EDITOR'S LETTER

Among Connecticut's many nicknames—the Constitution State, the Nutmeg State, etc.—"The Land of Steady Habits" is one we at Connecticut Cottages & Gardens especially appreciate. As CTC&G has made clear over the past 24 issues, there's a whole other side to our state that surprises visitors and residents alike. A white, center-hall Colonial with green shutters might be some people's first thought of Connecticut, but there is much more to our state than this. We strive to bring you looks that defy expectations and styles that reach beyond our borders.

We are a smart, savvy state that is going global. While many of us have vacationed abroad, foreign companies continue to set up shop here, too. Many of us are actually incorporating a bit of our travels in our own homes—and I mean more than a token souvenir of a trip. And why not? As someone who has lived overseas, I know that giving a room a global tweak is sometimes what we need to breathe fresh air into any décor.

My parents' house reflected their global travels. My childhood friends would look in awe at the assortment of treasures that my parents had amassed from faraway places like Morocco, Bahrain, Mexico and Ireland. My father went so far as to personalize a clean, modern table by adding hand-painted tiles from Spain to the top. These treasures from afar offer more than design; they offer priceless memories of our experiences. I still see my mother haggling with gypsies on a desolate road on the western coast of Ireland every time I pass the pine hutch in her living room. And it's not just me. Homeowners are always quick to point out special purchases from abroad because they represent a piece of their lives.