R2 | Greenwich Time | Friday, September 25, 2015 REAL ESTATE LoParco Associates David Ogilvy & Associates Left: Steve LoParco, president of LoParco Associates, designed this fire pit as an outdoor seating area. His company has noticed an increase in requests for fire pits. Right: This home at 74 Upper Cross Road in mid-country features multiple outdoor verandas perfect for outdoor dining and entertainment. The home is listed for $9.95 million. LUXURY LIVING Creating outdoor spaces for active living, entertaining By Meg Barone family time and being more ac- doorsy” and health-conscious and pergola with a latticework privacy outdoor grills with sophisticated tive,” according to the Master Pools their living spaces reflect that. He feature on the sides. On one deck, equipment and greater counter Backyards have always been a Guild website, which annu-ally definitely sees a growing interest in he created a sunken area for the space. He has also noticed more place for recreation and casual releases its top ten trends in pools creating more outdoor living areas. installation of a hot tub to keep interest in gas-fueled fireplaces and dining at a picnic table by the and backyards. “It’s an extension of your home— from impinging on the surround- fire pits that feature under-ground charcoal or propane tank-fueled At No. 6 on this year’s list is the you’re adding square footage to ing view but also to make it easier hook-up to the house’s gas line. grill. Today’s backyards are not trend toward seamless indoor and your home,” he said. to enter and exit the spa. To create that seamless inside just for barbecuing and badminton outdoor spaces, which Guild offi- “Without a doubt, people are Broadbent said people are get- out space LoParco said more — they have become extensions of cials said has become one of their spending more time outdoors,” said ting away from the traditional homeowners are opting for Nana- our indoor living spaces, and in most popular design trends. Paul Broadbent of Broadbent woods like mahogany for their Walls, folding frameless glass wall some cases, homeowners are ask- Homeowners appreciate the ability Construction, home builders and decking and gravitating toward systems instead of French doors ing contractors to create luxurious to extend their living and enter- contractors for residential con- composite materials, like Trex and and sliding doors. outdoor dining areas with built-in taining spaces beyond the confines struction, home additions and Azek. Composite deck materials Mar Jennings, an Emmy-nom- kitchens. of four walls. In addition to ex- home renovations in Greenwich. come in a wide array of colors, he inated television personality, life- It won’t be long before autumn panded outdoor kitchens and Broadbent has seen an increase in said. style expert, designer and best- will give way to the typical New dining areas, homeowners are requests for free-standing outdoor “Years ago it was brown or gray; selling author from Fairfield Coun- England winter that will bury the adding outdoor living and media fireplaces and fire pits. now there’s nine different shades of ty, calls it “an open door policy.” state in a blanket of snow. Until rooms including televisions. Even in Greenwich neighbor- brown and a wide variation in the But it’s not enough to live out- then, residents will do whatever The outdoor cooking areas have hoods where the houses are more grays,” he said. doors, said Jennings, author of two they can to stay outside. gotten more sophisticated, accord- modest and closer together, resi- Upscale builders are also using books including “Life on Mars: “The concept of outdoor living ing to Steve LoParco, president of dents want to spend more time in ipe wood, an extremely durable and Creating Casual Luxury.” People has never been more popular as LoParco Associates, a HOBI their backyards and are approach- expensive wood, which is ideal for want to spend time outdoors with today’s families strive for a healthy award-winning Greenwich firm ing contractors to build decks and decks and outdoor furniture. indoor comfort. They are using and active lifestyle, but the defini- specializing in custom home con- privacy screening, he said. Last LoParco said his projects have not indoor design principles to create tion of outdoor living is struction and renovation. LoParco summer, Broadbent said one of his included full outdoor kitchens but livable outdoor spaces, he said. changing. ... It is a movement agrees that people are more “out- projects involved constructing a there is a call for more built-in toward more AGENT PROFILE Mary Ann Heaven TV veteran uses creativity Jane Brash didn’t realize how multi-faceted Mary Ann Heaven was never the kind to and project-oriented the real estate profession sit behind a desk. Before becoming a Real- was until she became a Realtor 10 years ago. It tor, her nearly 20-year career in television was then she realized how compatible her took her all over the world, allowed her to experience and skill set were to this new role. tell inspiring stories and led to her four Like her previous career, real estate in- Emmy Awards, three of them for her pro- volves juggling “a million balls in the air all duction work at ABC Sports under the the time. I love that kind of work,” Brash said, iconic television figure Roone Arledge. adding that she loves meeting people. She also Heaven also worked as a producer and loves the job because “every house, every writer for the legendary Jim McKay, and person, every deal, every day is different.” she produced and reported on air at sever- Brash, a native of Canada who lived in New al Summer and Winter Olympic Games. York City for 13 years before moving to Green- She also worked in the news divisions of wich 20 years ago, worked in corporate CBS News and ABC News. On ABC’s Business: Douglas Elliman of Connecticut America as vice president of marketing for PrimeTime Live, she produced for Diane Works: Greenwich Clairol, as well as holding marketing posi- Sawyer and Sam Donaldson. Lives: Greenwich tions at Colgate Palmolive and McCann Er- Her investigative reporting on sport shoe ickson in advertising. She made the transition sweat shops in Vietnam for ESPN’s “Out- Expertise: Staging, property analysis, knowl- because corporate work demanded long days side the Lines” earned Heaven a fourth edge of planning and zoning regulations, and she wanted something with more flexibil- national Emmy Award. strong writing and communication skills ity closer to home. “I like to present a narrative ... It was an Contact: (203) 561-6915, maryann@ As a member former president of the Riv- incredible chapter in my life,” Heaven said. heaveningreenwich.com erside Association and other roles, Brash has So is this next chapter, as wife and hands-on knowledge of the school system mother and Realtor. Heaven left the televi- and how the town works. She covers all of sion field in 1998 to join her husband Mar- my happiest,” said Heaven, who earned a Greenwich and Stamford and is trained and shall’s Greenwich real estate firm, M.H. Juris Doctor degree from the University of experienced in representing both buyers and Heaven Real Estate LLC, where she Notre Dame Law School, where she had sellers in investment properties, rentals, wich Adult Day Care Center and top market- worked in commercial and residential also graduated magna cum laude as a relocations and in all price ranges. She speaks er of the year by Advertising Age. She has brokerage and development, and she found member of the first class of women there. four languages. consistently been recognized in Coldwell parallels between the two professions. She has served on several boards and as “I love this town and am a true advocate for Banker’s Exclusive International President’s “Television is visual and verbal. Real an art history/art appreciation teacher at Greenwich,” Brash said. Elite and is currently in the top 2 percent of estate is visual and verbal,” so it made for a The Stanwich School and as a catechism Brash’s community service positions, proj- about 87,000 sales associates worldwide. natural and easy transition, she said. “I teacher in Greenwich. ects and professional awards are too numer- Brash is married with two grown children. love my work.” Heaven includes as one of her hobbies ous to mention. Highlights include former She is a member of the Riverside Yacht Club, Heaven is also left-brained and right- “taking care of our beautiful daughter,” PTA president of Riverside Elementary, and she enjoys playing paddle tennis, tennis brained, and real estate allows her to uti- Mary Alexandra “Sasha,” and helping her executive Board of Directors for the Green- and bridge. lize her creative talents and logical skills. live a purposeful life. They also enjoy ski- “I’m very creative. When I create, I’m at ing as a family. THE GREENWICH LIST Highest for sale Address Price ATTENTION 25 Lower Cross Road $65 million 124 Old Mill Road $31.5 million Real Estate Agents 107 Indian Head Road $28 million www.cthousehunter.com and Brokers 429 Taconic Road $23.5 million 200 Guards Road $22.250 million 42 Mooreland Road $21.5 million If you wish be considered for a Hot Property, 1 Harbor Drive $20 million Agent Profile or to submit a press release, please go to 30 Round Hill Club Road $20 million www.cthousehunter.com/pr/ 17 Cowdray Park Drive $19.9 million to be considered. 7 Cobb Island Drive $18.75 million Source: Town listing.