Outdoor Spaces

The weather is finally warm in the NYC Metro Area, and that means it’s time to get outside. Nothing is better than having an outdoor sanctuary, big or small, in your own home. We’ve found some patios that inspire us to have a sun-soaked morning coffee, invite a group of friends over for a farm fresh dinner, and grill with the family.

Nothing is more pleasant than eating outside on a summer eve whether in a chic contemporary or warm traditional setting.

Fuse your outdoor and indoor spaces with a folding wall.

Whether it’s cool or not, fires create a feeling of intimacy and are always lovely to gather around for a glass of wine, s’mores, or a refuge from mosquitoes.

Bring a wilderness feel to your outdoor space by adding plants. Larger leafy vegetation adds a sense of calm to warmer traditional patios.

Succulents and smaller leafed plants add warmth to a contemporary space while maintaining the clean lines.

Holzman Happenings goes to a second show

In March of this year we announced the founding of Holzman Happenings, and on June 9th Holzman Happenings went on its second outing. We saw MacBeth on Broadway. Playing all of the characters himself, Alan Cumming was incredible, as was our afternoon! Holzman Happenings, which strives to expose underprivileged children to art, is a partner of Hartley House. To donate to Holzman Happenings, visit hartleyhouse.org and click on “GET INVOLVED” and then “Make A Donation.” Please note that you’d like your donation to go to the Holzman Happenings fund. Thank you!

Summery White

Whether you think of it as a compilation of every color or as a complete lack of color, white is the anchor of the color wheel. That in addition to its synonymity with cleanliness it has been become a huge component of contemporary interior design. As seen in a couple of the images below, you can see how effective it is in creating a thoroughly modern look. However, my favorite context to use white is in beach houses. Nothing says summer at the beach like bright white linens and whitewashed wall boards. As you prepare for the summer season out in the Hamptons, think of white as the perfect them to create your ideal summer beach retreat.

Wine

For many, myself included, the wine is just as important to a meal as the food. A steak isn’t the same without the right red, and lunch on the patio during the summer isn’t the same without a refreshing glass of white. Keeping a wine for every occasion necessitates a perfect place to store your collection. Not only is it a way to keep your wine temperature controlled, but its also a great way to showcase your collection. I have collected a variety of wine cellars to truly show how diverse their design can be and how it is possible to create one on any scale, whether it be a room of its own or simply a seamless part of your kitchen.

The Porch

As the weather gets warmer, I can’t help thinking about warm summer nights on the porch. One of the best parts of summer is that we aren’t confined to being indoors all of the time. Outside we can grill, garden, and most importantly, relax. A porch can function as an outdoor living room, dining room, or kitchen just for the summer or for all seasons. Alternatively, a porch can function as an entrance to your home, setting the tone for the design and feel of the entire property.

Before moving to New York City, this is the all-season porch I created for my home in Southern Connecticut. One of the few drawbacks to living in the city is not having this anymore! Below, I compiled a series of porches that I think really take advantage of the concept and that show how diverse they can be in style and in function.