Whether you are planning a visit to Explore, Relax a Retreat or considering relocating to this area, find the best place for your stay!

Local accommodations with amenities to consider in Litchfield County, CT.

AMENIA, NY

Hilltop House Bed & Breakfast
A Romantic Country Inn Circa 1909
43 Depot Hill Rd
Amenia, NY 12501
845-789-1354

Troutbeck
An Estate Hotel for the Creative, Curious and Adventurous.
515 Leedsville Road
Amenia, NY 12501
845-789-1555 

CORNWALL

Cornwall Inn
Just a Short Scenic Drive to Nearby Quaint Towns.
270 Kent Road, South
Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754
860-672-6884

DOVER PLAINS, NY

Old Drovers Inn
Relax in the Comfort of a Classic Early American Inn.
196 E Duncan Hill Road
Dover Plains, NY 12522

FALLS VILLAGE

The Falls Village Inn
A Litchfield County Landmark Built in 1834.
33 Railroad Street
Falls Village, CT 06031
800-824-0033

KENT

Fife ‘n Drum Restaurant & Inn
Known for Tableside flambes and 7,000-Bottle Wine Cellar.
53 Main Street
Kent, Connecticut 06757
860-927-3509

The Kent Collection:
Luxurious Boutique Lodging.

The Garden Cottages
9 Railroad Street
Kent, CT 06757

The Firefly Inn
88 N Main Street
Kent, CT 06757

The Victorian
81 N. Main Street
Kent, CT 06757
860- 592-0042

LAKEVILLE

Inn at White Hollow Farm
Convenient to Lime Rock Park, Music Mountain and Mohawk Mountain Ski Area.
558 Lime Rock Road
Lakeville, CT 06039
518-488-7228

Interlaken Inn
A Resort-like Experience for Guests, Groups, Reunions, and Weddings.
74 Interlaken Road
Lakeville, CT 06039
800-222-2909

Wake Robin Inn
Superior Service with Unique Retreat Facilities and Exquisite Cuisine.
106 Sharon Rd (Rte. 41)
Lakeville, CT 06039
860-435-2000

LITCHFIELD

The Litchfield Inn
Quintessential New England in this Modern-Meets-Traditionalist Colonial Boutique Hotel.
432 Bantam Road
Litchfield, CT 06769
860-567-4503

MORRIS

Winvian
The Restaurant at Winvian Farms Awarded AAA 5-Diamond Award for Sixth Consecutive Year. A Unique Lodging and Spa Experience.
155 Alain White Road
Morris, CT 06763
860-567-9600

NEW MILFORD

Candlelight Farms Inn
An Estate on 600 Acres with Ponds, Paddocks, Meadows, Streams and Breath Taking Views.
214 Candlewood Mountain Road
New Milford, CT 06776
203-648-7346

Homestead Inn
On the North End of the Village Green is the Historic Homestead Inn Welcoming Guests Since 1928.
5 Elm Street
New Milford, CT 06776
860-354-4080

NEW PRESTON

The Hopkins Inn
Enjoy Contemporary Austrian Cuisine while Sitting High Above the Northern Shore of Lake Waramaug. 
22 Hopkins Road
New Preston, CT 06777
860-868-7295

The Windemere Bed & Breakfast
A Quiet and Peaceful Setting with Expansive Views.
29 Kinney Hill Road
New Preston, CT 06777
860-868-1122

NORFOLK

Manor House Inn
An Elegant Inn Perfect for Relaxing Getaways and Memorable Escapes.
69 Maple Avenue
Norfolk, CT 06058
860-542-5690

RIVERTON

Old Riverton Inn and The Royal Coachman Tavern
A New England Landmark Listed in the National Register of Historic Places Overlooking the Farmington River.
436 E River Rd, Riverton, CT  06065
860-379-8678

SALISBURY

The White Hart Inn
A Stylish In-Town Inn with Fine Farm-to-Table Cuisine.
15 Under Mountain Road
Salisbury, CT 06068
860-435-0030

SHARON

Sharon Country Inn
A Country Inn in the Heart of Scenic Mile after Mile. 
1 Calkinstown Road
Sharon, CT 06069
860-364-0036

SOUTHBURY

Heritage Hotel
Featuring 2 Salt Water Pools, Full Spa, Rustic Tavern, Athletic Club and 9 Hole Golf Course.
522 Heritage Road
Southbury, CT 06488
203-264-8200

WASHINGTON

The Mayflower Inn & Spa
An Exquisite Auberge Resorts Collection Country Retreat  and Spa, t hat Defines New England Elegance.
118 Woodbury Road, Rt. 47
Washington Depot, CT 06794
860-868-9466

WOODBURY

1754 House
One of the Oldest Inns in New England with Restaurant and Tavern Offering Contemporary American Dining. 
506 Main Street South, Woodbury, Ct 06798
203-405-3735

Share The Love!

Valentine’s Day Floral Designs & More

KENT

Patricia’s Petals
A one-of-a-kind floral and gifting company with a seamless, modern approach to our ordering experience coast to coast.

LITCHFIELD

Bantam Blooms
A creative mix of seasonal blooms arranged with the designer’s freshest selection. 

Colonial Greenhouse
Where flowers bloom so does love. Shopping for Valentine’s Day is made easy with our Designer’s Choice arrangement!

Flowers of Distinction
Our success is only limited by your imagination, so let us do the creating for you! 

Heaven Scent Floral Creations
Heaven Scent Florist prides itself in taking the extra time to capture your vision.

Sarah Worden’s Natural Design
Known for putting an organic spin on traditional designs using unexpected combinations and textural elements. A garden inspired elegance out of each branch and flower.

NEW HARTFORD

Lindell Flower Farm
Custom Arrangements are filled with the best of the field - designed loosely and organically, as if by Mother Nature Herself.

NEW MILFORD

Ruth Chase Flowers
Our Love and Romance collection offers a wide variety of arrangements in shades of red and pink. In addition to beautiful bouquets, you can also treat them with gourmet chocolates.

SALSIBURY

Thornhill Flower and Garden Shop
Family owned and operated. Proud to offer the largest selection of fresh cut flowers and plants in Northwest Connecticut.

SOUTHBURY

The Blossom
Quality and service with unbeatable commitment to customer satisfaction from our family to yours

Southbury Country Florist
Trust our expert designers to create something truly romantic and lovely for your significant other. 

TORRINGTON

Lily & Fine Floral Design
We will choose the freshest seasonal blooms and coordinate them with the occasion. 

The Honey Bee Florist & More
 A blend of traditional and modern, with a focus on utilizing native New England flora.

WASHINGTON

Loam Floral Design Co.
Wild, Free and Foraged are just some of the descriptives that influence our design style.
.
WOODBURY

Bouquets & Beyond Florals and Events
A unique, inviting, and exciting atmosphere that ignites all the senses and brings inspiration for amazing floral design and decor.

Petal Perfections & Confections
We offer only the finest floral arrangements, plants and chocolates.

Stuarts Floral Station
Spoiled Sweet! Nothing but the best for your special Valentine.

Woodbury Floral Design
Our quaint 1840’s building was originally the town’s Blacksmith’s shop. Now, we are a destination for beautiful bespoke floral arrangements and unique gifts.

Litchfield County has Style and an abundance of locally owned shops, to gift and enjoy all year.

Click on links below for some shops chosen by William Raveis Lifestyles Realty

 

Kids

Silly Sprout - Litchfield

Nordica - New Milford

J Seitz - New Milford

Specialty Toys - New Milford

Plain Goods - New Preston
 

Women's Apparel 

Terston - Kent

Oliphant Design - Litchfield

R. Derwin - Litchfield

Workshop on the Green - Litchfield

Traveling Chic Boutique - New Milford

J Seitz - New Preston

Plain Goods - New Preston

J McLaughlin - Washington Depot

Shop Cathy B - Woodbury
 

Men's Apparel

Braeval - Litchfield

R. Derwin - Litchfield

J Seitz - New Preston

Plain Goods - New Preston

J McLaughlin - Washington

 

Interested in learning more about Litchfield County real estate? Contact William Raveis Lifestyles Realty to speak to a real estate expert today. 

While many realtors exit your life after you have finished buying or renting a home, we look forward to forging a lasting relationship and introducing you to the community in every way. Litchfield County is a special place with wonderful restaurants, galleries, land trusts, lakes, plenty of children's activities, and talented residents.

Check out one of our favorite local blogs that explores just how great the Litchfield County community is: Happening in the Hills. Happening in the Hills embraces all the great things Litchfield has to offer. From the variety of restaurants, to the various art galleries, museums, antique stores, high-end boutiques, tag sales, and more, Happening in the Hills keeps you up-to-date on all local events, gatherings, workshops, seminars, and outings throughout Litchfield County. 

A great aspect of the blog is the series of in-depth articles on our talented residents. Litchfield County is a unique community with an abundance of residents who want to share their talent with others. Happening in the Hills does a great job of highlighting their expertise and promoting their work for all of us to see.

A new addition to the blog is the local life coach expert Tal Fagin. In her "coaching corner" she answers reader's requests for advice.

Make sure to check out their blog for great recommendations if you need something to do, or if you want to give your friends a better idea of why Litchfield County is so great!

Don't forget to Subscribe! 

William Raveis Real Estate recently announced the launch of the William Raveis Sports and Entertainment Division. Headed by former Red Sox relief pitcher, Chris Resop, who became a real estate agent after his Major League Baseball career, this new division provides premier concierge relocation and lifestyle services for athletes and entertainers, worldwide. Wanting to further William Raveis' ongoing commitment to supporting communities through charitable giving, a donation will also be made to a charity of the athlete or entertainer's choice for every home purchased -- William Raveis calls it Make the Right Move.

Chris Resop is an accomplished Realtor with over a decade of experience selling luxury homes and securing rentals for former league teammates and other athletes. William Raveis also has a long history of working with top athletes, celebrities, statesmen, and most recently assisted Chris Sale with his move to the Boston area.

"Chris Resop and his agent network were absolute professionals and found my family exactly what we were looking for. His team was highly knowledgeable, professional, and easy to work with." -- Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox

Chris Resop, who worked alongside William Raveis Chairman and CEO Bill Raveis to create the new division: 

"During my 14 years as a professional ball player, I pitched for six major league teams and moved more than 30 times, so I know that while a team trade can be thrilling, the sudden-up-rooting that often accompanies it puts an athlete and his family under a tremendous strain. Finding a new home for elite professional players, entertainers and their families requires discretion and sensitivity, along with a keen and instantaneous knowledge of the luxury real estate market and local communities, which is what our William Raveis' Sports & Entertainment division is all about."

 

Handpicked by Resop, the real estate agents are certified, including the signing of a non-disclosure agreement to protect the privacy of their clientele. Because of the urgency associated with a sudden move, Resop is known for responding rapidly to his clients' calls. The Sports & Entertainment division will also leverage Raveis' well-established white glove relocation and home goods services which include carrier line selection, packing, and unpacking services, shipment, tracking, transporting of vehicles and other valuables.

This next step looks like a great addition to all the wonderful services William Raveis already has to offer!

If you have some free time this weekend and are looking for fun and educational events in Washington, check out these events open to the public!

Thanksgiving Floral Design Demonstration

On November 18th at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, Loretta Stagen, a professional floral designer for over twenty years, will be giving a free lecture and demonstration on designing Thanksgiving centerpieces.

During the event Loretta will demonstrate her designs by creating 5 different Thanksgiving centerpieces with flowers, foliage, and vegetables.

Loretta Stagen's floral designs are described as lush arrangements that are both stylish and timeless. Her designs will bring joy to your Thanksgiving meal!

Friday November 18th at 10:00am (Free)

                                     

Evening Owl Prowl with Steep Rock Association!

Join Fran Zygmont and Rory Larson in search of Saw-whet, Screech, Barred, and Great Horned owls.

The event will start at the Macricostas Preserve parking lot, off Christian Street. There will be a 15 minute informative talk about the different owl species, then the group will go and search for them in the preserve and around Lake Waramaug

.

Participants are required to bring a flashlight and wear quiet clothing.

Saturday November 19th  6:30pm - 9:00pm (ages 6 and above)

Check out their website to register and for more information on the event!

 

 

tech

Author Susanna Salk seen in the Mirror at Privet House

The details are not the details. They make the design.
Charles Eames

Susanna is all about the details, those small exquisite touches that transform rooms into chic interior spaces. She has staged many houses for us and her design sense is further enhanced by her ability to create powerful vignettes with decorative items. 'IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS: Creating Big Moments in Your Home Through The Stylish Small Stuff' is her latest book published by Rizzoli New York. The book highlights how top interior designers like India Hicks and Bunny Williams make powerful statements with beloved objects.

The Book Cover

Recently, Susanna held a town wide book event in every design lover's destination, New Preston, CT, where each shop featured tabletop vignettes created by the author. The day concluded with a book signing at J. Seitz Co, the first design emporium to open on East Shore Road in the town. Below are the images of the carefully curated displays, each of which were in effect a miniature essence of the store itself. 

With a stunning neutral palette and beautifully crafted antique furniture, Dawn Hill Antiques has fourished under founders John and Paulette Peden for over twenty years. According to a recent magazine article, “The store with its pale Swedish décor looks like a scene from an Ingemar Bergman movie with exquisite furniture and clocks in cool Gustavian shades of white and grey. “

The selection of utensils, ovenware and cooking accoutrements at New Preston Kitchen Goods would delight any budding or experienced chef. Owner, Marty Rook, is a food aficionado trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Marty furthered his experience at Picholine and La Grenouille in New York City. Marty's first-hand, real-world knowledge of what it takes to prepare, cook, and present the perfect meal for any season sets the standard for the store.

D.K. Schulman Design was opened in 2004 by Dana Schulman a well known model and fashion journalist in New York. The shop is a confectionary of sophisticated papers, cards, gifts and stationary collections. They offer everything for your social and special occasions.

Set atop the New Preston Falls, Pergola seamlessly blends natural living plant materials with weathered antiques, prints, books and containers to help you create the perfect indoor/outdoor designed environment. Both owners David Whitman and Peter Stiglin have a masterful eye for finding unusual items on their travels to Japan that cannoit be found in any other garden or design emporium.

Interior Designer Michael DePerno and Andrew Fry's Plain Goods Shop has a common thread throughout of simplicity, craftmanship and luxe materials. The store has a casual vibe and offers a curated collection of antiques, vintage finds, furnishings, textiles and clothing.

Susanna Salk at J. Seitz taken by Stacey Bewkes of Quintessence

J. Seitz & Company was founded by former magazine editor Joanna Seitz who was later joined by her husband Bill Seitz, a renowned interior design photographer at that time. This distinctive bastion of furniture, antiques, home decor, apparel, accessories, and jewelry has been housed in the same vintage building for over twenty-five years. Perched above a magical waterfall, it has long been a favorite destination for decorators, collectors, celebrities, world travelers and those who crave an uncommon shopping experience.

Privet House, featured in the opening image, is the fortuitous melding of the design sensibliities and style of Richard Lambertson (co-founder of Lambertson-Truex) and Suzanne Cassano (former product and concept guru at Calvin Klein). Unearthed French portraits from a barn in Provence find their place amond Morrocan linens, French Bergeres, Italian luxurious skincare and vintage fashion books. A must stop for any trip to New Preston!

Please click on the store links for addresses, phone contact information and store hours.

Susanna Salk's new book, 'IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS: Creating Big Moments in Your Home Through The Stylish Small Stuff' is a available at Hickory Stick BookStop, click here for their location.

 

 

 

 

 

South Farms in Morris, CT

South Farms offers an authentic country experience set in the most beautiful farm landscape. In addition to being an historic working farm, there is now an interior space that is rustic but with a modern, industrial vibe that is perfect for special events. Sarah Worden, who used to work at The Matthews Group, has teamed up with Ben Paletsky, the farm's owner and manager, to create an amazing setting for weddings, photo shoots, on-site film locations and other significant occasions. Sarah is the most exceptional events planner as well as being a sought after floral designer.

South Farms is redefining traditional New England agriculture by creating a venue that offers a wide range of agricultural products, services, and attractions. Ben Paletsky believes that farmland preservation is best accomplished by creating and nurturing sustainable farmland businesses that excel within a blended, value-added agricultural and agri-tourism environment. An entrepreneurial spirit is a common theme as exemplified in the relationship between the farm and Pioneer Hops who grows and processes hops for Connecticut craft beer brewers. .

We were able to spend some time with both Ben and Sarah and ask them what they love about South Farms.

Ben, you came back to run the business and revitalize this iconic farm. What is your mission?

"Farming is a lifestyle.  This lifestyle is a dream for many, contrasting the fast constant pace of city living.  The credibility of modern farmer extends beyond their ability to produce sustenance from the land, it includes their social impact.   South Farms is a living model of the reinvented farm.  We're focused on highlighting the uniqueness on New England agriculture, through an experiential blend of what's produced in the fields, in-house programs and events, and an awarding historic farm venue. The architectural essence of The White Barn at South Farms overlooking pastures extending to the horizon instantly reconnects our guests to generations of hard-working tradition, while inspiring them to the future."

 

A Vintage Vehicle with Farm Hay

Ben, what makes South Farms unique and how does it benefit the County?
 

"It puts the area on the map showcasing the uniquesness of New England agriculture. We offer Galloway grass fed beef which is a top Scottish breed and we use rotational grazing as well as feeding only hay cultivated on the farm. We also have Heritage Breed Pork, a three century old breed discovered in Berkshire County UK, which is known for its juiciness, flavor and tenderness. We have a seasonal Farmer's Market every Sunday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm starting June 12th where our beef and pork are available for sale and we also have several other farms offering their farm fresh goods, live music, activities for children, The Winivan Farm Food truck and donuts along with other baked goods sold out of the AmandaBakes Airstream trailer."

 

Sarah, why is the space so special for events?

"The White Barn at South Farms stands out as an event venue in Connecticut and beyond because it combines qualities that are hard to find in one place: authentic charm through its agricultural history, and practical amenities like restrooms, heat/air conditioning, lighting and parking. Most clients looking for a rustic farm setting will find that as much as they want the authentic feel of a real farm or barn, they don't want to compromise on comfort and style. With South Farms, you don't have to. It's also flexible enough to host a range of varied types and sizes of events from intimate farm dinners to large weddings, fundraisers and festivals."

An Outdoor Ceremony at South Farms

A Charming Arrangement of Flowers and Plants

A Quiet Moment for the Bride and Groom at South Farms

Sarah Worden and Ben Paletsky

 

To learn more about South Farms, please click here.

To book an event or for more information about the farm, click here.

PLEASE NOTE: The White Barn is a year round venue with a heated barn with 5,000 sg ft renovated space within a 20,000 sq ft structure. 

 

BOOK NOW FOR YOUR NEXT SPECIAL EVENT AND DON'T MISS THE FARMER'S MARKET ON SUNDAYS!

Recent Tabletop Styling by Stacey Matthews

We had two recent articles that appeared in Rural Intellegence and Happening in the Hills. One featured indoor plant design and the creative vision of Stacey as well as terrarium creator, Audra M. Viehland. Please find below an excerpt from the story:

"Gardeners might think that they are the caretakers of their plants, but there's another way to look at it. In some native languages, writes author Robin Wall Kimmerer, the term for plants translates to "those who take care of us." Two women in the Rural Intelligence region, Stacey Matthews and Audra M. Viehland, combine their green thumbs with an artistic aesthetic that incorporates nature into interior design. These plants, now works of art, become caretakers of sorts. Who's not happier surrounded by objects of beauty?"

Photo courtesy of Audra M. Viehland

A lovely Window Ledge in the Matthews Home.

To read the entire article in Rural Intelligence, please click here.

Edward Larrabee Platform House in Litchfield, CT

Happening in the Hills featured the significant Marsters home, an architectural gem and a perfect example of a platform house design originally conceived by Edward Larrabee Barnes. The design of the house and its provenance were the focus of this article. Below is the introduction to the story:

"The Marsters House, originally built in 1953, is a significant example of the 'platform house', a design conceived by renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes. Every detail stays true to early modernism with clean lines and an elegant grid of rectangular indoor and outdoor rooms. The provenance of the house adds to its interest as the home was designed for Ted Marsters, a classmate of Barnes at Harvard, and his wife Kathy who is the sister of Rufus Stillman, a patron and supporter of Marcel Breuer and modernist architecture in Litchfield at that time."

The Family Room of the Marsters House

Another View of the Exquisite Exterior

To read the entire article in Happening in the Hills, please click here.

 

Succulent Air Plant with Sea Glass

The Copper Fern offers the most exquisite terrariums created by Audra M. Viehland. She makes each one unique by sourcing vintage and antique pieces as well as distinctive objects picked up during her travels. As featured in the photo above, Audra sometimes uses sea glass that she has collected over the years from the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana.

Globe with Succulents, Air Plant and Turquoise

All my friends know my passion for indoor plants and incorporating them into interior decoration. Each terrarium created by Audra is a stunning blend of nature and artistic design, perfect to brighten the home during the winter months.

Arrowhead Plant with Shell

Above is a closed terrarium, the first of which was developed by botanist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1842. While studying insects, he left a jar with plants overnight and the fern inside grew to be a beautiful plant. These plant decorations became popular in the Victorian Era and were called Wardian Cases at that time.

Succulents with Toy Car and Fool's Gold

Open terrariums are best suited to dry plants such as succulents as they keep the air free from excess moisture. These also work work well for plants that need direct sunlight.

Chinese Evergreen with Brass Buttons and Red Air Plant

Audra has wonderful insight into the appeal of keeping a terrarium in the home, " It brings a bit of nature indoors year-round. And similar to keeping a garden, house plants, or flower arranging, caring for a terrarium can be a simple way to de-stress."

Rosemary and Lavender Blooming Air Plant

Audra in Bologna

Audra takes custom orders and uses a variety of plants from succulents to ferns. She uses closed or open containers and has even incorporated a vessel provided by a customer. She brings her artistry and unique style to each and every terrarium.

For orders and inquiries about Copper Fern Terrariums, please email copperfernterrariums@gmail.com

Please note: All terrarium images are the work of Audra M. Viehland