TWELFTH ANNUAL A-List Awards
Ninety pages. Sixty-eight judge-selected entries. Endless possibilities for your next home project. Let the work chosen for this year’s A-List Awards serve as your guide, as both a well of inspiration and a comprehensive directory of our local pros. From stunning transformations and reimagined landscapes to sophisticated suites and playful spaces, there are ideas for every room in (and outside) your house. Get to know our 2021 winners and finalists, and if you’re hoping to add your name to next year’s list, look out for the call for submissions soon!
Interviews by Nathan Tavares, Malia Mckinnon Frame & Elizabeth Keyser
2021 PANEL OF JUDGES
MARA MILLER
Carrier and Company
JESSE CARRIER
Carrier and Company
BRIAN SAWYER
Sawyer | Berson
EDWARD SIEGEL
Edward Siegel Architect
KEITH WILLIAMS
Nievera Williams
BRITT ZUNINO
Studio DB
DAMIAN ZUNINO
Studio DB
bath design: traditional/classic | WINNER Douglas VanderHorn Architects
Divide & Pamper
Now more than ever, homeowners are learning the value of separate spaces. Case in point: these divided his-and-hers bathrooms designed by Douglas VanderHorn Architects for a classic brick Georgian home. When reimagining the main suite, VanderHorn decided to take a tip from a behavioral quirk of one of the clients: The husband had taken to using a small bath in a nearby bedroom, instead of the main bathroom, so he wouldn’t wake his wife. The new layout replaces a bedroom with closets and distinct bathrooms, complete with water closets and wow-worthy washing areas. An added bonus? Separate spaces means no quibbling over design compromises, allowing each space its own aesthetic. The wife’s bathroom favors a light palette with watery blue walls that add a breath of color to the down-like gray custom vanity with its turned wooden feet. The homeowner can start her day in the marble shower before a quick pamper at the custom makeup station. The freestanding tub by the window alcove—floating in a sea of basket-weave Thassos marble tile—invites for evening soaks. His bathroom, meanwhile, is a handsome interplay of light and dark. The richly stained vanity contrasts with the cloudy walls, with an industrial-leaning light fixture drawing the eye upwards. The soapstone countertop, dark and threaded with gray, mirrors the natural variation of the honed herringbone floor tile. And the steam shower with its anti-fog mirror upgrades a morning shave from a chore to a spa-like indulgence. From the radiant heat of the floors to the automated roll shades, what unites these spaces is a top-to-bottom take on luxury. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Robert Benson Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Douglas VanderHorn, Principal
David Milliken, Project Manager
Douglas VanderHorn Architects
@dvharchitects
Greenwich; 203-622-7000
vanderhornarchitects.com
Interior Designer
Holly Centurino
Threads Interiors
Mount Pleasant, SC; 704-904-5633
Builder/Contractor
Significant Homes
New Canaan; 203-966-5700
significanthomesllc.com
A/V Consultant and Roller Shades
InnerSpace Electronics
Mt. Kisco, NY; 914-937-9700
innerspaceelectronics.com
bath design: transitional/modern | WINNER Saniee Architects, LLC
Rinse & Retreat
When’s the last time you heard a bathroom described as “exciting?” Necessary, yes. Soothing? Hopefully. But owing to show-stopping stonework and bold layout decisions, Saniee Architects re-envisions the bathroom from a utilitarian space into a strikingly modern and (dare we say it) exciting escape. The first thing most people will notice are the walls. The enormous slabs of oversized tile—creamy white cracked through with gray—infuse the space with a tectonic energy that hints at the driving heartbeat of the earth. The meticulously placed slabs follow the natural flow of those gray threads, which Saniee cited as a major challenge. The layout divides the space into three areas: the water closets with transparent glass doors that let in the light, a central grooming hub, and the bathing space. A large glass wall transforms the bathing space into one wet room that’s a union of function and flair. The crisp walls contrast with the dark tile floor, which has a central drain and a slight pitch to catch the water from the showers. Yes—that’s plural, with one shower head by the custom stone bench, and another rain shower that drops a colossal column of water. A more leisurely soak is just a few steps away in the soaking tub with its custom stone base to account for the pitch of the floor. The grooming hub, meanwhile, sees sleek vanities paired with oversized mirrors that glint with the same metal edges as the hardware throughout. The energy of the space even extends heavenward, with a showpiece of a light fixture that suggests a creature in motion. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by David Sundberg/Esto
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Saniee Architects, LLC
Greenwich; 203-625-9308
sanieearchitects.com
Creative Director and Art Curator
TRR Designs
Greenwich
Interior Designer
Crina Popescu Studio
Westport; 203-507-7979
crinapopescu.com
General Contractor
Cum Laude Group
White Plains, NY; 914-946-2488
cumlaudegroup.com
entryway | WINNER Laura Kaehler Architects
Artful Entry
It’s hard to imagine that this art-gallery like space was once a ho-hum home entryway. Though the clients loved the contemporary architecture of their home, one thing that needed lightening up was the foyer. Owing to the low roof line and the foyer’s perch at the inside corner of the house, the space was once a dark and drab afterthought—now soaring to masterwork heights, thanks to Laura Kaehler Architects. First up was axing the solid wood door in favor of an oak pivot door that’s flanked by glass sidelights and transom windows to look on the bright side. The lighter shade of the oak window frames and door blends in with the natural palette of the home’s interior. And since all that glass means you can now spot the entryway from the outside, Kaehler wanted to think bold for this new focal point. As in bold blue—a deep, dramatic hue of lacquered paint with just the right amount of sheen, which contrasts with the crisp marble floor. The hue provides a saturated backdrop for the art-loving clients to show off one of their favorite works. Though ceilings are an often overlooked aspect of a room, Kaehler decided to extend the blue hue up to the ceiling to dial the drama to its height. And as an added boon, blooms from the entryway garden are reflected in that glossy ceiling. Ultimately a space that invites guests to the rest of the house, the dramatic color and sun-soaked setting are bound to make you want to linger a while. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Stefan Radtke Studio
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Laura Kaehler, Project Designer
Matt Arnott, Project Architect
Laura Kaehler Architects
@laurakaehlerarchitects
Riverside; 203-629-4646
kaehlerarchitects.com
Interior Designer
Laura Kaehler Architects
Riverside; 203-629-4646
kaehlerarchitects.com
Builder
Fernando Neupmann, Project Mgr
Neupmann Construction
Danbury; 203-770-2071
neupmannconstruction.com
Windows and Doors
Upstate Door
Warsaw, NY; 800-570-8283
upstatedoor.com
kid/teen bedroom | WINNER Brooke Crew Interiors
Tailored Touches
The custom hanging chair in the corner, with its vibrant cushions and detailed ties, sums up this bedroom for a soon-to-be thirteen-year-old: Buoyant and fun while still capturing a chic vibe. Designer Brooke Crew had previously worked on this same space when the client’s daughter was five years old, and this latest refresh bids adieu to pink fussiness and says hello to an airy escape with tailored touches. The palette plays on a compromise between mother and daughter. Mom wanted soft blues and greens, while daughter wanted crisp white. The middle ground? A textured white grasscloth wall covering topped with green tape for a pop of color. Fabric choices add a flair without feeling noisy, too, with floral textiles adorning the custom window treatments and ottoman. A canopy bed sings as the centerpiece of the room, crowned with its Quadrille fabric and breezy drapery for a luxe entryway into each day. Other design choices, meanwhile, focus on cutting the clutter and creating spaces to both hang out with friends and hit the books. Custom cabinets and shelves surround a desk and vanity area that dominates one wall by a window, where the room’s resident can pin keepsakes onto the custom fabric pinboard. The room’s original bed finds new life as an upholstered sofa, decked out in the same soft blue textile as the canopy bed, for friends to hang out on in the newly decluttered lounge area. And that hanging chair in the corner is the perfect perch to soak up all the trimmings in this space that will last through early-teen dreams and beyond. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Trisha Cunningham Estill
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Brooke Crew Interiors
@brookecrewinteriors
Weston; 214-546-8562
brookecrewinteriors.com
Upholstery
Artistic Upholstery
Norwalk; 203-849-8907
artisticupholsteryandfabrics.com
modern architecture | WINNER Hine Builders
Natural Instincts
A conundrum for architects: How to craft a sprawling, modern space without it feeling cold and cavernous? For this retreat in the backcountry of Greenwich, Hine Builders looked to nature. The home’s nearly six-acre wooded plot is bordered on three sides by wetlands and feels like an oasis, with huge windows drawing those natural views inside. The clients also wanted the best of both worlds, hoping for a private retreat that could also function as a large entertaining space when that social mood strikes, especially for soirées by the pool. The structure itself—with one asymmetrical roof that spans the main residence, a combined indoor/outdoor sanctuary for the owners’ dogs, and the guest living space—is a low-slung form that feels nestled in the surrounding landscape. With rough-sawn cedar louvers, western red cedar shiplap siding and glints of natural copper, the materials are a masterful mix throughout. Inside unfolds in minimal art-gallery glamour, with floors of decorative concrete in the public spaces that reflect the fringed trees from those mammoth windows. The sleek kitchen boasts Brazilian cabinetry and a breakfast nook that extends outside—one of many indoor/outdoor spaces, which also includes an al fresco dining spot with a fire pit. But the biggest challenge of the design is one you won’t be able to note. The living room doubles as a performing space for the homeowner, a concert pianist, to tickle the ivories of two baby grand pianos. Hine harmonized with the acoustical engineer and architect on the concert hall-worthy ceiling and walls with their camouflaged acoustic elements. By the staggering Corten steel-wrapped fireplace, everything is music to the ears. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Durston Saylor
PROFESSIONALS
Builder
Hine Builders
@timhine
Southport; 203-255-5508
timhine.com
Architect
Shea Murdock
Michael Levy
Murdock Solon Architects
New York City; 212-929-3336
murdocksolon.com
Landscape Design
Edmund Hollander
Margie Bart
Maryanne Connelly
Hollander Design Landscape Architects
New York City; 212-473-0620
hollanderdesign.com
Interior Designer
Patrick Ryan
New York City; 646-526-3532
patrickryansoffice.com
Acoustical Engineer
Steve Haas
SH Acoustics
Milford; 203-877-6340
shacoustics.com
Structural Engineer
Hage Engineering
New York City; 212-358-7778
hageengineering.com
Mechanical Engineer
P.A. Collins P.E.
Stamford; 212-696-5294
pacollinspe.com
Civil Engineer
S.E. Minor & Co.
Greenwich; 203-869-0136
seminor.com
kitchen design: traditional/classic | WINNER Douglas VanderHorn Architects
Cottage Core
Standing under those paneled Tudor archways of this graceful kitchen, you might forget that you’re not actually in a centuries-old home in the rolling English countryside. Douglas VanderHorn Architects crafted a stone English country cottage that feels like an antique lovingly cared for generation after generation, and the kitchen had to exude that same vintage elegance. But where those actual cottages are often cramped, outdated and dark, this hub of the home for a modern family called for a spacious and storage-packed layout. With a mix of refined and more rustic materials, the finishes bring the pinnacle of past inspiration into the bright present. The stained hardwood floors showcase all the natural variation of the material—knots and all. That same beauty threads through the natural wood island and the beams that crown the space. Other finishes exude elegance, from the metal range hood to the white painted cabinetry and the saturated backsplash that’s the blue-gray of English mornings. And here, the light itself is almost an architectural element as it streams in through the leaded glass triple casement windows and glints off the family heirloom-like hanging pendant lights. The adjoining pantry, though, flirts with a bit more flair. High-gloss lacquered paint—echoing the blue-gray of the backsplash—graces the cabinets and trim of the jewel box of a space, catching the glow from the light fixture like a cluster of gems. In the nearby the wine storage room, the homeowners can grab some vintage red off the American cherry shelving before drinking in the vintage vibe of their graceful getaway. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Robert Benson Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Douglas VanderHorn
Douglas VanderHorn Architects
@dvharchitects
Greenwich; 203-622-7000
vanderhornarchitects.com
Interior Designer
Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design
Greenwich; 203-661-1266
amyhirsch.com
Builder/Contractor
Vebi Gjyliqi
V&A Value Construction
Stamford; 203-667-1707
vnaconstruction.com
Lighting Consultant
Patdo Light Studio
Port Chester, NY; 914-937-6707
patdolight.com
kitchen design: traditional/classic | WINNER Olivia Charney Interior Design
Past Perfect
Sometimes you can just stand in a space, close your eyes, and almost hear its story. In this Fairfield kitchen whipped up by Olivia Charney Interior Design, you can hear the chopping of vegetables at the island for family meals, chatter from the adjoining family room and raucous kids chased by dogs as they bounce across the handsome dark floors and outside to the family farm. It’s the kind of kitchen that feels pleasantly weathered by time and lots of happy memories, so it’s a surprise to hear that the home is actually a new construction on a nine-acre property. When plans for rehabbing the original structure fell through due to years of neglect by the previous owner, Charney was tasked with time-travel to come up with the design. The décor includes everything from nods to the traditional feel of Farfield’s Greenfield Hill, to a mix of new furnishings, architectural salvage and the husband’s quirky collection of antique signs and case pieces. The staggering 13-foot ceiling of salvaged barn board and antique wooden beams from New Hampshire commands the eye and adds warmth and texture atop walls wrapped in shiplap. Charney counts the antique door—a treasure discovered at a dealer in Manhattan—as her favorite feature. Reclaimed from an old church and converted into a Dutch door to keep the pups in the mudroom, the top stained-glass window casts a kaleidoscope of light into the kitchen. Remixing that piece inspired the rest of the design, including the harmony of woven wicker chairs and handsome copper hood over the range. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Amy Vischio & Co.
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Olivia Charney Interior Design
@oliviacharneyinteriordesign
Fairfield; 203-292-5618
oliviacharney.com
Architect
David Ball
The Monroe Partnership
Norwalk; 203-957-3900
themonroepartnership.com
Contractor
David Walsh
Summit Development
Southport; 203-354-1500
summitdevelopment.com
Woodworker
Colonial Woodworking
Norwalk; 203-866-5844
kitchen design: transitional/modern | WINNER Scott Springer Architect
Open-Minded
Open-concept designs may be de rigueur these past several years, but sometimes you need to set some boundaries. Just take this kitchen, which is a sleek study in space delineation dreamed up by Scott Springer Architect. After all, why spend all that time and effort creating a dining room that you’ll never use? Perhaps it’s fitting that a palette of crisp white bordered throughout by dramatic black fills out this space, an expansion on a 1978 Colonial, which is all about borders between the kitchen, breakfast room, living room and dining room. In the main kitchen space, gray and white marble backsplashes with a glimmer of glam, thanks to gold flourishes, add subtle texture among the pure white Shaker-style cabinets and Calacatta Trevi quartz countertops. Meanwhile, the cabinet pulls, faucets and custom showpiece of a hood dial up the drama in matte black, with flashes of garnet from the colored knobs on the Wolf range. While the family can grab a quick bite at the island, most morning meals are savored in the breakfast room, which is separated by a serving counter. There, a tulip table, sleek chairs and the pendant light nod to mod and invite to the adjoining living room with its fireplace of Belvedere quartzite in a leather finish. Convenient access to the serving areas were intentional, with portals considered from both living and family rooms. Springer cites the glazed wall with sliding doors that separate the kitchen and dining room as his favorite moment in the design. Thanks to the glass, the space enjoys a visual connection to the kitchen. And thanks to the door itself, which sanctions off this intimate space, the family can enjoy some distraction-free mealtime connection, too. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Tim Lenz
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Scott Springer Architect
@scottspringerarchitect
Westport; 203-690-7197
scottspringerarchitect.com
Builder/Contractor
Eliot Cabot
Harpswell Builders
Redding; 203-241-6701
harpswellbuilders.com
Structural Engineer
Domenico Antonelli
B-Cubed Engineering
Westport; 203-349 5916
bbb-engineering.com
Millwork
David Bartlett
Bartlett Woodworks
Easton; 203-268-9408
bartlettwoodworks.com
living space | WINNER Charles Hilton Architects
Going Global
There are living rooms, and then there are rooms you just want to live in. With grand gestures and a global influence, this living space by Charles Hilton Architects is definitely the latter. And that dreamy palette that plays with pale blues, grays and creams? It’s enough to make you sigh with relief as you sink into the cushions of that overstuffed couch and rest your feet on the plush gray rug. But before getting into the global influences, you first have to travel to the past. It’s impossible to guess that this graceful space was once built on the prior garage of a 1920s English-Georgian-Colonial hybrid, formerly part of a Rockefeller homestead. Hilton completely gutted the oddly proportioned rooms—knocking down walls, ripping up floors and reworking the existing low concrete ceiling—to carve out a more open and light-flooded space which connects to the rest of the house. The team fought the instinct to bedeck the living space in an English cottage style, which is a go-to trope for period homes with this architecture, and instead cranked up the youthful energy. A vibrant Arabesque wallcovering selected by interior designer Miles Redd whisks the clients away to further shores. The vibrancy offers a floral and flowing counterpoint to the stately elliptical archway that leads to the kitchen and breakfast room. The same global spirit also graces two commissioned paintings of Babylonian scenes by Tim Kent that are windows to far-off lands, all while an arched doorway invites you to explore the lands right outside. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Robert Benson Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Charles Hilton, Principal
Daniel Pardy,
Associate Partner and Project Manager
Charles Hilton Architects
@charleshiltonarchitects
Greenwich; 203-489-3800
hiltonarchitects.com
Interior Designer
Miles Redd
Redd Kaihoi
New York City; 212-674-0902
reddkaihoi.com
Contractor
Robert Levine
Home Construction
New Canaan; 203-594-7663
Lighting Designer
Gary Novasel
Patdo Light Studio
Port Chester, NY; 914-937-6707
patdolight.com
living space | WINNER Karen Bow Interiors
View Finder
Count on Karen Bow to find a way to make a monochromatic palette still make waves. And speaking of waves, the entire layout of the living room completely flows around maximizing stunning views of the water. Bow bucked the instinct to craft a typical room centered around the glass fireplace with its plaster finish, instead maintaining an open layout with lots of seating and sightlines out to the shore. The sleek custom sofa spans the entire room, inviting guests to sit back, prop their feet up on the custom sawhorse ottoman and soak up those water views. Not even tabletop knickknacks get in the way, with everything stowed in the custom room-spanning shelves behind the couch. And while the architectural choices and the layout don’t detract from the lure of the sea, the space still sings with enough detail and interest to float on its own. The subdued palette nods to the nautical—with blue-grays of beachy mornings, seafoam white and sand-colored oak chevrons on the ceiling, which draw the eyes upwards—without a single nautical stripe or buoy in sight. Textures and patterns feel soaked in the clients’ love of both an old-world vibe and a modern aesthetic, from the classic club chairs upholstered in a Schumacher fabric that’s the gray of a stormy sea, to the antique concrete bust discovered at an antique store in England, which sees new life as a glass side table. And amid all this is a welcomed island of color: A commissioned painting by Alexander Yulish, which crackles with electric energy. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Amy Vischio & Co.
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Karen Bow Interiors
@karenbowinteriors
Darien; 914-953-1517
karenbow.com
Upholstery
Artistic Upholstery
Norwalk; 203-849-8907
artisticupholsteryandfabrics.com
Architect
Vicente-Burin Architects
Fairfield; 203-319-9571
vbarchitect.com
Builder
E.R.I. Building & Design
Darien: 203-655-6952
eribuild.com
landscape: greater than 1 acre | WINNER Renée Byers Landscape Architect
A Shore Thing
The joy of the 1.1-acre landscape of this 1927 Tudor? It’s coveted spot overlooking a bend in a tidal river that flows to the Long Island Sound. But the headache? Living right by the water means the site is prone to flooding. Which is exactly what happened during the final stages of landscape construction, when a surprise nighttime storm swept the tide over the seawall and carried dozens of plants downriver. Luckily for the homeowners, the team—who called an all-hands-on-deck to reposition those plants—specifically chose salt-water tolerant plants for just that reason. Storm surges aside, within these outdoor rooms crafted for an active family flows a sense of breezy ease. Byers replaced a stagnant kidney-shaped swimming pool, 360 feet of crumbling stone seawall, and a hodge-podge of plants and patios with this serene shore escape, which boasts a new seawall, pool and spa, plus multi-level stone terraces. The oversized rectangular swimming pool lures for summer dips, while the required pool fencing is decked out in mesh and weathering cedar to not block those shore views. The deck area—shrouded by four large black gum trees—is a maze-like masterpiece of long bluestone planks set within a field of lawn, which also camouflages a subsurface leaching system to collect storm water. Elsewhere, the family can gather in the outdoor kitchen, dining area and sunken terrace, with the plantings flowing from the riverbank and swathing private spaces in native iris, mountain mint and more. And it’s not just the family who favors the new flora. The new flowering tapestry attracts plenty of pollinators to this serene spot on the shore’s edge. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by George E. Byers
PROFESSIONALS
Landscape Architect
Renée Byers Landscape Architect, P.C.
@reneebyers_landscape-architect
Greenwich; 203-489-0800
reneebyers.com
Consulting Coastal Engineer
RACE Coastal Engineering
Stratford; 203-377-0663
racecoastal.com
Wetlands Consultant
Paul J. Jaehnig Wetlands and Soils Consulting
Ridgefield; 203-438-9993
Consulting Civil Engineer
Hudson Engineering & Consulting
Elmsford, NY; 914-909-0420
hudsonec.com
Consulting Structural Engineer
Ruspini Consulting Engineers
Monroe; 203-410-9482
Consulting Architect (Kitchen Doors)
Stoll & Stoll, Architects
New Rochelle, NY; 914-576-0800
stollarchitects.com
landscape: less than 1 acre | WINNER James Doyle Design Associates
Hedging Bets
Perhaps like many of us, the ambling landscape surrounding this 1882 shingle house designed by famed 19th-century architect James L’Hommedieu was in need of more than a little direction. An unharmonious sprawl squandered the grandeur of the grounds, until James Doyle Design Associates breathed a sense of purpose into the site, using classic design components and focal points to spark a sense of journey. The landscape is a dance of celebrating and concealing. Privet hedges that hark back to a grand English estate carve out private spaces, while other hedges separate the parking area and hide the existing concrete basketball court. Design decisions, meanwhile, elevate the parking court from eyesore to showpiece, with white-painted existing brick piers and columnar kindred spirit oak trees that soar from the gravel and Belgian block-strewn ground. Up the formal bluestone path by the front door, the symmetrical entry garden is a riot of colorful perennials bordered by boxwood—delighting visitors and pollinators alike. Other spaces know when to crank up the drama, as a custom gate by the entry garden leads to an outdoor room that begs for sunset cocktail soirées. Here, Japanese holly hedges carve out a semi-private escape, bolstered by the up-lit pleached Linden trees, with an antique urn overflowing with seasonal annuals as a show-stealing focal point. Elsewhere at the side of the house, an enormous sycamore creates a shady garden strewn with gravel paths and perennials. It’s the perfect spot to rest before rejoining the revelry and making a splash in the renovated pool with its new bluestone coping. — By Nathan Tavares
Photography by Neil Landino; Overhead Photography by JPG Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Landscape Architect
James Doyle Design Associates
@jamesdoyledesignassociates
Greenwich; 203-869-2900
jdda.com
Architect
Brady Design
Southampton; 631-283-3111
bbradydesign.com
Interior Designer
Stewart Manger Interior Design
New York City; 917-261-6815
stewartmangerdesign.com
Builder
B & W Construction
Shirley, NY; 631-657-6008
bwcli.com
Landscape Contractor
Warrens Nursery
Water Mill, NY; 631-726-4767
warrensnursery.com
office / library | WINNER Douglas VanderHorn Architects
Work It
This light-infused, elegant office and library has come a long way from its former identity as a dark, cramped upstairs playroom. Douglas VanderHorn Architects and his team capitalized on the space’s “tree house” effect with its views of the property’s treetops and lush vegetation by removing two small gabled dormers and adding two new larger ones. Double-hung windows were also installed, and three skylights set into the ceiling to allow sunlight to flood the room and highlight the contrasts among the rich colors, deep hardwoods and earthy leather and metal accents. Full-height paneling is consistent throughout and evokes an old-world, yet current feel.
Trovare Home Design in Greenwich worked to achieve the client’s goal of creating a beautiful space that was set apart from the rest of the house. They painted both rooms in Benjamin Moore’s Amazon Green, which evokes a refined and timeless look. Upon entering the space, guests see a handsome lounge that can be used to formally greet clients or as a relaxing refuge at the end of the day. Built-in shelving and cabinets house the owner’s collection of books and vinyl record albums, and custom closet cabinetry adds storage space underneath the main roof pitch.
This renovation was finished at the onset of COVID and brought the client’s work-from-home experience to a new level, particularly since at-home offices have become a critical part of working life. The owner couldn’t be happier about this unique retreat that honors the serene views and gives him a place to be productive. — Malia Mckinnon Frame
Photography by Robert Benson Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Douglas VanderHorn, Principal
David Milliken, Project Manager
Douglas VanderHorn Architects
@dvharchitects
Greenwich; 203-622-7000
vanderhornarchitects.com
Interior Designer
Trovare Home Design
Greenwich; 203-869-5512
trovarehomedesign.com
Builder/Contractor
Peerless Construction
Old Greenwich; 203-273-9394
peerless-construction.com
play space: adult | WINNER Robert A. Cardello Architects
Top Cellar
Robert A. Cardello Architects designed this stunning lower level as part of the complete project for this 18,000 square foot home but didn’t finish construction of this section until one year after the clients moved in. The main goal was to create an exceptional wine cellar and tasting room, and the owners also requested a golf simulation room and a gym/dance area for recreation.
The team went above and beyond to design a unique two-room cellar constructed of stone, wood and glass that is home to the owners’ extensive collection of wine and other rare spirits. Guests first enter an arched viewing space called the “ante room,” which reveals a selection of rare wines and Jeroboam bottles beautifully lit and displayed on a radial wood racking system. Two steps down lies the stunning main cellar, which can store over 5,000 bottles. This mesmerizing space showcases beautiful symmetry and includes strategic lighting and grooved shelving units that display the wine behind glass walls in temperature-controlled U-shaped aisles. Details like the cozy gas-lit fireplace and the organic raw-edged walnut table for tastings make this grand and sophisticated space one-of-a-kind.
Custom limestone floors run through both rooms, and the groin vaulted ceiling—an architectural feat in itself—is the coup de grace, which highlights the graceful archways throughout this space and softens the surrounding stone.
When not in the wine cellar, the owners love their bright and airy golf simulation room, which leads out to the back yard. The family gym is filled with state-of-the-art equipment and spacious enough to allow for dance or floor aerobics. The idea of balancing work and play is alive and well in this magnificently curated home. — Malia Mckinnon Frame
Photography by Woodruff/Brown Architectural Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Rachelle Roll, Project Manager
Robert A. Cardello Architects
@cardelloarchitects
Westport; 203-853-2524
cardelloarchitects.com
Builder
Christopher Quinn
Formerly with APEX Projects
315-569-4490
play space: adult | WINNER Kimberly Handler Designs
Ultra Lounge
“How many people can say their basement is both sophisticated and sexy?” asks designer Kimberly Handler, who turned a large, unfinished lower level into a dream play space for adults to relax and entertain.
The challenge was dividing this vast area into zones that would meet all the requirements of the owners as well as flow together and look cohesive. Handler achieved continuity by painting all the walls in a blue/gray high lacquer finish. This soothing yet seductive hue allows the full bar, custom wine room, tasting room, TV area, arcade, bunk and craft rooms to feel like one expansive unit.
A spectacular custom wine room greets guests as they descend the staircase from the main level, and the glass-enclosed space features both dark wood and lucite racks, as well as a window into the bar. A nearby tasting room with a TV and four swivel chairs is enclosed by brass-inlaid doors leading to an arcade full of life-size video games and an air hockey table. Just adjacent, a custom bunk room perfect for overnight guests features original art by Jen Lewis.
What makes this space extra special is the attention to detail and the fact that most items are custom, including the wine room and bar, the pool table and the open-ended twelve-foot sectional, which allows visitors to sit and play simultaneously. The result is a sophisticated sanctuary that offers a little bit of everything. Who would ever want to leave? — Malia Mckinnon Frame
Photography by Jane Beiles
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Kimberly Handler Designs
@kimberlyhandlerdesigns
Greenwich; 917-414-4507
kimberlyhandlerdesigns.com
Architect
John Scarlato
Scarlato Architects
Armonk, NY; 914-273-7350
scarlatoarchitects.com
Builder
Ed Ensign
Ed Ensign Contracting
Harrison, NY; 914-835-2144
edensigncontracting.com
Wine Room
Kessick Wine Storage Systems
Greenville, SC; 864-297-1911
kessickwinecellars.com
play space: KID | WINNER Smart Playrooms
Play Station
Designer Karri Bowen-Poole felt lucky to have a clean palette to work with when designing this whimsical kids’ play space. Her Greenwich clients had just moved into a new, modern home with a 2,500 square-foot basement, and they wanted it to include a large area for physical activity, an arts and crafts studio, some table top games, a playhouse and a TV lounging area. Bowen-Poole and her team rose to the task and customized the design to fit the interests of the clients’ children, ages 6 and 10, as well as their many cousins and friends who come over to play.
To organize the space, the designer created several zones, each with a different theme. The kid/teen gym includes a climbing net, basketball hoop, wall ladders, a rock wall, a swing, monkey bars, a trapeze and gymnast rings—in other words, a ninja warrior circuit! Another spacious arts/crafts area features a Parsons-style table for drawing, painting, playing board games or doing puzzles. The favorite part of this basement, however, is the custom-built playhouse with bright yellow windows that functions as a loft for sleepovers and includes a smaller play area underneath for younger kiddos. Since this family’s roots are abroad, an oversized peel-and-stick map hangs on the wall of the TV room so the crew can track their travels. Bean bag chairs, blue pod chairs, foosball and ping pong tables finish off this vibrant room. There is so much to love in this well-appointed space that allows kids to be energetic as well as creative. — Malia Mckinnon Frame
Photography by Jane Beiles
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Karri Bowen-Poole
Smart Playrooms
@smartplayrooms
Rye, NY; 914-260-3042
smartplayrooms.com
renovation | WINNER Charles Hilton Architects
Classic Beauty
A young couple loved their 1920’s English-Georgian-Colonial hybrid house on a parcel that had once been part of a Rockefeller homestead, but it needed some updating and TLC. While they wanted to keep the home’s English country vibe, the owners wished to infuse some vitality and fun into its traditional style. Enter Charles Hilton Architects and designer Miles Redd, who updated floor plans and utilized bright colors and hints of global influences to bring this home into the current century while keeping it true to its origins.
Hilton’s team tackled several maintenance projects, including updating the insulation and glazing as well as matching and replacing the original slate roof tiles. They reconfigured a highly-trafficked wing over the former garage, gutting several dark, cramped rooms, and reconstructed them to create a larger, more open and comfortable family living space. The breakfast area was also reworked, and a new Dutch door and bay window were installed to reveal garden views.
In the sun room, the team removed heavy pilasters on the walls to showcase the graceful arched ceiling and also rebuilt the bar, updating it with a thick Calacatta marble top, brass sink and fixtures. Just outside the adjacent dining room, a classical pergola was built to encourage al fresco dining and entertaining.
Renowned designer Miles Redd put his eclectic stamp on the interiors, adding bold flourishes and bright colors throughout. Favorite features include the two-story woodland mural in the foyer and the family room wallpaper, which includes elaborate Arabesque arches.
This project was a labor of love and an exercise in blending old with new, meeting the primary goal of the clients and turning this estate into a beautiful legacy for generations to enjoy. — Malia Mckinnon Frame
Photography by Robert Benson Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Charles Hilton, Principal
Daniel Pardy, Associate
Partner and Project Manager
Charles Hilton Architects
@charleshiltonarchitects
Greenwich; 203-489-3800
hiltonarchitects.com
Interior Designer
Miles Redd
Redd Kaihoi
New York City; 212-674-0902
reddkaihoi.com
Contractor
Robert Levine
Home Construction
New Canaan; 203-594-7663
Lighting Designer
Gary Novasel
Patdo Light Studio
Port Chester, NY; 914-937-6707
patdolight.com
dining room | WINNER Olivia Charney Interior Design
Southern Charm
Hospitality is the heart of this home on a nine-acre property in Greenfield Hill. The new house replaced an unsalvageable Cameron Clarke home and was designed to fit in with the neighborhood’s traditional architecture. Although the husband and wife of this busy family of four have different aesthetic styles, they agreed the dining room would be “her” room. The Charleston, South Carolina, native values hospitality, and wanted guests to feel instantly welcomed into the home. The room was placed so that it is the first that a visitor sees. This grand, neo-traditional dining room evokes Clarke’s love of millwork. The generous room was outfitted in architectural salvage and custom trim, including a fireplace mantle with Ionic columns. Custom trim on the ceiling was taken from a detail of a cabinet door.
Chinoiserie “Bright Pavillion” wallpaper by Miles Redd envelops the room in a soothing blue botanical mural. Floor-to-ceiling bay windows draw the eye to the landscape beyond. The room—with 12-foot ceilings—was furnished with pieces from the client’s collection, chosen for their scale. The French antique mirror was bought in from Charleston. Because she didn’t want the room to be overwhelmed by wood pieces, Charney suggested painting the chairs white. It instantly updated a classic. The overall effect is as intended, drawing guests in to a room that is both grand and welcoming, a place that speaks to tradition, a certain formality and a gracious way of living. — Elizabeth Keyser
Photography by Amy Vischio & Co.
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Olivia Charney
Olivia Charney Interior Design
@oliviacharneyinteriordesign
Fairfield; 203-292-5618
oliviacharney.com
Architect
David Ball
The Monroe Partnership
Norwalk; 203-957-3900
themonroepartnership.com
Contractor
David Walsh
Summit Development
Southport; 203-354-1500
summitdevelopment.com
commercial space | WINNER Beinfield Architecture
Good Vibes
Decadent decay is the theme of these amenity spaces in Brim & Crown, a residential building with 42 units. This adaptive reuse of the 1929 Hat Corp. of America factory in East Norwalk is steps away from the East Norwalk train station and includes street-level offices, retail, restaurant and co-working space. After paring the building back to its raw, concrete and steel core, architect Bruce Beinfield and his team used reclaimed, recycled and salvaged materials to celebrate the industrial past. Within an open space, they created a great room, conference and co-working rooms. Inspired by the basement of the château where the Rolling Stones recorded Exile on Main Street in the early 1970s, the vibe is louche luxe. Ornate crystal chandeliers illuminate distinct spaces within the great room: lounge, dining/conference table and bar. Light-filled conference rooms and co-working spaces are created with floor-to-ceiling recycled windows. A graffiti mural by Norwalk artist Jahmane plays across the perimeter walls, adding vibrant color and energy. Soft textures and rich fabrics bring warm contrasts to the concrete, steel, metal ducts, glass and vintage industrial lighting. Furry chairs make a sexy statement around a generous dining/conference table, with a plush oriental rug beneath. In the lounge, seating surrounds a contemporary black firebox set into a wall of reclaimed wood. Leather club chairs have retro deco lines. The aqua sofa pops, with contrasting purple pillows. Creative use of materials sets this residential amenity space apart. This is a cool place to hang, work or throw a party. These days, a cool community is an amenity. — Elizabeth Keyser
Photography by Meg Matyia
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Bruce Beinfield
James Wassell
Seelan Pather
Nathan Dalesio
Beinfield Architecture
@beinfieldarchitecture
South Norwalk; 203-838-5789
beinfield.com
Interior Designer
Jessica Sanseverra
Carol Beinfield
Beinfield Architecture
@beinfieldarchitecture
South Norwalk; 203-838-5789
beinfield.com
bedroom | WINNER Karen Bow Interiors
Green Energy
The rug was the starting place in this luxurious bedroom retreat for a ground-up home in Bronxville. The client’s favorite color is green, and the rug’s erased botanical pattern in green and gray grounded the room in an initial soft layer. From there, designer Karen Bow added more layers of contrasting materials and textures. The gray chevron wallpaper creates a soothing background with a subtle energy. The green velvet settee absolutely pops. Bow designed it, and it’s modern, energetic and fun, and big enough for two, with a morning tray of coffee and a laptop.
The biggest challenge was scaling the headboard to the high-ceiling room, without creating a bed that was too high. Bow designed an oversized curved headboard, upholstered in gray textured fabric, with a traditional carved wood edge. She framed the bed in cherry and used contrasting black metal legs. The masculine/feminine theme continues with the textures on the bed, gray pillows decorated with bows and a lace throw. Matching nightstands, upholstered in white leather with brass fittings, are topped with vintage lamps. Windows hung with sheer white and gray curtains give a sense of the movement of light. Bow designed a console table that features green antique glass salvaged from a Brooklyn shipyard. An eye-catching antique bamboo chair with yellow velvet cushions creates a vignette with an original Damien Hirst from his Mandala series. Layers of textures, from lace to smooth leather, from iron to warm wood, create a play between masculine and feminine, traditional and modern, energy and rest in this lavish bedroom. — Elizabeth Keyser
Photography by Amy Vischio & Co.
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Karen Bow Interiors
@karenbowinteriors
Darien; 914-953-1517
karenbow.com
Architect
Michael Smith Architects
Norwalk; 203-563-0553
michaelsmitharchitects.com
Upholstery
Artistic Upholstery
Norwalk; 203-849-8907
artisticupholsteryandfabrics.com
pool house | WINNER D2 Interieurs
Splash Pad
Denise Davies has a passion for mid-century modern design, art and architecture, so she was the perfect interior designer for a New Canaan couple who needed more room but wanted to maintain the integrity of their iconic mid-century Bimel Kehm. Kehm was a sculptor, painter and architect who built three houses in New Canaan in the 1950s. The solution was a separate light-filled, modern pool house which complements the flow of the landscape and grounds.
The small scale of the building was the biggest challenge for the designer, who worked from the ground up with the architect and contractor. Despite its small scale, the multi-level pool house cleverly fits in a guest room, bar/kitchenette, changing room with two walk-in closets, bathroom, wine tasting room and temperature-controlled wine storage. Davies maximized the small spaces, making the most of natural light with a cool, sleek design, with pops of fun color and texture. The living room, on the upper level, opens on to a balcony overlooking the pool. It is separated from the sleeping area by a wall with custom shelves for a screen and media. The spare design allows for statement pieces, the 1960s carved wood hand chair and a Danish modern-style chair upholstered in textured turquoise. A Slim Aarons photograph evokes retro poolside glamour. The bar/kitchenette makes a statement with groovy Flavor Paper wallpaper from Brooklyn and custom cabinets painted in saturated turquoise, and topped with painted glass. In the entry, colorful tile is ready for wet feet from the pool, while a jewelry-like light fixture above draws the eye up the stairs. — Elizabeth Keyser
Photography by Jane Beiles
PROFESSIONALS
Interior Designer
Denise Davies
D2 Interieurs
@d2interieurs
Weston; 646-326-7042
d2interieurs.com
Architect
Kenneth McGahren Architect
Pound Ridge, NY; 203-964-7999
architectmcgahrenctny.com
Landscape Architect
Keith E. Simpson Associates
New Canaan; 203-966-7071
keithsimpsonassociates.com
Millwork
Marek Bil
Old World Construction
Redding; 203-544-9263
Contractor
West Construction
New Canaan; 203-966-7918
westconstructioncorp.com
traditional architecture: greater than 7k feet | WINNER Douglas VanderHorn Architects
Double Vision
From the front, it looks like a traditional 19th-century shingle summer house befitting the traditional estates along the Greenwich harbor—the swooping lines of the double gables, weathered shingles and traditional, pleasing proportions of windows in their varied shapes. Tuscan half-columns on stone bases create a solid, understated, comfortable formality to the entrance beneath a covered porch.
But take a look at the waterfront side! French doors, windows, terraces and a four-story tower preside over a pool and lawn that slope to the water. Beneath the façade of Alaskan yellow cedar, this is a new build with all the contemporary amenities.
The idea was “approachable eclecticism.” The four-story tower makes a statement from the water and creates intimate and alluring spaces within. In the main bedroom, it’s an alcove with the best water views (an ongoing debate in a house filled with amazing views). On the top floor, it’s an alluring covered balcony. Inside, an open concept maximizes water views. The entry invites guests through three wide openings into the great room, where four sets of French doors with glass transoms open to the terrace.
The lowest level has playrooms for multi-generational gatherings. For the grandkids, there’s a pirate ship with three decks, and lots of places to climb, hide and store treasures. The bunk room has a nautical theme with built-in beds under a curved beamed ceiling. The adult space has a wet bar, billiards table, access to the terrace and pool and great views. — Elizabeth Keyser
Photography by Robert Benson Photography and Woodruff/Brown Architectural Photography
PROFESSIONALS
Architect
Douglas VanderHorn, Principal
Phil Summers, Project Manager
Douglas VanderHorn Architects
@dvharchitects
Greenwich; 203-622-7000
vanderhornarchitects.com
General Contractor
Ben Krupinski Builder
Old Greenwich; 203-990-0633
bkbuilder.com
Ship Fabrication
Mark Alex Maidique
South Norwalk Skunk: Architectural
Engineering & Fabrication
South Norwalk; 203-642-4900
sonoskunk.com
Muralist
Nels Christianson
Christianson Lee Studios
Ridgefield; 203-798-0098
christiansonlee.com
Landscape Architect
Wesley Stout Associates
New Canaan; 203-966-3100
wesleystout.com
Lighting Consultant
Patdo Light Studio
Port Chester, NY; 914-937-6707
patdolight.com
Geothermal Consultant
Haley & Aldrich
Rocky Hill; 860-282-9400
haleyaldrich.com
A/V Consultant
Realm
Norwalk; 203-552-5272
realmcontrol.com
Millwork
All Star Woodworking
Yorktown Heights, NY; 914-769-9161
allstarwoodworking.com
Crane Woodworking
Norwalk; 203-852-9229
cranewoodworking.com
