HOME
EAST COAST
+ DESIGN
Backyard bliss now available in stone. You can also heat your pool with propane from Gault Energy. Call Us To Learn More 203.227.5181
w w w. j w a i a . c o m
T
h
e
A
r
T
o
f
S
p
A
c
e
STudio dumiTru ArchiTecTS 49 richmondville Avenue ■ Suite 106 ■ Westport, connecticut 06880 ■ 203.226.5156 www.studiodumitru.com
Our expertise, like that of a fine orchestra conductor, makes all the pieces fit seamlessly and turns a client’s vision into sharply focused reality.
11 Riverfield Drive, Weston, CT 06883
Robin McGarryASID Interior Design 203 454 1825
www.RobinMcGarry.com
Outdoor Style!
EAST COAST
HOME
page 72
+ DESIGN
MAY/JUNE 2012
ISSUE 56
FEATURES
32
No Place Like Home BY KATIE KEATING
Architects Chuck Hilton and Doug Vanderhorn calibrate with Interior Designer Amy Andrews of Katherine Cowdin Inc. to create the ultimate guest house in Bronxville.
44
Sound Design BY KATIE KEATING
Interior Designer Susan Glick designs a sophisticated space in Westport with a brilliant mix of neutrals and pops of color.
52
Beyond The Gables BY KATIE KEATING
Kyle Timothy Blood of Kyle Timothy Home transforms a 19th Century Victorian from dark and cramped to light and airy in Rye.
DEPARTMENTS
HOME
EAST COAST
56
MAY/JUNE 2012
+ DESIGN
EAST COAST HOME + DESIGN
www.echomeanddesign.com
8 12 14 60
Editors Letter Retail Therapy Audubon Outdoor Spaces
72 76 78 80
Melange In The Field Ask The Experts Hidden Treasures
Cover Photo: Woodruff/Brown Photography
East Coast Home + Design
5
EAST COAST
HOME + DESIGN
Number 56 Editor-in-Chief Matthew J. Kolk mattkolk@me.com 203-820-1092 Managing Editor James Eagen Contributing Writers Elizabeth Ervin, John Hannon, Katie Keating, Stephanie King, George Krawiec, Shelly Linder, Cameron Martin, Christina Roughan, Karen Williams Contributing Photographers Jane Beiles, Michael Biondo, Orion Bishop, Phillip Ennis, Tria Giovan, John Gruen, John Hannon, Neil Landino, Mark La Rosa, Tim Lee, Daniel Milstein, Janice Parker, Durston Saylor, Eric Striffler, Jonathan Wallen, Woodruff/Brown Photography Graphic & Web Design Steve Wargo swargo1@mac.com
Publisher Shelley E. McCormick shelley_mccormick@yahoo.com 203-545-7091 Account Manager Richard P. Montuori rpmon@me.com 917-623-6052 Corporate Counsel James F. Walsh, Esq. East Coast Home + Design 111 Forest Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06824 Fax: 203-286-1850 East Coast Home + Design is published six issues per year. To subscribe: www.echomeanddesign.com; Subscriptions: one year, $28; two years, $50. Back issues can be purchased at www.echomeanddesign.com. For editorial inquiries: Editor, East Coast Home + Design, 111 Forest Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06824 or e-mail: mattkolk@me.com. For advertising inquiries: Please call Shelley McCormick at 203-545-7091. Reproduction whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. The opinions expressed by writers for articles published by East Coast Home + Design are not necessarily those of the magazine.
WILTON, CONNECTICUT
P. 2 0 3 . 5 6 3 . 0 5 5 3
W W W. M I C H A E L S M I T H A R C H I T E C T S . C O M
Letter from the Editor
T
his is a very sad spring in the design world. We lost two of the world’s most influential designers, one from the interior design world, the other from the automotive world. Albert Hadley, renowned interior designer and passed in late March. Hadley was best known as the
design partner of Sister Parish. He attended Peabody College, was a graduate and teacher at Parsons School of Design. Able to produce beautiful spaces in a mix of styles from contemporary to classic, “Never less, never more” was a term he coined to describe his eclectic style. Some of his clients include: Al and Tipper Gore, Oscar de la Renta, Diane Sawyer and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. On the other side of the design world, earlier this month, we lost legendary automotive designer Carroll Shelby. After serving as an aviator in World War II, Shelby returned to his native Texas where he dabbled in several businesses to include a dump truck operation, a chicken farm and a sports car dealership. After an illustrious career behind the wheel as a driver for names such as Aston-Martin and Maserati, in 1960, Shelby turned his efforts to racecar design and automotive manufacturing. Following his belief in putting big horsepower into a light chassis, Shelby approached Chevrolet to place a 283c.i.d. engine into a AC Ace chassis and was turned down by Chevrolet. That led Shelby to approach Lee Iacocca at Ford Motor Company. A life-long friendship developed and in 1962, Shelby introduced CSX2000 at the New York Auto Show. The AC Cobra was born and the sports car world would never be the same. Some of his other accomplishments include the Ford GT, the Shelby Mustang and the Legendary “Ferrari Killer” The Daytona Cobra Coupe, which, in 1964 Chassis CSX2299, driven by Dan Gurney and Bob Bondurant took the “Crown Jewel” of racing: the 24 hours of Lemans. Although from two different worlds, the mission of both of these incredible designers came from the same vein: Form, Function, and Beauty. Their influence continues to be seen in each of their professions and will continue well beyond their passing. They will both be greatly missed. Matthew Kolk mattkolk@me.com
Greenwich - new York - Palm Beach
Proudly serving clients for over 10 Years
The finest truly custom designed kitchen cabinetry and built-in furniture for your entire home. Handcrafted in our own facility in Fairfield County.
3400 Fairfield Avenue Black Rock | CT 06605 203.382.0300 WWW.HEMINGWAYCUSTOM.COM
Retail Therapy gilles clement
Indulge Yourselves! Color, Style and Pleasure: The Art of Life!
L
ife is way too short to be shy or to wait for next year...If your home isn’t a sanctuary yet, then start working on it. Remember that a home is ultimately the most important place of one’s life, and therefore a true reflection of who we are. Your home will set the vibe of how you feel when you walk in it every day, and therefore, it should be colorful and stylish, comfortable but elegant, inspiring but serene...There isn’t one evening, when I finally seat down with a Martini in my home, that I don’t feel a sense of true fullfillment and sincere pleasure from looking around, and here are a few items that will help you do just that. House of Clement 181 Main Street, Westport, CT 203.349.5300 | hocparis.com Avenue MontAigne end tAble (Above) In Lucite We Trust ! The ultimate table to hold your 8’o’clock double olive guilt free martini :) Size: 24”w x 14”d x 24” h. trocAdero 2 drAwers lAcquer bedside tAble (left) Comes in any fabulous colors - The renaissance of Hollywood Regency glamour! Size: 32”w x 20” d x 27” h. orAnge lust PendAnt (toP of PAge) High Gloss Powder Coated in a multitude of sexy colors - Make sure to install on a dimmer with clear round bulbs and enjoy without refrain ! Size: 16” square x 22” h.
12
www.echomeanddesign.com
alUminUm BUdHa Javanese XXl
Hermes and Olympia cOwHide OttOman Comes in any C.O.M and multi finish options. The shortest way to Fashion Forward your Family Room! Size: 48”w x 32” d x 18.5” h.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SITE PLANNING SUSTAINABLE DESIGN 15 ROCK SPRING ROAD, TRUMBULL, CT 06611 / PHONE: 203.268.6979 / FAX: 203.445.1877 / www.rockspringdesign.com Q
Q
A full service Landscape Architectural firm that strives to exceed our client expectations, through a collaborative, engaging process in pursuit of design excellence. RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONAL Q
Q
Celebrating 25 Years e Professionals For All Your Landscaping Needs.
Jay Property Manager Organic Care Expert
Lauren Perennial Gardener Container Specialist
Sandy Property Manager Snow Services Expert
David Property Director Lawn & Tree Care Expert
Walter Plant Health Care Tech Lawn & Tree Care Expert
Brian Landscape Architect Award-Winning Designer
Pete Property Manager Award-Winning Caretaker
Scott Property Manager Licensed Arborist
Bill Property Manager Lawn Care Expert
If it takes the efforts of several companies to manage your landscape, you should consider Hoffman Landscapes. Hoffman is one of the only companies that can provide all of the experts that it takes to manage a beautiful property – all under one roof. Save time. Eliminate duplication of effort and costs. Call Hoffman Landscapes. For superior property management and design build services, view our portfolio at
www.HoffmanLandscapes.com
Wilton 203.834.9656 Fairfield 203.254.0505 Litchfield
Greenwich 203.637.1131 Westchester 914.234.0304 860.868.0103
25 Ye a r s o f E x c e l l e n c e
oFFMAN H C L A N D S C A P E S One Company Can Do It All. 14
www.echomeanddesign.com
Audubon’s Environmental Leadership Dinner 2012
Creating Healthy Habitats from Forest to Shore Honoring
Jayni Chase with the Audubon Connecticut Environmental Leadership Award &
Kathryn D. Wriston with the Audubon Connecticut Lifetime Achievement Award
East Coast Home + Design
15
Plate 97 Screech Owl, New-York Historical Society Edition, Donated by Joel Oppenheimer Gallery.
EnvironmEntal lEadErship award honorEE
lifEtimE achiEvEmEnt award honorEE
Jayni Chase
Kathryn D. Wriston
Jayni Chase has worked
to advance environmental education for over 22 years. Currently, she is spearheading two green school initiatives, GREEN Community Schools and the Energy-Efficient Schools Initiative. By weaving real-life scenarios into the existing curriculum and providing team-teaching support in the classroom, these initiatives have already proven to be highly effective. In 1988, Jayni founded the Center for Environmental Education to provide K-12 teachers and students with the resources to build environmental education programs and lessons for our schools. Their online presence is a vital resource for educators worldwide. Jayni also authored Blueprint for a Green School in 1995, providing a compilation of environmental information, resources, and ideas to transform schools into safe, healthful places of enlightened learning. Jayni Chase has served on several boards, including the Alliance for Climate Education, U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Green My Parents, Friends of the Earth, and the Marilyn G. Rab Foundation. She also chairs New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Green Schools Working Group. In 2004, Jayni was awarded an honorary degree from Antioch New England Graduate School. She has received recognition from the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Media Association, Rainforest Alliance, U.S. Environmental Film Festival, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Thorn Ecological Institute, and the Children’s Nature Institute. Jayni was trained to be a Slide Show Presenter for former Vice President Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project and since 2007 has been a participant at the Clinton Global Initiative.
Kathryn D. Wriston
is a cum laude graduate of Smith College and the University of Michigan Law School. While a student at Smith, she spent her junior year abroad studying at the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International Studies. Mrs. Wriston worked in her early years of professional life as a practicing attorney with the New York law firm of Shearman & Sterling. Since then, she has concentrated more of her time serving on the boards of corporate and not-for-profit organizations, working with legal, accounting, and auditing professional organizations, and with community service groups. Mrs. Wriston is President and a Trustee of the John A. Hartford Foundation and a Trustee of the Practicing Law Institute. She also served as Vice-Chairman and a Trustee of Fordham University and as Chairman of the Eastern Region Selection Panel of the President’s Commission on White House Fellows. Foremost of Mrs. Wriston’s interests has been the care and upkeep of her beloved Deer Pond Farm, a 600-acre forest preserve in Sherman, Connecticut. The forests, fields, and ponds of Deer Pond Farm have long served as a place of respite for her and her late husband Walter B. Wriston, Chairman and CEO of Citicorp. Here they practiced conservation forestry for the benefit of birds and other wildlife that depend on this pristine habitat. Mrs. Wriston is an important advocate for the preservation of large forest tracts and is a supporter of the work of conservation organizations, such as Audubon and local land trusts, who protect open space and other natural resources for the benefit of humanity and the Earth’s biological diversity. She and her husband have dedicated the future care of Deer Pond Farm to Audubon, along with a substantial endowment, to ensure its proper upkeep.
She credits her husband, Chevy, and daughters, Cydney, Caley, and Emily, with providing the force behind her dedication to environmental education.
w w w. audubonct.org
Audubon’ s Mission
to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. audubon is uniquely positioned for effective conservation. we are in your community with State Programs, centers, Sanctuaries, chapters, and 2,544 Important bird areas throughout the country. In connecticut, we envision a rich and diverse natural heritage, where there is ample habitat for birds and other wildlife, where a majority of its people appreciate and participate in their natural environment, and whose children are educated and motivated to become the conservation leaders of tomorrow.
protEcting Birds from forEsts to shorE throughout thE atlantic flyway Each year, more than 10 billion birds use four major flyways to travel up and down the continent and points beyond. In addition to being the homes for non-migratory birds, the lands underneath these flyways serve as rest stops for migrants and are critical to their survival. National Audubon Society’s recent strategic plan sets out a roadmap for bird conservation by aligning Audubon’s work along the four major flyways of the Western Hemisphere. Connecticut falls within the Atlantic Flyway, which encompasses some of the hemisphere’s most productive ecosystems, including forests, beaches, and coastal wetlands. From the Arctic, south along the entire Atlantic Coast and through the Caribbean to South America, Audubon is working to support this avian superhighway’s 500-plus bird species and the millions of individual birds found within it. With only one-tenth of the U.S. landmass, the Atlantic Flyway is home to one-third of the nation’s human population. The challenges for birds and habitat in densely populated regions are many and varied: development and sprawl, agriculture, logging, overfishing, and climate change. Forty percent of the Atlantic Flyway’s bird species are of conservation concern, including the Wood Thrush. These birds are the most widespread of our eastern forest’s Neotropical migratory species, but their population has been reduced by half during the past 40 years. This map illustrates how Audubon’s network and our international partners are working together throughout the Atlantic Flyway to improve conditions for at-risk species like the Wood Thrush.
w w w. audubonct.org
n at rL a lHh ry T hThe e N AT U RuA I Si sTtOoRrYy a Ar RtT g GaAlLlLeE RY
Wr igle y B u ilding , 410 n orth M ichiga n av enue , c hicago , il 60611
www.audubonart.com
•
312-642-5300
crEating hEalthy haBitats from forEst to shorE Audubon is protecting the most productive and diverse ecosystems on our continent: our forests, grasslands, and coastal habitats. We are also working in our communities, transforming them into vibrant places for both people and wildlife. Audubon’s broad network of members, Chapters, citizen science volunteers, and international partners is helping us protect: • Millions of acres of intact forests used by Wood Thrushes and other songbirds; • Our fragile coastline where plovers and terns breed; • Critical saltmarsh habitat where Saltmarsh Sparrows nest; and • Our local communities where our families and friends share the land with wildlife. Audubon Connecticut is protecting our state’s most vulnerable birds and the habitats they need to survive through our Coastal and Forest Stewardship initiatives and our Audubon At Home Habitat Recognition Program.
forEst stEwardship initiativE Much of Jim Krissel’s farm is currently protected, but he wanted to know more about his forest land. He contacted Mike Dudek of Audubon Sharon to discuss how his forest habitat could be managed to benefit declining songbirds.
“I think more property owners should do this. The word forest doesn’t just mean trees and this assessment gave me a better understanding of how each layer of the forest, from the forest floor to the treetops, supports all kinds of birds and other wildlife.”
T
— Jim Krissel, Farmer and Supporter of audubon Sharon
he forests of New England and New York provide habitat for more breeding birds than anywhere else in the country. Forests all along the eastern seaboard provide critical breeding, migratory, and wintering habitat for 75% of North America’s Neotropical migratory birds. Yet these forests are being converted to urban and suburban land uses at a faster rate than anywhere else. As a result of habitat loss and degradation, over 50 species of these migrants are on national or state priority conservation lists. Mike Dudek, Land Manager of Audubon Sharon, and Jim Krissel
Since 80% of the forests in this region are privately owned, Audubon is conserving critical habitat through the Forest Stewardship Initiative by raising awareness among landowners and land managers of the importance of our forests to global bird populations. As part of this program, Audubon biologists conduct a site visit for forest landowners and then provide them with a habitat assessment and recommendations to manage and restore habitat for priority species. Currently, the program is being successfully implemented in Vermont, Connecticut, and New York. We are poised to expand this program along the eastern United States and to our partners in Central America and the Caribbean. Our goal is to have 1.5 million acres of land managed for optimum breeding habitat by 2015 and to establish programs with international partners in at least eight countries.
w w w. audubonct.org
By THe NuMBerS: Forest Stewardship in CT • 60,000 acres of priority forest identified through gIS analysis • 4,000 acres surveyed for forest landowners through our habitat assessments • 51 people, representing 10,000 acres, attended workshops
Dwight Brooks, Horticulturist • Arborist Creating Fine Gardens, Organic Plant Care
914.232.0714 borganic@verizon.net
Congratulations Jayni and thank you for your enormous contribution and dedication as an advocate for the environment and conservation educator. you are a green star! — Laura & Kevin O’Donohue Snow Hill Farm
sharing our shorEs “Audubon’s work ensuring that beach-nesting birds can safely raise their young on Connecticut’s shores is particularly important to me. I was lucky enough to grow up on a beach with shorebirds year round. One of my favorite times of year as a child was in the fall when we took family walks on the empty beaches, enjoying the flocks of noisy gulls and flittering terns.” eaches and barrier islands are essential to the lives of many shorebirds and waterbirds. These species use a succession of coastal habitats from the northern reaches of Canada to the southern tip of Argentina during their annual breeding and migratory cycle. Long Island Sound, where Audubon programs in Connecticut and New York focus much of their work, serves as a feeding station for 52% of the Western Hemisphere’s nesting Roseate Tern population, and, together with the South Shore of Long Island, supports 32% of Least Tern and 22% of Piping Plover nesting populations along the Atlantic coast. Many species of shorebirds are in decline, primarily due to disturbance of nesting birds by humans and predation by animals associated with humans, such as cats and raccoons. Few people are aware that the beaches they enjoy during the summer months are also critical nesting grounds for threatened species like Piping Plovers, or of the negative impact they can have on these birds by unknowingly walking too close to a nesting colony or allowing their pets to wander unsupervised. Together, we can make a difference – by protecting sensitive nesting areas and educating our friends and neighbors about the birds that share our shores, we can help these at-risk species to flourish once more. Audubon has implemented the Sharing Our Shores program to monitor, protect, and increase public awareness about priority coastal birds across a network of sites in the Atlantic Flyway. Through a combination of increased beach stewardship and targeted outreach activities, we can influence the way people use beaches and can significantly improve the future for these birds Coastal Stewardship – This includes a broad range of on-the-ground activities that improve the nesting success and survivorship of priority coastal birds during the breeding, migration, and wintering season. We are training and deploying cadres of intern and volunteer beach stewards to identify important nesting areas, monitor nesting success, manage habitat such as enhancing nests sites and By THe NuMBerS: installing protective fencing, and patrol posted areas. Sharing Our Shores in CT Targeted Outreach – Beach stewards stationed at breeding and migration sites serve as important ambassadors to beachgoers, boaters, and fishermen. They educate the public about the vital role our beaches play for nesting and migrating coastal birds, the sensitivity of these birds to disturbance, and how we can responsibly share the beach.
w w w. audubonct.org
• 50 bird stewards at 18 priority sites will double existing efforts • 40 migratory shorebird surveys at key stop-over sites • 20 public officials reached through workshops
Photo: Elaine Ubiña
B
— amber turner, audubon connecticut board Member
The Ashforth Company proudly supports
Audubon Connecticut and its commitment to
Creating Healthy Habitats from Forest to Shore
and congratulates
Jayni Chase Kathryn Wriston recipients of the
Environmental Leadership Award
crEating Bird-friEndly communitiEs “Audubon recognizes that everyone can make a difference. Whether in our backyards, schools, local parks, or beaches, we can all help ensure the health of our communities, and the well-being of the wildlife that enrich our lives.”
I
— Lauren Hampton, audubon greenwich board Vice-chair
n communities where birds thrive, people prosper. From urban centers to rural towns across the country, each community can provide important habitat for native birds — residents and migrants alike. In turn, birds offer us a richer, more beautiful, and healthful place to live. Working with and engaging people in their communities, and building on the strength of our grassroots network of Audubon Chapters and Centers, we will help to transform the places where people live into habitats where birds flourish. The following are just a few examples of how Audubon — and the unparalleled reach of its network — is building bird-friendly communities in Connecticut: 1. Audubon At Home Habitat Recognition Program – Provides homeowners, corporate landowners, municipalities, land trusts, and conservation organizations with personalized assessments of their properties followed by a report with landscaping and management recommendations to create healthier habitats for wildlife and people. For details, contact Taralynn Reynolds, treynolds@audubon.org. 2. Urban Oases for Migrating Songbirds – Helps identify, improve, and conserve critical urban habitats for migratory songbirds, by guiding land use and land management decisions on private and public lands. 3. Schoolyard Habitat Program – Develops healthy schoolyard habitats for both children and wildlife, integrates place-based environmental education into the school curriculum, and promotes environmentally-friendly practices among children and their families at home. 4. Master Bird Conservationist Program – Helps individuals to improve their bird identification skills, learn field research methods, and gain knowledge about how they can help address the most pressing threats to bird populations. Each participant attends a four-day training program and contributes at least 20 volunteer hours to one of our citizen science initiatives. 5. Urban Important Bird Areas Program – Activates a broad network of supporters and community members to conserve, steward, and promote urban areas that are vital to birds and other biodiversity. 6. Audubon At Home’s Public Policy and Grassroots Organizing – Promotes Audubon At Home priorities at the local, state, and federal levels by calling on our Policy team’s grassroots network of Chapters and organizational partners.
By THe NuMBerS: Bird-Friendly Community Programs in CT • 1,200 acres assessed through the Habitat recognition Program • 7,600 people reached through lectures, films, workshops, and center events • $13,800 granted to partners to create wildlife gardens • 750 students in four schools participating in the Schoolyard Habitat Program • 512 citizen scientists collected vital data for bird conservation
w w w. audubonct.org
is Proud to Sponsor
Audubon Greenwich For the 2nd Year in a row isisProud to Sponsor Proud to Sponsor “Insuring some of Westchester & Fairfield County’s Audubon Greenwich Finest Homes & Families” nd Forthe the2nd 2 Year For Yearin inaarow row “Insuringsome someof of Westchester Westchester & “Insuring &Fairfield FairfieldCounty’s County’s Finest Homes Homes & Finest & Families” Families”
Audubon Greenwich
With With
Personal & Business Personal With & Business Insurance Insurance Personal Business “that Since 1947” “thatFits Fits& Since 1947” 178 Myrtle Blvd. 178 Myrtle Blvd., Larchmont, NY 10538 Insurance Larchmont, NY 10538 www.coughlingroup.com www.coughlingroup.com “that Fits A. Since 1947” Michael A. Coughlin Michael Coughlin
178 Myrtle C.E.OBlvd. C.E.O Larchmont, NY 10538 michael@coughlingroup.com michael@coughlingroup.com www.coughlingroup.com or or Michael A. Coughlin Christopher W. Christopher W. Cassese Cassese C.E.O Senior Sales Sales Executive Executive Senior michael@coughlingroup.com chrisc@coughlingroup.com chrisc@coughlingroup.com or Christopher W. Cassese Senior Sales Executive chrisc@coughlingroup.com
(914) 834-1234 (914) 834-1234
(914) 834-1234
advocating for Birds and thEir haBitats “Audubon knows that bird-friendly public policies are the key to successful conservation. Whether in Washington, Hartford, or a Town Hall near you, we’re there advocating to ensure clean water, protected landscapes, and a healthy future for birds.”
A
— Sandy breslin, audubon connecticut’s director of governmental affairs
udubon began as an organization of advocates, working across the country to safeguard birds and their habitats. That legacy remains strong in our state where Audubon is at the forefront of efforts to ensure clean waters, protected landscapes, and healthy habitats for birds and people. Since birds don’t recognize geographic or political boundaries, our advocacy efforts don’t either. Our reach stretches from the smallest corners of Connecticut to the Halls of Congress. Our network engages individuals, Audubon Chapters, Audubon Centers and State Offices, conservation groups, state and federal agencies, business and labor advocates, and elected officials from small towns to the highest levels of state and federal government to promote bird-friendly public policies that make successful conservation happen.
U.S Chem attain hea the consu environm ourselves
As part of Forest in
Jenny Dickson, CT DEEP’s Wildlife Division Supervising Wildlife Biologist; Taldi Walter, National Audubon Society’s Assistant Director of Government Relations; Sandy Breslin; Larry Schweiger, National Wildlife Federation’s President & CEO
Here’s how our legacy of successful advocacy and sound public policy is making a difference for birds and their habitats: 1. Ensuring Sound Health – Advocates for clean water and habitat protection to benefit the birds that rely on Long Island Sound (LIS) and its watershed. Audubon Connecticut, Audubon New York, and our national policy office in Washington, D.C. work together and provide policy leadership for a broad coalition of partners that includes construction and labor groups, as well as environmental allies. 2. Saving the Avian Superhighway – Works to ensure funding and engage people in protecting habitats along the Atlantic Flyway such as Griswold Airport in Madison, Long Beach and Pleasure Beach in Stratford and Bridgeport, and additions to the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Through service on the Steering Committee of the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, our statewide land trust umbrella, Audubon strives to ensure sustained resources and capacity for habitat protection. 3. Keeping Connecticut Wild – Activates our members, partners, and legislative allies to support public policies that promote wildlife diversity and ensure healthy habitats for birds. From promoting laws that reduce pesticide use to creating sanctuaries for Horseshoe Crabs, our efforts focus on ensuring a healthy future for birds. In 2012, our work was recognized with an award from the 6,300-member, national Teaming With Wildlife Coalition. 4. Safeguarding the Safety Net – Speaks out in support of legal protections for birds and their habitats. We also work to defend the defenders by promoting adequate funding and staff resources for our key state and federal agency partners such as the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Council of Environmental Quality, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and their core conservation programs such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
w w w. audubonct.org
By THe NuMBerS: Public Policy Successes in CT • $90 million in record state bond funding for clean water Fund projects • $6.5 million from LwcF for conte national wildlife refuge acquisitions • $5 million in state bond funding for open space matching grants • $3.96 million for LIS water quality restoration and habitat stewardship • $478,600 from federal State wildlife grants for dEEP non-game wildlife programs
salutes audubon’s sciencebased approach to working with all parties to attain healthy solutions to birds and humans alike. u.S. chemicals views the greening of the consumer and chemical industries as a long-term trend as people become more environmentally conscious. this is not a fad or a phase; it is a mandate we place upon ourselves each time we look at our children and the world around us.
micals salutes Audubon’s science-based approach to working with all parties to althy solutions to birds and humans alike. U.S. Chemicals views the greening of umer and chemical industries as a long-term trend as people become more mentally conscious. This is not a fad or a phase; it is a mandate we place upon s each time we look at our children and the world around us.
f our sustainability efforts, U.S. Chemicals will help plant 1,000 trees in our National 2012. To learn more you can visit http://www.treesforachange.com/uschemicals.html.
as part of our sustainability efforts, u.S. chemicals will help plant 1,000 trees in our national Forest in 2012. to learn more you can visit http:// www.treesforachange.com/ uschemicals.html.
http://www.uschemicals.com/NEWS.html
Enjoy your landscape by controlling ticks. If you plan to enjoy your landscape this spring, you should be cautious of ticks, the spreader of Lyme disease. Those who study and treat Lyme disease say that most tick bites, perhaps as high as 90%, occur in one’s own yard. So reducing the tick population on the property surrounding your home is your best defense against tick-borne illnesses for you, your family and your pets. Ticks live in the damp and humid areas of your yard, such as stone walls, overgrown gardens, and wood and brush piles. The Care of Trees offers a safe and ecologically-friendly tick suppression program to keep your loved ones protected. Ask your local certified arborist for more about this program.
203.863.0900 Our business is people and their love for trees® Tree and Shrub Pruning • Insect and Disease Management • Organic SoilCareSM • Fertilization and Nutrient Management Programs Cabling and Bracing • Planting and Tree Replacement • Lightning Protection • Tree Preservation and Land Restoration • Mulching
Photo: Elaine Ubiña
auduBon EnvironmEntal lEadErship dinnEr 2012
Co-Chairs
Connan & Andrew Ashforth Kit & Robert Rohn
Committee
* Ellen & John Avellino Debra & Steven Beal Annie & David Bingham, M.D. Eunice & Robert Burnett Tiffany Burnette & Don Casturo Nanny & Marty Cannon Grace & Christopher Cassese Chevy Chase Jenny & Wylie Collins Kim & John Conte Najat & Michael Coughlin Andrea de Cholnoky & Scott Wilson Julia & Tom Dunn Kathy & John Edwards Debby & Will Ethridge Jennifer & Frank Feenstra Sabrina Forsythe Icy & The Honorable Scott Frantz The Honorable Lile & John Gibbons Lauren & Gray W. Hampton, III
Marsha & Carl Hewitt Grace & Alex Hillman Ellis & Steve Johnson Laura Kaehler & John Motay Joni & Kevin Kimberlin Kristin King & Gerald M. Freedman Alison & James Knight Page & John Knox Kristina & Frank Loverro Susan Lunden Diana & Tom Maguire Suzanne Branch Martin Shelley McCormick & Matthew Kolk Jeanne Mininall & Arthur Bass Jane-Kerin Moffat Susan Mufson Finkelstein Katie & Donal O’Brien Kristen & David Oddi Laura & Joel Oppenheimer Christy Pennoyer Eda & Jeffrey Peterson Carol & Chris Piccaro, DDS Lolly Prince Jill & Geoffrey Raker Allyson & Trip Samson
w w w. audubonct.org
Barbara & Richard Scalo Jan Schaefer & Roy Abramowitz Cathy & Jeffrey Siegal Fran Smith & David Yarnold Keiko & George Sorenson Maria & Bryan Stepanian Martha & Krishen Sud Juliet & Holt Thrasher Sonia & Paul Tudor Jones, II Amber Turner Marion & Jay Twyman Claire & Tom Whelan Cynthia & Christopher Willis Catherine & Tracy Wolstencroft Jessica & Basil Zirinis * In Formation
Past Honorees
Dan W. Lufkin Phoebe Milliken Donal O’Brien David Ogilvy Robert Schumann Christopher Shays Lucy Rockefeller Waletzky, M.D.
patron apprEciation EvEnts
(L to R) Laura Kaehler and Grace & Alex Hillman
Christopher Cassese and Michael Coughlin
Sabrina Forsythe and Jennifer Feenstra
Kit Rohn and Connan Ashforth
Suzanne Branch Martin, Amber Turner, and Andrea de Cholnoky
Kimberly Conte, Carl & Marsha Hewitt, and John Conte
Photos: Elaine UbiĂąa
Gray & Lauren Hampton and Valentina & Tom Baptist
Holt Thrasher and Meline Dickson
Marty Cannon, Katie & Donal O’Brien, and Jane-Kerin Moffat
Page & John Knox
w w w. audubonct.org
Robert Rohn, Marty Cannon, and Andrew Ashforth
auduBon EnvironmEntal lEadErship dinnEr 2012
(L to R) Barrie Somers, Alison Knight, Nick Somers, and Meline Dickson
Kit Rohn, Katie O’Brien, Connan Ashforth, and Donal O’Brien
Catherine Wolstencroft and Amber Turner
David Yarnold and Kevin Kimberlin
Jeanine Getz and Joni Kimberlin
Chevy & Jayni Chase and Kathryn D. Wriston
Photos: Elaine Ubiña
Bill & Chris Nichols
Laura di Bonaventura, Leslie Pottow, Eunice Burnett, Laurie Thomson, and Lynn Friedberg
Frank Loverro and Robert Getz
Catherine Holden and Lauren Hampton
w w w. audubonct.org
Tom & Julia Dunn
EAST COAST HOME + DESIGN
May/ June
Architects Chuck Hilton and Doug Vanderhorn collaborate with Interior Designer Amy Andrews of Katherine Cowdin Inc. to create the ultimate guest house in Bronxville. Interior Designer Susan Glick designs a sophisticated space in Westport with a brilliant mix of neutrals and pops of color. Kyle TImothy Blood of Kyle Timothy Home transforms a 19th Century Victorian from dark and cramped to light and airy in Rye.
East Coast Home + Design
31
Mature plantings and long ago established trees mark the entrance to this New York home. The classic Westchester stucco faced colonial offers a warm welcome to all those who pass through its doors.
32
www.echomeanddesign.com
NO PLACE LIKE hOME STORY BY KATIE KEATING
WOOdRuff/BROWN PhOTOGRAPhY
East Coast home + design
33
D
orothy said it best when she clicked her heals three times and repeated, “There’s no place like home”. Perhaps the same could be said of this stunning project by the esteemed architectural firm of Hilton VanderHorn. Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, they find that much of their work is located in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester County, New York. For this two-phase project, they would begin by adding much needed room to a stately 1915 Bronxville home and culminate the end of the project with the construction of a new guest home on this New York property, beautifully landscaped by Renee Byers. “It was very important to the clients that their new guest house fit seamlessly into the property and neighborhood,” according to architect, Charles Hilton, adding that “they were terrific clients” to work with. “They were very attentive and understood design drawings” which contributed to the project running smoothly. In addition, “they set out to hire a competent team of designers and construction professionals” which further aided in the successful completion of the job. With no functioning garages and a lack of recreation space or guest accommodations, the main house, a period Westchester, stucco-faced colonial, was overdue for the addition and some expanded family spaces, which included the new cottage. As interior designer, Amy Andrews so aptly put it; “when your children begin to grow and suddenly, little boys are approaching six feet tall, your once cozy family gathering spaces start to feel a bit cramped”. To address these issues, Hilton designed a new breakfast and family room off of the existing kitchen, roomy enough
A series of columns define the boundaries between the entrance hall and main living area. Rich architectural elements envelop the space and give it a sense of tradition.
34
www.echomeanddesign.com
East Coast Home + Design
35
Rich millwork with classically inspired details, envelop the interiors, infusing it with charm and a strong sense of tradition. to insure that Sunday dinners could accommodate extended family and each one had a seat to watch “ball games on TV”. While this alleviated immediate space issues, it became clear that as this family continued to grow, they would need additional room for entertaining and for providing comfortable accommodations for weekend and holiday visitors alike. Hence, phase two would begin and yield the ultimate “vacation” house right in their own backyard”. Additionally, there would be a second homecoming of sorts as surrounding property that had once been part of the original parcel would be purchased and reassembled to support the site requirements for the new guest house, 36
www.echomeanddesign.com
garages, pool and terraces. On the first floor of the guest cottage, a combined living and dining area flow naturally to the outside terraces. French doors provide a perfect segue to the exterior dining and fireplace areas. Warm and inviting guest bedrooms on the second level appear to have their “own personalities”. A trio of built-in day beds run perpendicular to an equal number of inviting twin beds sporting striped fabric headboards and finely milled linens in the spacious loft on the third floor. A full basement anchors the home and offers recreational space that can be used year round. Though inspired by the architecture of the main house, the new cottage’s interi-
Natural light floods the open public spaces of the cottage. A custom over sized Vermillion carpet unifies the living and dining areas. OPPOSITE TOP Recessed glass pocket doors above the breakfast bar enable you to close off the kitchen from the dining area. OPPOSITE BOTTOM Warm and inviting, the home’s kitchen boasts a mix of natural stone surfaces, high-end appliances and classic custom cabinetry.
East Coast Home + Design
37
Year round entertaining is possible in this well appointed recreational space located on the lower level of the home.
38
www.echomeanddesign.com
TOP Soothing neutrals with a dash of floral accents help make up the scheme in the master bedroom. White onyx has been used for the fireplace surround. BOTTOM Multiple twin and bunk beds offer additional sleeping space on the third floor loft. East Coast Home + Design
39
Inspired by the architecture of the main house, the cottage was designed to accommodate large gatherings of family and friends. There is a natural segue from the interior living areas to terraces that surround the pool. Classical columns support covered porches while a natural stone path pulls you into the pool area.
40
www.echomeanddesign.com
East Coast Home + Design
41
ors appear more transitional in style and less formal in its design aesthetic. A series of columns define the space between the entrance and public spaces. Rich millwork with classically inspired details, envelop the interiors, infusing it with charm and a strong sense of tradition. Dark stained wood floors seem juxtaposed against the clean white beams crossing the ceiling above. In the entrance hall area, a window seat provides a sweet retreat on a rainy day for curling up with a good book. Natural light fills the main living space courtesy of French doors and transom windows. The soothing neutral palette keeps things light and bright. At one end, a comfortable seating arrangement has been centered in front of the fireplace wall, promoting intimate conversation and offering a warm spot to cozy up and watch a movie by the fire. Neutral fabrics lend to the contemporary feel of the space. The sofa table and pair of hurricane lamps appear to set 42
www.echomeanddesign.com
up an informal wall between the living and dining areas. Eight can be seated comfortably around the custom dining table. Both the table and chandelier above were designed by David Latesta. An oversized wool area rug by Vermillion adds subtle pattern to the scheme and both grounds and unifies the two separate seating areas. Counter service is always available at the smartly designed breakfast bar. Whether you ‘re having a casual cocktail, hoping for conversation with the cook, or yearning for that morning coffee and a croissant, this semi-circular bar offers informal dining for adults and children alike. This clever design offers open access to the kitchen when needed or the ability to close off the kitchen via recessed glass doors. The kitchen offers state of the art appliances, rich stone surfaces and finely detailed custom cabinetry. Limestone for the floor, Cesar Stone on the counters and
a stone mosaic backsplash add to the rich feel in the space. Glass front cabinets running around the upper perimeter of the kitchen lift the eye up giving the room height and additional reflective surfaces for natural light entering the room. A well proportioned center island offers plenty of prep-surface for the chef as well as kitchen seating for four. Classic cabinet details complement the architectural elements seen in the surrounding spaces. The custom kitchen cabinetry is by Deane. On the lower level, rainy days don’t put a damper on recreational activities. This open space offers sufficient room to include a game table, billiard table, com-
The cottage and its surrounding outdoor living spaces were designed to fit seamlessly into the fabric of the neighborhood. A rustic stone fireplace provides a focal point for an outdoor living space.
RESOURCES ARCHITECTS Hilton VanderHorn Architects Charles Hilton Douglas VanderHorn 31 East Elm Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.862.9011 Interior Designer Katherine Cowdin, Inc. Amy Andrews 33 East Elm Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.661.4844 amya@kcowdin.com General Contractor Significant Homes Matt Matthews 199 Elm Street New Canaan, CT 06840 203.966.5700 mattshouses@aol.com Landscape Architect Renee Byers Landscape Landscape Architect, P.C. Renee Byers 10 Avon Road Bronxville, NY 10708 914.337.3103 info@reneebyers.com
fortable bar area and large scale custom designed sectional sofa in the seating area. The fieldstone fireplace adds a rustic feel to the room which is accessed by dual staircases flanking the fireplace. In nicer weather, friends and family moves outdoors and gather by the pool or take advantage of the sprawling property. Kids can enjoy the built-in trampoline, a friendly game of lacrosse or pick-up game of basketball.
At the end of the day, spa-like amenities await the lucky guest who accepts an invitation to stay the night. Like a five star inn, both bed and bathrooms offer a luxurious escape from your everyday routine. Refined limestone surfaces, a bubbling Jacuzzi and the last flicker from a smoldering fire in your bedroom fireplace help send you off on a good night’s sleep. Much as once divided sections of this property have found their way home and
since been made whole again, so too do family and friends when they knock on this home’s front door. Surrounded by those they love and with every amenity at their fingertips, it’s easy to see why there’s truly “no place like home”.
Katie Keating is an interior designer and freelance writer and can be reached at 203.339.5820 or at katiekdesign@yahoo.com. East Coast Home + Design
43
Soothing blues and crisp white set the tone in the entrance home of this Westport beach house. OPPOSITE A silver sun mirror shines brightly behind a trio of contemporary blue vases in the dining room.
44
www.echomeanddesign.com
SOUND DESIGN
T
he pull of the sea has lured many to its shores. Gently rolling waves, smoldering setting suns and the smell of salty air have enticed many to stroll along its sandy coastline, sail from end to end, or if you’re one of the lucky ones, find a home that looks out upon its sometimes mystical horizon. Artists have been inspired to paint it, authors to write about it and designers, to design by it. It’s here, within Long Island Sound’s approximately one hundred and ten miles of coastline, we find the vibrant town of Westport, Connecticut, which is where local interior designer, Susan Glick, has found herself inspired to create many a wonderful home, this being one of them.
STORY BY KATIE KEATING
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANE BEIlES AND STACY BASS East Coast Home + Design
45
46
www.echomeanddesign.com
Susan first met her client some six years ago when this client had “visited a friend’s home for the first time and fell in love with it”. Like many who had never worked with an interior designer, her client was apprehensive about turning over control to someone she had no experience with. Would the house reflect her tastes and style? “Would she be able to bring the look I have in my head to life”, her client thought? To her client’s surprise and delight, Susan was more than capable of translating her client’s wishes and that’s when their design relationship took off. The designer chose textures, patterns and colors that would give the home a calm, yet sophisticated feel. Dupioni silk, in a stunning shade of pewter, dresses the living room windows. Mercury glass, silver accents and mirrored surfaces shine throughout. East Coast Home + Design
47
“I love that I can tell Susan what I’m looking for and she helps me design it”, said her client. The second of two projects they’ve worked on together, this house is more transitional in style compared to the first home Susan worked with her on. Yet, their easy working relationship has facilitated the design process. With beautiful views of the Sound, the house is located in the popular beach area of town. Susan took her inspiration from these surroundings in choosing the color palette. While it was important for her to “bring the outside in”, Susan also recognized that it was “important to her clients ABOVE Touches of turquoise dot the sandy colored family room. Bookshelves are filled with coral, mercury glass and driftwood accessories. Yellow tulips and soft pink roses fill a silver mint julep cup. RIGHT A well stocked bar sits ready to host an impromptu cocktail hour. A pair of sleeping Buddhas, sit peacefully atop a shelf within the family room built-in bookshelves.
48
www.echomeanddesign.com
to have a continuous flow of color and style throughout the house”. Soft grays, soothing neutrals and serene blues set the tone and were accented by pops of turquoise. Known for her “modern, classic approach to interior decorating”, Susan chose textures, patterns and colors that would give the home a calm, yet sophisticated feel. She also was mindful in choosing materials that were functional and durable enough to stand up to the day to day wear and tear that comes with three growing children. Part of this particular design program would include the renovation of two bathrooms and the kitchen. While the kitchen was beautifully designed and built by arABOVE Mini honed glass tile make up the kitchen backsplash and pull together the crisp white of the cabinetry with the soft gray tones found in the driftwood island.
chitect, Michael Greenberg and Associates, Susan concentrated her efforts on transforming the bathrooms. Taking her cue from both beach and spa-like influences, Susan combined frosted glass, mini-mosaic tile with soft Ming green marble for the powder room. A custom designed vanity outfitted with textured doors, has been topped with similar, “soothing colored” marble counter tops and stained in a rich, dark finish. Satin nickel fixtures complement the frames used to display the homeowners’ beach themed photographs. Light blue by Farrow and Ball, has been used on the walls. To look like she had brought the beach in, Susan chose a sandy taupe wall color for above the crisp white horizontal paneling and pebble-tile floor in the boy’s bathroom. Carrera marble tops the slatted wood vanity and ties the look together. In the kitchen, wide horizontal bead
board details, similar to the paneling in the bathroom, can be seen on the custom cabinetry which also boasts frosted, ribbed glass doors. A backsplash mosaic, designed with mini honed gray and white marble tiles, pulls together the crisp white of the cabinetry together with the soft gray tones found in the distressed driftwood of the island. Stainless appliances, honed gray stone on the counters and glass pendants over the island complete the design. Soft grays, blues and taupe prevail in the light filled living room. One of the first rooms to greet you as you enter the home, it provides visual access to Long Island Sound through a beautiful set of French doors. To capture the light in the room, Susan chose finishes and accessories that were reflective in nature. Mercury glass, silver accents and mirrored surfaces shine in this elegant room. A pair of black East Coast Home + Design
49
50
www.echomeanddesign.com
The lines between the home’s interior and exterior rooms have been blurred by Susan’s thoughtful design. As our weather warms and the days grow longer, sea breezes will soon fill this home and it will be brightened by a bold and brilliant summer sun. and white botanicals by Stacy Bass sport mirrored frames and provide a focal point in the space. Windows have been dressed in “stunning pewter silk dupioni fabric”, framing the enviable views beyond. Satin nickel drapery hardware provides a “refined and subtle” branch from which they hang from. Stark velvet, in a taupe and blue, was used to upholster “repurposed” tall-back chairs. Porcelain canines cast a watchful eye upon the comfortable seating area which has been grounded with a lush, ribbed viscose and wool area rug. Touches of turquoise dot the sandy colored family room. Above the well stocked bar, abstract art by Kerri Rosenthal adds a colorful pop to the subtle palette. Bookshelves filled with white coral, mercury glass and driftwood accessories remind you that the sea is ever near. Aqua and neutral tones weave their way through the “under the sea life” pattern seen in the carpet and helps pull together the fabric choices for the upholstered pieces in the room. A pair of upholstered cubes and a ceramic garden stool, add occasional seating when needed. As though back from a long lazy day at the beach, turquoise Buddhas “sleep” comfortably a top their bookshelf perch. The circular dining table in this room promotes conversation and offers no hierarchy to those who find themselves seated in the ultra-suede
chairs around it. French doors with a transom window above, allow light to fill the room and reflect off the modern metallic surface of the chandelier. A gilded starburst mirror shines its rays down upon a trio of turquoise vases on a side table in the dining room. Upholstered chairs surround the formal mahogany pedestal dining table. Aqua blue circles mimic the circular design of the chandelier’s contemporary drum shade hanging above the table. With their interconnected gold frames, the circular discs appear shell-like in nature, blending well with the sea-inspired theme of the home. It can be said that casual sophistication reigns supreme in this room. The lines between the home’s interior and exterior rooms have been blurred by Susan’s thoughtful design. As our weather warms and the days grow longer, sea breezes will soon fill this home and it will be brightened by a bold and brilliant summer sun. As day moves into night the glistening water will give way to starlit skies reminding us that our natural surroundings always provide the perfect template from which design springs forth.
Katie Keating is an interior designer and freelance writer and can be reached at 203.339.5820 or katiekdesign@yahoo.com
RESOURCES Designer Susan Glick Interiors Westport, Connecticut 203.984.4112 susan@susanglickinteriors.com susanglickinteriors.com Stylist Ronny Carroll 203.561.8386 Photographer Jane Beiles janebeiles.com Stacy Bass 203.221.7606 (Living, dining and family room photos)
OPPOSITE Upholstered chairs surround a double pedestal mahogany table in the dining room lending to the modern classic feel of the space. East Coast Home + Design
51
Adding sparkle and shine, a pair of drum style pendants from Ironies, illuminates both the lower level and loft space above. Covered in shells, the fixtures sport a quatrefoil motif. 52 www.echomeanddesign.com
Casual elegance reigns supreme in the new family room. Mohair covers the custom sofa, while table lamps constructed of rock crystal flank it and adorn transitional style end tables.
Beyond The Gables
B
eyond the gables of this stately 19th century Victorian, beats the heart of a home seen in the form of a magnificently designed living space by New York interior designer, Kyle Timothy
Blood, of Kyle Timothy Home, LLC. While natural lights floods the new addition with its open floor plan and well appointed spaces, that wasn’t always the case in this area of the family’s home.
S T O R Y B Y K AT I E K E AT I N G
PHOTOS BY ERIC STRIFFLER
East Coast Home + Design
53
Located in the coastal town of Rye, New York, the in-town home keeps company with many beautiful examples of period architecture. In this case however, some of those lovely architectural details were hidden by an earlier addition to the rear of the home which blocked its beautiful gables and was at times quite drafty. According to Kyle, it had the appearance of “a box with ashed roof having been slapped up against the Victorian house” 54
www.echomeanddesign.com
with little thought to how it should be integrated within the existing architecture of the home. “Small, dark and cramped”, it had poor circulation and didn’t address the needs of the current homeowners. “Thinking outside the box with a scale ruler and pencil, he tweaked the homeowner’s existing architectural plans” and presented them with three new floor plans that addressed the program needs expressed by his clients. His mission was
to “create a new addition that included a large open kitchen, separate breakfast room, separate family room, mud room and laundry room as well as comfortable loft space for TV watching by the clients’ An “ice chest-style pantry” makes practical use of space running along the stair wall. Finished in oak, the pantry complements the large scale island in the center of the room.
ABOVE RIGHT Perimeter cabinetry throughout the kitchen, laundry room and office area have classical detailing and have been finished in white. RIGHT Twelve by twenty four inch silver-backed glass, “La Leaf” tiles from Artistic tile were used on the backsplash behind the stove and above the kitchen counters. In the butler’s pantry, zinc counters and a custom glass tile mosaic jazz up the space. East Coast Home + Design
55
children and their neighborhood friends. The kitchen had to include both a large scaled center island and office area that would serve as “command central” for his client. The new plan also presents a seamless transition between the new and old sections of the home and allows the once blocked gables to stand proud. With his passion for architecture, Kyle paid special attention to the architectural details making up this home and continued them throughout the new addition. He designed new five inch wide moldings, scaled from the house’s original eight-inch wide ones, for the addition as well as all the new balusters and posts seen throughout. Each project he completes is unique to that particular client and home, for he prides himself on making sure there are “no repeat performances”. Transitional in feel, the new spaces boast a mix of high end and custom pieces. His clients realized that they love “square” shaped design elements and examples of these can be found throughout the new spaces, especially when looking at the lighting fixtures illuminating each area. Case in point is the double cube Holly Hunt chandelier hanging above a square family room coffee table by John Boone. Billowy panels of Larsen fabric frames the windows and are suspended on square drapery rings that run along square polished stainless rods. The custom mohaircovered sofa is flanked on either side by rock crystal lamps which add both visual interest and an organic element to the room. Eight-inch wide planks of quartersawn and rift white-oak run throughout many areas of the new addition. Christian Liaigre wing and swivel chairs make up the comfortable seating arrangement which has been grounded on a silk area rug.
56
www.echomeanddesign.com
Filled with natural light, the sunny breakfast area boasts a Baccarat chandelier and custom stainless and stone dining table.
East Coast Home + Design
57
With its clever design and positioning, each swivel chair can turn its attention to conversations taking place in both the family room and adjacent kitchen. Honoring his clients’ request for light filled spaces, Kyle swapped out a fireplace originally planned for behind the wing chair in favor of the tall center window we see here now, matching the arch of the windows to the house’s original arches in the formal living room. Moving into the cheery kitchen, we’re greeted by a thoughtful mix of texture and materials. Square shaped recessed lighting combines with polished nickel pendants to provide task lighting to the space. Professional appliances by Wolfe, Sub-Zero, King and Miele offer the latest in culinary technology blending well within this sleek design. Kyle opted in favor of a “deck mounted” pot filler on the island that offers added convenience for the cook, swiveling 360 degrees to various areas on the island. The Christopher Peacock cabinetry blends warm oak surfaces with lighter painted finishes. Polished nickel hardware has been used throughout. 58
www.echomeanddesign.com
“only when every person and every item in a house has a dedicated place/space to rest, can the flow and functionality be achieved, then you can begin to make it beautiful” Natural stone counters have been married with wood surfaces. In the butler’s pantry, Kyle Timothy used custom designed glass mosaic tiles from Artistic Tile for the backsplash, with zinc counters, while 12” x 24” glass “La Leaf ” tiles with antique silver backing perform the same function in the kitchen. Larsen fabric has been used to dress each window in the kitchen and office area while the oak desk top complements the “ice chest pantry” running along the stair wall. Open to the room, its creative use of space allows for lots of storage but is not invasive. As with all kitchens he designs, he began the project with what he affectionately refers to as, “Kyle’s Kitchen List”: together, client and designer took a complete inventory of ex-
isting and potential items to ensure that each item will have its own place within his new design. Sliders in the breakfast room lead to terraces beyond and allow natural light to fill the space. Above the custom stone and polished stainless-steel table, a Baccarat chandelier adds a dose of understated elegance to this modern scheme. B & B leather chairs surround the custom table and complete the welcoming arrangement. On the wall behind the table, antique Indian screens add old world charm and provide textural interest in the corner. Eighteen by eighteen squares of Botticino Fiorito polished marble make up the floor and give it a seamless feel to the adjacent whitewashed floor.
In the mudroom, a custom bench designed by Kyle provides a sturdy seat to change small, muddy boots. Porcelain tile on the floor provides easy cleanup for messy kids and canines alike. A sliding door offers entry into the laundry room. Satin nickel fixtures finish the well lit custom sink and cabinetry in this space. Stark carpet softens the stairs as you journey up to the comfortable loft. Square, true divided light windows envelope the space with natural light giving it an open, “aerie” feel. The over-scale sectional and square ottoman provide cozy seating for large groups. Visible through the custom railing, are a magnificent pair of large scale drum style pendants from Ironies. Sporting quatrefoil designs, they frames are covered with shell, adding sparkle and interest to the both levels. Small, square shaped recessed wall lights run up the stairs providing soft light and a safe passage to the loft. Soft neutrals make up this restful palette.
Kyle sums up his design philosophy by saying that “only when every person and every item in a house has a dedicated place/space to rest, can the flow and functionality be achieved, then you can begin to make it beautiful”. Once again, he has not disappointed!
RESOURCES Designer Kyle Timothy Home, LLC Kyle Timothy Blood 405 West 23rd Street, Suite 5J New York, NY 10011 917.597.2312 kyletimothy.com
Katie Keating is an interior designer and freelance writer and can be reached at 203.339.5820 or katiekdesign@yahoo.com
Architect Mark Mustacato 914.698.5589 rmgarchitects.com Contractor John Mazzola 914.403.3180 mazzolarestor@optonline.net
ABOVE Square true divided light windows envelop the loft area giving it an open, “aerie” feel. OPPOSITE The new design addition includes both a practical mudroom and loft space above. Stark carpet covers the stairs.
Photographer Eric Striffler All photographs owned By Eric Striffler striffler.com
East Coast Home + Design
59
60
www.echomeanddesign.com
OUTDOOR SPACES POOLS, POOL HOUSES + LANDSCAPES S T O R Y B Y K AT I E K E AT I N G
PICTURED: ROCK SPRING DESIGN GROUP
East Coast Home + Design
61
ROCK SPRING DESIGN GROUP While many of the key outdoor design elements were in place when David Verespy of Trumbull based Rock Spring Design Group came into this project, it was clear to he and his team that the surrounding landscape “did not engage the family and encourage them to live in the spaces beyond the pool and terrace”. “Verespy believes that the outdoor environment should not be something that is simply viewed from afar but a space that is lived in and supports how their clients want to live in the outdoors.” Therefore, it’s their practice to take a “collaborative client centric design approach” when planning a client’s outdoor living spaces. Founded in 2007, many of their projects are concentrated along coastal areas in Connecticut and Westchester Counties. Since the beginning, they’ve come “to be known for providing innovative solutions to complex problems”. Topping the gently curving stone walls that border the terrace, classical urns mark the entrance to the spacious lawn. Native plantings, colorful perennials and mature trees dot the property defining outdoor rooms and adding visual interest to the property. Voluminous pale pink roses mark a path down to the water. A pergola offers a quiet place to rest under the canopy of surrounding trees. White hydrangea bushes sit softly by the pool. Each room is defined by natural borders that help give them definition and a unique personality, yet allow them to flow naturally into the adjoining spaces. Like the interior rooms of your home, each one pulls you in and awakens the senses with their beauty. Rock Spring Design Group, LLC David Verespy 15 Rock Spring Road, Trumbull, CT 06611 203.268.6979, rockspringdesigngroup.com
30 Commerce Rd. Stamford, CT 06902 t t www.ihdesignstudio.com www.4-orm.com
iH design studio
East Coast Home + Design
63
PARKER DESIGN ASSOCIATES With offices located in Manhattan, New York, Sherman, Connecticut and Southampton, New York, Janice Parker of Parker Design Associates has been designing exquisite landscapes throughout the Tri-State area since 1984. Each project is unique and no two projects look alike as projects are tailored to the client’s needs as well as to the site. “My design goal is use a focused simplicity”, she said, adding that she’s “always looking for new approaches and details to keep things interesting and challenging for herself ”. Ever mindful of “sustainability and native plants”, Parker strives to create landscapes that are both “beautiful and functional twelve months a year”. Entitled, “The Raven”, this coastal landscape is located in the Saugatuck area of Westport, Connecticut and was comprehensive in its scope. “The property owner wanted a simple, lush landscape with architectural strength and year round interest.” The project design would include a “driveway, entry, paths, fencing, masonry, plantings and outdoor lighting.” A rich mixture of materials can be seen throughout. Cedar Lake granite was used for stone borders and the entry path, 64
www.echomeanddesign.com
ELISSA GRAYER INTERIOR DESIGN
re-claimed brown granite cobblestone bands and medallions in the paved parking court and beach pebbles used as mulch in the two side gardens. The center lawn has been patterned with square stone slabs. Terraces are Cedar Lake granite with grass joints. Box wood, ornamental grasses, native shrubs and perennials fill the rear garden. Five stone planters brimming with seasonal flowers and banana trees run parallel to the pool and “anchor the property�. Native shrubs provide a shoreline buffer. Above the raised spa a pergola makes an architectural statement. A collector of works by Edgar Allen Poe, it comes as no surprise that a cut out of a bird found its way into the design of the custom gates designed for their owner. Parker Design Associates Janice Parker, Principal Connecticut Office, 860.350.4497 P.O. Box 221, Sherman, CT 06784 New York Office, 212.929.6490 janiceparker.com
Elissa GrayEr intErior DEsiGn, llC 22 PurChasE strEEt | ryE, ny 10580 914-921-6500 P | 914-921-6501 F www.ElissaGrayErDEsiGn.Com
East Coast Home + Design
65
HAGGERTY POOLS Established in 1956, Haggerty Pools of Stamford, Connecticut has built a reputation for providing superior service to residential pool and spa owners throughout greater Fairfield and Westchester Counties. With an experienced design team on staff, they can take a project from concept through construction working independently or with outside landscape designers should the scope of work call for it. In addition, they offer state of the art automation, renovations and repairs services, maintenance and weekly chemical deliveries as well as leak tests by certified diving personnel, just to name a few. With a “breathtaking back drop”, this beautiful freeform pool is located in Weston, Connecticut. “Old spruce mountain granite” was used for the coping and deck stones giving it a natural look. The interior step design includes quartz stone on the top step along with a sun shelf before you descend the stairs. There seems to be a natural progression towards the attached circular spa which offers the perfect spot to sit and take in the panoramic view. “The interior finish is from Pool Surfaces of Carolina Marble Series Tahoe Blue.” With its graceful profile and organic design it looks as though it was tailor made for this bucolic setting. 66
www.echomeanddesign.com
Haggerty Pools Roger Haggerty 80 Largo Drive Stamford, CT 06907 203.348.6899 haggertypools.com
© DURSTON SAYLOR
JANICE PARKER LANDSCAPE DESIGN www. janiceparker.com • 860.350.4497
GARDINER & LARSON HOMES Designing and building high-end residential homes since the 1995, Judith Larson and her colleagues at Gardiner & Larson Homes work closely and personally with their clients to help them achieve their visions easily and with a great amount of creative enjoyment. Working as a team with their clients, interior designers, and landscape designers, they develop projects that reflect the tastes and style preferences of their clients and at the same time harmonize with the environment—both natural and built--in a seamless, timeless fashion so that they never lose their value or appeal. In this particular project, the pool house was designed to resemble a carriage house on a Victorian estate. The main house, though designed and built by Gardiner & Larson Homes in 2007, embodies all the period detail that one might find in a turn of the last century, late 1800’s antique house of that style, and the pool house is a reflection of that. It is set on a stone foundation built into the side of a hill and includes a large lounge area with a fireplace, dining area, “pool house kitchen,” two full bathrooms with changing areas, and an exercise room. Thick, heavy sliding barn-type mahogany doors open completely at both the front and back, allowing a cross-breeze to circulate through on hot summer 68
www.echomeanddesign.com
evenings. Set discreetly within the stone foundation on the lower level is a place for storage, pool equipment and for the owners to store their very special car collection. In the interior, the owners wanted to create a feeling that reminded them of their family vacations in the Bahamas, so they developed a neutral palette with turquoise and peach accents, high beamed ceilings, paddle ceiling fans and plenty of windows keep the lounge and dining areas light, airy and bright. The sliding barn doors open completely to the outdoor dining area beneath a Victorian style pergola, creating one large area for entertaining. As with all of Larson’s projects, her meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout. Regardless of the scope of the project, large or small, Gardiner & Larson strive to provide personal, caring and attentive service along with exceptionally fine quality of construction to all of their clients through every stage of their project. Gardiner & Larson Homes 21 Locust Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840 203.972.1409, gardinerlarsonhomes.com photos by Nancy Hill
AUSTIN GANIM LANDSCAPE DESIGN Offering a full range of design, installation and maintenance services, Austin Ganim Landscape Design, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, create timeless designs that provide a seamless transition between the home and garden. With both design build and professional services divisions, they offer a full range of services from concept to landscape maintenance. This particular project evolved over several phases. Having worked with the homeowner for many years, landscape architect, Eva Chiamulera began first by developing a master plan for the property, making sure that the design “fit in with the historic character of the neighborhood while creating an intimate garden room and play spaces elsewhere on the property”. European Hornbeams enclose the “garden room” and provide it with privacy from the street and adjacent buildings. A circular brick and blue stone patio was added and over time, trimmed by a shade perennial garden that adds “textural and color contrast to the nearby hedges”. A stepping stone walkway connects the house to the lawn areas. The varied “plant palette” combines the soft texture and fine foliage of sweet woodruff with the large bold leaves of Hosta Sagea. Dappled light fills the shade garden creating a calm and quiet atmosphere for the homeowner to relax, entertain friends or host her book club meeting. This well thought out design provides continual garden blooms from early spring with “the first signs of witch hazels and daffodils” and continues throughout the summer months with shades of white and pastel appearing in a varied assortment of perennials, hydrangea and summer sweet. As autumn approaches, blooming perennials such as cimicifuga and anemone continue this colorful show, allowing Mother Nature to delight once more, until the first frost settles in. Austin Ganim Lanndscape Design, LLC Austin Ganim & Eva Chiamulera, ASLA 320 Kings Highway Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824 203.333.2003 AustinGanimLandscapeDesign.com
Let’s Move Forward & Build Something It’s the perfect time to remodel, restore, and recreate
Call us for a complimentary project evaluation at
203 698 1147
Construction Management + General Contracting One Park Avenue • Old Greenwich, CT 203 698 1147 www.apsavinollc.com
East Coast Home + Design
69
HILTON VANDERHORN ARCHITECTS Located in Greenwich, Connecticut, this Georgian style pool house represents just one phase of a design relationship that has spanned seventeen years between the architectural firm of Hilton Vanderhorn and their client. Known for creating high-end traditional residences throughout Fairfield and Westchester Coun-
ties, this pool house design blends classical architectural elements with modern day amenities. The clever design allows for a bathroom and changing rooms in one section while the other offers a pool house kitchen with custom designed cabinetry, cherry counters, sink and half-refrig-
erator. Three panel bi-fold doors allow you to close off the kitchen from the central portion. In the opposing section, the well proportioned powder room opens to changing rooms and like the kitchen has limestone flooring and bead board walls. Fixtures are by Waterworks. Designed to match the main house, oversized bricks were handmade using a mixture of Glengarry and Old Carolina brick. Doric columns support the pergola which covers the entertaining area and joins the two sections of the pool house. A copper roof, rafter tails and lattice panel on the rear of the space add to the charm. The outdoor design also includes a grilling area and pizza oven. The pool is finished with limestone coping and a bluestone terrace. Behind the pool house and down a set of stone stairs, Mercury strikes a noble pose. Is he heralding your arrival or bidding you Ridgefield_Glass.indd 1 farewell? Hilton VanderHorn Architects Charles Hilton Douglas VanderHorn 31 East Elm Street Greenwich, CT 06830 203.862.9011 hilton-vanderhorn.com
NURSERY Â & Â GREENHOUSES, Â LLC
EST. Â 1930
+*- " $ ! ',.*' $ %)'*& .,/#*+(. " "
East Coast Home + Design
71
´ Melange
• A Collection of Unique Items for the Home
KoKoon KOKOON was designed as a personal getaway in the form of a stationary hammock. With enough room for four people, it can provide a truly unique lounging experience whether in a backyard, at the beach or in a resort hotel. It has a cushion-covered Batyline sling and roof with optional curtains for an extra bit of privacy. KOKOON also has two base options: a teak base for terrace use and a steel base that can be embedded in the ground. Batyline and cushions are available in white or cappuccino; the curtain set is available in white. Materials/Colors: teak, white, cappuccino Batyline seat. All pieces are available through D’Apostrophe, 394 Broadway, New York, NY, 212.334.5045, royalbotania.com
72
www.echomeanddesign.com
,JOHT )JHIXBZ $VUPò t 'BJSÜFME $5
Ganim’s Ganim’s Garden Garden
Center Center & & Florist, Florist, LLC LLC 5SFFT t 4ISVCT t 1FSFOOJBMT t 3PTFT 'SVJU 5SFFT t "OOVBMT t 7FHFUBCMFT
Join Ganim’s Gardeners, our new customer loyalty program, to receive special offers & event invitations:
203.333.5662
XXX (BOJNT(BSEFO$FOUFS DPN Set of BaRBque NapkiNS Set of 20 barbecue luncheon napkins: five of each color. A graphic collage of mouthwatering words brightens barbecues in orange, yellow, green and red.3-ply tissue, Water-based inks & Biodegradable packaging For store locations: crateandbarrel.com
CaDeNCe laNteRN
Austin Austin Ganim Ganim
-BOETDBQF %FTJHO --$ -BOETDBQF %FTJHO --$
Ribbons of natural bamboo form a whimsical looped on a sturdy rattan frame. Handcrafted lantern with glass insert sits on a table or hangs from the iron wire handle For store locations: crateandbarrel.com
Dahlia NapkiN RiNg Pistachio color. We’ve cap-
LanETDBQF "SDIJUFDUVSF t (BSEFO %FTJHO
tured the enchanting essence of the Dahlia, so this beautiful bud can flourish on your table year round. We crafted this Pistachio floral ring of freshly hued Sinamay Straw for textural interest, adding a dew-drop of sparkle at the center to finish. Juliska.com *OTUBMMBUJPO t -BXO (BSEFO .BJOUFOBODF www.AustinGanimLandscapeDesign.com
203.333.2003 73 East Coast Home + Design
Licensed & Insured: B-2036, HIC.0602611, HIC.0602612, S4820
´ Melange
Ferre ColleCtion deSigned By CĂŠdriC dequidt Sofa (with removable cushions): L. 196 x H. 71 x D. 82 cm. The idea: a simple repetition of different colored steel tubes, like a retro bar code. The result: a fresh charm-filled design that lifts the spirits. Outdoor collection, structure made from varnish-lacquered steel tubes. roche Bobois, 200 Madison Avenue New York, NY, 212.889.0700, rochebobois.com
SiSSinghurSt teak Seat Our interpretation of a design by the much respected Edwardian architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. The most distinctive of seats, with its flowing curves and curls, is often used as the focal point in a variety of garden styles and settings. An imposing seat that can only add elegance to your leisure hours all year round. Barlow tyrie for dealers teak.com
74
www.echomeanddesign.com
CAning CAnDle PotS Dress up candles and tea lights with our lovely caning holder that boasts intricate weaving for a touch of the bohemian, and a glinting silver medallion for a touch of elegance - with an interior glass insert for easy transport to the veranda for a candlelit supper. Also functions as a vase. Available in Espresso or Natural. Juliska.com
Surf This two-person hammock is visually stunning and supremely comfortable. A distinctive feature of this piece is that it appears to and does indeed “hover” in space. Surf is made of Royal Botania’s stainless steel and mesh as well as a canopy made from Batyline. This semi-transparent fabric also blocks 86% of the Sun’s rays. Surf is able to be permanently installed into the ground, fitted with an optional, sturdy base for placement on a terrace, and even has an available wheel-set to be placed on the base to allow for maximum mobility. Materials/Colors: stainless steel frame, white, cappuccino, black, turquoise Batyline seat. D’Apostrophe, 394 Broadway, New York, NY 10013, 212.334.5045, royalbotania.com
AurA New Aura aluminum deep seating stacking chair and footrest, Aura aluminum and teak high dining pub table and chairs also our new “Sail” square parasol. D’Apostrophe, 394 Broadway, New York, NY 10013, 212.334.5045, royalbotania.com
East Coast Home + Design
75
In The Field KATIE KEATING
Out Of The Past
W
hat began as a passion for gardening so many years ago in a small Western Massachusetts town, has blossomed into one of the finest resources for ornamental garden designs in our area. Established eighteen years ago in Wilton, Connecticut, by Amabel Chan, Marvin Gardens is the go to source for unique garden sculptures, outdoor furnishings and exquisitely designed garden container arrangements. A Renaissance woman in her own right, this entrepreneurial mother of four evokes emotion in every design she creates. Located at 713 Danbury Road (also known as Route 7), just north of Cannon-
dale, this road side shop is a treasure trove of both antique and reproduction garden design elements and assorted plant matter. Housed in what long-time Wiltonites might recall as Scribner’s Fruit Stand, it seems fitting that this noble antique stone structure would play home to such a varied assortment of both old and new products. Sourced from around the world, many items have a “past” of their own and thanks to Chan, are now finding new life in her unexpected creations. “I like to create an emotion that speaks to the heart” she told me, and is “not afraid to create a sense of style that conveys her individuality”. Her designs have a timeless feel to them, “marrying the extremely sophisti-
cated with the worn and crusty giving that design a well-worn, old-world feel”. Eighty percent of her products are constructed of cast iron, wrought iron, zinc or stainless steel. “Living walls, vintage faux-bois, large orbs and organic plant matter cater to those that want to be individuals.” Many of her designs have a European appeal to them. She
Kuehnbuilding.com
General Contracting & Property Maintenance Firm combs world-wide markets to secure pieces that are unusual and would add visual interest and can by her own admission, “source anything” for her clients. Her designs solve conceptual challenges and she believes that less is more. In a nod to sustainability and budget conscience consumers, she prefers using perennials over annuals, though she will incorporate them should the design call for them. She’s moved away from the “traditional English garden” in favor of statement making “container gardens”. Cast iron urns and industrial planters give her clients the ability to have low maintenance beauty at their finger tips and can evolve over a five to six month growing season, especially here in the northeast. Clients can bring their own containers for her to plant or have any of the planting vessels found on site customized to fit with their home’s décor. Built into the natural contour of the property the shop sits upon, each ascending row displays a myriad of fascinating pieces, some of which gaze out at you through ceramic or iron eyes pulling your further and further into this fantastical land of outdoor accents. Whimsical metal animals look longingly and beseech you to take them home with you. Garden gates from long ago boasting antique patinas do not betray the secrets they hold from their earlier lives. Bistro tables and chairs illuminated by the antique chandeliers above beckon you to sit and dine under the stars in your own backyard. Friendly chipmunks scurry throughout as though guardians of this sacred collection. Inside the shop, interior furnishings and accessories await the unsuspecting buyer. Selected pieces like these might have been seen several years ago at H. M. Oliver, an interior design boutique Chan once operated just down the road from Marvin Gardens. Closed in 2010, she found that her “intuitive sense of outdoor design concepts” spoke to her more than the design of interior spaces. Her willingness to share and educate others on how to use plant materials in non-
traditional ways have rewarded her with a loyal following of landscape architects, designers and homeowners alike. She regularly participates in floral shows along the East Coast and was awarded the 2011 Blue Ribbon prize for Best Large Booth at last year’s Philadelphia Flower Show. She regularly supports local charitable organizations as well. “I think everyone should own a lemon tree”, she said as we chatted that afternoon. Surrounded by her vast and varied collection of outdoor ornamental items, the statement seemed a curious one to me at first until she explained that the tree, when brought in for the winter, would continue to bloom and trigger memories of summer days outside in the garden. As I thought further about her statement and looked around me, it became clear just why her statement made sense passion; her passion for design, her passion as a gardener and her passion for marrying the two and creating a sense of timeless beauty. As summer quickly approaches and our busy lives begin to settle down, take a leisurely drive along Route 7 and stop to get lost among the riches of this shop. Lunch will soon be served atop these pretty bistro tables as Amabel expands her creativity to the eatery next door. Offering great seasonal fare and signature dishes, like Marvin Gardens, they’re sure to delight the senses. For more information, go to www.marvingardensusa.com. Katie Keating is an interior design and freelance writer and can be reached at 203.339.5820 or at; katiekdesign@yahoo.com. Marvin Gardens Amabel Chan 713 Danbury Road (Rte. 7) Wilton, CT 06897 203.544.2020 MarvinGardensUSA.com
P.O. Box 2875 Danbury CT. 06813 203-791-2919
Ask the theExperts Experts Ask TRACY DWYER TRACY DWYER
Tips in Creating Color FieldsCozy Outdoor Retreat the Perfect,
G S
enerally every year, have in springclients, the questions came up in ummers in France always provided an following opportunity for adventure.
What do I need to consider in my de-
sign? time, we ventured over to our initial planning. Exterior design is a When daughters younger andenjoyed ready topart takeofon Think about the activities your family France my to be delightedwere by the much ourendurance, design services will engage in. An open-air kitchen area, lush countryside. One of my at Parc Monceau. we met up with some locals to hike a 7.5 km loop known as the a firepit or fireplace, shady areas and sunfavorite memories, driving ny areas for sunbathing, an outdoor ping throughinthethe back country roads How dothe I get started? Plateau d’Albion Luberon. We’d witnessed abundant fields of pong table, are a few to consider. If you with our two daughters in the back of our Before you begin, think about how you plan lavender the carawindow and herdhad not expected to outdoor hike through plan properly, this will become your most Citron, wefrom approached local farmer to use your space. oceans The ‘backyard’ favorite part of the house. Elegant founing his flock of sheep on his bicycle. As is taking over as the favorite gathering of neatly trimmed lavender fields. It was intoxicating! Tiny buds of lavender were tains are a must. It is fairly simple to add a we watched the trail of mothers with their place for cooking, entertaining and relaxfountain to any garden outdoor space. You feeble babies, a three-legged babyfor lamb ation. More homeowners are bringing all found in our shoes and pockets weeks following this splendid afternoon. will need an electrician to run a line from was struggling to keep up. Our youngest the comforts of their indoor rooms to the daughter, leapt out of color usedtheonwater wallspump andtoinanfabrics. outlet. If this is not of the car, and quickIf you are used to living with can all white possible, a birdbath ly swept up the lame walls, I have give a surprise for you. a similar affect.Adding baby in her arms and Researchchange what patio, color will instantly your mood carried it to the pasdeck and walkway ture to be with the and you will ask yourself ‘whatmatook me terials you will use. others. Showing his so long?’ In an open plan, the colors you The best tip to share gratitude, the farmer decide to work withpreparing should complement when your invited us back to his one another. One way to accomplish deck material is to alstables full of newways cover ground born babies. Hours this with paint is to staythewith one color with a black tarpFor matelater, we were back and change its percentage. example, rial before laying loose in the Citron headed in your bright areas you can use full stone to prevent the for home. strength of aweeds color while from using coming75% or Springtime cre50% of the same color in an adjoining through. ates an opportunity Your plan can be as for change. Carve room with less natural light. simple or elaborate as color out a cozy outdoor Barlow Tyrie Don’t forget to consider using desired. Pergolas can retreat. Make it a teak.com on your ceilings, trims and baseboards. be built over patios, space to unwind and In low ceiling areas, using a hinttoof blue decks and firepits relax. Treat this area willprotection make thefrom ceiling higher. provide theappear sun and to No the same way you would the inside of your outside by creating multipurpose outdoor a cozy A pergola provides an blue home. Exterior spaces just as muchcolor in living functions extensions willspace. ever notice that you have yourthat own home asbyinviting answering some of defineone Choosing and are articulating waythe to train flowering vinestrim to canopy need our of decorating interiorhas spaces. You a of our theirmost home.frequently asked questions. ideal on ceiling. If your is not great for clients’ as homes become over the structure. If you use a pergola over will need a comfortable place to read, nap, Put a pencil to paper and sketch out a and you do not want to draw fun job. The paint manufacturers and your dining area, wire for a chandelier attention for eat and entertain. Think of it as your oaplan. Proper planning is essential. Working to it, consider painting Trim can In an mylandscape house, all the rooms on the the touch of ambiance. Tightit.spaces sis. retailers present us with the tools with designer can help pre-first an added attention to details. be extra painted in a contrasting color or if floor openMap up out intoareas onewhereby another. toWarm createweather color isstories. From Benjamin vent perfect for entertaining mistakes. someIs it demand outdoors. Making it comfortable and stylare open and others covered, depending on using the same color as the wall color, important to decorate with the same Moore and Farrow & Ball color catalogs What plants should I use? ish color makes guests for friendly the sun rises and falls. The varying change the texture from eggshell on the colors? to storiesfeel at welcome Restoration Hard- where If you are making these decisions on your gatherings. levels of your topography will also dictate to asemi-gloss the trim. ware and Pottery Barn—we own walls without professional,onchoose flowDesigning a patio space adjacenthave to theall placement of your dining table, lounge On most of our Today, in our area, most of the learned a bit more and now are better ering plants that bloom early ininterior May anddesign interior family room for our Darien design chairs, firepit, etc.
educated as consumers. talk about how we can help 78 Let’s www.echomeanddesign.com you feel comfortable using color in
houses have what is referred to as an open floor plan. Therefore, there needs to be careful consideration to choices
jobs at Parc Monceau, we like to work with various mediums in the same color wave such as using grass-cloth,
OOCK Sustainable Design Boutique oockgreendesign.com
continue blooming to the first Fall frost. Use flowering vines on trellises, arbors and pergolas. Ask the experts at your local nursery what they recommend for pots and beds in shade and sun. Use a combination of evergreen shrubs, such as boxwoods with flowering annuals. The evergreen will give you interest all year long. Container gardening is low maintenance. My favorite and ‘must haves’ each year are the ‘Mandevilla’ species. This profuse climber blooms from May to October and are real showstoppers. I like to have a color theme in different sections of my garden. Raised container vegetable gardens can hold kitchen herbs used daily for cooking; tomatoes and basil can be potted and the string beans can crawl up your fence. To add a tropical flair to your garden, try a wonderful potted palm tree. It will not survive the cold weather but well worth the investment. Colorful umbrellas and outdoor cushions in bright patterns can be coordinated with potted flowering annuals.
for aethestics only, not on the top of the cozy list. What tips do you have for outdoor entertaining?
Votives for your tabletop and fresh flowers from the garden will create a setting for alfresco dining. Lighting can be used to complete the look. Hanging lanterns and string lights are a great way to illuminate an outdoor space and create ambiance for nighttimne gatherings without spending alot. Line the perimeter of your party area with lanterns and create a lit pathway. If you have put trees in your outdoor plan, up lighting can be very dramatic. Add to your list, an outdoor sound system. Music and entertaining go hand in hand. Warm weather entertaining is so fun and easy in your newly designed outdoor paradise. It’s a time to try new grilling recipes, bring out the festive tableware and crank up the blender.
7LPHOHVV +RPHV
)LQH 5HQRYDWLRQV
How do I choose outdoor furniture?
There are alot of great options in the marketplace. In my opinion, you will want the largest outdoor dining table that your space allows. Choose sofas and chairs that allow you to relax right at home. Comfort is everything. The metal styles are typically
Bonne chance! A bientot, Tracy Dwyer, Proprietor Parc Monceau Westport
MDEORQVNLDVVRFLDWHV FRP New Canaan, CT 203.966.3636 East Coast Home + Design
79
Hidden Treasure
A Change In Attitude
W
hen thinking of our homes and how we live in them we often focus on the interior living spaces. Family rooms, kitchens, beds and baths seem to be the spaces we think of most when we plan our interior designs. Are they large enough? Do they function properly? Are they beautifully decorated? While these questions are important to how we utilize the spaces we live in, one space seems to go unnoticed; our garages. That is of course until we can’t manage to pull in and out of them without running into or over the many things that get piled up, pushed to the side or packed away in poorly marked boxes. But now, there’s a solution to this design challenge – Attitude Garage. Established three years ago by R.J. and Starr Lorenzi, it’s co-owned and run by Lee and Tracy Montanari as well. They’ve taken a collective background in residential and commercial construction, interior design, auto body experience and retail management to provide design solutions to home
owners and retail businesses throughout Fairfield and Westchester Counties. With a full line of flooring, cabinetry and wall storage options, they will, as their saying goes, take your “No Place to Show Place”. In addition, they have become known as the “Residential Car Lift Specialists” offering space saving alternatives for multiple car owners. What “makes them special” is their ability to bring their product line to the client’s front door via their mobile showroom.
Inside, clients can view cabinet choices, flooring options, slatwall and accessories all designed to satisfy both residential and commercial clients alike. Attitude Garage works with architects, designers and homeowners during the design phase of a new construction project to ensure that the space is properly sized and equipped with adequate storage and power needs or helps home and business owners to repurpose and improve their existing spaces. For multiple car owners, Attitude Garage can install single and two post lifts, specialty lifts or four post lifts which store one car over another. Flooring options include PVC or Polyurea treatments that can be customized by color, texture and even your own logo. They will train clients on how to safely operate their lifts as well as on the proper care and maintenance of them. A licensed home improvement contractor, Attitude Garage can also address your basement needs. Call Attitude Garage today to put your garage makeover in motion. Attitude Garage R.J. and Starr Lorenzi Lee Montanari and Tracy Montanari 203.509.5353 attitudegarage.com
80
www.echomeanddesign.com
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN ~ INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATION ~ CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT East Coast Home + Design (203) 966-0048 ~ WADIAASSOCIATES.COM
81
F
lawless
LANDSCAPING and MASONRY
C R E AT I N G A N D C A R I N G F O R F I N E P R O P E R T I E S I N FA I R F I E L D C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 9 9 3 V I S I T W W W. O D D J O B L A N D S C A P I N G . C O M F O R A S E L E C T I O N O F I N S P I R E D I D E A S