A variety of top-tier Kohler products were donated by Bender Plumbing Supply for use in the Residence, namely the beverage area and bath of the pool house (from faucets and coordinating bath accessories to sconces and toilet) and the guest cottage powder room and upstairs bath (sinks, toilet, glass shelf and double light fixture). These selections represent Connecticut style as they embody traditional choices with a modern edge. All of Bender’s Kohler products represent quality china combined with the latest technology for usage and water savings. Bender operates showrooms in seven different locations featuring a wide variety of kitchen and bath products from time tested traditional styles to the latest cutting-edge designs. Bender prides itself on its deep commitment to personal service, a hands-on approach and dedication to the customer experience. bendershowrooms.com
The distinctive color system seen in the dining room and living room of the Residence is quintessentially Christopher Peacock and characteristic of the company’s signature style of decorating. Reminiscent of classic English colors, each shade of Christopher Peacock Paint was selected based on its relationship to others in the collection, as well as its potential application and use for interiors. Christopher Peacock paints are highly durable and they have incredible color depth. Made from the highest quality color pigments, Christopher Peacock Paint Collection No. 1 consists of 90 colors; it was developed to provide a balanced and subtle blending of earthy, understated shades. The paint is suitable for every room in the home. peacockpaint.com
The fabrics used in the sunroom in the Residence are all from the Philip Gorrivan II Collection for Highland Court by Duralee. They were chosen by Philip Gorrivan himself (who designed the room) as they were the right mix of classic and current, tailored and relaxed. He pulled inspiration from the landscapes around his own Connecticut home. The Highland Court brand debuted in 2001—the fabrics are perfect for any setting that requires timeless sophistication. Based in Long Island, Duralee has been in business for nearly 60 years. They are passionate about all of their products—from fresh fabric and cutting-edge trim options to innovative furniture frames. They specialize in the luxury marketplace, sourcing the finest materials from around the world. highlandcourtfabrics.com
Elizabeth Eakins donated four extraordinary rugs from her Teff collection for use in the study, living room and hall of the guest cottage. They were chosen for their classic and simple patterns, with bright colors to give them a modern twist. Like all of Eakins’ rugs and fabrics, Teff collection rugs are handwoven from natural fibers; they’re a wonderful combination of wool and linen, so they are as sturdy as they are beautiful. Their chunky and complex weave structures and vibrancy of colors made them a subtle, yet spectacular choice. Elizabeth Eakins began weaving rugs in 1978 and today the company’s home is a light-filled 22,000-square-foot studio in Norwalk, Connecticut. A lovely solution for almost any room in the house, these gorgeous rugs are meant for living. elizabetheakins.com
Fovama’s beautiful Oriental rugs were used in the living room of the Residence, as well as in the dining room and bedroom of the guest cottage. Designers made the selections based on color palettes, and there was a deliberate effort made to choose more fresh, contemporary or transitional rugs. The Tabriz rug in the main house is refreshingly soft and modern in its color sense, so it brings out the grace and elegance of its heritage in a new presentation. In the guest cottage, the clear, muted colors represented in a modern design are enhanced by the play of wool and silk. Fovama carries a wide range of products—from antiques to Tibetan modern and custom rugs, fine carpeting and natural-fiber rugs. In business in Connecticut for 35 years, Fovama also provides cleaning, repair and restoration services for fine rugs. fovamaofwestport.com
Home Boutique of Greenwich provided beautiful linens for the Residence. The tablecloth and napkins in the dining room represent a high-end modern approach to patriotism (perfect for the Governor’s table), as does the American made bed linens used in the bedrooms of the guest cottage. Designed exclusively for this occasion, the tablecloth is now available to the public in Home Boutique’s Lewis Street store. Home Boutique of Greenwich has been working with fine linens since 2003. This year, they expanded their space and product line to include sleepwear, bath accessories and furniture. Home Boutique represents the one-of-a-kind, sophisticated look one expects to find in a modern Greenwich home. homeboutique.com
Klaff’s designed and provided all of the products for both the men’s and ladies’ powder rooms in the Residence, reflecting a classic upscale look that the gracious New England home deserved. All of the cabinetry, tile and stone, and plumbing products selected offer a timeless presence that can be found in several of their manufacturers’ product offerings. Each product has a traditional sensibility—along with a transitional feel that says modern and up-to-date. Klaff’s sells unique luxury home products and offers complete design services for kitchens, baths, closets, home offices, laundry and library spaces. Klaff’s begins every design challenge with a needs-based assessment and an understanding of what the project requires from an architectural standpoint. Their creative professionals understand interiors, furniture, construction and design. klaffs.com
NuKitchens designed and installed Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry in a buttercream finish for the guest cottage; and in the pool house, Medallion cabinetry in two finishes: Harbor Mist Blue and Espresso Cherry. NuKitchens also installed a Vetrazzo recycled glass countertop and Artistic Tile backsplash. The styles and finishes were selected to complement and brighten up these two unique spaces. NuKitchens helps clients discover new design possibilities and offers the finest materials with full, one-stop remodeling services in a unique way for every project. Their expert design team works in tandem with architects, designers, builders and homeowners to coordinate the finishes, colors and style that reflect Connecticut living. NuKitchens displays traditional, transitional and contemporary styles in their 6,000 square foot showroom located in South Norwalk, Connecticut. nukitchens.com
Paris Ceramics donated the stone floor and vanity top in the guest cottage powder room. These materials were selected to complement Schumacher’s Manor Gate wall covering. The White Bulgarian limestone is a very clean, consistent material, often used with a contrasting colored cabochon. The company is well known for sourcing and selling reclaimed antique floors, a tradition that led them to extend their range of products to include newly quarried limestone, marble and other unique stones that are exclusive to them. In addition, Paris Ceramics has the ability to create unique materials through distressing, color-washing, fabricating and finishing. They also offer a full range of hand-cut, hand-glazed/painted decorative tiles and and custom mosaics of every description, in addition to wood flooring. parisceramicsusa.com
Ring’s End, one of Connecticut’s most prominent retail lumber, mill work and building specialty companies, participated in the refurbishing of the Residence in several ways. As an authorized Corian® fabricator, Ring’s End installed a custom countertop from the Private Collection from Corian® by Dupont™ in the guest cottage kitchen. Benjamin Moore’s AURA® Waterborne Interior Paints were used in the foyer of the Residence, as well as in the guest cottage and pool house. REGAL® SELECT semi-gloss was used throughout the Residence and guest cottage on trim, doors, furniture and accents. Ring’s End retail locations feature beautiful showrooms that include real-world displays of windows and doors, moldings and mill work, architectural hardware, paint and stains, kitchen and bath cabinetry, countertops, decking, fencing, siding and more. ringsend.com
A variety of Rogers & Goffigon fabrics were selected for the library and living room of the Residence, the dining room of the guest cottage, and the pool house. They include a twill woven, 100 percent linen drapery fabric, 100 percent wool velvet upholstery for chairs, trims in 100 percent silk, an ottoman in a superb quality of leather, an indoor/outdoor fabric for pillows at the pool, and a wool jacquard paisley pattern on chairs. The fabrics work well with the style of the Residence and the respective designers’ design schemes. Rogers & Goffigon was founded 22 years ago in Greenwich with the mission of creating and producing high-end luxury textiles for interiors. Their fabrics, mostly wovens, are exclusively designed by Rogers & Goffigon. All of their fabrics, trims and leathers are timeless and look great in all styles of home décor. 203.532.8068
As the Residence is on the National Register of Historic Places, Schumacher saw it as another landmark opportunity to contribute to this important project. Since 1889, Schumacher has brought unsurpassed luxury to homes and other interior spaces. The Schumacher archives are among the most comprehensive in the industry and many of the company’s designs can be seen in the US Senate Chambers, The White House, Hearst Castle and Newport mansions as well as other historic interiors. Schumacher’s decorative fabrics, wall coverings, trimmings and furnishings feature an abundance of classic styles and designs inspired by sources like haute couture, contemporary visual arts and nature. fschumacher.com
This article appears in the November 2011 issue of CTC&G (Connecticut Cottages & Gardens).