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Great Design with Trudy Dujardin, FASID, LEED AP

At Home in the Country

Posted on April 30, 2018 by Trudy Dujardin, FASID, Leed AP

I’m so pleased to have another of Dujardin Design Associate’s projects published by our friends at New England Home CT Magazine. They’re also the publishers of New England Home, and both magazines are full of design inspiration. In their Spring 2018 edition, they tell the story of our design work at a beautiful country home located in the gracious town of Washington Depot, Connecticut. This is the eighth project we’ve completed for this client, by now a longtime friend.

When this client found another dream home for the next phase of her life (previous homes were in New York City, Greenwich, and California!), we knew we were going to have a wonderful time working together again. Washington Depot is one of three towns that were the actual inspiration for the town of Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls, so you can just imagine the feeling of warmth and small town camaraderie.

We’re so excited to show it to you. If you can pick up a copy of the magazine, please do. It’s on the stands until July 23, 2018. Here’s a sneak peek!

A trend in home buying and interior design right now is the need to remake our homes to fit the next stage of our lives. Whether you’re making space for a nursery, adding an in-law suite for an elder relative, or moving to a new location to embrace retirement, the chance to re-envision your home is an exciting time. Keeping what you treasure but adding new furniture, rugs and accessories to fit your new lifestyle is the best way to embrace the future!

One of the joys–and struggles–of moving is deciding what to keep and what to give away. New storage and display pieces can help you make those choices.

I’ve always believed that our surroundings influence our lives in countless quiet ways. This client loves the farms and rolling countryside she can see outside her windows,

Whatever stage of life you’re in, you can make your home a place that fully supports your daily activities and offers rest and respite at night. A good interior design plan helps you achieve beauty, comfort, and sanctuary without leaving home. Vacations aren’t the only option for rejuvenation when you truly love where you live.

My Whirlwind Book Tour

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Trudy Dujardin, FASID, Leed AP

It’s hard to pick the best part of the experience of writing and launching a book, but the chance to meet so many wonderful people, see my many dear friends, and share my message of sustainable design and green living has been very rewarding! Comfort Zone: Creating the Eco-Elegant Interior was first introduced on Nantucket, and then we were off to Boston and New York! Join me for a look back at the friends who opened their doors to me and have helped to make Comfort Zone a success!

First stop: 26 Main Street, Nantucket, at Quidley and Co.! A beautiful summer evening brought friends, visitors, wine, and hors d’ouevres together for a festive introduction for Comfort Zone!

A big thank you to Chris Quidley for hosting our first party. Here he is with Dujardin Design’s Sondy Rexford and Price Connors.

Next stop: 54 Main Street, Nantucket, and Mitchell’s Book Corner! This is where I gave my very first talk about what it was like to write Comfort Zone, and all the information inside!

I explained to my guests at Mitchell’s that Comfort Zone could just be read as a beautiful design book, with more than 350 color photographs, or readers could drill down deeper and really learn about sustainable design.

Then it was on to One Chestnut Street, Nantucket, and the beautiful Flowers on Chestnut.

Comfort Zone and I were warmly welcomed by shop owner Michael Molinar.

My longtime friend, renowned marine artist Michael Keane stopped by to see us. Here we are with my dad, (and my biggest fan), Robert Stefanov. For a look at Michael Keane’s incredible talent, see my blog post The Sea-Worthy Artwork of Michael Keane.

We couldn’t launch a book without a stop to see our friends Ken and Deborah Withrow at the Union Street Inn. We’ve been entrusted with designing the inn’s historic common areas and guest rooms twice. It was a beautiful day to enjoy the inn’s back patio. Here I am with Ken!

Before we knew it, it was September, and I was scheduled to appear at What’s New, What’s Next? at the New York Design Center, 200 Lex. This time I was welcomed at Calger Lighting, where Carmella Califano had arranged wine and hors d’ouevres (and some amazing brownies!) for all our guests that day.

My husband, Frank Fasanella, is always there to support me (even taking care of business from our book tour!) Here I am with Calger’s Carmella Califano.

Up for the drive to Boston, anyone? Come along for my panel discussion at the Boston Design Center!

Kyle Hoepner of New England Home Magazine moderated a panel on sustainable architecture and design. I was joined by John R. DaSilva, AIA, of Polhemus Savery DaSilva, and Susan Brisk, a kitchen and bath designer and a faculty member at Boston Architectural College. The morning was sponsored by EcoModern Design and Cosentino. Eco-Modern’s David Sanborn and Cosentino’s Merry Leclerc joined us in this photo.

A book signing followed at EcoModern Design’s showroom. They put out a delicious spread of appetizers to welcome our guests. A big thank you to David Sanborne and the staff at EcoModern!

Then it was back to Connecticut, and a visit to Fairfield University’s bookstore on Post Road in Fairfield.

Many of the university’s design students attended and we had a lively discussion on sustainable design.

My thanks to Elizabeth Hastings for arranging such a lovely evening. Here I am with Rob Hardy, the director of Interior Design programs at Fairfield University.

No time to rest yet! Next on the schedule: a panel discussion on why antiques are the ultimate in green. Hosted by de Le Cuona during Fall Market at the Decoration and Design Building in New York, Creating an Eco-Elegant Interior was the topic for moderator Kerry Howard, who led the discussion. My co-panelist was The Antiques Diva, Toma Clark Haines. I wish you all could have been there!

Finally, the fabulous New York launch of Comfort Zone! Hosted by the gracious Stark family at Stark Carpet, we threw ourselves a wonderful fete, with Prosecco and wine, delicious bites and sparkling conversation. It was truly the celebration of the year!

Our hosts for the evening: John and Chad Stark. My deepest appreciation for their warm support and beautiful showroom!

Lots of books…

and lots of signing!

The party in full swing!

It was truly an elegant and very special evening.

And on October 20, here we are at Currey and Co. in High Point, North Carolina. On the right is company owner Bob Currey with his poodle companion, Reeves. My deepest thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this tour possible!

Behind the Scenes at a Photo Shoot

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Trudy Dujardin, FASID, Leed AP

I recently shared photos of a beautiful Dujardin-designed home on Nantucket, featured in New England Home Magazine’s Summer 2012 Cape and Islands issue. It is one of my greatest pleasures to ready and stage a home for a photo shoot for a wonderful shelter magazine, where the homeowners can enjoy seeing their home in print, and I can share the work I love to do. I’ve found that what inspires me to do my best work can also inspire others to do theirs. Our surroundings matter!

But just as getting dressed for a wonderful night out on the town is a different experience than your appearance at the party, so a photo shoot is a different experience from the completed photo spread in the magazine. So here’s a little peek of what goes on behind the scenes: come along and join us as we get ready!

The team arrives early. First we meet with photographer Michael Partenio and stylist Stacy Kunstel for a brief strategy session, planning our day, room by room, shot by shot.

Bringing a room to life for the camera is creative work, and it takes a village of collaborators! My husband, Frank Fasanella, is helping to hang this picture.

Senior Designer Price Connors arrives with a stack of pillows, then helps me finesse the table decor. Every person makes a contribution!

Our photographer, Michael, has the final say as he examines every shot from behind the lens of the camera.

It’s been a beautiful day, but a tiring one. Good work, everyone! See you in the magazine.

Find us in New England Home’s Summer Cape and Islands Issue!

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Trudy Dujardin, FASID, Leed AP

Creating beautiful, gently green interiors is both my work and my passion, but there’s a special pleasure involved when I work in a home of architectural significance. New England Home Magazine’s Summer Cape and Islands Issue features Dujardin Design interiors in just such a place: a home designed by architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen in Sconset, on Nantucket Island.

Photography: Michael Partenio

Designed by Mr. Jacobsen in 1990 and untouched since it was built, it is a prime example of the Jacobsen style: a large center pavilion flanked by “outbuildings” recalling the barns, detached kitchens and smokehouses of rural America. The house fits perfectly into the Nantucket landscape, with gray exterior and minimal trim.

Photography: Michael Partenio

The interiors we created preserved all the original details of the house, and celebrated Mr. Jacobsen’s vision, while fitting the home to the new owners’ lifestyle, and resulting in more healthful surroundings.

Photography: Michael Partenio

It was our pleasure to carefully select striking furniture and fixtures to mirror the clean lines of the house, while infusing the home with quiet luxury.

Photography: Michael Partenio

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Cape and Islands Issue, and enjoy a visit to a bright, sun-filled, truly American home!

Guest Blogging at New England Home Magazine

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Trudy Dujardin, FASID, Leed AP

New England Home Magazine has invited me to be a guest blogger. I’m excited to share my thoughts on good design and good living with readers of this wonderful magazine. You can find me there from February 21^stto 27^th, and from March 6th to 12^th at http://blog.nehomemag.com/.

New England Home is the premier regional architecture and interior design magazine in the northeastern U.S. They cover all aspects of the New England residential design world, from the hottest new talent to the most beautiful spaces to the fine art and accessories that provide a finishing touch.

You’ll find a very special Dujardin-designed home in New England Home’s Cape and Islands issue, available summer, 2012. Shhh: it’s top secret!