In The Holiday Spirit
Ihave never met a holiday without traditions. If I am being honest, some we value and others we can’t wait to break from. When I first got married, my mother told me to start my own holiday traditions early in my marriage. Being a wise woman, she knew the value of creating your own traditions. Everyone has different traditions around the holidays; some are steeped in culture, others are newly created, and still others are passed down through the family. It is these shared experiences that connect us to each other and remind us of where we came from. ■ Growing up, my Aunt Kathryn would invite her sisters and cousins for a Christmas Day dinner. She had a large enough house to accommodate more than 30 people, including children. We were put in the playroom, while adults stayed in her dining room. One year, despite it snowing, we all made our way to the holiday dinner. The older cousins had plans for their escape to sled down what we all considered a monstrous hill. As they each snuck out of my aunt’s house, we followed them to the top of the hill. As I peered down that hill, I regretted my decision to follow. But before I could say anything, my older cousin, Eddie, grabbed me and plopped us on a toboggan carrying even more cousins! Mushed in the middle—and holding on for my life—we ended up in a pile of bodies at the bottom of the hill. It was thrilling. For the first time, all the cousins did something together. More importantly, we got to know each other. To this day, it was that one event where I really got to know my cousins, and it bound us together as a family. ■ Years have passed, and Harry and I now host the gathering, so that our children and their children can experience the magic of everyone being together for one day. And if there is snow, we all put on our coats and look for a hill to ride and experience that same thrill! ■ I encourage you to continue your traditions—or start your own. It’s the essence of the holidays.
DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com
Christmas Eve dinner is a family tradition at Sara Olinger’s home. See “A Scandinavian Christmas,” page 64.
When the Cost of Beauty Goes Up
In design, we’re used to dealing with cost: the cost of quality, the cost of time, the cost of beauty. We weigh materials, labor, sustainability and vision. Costs on furniture, cabinets and other home products may soon begin to climb—a development that, while not unexpected, still gives us pause. Not because we are unfamiliar with economic headwinds, but because we know what’s at stake: the rhythm of construction, the availability of great product, the creative agility of our design professionals, and the confidence of homeowners already navigating rising costs and long lead times. ■ So much of what we celebrate in these pages is the result of global collaboration. A mosaic hand-assembled in Morocco. A hand-carved armoire from Portugal. A sofa whose silhouette was imagined in Palm Beach but stitched together in North Carolina using textiles from Lake Como. Luxury, in this sense, is not about extravagance. It’s about excellence—regardless of where it’s sourced. ■ What happens when that flow is interrupted? For many of our readers, it’s not just about higher prices—it’s about postponed projects, recalibrated budgets, and difficult choices between what’s available now and what was originally imagined. ■ But if design teaches us anything, it’s that constraint can fuel creativity. We will see a renewed appreciation for American-made goods. A fresh spotlight on local artisans. An opportunity to refine sourcing, rebalance collections, and rethink what’s possible when the rules shift mid-project. The challenge, as always, is to meet the moment with grace—and good design.
Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director mhowatson@candg.com
Beauty Endures This month’s issue is full of homes that marry imagination with practicality, luxury with soul, like this one featured in “The Magic of the Season” (page 56).
NOVEMBER 2025
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & PUBLICATION DIRECTOR MARIANNE HOWATSON
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DJ CAREY
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
CATRIONA BRANCA
SENIOR EDITOR MARY FITZGERALD
ART DIRECTOR
KRISTEN HOGE
EDITOR AT LARGE SHARON KING HOGE
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JANE BEILES, JULIE BIDWELL, WILLIE COLE, TRIA GIOVAN, JOHN GRUEN, HULYA KOLABAS, NEIL LANDINO JR., TIM LENZ, ELLEN MCDERMOTT, READ MCKENDREE, ANASTASSIOS MENTIS, MARCO RICCA, EMILY SIDOTI, RIKKI SNYDER
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In This Issue
ELIZA CLARK
“I love to drape artwork with festive garlands and ribbons, plus add a natural touch with sprigs of pink pepperberries or white hypericum berries. It’s all about storytelling and creating vignettes that feel homey and warm.” Inn owner and interior designer, “Lost and Found” (page 46), lostfoxinn.com, byrd.studio.
SARA OLINGER
“Growing up in Scandinavia, I naturally lean toward a clean, minimal aesthetic, anchored in balance, simplicity and calm, but I also believe that holiday décor should feel warm and deeply personal. For me, the most inspiring holiday interiors are those where personal history gently coexists with timeless design. I like to incorporate personal collections in a way that makes them part of the story within the space, so that when they come out of storage, it’s like having an old friend come visit for the holidays.”
Homeowner, “A Scandinavian Christmas” (page 64), @butmakeitscandi.
“Our holiday room designs are developed in close collaboration with clients, focusing on color concepts and décor. Design choices are frequently influenced by existing elements, such as artwork; for example, if a piece prominently features blues and greens, these hues will be integrated into the design. Each space is unique, encompassing themes from classic White Christmas to Hanukkah blue.” Interior designer, “The Magic of the Season” (page 56), roughaninteriors.com
—Mary Fitzgerald
November 2025
FROM WESTPORT TO PLANTSVILLE
Join CTC&G at the annual Rooms With A View, celebrating 30 years of outstanding design. Twelve designers utilize their talents to create vignettes staged in the library and great hall of the historic, Gothic Revival-style Southport Congregational Church. An opening party will be held on November 6, 6:30–9:30 p.m. to kick-start the multi-day show. General show hours: Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, November 9, 12–5 p.m. Southport Congregational Church, 524 Pequot Ave., Southport. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit roomswithaview.org.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW HOBI AWARDS
Building industry professionals from near and far will gather for the 31st HOBI Awards Dinner. The HOBI Awards are Connecticut’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in home construction and are presented by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of CT with media sponsor CTC&G. The evening’s program culminates with a PowerPoint show of the 2025 winning homes. Thursday, November 13, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Country Club in Plantsville. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hobiawards.com.
Decked In Holiday Magic
e Interior Design Studio, LLC (IDS Home|Design| Baby) of Brookfield, CT brings festive and seasonal décor into clients' homes with style and warmth. Principal Interior Designer Christie Carpentieri, ASID, wholeheartedly believes that the best memories are made when surrounded by family and friends. “Christmastime is such a magical season, no matter your religious or cultural background. e twinkling lights and sparkling decorations feel enchanting to everyone, young and old. You just need to pause and take it all in,” explains Christie.
She and her team at IDS go beyond simply decorating. ey create breathtaking Christmas trees, festive fireplace mantels, elegant tablescapes, and enchanting interior décor tailored to each client’s space. eir boutique offers a curated selection of unique decorations, thoughtful gifts, and a poshness that feels like you’re living in a Christmas wonderland.
246 Federal Road Suite A12
Brookfield, CT 06804 (203) 885-0799
“My signature touch for any tree is that it dances,” Christie shares. “I love to add a rotating base so the tree literally spins. It’s a little extra magic for what’s already a magical season. I also love juxtaposition in my design. Mixing unexpected materials and textures side by side builds curiosity not only about what’s under the tree, but what’s on it too. ” To Christie, the holiday season is the opportunity for celebration of not just the birth of Christ, but for gathering loved ones together to create lasting memories and share in the joy of the season.
IDS Home|Design|Baby is a full-service interior design firm and home & baby boutique located on Federal Road in Brookfield, CT. We invite you to stop by to take in the magic of the season, and meet our incredibly talented team of designers and decorators.
The Artist’s Hand
FROM SKETCH TO REALITY, ARTISANS ARE CREATING HEIRLOOMS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME | BY
MARY FITZGERALD
KELSIE RUDOLPH
Emphasizing form, shape and proportion over ornamentation, Kelsie Rudoph sculpts small-batch ceramic furniture pieces. The Montanabased designer was inspired by French architecture after an artist’s residency at Versailles. Her Doux collection translates the timeless qualities of architectural elements—lamps posts, archways and pillars— into contemporary designs using template and slab-building techniques. kelsierudolph.com.
NADER GAMMAS
American-born and Dubai-based designer Nader Gammas’ latest lighting collection, Vessels, is composed of nine pieces inspired by the diverse world of cup fungi. The natural forms are clustered in organic configurations, showcasing the raw beauty of nature with artistry and technical skill. Available through Studiotwentyseven, studiotwentyseven.com, nadergammas.com.
PIERRE BOWRING
ALEXANDRA KOHL
Informed by minimalism, organic architecture and her love of horses, Alexandra Kohl’s medium is truly unique—horsehair—which she weaves to create tapestries, pillows, furniture, lighting and tassels. The horsehair is collected from local farms near her North Salem, NY studio. After cleaning and brushing the horsehair, she places strands of hair between linen threads on a loom to create woven patterns. Her work is currently on display in the windows of Lafayette 148 in NYC. alexandrakohl.com.
Bow Glass Works’ artisan and owner Pierre Bowring worked as an abstract painter before discovering glassblowing in college. Working out of his East Chatham, NY, studio, he believes in elevating everyday items into functional art. “Utilizing form and color, I can create something funky, something wild, something unexpected,” says Bowring. “I can also create something elegant and refined.” bowglass.com.
ELLEN ROBINSON
Ellen Robinson handmakes her ceramic pieces in her Brookyln studio. Her sculptural vases, bowls, trays and lighting are designed to be used and lived with as functional art. Working with terra-cotta, she forms the clay using hand-building techniques. “Touch is recorded in the clay,” notes Robinson. The embedded markings are then highlighted with a white glaze. ellenrobinsonstudio.com.
STEPH
TROWBRIDGE
Steph Trowbridge started her creative journey as a woodworker, but after taking a pottery class she became fascinated with ceramics. “I loved how malleable clay was compared to wood, so it pushed me to try and bring that sort of style to woodworking as well.” Working with both mediums, she explores the ways they work together and separately. Her latest series, the Draped Collection, conjures the texture of fabric in her wood and ceramic pieces. stephtrowbridge.com.
BECCA VAN K
Mixed-media fiber artist Becca Van K’s practice combines the folk-art techniques of needlepoint wall art, chair caning and weaving. Using recycled chair frames, she says, “There is an element of kitsch and craft in these mediums that are not generally viewed as ‘high art,’ which I embrace. I continue to enrich my knowledge of craft, and am constantly scheming ways to make work that is in deep connection with a craft from the past while using materials and aesthetics that speak to a contemporary audience.” beccavank.com.
ANNIE DOWNING
Texas designer Annie Downing has created a collection of hand-crafted concrete tiles with Popham Design out of Marrakech, Morocco. Downing’s designs are inspired by travel, antique textiles, architectural details and playful moments. Each concrete tile is formed using a hydraulic press method, versus kiln-fired, then air-dried and cured. Four patterns in 20 vibrant colorways can be mixed and matched, ranging from geometric to painterly designs. shop.anniedowning.com.
EARTH TO PEOPLE
Earth To People founders Jordan and Brittany Weller launched their mindful design studio in 2023. The newest collection, Salvage & Sap, consists of furniture and lighting made from salvaged and organic materials, including cedar felled by windstorms and recycled aluminum. Tree sap, harvested by hand, is used as a non-toxic binding agent, a “glue” technique that dates back thousands of years. earthtopeople.studio.
CLAUDIA MILLS
Finding weaving’s combination of mathematical rigor and tactile diversity challenging and irresistible, Claudia Mills has been making rugs for more than three decades. With a contemporary aesthetic and a love for bright prints and plaids, she balances color and textural elements. Her team of all-female textile artists work out of her studio in Old City Philadelphia. We discovered her happy and colorful rugs at the Field + Supply artisan fair. fieldandsupply.com, claudiamills.com.
AARON GETMAN-PICKERING
Aaron Getman-Pickering’s Dark Night table lamp is an example of cold-molding—a technique mainly used for boat building that this Hudson Valley artisan has mastered. Thin strips of wood are layered and fastened over a plywood form with an end product that is “beautiful, lightweight and strong.” aarongp.com.
DESIGN STOPS
TORRCO DESIGN CENTER
The Anthracite collection from Samuel Heath offers a rich gunmetal finish with mauve undertones and a distinct character. Available at Torrco Design Center. 203.965.4980 / torrcodesigncenter.com @torrcodesigncenter
THE POST
The Post in Westport, CT now offers custom made Mahjong and game tables by Center & Spring, women-owned and built locally. Featured is The Collins table, in white oak veneer, additional styles available for special order. 203.292.5700 / thepostct.com @thepostct
A Bold Transformation
D2 INTERIEURS INFUSES A TRADITIONAL LIVING ROOM WITH SOUTH AFRICAN FLAIR | BY DJ CAREY
On a recent vacation in South Africa, I visited Cape Town and caught up with Connecticut interior designer Denise Davies of D2 Interieurs who shared with me some her favorite design resources. We asked Davies to show us how she infuses a traditional living room in Connecticut with some of her favorite South African finds. (Go to cottagesgardens.com for a video from my South Africa shopping trip.)
Pops Of Color The living room (this photo) wallpaper is by Robin Sprong, and the armchair fabric is from Rule of Three. Room design is by interior designer Denise Davies (below) of D2 Interieurs. See Resources.
What is your connection to South Africa in terms of design? I started going to Cape Town about three years ago and fell in love with the city, the country, but most of all the people. Eventually, I bought a home there with my partner. What draws me in every time is the attention to quality and authenticity that goes into the products. The selection of high-quality workmanship in prints, wallpapers, textiles and fabrics is so impressive.
What is it like to work as an interior designer in Cape Town? Because there really is no formal design district or even a central design center in Cape Town, interior designers source straight to the artisans themselves. Most vendors have retail shops or workrooms. Since it is a very small and tight design community, people are very open, and many of the artists and fabricators are friends and are very
willing to collaborate with other artisans. Because most things are custom or made by hand, every piece has a soul and meaning behind it. Working as an interior designer in Cape Town is not without its challenges in that there are a limited number of resources, and shipping things into the country is so expensive, I must be creative with what is available to me.
What are typical color palettes or patterns?
The design aesthetic in Cape Town swings two ways. On one side, you have bold patterns and vibrant colors, inspired by floral or tropical motifs that reflect natural beauty. On the other, there’s a modern, playful flair that gives traditional designs a fresh twist. It’s this blend of tradition and modernity that makes the design scene here so invigorating. The ethnic color palette is a lot of browns, blacks and earthy
tones. Even when infusing color, the hues are very saturated and taken from nature. The more modern palettes are more bright colors, prints with white backgrounds, and neutral tones with pops of color. Colors are salmon, kelp and papaya. You don’t see pastels. The materials that are used most are natural fibers—you don’t see a lot of plastics. Patterns are florals, botanicals, wildlife and influenced by nature. Materials are rope, ceramics and wood and, of course, handwoven fabrics.
What was the starting point in the redesign of this living room? The challenge was to create a better flow in a living room that had two separate seating areas. The space needed to take advantage of the beautiful river scene outdoors. To begin, project manager Cynthia Calamari and I relocated the piano to its own separate area, which enabled us to
NEIL LANDINO, JR.
In The Details (clockwise across spread from opposite page) The green velvet on the sofa is through Osborne & Little. The concrete coffee table is from Lulu and Georgia, while the custom rug is from Palace Rugs. A throw from The Post adds a pop of color to a 1970s leather bench, and the cotton and leather hide rug is from Saddlemans. Bright acrylic side tables from Anthropologie are complemented by palm tree embroidered pillows by Eva Sonaike. See Resources.
open up the living space. I always like to start with a bolder color or pattern and later select secondary colors and patterns that have more muted tones.
Our first step was to create a statement on a single wall in the white living room. The client fell in love with a bold South African wallpaper that was an extension of the green riverbed outside. From there, the rest of the room organically evolved.
The client also craved color, but we had to temper that down so that we didn’t detract from the view outdoors. Choosing green as the dominant color was a perfect way to achieve this. Because the client had so many fabulous pieces that she had collected over the years, the room needed to be edited down. She had an amazing Vicente Wolf double-sided sofa, which she had for more than 30 years. We re-covered the sofa in this gorgeous Osborne & Little green velvet.
By replacing the existing glass coffee able with a modern cement one, we were able to ground the room and give it a focal point. We brought in the leather and cotton hide rug, which grounded the piano room beautifully.
A handmade vase by my good friend and artist Dale Etherington, of Darling Dale, and the palm tree embroidered pillows were some of the accessories that gave the space a more modern vibe. Even the flowers that I chose are native to South Africa. In fact, the country’s national flower is the protea, which symbolizes diversity, strength and transformation—it’s also the perfect metaphor for this project.
Force of Nature
BIG, BOLD, BRAVE AND RAVISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL, MARGOT MCKINNEY’S DESIGNS ARE AN EXHILARATING TOUR DE FORCE
Australian jewelry designer M argot McK inney is known for her extraordinary ability to combine flamboyant artistry with easy wearability. H er bespoke pieces are characterized by meticulous craftsmanship, an innovative use of materials, and a distinctive aesthetic that endows dramatic and colorful statement pieces with both elegance and refinement. D rawing inspiration from natural forms—especially those found in her native land well as from architecture and contemporary art, McK inney’s work features unusual and ultra-rare pearls, opals and other exceptional stones.
A cclaimed across the world—and now with a boutique in B everly H ills— McK inney has carved a niche for herself in the world of luxury jewelry, appealing to collectors and style connoisseurs alike. H er remarkable designs continue to elevate Australian jewelry on the global stage. margotmckinney.com
BY HARRIET MAYS POWELL
Margot McKinney
Marina Necklace
Aquamarines, green beryls, Australian South Sea baroque pearls, diamonds, sapphires, green tourmalines and tsavorites, set in 18k yellow gold.
Pinnacle Earrings Amethysts, diamonds, pink and purple sapphires, tsavorites, and Australian South Sea baroque pearl drops, set in 18k yellow and white gold.
Australian black boulder opal, peridot, Australian South Sea baroque pearl, diamonds, blue and pink sapphires, tsavorites, tanzanites and blue enamel, set in 18k yellow gold.
Kay Cuff
amethyst, diamonds, blue, pink and purple sapphires, and tsavorite, set in 18k yellow gold.
All prices upon request.
Coral
Tanzanite,
Alpine Earrings Tanzanites, diamonds and Australian South Sea pearl drops, set in 18k white gold.
blue zircon, pistachio pearl, diamonds, blue sapphires, tsavorites, lemon quartzes and peridots, set in 18k yellow gold.
DEEDS DON’TS
CGathering Places
ome november, the homes built for gathering friends and family tend to take on a special importance. That’s why we’ve rounded up five properties with all the ingredients needed for holiday parties. And best of all, you’re invited to join this holiday house tour—simply book a spot with the agents listed, grab a plus-one and you’re in!
MODERN SPACES & PLACES
The most celebrated home on the Connecticut market is a circa-1959 property in the town most closely associated with Modernism— New Canaan. The so-called Celanese House was designed by Edward Durrell Stone, whose credits include Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and the Museum of Modern Art. The residence was commissioned as a showcase for the Celanese Corporation’s synthetic textiles (hence the
name), but over the years has been renovated and expanded, now featuring a new kitchen and primary suite, among other spaces. Its iconic motif remains, though—a rooftop punctuated by pyramid-shaped skylights and a lattice-work facade, both designed to let in light while ensuring privacy. The nearly 5,000-square-foot interiors are also light and bright, thanks to glass walls, satin-bleached oak flooring and “floating” walls that result in partial barriers from room to room, creating a feeling of airiness. The open plan is also ideal for entertaining, with easy flow between kitchen, dining and living spaces. The home offers four bedrooms and five bathrooms and sits on beautifully landscaped 2.06-acre grounds. It’s offered for $4.4 million by Inger Stringfellow of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.
Modern Marvel Designed by famed mid-century architect Edward Durrell Stone, this New Canaan modern is listed for $4.4 million by Inger Stringfellow of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in New Canaan. 203-321-9361.
Let’s travel up the Connecticut coastline to Madison where another open-plan modern has hit the market, this one listed for $4.5 million. Sited along Long Island Sound and part of the private Seaview Beach Association, the waterfront home was built by architect Robert Page in 2001 and renovated in 2023. And while the traditional, white-sided exteriors blend beautifully with the vintage beach houses along the road, the 4,613-squarefoot interiors are thoroughly modern. The main floor, for instance, features high, beamed ceilings, glass walls and a floating staircase—for a seamless flow between the rooms, the floors and inside and out. The primary suite offers a private balcony, fireplace, office space and a spa-like bathroom. In all, there are five bedrooms and, on the walk-out lower level, amenities for hosting a wine tasting, including a wet bar and wine room. It lists with Margaret Muir of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.
CLASSIC CONNECTICUT HOMES
The largest—and priciest—home on our holiday house tour is a 26,000-square-foot Greenwich manse, listed for $19.5 million. Called Langhorne Manor, the Georgian-style stone home is built around a gardened courtyard with multiple entry points—the most impressive of which is the gracious front entryway, leading to a reception hall with a fireplace and a floating staircase. The rooms on the main floor accommodate grand-scale entertaining, especially in the dining and living rooms, both of which have fireplaces as well. But the lower level is also stocked with fun and games, including an indoor swimming pool and Japanese soaking pool, a regulation squash court, a 12-seat theater, a wine cellar, a billiards room and a kitchenette. On the second floor, there’s an
expansive primary suite with yet another fireplace, one of eight bedrooms in total. And on the nearly nine-acre grounds, there’s a pool, a pool terrace and a pergola-covered dining terrace. It lists with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty.
Open House Directly across from the Sound beaches in Madison, this open-plan contemporary lists for $4.5 million with Margaret Muir of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Madison. 203-415-9187.
Well Mannered Called Langhorne Manor, this Greenwich estate lists for $19.5 million with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 917-539-3654.
Another impressive Greenwich property has hit the market, listed for $16,750,000. This 7.37-acre spread is distinguished by its gracious main house with a stone facade and manicured front gardens. Called Harkaway Farm, the circa-1900 home opens onto an elegant, back-to-front reception hall with a dramatically curved staircase. Other show-stopping spaces include a circular solarium with soaring ceilings, a library with paneled-wood walls, and a formal dining hall. The primary suite has a fireplace, a windowed sitting room and a dressing room. In all, there are five bedrooms (and nine bathrooms) and, on the walk-out lower level, a gym, a massage room, a sauna, a hot tub, and access to the 65-foot outdoor pool with an expansive terrace and a fireplace. It lists with Fran Ehrlich and Helene Barre with Sotheby’s International Realty. —Diane di Costanzo
Gracious In Greenwich This classic, circa-1900 stone manse lists for $16,750,000 with Fran Ehrlich and Helene Barre of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 203-249-5561 and 203-550-0855.
HOUSE PARTY
If we were to give an award for the most party-ready property, this Southport spread would take the prize. It was built in 2021 with every amenity—and appealing feature—imaginable, starting with the 8,119-square-foot main house. The main floor is completely open-plan, with sight lines up to the second floor via a floating staircase. There are seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms in all, including a chic primary suite with a spa-like bath. On the grounds, there’s a pool and glass-box style pool house with a terrace and sauna. Elsewhere, an outdoor kitchen and dining pergola, along with a fire feature and open lawns. It lists for $12 million with Libby McKinney Tritschler of On The Harbor, with Team AFA at William Raveis Real Estate in Southport. 203-913-9454.
PHOTO BY ELLEN MCDERMOTT, INTERIOR DESIGNER LYNN MORGAN
NOVEMBER
CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS
Deck The Halls (this page) “The back stairwell leading to the mudroom is one of the first areas you see when entering from the garage,” says Leonard. “So we felt it deserved some holiday cheer.” She draped the banister with garlands of greenery, powder-blue pampas grass and winter berries. Parcels in SB Paperie’s gift wrap await delivery.
Warm Welcome (opposite page) A wreath was accessorized with fresh eucalyptus, brunia, thistle and paper ornaments. See Resources.
WITH THE HELP OF INTERIOR DESIGNER FIONA LEONARD, A NEW HOME IS DRESSED AND READY FOR ENTERTAINING
BY MARY FITZGERALD PHOTOGRAPHS BY RIKKI SNYDER
After moving into their newly built New Canaan home—designed by Hatley Homes Design and constructed by Ruddy Builders—this family of four was eager to update their holiday décor to complement the home’s sophisticated interiors. Designer Fiona Leonard oversaw the custom furnishings, bespoke details and nuanced color palette of the residence and was called upon once again—this time to work her magic to deck the halls for the upcoming festivities. “The family always goes big for the holidays—think oversized skeletons for Halloween,” Leonard shares. “But this holiday season, they wanted something more elevated and classic that would relate seamlessly with their new interiors.”
Working with their “comfort colors” of blue, white and gray, Leonard introduced shades of red, cranberry and burgundy, layered with fragrant greenery, natural grasses, berries and velvet ribbon for textural interest. “The crimson and blue notes add festive elements without being too cute or expected,” she says. Harmonizing with the home’s carefully considered interiors, she crafted a welcoming backdrop for the family to celebrate and create new traditions. “Starting fresh in this new home,” says Leonard, “gave us an opportunity to set the tone for holiday decorating for years to come.” ✹
Set For Company (this page) In the dining room, the custom Huston & Company table is layered with blue-and-white transferware, woven cranberry-colored placemats, gold chargers and linen napkins tucked with sprigs of berries tied with blue velvet ribbon. Gold-tone vases were selected and arranged with seasonal flowers by Courtney Paré and interspersed with candlesticks, gleaming bristle trees and pomegranates. Completing The Scene (opposite page) “The dining room felt like the perfect spot for a secondary tree,” says Leonard. Adorned with twinkling lights, gilded eucalyptus and blue pampas grass, the simple yet elegant embellishments sparkle against Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray walls and draperies in Sanderson’s Protea flower Catherinae Embroidery. Overhead, the swirled glass globes of Visual Comfort’s Talia chandelier cast a soft glow. See Resources.
Merry + Bright A cozy spot by a roaring fire in the living room is the perfect venue for opening presents. The fireplace surround, sourced from Academy Marble, is topped with fresh garland, red eucalyptus branches and berries, lending a bright contrast to the dark stone. The tree is trimmed out with gold ribbon and red and white glass globes. Laden with gifts, a custom ottoman by Classic Upholstery is fashioned in a Kravet fabric. Built-in bookcases in Benjamin Moore’s Newburyport Blue are lit with picture lights from Visual Comfort. See Resources.
Holiday Cheer
The holiday magic continues in the kitchen. The homeowners host both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for their large, outof-town family, so the kitchen is a busy prep and gathering place.
Anchoring the room is a walnutstained island by Sterling Custom Cabinetry. Atop the stone countertop from Academy Marble, ceramic vessels are grouped and filled with evergreen boughs, dried flowers and amaryllis. Flanking the island, a Lee Industries counter stool in Fabricut’s Meher fabric gets a holiday nod with a classic tartan throw. See Resources.
Vintage Charm (left to right across spread) When checking into Lost Fox Inn & Tavern in Litchfield, there is the option to ring the vintage bell on the counter. Co-owner Eliza Clark found an antique fox and made it the mascot of the property. The sign is by Write Way Signs. See Resources
DURING THE HOLIDAYS, LOST FOX INN & TAVERN FEELS ESPECIALLY WELCOMING
BY DAVID MASELLO PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELLEN MCDERMOTT
LO ST and
F OUND
In The Fox’s Den (left to right across spread) For the holidays, the main staircase in the foyer is dressed with cedar boughs that wind their way among the spindles. Eliza Clark and her husband, Tim Trojian, purchased the property in 2022 and spent two years renovating it. A fox finial tops a banister. See Resources
Something about the word “lost” appeals to Eliza Clark.
When she and her husband, Tim Trojian, purchased an old inn and tavern in Litchfield, she was looking for the right name to give to the rambling compound of structures that she was renovating in concert with her design partner/daughter, Arden Wray. Clark already owned the Foxfire Mountain House in the Catskills, and, so, when her work progressed on this property in Litchfield, she recalls “being set on the word ‘lost’, and I had it in my mind that a fox had wandered far from his home in the Catskills and found his way to Connecticut,” she says.
Clark, a former novelist and television writer, has a penchant for telling stories. She explains that while foxfire is actually a forest growth that assumes a bioluminescent glow by moonlight, the word still summoned up a real lost fox. “I came across a line from an old poem that goes, ‘The foxfire glowed so brightly in woods, it led weary travelers home’,” she recalls and, thus, she found her name for Lost Fox Inn & Tavern.
Travelers always feel at home in the 14-room inn, portions of which date from 1745, but especially so at holiday time when seasonal décor is in place. The mother-daughter team—who established their Byrd Studio interior design firm in Kingston,
New York, in 2021—wished to tell an evocative holiday tale in the inn’s public areas. “When we conceived the seasonal décor,” Clark explains, “Arden and I meant it to feel like a natural wonderland. So we relied on greenery, and I always like greenery that has a dripping, wild, abandoned feel to it.”
Situated on the grounds of the compound is the separate Victorian-era Schoolhouse Cottage that sleeps four. “It has a big fireplace, a king bed, and is really romantic,” says Wray. There, for the holidays, the two dressed its dining table with panels of vibrantly floral vintage curtains, anchored with an iron candelabra ablaze with candles. “We love real candles everywhere—but we do have a very good alarm system,” Clark emphasizes. Garlands—fragrant Norfolk pine and faux willow leaves—trace the cottage windows. “I like to mix real and faux because during the Christmas season, live ones start to droop and drop things. It’s nice to have that blend because it keeps a room filled with life and energy.”
In the upstairs library, where guests often congregate after dinner beside a roaring fire (there are 11 fireplaces on the property), Clark and Wray decorated a Douglas fir solely with ribbons and white LEDs. “I’m a big collector of vintage mercuryglass ornaments,” Clarks says, “but I worried about people brushing the branches and having things fall off and break.” So, after numerous clicks on Etsy, they purchased miles of antique ribbons, notably textured velvet ones, which now wrap the tree.
Key to the re-emergence of the inn was Trojian’s visions for the configurations of the tavern and Great Hall dining areas. As the chef, he not only shaped the redesign of those spaces, but he also designed the cuisine that would be served. “I take
Sly Looks (opposite page) Wreaths on the hallway walls are from Litchfield Hills Nursery, while the cedar boughs are from Adams Fairacre Farms. Hunt
Club (this page, clockwise from top left) Portions of Lost Fox Inn & Tavern date to 1745, as the hand-painted sign relates.
The tavern bar offers a full menu of drinks and small plates. The walls of the tavern are decorated with classic Federal-style convex mirrors, which make for an effective period effect. See Resources
“I came across a line from an old poem that goes, ‘The foxfire glowed so brightly in woods, it led weary travelers home’,” she recalls and, thus, she found her name for Lost Fox Inn & Tavern
Feeling Foxy The tree in the upstairs library lounge (this page) is wrapped in yards of vintage ribbons found online. Clark discovered a pair of portraits (opposite page)—theorized to depict John Adams and his wife—at an antiques store in Maryland. The teal velvet stool is from Article. See Resources
a rustic, country approach to cuisine,” he says. And as is evidenced when dining there, “I like to feature dishes that showcase the ingredients and that reflect a deft hand at seasoning, using modern techniques and equipment.”
Clark calls herself and her daughter “use-what-we-have kind of people,” a dynamic that resulted in them fashioning scraps of leftover floral wallpaper into garland chains. The resulting chain drapes elegantly along a staircase leading to the upstairs tavern. Dried hydrangeas, grown on the property, serve as additional accents on the landings.
Holiday reminders appear throughout the lobby, eating areas and porches. Chandeliers high in the Great Hall
are laced with pink pepperberries, secured with “deep, deep red velvet ribbons,” says Wray. “We’re drawn to things that appear to have faded over time, that feel as if they’ve already been in place a long time and not just put up for the holidays.” Meanwhile, wreaths adorned with pepperberries and white berries were placed at the inn’s entrance and on outside tavern doors. “Creating a story, whether you write it in a novel or as a TV show, is just as important for an inn where people come to immerse themselves in a different world,” says Clark.
And now, with wood and stone fox statues situated outside and inside, the sly, but resourceful creature has apparently found its way home. ✹
Cabin Fever (opposite page) One of the buildings in an intimate compound of structures on the property is a cottage that was once a schoolhouse and dates to the late 1800s. Olde Magic (this page, clockwise from far left) For the holidays, the owners dressed the cottage’s dining table with a tablecloth of antique curtain panels from Newburgh Vintage Emporium and candelabras through Millerton Antiques Center, while faux Norfolk pine garlands from Afloral trace the windows. A vintage lantern from Antique Farm House is set above a tub from Vintage Tub & Bath in the cottage bathroom. The bedroom area is furnished with an antique wicker dresser from the Antique Warehouse Hudson NY. See Resources
The Season of the Magic
CHRISTINA ROUGHAN CREATES A CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS, WITH HITS OF MODERN GLAM, FOR A SOPHISTICATED FAMILY OF FOUR
BY ANN LOYND BURTON | PHOTOGRAPHS BY JANE BEILES
Holiday Ready Throughout this estate, Roughan Interiors handcrafted and placed wreaths, swags and floral arrangements at every turn for maximum holiday magic. See Resources.
Home & Hearth In the dining room (above and left), Roughan thought of every detail, down to the custom tablecloth.
A simple green palette was inspired by the Madeline Stuart dining chairs, which wear Holland & Sherry’s Rambouillet green velvet. The Hector Finch chandelier is bedecked with greenery and dried orange slices. See Resources.
ach December, Chris Lacovara and Sam Green deliver a magical holiday experience for their now nine-year-old twins, visiting family members and party guests (past attendees have included Martha Stewart) at their home. For several years, they’ve turned to designer Christina Roughan, of her eponymous Weston firm, to decorate their space in a way that Green calls “over-the-top wonderful.”
“Our kids call her Ms. Claus,” he adds of Roughan. “We love her kind spirit, her aesthetic, her can-do attitude, and her sense of humor.”
EThe feeling is mutual, and Roughan has treasured these clients for the past eight-plus years through designing multiple homes and now, creating a Christmas wonderland. The designer starts collecting items in August and
September before getting to work crafting decorations. “My office is in a barn, and we’ve had a lot of fun there, glue-gun in hand,” she says. “The décor is very curated and very intentional, down to the candles and candlesticks.”
Lacovara and Green wanted the mood to express cheer right from the entry, which offers a view into the living and dining rooms. Roughan created a traditional American aesthetic by pairing red elements like red berries and velvet bows with the room’s blue hues and the homeowners’ chinoiserie vase collection.
“Our vibe here was classic Christmas—reds, blues, and greens,” she adds.
Most items are handcrafted by Roughan and her team, including custommade wreaths and arrangements. “For the dining room, I was inspired by the Cotswolds, with lots of cinnamon sticks and oranges,” she says. “We custommade all of the wreaths, adorning them with ribbons, gold acorns and dried orange slices.”
Grand Entry For the foyer (opposite page), blue window treatments in a Rogers & Goffigon fabric inspired the Americana palette, including the red berry adornments on the Charles Edwards Gateau light fixture. The Night Before (right) The powder room evokes a moody vintage vibe with its 1940s John Saladino light fixture, Collier Webb sconce in antique brass and 1940s Gio Ponti desk and chair. See Resources.
For the floral arrangements, Roughan clipped and dried alliums, and then spray-painted them with gold and silver glitter. “They are so beautiful in an arrangement,” she says. “They look natural, but they sparkle and remind me of the Sputnik sunburst lights.”
In each space, the designer strove to accent what was already in the room. “Ralph Lauren does it best,” adds Roughan. “I worked there for so long and picked up many tricks of the trade to make a room very special.”
For the living room—which is traditional with modern elements—Roughan opted for a blue and silver palette that would play off the space’s textiles, relaxed mahogany and light-colored furniture. The Auchincloss Lighting articulating glass chandelier gets a dose of holiday magic in the form of white pine sprays dipped in silver. On the windows, custom Holland & Sherry teal wool draperies served as inspiration for handcrafted wreaths made from white amaryllis, silver pinecones and blue feathers.
And at the center of it all, a towering white Christmas tree. “We put up a total of five trees—including two in the kids’ rooms,” offers Green. “Our favorite is the formal living room tree because it’s big and so evokes the spirit of Christmas in the most beautiful way. And for this reason, it’s also the room where most people seem to gravitate.”
In contrast to the icy palette, a moody powder room was the perfect opportunity for Roughan to create a Night Before Christmas vibe. (Lacovara and Green read the story to their children every Christmas Eve.) Black silk wallpaper by de Gournay and a Gio Ponti vintage desk are infused with a warm holiday glow of classic tapers and gold wreaths.
“This home is so traditional but there are also modern elements to it. I wanted to extend that to the décor,” Roughan explains. “I wanted them to open their house and have everyone who comes in feel so welcome, but there is also an air of sophistication. It really represents them. They are so kind, and they have great style.” ✹
Shades Of Winter (clockwise from above) In the living room, a blue and silver palette complements the rooms existing hues. Custom wreaths adorn the windows and the mirror above the fireplace. Dmitriy & Co. sofas face off across a Roman Thomas coffee table covered with sparkling trees and amaryllis. See Resources.
Festive Hearth In the family room (this photo), monogrammed stockings and Crate & Barrel teak lanterns anchor the fireplace, while red star garland from Sweden is paired with faux cedar garland from Jamali Floral & Garden on the mantel. Homemade paper trees (opposite page) are complemented by ceramic tea-light holders from West Elm. See Resources
A Scandinavian Christmas
SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS AT THIS SOUTHPORT HOME ARE CHIC, STYLISH AND ENDLESSLY INVITING
BY CATRIONA BRANCA | PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELLEN MCDERMOTT
A single red ornament dangles
from an antler of a graphic deer-head sculpture—a subtle holiday greeting in the entry of the historic Southport home of Sara Olinger, her husband and their four children. When the family made the move from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to Fairfield County, they brought to their new home a decidedly Scandinavian aesthetic, which is even more apparent at the holidays. Olinger’s understated Christmas decorations are not only a nod to the season, but also an opportunity to honor her roots. “My goal for Christmas is to make the house feel like when I was little—like Christmas in Scandinavia,” she notes. “The winters there are very dark and cold, so candles and throws to cozy up in are important.”
Originally from Sweden and Denmark, Olinger (who works in the fashion industry as does her husband) grew up going to flea markets and vintage stores with her parents, searching for unexpected treasures and being exposed to midcentury modern items and furniture. “My mom, my sister and I also spent quite a bit of time at IKEA, and we considered it a fun afternoon,” she says. “I know in the U.S. that sounds insane, but Swedish IKEA isn’t as crowded, and we go there for inspiration and to have a fika or lunch.”
Season’s Greetings (clockwise across spread from opposite top)
A bench from IKEA and a wall of graphic deer heads from Etsy provide a cozy welcome in the entry. The living room fireplace mantel is lined with a collection of bottles containing sand from beaches visited since 2003, while the bell garland was crafted from bells from Crate & Barrel and the antler sconces are from Roll & Hill. Ink drawings by Dagmara Lauk line the living room walls. IKEA sofa and chairs surround an RH coffee table, and the seagrass ottomans are from the Beehive. See Resources
After a move to NYC, Olinger found herself seeking out reminders of home. “I was always on the look-out for great design with simple lines,” she says. “And I’d bring back a lot of smaller pieces and textiles from my trips back home twice a year. We moved to Southport in 2018, and it wasn’t long after that the pandemic shut everything down. I got homesick, so I started searching for Danish china in thrift stores and online. As my collection grew, I realized I had nowhere to store it, so I focused on making the dining room into a very Danish-style room. I painted the walls Decorator White and all the original woodwork and paneling Coventry Gray. I found a china cabinet on Facebook Marketplace and made it look like a built-in, painted it and filled it with my new blue and white china collection. With the light gray washed white oak floors that we had installed during the renovation, the dining room feels very Scandinavian, and I love it. The style works very well with the architecture of the house.”
At her home, holiday decorating starts around Thanksgiving when the oldest kids get home from boarding school. “My daughter likes to help, and sometimes the boys too,” she says. “But we save the tree for when they get home for Christmas break, so it’s fresh and fragrant for Christmas. Ideally decorations come down around mid-January, but if I’m particularly affected by seasonal moods—residue from living in darkness in Sweden during long winters—I leave a few of them up a little longer.”
The home is filled with clean-lined natural accents and unscented candles. “I prefer unscented white Swedish Kanalljus—with channels for the candle
Kitchen Cachet Wintry accents (opposite page) in the kitchen include a cozy throw from H&M, vintage Royal Copenhagen eggcup, tea cup and sugar bowl from Brimfield Flea Market, plus a metal tree and moose in the window from Eleish Van Breems Home. Olinger continues the family tradition of having homemade glögg simmering on the stove (this page) and served in colorful cups. See Resources
All The Trimmings (clockwise across spread from opposite page) The dining table is set with brass candlesticks found at Brimfield Flea Market, Bergs Potter plant pots from Terrain and glass votive holders from Kosta Boda. Place settings include a mix of Royal Copenhagen patterns, and the napkins are from Williams Sonoma. White wooden Dala horses are from IKEA. Red glass ornaments and bead garland are from Jamali Floral & Garden. Gnomes designed by Ruth Vetter are paired with abstract birch Christmas trees. See Resources
wax—that I either bring back from Sweden or buy at the Scandinavian Butik in Norwalk,” she explains. “I like scent to come from the real Christmas tree and the glögg that’s simmering on the stove.” Warm white lights provide a soft glow, while the tree is filled with red glass balls of the same shade and size, plus a few wood or brown paper ornaments, and some red wood-bead garland. “We had a realistic fake tree for a couple of years—because four kids and a dog—but the kids finally asked to go back to real trees.”
Some of her favorite decorations include gnomes by Ruth Vetter and vintage Bing & Grøndahl candleholders. “I don’t spend a lot of money on holiday décor,” Olinger says. “I have the things I like, and I might add a few meaningful things every year, like another little gnome found on a trip to Sweden or a white painted Dala horse from IKEA or some new glögg cups.”
Traditional Scandinavian Christmas differs from a typical American Christmas mainly because it’s all about Christmas Eve. “That’s when everything happens, including Santa showing up with the gifts. Everything after that is about resting and eating leftovers.” And the season wouldn’t be complete without glögg. “Well, glögg is a very important part of Swedish Christmas. Glögg
Bliss A Quadrille wallpaper lines a daughter’s bedroom. The chair is from Anthropologie Home, the oversized ornaments are from West Elm, the rope swag light is from World Market, and the bedding is from H&M. See Resources
is warm mulled wine to be enjoyed in a mug with friends, family or by oneself while curled up on the couch with a blanket,” she explains. “My mom used to have a pot on the stove every night throughout the holiday season, just gently heating and ready to drink at a moment’s notice. Here in the U.S., if I want a good one, I make it myself. You can make it more or less strong by adding whiskey, vodka, port wine or even cognac. Ingredients are typically: cardamom seeds, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, dried bitter orange peel, all of which are steeped in cognac, brandy or whiskey for a couple of days before straining and mixing with some inexpensive red wine and some sugar. Heat and serve with blanched almonds and raisins! I have a how-to on my IG account, @ButMakeItScandi.”
Family holiday traditions include taking just the oldest two kids out for a really nice “grown-up” dinner during their Thanksgiving break. “They call it the ‘OG-dinner’ because it’s the original crew before the youngest two came along,” Olinger explains. “In a few years, we will start including the youngest, but for now, it’s nice to give special attention to the two that we see less of. Someday, I would like for us all to spend Christmas in Sweden when everything is decorated and everyone is rosy-cheeked from drinking a little too much glögg.” ✹
Bedroom
Rooms With A View Designer Cocktail Party
CTC&G co-hosted the RWAV Designer Cocktail Party to celebrate the RWAV Class of 2025 Designers with CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey.
1. RWAV Class of 2025 2. California Closet’s Cheryl Amodeo and Mary Jo Fornshell 3. Class of 2025 RWAV Designer Terrance Charles with the hostess and Westport homeowner Peggy Reiner 4. Class of 2025 RWAV Designers Bennett Leifer, Victoria Tomlinson Cole and Garrett Carter 5. RWAV Executive Director Christopher Philip, introducing the Class of 2025 6. A sneak peek at designer Thomas A. Kligerman's sketch of his vignette 7. NYSID student designer Swagaitka Rath and NYSID president David Sprouls 8. CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey with Parker Rogers of Parker & Company Designs 9. Guests mingling on the stunning back deck of the beautiful Westport home.
Greenwich Polo
Greenwich Polo Sundays are back in style! The CTC&G Player’s Lounge, designed by Patrick Mele with furnishings from Design Within Reach and landscaping by the Morano Group, has been buzzing all season.
3. Sonya Rolin, Rohan Virmani, Ronin Virmani and Maye Virmani 4. Sarah Moran, Mimi Federer, Carlee Stephens and Hannah O’Brien 5. MOJO Greenwich is always putting on a great show.
CT IDAs Judging Breakfast
Guest judges teamed up with CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey to select the 2025 IDAs winners at Torrco Design Center.
1. Behind the scenes of stunning architecture 2. Torrco Design Center team: Katie Cooper, Yessiza Villamizar, Molly Becker-Lemle, Elizabeth Finkelstein, Marilyn Fay and Anthony DiLascio
3. Interior designer Bennett Leifer, garden guru Tovah Martin and architect Elizabeth Dillon 4. Torrco Design Center’s showroom manager, Anthony DiLascio and Torrco Design Center manager Molly Becker-Lemle welcoming the judges. 5. CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey leads a thoughtful discussion on each entry.
6. Architect Elizabeth Dillon, interior designer Bennett Leifer, landscape designer Matthew Bromley, garden guru Tovah Martin and Lauren Luskey of ABC Worldwide Stone
1. Katherine Creedon, Claire Creedon, Charlotte Propst and Design Within Reach’s Debbie Propst 2. Kyla Basso, Melissa Botha and Amanda Duffy
ASID CT WANTS YOU!
We are seeking passionate leaders to join the next ASID CT Board with fresh energy to help shape the future of our chapter. Our vision: grow in numbers, knowledge, and value — together.
Whether you're a commercial or residential designer , a vendor rep, or within the industry, we want to encourage a diverse group of voices that represent the full spectrum of our community, from all corner s of our state. We believe your perspective matters.
Let’s connect! Email us at Administrator@ct.asid.org
https://ct.asid.org/
TROPHY SPONSOR
TITLE SPONSOR
Photo by Paul Bickford
YOUNG HUH
RESOURCES MORE
PROJECT OF NOTE
Pages 27–29: Interior design, Denise Davies, D2 Interieurs, d2interieurs.com. Project manager, Cynthia Calamari, d2interieurs.com. Wallpaper, Robin Sprong. Armchair fabric, Rule of Three. Sofa, Vicente Wolf. Sofa fabric, Osborne & Little. Coffee table, Lulu and Georgia. Rug, Palace Rugs. Rug under piano, Saddlemans. Acrylic side tables, Anthropologie Home. Embroidered pillows, Eva Sonaike. Vase, Dale Etherton of Darling Dale. Throw, The Post.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Pages 40–45: Interior design, Fiona Leonard, Fiona Leonard Interiors, fionaleonardinteriors.com. Architect, Hatley Homes Design, hatleyhomesdesign. com. Builder, Ruddy Builders, jnruddy. com. Floral arrangements, Courtney Paré, @arrangedfloraldesignstudio. Stairway: Runner, Couristan. Gift wrap, SB Paperie. Dining room: Table, Huston & Company. Wall paint, Benjamin Moore. Drapery fabrication, Classic Upholstery.
Drapery fabric, Sanderson. Chandelier, Visual Comfort. Rug, Prestige. Living room: Fireplace surround, Academy Marble. Ottoman fabrication, Classic Upholstery. Ottoman fabric, Kravet. Built-in bookcases, Sterling Custom Cabinetry. Bookcase paint, Benjamin Moore. Picture lights, Visual Comfort. Rug, Kaya Carpets. Gift wrap, SB Paperie. Kitchen: Cabinetry and island, Sterling Custom Cabinetry. Countertop stone, Academy Marble. Counter stools, Lee Industries. Stool fabric, Fabricut.
LOST AND FOUND
Pages 46–55: Inn owners, Eliza Clark and Tim Trojian, Lost Fox Inn, 571 Torrington Rd., Litchfield, 860-222-0855, lostfoxinn.com. Interior design, Eliza Clark and Arden Wray, Byrd Studio, byrd. studio. Exterior: Lost Fox sign, Write Way Signs & Design. Foyer: Wreaths, Litchfield Hills Nursery. Cedar boughs, Adams Fairacre Farms. Fox finial, MasterOak through Etsy. Vintage bell and antlers, Newburg Vintage Emporium. Lost Fox candles, Hound House.
from “The Magic of the Season”
Library: Tree ribbons, Etsy and Amazon. Velvet stool, Article. Cottage: Dining area: Tablecloth fabric, Newburgh Vintage Emporium. Candelabras, Millerton Antiques Center. Garlands, Afloral. Bathroom: Tub, Vintage Tub & Bath. Light fixture, Antique Farm House. Bedroom: Dresser, The Antique Warehouse Hudson NY.
THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON
Pages 56–63: Interior design and holiday décor, Christina Roughan, Roughan Interiors, roughaninteriors. com. Entry: Window treatment fabric, Rogers & Goffigon. Light fixture, Charles Edwards. Dining room: Dining chairs, Madeline Stuart. Chair fabric, Holland & Sherry. Chandelier, Hector Finch. Powder room: Light fixture, John Saladino. Sconce, Collier Webb. Desk and chair, Gio Ponti. Living room: Sofas, Dmitriy & Co. Coffee table, Roman Thomas. Light fixture, Auchincloss Lighting.
A SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS
Pages 64–73: Homeowner/designer, Sara Olinger, @butmakeitscandi. Family room: Lanterns, Crate & Barrel. Stockings, Target. Faux garland, Jamali Garden. Ceramic tree tea light, candleholders and wooden fruit tower, West Elm. Candle sconce, Skultuna
through Eleish Van Breems Home. Footed wood nut bowls, No. 299. Leather trees, CB2. Entry: Bench and rugs, IKEA. Deer head sculpture, Etsy. Throw pillows, H&M Home. Living room: Bells, Crate & Barrel. Antler sconces, Roll & Hill. Ink drawings, Dagmara Lauk. Sofa, chairs and throw pillows, IKEA. Coffee table, RH. Ottomans, The Beehive. Black vase and gold metal star ornaments, H&M Home. Wooden sunburst, Made Goods. Shell wreath, @oh_shell_yes. Breakfast room: Throw, H&M Home. Metal tree and moose, Eleish Van Breems Home. Royal Copenhagen eggcup, tea cup and sugar bowl, Brimfield Flea Market. Gnomes, Scandinavia House. Kitchen: Dutch oven, Lodge USA. Glögg cups and spoons, Sagaform. Dining room: Table, Randers Mobelfabrik. Dining chairs, Crate & Barrel. Candlesticks, Brimfield Flea Market. Pots, Bergs Potter through Terrain. Glass votives, Kosta Boda. Napkins, Williams Sonoma. Glassware, Dala horse and mirror, IKEA. Ornaments and bead garland, Jamali Garden. Gnomes, Ruth Vetter. Candles, Scandinavian Butik. Chandelier and flatware, West Elm. Velvet ornaments, Terrain. Cake stand, Royal Copenhagen. Candles on tree, Amazon. Birchwood gift tags, Etsy. Bedroom: Wallpaper, Quadrille. Chair and rug,
Anthropologie Home. Ornaments, West Elm. Rope swag light, World Market. Bedding, H&M Home. Planter pot, Bergs Potter through Terrain. Art print, PSTR Studio.
SOURCE LIST
Academy Marble, academy-marble.com
Adams Fairacre Farms, adamsfarms.com
Afloral, afloral.com
Amazon, amazon.com
Anthropologie Home, anthropologie.com
Antique Farm House, antiquefarmhouse.com
Article, article.com
Auchincloss Lighting, auchinclosslighting.com
Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com
Bergs Potter, bergspotter.com
Brimfield Flea Market, brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com
CB2, cb2.com
Charles Edwards, charlesedwards.com
Classic Upholstery, classicupholsteryct.com
Collier Webb, collierwebb.com Couristan, couristan.com
Crate & Barrel, crateandbarrel.com
Dagmara Lauk, dagmara.org
Dale Etherington, 27-83-286-3246
Dmitriy & Co., dmitriyco.com
Eleish Van Breems Home, evbantiques.com
Etsy, etsy.com
Eva Sonaike, evasonaike.com
Fabricut, fabricut.com
Gio Ponti, store.gioponti.org
H&M Home, hm.com
Hector Finch, hectorfinch.com
Holland & Sherry, hollandandsherry.com
Hound House, houndhousect.com
Huston & Company, hustonandcompany.com
IKEA, ikea.com
Jamali Garden, jamaligarden.com
John Saladino, saladinostyle.com
Kaya Carpets, kayacarpets.com
Kosta Boda, kostaboda.us
Kravet, kravet.com
Lee Industries, leeindustries.com
Litchfield Hills Nursery, litchfieldhillsnursery.com
Lodge USA, lodgecastiron.com
Lulu and Georgia, luluandgeorgia.com
Made Goods, madegoods.com
Madeline Stuart, madelinestuart.com
MasterOak (see Etsy)
Millerton Antiques Center, millertonantiquescenter.com
Newburg Vintage Emporium, newburghvintageemporium.com
No.299, no-299-ct.myshopify.com
Osborne & Little, osborneandlittle.com
Palace Rugs, palaceorientalrugs.com
Perigold, perigold.com
Prestige, prestigemills.com
PSTR Studio, pstrstudio.com
Quadrille, quadrillefabrics.com
Randers Mobelfabrik, mobelfabrik.com
Robin Sprong, robinsprong.com
RH, rh.com
Rogers & Goffigon, rogersandgoffigon.com
Roll & Hill, rollandhill.com
Roman Thomas, romanthomas.com
Royal Copenhagen, royalcopenhagen.com
Rule of Three, ruleofthreestudio.com
Ruth Vetter (see Etsy)
Saddlemans (see Perigold) Sagaform, sagaform.com
Sanderson, sandersondesigngroup.com
SB Paperie, sbpaperie.com
Scandinavia House, scandinaviahouse.org
Scandinavian Butik, scandinavianbutik.com
Skultuna (see Eleish Van Breems)
Sterling Custom Cabinetry, sterlingcustom.com
Target, target.com
Terrain, shopterrain.com
The Antique Warehouse Hudson NY, theantiquewarehousehudsonny.com
The Beehive, thebeehivefairfield.com
The Post, thepostct.com
Vicente Wolf, vicentewolfhome.com
Vintage Tub & Bath, vintagetub.com
Visual Comfort, visualcomfort.com
West Elm, westelm.com
Williams Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com
World Market, worldmarket.com
Write Way Signs & Design, writewaysigns.com
Tim Butcher and Lizzie Deshayes
Thank casual Fridays and the resultant decline in men’s neckties for the creation of Fromental, a leading designer of elegant silk wallcoverings.
Seeking an alternative use for luxury silks, it was Tim Butcher’s eureka inspiration to combine fine chinoiserie silks with wallpaper.
Partnering with designer Lizzie Deshayes, they created the firm (named after her great-grandparents) that for two decades has worked with Chinese craftspeople producing some of the finest bespoke, hand-painted, embroidered wallcoverings in the world. A new line of printed wallpapers was introduced this season. Married since they linked up creating Fromental, Tim and Lizzie live with their young daughter in a London flat with walls covered in some of their favorite patterns: Mishima, Travertine, Babinda, Kiku. fromental.com.
How is your original product different from conventional wallpaper? The designs are hand-painted on silk, sometimes embroidered, then backed with rice paper to be applied to the wall.
What is the advantage of handpainting and embroidering the silk? When you’re painting with silk thread, you’re painting with light. There’s a luminosity, a beauty, intensity and subtlety of color that a painter can’t match. When you see it, you know it’s better.
What is the role of the Chinese artisans? Each of them is an artist. Every detail is a conscious decision by an expert who choses which shades of silk for a bird or where to place a silk knot representing the pistil of a blossom. It may take 30–35 hours per panel. Every stitch is a bit of artistry.
What roles do you each play in the process? Fifty/fifty. We are both heavily involved in design, but Tim has the ability to also be the business head.
Where do you get design ideas? Tim is a colorist, he remembers breaking open a Chinese cake made of taro, sweet radish, and inside was the perfect grey/mauve colorway for soft spring flowers. Lizzie obsessed over a chrysanthemum on a glazed vase, which she eventually integrated with blossoms in a painting by Japanese artist Hokusai’s daughter Katsushika Oi. The result is the pattern Kiku.
With 60 standard designs available in 20–25 colorways, how do you designate the patterns? We don’t do seasonal collections, so we use a “loose basket” of designations: Chinoiserie and Modern Chinois show flowers and animals, Roomskins is textural, non-pictorial. Conversational is from textile printing, a print made up of a motif from something recognizable.
What’s your best-selling pattern? Prunus. Nature and flowers always work. Blossoms are beautiful—they carry any color and any technique very well. It doesn’t seem to alienate male or female—it’s very versatile.
How do you devise pattern names? If you design it, you name it. It’s a feeling that comes to you. The design will tell you what its name is.
You’ve done collections with artists and firms—Lalique, GOOP, Amy Lau, Harris Reed—how do you select collaborators? It’s most enjoyable to work with people who are hands-on makers, they understand how a piece is made. When a collaboration works, it expresses the core of both parties.
How do your products relate to fine art? Historically, fine and decorative arts were allied, but Modernists considered decorative arts a kind of craft. We’re bringing the idea of decorative art back into the limelight.
If wallpaper is art, can you hang pictures on it? Yes. It comes to life. It’s a background of living. Hanging paintings or mirrors is beautiful. Layering over it is the right thing to do.
Why are you introducing printed wallpaper? It’s exciting to take really good design into technology. Not many people can commission a room of hand-painted silk. This makes it accessible.
—Sharon King Hoge
Pattern Plays (clockwise from this photo) Fromental’s new printed wallpapers include Millefleurs, shown in bright green. Silk hand-painted Paradiso in color Royal Blood incorporates bamboo and florals. Prunus in Biwa colorway has a timeless elegance.
Handcrafted in 18k Gold with Diamonds