On a sunny day in late November, the Stamford Waterside Design District’s Annual Home & Design Stroll saw design enthusiasts and industry insiders come together for a unique day. The event kicked off with a breakfast and discussion at Schwartz Design Showroom, with a panel that included Douglas Graneto of Douglas Graneto Design, Samantha Knapp of Tiger Lily’s and Helene Barre of Sotheby’s International Realty. Serendipity home editor Stephanie Horton moderated an entertaining and insightful dialogue on The Value of Design. “I was surprised on how much our views varied, yet on a few key questions we all agreed,” says Graneto. Knapp added: “There is a business side to design that we tend to pretend doesn’t exist because it is not as pretty to look at, but when we can open up and begin to talk about the needs of a client and the value of a professional, the conversation escalates to a discussion of what lifestyle means.”
Guests enjoyed the conversation and Q&A, as well as beautifully presented breakfast foods (including mini French toasts and egg nog smoothies) catered by Simply Hailee. Afterwards, they moved on from Schwartz Design to explore other destinations within the district, including Stark Carpet, Dedar, Duralee, Kravet Inc., Fordham Marble, AWK Design Antiques, SWC Office Furniture, J.D. Staron, Holly Hunt and The Seward Group. At J.D. Staron, Cindy Rinfret signed copies of her book, Greenwich Style. Lunch was served by The Big Green Pizza Truck, while Fordham Marble hosted desserts and champagne towards the end of the day. Throughout the event, guests had “passports” stamped at each showroom, and once completed, were entered to win prizes from the Stamford Waterside Design District. “I really enjoyed the people I met. From the staff to the designers to the coordinators, they all were so welcoming and so enthusiastic. I must also mention ambiance in the Schwartz Showroom….so chic and yet so warm and inviting,” says Barre.
Photographs by Cheryl Moss
