A Garden Sanctuary

We asked three Connecticut designers to envision a garden paradise.

SARANDA BERISA

“I always try to finalize a space with a piece of the past,” says Saranda Berisa, director of interior design and decoration at Wadia Associates. “New England residents are very in touch with history and love to tell friends the stories behind items in their homes.” WADIA ASSOCIATES, NEW CANAAN, (203) 966-0048, WWW.WADIAASSOCIATES.COM

French Wrought Iron Gazebo: “This beautiful antique gazebo could serve as an enchanting outdoor dining room. I envision it covered with climbing hydrangea and roses, both of which have a long-lasting, aromatic bloom and look gorgeous even when not in season.” THE ELEMENTAL GARDEN

Keswick Bench by McKinnon and Harris: “I love this bench because it comes in a variety of great colors and has a fantastic lacquer powder-coated finish. Its fresh, classic look blends harmoniously with garden scenery.” THROUGH WADIA ASSOCIATES

Fluted Lotus Side Table from Mecox Gardens: “I adore glazed pottery, and this is a great way to bring it into a project. I just love the imperfections in the glaze. This piece can function either as a side table or as extra seating. Its solid form would balance out an airier bench, giving the arrangement a pulled-together elegance.” THROUGH WADIA ASSOCIATES

Antique Honeycomb Chimney Pots: “A beautiful garden sanctuary has to have stories to tell. This stunning pair of circa-1870 chimney pots originally graced a country house in Norfolk, England, and would be lovely holding baskets of flowers on either side of a garden entrance.” THE ELEMENTAL GARDEN, SOUTH WOODBURY, (203) 263-6500, WWW.THEELEMENTALGARDEN.COM

TERRI REILLY

Whether the setting is traditional or contemporary, elegance and comfort go hand in hand for Terri Reilly, an Allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, who’s been creating unique spaces for her clients for more than twenty-five years. TR DESIGN, RIDGEFIELD, (203) 994-4366, WWW.TRDESIGNASID.COM

Chinese Symbol Planter by Pennoyer Newman: “The four seasons are depicted in Chinese symbols on the sides of this exquisite planter. The piece can stand alone as a beautiful sculpture, but filled with an array of greens it becomes even more spectacular.” THROUGH TR DESIGN

Water Mill Side Table from McGuire: “Thanks to its tightly woven top, this petite drum-shaped table doubles as a stool. Though it resembles traditional wicker, its woven resin construction gives it a fresh, contemporary look.” THROUGH TR DESIGN

Stainless Steel Chain Sculpture by Gold Leaf Design Group: “This spectacular hanging sculpture features polished balls that seem to float on a flexible stainless steel rope. When several chains are grouped together, a faint tinkling sound enlivens the garden.” THROUGH TR DESIGN

O’Brien Ironworks Mandarin Settee: “Imagine sunning yourself on this beautiful garden bench with a cup of tea and a favorite book—life is good. Available in China red and several other colors, the bench could be used indoors as well.” THROUGH TR DESIGN

CAROLYN KRON AND TRICIA IZZO

Going into business together was a natural move for longtime friends Carolyn Kron and Tricia Izzo. The designers recently opened a second studio and shop, offering furniture, accessories and great gifts. SHELTER INTERIORS, WESTPORT, (203) 341-9535, AND MILFORD, (203) 301-4886, WWW.SHELTERINTERIORSLLC.COM

St. Croix Bench from Holly Hunt: “This contemporary bench is hefty enough to stand alone on a patio or under a pergola. It would offer great extra seating for a garden cocktail party.” THROUGH SHELTER INTERIORS

Parramatta Arbor: “The perfect size for an intimate grouping of furniture, this arbor could be tucked in a secret garden as an unexpected surprise, or used as a focal point near a large planting area.” TRELLIS STRUCTURES, EAST TEMPLETON, MASS., (888) 285-4624, WWW.TRELLISSTRUCTURES.COM

Seibert & Rice’s Poetry Pot: “This pottery vase has a beautiful shape, whether you use it as a planter or as a decorative piece in your garden. Some of the words have been intentionally rubbed out to give it an ancient look. We love the thought of relaxing in the garden and composing a poem of our own.” FLEURESCENT, MILFORD, (203) 283-7880

Jacques Garcia Chi Chi Side Table from McGuire: “We love this table for a garden sanctuary because of its great modern style. With the metal rivets reminiscent of nailhead accents, it has an indoor furniture look that’s unexpected for the outside.” THROUGH SHELTER INTERIORS