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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!

Stacey and Pels Matthews winning the Award for Number One Rental team Companywide at William Raveis Real Estate

Why not find your ideal summer rental from the team that has the top accolades for rentals in Litchfield County. The Matthews Group, known for their sales of  exceptional luxury homes in this area, are also known for the spectacular properties they list for rent. They offer summer retreats with many amenities that are the pefect country life paradise.

Here are a selection of wonderful summer rentals that are still available for the season.

James Taylor built It! This lovely five bedroom home in Washington has both provenance and unique country charm. There is a light-filled gourmet kitchen with cathedral ceilings that is perfect for summer entertaining.. A heated gunite pool featured below is in a beautiful buccolic setting. The property abuts the Steep Rock Land Trust.

Below is a Washington shingle-style home, a stunning country retreat on 10+/- private acres. A vaulted great room and chef's kitchen make this a wonderful interior space for entertaining. Some of the wonderful amenities include an exercise room, sauna, Har -Tru lighted tennis court and a heated pool/spa. The home is located in prestigious area near to Steep Rock hiking and close to the town center.

Historic Rock Gate Estate is the perfect property for a relaxing summer in the countryside. The carriage house is on the Washington Green, built in 1885 and designed by Ehrick Rossiter! There are 3/4 Bedrooms with 5 full baths. There is fabulous stone terrace off the back as well as a pool, barn and a private yard.

This West Morris home has a unique rustic elegance with spacious, well-lit rooms. The interior is newly finished in a modern eclectic barn style with 5+ bedrooms, gourmet kitchen and light filled open floor plan. The house comfortably sleeps 14. The outdoors boasts a Gunite heated pool with cabana, a fire pit, stone terrace and access to the Bantam River.

Summer Camp for kids and adults! Below is a 5 bedroom main house plus a 2 bedroom guest house in A++ Washington location. There is a Gunite heated pool, a pond with boats/fishing, a media room with foos ball, In the barn, there is a climbing wall, basketball and ping pong and an extensive gym. Outdoors is a paddle ball court, play house, golf cart and an in ground trampoline. An expansive high end kitchen opens to a stone terrace with a BBQ.

This Cozy rental is in the Warren estate area and near Lake Waramaug and the Hopkins Inn. There is a 3 bedroom main house and 3 bedroom guest house. The home is beautifully firnished and has an open kitchen layout, large foyer and a huge stone fireplace. Outdoors, there is a stone terrace with views, a large lawn, stone walls and a heated gunite pool.

This modern barn style house on Nettleton Hollow has privacy with long views. The home has an open floor plan with 3 bedrooms including a 4 bed bunk room. A luxurious master suite is at opposite end of the house. A retractable glass walled dinning room for indoor/outdoor entertaining in any weather is a superb feature. There are xpansive views, lawn and open areas. What a superb country getaway!

Uber Charm exudes from this sophisticated Bridgewater antique. The home is completely renovated with a 5 bedroom main house and a 2 bedroom guest house. Outdoors there is a heated gunite pool surrounded by all flat land abd impeccable gardens. The property is featured below.

There are breathtaking distant views from the Washington retreat seen below. The home has 5 Bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a large country kitchen and open living space. Outdoors, there is a large deck. a 60 ft. pool, a barn with indoor basketball court and  a 2 car garage. A long private drive offers complete privacy in a top location. You can hike to Steep Rock Land Trust from the property.

The all newly renovated house below has 5/6 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and a gourmet kitchen and is in an excellent location. There is an open floor plan, a dining room that seats 25 and a lovely screened porch. The property is minutes to the Mayflower Inn and Spa and all town amenities. The heated pool has a Jacuzzi. For family fun there is a game room with apool table, foos ball, xbox, tread mill and a rowing machine. All utilities are included in the rental price.

We were very honored to win the number one rental team award and we look forward to helping you find the perfect rental this summer!

If you wish to look at all our rentals, please click here.

 

ENJOY!

A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.

Pam Brown

Fox Chase Farm is an elegant estate with a four bedroom main house and a four stall horse barn with a finished play room above. There is plenty of grassland for riding and there are numerous equestrian facilities for clinics, events and competitiions in the area. The one bedroom guest apartment has a separate entrance and a large private deck. This is a wonderful space that could easily be used for in-laws or a caretaker.

The Red Barn is in a Lovely Setting

A gorgeous stone terrace leads to a water garden with 5 waterfalls, an organic vegetable garden, expansive lawns, antique trees and spectacular perennial gardens. This is truly country life at its best. Every corner of this property has lush vignettes of natural beauty.

The Gardens and Waterfalls

Another View of this Exquisite Garden

The main floor master suite is truly glamorous with his and hers baths, walk in closets, and a large adjoining sunroom with lots of natural light.

 

The Master Bedroom

A Magnificent Sunroom

There is a cherry paneled library and a high end kitchen which is perfect for entertaining. Additionally, there is a full house generator and a heated three car garage to enjoy the winter weekends. The house was renovated eleven years  ago with many other improvements in the last three years.

The Den with Fireplace and Cherry Paneled Bookshelves

The Kitchen is Spacious with Lovely Views of the Property

This country estate is just a short drive to Litchfield town or Bantam where you can visit the renowned Arethusa Dairy Farm shop for ice cream or take in a movie at the historic Bantam Cinema. The shops in Litchfield offer a variety of country chic clothing or unique home design items, try R. Derwin Clothiers and Oliphant Design on Main Street.

All this in just two hours from New York City!

For more images and information about this property, please click here.

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.

 

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn'thurt.
Charles M. Schulz

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways….. in chocolate! The gift of flowers, wine and chocolate are romantic gestures, much appreciated by the beloved on Valentine’s Day. Of all of these, the sweetest and most luscious is chocolate. We are so lucky to have three wonderful chocolatiers who create the most sumptuous treats including the decadent cabernet sauvignon dark chocolate truffles from Thorncrest Farm.

Valentine's Day Pink Heart Box filled with Cabernet Sauvignon Chocolate Truffles

Throncrest Farm is known as the home of the 'single cow origin chocolates' and credit their success (they were voted best chocolate by Connecticut Magazine in 2015) to the 'magic in their milk'. You may imagine a bunch of generic Bessies in the field but it is Karissma, the big black sleek matriach of the farm, who makes the ultra rich smooth cream used in these truffles.

Signature Chocolate Crumb Chocolates from Thorncrest Farm

While you are picking out these delicious chocolates, why not sign up your Valentine for one of their farm classes? There is a one and a half hour class in making Butter, Yogurt and Creme Fraiche that takes place on April 9th, 2016 at 2:30. For more information, click here.

Pretty Pink Box from Bridgewater Chocolates

Bridgewater Choclates offers a variety of chocolates including turtles, toffees, caramels, truffles, peanut butter patties, hazelnut pralines, and more... All of the selections are handmade from the finest ingredients. This renowned chocolatier in Bridgewater,CT was originalled established by Erik Landefren who came from Stockholm, Sweden to open the highly acclaimed restaurant, Aquivit in NYC. The quality of the chocolates has been recognized by restaurants, retail stores and gourmet shops and their products are sold in many locations.

Hearts with Flowers from Bridgewater Chocolates

Kent Coffee & Chocolate has been a go to stop on Kent’s Main Street for over twenty five years. The store's patrons fill up the store for rich cups of joe while the chocolatiers in the back are busily making truffles and hand-dipped choclates. This is the spot to pick up a sweet selection of lovingly made confections for your favorite Valentine!

 

They also offer Valentine chocolate roses or the man in your life ..... how about whimsical choices like chocolate alligators, funky jelly bean monkeys or chocolate peanut butter 'bugs'? Have a little fun on Valentine's Day, the most romantic day of the year!

 

Shop Locations:

Kent Coffee & Chocolate Company

Address: 8 N Main St, Kent, CT 06757

Phone:(860) 927-1445

 

Thorncrest Farm and Creamery

Address: 280 Town Hill Road, Goshen 06756

Phone: 860-309-2545

 

Bridgewater Chocolate Factory and Factory Store

Address: 559 Federal Road, Brookfield, CT 06804

Phone: (203) 775-2286
 

Other locations include:

Bridgewater Village Store, Bridgewater CT

Good News Cafe, Woodbury, CT

Villarina's Pasta & More, Southbury CT

 

ENJOY!

 

The After School Arts Program (ASAP) will offer an engaging series of performances, projects and classes throughout the month of February. Their vision and mission is inspiring: "to honor children's imagination, invite them to create, encourage them to take risks, and trust their resourcefulness, they will become the empowered and resilient adults the world really needs." 

There will be a 'Music in the Schools, In School Performance' at Shepaug High School this Tuesday, February 9th, 2016. There are two snow dates; Wednesday, February 10th and Thursday, February 11th.

Who doesn't want to be a rock star? Playing in the Band for Grades 6-12 will take place on Tuesday, February 23 from 2:30pm – 4:15pm. It will be taught by Joe Bouchard in the Shepaug School Band Room.

ASAP will Present Pilobolus on Friday, February 19th and Saturday, February 20th at 7 pm. The performances with the Inter-District Project and Communith Dance Project will take place at Pomperaug Regional High School, 234 Judd Road, Southbury, CT 06488. The snow date is Sunday, February 21st at 2 pm. Tickets are selling fast so make sure to register for this spectacular event!

Calling all child chefs! Anne Gallagher will teach a Pre-K cooking class on Wednesdays, February 17th through March 2nd from 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm. The class will take place in Wersebe Hall.
 

About The After School Arts Program:
ASAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing?young people with opportunities to create beautiful and meaningful works of art in a creative?and collaborative environment. By inspiring the next generation to discover and embrace?their own creativity.ASAP hopes to not only enrich lives, but to change them forever.

For more information about these programs and about ASAP, 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