The Ultimate Resource Guide
14 local design gurus on where they go for all-things home
From selecting a sumptuous sofa to trawling for a top-notch tiler, navigating the home-décor market can be daunting indeed. So we asked the area’s top design gurus for a peek into their Rolodexes. The result? The best home design resources from Westchester to the web.
Crate & Barrel
MEET OUR EXPERTS
Connie Beale
of Connie Beale, Inc., is an architectural and
interior designer in
Laurel Bern
is the designer behind Goldens Bridge-based
Laurel Bern Interiors.
Libby Cameron
of Libby Cameron LLC, is an interior designer
based in Larchmont.
Gregory Allan Cramer
has an interior design and decoration business
based in
Stacy Higgins
owns SoHo East, a home décor store in Dobbs Ferry.
Jan Johnsen
is a principal of Johnsen Landscapes & Pools, a landscape
design and construction firm in Bedford Hills.
Chris Madden
is the CEO of Port Chester-based Chris Madden Inc.,
the home design company.
Mark Mariani
is the man behind Armonk’s
and home décor store.
Lyn Peterson
is the president and creative director of
Motif Designs in
Dianne Wells
is the owner of Waccabuc-based Dianne Wells Interiors, LLC.
Georgene Mongarella
is the president and CEO of The Color Schemer Ltd. in
Phyllis Harbinger
is principal at Design Concepts/Interiors LLC in Cortlandt Manor.
Susan Marocco
is the president/owner of
Susan Marocco Interiors, Inc.
Kaja Gam
is the principal of Kaja Gam Design, Inc. in
FURNITURE
All styles
C&C Auction Gallery
20 North Ave, Larchmont
(914) 833-8336; ccauctiongallery.com
“This gallery is a hit-or-miss mix but has great finds and great prices. I found three very nice De Angelis upholstered armchairs and bought them all for eighteen-hundred dollars, versus seven-thousand dollars-plus for each new—and they barely had been used. They’re good about sending out postcards to let you know about preview dates.”
—Libby Cameron
1stdibs.com
“They have just about anything you can imagine, and at very good prices. Every day they put new things on their website, from junk to good furniture. You have to be brave enough to really trust your eye without touching it and feeling it. There are some great light fixtures, interesting chairs in fun shapes, and nice upholstered chairs.” —Libby Cameron
Guild Antiques
384 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT
(203) 869-0828, guildantiques.com
“They’re an English antiques shop, more traditional, and they have pretty things: pretty tables, very pretty wooden pieces, and some reproductions.”
—Libby Cameron
Rinfret Home & Garden
354 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT
(203) 622-0000; rinfretltd.com
“Recently, I needed a few great accessories and pieces to refresh and restyle my home. A trip to Rinfret provided just what I
needed. Cindy Rinfret’s decorative pieces work so beautifully in my one-hundred-year-old carriage house.” —Chris Madden
Safavieh Home Furnishings
120 S Central Ave, Hartsdale
(914) 681-6000, safaviehhome.com
“Great for case goods, upholstery, and accessory items.”
—Dianne Wells
Stickley, Audi & Co.
50 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains
(914) 948-6333, stickleyaudi.com
This Westchester outpost of the
Edward Ferrel Showroom
antique
The Antique and Artisan Center
69 Jefferson St, Stamford, CT
(203) 327-6022 stamfordantiques.com
“I love buying antiques at Harbor View and the Antique and Artisan Center because it’s instant gratification. You buy it and you take it home. If you make something custom, it’s six to eight weeks, minimum.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
Briggs House Antiques
566 E Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck
(914) 381-0650, briggshouse.com
“They were one of the original Westchester antiques dealers. Owner Lorraine’s outstanding good taste and extensive inter-national travel mean that you’re getting a very educated and diverse offering of old items and reproductions. It’s an eclectic and entertaining mix, all in a stand-alone shop in a historic bank building. It’s not over the top price-wise. You’re not getting gouged. She’s been in it too long to gouge you.” —Lyn Peterson
1stdibs.com
With its comprehensive collection of furniture from dealers in New York, Paris, London, Miami, Los Angeles, and beyond, spanning the eighteenth to twentieth centuries, this website is a “great way to peruse the markets,” all from the comfort of your living-room couch. —Susan Marocco
Harbor View Center for Antiques
101 Jefferson St, Stamford, CT
(203) 325-8070
harborviewantiques.com
“They have a huge variety of furniture and accessories; it takes a while to go through it all. It can be exhausting but you can find pretty decent things. You could furnish an entire house in the Stamford antiques district, depending on what you’re looking for.” —Libby Cameron
Lillian August
32 Knight St, Norwalk, CT
(203) 847-1596, lillianaugust.com
For “very nice case goods—non-upholstered furniture such as tables and chairs—artwork and accessories,” visit this family-owned home-furnishings store.
—Dianne Wells
Suburban Renewal
1 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson
(914) 478-9421
“A revolving selection of antiques at great prices, all on consignment.” —Stacy Higgins
Yellow Monkey
792 Rte 35, Cross River
(914) 763-5848, yellowmonkey.com
“A wonderful store filled with country antiques from the
eighteen-hundreds to the nineteen-hundreds, mostly from Europe.” —Stacy Higgins
contemporary/modern
Design Within Reach
Various locations in New York and
two in
“A lot of this company’s inventory is in the vein of Knoll furniture—nice things, interesting light
fixtures.” —Libby Cameron
EB Home
200 E Main St, Mount Kisco
(914) 242-7278; ebhome.com
“Step into this shop and you may feel like you want to move in. Modern furniture in a warm setting—a wonderful store.”
—Stacy Higgins
Maxine Snider Inc.
maxinesniderinc.com
“One of my favorite transitional designers with a look to fifties Scandinavian modern, Art Deco, and Empire styles, in which clean lines and form were of an essence. Snider’s furniture can blend into any eclectic mix and stand strong on its own. Maxine Snider’s Annika tray table and Paris writing table are heirlooms-to-be.”
—Kaja Gam
Expo Design Center
furniture bargains
ABC Carpet & Home Outlet
1055 Bronx River Ave, Bronx, NY
(718) 842-8772, abchome.com
“Great furniture—for less! A lot of times ABC Carpet in the City will take things at the end of a shopping season to the Bronx outlet, so it’s still great stuff. I got a rug from there, a Turkish silk-wool blend of blues and browns, at a really great price— around two-thousand dollars—about a third off retail.”
—Stacy Higgins
Braswell Galleries
24 Harborview Ave, Stamford, CT
(203) 357-0753, braswellgalleries.com
At this auction house-sized emporium, you can browse “everything from junk to jewels. It’s the best treasure hunt in town. You never leave without finding something to suit you, from furniture to vintage clothing, to fountains, cradles, and dining-room tables. For a house in Scarsdale, I scored a solid walnut, ten-foot dining-room table for fifteen-hundred dollars.” —Lyn Peterson
Consign It On Main
525A Main St, New Rochelle
(914) 637-7600
“You can find great stuff there if you know what you’re doing.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
eBay
ebay.com
“If you’re really going to be
diligent, you can get stuff, including new furniture, cheap.”
—Laurel Bern
Salvation Army
thrift shop
745 S Third Ave, Mount Vernon
(914) 664-0800
“I found a great set of vintage—nineteen-forties’—wicker that I’m going to redo for my own house. It cost four-hundred
dollars for ten pieces—you can’t beat that with a stick. Of course, you need to know where to take it. But when it’s redone, it’ll be worth eight-thousand dollars-plus.”—Gregory Allan Cramer
UHW
535 Hope St, Stamford, CT
(203) 348-5371
unitedhousewrecking.com
A 36,500-square-foot emporium of architectural gems (mantels, stained glass, newel posts) salvaged from old homes, antiques, and new and reproduction furniture. “I discovered this great place while doing an Oprah segment as her design correspondent and we showed on-air how to select an unusual headboard. This was just the place to find them!” —Chris Madden
Artistic Tile
traditional
Drexel Heritage
130 S Central Ave, Hartsdale
(914) 684-0001; drexelheritage.com
“I have found some interesting occasional pieces here, including a small hand-painted and silver-leafed side table in the chinoisserie style.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
Knock on Wood Antiques
355 Post Rd, Darien, CT
(203) 655-9031
knock-on-wood-antiques.com
“This shop sells mostly fine
furniture, and some Swedish pieces. They have reproduction stuff as well—chairs and tables. If you need a big pine table or coffee table, they’ll have it.”
—Libby Cameron
Lillian August
32 Knight St, Norwalk, CT
(203) 847-1596; lillianaugust.com
“I am not a big fan of traditional furniture, but this store has the most interesting mix. It’s not like Ethan Allen-traditional. It’s more refined. They have European furniture. It’s not really frilly—just clean, traditional pieces.” —Stacy Higgins
Williams-Sonoma Home
wshome.com
This is a high-end Pottery Barn catalog with a wide range of
fabrics. “These are high-end, sophisticated furnishings, all beautifully coordinated and very nice-looking.” —Laurel Bern
marble, tile & granite
Ceramic Design Ltd.
26 Bruce Park Ave, Greenwich, CT (203) 869-8800
ceramicdesignltd.com
“This shop has a nice variety of glass tiles—plus a really interesting, very practical selection of natural materials, stone, marble, and granite. When you don’t want something so complicated it makes your eyes spin, this is the place. They have straightforward mosaic materials in pretty stones and colors.”
—Connie Beale
Country Floors, Inc.
12 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich
CT, (203) 862-9900
countryfloors.com
“This shop has wonderful hand-painted tiles for
kitchen backsplashes.”
—Susan Marocco
Eastern Stone Fabricators
52 Cottage St, Port Chester
(914) 937-2100
26 Valley Pl, Larchmont
(914) 637-3600, easternstoneny.com
“They’re just nice to deal with—a small shop but very accommodating.”
—Libby Cameron
Eurostyle Marble & Granite Inc.
203 N Highland Ave, Ossining
(914) 941-3778
eurostylegranite.com
“They have expanded to two additional showrooms in Putnam and Dutchess Counties and have a nice selection of slabs with a very quick turnaround from template to installation.” —Phyllis Harbinger
Marble America
517 5th Ave, New Rochelle
(914) 632-3110
309 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, (914) 242-0484
marbleamerica.net
“Nicole Sirchia is just a great, always-available salesperson. She’s on top of it. She moves with the speed of a multi-
tasking mother, firing on
all pistons. It’s good quality work, too.” —Lyn Peterson
Millennium Stone
1 Mill St, Port Chester
(914) 939-0990
millenniumstoneltd.com
“Fabricator Jim Spader brings artistry to the installation of stone. Nobody sees the way a stone will lay out better than he does. He has an artistic eye and will maximize the markings and movement of your stone. If there’s a freckle, he’ll figure out where you’ll put your Cusinart to hide it. He’s a rare combination of technical ability and
artistry.” —Lyn Peterson
Rye Ridge Tile
Home Collections
520 N Main St, Port Chester
(914) 939-1100
“They let you go into the stone yard to select your own marble slab for a project. It’s so fun to see all of those cuts of stone and think, ‘This could be my next vanity!’’’ —Chris Madden
Sam’s Ceramic & Stone, Inc.
307 Central Ave, White Plains
(914) 328-3030
“Sam’s has a wide array of tiles, granite, and marble to choose from. The shop will often send you to look at the entire slab of granite or marble to see the actual color and veining.”
—Georgene Mongarella
Terra Tile & Marble
525 N State Rd, Briarcliff Manor
(914) 923-4295
terratileandmarble.com
“Terra Tile’s tile-design people are wonderful; extraordinarily helpful. They provide drawings and sketches showing how the tiles will lay out.” —Jan Johnsen
Westchester Tile & Marble
170 Brook St, Scarsdale
(914) 725-4355, westchestertile.com
“I love the folks at Westchester Tile & Marble. They have something for every budget and their customer service and lead times are terrific.” —Phyllis Harbinger
FINE ART
Backstreet Gallery & Framing
43 Lawton St, New Rochelle
(914) 636-1166
backstreetgallery.com
“Ivar Hyden does elegant, fabulous, custom framing at great prices. Anybody can be a
framer, but if a framer is also an artist, which he is, you bring something else to the framing table. If you want a frame to match your home or your personality, then you go to Ivar.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
J. Pocker & Son
65 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville
(914) 337-7100, jpocker.com
“They frame as well as sell prints.” —Libby Cameron
Kenise Barnes Fine Art
1955 Palmer Ave, Larchmont
(914) 834-8077, kbfa.com
“The gallery exhibits a contemporary, rotating selection. I bought a Tricia Wright piece for my home here.” —Stacy Higgins
Mount Kisco Frame Shop
255 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco
(914) 666-3344
mountkiscoframeshop.com
They do “a superb job with their framing, and they have such a large selection of merchandise from which to choose. They are always on time and very easy to work with.” —Dianne Wells
Trowbridge Gallery
trowbridgegallery.com
“They have a good selection with great frame options.”
—Dianne Wells
DECORATIVE OBJECTS
Cocobolo Inc.
37 Maple Ave, Armonk
(914) 273-4485, cocoboloarmonk.com
“They have a little bit of everything: candlesticks, footstools, ottomans, candles, picture frames, scented soaps, decor-ative wastebaskets, magazine holders. They have a great
selection and that’s hard to find without going into Manhattan or using a catalog. And they’re reasonably priced. Rarely do I walk into a place where I see everything I like. This is one of those places.”—Dianne Wells
Global Gatherings
156 S Central Ave, Hartsdale
(914) 683-1833
It’s actually a store and a
restaurant, with a similarly global menu. Everything that you eat with and on is for sale, from the plates to the chairs to the tables. It offers “an eclectic mix of objets d’art, several with an Eastern influence, from lamps to Buddhas.”
—Stacy Higgins
Horchow
horchow.com
“It’s a very cool catalog for
traditional and unusual accents, furnishings, linens, lighting, and decorative artwork. And the nice thing about companies like this is that if you really don’t like something, they’ll take it back.” —Laurel Bern
Valery’s
1 Big Shop Lane, Ridgefield, CT
(203) 431-4759
“Valery’s designs all my silk floral arrangements. Valery is amazing, incredibly talented and skilled, and easy to work with. She has wonderful decorative and accessory items, enjoys a great reputation, and is always eager to please her clients.”
—Dianne Wells
Wisteria
wisteria.com
“They have old things, new things, and whimsical things, as well as rugs and furniture. It’s a great catalog.” —Libby Cameron
LINENS
Garnet Hill
garnethill.com
“They have very nice quilts, sheets, and towels, if you want pretty, well-made pieces but don’t want to spend a fortune.” —Libby Cameron
La Dentelliere
20 E Parkway, Scarsdale
(914) 723-2902, ladentelliere.com
575 Main St, Armonk
(914) 273-4200
“Beautiful linens from Europe; the best cotton sheets from France. They’re unbelievable. It’s like sleeping on silk.”
—Stacy Higgins
The Linen Shop
21 Elm St, New Canaan, CT
(203) 972-0433, linenshoppe.com
This shop has a “vast selection
of linens, placemats, napkins, napkin rings, and tablecloths in all sizes and shapes—very elegant and upscale, casual as well. It’s a high-end type of linen; the designs are beautiful, very classic, very good quality. You can get the sheets monogrammed or piping added. They also have a wonderful bath department. The salespeople are fabulous; very accommodating.”
—Dianne Wells
C Lynnens
278 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT
(203) 629-3659, lynnens.com
“When I want to refresh the guest room, I know I can find some pretty pillow shams or a coverlet at Lynnens.”
—Chris Madden
C Restoration Hardware
The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave
(914) 288-0475
restorationhardware.com
This local outpost of the popular national chain features “the trendiest bed toppers around,” and it’s good quality for mass market. —Lyn Peterson
“They have wonderfully
priced chenille throws, great
bedding, sheets, bath towels,
and accessories. It’s very easy
for a homeowner to shop there because everything’s color-
coordinated.” —Dianne Wells
}
CARPETS
AND RUGS
C A.T. Proudian
736 Main St, New Rochelle
(914) 632-4848, atproudian.com
At this multi-generational store, “nobody does it better or at a fairer price. From new rugs to repair and restoration of your family-owned heirlooms, nobody offers a better range, better value, or better quality. They’re just totally fair.”
—Lyn Peterson
C Carpet Gallery
2349 Central Ave, Yonkers
(914) 793-8330, carpetgallery.com
“The best selection of remnants that are already bound.”
—Stacy Higgins
C Carpet Giant of ossining
139 Croton Ave, Ossining
(914) 762-5068
“I love the Carpet Giant in Ossining. They have a terrific selection, wonderful service, and are very easy to work with. Their prices are competitive.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
C Carpet Trends
5 Smith St, Rye, (914) 967-5188
carpettrends.com
“Carpet Trends has everything you might want—carpets from the same mills that the dealers in the D&D Building in New York have.” —Libby Cameron
C Creative Flooring
145 Kisco Ave, Mount Kisco
(914) 666-6679
“An excellent resource for all my flooring needs. They have an extensive variety of flooring, including for residential and commercial use, as well as
environmentally friendly flooring options. They are true professionals and offer their expertise to all who ask. They’re always my first choice for wall-to-wall broadloom carpets and runners and their installations are impeccable.” —Dianne Wells
C Menoo Rug Gallery
270 Federal Rd, Brookfield, CT
(203) 775-0211, menooruggallery.net
They are “always my first
preference for handmade, imported Persian design and Persian rugs. Menoo Afkari-Jarrett is celebrating her twelfth year in business.
With a background in interior design and being of Persian-American descent, she has
tremendous access to manyof the existing rugs in today’s
market, and she is always a pleasure to work with. In
addition, Menoo Rug Gallery offers cleaning, repairing, installation, and delivery.”
—Dianne Wells
the rug & home gallery/”The Rug Lady”
50 Lafayette Pl, Thornwood
(914) 741-2486, rug-lady.com
They’re a “very professional outfit. Their showroom is always well stocked, their staff very professional, and they also feature a lovely array of accessory items and some furnishings. They are a pleasure to deal with.” —Dianne Wells
}
DECORATIVE HARDWARE
C Bath N Bagno
365 Central Ave, Scarsdale
(914) 723-3637
“Bath N Bagno has a refined selection of hardware, including glass, iron, and ceramic.”
—Stacy Higgins
C Dykes Lumber Company
8 Saw Mill River Rd, Hawthorne
(914) 347-1400, dykeslumber.com
“Service is unrivaled at this employee-owned purveyor of hardware, casings, trimmings, and fittings. The extensive selection and great customer service makes shopping at Dykes Lumber a pleasure. It’s kind of an area you’re traveling blind in. Doorknobs? What am I supposed to know? Hinges? Here you’ll get great help.”
—Lyn Peterson
C Expo Design Center
8 Joyce Rd, New Rochelle
(914) 637-5600, expo.com
“If you are on a budget or
need something right away,
try the Home Depot Expo in New Rochelle. They have
been a lifesaver when I need something quick.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
C The Home Depot
Various locations in Westchester
homedepot.com
“For beautiful bulbs.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
}
BATHROOM FIXTURES
C Consolidated
Plumbing Supply
121 Stevens Ave, Mount Vernon
914-668-3124
consolidatedplumbingsupply.com
“Located in the new Mount Vernon design district, Consolidated Plumbing offers more finishes and more fittings than any other showroom. The shop may not have many tubs, but you can see tubs in the new antique silver, the new French gold, the new matte nickels, and a lot of really sexy sinks.”
—Lyn Peterson
C Fixturesuniverse.com
“If you would like to shop
from home, log onto Fixturesuniverse.com. They have an overwhelming selection and represent many of the high-quality brands in the marketplace.” —Phyllis Harbinger
C Klaff’s
28 Washington St, South Norwalk
(203) 866-1603, klaffs.com
“They offer all the many brands, from Dornbracht to Jado.” —Libby Cameron
C Waterworks
40 E Parkway, Scarsdale
(914) 472-3991, waterworks.com
“Here you’ll see fixtures that you won’t find anywhere else.”
—Stacy Higgins
“It’s really hard to design an ugly bathroom with Waterworks products.”
—Connie Beale
}
WINDOW TREATMENTS
C Custom Cloth by Cynthia
353 Twin Lakes Rd, North Branford CT, (203) 488-7407
“I use Cynthia Barker exclusively for all my custom-designed window treatments. Cynthia works with both trade professionals and the general public. She is very skilled, talented, and accommodating. Her prices are reasonable, too.” —Dianne Wells
C Eva’s Design & Decorating
206 E Post Rd, White Plains
(914) 949-2717, evasdecorators.com
“They offer great quality and they’re fun to work with. They’re very quick about doing work. Most drapery people take forever.” —Gregory Allan Cramer
C Smith + Noble
smithandnoble.com
“Whenever I’ve needed something for my home or office,
I have found their products to be well made and stylish. I use their great bamboo shades in my living room and kitchen.”
—Chris Madden
C W.T. Barnes
32 Cedar St, Dobbs Ferry
(914) 693-2651
“Meticulous work at fair prices. Several of my clients have used them for chair upholstery and were thrilled. Pick-up and
delivery service is available.”
—Stacy Higgins
}
TABLETOP
C Dualities Antiques
& Art, Inc.
2056 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont
(914) 834-2773
“They have all sorts of glassware and dishes and bric-a-brac. I got a great set of Webb crystal stemware from the twenties there.” —Gregory Allan Cramer
C Greenwich Antiques
and Consignment
428 E Boston Post Rd, Cos Cob, CT
(203) 629-1500
“I buy a lot of consignment stuff and this is a great shop. I buy a lot of antique dishes and flatware that I like to put with more contemporary things. Start a collection of saucers and antique teacups. I love antique glassware, like Champagne flutes. Bowl Champagne glasses—you can buy those for a dollar, because nobody wants them.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
C HomeGoods
Various locations in Westchester
homegoods.com
“The finishing touches are the thing that brings a room to life—almost like jewelry to an outfit. Once each project has been completed with furniture, rugs, etc., I often take the client to HomeGoods in Somers to accessorize. I find tiny little occasional furniture pieces, pottery, candelabras, clocks, the right framed mirrors for the end of a hallway, picture frames, discounted bedding from Ralph Lauren—you’d be very surprised. It’s really the best-kept secret.”
—Georgene Mongarella
C The Linen Shop
21 Elm St, New Canaan, CT
(203) 972-0433
“They have a fantastic selection of merchandise, complete with wonderful accessory items for tabletop, great pricing, and the greatest salespeople to help. They are very accommodating; it is a pleasure working with them. They are always my first choice.”â€
—Dianne Wells
C Pier 1
Various locations in Westchester, pier1.com
“I like to buy classic things and then put fun stuff with it. I’ll buy a nice set of white Rosenthal dishes and then go to Pier 1 and buy square lime green plates to put with it for the summer. It’s just more fun because you can change your look—if you have the luxury of storage.” â€
—Gregory Allan Cramer
C Pottery Barn
The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave, White Plains (914) 328-2434, potterybarn.com
“For an everyday kitchen or for very casual dining, they have very nice, good-looking pieces—dishes, placemats, napkins. The scale is nice. They offer so many items to make your table look inviting, from candlesticks to serving trays.” â€
—Dianne Wells
C Rinfret Home & Garden
354 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich
(203) 622-0000, rinfretltd.com
“For something elegant, I always find just the right gift at Rinfret. Cindy Rinfret has a wonderful eye and a well-edited selection of spectacular tabletop pieces that make it easy to find something special for an anniversary, birthday, or hostess gift.”
—Chris Madden
C Source Perrier
sourceperrier.com
“They’re great for walls and rugs as well as for accessories.”‗Libby Cameron
}KITCHEN APPLIANCES
C Albano Appliance
83 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge
(914) 764-4051, albanoappliance.com
“They will go to your home after installation and personally demo how to use the
appliances.”â€
—Susan Marocco
C Appliance Sales Plus
Rte 202 and Lovell St, Somers
(914) 248-5800, appliancesalesplus.com
“Their new showroom is beautiful and they have a wonderful selection. In addition, they are fair and reasonable and offer competitive pricing. Great salespeople and very good
delivery!”â€
—Dianne Wells
C Berger Appliance, inc.
441 Commerce St, Hawthorne, (914) 769-2300
shopbergerappliances.com
“I bought most of my appliances here—
a Bosch dishwasher, a Viking stove. Berger has a really nice selection at pretty good
prices.”â€
—Stacy Higgins
C Liebert’s Royal Green
Appliance Center
228 E Post Rd, White Plains
(914) 949-5999, lrgappl.com
“Liebert’s is the best appliance showroom in Westchester, bar none. And there’s no better sales service—plus great prices. Don’t even utter the words Best Buy or P.C. Richard. Liebert’s will take away old appliances and provide service. There’s too much going on in appliances today to not examine them yourself. When a refrigerator can cost as much as a car, you need to know what you’re doing. Ask for Alfred or Jeff.”
—Lyn Peterson
“What a wonderful, wide variety of appliances and the staff is very knowledgeable.”
—Georgene Mongarella
“I love the service at Liebert’s Royal Green. We work with Jon Brignoni. Liebert’s represent very high-quality lines of appliances and do not try to up-sell you. They are more interested in what will work best for your particular needs.”â€
—Phyllis Harbinger
C Village Appliances
120 N Main St, Port Chester, (914) 937-2221
“They can get you anything, from GE to the fancier, high-end brands, like Bosch or Miele.”‗Libby Cameron
}LAMPS—
TABLE & FLOOR
C Bellacor.com
shadesoflight.com
“I really like the selection, especially for clients on a budget.”â€
—Phyllis Harbinger
C HomeGoods
Various locations in Westchester, homegoods.com
“Sometimes you can find a real bargain.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
C Pottery Barn
The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave
White Plains, (914) 328-2434
“You can get a nice lamp with a shade for a hundred-fifty dollars. And you can
return it.”‗Laurel Bern
LAMPSHADES
C The Accessory Store
69 Jefferson St, Stamford, CT, (203) 327-7128
theaccessorystoreonline.com
“This is an up-to-date accessory store with everything from candles, lampshades, lighting, jewelry stands, and special cleaners to a Tibetan stick, sort of like a wax candle in a metal tube; if you have a scratch in your furniture, you use it to rub out the blemish. There’s also an extensive range of light bulbs. Owners Ron and Mark are helpful, delightful, fun, and cute.” â€
—Lyn Peterson
C Arrow Lamp & Lighting
2091 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont
(914) 834-1992, arrowlighting.com
“This shop has ready-to-wear shades. It has some interesting ones and usually has many in stock, so you don’t have to wait.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
C Powell Accessories Limited
33 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains, (914) 948-8866
This multi-generational, family-owned shop sells “one-of-a-kind specialty items” circa 1950 to 2000. “It’s sort of like walking into the house of the old woman who lived in a shoe. Watch out for the candy dish and be sure to take a peek in the back room.”
—Lyn Peterson
}LIGHTING—PENDANT
& CHANDELIERS
C Bedford Lighting & home
748 N Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, (914) 666-0680
bedfordlightingandhome.com
Bedford Lighting offers “a nice selection of lamps and chandeliers, mirrors, accessory items, etc. I have enjoyed working with them; they are very accommodating.”
—Dianne Wells
C Circa Lighting
circalighting.com
“They have everything, any kind of fixture.”
—Libby Cameron
C Hi-Light
2455 Central Ave, Yonkers, (914) 779-6628
hilight.com
“This shop is great for economical purchases. You have to literally walk along and look at each fixture. Take your time; don’t get overwhelmed.” â€
—Gregory Allan Cramer
C HinkleyLighting.com
“I like this site for traditional Williamsburg chandeliers as well as more whimsical Currey & Company chandeliers.”‗Susan Marocco
C Klaff’s
28 Washington St, South Norwalk, CT
(203) 866-1603, klaffs.com
“Great selection, wonderful staff, always a pleasure to work with. Very accommodating and highly reputable. Klaff’s is always my first preference for all types of lighting, indoor and outdoor.” â€
—Dianne Wells
C Lights On II
388 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains, (914) 397-0588
“A wide array of pendant lighting with the most impressive Murano glass selection.”
—Stacy Higgins
FLOORING
C Greenwich Floor Covering
173 Davis Ave, Greenwich, CT, (203) 661-2323
“They do refinishing and installation, and their work is very good.”â€
—Libby Cameron
C Geysir Hardwood Floors
Railroad Way, to the rear of 510 Fenimore Rd, Mamaroneck, (914) 381-4100, geysirfloors.com
“It’s a great showroom. You’re thinking that you want Brazilian cherry, or maybe you’re entertaining the thought of that antique heart pine, or maybe that sycamore is the flavor of the week. Here you can see it, walk it, and get practical, truthful information about it.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
C Savino Brothers
633 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley
(914) 693-0360, savinobrothers.com
“Meticulous work and dependable.”
—Stacy Higgins
C Showcase Wood Floors
South Salem, (914) 646-4050, showcasefloors.com
Showcase Wood Floors had “always done
a great job for all my clients, and I have personally used them in my own residences. They refinish, install, and repair wood floors beautifully.”â€
—Dianne Wells
}FABRICS
C Calico Corners
657 E Main Street, Mount Kisco, (914) 666-4486
calicocorners.com
They have “a talented staff of people and offer many beautiful fabric selections, drapery hardware, furnishings, and trims. And they do a great job with the fabrication of their window treatments.”â€
—Dianne Wells
C Fabu Fabrics
35 Adams St, Bedford Hills, (914) 244-9041
“An eclectic mix of fabrics from all over the world. Their specialty: vintage fabrics you won’t find in other stores.”
—Stacy Higgins
C Good Goods
859 Post Rd, Darien, CT, (203) 655-8100
“They just have closeouts and leftovers, but they have an interesting and good in-
ventory.”
—Libby Cameron
C Weathervane Hill Fabric Outlet
467 West Ave, Norwalk, CT, (203) 838-2999
“My favorite finds at this shop are from their wonderful collection of ticking fabrics.”
—Chris Madden
} WALLPAPER
C Farrow & Ball
32 E Putnam Ave, Greenwich, CT
(203) 422-0990, farrow-ball.com
“Traditional with a flair. A great resource for paint as well.”â€
—Susan Marocco
C Wallauers
655 N Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, (914) 241-1666,
wallauer.com
They carry “all well-known brands. The salespeople are excellent, very accommodating. I especially like the fact that they feature many of the manufacturers and resources so often available to trade-only professionals.”
—Dianne Wells
}AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
C Advanced Home Environment
404 Fifth Ave, Pelham, (914) 738-8200
“I have brought owner Peter Sherman in on projects that have needed a complete audio-visual design, as well as on projects that needed upgrades to an existing setup. His customer service is great. He even brings in a licensed electrician, Lippolis Electric.”
—Georgene Mongarella
C DBD Electronic, Inc.
Peekskill, (914) 739-8271, dbdelectronics.com
“I truly feel you need an in-home expert to give you the quality and care required for this type of installation. I call upon DBD Electronic for all of my audio/video needs. Danny, the owner, is one of the nicest guys I have met. He is very agreeable and easy to work with and he aims to please.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
C Harvey Home Entertainment
115 Main St, Mount Kisco
(914) 241-1230, harveyonline.com
“They will design a system for you as well as install. They are very good.”
—Libby Cameron
C Lyric HiFi & Video
146 E Post Rd, White Plains
(914) 949-7500, lyricusa.com
The name may be a quaint throwback—Lyric has been around since 1959—but Lyric’s service is solid. “[Co-owner] Dan Mongoro comes to your house and will do everything possible—and he’s a character.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
C Ray Benza of Entertainment Technology Inc.
551 Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills, (914) 242-8881
“Their team is very skilled, competent, and they do a wonderful job with their theaters and all their in-home audio-visual equipment and installations.”‗Dianne Wells
} SERVICES
audio-video consulting
C Advanced Home Entertainment
—Georgene Mongarella
C DBD Electronic, Inc.
—Phyllis Harbinger
C J.A. Engel Company
61 Woodbury St, New Rochelle, (914) 632-1050
James Engel is “absolutely terrific. He’s a
stereo specialist. He does installation, he knows about cable, he knows about alarm systems—very, very high-end. He can do
outdoor systems, remote-control systems, infrared systems.”‗Gregory Allan Cramer
CARPENTRY
C Douglass Streeter, Inc.
434 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
(914) 698-8080
“Doug Streeter is wonderful. His crew is very neat and they are organized and efficient.”â€
—Libby Cameron
C George Gullen of G.D.G. Carpentry
53 Hillside Ave, Katonah, (914) 232-3389
He’s a “highly-skilled, competent professional who always does a great job. He is thorough and very reliable.”‗Dianne Wells
CUSTOM CABINETRY/MILLWORK
Bedford Architectural Millwork
215 Adams St, Bedford Hills, (914) 241-7946
“They are very skilled and expert and
specialize in all types of architectural millwork, custom kitchen cabinets, built-ins, wall paneling, and coffered ceilings. Their attention to detail is superb. They are also very honest, ethical, and easy to work with. They continue to be my number-one choice.”â€
—Dianne Wells
Charles R. Perrenod
New Milford, CT, (917) 697-7507
“He’s wonderfully creative.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
Top Drawer
719 Main St, New Rochelle
(914) 632-4222, topdrawercc.com
“It’s a large showroom. Tom Zeljko Tomic is a smart guy, a former carpenter, so he gets it all. Custom cabinetry is an exploding area. The demand is exceeding supply, and you certainly want to get it right the first time. Plus they have great showroom. They’re even going to be starting to import a line of kitchen cabinets from China with European-quality craftsmanship but at a better price.” â€
—Lyn Peterson
FENCING
Abe’s Ornamental Iron Works
345 Elm St, Stamford, CT, (203) 249-7461
—Lyn Peterson
Gary Prado of Garon Fence Company
323 Railroad Ave, Bedford Hills
(914) 666-5596, garonfence.com
Gary Prado offers “all types of gates and fencing, telephone communication systems and security, stone entrance pillars, etc.” â€
—Dianne Wells
Walpole Woooworkers
1835 Post Road E, Westport, CT, (203) 255-9010, walpolewoodworkers.com
“They also do gates and arbors. They work to create whatever style I want. I particularly like the material they’re using now, from Azek, which looks just like wood but it endures; it never rots. It’s recycled vinyl.” â€
—Jan Johnsen
FLOOR WAXING
Tony Vigletta
Tappan, NY, (845) 359-7413
Floor waxer to some of the area’s most prominent families, “Tony’s a wonderful resource. His process both takes out scratches and protects floors, wood, and terra cotta, bringing them to a rich, buttery, old-money look.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
FURNITURE REFINISHING/CANING
Damiano Finishes
350 North Ave, New Rochelle, (914) 633-8827
“The best. It’s old Italian craftsmanship. Owner Damiano Ceci has been around
forever, and he’s amazing. You just don’t get this kind of quality. He’s not cheap, but he’s better than anybody in Manhattan I’ve ever used. Just terrific.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
Dennis Cummings
New Rochelle, (914) 374-5754
“From repairs to refinishing, call Dennis to take care of all your family pieces. He knows his woods.”
—Lyn Peterson
Hudson Valley Furniture
1112 Rte 311, Patterson, NY
(845) 878-9650, myfurnitureguy.com
“Jim Caione paints the raw-wood outdoor sculptures that I create. He helps find the right color and is incredible at refinishing.”
—Jan Johnsen
London Joiners
23 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge
(914) 764-4216, londonjoiners.com
“London Joiners does lovely work and they are very knowledgeable. Owner Willie Godziemba-Maliszewski knows the provenance of everything.” â€
—Libby Cameron
R.D. Carone & Co.
380 Adams St, Bedford Hills
(914) 241-1172, rdcarone.com
Rick Carone is “wonderful at restoring antiques. And he makes new furniture, such as beautiful custom dining tables. He can do just about anything that is desired.” â€
—Laurel Bern
LIGHTING RESTORATION/REPAIR
Arrow Lamp & Lighting
2091 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont
(914) 834-1992, arrowlighting.com
“They are great, and fast—and so nice to work with.”â€
—Libby Cameron
Powell Accessories Limited
33 Tarrytown Rd, White Plains, (914) 948-8866
“They’ve been doing this for a long time.”
—Lyn Peterson
“I can bring an antique chandelier to Powell and they can research and find pieces that
can coordinate with it. They can rewire old sconces. They can refurbish old pieces and make them look Old World but work like new. They can find the right shade for an old lamp. And they’re a family-owned business.”â€
—Georgene Mongarella
MASONRY
Joe Fama
New Rochelle, (914) 760-3613
“Joe Fama’s a young guy but with the artistry of the old generation. There are too many generic stacked-stone fences popping up all over Westchester. If you’re looking for someone who will really make the most of your stone steps and slate walk, this is your guy.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
METAL SMITHING
Abe’s Ornamental Iron Works
345 Elm St , Stamford, CT, (203) 249-7461
“This third-generation business has an extensive portfolio, reasonable prices, and does quality work, from elaborate grille work to clean, spare, stripped-down iron gates.”
—Lyn Peterson
B & E Iron Works
324 Northrup Ave, Mamaroneck, (914) 698-0832
“All designs are executed beautifully, at great prices. My friend just renovated her house. She actually designed her railing and B&E
executed it to a T. “â€
—Stacy Higgins
PAINTING
Bedin & Sons Painting, Inc.
57 Davis Ave, White Plains, (866) 443-2591
“They are great. The mechanics wear booties in clients’ homes, and take pride in their work.”â€
—Phyllis Harbinger
Bruce Robertson
732 The Parkway, Mamaroneck, (914) 698-2635
“He’s immaculate, prompt, and profes-
sional.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
Jack Grommet of Ultimate Enterprises
575 Academy Rd, Red Hook, NY, (845) 758-8025
For painting and wallpaper installation, Grommet and his crew are “superb, always on time. They always do a perfect job, always leave the job spotless. They’re meticulous and very trustworthy. I’ve been using him for
fifteen years, and I’ve never had a complaint once.”â€
—Dianne Wells
John Weidl and Associates
379 Huguenot St, New Rochelle, (914) 636-5067
“I have been working with them since 1982 and have never been disappointed in their work.”â€
—Libby Cameron
Stanley Salkowski
(914) 589-4644
“He’s a magnificent painter. He’s prompt and does a great job, no matter what the request, and I’ve had some strange requests. When I design a pool, I also provide a place to put the ubiquitous pool storage bin for pool toys. Normally, I get a vinyl version so that it can stay outside all year long, but it typically comes in white, so I ask Stanley to paint it dark green. It’s not easy to paint plastic, but he does it with primer—and he gets the right color. I also use him for staining. No project is beyond him.”
—Jan Johnsen
Wallauer’s
Various Westchester locations, wallauer.com
“They can mix any color and match anything. A great resource.”‗Chris Madden
PAINTING: DECORATIVE/MURAL
DeersTooth Murals
(914) 674-6413 deerstooth.com
“Beautiful residential and commercial murals, including for Pretty Pets Grooming Salon in Dobbs Ferry and Portofino Grille in New York City. Check out Deerstooth’s website; you’ll be amazed.”â€
—Stacy Higgins
Laura Reed
Ardsley, (914) 693-1843
“She’s immeasurably talented. Faux bois is one of her specialties. Anybody who puts a sponge in their hand can call themselves a faux painter, but a lot of it is just really grotesque, clown-like, and cartoonish. We’re lucky to have Laura’s museum-quality work.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
Richard Hudson of Hudson Decorative Painting
Cross River, (914) 763-8205
“Richard is truly a highly skilled, competent, talented, and knowledgeable artist. He is easy to work with, always does a superb job, and is very fair with his pricing.”
—Dianne Wells
UPHOLSTERING
Calico Corners
657 E Main St, Mount Kisco, (914) 666-4486
calicocorners.com
“Calico Corners has been around forever, and it has really great fabric. It’s kind of like a design-build: you can select the material and have them upholster it, so convenience is a big plus.”â€
—Jan Johnsen
Seafarer Canvas
7 Westerly Rd, Ossining, (914) 923-3544
“I have had the pleasure of working with Bill and Heidi Ashley for many, many years, and they always do superb work on a very timely basis. Plus, they are so nice to deal with! Their work is outstanding.”â€
—Dianne Wells
Touba Upholstery & Decorators
343 North Ave, New Rochelle, (914) 637-8216
“This street-level showroom across from the Thruway entrance offers immaculate workmanship and quick turnaround at a
reasonable price.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
W.T. Barnes
32 Cedar St, Dobbs Ferry, (914) 693-2651
“W.T. Barnes performs meticulous work at fair prices. Several of my clients have used them for chair upholstery and were thrilled. Pick-up and delivery service is available.”â€
—Stacy Higgins
Sunshine Interior Decorators
554 E 3rd St, Mount Vernon, (914) 664-2155
“They do custom upholstery, window treatments, bedding, and headboards. I provide the fabric and design, and Sunshine brings the project to fruition—beautifully.”
—Georgene Mongarella
TILING
Deep Contracting
Harrison, (914) 777-3337, deepcontracting.com
“Reliable, and great at matching colors.”
—Stacy Higgins
John Marinaccio/marinaccio tile
Eastchester, (914) 804-8842
“Excellent tile mechanics with artisans from Brazil. Great customer service. Nicest guys.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
John Russo/jr marble and tile
Somers, (914) 403-6568
“He’s one of the best! His workmanship is outstanding and he’s very reliable.”
—Dianne Wells
The Marble Man
Stamford, CT, (203) 223-3192
Jesse Sifuentes is “a great tile guy. He’s got technical ability, and he’s a problem solver. I trust him to work with expensive materials. I’ve seen beautiful tiles completely destroyed by people who don’t know what they’re doing.”
—Gregory Allan Cramer
Rye Ridge Tile
520 N Main St, Port Chester,
(914) 939-1100, ryeridgetile.com
“Rye Ridge Tile found my Italian tile at the original factory in Italy where it was made and shipped the remaining inventory. They saved my renovation project!”â€
—Chris Madden
CARPET CLEANING
Allen’s Maintenance Corp.
221 Alta Vista Dr, Yonkers, (914) 337-3296
Owner Tom Castaldo “does general cleaning and does a great job on rugs and upholstery as well. Everyone is insured.”
—Georgene Mongarella
Carpet Plus Chem-Dry
645 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley, (914) 693-2053
“Reliable, quick, and reasonable. Steam cleaning takes too long to dry. With Chem-Dry, there’s no chance of mold setting in.”
—Stacy Higgins
Cleanrite Carpet Company
292 5th Ave, New Rochelle, (914) 632-6655
“If it’s dirty, they can clean it, from silk sofas to linen drapes.”â€
—Lyn Peterson
David Cohen
New York, NY, (914) 419-3593
“He has removed even the toughest stains, like sap and wine. He is great and I trust him in my clients’ homes and my own.”
—Phyllis Harbinger
LANDSCAPE DESIGN/ARCHITECTURE
Gus Caparelli/F. caparelli
landscape design, inc.
635 Halstead Ave, Mamaroneck
(914) 698-6144, fclandscapedesign.com
“It’s a family business that includes brother Paul and father Frank, who maintain the properties and do the installation. Gus has a degree in landscape design, so they bring both the crew and the talent. Gus is definitely the cutest landscaper in Westchester.”
—Lyn Peterson
Perennial Gardens
414 Old Post Rd, Bedford
(914) 234-6311, sculptedland.com
They’re “well known for their creative and innovative landscape design. Owner Augie Alvarez expanded the business, begun by his father in the late forties. Projects are customized. They expertly guide clients through the design process, form start to finish.”
—Dianne Wells
Perry Johnston
Greenwich, CT, (203) 869-7494
Perry Johnston’s work is “classic with a twist. We have a client right now, who has a typical spec house—pretty, but the landscape was very minimal, very bare. Johnston made it into something that looks like it’s been there a long time. It feels like a gracious, settled house. She has a good aesthetic—classic and appealing.”
—Connie Beale
Sonia Del Monaco
Ridgefield, CT, (203) 438-1816
“She is a garden designer who is passionate about what she does. Each client’s landscape provides a canvas and she will work within your budget.”â€
—Phyllis Harbinger
Your Gardening Angel
1338 King St, Greenwich, CT, (203) 531-1837
“Mike Murphy owns this company and takes pride in all of the properties he landscapes —great follow-up, wonderful seasonal plantings, and consistently beautiful work. He really is my gardening angel!”
—Chris Madden
GARDEN CENTERS
Michael’s Garden Gate Nursery
146 N Bedford Rd, Mount Kisco, (914) 666-3177
“I love them. To me, they’re just the best.”
—Jan Johnsen
POOL DESIGN
Shoreline Pools
383 West Ave, Stamford, CT
(203) 967-1203, shorelinepools.com
Shoreline Pools is a “very reputable company and several of my clients have used its services, and all of them have been extremely happy. Their designs are beautiful, well planned, and they employ a very talented and skilled staff of professionals.”
—Dianne Wells
Julia Lange is a New York-based freelance writer who writes frequently about architecture and interior design.
