Introducing a local business to the world is intentional. From the website to a seven-piece Italian leather sectional to powder blue taffeta drapes or an accent wall the color of macaroni and cheese. All that matters, but style is about much more than a website or wall color. It marks identity.
“Style helps communicate our values before we ever meet a client,” says Realtor and Broker Christine Green with Ardor Real Estate in Avon. “I would like to think our style goes beyond our logo or color palette and it's reflected in every client interaction.”
Green’s daughter-in-law guided the creation of Ardor’s brand to feel approachable and elevated, from the logo to the color palette. “Our goal was to create a brand that reflects who we are, real estate professionals who genuinely care about our clients and our community,” Green says. “In today's market, people are looking for authenticity, and we believe that is one of our greatest strengths.”
A 19th-century brick facade greets visitors to Modern Beautique Medical Aesthetics, located in the Tariffville Mill in the Tariffville section of Simsbury. Patients come to Modern Beautique for self-care, and direct communication with the owner, Scarlett Duncan, is always a priority. The interior design reflects this personal approach, with wood paneling complimenting the brick wall, making the space bright and airy.
“I wanted to create a comfortable environment that still feels luxurious,” Duncan explains.
A board-certified nurse practitioner, she started her own medical aesthetics practice in 2024 and opened her practice last year. Services include a variety of skincare treatments Duncan trained globally to provide. “We’re really focusing on safety, education and a personalized experience,” she says. “Our style is designed to reflect that. I’ve trained around the world so my patients can receive the safest, latest and greatest treatments.”
Duncan, who is of Korean descent, travelled to South Korea recently to undergo professional development. K-beauty is growing in popularity worldwide. “We’re excited to be bringing those innovative Korean aesthetics, products and treatments which can be hard to find to our Connecticut market,” she says, adding, “Beautiful skin is never out of style” and neither is a beautiful space.
Inside Prime IV Hydration & Wellness in Simsbury, custom murals adorn the walls and every part of the spa has been carefully curated by owner Meredith Pearse.
“My goal is for people to walk in and say, ‘ahhhhh, I’m here.’” Pearse explains, using the space as a cue for clients to begin relaxing upon entry. “People want to be in places they feel good. When they come into a place styled in a way that gives them that emotional connection it’s positive all around. If you’re selling a high-end product but your style is not up to the same criteria you’re probably not going to bring in the type of clientele you want to attract,” she adds. “Style is a non verbal way of communicating your product or service to your clientele.”
Prime IV is all about health and wellness from the inside out, so Pearse designed the spa to reflect that.
“It’s about the little touches - from the lighting to the furniture to the artwork, it all has its part.”
Inside Mind Dental in Farmington, Dr. Aristotelis Marinis and his wife Foteini designed the space with lots of natural light, clean lines and personal touches that remind them of their family’s Greek roots.
“We wanted our space to feel like a second home since we spend so much time there,” Foteini explains. “So many patients come in anxious just about being at the dentist and we wanted our space itself to help put them at ease. We chose a classic, contemporary look, instead of chasing whatever is trendy right now. The space mirrors how we practice dentistry — our approach to dental care is all about patient centered, minimally invasive, natural-looking work, not anything looking “done" or "fake". We wanted the space to say the same thing: subtle, simple and timeless.”
Patients tell them how clean and welcoming it feels, Foteini says. “Style for us is just about creating a space where we invite people to feel welcome and well cared for. If we’re asking patients to trust us with their oral health and their smile, the space should reflect that same care and intention.”
Dr. Connor Ziegler, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Vitality Orthopedics, was intentional with every design choice made in his Simsbury practice – from the fireplace to the cascading waterfall and the athletic jerseys decorating the wall space.
“Patients are usually mildly shocked because it’s not what you think of as a waiting room,” Dr. Ziegler says. “It’s a very nostalgic, Ralph Lauren, cigar lounge vibe.” Sports memorabilia greets visitors, and the bathroom is adorned with floor-to-ceiling photographs of athletes in their element.
“My second exam room has a photo of a high-jumper my daughter picked out at an antique shop,” Dr. Ziegler says. “Everything has a story behind it.” Men and women alike appreciate the masculine, authoritative feeling when they walk in.
“They feel like they’re in a place they’re going to be taken care of,” he adds. “As a concierge-level practice I provide individualized care. Everyone comes from different places and stations in life and I want to meet them where they are.”
Style should always be authentic. “A polished brand can capture someone's attention, but it's the experience behind that brand that earns trust,” Green says. “In a community like the Farmington Valley, where relationships and reputation matter, style should reflect a company's values. When style and substance work together, businesses create lasting impressions that people remember.”
“Style is a non verbal way of communicating your product or service to your clientele” - Meredith Pearse, owner, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness
“If we’re asking patients to trust us with their oral health and their smile, the space should reflect that same care and intention.” Foteini Marinis, partner-owner, Mind Dental
“In a community like the Farmington Valley, where relationships and reputation matter, style should reflect a company's values. When style and substance work together, businesses create lasting impressions that people remember.” - Christine Green, Realtor, Ardor Realty