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CATRIONA BRANCA
Eliza Crater Harris
The great-granddaughter of Sister Parish honors her heritage by preserving and updating classic textiles and wallpapers at Sister Parish Design
SHARON KING HOGE
Visionary Design
After the relentless snows of this past winter, I am anxiously waiting for a little green outside my window. Change will do us all a little good. Maybe you seek a change of scenery, which always engages me and often transports me. I guess that is why I love to travel. I love seeing a new landscape or experiencing a new culture. On both of my trips to South Africa, I was totally disoriented at the sight of wild animals roaming casually along a road or close to camp, yet I was left with a sense of awe. ■ In the world of design, our homes can transport us if we trust in a design professional. Even a small upgrade in paint or window treatments can thrill. I know someone who added linen drapery in a green and brown ikat pattern that completely changed her living room. And another friend added a dramatic wallpaper that totally transformed her powder room. Yes, it is something new, but it’s a change that can elevate an entire space. ■ I love the sense of awe that comes with a room that undergoes a transformation by a talented designer. The first time you walk into a newly finished space, you look around and take it all in. At first you don’t recognize the room—which is odd because you watched the entire process of transformation and took part in choosing all the elements. In that blurred moment of not recognizing your own room, you look for any elements from the original space that are still there. You realize that, yes, here are all the elements that you wanted included, but it somehow looks better than you thought. You are in awe of the space. ■ A few years ago, I enlisted a friend and accomplished designer—Amy Leonard of Leonard+Leess Design—to work with me on a bathroom in my home. I pretty much knew what I wanted, but Amy pushed me where I need to be pushed and pulled me back when I was headed for a mistake. Although the room was small, it was all gutted, and new floors, tiles, fixtures and paint soon appeared. Even though I had been so involved in the project, I still could not believe my eyes when it was finished. That was about eight years ago, and I still love the space; it never gets tired. Change is an amazing feeling that stays with you for a very long time. Perhaps it is what a designer once shared with me: “The role of the designer is to create a space that is more than the client envisioned.” And that is what happened with my bathroom design. It is so much better than I had ever imagined!
DJ Carey Editorial Director djcarey@candg.com
Green Energy A living room corner gets a dash of panache at Bennett Leifer’s Redding home, profiled in “Maybe, Absolutely!” page 58.
Formalizing a Vision
This January, Cottages & Gardens ® became a federally registered trademark. While the paperwork is new, the spirit behind the name has been with us from the beginning. ■ “Cottages” has always been our playful nod to the Gilded Age, when families such as the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Astors referred to their grand summer estates as “cottages.” These cottages were anything but modest—extraordinary seasonal homes set within carefully composed landscapes in the Hamptons, Newport, the Gold Coast of Long Island and the Berkshires. ■ That pairing of architecture and gardens—of structure and setting—became part of our DNA. ■ Since the launch of HC&G (Hamptons Cottages & Gardens) in 2002, the brand expanded into Connecticut in 2004 with Connecticut Cottages & Gardens followed by New York and Palm Beach editions. Today, that vision lives not only in the pages of our magazines, but also through cottagesgardens. com and our dailyDEEDS ® dispatch—where celebrity and real estate stories, videos and design conversations connect national and international markets every day. ■ Cottages & Gardens ® represents a distinct voice in luxury publishing—rooted in history, grounded in place and always evolving. As we look ahead, we remain committed to celebrating the homes, landscapes and creative minds that shape the communities we live in.
Marianne Howatson CEO/Publication Director
mhowatson@candg.com
Debut Issue In September 2004, the Cottages & Gardens® brand expanded into Connecticut with the first issue of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens
One-of-a-kind modern heirlooms set with luminous Black Opals from Lightning Ridge, Australia.
APRIL 2026
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR MARIANNE HOWATSON
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR DJ CAREY
ART DIRECTOR KRISTEN HOGE
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR SHELBY NINE-DURSO
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LYDIA MATTSON
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
EXECUTIVE EDITOR CATRIONA BRANCA
SENIOR EDITOR MARY FITZGERALD
EDITOR AT LARGE SHARON KING HOGE
SHERI DE BORCHGRAVE, ANN LOYND BURTON, DIANE DI COSTANZO, HELEN KLISSER DURING, EVA HAGBERG, ANN KAISER, JAMIE MARSHALL, TOVAH MARTIN, DAVID MASELLO, MINDY PANTIEL, HARRIET MAYS POWELL, ALEXA STEVENSON, SUSAN TAMULEVICH
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
JANE BEILES, JULIE BIDWELL, WILLIE COLE, TRIA GIOVAN, JOHN GRUEN, HULYA KOLABAS, NEIL LANDINO JR., TIM LENZ, ELLEN MCDERMOTT, READ MCKENDREE, ANASTASSIOS MENTIS, MARCO RICCA, EMILY SIDOTI, RIKKI SNYDER
Offers are available if you purchase two or more titles online at cottagesgardens.com/subscribe To purchase a copy of the Connecticut Design Guide 2026 for $19.95 plus shipping go to cottagesgardens.com/BuyCTDG. Subscription questions? Please call 203-227-1400 or email subscriptions@candg.com Please allow four to six weeks for your first issue to arrive. To subscribe by mail, send check or money order, Attention: Subscriptions, to:
HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS EDIT TO GIVE THEIR HOMES A REFRESH?
MELANIE FOSTER
“My approach to editing is rooted in preserving the soul of a home. I work closely with clients to identify the pieces that carry real meaning. My role is to listen first, understand what my clients already love, and then elevate it through proportion, balance and restraint. The goal is a refined home that feels personal, comfortable, and unmistakably theirs.
Thoughtful editing isn’t solely about taking away; it’s about clarifying what remains, and that, to me, is the beauty of great interior design.” Interior designer, “Modern Revival” (page 74), mfosterinteriors.com.
BENNETT LEIFER
“With my clients’ current homes, I am most often asked for help with editing accessories and entertaining items. Many times, I learn that accessories are a consolidation of presents and keepsakes with unremembered origins. I discover incomplete dinnerware and serving pieces that don’t necessarily reflect how the client entertains. I help my clients repurpose, rehome, donate or store pieces that are no longer of use and replenish them with streamlined collections that bring function, interest and beauty to their homes.”
“We love when a client’s personality is reflected in their home, so we begin each project by identifying the pieces that matter most—whether functional or sentimental. From there, we build around what’s meaningful and thoughtfully edit away anything that no longer serves the space.”
Interior designer, “Room to Grow” (page 50), callacane.com.
—Mary Fitzgerald
PALM BEACH COTTAGES & GARDENS’ CHAMPIONS CORNER
DESIGNED BY ERICK J. ESPINOZA FOR HELLER
Palm Beach Cottages & Gardens’ Champions Corner, a new VIP experience launched this season at NPC Wellington . Designed by Erick J. Espinoza for Heller.
Sundays, now through April 26th
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CONNECTICUT
ALDRICH GALA IN THE GARDEN
Join us in the Sculpture Garden for an unforgettable evening of cocktails, dinner and a live auction as we celebrate Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia and NXTHVN, cofounded by Titus Kaphar and Jason Price, for their commitment to arts and culture in Connecticut. Saturday, April 25, 6 p.m. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St., Ridgefield. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit thealdrich.org.
LARGER THAN LIFE
A DOZEN SMALL-SPACE VIGNETTES DELIVERED DESIGN INSPIRATION AT ROOMS WITH A VIEW PHOTOGRAPHS BY
ALAN BARRY
The Rooms With A View design showcase (roomswithaview.org) marked its thirtieth year at the historic Congregational Church in Southport last November. Held in the church great hall and library, the event—presented by media sponsor CTC&G —focused on a “Design for the Greater Good” theme. Every year, the multiday event—founded by late designer Albert Hadley, who had a home in Southport—revolves around a dozen small spaces created by a team of invited design professionals. This year, in addition to the vignettes, a café and bar called The Hadley Library & Cafe—inspired by the famous library room designed by Hadley for Brooke Astor—was created and served coffee, light bites and cocktails during the showcase. Additionally, an art show was curated by Swoon Gallery. Platinum and corporate sponsors of the event included Diane James Home, Drummonds, Eleish Van Breems, Phillip Jeffries, Little Greene Paint & Paper, On the Harbor Real Estate, Ring’s End, Russell Agency, Vaughan Designs and Waterworks, plus design sponsors Accurate Lock and Hardware, Arte, California Closets, Corston, DS Rugs, Fromental, Jennifer Manners, Marc Phillips Decorative Rugs, Motoplex, Torrco Design Center and Zimmer+Rohde. Read on for the inspiration behind the designs.—Catriona Branca
MAHJONG ANTECHAMBER
“I envisioned a room within the renowned San Francisco townhome of art collector Ann Getty (1941–2020) and reimagined Mrs. Getty’s adoration for 18thcentury furnishings. A hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper by Fromental in the Paradiso pattern serves as the foundation of the room; turmeric-colored birds, flowers and trees sway languidly on a vibrant, teal silk ground. Surrounded by this jewel box, Mrs. Getty pauses for a quiet moment before joining her ladies in a Mahjong game room.”—Blake Funston, Blake Funston Interiors, blakefunston.com
GARDEN ROOM
“We really thought about what the ‘view’ from our room was, and what better view than a garden? We chose Little Greene Paint &Paper’s wallpaper, Capricorn Boringdon, as the base of this garden view and then created an old-fashioned greenhouse or orangerie around it. We are both new Connecticut residents, so we were very inspired by the nature we are surrounded by here and the gardens at our own homes. We made sure that everything in our vignette was for sale to help the ‘greater good’ of the amazing organizations RWAV supports. We collected pieces from local vendors as well as donated pieces from our own homes to create our dream garden room.”—Bennett Leifer, Bennett Leifer Interiors, bennettleifer.com and Victoria Tomlinson Cole, Victoria Tomlinson Cole Interior Design, victoriatomlinsoncole.com
WELLCRAFTED LOUNGE
“My vignette celebrated artisans and highlights the value of craftsmanship through a richly layered interior. I wanted to create an intimate lounge with a warm, enveloping setting for handfinished furnishings, sculptural lighting and curated artwork. The custom wood chairs with woven leather strapping and brass accents were central to the concept, emphasizing the beauty of handwork and construction. Within the theme ‘For the Greater Good,’ the space reflects the importance of supporting artisan communities and preserving craft traditions through intentional design.”
—Swagatika Rath, Interior Design MFA Student, NYSID Class of 2026, Instagram: @swagr.designstudio
TIMELESS STYLE
“My design was inspired by a desire to revive a sense of timeless, classic style in tribute to Albert Hadley’s extraordinary taste and his founding of RWAV. The concept for my vignette was to create an entryway setting inside an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. I wanted it to feel glamorous yet subtle and calming all at the same time. I included a pair of doors that lead into the apartment made out of solid fluted plaster inset into wooden frames with sleek polished chrome octagonal door hardware. Mimicking the fluted doors, I had very simple curtain panels made that fall out of a very clean upholstered valance to keep it modern. The puddling of the curtains also mimics the table skirt, which was inspired by a table skirt that Jackie Kennedy had in her White House. The minty color was inspired by Prada. The wall color plays off of the minty table skirt but also includes a hand-strié finish that gives the space more depth and texture. I had an original 18th-century French mirror that I took to a plaster yard and had them mold it to make the pair and had antique mirror panels set inside of them. As a layering effect, I suspended the plastered mirrors by chain so that they floated in front of the curtain panels. I found the hanging lantern above the center table at a junk store in Queens, spray-painted it white and twisted silk fabric over the chain to add a richness detail. Lastly, to add a pop of strong color, I added a bunch of pomegranates on a tray for the center table.”—Garrett Carter, Garrett Carter Designs, garrettcarterdesigns.com
THE HADLEY
LIBRARY & CAFE
“For this year’s café space and for the thirtieth anniversary of Rooms With a View, we paid tribute to Albert Hadley by converting the chapel of the church into a updated version of the iconic library he designed for Brooke Astor’s Park Avenue apartment. It was a large undertaking that was made possible through the incredible generosity of our trade partners: Brunschwig & Fils, Quadrille, Holly Hunt, Spoonflower, Vaughan Designs and Chesney’s.”—Sydney Frazier, Sydney Frazier Interior Design, sydneyfrazierid.com; Amy Raiter Magnolia; and Victoria Vought, Victoria Vought Designs
COASTAL CONNECTION
“My room was inspired by the seaport and the unique landscape of New England where the lands meets the sea. Southport exists due to its harbor and proximity to major ports such as New York City and the railroads. The room began with the wallpaper from Gracie. I loved the sepia tones and blue sky. I decided to keep it simple, peaceful and quiet. The bold stripe on the chairs felt right!”—Matthew Kowles, Matthew Kowles, matthewkowles.com
SERENE STUDY
“Our theme, ‘Women of Palm Beach,’ reflects the very essence of our firm and the women who shape it. We are a Florida-based boutique studio that thrives on a collaborative approach to design. Vivi DeVries partnered with me in bringing our vision to life. Together, we set out to create a study in solace—a space that offers a moment to exhale, unwind and find respite from the pace of a hectic day.”—Helen Bergin, Helen Bergin Interiors, helenbergininteriors.com
GAMERS GROTTO
“ I designed a library/game room around a vintage game table that I had recently acquired—it was center stage, with its foldaway design and leather books. The inspiration for my vignette stemmed from the design ethos: Cluttercore/Intentional Clutter. I designed a personal shadowbox of curated collections, collectively displaying meaningful and sentimental items to showcase personal expression and individuality. A nod to one’s own life journey, requiring a sharp eye and keen design! The Indienne Jacobean floral by Thibaut on the ceiling was the ultimate umbrella mimicking the feeling of being in a treehouse. A true sanctuary for a reader or game enthusiast. The gorgeous carpet by Jennifer Manners and the beautiful landscape mural panels on the linen Arte wallpaper, anchored bookcases filled with artfully arranged treasures—a richly textured visual feast!”—Jared Clark, The Clark, Instagram: @curatedbytheclark
ARTFUL
ARRANGEMENT
“ The inspiration for the vignette was to create a physical representation and modern version of the Edouard Manet painting The Portrait of Emile Zola. The rich color and introduction of Japonisme motifs are a direct reference to what was depicted in the work and what was a popular aesthetic trope at the tail end of the 19th century. The walls were a hand-drawn mural designed to evoke sitting in a marsh landscape taking inspiration and motifs from 19th-century Edo period screens and rendering them in a very flat contemporary way only using outline. The vignette supports the idea of ‘For the Greater Good’ by supporting and promoting the craft and the artisans present in our industry that make great contemporary design work possible. The chaise and coffee table were two such objects that owe their creation to fantastic woodworkers, upholsterers and finishers. All of these unmentioned people are the true vehicles that allow the work to occur, and without their expertise, good and functional design of any style wouldn’t be possible.”—Terrence Charles, David Kleinberg Design Associates, dkda.com
PANTRY PERFECTION
“The space was inspired by my lifelong love of dishes and ceramics. In honor of the thirtieth anniversary of Rooms With A View, I sought to create something that had not been done before: a dish pantry. The cabinetry was custom made for the vignette and modeled after a 19th-century mahogany example that hangs over the bar in our home in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. In the spirit of ‘For the Greater Good,’ the space celebrated the beauty of everyday objects and the quiet rituals of gathering, generosity and shared meals.”—Max Sinsteden, Max Sinsteden, 212-352-1917
HONORING THE PAST
“I grew up in Darien, but I have lived in Charleston, SC, for more than 13 years, and I wanted to pay homage to my Connecticut roots with my vignette theme. So, I designed a visual representation of the nostalgic and sentimental feelings I have about Connecticut; in essence, ‘what Connecticut means to me.’ The space had to feel just as cozy in the winter with a fire going, as in the summer with the window open and a breeze coming off the Sound. To me that meant beams, some wicker, classic and cool fabrics from Lisa Fine Textiles, an 18th-century antique, and of course a window with a quintessentially Connecticut view.”
—Olivia T. Mitchell, Torrance Mitchell Designs, torrancemitchell.com
IKAHNĒTASS
“Gilded 14th-century Italian religious art is the springboard for this vignette. Inspired by the work of painters like Duccio di Buoninsegna and Giovanni Cimabue, it provides a floating framework for the Paulette Tavormina’s powerful photographs. Her images— rooted in Dutch, Spanish and Italian Old Masters paintings— add layers of history to this assemblage. Suspended in vermilion, Ikahnētass is anchored by black horizontal and vertical bands that move toward the viewer, terminating in pixelated flowers drawn from Tavormina’s compositions.”
—Thomas A. Kligerman, Kligerman Architecture & Design, kligermanad.com
MARIE’S RETREAT
“Marie’s Retreat was inspired by my late grandmother and her ritual of getting dressed as an act of self-respect and grace. The space is wrapped in soothing lavender tones and layered with soft neutrals. The botanical bamboo wallcovering was chosen intentionally, as bamboo symbolizes strength and resilience, which very much reminds me of my grandmother. The space serves as a reminder to slow down, take pride in simple daily rituals, and make time to pour into yourself before pouring into others.”—Naïka André, NJA Interiors, njainteriors.com
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
BELLE HAVEN CLUB, GREENWICH CT
A celebration of contemporary design, entertaining and lifestyle
FEATURING CELEBRATED INTERIOR DESIGNER
TOM SCHEERER
IN CONVERSATION WITH CREATIVE CONSULTANT & STYLEBEAT EDITOR
CO-CHAIRS
HOLLY CASSIN
LISA ERRICO
MIMI MOULTON
MARISA MARCANTONIO ON HIS LATEST BOOK, STILL DECORATING
PRESENTING SPONSOR
GREENWICHHISTORY.ORG/SPRING-FETE
VICE-CHAIRS
SUSANNAH HEYWORTH
ERICA MAHER SILVERMAN CATHERINE TOMPKINS
Garden Delights
THINK
SPRING WITH NATURE-INSPIRED FURNISHINGS AND ACCESSORIES | BY MARY
FITZGERALD
BLOOM & SHINE
The Angel’s Trumpet pendant light from Stray Dog Designs is made from papier mache. The bell-like bloom is hand-sculpted by artisans in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and finished with non-toxic paint and polyurethane. $634, straydogdesigns.com.
SPRING AWAKENING
Get ready for no-fuss entertaining with Table Two Studio’s paper products. The Garden Toile dinner plate looks like ceramic but is made from 100-percent recycled paper. The Toile print of blue florals and perched birds is set on a marigold ground. Set of 12, $22, tabletwostudio. com.
DOWN THE GARDEN PATH
Maison Pierre Frey revisits formal French gardens in its À La Française collection. La Pepiniere, shown here, is a linen embroidery fabric based on sketches of 21 different trees sourced from the ‘Albums de Marly’ preserved by the French National Archives. Price upon request, pierrefrey.com.
FRESHLY PICKED
Just in time for spring table settings, the newest addition to Nina Campbell’s linen collection includes fruit and vegetable designs. Made from 100-percent cotton, the napkins are bordered with coordinating color stitching. Radish napkin, $24; Carrot napkin, $24, shop.ninacampbell.com.
FLOWER PETALS
The hand sculpted scalloped edges of the Fleur footed bowl by Tina Frey resemble flower petals. Made from food-safe, lead-free and BPA-free resin, the collection is offered in seven colors, shown here in lemon yellow. $234, tf.design.
FAUX BOIS
The branch-like legs of Made Good’s Duke console support a stonecast top, suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is shown here in a Wild Sage finish and is offered in two additional finishes and a larger 72-inch length. $3,100, available through Trovare Home Design, trovarehomedesign.com, madegoods.com.
COLOR POP
Handcrafted in high-performance aluminum, the McKinnon and Harris Virginia Bench features a Bonnyrigg back—a diamond lattice detail fashioned after Chinese Chippendale. Available in a range of 27 finish colors, it is shown here in vibrant Poinciana Coral. $12,400, D&D, mckinnonharris.com
THREE CHEERS FOR CHAMPIGNONS
Perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to a tabletop vignette or bookshelf, these charming champignons from the Paris workshop of renowned ceramicist Astier de Villatte are handcrafted from black terracotta clay and handpainted with red-and-white polka dots and mossy green details. $375–$440, available through Jayson Home, jaysonhome.com.
EVER GREEN
Bring greenery into your home with Diane James Home’s Pom-pom faux tea leaf topiary—no watering necessary. $350, Diane James Home, Norwalk by appointment, or online at dianejameshome.com.
PERENNIAL BLISS
The Daffodil flower lamp by Mike Bliss dates back to 1984, but has been reissued exclusively in the U.S. through the MoMA Design Store. Crafted from powder-coated steel, the flexible gooseneck can be bent for directional lighting. store.
moma.
org.
HIDDEN FRIENDS
Hailing from the In the Garden collection by Little Greene, the Lily Pad mural is one of eight new wallpaper designs created in collaboration with the National Trust. Each design has a historic provenance—Lily Pads was inspired by the Stackpole Estate in the southwest corner of Wales. Hidden among the lily pads, you’ll find dragonflies, otters, kingfishers and butterflies. $495 per roll, Little Greene, Greenwich, littlegreene.us.
FLORA BOUQUET
Zia Tile’s Flora 8x8-inch cement tiles are individually hand-poured and pressed and finished with high-quality pigments. The naturally matte surface and subtle color variations speak to the handmade nature of the $15.85 per square foot, ziatile.com.
PILLOW TALK Based in New Canaan, Fete Home’s founder Jen Potter—daughter of renowned artist Clare Potter—grew up immersed in creativity and surrounded by color and pattern. The floral pillow designs, shown here, are inspired by Potter’s love of antique textiles, contemporary art and travel. $118–$225, fetehome.com.
BUNNY HOP
Aerin’s Hare pitcher is crafted in Portugal by Bordallo Pinheiro, a brand famed for its artisanal blend of ceramic art and the natural world. The earthenware pitcher features a vine pattern, wood-style handle and a charming image of a hare. $290, available at
Buzzworthy
CLAY COLLAB
Clé has introduced six new colorways to its popular cement tile collection with Brooklynbased textile artist Shanan Campanaro, the creative director and founder of Eskayel. Her nature-inspired watercolor paintings are realized in handmade tiles composed of gray Portland cement and sand with new colorway combinations of Fig/ Prune; Forest/Army; Chestnut/Forest; Paste/ Duckling, Rose/Past and Mallard/Forest.
Clé Founder Deborah Osburn notes, “We love working with Shanan to bring her distinctive primal-patterned designs to life. By revisiting this much-loved collection with our Mythology curated color groupings, we’ve been able to breathe new life into something so familiar.” cletile.com, eskayel.com.
Made in CT
PROUD MOMENT
Our talented CTC&G alum Alexa Stevenson recently launched Loom by ASID. Stevenson, now based in Georgia, is a sought-after interior designer, known for her timeless, expressive and comfortable spaces. After years of searching for suitable rugs for clients, she designed her own collection—inspired by classical motifs and historic textiles reimagined in a fresh color palette. Striking a balance between pretty and practical, the handwoven wool flatweave dhurries are reversible and exceptionally durable. Indoor/outdoor rug options are woven from PET yarns. loombyasid.com.
Connecticut is recognized as home to many art legends, including Anni and Josef Albers, Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, Barkley Hendricks and Sol LeWitt.The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum has a history of championing our local artists. Beginning June 7, 2026, and ending January 10, 2027, the museum will be presenting its inaugural series: “The Aldrich Decennial: I am What is Around Me,” showcasing the talent in our state.
“Connecticut has always been a site for visionary artists and daring ideas,” says Amy Smith-Stewart, Diana Bowes Chief Curator.
“This survey spotlights artists who call this place home— artists whose work is deeply rooted in the museum’s community yet resonates far beyond it. It’s an honor to share their powerful voices with the world through this new exhibition series.” An intergenerational roster of artists with an emphasis on debuts and rediscoveries will be on display, and all works will have been created within the last decade. 258 Main St., Ridgefield, 203-438-4519, thealdrich.org.
CULTURAL EXPRESSION
London-based wallcovering atelier Fromental and New York interior designer Young Huh have partnered to create bespoke wallcovering. Expressing traditional Korean folk painting in a contemporary light, Soru started as a private commission for Huh’s own home but developed into a new addition to Fromental’s permanent collection.
Hand painted onto silk, the design is based on Minhwa—a Korean artistic tradition distinguished by its brave use of color, whimsical compositions and symbolic imagery.
“What I love about Korean art is how expressive and uninhibited it is, as well as its embrace of intense color,” says Huh. “There is whimsy, humor and fantasy—but above all, a love of the beautiful.” fromental.com, younghuh.com.
DEEDS DON’TS
King
ThanBetterEver
For this curation of for-sale homes, we’re aligning with t he theme of this issue—renovation. Think of it as the ultimate act of spring cleaning, during which antiques are modernized, decor is refreshed, and additions are built. We’re also featuring a circa-2021 contemporary that needs no work, for buyers looking for the convenience of a nearly new home. Join us for a virtual tour, including a couple of big deal— and big ticket—estates.
BIG DEAL ESTATES
The biggest-ticket item on our shopping list is a magnificent and massive—estate in Stamford, priced at $75 million. Called Hillandale, its most impressive feature is this: It spans nearly 270 acres straddling the Connecticut/New York border. The stone manor, built in 1900, was once owned by the Sulzberger family, publishers of The New York Times. It was
renovated and expanded by its current owners, who invested a reported $30 million and doubled the size of the now-16,000-square-foot main house, which offers a library, a conservatory, eight bedrooms and an Olympic-sized indoor pool. There’s an outdoor pool and pool house on the grounds, which have their own list of amenities—a tennis court, two horse barns, private lakes, a hedgerow maze designed for children and a greenhouse among them. The property is offered by Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty.
DANIEL MILSTEIN
INSIDE STORIES BEHIND AREA REAL ESTATE DEALS
Of The Hill Hillandale—a nearly 270-acre estate—lists for $75 million with Leslie McElwreath of Sotheby’s International Realty in Greenwich. 917-539-3654.
8
38
Westport boasts our second big deal offer, this one on the waterfront along Sandpiper Lane on Saugatuck Island, newly listed for $11,895,000. The Nantucket-style home is newly renovated too, a project completed in 2024 by Peter Cadoux Architects, whose credits include the muchadmired Levitt Pavilion, also in Westport. The home’s 5,195-square-foot interiors were designed to take in Long Island Sound views, with the best seat in the house located in the sunroom, which feels like the prow of a ship with its floor-to-ceiling windows. The primary suite offers similarly stunning views, along with dual walk-in wardrobe closets and a second laundry closet. On top of all that, the third-floor guest suite— or media room, if desired—has a roof-level deck. And on the .69-acre grounds, there’s a pool, pool cabana and spa, along with 82 feet of private waterfront. The Leslie Clarke Team with Compass has the listing.
Here’s a prefab Litchfield County retreat, built in 2021 by the architects David Fox and Christopher Stone, founders of StoneFox of New York City.
Newly listed for $2.6 million, the handsome 3,000-square-foot home offers light and lofty open-plan interiors, three bedroom suites, one of them on the main floor, and a pool and terrace. Plus, the property was built with sustainability in mind, featuring geothermal heating and an energy recovery ventilator system. It lists with the At Home in the Hills team with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Salisbury. 860-435-0345.
Island Life On Saugatuck Island in Westport, this newly renovated waterfront home is listed for $11,895,000 by the Leslie Clarke Team with Compass in Westport. 203-984-1856.
Kelly McGovern Garden Design
More
Than Just
Neighbors
Q: You’ve both been very active in the Greenwich market for the past 20 plus years and recently Palm Beach. What’s the biggest shift you’re seeing in 2026?
A: ”Honestly? People are moving away from ‘just a house’ and looking for ‘lifestyle.’ We’re seeing families prioritize community proximity and home offices that actually feel like sanctuaries. The market is moving fast, but our focus is on making sure our clients don’t just find a property, but a place where they can actually grow.”
Q: What is the one thing most sellers overlook when hitting the market?
A: “It’s the ‘Emotional First Impression.’ Everyone thinks about the price tag, but buyers decide with their hearts in the first 30 seconds. We spend a lot of time on the ‘pre-game’—staging, lighting, and telling the story of the home before the first person even walks through the door.”
A: “Real estate isn’t a 9-to-5 job. By working as a duo, our clients get double the perspective and zero downtime. If one of us is at a closing, the other is scouting an off-market property for a buyer. You’re getting two dedicated advocates for the price of one.”
The Closing
The Magnuson Tamigian Group Steven: 203.610.2923 | Ira: 203.536.1391 steven.magnuson@elliman.com ira.tamigian@elliman.com www.magtam.com A CONVERSATION WITH THE MAGTAM DUO: REAL ESTATE, COMMUNITY, AND CALLING GREENWICH HOME
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Q: You two are known for being a ‘partner-led’ team. How does that benefit your clients?
“Real estate is personal. It’s likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. Whether you’re just curious about your home’s value in today’s market or you’re ready to find your ‘forever’ spot, we’re here to talk—no pressure, just honest advice.”
Find out 5 things you should do before listing in 2026, and book a casual coffee chat with us.
HISTORY FOR SALE
Within the Tokeneke Association in Darien, a circa-1928 estate is on the market for the first time in a half a century, asking $9,350,000. The sisters who inherited the waterfront home completed a full restoration of the nearly 10,000-square-foot interiors before putting it on the market, donating nearly two acres to the Darien Land Trust in the process. The restoration of Round Meadows, as its called, preserved the original architectural details while updating the kitchen and all mechanicals throughout the now seven-bedroom home. It sits on 5.5-acre grounds that feature a winding private drive, gorgeous gardens and stone terraces. The property lists with Robin Stineman of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. Finally, a sweet cottage in Southport has been renovated—rescued, actually—to perfection. The circa-1908 farmhouse was in serious disrepair before a local builder, Southport Construction, stepped in to entirely restore the 1,840-square-foot home, from the brand-new mechanicals in the newly constructed basement to the steeply pitched roof. It now offers three bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with amenities associated with larger homes, including Bosch appliances, wide-board oak flooring, bluestone walkways and an ipe-wood deck. It lists for $1,199,000 with Libby McKinney Tritschler of the On the Harbor team with William Raveis Real Estate. —Diane di Costanzo
Redone In Darien On 5.5 waterfront acres in Darien, this historic estate lists for $9,350,000 with Robin Stineman of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Darien. 203-964-7813.
True Blue The renovation of this blueclapboard-clad Southport antique has just been completed and is now listed for $1,199,000 with Libby McKinney Tritschler of the On the Harbor team with William Raveis Real Estate in Southport. 203913-9454.
Engaging discussions and insights from industry leaders. Topics from decorating tips to design trends. Events spread across various venues in Greenwich, CT. Book signings, pop-up events, and more. Highlights Include:
APRIL
CONNECTICUT COTTAGES & GARDENS
ROOM TO GROW
CALLA CANE HELPS A YOUNG COUPLE GIVE THEIR HOME AN UPDATE THEY CAN GROW INTO
BY ANN KAISER | PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARINA SKROBECKI
Neutral Territory In the wife’s office, glass sconces by Sophie Lou Jacobsen from In Common With flank a mirror from Pamono. Custom candle sticks from the Shop at Calla Cane top a dramatic marble fireplace mantel. See Resources.
The timing of this project aligned with a really meaningful chapter in my clients’ lives,” notes designer Calla Cane, who helped a young couple give their Greenwich home an update they can grow into. The house was built in the mid-1990s and was due for a renovation to accommodate the lifestyle of the couple, their two dogs, and their first baby on the way. “They had a clear vision for how they wanted to live,” explains Cane, and it centered around spending time with their growing family and friends. Cane worked with TP Greer Architects and builder Jon Cebulski on a major overhaul to improve flow and function. They expanded the narrow footprint and created a more open floorplan that supports the togetherness sought by the clients. New windows admit abundant natural light and also allow the homeowners to enjoy better views of their property. “Every single wall of the house was removed,” says Cebulski. “It was basically a new house built around the old one.”
The kitchen is a gracious gathering space, with double islands and barstools for relaxed meals. Since it’s open to the living room, Cane created thoughtful closed storage solutions, so every pan,
Details, Details (clockwise from above) In the living room, the chair is from Matter Matters, the vase on the table is by Cym Warkov, the pillows are by Sien + Co., and the rug is through Armadillo. The mudroom bench is from Black Creek Mercantile & Trading. The design for the husband’s office includes a Gubi chair from Design Within Reach. See Resources.
pot and utensil has a place, and things always look organized and pulled together. Caesarstone countertops were chosen for their ability to stand up to future school art projects and mealtime spills. Cane also carried that durability into the rest of the house, choosing more forgiving fabrics and colors for the areas where kids and dogs would be spending the most time.
The primary bedroom suite was also thoughtfully planned. For these homeowners who love to read, the team transformed a hexagonally shaped bathroom off the primary bedroom into a twostory library with dark wood paneling. “The vertical nature of the space allows it to feel both cozy and expansive at the same time,” says the designer. To soften the room’s angles, Cane outfitted it with shapely furniture pieces like a Herman Miller lounge chair and rounded marble side table. Additionally, a door was added from the primary suite directly into the nursery to make middleof-the-night wakeups with a newborn a little easier to manage.
Though the design is clean and modern, Cane leaned into a warmer neutral palette to make the spaces comfortable and inviting. The homeowners were inspired by the “cultivated wild” interiors they saw at the Hudson Valley hotel Inness, and as a result Cane incorporated more details like molding,
and dramatic marble to deliver that refined rustic charm and coziness. “It’s quiet but layered,” says Cane. “We worked in textures and colors that would be easy to live with.”
trim
Well Balanced The kitchen (this page) countertops are Caesarstone, and the sink is illuminated by a DeVOL lighting fixture. Cane worked with Arden + White Gallery to source much of the artwork, such as Luke Diiorio’s Concord Waters in the dining room (opposite page), where it’s paired with a sculptural light fixture from In Common With. See Resources.
The wife is a lover of antique and vintage finds, and enjoyed searching for special pieces for her home, including the clawfoot tub in the primary bathroom, which she found at the Round Top Antiques Show in Texas.
Those personal touches bring unique character to a project, and Cane’s curated design is meant to welcome more additions in the future. “One of the things I really enjoy as a designer is leaving room for homeowners to grow into their spaces and personalize them over time,” she says. In the library, art sconces are ready to highlight pieces still to be collected by the couple. A wall in the mudroom was left blank for a future mosaic of framed children’s artwork.
With more change on the horizon for the homeowners, they now have a home that will serve as a beautiful backdrop to the evolution of their family, with lots of room to live and grow. ✹
Great Shapes (across spread from far left) In the library, a Herman Miller chair is paired with an Audo side table. An Elsa Foulon lighting fixture through 1stDibs sets the tone in the primary bedroom, which is grounded by a plush wool rug from Armadillo. The client found the vintage clawfoot tub in the primary bath from the Round Top Antiques Show. See Resources.
Green With Energy At Bennett Leifer’s home (opposite page), the formal living room (this photo) is furnished with an Edward Fields hand-knotted mohair and silk rug, a Quintus Home cocktail table through Dennis Miller, an A. Rudin sofa, a pair of white-rock crystal lamps from Phoenix Gallery, and vintage chairs from the Gallery at 200 Lex in a Dedar fabric. See Resources
Maybe, Abs Absolutely!
A WELL-CONSIDERED SECOND LOOK HELPED BENNETT LEIFER ENVISION MAKING THIS HOUSE INTO HIS HOME
BY DAVID MASELLO PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELLEN MCDERMOTT
Living Well (left to right across spread)
The designer transformed a two-story addition into the main living area furnished with a custom Jansen-style settee fronted by a pair of cocktail tables from Global Views and a rug from Patterson Flynn. His dog, Norman, found the perfect perch atop a chair in Scalamandré’s Antelope velvet. At the other end of the great room, a second custom Venice Arte chandelier hangs above a Hutton Collections table and chairs. See Resources
Even though Bennett Leifer had seen this Redding house in person, had walked through its rooms with the Realtor, he needed to experience the dwelling in another way before making up his mind about it.
The moment the designer and the broker pulled up to the Colonial-style, 1825 house in the bucolic Connecticut town, Leifer’s first thought was, “Yes, it’s a beautiful, really well-preserved antique house, but that’s just not my house.”
In part, his visceral response was about its large scale—three bedrooms in the main house, another in the adjoining guest house, and a two-story-high rear space that combined living and dining areas. “My double this-is-not-my-house thought happened when I saw that later addition in back and how it just didn’t marry well with the old part of the house,” says the designer, principal of Bennett Leifer Interiors.
And yet, Leifer—who possesses the innate instincts and eye of a designer— remained intrigued, even haunted, in a good way, by what he had seen. “I called the broker and said I wanted to go there by myself and see what that experience of the house would feel like,” he recalls. With phone in hand, Leifer walked himself through, shooting a video room by room. “I wanted to really see how a life would unfold in this
house. I needed a vision of how I could live here. I kept watching that video over and over.” Once he saw how he really could be living here, it was, “full steam ahead. I fell in love with the opportunity of what I could do with the house.”
While the white-clapboard house has stood prominently in town for centuries, Leifer has infused it with a new and youth-
ful life. One of his well-honed techniques is to “design a space first, then position any existing pieces second.” Adhering to that tenet, few furnishings came from his New York apartment, notably a chair covered in a Scalamandré Antelope velvet, an item he calls “Norman’s chair,” referring to his (adorable) French Bulldog who reclines there often. So inured is Norman to that chair in
what now serves as the home’s main living room, that he sits up in the car once he and Bennett and his partner, Rob Spira, approach the house on weekends, as if anticipating that he’ll soon be reclining there in sunlight streaming through clerestory windows.
Although that double-height addition was what least attracted Leifer to the house initially, it has since morphed into the space where he, Spira, Norman and visiting friends spend most of their time. The designer added period-perfect trims and moldings to the room’s many windows for a more formal feeling. “I wanted this room to honestly feel like a hotel lobby, a real meeting place,” he says, citing his affection for the lobby of the former Gramercy Park Hotel.
“That hotel had a fabulous glass chandelier and, so, I had a custom chandelier made for this space, with copper fittings and smoked glass, making for a more moody fixture and overall effect.”
For the wall along the home’s main stairway, he commissioned Norwalk-based muralist Maya Santangelo to fashion a scene that, as Leifer describes it, “feathers out into a cloudy sky,” referencing how at ground level her painting reveals a lush landscape that dissipates, becoming more nebulous as one climbs the curving staircase. Meanwhile, in a guest bedroom, Leifer chose a Scalamandré botanical as a way “to
Establishing Patterns (this page) An intimate, moody nook is defined by Little Greene Paint & Papers’ Capricorn in Boringdon wallpaper, round tables from Four Hands, a velvet-upholstered banquette from Ballard Designs, all set on an Edward Fields mohair and silk carpet. Kitchen Cachet (opposite page, clockwise from top left) Rejuvenation pendants hang over a spacious kitchen island. A butler’s pantry/bar area links the kitchen to the great room. Little Greene’s Capricorn in Portland Stone fills a wall of the kitchen dining area. See Resources
make the room feel cozy and comfortable. I really wanted to lean into a bucolic feel,” as if the lush scene experienced on the way up regrows in a bedroom.
With his talent for establishing balance and symmetry, Leifer used two colorways of a botanical wallpaper in two opposing places—a sepia-toned version in the kitchen’s dining area and a vibrant, Technicolor version in a cozy nook of the house, the latter a space so enveloping, magical and evocative that he even hosted a tarot-card reading there for a party.
Soon after moving in, Leifer discovered the house’s original hand-drawn floorplans in the basement. He has since framed them, and they now hang in the primary bedroom.
“Seeing those initial plans, I completely understand how we got to where we are with this house,” he says. As he continues to personalize the spaces, imbuing each room with mood and character, the house becomes exactly the right house for him. ✹
Bucolic Spaces (clockwise across spread
A pastoral scene by Norwalk-based muralist Maya Santangelo lines the stairway walls. In a guest room, bedside tables from Chelsea Textiles are topped with Vaughan lamps, while a Scalamandré wallpaper furthers a bucolic feel that is fostered throughout the home. The home’s original floorplans hang in the primary bedroom, where a pair of custom Hutton Collections bedside tables and Urban Electric Co. sconces flank the bed, which wears Matouk bedding. See Resources
CONTINENTAL CHARM
EMILY DEL BELLO INTERIORS BREATHES CONTEMPORARY SOPHISTICATION INTO OLD WORLD ARCHITECTURE
BY ANN LOYND BURTON PHOTOGRAPHS BY GIEVES ANDERSON STYLING BY DORCIA KELLEY
Art Of Arrival Emily Del Bello Interiors finished the entry in Taj Mahal stone, complemented by an Artistic Frame bench in Holly Hunt fabric and a Patterson Flynn runner in an oyster hue. The staircase is punctuated with Visual Comfort sconces and an Orphan Work alabaster chandelier. See Resources.
When the vibes are clicking, there is nothing more precious to an interior designer than a repeat client. This was exactly the case for Emily Del Bello (principal of her eponymous NYC firm) when a Miami couple tapped her to design their second home in Fairfield County. Del Bello previously worked with the homeowners for their Florida property, and it was a natural partnership. “The wife is incredibly chill,” the designer offers. “She’s a sound-bath healer and a Pilates instructor. Our energies just really hit it off.”
The clients reconnected with Del Bello when they found this opulent Connecticut estate, secluded beyond a romantic, treelined drive. They were contemplating building new but were turned off by the long lead times to start from scratch. Instead, they found the next best thing in this ornate house, which was
built but not truly used by the previous homeowners, who were based abroad. “It has an extremely European feel, with lots of moldings and Venetian plaster,” Del Bello notes. “There is the most stunning, gorgeous herringbone flooring. The bones of this house were truly amazing.”
After purchasing the home, the couple brought in Del Bello and her team to infuse the Old World architecture with interiors that feel young and fresh, with a slightly softer feel than their Miami abode. The tone of quiet luxury meets European sophistication begins in the entry, which Del Bello finished with Taj Mahal quartzite. A Patterson Flynn stair runner scales the spiral staircase in a tonal hue, drawing the eye to the Orphan Work chandelier overhead.
An open plan stretches beyond with the living space and dining room at either side. Del Bello created a custom circular sofa,
Great Expectations (above) The entry/great room landing area is defined by a custom circular
finished
Plains
Home & Hearth (opposite page) In the living room, textural accents include a custom sofa finished in Holly Hunt velvet and chairs with Jab Anstoetz chenille; Avenue Road nesting coffee tables and Rosie Li sconces add touches of metallics; and the plaster chandelier is through Codor Design. See Resources.
sofa,
in Holly Hunt’s Great
Westward fabric in Macadamia.
Fine Dining (above) The dining area features an Artistic Frame table and DLV Designs chairs, while the sconces and chandelier are from Gabriel Scott. Quiet Retreats The primary bedroom (right) features a custom headboard and platform finished with Kravet velvet, while Visual Comfort sconces and a Homenature chair finished in Romo velvet lend sculptural touches. White oak makes a statement in the library (opposite page), softened by custom sofas in Holly Hunt velvet, an Apparatus Cloud chandelier and a Lulu and Georgia coffee table. See Resources.
finished in Holly Hunt’s Great Plains fabric, to serve as a landing space in between. The ballroom feel extends throughout, thanks to existing Venetian plaster and crown molding. Del Bello renovated the fireplaces at both ends for a more contemporary feel, punctuated by sculptural lighting from Rosie Li, Codor Design and Gabriel Scott.
“We really wanted something super impactful in the living room, so we went all out with the floor-to-ceiling curved fireplace. When you first walk in, you see the massive circular sofa, and then you look left and, ‘oh my gosh the fireplace,’” Del Bello muses. The designer notes that lighting is often a point of investment for her designs, since it is lightly touched. “The wife is creative, artistic and loves to take a design risk,” she adds. “To some, massive, sculptural floral sconces might be risky, but to this homeowner, it was just fun.”
While Del Bello primarily collaborated with the wife, the husband had two main requests: a dark office space and a cigar/ poker lounge. “His requests were very small, but they made such a massive impact on the design of those rooms,” she says.
For the office, Del Bello finished the walls in walnut cladding, stained a deep espresso. Then, the firm added floor-toceiling bookshelves flanking the desk and a traditional library ladder. “This room is so captivating,” the designer notes. “I’m normally light and bright and had never done a black, dark office space before. This was a changeup, but it really opened up my eyes to another world. It’s probably one of my favorite rooms in the house.”
The darker spaces dance in conversation with the home’s more feminine touches. Off the entry, the team wanted to preserve the library’s white-oak construction but softened it with the furniture selection, including the custom sofas finished in Holly Hunt silk mohair fabric and Apparatus chandelier overhead. “The couple has a lot of books from their travels, and this is a lovely, cozy place to sit and read, or just relax in silence,” Del Bello says. “You go from the French parlor room to a London salon, and it’s like you’re transported all over the world through this house.”
Connected by the subdued color palette, this layered first floor leads up to an airy second floor and the romantic primary suite. Del Bello created a custom headboard and platform finished in Kravet velvet to fit into the arched inset. “It’s a dressy primary bedroom, thanks to the feminine lavenders and Visual Comfort sconces and chandelier,” she explains. “There’s a lot of personality on the first floor, and then the second floor is more tranquil.”
Fusing the Old World European architecture with contemporary touches, the final result offers a sophisticated yet peaceful respite for the couple, who split time between their two homes and travel often. “They take a massive trip to Italy every summer, and they’re going to the most fabulous hotels and enjoying their life,” Del Bello offers. “You can see all they’ve experienced through the pieces we selected together.” ✹
Dark ’N’ Stormy The husband’s office features a sofa and coffee table from RH, a bronze and suede Apparatus lighting fixture and window treatments in Holly Hunt fabric. See Resources.
A VENERABLE GEORGIAN GETS A NEW DESIGN THAT HONORS THE PAST BUT LIVES IN THE PRESENT
BY MINDY PANTIEL PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEITH SCOTT MORTON
MODERN REVIVAL
Chic Welcome Furnishings in the parlor include a Liz O’Brien sofa, a pair of Elan Atelier side tables, a coffee table from 1stDibs and a rug from Doris Leslie Blau. See Resources.
Inthe early aughts architect Kahlil Hamady was called upon to renovate a 1930s Georgian estate. About the first walk through he recalls, “The house had terrible proportions.” Most egregious was a grand entry staircase that terminated abruptly at a low second-floor ceiling. The venerable Greenwich residence also suffered from a lack of connection with the gardens and lake views beyond. “I immediately recommended removing the staircase ceiling and extending the volume into the attic space,” says Hamady, who went on to rearrange the layout to establish relationships between the inside and the bucolic surroundings, and to create a procession of rooms that included a new wing for a family room and garages.
Throughout the project, beautifully articulated millwork established a classical background in keeping with the taste of its occupants. The previous owners also enlisted legendary designer Bunny Williams, who layered the interiors in taupe and pale blues, upholstered wingbacks, and patterned wallcoverings. The result was elegant and deeply traditional.
Casual Conversation (right) In the family room, an alabaster Atelier Alain Ellouz chandelier through Holly Hunt casts on glow on a pair of Roman Thomas sofas and swivel chairs from The Bright Group. Dining In (below) Dessin Fournir chairs surround a Thomas O’Brien table in the formal dining room. The chandelier is from Andrea Claire Studio, and the sconces are from Apparatus. Formal Gathering (opposite top) Moroccan end tables from Epoca flank a custom Anthony Lawrence sofa in one part of the living room. The chairs are from Roman Thomas, coffee table is by Alexander Lamont, and the rug is from Carini Lang. Historic Statement (opposite bottom) The grand countenance of the 1930s Georgian architecture belies the home’s more contemporary interiors. See Resources.
Inside
Cocktail
Dennis
Fast forward to the present. The new owners—she’s a photographer, he’s an entrepreneur—arrived with three grown children, six exuberant grandchildren, and an extraordinary contemporary art collection. They admired the architectural gravitas but longed for a fresher atmosphere. Hamady returned to renovate the kitchen, convert an attached garage into a light-filled photography studio, and collaborate with interior designer Melanie Foster on a nuanced reinvention.
“My goal was to marry historic integrity with a bolder, more forward-thinking vision,” Foster says. Tellingly, she began with the art. Large printouts were pinned room by room and new lighting was installed to illuminate the collection. “We never wanted it to feel like a gallery,” she adds. Our intent was to create a home with beautiful art.”
The secondary goal was to create interiors that honored the past but very much live in the present. In the living room, for example, a sofa with rounded Georgian arms and an otherwise modern profile, establishes the tone. A shagreen and castbronze coffee table anchors the seating group.
In the parlor located just off the main entrance, the room’s title may suggest a different century, but its deep terra-cotta walls are a daring departure from Connecticut conservative. Georgian flanking niches once lined with fluted shelves now
Bookish Retreat (above) An A. Rudin sofa and custom blackened-steel side tables with shagreen insets by J.M. Szymanski define one section of the library/office.
Story (left) A custom mural by Matt Austin Studio backs a mirror from Cox London in a powder room.
Hour (opposite page)
Miller counter stools provide seating at the bar topped with stone from Bas Stone. See Resources.
Grand Entry (left) A Cox London chandelier suspended from a gold leaf ceiling by Nota Design makes a luxurious opening statement. Elegant Escape (opposite page, clockwise from top left) In the primary bedroom, an Anthony Lawrence sofa is flanked by Cox London end tables topped by custom stone lamps through Phoenix Gallery. Jacques Jarrige table lamps through the Valerie Goodman Gallery top DeMuro Das nightstands in the primary bedroom, where walls boast a Pierre Frey wallcovering. In the elegant primary bathroom, a chandelier from Fortuny is complemented by a ceiling mural by Matt Austin Studio. The artwork behind the Waterworks tub is by Vik Muniz, and the floor tile is through AKDO. See Resources.
cradle contemporary sculpture, while upholstered alpaca chairs and curtains soften the space. “Every moment was mindful of blending,” Foster says. “Respect the architecture—but express the contemporary.”
In the stair hall, the ceiling—originally painted to match the existing palette—has been gilded in gold leaf, catching light from a cascading custom chandelier. “It’s the definition of luxury,” says Foster. Underfoot, a painted wood floor gave way to a classic Georgian limestone-and-marble pattern, and builder George Pusser of Cornerstone Contracting stepped in to reinforce the structure to carry the weight. “All new floor joists and grade beams were added to protect against any deflection and potential cracking of the marble,” says Pusser, who also oversaw the garage to studio conversion. “Extensive millwork and handcarved bees highlight that extraordinary space.”
The primary suite offers another study in balance. The bedroom, with its bold print headboard and reimagined fireplace, projects personality and wit. “The headboard is a big statement that says this isn’t just another cream-colored bedroom; it’s lively and fun—like them,” says Foster.
In the nearby sitting room, artwork by Emil Lukas paired with a red lacquer late 19th-century French Regency chest strikes at the heart of what the home is now about. “It literally sums up merging old and new,” says Foster. “The minute I put them together, they made the house sing.” And sing it does. Thanks to the vision of its adventurous homeowners and an innovative design team, the house honors its lineage while embracing the now. ✹
KBIS Welcome Dinner
Sherwin-Williams hosted design professionals for a dinner celebrating the C&G Insider Tour at KBIS 2026
1. Sherwin-Williams’ Emily Kantz with House of Culler’s Nicole Culler and Autumn Dawn Design’s Autumn Pochiro 2. Gray Space Interiors’ Rasheeda Gray, Mikel Welch Interiors + Lifestyle’s Mikel Welch, Rajni Alex Design’s Rajni Alex and Nikki Chu Home’s Nikki Chu 3. C&G Media Group Account Director Wendy Horwitz with Sherwin-Williams’ Kendall Ace 4. Sherwin-Williams’ Nicole Zudic, CTC&G Senior Editor Mary Fitzgerald and Fiona Leonard Interiors’ Fiona Leonard 5. Tamara Day and Sherwin-Williams’ Sue Wadden 6. CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey with Aitoro Appliance’s Tony Aitoro
The Art of Investing in Your Home
CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey led a panel discussion at the Carriage Barn Arts Center
1. CTC&G Editorial Director DJ Carey, Burr Salvatore’s Ryan Salvatore, NuKitchens’ Joe Najmy and Scott Hobbs of Hobbs, Inc. 2. Images & Details’ Beth Dempsey, Carriage Barn Arts Center’s Hilary Wittmann and C&G Media Group CEO/Publication Director Marianne Howatson 3. Attendees viewed the closing reception of the 46th Annual Photography Exhibition prior to the panel. 4. Roughan Interiors’ Chris Roughan, Torrco’s Lora Mazurak, Accurate Lock & Hardware’s Tarra Del Chiaro and Ring’s End’s Erin Shairzay 5. Gault Family Companies’ Jeff Palen and Andrew Dehler 6. Dushi Marble & Granite’s Paul Dushi with Cornerstone Contracting’s Mindy Gerhardt 7. ND Interiors’ Nancy Davilman with Majestic Kitchens & Baths’ Scott Weinlein
SANTA BARBARA UMBRELLA ®
Look up for a vibrant surprise, new Trina Turk x Santa Barbara Umbrella styles feature Trina Turk textiles lining the umbrella canopy. Each designed by and lined with fashion design icon Trina Turk’s printed fabrics. Crafted in CA. 800.919.9464 santabarbaradesigns.com @sbumbrella
This Nukitchens bathroom features a character oak vanity with a non-VOC finish, paired with white tile, matte black fixtures, and natural light for a clean, spa-like feel with sculptural details. 203.831.9000 / nukitchens.com @nukitchens
natural rattan and in stock! 203.292.5700
DESIGN STOPS
CT DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2026
CATEGORIES:
Architecture, Small Space Design, Interior Design, Kitchen Design, Bath Design, Garden Design, Product Design
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Photo by Stefan Radtke
RESOURCES MORE
ROOM TO GROW
Pages 50–57: Architect, TP Greer Architects. Interior design, Calla Cane, callacane.com. Contractor, Cebulski Construction, Inc., cebulskiconstruction. com. Art advisor, Arden + White Gallery, ardenandwhitegallery.com. Landscape design, Atko Bros Landscaping, atkobroslandscaping.com. Her office: Sconces, Sophie Lou Jacobsen through In Common With. Mirror, Pamono. Candlesticks, The Shop at Calla Cane. Living room: Chair, Matter Matters. Vase, Cym Warkov. Pillows, Sien + Co. Rug, Armadillo. Scalloped platter, Fodory. Vase on fireplace, Re Jin Lee. Mudroom: Bench, Black Creek Mercantile & Trading. His office: Chair, Gubi through Design Within Reach. Kitchen: Countertop, Caesarstone. Light fixture, DeVol. Cutting board, Black Creek Mercantile. Dining room: Artwork, Luke Diiorio through Arden + White Gallery. Light fixture, In Common With. Library: Chair, Herman Miller. Side table, Audo Copenhagen. Pendant light, Jayson Home. Primary bedroom: Light fixture, Elsa Foulon through 1stDibs. Rug, Armadillo. Throw blanket, Sien + Co. Chair, Neue Maison. Primary bath: Tub, Round Top Antiques Show.
MAYBE, ABSOLUTELY!
Pages 58–65: Interior design, Bennett Leifer Interiors, bennettleifer. com. Contractor, Cleveland Riggs, clevelandriggsconstruction.com. Formal living room: Rug, Edward Fields. Cocktail table, Quintus Home through Dennis Miller. Sofa, A. Rudin. Sofa and chair fabric, Dedar. Chairs, InCollect. Tables, Global Views. Sconces, Visual Comfort. Lamps, Phoenix Gallery. Vintage chairs, The Gallery at 200 Lex. Chair fabric, Dedar. Desk, Gustavo Olivieri through 1stDibs. Bench fabric, Schumacher. Great room: Settee fabric, Malabar. Cocktail tables, Global Views. Rug, Patterson Flynn. Chair, Scalamandré. Chandeliers, Venice Arte. Table and chairs, Hutton Collections. Nook: Wallpaper, Little Greene Paint & Paper. Tables, Four Hands. Banquette, Ballard Designs. Rug, Edward Fields. Chandelier, Visual Comfort. Kitchen: Pendants, stools and hardware, Rejuvenation. Kitchen dining area: Wallpaper, Little Greene Paint & Paper. Stairway: Mural, Maya Santangelo. Guest room: Bed, Hutton Collections. Bedding, Matouk. Bedside tables, Chelsea Textiles. Lamps, Vaughan. Wallpaper, Scalamandré. Rug, Edward Fields. Primary bedroom: Bedside
tables, Hutton Collections. Sconces, The Urban Electric Co. Bedding, Matouk. Rug, Marc Phillips.
Pages 74–81: Architect, Kahlil Hamady, Hamady Architects, hamadyarchitectsllc. com. Interior design, Melanie Foster, M Foster Interiors, mfosterinteriors. com. Contractor, Cornerstone Contracting, cornerstone-builders. com. Lighting designer, Orsman Design, orsmandesign.com. AV, Smarthomeworx, smarthomeworx. com. Art advisors, Stacy Gerson, artanddesign.info and Ariel Meyerowitz, arielmeyerowitz.com. Painting and finishing, Fortuna Painting, 917847-4305. Decorative painting, Matt Austin, mattaustinstudio.com. Custom finishes, Nota Design, notadesignllc.com. Millwork, CQ Design Studio, cq-designstudio.com. Window treatments, Marks and Tavano Workroom, marksandtavano. com. Parlor: Sofa, Liz O’Brien. Chair, Anthony Lawrence. Side tables, Elan Atelier. Coffee table, 1stDibs. Rug, Doris Leslie Blau. Andirons, Galerie Lerebours. Wall fabric, Sandra Jordan through Studio534. Drapery fabric, Holland & Sherry. Pair of vessels, Jeremy Anderson. Family room: Chandelier, Atelier Alain Ellouz through Holly Hunt. Sofas, Roman Thomas. Swivel chairs, The Bright Group. Side
from “Continental Charm”
table, Elan Atelier. Area rug, Marc Phillips. Sculptures, Casey McCafferty and Christian Burchard. Console, Holly Hunt. End tables, Thierry Voeltzel through Valerie Goodman Gallery. Dining room: Table, Thomas O’Brien. Chairs, Dessin Fournir. Chandelier, Andrea Claire Studio. Sconces, Apparatus. Round table by window, Cox London. Fireplace, Jamb. Living room: End tables, Epoca. Sofa, Anthony Lawrence. Chairs, Roman Thomas. Coffee table, Alexander Lamont. Rug, Carini Lang. Library/office: Sofa, A. Rudin. Side tables, J.M. Szymanski. Pair of lamps, Angela Brown through Alexander Lamont. Coffee table, Demuro Das, Inc. Area rug, Edward Fields. Club chairs and sconces, The Bright Group. Ceiling light fixture, The Urban Electric Co. Powder room: Mural, Matt Austin Studio. Mirror, Cox London. Pair of lamps, Lamptouch. Stone vanity, BAS Stone. Bar: Stools, Dennis Miller. Stone, BAS Stone. Chandelier, Apparatus. Entry: Chandelier, Cox London. Ceiling, Nota Design. Stone floor, BAS Stone. Primary bedroom and sitting area: Sofa, Anthony Lawrence. Side tables, Cox London. End table lamps, Phoenix Gallery. Nightstands, DeMuro Das. Nightstand lamps, Jacques Jarrige through Valerie Goodman Gallery. Wallcovering, Pierre Frey. Drapery fabric, Dedar. Primary bathroom: Chandelier, Fortuny. Ceiling mural, Matt Austin Studio. Tub and plumbing fixtures, Waterworks. Artwork, Vik Muniz. Floor tile, AKDO. Vanity design, CQ Design Studio. Linens, E. Braun & Co. Sconces, Visual Comfort.
SOURCE LIST
1stDibs, 1stdibs.com
A. Rudin, arudin.com AKDO, akdo.com
Alexander Lamont, alexanderlamont.com
Andrea Claire Studio, andreaclairestudio.com
Angela Brown (see Alexander Lamont) Anthony Lawrence, anthonylawrence.com
Apparatus, apparatusstudio.com
Arden + White Gallery, ardenandwhitegallery.com
Arhaus, arhaus.com
Armadillo, armadillo-co.com
Artistic Frame, artisticframe.com
Atelier Alain Ellouz (see Holly Hunt)
Audo Copenhagen, us.audocph.com
Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com
BAS Stone, basstonenyc.com
Black Creek Mercantile & Trading, blackcreekmt.com
Sophie Lou Jacobsen (see In Common With)
Caesarstone, caesarstoneus.com
Carini Lang, carinilang.com
Casey McCafferty, casey-mccafferty.com
CB2, cb2.com
Chelsea Textiles, chelseatextiles.com
Christian Burchard, burchardstudio.com
Cox London, coxlondon.com
CQ Design Studio, cq-designstudio.com
Cym Warkov, cymwarkovceramics.com
Dedar, dedar.com
Demuro Das, Inc., demurodas.com
Dennis Miller, dennismiller.com
Design Within Reach, dwr.com
Dessin Fournir, dessinfournir.com
DeVol, devolkitchens.com
DLV Designs, dlvdesigns.com
Doris Leslie Blau, dorisleslieblau.com
E. Braun & Co., ebraunnewyork.com
Edward Fields, edwardfields.com
Elan Atelier (see InCollect)
Elsa Foulon (see 1stDibs)
Epoca, epocahome.com
Fodory, fodory.com
Fortuny, fortuny.com
Four Hands, fourhands.com
Gabriel Scott, gabriel-scott.com
Galerie Lerebours, galerielerebours.com
Global Views, globalviews.surya.com
Gubi (see Design Within Reach)
Gustavo Olivieri (see 1stDibs)
Herman Miller, hermanmiller.com
Holland & Sherry, hollandandsherry.com
Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com
Homenature, homenature.com
Hutton Collections, huttoncollections.com
In Common With, incommonwith.com
InCollect, incollect.com
J.M. Szymanski, jmszymanski.com
Jacques Jarrige (see Valerie Goodman Gallery)
Jamb, jamb.co.uk
Jayson Home, jaysonhome.com
Jeremy Anderson, jeremy-anderson.com
Kravet, kravet.com
Lamptouch, lamptouch.com
Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us
Liz O’Brien, lizobrien.com
Luke Diiorio (see Arden + White Gallery)
Lulu and Georgia, luluandgeorgia.com
Made Goods, madegoods.com
Malabar, malabarfabrics.com
Marc Phillips, marcphillipsrugs.com
Matouk, matouk.com
Matt Austin Studio, mattaustinstudio.com
Matter Matters, mattermatters.com
Maya Santangelo, mayasantangelo.com
Neue Maison, neuemaison.co
Nota Design, notadesignllc.com
Orphan Work, orphanwork.com
Pamono, pamono.com
Patterson Flynn, pattersonflynn.com
Phoenix Gallery, phoenixgalleryny.com
Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com
Quintus Home (see Dennis Miller)
Re Jin Lee, rejinlee.com
Redi-cut Carpets & Rugs, redicarpets.com
Rejuvenation, rejuvenation.com
RH, rh.com
Roman Thomas, romanthomas.com
Romo, romo.com
Round Top Antiques Show, roundtoptexasantiques.com
Called “the 20th century’s most influential female interior designer,” Sister Parish started her firm that became Parish Hadley back in 1933. Now, four generations later, literally, the company is thriving with the founder’s greatgranddaughter Eliza Crater Harris serving as Chief Creative Officer of Sister Parish Design. A St. Andrews graduate in art history and international relations, Harris grew up drawn to design. “The business of home, interior design, houses, was always a topic in my house. I think it’s really in my blood,” she says. After a decade of creating products and sets and arranging magazine shoots, in 2019, she signed on to oversee the firm’s goal of preserving and updating its classic textiles and wallpapers. She has always wanted to live in the country and resides with her husband and two toddlers near the company offices in Litchfield in a white clapboard house with a keepsake caged wooden bird that once hung in her great-grandmother’s Fifth Avenue apartment. sisterparishdesign.com.
What are your memories of your great-grandmother? I was only four when she passed. There are photographs, pictures of me swimming in the cove in Maine. I look at them and think I remember, but I was really quite young. It’s the values and things she left behind, the way things are done, that we inherited.
How do you define the firm’s iconic American Country Style? It’s a combination of high and low, luxury grounded in reality. It incorporates important art and luxurious upholstery with crafts, baskets and outsider art. It showcases who you are and makes people feel welcome.
Your mother resurrected the firm in 2000 as CEO, and your father is CFO. What role do you play? I design all the products, connecting all the designers, working with the artists and production, creating images for photo shoots—marketing and storytelling.
How do the current patterns integrate with the historically beloved textiles and wallpapers Parish Hadley devised? We are a heritage brand, tried and true—you know what to expect. But my job is to riff on that and be responsive
important as the design. My greatgrandmother relied on the makers and artisans. So we really focus on how things are made, it’s very collaborative.
What are the frictions of working in a family business? Actually, working with my mom is the fun part. A lot of people don’t get to spend as much time with their parents. You find a different side of your family you might not see. My mom was a criminal defense lawyer, an amazing writer. I see her ability to lead.
to the way people are living today. Innovation is being able to reach back into the past for what is good that allows you to break the rules today.
How is the collection updated? It all evolves from the core patterns. There are certain values and ideas, not to replicate the past, but to incorporate the feeling of the work my great-grandmother did. When I look at the new ones, I want to be sure that they can be mixed and matched with the existing ones. I may fill a hole in the well-rounded collection—for instance the Godfather pattern. We needed a solid at a good price point, carefully woven, in beautiful colors,
for people who wanted value but didn’t want to splurge.
What are some contemporary demands? We have to be responsive to the way people live today. Our manufacturer MTL makes threads from recycled bottles: They’re sustainable, repel stains, allow people to upholster their sofas and not worry as much. Classic handscreen prints like Albert and Burma can be more performance woven, which is more affordable.
Beyond design, what matters? American craftsmanship is important, how it is made is as
What décor mistakes do people make? People shouldn’t rush. It takes a lot of time. You’ll be happier if you enjoy the process. Designers can guide you and help you choose and spend wisely and educate you on different ways to live. Don’t be afraid to express yourself.
What is your personal favorite pattern? I love La Fortuna. It’s an ombre stripe, looks like peacock feathers. It comes in tons of colors so you can mix and match it.
Sister Parish helped Jackie Kennedy decorate the White House. What would be your suggestions for the new ballroom? I’d try to make people feel comfortable there. It’s rarefied and expensive. I’d make it cozy with quilts, baskets of flowers, unexpected patterns.
Sharon King Hoge
Pattern Plays Resembling an American quilt, Campobello performance fabric (above) pays tribute to Sister Parish’s love for classic American Craft. Breakfast in Bed (top right) is a handprinted wallpaper by Sister Parish Design.
