INSIDER
FIRST PERSON
trade secret. CONNECTICUT-BASED INTERIOR DESIGNER ALICE BLACK, OF ALICE BLACK INT ERIO RS, SPILLS T HE BEST T HAT T HE C IT Y HAS T O OF F ER; READ ON T O HEAR HE R FAV ORIT E SHOP P ING SP OT S AND L OC AL ES T HAT INSP IRE.
My must-read design book is American Decoration: A Sense of Place by iconic interior designer and arts and antiques expert Thomas Jayne of Jayne Design Studio. jaynedesignstudio.com
HOME GROWN
Chef Bill Taibe is Connecticut’s pioneer in the farm-to-table concept—a true artisan when it comes to food. I get a craving for the fried chicken sandwich at his restaurant, The Whelk in Westport. I don’t know what they do with the chicken, but it’s really delicious and is paired with pimento cheese, bread-andbutter pickles and cabbage slaw. My dear friend designed the interior, which feels as if you’re sitting in someone’s kitchen near the beach—it’s light and airy yet still homey. thewhelkwestport.com
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield hosts a contemporary cocktail party on the first Friday of every month. It never seems to work out with my schedule, but it’s on my to-do list to attend. The event seems like an easy way to sneak in culture, live music and time with friends. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to visit, as I really enjoy the museum and want to support it. aldrichart.org
REFINED ESSENTIALS
The Mayflower Grace, in the tranquil town of Washington, is a must for a Connecticut getaway. The quintessential New England-country retreat boasts rooms with a traditional, countryside feel. I recommend staying in Suite 32 in the main house; it has a fireplace and an astonishing balcony view onto the Shakespeare Garden. Plus, the spa is an unexpected oasis and was designed to perfection by the late Randall Ridless. Don’t forget your swimsuit to enjoy the thermal sanctuary—it’s just like the Turkish baths! gracehotels.com/mayflower
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SKATE AROUND
The Westport P.A.L. Rink at Longshore sits next to the Long Island Sound, making it a fun place to people watch in the winter. Afterward, you can take a stroll through the village of Southport with its stunning Georgian, Victorian and Federal mansions, once home to sea captains. The streets are still paved with original blue-slate walkways and cobblestones— just like a Norman Rockwell painting. wpalrink.com
ROOM SERVICE
My go-to home accessory shop is Bungalow in Westport, owned by Wende Cohen, who has an amazing eye for gathering an inspiring assortment of antiques and home accessories from all over the continent. I often stop in the day before a project installation and fill my car with all of the finishing touches to deck out a client’s home. They have the greatest collection of pillows, artifacts and accessories. bungalowdecor.com
SCHOOL SPIRIT
The Yale campus is a living history of architecture over three centuries old. My favorite building is the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, which is a must-visit around noon. The exterior is constructed of Vermont marble, which becomes translucent at midday when hit by the sun and magically lights up the interior of the building. It’s a very unique and modern setting juxtaposed with stacks of leather-bound books. yale.edu
HOTEL PHOTO: COURTESY GRACE HOTELS LIMITED. MUSEUM PHOTO: HARF ZIMMERMAN. BOOK PHOTO: PIETER ESTERSOHN.
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