New England Home Connecticut Spring 2023

Exquisite details & perfect proportions. traditional architecture for the modern world.

“If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in the water.”

s MORGAN HARRISON HOME

Features

120 Game Changer

A cunning remodel gives a sporty New Canaan clan room to spread out and spaces that promote togetherness.

130 Family Seat

Formal on the outside, airy on the inside, this colonial revival is designed to welcome weekenders for generations to come.

142 Pretty in Pink

An irrepressibly colorful New Canaan home is as vibrant as its happy family of five.

Here & There

41 Designers at Home

Captivated by the idyllic surroundings, designer Kaitlin Smith goes all in renovating her dream home in Essex.

48

Good Bones

Alisberg Parker Architects puts their own twist on the colonial vernacular.

56

Things We Love

Revel in the beauty of spring and the great outdoors with these flora- and fauna-inspired furnishings and accessories.

64

Special Spaces

Architect Hannah Robertson turns a utilitarian basement into a subterranean refuge where it’s always five o’clock.

72 Shop Visit

Luxe decor brand OKA’s first East Coast location overflows with design inspiration.

80

Smith on Style

With the launch of a new book and a speaking engagement at the Luxury Home Design Summit, Nina Campbell sets her sights on New England.

86 Outside Interest

Inspired by the Hamptons, this landscape manages to be untamed and structured all at once.

92 Design Dispatches

Mark your calendars for these must-attend events and read up on industry news.

94 The Scene

A look back at a host of designrelated gatherings.

99 Gracious Outdoor Living & Landscapes

ou’d never know it was January when we photographed the featured home on page 142. Determined to conjure spring, we arrived the cold morning of our photo shoot armed with buckets of flowers and were delighted to find the home more than met us halfway; shades of pink, coral, cobalt, and gold made for a perfectly spring-like backdrop. In fact, by the time we turned our lens on the dining room, our cheeks were as rosy as if we’d been in the sun for hours—thanks to a glow cast by the glossy salmon-pink ceiling.

A salmon-colored ceiling isn’t for everyone, but designer Lynn Morgan knew her pink-obsessed client would love it. After all, our homes are inherently personal. Acclaimed designer Thom Filicia tells writer Fred Albert that an effective, beautiful interior directly reflects the people who live in it. I think you’ll agree that Filicia achieves this maxim in the New Canaan residence he designed for one of his childhood friends; turn to page 120 for a family home packed with an energy and liveliness unique to its inhabitants. And consider the creative frisson unleashed when a designer becomes their own client. We’ve shared these stories before, but with this issue we’ve given it an official section, Designers at Home. I know you’ll be charmed by designer Kaitlin Smith’s Essex abode on page 41 and gain insight into her distinct design point of view.

As the days lengthen and brighten, I will be pondering pink, but perhaps just in my garden for now. Whatever your inclination, here’s to a vibrant spring for us all, both indoors and out.

Lodge: An Indoorsy Tour of America’s National Parks

Coauthors Max Humphrey and NEH contributor Kathryn O’Shea-Evans highlight the historic lodges of ten national parks in a new title described as the perfect armchair travel book for both interior design enthusiasts and “parkitecture” fans. Coming in April from Gibbs Smith.

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Intersection of Nature and Art

Greenwich-based landscape firm James Doyle Design Associates recently released a monograph that reflects the firm’s design philosophy and features lush photography highlighting the juxtapositions of the designed and natural worlds. Available now from Images Publishing.

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Editor in Chief Jenna Talbott jtalbott@nehomemag.com

Editor at Large Clinton Smith csmith@nehomemag.com

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Senior Contributing Editor Paula M. Bodah

Contributing Editor Karin Lidbeck Brent

Contributing Writers

Fred Albert, Alyssa Bird, Marni Elyse Katz

Contributing Photographers

Jane Beiles, Jessica Delaney, Kris Ellis, Tria Giovan, Shaun Gotterbarn, Neil Landino, David Lloyd, Read McKendree, Peter Murdock, Phil Nelson, Paul Raeside, Kevin Scott, Alex Zammarieh/Annandale Photography

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Here

Here There&

GOING TO TOWN

Captivated by the idyllic surroundings, designer Kaitlin Smith goes all in renovating her dream home in Essex.

First, designer Kaitlin Smith fell for the town: “Essex is the total package. It has a classic small-town feel, the architecture is beautiful, and there’s not a lot of development. It almost feels like a Hollywood set—it’s that great,” she says. (Not to mention Essex is halfway between Smith’s home-anddesign shop in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and her husband’s Hartford office.)

Here&There | DESIGNERS AT HOME

Then she fell for the house: a 1939 colonial surrounded by mature trees and lovely historic homes. Smith knew it was her dream house, even though her husband, Matthew, initially raised an eyebrow. To be fair, “it didn’t have the curb appeal it has today,” admits Smith with a laugh. It also had a disjointed layout, no storage, and a tiny kitchen. Undaunted, Smith set about devising a multiphase renovation that would, over time, address

various shortcomings while adding square footage for a growing family. Phase one ratcheted the curb appeal with new siding and windows and incorporated a light-filled new kitchen and dining room off the back of the house. Phase two brought a new primary suite above the kitchen and addressed the overall flow of the second and third floors while integrating a new staircase between the upper stories.

When it came to her overall design aesthetic,

Here

Smith took a personal approach. “When it’s your own house, you have a lot more freedom,” she says. “You can go for it, whether for the good or the bad—you’re going to live with it.” In keeping true to the home’s era, Smith rejected an open-concept layout, instead designing rooms that each have their own identity. Common themes do present, however. “I’m not afraid of color,” she says, “I love color, texture, and the layering of patterns.”

Blue is a favorite hue, and Smith pays homage with a lacquered navy ceiling in the

dining room and high-gloss trim in the den. Pretty patterned wallpapers play nicely with pieces passed down from family. The designer also sprinkled in finds, like a vintage rattan chair and a ceramic lamp with pleated shade, from her own shop, Highpoint Home, to complete the look.

Now finished, the house, picture-perfect inside and out, is as enchanting as its silverscreen-worthy surroundings.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For details, see Resources.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Kaitlin Smith Interiors

BUILDERS: Sapia Builders, Chōwa Home

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: “I wanted to create young bedrooms for my young children—I wasn’t worried about them growing into them,” notes Smith, pointing to the Sister Parish Serendipity wallcovering on the ceiling, the vintage Babar the Elephant prints, and the vintage rocker from her own store, Highpoint Home. Smith wanted a clutter-free and serene primary suite, so the closets and dressers are built in; builder Derek Huckel of Chōwa Home incorporated a white-washed oak ceiling to soften the space. Antique French cane beds with Matouk linens and Amanda Lindroth shams anchor a cheery guest room.

Fresh Take

Alisberg Parker Architects puts their own twist on the colonial vernacular.

Seamlessly integrating a new structure into a historic neighborhood is easier said than done, but Alisberg Parker Architects was up for the challenge. When a pair of empty nesters looking to downsize contacted the firm, they planned to simply renovate their existing 1890s

Greenwich farmhouse. After coming up against a metaphorical wall (and literal foundation problems), the homeowners and architecture team decided that the only way forward was to start from scratch.

“The neighborhood is filled with colonials built in the early 1900s, which was the inspiration for this house,” says firm principal and partner Ed Parker.

“The owners wanted the home to fit into the surrounding area while incorporating a more contemporary feel.” Indeed, the 2,500-square-foot five-bedroom residence features a simple gable roof seen on many nearby structures—as well as the site’s former home—but the architects had a bit of fun with the exterior. “We cut into the volume with a more contemporary front

LEFT: The exterior features a mix of white clapboard siding and stained western red cedar siding and railings; a door between the house and garage conceals an open-air staircase leading to the balcony above the garage. BELOW: The living and dining areas and the kitchen are open to one another, but clutter is kept at bay. “We didn’t want people putting their coats on the back of the sofa when they walked in,” says the homeowner. “An idea that started as a screen, which felt cold and one-dimensional, ended up as a bookshelf. It brings the entire space together.”

door and kept the detailing very neat and clean,” says Parker.

Site regulations prohibiting an attached garage presented one of the biggest challenges for the design team, so they conceived a plan that fudges the fact that the garage is technically considered detached.

“There is an open-air stairway between the garage and house that leads to the balcony over the garage,” explains Parker. “Initially we didn’t know what to

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The primary bath contains a custom vanity, Olympian White Danby marble countertops, Porcelanosa floor tile, and wall tile from Inax. The third floor is divided into two spaces: a bedroom, seen behind this barn door, and a sitting area and workspace. On the upper level, “We leaned into the fact that the eaves come in on this floor, and it feels quite cozy and charming,” notes Will Jameson of Alisberg Parker Architects.

“THE OWNERS WANTED THE HOME TO FIT INTO THE SURROUNDING AREA WHILE INCORPORATING A MORE CONTEMPORARY FEEL.”

—Architect Ed Parker

do with the space above the garage, but this makes the most of the small lot and offers privacy.”

The contemporary touches extend to the inside, which features an open floor plan with sleek finishes. “You walk through the front door into a large, expansive space with a stairway that runs from the basement up to the third floor,” says Will Jameson, the firm’s director of interior architectural design. “The staircase binds the house and provides a feeling of cohesion. It almost has the sense of a New York townhouse.”

When it came to the layout, the homeowners gave clear directives: one main living area as well as rooms for their two grown children, an office, and outdoor space. “We utilized every square inch of what we had,” says the homeowner. “The house shines. It stands out, but it also fits in so nicely with its surroundings.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For details, see Resources

ARCHITECTURE: Alisberg Parker Architects

BUILDER: Parallel Construction Management

Flora & Fauna

It’s time to revel in the beauty of spring and the great outdoors.

Produced by LYNDA SIMONTON

Spend an hour at a Clarke Showroom and one thing is clear: your time with a Clarke Consultant is the most valuable part of your kitchen journey. While they’re not designers, these are the people designers call on when it comes to appliance recommendations. You won’t buy anything at Clarke, so there’s simply no pressure. What you can do is compare more Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove models than anywhere in New England. Explore a living portfolio of kitchens created by the region’s top designers. You will leave inspired with new knowledge to make your appliance selections with confidence.

Born in Belgium, Uschi Samaritano speaks five languages and is also fluent in selecting just the right appliances for your lifestyle. She is an accomplished cook, passionate gardener, avid apiarist and is known by homeowners and designers alike for her valuable insights for outfitting extraordinary kitchens.

New England’s Official Showroom and Test Kitchen insights for outfitting

Boston & Milford, MA South Norwalk, CT 800-842-5275

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Without Uschi, it wouldn’t be Clarke.

Naturally Glam

Rooms bloom with personality thanks to pieces inspired by organic forms.

Furniture from the urban forest

Furniture from the urban forest

Connecticut is number one.

Connecticut is number one.

Connecticut has the densest urban tree cover in the country, but most of the beautiful old trees that line our streets and fill our parks end up in the log dump or are chipped into mulch.

Connecticut has the densest urban tree cover in the country, but most of the beautiful old trees that line our streets and fill our parks end up in the log dump or are chipped into mulch.

Since 2010, City Bench has salvaged urban trees in Connecticut to transform them into uniquely handcrafted furniture. See more of our work at city-bench.com or give us a call to talk about a project you have in mind and to visit our showroom.

Since 2010, City Bench has salvaged urban trees in Connecticut to transform them into uniquely handcrafted furniture. See more of our work at city-bench.com or give us a call to talk about a project you have in mind and to visit our showroom.

73 Maple Avenue, Higganum CT | 860.716.8111 | info@city-bench.com

73 Maple Avenue, Higganum CT | 860.716.8111 | info@city-bench.com

Wine Time

Architect Hannah Robertson turns a utilitarian basement into a subterranean refuge where it’s always five o’clock.

Like many houses in Fairfield, you enter this colonial’s basement through a door near the kitchen pantry and walk down a dimly lit staircase. But when you reach the landing, instead of glimpsing exposed plumbing or stacks of storage totes, you catch sight of a moody hallway painted an intriguing shade of forest green.

At the bottom of the stairs, an arched window reveals a postagestamp-size wine cellar with double ceramic-tile groin-vault ceilings, twin moss-green velvet banquettes, and 300 bottles of vino—Italian reds, to be specific. It’s a sexy marriage of Old World and contemporary design, and it’s architect Hannah Robertson’s first climate-controlled wine cellar.

“Jessica Helgerson’s design for Stumptown’s first Brooklyn cafe— located in my old neighborhood— and the New York subway in general were definite inspirations,” says Robertson, who remodeled the rest of the home back in 2019. (It was featured in the 2021 issue of New England Home Connecticut’s annual publication next.)

While the owners requested a funky and interesting space where

they could gather with friends, they also wanted one that would flow with the rest of the house, so materials like the Fireclay tile, white-oak cabinetry, and brass accents show up in both the main house and its subterranean space.

Just as she did upstairs, Robertson collaborated with the team at Segerson Builders. Project manager Pam Brennan says the team was up for the challenge of building such an intricate room in a small space: the wine cellar itself is only 150 square feet, while the finished portion of the basement comes in at just 250 square feet.

“The tile was the most difficult part of it,” Brennan says. “Normally when you tile with so many angles, you miter the corners, but that wasn’t an option

“JESSICA HELGERSON’S DESIGN FOR STUMPTOWN’S FIRST BROOKLYN CAFE AND THE NEW YORK SUBWAY IN GENERAL WERE DEFINITE INSPIRATIONS.”

—Architect Hannah Robertson

with all the curves, so we had to use tile liners cut to varying lengths and thicknesses so there are no exposed edges.”

Another stand-out detail is the room’s three-quarter-inch brass channel that replaces traditional baseboards. “It lifts the room up to counter its massive feel,” says Robertson.

Fortunately for Robertson and Brennan, when the project was complete

in summer 2022, they were invited to celebrate with a glass of wine in the new space. With the cellar at a wine-friendly temperature of fifty-six degrees, did anyone get chilly? Not with the piles of blankets tucked in the drawers under the banquettes. “It’s so cozy,” says Brennan. “You could stay down there for hours.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources

“The mottled antiqued mirror is probably my favorite feature of the room,” says Pam Brennan of Segerson Builders. “It makes the space look like it goes on forever.” It also reflects the Imperial Danby honed marble wet bar at the opposite end of the cellar.

ARCHITECTURE: Hannah I. Robertson

Architecture

BUILDER: Segerson Builders

The British are Coming

Luxe decor brand OKA’s first East Coast location overflows with design inspiration.

British-influenced style, with its roots firmly planted in tradition, is having a moment. Lucky for us, OKA, the famed English home retailer, launched a shop on Main Street in Westport earlier this year, just in time to satisfy our desire for all things Brit.

Established online in 1999 by three design-loving friends, Lady Annabel Astor, Sue Jones, and Lucinda Waterhouse, OKA’s first showroom opened in London in 2000. “Color and comfort are the first words that come to mind when I think of our brand,” says Jones,

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who was on hand to launch OKA’s U.S. flagship location (there are also showrooms in Dallas and Houston, Texas). “Our collections really are the epitome of British style. By that I mean there’s an eclectic mix of designs, global influences, patterns, and textures, which all sit together harmoniously—

even though you might not think they would. Just as these elements do in a quintessentially English home.”

More than 14,000 square feet of retail space spread out over two floors in Westport showcases the brand’s breadth of furnishings and accessories. A series of artfully styled vignettes keeps the expansive shop from feeling overwhelming. The rooms transport visitors to a Regency-style London townhouse, a country home in North Wales, and a Cotswold cottage. Shoppers can see

ABOVE: Pick a bouquet from a collection of faux blooms, and you don’t ever have to worry about replacing the water in the vase. LEFT: A vignette is ready for a cocktail and a game of bridge.

“COLOR AND COMFORT ARE THE FIRST WORDS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN I THINK OF OUR BRAND.”

—OKA Cofounder

Sue Jones

how various furnishings, finishes, and scales work together to create a personalized look.

A dramatic table set for a festive party and an Instagram-worthy fauxflower display that tempts you to grab an armful for a quick home refresh welcome you when you walk through the door. Head upstairs past the vignettes, and a room full of home accessories awaits. From pretty rubbish bins for a powder room to porcelain tableware sourced from around the globe, it is all there.

Encouraging creativity is what OKA is all about. “My favorite thing is learning what people do with OKA in their own homes,” shares Jones. “Our cheetah-print armchair, the George, is proving particularly popular. Things like that tell me our American friends are embracing the quirks of British style and really having fun with it, which I am thrilled about.” OKA, Westport, oka.com

ABOVE: What are the rules for mixing and matching pillows? There are no rules! Piles of pillows allow you to experiment with various textures, patterns, and colors to get that coveted, cozy British look.

BELOW: You’ll find space dedicated to blue and white classics, including OKA’s exclusive Kraak ware, on the second floor.

Renowned London-based interior designer Nina Campbell has designed beautiful homes around the world—from China to Connecticut. She’s even created residences for members of the British royal family. In March, a 240-page book debuted from the Rizzoli publishing house that captures a years-long project that Campbell worked on in New England’s northernmost state. A House in Maine showcases one family’s multigenerational compound and storied retreat in vivid detail.

“The owners wanted a house where nobody ever wants

Destination Design

CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW: The facade of the main house on a family compound that is the subject of A House in Maine. The book’s inviting cover. The gardens offer food for the table and a feast for the eyes. The garden room has been furnished to provide space for relaxation, in this case for an unrushed breakfast.

With the launch of a new book and a keynote speaking engagement at the Luxury Home Design Summit, British designer Nina Campbell sets her sights on New England this spring.

to leave,”

Whatever your needs, TrimBoard has you covered, rain or shine.

says Campbell of the vision behind the project. “And that’s what’s happened.”

Built at the turn of the last century, the core of the main house is a simple cottage overlooking a secluded cove. The couple who built it had no idea that they were creating a legacy for future generations of their family, who use the place as a retreat from busy lives elsewhere.

The main house evolved from that summer cottage to a larger Federal-style manse, its recent reinvention overseen by Ferguson & Shamamian Architects. Deborah Nevins executed the bucolic landscape design, and Nate Holyoke was the builder. Other structures include a pool house and the most remarkable “playhouse” that does double duty as a prime spot for hosting and entertaining.

And while the house features Campbell’s signature details and timeless touches, including luxurious upholstery and fine antiques, there’s also a sense of playfulness and fun—nothing is taken too seriously. “You don’t feel like you have to dress up all the time,” Campbell adds.

Color schemes comprised of soft lavenders, rich aubergines, magenta, and other zippy pinks give the house a welcoming spirit and a bit of a contemporary verve.

One of the best parts of the project for Campbell is being invited back as a guest to see how the house is really lived in. The other lasting memory is the teamwork and collaboration that made it all happen.

“Everything was done in the best of spirits,” says Campbell. “Anything you thought you needed was somehow possible.” ninacampbell.com, rizzoliusa.com

bathrooms features a nautical theme. Nina Campbell and her clients share many aesthetic passions, including tableware and certain colors, in particular the lilac, mauve, and purple that appear throughout the main house and ancillary buildings. The estate’s spirited and elegant “nightclub” space—just outside of view, it features a platinum-leafed ceiling.

MEET NINA IN PERSON

Join New England Home Connecticut at the Luxury Home Design Summit in Chatham, Massachusetts, in May, where Nina Campbell will serve as one of the event’s keynote speakers. She will also be signing copies of her new book, A House in Maine For more information and registration details, visit luxuryhomedesignsummit.com.

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MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL

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Cultivated

Inspired by the Hamptons, this landscape manages to be untamed and structured all at once.

Sometimes it takes a moment for a home, even a new build, to come into its own. That was certainly the case for Kathryn Herman’s New Canaan clients, who took time settling

into their Brooks & Faloticodesigned house before reaching out to Herman about the corresponding 1.8-acre landscape. A streamlined pool was already in place, and the property

The landscape needed to be in perfect harmony with the home, so the design team incorporated the same West Hill Granite—sourced from Bedford Stone & Masonry—found on the patio in the pool deck and its surrounding checkerboard-patterned pavers.

included wildflower wetlands (originally planted by Penn Marchael of Pennington Grey) that needed to be preserved.

“The clients have a summer home in eastern Long Island,” says Herman, “and they wanted their primary residence to have a similar feel.”

That area of Long Island, says Herman, is known for open fields that border manicured landscapes, so the design team set out to achieve the same effect in New Canaan. They shaped the perimeter of the rangy wetlands to feel less organic and more crafted, with a sharp edge that distinguishes the two zones. Ilex crenata hedges break up the openness and provide privacy. Herman’s team improved circulation around the pool with a graphic checkerboard installation of West Hill Granite pavers

“IT’S CRISP BUT WILD.”

—Landscape designer Kathryn Herman

that echoes the strong lines of the hedges and edge of the wetlands.

A raised yoga and meditation garden studded with ceramic seats that resemble oversized pebbles sits below the second-floor primary suite. Glacial erratics found on-site were relocated to places of prominence and treated almost like sculptures. So were various trees, including two crab apples, a dogwood, fastigiate hornbeams, and a magnolia. Because flowers fill the wet-

land portion of the landscape, the design team focused on texture and structure throughout the rest of the property.

“It’s crisp but wild,” says Herman. “We did a lot of editing to make the space feel bolder while at the same time calm and composed. The landscape responds to the pool, house, and broader surroundings, but it’s very impactful.” And completely worth the wait.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Kathryn Herman Design

ARCHITECTURE: Brooks & Falotico

BUILDER: Blansfield Builders

Specializing in Wildlife Exclusion and Pet Containment Fence Systems

Our unique fences protect your property, gardens, trees, and plantings from damage caused by deer and other intrusive wildlife. It contains both dogs and cats, and protects pets from coyotes and other predators. Our fences have low visibility and are designed to blend into the landscape with minimal disruption to your property. We custom-design and install the ideal fence to meet your needs and requirements.

Here&There | DESIGN DISPATCHES

Style Scene Notebook

Welcome spring!

One of Southport’s most beloved design destinations made a move, but don’t worry, it didn’t go far. Lattice House has relocated to 330 Pequot Avenue, just a stone’s throw from its original location. The store has also joined forces with Parker & Company Designs, offering a range of interior design services.

In other grand-opening news, Interstate + Lakeland Lumber unveiled a new Westport design center at 800 Post Road East at the end of 2022. The center lets you see millwork, windows, and doors in person so you can compare options and visualize everything in your own home.

2022 wrapped up with the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects’ annual Professional Awards. The awards recognize excellence in landscape architectural design, planning and analysis, communication, and research. This year’s winners in the residential landscape architectural design category included James Doyle Design Associates, Renée Byers Landscape Architect, and Haver & Skolnick Architects. Congrats to all!

Hats off to Cornerstone

Contracting for celebrating its thirty-year anniversary. The Greenwich-based luxury residential builder led by George Pusser has built some of the most noted homes in Fairfield County and beyond.

In showroom news, Design

Within Reach launched an exciting collaboration with Australian designer Sarah Ellison. Curvy biomorphic pieces have an au courant 1970s vibe that reflects the company’s philosophy that great design is timeless. Do you have news to share with New England Home? Email Lynda Simonton at lsimonton@nehomemag.com

The Gardener Master Class

APRIL 20–MAY 18

Held at Hollister House Garden, this five-session course covers all aspects of gardening, from planning to installation to maintenance.

Washington hollisterhousegarden.org

››

MAY 13

Sale

More than 1,000 homegrown perennials are available at this annual event on Jesup Green, now in its ninety-eighth year. Westport westportgardenclub.org

MAY 5–JUNE 15

Lyme Art Association’s most noted artists come together for this annual and muchanticipated show. Old Lyme lymeartassociation.org

‹‹  Tour Sleepy Cat Farm

APRIL 29

Tour all thirteen acres of one of Connecticut’s most ambitious private gardens. Part of The Garden Conservancy Open Days. Greenwich gardenconservancy.org

MAY 22–24

Renowned experts help professionals in the design and construction industries market to affluent consumers at Chatham Bars Inn. Chatham, Mass. luxuryhomedesignsummit.com

Grandiflora Garden Tour

JUNE 9–10

Enjoy two days of self-guided and virtual tours of private local gardens.

Greater Greenwich greenwichbotanicalcenter.org

Trade Secrets

MAY 20–21

Shop for rare plants and antiques at Lime Rock Park and tour notable gardens, including one at the home of Bunny Williams and John Rosselli. Litchfield County tradesecretsct.com

New Canaan Cares Home Tour

MAY 24

Don’t you just love the chance to peek at people’s homes? Tour some of our region’s very best at this event, now in its thirtieth year.

New Canaan newcanaancares.org

‹‹  Connecticut’s Historic Gardens Day

JUNE 25

Make a day out of visiting notable gardens throughout the state.

Various locations cthistoricgardens.org

Here&There | THE SCENE

William Lyon Designs Studio Opening

This past winter we joined friends in the industry to inaugurate the first brick-and-mortar location of William Lyon Designs. Guests gathered to celebrate in the stylish new space—beautifully decorated with lush arrangements by floral sponsor McArdle’s Floral & Garden Design—and congratulate designer William Lyon.

HOME B UILD ER S & RE MODE LERS ASS

The HBRA offers a variety of courses including OSHA10, Energy Codes, CAPS, and productivity and marketing seminars, among others. We are constantly adding to our course curriculum.

The HBRA provides numerous networking opportunities throughout the year at membership meetings, showcases, and at other specialty events. Our main goal is to help you build relationships.

Your 3-in-1 Membership includes lobbying efforts at the national and regulations favorable to the home building industry and to your business.

The HBRA Retirement Plan powered by TAG Resources is now available and utilize for their businesses.

AWAR DS & REC OG NITION

Your membership to the HBRA enables you to be eligible for the HBRA Annual awards and the prestigious HOBI Awards.

DIS CO UN T S & RE BATES

The HBRA membership can pay for itself through a variety of discount and rebate programs and special member to member discounts and opportunities.

UPCOMING EVENTS: MAY MEMBER MIXER | MAY 3RD, 2023

SAVE THE DATE for our May GMM and Member Mixer at Two Roads in Stratford on May 3rd from 6-9PM! Enjoy food and games while networking with new members of the HBRA as well as Committee Chairs and Board Members. Visit www.buildfairfieldcounty.com for more details.

best builders, remodelers, subcontractors, and

Here&There | THE SCENE

AIA Connecticut Awards Gala

The Connecticut chapter of the American Institute of Architects hosted its most-anticipated event of the year at The Grand Oak Villa in Oakville. The elegant evening included dinner and drinks and an awards presentation recognizing architectural excellence.

ASLA Connecticut Awards Ceremony

The Connecticut chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects was thrilled to host its annual holiday party and awards gala in person for the first time since 2019. The festive celebration honored top talent in landscape architecture and rang in another year of successful projects. The evening’s proceeds benefited CTASLA’s student scholarship fund.

New Canaan CARES 30TH ANNUAL HOME TOUR

Corporate Sponsors

TR Building and Remodeling, Inc.

Stewart’s Wines & Spirits

Corporate Patrons

Bloomcraft

DEANE, Inc.

Karl Chevrolet

Matthew R. Dougherty Architects

Northeastern TuffSkin, LLC

Rand Insurance/Chubb

Ring’s End

Robidoux Landscaping

Simply Delicious

Stirling Mills Interior Design

Corporate Friends

Black Bridge Motors

Chloe Winston Lighting Design

The Fox Group

The Hinding Group

JFL Custom Builders

Michael Smith Architects

NYCT Solutions, LLC

Odd Job Landscaping

Renaissance Partners

Signature Pools

Gracious Outdoor Living & Landscapes Special Marketing Section

Advanced Home Audio, Inc.

Advanced Home Audio, Inc., is the preeminent designer of sophisticated technology for our clients, helping to create the ultimate ambiance in your outdoor spaces. We believe that technology, when refined to be simple and intuitive, will enhance your life.

Whether you are building a new home or are considering a spring upgrade to your outdoor living space, we would be happy to explore, with you, the exciting possibilities our systems and services provide.

Premium music, outdoor movies, fast and secure Wi-Fi, pool and spa control, landscape lighting, motorized insect screens, solar shades, heated spaces, and security cameras are all custom designed and installed by Advanced Home Audio. The company also specializes in intelligent lighting design and home energy grid solu -

tions. The latest technology can blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture and landscape, inspiring and defining your outdoor escape. We have a passion for bringing indoor comfort to outdoor living!

Our team has the highest level of expertise and a unique client-focused approach. We will provide a simple “turn-key” solution to your backyard oasis for gatherings with family and friends this summer. Behind the scenes, our staff manages everything: the design, engineering, installation, and most important, white-glove service and support. We are available when you need us, day or night.

Advanced Home Audio serves Fairfield County, Westchester County, The Hamptons, New York City, and South Florida.

Austin Ganim Landscape Design

Austin Ganim Landscape Design offers a full range of design, installation, and maintenance services for properties of all sizes and styles. Our staff includes licensed landscape architects, horticulturalists, and landscape designers. Influenced by our backgrounds, as well as hands-on experience, we create designs that seamlessly transition between the home and garden.

Whether renovating an existing landscape or starting from scratch, our design-build team assists clients through the entire process. After the initial meeting at your home to review the property and discuss your landscape needs to determine the necessary services, we will

develop a custom landscape plan, review materials, and provide an estimate to implement the concept. Once the scope of work has been finalized, our skilled crews will install your landscape and hardscape in a timely manner, with the utmost of professionalism.

After installation, proper maintenance by trained professionals, who understand not only the appropriate pruning techniques for the specific plant material at your home but also the desired style, is essential to the garden’s success. AGLD offers a variety of lawn and landscape maintenance services, with organic and hybrid options, to keep your property looking its best.

Austin Ganim & Eva Chiamulera, ASLA, PLA 320 Kings Highway Cutoff Fairfield, CT 06824 203-333-2003

austinganimlandscapedesign.com

We strive to create dynamic landscapes that achieve our client’s desired aesthetic while also providing ecological enhancements to bring the landscape to life.

Christensen Landscape Services

Christensen Landscape Services is a full-service landscape firm widely recognized for innovative, sustainable design and quality installations. Their expertise enhances your home with a broad complement of landscape options. Because they offer complete hardscape capabilities, including stone masonry, concrete finishing, and on-site carpentry, there is virtually no limit to what they can create in your landscape. Whether your plan calls for intricate stonework, native plantings, or a luxurious water feature, the professionals at Christensen Landscape Services take pride in providing quality and excellence.

The family-owned business has earned numerous awards for design, installation, and maintenance. Owner David Christensen and lead designer Donna Christensen work with a team of managers, designers, carpenters, masons, and certified landscape gardening professionals who take great pride in upholding their tradition of building and maintaining beautiful, functional, and long-lasting gardens. Their services include full garden and estate maintenance throughout New Haven, Middlesex, and Fairfield counties. They provide custom fertilization and weed control packages, and are a NOFA Certified Organic Landscape Supplier specializing in sustainable and organic landscape design and maintenance.

Designers at Christensen enjoy working with many clients to enliven their landscapes by transforming forgotten outdoor areas into meaningful living spaces that invite interaction, nourishment, and reflection. 325

Connecticut Stone

As your trusted interior and exterior stone supplier for seventy-plus years, Connecticut Stone is dedicated to delivering high-quality natural stone products to our clients. Partnering with A&D design professionals, landscape architects, contractors, masons, and homeowners, our team delivers jaw-dropping results, no matter the application.

Whether you’re looking for stone pavers to enhance a landscape or the countertop for your new kitchen, we carry a diverse collection of interior and exterior products. From quartzite and marble to natural building stone, bluestone, and our very own ThinStone™, we have the materials to make your project one of a kind.

We also carry high-quality brands such as Artistic Tile, AKDO, New Ravenna, Techo-Bloc, Nicolock, and more. We also have a full-service manufacturing facility on-site in Milford, where we can custom fabricate our products to your exact specifications.

There’s no company quite like Connecticut Stone. Our craftsmanship, breadth of knowledge, on-site custom capabilities, and variety of products are the reasons why we’re an industry leader. Our customers rely on us to bring their vision to life, and your project can be next. Get in touch with our team at 203-882-1000 to get started today. Your dream project is just a call away!

1. Sandblasted Jerusalem Grey Limestone was used around the pool because of its slip-resistant finish and ability to stay cool during hot summer months.

2. Clarity Home Interiors, Beinfield Architecture, and Artisans Home Builders created a custom blend of natural building stone veneer from Connecticut Stone for this fireplace. 3. This beautiful retaining wall was created from Country Weathered Wallstone paired with PA Natural Cleft Bluestone in Full Color from Connecticut Stone. 4. Changing formats and patterns of Old Spruce Mountain were used for the patio and fireplace to create visual interest while maintaining the color scheme.

Connecticut Stone 138 Woodmont Road Milford, CT 06460

203-882-1000

tyra@connecticutstone.com connecticutstone.com

Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Services

Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Services has been making outdoor spaces more beautiful for more than twenty years. The company has earned a reputation throughout Fairfield County for quality landscape installation and maintenance, planting, and tending to the “softscape” around the home. Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Services is also known for creating outdoor living spaces complemented with custom-designed fireplaces, cooking, and dining areas. To complete the perfect entertainment setting, they design fences, masonry walls, and driveways; install outdoor lighting; and create arbors, pergolas, and gazebos.

Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Service’s work also includes traditional pool design and maintenance, and they are the only distributor of BioNova® all-natural swimming pools

in Connecticut. These swimming pools are 100 percent organic and have been widely accepted in Europe as the ideal standard. Because the water is filtered using plants and organic filtration systems, not chemicals, these pools are completely safe for the entire family. BioNova® pools can be custom designed to meet any client’s design wishes. Existing pools can also be retrofitted to become chemical free.

Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Services enhances, maintains, and preserves residences throughout every season. Freddy’s also has a seasonal nursery at the Fairfield location to supply clients with quality trees, shrubs, and plants. Principal Freddy Miraballes has a proven history of working with homeowners and designers to create award-winning gardens and outdoor spaces that are beautiful and timeless.

Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Services 40 Belmont Street Fairfield, CT 06824

203-855-7854

freddyandco.net

Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies

You First. This has been our philosophy for more than 160 years, and it is what has made Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies the premier choice for stone in New England. Our seasoned professionals, wide selection of natural stone, and personalized and consultative service is why homeowners and the trade alike choose to partner with Gault for all of their stone needs.

From interior and exterior countertops to fireplace surrounds, pool coping, and custom veneer stones, our

state-of-the-art fabrication facility is where Old World craftsmanship meets modern-day technology. With hightech waterjet saws and stone splitters, as well as hand carvings done by our stone craftsmen, Gault is able to bring any project to life.

Whether you know exactly what you are looking for or need professional guidance, we are here to provide you with the perfect stone for your home.

gaultstone.com

InnerSpace Electronics, Inc.

For decades InnerSpace Electronics has delivered innovative technology solutions and entertainment systems to enhance outdoor living. We believe an exterior space should reflect similar usability as interior spaces—a place to gather and enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing the ability to entertain.

A well-lit landscape creates additional livable square footage, showcases beautifully landscaped properties, and offers an extra layer of home security. A lightingcontrol system, paired with energy-efficient fixtures, and designed by our in-house lighting designer, can be programmed to match your lifestyle, and add hours of outdoor time to the day.

From discreet all-weather, high-performance land -

scape audio systems and outdoor televisions that output a brighter picture, reduce glare, and are engineered to handle extreme climate conditions, to motorized insect screens that enable an exterior porch to quickly transform into a screened-in porch, InnerSpace will design a system that brings lasting memories to a home. The possibilities are endless.

Our experience with the design-build community in Fairfield County, coupled with our esteemed projectmanagement and engineering teams, makes us effective collaborators, ensuring a project runs seamlessly— keeping the focus on delivering a one-of-a-kind, technology-driven outdoor livable environment.

We

1.&4. Expand your home’s square footage with outdoor entertaining spaces.

2. Outdoor living zones combine natural elements with discreet technologies.

3. Landscape lighting design and exterior fixtures can transform and enhance a property.

LaurelRock

At LaurelRock, we believe that your outdoor space should be a reflection of your style and your values. That’s why our experienced designers and technicians take pride in their craft and are committed to delivering exceptional results that exceed your expectations. Whether you’re looking for maintenance, design, or construction services, we’re here to help you create the outdoor space of your dreams.

We understand that finding the right landscaping company can be a frustrating and time-consuming process. That’s why we’re committed to providing our clients with a level of service and quality that sets us apart from the competition. Our team listens to you, addresses your concerns, and keeps you in the loop about your project and maintenance plan. We know that clear communication is key to a successful partnership. We also understand that

your time is valuable, so we always deliver on our promises. Having a well-maintained, healthy landscape that enhances the beauty of your property and is safe to play on, while not diminishing the health of our planet, should be a given. With LaurelRock, homeowners enjoy a stunning and sustainable outdoor living space with the peace of mind that it’s being done right.

We are very proud to announce that LaurelRock was voted the Best Residential Landscape Maintenance Company in the country for 2022 by the National Association of Landscape Professionals. A panel of peers, educators, and industry professionals awarded LaurelRock both the Gold Award of Excellence and the coveted Judge’s Award in this category. This is an amazing honor that speaks to the professionalism and dedication of our entire team. Give us a call and experience the positive difference we can make!

LaurelRock

969 Danbury Road

Wilton, CT 06897 203-544-0062

laurelrock.com

Sit back and relax with family and friends as you enjoy your own custom-designed and professionally maintained oasis.

Werner Hendrickson Landscape Architecture

Werner Hendrickson Landscape Architecture strives to create elegant and meaningful outdoor spaces for our clients through a sensitive and responsive approach to landscape design. We resolve to create gardens that speak to the character and emotions of those who will enjoy them from one generation to the next. A successful landscape design is the result of the combination of artistic expression and the application of technical expertise. Owned and operated by a team of licensed landscape architects with more than twenty-five years of experience in New England, WHLA appreciates the opportunity for close collaboration with homeowners and allied professionals.

Our work spans a range of project types and scales— from historic renovations to new construction, from contemporary residences to traditional estates and homes. WHLA imbues our passion for horticulture in all of our projects, whether in the artistry of a lush perennial border, a curated palette of diverse trees and shrubs, or a seasonal meadow designed to support pollinator species. In balance with the natural environment, we thoughtfully integrate elements such as dining and entertaining spaces, swimming pools and spas, bespoke details, and garden furnishings. We look forward to each opportunity to make a client’s aspiration for exceptional outdoor spaces become reality.

HWP.O. Box 2849

Stamford, CT 06906 908-208-5530

wernerhendrickson.com

We resolve to create gardens that speak to the character and emotions of those who will enjoy them from one generation to the next.

FEATURES

SPRING 2023

GAME

A cunning remodel gives a sporty New Canaan clan

CHANGER

room to spread out and spaces that promote togetherness.

Connecticut homeowners Rob and Kaitlyn Lowe wanted guests to feel like they could flop down and be comfortable anywhere, including in the living room, which designer Thom Filicia outfitted with a plush sofa and occasional chairs from the Thom Filicia Home Collection for Vanguard Furniture and a pendant light from Visual Comfort.

A nook off the upstairs hallway was turned into a library in homage to the home’s original owner, a librarian who built a fireproof book vault in the basement to protect her collection; the vault now serves as a podcast studio for Kaitlyn. FACING PAGE: An arrangement of photos, maps, and mementoes turns a living room wall into a kind of family portrait. “On their own, these objects could end up in a box. When you put them all together, it creates this really amazing collage,” says Filicia.

The onslaught starts in the early morning hours and has been known to last until well after supper. Cascades of kids charge through Kaitlyn and Rob Lowe’s New Canaan property, trailing duffel bags loaded with hockey equipment, tennis rackets, or swim gear as they make a beeline for the backyard or race into the basement locker room to get ready for the next activity.

After moving from an Upper West Side apartment where son Rogan was literally living in the closet and a trip to the park was a major ordeal, having nearly two acres to spread out was a game changer for this sporty family of six—even if the 1928 house that came with it inspired nothing but indifference.

Fortunately, Rob, an investment banker, and Kaitlyn, an actor, had a secret weapon up their sleeve. New York interior designer Thom Filicia had been a friend of Rob’s since childhood and was willing to take on the home’s transformation, alongside Connecticut architect Rob Sanders. The latter added a new great room, expanded the bedrooms, and improved the home’s flow, which had been compromised by a pair of ungainly modular additions. (“Essentially two double-wides on top of each other,” Sanders explains with a shudder.)

Filicia was tasked with updating the interiors and making them feel more

“We can actually squeeze about eighteen people around this table, so that became the center of every gathering.”

—Homeowner Kaitlyn Lowe

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: In the kitchen, an earthy patinated-steel hood and Waterworks tile complement cabinets painted Benjamin Moore Brewster Gray; the exuberant chandelier and tufted red-leather benches are from Sedgwick & Brattle, Filicia’s to-the-trade showroom. The 1928 house was a mishmash of additions, so architect Rob Sanders unified it with new windows and moved the sequestered front door to a more prominent spot under a new rooftop monitor. “The minute you open the door it feels like the Lowes,” says Filicia of the hip storm-gray entry hall.

cohesive without obliterating the home’s quirkiness. “It was about tightening up the materials and tightening up the aesthetic,” says the designer, who installed prefinished white-oak floors throughout and painted all the interior doors a pale blue, creating a clean, crisp

backdrop for a collection of unpretentious contemporary furnishings.

Sanders removed a bathroom to create a new front entry that aligns better with the home’s approach, while Filicia filled the resulting foyer with a dramatic ebonized-wood wallcover-

ABOVE: A standard eight-foot ceiling would have been too low for the new party-sized great room, so the design team sank the floor to gain height; surface-mounted lighting felt more appropriate to the architecture than recessed cans. LEFT: Need A Hand sconces from Sedgwick & Brattle illuminate a powder room. FACING PAGE: Serene colors and textural finishes help hide the primary bedroom’s origins as a pair of prefab modules.

ing, a grasscloth ceiling, a Sputnik-style pendant, and a console table loaded with personal effects. “I love making rooms like that a little more dramatic, because you’re only in them for a short amount of time, and you want them to be memorable,” the designer says.

Around the corner, an array of family mementoes adorns the wall above the sofa in the living room, where watercolor hues and plush seating inspire relaxation. “This is their ‘slow’ living room,” Filicia says, distinguishing it from the ‘fast’ family room on the other side of the foyer, where friends gather to play pool or crowd onto the sectional for sporting events. “I know the Lowes, and I know how they live,” Filicia says.

“If you’re in that room with less than six people, then the power’s out!”

“It was about tightening up the materials and tightening up the aesthetic.”

—Interior designer Thom Filicia

Moving a staircase opened up the kitchen, which was still hampered by a pair of pesky support columns. Sanders integrated the posts into a floating L-shaped cabinet; the adjacent table, flanked by two benches, is the home’s sole dining area. “This was one of the best decisions we made,” says Kaitlyn, who rarely used the old dining room. “We can actually squeeze about eighteen

people around this table, so that became the center of every gathering.”

The test of a good interior, Filicia says, is creating something specific to the people who live there. “If you didn’t know Rob, Kaitlyn, or the kids, and you went through this house without them here, you would walk away with a really strong sense of who they are.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.

ARCHITECTURE: Rob Sanders Architects

INTERIOR DESIGN: Thom Filicia

BUILDER: Vita Design Group

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Wesley Stout Associates

Family Seat

Formal on the outside, airy on the inside, this colonial revival is designed to welcome weekenders for generations to come.

Styling by PHILIPPA BRATHWAITE

Doors flanking the fireplace in the family room, which features RH sofas that passed the clients’ comfort test, lead to the screened porch with an additional fireplace on the flip side.

A custom Elizabeth Eakins herringbone runner was the starting point for the entry, where a Julian Chichester chaise upholstered in easy-to-clean velvet introduces aubergine as an accent. FACING

PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Cupolas, which nod to vernacular barn architecture, top both the garage on the left of the home and the pool house on right. In the living room, a tucked-away bar is primed for entertaining; the fireplace, with its elegant limestone mantel, was designed by the architects.

When Mark Finlay’s clients showed him a fully wooded property in Washington as a potential site for a vacation home, t he Southport-based architect immediately gave his blessing. That said, he was as surprised as t hey were to witness the transformation once five of the fifteen acres were cleared. “The western horizon became part of the viewscape, with incredible sunsets,” Finlay says. “It was like creating something spectacular out of nothing.”

From there, Finlay started on the master plan, forecasting three generations into the future so the retreat could act as an heirloom passed down from one family to the next. “In earlier times, New Englanders started with a main house, added a wing when they had kids, and so on,” he says. “This is designed to

“It’s elegant, but not stuffy.

Contemporary and modern furnishings soften the formal architecture.”

—INTERIOR DESIGNER ANNE CHESSIN

expand in a traditional-looking manner, but it’s all thought about up front.” Construction on an ATV shed that sits between the pool house and the twelve-bay car barn—where the husband displays his impressive collection—is underway. “The shed is for the dirty vehicles,” Finlay laughs.

Understanding the homeowners’ desire for an absolutely solid, highquality structure that would endure, Finlay connected them with Hobbs, Inc. It was smooth sailing. “The clients spent a lot of time with Mark, so by the time we came on board virtually everything was decided and well-organized,” project manager Toni Sand says. “Plus, we had

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: In the primary bedroom, the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams bed has a view of the valley over the fretwork rail that riffs on Chippendale style. The primary bath's soaking tub is centered on French doors painted Benjamin Moore Brittany Blue. Tall mirrors surrounding the washstands bounce sunlight around the primary bath, which has a dolomite-tile radiant-heat floor. FACING PAGE: Playful Schumacher wallpaper picturing birds perched on branches reinforces the up-in-the-trees perspective of the bunk room, where four queen-sized beds are tucked under the eaves.

—ARCHITECT MARK FINLAY

LEFT: Custom-colored Popham Design cement tiles and V-groove-lined walls give the mudroom a dressed-down but still spiffy feel. BELOW: The twelvebay car barn is painted Benjamin Moore Polo Blue, distinguishing it from the more formal buildings. Nearby, a soon-to-be-built shed will house ATVs used for exploring the property's numerous trails. FACING PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM: The natural topography allowed the team to site the pool house seven feet below the main house, reinforcing its secondary status. Blue metal pendants from Barn Light Electric Company punctuate the car barn interior.

“The home has prominence and engages with the site, but it’s not ostentatious.”

a seasoned site superintendent who worked with them on potential upgrades when he saw opportunity.”

Adhering to the area’s architectural precedents and the clients’ predilection for symmetry and their desire for a home that would look as though it had always been there, Finlay designed a white clapboard colonial revival with a slate roof and dormer windows. “It could have been built at the turn of the century,” he says. “It has prominence and engages with the site, but it’s not ostentatious.”

Inside, however, it lives thoroughly modern, with gracious rooms that open one to the next. “We adapted the proportions of a historic colonial to a more modern home,” Finlay explains. “You circulate room to room as in an old house, but there’s a seamless flow with intuitive navigations and no dead ends.”

Outdoor access is easy and plentiful, too.

In keeping with the exterior architecture, interior detailing is traditional: a paneled entry, a coffered living room

ceiling, and classic cabinetry that will work for generations. Warm white walls and richly stained rift- and quarter-sawn white-oak floors are a dignified backdrop for interior designer Anne Chessin’s schemes of unfussy furnishings and thoughtful splashes of marine blue and aubergine. Statement-making, look-atme moments are intentionally absent.

As such the interiors exude a sense of ease that makes the home feel inviting. “It’s elegant, but not stuffy,” Chessin says of the decor. “Contemporary and

modern furnishings soften the formal architecture.” The pieces have polish— the cobalt blue sofas with channel-tufted backs in the living room; the giant ottoman with rounded corners and leather straps in the family room; the Danish-inspired walnut chairs in the breakfast area—but they’re also comfortable and durable. “Ultimately, the house is made for entertaining family and friends,” Chessin says. Even several generations into the future.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.

Chessin turned the covered porch into a much-enjoyed outdoor living space with facing swings outfitted with cushions in Perennials performance fabric. FACING

PAGE: The designer pulled lime green and azure blue shades from the landscape into the all-weather pool house, where a stained Douglas fir truss adorns the twenty-one-foot-high cathedral ceiling.

ARCHITECTURE: Mark P. Finlay Architects

INTERIOR DESIGN: Anne Chessin Designs

BUILDER: Hobbs, Inc.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Highland Design Gardens

The homeowner’s favorite color, pink, is rendered in a chic coral in the dining room, where a glossy lacquered ceiling gleams above a playful Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper. The colors meet in the custom chairs. A breezy Aerin chandelier hangs above the custom dining table. FACING PAGE: Gold-toned nailhead trim on the dining chairs adds an extra touch of sophistication and warmth.

Pretty Pink in

An irrepressibly colorful New Canaan home is as vibrant as its happy family of five.

The foyer holds a custom console table from Society Social painted the aptly named Dishy Coral from SherwinWilliams. Designer Lynn Morgan felt the dark wood floor was too somber for such a cheerful home, so she had it painted in a fresh lattice design. FACING PAGE: Oomph’s Westport Classic Mirror in Tucson Coral as well as coral stool cushions and toss pillows add a lively touch to the living room’s palette of blue and white.

Ifit takes a certain fearlessness to decorate a house in bold color, imagine how brave a homeo wner must be to insist that one of those colors be pink. Hot pink, blush pink, coral pink, salmon pink—they all make an appearance in this New Canaan home. “I’m kind of known for loving pink,” the homeowner confesses. “And Lynn is the person to have if you’re going for color.”

Lynn would be Lynn Morgan, a Rowaytonbased designer as fearless as her client when it comes to daring hues. “It’s all about balance,” Morgan says. For this home, Morgan and assistant Kate McCabe achieved balance by pairing varying shades of the homeowner’s favorite color with a range of blues, then tempering the energetic vibe with calming white.

In the dining room, the ceiling inset wears a glossy coat of coral lacquer, a shade repeated on the backs of the custom chairs. The deep blue chair fronts complement the wallpaper, Brunschwig & Fils’s Ashanti in blueberry, a playful abstract zebra print. White molding and wainscoting and a sisal rug keep the cheerfulness from tipping into delirium.

Across the home’s center hall, the living room uses coral as an accent against the cornflower blue of the lacquered ceiling and the Schumacher drapery fabric. An acrylic coffee table and curtain rods keep things light and airy, while accents of brass lend warmth.

The foyer acts as a thematic connection between what Morgan calls the “yin and yang” of the dining and living rooms.

Rather than the expected dark wood floor, Morgan brought in decorative painter Shelly Denning, who laid down a coat of soft white paint then added a lattice of blue and coral. “I adore painted floors,” Morgan says. “This one

ABOVE: The primary bedroom’s bed and lounge chair are outfitted in Quadrille’s China Seas fabric in pretty shades of turquoise and navy. BELOW: A powder room gets a dose of drama with Clarence House’s Tibet wallpaper in pinks, blues, and turquoise. FACING PAGE: A guest suite goes all in on pink with its blush walls and hot pink rug and lounge chairs. The white sofa chimes in with bright pink piping. The homeowner commissioned the artwork from her friend, New Canaan artist Jo Tonkovich.

tells the story of the whole house.”

The predominantly white kitchen gets a spark from a pair of hot pink pendant lanterns above the island. Acrylic stools sport cushions of pink, white, and blue. And what better kitchen mascot than a pink pig? The painting above the range, a birthday gift to the homeowner, was done by Berkley Matthews, an artist and one of the owners’ daughter’s high school classmates.

Color reigns again in the family room, where splashes of hot pink and lime green enliven tranquil seafoam blue walls.

Perhaps as a thank-you for a husband’s tolerance of his wife’s passion for pink, the primary bedroom is a romantic sanctuary of sky blue, turquoise, and white. A guest suite, however, is unapologetically pink, from its blush walls to its hot pink rug and lounge chairs.

The goal—a cheerful environment for an active family—was achieved in spades. “The first thing everybody says when they come is, ‘It’s happy,’ ” the homeowner says. “That’s a nice thing to hear.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Lynn Morgan Design

BUILDER: TR Building & Remodeling

“I’m kind of known for loving pink. And Lynn Morgan is the person to have if you’re going for color.”

—The Homeowner

GOING TO TOWN

PAGES 41–46

Interior design: Kaitlin Smith, Kaitlin Smith Interiors, Essex, 203-530-6871, highpointhomedecor.com

Builders: Derek Huckel, Chōwa Home, Ocala, Fla., 860-301-7942; Nick Sapia, Sapia Builders Corp., Old Lyme, 860-591-9116, sapiacorp.com

FRESH TAKE

PAGES 48–54

Architecture, kitchen design, and lighting design: Alisberg Parker Architects, Old Greenwich, 203-637-8730, alisbergparker.com

Builder: Parallel Construction Management, Norwalk, Old Greenwich, Larchmont, N.Y., 203-637-7349, parallel-cm.com

Interior millwork: Old Fashioned Woodworking, Rahway, N.J., 718-200-0677; Westwood Custom & Antique Flooring, Old Greenwich, 203-629-7600, westwoodflooringct.com

Decorative painting: RSN Interiors, Norwalk, 203-286–7073, rsninteriors.com

Exterior painting: Greg Freitag, TLC Painting, Weston, 203-807-1099

Carpentry: Jimmy Salihi, MS Home Improvement, Norwalk, 203-434-1560

WINE TIME

PAGES 64–68

Architecture: Hannah I. Robertson, Hannah I Robertson Architecture, Rowayton, 917-575-3145, hirarchitecture.com

Builder: Segerson Builders, Fairfield, 203-254-1971, segerson.com

Interior millwork: H. R. Woodworking, New Fairfield, 914-924-1637

Tile: Fairfield County Tile, Monroe, 203-268-9473

Upholstery: Custom Interiors & Upholstery, Fairfield, 203-367-4231, ciandu.com

CULTIVATED

PAGES 86–90

Architecture: Brooks & Falotico,

New Canaan, Palm Beach, Fla., 203-966-8440, brooksandfalotico.com

Builder: Jim Blansfield, Blansfield Builders, Danbury, 203-797-9174, blansfieldbuilders.com

Landscape design: Kathryn Herman, Kathryn Herman Design, New Canaan, 203-966-1221, kathrynhermandesign.com

Swimming pool: IQ Landscape Architects, White Plains, N.Y., 914-232-0200, iqlandarch.com

Hardscaping and plant installation: Shane Wilson, Q Alba, Stamford Irrigation: Summer Rain, Greenwich, 203-629-8050, summerrainsprinklers.com

Fencing: Euro Fence, Brewster, N.Y., 845-279-1999, custom.eurofenceinc.com

GAME CHANGER

PAGES 120–129

Architecture: Rob Sanders, Rob Sanders Architects, Wilton, 203-761-0144, robsandersarchitects.com

Interior design: Thom Filicia, New York, N.Y., 212-736-6454, thomfilicia.com

Builder: David DeNomme, Vita Design Group, Westport, 203-283-1561, vdgarch.com

Interior millwork and cabinetry: Marco DeVellis, DeVellis Woodworks, Waterbury, 203-610-4762

Landscape design: L. Wesley Stout and Cory Jorgensen, Wesley Stout Associates, New Canaan, 203-966-3100, wesleystout.com

Hardscaping: Vita Design Group, Westport, 203-283-1561, vdgarch.com

Audio video design: Architechnology Designs, Melville, N.Y., 631-815-2335, architechdesigns.com

Swimming pool: Dell Pools, Milford, 203-283-4660, dellpoolsllc.com

FAMILY SEAT

PAGES 130–141

Architecture: Mark Finlay, Mark P. Finlay Architects, Southport, 203-254-2388, markfinlay.com

Interior design: Anne Chessin, Anne

Chessin Designs, Fairfield, New York, N.Y., 917-656-9210, annechessindesigns.com

Builder: Toni Sand, Hobbs, Inc., New Canaan, 203-966-0726, hobbsinc.com

Interior millwork: New England Stair Company, Shelton, 203-924-0606, newenglandstair.com; Christopher J. Sculti, CJS Millwork, Stamford, 203-708-0080, cjsmillwork.com

Landscape design and contracting: Tim Paterson, Highland Design Gardens, Pound Ridge, N.Y., 914-764-5480, highlanddesigngardens.com

Upholstery and window coverings: Jose and Leonore Costa, Yardstick Decor, Bridgeport, 203-330-0360

Living room mirror and study desk lamp: Ochre, New York, N.Y., 212-414-4332, ochre.net

Living room and family room photography: Victor Schrager with Philippa Brathwaite, 917-407-5605

Living room and pool house trees: The Green Spot, New Milford, 860-7995102, thegreenspotnewmilford.com

Family room hurricanes and bronze bowl, kitchen cloche, and pool house wasp catcher: Welbourne Robinson, Hopewell, N.J., 609-466-3856, welbournerobinson.com

Bathroom table: Balsamo, 212-759-0063, balsamoantiques.com

PRETTY IN PINK

PAGES 142–149

Interior design: Lynn Morgan and Kate McCabe, Lynn Morgan Design, Rowayton, 203-866-1940, lynnmorgandesign.com

Builders: Todd Drury and Rick Krug, TR Building & Remodeling, New Canaan, 203-429-9638, trbuilt.com

Decorative painting: Living room ceiling by The Brothers Painting Services, Norwalk, 203-846-3464, thebrotherspaintingservices.com; dining room ceiling and foyer floor by Shelly Denning, Shelly Denning Decorative Painting, Stamford, 203-912-4155

Advertiser Index

Acorn Deck House Company 43

Advanced Home Audio 100–101

AMS Kitchens & Interiors 83

Artemis Landscape Architects 2–3

ASID CT 84

Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC 102–103

Beth Krupa Interiors 30–31

Breakwater Renovation & Design, LLC 93

Brooks and Falotico, LLP 79

Burr Salvatore 22

California Closets 61

Cardello Architects 26–27

Charles Hilton Architects 12–13

Chloe Winston Lighting Design 91

Christensen Landscapes Services  104–105

Christopher Pagliaro Architects 69

Christopher Peacock 38–39

City Bench 62

Clarke Distribution Corporation 59

Closet and Storage Concepts 34

Connecticut Stone 106–107

CORNERSTONE Contracting 36–37

Crown Point Cabinetry 65

Crown Select 70

Dan Gordon Landscape Architects 55

Deane Distinctive Design & Cabinetry 10–11

Domus Constructors, LLC 77

Eleish Van Breems inside front cover

Freddy & Co. Fine Landscape Services 108–109

Garrett Wilson Builders 71

Gatehouse Partners 18–19

Gault Stone & Landscape Supplies  110–111

Glengate Company 45

Great Country Timber Frames 63

Home Builders & Remodelers of Fairfield County 95

InnerSpace Electronics, Inc. 112–113

Ives Fence 91

James Doyle Design Associates 98

Jan Hiltz Interiors, LLC 118

Karen Berkemeyer Home 20–21

Kebabian’s 87

L&M Custom Carpets, LLC  outside back cover

Marcia Noble Design 25

McArdle’s Floral & Garden Design inside back cover

McCory Interiors 35

McWilliam Autore Interiors + Design 49

Michael D’Angelo Landscape Architecture, LLC 33

Michael Smith Architects 75

Morgan Harrison Home 16–17

Neil Hauck Architects, LLC 32

New Canaan Cares Home Tour 97

New Energy Works Timberframers 83

Nukitchens 14–15

OKA Direct, LTD 53

Quinndico 89

Redwood Construction and Consulting 67

Rob Sanders Architects 87

Robert Dean Architects 47

Segerson Builders 57

Seventy Acres Landscape Architecture 6–7

Shope Reno Wharton 1

Studio Becc 4–5

The LaurelRock Company 114–115

The Linen Shop 89 Torrco 40

TrimBoard, Inc. 81

Wadia Associates 8–9

Wakefield Design Center 29

Walpole Outdoors 73

Werner Hendrickson Landscape Architecture 116–117

Your Lighting Source 85

Healing Through Nature

AFTER YEARS OF PLANNING and just weeks before the tenth anniversary of the elementary school shooting that claimed the lives of twenty children and six educators, the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial opened last November in Newtown. Ben Waldo and Dan Affleck of San Francisco-based landscape architecture firm SWA Group submitted the winning design, which includes, at its center, a water feature with the names of the victims inscribed along its edge. Artemis Landscape Architects was tapped to design the planting of the surrounding three and a half acres. The entire memorial emulates an embrace, says Artemis founder Tara Vincenta, with meadows and winding pathways hugging the fountain. The

team at Artemis hand selected the sycamore tree that springs from the fountain’s center and populated the surrounding landscape with native, drought- and deer-tolerant, pollinatorattracting plants that will provide year-round beauty. Vincenta, a resident of Newtown, says she was acutely aware of the transformational powers of nature when working on the design. “We wanted the experience to be peaceful and healing for the families who lost loved ones, for the community, and for the world at large,” Vincenta says. “We’re memorializing a horrific tragedy in a beautiful nature-based way that allows visitors to contemplate the gravity of the loss not only at Sandy Hook but in so many communities across the country.”

CELERIE KEMBLE FOR L&M CUSTOM CARPETS

CELERIE KEMBLE FOR L&M CUSTOM CARPETS

View L&M’s carpets with Taylor King and Woodbridge Furniture at Design Edge Miami, and during High Point Market Authority at the Steele Building, Third Floor.

lmcustomcarpets.com | 201-951-0980 | gar y@lmcustomcarpets.com

CELERIE KEMBLE FOR L&M CUSTOM CARPETS

View L&M’s carpets with Taylor King and Woodbridge Furniture at Design Edge Miami and during High Point market at the

lmcustomcarpets.com | 201-951-0980 | gary@lmcustomcarpets.com

lmcustomcarpets.com | 201-951-0980 | gar y@lmcustomcarpets.com

View L&M’s carpets with Taylor King and Woodbridge Furniture at Design Edge Miami and during High Point market at the Preview the Collection!