With exceptional teamwork between the homeowners, stone supplier, stonemason and architects, the design of an upscale residence in Greenwich, CT, has become a showcase of innovative stonework

The use of natural materials — including glass, wood and stone — served as inspiration for homeowners Michael and Mary Guilfoile for their contemporary- style custom residence in Greenwich, CT. After they selected a palette that includes a 100% natural Old Spruce Mountain exterior and a range of interior stonework, the project came together through the close cooperation between the homeowners, stone supplier, stonemason and architects.

As lovers of art, the homeowners envisioned the property as an art installation itself, and it worked alongside The Project Group at Connecticut Stone Supplies, Inc. of Milford, CT, and the architects at Swaback Partners of Scottsdale, AZ. “We selected The Project Group to manage all aspects of stone throughout the building of our home because of their expertise, knowledge of and variety of materials available and the ability to meet all of our needs,” said Michael Guilfoile.

Mike Wetzel, AIA, of Swaback Partners, explained that the homeowners were involved in the design process from the beginning, with the final objective of building a one-of-a-kind residence that would reflect the home’s picturesque surroundings. “[The goal was] to create an exceptional, artful design — complementing the site — and to satisfy the owners’ creative desire to participate in creating something unique.”

The Old Spruce Mountain veneer was used for exterior cladding as well as paving, Combining with stucco and large window openings. The exterior is not only characterized by its stone finishes, but by its many curved walls and multiple round chimneys, giving the residence a singular look.

“We used approximately 1,000 tons of Old Spruce Mountain for the veneer of the house and approximately 6,000 square feet of Old Spruce Mountain pavers,” said Tyra Dellaroce, Vice President of the National Interiors Division for Connecticut Stone Supplies. “The veneer was traditional 4- to 6-inch bed depth. We cut random heights and lengths, keeping the stone as long and thin as possible.”

The stone carries from the exterior to the interior of the home, and according to Wetzel, the material works well with the other design elements used in both applications. “The stone was carefully selected during the design phase and coordinated with the palate of materials used throughout the house,” he said. “Many samples were considered. The owner’s eye for col Or was material with our own to achieve the perfect blend.

“We regard the relatedness of all things, including the exterior environment as a single strategy of design,” Wetzel continued. “The interior and exterior materials create a cohesive theme, which relates and complements the stucco, floor tile, millwork and furniture, while the texture of the stone creates a beautiful contrast to the smooth character of the stucco, floor and feature walls of wood.”

IMPLEMENTING THE DESIGN

While the many curved vertical surfaces are a defining element of the home, they were also something for the design/ build team to carefully consider prior to construction. “The detailed transitions of each different material was a design assignment in itself,” Wetzel said. “Each stone was hand chiseled to follow the curves of the walls or special stone features.”

The masonry contractor for the project Was Cobuzzi Masonry, LLC, of Brookfield, CT. “After the stone was cut by Connecticut Stone Supplies, it was hand chiseled to form the radius,” explained Mike Cobuzzi of Cobuzzi Masonry. “Nothing was straight. We got past it by making sure we took the time to do it right. We did some sorting, but mostly it was field cutting.”

Overall, Cobuzzi’s team was on the jobsite for around a year and a half. “At one time, we averaged around 18 guys on the job,” he said, adding that the stone was adhered with mortar and steel anchors.

During the design phase, the masons worked directly with the architects and homeowners to ensure a successful installation. “The architects came to the site, and they actually helped in the original plan as we did sample panels. The owner was also involved,” Cobuzzi said. “It was a very unique in the sense of the round walls, and everything seemed to have an artistic flow to it.”

According to Wetzel, the curved walls were a critical element in creating a home that would be the only one of its kind. “What others see as challenges, we prefer to think of as major determinants that make each site and every client call out for a unique response,” he said. “Our objective was to create a blend between the owners spirit of exploration For something quite special in way that created a seamless bond with the natural beauty of the setting. Everything else was treated as an unending series of critically important details.”

INTERIOR STONEWORK

Inside the residence, the Old Spruce Mountain veneer was used for both curved and straight walls, and it was also used to clad a floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the living area and a wood-burning oven in the kitchen.

Overall, the interior design palette includes a broad range of stone materials. In selecting the various stones to be used, the homeowners and Connecticut Stone Supplies’ Project Group took a four-day trip to Veneto and Tuscany regions of Italy, visiting an exclusive supplier to handselect materials for the project. “In many cases, the choice of stone selected in Italy influenced or changed the overall design in many of the rooms,” said Guilfoile.

The kitchen countertops were made from Azul Aran granite with a triple-laminated edge, and the tone of the granite also serves as a complement to the Old Spruce Mountain veneer on the woodburning oven.

For the Old Spruce Mountain fireplace in the living area, the wood-burning element has been substituted with an artistic “flame” design that utilizes a blue variety of soapstone at its core.

The bathroom spaces throughout the home employ a range of premium stone materials, including White Onyx, Blue Bahia marble, Red Fire marble and Giallo Sienna marble.

Some of the most impressive stonework can be found leading to and within the home’s wine cellar. A custom-cut medallion of Tiepolo marble, Cara Grande marble and Rosso Levanto marble was set into the floor area leading to the wine cellar, creating a dramatic element to introduce guests to the space.

Meanwhile, the wine cellar itself features a tasting table made from Tiger Eye Blue semi-precious stone. “The stone was originally used as a luck charm by the pagans,” Wetzel explained. “The distinctive bands of translucent gold originate from the oxidation of irons. It is the planetary stone for Gemini, and many legends say that wearing Tiger Eye — which is a form of quartz — is beneficial for health and spiritual well being. Legend also says it is a psychic protector — great for business — and an aid to achieving clarity.”

The Project Group at Connecticut Stone Supplies managed all aspects of material selection, fabrication and installation, working side-by-side with Swaback Partners over a period of four years. Construction of the home was completed over five years.