Alexis Koukos 
With the holidays in full swing, it’s time to decorate and get into the holiday spirit,and a good place to start is with your Christmas tree. “Traditionally when you think of a Christmas tree, you picture ornaments, lights, tree toppers, and shiny bright tinsel, but there is so much more you can do with your … Read more
Houseplants are trending. Everywhere you look there are plants and plant-related merchandise. Indoor plants are on the rise, particularly with the millennial generation. Recently, I added to my collection with a Lucky bamboo plant and now I’m on a quest to best take care of this new addition to my family. Kris Barker, owner of … Read more
A concrete home may sound like a cold structure with no personality, but homes built with insulated concrete forms (ICF) are far from this. Faced with the challenge of building a Scottish castle for a client in 2014, Leigh Overland, owner of Leigh Overland Architect in Danbury, researched the best design for the structure and … Read more
Every spring I evaluate my closet, but tend to delay or organize only part of it. Finally, I’m making the commitment to declutter. Dr. Margarita Cossuto, owner of Living Organized in Norwalk, explains that clutter can be physically and emotionally draining. “Clutter simply takes up your energy and negatively impacts many areas of your life,” … Read more
Kombucha is a new buzzword in the tea scene, but many wonder what it is and what makes it so popular. According to the American Nutrition Association, kombucha tea “is a sweet-sour, fermented, acidic, slightly carbonated beverage.” “If you have never tried kombucha before, I would describe it as effervescent, tart and slightly sweet,” explains … Read more
When I was young, my mom would always bring me flower shopping. “Which color do you like better?” she would ask, pointing to an array of peonies, pansies, and the like. I would usually pick a shade of bubblegum pink. I cherished these times, walking around the nursery, filling our cart with flowers, hanging baskets, … Read more
Reading ingredient labels on snacks shouldn’t require reading glasses and a chemical dictionary, but that has become the case with additives, preservatives, fats, and unnecessary ingredients finding their way into our treats. As an alternative, baking your own snacks at home allows you to control the ingredients and be more health conscious. It may seem … Read more
Homeowners flock to the outdoors as the weather turns warm, an impetus to entertain on decks, porches, and lawns. From graduations and birthdays to anniversaries and weddings, your home easily becomes the ideal destination for summer parties. “The trend this year is outdoors,” says John Vazzano, owner of Vazzano Four Seasons in Stratford and Vazzy’s … Read more
America is coffee obsessed. Consuming a whopping 400 million cups per day, Americans consider coffee a vital part of their daily routine, according to e-importz.com. Now coffee lovers can enjoy their beverage of choice at a custom-designed at-home coffee station, whether it’s a corner of the kitchen counter, a set of built-in cabinets, or … Read more