I was in Westport in November 2014 when the entire historic Kemper-Gunn house was moved from Church Lane to its new location in Elm Street’s Baldwin parking lot. Such a big move for such a little house, and what would become of it?

This month, CTC&G will host the opening gala for the house’s new occupant—the wonderful San Francisco–based home-décor, rugs, bedding and nursery-furniture retailer Serena & Lily. Originally sold via online and catalog, the company opened its first brick-and-mortar store in 2013 in the Hamptons with the help of sister publication HC&G and then the San Francisco opening hosted by our other sister publication SFC&G in 2014. For details of the opening weekend in Westport, when a percentage of sales will benefit Connecticut’s own Near & Far Aid, visit cottagesgardens.com/Serena-Lily-Westport.

Giving new life to a historic house is all part of a burgeoning movement to feel more connected to our environment, and there are examples all around us. Last November’s CTC&G cover featured Mr. Ike, a Border Leicester sheep from the Kansas farm of Norwalk rug and textile maker Elizabeth Eakins, which demonstrated her commitment to sustainability throughout the entire process of her craft. In our office, Marketing Associate Stephanie Yalamas brings us perfect brown eggs from the family chickens, and I swear they are the best eggs I have ever tasted.

Being connected really does make a difference.