MANHATTAN NYC PENTHOUSE TERRACE

Twenty-five stories above Manhattan a luxurious duplex opens to a generous terrace garden. Multiple outdoor rooms were created as an extension of the clients indoor space. On the west side of the terrace is the dining room, defined by a handsome wood and aluminum pergola.  Guests retire to the living room just beyond it. On the east side of the the space is an L-shaped outdoor kitchen, complete with sink, range, refrigerator, ice maker.  The owner enjoys serving drinks and cooking steaks while watching the game on the outdoor TV.  The color scheme for garden furniture, plantings, planters, hardscape were highly coordinated. Custom planters with zinc finishes contain most of the plantings and have outdoor speakers incorporated within them!  Two Cornus florida (Native dogwoods) and their respective planters help to define the space. Knock-out roses and hydrangeas highlight the garden plantings. The fall garden spectacular includes three anemone cultivars, asters and woodland sunflowers. Ornamental grasses are expected to mature into a tall perimeter hedge that gently moves with the breeze.

GREENWICH VILLAGE "HOMESTEAD"

In the heart of the West Village, this 10 x 30 terrace is meant to evoke the client’s passion for a bucolic homestead on a ranch. The intent was to create a pastoral oasis within the urban metropolis. The space overlooks a courtyard and is surrounded by other luxury condos. Thus privacy was a key component for the client, which is achieved by the planting of switchgrass along the perimeter — evoking the prairie grassland.  Two Serviceberry trees (Amelanchier canadensis) create additional privacy, their perfect alignment representative of a farmstead orchard, with the rustic pergola providing either structure or hidden sanctuary (by closure of the roman shade) for al fresco dining, cocktails and hammock lounging.

The design aesthetic and inspiration is derivative of the farm. The daybed (storage within) and perimeter grass planters were faced with willow hurdles. The arcadian pergola element is fabricated with native black locust wood.  Washboard planters by Pennoyer Newman and traditional horse feeders contain perennials. Built 2018.

FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE GARDEN IN BROOKLYN

Behind an impeccably kept 1890 brownstone building in Brooklyn, NYC,  we collaborated with a wonderful family on a garden made up of several “rooms.”  Originally featured in the Sunday New York Times, this Park Slope garden is located near Grand Army Plaza.

The project began with a total overhaul, clearing existing material and broken fences.  The client requested that the garden feel like a journey through the french countryside. We selected “wild plantings’, many pollinator-friendly species to bring in birds, butterflies, bees. The barn door was built as a central focal point and folly. Two designed fountains cool the air. The rear garden wall and “short wall” (which holds storage) was  built with salvaged 125 yr. old brick to match the rear wall of home.

SOHO ROOF GARDEN WITH CUSTOM PERGOLA

This 2,000 square foot terrace garden in Soho, Manhattan doesn’t happen without wonderful clients. We constructed this rooftop oasis carefully and respected all protocols throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Our goal was to create multiple experiential living spaces. Included is a small kitchen with electric barbecue, dining area, overlook, wooden benches with storage below, lounging area with an outdoor television, custom designed cabinetry, all under a prismatic pergola.

PLAYFUL TRIBECA ROOF GARDEN

In the Tribeca Neighborhood of New York City we created an exuberant roof garden design for a fabulous family.

A 2,000 sq. ft. roof terrace in Tribeca had deteriorated and the client requested we improve their space by rebuilding the trex deck, reprogramming the space, redesigning the plantings with edibles, natives and an orchestration of perennials. As an extension to the loft-like home, this garden boasts multiple “open outdoor rooms”.  At the center of the design, just outside of the bulkhead entrance is dining for 12, and a sculptural ‘Nestrest’ lounger for the kids.  A kitchen at the southern edge contains a grill, sink and refrigerator with counter space and generous storage. Adjacent to this is a  ‘potager’ (kitchen garden) w. apple trees, plum and blueberry shrubs, alpine strawberries, and countless herbs. Artist John Clement’s brilliant yellow sculpture creates a focal point as one transitions through birch trees to the north garden, stepping down to a lower level where a large lounging space under an oversize pergola faces west experiencing evening sunsets. Native trees, grasses and perennials in low weight aluminum planters create the architecture, helping to define the spaces.