SUMMER MUSINGS
Summer makes me nostalgic. As a child I spent summers with my grandparents in North Carolina. Nestled on several acres of land, their home was perched on top of a hill with 360 degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Birds splashed in the stone birdbath while butterflies, wild bunnies, frogs, and all manner of delightful creatures frolicked together in this natural landscape. The specific sounds and sights of summertime like crickets, chipmunks, bird calls and the flicker of fireflies in a violet sky at dusk, always bring me right back to this idyllic location.
Awakened by the birds singing and splashing in the birdbath, we would get a jump on the day. We might swim at the local pool or go blackberry picking and maybe get some lime sherbet in a sugar cone at the special ice cream parlor with its painted cow sign.
Sometimes I would sit with my grandfather at the round stone table in the backyard while he told me stories. After our chats, he would go work in his woodshop. A door inside the house led down to this magical place where he fixed things, made furniture and even crafted a dollhouse, which of course I got to decorate. The smell of sawdust will always remind me of him.
I recently found this photo of me with my grandfather having one of our chats. He had the best laugh and wore this hat every single summer day. I adored him. It’s funny how a single photo can flood you with memories and a sense of place.
Behind the house was the secret hideout for wild bunnies. My sister and I would feed them carrots in the early evening while my grandmother ate coffee ice cream. In front, formal manicured boxwoods lined the driveway and made for a grand entry, though they also made it very difficult for my father to park a station wagon without taking out a few here or there. Being in their home and running about on the land made me feel connected to everything around me and in harmony with the natural rhythms of life itself
It occurs to me now this is where my feng shui journey actually began. It is easier in a country house to partake in the fruits of the season. Being able to create outdoor rooms for my clients’ homes is such a treat. Screened-in porches expand living space, and provide a real indoor/outdoor living experience. They connect you to the features of the property, like pools and expansive lawns. Plus, they keep the bugs at bay.
Photograph by Matthew Williams for WSJ
In our Woodstock project, I imagine my clients wrapped up in blankets on cool summer nights sharing memories, and creating new ones.
Photograph by Hulya Kolabas
In our Gimme Shelter project out East, this swinging daybed makes a perfect napping spot in the screened-in porch. Where my grandparents lived, almost every porch had a swing. The sound and feel of the swing brings me right back to my summers as a kid.
Photograph by Hulya Kolabas
In the same project, the in-ground pool is visible from the entire back of the house. Sounds of splashing fill the house with delightful summer fun.
Photograph by Hulya Kolabas
Vintage chairs sit at the edge of the pool, making them easy to access from the living room sliders.
In the city, it is more challenging to connect to the rhythms of nature. Here in Brooklyn, Radar and I do what we can. We take walks along the river and ice cream still factors heavily in our summer experience.
No matter the setting, I like to design homes that help my clients create memorable moments. Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to help you realize your design goals. Investing in your space is investing in yourself and transforming your space to support the way you live, promotes healthy and balanced living.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and don’t forget to follow along on Instagram for more fun and behind-the-scenes peeks into current projects.