New Canaan CARES Kitchen and Home Tour ‘15
23rd Tour Features dramatic spaces and unique styles
by Stacy Murphy, Kristin Selvala, Jamie Beck; Photos by Jane Beiles

On Thursday, May 14, seven generous New Canaan homeowners will celebrate the 23rd New Canaan CARES Kitchen and Home Tour by showcasing their extensively remodeled and newly constructed homes. The homes vary in style and setting, but all feature distinctive trends in upscale kitchen and home design. Ticket guidebooks ($70 for general and $100+ for patron level) may be purchased online at www.newcanaancares.org or from local outlets including Exclusive Real Estate Sponsor, William Raveis Real Estate. The guidebook includes a tour map and detailed overview of each home. A limited quantity of gourmet boxed lunches may be reserved online for $15 before May 9 and may be picked up on Tour day. All proceeds support CARES’ youth and family leadership initiatives.

Historic Jelliff Mill Falls
Gardiner & Larson Homes debuts an exquisite collection of homes at historic Jelliff Mill Falls. The original grist and saw mill there had been in continuous operation until 1949, when it was destroyed by fire. Using the original mill for design inspiration, Gardiner & Larson creatively and faithfully kept the integrity of the site’s history while constructing homes designed for modern 21st century living; including a replica of the wooden waterwheel like the one that powered the original mill, fabricated in Georgia. The remaining seven Nantucket-like houses are each uniquely designed in differing yet harmonious, early 18th century style, creating a village environment. All ten “Mill Houses” are named after the former mill-owners with such familiar names as Weed, Talmadge, Davenport, Aaron, George and Charles Jelliff.

Craftsman Style Home on the Hill
A wooded hillside perch provides the idyllic setting for this renovated Craftsman style home, featuring a harmonious blend of aged materials and contemporary lines. Mantz Construction devised a renovation plan integrating earlier additions and modestly expanding the home to create open spaces and enhanced flow, while DEANE, Inc. designed the modern, functional kitchen with natural elements evoking a sense of serenity and calm while providing a welcoming retreat for this busy family.

California Dreaming
Designer Serena Crowley brings California chic to New Canaan. The renovation of this 1930s-era home embodies her passion for juxtaposing old and new and creating unique living spaces. The sunroom is an oasis, boasting a living wall that fills the room with the scent of jasmine, while the sun-drenched potting room, replete with antique trough sink, brings the outdoors inside. The kitchen opens onto an outdoor terrace with a fireplace for easy entertaining, while the floating staircase allows visitors to partake of the panoramic view.

Nautical Inspiration
Country Club Homes and Sheridan Interiors captured the passions of the homeowners with talented artistry and superb craftsmanship. Elegant finishes and navy blue trim elevate the classic white kitchen cabinetry, reminding visitors of a luxury yacht, while woven metal cabinet door panels and bead board ceiling provide abundant texture. Beyond the dining area is the inviting, light-filled family room, centered around a stone fireplace whose over-mantel is constructed of barn boards from the original stables. Bold colors, clean lines and open flow combine to inspire and welcome friends and family.

European Country Estate
Connecticut Home took into consideration the homeowners’ years of living abroad when designing and building this palatial estate. The interior, bathed in sunlight, is replete with artwork from Sorelle Gallery and custom millwork by Millpond Kitchens and Cabinetry. The country kitchen has a mix of marble and butcher block counters, white and black cabinetry. The stunning 1,000 bottle wine cellar that seats up to ten guests, provides another venue for entertaining, while friends and family enjoy the game room, theater, exercise room, and sun porch.

Sophisticated and Contemporary Farmhouse
This sophisticated, contemporary farmhouse expertly built by Coastal Construction is a beautiful reflection of the modern sensibilities of its owners. The ‘outdoors-in’ feel runs throughout, with rough-hewn ceiling beams, open flow, minimally paneled doors and windows that bathe the walls in light. Beach-themed art, bright accessories and organic details are a nod to informality and complement the architectural simplicity of this home with unobstructed views stretching to Irwin Park.

Stone and Stucco European Farmhouse

With its mixed-materials exterior inspired by European farmhouses and interiors evoking Napa Valley, this newly constructed home was inventively designed by Brooks & Falotico and built by Hobbs Incorporated. The home is clad in fieldstone and stucco with dramatic sweeping roof pitches. Inside, the open stair tower connects the first floor with the lower level below and the bedrooms above. On the main level, the great room is flanked by two limestone fireplaces, and combines both living and dining spaces, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for architecture and design enthusiasts alike.