Gold Coast Magazine Spring 2015 by Anton Community Newspapers

R E A L

E S T A T E

E D I T I O N

GOLD COAST AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION • MARCH 2015

M A G A Z I N E

BEST RETURN ON YOUR HOME INVESTMENT TRENDS IN NEW HOMES Smart Devices

FARM LIVING COOL KIDS’ BEDROOMS New Styles They’ll Love

Raising Chickens In Old Westbury

R E A L

E S T A T E

E D I T I O N

GOLD COAST AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION • MARCH 2015

M A G A Z I N E

OUTSIDE BACK COVER

BEST RETURN ON YOUR HOME INVESTMENT Smart Devices

FARM LIVING

Elliman

Raising Chickens In Old Westbury

COOL KIDS’ BEDROOMS New Styles They’ll Love

Ocean

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110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.425.5720 | ©2015 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE IN AN OFFERING PLAN AVAILABLE FROM THE SPONSOR. CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, AND NUMBER OF BEDROOMS ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY. PHOTOS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

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TRENDS IN NEW HOMES

MANHATTAN

B R O O K LY N

QUEENS

LONG ISLAND

THE HAMPTONS

PRIVATE OASIS AT MORGAN COURT

THE ART OF FINE LIVING

LUXURIOUS LIVING

ALL NEW: LUXURY AND VALUE

Manhasset | $4,150,000 Set on 1.06 acres on a quaint cul-de-sac in Flower Hill, this custom-built 5-bedroom brick Center Hall Colonial offers 6,250 square feet of luxury with incredible architectural details throughout. Web# 2742742. Traci Conway Clinton C: 516.857.0987

Northport | Price Upon Request Superb 5,500 square foot home with open floor plan, 5 en-suite bedrooms, 5.5 baths, in-ground pool with spa, spacious patios/lounging areas and 2 mint Nantucket cottages. Sports court. Dock-approved. Web# *1216907. Jyll Kata C: 516.330.2321; Risa Ziegler C: 516.457.4282

Cold Spring Harbor | Price Upon Request Magnificent compound on 2.5 acres with extraordinary architectural detailing. Luxury amenities, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths with stunning pool, tennis, gym, theatre and wine cellar. Web# 2673682. Maureen Polyé C: 516.582.5646

Manhasset | $4,788,000 State-of-the-art stone 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath Manor home designed by award winning architect Michael J. Wallin perched high atop Manhasset Bay overlooking 35-acre preserve. Early Spring completion. Web# 2668844. Traci Conway Clinton C: 516.857.0987

Sands Point | $2,290,000 Built in 2013, offering nearly 7,000 square feet of luxurious living. Six bedrooms, 6.5 baths, 2 family rooms, chef’s kitchen and expansive yard with pool. Indisputable quality and value. Web# 2704908. Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598

Artist’s Rendering

BUILDER’S OWN CUSTOM BUILT RESIDENCE

Upper Brookville | $2,099,000 All-brick custom-built 4/5-bedroom, 4-bath home on 2.6 landscaped acres exemplifies easy and elegant living with oversized entertaining spaces and luxe private quarters. Web# 2715496. Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598; Jyll Kata C: 516.330.2321

EAST HILLS NEW CONSTRUCTION

East Hills | $1,995,000 Quality detailed workmanship is apparent throughout this Energy Star custom-designed 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath new Colonial inludes all high-end finishings. Model available. Web# 2735926. Anthony Piscopio O: 516.629.2259, C: 516.395.1556

FLOWER HILL GEM

Manhasset | $1,899,000 Elegant 4-bedroom Center Hall Colonial with exceptional details throughout. All new baths, fabulous kitchen and family room all on 1/3 of an acre. Close to town and LIRR. Web# 2736597. Connie Liappas C: 516.319.3274

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – NOVEMBER 2 - 8

110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.549.7401 | © 2015 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. PHOTOS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

PREMIER LUXE WATERFRONT COMPOUND

MAJESTIC BRICK COLONIAL

Old Westbury | $6,350,000 Sequestered on 3.7 flat acres, the Polo Estates offers 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Boasting all the amenities for luxury living, including a har tru tennis court. Web# 2689782. Stuart Bayer C: 516.375.1005; Carolyn Gelb C: 516.359.5660

RIVERDALE

THE NORTH FORK

WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM

ENTERTAINER’S DREAM

Old Brookville | $1,828,000 Five-bedroom contemporary Ranch on meticulously landscaped park-like property. Magnificent soaring living room with fireplace and master en-suite on main level. Pool, patio and tennis. Web# 2702342. Maureen Polyé C: 516.582.5646

GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN BROOKVILLE

Brookville | $1,695,000 Sixteen-room updated 5-bedroom brick Colonial with a 2,900 square foot 1st floor. Fabulous large gourmet kitchen and adjacent great room with soaring ceilings. Finished basement with pub and gym. Web# 2724676. Barbara Brundige O: 516.624.9000, C: 516.242.7878

CLASSIC STRATHMORE COLONIAL

Manhasset | $1,325,000 Bright, light, airy 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Center Hall Colonial with large gourmet eat-in kitchen with French doors to patio. Spacious yard and low taxes. Web# 2703777. Connie Liappas C: 516.319.3274

ASPEN

RARE OPPORTUNITY

Huntington Bay | $1,775,000 Stunning waterfront Contemporary with walls of glass, overlooking Huntington Bay to Connecticut. Two fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, master en-suite, 3 baths and your very own pristine sandy beach. Web# 2718092. Maria Reynolds White C: 516.318.5332

SET ON A SECLUDED COUNTRY LANE

Syosset | $1,695,000 Beautifully updated inside and out. Five-bedroom, 5.5-bath Center Hall Colonial with gourmet eat-in kitchen, on 2 flat acres with heated gunite salt water pool, a 3-car garage, plus a separate guest cottage. Web# 2705626. Nicole Pratt O: 516.351.1994; Taryn Peel O: 516.567.8652

UPDATED 5-BEDROOM RANCH

Manhasset | $1,199,000 Updated spacious 5-bedroom Ranch nestled down a secluded driveway on a half an acre. This home offers endless possibilities. Close to town and LIRR. Web# 2730060. Connie Liappas C: 516.319.3274

LOS ANGELES

FLORIDA

RENOVATED FARM RANCH

Roslyn Estates | $1,740,000 Spectacular 5-bedroom 4.55-bath with flowing open floor plan, living room with fireplace, dining room, den with fireplace and gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite and cherrywood cabinets. Web# 2670262. Stuart Bayer C: 516.375.1005; Carolyn Gelb C: 516.359.5660

INSIDE BACK COVER

CHIC, EASY, EFFORTLESS

Sands Point | $1,600,000 Four-bedroom, 3-bath light-flooded Ranch has been updated with quality and style. Beautiful, flat, professionally-landscaped property with pool. Prime Sands Point location. Web# 2719352. Maggie Keats C: 516.449.7598

CLASSIC VILLAGE COLONIAL

Manhasset | $765,000 Beautiful 3-bedroom Colonial with a great open floor plan. Updated kitchen with many upgrades. Close to town and LIRR. Low taxes. Web# 2729509. Connie Liappas C: 516.319.3274; Kristen Vlahopoulos C: 516.672.1577

TBS

MANHATTAN

B R O O K LY N

QUEENS

LONG ISLAND

THE HAMPTONS

PRIVATE OASIS AT MORGAN COURT

THE ART OF FINE LIVING

LUXURIOUS LIVING

ALL NEW: LUXURY AND VALUE

Artist’s Rendering

BUILDER’S OWN CUSTOM BUILT RESIDENCE

EAST HILLS NEW CONSTRUCTION

FLOWER HILL GEM

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – NOVEMBER 2 - 8

PREMIER LUXE WATERFRONT COMPOUND

MAJESTIC BRICK COLONIAL

RIVERDALE

THE NORTH FORK

WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM

ENTERTAINER’S DREAM

GREAT OPPORTUNITY IN BROOKVILLE

CLASSIC STRATHMORE COLONIAL

ASPEN

RARE OPPORTUNITY

SET ON A SECLUDED COUNTRY LANE

UPDATED 5-BEDROOM RANCH

LOS ANGELES

FLORIDA

RENOVATED FARM RANCH

INSIDE BACK COVER

CHIC, EASY, EFFORTLESS

CLASSIC VILLAGE COLONIAL

TBS

THE NORTH FORK | THE HAMPTONS | LONG ISLAND | MANHATTAN | BROOKLYN | WESTCHESTER | GREENWICH | ASPEN | LOS ANGELES | FLORIDA 110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.549.7401 | © 2015 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS ARE DEEMED RELIABLE, BUT SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. PHOTOS SHOWN MAY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

PURE LUXURY & MASTER CRAFTSMANSHIP | SANDS POINT | $7,100,000 Built in 2007, this 8,000 sf 7-bedroom 8.55-bath Hampton-style, home in Harriman Estates features Control4 smart home technology, a dramatic bridal staircase, 11 and 13 ft high ceilings, and three fireplaces. A walk-out lower level offers guest quarters with full bath, media center wired for seven point sound system, gym, sauna, and full house generator. French doors from all principle rooms on the main level lead to an expertly landscaped rear yard complete with Gunite pool and hot tub, tennis/sports court, outdoor kitchen with oversized fire pit and 3-car heated garage.

LICENSED ASSOCIATE R. E. BROKER RANKED IN THE TOP TEN ON LONG ISLAND, 2014 O: 516.944.2853 | C: 516.241.9848 irene.rallis@elliman.com

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~Edward D’Ambrosio

Executive Vice President, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

“To be competitive in this market, you have to be quick to react, price homes to sell, and stay on the cutting edge of technology. With a limited amount of homes for sale in such areas as Jericho and Syosset/Woodbury, you have to think out-of-the-box. Consistent communication is vital. For my sellers, I review marketing plans and provide weekly feedback to ensure that we remain on target in achieving their goals all the way to the closing table. I look forward to adding my talent and expertise to the team at Douglas Elliman- together we will soar!” ~ Linda Freedman

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker 317 Jackson Avenue, Syosset, NY 11791 O: 516.364.2213 | C: 917.743.2724 linda.freedman@elliman.com 110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY, 11746. 631.549.7401 © 2015 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

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CONTENTS 10

Letter from the Publisher Welcome to our real estate edition of Gold Coast Magazine By Angela Susan Anton

Water to Water Follow the fountain to Little Neck Sound

By Lyn Dobrin

A Legacy Lives on This modern-day farming family is maintaining Long Island’s history

By Kimberly Dijkstra

Farm Living in Old Westbury How one family incorporates nature into their suburban lives By Lyn Dobrin

Your Utopia The latest landscaping trends to help you perfect paradise on your property By Steve Mosco

Revitalizing Our Downtowns Breathing new life into our Gold Coast towns

By Wendy Karpel Kreitzman

The Best Return on Your Investment Where to splurge and where to save when renovating

By Karen Talley

Cool Rooms Create a space your child will love By Jill Nossa

Dream Closets How to turn chaos into clever storage

By Betsy Abraham

How Smart Is Your Home? Which new features will make you feel like you’re one of the Jetsons

By Richard Tedesco

My Baby Alligator

Of all the things you could buy on Miracle Mile, no one would have expected me to return home with a pet alligator

•

By Julianne Pennisi Kavoussi

GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

Cover photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

Pictured in photo: Juwai Tech Team, Donnamarie Chaimanis Taken on 7/22/14 at Juwai HQ, Shanghai, China

EAST MEETS WEST “International investors use juwai to purchase homes, vacation properties and invest in the U.S. I use Juwai.com - China’s #1 property real estate website to market and sell your property abroad ”

—Donnamarie Chaimanis Licensed Associate Broker

Experience the Gold Coast Concierge Service with Donnamarie Chaimanis 516-978-9393 — Your International Realtor with the Local Connections — Manager Brookville Office 516-978-9393 dchaimanis@laffey.com

Donnamarie Chaimanis CLHMS, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRES Licensed Associate Broker Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Luxury Portfolio International Specialist

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Donnamarie Chaimanis LAFFEY FINE HOMES

Letter from the

Publisher

n my opinion, the Gold Coast is one of the most beautiful and intriguing places in the entire country—let alone Long Island—to call home. There’s an aura of elegance, opulence and class that comes with the territory when you live in this section of the North Shore. For this issue of Gold Coast Real Estate Magazine, we have plenty of stories that capture what’s going on in this area. Wendy Kreitzman discusses the revitalization of downtowns currently taking place in Great Neck and the Town of North Hempstead that’s allowing these municipalities to keep up with the times. Richard Tedesco talks about the smart devices that are part of the upcoming trends in new homes, where homeowners are going for the convenient, ultramodern approach. Jill Nossa offers lots of decorating tips if you’re looking to create a cool kid’s bedroom. And while we’re talking about spending money on your home, Karen Talley shares how to get the best return on your investment, particularly if you’re doing kitchen and bathroom renovations. Hint: Keeping it simple might just be the way to go. With the change of seasons, Betsy Abraham gives you plenty to think about if you’re deciding to clean out, organize and make the most of your closet space. Since Gold Coast homeowners take pride in the exterior of their property, Steve Mosco talks up landscape trends that include aspiring green thumbs interspersing flowers and vegetables in the same garden as a way of making it equal parts practical, beautiful and environmentally friendly to bees and other beneficial insects. Gold Coast Real Estate Magazine also shines the spotlight on a

number of truly unique residents. Lyn Dobrin explores the fabulous Doshi home on the water in the Saddle Rock section of Great Neck that has won numerous design awards and been used as the location for a number of productions, including an episode of Royal Pains. Lyn also pops in on the Pitchyan family of Old Westbury, who made the move from Flushing and now has a small band of livestock that includes chickens and peacocks. While these vegetarians aren’t in it for the eggs, the Meyers over in Woodbury are an actual farming family that has been plying their trade for a number of decades as suburbia has sprung up around them. Kimberly Dijkstra has the story on this multigenerational clan. Finally, reader Julianne Pennisi Kavoussi shares her memories of Manhasset’s Miracle Mile and the time she bought a baby alligator at one of the shops when she was a kid—you have to read it to believe it.

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GOLD COAST MAGAZI NE

An Anton Media Group Publication KARL V. ANTON, JR. Publisher, 1984-2000

•

ANGELA SUSAN ANTON Publisher

MICHAEL CASTONGUAY President & COO

FRANK A. VIRGA

EVP of Sales & Operations

•

LIZA N. BURBY Editor-in-Chief

SHERI ARBITALJACOBY Senior Managing Editor

ALEX NUÑEZ Art Director

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•

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Betsy Abraham, Kimberly Dijkstra, Lyn Dobrin, Rich Forestano, Dave Gil de Rubio, Julianne Pennisi Kavoussi, Wendy Karpel Kreitzman, Jill Nossa, Steve Mosco, Karen Talley, Richard Tedesco

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WATER TO W Following the fountain to Little Neck Sound By Lyn Dobrin

â&#x20AC;¢

GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

WATER

Situated in the Saddle Rock section of Great Neck sits the Doshi residence, an ultramodern structure framed in steel and clad in high-tech phenolic resin panels. The home has won design awards, has been featured in numerous commercials and TV shows, including Royal Pains, and is currently the backdrop for a hush-hush new television production. 16

â&#x20AC;˘

GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

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ater leading to water is a subtext in this award-winning home built for husband and wife doctors and their family. The house faces Little Neck Sound, as does the front door, which cannot be seen from the street. The entrance is tucked around the side of the metal curved form, which, incidentally, is a peaceful Zen room. The architect, Stuart Narofsky, wanted an organic way to not only lead visitors from the street to the front door, but to also express the water theme. “The idea of a water table was to establish a connection to the water behind the home,” says Narofsky. Enter Mel Gassman, a marble and granite fabricator from Lemned Corp. Gassman was hired by landscape architect Lemuel Hegwood to turn the concept into reality. Hegwood had installed the water system and it was then up to Gassman to figure out how to dramatically move the water from one place to another. Using absolute black granite, Gassman designed and installed a bowl fabricated from a four-foot square piece of granite. Water rises and flows from his creation. In fact, the water table is the first object that captures visitors’ attention as they arrive. The striking black granite water table guides guests toward the entrance, which is not yet visible. As visitors proceed, stepping on concrete rectangles set in a field of black stones, the cascading water flowing down both sides runs alongside a 40-foot trough, escorting guests to the entryway. “The water falls off the sides symmetrically,” says Narofsky. “It’s amazing.” Ultimately, the visitor and the trough reach another floating granite platform that supports and displays artistic sculptures. Gassman’s water journey leads visitors within 80 feet of the Sound and finally to the dwelling entrance. Gassman loved the challenge of creating the water bowl and trough. It took him three days just to carve out the bowl, hand grinding with a high-speed

•

GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

water grinder and polisher. He drilled 16 holes at the base of the bowl to enable the water to bubble up from the plenum below. The granite fabricator says, “The project was thoroughly creative and something out of the ordinary.” “It’s all about the procession and experience, which is unusual for a residence,” says Narofsky. “People usually want to see the front door; they want the ‘big entry impact.’” This pathway certainly delivers. •

“The water falls off the sides symmetrically.”

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Five generations of Meyers family farmers (from left): Great Grandfather Peter J. Meyer Sr., who purchased the Woodbury farm property, Grandfather Peter J. Meyer Jr. showing off his tomatoes, Dad Peter J. Meyer III in the mid-1960s when their second location shifted from Dix Hills to Calverton, brothers Pete and Joe, and Peteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest son, Peter

â&#x20AC;˘

GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

The

Legacy Lives on This modern-day farming family is maintaining Long Island’s history

By Kimberly Dijkstra

hoose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Peter Meyer IV, or Pete as he’s known, co-owner of Meyer’s Farm Stand in Woodbury, lives by this Confucian motto. His grandfather, Peter Meyer Sr., bought the farmland in 1924. Since then, five generations of Meyers have lived on and worked the land, one of only two farms left in Nassau County. For most of its history, Long Island was covered in farmland and wooded areas. In the 1920s and ’30s, the island slowly started transitioning into the suburbia we know today. Meyer’s Farm Stand is helping maintain the integrity of old Long Island—it’s an oasis amidst the residential, and increasingly commercial, surroundings.

GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

•

Customers appreciate the easy access to super fresh, locally grown produce at low prices.

The fifth generation of Meyers: Brittany, Peter and Nick

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GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

Pete, Pete’s father (also named Peter after the family’s patriarch) and brother Joe are all partners in the business. Pete’s sisters, Jill and Jackie, live in the house their great grandfather built on Piquets Lane. Jackie sells freshly baked pies, cakes, cookies, brownies and other treats at the farm stand. She makes something different every day to keep customers on their toes. Jill does the bookkeeping with their mother Terry. Every family member participates in some way, large or small, harkening back to the days when every business was a family business. Originally 30 acres, the Woodbury farm now measures 10 acres. Like most potato farmers, Peter Meyer Sr. fell on hard times in the 1930s. He survived the depression by selling part of the land to neighbor Edward Tinker, whose estate became the Syosset-Woodbury Community Park residents enjoy today. Throughout the years, the Meyer family has rented and owned several other plots of land around Long Island. In the late ’50s, they acquired 100 acres in Calverton.

Every day from March to December, the Meyer men drive fresh produce and plants the 45 miles from Calverton, where the majority of the farming is done. “We like to think of it as bringing the East End here,” Pete says. “The price of diesel and gas for three trucks every day gets expensive, but we have a knack for it.” Customers appreciate the easy access to super fresh, locally grown produce at low prices that even beat the sales at supermarkets. In 2007, Nassau County purchased the development rights to the Woodbury property. The land must remain a farm forever, regardless of who owns it. “The people wanted to see it continue for generations,” Pete says. Tens of thousands of acres on the East End have had similar preservation agreements in place since the late 1960s. The farming industry has changed over Pete’s lifetime, for the better, thanks to technology. The Internet allows him to order seed from across the country, and advances

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in transportation allow it to be delivered to his doorstep the next morning. New equipment, like trucks, tractors and forklifts have made farming easier. Pete jokes about giving it all up if using horse-drawn machinery were still an industry standard. Fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals are stronger now, giving Pete the option to use less. None of his produce is certified organic, but he doesn’t spray some crops and uses limited amounts on others. “Nothing will attack it when it grows that fast,” he says of lettuce and other quick-growing crops. The landscape also changed a great deal in Pete’s lifetime. He remembers when the Geico building across the street was the only structure around for miles. “That was the only building that was there when I was born,” Pete recalls. “I could stand at my house and look straight across to the Long Island Expressway when I was a kid.” Meyer’s Farm Stand primarily grows vegetables. During spring, flowers are in high demand, with Mother’s Day being the biggest flower-selling day of the year. “From May first to the beginning of July, flowers are on everyone’s minds,” says Pete. All of his customers want to plant flowers while the weather is nice, but not yet hot enough to spend time at the beach. They return on a weekly basis to see what new blooms they can take home to fill in their garden. The farm stand officially opens on July Fourth. The flowers and vegetables they had been growing in the greenhouse all winter go up for sale. Then, they start the corn, and shortly after, the tomatoes, which the community eagerly anticipates every year.

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“As soon as the sign goes out, they come out of the woodwork,” Pete says of the local tomatolovers. “They risk their lives taking that left turn across Woodbury Road.” After that, the family begins growing about 30 different vegetables, as well as a few types of fruit, including watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. Other fruit that is sold, such as apples and peaches, is brought in from the Hudson Valley. Having fruit orchards is a different type of farming, Pete explains. “It’s the total opposite of vegetables.” Farmers on Long Island are dwindling in numbers. “We’re a dying breed,” Pete says. “It’s hard to get the younger generation to take over.” Pete’s oldest son, also named Peter, at age 18, actually does have an interest in the business. His other children, Brittany, 19, and Nick, 16, are not as keen on the idea at this stage. “They want to go to college,” Pete says approvingly. “They can always come back. We’ll be here.” Eighty hours is a normal workweek for Pete, sometimes 90. “In the wintertime, when it becomes 9 to 5 for a couple of weeks, I don’t know what to do with myself,” he jokes. Pete clearly loves his job. Business is steady, repeat customers, of which there are many, start to feel like family after a while, and as does the whole community who count on him to help beautify their homes and fill their plates. He considers it a privilege to be one of the few farmers in the county and to be continuing the business hopefully for generations to come. •

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Farm Living in Old Westbury How one family incorporates nature into their suburban lives By Lyn Dobrin

here’s a heron outside Kim and Pat Pitchayan’s Old Westbury home, standing watch over the pond and stream at the front door. The heron is fiberglass, but it does a good job of scaring off any real herons that might spot the Japanese koi that live in the pond. It’s a little harder protecting the Pitchayans’ chickens since raccoons and hawks sometimes get into the coop. When Kim and Pat decided to move to Long Island from Flushing 13 years ago, they looked for a house with lots of land where their three sons, Sumu, Mahesh and Karthik, now 16, 14 and 13, would have plenty of room to play outdoors and they could raise animals. A compelling selling point of the house they ultimately chose was that the property borders the Wheatley Woods, an undeveloped section of land behind The Wheatley School that was once the Hempstead Plains, but is now covered with trees. It was the dilapidated chicken coop in the far back corner of the yard that probably was the clincher for Pat. “I always wanted a house with a chicken coop,” says

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From top: Photos by Lun Dobrin (2); Steve Toscano

the attorney. An animal lover, Pat bred fish as a hobby in his native Singapore, maintaining 20 tanks. Chickens are beautiful birds, descendants of the Southeast Asian red jungle fowl first domesticated in India around 2000 BC. There are many more varieties beyond the White Rock, Cornish and White Leghorn chickens commonly used in the United States for meat and eggs. Through a company in Texas, the Pitchayans ordered “the exotic breed,” a combination of uncommon chickens from breeds such as Araucanas, known for their blue eggs; Cochins with blazing red, orange and gold back and neck feathers; black and white Campines and Exotic Polish whose head feathers, in the white-crested variety, look like a giant ball of cotton. The peacocks became part of the scene a few years ago when the Pitchayans were awakened at 5 a.m. by noise from the coop. Two pea fowls—a peacock and a peahen—had arrived and were looking at the chickens. For three days, they hung out in the yard, catching bugs in the air by the pond. Then they flew off, perhaps back to nearby Westbury Manor where peacocks roamed the grounds. That reignited the Pitchayans’ desire to raise pea fowl. They found a now-retired breeder of pea fowls in Hicksville. Kim recalls that the breeder visited their house first to make sure it was a suitable environment for his animals. Then, Pat and the boys went to the hatchery to catch the birds. Today, there are two couples residing in a pea fowl house next to the chicken coop. The bird population is not limited to the outdoors. Inside lives a 12-year-old African gray parrot. Pat complains it’s very messy, but it’s happily perched in a cage outside the music room, occasionally squawking.

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From top: Photos by Lun Dobrin (2); Steve Toscano

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O There is other animal life in the Pitchayans’ household. The family has two dogs and for a while, they had a goat and sheep. The goat ate leaves—including poison ivy—and the sheep kept the grass trimmed. But, when the goat starting eating leaves off the fruit trees, it was time to say goodbye. Since the Pitchayans are vegetarians and not big egg eaters, the main reason for breeding the chickens is their charm. When there are too many males (“You don’t need males to get eggs,” says Kim), they give them away to anyone who wants them. “But the new owner has to kill the animal,” she says. “Raising the chickens is therapeutic,” says Pat. “It’s pleasant to see them roam.” Kim agrees, “I’m amazed at how long people can stand there and just watch them.” When the boys were little and had playdates at the house, Kim says that the friends would often beg their parents to get them chickens, too. “Though I don’t think any of them actually did,” she says, and explains

that raising chickens has become desirable, but not all towns permit them. How has this unusual experience shaped these suburban teens? “The connection they all have to nature, having watched eggs hatch and then seeing chickens grow—and learning what pecking order really means—is truly amazing,” says Kim. “Watching how the peacock pines for the peahen when they’re separated, it’s a really beautiful experience.” Kim has no doubt that being raised around livestock has totally changed their lives. “Growing up surrounded by these animals has enriched the boys in so many ways. It’s who they are now. They have a certain color and richness to life. It’s been such a special experience being so close to nature and having such a connection.” Since Kim and her family have been so happy in their house, she recently decided to begin a new career as a real estate agent. Clearly, she has a knack for selecting special spaces. •

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Heels & Wheels The Big Noise Around Little Toys Planting Fields Foundation opens its new exhibition on Saturday, March 28th

This summer fashion conscious Barbie dolls and sleek Matchbox cars will be strutting and cruising at Planting Fields.

The exhibition, Heels and Wheels: The Big Noise Around Little Toys chronicles the history of these toys. The show is revealing about the broad culture of American life, particularly in the 1950s, 60s and 70s during the initial heyday of Barbies and Matchbox toys.

EXHIBITION HOURS: Heels and Wheels: The Big Noise Around Little Toys On view March 28th – September 7th, 2015, Open daily 11:30am – 3:30pm at the Manor House, Planting Fields, Free with $8 parking fee

Opening Night & Preview Party

Heels and Wheels: The Big Noise Around Little Toys Friday, March 27th at the Manor House, 5:30pm - 7:30pm Celebrate the opening of our new exhibition that speaks to children and adults alike! A fun look at two iconic toys that revolutionized play and the toy industry Post World War II. Creative dress is encouraged. Serving wine and cheese. Tickets $20 Non-Members/ $10 Members. For more information call Michelle Benes 516-922-8682 or email mbenes@plantingfields.org.

Rip the Runway: Fashionista Design Workshop Saturday, March 28th at the Manor House 2:00pm - 3:30pm Free with $8 Parking Fee

Calling all fashion enthusiasts ages 8-14! We have partnered with Abrakadoodle to bring you, a fashion forward, drawing design workshop. Come and learn the core essentials of fashion design and create your very own outfit. This is the perfect event for starting or adding to a portfolio, as drawings will be mounted on professional backing paper with the option of having your work hung to go along with our Heels f

PLANTING FIELDS ARBORETUM STATE HISTORIC PARK

& Wheels exhibit! All supplies are provided. Reservations required, call Andrea Crivello (516) 922-8688 or email acrivello@plantingfields.org

Playdate: Author/ Illustrator Program for Children Sunday, April 12th at the Manor House 2:00pm Free with $8 Parking Fee

Husband/wife duo Greg Attonito (The Bouncing Souls) and singer/songwriter Shanti Wintergate have written and illustrated a unique and evocative chapter book for the precocious pre-schooler.

1395 PLANTING FIELDS RD., OYSTER BAY, NY 11771 PLANTING FIELDS FOUNDATION

Join them as they read from their book I Went For A Walk. Families will be taken on a fantastic voyage in this special Author/Illustrator program where you will travel the deserts and oceans of Earth before suddenly becoming airborne – flying above the Earth into an amazing landscape of space where “The view was more beautiful than I could imagine.” Following the reading there will be an encore acoustic musical performance where Play Date will perform songs from their award-winning family music album Imagination. Contact Michelle Benes at (516) 922-8682 email mbenes@plantingfields.org

WWW.PLANTINGFIELDS.ORG OR 516-922-8678 132347

Events & Public Programs

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Utopia The latest landscaping trends to help you perfect paradise on your property By Steve Mosco Everyone wants to be in the know on all the latest trends, whether it’s fashion, cars or even landscaping. On Long Island’s illustrious Gold Coast, architecturally impressive homes often boast equally spectacular landscaped grounds—and this is no accident. Homeowners have meticulous taste when it comes to their property and any landscaper worth their mulch ought to be all over the newest trends like green on grass. GOLD COAST MAGAZINE

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len Cove-based Joseph Raso Landscaping Inc. has been cultivating business on the North Shore for close to 20 years. Raso’s crew of outdoor technicians work to keep property clean, while also catering to the trendy whims of their clients. “We will install any type of outdoor feature our clients want,” says Raso, whose company predominately serves the Gold Coast. Another landscaping company working with the Gold Coast, Ireland Gannon Associates, Inc., in East Norwich, also boasts a wide array of landscaping specialties. Ken Muellers, design manager, said he works with both plant aspects and construction, otherwise known as hardscape, the brick and mortar side of landscaping. “A big hardscape trend is the outdoor kitchen,” said Muellers. “Lots of people want to have staycations in their own backyards this summer.” Outdoor kitchens include a grill, of course, and also sinks, counter tops, warming draws and refrigeration— an entire kitchen’s worth of amenities outside and ready to handle at-home entertainment events. Both Raso Landscaping and Ireland Gannon are skilled in masonry and also work hand-in-hand with trusted subcontractors to complete the job with dynamic stonework to set their client’s outdoor space apart. Both landscaping companies’ approach stretches from the traditional to the avant-garde—all aimed at enhancing the look, value and safety of clients’ properties. And staying up-to-date on the latest trends makes implementing all those enhancements possible. It’s not just landscaping trends; both companies are in touch with all the technological trends as well.

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Top: Photo by Ken Muellers

They use digital imaging to help clients visualize the landscape design before a single plant is placed into earth and before a single brick is laid into the ground. This allows clients to explore all the possibilities for plant layout, color scheme and overall design. “The customers are always surprised by how much they can see before we do any work at all,” Raso says. “Each property is unique. Adding shrubs at one house might not make sense at another house. Digital imaging gives people the chance to see what works and what doesn’t.” Muellers said Ireland Gannon still uses hand-drawn mock ups as well. “There’s certain charm and appeal with the hand-drawn designs,” says Muellers. “Whatever the clients want.” In terms of landscaping trends for 2015, a few stand out among the Gold Coast clientele. One popular trend is edible gardens that incorporate a bountiful harvest of fruits, vegetables and herbs, while also saving room for beds of engaging flowers. Raso said tomato plants fit nicely with roses, and besides being delicious, chili peppers stand out as ornamental favorites. Another popular trend is a garden that attracts a flurry of wildlife activity, such as butterflies, birds and bees. Mueller says butterfly bushes not only look great, but they can also help support the monarch butterfly population that is sadly on the decline. Mueller says attracting bees can be a little trickier, even though just about any flowering plant can

April 4, 2015

Top: Photo by Ken Muellers

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Water features are more popular than ever and never go out of style. attract the buzzing minions. However, Mueller says, gardeners often have a love/hate relationship with bees. “We’re trying to help clients overcome their fear of bees,” he says. “They don’t want anything to do with you; they are only interested in the flowers. What’s great about this trend is that not only are these plants nice to look at, they are also great for the environment.” Meanwhile, Raso says drawing these lively creatures is fairly simple, with wild basil and violets attracting butterflies, yarrow and hyssop flowers attracting bees and, of course, a bird bath or shallow mini pond to attract birds. Speaking of water, those features are more popular than ever, according to Raso. The soothing sound of water emanating from a fountain, pond or water wall is something that Raso says will never go out of style. Privacy can be one of the reasons people move to the North Shore in the first place and Raso says landscaping design can add to this property feature. Adding a collection of container plants accomplishes this nicely, as does a natural screen with a mix of trees, shrubs and perennials. Muellers says Ireland also works in privacy plants, otherwise known as screen planting. With homes on Long

Island often so close together, screen planting has become a modern necessity. But Muellers stresses for clients to avoid monoculture—installing all the same species of plants. “We stress plant diversity,” he says. “It’s aesthetically more interesting, but also the diversity makes you less susceptible to one insect or disease wiping out your entire investment.” Both landscaping companies say an ever-evolving trend is planting easy-to-carefor species. Knock Out Roses come in a variety of colors and require far less upkeep than traditional roses. They bloom from June straight through to September. Any species with continuous blooms— lilacs, hydrangeas, butterfly bushes—are extremely popular with the Gold Coast. “If it’s outdoors, we do it,” says Raso. “If you have a vision for your property, we can make it happen.” Both Raso Landscaping and Ireland Gannon offer free consultation, so getting a good idea of what to do and where to go with your outdoor arrangements is simple. • For Joseph Raso Landscaping Inc., call 516-671-1499, email jraso@josephrasolandscaping.com or visit www.rasoland.com. For Ireland Gannon Associates, Inc., call 516-922-4800, email info@irelandgannon.com or visit www.irelandgannon.com.

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evitalizing Our Downtowns

Breathing new life into our Gold Coast towns By Wendy Karpel Kreitzman

he Long Island suburbs were a phenomenon of the post-World War II era, when soldiers returned to the area and sought homes in which to raise their growing families. In the late 1940s and ’50s, many of these young families moved east to developing Long Island villages and towns. Neighborhoods sprang up, sporting new homes, shopping centers and eventually new business districts. It was the exciting rise of the suburbs. Decades later, these suburban neighborhoods are showing wear and tear, and many towns and villages are becoming outdated. New technologies abound and antiquated hometown shopping districts are often overlooked with the advent of big-box discount stores and online shopping convenience. How can these once vibrant downtowns turn this trend around? The answer for many is to revitalize—rejuvenating old neighborhoods and attracting new businesses, housing developments and residents. In fact, this change has already begun in some of our own hometowns. Village of Great Neck Plaza Not too long ago, the Village of Great Neck Plaza was a bustling downtown. Big changes came quickly, with the Internet and big-box stores attracting shoppers, resulting in small mom-andpop shops shutting their doors during the past dozen or so years. As the number of closings began to increase, the local government started taking action for downtown revitalization. Plaza Mayor Jean Celender and the board of trustees are seeking measures and implementing projects that will have a positive impact on the community. While valuing the Plaza’s rich history, the village government is committed to attracting new and emerging businesses and retailers, and increasing and creating safer vehicular and pedestrian flow to enhance the overall quality of life for those who live, work, shop and visit. In 2011, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

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zoning was created as an incentive to promote flexibility for property owners and developers. The idea was to convert and expand the buildings above retail establishments in the downtown business district in order to attract young professionals with affordable housing near the Plaza’s convenient public transportation. The first project approved under this zoning will soon transform a small strip of retail stores, including a bank ATM and parking lot, located at 5 to 9 Grace Avenue, into a beautiful mixed-use structure that will be the home to 4,000-square feet of new retail space on the ground level and 30 residential units above. Ten percent of these units will be set aside for affordable workforce housing on the second, third and fourth floors, which will help retain the town’s recent college graduates. TOD can also serve the community’s seniors as well as its baby boomers, who originally settled in the suburbs with their families but are now becoming empty-nesters looking to downsize and sell their homes, yet stay in the community. This trend is sweeping the nation. All across the country, a demand for TOD exists. Communities with downtowns, where people can walk from their residence to restaurants, shops and other services without using their car, are becoming increasingly desirable. One of only four municipalities on Long Island to receive this state funding, the Plaza is also moving forward with the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grant that the New York State Department of Transportation recently awarded. The $838,000 reimbursement grant will be used toward the Plaza’s revitalization efforts and implementing infrastructure enhancements in the Welwyn Road/Shoreward Drive area. Plans include improving the Plaza’s safety by reconstructing new roadways, creating new brick

The old buildings at 5 to 9 Grace Avenue in Great Neck Plaza will be torn down and replaced by vibrant street-level stores with apartments above.

This photo of Great Neck’s “Old Village” in the 1920s shows the intersection of Hicks/Arrandale looking north on Middle Neck. All is now rezoned for apartments, townhouses and private homes, but existing nonconforming uses are permitted to remain. Many of the buildings on the right still stand, though, on the left, where the bank building and beyond once stood, is now an apartment building.

Today, suburban neighborhoods are showing wear and tear. The answer for many is to revitalize, rejuvenate the old neighborhoods and attract new businesses, new housing developments and new residents.

sidewalks with more visible pedestrian crossings, installing new LED street lights and enhancing this area with new benches, landscaping and street trees. Once completed, the project will be the villageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sixth traffic calming project, one that will enhance the Plaza by making roadways and pedestrian access safer, more attractive and more walkable for residents and shoppers alike. Town of North Hempstead At the top of the list for the Town of North Hempstead is New Cassel, where the revitalization process began more than 10 years ago with a community visioning that included numerous public meetings. This was an effort of former

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North Hempstead’s new Yes We Can Center in New Cassel

Supervisor Jon Kaiman and has continued with current Supervisor Judi Bosworth. Significant quality-of-life improvements have resulted. In September 2012, the state-of-the-art, 60,000-square foot Yes We Can Community Center opened, featuring two NBA-size basketball courts, a fitness center, dance and TV studios, senior and teen lounges, Internet café, community meeting rooms and much more. Through an effort between the town and their Community Development Agency, October 2013 brought The Ideal Food Basket, the first-ever supermarket in New Cassel. In August 2014, a laundromat opened on New Cassel’s main thoroughfare for the first time. North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth Affordable living quarters have envisions wonderful been created through two housing plans for waterfront areas. lotteries held in the past year. The 36-unit Cathedral Place Apartment Complex opened in October 2013. The Grand Street School, an eyesore, was demolished last summer. The property will be used for affordable senior housing, which will be developed by the North Hempstead Housing Authority. Hempstead Harbor waterfront revitalization will have a comprehensive, inclusive community visioning process. Ideas include a restaurant or catering hall, environmental learning facilities for students, self-sustaining rain gardens, a water sports rental facility for paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, bike paths and pedestrian walkways along the water. The town has also released a Request for Expressions of Interest for a conceptual plan for a restaurant facility at North Hempstead Beach Park in the hopes of boosting commerce along the waterfront area. The town has already completed a one-mile extension to the Hempstead Harbor Trail. The town’s Business and Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) recently held a Downtown Revitalization Conference with an extensive group of highly experienced economic development experts. The Village of Great Neck The Village of Great Neck is termed the “Old Village,” because it’s the original home of the town’s first shops, school, library, bank, voting location, telephone switchboard, church, temple, firehouse and park. The Old Village, New Main Street visioning began several years ago with the hiring of downtown revitalization specialists Dadras Architects. After an initial investigation, 12 homogeneous focus-group sessions followed by public meetings were held to hear the positives and negatives of the village and to learn what the community wanted.

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A report and recommendations included the top consensus points: preserve the historic nature, revitalize the business district and provide much-needed housing while retaining the predominately single-family nature of the village. After some delays, a new consultant was hired in 2013, and an effort was forged to condense the business district, make it more walkable, provide additional housing and improve Steamboat Road. Public and environmental hearings were held and plans were modified. In late 2014, the new zoning of most of Steamboat and Middle Neck Roads was adopted, with some incentive zoning on Steamboat and parts of Middle Neck. During that period, the village rebuilt one of its parking lots, introduced new lighting and applied to Nassau County for a grant to pay 80 percent of the cost to build sidewalk “bump outs” to make pedestrian crossings safer. Community-benefit funds from AvalonBay, in connection with its 191-unit luxury apartment project on East Shore Road, will offer incentives, including 20 workforce housing apartments, possibly to be used for Middle Neck and Steamboat Road workers. With an increasing number of high-tech shopping venues coupled with the enormous selection of discount chains, neighborhood shopping districts face more and more challenges as they struggle to maintain local businesses and restaurants. Cities, towns and villages have all found their communities facing uphill battles. On Long Island, many local governments are making strides towards fighting these downturns with their own rezoning and revitalization efforts and are seeking services and grants from state and federal sources, as well. The Town of North Hempstead and the villages of Great Neck and Great Neck Plaza are excellent examples of communities actively working to rebuild their downtowns. Residents from around the area will delighted to spend time in these vibrant new destinations. •

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120 Glen Cove Road, East Hills, NY 11577 • 516-621-4336 © 2015 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE

Great Neck Regional Office

Congratulations!

To the award winners and all the associates for an outstanding 2014!

Sandy Rosen

Associate Real Estate Broker

Ellen Steinberg

Lainie Charmatz

Associate Real Estate Broker

Faranois “Louise” Lavian Real Estate Salesperson

Felice Lisa Adwar

Associate Real Estate Broker Real Estate Salesperson

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600 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY 11030 516-365-5780 © 2015 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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Associate Real Estate Broker

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Real Estate Salesperson

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140 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791 • 516-864-8100 © 2015 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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The Best Return on Your Investment Where to splurge and where to save when renovating Transforming your household wish list into reality is thrilling, but you’d like to be somewhat practical. Of course, you want to enjoy every last detail, but you don’t want to spend money on extravagances that have little value, especially if you think you may resell your home someday. When considering whether you should go all out, experts agree that keeping it simple will give you the best return on your investment. Learn what is considered frugal and what is frivolous.

Keep kitchens relatively simple and use stainless steel for the best return on your buck.

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By Karen Talley

Outdoor overhauls offer a nice return. A wood deck could recover about 70 percent of the investment.

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Splurge or Scrimp Countertops, yes. Expensive lighting, no. Stainless steel appliances, definitely. Fancy sinks and faucets; don’t go there. These are the tricks of the trade known by contractors who work on homes. Sometimes the addition or renovation you must have has very little monetary return. And other times the upgrade that was low on your list packs a lot of financial punch. “Oftentimes customers go into it with expectations of having to purchase high-end materials, but it’s often the quality of the workmanship and the durability of the products that give them the biggest return on their budgeted dollars,” says Cynthia Murphy, principal of Murphy’s Design in Fairfax, VA. An example would be choosing between paying $5 or $25 for a cabinet knob. You would go with the lower-cost knob, Murphy said. “You will never recover that $25 because that’s more of a personalized choice.” But that doesn’t mean it’s better to thoroughly scrimp. “There are ‘must haves,’” says Murphy. “You would do well from a return standpoint with quality, like well-constructed cabinets, granite or quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances for the lion’s share of your budget.” Those touches are ”what a new buyer is going to notice,” Murphy says. “They are not going to see other things like expensive back splashes.” Expensive items like fancy plumbing fixtures are known as “jewelery” in the industry. These are things that are important to the current owner, but not to the potential buyer. “When you’re looking at a house, you don’t say, ‘I want to take a steam shower every day,’” Murphy says. “You say, ‘Look at how big and nice the shower is.’”

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Another rule in real estate is build up, not out. In other words, lift the roof, don’t expand horizontally. “By building up, it is easier to manage costs of things like pipes,” Murphy says. Another smart move is to open up a living space. This can involve opening a wall between a dining room and a kitchen, or a wall between a kitchen and a family room. “This makes the home’s space look bigger without having to spend that much,” Murphy says.

A new sink or even two sinks carry high returns when you want to sell.

Modernize Making a house “current” or up-todate is really the best way to make sure when you sell, you get a good return. “That should be your focus,” Murphy says. This would entail good flooring, well-constructed cabinets, no or new wallpaper, new carpeting and a freshly painted and welcoming front door. In fact, “nothing does more than freshly painted walls and fresh, crisp trim,” Murphy says. That’s because when people first walk into a home they take in the architecture. A fresh coat of paint really brings that out. So does a relatively inexpensive touch like a ceiling lamp. Rooms with Returns The focus in terms of rooms are the kitchen and master bathroom. Kitchens need to look good because the prospective buyer will want to be able to use them right away and not have to remodel. Cabinets, counter tops and appliances “are the three pieces of the puzzle,” Murphy says. “If they are in poor shape and you don’t replace them, they will take money from the sale. Conversely, if they are in good shape, with some sprucing up, you get a big return for your investment.” Kitchen cabinets don’t warrant as much attention, unless they are broken or the finish is worn off. “People aren’t really going to pay attention to cabinets unless they are screaming that they need work,” Murphy says. The bathroom “has to be clean with no broken tiles and have decent cabinets and counter tops,” Murphy says. “Fixes in this room, including a new sink, or even two sinks, carry a high return for the investment.” Important Improvements Sometimes it’s the very simplest touches that carry a lot of weight. “People will not pay market value for a home that is dirty,” Murphy says. “Sometimes people instead think they need to build an addition on their home and that is not usually the case.”

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Outdoor Overhauls Conversely, while it may be popular with the current homeowner, do not put in a pool. “You will never get back what you put in,” Murphy says. If you want to do something with your outdoor space, put in a patio or screened porch. That would offer a nice return because it’s like another room of the house. Indeed, the outer part of the residence is just as important as the interior. The best bang for your buck last year came from a 20-gauge steel replacement entry door, according to Remodeling, a leading trade magazine. This front door is special because it is reinforced, giving a feeling of safety that can continue into the house. The door, in the mid-Atlantic region, returned about 89 percent of the cost of buying and having a professional install it, Remodeling said. Just like interiors, exterior projects that hold their value are those that cost less than major remodeling. These lower-cost touches include a garage door replacement, redoing a roof or a stone veneer installation. “It’s about street appeal,” says Paul Pobiner, owner of Gold Coast Remodeling and Restoration in Great Neck. “When you put a new garage door in, or a manufactured stone veneer, it makes the whole property look nicer.” A wood deck will recover about 70 percent of the investment, Pobiner says. “It’s a great value and makes the home look beautiful from the outside.” Window replacements are also high on the list because they improve the appearance from the outside, Pobiner says. Window replacements, depending on the type, return 66 percent to 63 percent. All in all, when going for the biggest bang for your buck, Pobiner says it’s important that you assess your needs, don’t go overboard, check out your contractor and closely follow the progress of the work. So, go ahead and plan the renovation of your dreams. Just take your time and spend sensibly. •

before

after Before: This laundry room was messy and had little storage space.

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After: Now this is an inviting place, where you don’t mind spending time washing clothes. Tidying up a small space makes it more appealing, too.

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ROOMS

Create a space your child will love

By Jill Nossa

hen it comes to designing a bedroom for kids, tastes, styles and colors may vary, but experts agree on one thing: Have fun! Whether your objective is to fulfill a fairytale fantasy, update a space your child has outgrown—or just get all the toys off the floor—endless possibilities abound for creating a comfy place that personifies your child. Flexible Furniture “Kids’ rooms can be like store displays,” says Greg Lanza of Locust Valley-based Greg Lanza Design. “They are ever-changing and it’s the one time where a parent gets to be noncommittal about the design, so have fun with it.” A simple way to accomplish this is with furniture. Lanza says the furniture in a kid’s room (aside from the bed) should be mobile as opposed to fixed so that things like small tables, desks and coat trees can be moved around easily or swapped out for a new piece as a child grows. “I am a strong proponent of flexibility when designing these ever-changing spaces,” says Margreet Cevasco of Margreet Cevasco Design in Sea Cliff. “I’m often asked to transform rooms that children have outgrown. Trends and tastes change as fast as kids grow. Therefore, the key components are basic furniture, neutral walls, floors or carpet and window treatments that can remain consistent as decorative items are layered in. By swapping out bedding, lamps, throws and pillows, the room can be easily transformed.” One way to achieve this, she says, is to make sure materials and finishes are durable. Plus, there should always be a cozy spot with a good reading light. Signature Color Color is a significant element in kids’ rooms—and a great way for them to personalize their space with a signature color and make a room their own. Using carpet squares to add color, painting or wallpapering the ceiling or painting stripes on the walls are all fun ways to brighten up

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The bedroom was designed for a teenage girl by Interiors by Nanette in Albertson. Photo by Johanna Sophia Photography

This girl’s bedroom in Old Westbury, highlighted with shades of pink and red, features a custom-built window seat bed with storage below. Photo by Interiors by Just Design

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“

...the key components are basic furniture, neutral walls, floors or carpet and window treatments that can remain consistent as decorative items are layered in.

”

A teenage girl’s bedroom designed by Interiors by Nanette, based in Albertson. Photo by Johanna Sophia Photography

the room,” says Robyn Baumgarten of Interiors by Just Design in Woodbury. Evelyn Benatar of Great Neck-based New York Interior Design says most kids’ rooms tend to have a “pop of color” with backdrops of gray, blue or white. What that accent color is depends on the child. “As a designer in love with color, I always work with my clients to find out what their personal favorites are in many categories, such as their interests (hobbies, technology, social networking, toys, makeup, books or movies), then delve into favorite colors and wants and needs,” says Nanette Baker of Albertson-based Interiors by Nanette. “Once I have all of my questions answered and have a good understanding of the child or teen, I start searching for the elements that I think will be very exciting and appealing to my very special client.” Amusing Accents Baumgarten likes to use headboards and says upholstering them has become a big trend. “They bring attitude to the room,” she says. “It’s really about adding color and those kind of statement pieces.” Benatar of New York Interior Design says, “I always do sophisticated kids rooms so that it is something they can grow into, even if they are as young as 2.” Personalizing the space is key, and Baker notes that technology helps to play a role in that. “Today,

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there are so many great things you can do with technology and photography to create fantastic personalized posters as art, and I love enhancing spaces with colorful wallpapers and fabrics, cool organizational storage and display units, fabulous area rugs and contemporary furniture,” Baker says. “There is no shortage of fabulous products to achieve unique, meaningful and custom looks. It’s also a good idea to think ahead and use product ideas that have attractive timelessness.” According to Lanza, some of the current trends are the use of mix-and-match rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting from FLOR Carpet Design Squares (www.flor.com), which allows customers to create their own designs. Also, he says having one accent wall of color (which was a “no-no” for the past 20 years or so) is becoming popular again. Another trend he has seen is the use of mid-century classic architectural designs in miniature sizes for kids. Eero Sarrinen’s collection, for example, includes a Womb Chair for kids and there are reproductions of a Charles Eames chair and table designs in child sizes that come in various colors.

The wall tapestry adds color and playfulness to this room, designed by Margreet Cevasco Design in Sea Cliff.

The built-ins in this boy’s room were part of the clever design by Evelyn Benatar of New York Interior Design. Photo by Tony Calarco

This boy’s room was also designed by Evelyn Benatar of New York Interior Design. Photo by Jonathan Beckerman

Storage Space “One thing that is always in style is storage,” says Benatar. “Parents want tons of storage space; when I walk into a room, I envision putting the clutter away.” For instance, she says she once redid a room for two boys who had a bunk bed. She switched them to trundle beds with storage underneath, built a wall with shelving and even had storage room in the headboard. “Colorful artwork, tapestries, fun furry rugs and pillows add whimsy,” says Cevasco. “Adding hooks, shelves, baskets and upholstered tack boards to hang accessories and collectibles are essential. Having designated storage spaces help kids stay organized and assist in their daily efficiency.” Expressing Style In terms of design, children should have some control over what their room contains and how it looks. Bedrooms offer a perfect platform for them to express their individual style. “We always try to get the child involved in the selection process,” says Cevasco. “Most importantly the ‘cool’ thing about any kid’s room is that it reflects the child’s personality and interests.” “Nowadays, the kids have a lot of say,” says Benatar. “My favorite is when the parent lets the kid come along and give me input. I bond with them and get a good communication going. I love

when kids are involved; you find a focal point and go from there, whether it’s a pillow or window treatment.” Fabulous Finds If you’re shopping for accent pieces or furniture here on Long Island, Benatar suggests going to Crate & Barrel or Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams to find quality pieces. Lanza believes that because children grow so quickly and their tastes and needs can change from year to year, there is nothing wrong with mixing some inexpensive pieces with high-end designs. His go-to place for kids’ rooms is IKEA, though he is also big on using their materials and recreating them to fit personal needs. “Stay away from catalogs and be inventive,” says Lanza. A room makeover project is something both parents and kids can get really excited about. A bedroom is a sanctuary of sorts, and for kids, it should not only be a place for sleep, but also where they can escape for comfort and play. Whether they are entertaining friends, playing alone, studying, reading or sleeping, their bedroom should be the one special place where kids feel completely at ease. •

A girl’s bedroom in Roslyn, designed by Evelyn Benatar of New York Interior Design. The bed and window treatment were custommade; the chair is from Crate & Barrel, the chest from Nieman Marcus Home and the carpet from Country Carpet. Photo by Tony Calarco

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Dream Closets How to turn chaos into clever storage

By Betsy Abraham

rying to get out the door in the morning can be a nightmare if you can’t find just the right outfit, accessory or even your left shoe. Spring is a terrific time to get rid of the junk in your closet and get organized. For many of us, it’s a daunting task. Sometimes our frustration with closet organization comes from what we feel is a lack of space—or just too much stuff to sort through. But, Melanie Graham from The Container Store public relations department said there are plenty of easy ways to make closet organization simple. “For many of our customers, their closet is at the top of the list of areas in need of organization. It’s important to remember easy strategies to immediately create space and add organization,” said Graham. “The first step is to take inventory of all that you have in your closet. Go through and sort your items by color, type or style.” The second step is getting rid of what you don’t need or use. Graham suggests donating or holding a garage sale for unused and unwanted items. “Use the two-year rule. If you haven’t worn it in two years, it’s time to say goodbye to it,” said Graham. “These items take up valuable space and probably won’t be missed.” Organizing experts from The Container Store in The Gallery at Westbury on Old Country Road shared some tips on how to make organizing any closet— whether it’s in your bedroom, hallway or laundry room—a bit easier.

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Look Up If you don’t have a lot of room to work with, a surefire way to instantly create more space is to go “up.” Take advantage of all vertical space by stacking sweaters, shoes and handbags on shelves. Use stacking drawers or shelves to prevent items from toppling over. Store the things you need less frequently on the higher shelves. Reevaluate Hangers Use add-on hangers, which take up the same amount of space as a single hanger, but store four times the amount of clothing. Remove empty hangers from the closet rod and throw away or recycle unused hangers. If most of your hanging clothes are short, add an extra closet rod to instantly double the amount of hanging space.

Photos by The Container Store

Take Inventory After you’ve removed extraneous items, take a look at what remains. Ask yourself, “Does this belong here? Does it make sense to keep it here?” For example, move that professional-grade mixer that you’ve been keeping in the back of your closet to the kitchen. When it’s time to tackle that area of the home, you can incorporate the mixer into your kitchen’s new storage plan. If possible,

move out-of-season garments to another area of your home. The space under your bed is a wonderful solution for large storage boxes.

Tips for Organizing Handbags Divide the Space By installing multiple shelves or by using stackable containers, you can divide the vertical space and make efficient use of the area you have to work with. By dividing the space, you eliminate the possibility of stacking tall piles of clothing or other items that are destined to topple over. Keep It Moving Consider storage options on wheels for greater flexibility and to help keep the clutter under control. Carts hold an assortment of accessories in a small space—and can be wheeled back into a closet or storage area when not in use. Organize with Color Separate items by type (shirts, skirts, pants) and then group each item by color to make selecting an outfit easier. Visibility, Accessibility and Flexibility These are the three rules to organization.

Clear storage boxes help keep a closet organized.

For visibility, experts suggest choosing containers that are either transparent or can be clearly labeled to help you identify the contents immediately, which saves valuable time. Labeling items will also help other family members know where to return things when they are finished with them, which helps you stay organized.

For many women, handbags are an integral part of their wardrobe. With so many shapes and sizes, it can be a little tricky keeping them organized and protected. Follow our smart tips for handbag organization in your closet. Set a Game Plan Look at shelf space, the closet rod and open wall space in your closet. Keep the bags you’re using most frequently within easy reach and easy sight. Special occasion bags or those used less frequently can be stored in clear or labeled storage boxes—or even in out-of-the- way places, such as under the bed. Protection Is Key To preserve their shape, stuff bags that will be stored longterm with acid-free tissue paper to preserve their shape. Bags made of natural fibers and leather should always be stored in a climatecontrolled environment. If your bag didn’t include a dust cover for storage, store it in a pillowcase for protection. Clutches Because of their smaller size, many clutches are ideal for storing in a hanging shoe bag or stackable shoe rack. You can store one or two in each compartment, so they’re protected and easy to see. Shoulder Bags You can either store bags with straps in bins on a closet shelf, or you can hang them on hooks attached to a closet rod or mounted on a wall. Be aware that over time, the hook may damage the strap, so only store handbags that you’re using and swapping out frequently this way. .......................................

Shoe Storage Suggestions Whether you have five pairs or 50, here are some suggestions for keeping your shoe collection organized, accessible and protected. Size Up Your Needs Consider your entire closet when planning for shoe storage. Ask yourself how you feel the closet as a whole is functioning. You don’t want to make room for shoes only to displace other items. Plan for Visibility and Accessibility If possible, avoid storing shoes beneath hanging clothes—they’ll be difficult to see. Choose clear drawers or boxes so you can quickly identify the pair you want. Prioritize Your Collection Place shoes that are worn most frequently on easy-to-reach lower shelves. Store less-frequently worn shoes in protective, clear shoe boxes so they’re out of the way, yet easy to spot when you need them. Switching your shoes between summer and winter is a great way to save space. Care and Protection Outfit your shoes with shoe trees to help protect the shape. Cedar shoe trees, in addition to shaping your shoe, absorb moisture that will weaken and damage them. Boot shapers are also helpful for preventing cracks and creases—some even feature a hook for hanging boots on a closet rod.

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For accessibility, make sure the items you need most often are the easiest to access. Place items you don’t need as often on a higher shelf or in another area. For flexibility, select a storage system or individual storage solutions that can adapt to your changing needs. That way, you can reconfigure and reuse them to solve a variety of storage and organization problems in the future.

Handbag shapers, like these from The Container Store, slip into clutches, evening bags, everyday bags or totes to prevent creases and wrinkles when stored in a closet.

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If the idea of organizing your closet still seems intimidating, remember that doing a little every day goes a long way. Graham said: “It’s important to regularly plan time to organize your closet. Organization doesn’t happen overnight, but you can accomplish quite a bit in 30-minute blocks of time. By establishing order in your closet, you’re likely to enjoy a stree-free morning routine.” • Find more solutions at The Container Store, located at 902 Old Country Road in Garden City, or by visiting www.containerstore.com.

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Smart Is Your Home? Which new features will make you feel like you’re one of the Jetsons? By Richard Tedesco

ome theaters and media rooms with acoustic paneling and custom seating; security systems with two-way voice activation and video cameras; remote water, lighting and thermostat controls—these are all available at the tap of your iPhone or iPad. In the ever-evolving technological landscape, new features that provide a measure of convenience are multiplying rapidly for the residential market. And the best part is that they are becoming more affordable so these features are no longer something to imagine in the future. In fact, many home owners are installing full-feature systems throughout their homes, according to Panos Anassis, president and owner of Audio Video Invasion in Plainview. “We actually see a much bigger movement to automation than we’ve seen before,” says Anassis. “Most systems allow you to integrate your iPhone device with the platform. That’s what we’re seeing as a big shift. The technology is moving in the direction that it’s becoming easier for us to install, and more affordable for the consumer. We have a broader market than before.” Components come from a range of suppliers. Anassis says Audio Video Invasion features Control 4 hubs for automation management. Its systems also feature Sonos audio and visual equipment and use a Sonos box and wired speakers for music streaming and other features that can be controlled via smartphone or iPad. Several executives say fully integrated systems for a medium-size house now costs around $10,000—a fraction of the cost a system with security and audio and video features would have cost in the predigital era. “The shift has been dramatic. The consumer is understanding more about home automation and you can put more in the consumer’s hands,” says Jim Maci, president and owner

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Home theaters, security systems, and remote water, lighting and thermostat controls are all available at the tap of your iPhone or iPad.

of Oakwood Automation in Huntington Station. “Everything can be operated remotely. ” Maci says the ease of control with a smart phone or iPad is drawing a diverse cross-section of consumers. “The experience on those devices is a little bit more feature-rich. You’re really getting feedback on what’s going on throughout the house,” he says. That means you can use your phone to check to see whether you left the lights on or forgot to activate your surveillance system—quite a convenience if you’re out of town. Maci foresees a continuing evolution of improved video sources that can be integrated with high-end home theater features, such as lighting effects. “The most popular current trends would be multi-zone audio systems where we have music in many rooms of the home and also outside entertaining areas and video surveillance systems where you can keep an eye on things while away from your home,” says Ed Bradley, manager of Island SmartHomes in Manhasset. Bradley says new features are flourishing. “Every week there are

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many new platforms and types of technology being introduced to accomplish basically the same thing.” Anassis says Audio Video Invasion has installed a 160-inch screen in one residential home theater. “Ultra HD 4K technology, which offers higher resolution than the 1080 interlace display standard, is the cutting-edge for home theaters.” He adds that home theaters also now incorporate seats that vibrate in response to the bass lines in the audio track of a particular movie. Andrew Lowitt, vice president of Lowitt Alarms and Security Systems Inc. in Hicksville, says his security company and Honeywell are adding a GPS vehicle tracking feature to its subscription smartphone application for current and future users. “The industry is growing, and the new generation of homeowners is interested in the latest technology,” Lowitt says. Since that technology also includes refrigerators that create recipes based on the ingredients stored inside and washers and dryers that send text message alerts when their cycle has ended, soon our homes may even be smarter than we are. •

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Moonlight Cruise 5th • 8:30pm - 10:30pm

20 EVENTS YOU CaN’T MISS! +

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A Painting & Wine Event

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Seascapes & Sips

Rockin’ on the River: Thursday Nights 2nd • Country Night 9th • Reggae Night 16th • Lobster Bake 23rd • Luau Night

6pm - 10:30 pm

Moonlight Cruise

July 3rd • 8:30pm - 10:30pm

The River Craft Beverage Festival

18th • VIP 12pm-1pm 1pm - 5pm

Family Sleepover Pirates! 22nd • 6pm - 7am

Moonlight Cruise

31st • 8:30pm - 10:30pm

Rockin’ on the River: Thursday Nights 6th • Country Night 13th • Reggae Night 20th • Lobster Bake 27th • Luau Night 6pm - 10:30 pm

Moonlight Cruise

28th • 8:30pm - 10:30pm

Chocolate Festival 13th • 10am - 5pm

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431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 • Check out our website at LongIslandAquarium.com for event details or call 631.208.9200 ext. 426. Events flyer 2015.indd 1

3/17/15 12:19 PM

My Baby Alligator By Julianne Pennisi Kavoussi

Of all the things you could buy on Miracle Mile, no one would have expected me to return home with a pet alligator.

am not trying to be eye-catching or sensational, but my favorite memory of the Miracle Mile in Manhasset involves the purchase of a live alligator from the basement of J.J. Newberry’s five and dime circa 1969. That was the approximate time of my investment. All parts of this story are true, and though more than 45 years have passed, my sisters still bring this up from time to time. I had the unique distinction of growing up in Manhasset, just one block from Miracle Mile from 1964 to 1983. Raising four daughters, my parents relished the idea of the Miracle Mile, a walk away, where the four of us could use our babysitting money for proms and style changes. With the grand B. Altman and Company anchored one block from my childhood home, the strolls to the surrounding lowkey, mom-and-pop shops of the times were endless. But the purchase of a lifetime was my live pet alligator. Newberry’s was located on the east side of Miracle Mile, down near the end, in the front facing Northern, somewhere between the current Chanel and Burberry stores. Newberry’s was a great catch-all store, which had a pet shop that sold exotic animals in the basement. On this particular September day, just after school had started in 1969, my next door neighbor, Mitchell Reischman, and I, who were 11 or 12 at the time, decided it would be a great idea to surprise my three sisters and my very tolerant parents, who put up with my tomboy ways. With my loyal friend Mitchell strongly encouraging my plan to own and love my own pet, we ran to Newberry’s pet section—and with no questions asked, purchased a live 14- to 16-inch alligator for a grand total of $1.89. I always did want to invest my chore money for the long-term pleasure of things. Ahhh, the warmth of a baby alligator.

We strolled out of the store and headed back home with the alligator in a bag. When we arrived home to show off my purchase, my mother was too shocked to speak or get angry. She just picked up the house phone and called Dad at work. She told him, “Joe, Julianne has just brought home a real alligator.” Since Dad was an obstetrician, he probably needed my shenanigans like a hole in the head. But he would always chuckle and approve. Then Mom smiled and told me to go back and purchase a glass bowl and feeding instructions. Clearly, this kid needed a pet. “Woop,” Mitchell and I hollered and ran right back to Newberry’s. Due to my temporary infatuation and interest in the stories of The Arabian Nights at the time, I named my baby alligator Ali Baba. The downside to Ali Baba? Mom insisted, and rightfully so, that I scrub down the upstairs bathtub every time the alligator had a free swim. And, one day, my beloved little Ali Baba hissed and snapped, and bit my index finger. That was the end of the live, forced, chop-meat feedings. Clearly, Newberry’s should have screened my home environment—and my parenting skills. •

Julianne Pennisi Kavoussi lived in Manhasset until 1983 when she married and moved out of state, but not before registering at B. Altman for her wedding gifts, under her mother’s wise guidance. Her parents continued to live in their corner house on Foxcroft Road until 2010. Of her move back to the area in 2007, she acknowledges, “Needless to say, the Miracle Mile has changed quite a bit.”

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