Create Where You Belong
50 Design Notes Buzzworthy A peek inside the latest design news happening in the area BY MARY FITZGERALD
MARY FITZGERALD
Deed’s and Don’ts Inside stories behind area real estate deals BY DIANE DI COSTANZO
SHARON KING HOGE
Michael Biondo Photography
IBuilding Blocks
t’s hard to believe that in all the years I have written my March “Editor’s Letter,” not once have I talked about the Academy Awards. Sure, we have talked about the lovely interiors of many movies, but this year our annual architecture issue appears when a movie about the profession, The Brutalist, is nominated for best picture. Adrien Brody portrays László Tóth, who is clearly based on Marcel Breuer. Many people know Breuer perhaps for the Whitney Museum’s former home on Madison Avenue with its distinctive design. Some of us in Connecticut are familiar with the Bauhaus movement thanks to its extensive presence in New Canaan. While Bauhaus and Brutalism were distinct movements with different approaches to modern architecture, they both had a profound impact on the evolution of the style. The Bauhaus emphasized function and simplicity, while Brutalism emphasized expression and raw materials. ■ I will admit that the Brutalist architectural style is not my favorite. I saw it as a style in commercial buildings and not so much for homes. In general, I gravitate more toward ornamentation, and too often, these buildings with their distinctive concrete slabs leave me cold and indifferent. However, it is an important style, and we are lucky to have many examples right in New Haven. Most have driven past the former Pirelli Tire building at the junction of I-95 and I-91. The distinctive building is now the stylish Hotel Marcel. Other examples in New Haven include the Yale School of Architecture building, the Temple Street parking garage, and the Knights of Columbus Museum. Now another reason—beyond pizza—to go to New Haven.
DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com
It’s Showtime!
Join us this spring as the Junior League of Hartford partners with CTC&G to present its 16th Designer Showhouse. From May 2 to 25, this showhouse will raise critical funds to support the myriad projects of the Junior League of Hartford. Set in the scenic Hartford area, the showhouse will feature esteemed interior designers and landscape architects from Connecticut, New York and beyond. Together, they will reinvent both the interior spaces and the lush grounds of the chosen home. Leading the creative vision is none other than the acclaimed Matthew Patrick Smyth, serving as this year’s Honorary Design Chair. ■ As summer heats up, we shift our focus as HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens) presents the 2025 Hampton Designer Showhouse, which benefits the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Celebrate the grand unveiling at our gala on July 19 and explore the showhouse from July 20 through August 31. Nestled in Southampton, this new marvel, built by Town & Country Builders, promises unparalleled elegance and innovation. Esteemed designers Jamie Drake and Alexa Hampton return as Honorary Design Chairs, leading a team of more than 25 top-tier designers. They will transform this light-filled, 9,000-square-foot residence, featuring a wine room, six laundry rooms (yes, six!), a pool house with a pergola, and an outdoor kitchen among its five outdoor spaces. The scale and luxury of this home are truly a sight to behold. ■ We invite you to immerse yourself in the world of top-notch design and splendid creativity at both locations. Expect a journey filled with inspiration and enjoyment. ■ I hope to see you there!
Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director
mhowatson@candg.com
Two Exquisite Showhouses
In May, visit the Junior League of Hartford’s Designer Showhouse (left), cottagesgardens.com/hartford2025
This summer, go to Southampton to explore the 2025 Hampton Designer Showhouse (2023 HDS shown below), cottagesgardens.com/hds2025
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Spend an hour at a Clarke Showroom and one thing is clear: your time with a Clarke Consultant is the most valuable part of your kitchen journey. While they’re not designers, these are the people designers call on when it comes to appliance recommendations. You won’t buy anything at Clarke, so there’s simply no pressure. What you can do is compare more Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove models than anywhere in New England. Explore a living portfolio of kitchens created by the region’s top designers. You will leave inspired with new knowledge to make your appliance selections with confidence.
appliances for your lifestyle.
Born in Belgium, Uschi Samaritano speaks five languages and is also fluent in selecting just the right appliances for your lifestyle. She is an accomplished cook, passionate gardener, avid apiarist and is known by homeowners and designers alike for her valuable insights for outfitting extraordinary kitchens.
New England’s Official Showroom and Test Kitchen
Boston & Milford, MA South Norwalk, CT 800-842-5275 clarkeliving.com
porches & terraces. Artful in architecture and design, indulgent in amenities and appointments, developed by Coastal Luxury Homes. ManitouBluff.com $8,995,000
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In This Issue
GROWING UP, WAS THERE A PARTICULAR ARCHITECTURAL STYLE THAT CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE YOUR WORK TODAY?
DOMINICK ROTONDI
“I was born and raised in Queens and spent my summers on the North Fork of Long Island. My early exposure to architecture framed my two favorite styles. The Eero Saarinen terminal at JFK—the apex of international style and the Bauhaus era—left a deep impression on me. The North Fork exposed me to the Shingle-style house. I carry this classic American design with me to all of my Hamptons work.” Interior designer, “Take Two” (page 82), dominickrotondidesigns.com.
MARK FINLAY
“Growing up in Northbrook, IL, our family spent weekends at my Aunt Ruth’s beach house in Hubbard Woods on the bluff above lake Michigan. It was the first metal house ever designed and was a prototype showcased at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The structure was a very simple metal box with lots of glass, very hip. What struck me was how comfortable it was, and it really rubbed off on me how modern interiors could be comfortable and humanly scaled with great proportions. It was also the first time I noticed how a house can entice you to look outward, taking in the landscape. That inside-out perspective is something I have carried throughout my career. I learned a lot by being in that building, and it still inspires me today.” Architect, “Take Two” (page 82), markfinlay.com.
THOMAS KLIGERMAN
“Early New England Colonial saltboxes captivate me as do the late 19th-century, Shinglestyle cottages that dot the coast. My earliest memories are of a 1665 salt box that was home until a little after my third birthday. But even more so, the simple, often quirky, shingled cottages set in the open dunes and scrubby woodlands along the Atlantic Coast inspire me every day.” Architect, “Connecticut Lake House” (page 74), kligermanad.com.
—Mary Fitzgerald
March 2025
FROM NYC TO NEW HAVEN
Returning for its 22nd year, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) presents its popular exhibition, “The Orchid Show: Mexican Modernism.” This year’s show will bring Mexico to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in a Mexicaninspired celebration of all things orchid. Among bright arrangements of orchids in settings inspired by the bold, multicolored designs of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, visit a paradise of tropical beauty—without ever leaving the Bronx. On display now through April 27. New York Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY. For more information, visit nybg.org/event/the-orchid-show-mexican-modernism/.
HBRA of Fairfield presents its annual “Beyond the Blueprint” panel presentation with media sponsor CTC&G. The featured panelists will include an engineer, a Realtor, an architect and a landscape architect. Guests will get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into designing and building homes. Wednesday, March 5. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford. Learn more at buildfairfieldcounty.com/.
Reinstalled galleries highlight new narratives in the collection and celebrate two of Britain’s most influential and provocative artists, from the romantic to the contemporary. The Yale Center for British Art (YCBA) will reopen to the public on March 29, following a two-year closure for a major conservation project that preserves the integrity of its iconic building designed by the world-renowned architect Louis I. Kahn. Marking a new era for the center, the reopening will feature a full reinstallation of its distinguished collection of British art alongside two thought-provoking solo exhibitions: J. M. W. Turner: “Romance and Reality” and Tracey Emin: “I Loved You Until the Morning.” March 29. Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven, CT. For more information, visit britishart.yale.edu.
Home Goals
Last November, hundreds of builders, architects, interior designers and other housing-industry professionals gathered for the 30th Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut’s Home Building Industry Awards (the HOBIs). HOBIs producer and master of ceremonies Joanne Carroll presented awards in a wide variety of categories, including custom homes, spec homes, remodeled homes and much more. Here, we highlight a half dozen of the best of the best.
SKYVIEW BUILDERS SPEC HOME OF THE YEAR, BEST SPEC HOME OVER $10 MILLION
This custom-built luxury estate showcases modern architectural design, premium finishes and breathtaking panoramic views. Every detail in this home speaks of elegance—from the grand entryway to the bespoke interiors. Built by Skyview Builders owner Paul Gudas with ICF construction, it boasts Klar triple-glazed windows and sliding walls. Outstanding features include a dramatic floating staircase, innovative LED lighting and room dividers, a black quartz bar with marble finish, concrete epoxy floor, a yoga room with trapezoid window, and a glass walk-in-closet with backlit island. The pool terrace has a sunken firepit and swim-up bar. Architecture is by Paula Piotrowska.
YANKEE CUSTOM BUILDERS & VANDERHORN ARCHITECTS
CUSTOM HOME PROJECT OF THE YEAR, BEST CUSTOM HOME 10,000–15,000 SF
Situated along Long Island Sound, this home showcases striking architectural details. A hydrostatic foundation and sea walls were implemented to ensure structural integrity and protect against potential flooding. The Shinglestyle residence has a cut and pillowed stone veneer with buttress details, expansive glass sightlines, three-dimensional gable details, and deep overhanging rooflines with custom timber brackets all tied together by gradually flared rooflines. The family room has a vaulted wood truss ceiling and water views. Other notable features include the barrel-vaulted mudroom with curved beams, built-in children’s beds that mimic a boat and a primary bath with full slab book-matched marble. Interior design is by Christina Lake Interiors.
ROBERT
EAST COAST STRUCTURES & CHRISTOPHER PAGLIARO ARCHITECTS
CUSTOM HOME OF THE YEAR, BEST CUSTOM HOME 5,000–6,000 SF
Located on Five Mile River with a downriver view of Long Island Sound, builder John Sullivan of East Coast Structures took on the steeply sloped site, and architect Chris Pagliaro twisted the house toward the view with privacy in the rear and the front encased in glass. Generally one-room deep in planning, the main living spaces run front-to-back—resulting in a fully transparent home. The focal point of the entry is a striking entry stair in oak and charcoal, plus a wall of Klar windows. Masterfully composed interiors ground the simplicity of the interior architecture. The use of color and texture—with bold, yet subtle art—helps to provide scale and coziness. Interior design is by Lauren Vallario Designs.
GARRETT WILSON BUILDERS
BEST POOL HOUSE
Wrapped in textured natural stone and warm cedar, this pool house was built by Garrett Wilson Builders. The structure—designed by Christian Rae Studio to complement the existing mid-century home—blends seamlessly into the surrounding woodland landscape. Inside, glass walls surround a central lounge area topped with a cedar cathedral ceiling. The centrally located fireplace opens to dining and game areas, while sliding glass walls connect the space to the outdoor pool and spa.
A custom kitchenette is finished with a steel backsplash and limestone floor. The creative lighting is by Rachel Calemmo. Landscape design is by Hoffman Landscapes.
WHEELHOUSE PROPERTIES
BEST REMODEL $5 MILLION–$7 MILLION, BEST BUTLER’S PANTRY, OUTSTANDING PRIMARY BATH
This home underwent a comprehensive gut renovation and remodel, while maintaining its original footprint to preserve its prime waterfront location. The design features elegant oak-detailed ceilings, full slab-oak doors, and Marvin Elevate windows and doors. Every room boasts stunning water views, enhanced by a sophisticated smart home system and hidden speakers integrated seamlessly into the design. Other highlights include a custom kitchen in quartzite slab and white oak, a butler’s pantry, a floating stair, and a bath with quartzite slab floor and red cedar Japanese soaking tub, plus bespoke vanities. The renovation also included blasting the basement crawlspace to achieve 8-foot ceilings, adding a wine cellar and a gym to the lower level. Architecture is by James Schettino Architects, and interior design is by Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design.
PRUTTING + COMPANY CUSTOM BUILDERS
BEST MODERN CUSTOM HOME OVER 5,000 SF
The design of this house was driven by the four views it frames: a mountain view to the west, a meadow view to the south, a farm view to the north, and a forest view to the east. The U-shaped house forms three walls of a courtyard with a forest treeline forming the fourth. The exterior is clad in cedar processed in the Shou Sugi Ban method. Inside, the primary suite occupies the south volume of the house, with a long wing of social, entertaining and dining spaces between it and the guest suite to the north. Full-height glazing connects the living room to the covered terrace and pool. The kitchen contrasts black-stained oak cabinetry with white Covelano marble countertops and backsplash. The dining room features natural stone tile floor and a custom ribbon light fixture. Interior design is by Rees Roberts + Partners; architecture is by Martin Finio, In Studio.
DAVID MITCHELL
Where Inspiration Surfaces
Our seasoned design experts and exquisite showrooms are ready to elevate your project.
Our seasoned design experts and exquisite showrooms are ready to elevate your project.
BROOKFIELD
Out of the Box
SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST LAMPSHADES, SCONCES AND CHANDELIERS |
SLIPCOVER SOLUTION
For a quick makeover for unsightly ceiling lights or bare bulbs, the Tulip shade is a simple fix. The Gem Surf model mimics the stripes of summer beach umbrellas. $149, tulipshades.com.
DESIGNER SHADES
Handcrafted in Dollis Hill, London, Christopher Farr ClothShop lampshades feature some of the textile brand’s best-selling fabrics. Shown here in Kit Kemp’s Lost and Found in Indigo. christopherfarrcloth.com.
GRAPHIC EDGE
Schumacher’s five-inch Soft Empire shade is dressed in Brick Amero, a medium-scale geometric pattern. $119, available through Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com, schumacher.com.
collection, shown here in the Celestine colorway. paper covers Vaughan’s
PAPER CRAFT
No two marbled paper shade patterns from Pooky are exactly alike due to the handcrafted process of marbling with paint and oils. Seven-inch shade, $60, us.pooky.com.
frame to create the Lucia sconce, designed by Mabley Handler for Ro Sham Beaux. $1,300, ro-sham-beaux.com.
BRANCHING OUT
Nader’s Shard wall lamp features a cluster of opal fiberglass shades branching out from a brass and steel base. $9,800, nadergammas.com.
GLOW UP
Created by artist Stefan Gulassa for Holly Hunt, the Falling Stars sconce is informed by lava and its natural flow. Juxtaposing patinated and mirrorpolished bronze, the sculptural sconce creates a gold glow. request, hollyhunt.com.
TRUE BLUE
The Palm series of lighting from Blue Green Works combines hand-rolled kiln slumped glass and precision machined steel or brass elements in six standard colors: bronze, plum, lily pad green, pigeon gray, light amber and steel blue (shown here
The Carraig chandelier takes its name from the Gaelic word for rock. This series from Waterford for Visual Comfort explores how faceted crystal forms play with light to generate dazzling reflections.
The Bliston wall sconce by Hudson Valley Lighting is inspired by botanical forms, creating a bouquet of light in a vintage gold leaf finish. $550, hvlgroup.com.
FLORAL FLORISH
STRING OF PEARLS
Resembling a string of luminous pearls, the Nephele light fixture by Corbett Lighting features cloud glass orbs held in place by vintage polished brass links. $4,389, hvlgroup.com.
GOING COCONUTS
A textural mix of ivory coconut shell beads gives this fixture the look of a carefully constructed bird’s nest. The fixture is suspended from a white iron chain and canopy. $4,160, available through Chloe Winston Lighting Design, chloewinstonlighting. com, arteriorshome.com.
PRECIOUS STONES
Showcasing slices of natural agate framed in antique brass, the Upsala chandelier by Jamie Young adds an elegant note overhead. $4,140, jamieyoung.com.
CONTEMPORARY COASTAL
A frosted acrylic diffuser is nestled into an oblong metal frame—like a pearl within a shell—to fashion the Oyster Sconce from Hollis & Morris. The integrated LED light source casts a soft aura. $950, available through Lightology, lightology. com, hollisandmorris.com.
ORBITAL RADIANCE
Regina Andrew’s Artemis chandelier is inspired by the fluid movement of a mobile.
Open-ended alabaster-like glass globes are suspended from a modern steel frame in a natural brass finish. $2,500, reginaandrew.com.
Buzzworthy
COLOR ANNOUNCEMENT
James Hardie, the leader in fiber cement home siding, has announced Evening Blue as its 2025 Exterior Color of the Year—a shade chosen for its timeless appeal and ability to evoke feelings of calmness and peace. The deep soothing blue mirrors the serenity of a twilight sky and is offered in a wide range of Hardie products including plank lap siding, shingle siding, panel vertical siding, trim and batten boards. To see how this color could transform your home, download the Hover Design Studio app. jameshardie.com/design-studio.
STYLE SOURCE
Ligne Roset opened its newest store in New York City in the heart of the Midtown design district, conveniently located just steps from both the D&D and A&D buildings. The showroom boasts nearly 4,000-squarefeet of furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, rugs and textiles. Ligne Roset is known for collaborating with both established and up-andcoming designers. Some of their creations are highlighted in the new space, including Michel Ducaroy’s tailored Kashima sectional and iconic Togo collection (in surprising and bold finishes); new statement dining tables, such as Camma by Marie C Dorner and Hashira by Alain Gilles; the beautifully-crafted Marechiaro storage by Philippe Nigro; and a special installation of the Todana walk-in closet system. 200 E. 57th St., NYC, 212-375-1036, ligne-roset.com.
Designer Fashion
Once exclusive to the design trade, Kravet textiles have been translated into an accessible selection of tabletop items, bedding, pillows, wall and window coverings and decorative accessories for Pottery Barn. Drawing inspiration from Kravet’s extensive fabric archive, the design teams at Kravet and Pottery Barn reinterpreted and recolored classic prints and patterns including florals, ikats, damasks and stripes to create this assemblage. “The Kravet family has had the privilege of serving the design trade for many decades, and we’re now thrilled to partner with Pottery Barn to bring consumers exclusive pieces for their home inspired by our archives,” says Kravet President and CEO Cary Kravet. The Kravet for Pottery Barn collection is available now in all stores, and online at potterybarn.com/kravet.
LIVE WELL
After nearly two decades as an interior designer in NYC, Lisa Sternfeld shifted her focus to a wellness practice to help people create healthier living environments. What began as a personal experience to rid her home of toxic chemicals when her son’s respiratory issues surfaced as a toddler, became the impetus to create WLLW (Well Life, Lived Well, pronounced Willow), a Fairfield-based resource for those seeking healthier, more sustainable
mission and offers a curated selection of beautiful home products including textiles, bed and bath, kitchen and tabletop and décor with future expansions into rugs, lighting and furniture expected this year. Each item is chosen for its aesthetic beauty, use of natural and healthy materials and commitment to environmental stewardship. “I believe our homes and the objects we surround ourselves with are investments in our health and well-being,” says Sternfeld. wllw.eco.
DEEDS DON’TS
Miles
Yes, the classic Colonial is our state’s most enduring style, with some homes dating back to actual Colonial times. But Connecticut has a rich architectural history, with a dozen styles in play—from mid-century moderns to Shingle-style estates and from grand castles to cozy cottages. This round-up of for-sale homes puts that richness on display. And with open-house season now underway, you’re warmly invited to see them for yourself.
COUNTRYSIDE COMPOUNDS
Got summer plans? If not, consider life on Twin Lakes in Litchfield County—an idyllic spot that’s made more so by a circa-1920, lodge-style home, now on the market for $5,250,000. Called Heron Cove, this waterfront property hasn’t been put up for sale for 60 years. But it has
Lodge Living This circa-1920 lakeside lodge in Salisbury is listed for $5,250,000 with the At Home in the Hills team, affiliated with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Salisbury. 860-435-0345.
been thoroughly and thoughtfully renovated over the years, retaining such iconic features as wood-paneled ceilings and walls, an ornately carved staircase and a massive stone hearth. There’s also a classic wraparound porch complete with both screened and open-air expanses. The 2,300-square-foot interiors offer four bedrooms, including a main-floor primary suite and airy, top-floor sleeping quarters with skylights and expansive views over the lake. The one-acre property also features an antique red barn and a stylish boat house with wide French doors that open onto the dock and pier. It lists with the At Home in the Hills team, affiliated with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.
One of the most impressive properties in the shoreline town of Lyme is a 30-acre spread listed for $15 million. The ivy-covered main house, which sits on a high perch above the Connecticut River, was built in 1917 by architect Alfred Hopkins. Its 7,021-square-foot interiors have been beautifully renovated—and appear to have been designed with house parties in mind. There’s a barrel-ceiling great room with a massive hearth, a billiards room with a wet bar, and a lower-level wine room and home theater. There are five bedrooms in all, including a primary suite with another fireplace, and three additional bedrooms in a classic, white clapboard guest house. The grounds also offer a pool and spa, a repurposed tobacco barn, and a private dock. The property is listed with Edward Hillyer of William Raveis Real Estate.
Lyme Life This Lyme estate, on 30 riverfront acres, lists for $15 million with Edward Hillyer of William Raveis Real Estate in Niantic. 860-235-3424.
Another for-sale Lyme estate is a 14.6-acre riverfront compound called the Marsh House. The circa-1912 main house, built of rugged stone, started life as a sheep barn. From that humble structure, a handsome home was made, distinguished by its floor-to-ceiling, arched windows, slate roof and open-plan rooms, including a great room with a soaring stone hearth. The 6,742-square-foot interiors also offer a formal dining room, a top-of-the-line kitchen with another dining space, and a primary suite with access to the pool and terrace. There are two additional dwellings on the grounds—a circa-1900, two-bedroom gate house and a boathouse with a bedroom and a kitchen. The property is listed for $3.1 million with Jennifer Caulfield of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.
ROGER THAT
Off the coast of Branford, Rogers Island has hit the market for $35 million. The 7.7-acre private island is fully equipped for fun and games. There’s a greenclay tennis court and a pretty pool and pool house. There are three beaches, two docks and a putting green. There are also extensive formal gardens and a greenhouse. And that’s not counting the 8,746-square-foot main house or the four-bedroom guest house, both with gorgeous views over the water. Douglas Elliman in Branford has the listing. 800-355-4625.
MIDDLE: DENNIS CARBO
Rock Solid This stone home in the village of Lyme is offered for $3.1 million by Jennifer Caulfield of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Essex. 860-388-7710.
Spectacular New Construction Oceanfront estate with sweeping ocean views. This stunning Oceanfront compound is comprised of main house, guest house, and rare tunnel to a beach cabana. Beautiful Bermuda exterior paired with pristine transitional interiors. Highlights include 8BR/12.3BA, 16,500+/- SqFt, garages for 6 cars, generator, and fabulous outdoor living spaces. Fantastic high elevation with a full basement level with wine cellar, game room, yoga studio, and full bar. No detail has been overlooked with beautiful custom finishes and the finest craftsmanship throughout.
1540 S. Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach
IN TOWN ESTATES
Stonehaven, a Tudor-style estate designed by architect Robert Lamb Hart, has just hit the Greenwich market, listed for $18,995,000. Recently renovated by Greenwich designer Amy Aidinis Hirsch, the 14,284-square-foot, four-story interiors feature a masterful mix of modern, open-plan rooms, along with more intimate spaces, including a library with a built-in bar and a fireplace, and formal dining room with beamed ceilings and an adjacent butler’s pantry. The home’s lower level is equipped with a gym and spa, offering a cold-plunge pool and sauna, along with a wine room and full bar. And on the property’s impressive 18.43 acres, there’s a free-form pool with a lovely terrace and private walking trails. It lists with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty. Finally, in New Canaan, a stately home has hit the market, designed by architect James E. Gearity, who took his inspiration, in part, from Windsor Castle. The home’s expansive great room, in particular, looks fit for royalty, with its 35-foot-high, buttressed ceilings and ornately carved fireplace. Additional main-floor spaces include what’s called the Blue Room with its elegant hearth and customized cabinetry, and a chic, open-plan
kitchen. In all, the 16,255-square-foot interiors offer six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, including a primary suite with a well-appointed dressing room spanning 800 square feet, equipped with a silver slipper tub. On the fouracre grounds, there’s ample space for a pool, terrace and outdoor lounging (note: pool photos here and online are renderings). It lists for $9,188,000 with
Ashlei De Souza of Serhant Real Estate. —Diane di Costanzo
English Accent Tudor styling, associated with the English countryside, graces the facade of this Greenwich home. It lists for $18,995,000 with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 917-539-3654.
Fit For A Queen Inspired, in part, by Windsor Castle, this grand New Canaan estate lists for $9,188,000 with Ashlei De Souza of Serhant Real Estate in New Canaan. 917-388-5432.
Architecture: Deborah Berke Partners Photography: Scott Frances
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For more information: cottagesgardens.com/ JLhartfordshowhouse
Coming this spring A GRAND TUDOR IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC HARTFORD, THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF HARTFORD 202 5 DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE PRESENTED BY CTC&G (CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS)
The 16th Junior League of Hartford Designer Show House presented by CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens) , is the signature eventbased fundraiser for the Junior League of Hartford, and has raised nearly $2 million for its charitable projects and programs. This highly-anticipated Show House is hosted every three years, and is the only event of its kind in Central Connecticut.
Honorary Design Chair: MATTHEW PATRICK SMYTH
Open to the Public: MAY 2 2 3
Image by: Amy Archambault
BUILDERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
DISCOVER WHY THESE BUILDERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN BUILDING A NEW — OR RENOVATING AN EXISTING — HOME.
FEATURING
CLASSIC CONNECTICUT HOMES
CORNERSTONE CONTRACTING
DAVENPORT CONTRACTING, INC.
GARRETT WILSON BUILDERS
HP BROOM HOUSEWRIGHT
QUINNDICO CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
YANKEE CUSTOM BUILDERS, INC.
CLASSIC CONNECTICUT HOMES
Classic Connecticut Homes specializes in the construction, restoration and renovation of fine homes and interiors. They work hard to conceive and construct high quality environments, based on classical elements that are comfortable yet elegant. Their ultimate goal is to create living spaces through careful planning and creative thinking that endure the test of time while providing their clients with exceptional service and value. Specialties include new residential construction, historic restorations, interior millwork and whole house remodels.
203.438.1736
CLASSICCTHOMES.COM
@CLASSICCTHOMES
Founded in 1992, celebrating over 30 years, CORNERSTONE’s mission is to build exceptional custom homes. The high standards they demand of themselves set them apart from others and is the backbone of their philosophy.
CORNERSTONE is a dynamic construction company: enthusiastic about their projects, selective about those undertaken, creative in finding solutions, and committed to providing the personnel, service, and technology to ensure success. They value their teamwork with clients, architects, interior designers, engineers, and various consultants and recognize their importance in the construction process.
203.861.4200
CORNERSTONE-BUILDERS.COM
@CORNERSTONE__CONTRACTING
DAVENPORT CONTRACTING, INC.
Davenport maneuvers effortlessly between custom homes, renovations, and property management. With more that 35 years in the business, Davenport provides a suite of services including pre-construction estimating and budgets, fixed bid, and construction management. The Property Management division remodels, maintains, and services existing clients as well as the general residential community. Presently working in Fairfield, Litchfield, and Westchester County. Every aspect of each project receives individual attention, all with the goal of bringing your vision to reality!
203.324.6308
DAVENPORTCONTRACTING.COM
@DAVENPORTCONTRACTINGINC
GARRETT WILSON BUILDERS
Garrett Wilson Builders has been building luxury custom homes in lower Fairfield County for more than 20 years. This client centric firm owes its longevity to an attention to detail and the express commitment to exceed client expectations. Their leadership and project management teams, along with their highly-skilled tradespeople, operate with the highest level of transparency and integrity. As an awardwinning custom builder, Garrett Wilson personally fosters and values each and every client relationship.
203.259.3333
HP BROOM HOUSEWRIGHT
For 50 years HP Broom Housewright has applied its technical expertise to the restoration and replication of vintage homes along the Connecticut coast. Today, HP Broom has broadened its expertise to the construction of modern homes, bringing the same high level of quality and client service to this demanding niche. Their advantage of working with award winning architects, inhouse master carpenters, and their own mill shop, HP Broom expertly controls the quality and outcome of every project with integrity and a personal touch.
860.526.9836
HPBROOM.COM
@HPBROOM
QUINNDICO CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Quinndico’s founders, Christopher Quinn and Ivan Dic, have been building high-end, luxury residential homes together for decades in the Hamptons, New York City, Westchester, and Fairfield County. What elevates Quinndico above the competition is Christopher and Ivan’s combined 30 years of hands-on experience. From pre-construction through completion, they take pride in being involved in the entire process of each client’s home, making sure the final product is the finest and most intricate luxury custom home imaginable.
203.990.3224
QUINNDICO.COM
@CMQ_QDCHB
YANKEE CUSTOM BUILDERS, INC.
Yankee Custom Builders specializes in extraordinary custom homes and renovations in the tri-state area. Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, the company is on the rise and is known for its ability to make the complexities of homebuilding a positive experience for all involved. Founder Justin Meneguzzo established Yankee Custom Builders as a precision management firm that promotes forward thinking, excels in communication, and provides comprehensive professional services. Yankee Custom’s craftsmanship, quality materials, clear budgeting and scheduling, and knowledge of refined products culminate in homes that capture the imagination of clients and architects alike.
203.588.1556
YANKEECUSTOMBUILDERS.COM
@YANKEECUSTOMBUILDERS
MARCH
CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS
TOTAL TRANSPARENCY
THIS NEW HOME OFFERS A SOPHISTICATED BALANCE OF OPENNESS AND INTIMACY
BY MINDY PANTIEL PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER BROWN
Glass Act (left to right across spread)
Chic Updates (top left) In the great room, a sectional was reupholstered in a performance fabric, and a new hammered-brass light fixture is from Banana Republic Home. Culinary Delight (above) The marble island top and backsplash complement Shaker-style cabinets by Highland Woodcraft. Pendants are from Visual Comfort.
See Resources.
Mood Shift (bottom left) Artwork by Fernando de Szyszlo suits the tone of the room dubbed “the oasis.”
When architect Christopher Pagliaro proclaims, “Glass, glass, glass!” he’s not just echoing a personal mantra, but outlining the core philosophy behind his residential designs. Pagliaro believes the architecture of a home should not be confined by the walls that separate one space from another, but instead, should open up to create an unbroken connection with the environment. “I don’t believe that the wall of a house should be the wall of one’s experience,” he explains. “I believe the wall of a home should be as far as the eye can see.”
Nowhere is this belief more clearly demonstrated than in the home perched on a property overlooking Long Island Sound he designed for a couple with
Wfour children. But while the property seemed ideal, having the desirable water views across the street instead of on the backside of the property posed a challenge. “The homeowners bought the site for the water, and I felt a responsibility to give it to them,” says the architect. “So I placed the structure diagonally and twisted the house to the views.”
The strategic orientation coupled with floor-toceiling corner and divided light windows emerged as a study in how glass can frame its surroundings. “I hate choosing which wall to look through, so the 90-degree corner window placement creates a panoramic experience,” he adds.
When it came to the overall design, the homeowners—a sophisticated, well-traveled couple—wanted a home that was both contemporary and also reflective of their travels while avoiding the somewhat overplayed modern farmhouse concept. So in lieu of flat roofs and exposed beams, the architect incorporated classic New England shingle siding, which grounds the design in its location, with sharp geometric angles and expansive glass elements that mark it as something distinctly modern.
In contrast, the interiors had to be soft and intimate while accommodating the homeowners’ extensive collection of furniture and art. “People
have commented that half the job was done for me because I already had furnishings to work with,” says interior designer Lauren Vallario of Lauren Vallario Designs. “But finding places for everything was really quite challenging, so I approached it like a puzzle and made sure pieces not only fit but that they were highlighted appropriately.”
An existing sectional reupholstered in performance fabric resembling soft canvas, for example, found new life as the great room centerpiece, and a carved Chinese sculpture emerged as a statement piece in the entry where it is backed by a switchback staircase completely encased in glass. By day, the upward ascension affords garden views and come
evening, a trio of hanging fixtures—one black paper, one white cotton and one white silk, cast a soft glow. “I mocked up those pieces and hung them from various places in the ceiling to get the placement just right,” says Vallario, noting she and the architect worked closely together on lighting. “Chris delivered a solid palette of recessed lighting, and I supplied the more decorative pieces like the black metal and brass fixture in the great room and the organic woven dining room chandelier.”
The duo also collaborated on creating intimate experiences within a larger framework with the architect-designed wood ceiling delineating the dining room, and Vallario’s choice of dark painted
cabinets setting the kitchen apart. For cohesion, a lime wash finish on the stove hood and surrounding wall then repeats on the fireplace wall, as well as on the entrance to a hidden retreat dubbed “the oasis.” With its moody deep blue walls and grasscloth ceiling, the latter serves as both a social zone and a personal escape.
About the duo’s working relationship, Pagliaro says, “Lauren and I worked closely together, constantly refining ideas to ensure that every decision supported the overall vision.” The end result is a timeless, modern residence that feels rooted in its Connecticut surroundings while offering a sophisticated balance of openness and intimacy. ✹
Home Work (above) A Hubbardton Forge ceiling fixture through Chloe Winston Lighting Design illuminates the home office. Wide Open (top right) Transparency defines the upper-level hallway with water vistas on one side and garden views on the other, while matte black Crystorama fixtures light the way. Sleeping In (bottom right) In the primary bedroom, a Palecek pendant illuminates a Serena & Lily bed, while Thibaut grasscloth adds texture to the walls. See Resources.
Embrace The Outdoors
Landscape design by Artemis Landscape Architects complements the HOBI-Award winning home built by East Coast Structures. See Resources.
Eclectic Mix The living room is outfitted with 1970s Danish wingback chairs, a 1940s Roger Capron coffee table, a rope mirror by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, and a 1939 Josef Frank floor lamp. Artwork is by Graeme Black. See Resources
Connecticut Lake House
CASUAL, GRACIOUS SUMMER LIVING AT ITS BEST
BY DAVID KLEINBERG PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD POWERS
Excerpted from David Kleinberg Interiors (Monacelli, March 2025) by David Kleinberg, with Mayer Rus, and with a foreword by Thom Browne and Andrew Bolton.
curved entry hall does double duty as a library. In a sitting room, a custom DKDA sectional is joined by a pair of Guillerme et Chambron armchairs, a Lance Thompson coffee table of blackened steel, and a pair of 1950s Bruno Mathsson side tables of rippled glass and oak. Lundy pendant lights from the Urban Electric Company hang above the island in the bright, airy kitchen. See Resources
his Connecticut lake house is the third project I’ve done for these clients, a lovely, unpretentious couple with three grown children. Their primary residence is in Florida, but the first project we did for them was in New York City. They’d purchased one of the last unbuilt plots of land on Candlewood Lake, where they’d been enjoying summer vacations away from the sultry Florida heat. The property was beautiful but challenging, with myriad building restrictions and setbacks stipulated by the community. I knew we needed the right architect to take maximum advantage of the spectacular site.
I immediately reached out to Tom Kligerman and gave him the project brief. I told him I’ve worked with these clients for the last twenty years, and they’re really wonderful people. But I warned him that this would be a small house, a
modest summer cottage, with lots of programmatic requirements, including bedrooms for the clients’ children as well as their parents. I didn’t think we could build more than three thousand square feet. I was concerned that the job simply wasn’t big enough for Tom’s practice, which typically takes on houses of a much grander scale. But Tom surprised me. “I love a small project,” he confessed. “A small project has a beginning, a middle, and an end.”
Of course, Tom turned out to be the right man to design a perfect, compact retreat nestled in the trees. The house has genuine strength and character, but it
doesn’t impose itself on the land. It feels like a true lake house. To underscore its quiet presence, we made the bold choice to stain the exterior black and allow the architecture to recede. A red Dutch entry door provides a cheeky accent to the dark palette while subtly nodding to the humble barn structures that influenced the architecture.
The clients are real bibliophiles, so we decided to make the entrance hall a proper library for their incredible collection, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and expansive windows with views out to the lake. Tom had the wonderful idea
Comfort & Style A bedroom (this page) features a Bouquet chandelier by Le
and a
A
See Resources
Klint
seventeenth-century Italian writing table.
1960s Swedish carved pine chair (opposite page) by Jacob Keilland-Brandt sits in the primary bath.
to make the corridor curved, which adds to the sense of discovery and surprise. As for the aesthetic direction and interior appointments, we’d already done two other projects for these clients, so we had a basic sense of what they respond to. But they weren’t interested in a rehash of their homes in Manhattan and Florida. The New York apartment feels more modern and, appropriately, a bit more formal. Their home in Florida is located in a contemporary high-rise above the ocean, so that one is even cleaner and more severe. Here, they wanted to lean into color and woodsy country comfort.
The interiors are a foil to the house’s dark exterior—light, bright, and airy. The walls are basically neutral but the trims and accents are done in a variety of colors. One room is a Turkey red, which I think is a very Connecticut color. Another room is teal blue, and another eau de Nile green. There’s definitely color, just not raging color. The furnishings are a mélange of twentieth-century European and American designs, all of which share a modesty of form and clarity of line that feel right for a country home. We mixed English and American Arts and Crafts designs, and we added contemporary pieces you might describe as Modern Craftsman, pieces that feel made as opposed to manufactured. We also used lots of handcrafted Pewabic tile in the bathrooms, on fireplaces, everywhere tile is appropriate. I discovered Pewabic while visiting Martha Stewart’s house in Maine, the old Edsel Ford estate. After a quick tutorial from Martha, I learned that the company has been making their wonderful wares in Detroit since the turn of the last century. The tile has a very specific texture and color palette that seems to complement the easy, relaxed mood of a country home.
Of course, no Connecticut lake house would be complete without a proper screened porch for games and gathering, which, in essence, is the spirit of this unfussy, multigenerational getaway. Picnics, pickleball, and paddleboarding on the lake; friends and family; places for retreat and places for togetherness. This is casual, gracious summer living at its best. ✹
Sweet Retreat In the sunroom
(this page), Richard Allen coffee and dining tables are joined by Bielecky Brothers rattan chairs and an authentic Kenneady rocking chair. A red Dutch entry door (opposite page) nods to the humble barn structures that influenced the architecture. See Resources
Style Setter Landscape design by Highland Design Gardens complements this Shingle-style home (this page) designed by architect Mark Finlay. In a stairway hallway (opposite page), a white vase from Aero Studios tops a table through John Rosselli & Associates. The artwork was purchased from Rago. See Resources
TAKE TWO
AFTER 20 YEARS, A BELOVED HOME GETS UPDATED FOR CONTEMPORARY LIVING
BY DAVID MASELLO | PHOTOGRAPHS
BY ELLEN MCDERMOTT
STYLING BY ANTHONY SANTELLI
For
Going
Effect In the dining room
(this page), Georg Jensen bowls and candlesticks from Bloomingdale’s top a Dennis Miller table, and the artwork over the fireplace is from Nancy Hoffman Gallery. In the living room (opposite, top to bottom), Phillip Michaels’ vibrant Burst is positioned over a Ryan Jackson console. Living room seating includes a pair of Holly Hunt Capri lounge chairs on a Beauvais silk carpet. See Resources
While architects have to be exacting in their work, Mark Finlay is happiest when he doesn’t have to follow any rules. “When it comes to the Shingle style,” the architect says from his Southport office, “you’re allowed to ‘do your own thing.’” With this five-bedroom house in New Canaan, Finlay had a second chance to design it. He was the architect for its first incarnation in 2000 and then again when it underwent, as he calls it, “a major reboot” two decades later.
As he had done the first time with this residence, Finlay readopted his favored Shingle style, that quintessentially American architectural discipline developed in the late 19th century by McKim, Mead & White. Just as that venerable firm did in its day, Finlay, too, adopted many tenets of the style—cedar shingles coupled with stonework, flared roofs, steep gables, bay windows. “The Shingle style
is a broad spectrum, and you’re allowed to introduce a lot of distinctive elements,” Finlay relates. New York–based interior designer Dominick Rotondi, who furnished the interiors of both this version of the house and its prior one, concurs by saying, “This is a classic Shingle-style house, but one with extra special surprises. That’s something Mark knows how to do so well.”
Although the clients loved their home, as the homeowner says, “We were looking to move in a more modern direction, while keeping consistent with the style of the house, and my husband and I really wanted an open feel with a lot of natural light.”
To accommodate the homeowners’ request, the footprint was slightly expanded with the addition of a sunroom—a glassy, vaulted space that melds with an enlarged kitchen. “The light that now comes in through the kitchen/ family room allows us to feel like we are outside even in the dead of winter,” says the wife.
Meanwhile, Finlay’s three gables continue to march dramatically across the site, the house’s stone base combined
with exuberantly articulated scallop-shaped shingles. “The stone anchors the house to the site,” Finlay emphasizes, “and as your eye works its way up the façade, the siding accents the horizontal lines. This technique takes a big house and brings it back to earth a bit. “
As for the interiors, Rotondi has worked on other projects with the clients—both incarnations of this residence, another in Nantucket, and a new one in Florida—and he knows well the aesthetics of the husband and wife. “She’s a modernist, he’s a traditionalist,” Rotondi says definitively,
“and this juxtaposition of styles makes for a fun push and pull. How far can we go either way?” he asks rhetorically. The interiors now skew more modern. “She likes clean lines and comfortable furnishings, but she also understands that while we can push the limits, we need to respect the grand moldings that Mark designed,” notes the designer. In the dining room, for instance, Rotondi employed a palette that includes a flat white, a mix of Benjamin Moore grays, and a high-gloss white on the ceiling. “When you’re sitting at this long table, the two tones on the walls quiet the eye,”
a clear glass globe from the Comerford Collection. See Resources
Heart Of The Home In the kitchen (above), Apparatus Studio pendants serve as task and ambient lighting over the large island, where Bernhardt counter stools provide seating. A breakfast nook (left) is furnished with a pair of Holly Hunt dining chairs, above which hangs
“THE KITCHEN IS NOW THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE OF THIS HOUSE”
he explains. A John Pomp chandelier, composed of grayblue glass globes set at varying levels, creates what Rotondi calls “a starry-night moment.”
For the redone kitchen, which features a large island, Finlay framed the room with lightly stained white oak beams as a way to articulate the openings to the family room. “These beams tie the family room and kitchen visually in a more modern way,” says Finlay. “The kitchen is now the center of the universe of this house,” he adds.
And throughout the rooms, white furnishings, geometrically precise coffee tables, benches and desks, along with a mix of minimalist and representational artworks chosen mostly by Rotondi help foster the modern aesthetic. “One of the most fun aspects of my job when working with clients I’ve built a strong relationship with over the years,” says Rotondi, “is watching them change and embrace new looks. These clients are so young at heart, and it’s exciting to work with people who aren’t afraid of new things.” As the wife adds, “While the house has many new features, it still feels like our home, the one we have always lived in.”✹
Bright Spots (clockwise from opposite page) A year-round sunroom is furnished with Brown Jordan pieces and illuminated by Bevolo lighting. Two paintings by John Muller through Holly Hunt on the second floor are paired with a realistic work by Michael Gregory on the first floor from Nancy Hoffman Gallery. In the primary bedroom, lamps through John Rosselli & Associates top bedside tables from Hickory Chair. See Resources
GREAT VOLUMES
Shingled Stunner Landscape design by Miroslava Ahern surrounds the home designed by Workshop/APD and built by Reid Builders. Beneath the pergola, Harbour dining chairs surround a teak RH dining table, while RH daybeds and Harbour lounge chairs mingle by the pool. See Resources.
CONTEMPORARY NANTUCKET HOME
BY LAURA FENTON | PHOTOGRAPHS BY READ MCKENDREE/JBSA
Nantucket’s aesthetic charm is no accident.
It is the result of a notoriously rigorous building code. So, if you’re designing a home on Nantucket, it pays to work with an architect with local experience, which is one of the many reasons this homeowner hired Workshop/APD—an architecture and design firm based in New York City that had already built several homes on island.
On Nantucket, Workshop/APD is partial to pavilionstyle architecture, in which the home is broken into several smaller, connected structures instead of one large mass. Andrew Kline, a principal at the firm, says that it mimics historical precedent: In the past, when people needed more space, they added onto their existing homes.
“We’re being informed by that history of additive massing,” he says. “The secret of doing work on Nantucket is you need to be referential in a way that’s respectful to the history.” Kline points out pavilion-style architecture also
Warm Welcome (above) Workshop/APD designed a custom console table, bench and mirror for the white oak–clad entry. The bench is upholstered in a Métaphores fabric. Underfoot is a wool-linen area rug by Merida. Shades Of Gray (opposite page) Gray tones infuse everything in the living room from the bespoke coffee table from Workshop/APD’s furniture collection to the upholstery on the Dmitriy & Co. sofa and the Lawson-Fenning armchairs. See Resources.
has contemporary advantages, including desirable separation of spaces, the ability to have windows on three sides of rooms, and a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
For this client, Kline envisioned three simple volumes coming together with flat-roofed passages connecting the structures. Visitors enter into a vast great room with cathedral ceilings that encompasses the kitchen, dining and living spaces, and leads out to a pergola and pool. Flowing off the main structure are two private pavilions: In one is the library and primary suite, and in another are guest spaces with recreation spaces in the basement level.
As both an architecture and interior design firm, Workshop/APD has a unique way of working. Rather than an architect passing the baton to the designer when the architecture is complete, the design team considers furnishings early on. “We’re putting furniture in these rooms right after concept—changing the shape and size of rooms to react to the furniture,” explains Kline, who collaborated with interior designer Nicole Ficano, another principal at Workshop/APD.
Calm Transition (below) A Lune flush mount by Atelier de Troupe illuminates the hallway in the central building mass. The flooring, which is used throughout the home, is a Belgian oak sourced from Madera. Dramatic Dining (right) In the center of the main structure, a custom dining table is surrounded by chairs from Harbour. The pendant lights are from Pinch. Central Kitchen (opposite page) Kitchen countertops are Cote D’Azur Blue stone sourced through Bas Stone. Fireclay tile adorns the backsplash behind the Viking range. Waterworks faucets and the Bright Group pendant lights are the jewelry in the cookspace. Light & Bright (bottom right) The hanging sofa is a unique design in the library, while the playful Puzzle coffee table hails from Blaxsand. Ottomans sport a lemon Dedar fabric. See Resources.
Outside, the house is clad in traditional cedar shakes with black Georgian-esque windows. On the inside, Kline and Ficano walked a transitional line, leaning slightly toward a modern aesthetic. For example, the kitchen cabinets are a pared-back interpretation of a Shaker style, rendered in warm wood tone and paired with richly veined marble counters. Likewise, in the almost all-white library, the perfect lines of the tight-jointed shiplap are juxtaposed with the wire brushed texture of the wood. “You get these modern lines, but you’re doing it with a material that has life and texture in it,” explains Kline.
For the fabrics and furnishings, Kline followed the client’s preferences for grays and cool-toned woods, introducing accents of yellow and blue. But, Ficano notes, it’s not the traditional Nantucket blue. “We wanted to have a lot of grays and soft blues,” she says.
While the homeowner primarily desired an aesthetic of comfortable sophistication, he was open to moments of whimsy. For example, for a wayfinding device for the guest
rooms, they settled on stenciling the doors with iconic Nantucket beach cars, so the homeowner, a car aficionado, can say, “You’re in the Land Rover room.”
The homeowner also requested a hanging couch for the library, which was a playful gesture that required serious construction. “We’ve never designed a hanging indoor sofa of that magnitude,” says Ficano. “A lot of engineering went into it because of the scale and the amount of weight that it needed to hold.” For an extra layer of playfulness, Ficano and her team hand-dyed the cables that the couch hangs from a lemon yellow. It’s just one of many custom pieces that make this home truly bespoke.
While a swinging sofa suspended from yellow circus cables is hardly traditional Nantucket style, the house feels very much at home on the island. This contemporary style inspired by history is a balancing act not every firm can execute, but Workshop/APD has perfected it. It helps, says Kline that, “At its core, Nantucket architecture was always very simple and modern.”
✹
Beachy Clean (opposite page, top left) In the primary bath, the stone on the countertops and floors is sourced through Bas Stone. An Articolo sconce hangs between mirrors from Modern Mirrors. Greater Heights (opposite page, bottom left) The u-shaped staircase features a burnished steel railing. Sweet Dreams (left) A pair of Dmitriy & Co. chairs upholstered in a white Holland & Sherry fabric and concrete accent tables by Bodega sit at the foot of the bed. The pendant lights are from A Emotional Light. Cabana Cute (this page) A pair of Strut tables from Blu Dot and a Rove Concepts sofa furnish the pool cabana, where Benjamin Moore’s New York State of Mind was used to create an ombré effect on the interior walls. See Resources.
HAMPTON DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE
PRESENTED BY HAMPTONS COTTAGES & GARDENS
Nestled on five secluded acres in Southampton, the 2025 Hampton Designer Showhouse is a breathtaking new estate crafted by renowned custom home builder Town & Country Builders. Designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings, the home’s sleek, contemporary exterior seamlessly blends elegance with tranquility, offering an ultimate retreat of peace and privacy.
Spanning over 9,000 square feet of light-filled living space, this extraordinary residence will be transformed by more than 20 A-list designers, along with Honorary Design Chairs Alexa Hampton and Jamie Drake.
OPENING NIGHT GALA JULY 19 | OPEN HOUSE TOURS JULY 20 - AUGUST 31
SPONSORS
DIGITAL SPONSORS
2024 HOBI Awards
CTC&G was the
1 Award winners Kevin Polcer of Polcer Home and Gaelle Dudley of GLDESIGN 2. 2024 HBRA Senior Officers with HOBI MC Joanne Carroll, Events Director Michelle Quadrato, and CEO Jim Perras 3. Designer Bonnie Paige 4. Awards winner Karp Associate’s Arnold Karp, Robin Carroll and Paul Stone 5. Award winner KB Home’s Karen Berkemeyer and team 6. HBRA Director of Events’ Michele Quadrato 7. Award winner Lovley Development’s Mark Lovley and Renée Meuse Lovley 8. Anastasia Interior Design’s Tina Anastasia and award winner Beth Krupa of Beth Krupa Interiors 9. Gatehouse Partners’ Heather Rogers Meister and Randy Sullivan 10. Award winners from Garrett Wilson Builder’s AJ Wilson and Garrett Wilson with Rachel and Christian Calemmo of Christian Rae Studio
The Connecticut Design Guide Release Party
CTC&G celebrated the release of the annual Connecticut Design Guide at DESIGN WITHIN REACH in Westport.
1 Zach
3. Architect Christopher Pagliaro and CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey 4. Interior designer Merrin Jones and Chris Shea of Domus Constructors with interior designers Michelle Hogue and Brianna Scott 5. The gorgeous Connecticut Design Guide 2025 is available now! 6. Nukitchens’ Joseph and Gabriella Najmy
7. C&G Media Group CEO & Publication Director Marianne Howatson and interior designer Amy Zolin
8. Interior designer Nancy Davilman and Scott Weinlein of Majestic Kitchens 9. Design Within Reach’s Marcelo Fernandez welcomes the crowd.
Magere and Debbie Propst of Design Within Reach 2. Seventy Acres’ Kyra Feldman, Elisa MiretPollino and Nancy King with designer Noelle Newell
RESOURCES MORE
HOME GOALS
Pages 39–44: Spec Home of the Year, Best Spec Home over $10 Million: Builder, Skyview Builders, skyviewbuilders.com. Architecture, Paula Piotrowska, Skyview Builders, skyviewbuilders.com. Custom Home Project of the Year, Best Custom Home 10,000–15,000 SF: Builder, Yankee Custom Builders, yankeecustombuilders.com.
Architect, Vanderhorn Architects, vanderhornarchitects.com. Interior design, Christina Lake Interiors. Custom Home of the Year, Best Custom Home 5,000–6,000 SF: Builder, East Coast Structures, ecstructures.net. Architect, Christopher Pagliaro Architects, christopherpagliaroarchitects.com.
Interior design, Lauren Vallario Designs, laurenvallariodesigns.com. Windows, Klar Studio Windows & Doors. Best Pool House: Builder, Garrett Wilson Builders, garrettwilsonbuilders.com. Architect, interior and lighting design, Christian Rae Studio, christianraestudio. com. Landscape design, Hoffman Landscapes, hoffmanlandscapes.com.
Best Remodel $5Million–$7Million, Best Butler’s Pantry, Outstanding Primary Bath: Builder, Wheelhouse Properties, wheel-houseproperties. com. Architect, James Schettino Architects, schettinoarchitects.com.
Interior design, Amy Aidinis Hirsch, amyhirsch.com. Windows and doors, Marvin Elevate. Best Modern Custom Home Over 5,000 SF: Builder, Prutting + Company Custom Builders, prutting. com. Architect, InStudio, in-studio. com. Interior design, Rees Roberts + Partners, rrp.nyc.
TOTAL TRANSPARENCY
Pages 66–73: Architecture, Christopher Pagliaro, Christopher Pagliaro Architects, christopherpagliaroarchitects.com.
Interior design, Lauren Vallario, Lauren Vallario Design, laurenvallariodesigns. com. Landscape design, Artemis Landscape Architects, artemisla. com. Builder, East Coast Structures. Exterior: Roof, Tesla. Windows and doors, Klar Studio Windows & Doors. Entry stairwell: Light fixtures, Global Lighting. Living room: Light fixture, Banana Republic Home. Kitchen: Cabinetry, Highland Woodcraft. Pendants, Visual Comfort. Sconces, Currey & Co. Appliances, Thermador through Aitoro Appliance. Hardware, Emtek. Oasis: Artwork, Fernando de Szyszlo. Picture lights, Regina Andrew. Ceiling fixture, MadeGoods. Home office: Light fixture, Hubbardton Forge through Chloe Winston Lighting Design.
Picture lights, Visual Comfort. Upper hallway: Light fixtures, Crystorama through Chloe Winston Lighting Design. Primary bedroom: Pendant light, Palecek. Bed and nightstands, Serena & Lily. Grasscloth wallcovering, Thibaut.
CONNECTICUT LAKE HOUSE
Pages 74–81: Excerpted from David Kleinberg Interiors (Monacelli, March 2025) by David Kleinberg, with Mayer Rus, and with a foreword by Thom Browne and Andrew Bolton. Interior design, David Kleinberg Design Associates, dkda.com. Architect,
Kligerman Architecture & Design, kligermanad.com.
TAKE TWO
Pages 82–89: Architect, Mark P. Finlay, Mark P. Finlay Architects, markfinlay.com. Interior design, Dominick Rotondi, Dominick Rotondi Designs, dominickrotondidesigns. com. Landscape design, Tim Paterson, Highland Design Gardens, highlanddesigngardens.com. Stylist, Anthony Santelli, @anthonysantellicreative. Stair hallway: Vase, Aero Studio. Table and chair, John Rosselli & Associates. Artwork, Rago. Dining room: Table,
Dennis Miller. Dining chairs, chair fabric, drapery, drapery hardware and Birgit Pliskor sculpture, Holly Hunt. Chandelier and sconces, John Pomp. Bowls and candlesticks, Georg Jensen from Bloomingdale’s. Artwork over fireplace, Nancy Hoffman Gallery. Pedestal, Gallery at 200 Lex. Living room: Coffee and end tables, Dennis Miller. Fabric on swivel chairs, Perennials. Lounge chair, bench, side table lamps and sconces, Holly Hunt. Sofa, Kravet. Sofa fabric, Perennials. Console, Ryan Jackson. Artwork over console, Phillip Michaels. Lamp on console, Ralph Lauren. Art above
fireplace, Nancy Hoffman Gallery. Carpet, Beauvais. Drapery and hardware, J Paul Studio. Drapery fabric, Coraggio. Accessories, Homenature. Kitchen: Pendants, Apparatus. Counter stools, Bernhardt. Breakfast nook: Dining chairs, Holly Hunt. Lighting, Comerford Collection. Sunroom: Furniture, Brown Jordan. Lighting, Bevolo. Second floor: Artwork, John Muller through Holly Hunt. First floor: Artwork, Nancy Hoffman Gallery. Primary bedroom: Lamps, bench, mirror and drapery fabric, John Rosselli & Associates. Bed and bedside tables, Hickory Chair. Artwork, Nancy Hoffman Gallery. Rug, Beauvais. Draperies, J Paul Studios.
GREAT VOLUMES
Pages 90–97: Architecture, Andrew Kline, Michael Luft-Weissberg, Jongseok Lee, Dirk De Beer, Workshop/ APD, workshopapd.com. Interior design, Nicole Ficano, Deana Della Cioppa, Maddie Perry, Workshop/ APD, workshopapd.com. Builder, Rob Reid, Reid Builders, reidnantucket.com. Landscape design, Miroslava Ahern, ahernllc.com. A/V consultant, Dobromir Sultanov, Protex Electric, 508-901-1240. Floors, Madera. Patio: Dining chairs, Harbour. Dining table, RH. Pool deck: Daybeds, RH. Lounge chairs, Harbour. Entryway: Console table, bench and mirror, Workshop/APD. Bench fabric, Metaphores. Rug, Merida. Great room/ living room: Coffee table, Workshop/ APD. Sofa, Dmitriy & Co. Armchairs, Lawson-Fenning. Fireplace, BAS Stone. Rug, Perennials. Upholstery fabrics, Holly Hunt. Dining area: Table, Workshop/APD. Tabletop accessories, Hom. Candlestick holders, Terrain. Dining chairs, Harbour. Pendants, Pinch. Kitchen: Countertops, BAS Stone. Tile, Fireclay Tile. Range, Viking. Faucets, Waterworks. Pendant lights, The Bright Group. Counter stools, Jarrett Furniture. Stool fabric, Holly Hunt. White bowl, Hom. Library: Hanging sofa and ottomans, Workshop/ APD. Sofa fabric, Westbury. Ottoman fabric, Dedar. Coffee table, Blaxsand. Ceiling wallcovering, Kravet. Armless chairs, Burke Décor. Armless chair fabric, Holly Hunt. Rug, Creative Touch Rug. Desk chair, Luteca. Desk chair fabric, Pierre Frey. Sconces, RBW. Accessories, The End of History, Hom and Comerford Collection. Primary bath: Stone countertop and floor, BAS Stone. Sconce, Articolo. Mirrors, Modern Mirrors. Stairway: Drapery fabric, P/Kaufmann. Bedroom: Bed, Workshop Collection. Bed fabric, Dedar. Chairs, Dmitriy & Co. Chair and drapery fabric, Holland & Sherry. Accent tables, Bodega Nantucket. Ottoman, Workshop/APD. Ottoman leather, Kyle Bunting. Pendant lights, A-Emotional Light. Rug, Niba Designs. Pool cabana: Tables, Blu Dot. Sofa and end tables, Rove Concepts. Paint, Benjamin Moore. Pillows, Serena & Lily.
from “Connecticut Lake House”
SOURCE LIST
A-Emotional Light, a-emotionallight.com
Aero Studios, aerostudios.com
Aitoro Appliance, aitoro.com
Apparatus, apparatusstudio.com
Articolo, articolostudios.com
Artnet, artnet.com
Banana Republic Home, brhome.com
BAS Stone, basstonenyc.com Beauvais, beauvaiscarpets.com
Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com
Bernhardt, bernhardt.com
Bevolo, bevolo.com
Blaxsand, blaxsand.com
Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com Blu Dot, bludot.com
Bodega Nantucket, bodeganantucket.com
Brown Jordan, brownjordan.com
Burke Decor, burkedecor.com
Chloe Winston Lighting Design, chloewinstonlighting.com
Comerford Collection, comerfordcollection.com
Coraggio (see Thibaut)
Creative Touch, creativetouchrugs.com
Crystorama (see Chloe Winston Lighting Design)
Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com
Dedar, dedar.com
Dennis Miller, dennismiller.com
Dmitriy & Co., dmitriyco.com Emtek, emtek.com
Fernando de Szyszlo (see artnet)
Fireclay Tile, fireclaytile.com
Gallery at 200 Lex, nydc.com
Georg Jensen (see Bloomingdale’s)
Global Lighting, globallighting.com
Harbour, shopharbour.com
Hickory Chair, hickorychair.com
Highland Woodcraft, highlandwoodcraft.info
Holland & Sherry, hollandandsherry.com
Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com
Hom, thehommarket.com
Homenature, homenature.com
Hubbardton Forge (see Chloe Winston Lighting Design)
J Paul Studio, jpaulstudio.com
Jarrett Furniture, jarrettfurniture.com
John Muller (see Holly Hunt) John Pomp, johnpomp.com
John Rosselli & Associates, johnrosselliassociates.com
Klar Studio Windows & Doors, klarstudio.com
Kravet, kravet.com
Kyle Bunting, kylebunting.com
Lawson-Fenning, lawsonfenning.com
Luteca, luteca.com
MadeGoods, madegoods.com
Madera, maderasurfaces.com
Marvin Elevate, marvin.com
Merida, meridastudio.com
Metaphores (see Kravet)
Modern Mirrors, modernmirrors.com
Nancy Hoffman Gallery, nancyhoffmangallery.com
Niba Designs, nibadesigns.com
P/Kaufmann, pkaufmann.com
Palecek, palecek.com
Perennials, perennialsfabrics.com
Phillip Michaels, phillipmichaelsart.com
Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com
Pinch, pinchdesign.com
Rago, ragoarts.com
Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com
RBW, rbw.com
Regina Andrew, reginaandrew.com
RH, rh.com
Rove Concepts, roveconcepts.com
Ryan Jackson, ryanjacksonhome.com
Serena & Lily, serenaandlily.com
Terrain, shopterrain.com
Tesla, tesla.com
The Bright Group, thebrightgroup.com
The End of History, 212-647-7598
Thermador (see Aitoro Appliance)
Thibaut, thibautdesign.com
Viking, vikingrange.com
Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com
Waterworks, waterworks.com
Westbury, westburytextiles.com
Workshop Collection, workshopcollection.com
Workshop/APD, workshopapd.com
from “Great Volumes”
Amanda Martocchio
Growing up in the Colorado mountains, Amanda Martocchio loved sketching and outdoor activities—influences carried throughout her career. Studying at Cornell, she switched from art history to hands-on architecture. In 2004, after working in Italy, earning a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and practicing in a large New York firm, she and her husband relocated their growing family to New Canaan. There, she established her namesake firm, Amanda Martocchio (it rhymes, she smiles, with Pinocchio) Architecture, located near their home and not far from the mid-century modern Glass House that she admires “for its perfect proportions, simplicity and integration with the landscape.” At Martocchio’s firm, her veneration of design and the natural world is carried out in prize-winning spaces that respond to their surroundings with warmth and natural light. amandamartocchio.com.
Why are so many of your projects focused on nature? Being able to look out at the sky, to see the sunset, to hear the birds is important to humanity. I think it can really change your life, impact how you feel on a given day. Nature provides a sense of well-being.
What does wellness mean to you? It has both physical and metaphysical components: Physically, you feel comfortable in the space, the temperature is right, you can see well, you feel safe. The metaphysical is intangible; you feel good, uplifted.
What sparks design inspiration? You go to the site and respond to your feelings about it. It can be very visceral. What part do you want to celebrate and elevate? Where should the structure stand, where does it belong on the site? What views do you want to look at? What do you want to frame? That can lead to laying out a floor plan and the relationship of the spaces.
What features engender a feeling of wellness? Components of the landscape can be brought inside, so much is all about the senses. Use natural materials—wood, metals, stones—things that are tactile. Green growing things connect you to the world and other living things. The sound of an indoor water fountain can be very soothing.
Outside Inspiration (clockwise from this photo) At this home, a visitor’s arrival is through a sunken covered arcade into a two-sided glass gathering space. Stones from centuries-old property walls were repurposed for the wood-burning fireplace, exterior cladding and site walls. At a waterfront property, an open riser stair connects a glass enclosed atrium with the living spaces.
How do you go about protecting the world’s resources? Every decision we make has an impact on some level of the environment, so we have to be thoughtful about how we design and specify materials. We’re always looking for materials that are easily recycled and have low carbon impact. And we’re interested in durability and longevity—things that are well built, so they don’t have to be torn down and redone.
How do you integrate your contemporary structures with more traditional Connecticut design? What’s interesting is that the vernacular, the classic “farmhouse” is very functional, spare, simple and elegant. That is essentially what we see in our more modern designs and that is
compatible. The modern solution seems to be a very logical response to what is there.
You serve as an advisor on local building projects, and you collaborated on a “Puesto de Salud” maternal healthcare facility in Nicaragua. What do you gain from community involvement? While it’s gratifying to work on the intimate scale of helping a family make a home, I’m a citizen architect, and it’s working with a more diverse group of people and giving back, having an impact on the community at large.
What is a building you’d like to design? A center where special needs, neurodivergent adults can live and thrive in a community
connected to the broader community. A small, light-filled building with private sleeping rooms and shared space for meal preparation, performances, gardening, play, keeping therapy animals, enjoying nature. Walkable to town, it would have overnight spaces for caregivers and visiting families. It is a dream project for this architect and mother of a specialneeds adult.—Sharon King Hoge
MICHAEL BIONDO
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