It’s 8:45 a.m. and a pre-camp frenzy has taken over Sylvana and Adam Durrett’s country house in Washington, Connecticut. Calls come from the ship lapped mudroom for rackets. The couple’s three kids—Henry, 11, Grace, 9, and Millie, 6—hustle sneakers on, as Sylvana deftly threads Millie’s loose blond locks into a taut ponytail. They hug their mom goodbye in succession like von Trapps in tennis whites, and are bundled out the door and into the family car by Adam. Suddenly, the rambling farmhouse descends into calm.
But not for long. Vogue photographer Norman Jean Roy has just arrived with pastries from his Hudson Valley bakery, Breadfolks, and sets them on the kitchen terrace. In an instant Sylvana yells “Blue!” because the family’s 90-pound yellow Lab has launched himself onto the weathered farm table and, like a breaching whale, sinks his maw into a loaf of sourdough.
Sylvana’s accustomed to this. The 42-year-old CEO of Maisonette, a beloved tyke-targeted online emporium, which itself has made ample use of this 102-acre property for photo shoots, is comfortable in a bit of chaos— having grown up in Los Angeles with her mother’s nine siblings and their families often visiting from San Jose. “It’s never really quiet here,” says Sylvana. “Everything was designed with guests in mind. It’s like a hotel in the summer.” Between the main house, the barn, and guest quarters tucked down by the pond, she can happily accommodate three families—all the kids’ beds have trundles, per their own request—and the Durretts recently purchased a generous six-bedroom gabled farmhouse across the street for further (and future) spillover.
This story is from the November 2023 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2023 edition of Vogue US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Mother's Story
In a Broadway revival of Amy Herzog's play Mary Jane, Rachel McAdams finds uncommon grace in an account of parental struggle and pain.
Old Souls
A new production of Uncle Vanya brings the eternal wisdom of Anton Chekhov to the stage.
ELIZABETH DEBICKI
The actor who brought Princess Diana to life—and won a passel of awards in the process—is ready to transform anew.
If the Shoe Doesn't Fit
Forever looking for a 42 ina world of 39s.
Stuck on You
Once applied primarily to adolescent totems, stickers for wellness!are growing up.
Partial to It
Gen Zers have deemed side parts hopelessly outdated, but new defenders see the appeal.
With Nail and I
Inspired by recent runways, Lena Dunham tries on inch-long talons and mere tip-skimming lengths, and wonders: What do our nails say about all we’re asked to do?
Not Black and White
At just 27, Anna Park has made a major impression on the art world. Dodie Kazanjian visits her studio.
Prep School
Back in the '90s, Plum Sykes arrived in New York from London and promptly found herself in the thrall of preppy chic. Now, she writes, it's all coming back.
States of WONDER
John Galliano's recent Maison Margiela triumph was an haute couture tour de force. Yet, as Hamish Bowles recalls, it's but the latest in the designer's long history of era-defining shows.