3 Westchester Homes With Beautiful Outdoor Living Spaces

This article showcases three exquisite backyard designs in Westchester, each tailored to maximize outdoor living and entertainment, featuring stunning pools, thoughtfully designed pool houses, and harmonious landscaping. The first project, located in Rye, involved transforming a challenging topography into a naturally inviting refuge. The homeowners, having relocated from the Midwest with a desire for a pool and ample lawn, enlisted Sean Jancski Landscape Architects. The primary design objective was to create a pool environment that respected and integrated with the landscape's natural features, particularly the steep slopes and boulder outcroppings. The solution was an elevated infinity-edge pool, strategically placed to avoid disturbing the existing significant natural elements. The infinity edge provides a seamless view of a lush, forested area, complemented by a mix of perennials, beach grasses, and evergreens for year-round visual interest. A spectacular pool house/cabana, blending traditional and farmhouse styles, further enhances this outdoor sanctuary, equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom, and laundry facilities. The second featured backyard in Scarsdale is an idyllic oasis designed for a family of four who prioritize home-based entertainment and relaxation. Choura Architecture, with Gail Bishop of Thunder Hill Landscape Architecture & Garden Design, crafted a welcoming outdoor space with versatile areas and easy home access. The design overcame the challenge of the land's topography by incorporating a uniquely bent pool that follows the natural contours of a gentle slope. This slope is retained by a curved natural-stone wall, which also serves as seating, creating an amphitheater-like effect. The serene atmosphere is further enhanced by a modern fountain integrated into the stone wall, providing soothing sounds of flowing water. Two inviting, columned, covered porches extend from the classic Georgian-style house, offering dining and sitting areas with cheerful red-cushioned furniture. An expansive patio includes a dining table with a vibrant ocher-yellow umbrella, chaise lounges, and a specialized outdoor cooking area for the owner, a professional chef. The third backyard, a waterside sanctuary in Larchmont, was designed for an active family with teenage and young adult children, aiming for relaxing and large-gathering spaces. Zavaglia Associates handled the landscape/exterior design, with M. Partellow, Inc. and Arlene Pilson Interior Designs collaborating on the pool house. The property boasts expansive water views of an inlet in a conservancy area, which the design sought to highlight. A key objective was to unify the home's varied architectural elements and introduce a contemporary, resort-like feel to the outdoor spaces. The main challenge was integrating the outdoor elements to create a cohesive look, given the home's construction in stages with diverse architectural influences. The perfect pool house, designed to naturally blend with the surroundings, fulfills the clients' requests for a large screened porch, changing room, bathroom, living room, and kitchen. Luxurious outdoor furniture, including a Janus et Cie poolside daybed and a Brown Jordan L-shaped couch, provides comfortable spots for lounging and gathering, completing these beautiful al fresco escapes. #BackyardDesign #OutdoorLiving #PoolDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #HomeRenovation #LuxuryHomes #WestchesterHomes #GardenDesign #PoolHouse

This article highlights three distinct backyard retreats, described as sophisticated 'chic sheds,' that elevate the concept of a garden house. Each retreat serves as a multi-functional space, blending greenhouse elements with creative studios or workshops, and all are constructed primarily from salvaged windows and architectural pieces. The designs reflect the owners' personal passions and incorporate unique antique finds. The article begins by introducing these sunlit spaces, emphasizing their construction from over 200 salvaged windows and other reclaimed materials, and how they are adorned with meaningful collections. The first featured retreat is 'The Backyard Studio,' a 480-square-foot space in Alabama owned by Barbara Adkins of Black Sheep Antiques. This studio offers panoramic views of the owner's property, including a barn, gardens, pastures, and house. It utilizes 48 salvaged windows, hinged at the top to allow for cross-breeze. Notable elements include blue front doors with their original paint and vintage rattan furniture, creating a casual living room setting. The studio also functions as an art space, featuring an antique dining table repurposed as a desk and a music stand as an easel. Adkins uses the space for painting and hosting dinner parties. Adjacent to the main studio is a potting shed displaying her extensive terra-cotta pot collection, where she nurtures plants like jonquils, oxeye daisies, Lady Banks roses, and garden phlox. The second retreat, 'The Hobby House,' is a compact 61-square-foot workshop in Indiana belonging to Donna Jenkins, a stylist and owner of The Tinkerhouse Trading Company. Designed with inspiration from a Colonial saltbox, this structure incorporates 34 salvaged windows. A cherished item in this space is a pair of green Adirondack chairs crafted by her son. Jenkins is particularly proud of her ability to propagate boxwoods from scratch. The Hobby House is used for various messy projects that cannot be done indoors, such as spray-painting and flower pressing, and also hosts flower-arranging workshops. The potting bench features running water for convenience. Many components of this 'tinker' house, including its mismatched door hardware, were sourced from the renovation of Jenkins' family's fifth-generation farmhouse. The exterior is painted in Valspar's Sparkling Lake, and an outdoor seating area is enhanced by hinged salvaged French doors. The magic hour in this retreat is noted as 3 p.m. in the summer, when the front windows sparkle, making it an ideal spot to enjoy sun tea. The third retreat is 'The Garden Retreat,' a 600-square-foot glass-encased potting shed in Georgia owned by garden designer Susanne Hudson. This structure features 139 salvaged windows and five French doors, which Hudson collected over three years and meticulously arranged. Hudson expresses her fondness for the green trim, which she carefully selected to both stand out and blend with the natural surroundings, specifically Tarrytown Green by Benjamin Moore. Her passion for gardening extends to limelight hydrangeas. The retreat serves as a central hub for all gardening activities—planning, potting, and pruning. It also provides a tranquil space for reading antique gardening books on rainy days. A practical design feature is an extra-wide side entrance with a sliding barn door, allowing easy access for a wheelbarrow. In the evenings, the space transforms into a 'jewel box' when lit by hanging lanterns and oil lamps, making it perfect for entertaining with white wine or for focused work with a glass of water. Unique decorative elements include an antique door repurposed into a French trumeau-style mirror and a collection of vintage flower frogs displayed as sculptural art on a zinc-topped table. Hudson's design inspiration is described as "Country French all the way." #BackyardRetreats #GardenSheds #SalvagedWindows #DIYProjects #HomeDesign #CreativeSpaces #AntiqueFinds #GardeningIdeas #CountryLiving

This article explores three distinct homes in India that showcase the innovative and sustainable use of bamboo screens to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Bamboo, recognized as the fastest-growing plant and an ecological material, is highlighted as a sustainable choice for design and construction. The three featured residences – an artists' residence in Delhi, a holiday home in Chandigarh, and a villa in Ahmedabad – each integrate bamboo screens in unique ways, demonstrating their versatility and aesthetic appeal. The Artists’ Residence in Delhi, designed by Studio Array for Farm 8, is a decade-long project re-envisioned in 2020 to incorporate sustainability. Principal architect Rachit Srivastava aimed to create an escape for visiting artists, writers, and environmentalists to connect with nature. The home features lightweight steel, bamboo, and wooden drywall construction, complemented by raw materials like lime plaster, wax-stained drywalls, and hand-cast cement floors, all contributing to an earthen atmosphere. Hand-woven bamboo screens serve as permeable walls and doors, acting as both an indoor design element and the facade's focal point. Srivastava notes that the bamboo will naturally age and change color, further blending with the surrounding courtyard gardens, which possess a distinct Japanese aesthetic. The modular, insulated sloping roofs contribute to a passive design, emphasizing the lush outdoor landscape. The Holiday Home in Chandigarh, named The House of Mango Shadows, is situated amidst an orchard of mango, chikoo, and guava trees. Designed by Palak and Saurabh Singla of Design i.O, the house is conceived as a sensory experience, fostering a dialogue between human habitation and the natural world. The architects intended the home to camouflage into its serene surroundings. Bamboo screens are strategically employed as space filters between interior and exterior living areas. Two bedrooms extend from the central living space, each offering private sit-outs enhanced by bamboo screens that provide privacy and softly filter the air. A bamboo ceiling further contributes to creating semi-permeable, cozy inner pockets. The design prioritized minimal landscaping, retaining 49 existing trees to preserve and highlight natural elements. Saurabh Singla emphasizes the importance of meticulous detail in architecture, quoting Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: “God is in the details.” Lastly, the Villa in Ahmedabad, designed by VPA Architects, is a contemporary rendition rooted in ancestral heritage, blending bamboo, wood, exposed concrete, glass, and brick. Ronak Patel, the firm’s architectural lead, sought to retain the traditional spatial essence of the original 100-year-old home while incorporating modern elements. The entrance features bamboo screen cladding, combined with other materials, to create a shaded envelope and a deck overlooking lawns around existing trees. Soaring bamboo cantilevers, along with metal and steel girders, ensure visual cohesion, balancing modernity and tradition. The intentional approach includes earthy bamboo screens and trellises that will eventually host climbing creepers, further integrating the home with nature, as explained by Naiya, who emphasized the role of materials in creating a seamless connection with the environment. #BambooScreens #SustainableArchitecture #IndoorOutdoorLiving #IndianHomes #ArchitecturalDesign #EcoFriendlyMaterials #ModernTraditionalDesign

This article highlights Westchester County's top home and garden businesses in 2021, featuring a curated list of vendors, designers, and services. It provides a comprehensive guide for individuals seeking to enhance their living spaces, covering various aspects from custom storage solutions to exotic home decor and specialized home services. Each entry details the business's offerings and its unique contributions to the home and garden sector in the region. California Closets in Hawthorne is recognized for pioneering custom closets and personalized home storage solutions, offering designs that cater to individual needs and budgets, with a showroom available for consultations. Terra Tile & Marble in Briarcliff Manor, a family-run business since 1975, specializes in unique, imported tile, stone, and marble, alongside custom fabrication services, emphasizing timeless style over fleeting trends. 22KATcorp in White Plains, led by "mompreneur" Kristin AR Larkin, offers hand-painted glassware and workshops, with a portion of profits dedicated to charity. Bilotta Kitchen & Home, with showrooms in Mount Kisco and Mamaroneck, is acclaimed for its superior designs in contemporary, transitional, and traditional kitchen and bathroom remodels, building on over three decades of family-owned operation. Robison Oil in Port Chester, celebrating its 100th anniversary, provides extensive home-systems services, including heating oil, biofuel, natural gas, electricity, cooling, indoor air quality improvement, and mold testing, supported by a mobilized team of technicians. Fofie & Mia’s in Larchmont is presented as a unique furniture store offering an innovative mix of vintage, designer, and custom pieces crafted by an on-site artisan, with an ever-changing inventory of furniture, lighting, and home accessories. LEICHT in Mount Kisco is highlighted for its luxury kitchen designs, providing 100% customizable options with a wide array of finishes, door styles, cabinet hardware, and lighting, backed by a dedicated team. Advance Lighting in Larchmont, launched by Raymond Barclay, is a new lighting store offering a diverse selection of fixtures, chandeliers, lamps, and lampshades, specializing in cleaning, restoration, and rewiring services. Feed the Birds in Croton-on-Hudson caters to backyard birding enthusiasts, offering avian accessories such as birdhouses, heated birdbaths, seeds, feeders, books, and toys, with owners who are experts in the field and prioritize USA-made products. The Souk at Maisonette in Larchmont provides global home decor, featuring unique items like trade beads from Ghana, Japanese incense, Moroccan carpets, and Egyptian lighting fixtures, for those seeking exotic and affordable finds. BOW&ROSE; Floral Studio in Port Chester specializes in creating floral arrangements for various emotional events, capable of crafting unique details like vintage tea set arrangements or festive themed bouquets. The studio offers retail purchases and design services for weddings and other events. The article also includes a "Readers’ Picks" section, listing additional top businesses across various home and garden categories, including antiques stores, apartment buildings and developers, architects, closet organizers, fabric shops, flooring shops, frame shops, furniture stores, garden centers, general contractors, hardware stores, home accessories, home stagers, interior designers, kitchen/bath design and fixtures, landscape designers, light fixture stores, moving companies, roofers, swimming pool companies, tile selection, tree care, and window treatment shops. #WestchesterHomeAndGarden #HomeImprovement #InteriorDesign #CustomClosets #KitchenAndBathDesign #HomeDecor #Landscaping #LocalBusinesses #HomeServices

This article highlights 20 distinct residential projects that exemplify the integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces, a highly sought-after feature for homeowners. The concept emphasizes maximizing space for entertainment and relaxation, providing harmonious connections with nature through elements like large windows, sliding glass doors, and open-plan layouts. These designs incorporate ample natural light, greenery, and picturesque views, transcending architectural boundaries across various settings, including modern country houses, chic city apartments, and luxurious beachfront villas. The article serves as an updated compilation of notable indoor-outdoor living designs. The featured homes showcase diverse approaches to this design philosophy. For instance, a Tropical Modernist Miami Home by Strang Design utilizes aluminum louvers and floor-to-ceiling pocket doors to create a fluid indoor-outdoor experience, tailored for a Brazilian family on an oak grove. Daniel Joseph Chenin's cinematic desert dwelling, Fort 137 in the Mojave Desert, draws inspiration from early Vegas settlements, using travertine floors and stucco ceilings to frame views of the arid landscape. In São Paulo, FCstudio's Casa Bento prioritizes outdoor living with a custom garden, firepit, and dipping pool, catering to a couple's desire for entertaining in a subtropical climate. Bobby Niven’s Scriptorium in Scotland, a tiny concrete structure for writer residencies, blends art with the environment, demonstrating how small spaces can also foster a connection to the outdoors. Thomas Melhorn's Florida home, inspired by Wabi-Sabi philosophy, integrates the design with its coastal surroundings, featuring a gently curved roof that mirrors the dunes and materials reflecting the local environment. Further examples include an equine-friendly oasis in Ecuador's Andes Mountains by Gabriel Rivera Arquitectos, which connects the home and stables, making some areas accessible to horses. Cini Boeri's vacation houses in Sardinia, resembling brutalist tents, are perched on a rocky shoreline, showcasing pioneering female architectural design that interacts with the rugged landscape. A serene home by Olson Kundig and Erica Colpitts Interior Design in North Vancouver, British Columbia, reimagines a mid-century structure to embrace the surrounding forest and rural British aesthetic. Hawk & Co.'s California coastal oasis features striking interiors and expansive views, with a design that nods to Napa Valley's rustic-industrial style. Pascali Semerdjian Architects' sustainable home in São Paulo incorporates extensive greenery and carefully curated interiors to reflect the city's modern style and connect with nature. The projects also include sculptural house designs by Standard Architecture in Los Angeles, which blend American vernacular architecture with modern pools and expansive oak interiors. T.K. Chu Design Group’s meditative home in Suzhou, China, integrates with the historic Couple Gardens through expansive windows and biomorphic furnishings. Aidlin Darling Design's soaring home on a Bay Area precipice is resolutely modern yet feels rooted in its rugged setting, designed to offer shelter from harsh elements. Zarysy's lake house in Poland reimagines the cabin aesthetic, drawing inspiration from its natural surroundings with raw materials and green forest hues. Laidlaw Schultz Architects’ Laguna Beach beauty offers contemporary intervention in a 1960s dwelling, maximizing Pacific Ocean views. Andreas Bründler transforms a 19th-century carriage house in Basel, Switzerland, into a family home with plenty of indoor-outdoor living spaces, framing views with a curved buttress and sliding glass walls. Another award-winning high desert retreat by Aidlin Darling Design in Coachella Valley is thoughtfully sited to preserve the boulder-strewn landscape. Abramson Architects and Magni Kalman Design's lush Beverly Hills abode features an expansive courtyard as its central heart. Studiohuerta’s residence in Cabo San Lucas works in concert with elements, using local materials and traditional building strategies for a modern sculptural form. Finally, Dylan Farrell Design's Sydney home renovation boldly stimulates the senses with quirky shapes, colors, and a dining room that opens to the outdoors, creating modern spaces for a young family. #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ResidentialDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #SustainableDesign #ModernHomes #LuxuryRealEstate #LandscapeIntegration #InteriorDesignTrends #GlobalArchitecture

The Shingle style home, a unique American architectural development, emerged in the 1870s as a blend of Colonial American influences and European architectural styles, particularly from Normandy. This architectural style intentionally moved away from the ornate finishes of grand mansions of the 19th century, embracing a more informal aesthetic. Key characteristics include rambling, asymmetric structures with minimal exterior ornamentation, aside from their distinctive wood-shingle cladding. These homes often featured open floorplans centered around a central hall, and interiors could range from intricate wood paneling in public rooms to simpler beadboard and other finishes. The Shingle style became a popular choice for summer houses among the Northeastern elite, valued for its comfortable and less formal personality. Though many iconic examples, such as McKim, Mead & White’s Low House, have been demolished, some remain on the market, offering a glimpse into this historical period. Three examples of Shingle style homes currently for sale in New England illustrate the diversity within this architectural movement. The first, "The Boulders" in Jamestown, Rhode Island, built in 1888, exemplifies the eclectic and rambling nature of the style. Its exterior features a playful arrangement of gables, porches, and turrets, embodying the casual feeling the style aimed for. The interior maintains this informality with thoughtfully designed but roughly carved paneling in the main hall and simple, irregular finishes in the bedrooms, with fireplaces being a notable exception for their intricate ornamentation. This home encapsulates the comfortable, cobbled-together aesthetic popular at the end of the 19th century. A second example, an 1890 home in Edgartown, Massachusetts, demonstrates how the Shingle style was adapted for smaller-scale residences. This house features an open floorplan where the foyer seamlessly flows into the living room, leading to a dining room, all opening onto a back porch with ocean views. The design prioritizes air circulation and connection to the outdoors. Unlike larger Shingle style homes, its woodwork is kept simple, utilizing beadboard, diamond-paned windows, and modest door surrounds. At 3,700 square feet, this residence was conceived as an informal retreat, despite its current high valuation. The third property, located in Dublin, New Hampshire, illustrates that not all Shingle style homes were coastal. This estate showcases a purposeful asymmetry in its exterior, with elements like dormers, gables, and porches, and a main gable subtly shifted to the left. A notable aspect of this home is the visible influence of the Colonial Revival style, which was also popular in the late 19th century. The central hall, typical of Shingle style, is adorned with finely carved woodwork reminiscent of Colonial architecture, particularly around the fireplace, where the carvings are light and graceful, contrasting with the heavier paneling seen in the Jamestown house. These three homes collectively highlight the defining characteristics, regional adaptations, and evolutionary influences within the Shingle style architecture. #ShingleStyle #NewEnglandHomes #HistoricHomes #Architecture #RealEstate #RhodeIsland #Massachusetts #NewHampshire

This article highlights an exceptional property located at 1110 Post Oak Place within the guard-gated Vaquero community in Westlake, Texas. Situated on over 1.6 acres, the estate offers views of a serene pond and the 15th hole of the Vaquero championship golf course, distinguishing it as a premier address in North Texas. The property is designed for luxury living, privacy, and entertaining. Upon entering through a private gate, guests are greeted by a motor court and a meticulously composed courtyard, showcasing the estate's scale and architectural elegance. The interior features bespoke finishes that blend opulence with a warm design aesthetic. These finishes include marble inlaid floors, Venetian plaster walls, custom wood-planked ceilings, and grand cast-stone fireplaces, all contributing to an atmosphere of refined comfort. The main house is structured for both formal entertaining and daily living. French doors at the front and back provide access to the tranquil outdoor landscape. The first floor encompasses two studies, two powder baths, a sub-grade wine cellar, and a chef's kitchen that seamlessly connects to a cozy keeping room. Convenience is further enhanced by an elevator and a spacious laundry room. The master retreat is designed as a private sanctuary, featuring elegant bay windows, a cast-stone fireplace, a wet bar, dual closets, and marble surfaces with antique mirror accents. The upper level of the main house includes two guest suites, a game/media room, a fitness area, and a balcony patio offering expansive views. Additionally, a separate guest house, or casita, provides a bedroom, kitchenette, living space, and laundry facilities, ensuring comfort and privacy for visitors. The estate also boasts a four-car garage with additional space for a golf cart, accommodating both vehicles and recreational equipment. The outdoor living spaces are equally impressive, featuring a pizza oven, a fire pit, a putting green, a spa, and a large covered patio. The landscape is enhanced by mature trees and a glistening pond, creating an ideal setting for relaxation and entertainment. These outdoor amenities offer a resort-like experience, allowing residents to enjoy stunning sunsets and the natural beauty of the surroundings while being just minutes from Dallas. Kelly Marcontell and Susan Gilchrest of the Marcontell + Gilchrest Group describe the property as a "haven" that combines privacy, high-end finishes, and sweeping views, meeting the expectations of discerning buyers. They emphasize the rare balance achieved in the property's design, which integrates refined architecture, elevated design, and a profound sense of peace. The estate is presented as both a showpiece for grand events and a soothing retreat for quiet moments. The property is listed at $9.45 million by Ebby Halliday agents Kelly Marcontell and Susan Gilchrest. #LuxuryRealEstate #WestlakeEstate #VaqueroCommunity #GolfCourseLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #HighEndFinishes #NorthTexasHomes #PrivateEstate #OutdoorLiving

This article highlights the top home and garden businesses in Westchester, offering a comprehensive guide to various services and products for enhancing residential spaces. The selection is divided into "Editors' Picks" and "Readers' Picks," showcasing a range of reputable companies in the region. The "Editors' Picks" section features several distinguished businesses. California Closets in Hawthorne is recognized for its custom closet solutions, providing personalized space management for various rooms beyond just closets, including home offices and media rooms. Their showroom allows clients to explore different systems, finishes, and accessories, supported by consultation services for decluttering and organization. Fleur & Nest in Port Chester, a new home store by florist Carolyn Dempsey, offers a curated collection of home decor items such as vases, candles, and tabletop accessories, emphasizing hostess gifts and unique selections. Design Lighting by Marks in Bedford specializes in elegant landscape lighting systems, boasting 45 years of experience in design, installation, and maintenance across Westchester, alongside services for home generators and interior lighting. The Loft at CW in Bedford Hills is presented as a destination for budget-friendly cool furnishings, featuring various design concepts like Industrial, Urban Loft, Midcentury Modern, and Nordic styles. This store emphasizes clean lines and offers value-added services such as white-glove delivery, financing options, and complimentary design consultations. For car care, Birdie’s Auto Spa in Rye provides a mobile car wash service directly at customers' homes, utilizing an environmentally friendly low-pressure steam method to avoid wastewater run-off. They offer a menu of high-end services for a thorough and convenient car detailing experience. Mossy Fern in Hastings-on-Hudson caters to the growing interest in houseplants, offering exotic and unusual varieties alongside traditional ferns, palms, and fiddle-leaf figs, as well as outdoor plants and garden supplies. Plant Me a Rainbow in Edgemont provides DIY garden kits, complete with phone consultations, welcome kits, garden tools, step-by-step instructions, layout options, and sustainably sourced perennials. The "Readers' Picks" section covers a broader spectrum of home-related services and retail. It includes Chatsworth Antiques & Consignments for antiques, River Tides in Yonkers for apartment buildings, and Ginsburg Development Companies in Valhalla as an apartment developer. McC Architecture in Irvington is listed as a top architect, and Haven in Yonkers is recognized for closet organization. The Tower Club in Tuckahoe is noted for condos/co-ops. Fabric needs are met by Pins & Needles in Mount Kisco, while Carpet Trends in Rye is the go-to for flooring. Larchmont Art is recommended for frame shop services, and Country Willow in Bedford Hills is highlighted as a furniture store and window treatment shop. Rosedale Nurseries Inc. in Hawthorne is a popular garden center, and M.A.K Construction Company in New Rochelle is listed as a general contractor. Cornell’s True Value Hardware in Eastchester is a favored hardware store, and Sarza in Rye offers home accessories. The Refreshed Home in White Plains is recognized for home staging. KAM Design in Larchmont is the top interior designer, and East Hill Cabinetry LLC in White Plains specializes in kitchen/bath design. Best Plumbing Tile & Stone in Scarsdale provides kitchen/bath fixtures. Zavaglia Associates in Larchmont is recommended for landscape design. Hi-Light Lighting and Vanities in Yonkers is the preferred light-fixture store. Collins Brothers Moving Corporation in Larchmont is a trusted moving company. Franzoso Contracting in Croton-on-Hudson is recognized for roofing services. Coral Sea Pools in Briarcliff Manor is the top swimming pool company. Terra Tile & Marble in Briarcliff Manor is favored for tile selection, and Westchester Tree Life Inc. in Chappaqua provides tree care services. These selections collectively offer a comprehensive guide to home and garden resources in Westchester. #HomeImprovement #GardenDesign #WestchesterBusinesses #InteriorDesign #CustomClosets #LandscapeLighting #HomeDecor #RenovationServices #LocalBusinesses

The global population is experiencing a significant demographic shift, with the proportion of individuals aged 65 and older increasing faster than younger age groups. Projections indicate that by 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older will double that of children under five and nearly equal those under twelve. This demographic trend necessitates a re-evaluation of architectural and design approaches for senior living facilities, focusing on creating environments that enhance well-being, foster social interaction, and integrate residents with nature. Designing spaces for older adults involves careful consideration of sustainability, material choices, and accessibility to support their daily activities and promote dignified aging. The incorporation of outdoor areas such as courtyards, gardens, and terraces is crucial. These green spaces facilitate interaction with nature, offering recreational opportunities and therapeutic benefits. Examples like NORD Architects' Alzheimers Village demonstrate how transforming the landscape into a recreational space can benefit residents. Similarly, the Sentidos Comprehensive Center for the Elderly emphasizes person-centered care through varied outdoor sequences, utilizing vegetation, sunlight, and outdoor environments to encourage active and independent living. This design philosophy supports both private contemplation and communal engagement, allowing residents to observe nature from their rooms or stroll through garden paths. The integration of seniors into urban life is another critical aspect. Various global projects aim to create community living spaces that interact with their surrounding urban environments. The Elzenhof Veenoord Courtyard for Elderly, for instance, encourages older adults to transition to smaller residences, freeing up larger family homes for younger generations, while the Nibankan nursing home in Japan challenges isolation by integrating residents into the city through open dining rooms, lounges, and living areas that promote informal neighborhood interactions. This approach addresses issues of isolation and caregiver shortages prevalent in Japan's aging society. Retirement village projects, such as Metlifecare Gulf Rise Retirement Homes in New Zealand, are also designed with human scale, context, and community engagement in mind, prioritizing safety, socialization, and connection for their residents. Creating a sense of 'home' in senior residences, moving away from a hospital-like atmosphere, presents a significant design challenge. This involves careful selection of materials and design strategies. Facilities like Les Hallates Senior Housing incorporate medical offices and community rooms, complemented by courtyards, terraces, and gardens that provide resting areas, social pergolas, and spaces for exercise or rehabilitation. These outdoor spaces are equipped with appropriate furniture and ramps to ensure accessibility and leisure. The design of indoor spaces also plays a vital role, emphasizing functional layouts, clear access points, and easy orientation to enable autonomous daily life for seniors and efficient workflows for caregivers. Warm colors, tactile materials, carpets, and wood are often used to create harmonious and homely interiors, as seen in the Retirement Home of the Franciscan Sisters in Vienna and De Drie Platanen Care Home. Achieving energy efficiency in harmony with nature is an essential sustainable strategy. Designs that preserve pre-existing trees, integrate green areas, and conserve natural species contribute to residents' daily well-being. Courtyards, gardens, and terraces can provide natural light, cross-ventilation, and multi-directional views, fostering a continuous dialogue between indoor spaces and nature. The Residence for the Elderly in Pòrtol, for example, aims for a nearly Zero Energy Building status by prioritizing passive strategies like adiabatic cooling and cross-ventilation. Deciduous plant pergolas are used to protect outdoor terraces in summer and allow solar radiation in winter, acting as energy collectors. The Nursing Home Passivhaus further exemplifies this approach by generating more energy than it consumes, utilizing heat recovery systems and airtightness to ensure optimal air quality and prevent respiratory allergies, thereby combining efficiency, sustainability, and nature to create wellness spaces for senior citizens. #ElderlyDesign #SeniorLiving #CommunityLife #NaturalEnvironment #SustainableArchitecture #Accessibility #OutdoorSpaces #GreenSpaces #UrbanIntegration

This article explores a mountain home featuring three distinct outdoor patios, each meticulously designed to maximize outdoor living and capitalize on the spectacular views. The design team, Curated Nest cofounders Erin Coren and Lina Galvão, drew inspiration from various global aesthetics to give each patio a unique character. The first, a cooking deck located near the kitchen, incorporates American cabin vibes. It features a black matte Zwilling Flammkraft grill with stainless steel side drawers, complemented by a creamy, copper-veined Dekton Onirika fireproof hood and backsplash, chosen as a statement stone for the compact space. The eating area on this deck leans into Americana, showcasing a blue plaid, slipcovered dining bench, a weather-resistant expandable wood table, and vintage ladder-back chairs purchased for a minimal cost. Navajo-influenced fabric drum ottomans provide additional, space-efficient seating. The upper patio at the back of the house is inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of Marrakech. This space is characterized by layered daybeds, woven chairs made from various materials, and an assortment of rugs and pillows, creating a rich, textural environment. Conversely, the lower deck draws its aesthetic from the old-world charm of Italy’s Lake Como. This area is designed with tailored modernity, infused with playful elements. The article highlights the specific furnishings and materials used across all three patios. For the upper patio, daybed swings from Serena & Lily are customized with Fabricut bench covers and numerous pillows. A mirror from Wayfair, vintage chairs, and hanging baskets from Labpiecesign contribute to the decor. Pillow fabrics are sourced from Fabricut and Wayfair Professional. The Marrakech-inspired corner includes a swivel chair from Lee Industries, drapery from Stroheim, a woven vase from Currey & Co, and rugs from Fibreworks and Surya. The railing throughout is by Feeney. For the lower deck and cooking deck, the design incorporates a checkerboard rug, stone pedestals, café tables, and chaise seating. Drapery is from Fabricut, hanging flowers from Labpiecesign, and lounges and ottomans are from Lee Industries. The table and chairs are from Serena & Lily, while pedestals and a lantern are from Wayfair Professional. Rugs are from Wayfair Professional (top) and Fibreworks (base). The dining area on the cooking deck is furnished with Lee Industries ottomans and bench, a chandelier from Visual Comfort & Co, a table and rug from Serena & Lily, and vintage chairs. The Zwilling Flammkraft grill, in matte black, features a Cosentino Dekton Onirika hood cover and backsplash, with Feeney railings completing the outdoor spaces. #HomeDesign #OutdoorSpaces #PatioDesign #MountainHome #InteriorDesign #CuratedNest #AmericanaStyle #MoroccanInfluence #LakeComoInspired

Landscape designer Kathy Moreau emphasizes creating immersive outdoor spaces rather than mere visual spectacles. Her approach, termed "total immersion," focuses on engaging all five senses to draw individuals fully into the landscape, as exemplified by her work on a lakeside bungalow in northern Westchester County. Moreau, through her practice Verdant View, combines her expertise in horticulture and design, allowing her to select the most appropriate plants for any given environment, with a particular affinity for native species and their ecological benefits. This philosophy was central to her design for the Craftsman-style lakefront property, where she collaborated closely with the client, an enthusiastic gardener herself. Moreau's initial task involved transforming a simple rectangular swimming pool area. The existing coping was bordered only by crabgrass leading to a retaining wall. Her solution introduced a "brocade" of groundcovers, including creeping thyme, stonecrop, and Irish moss, alongside annual vinca, to create a textured, walkable, and playable surface. This transformation encouraged the family to interact more frequently with the revitalized space. Beyond the pool, Moreau extended her design to the lake's horizon, framing the view with a diverse array of perennials and shrubs. She integrated irises with existing daylilies and added wand flowers, garden phlox, sedum, Russian sage, asters, cimicifuga, and lady's mantle to create an animated and visually rich experience. At the water's edge, near the dock, Moreau planted rudbeckias and helianthus to attract pollinators and extend the blooming season, complementing these additions with a rustic wood gate for a sense of enclosure. To encourage outdoor living, she designed a dining area close to the house, shaded by a pergola adorned with grapevines and 'New Dawn' roses, ensuring a fragrant environment throughout the growing season. This area is further sheltered by 'Annabelle' hydrangeas and lilacs, contributing to both texture and aroma. The front entrance also received attention, with a dense interplay of ferns and creeping phlox, subtly edged with blue-eyed grass for a burst of purple flowers from spring to midsummer. Moreau's design philosophy culminates in dynamic, memorable landscapes that evolve over time and continuously engage the homeowners. The goal is to inspire residents to deeply connect with their outdoor environment, perhaps even to the point of removing their shoes and wading into the garden. The project details also highlight the involvement of Verdant View for landscape design services by Katherine Moreau and Fedele Landscaping for implementation, both operating out of Westchester County, New York, reinforcing the regional focus of the article. #LandscapeDesign #GardenImmersion #WestchesterGardens #NativePlants #OutdoorLiving #Horticulture #SensoryGardens #PerennialGardens #LakesideProperty

This article showcases five distinct backyard renovation projects, each offering unique design inspirations for homeowners looking to enhance their outdoor living spaces. The first project features an elaborate outdoor kitchen and dining area in Rye, designed to complement an 18th-century house. Crafted by Conte & Conte Landscape Architect and Crisp Architect, this space includes top-of-the-line Kalamazoo appliances, a custom pergola, a dining table seating eight, and multiple terraces with fireplaces and fire pits. The design seamlessly blends rustic and contemporary aesthetics, drawing inspiration from Napa Valley's Calistoga Ranch and favorite restaurants. The landscape architects utilized a system of retaining walls to create distinct, multi-level terraces, ensuring a spatial balance with the property's steep slope while preserving a mature beech tree as a focal point. They emphasize the importance of viewing landscape constraints as opportunities for creative solutions and integrating indoor views into outdoor design. The second project transforms an adjacent property into a sizable pool house for a family with four children in Larchmont. Motzkin Blum Architects and Glen Gate Company designed this space to accommodate large family gatherings and everyday living. The pool house features all-weather outdoor furniture, wide-opening doors to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor, a gym, and a loft for children. Material selection was crucial, with Norwegian buff granite used around the pool to prevent overheating, and practical elements like a laundry room and extra refrigerator in the basement. The design allows the pool house to function as a second home year-round, catering to various family activities. The third project presents a sleek, modern 2,300-sq-ft pool house with a West Coast style, characterized by an all-white palette and contemporary furnishings. Sean Jancski Landscape Architects and Crozier Gedney Architects created well-defined recreational areas, including a bar, dining area, sitting space with a large sectional, and various outdoor lounges. The simple white color scheme provides a bright, spa-like ambiance, while oversized bluestones extend from the exterior to the interior floor, creating a seamless transition. Special doors from Marvin open completely, fostering an indoor-outdoor living experience, and a simple, sculptural planting scheme with native hemlocks provides screening and architectural interest. The fourth backyard transformation involves a gut-renovated 1950s ranch in Westport, where a side porch room was converted into an attached pool house/cabana. Denise Davies of D2 Interiors focused on creating a casual, fun space for entertaining. The design incorporates modern orange chairs, a stain-resistant graphic sofa, and emphasizes diverse seating options to allow for flexible arrangements. Wall art, such as a bright abstract by Linda Colletta and weather-treated photographs printed on aluminum by Allyson Monson and Jay B. Wilson, adds visual interest and focal points. Divine details like accent pieces from Jonathan Adler and Serena & Lily, along with Sonos speakers disguised as rocks, complete the polished outdoor living experience. The final project focuses on an historical house in Rye, where Sean Jancski Landscape Architects created outdoor living areas that blend 1800s style with modern amenities. Traditional materials like an arched arbor gate, teak bench, brick walkways, and classic garden plants like boxwood, lilac, and hydrangea establish a sense of place. The design features extensive, multi-level outdoor lighting, including copper triangle lights, path lights, and a pergola chandelier, to enhance evening entertaining. The property's multilevel design, with stone walls defining distinct areas, includes a repurposed garage as a pool cabana, an outdoor fireplace, a spa, and various seating areas. A modern fountain in the terraced garden seamlessly integrates with the traditional elements, creating an instant classic aesthetic. #OutdoorRenovation #BackyardDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #PoolHouse #OutdoorKitchen #HomeImprovement #LuxuryOutdoors #GardenDesign #WestchesterHome

This blog post highlights ten exemplary buildings that seamlessly integrate indoor and outdoor living through the use of courtyards. Each project showcases a unique approach to this architectural feature, demonstrating its versatility and benefits across various contexts and design philosophies. First, Hiiragi's House in Japan, designed by Takashi Okuno, centers around a beloved family tree within a courtyard. This design ensures that the significant tree is visible from every room, creating a constant connection to nature and family heritage. The courtyard acts as the heart of the home, providing both visual access and a tranquil focal point. Next, MIA Design Studio's The Drawers House in Vietnam utilizes plant-lined courtyards and hanging greenery to open up the family home while maintaining privacy. The design, composed of three single-story segments, strategically places these green spaces to offer outdoor access and a sense of openness without compromising seclusion, crucial in dense urban environments. In Seattle, MW Works' Laurelhurst Residence, an update to a 1960s home, features a garden courtyard as its primary focal point. The architects removed internal walls to create a more open layout, making the courtyard visible from the living room and other areas, thus blurring the lines between the interior and the natural surroundings. DCPP's Casa Campestre 107 in Mexico City is a T-shaped house that incorporates two courtyards—one at the front and one at the rear. All downstairs rooms open directly onto these paved stone courtyards, enhancing natural light and ventilation while providing private outdoor spaces for relaxation and entertainment. Bak Gordon Arquitectos transformed a traditional Lisbon house into two apartments for different generations of a family, separated by a secluded shared courtyard. This design not only provides privacy for each living unit but also creates a communal yet intimate outdoor space for the residents to enjoy. Amin Taha Architects reconfigured a 1950s terraced house in London's Bayswater by adding a courtyard garden. Lightwells extend down to the central courtyard, illuminating the underground spaces and bringing natural light deep into the building, a common challenge in urban terrace housing. dRMM's Maggie's Oldham Centre in the UK, a cancer care facility, incorporates a courtyard with undulating glass walls that descends from the stilted wooden structure. This accessible courtyard garden, reached via a wood and steel staircase, provides a peaceful and therapeutic outdoor environment for patients and visitors. Mariposa1038 in Los Angeles, designed by Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, introduces a curvilinear courtyard within a multi-story apartment building in a densely populated neighborhood. This open-air, landscaped courtyard features an integrated bench and doubles as a rainwater-collection system, offering both aesthetic and functional benefits in an urban setting. Finally, The Guild in Jakarta by RAW Architecture, led by Realrich Sjarief, is a geometric house built around a rectangular central courtyard. This building serves as both Sjarief's studio and a library dedicated to architectural works. The courtyard acts as a central organizing element, bringing light and a sense of tranquility to the workspace and library. #CourtyardArchitecture #ResidentialDesign #IndoorOutdoorLiving #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalInnovation #UrbanHousing #ModernArchitecture #PrivacySolutions #GreenSpaces

The article showcases 15 architectural projects that highlight the desired quality of connecting interior and exterior spaces, specifically focusing on living rooms. This connection is achieved through various design strategies, including the selection of outdoor coatings, the incorporation of large glass panels, strategic landscaping, appropriate furniture choices, and permeable facades. The examples presented demonstrate how detailed and inventive design can enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of living and meeting areas by blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments. The featured projects illustrate diverse approaches to creating seamless transitions. For instance, some designs utilize expansive glass walls or sliding doors that, when opened, fully merge the living room with an adjacent patio or garden. Others integrate natural elements directly into the living space, such as indoor courtyards or plant features that extend outdoors. The use of consistent flooring materials between indoor and outdoor living areas is a common technique to create visual continuity, reinforcing the sense of an enlarged, unified space. Additionally, the strategic placement of outdoor furniture mirroring indoor arrangements can further dissolve the distinction between the two zones. Landscaping plays a crucial role in these designs, often acting as an extension of the interior aesthetic. Thoughtfully designed gardens, water features, or patios immediately adjacent to the living rooms contribute to the overall ambiance and provide a natural backdrop. Permeable facades, whether through slatted screens or adaptive louvers, allow for controlled ventilation and natural light while maintaining a connection to the outside world. The selection of materials also contributes to this integration, with many projects opting for natural finishes that harmonize with both the indoor decor and the surrounding landscape. The article emphasizes that achieving this interior-exterior connection is not limited to specific room types, noting its presence in bathrooms and kitchens as well. However, in living and meeting spaces, this design principle gains significant importance due to these areas often serving as central hubs for relaxation and social interaction. By thoughtfully considering elements such as material palettes, fenestration, and the immediate outdoor environment, architects can create dynamic and inviting living spaces that maximize natural light, ventilation, and a sense of openness. Each of the 15 projects serves as a case study, demonstrating unique solutions tailored to specific site conditions and client preferences. These examples collectively illustrate the versatility and impact of design decisions aimed at fostering a strong relationship between the built environment and nature. The overarching theme is the enhancement of the living experience by bringing elements of the outdoors inside, thereby creating more serene, spacious, and visually stimulating environments for occupants. #LivingRoom #InteriorDesign #Architecture #Interiors #IndoorOutdoorLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #ResidentialArchitecture

This article explores three contemporary tile trends that can enhance the aesthetic and functionality of homes in Westchester. The discussion draws on insights from local design professionals, providing practical advice for homeowners considering updates to their living spaces. The endless possibilities within tile selection are addressed by focusing on specific, on-trend styles. The first trend highlighted is the use of striped tiles, particularly for making a bold statement in areas such as bathrooms. Annie Mennes, a designer from Garrison Foundry, exemplifies this trend by detailing a bathroom project that utilized a 12-inch grid with 1-inch by 1-inch ceramic tiles in a clover green shade from Fireclay Tile. This approach emphasizes the potential for geometric patterns and vibrant colors to create visually impactful designs within a home setting. The second trend focuses on textured or fluted porcelain tiles, offering a more subtle yet sophisticated aesthetic. Dave Gasch, President of Terra Tile and Marble in Briarcliff Manor, notes the increasing availability of these textured options across newer porcelain tile lines. These tiles introduce a three-dimensional element without necessitating additional colors, making them suitable for shower walls and vanity backsplashes where depth and tactile quality are desired. Examples provided include the Century Medley Prince Deco Optic and Grespania Malmo Cipres, showcasing various sizes and price points for these textured options. Finally, the article delves into the resurgence of natural stone through waterjet mosaics. Leah Ervi, showroom manager at Artistic Tile, Inc. in White Plains, explains how these intricate designs combine stone, porcelain, or glass to create unique patterns like checkerboards and waves. Natural stone is celebrated for its organic beauty, rich textures, and earthy tones, which contribute warmth, character, and durability to kitchens, baths, patios, and entryways—qualities that manufactured materials often cannot replicate. Specific examples of waterjet mosaics from Artistic Tile include Michelle Gerson Slide, Palazzo Ducale, Decadence by Donghia, Mandala, and Metamorphosis by Ryan Saghian, with varying price ranges illustrating the breadth of options available within this trend. These examples collectively demonstrate how natural stone can be integrated into modern home designs in an innovative and visually appealing manner. Overall, the article serves as a guide for Westchester homeowners seeking to update their interiors with current tile trends, offering a curated selection of styles and insights from industry experts. It aims to simplify the decision-making process by showcasing distinct trends that cater to different aesthetic preferences, from bold and graphic to subtle and textured, and to those favoring organic and intricate natural materials. #HomeDesign #TileTrends #InteriorDesign #WestchesterHomes #BathroomRenovation #KitchenBacksplash #NaturalStone #PorcelainTile #TexturedTiles

The article details the transformation of an English manor home in Westchester County into a colorful and cozy family space, a project undertaken by design professionals Carla Zinman of Round Hill Design and Anna Sarly of Anna Sarly Design. Zinman and Sarly, who shared similar backgrounds and design sensibilities, collaborated on this extensive renovation to create a warm and functional home suitable for a family of four while also accommodating formal entertaining. Their combined expertise, with Sarly’s talent for color and textiles complementing Zinman’s meticulous approach to millwork and construction, proved ideal for the project. The entry of the home serves as a preview of the rich color palette and attention to detail found throughout. It functions as both an elegant formal guest entrance and a practical mudroom. A new built-in closet provides ample storage, and colorful closet doors in Benjamin Moore’s Newburg Green draw inspiration from existing cerulean inlay floor tiles. A clever mix of matte and semi-gloss paint finishes mimics the brick arch, and lime-washed brick walls paired with leather accessories create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The designers reconfigured the more casual spaces by converting the former dining room into a family room, which was then connected to the kitchen via a new curved doorway, echoing the arched architecture of the entry. A custom shelving unit by Round Hill Design offers storage for family activities, and a Frame TV serves as both art and entertainment. Comfortable furnishings, including a deep-blue Restoration Hardware sofa and custom rug, encourage relaxation. The kitchen received a refresh with new paint, updated solid brass hardware, and a complete lighting overhaul featuring modern sconces and under-cabinet lighting. A custom-built island provides thoughtful storage solutions for cooking essentials, and a lowered ceiling modernizes the space by concealing exposed beams. A breakfast nook, nestled in a corner of the kitchen, was created by transforming an exterior door into a floor-to-ceiling window. Custom-designed bench seating with durable outdoor fabric cushions and a white-oak dining table with unique popsicle-shaped legs make this a functional and playful space for everyday meals. Throughout the house, lightened floors contribute to a brighter, more youthful ambiance. The formal dining room, visible from the home's entry through an arched window, features a generous dining table and chairs. Floor-to-ceiling linen drapes frame French doors, emphasizing the room’s height while adding softness. An antique cabinet, used as a bar, is adorned with a curated vignette featuring oxidized copper candlesticks in red, coral, and green, tying together the home's color scheme. Adjacent to the dining room, a formal living/sitting area offers a space for guests to relax after dinner. A curvy sofa and sculptural chairs provide a modern touch, and decorative side tables are ideal for drinks. French doors along the side of the home open onto a patio, extending the entertaining space outdoors. The homeowners’ daughter's bedroom was transformed from a dark, gray teenage boy’s room into a bright, whimsical space. A boho bed is centered against a mural wallpaper by Bien Fait, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Whispering Peach. Fun bedding from Roller Rabbit and John Robshaw completes the look. The primary bedroom exudes an English feel with Farrow & Ball’s Cromarty Green walls and earthy, textured pieces such as a leather-and-walnut wood bench and tobacco-leather nightstands. The playroom, a compact 150-square-foot space with slanting ceilings, was designed to maximize depth with low, comfortable seating, custom built-in storage, and a twin-size bed. Large FLOR tiles in peach and red, along with an oversized geometric wallpaper, play with scale, and a carved-down door leads to a laundry room. Finally, the gentleman's office, previously a gym, was transformed into a light-filled workspace featuring a leather-topped desk by Croft House and a sideboard storage piece covered in bright teal leather. This comprehensive transformation successfully blended functionality, comfort, and sophisticated design throughout the entire home. #HomeTransformation #InteriorDesign #WestchesterHome #FamilyHome #ColorfulInteriors #CozyDesign #DesignCollaboration #RenovationProject #CustomMillwork

The article showcases three distinct Atlanta backyards, each transformed into a unique oasis through meticulous design and personal touches, offering inspiration for creating stunning outdoor spaces. The first, a "Pocket Garden" in Virginia-Highland, belongs to Rob Lamy, who has cultivated it for over 30 years. This garden emphasizes form, texture, and various shades of green, prioritizing leafy foliage over colorful blooms. Lamy, with help from landscape designer Paula Refi, developed a skill for pairing monochromatic plants with contrasting textures, such as ferns alongside fatsia and leopard plant, accented by white-blooming plants like gardenias and hydrangeas. Art, in the form of metal sculptures and paintings on the garage, provides color. Lamy's dedication to detail is evident in his hand-laid pebble pathways. His approach highlights how a small space can be transformed into a detailed and tranquil retreat. The second featured garden, the "Secret Garden" of Vicky and George Neuhauser near West Paces Ferry Road, is a "stone sanctuary" carved into a granite hillside. When the Neuhausers purchased their home, they discovered an exposed vein of granite, which Vicky painstakingly unearthed and repurposed to create pathways, steps, borders, benches, and a charming garden house. This garden’s design was organically driven by the natural terrain. The radiant heat from the stone encourages diverse plant life, including azaleas, peonies, hellebores, Japanese maples, and various perennials. This elevated retreat offers a striking contrast to the more formal gardens below, which include a traditional basket-weave brick patio, a slate-and-turf checkerboard leading to a rectangular swimming pool, and boxwood-hedged beds framing PeeGee hydrangeas. A pergola draped with Confederate jasmine and a tea olive hedge provides a shady respite. At the top of the hill, Vicky designed a Cotswolds-style garden house with solid stone walls and a cedar shakes roof, featuring a wide window shelf that functions as a wet bar, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and entertaining. The third space is Bob and Margaret Reiser’s "Art Garden" in Brookhaven, which feels more like a public park due to its expansive nature and numerous art installations. Their garden draws inspiration from world-renowned public gardens and the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG), where Bob is a lifetime trustee. Margaret, who serves on the board of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, collaborated with landscape designer Jane Bath to create an English cottage garden filled with roses, ornamental shrubs, and colorful perennials. The backyard is divided into three distinct sections by wrought-iron fencing and elevation changes. A lawn transitions to a terraced swimming pool and pool house, where a contemporary kinetic metal sculpture by California-based artist John Tyler adds a dynamic artistic element. This area is framed by azaleas, spireas, and a raised garden of antique roses. The Reisers transformed an ivy-infested forest beyond their original backyard into a woodland walk, clearing the ivy and planting an extensive collection of Japanese maples, shade plants like hostas and ferns, and native wildflowers with the assistance of Tim Gartland of Hamilton Land Services and an ABG curator. The garden's crowning feature is a labyrinth outlined with grasses and ground covers, inspired by Chartres Cathedral, which Bob walks daily. This article, originally published in the Summer 2018 issue of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, highlights diverse approaches to creating beautiful and functional backyard spaces, emphasizing personal interests and natural elements. #PocketGarden #SecretGarden #ArtGarden #LandscapeDesign #OutdoorSpaces #AtlantaGardens #VirginiaHighland #WestPacesFerry #Brookhaven #GardenInspiration

Central Gardens, a historic neighborhood in Midtown Memphis, is characterized by its eclectic architectural styles, rich history, and certified arboretum status. The neighborhood, initially part of the Solomon Rozelle estate established in 1815, saw its first home built around 1853. It quickly became a desirable area for residential development, attracting prominent architects and a diverse mix of residents, from industrialists to artists. The area experienced significant growth until approximately 1930 and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, encompassing about 1,540 structures across 511 acres. Its numerous healthy tree species have earned it an Arboretum Level III designation, contributing to the neighborhood's visual appeal and community atmosphere. Residents like Anne McCarthy, who chairs the 42nd Annual Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour, highlight the strong sense of community, belonging, and the visually appealing architecture as key aspects of living in Central Gardens. The neighborhood fosters an environment where children can safely bike on quieter streets, and residents often gather on front porches for social interaction. Annual events, such as the Fourth of July children’s parade, further reinforce community bonds. The upcoming 42nd Annual Central Gardens Home & Garden Tour offers a chance to explore the interiors of some of these historic residences, showcasing how century-old architecture has been thoughtfully renovated to incorporate modern amenities while preserving historical integrity. Three homes are highlighted for this sneak peek: an Italian Renaissance home, a Colonial Revival home, and a 'Classic Box' subtype of Colonial Revival. The Italian Renaissance-style home, built in 1918, was originally owned by James Canale, whose family legacy is tied to the D. Canale & Co. distributorship and the Old Dominick Distillery. The current homeowners, who acquired the property in 2012, have undertaken extensive renovations, including a master suite with a large walk-in closet, a master bath with a refrigerator, and a separate living area converted from a former porch. The interiors display a blend of old and new, featuring antique pews alongside modern paintings in the foyer, curved stairs and arched doorways with gilded orb chandeliers, a modern kitchen with a chic breakfast nook, and thoughtfully displayed modern art illuminated by picture lights. The Colonial Revival home, dating back to 1904, is distinguished by its cast stone cladding and 10-foot-tall doors. The current owners, who purchased the home in 2002, renovated it in 2009, modernizing the kitchen, adding a great room, and extending a downstairs hallway to a new master bedroom and bath. These renovations were carefully executed to respect the home's original 1904 style. The property also includes an L-shaped screened porch that overlooks a meticulously landscaped yard with a fountain and a vintage greenhouse. The interior showcases an antique table with peonies in the foyer, a 114-year-old dining room with vibrant tangerine walls, an ornate antique chandelier, a framed family christening gown as a treasured heirloom, and a unique green room with a mix of antique furniture, an organ piano, animal print ottoman, and statement art. The 'Classic Box' home, built around 1911 as a Colonial Revival subtype, underwent extensive renovations in 2017 by its current homeowners. These updates were designed to maintain the home's historic character. Architect David Schuermann of Architecture, Incorporated, was responsible for enlarging the kitchen by removing a wall. The house features a screened porch at the back, offering views of a beautiful courtyard with a babbling fountain and a guesthouse. The interiors include a sweeping stairway adorned with modern black-and-white art and a gorgeous rail, a kitchen with gleaming white marble countertops, muted grey cabinetry, smart lighting, and sleek pendant lights, and a breakfast room with a contemporary ceiling fixture complementing an original leaded glass cupboard. A charming nook features a collection of antique frames with silhouettes against printed wallpaper. These homes exemplify the successful integration of historic charm with modern living. #HistoricHomes #CentralGardens #MemphisArchitecture #HomeTours #InteriorDesign #Renovation #ArchitecturalStyles #CommunityLife #ColonialRevival