Three design honorees and special guest Meg Braff were recognized at the Fifth Annual
Design Market Digest party.
On May 11, leaders in the interior design, architecture and contracting industries joined Serendipity to celebrate this year’s Design Market Digest with a festive cocktail party at Lillian August in Greenwich, CT. Three top home experts were honored for their outstanding work and dedication to the community: Chuck Hilton of Charles Hilton Architects, Jody Myers-Fierz of design firm Color Concept Theory and George Pusser of Cornerstone Contracting. Design guru Meg Braff signed copes of her first book, The Decorated Home: Living with Style and Joy (Rizzoli). Design enthuasisasts mingled with the honoree, Braff, and Lillian August herself, while enjoying Marcia Selden Catering & Event Planning’s signature sliders, truffled fries and lamb lollipops.
Summer Loving
We talk about the best parts of the season with this year’s DMD honorees.
What are your summer plans?
Charles Hilton: I look forward to some down time at our family’s lake cabin in Maine, which always includes fishing, boating, hiking and nights by the fire.
Jody Myers-Fierz: I’m heading to my favorite place with the family: Cape Cod. I’m originally from Massachusetts and this trend hasn’t been broken since I was a little girl.
George Pusser: My 16-year-old son plays travel lacrosse and our family will spend a couple of weeks in D.C. and Pennsylvania for summer tournaments. After that, we’ll go to our summer home in Maine on Squirrel Island.
What is your best tip for summer entertaining?
CH: First, choose a setting outdoors. Places on the water are always special. Second, relax. Guests can always sense when the host is stressed. Plan ahead, then enjoy the time with your guests. Summer is all about kicking back.
JMF: Surround yourself with good friends…it’s the only way I can completely relax and be me.
GP: Take everything outside…the season comes and goes too quickly, so take advantage of spending time outdoors.
What’s your favorite seasonal dish and cocktail?
CH: My wife makes a spectacular cold lobster salad. And Grey Goose and soda, Dark and Stormy, a good bottle of chilled rosé or a margarita by the pool, depending on the occasion.
JMF: Stuffed lobster and a gin and tonic!
GP: Lobster, lobster and more lobster…and margaritas!
How do you live differently this time of year?
CH: We spend most evenings at the terrace and pool right outside our back door, unless escaping to the beach for pizza or sushi at sunset.
JMF: Mother Nature and I click in the summer. I start and end my days on our back porch while observing the sights and sounds of the lawn and enjoying the summer breeze.
GP: We’re outdoors and more active playing tennis, golf and fishing. We have a large timber framed porch that is surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods and forest.
What changes can you make to your home this season to accommodate a more relaxed lifestyle?
CH: Adding or enhancing porches, terraces, awnings, outdoor grilling areas or kitchens, pool or water features, gardens, gazebos and fireplaces are features our clients often request.
JMF: Adding more to exterior landscaping
and outside seating areas, which ideally include a fireplace.
GP: We love our bocce ball court for casual summer fun!
PAST HONOREES
2015
Rich Granoff
Dinyar Wadia
2016
Amy Aidinis Hirsch
Douglas VanderHorn
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Photographs by Cheryl Moss
