EDITOR'S LETTER

This year we are excited to be bringing you the first ever AIA Design Awards for the Peconic Chapter formed in August 2005. As I sat in the auditorium at the Ross School this past August, it was stimulating to see the breadth and depth of the design projects that were talked about by the three judges, chair Jaquelin Taylor Robertson, FAIA, Ross Anderson, FAIA and Richard Gluckman, FAIA. I felt the excitement that I had once felt when I was the architecture editor of Architectural Digest and attended other AIA design awards programs so many years ago. Our region might be relatively small, but it is dynamic in character and talent.

Most great design projects are usually a collaboration of minds. This is quite evident in a Wainscott renovation by architect Will Sharp, AIA, along with homeowners Lon Hamaekers and Douglas Allen. It is hard to believe that this clean-lined architectural gem was transfigured from a 1970s chalet-like house. As Sharp explains, "We complemented each other with different voices of reason."

The only voice artist Susan Zises listened to was her own when tackling the whirlwind two-month renovation of her modest 19th-century garage/carriage house in Water Mill. She shares with us the final result of her vision.

Also featured this issue is The Farm, one of the world's most monumental private sculpture parks in New Zealand created by a person of great vision. Helen Klisser During captures in text and photographs the 1,000-acre sculpture park and environmental preserve at the edge of Kaipara Harbor that was the dream of her fellow countryman.

The unexpected may take us by surprise but after seeing it we may think, "Of course!" This was the case when we started planning our fall fabric feature. Ivy Tashlik, our design director, thought why not show our selection of new home textiles in the form of clothes. After all, fashion and home decor are closely related. I even wore the coat one day when the weather had turned a bit crisp and I needed something other than my shawl. It felt luscious and just warm enough.

The summer season may have turned into fall, and we may have started wearing more clothing to keep us warm, but we still are enticed by our wonderful region to be out and about, experiencing all of the wonderful things the Hamptons has to offer. A walk on the beach, no matter what time of year, is always a personal favorite. The Parrish Museum's Thanksgiving weekend flea market is a definite must, and eating mouth-watering dishes that are geared to the season is always the best when shared with family and dear friends. Do keep in touch and, as always, we love hearing from you.

Barbara L. Dixon
Editorial Director
barbara.dixon@hcandg.com