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Design by the Jonathans
Design by the Jonathans
Although it may be a design style not familiar to most, Japandi embodies the best of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics. And for a primary en-suite bath, the style can work to maximum effect, as it does in this home. The homeowners, a young professional couple with three boys, wanted a sanctuary all for themselves—a place that not only energizes them in the morning but also relaxes them at night. The design team used vertical wood slats that draw the eye up to the slanted ceiling. Calming, yet invigorating, elements include a large- format slate floor, a floating stone vanity illuminated by a small glowing pendant, an organically shaped freestanding tub, and a spacious shower with a built-in stone bench and pebble-stone floor tile. The sleek, modern space remains bright via a large window, through which the property’s natural setting is visible.
Photography by Robert Norman
Hobbs, Inc.
Hobbs, Inc.
So methodical was the architectural team, headed by Mark Finlay, for this Litchfield County house that when the site was cleared, the builder, Hobbs, Inc., began work with great confidence. “By the time we started construction, almost every decision had already been made,” recalls Ian Hobbs, the company’s vice president. “So, it came down to us executing the plan and achieving the level of finish to satisfy the owners and Mark’s expectations.” Indeed, Hobbs and his team were undaunted by the large scale of this house, plus the several ancillary structures to be placed on the site, simply because the planning process had been so thorough. “The real key to the house’s beauty is the proportions,” says Hobbs, “and while it’s large, it doesn’t feel large because its proportions are perfect.” Among the earliest directives to which the Hobbs teams responded was to fulfill the owners’ wish for “very high-quality finishes. We were able to put together a team of artisans from a wide geographic area to achieve exactly the quality they wanted for every room.”
Photography by Peter Murdock
Mark P. Finlay Architects
Mark P. Finlay Architects
Some new houses look as if they have been on their land for generations. The client for this new home and architect Mark Finlay agreed to create a dwelling that seemed as if it has been a part of Litchfield County for a long time. Finlay paid close attention to replicating much of what makes the architecture of the region so special—an emphasis on symmetry, white clapboard siding, projecting dormers, cupolas, gabled and columned porticos, stonework, towering chimneys, and even something as simple as deep blue shutters. The rear of the house is lined with terraces and screened porches that allow for a variety of outdoor entertaining. Also on the property, Finlay designed a pool house, a structure to house vintage vehicles, and a barn equipped to accommodate recreational vehicles, a workshop and log-cutting facility. Interior design by Anne Chessin Designs also references local vernacular styles. Landscape design is by Highland Design Gardens.
Photography by Peter Murdock
Artemis Landscape Architects
Artemis Landscape Architects
The surface of Kent’s Spectacle Lake reflects not only a big portion of sky and wooded hillsides, but also much of this multi-building family retreat. The entry to the 50-acre property begins at a mahogany gate supported by granite posts, from which one follows a long sinuous drive through wood- lands and open fields to the lakeside dwelling. The landscape architect ensured that every location on the site be imbued with its own character. The gravel parking court is edged with meadow-like native plantings, while the swimming pool (by Drakeley Pool Company) is perched above the lake and incorporates a natural diving rock. Glass pool fencing preserves views of the lake, access to which is reached via pathways bordered by native buffer plantings. The sandy beach features swimming and boating docks. Trails lead from the lake and guest house to a basketball court and gym, pickleball and tennis courts, with plantings throughout of coneflowers, ornamental grasses, hydrangea and white birch.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
June Range Hood La Bastille
June Range Hood La Bastille
The contemporary design of La Bastille’s June range hood wowed our judges. Handcrafted and made-to-order by a team of skilled artisans in Savannah, GA, the hood is available in six metal finishes.
Photography by Justin Krug
Carrier and Company Interiors
Carrier and Company Interiors
Since it was built two decades ago, this center-hall Colonial-style house has served as an adored retreat for multiple generations of a family. Carrier and Company Interiors, along with architect Jim Dixon, was commissioned to create an even greater sense of unity within the dwelling. Some open- plan spaces were reshaped to foster a more pronounced sense of both solitude and togetherness. New wings expanded the footprint of the house and allowed for more family activities and guests. One key dynamic of the interior design scheme was to blend existing pieces with new furnishings, some of which were vintage finds. In the great room, for instance, a pair of 1940s Danish chairs are positioned alongside a massive carved armoire that had long been in the family. A library was transformed into a bright dining room, while a large multi-purpose table was installed in the kitchen, which now features a gracious banquette alongside a window overlooking the lake.
Photography by Tim Lenz
Christopher Pagliaro Architects
Christopher Pagliaro Architects
At this new home, Christopher Pagliaro worked with Ryan Fletcher of Fletcher Development and Lisa Oakes of Oaklee Interiors to deliver a space where views are as appetizing as the meals being prepared at the spacious island cooking station. The homeowner had requested a minimalist design with maximum function. Most of the room’s amenities are discreetly—and elegantly—concealed behind well-detailed custom cabinetry. The Caesarstone-topped island is positioned so that the chef at work can focus on guests seated in the adjoining family room or at one of the nearby bar stools. Meanwhile, a large Renlita automated overhead door in front of the sink affords views of the property’s swimming pool and lush outdoor living spaces. When the overhead door is raised and pivoted in, guests can be served meals or drinks directly at a high-top counter, making for a perfect experience of being both indoors and outdoors simultaneously.
Photography by Peter Brown
Mark P. Finlay Architects
Mark P. Finlay Architects
When well executed, a small dwelling can be as effective as its larger counterpart. Such is the case with this two-bedroom pool house as part of a larger design scheme for a property that includes a six-bedroom main house and a car barn. Just as Mark Finlay did with the other structures, he created a pool house that embodies regional vernacular elements of Litchfield County, notably a structure with a slate shingle roof, white clapboard siding and a columned portico. Inside, the ceiling is marked by vigorous beamwork, while the interior design by Anne Chessin Designs captures the homeowner’s modern aesthetic with swivel chairs in cheerful Ferrick Mason stripe, a Lee Industries sectional and a two-tier Visual Comfort chandelier. The bathroom boasts Ann Sacks Eastern Promise tile, and a fully equipped kitchen has cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore’s Newburyport Blue.
Photography by Peter Murdock
Pure Collection JD Staron
Pure Collection JD Staron
The Pure collection of eco-friendly rugs by JD Staron is produced without chemicals or external power sources. Made in Nepal, the rugs are handwoven using centuries-old weaving techniques. The wool is sourced from free-grazing sheep and is hand-clipped, hand-washed, hand-spun and hand-knotted. No chemicals, dyes or soaps are used during the manufacturing process. Once complete, the rugs are re- washed in pure water and organic oil produced from neem plants.
Threshold Landscape Architecture
Rivenwood Eldorado Stone
Rivenwood Eldorado Stone
Eldorado Stone’s Rivenwood panelized stone veneer mimics wood graining with authentic imperfections such as knots and nail marks—offered in three tonal wood colorways. Produced using a concrete mixture that’s poured into a mold and colored with mineral pigments, the lightweight material is easy to cut and handle for installation.
Liaigre Rimbaud Studio Liaigre
Liaigre Rimbaud Studio Liaigre
Made in France, the Liaigre Rimbaud lounge chair features clean lines and subtle curves. Constructed with a sculpted, solid-wood base in walnut, oak or ebony, the plush cushion is upholstered in a choice of high-quality leather or fabric. The chair’s seat and backrest are generously proportioned, providing ample support and comfort.
Engraved Tiles Collection Felt Right
Engraved Tiles Collection Felt Right
Felt Right’s two-foot-square tiles mount easily for large-scale or full-wall installations. Seven engraved patterns and 35 colors are offered. The 3/8-inch-thick tiles provide sound dampening—ideal for a music room or child’s space—and are made from recycled plastic.
Photography by Derek Israelsen
Nautilus Architects
Neil Hauck Architects
Christopher Pagliaro Architects
Sage Design
Artemis Landscape Architects
Cosmopolitan Kitchen Danver
Cosmopolitan Kitchen Danver
Inspired by artist Piet Mondrian and designed by celebrated architect, designer and Danver Creative Director Daniel Germani, the Cosmopolitan kitchen by Danver Outdoor Kitchens is sleek and minimalist in a range of primary colors. The unit can be custom configured with integrated appliances and modular drawers.
Janine Rosenblum Interiors
Sage Design
Merrin Jones Interiors
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Studio KC
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HDS Design Company
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Sante Builders
Segerson Builders
Limbo Chair Heller
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Limbo Chair Heller
Designed by Hlynur Atlason for indoor or outdoor use, the Limbo chair by Heller is super comfortable and extremely durable. Perfect for poolside or lounging indoors, the modern chair’s swooping form hugs the body. The Limbo is sustainably made with post- consumer plastic and is fully recyclable.
Henry Chronos Collection Waterworks
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Henry Chronos Collection Waterworks
Inspired by the precison engineering of dive watches, Waterworks’ Henry Chronos collection features a distinct grooved bezel. The fixture’s elegant scale and proportions are highlighted with luxury finishes of American walnut wood and supple Nappa leather. Durable and water-resistant, the leather—offered in black or brown—will achieve a rich patina with use.
Photography by Sloan T Howard
Workshop Collection Workshop/APD
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Workshop Collection Workshop/APD
Marrying craft and materiality with function and comfort, the Workshop Collection from Workshop/APD includes furnishings custom designed by the firm over the decades. The assemblage includes dining, living and bedroom furniture. Pictured here, the Dune daybed is an example of the Workshop Collection’s modern, clean aesthetic. Wrapped
in leather with satin brass accents, the daybed is a definite statement piece.
Photography by Nicole Franzen
Capstan Table Dunes and Duchess and Eleish Van Breems Home
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Capstan Table Dunes and Duchess and Eleish Van Breems Home
Bespoke brands Dunes and Duchess and Eleish Van Breems Home have partnered to create a very special table. The Capstan table is topped with Josef Frank’s Citrus Garden fabric from Schumacher and wrapped in a matte epoxy finish. The dimensions and fabric selection can be customized for a one-of-a-kind, stylish dining table.
Photography by Landino Photo
Cobble Court Interiors
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Cobble Court Interiors
Built in 1899 in Ridgefield, this Georgian-Revival- style house began its life as a summer retreat for the Tuttle-Smith family, who owned it until the 1940s. A subsequent family converted the house into a commercial building with offices, a change that resulted in all 10 fireplaces being sealed, rooms being partitioned, and floors being covered in linoleum and car- peting. Still later, the house was sold to a church for one dollar, whereupon it was used for parties, a pre-school, and even the town’s department of education. Now it has been restored back to a real home by a new, sensitive owner. Interior millwork was re-created, and all of the fireplaces were rebuilt by expert masons. The entry wallpaper is Palm Stripe from George Spencer in London and most interior furnishings are antiques from the Georgian period. A new open-plan kitchen/family room has brought the house fully up to date.
Photography by Jane Beiles
Cardello Architects
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Cardello Architects
What were once an old barn and a century-old boathouse on the Saugatuck River are now cutting-edge examples of residential architecture that marries timeless aesthetics with contemporary design. Through an expansive glass bridge, these two distinct spaces meld into one architectural entity. The stone barn has been transformed with expansive windows that give it a kind of transparency. Serving as the epicenter of family gatherings, the main living space of the barn is noted for its lofty ceilings, handcrafted live-sawn white-oak floors and interior design by Robin Liotta of Liotta Design. Linked by the bridge, the barn converges with the boathouse boasting the age-old technique of Shou Sugi Ban, where charred wood creates a compelling contemporary façade. In the boathouse, the primary bedroom dramatically cantilevers to the edge of the river. A stone staircase, edged with a glass railing, easily leads visitors down to the waterfront. Landscape design is by Wesley Stout Associates.
Photography by Peter Brown
Alexis Parent Interiors
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Alexis Parent Interiors
A fashionable client wanted a fashionable bathroom in her 7,000-square-foot home that she and her husband have been renovating over the past few years. What had once been a dimly lit, poorly insulated room was treated to a major facelift that has resulted in a bright space with natural light pouring in through a vast picture window with views of the property’s swimming pool and gardens. The client was adamant, too, that her primary bath not look like so many others she had encountered in Fairfield County homes. The design team responded by featuring cus- tom “his and hers” 93-inch vanities equipped with fixtures that include Swarovski crystal details set inside chrome. A chandelier from Hudson Valley Lighting was set above the new freestanding tub, and a boutique-style closet in the space is ample enough to house the client’s shoe and bag collection. The glass-enclosed curbless steam shower offers a concealed linear Mr. Steam unit.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
John Desmond Builders
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John Desmond Builders
“The single biggest challenge was the topography,” says George Desmond of Southport-based John Desmond Builders, founded by his namesake father some 60 years ago. Desmond is referring to the steep waterfront site on the Saugatuck River and the difficulty of aligning two separate structures—a former boathouse turned residence and a stone barn—set on differing grades, which then involved linking them with a glass bridge. Apart from taming natural topography, the Desmond team had to respond to the sheer size of the structures and their elements. “The fireplace was composed of large rocks, the beams throughout were extra large, and while a lot of different things were presented to us, we all collaborated well—the architect [Cardello Architects], the landscape architect [Wesley Stout Associates] and our team.” Unlike other projects Desmond has built, for this one, his company was in charge of the entire site—the two structures, the terracing that leads to the waterfront, a floating staircase along the outside site, the grading. “Thing is, we all figured out how to make this house work so well.”
Photography by Peter Brown
Matteson Landscape Architecture
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Matteson Landscape Architecture
One of the defining features of this Westport property is birdsong—for it is surrounded on two sides by an Audubon bird sanctuary. The challenge here was to create a private family oasis in what was largely a space visible to all from the road. The designers relocated the existing driveway and enclosed an area of lawn to create a private backyard. Existing walls were removed to connect the new lawn space with the pool area and to improve views to the pond. New low seating walls were erected, and a waterfall feature was created not only for drama, but also as a means for the clients’ young son to jump into the pool. An Italian marble—a material that stays cool in the sun—was used for the terracing around the pool. A vibrant red pergola works nearly year-round as a place for lounging and entertaining, while a giant figurative sculpture rises amid the clover-filled lawn in remembrance of the client’s mother.
Photography by Michael Stavaridis
Burr Salvatore Architects
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Burr Salvatore Architects
A practical kitchen can also be a chic space. While this mid-country Greenwich kitchen is a well-used room by a young active family with two children and a dog, elegance and practicality are combined in a very successful recipe. A backsplash made of Calacatta Vagli marble appears almost like an alluring abstract artwork, with the material continuing behind a pair of illuminated glass vitrines. Even the cabinet hardware—olive brass knuckle hinges—and Waterworks faucet assume a jewelry-like effect, while the brass edge pulls on the reeded drawer fronts are routed in to allow a flush edge across the top of the drawers. Lighting by Pelle complements pretty and practical Piatra Grey Caesarstone countertops. The necessities of every kitchen, such mundane conveniences as a toaster and mixer, are all discreetly tucked away behind easily accessed pocket doors.
Photography by Tim Lee
Fiona Leonard Interiors
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Fiona Leonard Interiors
A yellow stripe on a staircase points the way up—ideally, for the homeowners’ teenagers and their friends. While everyone is welcome inside this home, young visitors are especially so upstairs in a thoroughly redone, reimagined attic. Although the home’s attic had already been finished, the children had lost interest in playing up there once they’d outgrown their toys. The designer imbued the space with a new use by dividing it in half with walls and barn-like sliding doors that are also yellow striped. One space is dedicated to play, equipped with a game table, foosball and putting green, while the other is meant to function as a lounging area, with a kitchenette bar/ refreshment counter and refrigerator. A modular sectional can be reconfigured depending on the intended use and number of teenagers in attendance. Playful décor, including sculptural ants affixed above shelving, makes the space whimsical and distinctive.
Photography by Davidson McCulloh
Roughan Interiors
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Roughan Interiors
The trip between New York City and Newport used to be a rather involved one. This home, known as Wildwood, was used by its owner long ago as a stopover between the two locales where she had residences. The house was completed by her cousin, architect Charles Wetmore (1866–1941), known for his design of Grand Central Terminal and numerous hotels. Cousin Maude had wanted a home evocative of a centuries-old Cotswolds manor. Roughan Interiors was entrusted with the task of updating, restoring and refining what was already a notable and beautiful property. No room was left untreated. New paint, woodwork, cabinetry, decorative ceilings and refinished floors transformed the home into something modern, yet still rooted in its noble past. New bookcases, notably a series of built- ins in the great room, function not only as practical features but also as “art walls of books.”
Photography by Jane Beiles
Vicente-Burin Architects
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Vicente-Burin Architects
This new kitchen was but one ingredient of a wholesale redo of a collection of former caretakers’ buildings that were scattered on a large estate. Some of the buildings were transformed into entertaining spaces, a garage and, in this case, a cozy guest cottage. The kitchen that had existed in the cottage was a small, narrow galley space. The architects opened up the whole room in such a way that each area within it now has its own identity—for cooking, prep and eating. With interior design by Sasha Bikoff that’s evocative of a rustic English Cotswolds cottage, walls feature a coarse plaster finish, along with handmade Fez tiles from Exquisite Surfaces, while a large pendant hangs above a rustic oak prep island. Cabinets are painted in a glossy red hue—Benjamin Moore’s Cherry Burst.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Gregory Lombardi Design
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Gregory Lombardi Design
Although the open expanse of Long Island Sound is apparent the moment one enters this property known as Ledge Rock, there is a pervasive sense of intimacy and quiet that defines the house and its land. While much of the existing rock formations and trees—notably Sweetgums— were preserved, the design team blasted away some portions of the ledge to create dramatic hardscaping features, making the infinity-edge swimming pool by Meehan & Ramos Pools appear as a kind of natural grotto formed in the recesses. The house is nestled into the hillside to take advantage of uninterrupted views of the Sound. A curved bronze- railed staircase leads to a hidden garden and putting green, and an even more secretive firepit that overlooks the water. The client emphasized that he wanted not only to foster privacy but also an impression of age and permanence. The landscaping will, indeed, continue to grow and mature and define this property as something that will endure.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Kerschner Development
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Kerschner Development
Bryan Kerschner is used to building high-end spec houses throughout Connecticut—projects he says are rewarding but also somewhat predictable in their design. Of this Modern Farmhouse-style residence, though, designed by architect Bruce Beinfield, Kerschner says: “This house is unique, there’s nothing like it anywhere else, and so that made it an especially fun project to do since we had to follow a different course than usual. I think I can say that I’ll never be able to build something as special as this ever again—unless, of course, Bruce designs something new that’s equally different.” Of the many construction challenges the house presented, the most difficult one to solve was the three-story open staircase. “We had to build an open-plan, custom steel and wood fabricated stairway rising three floors,” says Kerschner, who is the third generation Kerschner to head his family’s Norwalk-based firm. “The finished result is such a cool feature of the house. Elsewhere, we used all sorts of new things, new products, new techniques. It makes sense that this house won an IDA.”
Photography by Meg Matyia
Green & Grain Style
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Green & Grain Style
Maybe it’s every designer’s most important client—a parent. Here, the client was the designer’s mother. With retirement looming, she wanted to downsize and simplify her life, which meant finding a small, but amply scaled home. The right solution turned out to be erecting a ground-up structure on the designer’s Redding property. Zoning rules restricted the new dwelling to be no larger than 800 square feet, but what resulted feels far larger, in part because of its vaulting cathedral ceiling, a visual trick that always works to make a small space feel grand. Since she likes to entertain, a custom ash din- ing table and banquette manages to seat 14 people. Elsewhere, a cast-stone fireplace adds solidity to the interiors, while her collection of art is easily accommodated when hung salon style up to the ceilings. Clean white walls, colorful fabrics, multi-hued paintings, and a mix of old china and books with new accessories makes for a small space with a big impact.
Photography by Jenn Cutler
Beinfield Architecture
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Beinfield Architecture
The Modern Farmhouse has become a recognizable—and much celebrated—architectural style. Beinfield Architecture took that established concept to the next step by fashioning a Modern Barn as a style for a home. This new house in Rowayton is the exemplar of that revolutionary form. The typical arrangement of windows and doors in barns is far more casual than in a house, and here, they are configured in an almost abstract composition, though the rooms and levels flow effortlessly. The moment one enters the house, a minimally articulated stairway connects the levels—with a reward at the third floor being a roof deck, which embraces miles of views since the house is sited on the town’s highest point. The first floor’s great room is defined by a conspicuous steel structure, with lighting and built-ins becoming prominent design elements in themselves. A wall of operable glass at one end of the room opens to a pool deck.
Photography by Meg Matyia