Stamford, CT March 2024

THE #1 IN ORTHOPEDICS MEANS SPINE CARE WHEN YOU NEED IT

HSS, the world’s #1 in orthopedics according to Newsweek, collaborates with Stamford Health to provide quick access to advanced care in Connecticut for back and neck conditions. The HSS Spine Center with Stamford Health offers appointment availability within 72 hours, and our dedicated Care Navigator will create a personalized care plan for each patient’s journey. Now you can get back to moving better, and doing what you love, sooner.

Learn more at HSS.edu/StamfordHealth

Letter from the Publisher

“Home is Where the Heart is”

In this issue of Stamford City Lifestyle, we are celebrating the heart and soul of our lives, the place where memories are made, and dreams find their roots—our homes.

Home is intimately tied to our sense of identity and self-definition. It is where we establish a sense of who we are and where we fit into the world. Our home is a place where we can truly be ourselves.

We delve into the essence of Home and explore the many ways it shapes our lives. Our team has curated a collection of stories, inspiring features, and expert advice to make this issue a true reflection of the evolving concept of home.

A Stamford-based home stager and a top local realtor reveal the latest trends in home decor and interior design that promise to transform your living spaces into personal sanctuaries, whether you are staging your home to sell or just seeking to refresh and rejuvenate your home.

We also showcase the North Stamford home of Jane and Jay Cohen (Jay’s photos have graced the covers of a few of our issues) - one of the more stunning homes in Stamford, which incorporates contemporary design, style, and energy efficiency.

Finally, you will learn how to create a “high vibe home", courtesy of Stamfordbased wellness coach Jacqui Justice.

Immerse yourself in the pages of this issue, where we celebrate the essence of Home in all its facets. Thank you for being a part of the Stamford City Lifestyle community, and we hope this issue brings inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the spaces we call home.

MARTY SHAPIRO, PUBLISHER @STAMFORDCITYLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE

March 2024

Marty Shapiro | Marty.Shapiro@citylifestyle.com

Laurie A. Guzda | laurie.guzda@citylifestyle.com

Eva Glassman

Kennedy

Sarah Bamford, Marty Shapiro, Laurie A. Guzda, PJ Kennedy, Jacqui Justice

Marcus Ortega, Jay Cohen, PJ Kennedy,

extraordinary 118-acre

MIKE ZOHDY

State Street Debating Society has named Mike Zohdy, founder and owner of Zody’s 19th Hole restaurant as the 2024 Person of the Year. The Person of the Year honors a Stamford leader who embodies great moral character, leadership, and commitment to the Stamford community. Mike has owned Zody’s 19th Hole since 2008 and has turned it into a dining and community staple of Stamford. Mike is also active in several community organizations.

studio. It is a diverse community that comes together for 30+ low-impact, high-energy, musically driven, rhythm-based classes a week. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, the CycleBar Stamford instructors, staff and community welcome you in and make you feel like you belong.  Come see what CycleBar Stamford is all about; your 1st class is free!

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LIMA CERAMIC TILE

Lima Ceramic Tile is a full-service tile store in Stamford, providing a wide range of tiles and countertops for home or business renovations at wholesale pricing! They also offer expert tile design consultation and outstanding customer service. Lima has the largest selection of porcelain, marble, glass, and ceramic tile in the tri-state area. Visit Lima at 24 Magee Avenue in Stamford or go to the website ( limaceramictile.com) to view all their products.

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BUYING, SELLING OR REFRESHING - TIPS FROM PROFESSIONALS SUZETTE KRAUS & LIZ PENSIERO

HOME

ARTICLE BY LAURIE A. GUZDA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCUS ORTEGA

Suzette Kraus is so much more than a licensed real estate salesperson. She applies her Compass Concierge service to go above and beyond what most agents provide. She is a perfectionist with a strong work ethic and a great sense of humor. (skhomesteam.com or compass.com)

Liz Pensiero is a stager ( LizPensieroStaging.com) and a go-to for adding the most value to maximize your home’s assets, within your budget!

The respect and friendship between these two powerhouse personalities is what drives success for their clients. We asked them to share their insights and secrets.

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WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE AN IDEA FOR EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION?

LIZ: Visuals! Home Staging is the art of using design to market a property effectively. There is no better way to communicate the effectiveness of transformative design than through visuals in print, social media and website.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE WHEN YOU ENTER A HOME?

SUZETTE: Before I enter a home I always notice the exterior entrance - how well it's maintained. And once I'm inside, the first thing I notice is the light, and how the home makes me feel.

WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE FIX/CHEAT FOR LITTLE OR NO EXPENSE THAT ADDS WOW!

SUZETTE: Wallpaper. Yes, that's right. It's back in style. Wallpaper in the dining room, powder room, even on one wall in a bedroom or living room can make a big difference.

LIZ: Green! Green quite literally brings any room to life. Whether adding a simple pop of color with pillows or a throw blanket or a ficus or fiddle leaf tree, will make the room come alive. A trio of succulents on a coffee table or a centerpiece made of natural wood and boxwood orbs will add a sense of contemporary feel to the room.

Liz Pensiero

Suzette Kraus, Compass

WHERE SHOULD ONE INVEST THE MOST IN HOME DESIGN?

SUZETTE: Fresh paint and hardwood flooring. If you're finishing a basement, do not put in wall-to-wall carpeting. Add vinyl plank flooring which is inexpensive, hardy and waterproof.

LIZ: Spend time and budget dollars on surfaces that will still stay current down the road. It is easier to change paint colors, swap out light fixtures and remove furniture than it is to change kitchen backsplashes and countertops. High-quality and timeless surfaces in kitchens and baths wear and show well for sale purposes.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD ONE REFRESH?

SUZETTE: Every 10 years should be fine. Paint maybe every 5-7 years, depending on wear and tear.

LIZ: There is no greater return on investment than a can of paint! Paint is one of the most transformative and cost-effective ways to update a home, especially when preparing to sell. Taste-specific colors should be swapped for a light, more neutral color palette.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME?

SUZETTE: Having been in the business for over 20 years, what always appeals is “white and classic”. I know that white kitchens with white subway tile backsplash will always appeal.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?

LIZ: A quality home stager knows their market so they can be a reliable partner. Understanding inventory capacities, neighborhoods, traffic patterns, school districts and the top players makes a home stager that much more valuable to their clients. Each home requires different attentions, and it is my job to make sure each home is given my full attention in the right way. Stamford is home. My family was born and raised in Stamford and I understand it to its core. I have seen the growth and development, been through the school systems and I understand the dynamics from Shippan to North Stamford. I design aspirational homes where people say, "I could live here". My finished projects feel like home and not a staged listing. If you can't tell the listing is staged, then I've done my job! Many buyers often end up buying the staging furniture upon closing. I find that to be the highest of compliments! CONTINUED >

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS IN THE FIELD?

SUZETTE: I work tirelessly for my clients and go above and beyond. After 20+ years in the business, I've been through all market conditions and able to help guide my clients to success. I'm well respected and well-reputed, which has helped me get the deal done for buyer clients in a multiple bid situation. For buyers, especially firsttime buyers, I make sure they understand

the process, educate and guide them and do my due diligence which includes a comparative market analysis, or CMA, so that when the time comes to make an offer, they are armed with information and confidence. For sellers, aside from providing a CMA for their home, I provide an action list and timeline which always includes staging, and offer our Compass Concierge service to enable them to position their home for success.

BEAUTY AND TRANQUILITY

It all started so innocently on a rainy Saturday morning a few months ago. I decided to explore North Stamford in search of unique homes to profile in these pages. I have been up and down Long Ridge Road and High Ridge Road hundreds of times since moving to Stamford eighteen months ago, but rarely veered off onto the side streets. On this day I made a left on Den Road off Long Ridge Road and wound my way over the Mianus River to June Road.

Just past Mead Farm, surrounded by colonials and ranches, I abruptly stopped my car when I discovered a contemporary masterpiece nestled in the woods. I quickly took out

my notepad and jotted down the address. I knew I had found my story.

One week later, an issue of this magazine came out, and I decided to drop a few copies off at the home of my contributing photographer, Jay Cohen, whose photo we used for the cover. I texted Jay to ask for his address, and by sheer coincidence, the house that I had admired on June Road belonged to Jay and his wife, Jane. Serendipity?

The Cohen’s, who were living in Scarsdale at the time, came across this property with the Mianus River running through the backyard and fell in love. They purchased the property in 2017, found a custom builder (Sal Zarrella’s

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ARTICLE BY MARTY SHAPIRO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY COHEN

Construction Management Group in New Canaan), and were connected by Zarrella to an Easton, Connecticut-based architect named Chris Hull of CAH Architecture and Design.

This 4 bedroom, 5 bath, 4,400 square foot contemporary design is visually one of the most unique homes in Stamford.  In addition to the design, the house is passive certified. Passive homes consume up to 90% less energy than conventional homes by creating super-insulated envelopes with airtight construction to provide a superior-quality residence and lower utility bills.

The architect, Chris Hull, who gets inspiration for his designs from world-renowned architects such as Antoni Gaudi, Faye Jones, and Frank Lloyd Wright, describes this project as the “most fun” of his career. From the very start, he and the homeowners were on the same page. From the pool to the floating staircase leading to the second level, to the massive terrace off the primary suite

overlooking the pool, to the fitness center on the lower level, they shared a common vision.  "It is so rewarding to live in house that we helped design.  All the details we agonized over during the design process have now come to fruition, and we couldn't be happier", said the Cohen's.

Jay even converted one of the bedrooms into his photography studio, and with the river running through his backyard and the beautiful woods that comprise North Stamford, he doesn’t have to go very far for subjects to shoot.

"We have truly enjoyed living in Stamford over the past eighteen months. We love the fact that our home in North Stamford is surrounded by country roads, rivers and woodlands, but in 13 minutes we can be in a thriving downtown area filled with shops, excellent restaurants, and cultural attractions.  We have been pleasantly surprised by the wonderful diversity of the city," said Jay.

about Jay Cohen

Jay Cohen is an award-winning fine art and portrait photographer. He finds beauty in grand vistas, dramatic cityscapes, inspiring architecture, and the mundanity of everyday life. He is a frequent lecturer on topics such as long-exposure photography and fine art architectural photography.

Jay’s book, “Moving Pictures”,  is a 100-page retrospective of his fine artwork of the past decade.

jcimagesphotography.com / @jaycohen13

YOUR HIGH VIBE HOME

ARTICLE BY JACQUI JUSTICE

Five Tips for Feel-Good Energy

Living a high-vibe life is not all about diet and exercise. Your living space also plays a pivotal role in your well-being. Here are 5 tips for helping you create a high-vibe home with that feel-good energy we all desire and deserve.

Banish clutter: Nothing pulls down the energy of your living space like piles of clutter and items past their prime. Declutter for an instant energy uplift and a more serene atmosphere.

Do a cleanse: Hit the reset button on your home’s aura by burning sage or Palo Santo.

Bring nature inside: Freshen up your space with energyenhancing plant life to help cleanse your air of toxins and add life-giving oxygen.

Be a joy-seeker: Infuse your home with colors, texturesand items that make you feel blissful.

Get Lit!: Himalayan salt lamps provide a cozy, soothing glow and some suggest can provide a healing environment by neutralizing EMFs and other toxins in your living space.

Personal Spotlight

Stephanie Kaminsky

ARTICLE BY SARAH BAMFORD @HYBRIDEMEDIA.COM

NAME: STEPHANIE KAMINSKY, @THESTEPHKAM

AGE: 27

OCCUPATION: SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT COORDINATOR

HOME IS OUR THEME THIS MONTH. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR HOME?

Friends and family. I’ve lived in many places over the years, from Connecticut to New York, even Australia - and it’s always seemed that certain people can make anywhere feel like “home”.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT STAMFORD, CT?

WHAT MAKES YOU EXCITED TO LIVE HERE?

There is always something to do here, whether it’s food festivals, live music, restaurant openings, comedy shows, or other local events. I used to visit Stamford regularly until I finally decided to make the move a few years ago and I’m so happy I did. I’ve made some incredible friendships and connections. I've had endless opportunities to grow personally and professionally within this community.

WHAT ARE YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM OR WORDS TO LIVE BY?

What is meant for you will never miss you. I think we get scared of the “what ifs” in life and so many people live with regret, but I’m positive the universe has a plan for all of us and whatever is meant to be will always find its way!

STEPHANIE KAMINSKY

Social Media Content Coordinator

MARCH 2024

events

MARCH 1ST

Rock the Dock

The Loading Dock - 375 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford | 6:30 PM

Join Kids In Crisis and Gala Co-chairs Amber Boissonneault and Sean McMurtry at The Loading Dock in Stamford for a night of music, dinner, and dancing! Slip into your best vintage prep and arrive dockside at 6:30 pm to rock out with the Yacht Lobsters band and party emcee Michael Kay.

MARCH 1ST

Winter Restaurant Weeks

Stamford Downtown | 12:00 PM

Final days to delight your taste buds & appetites for Winter Restaurant Weeks, the best way to try something new or enjoy an old favorite while supporting the downtown restaurant community! Prix fixe lunch and dinner options at four different price points, many available for dine-in and takeout. Reservations Suggested. Please refer to individual menus for any restrictions and/ or exceptions.

MARCH 4TH

Otter Feedings with Ron Swanson

Stamford Museum & Nature Center | 1:00 PM

Stamford Museum & Nature Center has a new resident... an otter named Ron Swanson (after the Parks and Rec character). Daily feedings at 1pm. Check out the website and make your plans to come and join Ron for a meal. stamfordmuseum.org

CHARLES GUINTA Turns 100

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY PJ KENNEDY

A Hometown Treasure

Happy birthday to Stamford’s Charles Guinta who turned 100!

Guinta is a veteran of WWII, having served with the Army Signal Corp and was on Iwo Jima when the iconic American flag raising took place.

He rose through the ranks at Stamford-based Waldenbooks, retiring as CFO in 1990, upon retirement he spent time covering local sports for the Stamford Advocate.

Among other organizations, he’s been a member of the Board of Directors of the Ferguson Library, Junior Achievement and the United Way. In recognition of his civic achievements, Guinta was named Stamford Citizen of the Year in 1992 and Man of the Year by the State Street Debating Society.

Family and friends gathered at the Italian Center of Stamford to celebrate and honor Mr. Guinta. A proclamation from Mayor Caroline Simmons was read where she declared December 15, 2023 “Charles Guinta Day” and Alice Knapp CEO at The Ferguson Library was also in attendance with a surprise honor, naming a Reading Room after Guinta & his wife Jane in recognition for their years of service and promotion of literacy.

BIRTHDAY SHOUTOUT:

The writer Jack Cavanaugh, a friend of Guinta’s, called him a veteran for the ages and a Stamford treasure and we couldn’t agree more! Happy 100th Birthday Mr. Guinta!

Well-balanced &

icious win

“ When I started Josh Cellars, I wanted to make wines worthy of pairing with the people you care most for.”

-Joseph Carr, Founder, Josh Cellars