Etoile is a new, French-inspired home shop in Bronxville, offering locals a taste of the elegant city right here in Westchester.
A new home store has hit the scene in Bronxville. Named Etoile, it is the realization of a longtime aspiration for owner and interior designer Patricia Knox.
Photo by Emily Tull Pollakowski
“It was always a dream of mine to open a retail concept that included beautifully curated items for the home,” says Knox, who previously worked at Ralph Lauren. “We offer a low-key environment where a customer can pick up a beautiful accessory for their home, a wedding gift, inquire about design services, or just stop in to sit down and chat.”
Kitchen designed by Patricia Knox. Courtesy Etoile.
Knox, who attends both Deco Off and Maison et Object in Paris annually, gets a serious dose of inspiration and ideas from the fashionable city. “There is a story that Christian Dior found a shiny, metal star on the way to his first meeting as a courtier, and he kept it with him as his lucky charm,” says Knox. “Fashion and couture have always influenced home design, and who better to be inspired by than Christian Dior.”
Etoile, which means “star” in French, is inspired by Dior’s story. The vibe upon entering is welcoming and luxurious yet approachable. “We encourage customers to walk around, look at everything, ask questions, grab a water from the bar, and make themselves at home,” says Knox. “Anything in the shop can go home that day, so we like to think of it as our dream home.”
Some of her favorite items include the custom pillows that were designed for the shop and the custom furniture pieces.
Courtesy Etoile
This summer you can expect to find colorful, silk Ikat pillows, dinnerware, and small clutch bags in silk Ikat prints, all from Italy. For those who like to entertain, Etoile also carries colorful cordless lamps and handblown glassware – perfect for summer dinner parties.
Etoile is also an excellent place to visit if you’re looking for something unique for your home or as a gift. “Generally speaking, when we sell out of special items, we won’t replace them with the same items,” says Knox. “We want our customers to have exclusivity to the items that they purchase and to know they won’t see it everywhere.” J’adore!
Beach accessories to refresh your Westchester home. Photos courtesy of respective companies. Featured Adobe Stock | siraphol.
Can’t make it to the beach? These blue and breezy accessories and furnishings will get you in the mood for summer.
By Jenn Andrlik and Sabrina Sucato
With summer right around the corner in Westchester, there’s no time like the present to add a few beach accessories to your home. Whether you’re decorating for outdoors, indoors, or both, these blue and breezy finds will make it feel like you’re on vacation (well, almost) right in your abode.
Love the idea of chilling in a hammock by the beach? This chic hanging chair from Anthropologie is ideal for indoor or outdoor use and comes in a soothing shade of indigo.
Wild Strelitzia Deep Blue Serving Tray, $85; Sarza, Rye; sarzastore.com
For all your summer dinner parties, this deep blue serving tray is the perfect beach-inspired accessory. Use it for appetizers or bite-sized desserts so that the pop of color can shine through.
If you already have outdoor furniture but want to give it a summer refresh, consider these elegant outdoor pillows. The versatile accessories are an easy way to bring the beach vibes home.
French Blue with Contrast White Embroidered Piping in Wipeable Linen, $27 each; Etoile, Bronxville; etoilehome.com
How lovely is this linen placement? Get it in an elegant shade of French blue, then breathe a sigh of relief as you effortlessly wipe away any crumbs or spills once dinner concludes.
Tina Frey Fleur Bowl Medium, White, $175; Current Home, Scarsdale; currenthomeny.com
With curves reminiscent of those of a seashell, this lovely bowl from Tina Frey is a perfect option for a centerpiece. Fill it with fresh citrus or potpourri for a chic anchor on your table.
Roos Outdoor Chaise, $3,299; Arhaus, The Westchester, White Plains; arhaus.com
Bring the beach to you with this elegant outdoor chaise. While it’s made for outdoor use, it’s pretty enough that it could easily work inside your home as well.
Add a splash to your bathroom or mudroom with this fun wallpaper from Ethan Allen. While the pattern is eye-catching, the hues are soft enough to add a beachy aesthetic without feeling overwhelming.
When it’s time for a round of summer drinks and appetizers, look no further than these nautical cocktail picks. With fun shapes and a variety of designs, these will add an unexpected pop to cocktails and small bites.
How do you score on the best holes in Westchester County? We asked the experts who know just how to approach them.
Golf requires multiple skills, both mental and physical. The wonderful courses in Westchester call for them all, so we chose 18 holes to make up a Skills Tester Course that demonstrates the full gamut of techniques you’d need, then asked the PGA pros who play those holes for a living how to put a par or better on your scorecard.
HOLE 1
Fenway GC #18 Scarsdale 512 yards // Par 5
Our round starts with making choices — hopefully smart ones. The uphill finishing hole at Fenway brings water, sand, and out-of-bounds into play, so the first step to scoring par is to engage your brain. “If you hit a good tee shot, you can go for the green in two,” says head pro Tyler Jaramillo, “but it’s a hard ‘go-for-it’ because the green has out-of-bounds all around, and you’re probably not hitting off a level lie. The tee shot doesn’t need to be long, but it must be straight, because there are deep bunkers on the left and the creek on the right. If you lay up off the tee to the bottom of the road, though, and then lay up short of the road at the top of the hill, you’ve got an easy 120-yard shot to the green.”
HOLE 2
GlenArbor GC #4 Bedford Hills 415 yards // Par 4
The drive determines your likely success on the #1 handicap hole at GlenArbor. Long matters a lot, but straight may matter more, since there’s trouble both left and right. Head pro David Gagnon says the most important step is the first one you take, walking up to the tee box. That’s when you should mentally visualize a positive picture of a long, straight drive. “Then just let go,” he says. “Forget all those technical swing thoughts and swing free.”
Pound Ridge GC, Hole 2
HOLE 3
Bonnie Briar CC #11 Larchmont 453 yards // Par 4
This dogleg right may play downhill, but it’s still a long, long journey from tee to green. The best line to the green is from the right side of the fairway, but beware the bunker just off the short grass that’s within reach of a solid drive. The second shot is long, too (and blind, to boot), but at least the green isn’t surrounded by sand. Check your approach line before you swing and aim for the left side of the green, which tilts right.
HOLE 4
Century CC #13 Purchase 140 yards // Par 3
“Just don’t think about the water,” says head pro Nelson Long, who retired from Century last year after nearly five decades at the club. “It’s a short hole without a lot of depth to the green, so pick the right club for the distance, relax your grip, and take a couple of practice swings to build a smooth tempo.” Long’s buttery-smooth swing is a great one to emulate — it qualified him to play in two USGA championships, 45 years apart: the U.S. Junior in 1968 and the U.S. Senior Open in 2013.
GlenArbor GC Hole 4
HOLE 5
Anglebrook GC #13 Lincolndale 582 yards // Par 5
It may be one of the most intimidating par fives in the county, but head pro AJ Berglund says par is very, very possible. “It’s all about giving yourself the best third shot,” he says. “Off the tee, you have more room to the right than you think, and your ball will funnel left to the center of the fairway on both your tee shot and second shot. The second shot is really the key. With a good one down to the flat before the water, you’ve got a much better chance at putting the ball on the proper tier on the huge green. People get scared by the length of the hole, but it’s not a hard par if you play it smart.”
HOLE 6
Wykagyl CC #15 New Rochelle 341 yards // Par 4
“The 15th hole at Wykagyl may be short, but it is no walk in the park,” says director of instruction Anna Ausanio. “When I step onto the tee, I play a conservative shot, using either a hybrid or fairway wood to give me comfortable yardage to the green. My most crucial move while making that swing is to allow my arms to start first from the top of the backswing back down to the ball. This produces a nice, high, baby draw. My worst mistake is trying to overpower my shot and not being patient, causing me to come over the top.” She points out that the hole’s green is very tricky, too, with multiple tiers and a false front, so choose a layup distance where you can hit a wedge you believe in.
HOLE 7
Pelham CC #2 Pelham 210 yards // Par 3
One of the finest par 3s in Westchester, Pelham’s second hole gives you a lot to think about on the tee box, but proper club selection is absolutely paramount. The hole is long but plays downhill. The green is large, but so is the bunker guarding it on the left. Long and right may be safe, but you’ll be left with a dangerous flop shot from a downhill lie in long rough to a green that’s sloping away from you. Short is safe only if your ball lands in a narrow flat on the right front of the green, otherwise it may well slide down to the bunker. So pick the right club and aim for the center of the green.
HOLE 8
Knollwood CC #6 Elmsford 432 yards // Par 4
The #1 handicap hole at Knollwood is named Tribulation for more than one reason. The tee shot needs to land in the left half of the fairway to avoid being blocked by trees on the right. Your second must carry two intimidating high-lipped cross bunkers 60 yards from the green. Just to top it off, the green has three convoluted tiers and more than one edge where a poorly judged putt can run off into more trouble.
HOLE 9
Leewood CC #15 Eastchester 464 yards // Par 4
You’ll need a good drive and an even better second shot to reach the green on this par 4, which played as a par 5 until the course was renovated a few years ago. Many mere mortals will hit a fairway wood into the green, and head pro Dean Johnson says setting up for one makes a big difference. “The ball should be just inside your front heel,” Johnson says. “The only time you play it further back in your stance is if you want a lower ball flight.” For solid contact, Johnson adds, “The swing should have a sweeping motion, not a downward strike like with an iron.”
HOLE 10
Pound Ridge GC #2 Pound Ridge 451 yards // Par 4
A pond protects the green on the excruciatingly hard 2nd hole at Pound Ridge, so second-shot layups are the norm rather than the exception. You can still get your par, though, if you chip or pitch your approach shot with finesse. Head pro Brad Worthington says preparation for the shot is essential. He asks himself: Is the ball sitting up or down in the grass? “If it’s sitting down, I’ll play the ball back in my stance and account for more run.” Also, where do I want the ball to land, on an upslope or a downslope? When it comes to technique, he says, “I set up with 80 percent of my weight on my lead leg. For the backswing, I simply lift the club with my trail elbow, and for the downswing, I pivot toward the target and extend my arms. Since my arms are not over-accelerating relative to my body, each pitch comes out high and lands softly. A successful shot rolls slowly and finishes close to the pin.”
HOLE 11
Golf Club of Purchase #16 Purchase 435 yards // Par 4
Jack Nicklaus says he was inspired by the 11th hole at Augusta when he designed this hole. A lake protects the left side of the green, and, depending on your tee shot, you’re challenging it with an approach shot that may need to fly 200 yards. There is a bailout on the right side of the green, but it will leave you with a pitch back toward the lake. Director of golf Carl Alexander says, “The key to playing this hole is to keep your ball out of the penalty areas, right off the tee and left by the green. If you’re out of position on the tee ball, playing short of the green is always an excellent choice to save par and avoid making more than bogey. Par is well earned and often appreciated.”
HOLE 12
Quaker Ridge GC #17 Scarsdale 344 yards // Par 4
After two demanding par 4s to start the back nine, it seems like a relief to play a short one. But don’t count your par until the ball is in the cup. Hitting this tiny green is the challenge, according to head pro Mario Guerra, who cautions that a good sand game will come in handy if you miss. His formula for blasting up and out of the bunker with confidence? “Forget hitting two inches behind the ball. Take a steep backswing and aim to hit down and under the ball. Be sure to follow thru without trying to scoop the ball, and it will pop up onto the green.”
HOLE 13
Salem GC #2 Salem 198 yards // Par 3
Head pro Kevin Breen points out that this fine par 3 plays downhill, but you should note where the pin is located, since the green is long enough to call for different clubs if it’s cut in the back or front. The green also has two tiers, and reaching the back one can be difficult if you don’t have the right club for the distance.
Century CC, Hole 13
HOLE 14
Sunningdale GC #16 Scarsdale 560 yards // Par 5
Head pro Christopher Toulson says every shot counts on this long par 5. “The ideal tee shot is down the right-hand side of the fairway, but Underhill Road and out-of-bounds lurk right. If you drive conservatively to the left, your next shot becomes more challenging, since it will be played into an area that is gradually narrowed by a creek on the right and a penalty area on the left. You can avoid this trouble by laying back, but then you will be faced with a third shot from a tricky downhill lie. Because the green is small and elevated and usually firm, having a shorter third shot from a level lie increases your chances of holding the green. But in order to access this level area, you’ll have to play a bold second shot with a longer club. The 16th green is spectacular. It cants gently from left to right with a subtle spine running through its center. If you mishit your approach shot, the green’s fierce false front will sweep your ball back, leaving you with an exacting uphill chip. The golfer will want a shorter approach into this demanding green, which in turn puts a premium on a well-played drive and second shot.”
HOLE 15
Sleepy Hollow #18 Scarborough 426 yards // Par 4
Wykagyl CC, Hole 15
Few golf clubs generate more mishits by average players than mid or long irons, yet that’s just the club necessary to reach the elevated green on the finishing hole at Sleepy Hollow. Head pro David Young, who retired after 20 years at the club last year, says it’s not a hard shot to hit as long as you let the club do the work. “Take plenty of club and position the back of the ball in the midpoint of your stance,” he says, “then concentrate on a smooth, slow tempo. Don’t rush your swing, and don’t try to lift the ball; it will go farther and higher than you think.”
Leewood CC, Hole 15
HOLE 16
Westchester Hills GC #7 White Plains 344 yards // Par 4
A driver may not be the best choice from the tee on this short-but-tricky par 4. The best club, in fact, is the one you never, ever hit to the right, since out-of-bounds hugs the right side of the fairway from tee to green, relieved only grudgingly by a bunker that can be almost as punishing. Hit a club that’s long enough to put you within short-iron range, though, because the approach shot to the small well-bunkered green needs to fly high and land softly.
An often overlooked but quite valid strategy for this uphill par 3 is to lay up in front of the green, then chip to leave yourself a makeable par putt. The shot is known as a “Patroni” at Apawamis, named for the former head pro who used it consistently to avoid the three deadly misses on the hole. Right or left leaves you at best with a bunker shot and at worst with a flop out of long rough, while any shot long and over the green is simply dead on arrival.
Quaker Ridge GC, Hole 17
Of course, you can aim to hit the narrow, sloping green, but what are the odds?
HOLE 18
Westchester CC West #3 Rye 460 yards // Par 5
Our finishing hole offers a multitude of challenges and opportunities. It’s a short par 5, but the scorecard doesn’t begin to tell the real story. “Off the tee,” director of golf Ben Hoffhine explains, “the fairway is generous but flanked by bunkers. About 230 yards from the green, the fairway pitches downhill, which can give your drive a big kick. Regardless of whether you get that advantage or not, you then have a decision to make. The green and approach are perched on top of a hill that’s covered in thick rough from 90 yards in. In other words, short is not good, so think twice before swinging for the fences. A layup to the 100-yard marker is safe, but it leaves a third shot severely up hill to a blind green. Once on the green, you have to navigate a ridge that plays havoc with many putts.” After you hole out, Hoffhine says, “Look back down the fairway and over to the fourth hole — one of many great vistas on the golf course.”
Sleepy Hollow, Hole 18
Putt for Dough
The one club you need on every hole is your putter. We asked Bill Smittle, a PGA professional with special insights into the art and science of the flat stick, what he teaches his students about how to roll their rocks most effectively.
“Putting is all about geometry,” he says. “You have to read the line, get your ball started on that line, and control the ball’s speed.”
After coaching hundreds of good golfers over the years, Smittle concludes that most of us think we’re good at reading greens, but we’re not. Especially on Westchester’s slick carpets, most players under-read the breaks. He says we should follow these steps:
Look for the general slope of the green in the surrounding landscape as you walk up to it.
Find the best line from behind your ball.
Step up and straddle the line to check your read with your feet.
Go to the low side of the line to confirm.
“Then forget that nonsense about the three-foot circle. You want to make every single putt.”
A company in Hastings-on-Hudson brings therapy and sustainability to the forefront of home organization.
With the celebration of Earth Day in April, we wanted to introduce you to a local business that takes organizing to a whole new level — a green level! Balaboste was started in 2021 by Gal Yaguri, who has 20 years of professional experience in global business operations and an interior design certificate from the Parsons School of Design but decided to make a change in her career.
“My last job was with a leadership development company,” says Yaguri. “There, I gained professional language and skills that enhanced critical thinking as well as an ability to communicate more thoughtfully and hold space for others, which are critical aspects in the work of space organization.”
She loves HGTV shows, home design, and was always the friend who gave tips and advice to help them organize. “Balaboste is the perfect culmination of my studies and professional experience combined into one offering,” she says.
Balaboste is a Yiddish word that means “good homemaker.” But Yaguri finds that being a good homemaker like her grandmother and many women before us is not just someone who cleans, cooks, and keeps things tidy, it is a lifestyle and a practice.
Her organizing philosophy is two-fold, wellness in the space (therapeutic) and a deep focus on sustainability and zero waste.
“I have been exploring somatic and mindfulness theories, which I thoughtfully weave into everyday practice,” says Yaguri. “This informs the work I do with a heightened focus on the impact of energy in a physical space.”
She says objects hold energy and with too many objects in a space we can feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. People who are downsizing, which makes up about 50 percent of her overall clientele, may go through a range of emotions during the editing process. This is where the therapeutic approach comes in. She meets the client where they are and they work through the process together. Then comes the inevitable question: What do you do with all that stuff?
Gal Yaguri. Photo courtesy of Balaboste.
“I have been exploring somatic and mindfulness theories, which I thoughtfully weave into daily practice”
—Gal Yaguri
Yaguri has innovated the space organization field by offering sustainable solutions for the removal and management of unused goods. Currently, she has more than 20 organizations where she donates items so they don’t go to waste. She is also spearheading a Take It or Leave It garage, a reuse space in Hastings on Hudson.
As for her organization, services are offered as three options:
My Space, which is a full project-management service that supports big life events, such as downsizing, renovations, partings, or new beginnings.
My Self, which is a space-organizing service helping to declutter, sort, and repurpose.
Finally, there is One Step at a Time, which can begin with a small project, like a drawer or a cabinet. This service is offered virtually or in-person.
Check out these Westchester restaurants that offer delicious meat-free options for those participating in Lent.
By Niomi Nunez and Anaya Rojas
As much as we all love pizza, it can start to feel repetitive if you’re sticking to no-meat Fridays during Lent. Step outside the slice at these restaurants that offer just as tempting and satisfying vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options that will make you forget all about your usual meat-lovers pie. And you can always have that slice for lunch on Saturday. Win win!
In the mood for comfort food? Visit Bridge View Tavern for homey-inspired vegetarian and pescatarian dishes. From the three-grain veggie burger (made with bulgur wheat and quinoa paired with tasty toppings) to the Mexican-seasoned shrimp tacos enveloped in soft corn tortillas, these healthy and classic plates will leave you fantastically full on Fridays.
Introducing the flavors of Israeli cuisine to traditional Mexican dishes, Falafel Taco fuses the best of two cultures to create an all-encompassing menu with plenty of Good Friday-friendly dishes to enjoy. Offering a plethora of so-called Mex-raeli cuisine, the restaurant dishes up a Mexighanoush taco made with black bean falafel, eggplant baba ghanoush, pico de gallo, and chipotle mayo. Did we mention it’s entirely plant-based?
Whether you’re craving breakfast, lunch, or a quick smoothie to go, “put some roots down” at Grass Roots Kitchen. Focused on providing delectable meals, this kitchen cooks with organic and high-quality ingredients. Pick from a vast menu of veggie-friendly delicacies, from the cilantro-lime seared salmon bowl to a falafel burger. And don’t be shy about pairing either with a refreshing juice.
The appetizers on this American bar and grill’s menu are called “snacks,” and the majority of them are vegan and pescatarian-friendly. From the turmeric-battered, General-Tso-coated cauliflower snack to the lightly breaded fried calamari served with marinara sauce, Jackie B’s has quite a list of accommodating, delicious appetizers. After savoring one of the “snacks,” move onto the California burger. It’s a homemade black bean burger topped with avocado, white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and siracha aioli, served on a fluffy brioche bun.
Who said ramen can’t be meat-free? Stop by Kishuya Ramen Noodle Bar for a flavor-filled vegetarian ramen perfect for a Friday food fest. Made with the kitchen’s original broth and topped with grilled atu-aged tofu, this Lent-friendly meal will warm you up and tempt your taste buds. Consider the fluffy tofu or shrimp bao buns for the perfect appetizer.
Created with all-natural ingredients, The Little Beet brings a wellness-driven counter food service to Westchester. Packed with plenty of organic options, the menu allows patrons to customize their bowls. From basmati rice or quinoa as a base to salmon poke or sweet ‘n’ spicy tofu as a main protein, along with an array of savory toppings, this “make your own” dish allows customers to creatively satisfy their stomachs.
Specializing in Indian cuisine, Chef and Owner Jasumati Vaghji is constantly re-inventing her predominantly plant-based menu to keep up with popular health trends. Stop by this Hartsdale café to try the vegan- and gluten-friendly masala mini idli consisting of steamed rice idli, stir fry veggies, and a blend of spices in coconut oil. Sip on a refreshing lassi while enjoying any of the flavor-packed, plant-based dishes.
This full-service café rises to the occasion with the gamut of gluten-free and 100% plant-based ingredients. Centered around offering fully vegan and Indian-inspired meals, the menu is packed with delicious options like masala grilled cheese, falafel burger, and black lentil soup. From the baked goods to the salads, Root2Rise has mouthwatering eats for any day, but especially during Lent.
During Lent, Friday nights can still be burger nights at this Tarrytown restaurant. Sink your teeth into the vegan chickpea “cheese burger” to savor tahini Buffalo sauce and vegan-friendly cheddar, or try a quinoa-sweet potato burger and soak up the harissa aioli. On top of these flavor-packed vegan burgers, Sweet Grass Grill’s menu offers a variety of Lent-friendly meals that are made with daily harvests from local farms.
“To eat well or not to eat well” is not a question at The Urban Hamlet. With an expansive menu of vegan and pescatarian dishes, a trip to this bar and grill will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. If you’re hoping to stay away from your carnivorous habits, you’re going to want to try the polenta and quinoa burger, served on tomato and herb-crusted focaccia bread. You should also try the crispy-skin salmon, sautéed in kale lemon cream vinaigrette. The only thing tragic about this “Hamlet” is that the food doesn’t stay on your plate forever.
In just a few key steps, you can create the play space of your children’s dreams. In Westchester, Smart Playrooms is here to help.
Functional Storage + Engaging Stations + Modern, Crisp Color Palette = A Perfect Playroom
Karri Bowen-Poole founded Smart Playrooms and she has been creating award winning educational playrooms for over 12 years. The company’s goal: to create play spaces that parents and kids alike love.
Play Zones
This project, designed by Bowen-Pool and Smart Playrooms for a 1- and 3-year-old, was new construction, so the team was lucky to work with a completely blank slate. But Bowen-Pool says the size of the space doesn’t matter as much as the layout, storage, and choice of activity zones. “If the space is small, it’s always better to do two zones really well rather than try to fit six activity zones scrunched in a small space,” she advises.
This space had about 1,000 square feet, so they were able to include all the activity zones needed, including an art studio, basketball/sport zone, climbing and swinging/ gymnastic zone, a TV-and-storage area, a playhouse and pretend play zone, and a reading nook with book storage.
Cool Colors
The inspiration for this space was the artist peel-and-stick murals sold through projectplayroom.com. The rest of the palette was drawn from that for the storage, carpet, bins, and furnishings. “We used the mural in the physical play zone and turned it into a climbing wall, so it had both beauty and functionality,” says Bowen-Pool.
At Smart Playrooms, Bowen-Pool says she loves to use gender-neutral colors that are not typical primary colors and that impact how the children in the space play. “We always think very carefully about palette and how our choices will affect the kids,” says Bowen-Pool. “Colors that support quiet play, focus, and creativity are various shades of blues and teals. Whites make children feel calm and open; pinks help kids feel love and kindness; greens encourage children to feel renewed, tranquil, and refreshed.”
The Chill Zone
Not only are there zones in which to monkey around in the space; there are also quiet zones, like the custom SMART circular reading nook. “This space encourages kids to read and think, but it’s also a fun way for them to snuggle into a cozy area to relax,” says Bowen-Pool. “Kids are so overscheduled these days, so a nook that focuses on daydreaming, reading, and storytelling is a win-win for them.”
Bowen-Pool also always thinks about the longevity of the play spaces she designs — not only what the children will use it for now but also what they will use it for in the future. “All of the zones here and in all our spaces are focused on what we want kids to learn now, what we want kids to spend more of their time doing, and what we want the kids to be doing in the future,” she adds. “I want kids to be creative and be problem-solvers, so every activity focuses on how to build these skills in kids.”
No matter how much room you have, there is always an opportunity to build a space the kids can call their own, and it’s so important, according to Bowen-Pool.
“Having a dedicated playroom that kids know is a space just for them can make them feel confident and valued,” says Bowen-Pool. “When the kids love being in the space and feel like it was made just for them, they will want to spend more time in there and invite friends to come over and play more often.”
This beautiful entryway in Rye welcomes not only guests but also the arrival of a new season in Westchester County.
Nothing says spring like fresh flowers and light colors and accessories to brighten up a space. That’s why we adore this Rye entryway designed by Emily Meszkat of Emily Meszkat Interiors, who describes this space as “traditional with a twist.”
The house, which originally belonged to the homeowner’s parents, had a lot of memories inside. The designer and the daughter/current homeowner wanted to make the space “feel different than the home she grew up in yet keep the good bones,” says Meszkat.
By Lo Austin
To do this, they incorporated some new items, including fresh patterns (featuring the Schumacher wallpaper called Fern Tree), personality, and bright colors. Then, they added some vintage touches, like a settee that originally belonged to the client’s grandmother but was re-covered in a beautiful, colorful fabric, ultimately becoming Meszkat’s favorite part of the design.
Topped off with beautiful accessories that welcome in the spring, and voila! You have a marvelous springtime greeting.
Shop these spring fashions in Westchester. Photos courtesy of respective companies
Meet those March and April showers in style with this selection of up-to-the-minute outerwear and accessories.
By Paul Adler and Sabrina Sucato
Spring is a fickle season. In Westchester, it could bring anything from wonderfully sunny days to smatterings of snow. Without a doubt, though, there’s bound to be rain. In advance of the rainy days sure to come our way, here are the fashions you need to handle those spring showers in style.
Barbour Walker Umbrella in Tartan $70 J. Crew, White Plains jcrew.com
Why bother with a simple black umbrella when you can upgrade to this chic tartan one? Plus, the wooden handle adds an extra touch of classic elegance.
Cashmere and Leather Gloves $670
Salvatore Ferragamo, White Plains ferragamo.com
Cashmere and leather meet in perfect harmony in the form of these Salvatore Ferragamo gloves. Not only will they keep your hands warm, but they look effortlessly elegant with everything from a winter jacket to a trench coat.
Montaigne PVC Rain Boot $110
Michael Kors, Yonkers michaelkors.com
These are not your average rain boots, and that’s precisely what’s so great about them. From the chic maroon color to the edgy design, these will upgrade your rainy day fashion instantly.
Hunter Original Tall Rain Boot $175
Nordstrom, White Plains nordstrom.com
It’s impossible to go wrong with a pair of Hunter rain boots. If you want a shoe that will match with every one of your ensembles, stick with black and go for the tall cut. Rain drops won’t stand a chance.
Mid-Length Chelsea Heritage Trench Coat $2,490
Burberry, White Plains us.burberry.com
The Burberry trench is an OG for a reason. The coat is incredibly flattering and can easily be dressed up or down. Pair it with rain boots for a drizzly day, or use it as the final touch for a dressy look during your next night out.
TV-star friends Reshma Shetty and Noel Gatts took on a builder-grade home and filled it with personality and color in Westchester.
When friends and TV stars Reshma Shetty and Noel Gatts came together to design Shetty’s new Westchester home during the pandemic, it was a match made for TV.
The two have known each other since college, but their careers went in different directions. Shetty became an actress, starring in such shows as Royal Pains, Monarch, and most recently the Hallmark Channel’s A Jolly Good Christmas, while Gatts launched an interior design company, beam&bloom, but also ended up in TV, cohosting the HGTV show Home Inspector Joe, with Joe Mazza.
The two kept in touch over the years, and when Shetty and her family (including her husband, young daughter, and two cats), who were living in Manhattan, decided they wanted more square footage and outdoor space during the pandemic, they purchased and moved into a builder-grade home in Westchester, enlisting Gatts to take on the design upgrades they wanted.
“I didn’t want the formality of interviewing and hiring someone, because it was crazy times; I wanted to pick up the phone and say, ‘What do you think of this?’” says Shetty. She automatically had that with Gatts.
“We are a nice, little support for each other in this crazy world of TV,” says Gatts. “[Designers] push people out of their comfort zones, but we gave each other more leniency, where I might push other clients more. We were a little forgiving of each other during the process, which is fun.”
The 7,000-square-foot house was built as a modern farmhouse, with a ton of windows and builder-grade finishes. The challenge, according to Gatts, was infusing the house with some glam, character, warmth, and color, but on a fair budget.
“I wanted it to feel as if I were in a really airy, not too formal, just comfortable home,” says Shetty of the original concept.
“Reshma loved NYC lounges and hotel lounges with a more high-end contemporary feel,” says Gatts. “She loves jewel tones, but more natural hues, and it was funny how much her cats came into play. She said, ‘I can’t have real plants or draperies,’ but [without these,] how can we add life and character?”
They agree that new builds give homeowners a chance to come in and inject their own styles, which is what they did here, but it was not without its own set of challenges.
Because of supply-chain issues and some convincing by Gatts, the furniture was ordered first, and the finishing touches were added afterward, like the colors on the walls and the wallpaper choices. “We furnished the house before she agreed to color,” says Gatts. “I would normally never recommend that; I would normally want to do everything together. But once she knew she really wanted to invest in the colors and the textures, we were then able to pull from the rugs, furniture, and art.”
Shetty’s husband loves blue, so they went with varying shades in the piano room and dining room, and while the den was his domain, the main bedroom was hers to design.
“My favorite color is dark green,” says Shetty of the main bedroom’s palette. “Noel found these two awesome green swivel chairs, and I put a dark-green-and-gold wallpaper behind them, and it just makes me very happy.”
In the breakfast nook, Shetty originally bought a rectangular table and ended up giving in to Gatts’ idea of a circular table. The rectangular one is now in storage and has been replaced by a circular marble table with which both are happier.
“The breakfast nook is my favorite spot. The circular table adds movement and flow. And with all the windows and the subtle Schumacher wallpaper, which adds character but doesn’t compete, and the light fixture, which is big but not overwhelming…,” says Gatts before Shetty injects: “It’s so much more social.”
What the project ultimately reveals is how much can be done with a simple base. “It is the power of decorating,” says Gatts. “You can really elevate something builder-grade with color and imagination.”
And the homeowners’ personalities really shine through. “When I walk into my home, I feel like I’m home,” says Shetty. “There are little corners in each space that I can sit in, and it feels like me.” What homeowner wouldn’t want that?
Read up on these criminal accounts in Westchester. Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
An exploration of the Westchester County archives in Elmsford unearthed old photos that tell of criminal happenings in the region.
Edited by John Bruno Turiano, with research by Lindsey Smith & Gabrielle Beechert
The Westchester County archives, in Elmsford, are a treasure trove of the county’s rich and storied past. While perusing some old photographs there not long ago, we unearthed stories that reveal Westchester’s sometimes-sordid history, ones that involve a rough-and-tumble lot who dwelled in the gloom of dive bars, darkened streets, and back alleys rife with illicit activity and short tempers, as you will see.
O’Reilly/ Barry Robbery & Assault Case, 1929
Bad Deeds Across Three Towns
Crime: Robbery, Assault Perpetrators: Thomas Barry, aka Thomas O’Reilly, and John Kelly, plus Joseph Heal and Dominick Graziano Victims: Frank De Ruggiero, the McGennis family, the Lee family, and Officer Robert Philip of Yonkers
Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
In the early morning of August 18, 1929, Thomas O’Reilly, John Kelly, Joseph Heal, Dominick Graziano, and a fifth man who was never apprehended arrived at the Roma Gardens, a low-rent cabaret on Taxter Road in East Irvington, in the town of Greenburgh. All were under the influence of alcohol. Their purpose was to see one of the hostesses, an alleged friend of Heal’s. After about two hours of drinking, the defendants started to quarrel among themselves, and four gunshots were fired, one of which struck the proprietor, Frank De Ruggiero. After the shooting, the men fled from the Roma Gardens in a Buick sedan (that had been stolen in New York City earlier), which they wrecked about a mile down the road. The McGennis family were on their way to early church services when they were held up at gunpoint by the men, who took their car and drove toward Yonkers. They then wrecked the McGennises’ car in front of the Lee home, in the village of Hastings, held up the Lees, took their car and again proceeded toward Yonkers. Once in Yonkers, they were stopped by Officer Robert Philip following a running gunfight, exchanging fire as they were chased. Several shots were fired at the officer, one of which struck Philip in the abdomen but inflicted only a shallow wound. O’Reilly was the driver and Heal was the gunman who shot the officer. All four men were convicted; O’Reilly and Kelly, however, who had previous records, received harsher sentences.
Mugshot, 1917
Career Criminal
Crimes: Assault in the 1st Degree, Carrying a Concealed Weapon (revolver) Perpetrator: Frank Buonofiglio, alias “Buck O’Neill”
Photos courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
This Mount Vernon resident had a litany of offenses, prior arrests, and sentences beyond the two associated with this mugshot. His listed profession was bartender, though it seems he spent more time stirring up trouble than drinks. Perhaps a more convincing alias would have done the trick.
Sloans Murder Case, 1929
The Missing Cook
Crime: Murder/Sexual Assault Perpetrator: William “Willie” Sloans, aka Joseph Madison Victim: Elsa Marshall
Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
Twenty-four-year-old Elsa Marshall was a cook at the Kelly residence in the Knollwood section of Greenburgh and wife of the Kellys’ butler, William Marshall. She went missing on the evening of September 26, her birthday. Marshall alerted police and an all-night search began. Her body was found the next day, in the bushes alongside the road adjacent to Knollwood Country Club, with a shotgun wound to the left side of her body, under the arm. She apparently had been sexually assaulted (her clothing was ripped, and the body lay in a compromised position). Sheriff Thomas V. Underhill initially thought the assault may have been staged to throw off the investigation, implying the shooting may have occurred accidentally, as men often hunted with shotguns in the area.
William “Willie” Sloans, aka Joseph Madison, wasn’t even a suspect until his sister came forward, saying her brother had confessed to accidentally killing Marshall. However, Sloans was also wanted for murder in North Carolina and was sent there to be executed by the state in 1931. Even up to his execution, Sloans maintained that he accidentally killed her but never explained the state in which her body was found.
Sing Sing Prison Escapee, 1919
$50 Reward For the Man With the Faded Tattoos
Crime: Felonious Escape Perpetrator: Charles Marchall
Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
Charles Marchall, who was incarcerated and serving a sentence for second degree assault, escaped from Sing Sing Prison in October of 1919 after having served not quite a year of his maximum four-year, 10-month sentence. Notable features include a faded tattoo on both back and front of his left forearm, plus a small horizonal scar at lower breast. No record shows he was captured.
On the evening of August 25, 1923, Raffaello Castaldo, Vincenzo Castillo, and other neighborhood men were playing cards outside of Castaldo’s grocery store at 224 South 7th Avenue in Mount Vernon. An argument broke out concerning alleged cheating on Castaldo’s part. The neighbors broke up the argument between Castaldo and Castillo; later that evening, however, Castaldo retrieved a pistol and murdered Castillo outside of his tenement residence at 229 South 7th Avenue.
Sloane Robbery Case, 1929
Jewel Heist
Crime: Grand Larceny, Robbery Perpetrator: Roy H. Sloane Victims: Three office workers at Karos & Stein
Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
Just a few months after he was released from Ossining’s Sing Sing prison, Roy H. Sloane, who was dubbed the “Boy Lawyer” because he studied law while incarcerated, and two other men held up the office of jeweler Karos & Stein in the Miller Building at 562 Fifth Ave in Manhattan. They bound and gagged the workers and took $25,000 worth of goods. He was released soon after the arrest. In May of 1931, at age 26, he was mysteriously gunned down by a passing sedan outside a bar in Upper Manhattan.
Agostino Murder Case, 1923
Scarsdale Slaying
Crime: Murder, Second Degree Perpetrator: Nicola Agostino Victim: John Piccino
Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Archives
Nicola Agostino and John Piccino worked on the grounds at the Fenimore Country Club in Scarsdale. (Fenimore was the predecessor to Fenway GC. It was founded in 1920 and reorganized in 1936, during the Great Depression, as Fenway.) They lived on the premises in rooms adjacent to and within the garage. The two men had an argument and, after the other workers were already asleep in their bunks, Agostino shot and killed Piccino. He was indicted and later convicted of murder in the second degree.
Flegenheimer Wanted Poster, 1933
Don’t Mess With the IRS
Crime: Federal Income Tax Violation Perpetrator: Arthur Flegenheimer (aka Dutch Schultz, Arthur Schultz, George Schultz, Joseph Harmon, Charles Harmon)
Photo courtesy of the Westchester County Historical Society
Bronx-born bootlegger Arthur Flegenheimer, best known as Dutch Schultz, allegedly amassed a $50 million fortune and hid it somewhere in New York’s Catskill Mountains (the town of Phoenicia is the best guess) prior to being gunned down in a New Jersey steakhouse in 1935 at age 33. In the years before his death, Schultz lived in Yonkers and Bronxville with his wife, Frances Flegenheimer. He beat a charge of income-tax fraud but, while hiding out for months prior to the trial, he lost much of his business to his New York rivals.
