the shop will give his clients the chance to sit down and discuss what they hope to create – and what Munder-Skiles can do for them. “We’re design-centric,” Danzer stresses. “We’ll do almost anything with enough time, money and patience.” After all, he knows just how much his clients appreciate their way of life.
“A lot of our clients are people who have built their own special spots.” Munder-Skiles furniture, which has an innate European feel, is not a mass-market product. “People come to me for a sensibility,” Danzer says. “I don’t do anything weird... I want it to be calm and useful.” He’ll go to contemporary design shows and exhibitions and be amazed at the outlandish stuff, which he sometimes sees as quirky simply for the sake of being quirky. “I don’t want a living room with flippyfloppy things,” he says. He champions a return to appreciating simple beauty, of function with a nod to Old World elegance. “I’ve really worked with old things and learned what made them great.” Munder-Skiles, though, does embrace the latest technology in both production and getting the word out. Danzer, for example, mentions a new online design magazine the company is launching. At the end of the day, though, it all comes back to the way people enjoy Munder-Skiles chairs, benches and tables. “There’s a certain simplicity in all of it,” he says. “We’re doing something unique. Some people see it, and most don’t. And that’s OK with us.” For more about Munder-Skiles or to request a catalog, visit munder-skiles. com. n
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Sculpting nature By Georgette Gouveia
Nothing says “sculpting summer” – the theme of our June gardens issue – quite like the sculpture garden, which has its roots in classical culture. We are fortunate in WAG country to have a number of superb sculpture gardens that span the 20th century and marry the romantic to the modern. Here are three that will engage the body, challenge the mind, entice the senses and replenish the spirit:
Storm King Art Center, Mountainville
Storm King isn’t a sculpture garden. It’s a sculpture park, 500 acres of rolling fields and woodlands nestled in the Hudson Highlands. When you’re that big you have to make a statement, and the more than 100 sculptures in the permanent collection – mainly steel but also stone like Andy Goldsworthy’s serpentine wall, earth and other materials – certainly do that. They’re by a virtual Who’s Who of modern and contemporary art, including Chakaia Booker, the Louises (Bourgeois and Nevelson), Mark di Suvero and David Smith. (The adventurous local tourist could make a treasure hunt of seeing how many of these artists are represented at the other sites, sometimes by different editions of the same work.)
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Tal Streeter’s “Endless Column,” at the Storm King Art Center. Photograph by Bob Rozycki.
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Alexander Liberman’s “Iliad,” at the Storm King Art Center. Photograph by Bob Rozycki.
But Storm King is also home to changing exhibits. This year, the art center presents “Light and Landscape” (through Nov. 11), featuring works in various media by some 20 emerging and established artists who are interested in engaging light in their contemporary art while evoking the lucent spirit of the Hudson River School of 19th-century landscape painting and of Winslow Homer, who painted at nearby Houghton Farm. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Oct. 31 and thereafter 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those days through Nov. 11. The grounds remain open until 8 p.m. on Saturdays, May 26 through Sept. 1, and on Sunday Sept. 2. Storm King is also open on select Monday holidays –Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day. After Nov. 11, Storm King is open only on the weekends of Nov. 17-18 and 24-25. It closes Nov. 25. Tickets are $12; $10 for senior citizens age 65 and older; $8 for students; free for children under age 5. (845) 534-3115, stormkingartcenter.org.
The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo, Purchase
Without a doubt, the world headquarters of PepsiCo Inc. is one of the loveliest places on God’s green earth. Sinuous, light-dappled paths, exhilarating fountains, tranquil pools and sunken gardens, clusters of blossoming trees: No wonder the grounds are a favorite spot for brides, tour groups, walkers, shutterbugs and families alike. Dotting the gently rolling, carefully
manicured landscape are some 45 pieces that pay tribute to the artistic leadership and exquisite taste of Donald M. Kendall, CEO of Pepsi when the company moved to the site in 1970. There’s something for everyone. Hardcore art lovers can choose from spindly Giacomettis, majestic Henry Moores and golden Pomodoros. Tourists can’t resist having their picture snapped with George Segal’s “Three People on Four Benches.” Youngsters run to David Wynne’s “Grizzly Bear,” which guards the man-made lake in the back, while brides and grooms pose beneath the artist’s “The Dancers.” The British Wynne is the most represented artist on the site, with five works, four of which are kinetic, erotically charged representations of the male and female bodies. They are simply irresistible. The gardens are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., April through October and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., November through March. Admission and parking are free. When you’re finished there, cross Anderson Hill Road and enjoy more visual stimulation at Purchase College’s Neuberger Museum of Art.
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“Kykuit,” Neuberger Museum founding patron Roy R. Neuberger used to joke, “was what God would’ve built had he had the money.” The stone-crusted manse – once the Rockefeller family home and now a landmark – is an excellent example of the Beaux Arts style, as are the Italianate gardens that graduate down to a commanding view of the Hudson River. The house itself is filled with decorative and fine art objects, including
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David Wynne’s “The Dancers” captures the kinetic, erotic specificity of his figurative work at 32 Photograph by Georgette Gouveia. PepsiCo.
Nelson A. Rockefeller’s collection of two-dimensional works in the galleries. But if sculpture is your passion, then you’ll want to take the gardens and sculpture tour, which skips the house and ancillary buildings but gives you a chance to marvel how the former vice president and New York state governor situated each work on the property with a curator’s eye – and persistence, once even interrupting kid brother David’s golf game when he brought in Henry Moore’s large bronze “Knife Edge-Two Piece” by helicopter. The 2 and one-quarter hour tour for groups of 10 or more, which is not handicapped-accessible, also includes the Islamic-flavored Inner Garden, with its rills and lineup of Nadelman, Maillol and Lachaise nymphs and goddesses. It is one of the most romantic spots anywhere. Tour times vary. $23. Hudsonvalley.org. n
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Dialing for dahlias (and more)
Perennial favorite plants itself in Greenwich By Patricia Espinosa
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G
reenwich’s newest darling is premier flower shop Winston Flowers, located at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue. Open less than two months, the purveyor of fine art floristry has already managed to create a buzz around town. No stranger to the industry, the thirdgeneration family business first made a name for itself in Boston, where it opened its first store on fashionable Newbury Street in 1944. Today, the founder’s grandchildren – brothers David and Ted Winston – run the operation. Together the two have grown the business to seven shops throughout New England, including their latest venture in Greenwich. Jaw-dropping displays of freshly cut flowers abound inside the sleek concrete building, as do an array of splendid imported pots that create the perfect vessels for floral creations. All are exclusive to Winston and come from carefully cultivated longstanding relationships with European vendors. “If someone else has it, we don’t want it,” David says about his high-style pots. Seasonally driven designs are inspired by nature’s natural rhythms, rendering a feel that is farm-fresh. Looks can range from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary – fitting for any type
of interior or event. who we are and understands our services, With an in-house design studio, a they are looking for us to cater to their breathtaking retail space and offices in the needs,” says general manager Emily Pinon. back, Winston Flowers is perfectly poised “We offer them more of a concierge service. to meet the needs of its customers. In ad- So a client will call us and say, ‘We’re having dition to taking care of the walk-in trade a dinner party, but we also need our outfor its retail shop, the company’s services door planters taken care of. Can you do it include arrangeall by 4 p.m.?' It’s 9 ments for events and in the morning and weddings, residenit happens,” she says tial in-house cuswith a smile. tom floral design, But it’s not just container gardening the fast turnaround and store rental for that’s attracting cusspecial events such tomers. They’re noas small private dinticing the superior ner and cocktail parquality and friendly ties, where guests are Winston Flowers’ co-owner David Winston customer service, invited to wander and general manager Emily Pinon at the too. Greenwich Avenue store. around Winston’s David and Ted rooftop deck to enjoy the spectacular view. Winston saw an opportunity to bring “Any time you can have an event in a both to Greenwich. flower shop, it’s a great environment be“We felt there was a lot of synergy because you don’t have to do much in the tween Boston and Connecticut, because way of decor,” David says. it’s not that far away, and there are a lot Residential custom floral service means of families in Boston who have relatives one of Winston’s designers will come to in the Greenwich area,” David says. “Or your home and familiarize himself with the their kids may have gone to school in Bosspace, assessing your needs – whether it be ton and they’re back in Connecticut.” on a weekly basis or when you entertain. Four times per week fresh flowers are “For a client that walks in for the first flown in from Italy, Holland and France time, as they are coming in they are dis- and arrive at Kennedy Airport, where covering the many wonderful things we trucks pick them up to deliver them to offer. As soon as that client understands Greenwich first, then on to their Boston
locations. The direct route is just another reason it made sense to open in Greenwich. Depending on the scope of the job, Winston’s Greenwich locale is able to pull together a larger crew from the Boston stores to support any size event. That flexibility is just another example of what gives Winston Flowers its competitive edge. Even though the business is Bostonbased, Emily says, it services Manhattan, doing events in the city almost once a week. “We’re taking two trucks a day into Manhattan, whether it’s event related, gift orders or daily deliveries,” she adds. “We are very well-established to cater to our clients in all of Fairfield County, Westchester County and Manhattan.” Unlike the cookie-cutter chain-store model, each of Winston’s seven stores is designed to look a little different from the others, reflecting the character of its community. Some of the stores are more urban in feeling with the use of more steel and metal like the downtown Boston shop, while other locales like those in suburban Boston, have a more country feel. Designed by architect Meredith Basque, the Greenwich store came together on time and on budget. “The aesthetic here is a little bit cleaner and a little bit more residential feeling,” David says. “I wanted people to be able to relate to home, so we chose the darker wood. It feels like it could be in your home….” n
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A sculpture by Eric David Laxman greets showgoers.
Unique cocktail glasses sit on Bill Miller’s bar.
Barbara Galazzo
First-floor drama abounds in rooms created by Bill Miller.
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Kaija Korpijaakko ceiling treatment hovers over Charles Burleigh bedroom.
Bill Miller
home is where the art is By Mary Shustack Photographs by Bryan Barger and Mary Shustack
There’s a tree house in a bedroom in Cold Spring. And there is a handful of pillows dotted with flowers a few steps outside its door. Reflecting the vibrancy of nature is just one aspect of The ArtFull Living Designer Show House, which opens June 3 at Glassbury Court in Cold Spring. The event, a collaboration between Glassbury Court and Cold Spring Arts that will continue for most of the summer, has as many entry points as it has beautifully appointed rooms. The unique venture is putting the spotlight on the artists and artisans of the mid-Hudson Valley. It’s also showcasing the work of some of the region’s best interior designers. And perhaps most important, it’s an incredibly stylish example of how creative you can be when you bring art into your own surroundings. Barbara Galazzo, a Cold Spring glass artist whose work is both decorative and functional, came up with the innovative concept of teaming contemporary art with design for the show house. By placing art in a home setting, as opposed to a gallery, she says it may fuel the imagination. “My idea was to show how you can actually have art in your home. It doesn’t have to be over the top. You can live with it.” And clearly, quite well. The show house, which fills one of the homes in the adult community, captivates a visitor from the front door through every last nook and cranny. A swirling metal sculpture by Valley Cottage artist Eric David Laxman stands at the entry, giving a hint of what will follow. Once inside, the eye darts from colorful glass pieces to unique table settings, from wildly creative wall art to sleek accessories in unexpected hues. It all came together, Galazzo says, thanks to the creative process the showhouse concept sparked in the participants. “There started to be this synergy between the artists and designers,” she says. “It kept expanding, because the designers wanted other things.” Take the ground-floor master bedroom, for example. Charles Burleigh of Charles K Burleigh Interior Design in Garrison was interested in the artwork of Jaanika Peerna, whose style is characterized by bold lines swirling about. “I said, ‘I love your drawings but could you do them right on the wall?’” he recalled. “I wanted this feeling of motion, this feeling of movement.” And for Peerna, it was a project that found
her rethinking her own approach, this time using an empty room as her canvas: “It was fun. Nothing was in it. It was a black box.” Now her work ties together the artful room, anchored by a black-walnut bed designed in collaboration with Jessica Wickham of Wickham Solid Wood Studio, using what Burleigh calls “responsibly sourced” hardwoods from the Hudson Valley. Bill Miller Interiors of Wappingers Falls created the bulk of the downstairs, including the soaring living room, formal dining room and kitchen where colors and attention to detail are clear, from the zipper-accented cocktail glasses to the lavish dining-room table where anyone would love to have a meal. Phyllis Harbinger, a Cortlandt Manor designer who runs Design Concepts/Interiors, created another bedroom, this one upstairs and dedicated to “Drood” composer, and Nyack native, Rupert Holmes. (All the rooms are to be dedicated to a celebrity client.) Inspired by the idea, she says, that “the world is a stage,” Harbinger takes the dramatic route in a white room jolted to life with exciting and unexpected combinations of peacock colors and theatrical styles. Another interpretation of a white-based room is the downstairs office, created by Darron Andress of FW Interiors Design in Wappingers Falls. Andress was inspired to participate since a portion of the show-house proceeds will be donated to the Born This Way Foundation. Lady Gaga’s charity is dedicated to celebrating individuality and empowering young people. Andress’ room pays tribute to the life and memory of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers student and victim of harrassment who committed suicide. Nicole Ashey of Burlock Interiors in Beacon created that treehouse or daydream loft, a child’s bedroom/escape inspired by the Elle Fanning character in the movie “Phoebe in Wonderland.” “It’s kind of dedicated to every little girl who needs an escape, a refuge,” she says of the welcoming retreat in pinks and greens. But before reaching that room designed for a child, one hits a space designed for the child in everyone. “This is the adult playroom,” says Maryann Syrek of M. Studio Gallery, Fine & Applied Arts in Cold Spring. “There are eight artists living in this small space,” she adds, of the loft. “It’s all about letting your mind go crazy, letting it loose,” she says. And that is exactly the creative spirit celebrated at every step in this show house. n
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W
A professional Renée Byers knows how edge your garden grows By Mary Shustack
hen you want to turn your property into a showpiece, it’s the rare homeowner who has the skills to do it on his or her own. So why not turn to a professional? Renée Byers, a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and president of Renée Byers, Landscape Architect, P.C., in Bronxville, is one who really knows her business. After all, this year she’s marking her 30th anniversary in the profession. Byers devoted the first half of her career to large-scale corporate and urban design projects. She went on to open her own practice to design residential landscapes exclusively and is licensed to practice landscape architecture in both New York and Connecticut. Byers says her work is “characterized by gracious and well-proportioned hardscapes that are carefully integrated with plant and land forms – and always appropriate to the architecture and site’s natural setting.” Her work was recently featured in Charlotte M. Frieze’s book, “Private Paradise: Contemporary American Gardens,” (Monacelli Press), a national survey of residential landscapes by the country’s leading landscape architects. Though we caught her in the midst of her busy season, Byers took the time to answer a few questions for us – and offer a glimpse into her professional world.
What are the advantages of working with a landscape architect? “Working with a good landscape architect allows clients to address every single aspect of the property’s design, in the proper sequence, in a holistic way. From the layout of the ‘bones’ of the site for optimal function both practically and visually (driveways, retaining walls, terraces, swimming pools), to all the technical components (storm drainage, land grading, above and below-grade site utilities), to infinite details of planting and lighting design, exterior carpentry, metalwork and furniture selection, every component can be considered within the framework of a master plan that achieves client goals. By following a pragmatic planning process, each element is appropriately scaled and is placed in relationship to the whole. Landscape architects are professionals trained not only technically and artistically (with education and licensing requirements similar to architects) but also as team leaders capable of managing consultants and contractors for their clients.”
What is the most important thing a client needs to keep in mind during a project? Quarried bluestone steps create a necklace joining several levels of this Bronxville garden, spanning a drop of more than 60 feet from front to back on just a halfacre. Photograph courtesy of Renée Byers.
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“The single most important mindset for a client to develop is the view that the landscape and architectural design are integral and inseparable parts of a project that should be considered as a whole when
forms, often by manipulating the land through grading. If the outlines of the design are relatively robust, we can use a limited plant palette and still achieve wonderful outdoor spaces that are not difficult to maintain. I use a lot of natural stone and the highest quality materials possible so that the garden’s built portions retain longevity and gain character over the years. (A North Salem project) typified this approach, where a steep, invasive-ridden woodland was cleared and re-graded to create a serene garden centered around the swimming pool. Often the path to simplicity is surprisingly complex in today’s gardens, though for many, sophisticated features are often requested also (outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, audio and lighting control systems, water features) and are built into the landscape.” Renée Byers
it comes to planning, prioritizing and budgeting. The most successful homes are the result of architect and landscape architect functioning as equal partners on the design team from square one (whether a small renovation or a new building). I cannot tell you how many times clients have said, ‘If only we’d known how important it was to have you on board earlier.’ All too often, the landscape is relegated to an afterthought once all the house decisions are made. Not only does this result
in numerous, often staggering, missed opportunities, but precious funds are poorly allocated and valuable time is lost.”
What are the trends in garden design today? “In my practice, I am almost always asked to design gardens that are simple, elegant and low maintenance, and clients are also increasingly concerned with sustainability. I try to translate these concepts and parameters into clear, sculptural
Are there any particular challenges that our region’s climate or terrain present? “Yes, of course, there are many, and each and every site usually presents significant challenges. But I like to frame them as the opportunities that keep each property unique and always interesting to tackle. For example, steep topography is a wonderful chance to create a garden on multiple levels, and the transitions between spaces often become the most interesting places in the garden….We
also experience extremes in temperature and rainfall, so plant selection and installation schedules, as well as careful irrigation design, are critical. Of course, deer browse seems to increase every year, along with the ever-expanding territory they are moving into.”
What was your most rewarding project – and why? “That is truly a tough question as I feel very lucky to genuinely enjoy most every commission. But I would cite a recent project as one of the most rewarding due to the client’s vision and organization and a very collegial project team. The architect Chuck Hilton, of Hilton-Vanderhorn Architects, and I collaborated on a new home project together from scratch, literally from the ‘back-of-the-napkin’ phase to determine how a new house, pool and out-buildings would be positioned, how the buildings would function in the landscape. The clients possessed their own wonderful vision but placed their confidence and trust in us to interpret it in order to create the private refuge they desired for their family and friends. We also chose terrific contractors and craftsmen early on. Once a collaborative team structure is in place, remarkable results can be achieved.” For more about Renée Byers, visit reneebyers.com or call (914) 337-3103. n
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nature's palette
By Mary Shustack Photographs by Jill Gordon and Mary Shustack
Y
ou have to make your way through a narrow closet – but it’s worth it to reach what artist Jill Gordon calls her “lair.” Two skylights shower morning sun over the petite second-floor space of her Westport home, putting the spotlight on her latest work in progress. And that oversize canvas dominating the studio is a landscape scene. “I used to be drawn to architectural subjects like porches, houses, archways,” she says. “Now it’s total landscapes.” Gordon just connects with the outdoor scenes, whether she’s capturing something she experienced on her extensive travels – or something from her imagination. Her home is filled with her art, mostly unframed works that turn most every room into a gallery of sorts. A particularly striking painting off the foyer captures a memorable moment in St. Kitts. “The storm had just passed and this man was sitting on this bench and something just caught me.” Gordon says she often takes photographs on her travels – her latest trip to bike through Italy with her husband will 42
no doubt provide more inspiration – and then turns them into paintings. Everything she sees influences her work. There are no rules as to what gets in and what’s left out, though she does return to certain elements. “I always put some humanity in a painting,” Gordon says, pointing to the vague structures seen in the distance of a misty landscape that hangs in her hallway. “It’s a story anyone can interpret,” she says. “They might think these are lavish homes or little shacks.” It’s all about the personal connection one feels to art, something Gordon long experienced even though she only began painting after moving to Westport in 1984. “I always adored art, especially (the) Impressionists’ paintings,” she says. “I would look at paintings and just be brought to tears by how effective they were.” Gordon did not turn to art as her first career or even her second. Born in New York City and raised in Greenwich, she went to the University of Arizona for two years before finishing up – studying English and Spanish – at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. From there, she worked as a television producer in a Manhattan ad agency for
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Image source: Art Resource, NY
The Olympic Games: art, culture & sport Through September 2, 2012
Jill Gordon
some 20 years before transitioning to the hospitality industry when she moved to Westport. She was the director of sales and marketing for a boutique hotel for five years before turning to her art fulltime. She was working with noted Westport artists Arlene Skutch and Claudia Mengel and was gratified to find she had a talent for something she long appreciated. “I just took off,” Gordon says. While she certainly credits her mentors, she says she was learning about art her whole life, by “osmosis.” Her father was a big art lover and took Gordon to countless museums where she would closely examine paintings and think about the artists. “I’d look at how they accomplished it, the brush strokes, the paint.” Early in her work, Gordon said she found her preferred medium – acrylics. “I don’t have a lot of patience, so if I don’t like it I can paint over it immediately,” she says. And, she adds, “The color spectrum is tremendous.” She likes nothing more than to whip through a work. “Painting fast and being effective is my goal, not because I want to save time (but) because it’s more expressive. It’s not bela-
boring things.” In addition to commissions – a growing segment of her work – Gordon still exhibits, most recently as part of a group show, “Different Strokes,” at the University of Connecticut in Stamford. The show, which closed in mid-May, featured the works of the Pink House Painters, a society mentored by Skutch since 1970. A period of figural work was also a part of Gordon’s painting life. Sparked by a newspaper image she saw of women in vibrant dress fleeing their African village, Gordon created works that led her to become a part of the Sudan Canvas Project. The group features art inspired by the region, with proceeds donated to social programs there. Gordon says her art has taken her to a lot of places, both real and imagined, and when she takes up her brush, she likes to go big. “I feel comfortable with a bit of a larger painting. It’s just… substantial. I feel I can be free with a larger canvas and that is what I strive for, being loose and free with my brush, creating movement.” Like the wind swirling through the clouds in one of her landscapes. For more, visit jillgordonartist.com. n
The Games: The science of sport Through August 12, 2012
BRUCE MUSEUM
Greenwich, CT 203 . 869 . 0376 brucemuseum.org
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stone-cold calling Story and Photograph by Zoë Zellers
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Consider the apple. The first association we are taught from preschool days matches “apple” with “red.” But what happens when the color is removed from this equation? The result is a beautiful, close study of the apple’s organic form, smooth yet imperfect, round yet not quite circular. And when the seemingly average apple is produced on a large scale, viewers have the unique opportunity to appreciate its visual simplicity and perhaps for the first time ever, think about how an apple makes them feel. Such is the ambition of sculptor Charlie Johnson. He has drawn on 25 years of experience – in figurative sculpture, outdoor garden ornament work and intricate restoration in stone and fine finishes on metals – to take a new artistic path. Johnson’s a-ha moment in the garden led him to study fruits, nuts and pods with a fresh eye and create all-mineral pieces reaching 85 pounds and made by hand without the use of polymers, acrylics, resins, fiberglass or GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete). “I make these objects, because I so appreciate the beauty of their form,” Johnson said. “That silent universal connection is something that I want to awake in people. It’s all around you. Slow down. Pick one. What’s a better way to try and do that than big and in stone?” The fallen quince he noticed on the ground of a client’s garden, for instance, served as Johnson’s muse, and last year, his large-scale decorative sculpture of the fruit won Best in Show at Gallery 364 in Brooklyn. Johnson’s arrival at his calling for creating these contemporary pieces is part of an interesting journey. Beyond his personal art, Johnson lives and works part time on the lush, sculpture-laden Katonah property of Barbara Israel, as in Barbara Israel Garden Antiques. After an initial connection through baker extraordinaire Sylvia Weinstock –“the original cake lady,” who became Johnson’s “guardian angel” – Israel hired him nine years ago to be her site manager and coordinate the production side of the business. Yet after he randomly surprised her (and at first made her nervous) by repairing the legs on a winter-damaged antique Vicenza deer so professionally that it sold right away, Johnson became Israel’s restoration artist, working out of her 19th-century farmhouse. There, he assists her in restoring the stunning, rusting or weathered stone and metal period garden urns, statues, furniture, fencing and fountains that she sells to her high-end clients. Under the wings of Israel’s successful business, Johnson has been fortunate to gain serious industry exposure and experience, accepting challenging restoration jobs and teaching himself along the way. In the past, Johnson learned by serving as a sculpting assistant on significant pieces such as Nina Akamu’s amazing, life-size “Leonardo da Vinci's Horse” at the former
Tallix foundry in Beacon. Today, Johnson has his own assistant at Barbara Israel’s. “Patrick Dunne is such a joy to be around. He’s bright and has a sense of humor and is a real good balance for me, because I tend to get very serious and he can cut through that. He’s been a very positive influence on me.” Most of Johnson’s clients live in Westchester County and Greenwich, and he’s developed an appreciation for the area – its locals, nature trails and eateries. (The lean and muscular 6’2” sculptor must be able to lift his own work, of course, so he loves a good steak – and a cosmopolitan – at Croton Falls’ Croton Creek Steakhouse & Wine Bar). But the other half of the week, Johnson enjoys escaping to the Dingmans Ferry, Pa., home he built “away from it all.” It’s a long way from Fort Worth, Texas, where he grew up, and San Diego, where he began his professional life. He caught a break at age 23 when he met sculptor T.J. Dixon while bartending at an upscale wedding. “There are not really serious figurative sculptors out there. T.J. Dixon is a serious figurative sculptor, and I adore her and she was very generous with her time. ... But there aren’t schools and there’s no training out there so I had to come to the East Coast.” Truth be told, Johnson came to New York for the Gay Pride Parade before sculpting school was actually in the picture. “They had the 25th Stonewall celebration so I came up here for that, and some friends of mine had an art restorer friend who did paintings and I was curious and started asking her about the art schools up here and she told me about The New York Academy of Art in Tribeca, where I was later accepted,” and went on to earn a master’s degree in figurative sculpture. “When I stop and think about all the training in sculpting technique that I have under my belt, it seems to boil down to one thing: It’s amazing what one can do with a putty knife. “It’s no news that artists struggle with subject and meaning in their work. I have years of intense study of anatomy. One powerful concept of that book learning is the use of convex form on these objects. Once I let go of what I thought was expected of me as a trained figurative sculptor, I was able to allow myself to be drawn to what I love – form in nature. As part of the human condition, I think most people are drawn to simple organic form. Many just don’t know it until it’s shoved in their face. Simple is heroic.” Creative gusto pours out as Johnson hints at his plans to expand his work this year. Next he wants to tackle the idea of sculpting a giant garlic clove. He would also love to take his apple prototype to the Big Apple, he said with a laugh. “Who’s better to sculpt a fabulous giant apple for New York City than a gay boy from Texas?” To see Charlie Johnson’s original sculptures and restoration work or join his newsletter, visit cajohnson.biz. n
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In recent years, the patio has become an extension of indoor living. And as with our interiors, it’s the accent pieces that make outdoor decor unique. Choose from this season’s must-have accessories and create a patio that’s perfectly poised for entertaining al fresco. 1. Add a Zen-like calm with the soothing sound and sparkle of water using this free-standing cast stone fountain in Alpine stone finish. Free-standing cast stone fountain in Alpine stone finish ($1,200). Mariani Gardens, 45 Bedford Road, Armonk. (914) 273-3083, marianigardens.com.
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2. Get rid of those pesky mosquitoes with a natural repellent candle made of soy wax. And when the candle’s burned down, you can reuse the concrete holder as a decorative container. Mosquito repellent candle ($70). Mariani Gardens, 45 Bedford Road, Armonk. (914) 273-3083, marianigardens.com. 3. Cozy around a fire with this sleek cast-iron fire bowl. Cast-iron fire bowl ($465). Design Within Reach, 711 Canal St., Stamford. (203) 614-0787, dwr.com.
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4. Add an artistic touch with a fruit compote statue made of stone. Stone fruit compote ($195). Greenwich Orchids, 573 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, (914) 763-3600; 106 Mason St., Greenwich, (203) 661-5544, greenwichorchids. com. 5. Create shade from the sun’s rays or take cover from the rain with an easy-to-use and maintenance-free umbrella, where form meets function. Tucci Baymaster cantilever umbrella, designed by Dougan Clarke ($4,995). Design Within Reach, 711 Canal St., Stamford, (203) 614-0787, dwr.com. 6. Jonathan Adler graphic orange melamine dinner plates offer a pop of color when dining al fresco. Positano melamine dinner plates ($12 each). Jonathan Adler, 88 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, (203) 622-1476, jonathanadler.com. 7. Illuminate and imbue your patio with a certain ambiance using Ikea solar-powered lights in white. Solvinden solar-powered light chain ($19.99). Ikea at ikea.com. 8. Create “Wow” with a statement piece. Grand pine cone statue ($422.50). McArdle’s, 48 Arch St., Greenwich, (203) 661-5600, mcardles.com.
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An 'I' for design Ivanka's
The Summer Series
handbag line
in danbury fair The region’s finesT free concerTs, fireworks and children’s enTerTainmenT.
Grace satchel, $150.
Pearl clutch, $125.
fireworks evenT July 3 aT dusk summer concerTs every wednesday July 11-augusT 15 from 7-9pm kidz camp every Tuesday July 10 - augusT 21 aT 10am
7 Backus avenue danBury, connecTicuT 06810 203.743.3247 danBuryfairmall.com
Ava satchel, $125.
Onyz double shoulder bag, $150. Photographs courtesy of Mondani Corp.
48 MADF9012-01 Danbury Fair_Ad.indd 1
5/15/12 1:26 PM
Olivia bucket hobo, $150.
Photograph by Yossi Michaeli.
I
vanka
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style
Trumping life with Ivanka Trump is one of a breed of young movers and shakers – Chelsea Clinton and Georgina Bloomberg are other shining examples – who have never taken their birthright for granted. And that’s no small feat. Her father, after all, is the famously outspoken real estate and branding mogul, host of NBC’s “The Apprentice” and commentator on all things pop cultural, the man simply known as “The Donald.” Her mother, the Czechoslovakian-born Ivana, is also a high-society fixture, as well as a former fashion model and Olympic athlete. Ivanka, a Wharton School of Business grad, has made a name for herself not only in The Trump Organization but with her own brand of jewelry, accessories, outerwear and now, prêt-à-porter. And she’s done it with an irresistible blend of cool intelligence and warm accessibility. Some of the credit for this goes, of course, to her family, whose strong work ethic and appreciation for talent began with grandfather Fred, a real-estate de50
Photograph by Yossi Michaeli.
By Zoë Zellers
veloper. But most of the credit goes to Ivanka herself, who graduated from the prestigious Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Conn. Today this inveterate multitasker balances the weighty title of executive vice president of development and acquisitions at The Trump Organization and appearances as a judge on “The Apprentice” with the demands of a high-end jewelry line, a more accessible but equally fabulous footwear line, a Mondani handbag line, a sophisticated outerwear line (which expands to Macy’s Herald Square this August) and the debut ready-to-wear line. Add to this long list of commitments a growing young family. Last summer, Ivanka gave birth to her first child, Arabella Rose, who is bound to inherit the real estate gene. Ivanka’s husband is Jared Kushner, who shares ownership of the Kushner Properties holding company with his father, Charles Kushner. Like attracts like: As with Ivanka and her family business, Jared is involved in the acquisitions side of Kushner and bought The New York Observer when he was just 25.
The world travelers can be found anywhere at any time. During the week of this interview, Ivanka divided her time among New York, where she was photographed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala; Istanbul, where she celebrated the opening of The Trump Towers Mall ; and Canada where she witnessed another brand expansion with the opening of Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto. A visit to the Park Avenue showroom of her fashion label – Ivanka Trump – reveals that this isn’t just a business venture. It’s Ivanka’s earnest pursuit of her passion for style, influenced by her exposure to the fashion community as a child and later as a model and by her inspirational travels. The new line – which is available at Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Dillard’s, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom – reflects Ivanka’s affinity for polished ensembles for the workplace and the cocktail party. With them, it’s clear that she is not just lending her name to a collection, but rather creating a brand around the look
that best defines the businesswoman and young mother’s image.
Your new clothing line seems forward yet practical. Why did you find it critical to balance trendiness and classic taste? “I only design things that I personally would love to wear. I felt it was important to create a collection which reflected my personal style and also something that women could relate to. I use a lot of feminine details, whether it’s lace or utilizing a bow accent. You will also see my signature color, coral, which runs throughout the pieces. My collection also incorporates many different looks that can take you from work to evening and to the weekend.”
The response to your jewelry line has been amazing. Why did you think this was the right time to launch your fashion brand? Did you feel there was a void in the market? “I launched my fine jewelry collection in 2007, which was very exciting. This past fall we just opened a gorgeous new boutique on Mercer Street in SoHo. In
Photograph by Yossi Michaeli.
2010, I expanded my collections into footwear and handbags, with outerwear following in fall 2011. The expansion into ready-to-wear for me was the next step and something I had always planned to do but wanted to be sure it was at the right time. I saw a void in the market place for elegant, quality pieces at an affordable price point.”
Describe the woman you envision wearing Ivanka Trump. “I believe that the Ivanka Trump woman wants to be stylish but is not overly trend conscious. She enjoys beautiful, quality pieces that pay great attention to detail but at an affordable price point. Many of my pieces can take you from day to night and to the weekend, which for me – as a working mother and wife, who is on the go constantly – this is essential.”
Your collection showcases a lot of color. Where did the inspiration come from? “The signature color of my brand has always been coral, and I have seen this color really ‘pop’ this spring. We use coral accents in all of my collections. For example, in apparel you will see inside linings or small details incorporating this color. I travel quite frequently, so most often I am drawing my inspirations from recent trips I have taken and cities I have visited.”
Describe the transition from dream to on-the-racks reality. “I have always loved fashion and with the launch of my jewelry, handbag, footwear and outerwear collections, the next step was ready-to-wear. Having the ability to essentially dress a woman from head to toe is very exciting. The response has been tremendous from both retailers and customers. To me that is the ultimate validation for everything I am doing.”
How did growing up around the high fashion crowd play into your gravitating to the fashion industry? “I remember as a young girl sitting on my mother’s lap at Paris Fashion Week, admiring all of the beautiful clothing that went down the runway. Hosting my first fashion show in March was such an incredible feeling. I have always loved and have had great respect for the fashion industry, and to see my collections all come together was truly amazing.”
What does your dad think of your fashion venture? What’s the best biz tip he’s given you lately? “My father is very supportive of my fashion venture and was sitting front row at my first fashion show. My father continues to be an incredible teacher in all aspects of business, and I am very lucky to have the ability to work alongside him every day. He has always told me in order
to be successful, you must love what you do. I believe this is a very valuable piece of advice and something I continue to apply to every venture I enter into.”
Do you have any other upcoming projects or news, professionally or personally, that we should look forward to? “It has been a very exciting time for us at The Trump Organization with the addition of several new projects over the past four months, including the opening of our newest hotel, Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto. Additionally, we bought Doral Hotel & Country Club, which is not only home to “The Blue Monster” – which hosts the WGC Cadillac Championship – but also is a 700-room hotel in the heart of Miami. We were also selected by the US General Services Administration to be the developer of Washington, D.C.’s, The Old Post Office, which is the most sought after hotel redevelopment opportunity in the country. “Lastly, I just returned home from a trip to Istanbul where my father and I celebrated the opening of Trump Towers Mall – the third component to the project – which also consists of a residential and office tower. So as you can see it has been a busy but very exciting time with tremendous projects. Additionally, within my personal brand I am looking forward to announcing new launches very soon.” n
Long earrings in 18k rose gold with rock crystal and diamonds, $2,300.
18k rose gold chain with one center mother-of-pearl stone, $1,350. Photographs by Yossi Michaeli.
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ZoÍ models looks from Ivanka Trump’s fashion collection and shoe line in a plush Greenwich garden designed by Bruce Zellers of Zellers Design. Left, Zuzana papyrus dress, $225. Right, Michelle floral wrap dress, $175. Photographs by Hillary Bushing.
way
A
rtful living, indoors and out
By Mary Shustack Photographs by Bob Rozycki and Tim Lee
Presented by Houlihan Lawrence
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F
Judie and Howard Ganek
rom the moment you drive down the tree-lined allée, tires crunching on the gravel, you get the sense that life at Deer Run is a world apart. Indeed, the Waccabuc retreat of Judie and Howard Ganek has provided nearly three decades of escape from the everyday, a serene and separate world where artful living plays out indoors and beyond. You sense this in the rolling lawns dotted with modern sculptures, in the vine-accented grand terrace where many a guest has enjoyed the uninterrupted views and in most every inch of the home itself, where the couple’s vast art collection conveys relaxed country living mixed with an appreciation for the unique. “We have what I call an eclectic collection,” Howard says. “We cross a lot of borders.” The home’s sophisticated feel – exemplified by an
DEER RUN at a Glance • Waccabuc • 6,200 square feet • 10.24 acres • Bedrooms: 6 • Baths: 6 full • Amenities: Total privacy, gated entry, pool, pool house with kitchen, Har-Tru tennis court, caretaker apartment • Price: $2,500,000
The conservatory
unusual curved wall that ties a few of the ground-floor rooms together – and muted colors provide a fitting backdrop for the Ganeks’ vibrant array of sculptures, paintings, ceramics and installation works. The couple, based full-time in Manhattan, have begun wintering in Palm Beach, following Howard’s retirement from the financial investment business. Enjoying and maintaining a third property, especially from afar, has become too much. “We don’t have any time,” Judie says with a sigh. “We’re sad we have to leave here.” But the Ganeks’ closing the chapter on their life at Deer Run brings opportunity for another family to create its own story on the gated estate that sprawls over more than 10 secluded acres.
Bambi’s deceit
The Ganeks were attracted to the property 27 years ago for its simplicity. “When we bought it, it was a flat piece of grass,” Judie says. “There was nothing here,” Howard echoes. “There was zero, if you can imagine that. It was all grass.” Today, it’s a showpiece that feels like the most elegant of parks with mature trees, flowering bushes, rolling lawns and a large meadow visible from every room at the rear of the home. “That’s what we wanted, very low-key,” Judie says. “We wanted a house that was a house on open property. We love the open spaces.” And they have maintained that sense of space, a rarity
today, even though they prefer now to keep the property’s namesakes outside the fence. At first, though, the deer seemed cute. “We were city people,” Judie says with a laugh. “We saw them prancing around, and we thought, ‘How beautiful.’ We were dumb.”
Inside the home
“The rooms are all nice sizes, really,” Judie says of the house, built in 1970. From the oak-floored foyer, steps lead down into the formal living room. The space, with a wall of French doors that overlook the grand terrace, is a study in elegance and sophistication. “The house, I think, lends itself to being outside,” Judie says. “You feel that outdoor/indoor (sense).” Walk through the living room to encounter the coziest room of all, a paneled library. Even though this space, too, has views into the conservatory and beyond, it feels cocoon-like with its fireplace, built-in pine cabinetry and adjacent wet bar. The conservatory, added on by the Ganeks, juts out into the property to create a magical place where they often entertain. A large table dotted with ceramic pieces easily seats 20 or more. The slate-floored space is an allseason room, especially dramatic at night as many of the trees have been wired with lights. Another highlight is the master bedroom. The large, high-ceilinged space, which easily accommodates a seating area, has a wall of glass doors that again brings nature inside.
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“I love waking up and opening the blinds and seeing outside,” Howard says. A fireplace adds a cozy touch to the room, which leads into a generous dressing area and a charmingly renovated, retro-inspired bath. There Waterworks’ tile evokes a classic European hotel. The vintage charm is complemented by modern amenities, including a spa bath and separate shower. The first floor is rounded out by the formal dining room – a showstopper is the Tom Otterness frieze that surrounds the doorway – and the kitchen, a workmanlike space that’s
Today, it’s a showpiece that feels like the most elegant of parks with mature trees, flowering bushes, rolling lawns and a large meadow visible from every room at the rear of the home. “That’s what we wanted, very low-key,” Judie says. “We wanted a house that was a house on open property. We love the open spaces.” more function than high fashion. A surprisingly deep closet is a hideaway for china, with the room boasting Dacor and Sub-Zero appliances and a breakfast area. “It is small, but we entertained 75 people out of this kitchen and never had a problem,” Judie says. The home even hosted 400 guests for their daughter’s wedding. (Helping with deliveries for such occasions is an access entrance toward the rear of the property. As Judie says, “It’s good when you have a party, you don’t want them driving trucks on your grass.”). Adjacent is the pantry, laundry room, bedroom with en suite bath and access to the two-car garage and its second-floor apartment, ideal for staff/caretaker or guests. Upstairs are a few more rooms in an area ripe for imagination, a onetime attic done over by the Ganeks. The large loft-like space is the sky-lit family room, with two spacious bedrooms branching off and a smaller bedroom that could be used as an exercise room, office, study or studio.
Entertaining space
The property lends itself as easily to a quiet morning stroll as to a challenging game of tennis on the Har-Tru court. “It’s hidden,” Judie says. “It’s nice. You don’t hear it, the balls, if you’re at the pool. No pounding.” And that pool is its own oasis, set down a few stone stairs off the grand terrace. The pool anchors an expansive seating area completed by an elaborate poolhouse and pergola that includes dressing rooms, baths, showers, closets and an outdoor kitchen. Every aspect of the property feels private, thanks to the tall trees that surround the borders. As Judie says, the home has provided their family – now two grown children and five grandchildren – with plenty of memories. “The house is loving, warm and wonderful.” For more information, contact Susan Stillman at Houlihan Lawrence at (914) 764-5762, ext. 334, (914) 5894477 or SStillman@houlihanlawrence.com. n 56
wares
nature, contained By Patricia Espinosa
Spruce up your garden, patio or terrace with one of these additions. Whether you call it a planter, cachepot, urn, jardinière or container, all serve as vessels for our favorite plants and flowers. But not all vessels are created equal, so we’ve made it easy by rounding up a splendid assortment. From sleek and modern to charming and Old World, there’s something for any style home.
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1. Zinc container (various sizes, $350$9,000). Winston Flowers, 382 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, (203) 622-4222, winstonflowers.com. 2. Terracotta lava pot, a composite of lava rock, silt and resin ($1,800). Winston Flowers, 382 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, (203) 622-4222, winstonflowers.com. 3. Aged-copper planter, Smith & Hawken round ($39.99 online price). Target at target.com. 4. Stone lattice box planter ($250), United House Wrecking, 535 Hope St. Stamford, (203) 348-5371, unitedhousewrecking.com. 5. Lava stone pot from Bali. When kept in shade and moist it will grow moss ($1,200). Mariani Gardens, 45 Bedford Road, Armonk, (914) 273-3083, marianigardens.com. 6. Verde patina bronze oversized urn ($3,500). United House Wrecking, 535 Hope St., Stamford, (203) 348-5371, unitedhousewrecking.com. 7. White ceramic glaze ribbed planter ($75). Nielsen’s, 1405 Post Road, Darien, (203) 655-2541, nielsensflorist.com. 8. Cobalt blue ceramic glaze ribbed tall planter ($100). McArdle’s, 48 Arch St., Greenwich, (203) 661-5600, mccardles. com.
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wear
The mystique of Lalique By Zoë Zellers Photographs courtesy of Lalique
F
ew designers have explored the relationship between nature and woman as seamlessly and thoughtfully as René Lalique, the late glassmaker and credited inventor of modern jewelry. Lalique’s critical contributions to the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements include the sculptural perfume bottles he created for François Coty, the jewelry he designed for clients like actress Sarah Bernhardt between 1891 and 1894 and the architectural feats he accomplished, such as glass staircases. His work was entirely visionary and today, the house of Lalique embraces that vision by continuing to marry women and nature on glass with incomparable grace. Lalique’s fall Venise collection of rarified vases and decorative bowls is a fabulous testament to the romantic creative expression of the designer. Lalique’s passion for travel brought him from his hometown of Ay, France to Paris and London – where he was first introduced to the jewelry design world – and later to the New World, where he participated in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis and designed for collaborative, architectural commissions in New York, Los Angeles and Cuba.
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He also had an affinity for Asian aesthetics, enhanced by his time abroad decorating the Peace Hotel in Shanghai and the glass doors in Prince Asaka’s imperial palace in Japan. Fittingly, in 1928, the world traveler was asked to decorate the interior of the OrientExpress. Eight years later, he would design the first-class dining room of the SS Normandie. With that sense of adventure, Lalique’s Venise collection takes the viewer straight to the heart of the city, adding a modern touch to its mélange of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influences. Venice, the company says, is a place where “art meets fantasy to arouse emotion.” So, too, at Lalique, crystal becomes emotive. It is no wonder Lalique the man has been referred to as a true sculptor of light. Originally, he made a name for himself through his chic Art Nouveau mixed-material jewelry designs, which were informed by the plants and animal kingdoms, myths of goddesses and the works of Japanese artists. Those pieces were more like petite sculptures, earning him faithful fans in the form of high society collectors, museums and royal courts. Later, though, his style would
become so copied and plagiarized that the inventive artist was driven to turn toward glass for a new form of expression. His sleek Art Deco glass jewelry created from 1920 to 1930 was entirely revolutionary. Today, it is displayed in museums around the world. That same mastery of light and material was applied to vases, plates, bowls, chandeliers and on a much larger scale, to architectural work (like glass-tiled doors depicting scenes in the natural and mythological worlds and glass ceilings that play with gravity). In 1912, he designed an extravagantly decorated glass façade in Manhattan at the Coty Building. For years the feat remained hidden until a renovation excavation at Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue revealed the extraordinary gift Lalique had left behind. Lalique’s love of nature is well represented in the Venise collection. The floral designs on the vases are so refined they may even be more attractive to the eye than the floral arrangements they’ll hold. When he died in 1945, Lalique was said to be working on a glass piece. He left behind not only a body of fragile crystal but a sense of elegant devotion to the craft that has become its own legend. n
Courtesy of Richard’s of Greenwich.
Bloomin’ dresses By Debbi O’Shea
I
s it any wonder that people wait till spring and summer to put their homes on the market? Homes and gardens are never prettier then when lush green lawns, colorful azaleas, plump peonies and thickets of rose bushes enhance them. It's also the perfect time to host celebrations and parties outdoors, from graduations and weddings to birthday and cocktail parties. If you are hosting, you will probably take equal care with the guest list, food, table arrangements, signature cocktails and attire. As a gracious guest, any specific requests, from “no gifts” to “festive attire” should be adhered to. If your host has requested a specific type of attire and you are unsure what exactly “cocktail casual” means, by all means feel free to ask him or her to clarify or confer with other friends who will be attending. It's always nicer to err on the side of over- rather than under-dressed. It’s important to know if you will be standing in grass, on a patio, or in a tent with or without a floor. Let's just say, 90mm Jimmy Choo stilettos are best saved for in-
door venues. Pretty patent wedges are a better option for stability, comfort and, if the occasion calls for it, dancing the night away. Regarding dresses, wearing any of the “terrible toos”– too tight, too bare and too short – may entertain your fellow guests, but will not endear you to your hosts. Here are some looks that would be both pretty and appropriate for garden celebrations this summer: Graduation or afternoon wedding: The Talbot Runhof navy-and-white floral cotton/lycra dress would be a perfect choice. For starters, it has a sleeve, which is a rare commodity these days. It also has a sweetheart neckline, which I find to be universally flattering. On the hanger, everyone thinks the ruching will add inches, but surprisingly, it’s just the opposite. The delicate folds of fabric are wonderful for disguising figure flaws. A smoky blue Jimmy Choo shoe is a nice bridge between a pump and a sandal. I could see getting a lot of mileage out of this style. Cocktails: Known for her love of prints, Alberta Ferretti has created a vibrant print that looks like a party.
The nude mesh detail on the shoulder is a chic, modern touch. I like popping the brightest shade in the dress, so I paired it with a lemon-yellow Nancy Gonzalez alligator clutch and gold Gucci sandal. Festive and ladylike, this dress is a winner. Black-tie Wedding: Pamella Roland is quite well-known for her beautiful evening clothes. They have graced the bodies of beauties like Gisele Bündchen, Emma Stone, Blake Lively, Maria Menounos and Carrie Underwood for their red-carpet outings. I was utterly charmed by this spectacular green chiffon floral gown. The tiny strips at the bodice are made of lizard. This gown has it all – elegance and movement and, though it shows a bit of skin, it is done tastefully. This is the kind of gown you could dance the night away in – even if you are barefoot. Here’s to the pleasures of summer – gorgeous gardens, good friends and parties that celebrate the milestones that make life so joyous. To read Debbi’s blog, visit DivaDebbi.com. n 59
Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany diamond and sapphire Fleur de Mer clip, a gift from Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor.
Dragonfly brooch, $42,000.
Layered indigo Brigida dress, $225, Ivanka Trump’s fashion collection.
A stroll through my secret garden reveals romantic floral dresses, extravagant nature-inspired jewelry, decorative horticultural accents for the home, a spectacular coffee-table book on tribal-meets-natural style and the coolest kicks by Missoni for Converse to carry me on my next great summer adventure.
Artisan-made soy wax candles by Paddywax Botanicals. $28 each at The New York Botanical Garden’s Shop in the Garden.
Abstract floral by Fleur-Isabelle.
les nouvelles by
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Full-length bright floral by Fleur-Isabelle.
Diamond and sapphire flower ring, $45,000.
Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany berry earrings.
Bee brooch, $30,000.
Flower ring, $875,000.
Jewelry from Tiffany: 140 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich; The Westchester, white plains and tiffany.com. Images courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
Lady pleated-sleeve blouson top, $275, and high-waist bell pants, $198, available at Alice + Olivia, 335 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich.
Stance blouson gathered top, $297, and printed wide-leg pants, $297, available at Alice + Olivia, 335 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich.
I spotted Vogue’s André Leon Talley at The Met’s brilliant Prada-Schiaparelli exhibit, “Impossible Conversations.”
Tiffany’s orchid brooches (not for sale).
Cosmos serving bowl, $158, with Cosmos and Sunflower salad servers, $48 at The New York Botanical Garden shop.
Hans Silvester’s “Natural Fashion: Tribal Decoration From Africa”, $29.95 at The New York Botanical Garden shop.
Garden-inspired accessories, available at Missoni, 1009 Madison Ave. Manhattan.
Limited-edition Missoni for Converse Chuck Taylors, $200 at converse.com and at the Soho Converse store, 560 Broadway, Manhattan.
Zoë wears custom-made floral fashions by couturier Marysia Nystrom with makeup by Laura Mercier in the artful Greenwich garden settings designed by her landscape designer father, Bruce Zellers of Zellers
Design. The dresses are available at Fleur-Isabelle, 50 Water St., Norwalk. Call (203) 570-8118 to make an appointment. Prices available upon request. Photographs by Hillary Bushing. 61
wear
loafin' around Story and Photographs by Zoë Zellers
Tim Tebow does it. So does Nets’ star – and Kardashian ex – Kris Humphries. What they do is mani-pedis, something that men are generally averse to, along with the fear of sandals. “I think that’s the first area that guys need to address and I think it’s been kind of a stumbling block in wearing sandals, because their feet look a mess,” says Brian Boyé, fashion director of Men’s Health magazine. “It’s really easy and inexpensive to get a pedicure,” he says. “I find when guys have a pedicure for the first time, even if they’ve been resistant to do so in the past, once they see how easy and non-painful it is, they go back for more and more and more, because it’s relaxing and it doesn’t cost a lot of money (about $20).” Alternatively, if money or self-consciousness is keeping guys out of the
pedicure chair, they can get feet summer-ready at home. “I think if you’re going to give yourself a pedicure, you don’t really need a lot of products. You need a pair of fingernail or toenail scissors, you need an emery board and you need some hand lotion or body lotion.” Boyé’s go-to moisturizer brands for men include Neutrogena and the Vaseline Men drugstore brand, which he said he likes, because “It’s not quite as fragranced.” “I also love Anthony Logistics and Jack Black, two men’s lines that have really nice body and hand moisturizers. I would recommend a hand moisturizer, because they tend to be a little thicker. But it doesn’t really matter.” With guys running around in damp, sweaty socks after a round of tennis, slipping in and out of boat shoes on
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the docks and walking around the pool shoeless, bacteria-related problems can arise quickly – even with perfectly groomed digits. Prevent that by always keeping a pair of plastic or rubber flipflops handy in your gym bag, locker or summer bag. Says Boyé, “We all wear flip-flops at the pool or the beach. I think everybody needs a pair of rubber flip-flops.
Prada flip-flop($290).
John Varvatos’ leather boat shoe ($198).
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CREATING SUCCESS FROM POTENTIAL 62
TOMS’s multicolor “Spencer” ($95).
I love Havaianas. “There are also some anti-fungal lotions and products that you can buy at the drugstore like Gold Bond and a few others that are good to prevent athlete’s foot,” he adds. You may be able to avoid problems with perspiration by wearing sandals. As Boyé puts it, “ They’re comfortable, and your feet can breathe.” n
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“I just love that rich ornamentation, that density. To me, it’s very mysterious and it can be very noir if you put in certain elements. I love the profusion of ornament. I’m obsessed with that.” — Max Avi Kaplan
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Floral fixations
O
By Zoë Zellers Photographs courtesy of Max Avi Kaplan
ne afternoon in the spring of 2009, a crowd gathered outside NYU’s Gallatin Galleries, beckoned by the siren call of something too sensational, too eye-catching, too thought-provoking to miss. The windows revealed a stunning, floor-length Victorian-inspired couture gown, made entirely of white silk hydrangeas and held together with an intricate application of wire, taffeta and paper. It was the breathtaking public debut of designer (and New York University student) Max Avi Kaplan. Three years later, Max is still obsessed with showcasing flowers and nature in a fashion context, though his work has evolved and taken a fresh, pointed direction with his informed focus on head accessories and Victorian-inspired gloves. Max is also still an NYU student, but now he’s enrolled in the highly selective Visual Culture: Costume Studies graduate pro-
gram at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. He splits his time between his art studio in his home state of New Jersey and the Hell’s Kitchen apartment he shares with Rebecca Faye, his sister and “the cynical critic I need.”
Subverting beauty
Over a cappuccino at downtown "It" café, La Colombe Torrefaction, Max revisits that very first flower gown, which he now looks at with a certain detachment as excitement (and press from Nylon magazine) build around his latest collection of ornate gloves and fabulous floral turbans. “The Victorians, especially in the middle of the 19th century, were completely obsessed with controlling nature, and this often manifested itself in integrating floral motifs or actual flowers into fashion in a very prescribed but at the same time uniquely sculptural fashion,” he says. “I just love that rich ornamentation, that
density. To me, it’s very mysterious and it can be very noir if you put in certain elements. I love the profusion of ornament. I’m obsessed with that.” While Max loved creating that dress, its style is “too beautiful” for his current aesthetic. “I also am growing into my own creative space where I want to still embrace that inner beauty, but kind of subvert it a little bit and make it more unique and a little bit creepier, a little bit darker and have there be that surface of beauty, but then there’s something off. And that takes a long time to cultivate.”
Getting there
Max works off commission now, predominantly for stylists like Elle Werlin, who had him create custom-made headpieces for shoots. “I met her through my (distant) cousin at a wedding. So one day, Elle called me and said, ‘I need turbans,’ and so I made a turban for her on the floor of her apart-
Max Avi Kaplan photograph by Jesse Dittmar.
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“There’s this ’50s beauty to the gloves that is really innocent but also has this feel of being kind of trapped, to me at least, as material culture objects. I see that these women had to put on their gloves and they had to conform and part of their dress was integrated into that conformity. And I find that in the Victorian period in the same way.” — max avi kaplan
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ment and she was like drinking wine and telling me, ‘I want gingham. Here’s some I bought. I love the stuff you make, but I need gingham and can you do it now?’ And I did it, and it got into Nylon magazine and that was my first moment of being published and it felt crazy. It was last April and I finally had something on stands,” Max says with a wide smile. “I’m very proud of that work, and it’s all very beauty for beauty… Elle and I work and improvise together really well and she’s been feeling my feeling for gloves. And I thought, ‘Why not do art gloves? Why not do sculptural gloves?’” Just over a month ago, Max’s sculptural wrought-iron gate-inspired nylon net gloves were featured in none other than the windows of the Gallatin Galleries, introducing his newer designs to passersby. While still inspired by the garden, now he says, “I have photographs of lichen growing on gravestones and that’s what I’m basing this latest collection off of – basically organic matter, composite organisms and growth and the transparency of the stretchable nylon net gloves. It’s totally see through so if you have a beautiful Chanel on, you can see your red nails through it…. These days I’m most interested in exploring the way that the floral, organic lichen can be
replicated in an altogether decorative but at the same time fleeting, ephemeral way.” Through his designs, Max is also interested in making a connection between the Victorian era and the conformity of women’s dress in the 1950s, referencing Dior. Yet he still strives to keep his fashions very current. Eventually, he hopes to hone his passion for embroidery at L’École Lesage Paris, which the house of Chanel bought in 2002 as a means of training its embroiderers and keeping that couture legacy alive within the brand in the future. “There’s this ’50s beauty to the gloves that is really innocent but also has this feel of being kind of trapped, to me at least, as material culture objects. I see that these women had to put on their gloves and they had to conform and part of their dress was integrated into that conformity. And I find that in the Victorian period in the same way. “And that’s how I was inspired by seethrough gloves. There’s ornamentation that’s distracting your eye but then you’re also looking deeper and you’re seeing the person’s skin…. Our hands aren’t always beautiful. With women who get plastic surgery, their hands tell their age. And I absolutely love that.” For more, visit maxavi.com. n
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wear
petal Power By Zoë Zellers Photograph Courtesy of Coty Prestige
Getting the packaging and the product just right are things fashion designer Marc Jacobs and Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs had in common. Since its inception, the charged, provocative, sometimes surreal and often ironic visual has been important to the ever-expanding Jacobs’ brand (which will include a Sephora color cosmetics collection in the near future). In the meantime, the designer’s latest fragrance offerings make for seriously playful examples. Jacobs is flaunting a sweet, chic and humorous side in his limited edition Daisy Petite Flowers on the Go! collection, which transforms his fabulous Daisy and Daisy Eau So Fresh scents. The scents are making a splash this season in adorable, 68
rounded glass bubbles framed by retro pink and white daisy petals. Clearly, these fresh, cheerful perfumes are not meant to be stored on a shelf but instead taken out of a sexy handbag at a summer lounge party, encouraging audience reaction – and not just from your fashion friends. You can just hear those oohs, ahs and giveme-somes at l’escale’s stylish outdoor bar in Greenwich now, can’t you? Plus, the scents, sold together, each offer the wearer such ladylike charm that when an admirer asks, “What perfume are you wearing?,” pulling a surprising faux-flower out of a purse becomes a rather fun and flirty game. What a fantastic conversation piece Jacobs has delivered.
But beyond the bottles, the fragrances are spot-on, too. Choose the one that suits your mood. The classic white-petal Daisy that Jacobs created with the Firmenich fragrance house is feminine, floral and more sunny than serious. Yet for a scent that boasts top notes of wild strawberry, violet leaves and ruby red grapefruit, it is more sophisticated than you can ever imagine. Its mid notes are a luxe mix of gardenia, violet petals and jasmine petals finished with a base of musk, vanilla infusion and white woods. Meanwhile, the pink petals of Daisy Eau So Fresh confirm that this scent is Daisy’s fruitier sister. (Jacobs has a thing for sisters and scents). Other perfumes
have fallen victim to fruity gone too far. With Daisy Eau So Fresh, fruitier doesn’t imply immaturity or overwhelming flirtation. The bright scent is spirited by top notes of ruby-red grapefruit, raspberry and green leaves, by garden-fresh mid notes of violet, wild rose and jasmine petals and grounded by a base of musk, plum and cedarwood. This festive floral collection is just right for the warm months ahead, but all good summers must come to an end and so too must a limited edition offering from Jacobs. So pluck your Daisy and get on the go. Daisy + Daisy Eau So Fresh Duo/ 20ML each, $59, are available locally at Macy’s and at daisymarcjacobs.com. n
NoSayrain date? your 'I do's' inside By Patricia Espinosa ou’ve dreamed of this all your life – a garden wedding with the love of your life. You’ve taken care of every last detail of the event, which has been a year in the making. Even the birds are perfectly poised to chirp in tune. And then it starts to rain. Your dream quickly turns into a nightmare. Planning an outdoor garden wedding is a lovely idea really. But who wants to deal with East Coast weather, which can turn on a dime? Because when it comes to weddings, there are no rain dates. No worries. You can have your wedding cake and eat it, too, by bringing the outdoors inside at The Loading Dock, a decidedly sleek and chic event spot located in Stamford’s Industrial Park on Fairfield Avenue. With its concrete exterior, the modern structure is 17,000 square feet of raw space divided into a gallery, small and large ballrooms, sanctuary, retro game arcade and commercial kitchen. Just like a
garden tent, the cool white venue can be customized to suit any celebration, even if it’s an indoor garden wedding. Clients are often drawn to the structure, designed by New York architect Robin Elmslie-Osler, for its minimalism and prefer to maintain that feeling by using simple lounge furniture and some lighting to create a look that is fabulously industrial chic. Still, there are others interested in a truly unique ambience, like the charity-event hosts whose theme was “Bollywood.” “They had so many layers of draping that you would never have recognized that you were in a blank space,” says Loading Dock owner and creative director Mimi Sternlicht. “Every wall was covered in colorful fabric, and there were gold throws with beautiful pillows. It was extraordinary. They had rugs covering everything. You would have never known where you were.” Sternlicht has always been involved in creative businesses. She started her career
as a creative director in advertising and has been known to attend design meetings with her husband, Barry S. Sternlicht – founding chairman and CEO of the Starwood Capital Group and creator of the Starwood Hotels – and weigh in on visual and marketing decisions. One of her most notable contributions was coming up with the “W” brand name for the luxury boutique hotels. The Loading Dock draws clients from all of Westchester and Fairfield. Events run the gamut from weddings to corporate parties to photo shoots and charity fundraisers. Last year, Ridgefield High School decided to hold its prom at the site, with 400 students attending the party. “It was really great. They had their school decorating committee come in, and they did a really nice job,” Sternlicht says. The company is flexible about how it works with clients. Depending on the budget, The Loading Dock can recom-
Planning an outdoor garden wedding is a lovely idea. But who wants to deal with East Coast weather, which can turn on a dime? Because when it comes to weddings, there are no rain dates.
On our third anniversary Hudson Paul Salon would like to thank our loyal clients for another great year. Boost up your look for the summer with a new style Come in for a cut, color, highlights or keratin treatment. We are now using the ORIBE line, popular among celebrities. The Hudson Paul Salon Team is committed to hair, beauty, and health while offering some of the most exclusive treatments and new industry techniques available. Come by Monday through Saturday and see for yourself. Enjoy the city salon experience and service in Westchester.
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Owner Mimi Sternlicht in Studio Space at The Loading Dock. Photograph by Patricia Espinosa.
Interior shot of a party at The Loading Dock. Photograph courtesy of The Loading Dock.
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mend names for a party planner, a designer, a band, a DJ, a caterer and a florist. Recently, the company established an in-house caterer called On The Marc Events, with local chef Marc Weber. “He’s a young guy who has impressed us over and over by doing a number of events for us. He’s our recommended caterer, but we absolutely welcome other caterers to bring clients here,” she adds. Offering the option for in-house catering provides clients with the added benefit of a more palatable price tag. Recently, The Loading Dock launched Studio Space, which presents an alterna-
tive look with its exposed brick walls and diminutive size. The site is used as an add-on to parties. If someone is planning a wedding or a bar mitzvah and wants to have the service on the premises, this gives the client another room and another feel. The intimate setting is also ideal for smaller events like Sweet 16s, Quinceañeras and dinner parties. Recently, the locale was used for a Jack Wills fashion show and a Reebok exercise video. So you decide: You can take a chance on Mother Nature. Or you can go with The Loading Dock, where every event is a sure thing. n
40UNDER40
It’s the most unique event in Fairfield County Forty of the best and brightest business professionals under the age of 40 will be feted June 21 • 5 to 8 p.m. at 1 High Ridge Park Corporate Center, Stamford
Keynote speaker Donna deVarona: Multiple Olympic gold-medal winner, 18 swimming records, Fairfield County resident and community activist.
Valley of Achievement
Showcasing a variety of businesses from Fairfield County, before and after the award ceremony, when everyone can stroll the simulated streets and marketplace and gain insight into what the county has to offer.
Network
While enjoying entertainment, artists at work, sponsor displays, the marketplace, wine from W.J.DEUTSCH & FAMILY and hearty hors d’oeuvres by DAVID’S SOUNDVIEW CATERING.
Guest tickets are $40. Call today for reservations (914) 694.3600, ext. 3027, or email your request to bvisosky@westfairinc.com. To be included in the commemorative journal, sponsorships and advertisements are still available. Call (914) 694.3600, ext. 3031. SPONSORED BY
SILVER SPONSORS
CULINARY SPONSOR
SPONSORS
ADDITIONAL PARTNERS: Bridgeport Regional Business Council • Business Council of Fairfield County • Darien Chamber of Commerce • Fairfield Chamber of Commerce • Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce • Greenwich Chamber of Commerce • Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce • Stamford Chamber of Commerce • Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce71
wagging
please don'tKeeping eat the daisies and petunias pets and plants happy By Sarah Hodgson
A
s the warmth of the season beckons us outdoors, many pet and plant lovers are caught in the crosshairs: Is it possible to intertwine a love of nature with the needs of our beloved domestics? The short answer is yes—with a little bit of ingenuity. When dogs look at grass, dirt, plants and shrubs, they don’t see gardens. They see fun – a vast green playground just begging to be rolled on, run through, jumped over or dug in. If you don’t want your dog marauding through your garden, you’ll need some creative strategies to circumvent the possible frustrations. Same with cats, who find the elegance of a garden alluring. Regardless of your pet, there are a few considerations to keep both plant and animal species safe, happy and well-nourished. Pet owners should choose fertilizers and mulches cautiously. Shop for organic, pet-friendly fertilizers and soil amendments. Be aware that many environmentally friendly fertilizers contain fish by-products, blood meal and ground poultry feathers. These ingredients are very appealing to many dogs and may cause digestive upset if eaten in quantity. If possible, keep your pets away from newly fertilized beds and lawns until the product has dissolved. Alternatively, consider liquid fertilizers. When buying mulch, avoid cocoa mulch. It is toxic to pets and lethal if ingested in quantity. Choose root mulch, wood bark or gravel instead. If you have a dog, consider his essential doggy-ness: • Canines like to course the perimeters of their territory, aka your yard. If your plantings run up to the edges of your property, they’re likely to get trampled. To prevent this frustration, keep an 18- to 36-inch pathway around the boundary of your property, especially if you plan to erect fencing. • Speaking of fencing, many dogs get quite frustrated when they can’t see out of their property to identify noises and passersby. If your containment system blocks your dog’s vision, consider a transparent window erected at eye level (your dog’s, that is). Often, dogs destroy garden beds out of this frustration and boredom. The product I most enjoy is PetPeek (petpeek.info). A little porthole into the world outside and a nonplanted path around the perimeter can keep everyone on track, so to speak. • As you begin to shape good canine garden habits, keep your dog inside while you tend your plants. Dogs are very mindful of our activities and if they see you digging in the dirt on your hands and knees, they will soon mimic your technique. • If your dog enjoys digging, he will likely always relish the feeling of the earth on his paws. If this is the case, you’ll need to provide a dog-friendly digging pit, a small area (think sandbox) filled with half-sand, 72
half-safe mulch where you encourage him to “Go dig!” Do this during playtime to encourage his enthusiasm. If he stares at the digging pit and gives you the “Huh?” face, try burying a bone, toy or treat. It can be a little tricky to keep dogs out of garden beds. Consider why your dog enters your planting area. If it’s to eliminate or mark, the solution is fairly simple. Give him his own area away from your tomatoes and prized tulips. You can erect a decorative stone or even a faux fire hydrant and encourage him to eliminate there. If you wish to make your dog’s “potty area” a bit more discreet, surround the spot with a hedge or wall. To help your dog identify where your garden ends and his play yard begins, lay a thick rope down to define the borders or install a more permanent visual boundary – a low rock wall, brick edging or decorative fence. Bring your dog into his play space and then lead him (on a leash) to the border. Discourage him from crossing by pulling him back from the boundary and telling him “Away.” Do this several times along the boundary. Toss toys and play with him in his area to encourage his understanding. Finally, create a safe haven for your dog or cat by choosing tantalizing, pet-safe plants. Choose species-
As you begin to shape good canine garden habits, keep your dog inside while you tend your plants. Dogs are very mindful of our activities and if they see you digging in the dirt on your hands and knees, they will soon mimic your technique. specific plantings. Felines are crazy for catnip, lemongrass, parsley and thyme. Dogs are famous for eating grass so be sure their lawn is kept pesticide- and fertilizer-free. When choosing plants, opt for nontoxic garden favorites like astilbe, Chinese lantern, carnation, dahlia, geranium (Pelargonium), impatiens, hollyhock, petunia, phlox and rose. For a complete list of toxic landscape plants, log onto wagmag.com and search “pet-friendly gardening.” Stay tuned to wagmag online for weekly pet-friendly tips. n
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Stop and smell the roses? Not in this car, babe. Open the door to the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 and take a seat. It envelops you in a loving, buttery, welcomehome-to-mama embrace. Caress the steering wheel and it’s your hands that say “ahh.” This latest iteration of a German-engineered car approaching near perfection is a far cry from the one that started it all in 1954 with its gull-wing doors, nearSpartan interior (by today’s enriched standards) and relatively small footprint of 168.9 by 68.5 inches. Today’s version is wider at 82.6 inches and longer at 182.4 inches. Its all-aluminum body shell still doesn’t make it lighter than the 1954 version that weighed in at just 2,755 pounds. The 2013 model is 3,947 on the scale. But don’t let the extra pounds fool you; there’s no fat, and ounce for ounce it can outmuscle the gull-wing and hit 60 mph 74
in 4.5 seconds. The first SL took 7.1 seconds to do the same. Powering the SL550 coupe is a refined V8 engine that, according to the folks at Mercedes-Benz headquarters, “gets up to 14 percent better fuel economy while producing more power – an astounding feat, considering that increasing power or fuel economy is usually an either-or scenario.” The other innovative aspect of this engine is that it is not unlike HAL, the all-knowing supercomputer from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” in that it is hardwired with a fuel-saving system that kills the engine when the brake pedal is depressed. As soon as you hit the accelerator, the engine computer picks the piston that is in the best position for first ignition and “the direct fuel injection and multispark systems work with a starter motor to seamlessly restart the engine.” Thank you, HAL. Even when parked this SL looks like it’s in motion with its horizontal accents grooved into the body and side mirrors like the sleek lines your partner creates when she takes her
fingers and pulls back your wet hair. The front of the car with its honeycomb grill lets others know that there’s a sweet ride behind it. It also says that you have “arrived.” “People who don’t have to prove anything buy this car,” said Peter Wirth, general sales manager with Mercedes-Benz of White Plains. It’s a car you “mature into,” Wirth said. Are there buyers? Of the dozen cars that were arriving at the dealership, nine were sold sight unseen and without a perfunctory test drive. That says a lot about a brand that’s nearing its 60th – that’s six zero – birthday, a feat not often seen in the auto industry. If you want to show off the interior – and why wouldn’t you? – the hardtop collapses onto itself in one smooth cantilevered move and disappears in the trunk in a mere 16 seconds. That’s about equivalent to reading these two sentences. OK, so you’re tooling down the road, the top’s down and the back of your neck
is feeling a bit cold. Well, then click on the AIRSCARF, a heating system in the headrest that will warm that skin and ease any aches. Cancel the masseuse. For your inner geek, this car comes totally mashed up with a command control in the center arm rest equipped with a 40GB hard-drive GPS navigation, iPod/ MP3 media interface, in-dash six-disc DVD/CD changer, in-dash SD memory card reader and a 10-speaker harman/kardon surround-sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1. Wait, Nicki Minaj not coming through clear enough? Then upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen Beo SoundSurround Sound System for $6,400. One last thing, German engineers know that we Americans love our golf. So after 18 holes, why put down the bag, reach for the keys, open the trunk and place said bag in the trunk? Just kick a foot under the rear bumper and voilà it opens. Hop in the car and cue Nicki. “Starships were meant to fly, Hands up, and touch the sky…” n
wanders
Where nature and civilization embrace Mystical, mysterious, majestic Angkor By Cappy Devlin
Angkor Wat, icon of Cambodia, in the late afternoon. 75
T
he temples of Angkor are one of the most breathtaking sites you can experience. Dating from 802 to 1432, these Hindu-turned-Buddhist structures are regarded as the heart and soul of Cambodia. Considered one of the Wonders of the World, Angkor has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992 and is also on the List of World Heritage sites in danger. Since then, UNESCO has set up a wide-ranging program to safeguard this symbolic place and its surroundings.
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The entire Angkor complex stretches over 400 square kilometers (approximately 250 miles, twice the size of Manhattan) in northwestern Cambodia. The country’s unique Indian-influenced Khmer culture thrived in this region between the 9th and 15th centuries, with more than one million people calling it home at its height. The first capital of Angkor had a state temple at its center, built from brick or stone, and a wooden palace with a defensive bank or ditch surrounding them. Another significant element was the irrigation system based on several great reservoirs, which provided cru-
cial infrastructure for the successive Khmer capitals and their rulers. It was not until the accession of Suryavarman II in 1113 that the next great phase of building began. He was responsible for the greatest of all Khmer monuments, Angkor Wat – dedicated to Vishnu, the chief Hindu god. Perhaps Cambodia’s best-known icon – it appears on the national flag – Angkor Wat (“City Temple”) is an example of high-classical Khmer architecture, with its distinctive quintet of terraced towers, sweeping galleries and sinuous, sensuous reliefs. Panorama of the Upper Gallery at Angkor Wat.
Two nights in Angkor Wat
Day 1: You fly into Siem Reap Airport, Cambodia. Spend the late morning/afternoon on a guided tour of the Angkor complex, including its most renowned site, Angkor Wat. Strolling through the massive hallways, you will also find many small shrines still in use by the local people. Late afternoon, climb through the Phnom Bakheng temple and see the stunning sunset over Angkor Wat. Day 2: You can visit Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm and Elephant and Leper King Terraces. If you have time, you might explore two less-visited areas, Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre.
Some tips:
1. Khmer is the official national language. However, English is widely spoken, followed by French. 2. The peak season in Angkor is November to February when the weather is dry and temperatures are coolest (7786 degrees). 3. Angkor Wat doesn’t have hotel accommodations, but the nearby town of Siem Reap is only four miles away and has become the tourist hub for hotels, restaurants and shopping. 4. Get to the temples early. You can enter the park beginning at sunrise (5 a.m.).
Devatas, standing female figures, on the northern library of Angkor Wat’s second level.
Later in that century, Jayavarman VII built another capital at Angkor Thorn. The new state temple was the towering Bayon, dedicated to the Buddha. Other major monuments of his reign included Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Ta Som and Banteay Prei. Angkor Thom, or “Great City,” was in some ways even more spectacular than the colossal Angkor Wat. Indeed, Jayavarman VII’s capital was so superb that none of his successors wanted to replace any temples. So from his death in 1200 to the mid-15th century,
there were no more monumental additions. The stunning temples of mystical Angkor lay hidden by the jungle for hundreds of years, only to be rediscovered in the mid-19th century. Ta Prohm is best-known as the temple where trees have been left to intertwine with the stonework – much as it was when it was uncovered. You might think this is horrible, but there is a strange beauty in the marvelous strangler fig trees that provide a stunning display of the embrace be-
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tween nature and human handiwork. So oddly haunting and exotic is Ta Prohm – perhaps the most popular temple after Angkor Wat and the Bayon – that it served as a backdrop for Angelina Jolie’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” In 2010, restorations began on Ta Prohm. Large sections of the temple are unstable and have been cordoned off, as they are in danger of collapse. All the plants and shrubs have been cleared from the site and some of the trees are also get-
ting removed. The aim is to rebuild this magnificent temple. In Angkor, temples that have defied time – and the jungle growth – remain steeped in royal hospitality. The gentle, polite and friendly nature of the people, combined with this unusual architecture, make Cambodia, and Angkor in particular, a memorable destination. Visit Cappy’s Travel at 195 N. Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, call (914) 241-0383 or email Cappy@travel-by-net.com. n
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wine&dine
Of roses and rosés By Geoff Kalish, MD
can partake of the pleasures of the gardens with a selfguided tour following footpaths that wander along and over a stream with waterfalls and fish-stocked ponds at both ends. Ferrari-Carano is about 20 minutes by car north of Healdsburg at 8761 Dry Creek Road and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Chateau St. Jean, the majestic entrance gardens, patterned after those found at Italian and French countryside villas, contain fountains, rare Windmill Palms and formal parterres filled with hydrangeas, dwarf Satsuma mandarin orange trees in terracotta pots, hybrid roses and numerous varieties of annuals and perennials. Moreover, in the spring, the ground is covered with what seems like a sea of white periwinkles, and almost year-round there’s a distinctive pleasant scent set off by sweet olive trees. Visitors to the winery can tour the gardens and even sip wine and picnic on site with the gardens as a backdrop. Chateau St. Jean is in Kenwood at 8555 Sonoma Highway, little more than an hour car ride from San Francisco.
Wine Notes
Here are some recently sampled Ferrari-Carano and Chateau St. Jean wines. Prices provided are typical local retail for 750 ml bottles. 2010 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Fumé Blanc ($15) Blended from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in a number of venues around Sonoma County and fermented in stainless steel (65 percent) or older French oak (35 percent), this straw-yellow wine with a fruity bouquet and taste of grapefruit and ripe figs has a touch of pleasant acidity on the finish. It mates particularly well with grilled swordfish, scallops and halibut. lanting “flowers amongst the vines” often serves quite different purposes in so-called Old World vineyards as compared with those in the New World. In Europe, particularly France’s Bordeaux region, it’s traditional to plant roses at the end of a row of vines, to “ward off the evil spirits,” as is commonly told to tourists. But as Sylvie Cazes, a proprietor of Chateau Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux’s Pauillac region, explained to me, the real reason is quite practical, in that roses, which are even more susceptible to mildew than grapes, serve as an early warning for the need to consider preventative action with antifungals. Also, the rose bushes offer a home to insects, like ladybugs, which feast on such vine-damaging insects as aphids. Even in the wine-producing areas of the Loire Valley, often referred to as the “garden area of France,” the plantings are usually quite pragmatic, featuring fruit-bearing trees and/or vegetables and herbs. Many of the gardens at vineyard estates in France, Italy and Spain contain primarily herbs and are hidden by walls from tourists. While horticultural practicality is a common reason for the association of flowers and trees with vineyards in Eu78
rope, it is rarely the situation in the United States – with gardens often created purely for beauty or as a draw to visitors. However, whether for good luck or beauty, but certainly with public viewing in mind, the concept of mixing gardens and vineyards is taken to a whole other level in California, particularly in Sonoma County and most notably at the Ferrari-Carano and Chateau St. Jean estates. At these two properties, the magnificent, showy flower gardens definitely are beacons to visitors, not that the highly acclaimed wines produced by these properties need any apologies. (See Wine Notes). Following careful planning some 16 years ago, FerrariCarano co-owner Rhonda Carano, a second-generation Italian-American, planted the winery’s gardens. “What led me to creating the site was my lifelong passion for nature,” Carano says. “In fact, I can remember many happy days in my childhood spent gardening with my grandmother, and it now allows me personal time away from all the pressures of technology and such.” Today, the Italian-French “parterre-style” garden – featuring classic geometric shapes, more than 2,000 species of trees and shrubs and more than 10,000 tulips and daffodils – surrounds the winery’s hospitality center. Visitors
2008 Ferrari-Carano Merlot ($16) This wine exhibits a deep purple color and bouquet and taste of cherries, blackberries, plums and hints of oak that go well with beef, lamb or veal. It should improve with age, and in fact, a recently opened bottle of the 1987 vintage showed a velvety smooth wine with a complex bouquet and taste reminiscent of a well-aged Pomerol, like Chateau Trotanoy or Chateau Le Pin. 2010 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Chardonnay ($10) This is a straightforward wine that has a bouquet and taste of pears and pineapple, with a hint of vanilla and a smooth pleasant finish. Not as elegant as the famed, premium 100 percent Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay from this producer, this wine nonetheless makes a great quaff to enjoy with shellfish, grilled chicken and mild cheeses. 2006 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Merlot ($14) Better than many Merlots selling for twice the price, this wine shows a fruity bouquet and taste of ripe cherries and chocolate with a smooth finish that perfectly matches the flavors of grilled salmon, barbecued chicken and blueveined cheeses. n
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Booty call By Michael Rosenberg, MD
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f the popularity of J. Lo and Kim Kardashian have taught us one thing, it’s that women are not afraid of showing off their derrieres. They just want to make sure they’re show-worthy, particularly in this the season of sculpted bodies. With the popularity of the Brazilian Butt Lift and expansion of our knowledge and use of fat manipulation, contouring the buttocks has become increasingly common in modern cosmetic surgery – once you’ve maximized the appearance of the old gluteus maximus through exercise. There’s no butts about it. (I couldn’t resist.) Patients tend to have three different concerns regarding this area, which guide the choice of treatment. For those patients possessing full, wide buttocks, liposuction is often the procedure of choice. The most common approach combines tumescent anesthesia with suctioning of specific areas of fatty deposits using small cannulas to remove the fat. Incisions are very small so scarring is usually not an issue for these patients. More recently, using laser-assisted liposuction such as SmartLipo has helped achieve better contouring through tightening of the undersurface of the skin with the laser. In carefully selected patients, this approach can yield dramatic results. For men and woman who have lost volume over time, augmentation combined with judicious use of liposuction in the surrounding hips and thighs becomes the procedure of choice. With more attention to this area, augmentation with specially designed implants have become increasing popular. Paired gluteal implants can be placed through one central incision either under the gluteus musculature or more recently, within the substance of the muscle itself to help avoid underlying nerves. This is the most effective method of enhancing the buttocks in a man or woman who has little excess fat in other areas for transfer. It can take from four to six weeks until the person can resume all previous activities. To avoid the longer recovery associated with this procedure, patients who have fat deposits in the abdomen or hips can have their own fat harvested, separated out and re-injected into the buttocks to raise and lift. After the fat has been removed from another body area with small syringes, the fluid is spun down in a centrifuge, and the fat separated out for injection. Recovery is easier with this approach, but further augmentation with fat and touch-ups in the future are often necessary. Often a combination of both approaches will yield the best results. For those patients who have lost significant volume of fat and have excess skin following large weight loss (including following bariatric surgery), then a body lift becomes the procedure of choice, often as part of a comprehensive approach to extra skin in other areas of the body, including the thighs. In this approach, more extensive scars are part of the process as the tissue is lifted and the excess skin removed, often in a “belt-like” pattern around the lower back. The scars fade with time and the significant change in contour makes them very tolerable to patients who have had large aprons of extra skin removed. Sculpting the buttocks is not to be undertaken lightly,
Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz’s rear views were one of the highlights of the Oscars earlier this year.
as there are potential complications to this surgery, including nerve damage and fat embolism. In addition, expectations can differ from results. As in all cosmetic surgeries, careful and open communication between the surgeon and the patient is critical to insure a good outcome. The initial result should become evident three to four weeks following the surgery, as the postoperative swelling begins to subside and the underlying contours
appear. Postoperative massage and often ultrasound treatments can help the skin to take on the planned shape. The final, corrected contour will usually become evident about six months after the surgery. Those patients entering the process with realistic expectations should be tickled with their new tushies. Please send questions or comments to mrosenberg@ plasticsurgeryweb.com. n 79
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Trimming the fat By Sam Kopf Photographs by Olga Loginova
Talk about sculpted: Ryan Lochte’s hypertrophied abdominal, pectoral and trapezius (just to name a few) muscles are the results of his vigorous strength- training workouts. That they are clearly visible, however, stems from not only proper nutrition but the cardio workouts he tears through in the gym and the pool. No matter how strong you are, if you do not do your cardio, you will not get sculpted. Without burning through the layer of fat that resides annoyingly on top of the muscle, all the time you’ve been spending in the gym will go unnoticed aesthetically. The great thing about cardio is that you can do it anywhere with little to no equipment. The following two exercises are relatively low impact and are therefore easier on your back, knees and other body parts than most at-home cardio moves. Turn your circuit into an interval-training, fat-blasting sculpt session by incorporating these two exercises: Burpees: 1) Stand with feet hip distance apart,
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arms down by your sides and navel drawn in. Lower into a squat and place hands on the floor in front of feet. 2) As fast as you can, jump your feet backward so that you end in a plank position on your hands and toes. 3) Without rest, jump the feet back to their starting position and return to standing. Continue moving for 30 seconds. A modified version of the burpee can be performed by replacing the jump with a quick step. Squat Kick: 1) Stand with feet hip distance apart. Bend elbows 90 degrees and hold fists in front of the body, like a boxer. 2) Raise your right knee as close to your chest as possible and extend right foot in front of the body, without locking the knee. 3) Return right foot to its original position on the floor and lower into a squat. 4) As you rise out of the squat, raise left knee and repeat kick movement on the left side. Alternate sides for one minute. n
Planting good health
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ong before the advent of modern medicine, herbs were the main sources of remedies for most ailments. As Western medicine developed, scientific proofs and so-called evidencebased medicine (which pretty much means pharma-run research) took center stage and moved herbalist, ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medical practices onto the snake oil or “unproven” side of the ledger. As a result, many doctors, myself included, are not trained in the use of medicinal plants. Yet ironically, conventional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry have thrived by refining the active ingredients in many of these plants. A perfect example is the drug digoxin, which for decades has been the mainstay in preventing heart failure. This drug was the result of concentrating and purifying the active ingredient in digitalis – the
By Erika Schwartz, MD
name for a group of foxLess well-known, but glove plants – which does gaining recognition, is the significantly improve caruse of yam and soy oils to diac function, in the right make female hormones. dose, of course. Since meBoth contain the active dieval times, we’ve known ingredients phytoestrogens that giving someone a and isoflavones, which can potion containing a high be turned into the bioidenenough dose prompts a tical versions of estrogen deadly arrhythmia and a and progesterone. (Their Vincent van Gogh’s “Portrait ticket to the tomb. scientific names are 17-beta of Dr. Gachet,” with foxglove. estradiol and micronized or Another not-to-be-ignored example of plants leading the way natural progesterone.) But you’re not going to be able to comof drugs is the all-too-well-known and overused class of opiates, made from the bat the effects of menopause – irregular poppy, that beautiful red flower. They in- bleeding, mood swings, hot flashes, night clude morphine, Vicodin and Oxycontin. sweats, insomnia, weight gain, depression, Perhaps the best-known and most loss of sex drive – along with preventing widely used drug to come out of horti- bone and heart disease by slathering your culture is good-old aspirin, made from face in yam cream or drinking soy milk the salicylic acid found in the bark of the by the tons. It’s only with the help of the pharmawhite willow tree.
ceutical industry that these “natural,” “bioidentical” hormones can be made. So don’t be afraid of medicinal plants or of what the pharmaceutical industry has done with them. In many cases, pharma has taken plants known for thousands of years to create drugs that save millions of lives. The industry has used old knowledge to create modern medication. But there’s a difference between being unafraid and being foolhardy. While you shouldn’t be intimidated about taking plantbased concoctions or any drug, you should be smart in choosing. Know what you’re taking. Do your research. And above all else, work with a doctor who, too, is smart. Smart enough to know about plantbased medicines – and smart enough not to prescribe something he or she knows nothing about. For more information, please email Dr. Erika at Erika@drerika.com. n
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when&where SATURDAY JUNE 2 ‘DINE-A-ROUND’
A cocktail reception, dinner and silent auction fundraiser to benefit the Ossining Children’s Center, 6 p.m.; home of Rebecca and Arthur Samberg, 134 Hawkes Ave., Ossining. $150, $125 cocktail reception and auction only. (914) 941-0230, ext. 13, ossiningchildrenscenter.org.
The Food Bank for Westchester hosts its seventh annual Hunger Heroes Awards Breakfast, 8:30 to 10 a.m.; Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill Mansion, 81 Highland Lane, Tarrytown. $50. (914) 631-3030, foodbankforwestchester.org.
Hudson Valley Hospital Center hosts its 35th annual golf tournament, 6:30 a.m. morning flight registration, 7 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. shotgun start, 11 a.m. afternoon flight registration, 11:30 a.m. buffet luncheon, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 6 p.m. cocktails, auction, dinner and awards; Hudson National Golf Club, 40 Arrowcrest Drive, Croton-on-Hudson. $1,250 per golfer, $175 dinner reception only. (914) 734-3526, hvhc.org.
Garden designer and artist Shobha Vanchiswar leads an informal class of watercolor painting, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Horace Greeley House, 100 King St., Chappaqua. (914) 238-4666, newcastlehs.org.
THURSDAY JUNE 7 SUMMER LUNCHEON
TUESDAY JUNE 5 ENDING HUNGER
SWING AWAY
WEDNESDAY JUNE 6 ‘ART IN GREELEY’S GARDEN’
Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce 2012 Small Business Awards Luncheon features guest speaker Patrick Callaghan, president of Pepperidge Farm, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Norwalk Inn & Conference Center, 99 East Ave. $65 nonmembers, $45 members. (203) 866-2521, info@norwalkchamberofcommerce.com.
FRIDAY JUNE 8 to FRIDAY JUNE 15 DESIGNER SHOWCASE
The Bartlett Arboretum presents “Garden Rooms by Design - Bringing the Outdoors In,” a display of top interior and exterior designers’ work (call for showtimes); 151 Brookdale Road, Stamford. (203) 322-6971, bartlettarboretum.org.
FRIDAY JUNE 8 ‘ONE ENCHANTED EVENING’
The White Plains Performing Arts Center gala includes a cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment and a silent auction, 6:30 p.m.; C.V. Rich Mansion, 305 Ridgeway, White Plains. $150. (914) 3281600, wppac.com.
sunday JUNE 10 THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2 ‘FOOTPRINT INTERNATIONAL’
The third Biennial Footprint International Exhibition showcases print works by more than 120 artists, opening reception 2 to 5 p.m. June 10, gallery hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; Center for Contemporary Printmaking, 299 West Ave., Norwalk. (203) 899-7999, contemprints.org.
MONDAY JUNE 11 FORE THE KIDS
The eighth annual Golf Fore Kids benefit for the Andrus Foundation, 11 a.m. registration, 11:30 a.m. buffet lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start; Siwanoy Country Club, 351 Pondfield Road, Bronxville. $650, $150 cocktail and dinner reception only. (914) 965-3700, ext.1318, andrus1928.org.
Rare and unusual trees and shrubs Landscape and Masonry Annuals and Perennials Outdoor Living Containers and Garden Supplies
Among Armonk’s many opportunities for outdoor dining, few places offer a more pleasing setting than the shaded patio at the Café at Mariani Gardens.
It’s a serene spot, a perfect place to take a breather after a walk through the handsomely arranged flowers, trees and shrubs.
45 BEDFORD ROAD, ARMONK, NY 10504 (914) 273-3083 • FAX: (914) 742-4460 •MARIANIGARDENS.COM
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when&where TUESDAY JUNE 12 SUMMER DELIGHT
Locally produced wine and beer along with classic summertime food and an appearance by singer P.J. Pacifico at Stew Leonard’s Food & Wine Tasting, 6 to 8 p.m.; Stew Leonard’s Grill at Calf Pasture Beach, 7 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk. $40. (203) 750-6162, unitedwaycfc.org.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 13 ‘THE ROARING TWENTIES IN JUNE 2012’
Human Development Services of Westchester hosts a celebration, including cocktails, dinner, dancing and music by the Jazz-O-Lution Quartet, 6 p.m.; Coveleigh Country Club, 459 Stuyvesant Ave., Rye. $150. (914) 835-8906, ext.1002, hdsw.org.
MONDAY JUNE 18 DYSTONIA & PARKINSON’S GOLF INVITATIONAL
The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson’s 20th annual tournament includes lunch, tournament, cocktails, dinner, a live auction, and features New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg as guest speaker, 11 a.m.; Century Golf Club, 233 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. $250. (212) 6829900, dystonia-parkinson.org.
GAME AND CHAMPAGNE
Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce hosts its 2012 golf classic, 11 a.m. picnic-style lunch, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, 5:30 p.m. reception and dinner program; Shorehaven Golf Club, 14 Canfield Ave., Norwalk. $350, $125 reception and dinner only. (203) 866-5528, info@norwalkchamberofcommerce.com.
‘SHADES OF JAZZ’
Music performances by Cyrille Aimée, John Scofield and Lenny Pickett in the Katonah Museum of Art’s Sculpture Garden, 6 p.m.; 134 Jay St., Katonah. $20 nonmembers, $10 members. (914) 2329555, ext. 0, katonahmuseum.org.
Cyrille Aimée
TAKE A BITE OUT OF THE NIGHT!
The fourth annual Sono Stroll benefit for the Human Services Council, 5 p.m. cocktail reception and silent auctions; 80 Washington St., South Norwalk. 7:30 p.m. dinner (at participating restaurants). $125. (203) 849-1111, hscct.org.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 20 ‘GET ON YOUR MAT FOR MENTAL HEALTH’
Join celebrity yoga teacher Gwen Lawrence for an illustration of the beneficial effects of yoga on mental wellness, 5:30 p.m.; Court Street, White Plains. $10. (914) 345-5900, ext. 7511, mhawestchester. org.
SATURDAY JUNE 23 CARAMOOR’S ‘DREAM’ OPENING
The Caramoor International Music Festival kicks off its 67th summer season with a performance of Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 8:30 p.m.; 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah. Concert tickets: $15-85. (914) 232-5035, caramoor. org.
OPEN HOUSE Lenny Pickett
Mika Brzezinski
THURSDAY JUNE 14 ‘WOMEN, WORTH AND WEALTH’
Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” serves as guest speaker at the Women’s Enterprise Development Center’s annual Spring Luncheon and Marketplace, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill Mansion, 81 Highland Ave., Tarrytown. $150. (914) 948-6098, wedcbiz.org.
ANNUAL FOUNDER’S DINNER
New York Medical College hosts a dinner honoring Karl Adler and Ralph O’Connell for their hard work and dedication in their respective professions, 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Glen Island Harbour Club, 299 Weyman Ave., New Rochelle. Call for ticket price. (914) 594-4550, foundersdinner@ nymc.edu. John Scofield Photograph by Margaret Fox
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A tour, discussion and presentation on the application process at the Storm King School campus, a college preparatory boarding and day school, 10 a.m. to noon; 314 Mountain Road, Cornwall-onHudson. (845) 534-9860.
MONDAY JUNE 25 ‘STROKE BY STROKE’
Chinese brush painting at the Katonah Museum of Art, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah. $40 nonmembers, $35 members. (914) 232-9555, ext. 0, katonahmuseum.org.
SUNDAY AUGUST 5 WOODSTOCK PERFORMER HEADLINES BETHEL
Iconic rockers Joe Cocker and Huey Lewis and the News perform three decades of hits, 7:30 p.m.; Bethel Woods Center, 200 Hurd Road, Bethel. $45 to $127, $26.50 lawn seating. (866) 781-2922, bethelwoodscenter.org.
worthy LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE ALICE COOKE DESIGN ASSOCIATES L.L.C. Fairfield County, CT (203) 847-7109 alicecooke.com AUSTIN GANIM LANDSCAPE DESIGN L.L.C. 320 Kings Highway Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 333-2003 austinganimlandscapedesign.com CHAD’S LANDSCAPING AND DESIGN L.L.C. 375 Courtland Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 673-2051 chadslandscapinganddesign.net CONTE & CONTE L.L.C. 28 Langhorne Lane Greenwich, CT 06831 (203) 869-1400 conteandconte.com DEVORE ASSOCIATES L.L.C. 2557 Burr St. Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 256-8950 devoreassoc.com ELITE LANDSCAPING 4 Commerce Street Extension Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 (845) 849-2953 landofelite.com G & R LAND DESIGN L.L.C. 132 Davenport Ridge Lane Stamford, CT 06903 (203) 441-0029 Gandrgroup.com HOFFMAN LANDSCAPES INC. 647 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 hoffmanlandscapes.com
LANDSERV INC. 53 Larkin St. Stamford, CT 06907 (203) 967-3186 landserv.net MANZER’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT INC. 6 Winchester Ave. Peekskill, NY 10566 (914) 739-2020 manzerslandscape.com MICHAEL BELLANTONI INC. 121 Lafayette Ave. White Plains 10603 (914) 948-6468, (203) 869-0652 mblandscape.com LANDSCAPE CONCEPTS (914) 245-4800 landscapeconceptsny.com PERENNIA LANDSCAPING 2248 Edward Lane Yorktown Heights, 10598 perennialandscaping.com RENÉE BYERS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT P.C. 10 Avon Road Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 337-3103 Reneebyers.com ROLLINGS LAWNS 509 Fayette Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 381-0123 rollinglawns.com SANOK DESIGN GROUP INC. 72 Main St. Brewster, NY 10509 (845) 279-0198 sanokdesigngroup.com
IQ LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS P.C. 51 Bedford Road Katonah, NY 10536 (914) 232-0200 iqlandarch.com
STEVEN R. KROG LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT P.C. 3 Bayberry Drive Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 747-9590 stevenkrog.com
JG LOTTO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS 607 Quaker Ridge Road New Rochelle, NY 10801 (914) 633-0815 jglotto.com
TROY’S GARDEN NURSERIES INC. 97 Bedford Banksville Road Bedford, NY 10506 (914) 234-3400 troysnurseries.com
JOHN JAY LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT 282 Katonah Ave., Suite 268 Katonah, NY 10536 (914) 232-0399 johnjay-landscaping.com
TULIPTREE SITE DESIGN INC. 50 Elmwood Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854 (203) 838-4482 tuliptreeinc.com
WESTOVER LANDSCAPE DESIGN 149 Neperan Road Tarrytown, NY 10591 (914) 631-6836 555 Bedford Road Bedford Hills, NY (914) 234-2334 westoverld.com NURSERIES and GARDEN CENTERS AMODIO’S 1160 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 949-3922 amodiosflowershop.com DESIGNS BY LEE INC. 129 Interlaken Road Stamford, CT 06903 (203) 322-2206 designsbylee.com EARTH FIRST NURSERY 6923 Main St. Trumbull, CT 06611 (203) 261-3926 earthfirstnursery.com EDEN FARMS NURSERY & GARDEN CENTER 947 Stillwater Road Stamford, CT 06902 (203) 325-3445 edenfarms.biz ELISE LANDSCAPES & NURSERY 530 Old Stamford Road New Canaan, CT 06840 (203) 966-3200 elisenursery.com GOSSETT BROTHERS NURSERY 1202 Old Post Road South Salem, NY 10590 (914) 763-3001 gossettnursery.com GREENWICH ORCHIDS 106 Mason St. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 661-5544 greenwichorchids.com
LARCHMONT NURSERIES INC. 2315 Boston Post Road Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 834-5802 larchmontnursery.com
SAM BRIDGE NURSERY & GREENHOUSES L.L.C. 437 North St. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 869-3418 sambridge.com
MARIANI GARDENS 45 Bedford Road Armonk, NY 10504 (914) 273-3083 marianigardens.com
SHANTI BITHI BONSAI NURSERY 3047 High Ridge Road Stamford, CT 06903 (203) 329-0768 shantibithi.com
MCARDLE’S 48 Arch St. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 661-5600 mcardles.com MICHAEL AND SONS NURSERIES INC. 200 Tarrytown Road White Plains, NY 10607 (914)682-4224 michaelandsonsnurseries. com MILLANE NURSERIES INC. 604 Main St. Cromwell, CT 06416 (860) 635-5500 millane.com OLIVER NURSERIES 1159 Bronson Road Fairfield, CT 06824 (203) 259-5609 olivernurseries.com PLANTERS’ CHOICE L.L.C. 140 Huntingtontown Road Newtown, CT 06470 (203) 426-4037 planterschoice.com POUND RIDGE NURSERIES INC. 6 Pound Ridge Road Pound Ridge, NY 10576 (914) 764-5781 prnurseries.com PROSPERO NURSERY 1120 Knollwood Road White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 592-3748 prosperonursery.com
HARDSCRABBLE FARMS INC. 45 Hardscrabble Road North Salem, NY 10560 (914) 669-5633 hardscrabblefarms.com
REDDING NURSERY 73 Hill Road West Redding, CT 06896 (203) 938-3297 reddingnursery.com
HOLLANDIA NURSERIES 103 Old Hawleyville Road Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 743-0267 ctgrown.com
ROSEDALE NURSERIES INC. 51 Saw Mill River Road Hawthorne, NY 10532 (914) 769-1300 rosedalenurseries.com
KATONAH NURSERY 194 Route 100 Katonah, NY 10536 (914) 232 3570 katonahnursery.com
SHEMIN NURSERIES INC. 42 Old Ridgebury Road Danbury, CT 06810 (203) 207-5000 shemin.net SPRAINBROOK NURSERY INC. 448 Underhill Road Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-2382 sprainbrook.com STECKS NURSERY AND LANSCAPING 100 Putnam Park Road Route 58, Bethel, CT 06801 (203) 748-1385 atstecks.com TROY’S GARDEN NURSERIES 97 Bedford Banksville Road Bedford, NY 10506 (914) 234-3400 troysnurseries.com TWOMBLY NURSERY 163 Barn Hill Road Monroe, CT 06468 (203) 261-2133 twomblynursery.com VALLEY VIEW GREENHOUSES 229 Smith Ridge Road South Salem, NY 10590 (914) 533-2526 valleyviewgreenhouses.com THE WESTON GARDENS INC. 1 Good Hill Road Weston, CT 06883 (203) 227-3871 westongardensct.com WINSTON FLOWERS 382 Greenwich Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 622-4222 winstonflowers.com YOUNG’S NURSERIES INC. 211 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 762-5511 youngsnurseries.com
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Archer
denzer
gates
heineman
jensen
lafauci
wit wonders: What scent stirs your sensibility? “Lemon verbena and green tea scents from L’Occitane. My wife wears both depending on the seasons and she is always delicious. These scents always make me feel my love and desire for my wife of 23 years. It is amazing.” – David L. Archer Marketing consultant and CEO, DA Associates PR, Hopewell Junction, Hopewell Junction resident “Whenever I smell coffee brewing, I think of Paris. It can’t just be any coffee. It has to be espresso. I feel like I'm on the Rue St. Honoré, making a quick stop in my favorite cafe for a cup with a fresh croissant before heading on to the fashion shows of the season. There's so much electricity on the street from the fabulously dressed people heading for work, the fancy shop windows and the buzzing art galleries. The doormen at the new Mandarin Hotel tip their hats as I stroll by.” – Mary Jane Denzer Owner, Mary Jane Denzer Ltd.,White Plains, White Plains resident “Onions cooking in schmaltz. My mother made the world’s best chopped liver and the smell of onions in schmaltz, boiling chicken livers and eggs meant a taste of paradise for a Jewish kid growing up in Houston, Texas. Nothing can replace the smell or the memory. Pure love.” – Rozanne Gates Co-owner, The Legacy Project USA, Westport,Westport resident
“Casablanca white lilies stir my sensibility, because they represent a clean and pure image. I love the smell of these beautiful lilies and I buy fresh ones every week." – Kristen Jensen Photographer, Bethel resident “I love the scent of fresh-cut grass, of Chardonnay inside my glass. I also like the coffee bean, and who’d believe me, gasoline. And now to show my coy WAG Wit, I searched for something to submit. But sadly, I submit my gaffe. There’s nothing here to make you laugh.” – Frank LaFauci CEO, Positive Impact Corp., Stamford, Stamford resident “My Estée Lauder fragrances remind me of my first love.” – Robin Lyons Estée Lauder counter manager, Macy’s at the Stamford Town Center, Stamford resident “The touch and scent of high-quality genuine leather inspire my designing creativeness.” – Marysia Nystrom Fleur-Isabelle Fashion House Inc., Norwalk, Stamford resident
“Lavender is heaven to me. One whiff and I relax. It is always my choice for aromatherapy massages, candles, bath oils – you name it. I used it when my children were little at bath time as well, and it calmed them (and me) right down and prepared us for sleep.” – Deborah Heineman Executive director, Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem, Chappaqua resident
lyons
nystrom
“My husband proposed to me on a boat – a long, sleek gondola with a singing gondolier and all. Before I knew what he had planned, the skies opened up and it started to rain. We were covered by a big blue tarp and started to laugh at our luck. The quick shower passed and as we removed the tarp, the spring rain had left the air smelling wonderfully fresh and sweet. The proposal was so special and romantic, needless to say I said ‘yes!’ Every time I smell spring rain, I think of that happy day (and yes we are still married 23 years later).” – Laura Osborne Intelligent Hotels, Stamford, Stamford resident “My mother’s sauce recipe that I make about four times per winter to freeze reminds me of my amazing, huge Italian family holidays of years past. I love rolling meatballs and drinking Chianti while it simmers.” – Georgette Pascale President and CEO, Pascale Communications L.L.C., Fairfield resident “The smell of ocean air not only relaxes me but reminds me of the good ol’ surf and sand days. I equally love the smell of freshly cut grass. It’s a fresh scent that reminds me that summer is here and the ice cream man is driving around the corner at any minute. Raised in southern California, I associate relaxation and happiness with these two distinct summer scents.” – Ria Rueda Director of marketing, Barcelona Wine Bar/Bartaco Restaurants, New Canaan resident “There’s nothing like the fragrance of ripe peaches. Peaches represent summer in full swing. We’ll wrap fresh peaches in prosciutto to add something special to summer appetizers, because food always tastes better if it evokes the outdoors.” – Joseph Yorio Executive chef/owner, Event Caterers, Danbury, Danbury resident
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Compiled by Alissa Frey. Contact her at afrey@westfairinc.com. 86
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watch High on Kieffer
Greenwich waterside hotspot l’escale threw a soirée last month to announce the arrival of executive chef Frederic Kieffer and director of operations, David Fletcher. The night was centered on spectacular culinary treats at the restaurant’s outdoor lounge area and bar. Kieffer’s menu included made-to-order lobster rolls and tuna tartare, a sprawling raw bar, bite-size burgers on rosemary buns, topped off with homemade ice cream and washed down with specialty cocktails. Some guests’ enthusiasm for the chef ’s arrival was nearly as high as their heels. Photographs by Crane Song Photography and Hildi Todrin.
Beth and Steven Weiss
Chef Frederic Kieffer
Gene and Christine Pressman
Nicole Sutliff, John Weiss and Renata Hopkins
Noel and Cory Rosenstein and Danielle Corvi
Anna Maria Kinberg and Beverly Campbell
Pastry chef Wendy Young Laurent
Rick Wahlstedt, Yorgos Hatziefthimiou and Stephania Skrabak
Stephania Skrabak and Joe King
Thomas Montagnino and Laura McKittrick
Zvi Cole and Marc Lewis
Trey and Nicole Sutliff and Renata and Kris Hopkins
All photographs are identified from left unless otherwise noted. 87
watch Adie's night
The Greenwich Rotary Club named Adalbert “Adie” von Gontard Jr. its Citizen of The Year for his many years of service to the community, honoring him with a dinner recently at the Round Hill Club in Greenwich. The event also featured a live auction benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, the Greenwich Public Schools’ Title I reading project, Greenwich High School college scholarships, Polio Plus and other local programs and charities. Photographs by David Bravo.
Eugenie von Gontard Daniel
Mamie von Gontard, Larry Larson and Georgie Lewis
Adie von Gontard Jr.
Warren Green
Valerie Peyton Horn, Patrick Sikorski and Norma Bartol
Dennis R. Meermans
Bill Shea and Jim Santoia
Everett Fisher, Peter Orthwein and Easy Kelsey
Randi, Nancy and Jones Coleman
Bob and Martha Simms and Peter Gagarin
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James Dean and Lucy Day
Don Kendall
Wag and mother, Shady Lady
Michael and Eugenie Galbrath, Tricia and Joe Solari and Debbie Hamilton
Joan Burns and Sam Yonce
Beatrice Busch von Gontard, Spyros Skouras III, Beverly Orthwein and Grant Simmons
Adie von Gontard III and Marcia Pflug
Charles and Marola Persico
Claire Henriquez
Shirley Gaither and Bill Frenz
Mimi Lyon and Claire Henriquez
Patricia Espinosa and Adie von Gontard Jr.
‘More Than Words Can Say’
Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) raised nearly $500,000 at its recent gala honoring board members Victor Hershaft of Armonk and Laura Kleinhandler of Rye Brook. Held at Moderne Barn in Armonk, the gala drew more than 250 guests and featured hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, including the Victor-ious Mojito and Laura's Berry Special Pink Lemonade, which were specially created for the event.
Bernie Kimberg, Laura Kleinhandler, Victor Hershaft and WJCS CEO Alan Trager
Barry Kaplan with Amy and Rob Stavis
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watch C’est magnifique
More than 300 people recently attended the opening night gala of the three-day French Film Festival held at Purchase College. The festival featured the film “Angele et Tony,” followed by a reception with Champagne by Perrier-Jouet and tastings prepared by L’Academie Culinaire de France, L’Atelier du Chocolat New York, Provence en Boite Brooklyn, Union League Café New Haven, Jean-Louis, JLToGo Greenwich, and Café dOrsay, New York City. Photographs by Bob Luckey. Lisa and Renee Ketcham
Enrique Gonzolez, Emmanuel Cargill and Suzana Anderson
Aliya Abdul-Khaliq and Eatherine Epps
Michelle Kwan with Joe Kenner, mayor of Port Chester Tim and Lisa McCann
Anne Kern, assistant professor of media studies, and Barbara Dixon, provost, Purchase College
Starry night
Randi Stavis, Brandon Steiner and Mara Steiner
Susan Wayne, Deborah Bernard and Ed Foley
Geoffrey and Leslie Chang with Marcy and Barry Goldstein
Nicole Hazard and Cathy Durei
Sophie Lembeck, Steve Madden and Tony Lembeck
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Some 300 guests attended Family Services of Westchester’s 2012 STAR Gala at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle. Tony Lembeck of Goldens Bridge and his family received the STAR Award for their work at Camp Viva, a sleep away camp for families affected by HIV/AIDS. Swiss Re, a global reinsurer whose U.S. division is headquartered in Armonk, received the Corporate Citizenship Award for the company’s Thanksgiving-in-a-box Food Drive and Community Service Days with FSW’s programs. The event featured Black Enterprise television anchor Caroline Clarke as emcee and a performance by Tony Award-winner LaChanze.
Lorraine DeMaio and Christy Ruvituso
LaChanze
Roarin’ good time
Amy Kass and Richard Plotkin
Daniele Churchill, co-owner, Churchills and son, Jeffrey Einsidler
It was a grand night under the tent as The Max Cure Foundation teamed up with Churchills of Mount Kisco to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. About 240 people turned out to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, wine and shopping. Photographs by Bob Rozycki.
Stacy and Matt Weinberg
Susan Marocco, Katharine Trongone and Carole Vail
Addie Ferreri, Elizabeth Trizano and Jeanette Haviland
Stacy Geisinger and Kris Ruby
Rosa, Fernando, Michael,Qualeek and Felicia
Lisa and Jonathan Daniel
Loris Diran, designer, and models
Amy Ellison and Jon Schneider
Annemarie and David Plotkin
Miriam Ferman and Julia Aryeh
Lori Land, co-owner, Churchills
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watch grand prix
Georgina Bloomberg and Pegasus Therapeutic Riding recently co-hosted the Grand Prix Luncheon in a tent overlooking the $25,000 New York Welcome Stake at Old Salem Farm in North Salem. Sponsored in part by Ariat and WAG magazine, the luncheon included a fashion show as well. Proceeds from the luncheon benefited both The Rider’s Closet and Pegasus.
Suzy Berg, Pegasus board of directors; Kelly Burke and Lynn Peters
Patti Coyle and Bill Prout
Avery and Kimberley Dow
Steve Mulligan
Sage Steele and Jennifer Moore
Georgina Bloomberg
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Matthew Eliott and Rob Young
Judy Williams
Jacquie Wargo, Kelly Pollard, Caroline Ferolito and Dorothy Porter
Mikki Kuchta and Elizabeth Gossett
Christine Fitzgerald and Todd Gibbs, executive director, Pegasus
Going glam
More than 50 glamorous women gathered at LV2BFIT recently for a private photo shoot, “Red Glam,” organized by Ruby Media Group and the American Heart Association, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Go Red for Women national campaign. Each woman was chosen to be an ambassador of Go Red for Women because of her passion for the cause. Photographs by Olga Loginova. Kelley Connors
Chelsea Kirwan
Robi Ludwig and Patty Palmieri
Nancy Shenker
Randee Bank
Charlene Armstrong of Lash to Lens Photography
Jessica Mindich
Stacy Geisinger of Stacyknows
Jackie Groccia
Kesha Lambert of Lash to Lens Photography
Spring fling
Mark Candido and Ron Scinto, owners of The Antique & Artisan Center in Stamford, welcomed a bevy of designers, dealers, bloggers and antique lovers (including actress Melissa Joan Hart) last month to network and celebrate the center’s “Spring Renewal.” Antique & Artisan represents 80 dealers showcasing art and furnishings from the 18th through mid-20th centuries. The event drew many of the store’s longtime fans and some new customers, too. Photographs by Neil Landino. Steven Mueller and Adrienne Parker
Lisa Aldridge, Melissa Joan Hart, Ronald Scinto, Michele Roofthooft and Mark Candido
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watch Pops is tops
The New York Pops held its 29th Birthday Gala last month at Carnegie Hall followed by a black-tie dinner at The Plaza Hotel. Patrons of the arts and performers gathered in the stunning concert hall to honor Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning songwriting team. And the next morning, some of the evening’s participants, like “Porgy and Bess” star Norm Lewis, woke up to learn of their 2012 Tony nominations. Photographs by Zoë Zellers.
Broadway actor Jason Danieley and three-time Tony nominee Marin Mazzie
Broadway and TV actress Rachel York
Nikki M. James, “Book of Mormon” Tony awardwinning actress, and Norm Lewis, “Porgy and Bess” 2012 Tony nominee
Broadway and animated film star Liz Callaway
Boyd Gaines, Tony award-winning actor, and Rebecca Luker, three-time Tony nominee
The New York Pops music director Steven Reineke flanked by songwriters Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens
Kecia Lewis-Evans, “Leap of Faith” Broadway and film actress
Susanna Salk signs a book for Chandler Hudson and her youngest fan, Lanford Hudson
Fun designs
Katie Farley, of Brooklyn, visual merchandiser
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Alicia Morton-Coates
Leemor Rhodes, Susanna Salk and Julia Blume
Interior design guru Susanna Salk recently stopped by fabulously colorful retail outlet C. Wonder at The Westchester in White Plains. She was on hand to sign copies of her latest book “Be Your Own Decorator” and show customers how to create stylish and fun settings in the home with C. Wonder’s offerings. Photographs by Zoë Zellers.
Activist honored
Indo-American Arts Council Executive Director Aroon Shivdasani
AmeriCares president and CEO Curt Welling and AmeriCares India Vice President and Managing Director Dr. Purvish Parikh with Shabana Azmi and Aasif Mandvi
Harold Holzer, Phoebe Campbell, Edith Holzer and Thomas Campbell
Celebrity auctioneer Aasif Mandvi from “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” kept guests laughing as they bid on donated artwork by Indian artists such as M.F. Husain and Owais Husain at a recent art auction benefiting AmeriCares’ India aid programs. The event, held at the Aicon Gallery in Manhattan, honored Indian actress and activist Shabana Azmi, who helped AmeriCares deliver aid to Latur and Osmanabad following a 1993 earthquake. Photographs by Alex Ostasiewicz/AmeriCares.
Jeanne Blum, Lena Cavanna, Jackie Wong, Shannon Laukhuf, (holding Jessie), Misty Moore (holding Ellie), Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Joseph Stout
Met with Success
Rye’s Harold Holzer, senior veep of external affairs, and Thomas Campbell (far right), director, are all smiles with their lovely wives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s recent Costume Institute Gala, celebrating the dialogue between Prada and Schiaparelli.
Sweet kickoff
Representatives from local nonprofit organizations recently gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester to kick off its second annual “Cupcakes that Care” program, through which local nonprofits receive a portion of proceeds from sales of signature cupcakes created for their charities.
Dale Najarian, Gary Cosgrave and Eileen O'Brien
WAC’s 15 minutes
Eli Manning with a Guiding Eyes puppy
Guiding Eyes graduate Lisa Cantwell and Guiding Eyes President Bill Badger
Tee-off with Manning
Guiding Eyes for the Blind recently welcomed New York Giants quarterback and Super Bowl XLVI MVP Eli Manning to the Spring Tee-Off for its 35th annual Golf Classic. The sponsor recognition party, which marked Manning’s first public appearance since his recent hosting gig on “SNL” – we loved the “Little Brothers of America” skit – was held at Mulino’s of Westchester in White Plains. Guiding Eyes for the Blind will hold its Golf Classic June 11 at Mount Kisco Country Club and Fairview Country Club in Greenwich.
Deanna Foster and Deirdre Price
More than 400 guests recently attended Westport Arts Center’s (WAC) first annual art affair, “The Warhol Ball – A Night at The Factory,” at the Steel Shed in South Norwalk. The sold-out fundraising event recreated the avant-garde Pop Art atmosphere of Andy Warhol’s legendary Manhattan studio, in film, art, new media, music and dance. Photographs by Kathleen O'Rourke. 95
class&sass
By Martha Handler and Jennifer Pappas As the season approaches (wait, it’s here) to shed my clothing, I start to panic, envisioning myself in shorts (that have gotten shorter and shorter); barely there bikinis; the “little” black dress (It really should cover something, shouldn’t it? Is there a shortage of fabric that I don’t know about?); and hence, about stepping up my workout regimen. But how can I keep it interesting enough to stay motivated for more than a few weeks? I’m tired of the same old routines, aerobics, spin, strength training and cardio machines. My recumbent bike has turned into a very expensive coat hanger. Did you know the treadmill was inM vented as a way to punish prisoners in Victorian England? I’m not kidding. It was banned in 1902 for cruelty. I feel the same way about all the rest of the equipment and weights found in the gym. I need a class full of fun women and loud music to keep me motivated. Those things remind me of when J they used to force a prisoner to walk miles on end, tied to the back of a horse until he finally fell face down, because he couldn’t
J
walk any farther. So they just dragged him the rest of the way. At least on the treadmill, you can hop off whenever you’re in need of refreshments. Hey, remember those buttjiggling things? That weird piece of “gym” equipment with the belt that you strapped around your booty? Not sure what they were trying to achieve with that one. Or those plastic suits that you wore around the house to try and sweat off the pounds? I only have one word for that – glamorous. jiggle things were called viM Those brating belts. I know, because my mother bought every crazy exercise device she saw advertised, including the Relaxacisor, which promised muscle exercise via contractions. None of them worked, but they sure made for a humorous childhood. But truth be told, my “active” exercise classes (interval training, rebound, kickboxing, Zumba, etc.) aren’t working much better than my mother’s “passive” program. In fact, I should ask for a refund from the “Look Great Naked” class I’ve been faithfully attending for nearly four years, because I still don’t.
Maybe they should advertise it as “Look Great Naked In The Dark.” Listen, you’re better than I am. I don’t do classes. I get dizzy and disoriented from a lack of oxygen and start going in the wrong direction, bumping into the other ladies. Needless to say, I’m not very popular in my Zumba class. And, if I’m going to “run,” I’m usually running toward something, like a muffin or away from someone who’s after my wallet. you sure were popular on our M But softball team. There we were, a bunch of mothers who had the brilliant idea of playing softball so we could turn the tables on our kids and husbands by forcing them to watch us play a sport. What were we thinking? Only a few of us had ever put a bat in our hands, let alone hit a ball with one. All I can say is thank God for the base on balls. that was great exercise for me. I J Yes, don’t remember even getting close to first base (no cardio there) and the few times my bat ever did make contact with the ball, I just stood there in wonderment watching it pop up and into someone’s glove. But hey,
J
our tailgate parties were awesome. sure were. While the rest of M They those teams were munching on hot dogs and chugging beer, we had a delectable array of sushi and sashimi, not to mention sake and Chardonnay. Three seasons later, with not a single win in our column, we universally agreed to throw in the towel and stick with what we are good at. I still haven’t figured out exactly what that is, but I’m having a great time trying to figure it out. kidding aside, I absolutely love J All my TRX. It is the fasted, most efficient way to work every muscle in your body and get a great cardio workout. Hats off to the Navy Seals who invented this amazing super strength-training system. Wag Up: • Whoever the woman was who said, “I exercise: I run my mouth, I push my luck and I jump to conclusions.” (M) • Cover-ups. (J) Wag down: •Myself – for not buying stock in Lululemon four years ago. (M)
Email Class & Sass at marthaandjen@wagmag.com. You can also follow Martha and Jen on Facebook at Jennifer Pappas Wag Writer.
A Lifetime of Beautiful Smiles
For many families in Westchester, we’re the only dental office they’ve ever used. We’re proud of this fact. We believe the reason so many of our original patients bring their own children to us can be summed up in one word: trust. Advanced Dentistry of Westchester has been creating beautiful healthy smiles in Westchester County for more than 4 generations of patients. Throughout the years, our patients have received top quality preventive and restorative treatments — all while enjoying the personal touch of a family dental practice offering the latest in advanced technology. Westchester Magazine “Top Dentists” 2009, 2010, 2011 Consumer Research Council List of “Top Cosmetic Dentists” Listed in “Westchester’s Leading Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Dentists” Professor of Esthetics NYU College of Dentistry Dr. Sabrina Magid Chosen by Westchester Magazine as one of the top 22 People to Watch in Westchester County
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