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Meet Susanna Salk this weekend at the Antique & Artisan Center
Thursday, September 20, 2012
PRESENTS A BOOK SIGNING EVENT WITH SUSANNA SALK
Author and design expert Susanna Salk will share ideas from her new book
Be Your Own Decorator: Taking Confidence and Cues by the World’s Leading Designers
Sunday, September 23 2:00 – 4:00 P.M.
The Antique & Artisan Center 69 Jefferson Street, Stamford
A feature presentation of Destination Home Design: a weekend of fabulous finds, exclusive events and promotions in the South End of Stamford Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23
Farrow and Ball opens in Westport
Friday, September 14, 2012And, Real in Darien was there! We love the colors Farrow and Ball bring to us each season and the colors for 2013 continue to dazzle us. We came home with a sample of the newest Black Blue which will absolutely transform any space. I am thinking in the dining room, or transforming a Bar area. Gorgeous! In addition, they are thrilled to introduce French grey, Stone Blue, and Cornforth White. Check out all the color schemes they have to offer, as well as the sensational wallpaper!
What a beautiful arrangement, with colors chosen to show the subtleties of the F&B colors.
The scene last night at Farrow & Ball. Lots of local excitement about the new location at 391 Post Road East in Westport, CT.
The shop is lined with examples of Wallpaper and paint boards demonstrating the range of options you have (can you see the two boards in the background?)
Announcing the key colors for 2013.
Of course we ran into our dear friends from the Antique Center (Stamford) at the opening.
House Beautiful threw a great event for the store opening! It is so nice to have this sophisticated and sexy paint line now available in Westport. Go check out the store. You will have so much fun developing your new color scheme here.
Grace Potter is coming to town-get your tickets today!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
It is not too late to get your tickets!! Grace & the Nocs are coming back to the Stamford Palace Theatre for a private concert to benefit the Darien Foundation for Technology & Community – Saturday, September 8th!! Last years concert was raved about and this year’s event should be amazing! Don’t forget to check out their new album THE LION THE BEAST THE BEAT!
Order your tickets online today at the Darien Foundation website, www.darientechnologyfoundation.org.
The Darien Foundation was established in 2007. The Darien Foundation is the result of the expanded mission of the Darien Technology Foundation (founded in 1998). This expanded mission allows the Foundation to fund community capital projects in addition to increasing the financial resources for technology in the Darien community.
The Darien Foundation awarded over $2.3 million in grants to the Darien Public Schools, Darien Emergency Services and many community organizations.
The Darien Foundation looks forward to funding capital projects in the Darien community. Capital projects could include such things as sports field improvements, Senior Center amenities, downtown enrichments and park improvements, to name a few.
We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated Foundation in our town and we applaud them and all of the volunteers on this event. THANK YOU!!!!
Grand opening of illume´, hosted by NYC&G
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Accessory Store has done it again! We attended the opening of illume´, the new venture from our go to store for any lighting need – shade, bulb, re-wiring, candles – you name it, they do it. illume´ is now open in the city on 58th Street just steps from the D&D building. We could not miss out checking out their new spot and it did not disappoint.
Michelle, Chris and Wes enjoying the lovely evening
Marketing Director, Michele Roofthooft with owner, Mark Candido
This small space hits the mark; lots of antique glass, beautiful black cabinetry, a creamy gold grasscloth on the walls, blue painted ceilings and esquisite furniture that highlights the grand collection of shades and lights. They are diplayed in a way that gives credit to the beauty of the shades themself. It is like a candy store for lampshades.
The workshop side of the store
Hosts the same lighting odds and ends all in one place
They can rewire anything into a light-look at these!
Don't these look like party favors?
Your house is your home, inside and out!
Friday, June 1, 2012Memorial Day weekend is busy, and there is a lot to honor and celebrate. This year the garden proved to be equally exciting. If you have a garden that blooms at various times through out the summer then you were so pleased to see the peony in full blossom, as well as a lot of other wonderful plants pushing their way through the ground. Everything is so lush this year.
If you have just moved into your new house, get inspired. If you are thinking about selling your house, this is a time to to enjoy the fruits of your labor! After all, your house is your home, inside and out!
While I was at home in Washington, CT last weekend, I went up to Cornwall to visit my friend Charlotte. Charlotte grew up in Darien, and when it came time to sell her family’s sensational Goodwives River home, she took a piece her childhood: a cutting of the roses her mother had planted. They are thriving in their new home!
Roses from her mother's garden in Darien. They will be beautiful!
Charlotte’s garden is one to love, and be inspired by!
A newly planted border outside the kitchen window.
potted plants are always so effective on a terrace
The creeping hydrangea are so full and lush. It takes a long time to cultivate this, so get started!
Little creatures keeping track of the rain fall.
A fabulous focal point for a garden! Love this!
Waldingfield Farm is a special compound that five generations have been lucky to enjoy. I am lucky to be part of the fourth generation. I was so happy to at home last weekend. It felt as if we were in full Summer. The gardens speak for themselves, but don’t think that the love here is without labor!
Grandmothers urns help make the garden a very special place.
Five generations later, they bloom like pros!
Mom's border making its way into full bloom. It will peak later in August.
The breezeway, a special place to sit for lunch or with a book. The grapes that hang on the vine over the arches are beautiful but sour!
The peony boarder is spectacular this year. This is one of the best times in the garden! Note the Wisteria that is creeping along the house, headed to the pergola.
Another view of the West terrace were the trees are a very important part of the landscape.
The trees and stone walls create a very natural landscape.
Doris, the goat, is from Marvin Gardens in Wilton, CT on Route 7. An exceptional resource for garden treasures!
Grandmother's Budda lady watching over us
Memorial Day weekend
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Something very special about living in this town is our show of patriotism. Here are some highlights from 2012.
Over 2000 flags are placed on the graves of veterans every year
We salute our veterans today and every day and the yellow ribbon will stay on until they are all home.
FLEA IN ROWAYTON
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Flea is a small shop in the heart of Rowayton village (1588 Rowayton Avenue) that we came upon one day during open houses. What initially caught our eye was the gorgeous new garage in the parking lot behind Sails Restaurant. I am planning on building a detached garage (one day) and wanted to take a closer look. We then realized that there was a cute shop housed in the garage. Run by Laura Grabe and Laura Jayson (aka the dough girl), they have turned this garage into something special. The spot is stocked with everything from dog beds and tunics, framed art, woven baskets and candles. The best part is you can shop while tasting the delicious dough girl treats and Espresso Neat coffee.
dough*girl baking company has been run by Laura Jayson since 2007 and her tasty treats have been blessing us all over town. She runs the shop in the morning, then goes to her kitchen in Stamford and bakes her treats for the next day. She rises at the crack of dawn and delivers them to places like Espresso Neat before heading back to Flea.Her passion truly shows and their taste is second to none. Don’t miss this little jewel in Rowayton.
Laura Jayson of dough girl fame
I had found these stools and have been lusting after them ever since. I needed 5 but they only had 4. I decided to go back last week to see if somehow, magically, 5 would appear.
Antique stools with a cool blue chevron fabric
Well they still only had 4 (someone PLEASE buy these fab stools) but I stumbled across something even more special. Right there in front of me was a Dorothy Draper Imposter Chest. I could not believe my eyes! I was so nervous to look at the price tag…..these typically run over $1000 in poor condition and this one was in very good shape. When I saw the price was $450 I could not believe my eyes. I was about to own my very first Draper Imposter. For more information on Dorothy Draper and her Heritage Chests check out this great write up by Circa Who.
I can't believe they have not sold this huge Xanax
The prettiest looking surfboard
You can even pick up some Dough Girl treats and coffee
We loaded it into my car and it just fit!!!
Into the house it went and fit perfectly in my living room. Even my husband liked it. Thinking of a Christopher Spitzmiller lamp with a pop of color like chartreuse or orange.
So in anticipation of Memorial Day check out this cute shop tucked into a corner of Rowayton village. It is the kind of place that when you leave, will have found a friend and a new local lust!
Estia’s…On Our Minds!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012The ladies who lunch in Darien have never had it so good. For that matter, we all haven’t had it so good! After the best breakfast around and another mouth watering lunch we decided to return with camera in hand. At 12 noon, there was not a table to be had. The food is fantastic, the ambiance is terrific, decor very cool and the bar is very inviting (probably not for breakfast, but certainly for lunch!) Estia’s Little Kitchen started in Sag Harbor around 12 years ago. Collin Ambrose, the owner, “the chief cook and bottle washer”, has now brought his talent and expertise to Darien, and we hope he will continue this great tradition of good food right here for many years to come!
Off the menu: a delicious combo of egg, avocado, tomato and Andouille.
Daily special. The veggie burger. Not like any other!
View from the bar.
The much anticipated opening for dinner is tonight and I bet it does not disappoint. We are very lucky. Go check it out if you haven’t. From what we understand, it is quickly becoming the “go to restaurant”.
43 Huckleberry Lane and a stop for eggs at Crafty Farm Girl
Tuesday, April 24, 2012On Tuesday we were at it again. We started the morning with a trip to Crafty Farm Girl in Tokeneke to pick up some fresh eggs. Yes, that’s right….I said fresh eggs…in Tokeneke, not the Berkshires. They are from the chickens she keeps, and Crafty Farm Girl sells them in a cooler at the end of her driveway along with other homemade treats.
Margot picking up some eggs
This is a soon to be local lust. Stay tuned…..
We then ventured with great anticipation to 43 Huckleberry Lane. We were excited to see architecture not usually on the market in Darien. This house is SO COOL! Frank Lloyd Wright or The Harvard Five from New Canaan is the first thing that comes to mind. The Living Room is the MOST dramatic I have seen in town.
The back wall in the living room is stone, like the wall around the fireplace. This room is just stunning and I can imagine how magical it would be during the fall or a snowstorm.
At 5,800 square feet of open space, this contemporary is screaming for entertaining. The kitchen and dining room have the same stunning panoramic windows but there is a cozy family room if you want to escape. Three bedrooms are on the first floor with their own TV area, and a large master upstairs with his and hers bathrooms, closets (dreaming about that right now), and an office. The large laundry room includes the all important dog bath. The basement hosts an oversized TV/workout/bar area with access to the pool. It also has a new solar thermal system for the a/c and heat.
We would love to show you this unique property. Call us if you would like to see it. We dare you to think outside the “colonial” box and consider what will be THE GO TO HOUSE FOR A GREAT PARTY! This property is offered through Kelly Associates at $2,199,000. THIS PROPERTY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.
DWR on Canal Street in Stamford
P.S. We were really pleased to hear that Design Within Reach has moved their headquarters to our very own Stamford, CT. Walking through 43 Huckleberry Lane brought all kinds of ideas to mind of what DWR could bring to a design and decorating makeover here! Take a trip down to Design within Reach in Stamford. It will inspire you to throw a bit of modern in your home!
If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.
Custom tables from Mather Meadows Design
Wednesday, April 4, 2012When Holly Hurd had her open house at 106 Stephen Mather Road (for sale through Kelly Associates) the first thing we noticed in her living room was the phenomenal glass coffee table. A glass coffee table is one of those pieces that can be used beautifully in any living room. As it turns out, one of Holly’s many talents, and businesses, includes designing and manufacturing these glass coffee tables through her Mather Meadows Design. They can be made in all sizes and shapes (side tables, end tables, consoles – pieces are special order to client’s desired size). This table is gorgeous and makes a huge impact in a room filled with beautiful things.
It has a bottom shelf where you can place your books and put more decorative items on top. The glass is so thick and the joints are seamless. On a side note – we rarely see this blue in a living room and it just hits the mark!
Holly was our very first blog post because everything she does we just love. She has so many creative and design talents and these tables are just one of them. If you are interested in designing your own table, contact Holly at Mather Meadows Design. You will not be disappointed.
hillhh@aol.com or 203-434-4201
Everything is Rosey
Friday, March 30, 2012
We love this salmon colored clapboard house with grey shutters that sits in the middle of town. We understand that it is slated to be torn down and that is a crying shame! It provides charming character to downtown Darien. We don’t want to become a town that looks like everyone else up the Post Road. Rosey Costello, the owner of the pop up EVERYTHING IS ROSEY, is renting the house until the owner tears it down. The house adds so much to the already fun shopping experience here. We are a small community and it is so nice to go into a shop where they know your name and make you feel like they are happy to see you. So many of her friends work there and it must be the friendliest place in town. Could they be having more fun! All the items are whimsical yet serve a great purpose; hostess gifts, teacher gifts, tins, soap dishes, tunics, and my favorite bags, bags and more bags.
We love that all the merchandise is under $100. She also has colorful tunics, cover-ups and dresses to get your spring started.
Rosey has lived in Darien for 15 years and is a welcome addition to our revitalized downtown.
Rosie travels around the tri-state doing shows in addition to this shop. Go visit her at 1015 Boston Post Road and pick up that gift you need or another bag for yourself. This building has been empty for years and we hope that Rosey’s shop will make people see how charming the house is, and how nice it is in our downtown. Please don’t tear it down!
Annie Mahoney in CT&G
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Fairfield Farmhouse
Congratulations to Annie Mahoney of Darien (and Royle school mom ) on her signature style featured in Connecticut Cottages & Gardens (read whole article here). Her style is a perfect union of modern and timeless. Look at those blue velvet chairs!
I have always been struck by Annie’s sense of fun in her interiors. There is always something a little unexpected and it always works. Annie thinks outside the box, not afraid of using something that she picked up on the side of the road during spring cleanup and wrapping it in Cowtan and Tout. Her confidence should inspire us all!! Congratulations Annie, and we look forward to more great things to come.
Annie helped us with the design of this blog and led us down our creative path (with the help of her IPhone app). We credit her with pushing us to use what we love – that burnt orange on our Home Page. On a side note, she is a wonderful, kind person, and an even better friend.
