a our Landsc Y g in t h ig L A Guide To t— h ig N e h Painting T
pe
OUTDO O R LIVING IN TH E H UDSO N VA LLE Y
Unique backyard PARTY Ideas
July/August 2014 Complimentary
Summer Living Poolside Outdoor Rooms Entertaining Essentials Glazes, & Rubs, & Sauces, Oh My! Planting Design Tips From the Pros
+Tastefully Designed ...a farm to table masterpiece
from
concept to
completion •Pool and Spa Specialists •Design & Installation •Renovation •Maintenance & Service
R E L A X
845.677.7665 www.nejamepools.com
www.facebook.com/nejamepoolspecialistinc
contents
JULY /AUGUST 2014
50
FEATURES
62
40 SUMMER IS FOR PARTIES Summer is here and so is the time for entertaining friends and family at your place. This season, try something new and exciting. Check out these 5 backyard party ideas for a break from the norm.
50 FLOW & EASY Architect Carol Kurth’s inspiring renovation of this Westchester property creates a truly “farm to table” experience—complete with an 18 acre microfarm and a covered outdoor dining room for eight.
62 MAKING A SPLASH This contemporary outdoor room becomes the much needed design focal point and entertaining space for this lower Hudson Valley residence.
6
July / August 2014
40
Entertain and Kick Back Outdoors Upgrade your patio and pool areas with the latest smart home technology. Soundworks services, designs and installs integrated a/v systems in homes thoughout the Tri-State area.
Member
1 Hunter Avenue • Armonk, nY • 914.765.0461 emAil: sAles@soundworksnY.com • www.sOundwOrKsny.cOm
Custom ElECtroniC DEsign & installation assoCiation
JULY /AUGUST 2014
contents
21
13
26
34
DEPARTMENTS 10 FROM THE PUBLISHER Why the heck did we start Outdoor Home Magazine anyway?
13 DIRT A collection of useful outdoor products including mood-setting lanterns & light strings, dinnerware for stylish outdoor entertaining, and solutions for bringing your favorite music with you outdoors.
21 OUTDOOR CHEF Take a little flavor vacation this summer and grill up some boldness. Local Hudson Valley chefs and restaurateurs share some of their recipes for the perfect sauces, marinades, and rubs. 8
July / August 2014
26 DETAILS Viewing your garden through the windows at night changes your experience. Author and landscape lighting expert, Janet Lennox Moyer, helps to demystify the process of lighting your land-
34 GROW 7 secrets to great planting design! Local landscape design professionals offer advice and inspiration for pulling off great gardens here in the Hudson Valley.
ON THE COVER Bringing farm to table-style living to Westchester, Architect Carol Kurth creates a series of fluid indoor/outdoor living spaces. “Flow & Easy,“ page 50, photography by Peter Krupenye, written by Jorge Arango.
CR EATE TR ANQUILIT Y. R IGHT IN YOUR OWN BACK YAR D. L ANDSCAPES | HARDSCAPES | M AINTENANCE Proudly serving the Orange County area
Landworx of New York 4239 NY Route 94 Goshen, NY 10924 845.651.5376 www.landworxlandscaping.com
Are you ready to create your Dreamscape? Adams Landscaping is here for you. Founded in the late 1960s by Adams Fairacre Farms, we have close to 50 years of expert commercial and residential landscaping experience. In addition to plantings and lawn installations, we offer waterscapes, patios, retaining walls, wood structures and more. Computer imaging of our designs is also available. Authorized Unilock Dealer and Installer Authorized Rosetta Hardscapes Dealer and Installer
845-454-1300 745 Dutchess Turnpike, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 online portfolio at adamslandscapingandsupply.com
M A G A Z I N E
home
Founding Publisher COREY J HALSTEAD P R IVACY
V I N Y L
•S
E C URIT Y
•ORNA
Editor MENTA L
FENCE &RAILINGS
•
A L U M I N U M
•
WO O D
•
ANNA HALSTEAD
Contributors
S T E E L
PERGOLAS & ARBORS | HORSE FENCE | DEER FENCE | DOG KENNELS | GATES TENNIS COURTS | REPAIRS | ESTATE GATES | CHAIN LINK | CUSTOM WOOD FENCES
– SERVING – NEW YORK’S WESTCHESTER & GREATER HUDSON VALLEY CONNECTICUT’S LITCHFIELD & FAIRFIELD COUNTIES
845 240 0269 • sjbfence.com • Free Quotes
KATIE NAVARRA WENDY KAGAN JESSICA STRELITZ MARIA LAPIANA JANET LENNOX MOYER GEORGE GRUEL PETER KRUPENYE CURTIS LEW
Advertising Sales INFO@HALSTEADMEDIA.COM
Graphic Design HALSTEAD MEDIA GROUP LLC
Subscriptions OUTDOORHOMEMAGAZINE.COM INFO@HALSTEADMEDIA.COM Special Thanks to: CAROL KURTH ARCHITECTS JORGE ARANGO TEDI E. PLATE CIOPPA ARCHITECTS UNIVERSAL PRINTING COMPANY PUBLISHED BY HALSTEAD MEDIA GROUP LLC PRINTED IN THE USA C
M
We are the place to improve your outdoor space.
Y
CM
MY
Outdoor Kitchens Patios • Walks Driveways • Walls Water Features Patio Furniture
CY
CMY
K
Family owned since 1971
(845) 564-2744
www.thelandscape.com Visit our Gift Shop
I-84 Exit 6 1000’ east Rt 17k, Newburgh Mon. - Sat. 8-5 • Sun. 10 - 4
10
July / August 2014
WESTCHESTER, NY (845) 475-8162 INFO@HALSTEADMEDIA.COM OUTDOORHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
Like us on Facebook FACEBOOK.COM/OUTDOORHOMEMAGAZINE Outdoor Home Magazine (OHM) has not tested any services or products advertised herein and has not verified any claims by its advertisers. OHM makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for claims regarding such services/ products. No reproductions of printed materials is permitted without the written consent of the Publisher. Copyright © 2014 by Halstead Media Group LLC, all rights reserved.
Voted “BestWinery of the HudsonValley” from 1995-2013
Upcoming Events
OPEN DAILY YEAR-ROUND Guided Tours · Wine Tastings Vineyard Grille WEEKEND LUNCHES JUNE-OCTOBER
SATURDAY, JULY 12 5:30 -7:30 PM
JAZZ AT THE GRILLE SATURDAY, JULY 19 6:00 PM
OUTDOOR MOVIE & PIZZA NIGHT SATURDAY, JULY 26 5:30 -7:30 PM
JAZZ AT THE GRILLE SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 5:30 -7:30 PM
5K VINEYARD RUN SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 5:30 -7:30 PM
JAZZ AT THE GRILLE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 1:00 PM
WINE & CHEESE TASTING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 6:00 PM
PAINTING & WINE IN THE LOFT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 12:00 - 4:00 PM
24TH ANNUAL HARVEST PARTY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15 12:00 - 5:00 PM
GRAND PORTFOLIO TASTING
Located in the hear t of Dutchess County, Millbrook Winery sits atop a 130-acre estate with gorgeous views of the Hudson Valley. Our thirty-five acre vineyard is planted with Chardonnay, Tocai Friulano, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. During your visit we invite you to take a guided tour of the winery and sample a variety of our wines. On summer weekends come enjoy lunch and a glass of wine by our pond at our Vineyard Grille. The Wine Country Experience is all here...waiting just for you.
PHOTO CREDIT: GORDON POWELL
(800) 662-WINE · (845) 677-8383 WWW.MILLBROOKWINE.COM
10 MINUTES OFF TSP AT MILLBROOK EXIT · FOLLOW SIGNS · 26 WING ROAD · MILLBROOK, NY · 12545
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
W
elcome to our summer issue! I am thrilled to share this jam-packed release with the Hudson Valley. As you may have already noticed, this issue is substantially larger than our May/June premiere. At 64 pages, it’s filled with sprawling outdoor projects, helpful advice from local pros, and—as always—the best in
outdoor living for all of us that call the Hudson Valley area, home. Since the release of our premiere issue, I have had the pleasure of traveling around our area to chat about Outdoor Home and the local outdoor living market. I’ve met readers, advertising partners, local business owners, and homeowners. Many of the same folks I met in my journeys attended the Outdoor Home launch party at the beautiful Millbrook Winery —a wonderful way to share our first print issue with the community! Often times while discussing the industry, the topic of conversation turned to why Outdoor Home was started and what some of our goals were. Being that many of the folks I met were lovers of great design and style, I often responded about one of my many trips to the newsstand to read the latest shelter mags. Ahhh yes—a dozen or more magazine titles focused on the topic of home design and remodeling. The thing you soon realize, however, is that most all of these titles are nearly 100% focused on the interior of the home. I created Outdoor Home Magazine to fill this void—to inspire, to educate, to elevate, and most of all, to connect—the local outdoor living market. With this summer issue, we continue our mission of connecting our area’s most qualified design/build professionals, architects, and product manufacturers & dealers of outdoor products, with savvy Hudson Valley homeowners. Whether it’s advice on creating great plantings, a recipe for an awesome grilling spice rub, or sprawling images of inspiring outdoor spaces, this issue of Outdoor Home should leave you a little closer to creating—and living in—the outdoor paradise of your own. See you on the patio,
COREY J. HALSTEAD, Founding Publisher
12
July / August 2014
TO RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE MENTION CODE “COMFORT”
Relaxing Outdoor Protection for all Occasions AWNINGS, SOLAR SCREENS, CABANAS & MORE 3 WAYS TO COVER YOUR OUTDOOR AREA
Retractable Awnings by Eclipse®
Stationary Fabric by Sunbrella®
Aluminum Four Seasons Awnings
Call us today for a free estimate at 1-800-SHADE-USA or 845-297-2899. Visit our website at awningfx.com
MADE IN THE USA
Fine Products for Shelter & Shade
outdoorhome
13
INC.
Have you been dreaming of an outdoor living space like this? We can make your dreams come true!
E.P. JANSEN NURSERY
FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE AND OUTDOOR LIVING NEEDS
161 Glenmere Ave • Florida, NY • 845 651 4106 • JansenNursery.com Full Service Nursery and Landscape Distribution Yard • Over 20 Acres of Product In Stock Pavers • Retaining Walls • Natural Stone • Landscape Lighting • Grills & Accessories • Outdoor Sound Systems
You can trust Fishkill Pools, Inc. to deliver top quality and creative solutions to meet your backyard needs. - 2nd Generation Family-Owned & Operated Business - Owner, Greg Eraca, Is On Every Job | No Sub-Contractors - Solid Reputation : 90% Of Business Is Word Of Mouth
- We Service What We Build - Full Design Services Available
Steel | Vinyl-Concrete | Gunite | Construction Options | Insured & Licensed 845.896.6854 ▪ 822 Route 9, Fishkill, NY 12524 ▪ www.FishkillPools.com
THE DIRT: OUTDOOR SOUND, DINNERWARE, AND LIGHTING
SOUNDS OF NATURE
As outdoor living spaces evolve, we must begin to think about the comforts of home that we love the most and move them outside!
F
or the Apple lovers—The AirGo Outdoor Sound System is a portable amplifier speakerdock for an Apple AirPort Express. A great choice if you already are an Airport Express user, you can stream music from an AirPlay compatible device. Weighing in at 16 pounds, the speaker box houses a single woofer and two tweeters. Don’t lose your The AirGo is favorite music weatherproof when you but does remove the party quire a power outdoors! supply (no battery).
A
n easy to use, there when we need it sound system is a must have when entertaining outside. Solutions for bringing the beats out the back door can vary greatly in quality across the many product choices on the market. For the serious music lover, the Landscape Series by Sonance is a totally scalable outdoor speaker system that delivers perfectly-even coverage and unbelievable sound quality. The small satellite speakers and below ground subwoofers look great nestled nicely amongst plants and under foliage.
outdoorhome
15
3
THE DIRT
1
4
TABLE TOP DREAMS 1 GARDEN HERB COLLECTION BY ZAK! DESIGNS:
USED WITH THE BOLD COLORS OF THE OTHER COLLECTIONS, THE HERB GARDEN COLLECTION OFFERS A BIT OF PATTERN TO THE OUTDOOR TABLESCAPE.
2 SANTORINI LANTERN BY RESTORATION HARDWARE:
PERFECT FOR A DECK, PATIO, OR FRONT PORCH. THE GENT- LY GLOWING CANDLELIGHT IS SHIELDED FROM CLEAR GLASS. TALK ABOUT AMBIENCE IN A HURRY!
2
3 DUOMO LANTERN BY RESTORATION HARDWARE:
BRING A LITTLE BIT OF EUROPEAN CATHEDRALS TO THE HUDSON VALLEY. SPORTING A WEATHERED ZINC FINISH, THESE LANTERNS ARE A CLASSIC WAY TO ILLUMINATE PATHWAYS AND AREAS OF INTEREST IN YOUR LANDSCAPE.
4 SCROLL LANTERN BY POTTERY BARN:
16
July / August 2014
INTRICATE CUT OUT STYLE DESIGN. MADE OF WROUGHT IRON WITH A BRONZE FINISH.
THE DIRT: OUTDOOR SOUND, DINNERWARE, AND LIGHTING
5 CONFETTI COLLECTION BY ZAK! DESIGNS:
MADE FROM RECYCLED MELAMINE, THIS COLLECTION WILL ADD SOME FESTIVE COLOR IN A HURRY!
6 PARTY GLOBE LIGHT STRING BY RESTOR-
5
ATION HARDWARE: A QUICK, ALL-WEATHER
SOLUTION TO LIGHT UP THE BACKYARD NIGHT.
7 CAFÉ LIGHT STRINGS BY POTTERY BARN:
EVOKE THE MOOD OF A CASUAL OUTDOOR CAFÉ WITH THESE DANGLING BEAUTIES.
8 ELLA COLLECTION BY ZAK! DESIGNS:
THE ELLA LINE OFFERS A TOUCH OR CLASSICAL ELEGANCE TO YOUR OUTDOOR TABLE. SMOOTH, CLEAN, AND CLASSY.
6 7 8 outdoorhome
17
! ! ! ! !
Grilling, Dining & Entertainment in Comfort
Multiple Spaces ! In & Out of the Pool
Vacations You Never Have To Leave! All Destinations 100% Designed, Managed and Installed by E L I T E
Inviting Entry with Flowing ! Water & Lush Greenery
Awarded Best of
Est. 1985
www.LandOfELITE.com 845 - 849 - 2953
!
WC Lic.# WC-03490-H91 RC Lic.# H-09054-18-00-00 PC Lic.# PC637 NJ Lic.# 13VH07376900 CT Lic.# HIC.0580699 18
July / August 2014
Gourmet
To Go Caterers
PREMIER SAVINGS MAGAZINE Lucari Adv. Ent. P.O. Box 561 New City, NY 10956 ph/fax:(845)323-4151 email: lucariadve2010@hotmail.com
Creative Cuisine, Exceptional Presentation & Professional Service
PROOF
Att:
PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY SIGN AND FAX BACK www.gourmettogony.com 845.677.5400
Flamingo Pools
Gourmet To Go_half page ad for May/June 2014 issue. v1
You r BackYard Speci aliStS
Free
Estimates
Celebrating 27 Years in Business
845-269-3132
100 O F F L I N e r O r r e F u r b I S h J O b 15 O F F P OO L VAC u u M I N G O r S e rV I C e C A L L $
$
Certified Technicians • Openings Closings • Weekly Maintenance • Sales Service • Repairs • Renovations Loop-Loc Safety Safety Covers & Installations Resendential in-Ground Sales & Installations Liner Replacements • Heaters • Filters Pumps • Chemicals • Accessories Toys & Floats & More
Inground Pools Starting at $14,999
spa sale on floor models -- save up to 30% Mention Ad & Get 5 (1 Lb) Bags of Shock
C h e c k w w w . F l a m i n g o P o o l N Y. c o m f o r m o r e o f f e r s
160 N Liberty Dr, Rte 9W, Stony Point, NY Stony Ridge Shopping Center Open 7 Days Per Week • Mon - Sat 9-6 PM & Sun 10-3 PM Licensed in Westchester & Rockland Co. Lic. #P7084 • Fully Insured
% 15 OFF 10 OFF 25 Lb buCkeTS $
3”CHLORIne TAbLeTS With this coupon. cannot be combined with any other offer. Exp 9/1/14_ps
ALL CHeMICALS With this coupon. cannot be combined with any other offer. Exp 9/1/14_ps
outdoorhome
19
Customize Your Outdoor Space with Cambridge Paving Stones!
LaGrange Outdoor Living Center 1387 Route 55 (845) 223-7200
For more information visit www.hgpage.com
20
July / August 2014
Don’t Be Left PowerLess in the Dark again! Enjoy Your Deck All Year Round!
thinking about a
Visit OurCenter Design Center ComeCome Visit Our Design Bring the Outdoors...In! Hudson Valley Sunrooms Hudson Valley Sunrooms
Route 9W (just 9W south of Kingston) Route (just south of Come Visit Our Showroom
Kingston) Kingston, NYSunrooms 845-339-1787 Hudson Valley Kingston, NY 845-339-1787 GPS:Beacon, 355 Broadway NY 845-838-1235 NY 845-838-1235 Port Ewen, NYBeacon, 12466
gEnERatoR? CaLL
Design Lighting Serving the Hudson Valley Since 1984 By Marks
Kingston, NY 845.339.1787 hvsk.fourseasonssunrooms.com Beacon, NY 845.838.1235
hvsk.fourseasonssunrooms.com Serving the Hudson Valley Since 1984
hvsk.fourseasonssunrooms.com
Serving the Hudson Valley Since 1984
T LIGHTING • POOLSCAPES PATIOS • RETAINING WALLS • NIGH VICE • PLANTINGS • WATERFALLS OUTDOOR KITCHENS • LAWN SER
WE havE bEEn a gEnERatoR dEaLER foR moRE than 15 yEaRs. You Do Nothing. We Do Everything. Permits. Inspections. Propane or Natural Gas Hook Ups. All Wiring and Trenching. Concrete Pad If Necessary.
LEt us hELp! To call other companies competition might be giving them too much credit. no onE WiLL instaLL a gEnERatoR moRE EffiCiEntLy than WE WiLL. Guaranteed Completion Date Guaranteed Clean Up Guaranteed Performance
CaLL us foR a quiCk REsponsE TOP SEED LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
(845) 795-1318
Customer Service. Reliability. Quality.
Serving Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, and the surrounding areas 2004 Rt. 9W Milton, NY 12547 • www.TopSeedLandscapeDesign.com
914-747-7777 203-674-8038 201-343-9266 mark@designLightingbymarks.com
designLightingbymarks.com outdoorhome
21
Pioneer Pools Inc.
Half a century designing & building custom luxury gunite pools & spas LESS THAN 30 DAYS TO COMPLETION
Call us today for your complimentary design consultation Now affiliated with Hudson & Pacific Design Landscape Architects
www.pioneerpoolsny.com
904 Route 82 Hopewell Jct., NY 12533 • 845-227-6611 • Owner’s cell 845-661-5098 22
July / August 2014
OUTDOOR CHEF: SAUCES, MARINADES, AND RUBS
QUICK AND EASY Arugula and parsley pesto tossed with hot-off-the-grill shrimp makes for big flavor in a hurry
the
Secret Sauce Want to go from good to great on the grill this summer? Sauces, marinades, and rubs are your ticket to bringing home the flavor. TEXT BY JESSICA STRELITZ
You can throw burgers, chicken legs, or corn on the grill this summer with some salt and pepper and it’ll probably taste fine. It’s grilled deliciousness, after all. But sauces, marinades, rubs, and glazes are an easy way to go from fine to amazing! This delicious amazing can bring you a little escape from the flavors, a mini-vacation of your own –all in just a few minutes. Bring some of these local offerings home to try, or mix up some of your own. All of the rubs and sauces are made in house at Chumley’s BBQ in Florida, owned by Culinary Institute of America graduate, Dan Lemire. Seven barbeque sauces are bottled and sold around Hudson Valley, including newcomers—apple-garlic and Beanhead coffee. The coffee-tinged sauce was inspired by the Beanhead Coffee Porter at Rushing Duck
Brewing Company in nearby Chester, NY. “We tasted [the beer], and thought it would go well with barbeque,” said Chumley’s General Manager Keith Newman. Experimentation with the beer led to a unique barbeque and steak sauce, which is served with the restaurant’s grilled flank steak sandwich and bacon-bleu cheese burger. The restaurant and catering business is best known for its slowly cooked pulled pork – they sold 9,000 pounds of it last year. But if you’re looking for saucy barbeque pork, this isn’t it. Chumley’s treats its meat with a dry rub and serves it “naked,”
BRING THE LOCAL FLAVOR Chumley’s BBQ in Florida, NY bottles 7 barbeque sauces that are sold throughout the Hudson Valley.
outdoorhome
23
Grills by
24
July / August 2014
www.dcsappliances.com
OUTDOOR CHEF: SAUCES, MARINADES, AND RUBS
3
TIPS FOR PERFECT RUBS, SAUCES, & MARINADES Grilling can mean big flavor— so long as you do it right. While using these bold flavored concoctions will make your food sing, they can be a bit tricky to use properly. Just remember these 3 tips for when the food hits the flames and you’ll be grilling like a rockstar!
STROKES OF GENIUS Brown sugar rubs and bold BBQ sauce come together for falloff-the-bone ribs
MOSCOW MULE Cut some of those big flavors with a refreshing drink of Vodka, ginger beer, mint, lime, and sugar.
so guests can choose what they like, from mustard to root-beer based sauces. “Certain spices lend themselves to particular flavor of a meat. The rubs we use for ribs have a lot of brown sugar, which adds sweetness to the rib flavor,” Newman explains. “Pulled pork doesn’t have sweetness, but more of a savory flavor. It wouldn’t taste like pulled pork if it had brown sugar on it.” At Gigi Trattoria in Rhinebeck, NY, owner Laura Pensiero and her team, focus on local fruits, including plums, peaches, and cherries,
for the base in their line of barbeque sauces. Many of the sauces are available for purchase in local markets, alongside GiGi’s herbaceous marinades, salad dressings, and rubs. “Anything green can be made into pesto, including arugula and kale” said Pensiero, who, as a chef and registered dietician, is bullish on healthy cooking. “Pestos cross over nicely as marinades, especially if you add some extra acidity, like lemon juice.” Seasonal barbeque sauces and pesto (instead of white or tomato sauce) also make good toppings for thin crust pizzas and flatbreads, Pensiero added. The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls in Beacon, NY is bringing their summer grill inside this year, but will continue to make everything inhouse – from ketchup to veal jus-based steak sauce – as part of its Patio menu, which offers al fresco dining overlooking the waterfall on Fishkill Creek. Executive Chef Brandon Collins of Roundhouse isn’t afraid of spice. His grilled chicken breast sandwich gets a kick from fresh harissa paste, made with guajillo peppers, and is soothed with a fresh yogurt mayo. Try it with a kicky Moscow Mule – made with vodka, ginger beer, mint, lime, and sugar – on your own patio. Now you have so many options. Fortunately, you have all year to try these flavors out (or create a combination of your own)! Isn’t that the best part – trying out different grilling recipes in your outdoor living space? Bon appetit!
1 Do not put a sugary sauce on food until five to ten minutes before it’s finished cooking. This will reduce the risk of both overcooking and discoloration.
2 Marinades can be made quickly and are extremely versatile. Take any fruit juice and add a little olive oil, spice, and sweetness – such as honey or agave. If you also want to further tenderize the meat, you need to include a stronger acid such as orange, vinegar, or wine.
3 Rubs do not always need to be applied in advance, but the flavor becomes more pronounced the longer it’s in contact with the food.
outdoorhome
25
B
E D F O R D
S
T O N E
.
C O M
T HIN S TONE & B RICK V ENEERS | F LAGSTONE | B ELGIUM B LOCK | P OOL D ECKING & C OPING | F IELDSTONE S TONE F LOORING | S TONE B ENCHES | G ARDEN PATH S TONE | WALL S TONES | F IREPLACE M ATERIALS
914-666-6404
|
284 A DAMS STREET, B EDFORD H ILLS, N EW YORK 10507
|
S INCE 1925
A Memory to Last a Lifetime
Imagine the day you have always dreamed of... 1155 ROUTE 9 WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 845.298.0011
532 TEMPLE HILL RD NEW WINDSOR, NY 845.391.8700
98 1/2 MILL PLAIN RD DANBURY, CT 203.744.2295
D U R A N T S P A R T Y. C O M 26
July / August 2014
71 ETHAN ALLEN HWY RIDGEFIELD, CT 203.544.7368
OUTDOOR CHEF: SAUCES, MARINADES, AND RUBS
WHITE BBQ SAUCE – CHUMLEY’S BBQ
HARISSA – ROUNDHOUSE AT BEACON FALLS
This unique sauce is perfect on pork or chicken, and can be used as a dipping sauce for lighter grilled meats.
This can be used as a wet rub or sauce for chicken, seafood, or pasta/grains.
2 1 ¼ ¼ 1 2
cups mayonnaise cup sour cream cup lemon juice cup bacon fat tsp garlic powder TB coarse back pepper Pinch of salt
Directions: Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate overnight.
ARUGULA AND PARSLEY PESTO – GIGI HUDSON VALLEY
This is excellent on top of baked or grilled pizza, and doubles as a marinade for shrimp or chicken. 3 cups arugula, packed 1 ½ cups flat-leaf parsley, chopped 2 cloves chopped garlic 1 ½ cups extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup grated Grana Padano cheese 1 TB lemon zest (from 1 large lemon) ¾ cup pine nuts, toasted Salt and pepper to taste
12 3 ½ 2 1 1 ½ ½
dried guajillo chilies garlic cloves, peeled, chopped tsp salt tsp extra virgin olive oil tsp ground coriander tsp ground caraway tsp cumin tsp dried mint Juice of one lemon
Directions: Soak the dried chilies in hot water for 30 minutes, drain, and then remove stems and seeds. In a food processor, combine chilies, garlic, salt, and olive oil and blend. Add the remaining spices and blend to form a smooth paste. Store in airtight container. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top to keep fresh. Will keep for a month in the refrigerator.
Directions: Place arugula, parsley, garlic, and half of the olive oil in a food processor; pulse to blend. Add cheese, lemon zest, pine nuts, and salt; pulse to blend. With processor running, add remaining oil in a thin stream to emulsify. Taste and add pepper; adjust salt if necessary.
outdoorhome
27
DETAILS: PAINT THE NIGHT
e h t g Pa i nt i n
T H G I N
TEXT BY JANET LENNOX MOYER PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAST LIGHTING &
GEORGE GRUEL
u . B ut w he re do yo ty er op pr ur yo of ht he re enjoym ent th e da rk ness? R ig g ca n ex pa nd th e om tin fr gh e Li ac e sp ap or sc nd do La ur o ut ney of free in g yo be gi n on th e jo ur g he rs elf. la nd scap e lig ht in of n ee qu e th w ith
28
July / August 2014
DETAILS: PAINT THE NIGHT
R
Retrieving the visual connection to our gardens after nightfall brings about an incredible—and somehow strangely powerful—connection between nature and home. Viewing your garden through the windows at night changes your experience. Your interior spaces will feel larger and your mood will lighten. However, the process of designing and installing a landscape lighting system is often unchartered territory for Hudson Valley homeowners. So how do you begin? Start by envisioning your future outdoor spaces. Take a look out of your windows during daylight and think about the elements of the landscape that you would like to continue to see after dark. It could be one special tree, or you could include a soft background that expands the space and gives you a sense of boundary. It could be a grouping of plants and trees. Think about that in all of the locations that you’ll be spending time at night. Then, think about what you would like to do in your garden during the evening – things that you do now and activities that you may not do now, but might like to start to do. It could be sitting out on the patio having cocktails with your friends, dinners by the pool, or walking through the gardens to relax after a tough day. Once you know what you want, then you can speak with
Outdoor lighting puts the finishing touch on curb appeal!
FACING PAGE: Properly located landscape lighting fixtures allows the use of outdoor living spaces well into the night. THIS PAGE TOP: Uplighting a tree adds depth. THIS PAGE BOTTOM: Cast Lighting path lights illuminate steps and walkways for safety. Photos provided by Cast Lighting.
outdoorhome
29
Solid Bronze Landscape Lighting
Find Out More! www.cast-lighting.com 800-914-CAST info@cast-lighting.com
Impressionist Series
Classic Series
Craftsman Series
Feature-rich fixtures with integrated LED technologyexceptional light control for exceptional results.
Solid Bronze integrated & modular LED and incandescent fixtures that set the ‘CAST Quality’ Standard.
Rock-solid integrated LED fixtures that meet the need for ‘CAST Quality’ at a lower price.
cast-oh-ad-5-23-14.indd 1
30
July / August 2014
Combine the 3 Series to Fit Every Budget! • Leveraging today’s LED Technology • Fully Integrated LEDs • Solid Sand-Cast Bronze, Built to Last
5/27/14 11:06 AM
DETAILS: PAINT THE NIGHT
The entry to this property is inviting, warm, and functional . Highlighting the plant material offers texture and color contrast, while the light grazing on the home’s brick facade creates structure and place. Photo provided by Cast Lighting
a landscape lighting professional to start planning a system. Landscape lighting requires technical know-how. The professional will need to be an expert in planning and installing equipment and also have an aesthetic vision of how light reveals and hides elements in a night scene to create a cohesive composition. It may seem simple, but it requires understanding and experience to not end up disappointed and then starting all over again! Lighting systems start with power distribution and need to include all of the changes you can imagine happening over time. So this is the time you expand your plans on everything you wanted before by going beyond just the now and the next few years. Think further down the line. Maybe you have imagined
adding a summerhouse, a folly, a stream, a guesthouse…try to think about everything you have longed for in your wildest dreams. Don’t forget that plants grow and die; you’ll add plants; you may add a new walkway, or a water feature, or a sculpture – at least you may be dreaming of that one day. You want to have enough power in all of the areas of your property so that you won’t have to dig up your beautiful gardens at some time in the future to add some lighting. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to plan everything now and forever be limited to your designs and dreams of now! Lighting systems can easily be added and adjusted over the years with adequate planning during the initial power distribution installation.
outdoorhome
31
DETAILS: PAINT THE NIGHT
Keeping your outdoor spaces intact isn’t the only reason you want to plan carefully. Landscape lighting is not inexpensive. And, that old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ is really true with landscape lighting. There are eight kinds of corrosion we face everyday in the outdoor environment. With rain, snow, fog, and sprinkler systems, etc., there is continual wetting and drying that challenges fixtures. Make sure to use fixtures that can hold up to the environment and to all of the activities in the gardens. Your fixtures can be hit by tools, vehicles, people playing games… the list goes on and on. The construction and finishing of fixtures is critical to their long-term survival, so be careful to ensure that you get good quality fixtures. While selecting the perfect fixtures can be a lot of fun, it can certainly be overwhelming with all of the options out there! Your fixture choices will be based on aesthetics, function, durability, and placement. The professional that you work with can help inform you about the differences and they will probably advise you that you will need a variety from more than one manufacturer. Fixtures can be stake mounted in your planting beds and the stem may be adjustable to respond to plant growth; they can be mounted in your trees; or they can be located right in the ground. Wondering about the best starting point? Start with down lighting. Think about the fixtures that will be mounted in trees, on buildings eaves, in a trellis – or any similar location. Down lighting gives you more coverage; it will look more natural (less dramatic) as it mimics what we are used to from the sun; and it requires less maintenance, as it has fixtures located up out of the way.
32
July / August 2014
LEFT: This outdoor space benefits from the focal point that the uplighting creates. Photo by George Gruel. Lighting design by Janet Lennox Moyer. TOP: The trees create a natural “frame” for the picture that is the elegantly lit Maple tree. Photo by George Gruel. Lighting design by Janet Lennox Moyer. BOTTOM: Details of plant material is brought to life at night. Photo Cast Lighting.
There are many issues that your designer and installer will know how to plan for to ensure a long-term functioning system. Just like your landscape, you want to include in your thinking the annual maintenance to keep your lighting looking good. The annual work is not significant, but if overlooked it can become a big cost-issue in the future. And yes, all lighting requires maintenance! With tree-mount fixtures, you can have the arborist that helps you with normal tree maintenance do the little that is required. The fixture and the electrical cord need to respond to tree growth. This requires careful design for how the mounting canopy and the cable will be attached to the tree. There are thoughtful approaches that won’t hurt
your trees and of course other ways that may potentially hurt your tree. A simple red flag to remember is: never allow anyone to wrap anything around the trunk or branches of any tree. For fixtures at grade, on a regular basis, you will have to clean leaves, flowers, and other normal debris out of them – no matter what style of fixture you select. You need to ensure that the aiming of the light fixtures does not get knocked out of adjustment. A few inches – or degrees of adjustment - can often cause the visual composition to start looking odd, at best. Now on to controlling your outdoor lighting! Today, the control of your landscape lighting can be right from your smart phone. Some manufacturers have wireless controls and
outdoorhome
33
DETAILS: PAINT THE NIGHT
more are going in that direction. The fixtures still need to be wired to your electrical panel and typically to low-voltage transformers, but from there, you can create scenes, dim, and control everything remotely. You can still include time-functions, so that you can automatically have some (or all) your lighting turn on at dusk and then turn-off at any time you prefer. One manufacturer has integrated the control system right into their transformers, which significantly decreases the installation difficulty. Last thought to consider is your lighting source. LED lighting is today’s hot item. This new technology has changed lighting options significantly. It offers more flexibility than before. From individual fixture dimming, integral beam spread variability, and lower wattages. Most of the developments have provided more
34
July / August 2014
DETAILS: PAINT THE NIGHT freedom to create, but at the same time, it has increased the complications in the planning process. One example – electronics don’t like moisture, and LED have a limited tolerance for heat in the way they produce light. If you want an LED system, this is definitely the right time for it! Now that you’ve read about the key technical issues necessary to consider for a successful lighting system, you’re not quite a lighting expert yet, but you are certainly better equipped to understand the process. Whatever lighting options you choose, remember, outdoor lighting can be tricky. There are many talented professionals right here in the NY area to help bring your ideas to life. Most importantly, enjoy the process of lighting your landscape. As always, enjoy your outdoor spaces! FACING PAGE: Landscape lighting brings the details of plant material to life. Photos provided by Cast Lighting. LEFT: The architectural elements of this home are featured at night. Photo provided by Cast Lighting.
RESOURCES Janet Moyer Lennox www.janmoyerdesign.com International Landscape Lighting Institute 518.235.4808, www.tllr.org Cast Lighting 800.914.2278, www.cast-lighting.com
Light Up The Night
Design Lighting by Marks 914-747-7777 203-674-8038 201-343-9266 See the night in a whole new light. Enhance the beauty of your home—from the inside out. Dramatic Secure Serene Call our professionals today. Enjoy moonlit effects forever.
To call other companies competition might be giving them too much credit.
Email us at Mark@DesignLightingByMarks.com
www.DesignLightingByMarks.com
outdoorhome
35
GROW: GREAT PLANTING DESIGN
7
Secrets to Great Planting Design
Dig This!
T
More than inspiration, strategy is what it takes to create a fabulous garden. Here, local designers share their tips for plantings that really pop. text by wendy kagan
The more passionate you are about plants, the harder it can be to design great plantings. That’s how it was for landscape designer Mary-Liz Campbell before she went pro, back in the 1990s. At nurseries in her Rye neighborhood, she would find herself unable to resist the blossoming temptations in every direction. “I loved plants so much that I was buying this and that, and nothing made sense after a while,” says Campbell. “When I finally learned to design with plants, I didn’t do that anymore.”
36
July / August 2014
Campbell still loves plants, but now she knows how to put them together in a way that works. It may seem like a secret skill available only to a select few, but great garden design can be accessible to all, even the backyard dabbler. If you, too, have ever found yourself driving home from the nursery with a trunk bursting with flora, but no game plan, take heart. The following pro tips can help you create plantings that feel as cohesive as they are eye-catching.
LEFT: Mixed perennial border. Design & Photo by Mary-Liz Campbell. RIGHT: Trees in bloom line a wandering path. Photo provided by Boscobel/Garrison, NY.
outdoorhome
37
Shape, color, and texture all work together to create a visually interesting story.
”
Think Like a Minimalist For Brian Higley, a landscape designer based in Beacon, NY, less is more. “It’s all about editing,” says Higley. “A lot of people use way too many varieties of plants. Or they have a lot of ideas, but they’re not all going to work together.” For starters, Higley suggests that we look at plants more for what they do than for what they are. Particular plants might provide a pathway or screening; Higley likes tall shrubs like multi-stemmed Juneberry and grasses like Calamagrostis (feather reed grass) to define a space. “Typically,” he says, “the less I do, the better it turns out.”
Lay Out Your Plants Even if you restrain yourself at the nursery, you still might end up with a good haul of plants. What now? “Instead of planting them right away, lay them out in their containers,” suggests Tom Francello of Augustine Nursery in Kingston, NY. “Give that a day or two so you can digest where they are and what you want them to do. Then, if you decide to shift things, you can do it without disturbing the plants and the ground.” When you do plant, just make sure you don’t plant too low. “You want to plant where the stock and the root meet,” advises Francello. TOP: There’s always something blooming at this poolside beauty. Design & build by The LaurelRock Company, photo by Larry Merz. RIGHT TOP/ BOTTOM: Colors and textures working together beautifully. Design & photo b Mary-Liz Campbell
38
July / August 2014
GROW: GREAT PLANTING DESIGN
Use Odd Numbers “I always plant in groups of three, five, or seven,” says Campbell. Why odd numbers? “It has to do with your eye—visually, things hold together better. If you see two together, your eyes will often look for the third. And two plants can look like goal posts.” Campbell will use one plant at times for deliberate effect, such as a tall ornamental grass that serves as an exclamation point. But for the bigger picture, she prefers odd-numbered clusters. “It helps things to be more coherent and creates a more flowing design.”
Plant from Low to High “For a garden border against the house, you want to lead the eye from the ground up,” says Francello. “If you were working with evergreens, you might start with a Juniper in the front, then jump up to a Holly, and behind that, maybe a Rhododendron.” Spacing is key: Remember to plant far enough away from the house so that if you have problems with your siding or need to paint, you’ll have access. “Most people plant right up against the house, which isn’t a good idea,” cautions Francello. TOP: Contemporary design with planters courtesy of Johnsen Landscapes & Pools. BOTTOM: A more formal planting surrounds a fountain. Photo Boscobel/Garrison, NY
outdoorhome
39
Create a Visual Story
For an aesthetically minded designer like Campbell, a visual story is key. “Things should relate to each other,” she says. “You can do it with color: If you have blue somewhere, you can repeat it somewhere else— such as blue Hydrangea in one place, and Lamb’s Ear or Catmint to pick up the hue in another spot.” Shape, too, is a good way to create a story. “I like to mix different shapes, which lends visual interest.” To tie it all together, she might use the same leaf color. “You want to create a whole picture,” says Campbell.
Plant for All Seasons
Here in the northeast, it takes strategizing to have something happening in the garden at all times of the year. Campbell suggests using evergreens like Mugo Pine and Boxwood as foundational plants. “They add winter interest and also structure—not just in the winter but throughout the year.” Even past-prime flowers and grasses can sustain charm. Higley likes combining Feather Reed Grass with Black-Eyed Susans. “They’re low maintenance for a sunny spot or edge that can get a little wild—and with the dried heads of the flowers, they look great in the winter, too.”
Know Your Colors
People tend to think of flowers for color, but a savvy gardener will use foliage, too. “If you have a green house, and you have foliage with red lines planted up against it, that can be really striking,” says Higley. When you do use flowers for color, keep in mind, which plants will bloom at the same time. Yellow and red don’t mix well, but if you plant Witch Hazel for yellow in spring, and Bee Balm for red in summer, you’ll be safe. Knowledge of the color wheel is great, but not mandatory. “Colors are very personal,” says Higley—and they’re a perfect way to insert what matters most in the garden. Your own stamp of individuality. RESOURCES Mary-Liz Campbell Landscape Design 914.967.0339, www.marylizcampbell.com Brian Higley, Landscape Architect 845.809.5342, www.brianhigley.com Augustine Nursery 845.338.4936, www.augustinenursery.com Johnsen Landscape & Pools 914.666.4190, www.johnsenlandscapes.com Boscobel House & Gardens 845.265.3638, www.boscobel.org
40
July / August 2014
The LaurelRock Company 203.544.0062, www.laurelrock.com
GROW: PLANTINGS GROW: GREAT GREAT PLANTING DESIGN
LEFT: Art in the garden. Photo courtesy of Johnsen Landscapes & Pools. TOP RIGHT: An abundance of color. Photo courtesy of Mary-Liz Campbell Landscape Design. BOTTOM: The LaurelRock Company mixes stone and plants to make a stunning hillside. Photo by Larry Merz.
outdoorhome
41
Friends gather together for a rather impromtu wine and beer tasting social. Featuring the fruits of local vineyards and breweries is a great way to add connection to the region.
42
July / August 2014
R S U M MiE s
for
PA R T I E S ! Here in the Hudson Valley, summer is the season for hosting great parties at home. After waiting all winter long, it’s finally time to open up those sliding doors and let your guests spill out into the best room in the house...your outdoor room. TEXT BY KATIE NAVARRA
T
ime to showcase the outdoor living spaces you’ve created with succulent flowers, decorative patio stone, and maybe even a complete outdoor kitchen. Perhaps you’ve even opened your pool up during the Memorial Day weekend. You’ve looking forward to the July 4th weekend for your next gathering and then bam… the summer kicks in and your next reason to have people over isn’t until Labor Day. Oh no! Bring your guests back and keep the outdoor parties fun. Dare to be different and wow them with a unique party. Enjoy the “just because” reason to celebrate!
outdoorhome
43
LEFT: Keeping the mood light and friendly is key to a great wine tasting social. RIGHT TOP: Decks and patios make for perfect “backstages.”RIGHT BOTTOM: Choosing the appropriate decor can add an important element of authenticity.
l ia c o S g in t s a T e W in A super easy way to create more excitement around a party staple.
R
egardless of whether your guests are experienced oenophiles or are new to the world of wine, a wine tasting social brings friends together for an afternoon or evening of entertainment. “Try to think of the type of guests that you will be having,” says Tedi E. Plate, Assistant Marketing Manager at Millbrook Vineyards and Winery in Millbrook, NY, “if these are budding oenophiles, then choose something different and exotic like Chilean Carménères.” For a group that is fairly new to wine choose a varietal or regional wine that people already know a little bit about, for example, New York State Rieslings. “Generally, I say to stay between five and eight for a wine tasting,” Plate says, “any less than five doesn’t give enough variety, but over eight, your guests will have a hard time deciphering the last few.” If you choose white wines, have a wine holder with ice available to keep the wine from getting warm. If you are tasting reds that need to be canted, be sure to do so before your guests arrive so the wine has ample time to open up.
44
July / August 2014
Plan at least one and a half to two hours for the tasting to allow guests time to talk in between each wine without having too much time in between. Provide plenty of chairs for guests to sit, enjoy, and contemplate their wine. Have information available on each of the wines and provide guests with pen and paper to write down their thoughts as they have them. If you decide on a blind tasting, place each wine in a paper bag and unveil the wines once the tasting is complete. To add a little fun, maybe even allow people to guess the wines before the big reveal. Then, award a winner via a raffle. You can do one winner and choose the bottle that was either guessed correctly the most number of times, or even better, the bottle that was guessed correctly the least number of times. For a more formal atmosphere, consider hiring a sommelier. Culinary schools may also be able to facilitate a tasting. “Most of all, don’t try to take it too seriously. Enjoy the good food, good wines, and most of all good company,” concludes Plate.
Outdoor Spa Bash
Bring the girls together and create a day—or night—of relaxation and fun. Bring the kids along too—they will love it!
P
Select refreshments based on the time of day you’ll be holding the event. Wine and cocktails are perfect for a late afternoon or early evening gathering whereas tea sandwiches and light fare such as veggies and dip are more likely to hold up to the heat of mid-day. Serve healthy food that compliments a spa experience and use herbs and aromas from your gardens. “Mint is great for flavoring teas and cocktails,” says Weber-Garnot. Music is one of the most important aspects of creating your outdoor spa. Select soothing music to encourage your guests to relax. “Yoga music is very relaxing and Pandora has a great Yoga channel,” suggests Weber-Garnot. Finally, to ensure safety, Weber-Garnot points out, “when hiring a professional, make sure they are certified and licensed to perform the services you have hired them for.” Cheers to relaxation!
amper yourself and your closest friends with an outside spa bash. This is a fun way to celebrate a birthday, a bachelorette party, a baby shower, or to simply provide a little rest and relaxation. Select a venue on your property. “It can be poolside or under your favorite shade tree,” says Marlene Weber-Garnot, owner of Marlene Weber Day Spa in Poughkeepsie, NY. “If your yard has a hill, plan the party up on the hill and create an oasis on your own property.” Regardless of the setting, you’ll need chaise lounges, lawn chairs and stools, and umbrellas or awnings to provide shade. “Hang sheets between each guest to make it feel really professional and private,” adds Weber-Garnot. Limit the guest list to six. “This allows each guest to enjoy a sampling of two or three services,” she suggests. And what exactly are the services? As an example, Marlene Weber Day Spa provides two technicians that offer 15-30 minute services that can include mini-manicures, mini-pedicures, neck rubs and foot massages, facials, or basic hair styling. Structure the services so that guests can enjoy light snacks and drinks in between each service. Depending on your budget, you can hire estheticians or cosmetologists from local salons to provide the services. For a lower-budget option, guests can take turns pampering themselves and each other. “It can be fun to find out who in the group gives the best massage” Weber-Garnot notes. Welcome guests with a freshly steamed hand towel. Mint leaves placed in between each towel keep the towels smelling great. Soak inexpensive hand towels in a dish with hot water before the guests arrive to create a first impression they won’t forget.
outdoorhome
45
DAY FOR NIGHT PRODUCTIONS
DelConte Photography ad-outlines5.indd 1
The Christine Spero Group
Available as a Group or Duo for Any EvenT Playing Nu-Jazz, Latin, & Covers
1/22/14 5:23 PM
New CD In June “Spero Plays Nyro”
A Celebration of the Music of Laura Nyro
Cd’s Available on iTunes & CD Baby
Upcoming Dates: Friday, July 18th Athens Summer Concert Series, NY - 7pm - 9pm Tuesday, August 5th Sweet Sounds Downtown Jazz Festival, NJ - 7pm - 9pm Saturday, September 6th Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, NY - TBA
www.ChristineSperoGroup.com - 917-743-9759 ecsperoproductions@yahoo.com
46
July / August 2014
E B I R C S SUB
TODAY!
Outdoor Living in the Hudson Valley just got a whole lot better.
M A G A Z I N E
home
OUTDOOR LIVING STARTS WITH US. www.OutdoorHomeMagazine.com (845) 475-8162 • Hudson Valley, NY outdoorhome
47
An elegant but casual outdoor dinner follows a successful interactive cooking party. FACING TOP: Anthony Moustakas of Gourmet to Go Catering demonstrates proper techniques. FACING BOTTOM: The finished masterpiece. Photos courtesy of Gourmet To Go Catering/ Millbrook, NY.
48
July / August 2014
y t r a P g n i k o o I n t e r aLecarnt inevwecookCing tricks with your friends and family.
S
pice up your next gathering with an interactive cooking experience for an unforgettable culinary experience. Cooking parties in your outdoor kitchen are a delicious way to enjoy time spent with friends, learn new skills, and explore exciting cuisines in the intimacy of your own outdoor kitchen. Hiring a professional cooking party company takes the guesswork out of planning an event. “We bring all the food and labor, you just need to provide the basic utensils and a cooking range,” says, Anthony Moustakas, owner of Gourmet to Go in Millbrook, NY. Gourmet To Go and similar companies provide a chef, labor to assist with set-up and clean up, the ingredients for the meal, recipes, and cooking tools. Moustakas adds, “we typically bring in enough knives and cutting boards for each person at the party.” Typically, companies that lead interactive cooking parties offer you several seasonal or themed menu options. Menus can be selected based on the season or the participants’ skill levels (or both). And to ensure a smooth gathering, prior to selecting a menu, check with guests for any dietary restrictions or allergy concerns. When planning an interactive cooking party in your outdoor living space keep the guest list small. “Stick to 10-12 guests,” Moustakas says, “a small group provides more intimacy and most people don’t have a big enough home to have a larger group for this type of party.” A smaller group also allows for step-by-step individualized instruction and hands-on demonstrations throughout the entire process. Guests not only eat, laugh, and share the meal they have created together, they can also learn and/or improve techniques from the correct way to hold a knife to grilling, sautéing, frosting, and more. Worried about the varying cooking expertise levels? Moustakas says that “people most enjoy the camaraderie and friendship. Some guests will really get into it, while others will sit back and enjoy the cocktails and the food.”
outdoorhome
49
t h g i N e i v o M O u t dThiosoparrty can be thrown for any group of guests - kids, girls night, boys night (baseball game anyone?), couples, family, you name it!
W
arm summer nights are perfect for hosting outdoor movies. An outdoor movie night appeals to any crowd, simply select a movie appropriate for the audience, along with complementing food and drinks. Consider the equipment available in your outdoor space. If you already have a drop-screen, large television, or a projector screen in your exterior space, you already have the equipment you need! Even if you don’t have a built-in entertainment system, don’t rule out an outdoor movie night. You can string a sheet up in the backyard to serve as a screen or rent an inflatable movie screen to recreate a theatrical feeling. Sound is key! You can rent speakers to make your party a success. Comfortable seating is another essential. Mix and match lounge sofas and individual chairs to offer guests ample seating choices. Ask guests to bring a blanket or sleeping bag for lawn seating for a fun throwback to childhood or when throwing this event for little
50
July / August 2014
ones. Determine the guest list by the atmosphere you’re looking to create. If you’re looking for an intimate night with close friends, limit the invite list to eight to twelve people. However, if you have the space available and are looking for a casual “drive-in” movie feel, invite as many people as your backyard can hold! Carefully choose lights for illuminating a path to snacks and bathroom breaks. Candlelight provides just enough light for safe passage without interfering with the movie. Set up a refreshment table for guests to grab popcorn, candy, coctails, and other treats before the movie starts. Have plenty of ice available to keep beverages cool. Depending on how close your neighbors are, be courteous and let them know your plans ahead of time. Consider inviting them in on the fun too!
TOP LEFT/BOTTOM: Friends and family gather for a private screening out on the lawn. Photos provided by Open Air Cinema. www.Openaircinema.us RIGHT: Signage is an important element of a successful party.
oto Party h P Spice up a gathering with a professional photographer!
P
hoto parties are an innovative and affordable way to arrange for a professional photo shoot. Make it a girls night, family get together, or just another reason to spend time with your friends on a Saturday. Consider the features in your outdoor living space to select a spot with a beautiful backdrop. Pick an area that is free of distractions like overhead power lines, storage sheds, or other items that can take away from the individual in the photo or the beauty of landscaping in your yard. Water features, gardens in blooms, old shade trees, outdoor fireplaces, and other areas can provide an eye-catching backdrop. Natural sunlight is the best lighting source for stunning photos. However, mid-afternoon sunlight can be harsh and create shadows on the people in the photo. Look for a space in your landscaping with light shade that is close to the natural lighting. Don’t worry if the planned day turns out to be cloudy. Cloud cover naturally diffuses harsh sunlight and enriches the colors in the picture. For a fun twist on an outdoor photo party, consider a photo booth or backdrop. Backdrops can also be sophisticated and elegantly simple. “We have an antique polaroid booth from the 1950’s,” says Cynthia Delconte, owner of Delconte Photo in Rhinebeck, NY. Guests sit in front of a backdrop with antique wallpaper and can choose from a number of props for a vintage photo. “The Polaroid is popular because it’s retro,” Delconte adds. Guests receive a Polaroid picture as a favor matted in a folder with the event and date on the front. “Guests love it!” she notes, “and it makes a really nice party favor.” Have your guests bring their own wardrobe and then encourage them to bring their own props and plan to provide your own in case some get lost or broken. In between the photo shoots and the mingling, your guests will be hungry – be sure to coordinate the food and drinks. Also, you’ll want to ensure the music is appropriate to the mood you’re creating. Do plan carefully to organize the session schedule and share it with everyone in advance. This will allow your guests to ensure proper timing of wardrobe changes, makeup application, and anything else they need to do to prepare for their shots! To help with the budget, it is acceptable to share the cost of sitting fees!
outdoorhome
51
52
July / August 2014
& Flow Easy
Architect Carol Kurth’s renovation of a Westchester home creates a fluid communion between indoor and outdoor spaces
text by Jorge S. Arango photography by Peter Krupenye
outdoorhome
53
T
here was a time when company visiting Barbara Cervasio at her Westchester home had a fairly mundane view as they wound up her drive: a screened-in porch, the back wall of the garage, some unsightly air-conditioning units, and a fairly undistinguished patio. If Cervasio was grilling, says her architect, Carol Kurth, “She had to go downstairs through the lower level or descend a flight of twenty stone steps outside” to arrive poolside, where the grill was located. In other words, for someone passionate about entertaining al fresco, Cervasio wasn’t having an easy time of it. So Cervasio asked Kurth, who had designed a home for her in the early 1980s, to rework the back of the house. Cervasio had made major life changes in those intervening 30 years, becoming a nutritional health coach. That meant food was now absolutely central to her life. “I wanted things set up so we could dine and entertain outside, and so I could do demonstrations,” says Cervasio. “It was also important that everything be truly farm-to-table,” meaning she wanted to move easily among
54
July / August 2014
her 18-acre micro-farm across the driveway, a new conservatory (where she could start seedlings and conduct those presentations), the kitchen and the outdoor entertaining area. Kurth’s ambitious plan called for enlarging the kitchen, relocating the air-conditioning equipment, adding the conservatory off the back of the garage, repurposing the original footprint of the screened-in porch for a new family room, and placing a dining pavilion between the latter two structures that would be flanked by pergola-covered walkways that connected everything. They relied on the venerable English firm Parish Conservatories, whose stateside offices are in Fairfield, CT, for the greenhouse. It was Kurth’s job, says Cervasio, “to customize the conservatory so it fit in with the architecture [New England clapboard] and the site.” The result is a structure reminiscent of carpenter Gothic cottages that both contrasts and complements the architecture of the main home. Kurth also included a counter with a sink and a juicer in this space where Cervasio can whir up her daily wheatgrass concoction and sit at a table overlooking the garden to read the morning paper.
�The pool
itself has a jigsaw of inlets, including a massive springboard stone beside a hot-tub/whirlpool that heats the
surrounding water.�
LEFT: Homeowner, Barbara Cervasio, harvests fresh herbs from her 18-acre microfarm in Westchester, NY. RIGHT: A conservatory, customized by Architect Carol Kurth to complement the New England clapboard architecture, overlooks the garden.
outdoorhome
55
For the family room, Kurth designed a space ringed in French doors and windows, making it feel more connected to the outdoors. Cervasio also requested a fireplace, the starting corner of which the perfectionist Kurth laid herself so the subcontractors could mimic its irregular, rustic feel. Between these two buildings, Kurth created a dining pavilion with a mahogany-lined ceiling and a floor made of unexpectedly square bricks found at Bedford Stone & Masonry Supply. Also from this source, the women purchased large tread slabs of bluestone to serve as steps outside the doors to the conservatory and family room, as well as down onto the patio. A table and chairs from Elegant Earth provide dining space for eight. Inside, the architect created a European-style kitchen, taking pains to match existing hand-painted, hand-glazed cabinetry. Other techniques Kurth deployed to make the new space feel seamlessly connected to the old include: a new Basaltina-topped island, countertops that are hand-scraped and a ceiling punctuated by reclaimed beams.
LEFT TOP: Looking into the conservatory from the garden. BOTTOM: European style kitchen. FACING: The dining pavilion connecting the spaces houses a mahogany-lined ceiling and a floor of square bricks.
56
July / August 2014
outdoorhome
57
58
July / August 2014
Irregular flagstone offers a nice contrast to the formal architecture of the home. The fire pit aligns with the dining pavilion, allowing room for a circle of Adirondack chairs
outdoorhome
59
TOP/BOTTOM LEFT: Outdoor Dining for eight. Complete with amazing tablescapes and meals prepared with food grown on the property. BOTTOM RIGHT: A look out to the fire pit seating. FACING: Inside the dining pavilion after dark.
60
July / August 2014
outdoorhome
61
The view from the dining pavilion back to the home. The property is essentially a series of connected outdoor rooms. The flow from one to the next is easy and graceful.
62
July / August 2014
Kurth also moved the existing fire pit in that patio to align it with the dining gazebo, which enabled Adirondack chairs from Walpole Outdoors to fit all around it instead of skirting only one side as before. “Now it’s more like a campfire or a friendship circle,” she notes. Cervasio adds that the fire pit doubles as a grill at times, mostly for her husband and his man friends, since she prefers more wholesome forms of cooking. When conceptualizing the patio, says landscape designer Marge Sandwick of Designs in Gardening (DIG) in Bedford Hills, “We wanted to immediately break with the formal architecture and put in a very rustic, casual space.” So irregularly shaped flagstone seemed the natural choice. “In shady areas we planted moss between them,” she says, “and in sunny areas we planted thyme.” The former garden also needed sprucing up. “She loves things that have fragrance,” observes Sandwick of her client. Wisteria now climbs trellises and cascades over pergolas, and lavender, roses and herbs exude other scents. “Pretty much everything there flowers,” adds Sandwick, providing color from spring through fall. “Carol really opened it all up so we could view the property better,” says Cervasio of the new configuration and additions. “It’s really a series of outdoor rooms,” concludes Kurth, “layers of spaces you transition through. There’s a sense of procession to it.” And as any appreciative guest to Cervasio’s home will also note, they are treated to a much more aesthetically pleasing approach when they come to visit.
RESOURCES Carol Kurth Architecture and Interiors 914.234.2595, www.carolkurtharchitects.com Designs in Gardening 914.241.2961, www.designsingardening.com Legacy Construction Northeast LLC 914.273.4511, www.legacydevelopmentllc.com Bedford Stone & Masonry Supply 914.666.6404, www.bedfordstone.com Elegant Earth 800.242.7758, www.elegantearth.com Walpole Outdoors 800.343.6948, www.walpolewoodworkers.com
outdoorhome
63
Making A Spl a sh A ho-hum backyard is transformed by a new patio, stone wall, and a stunning outdoor pavilion text by maria lapiana photography by curtis lew
64
July / August 2014
I LEFT: A look into the outdoor dining room. RIGHT: Cooking poolside with a drop-in grill and refrigerator.
t’s an understatement to say this northern Westchester property was a bit untamed when architect Carol Cioppa first laid eyes on it. It did boast a dramatic freeform pool with natural stone surround, but little else foreshadowed the backyard paradise it would become. The clearing was rough-hewn with a steep earth-and-rock berm; the lawn was unkempt, the pool equipment stowed behind a flimsy lattice fence. There was no patio, and no place to sun, grill, dine, or entertain. “Luckily, there wasn’t much to tear out, so it was kind of a blank slate,” says Cioppa, looking on the bright side. The project called for dedicated areas for poolside chaises, and an open-air pavilion that would serve as an outdoor kitchen and dining room. The architect, whose firm, Cioppa Architects, LLC is in Pound Ridge, NY, knows the area well, and she knew that the landscape
outdoorhome
65
LEFT: Perfectly lined up chaise lounges add to the contemporary feel. RIGHT: Dover wallstone holds back the raised planted hillside.
66
July / August 2014
”The pool
itself has a jigsaw of inlets, including a massive springboard stone beside a hot-tub/whirlpool that heats the
surrounding water.”
design had to echo the home’s modern sensibility—as well as the organic form of the pool. Siting the 16-foot-square pavilion was of paramount importance. “We looked at two different locations,” she says. “The first was closer to the house. It has a lovely view across the pool to a stream and the woods.” The spot they chose, however, was at the opposite end of the pool. “There is a perfect pathway from the house up toward the gate, so the pavilion is the first thing you see,” says Cioppa. “We placed it in the farthest corner and raised it up two steps. Just taking it off the ground a little made all the visual difference.” Corner posts and a red cedar screen give the structure a sense of enclosure; overhead, an open “roof ” was crafted of cedar in a box-like, crosshatch pattern.
Hardscape materials were selected for form as well as function. Says the architect: “We looked at many species of stone and granite, but in the end we made the simplest and most economical choice: concrete pavers.” The pavilion floor is set in cement, but the main pool patio is set with polymeric, or stabilized, sand. “It kept the cost down, the joints tight, and created a very monolithic appearance,” says Cioppa. Dover wall stone was used for the pavilion and the serpentine retaining wall that follows the curves of the pool. It seems to undulate as it ebbs and flows, forming a cozy conversation pit along the way. Finally, the lighting was thoughtfully designed to “graze” the lattice screen and illuminate the space in a gentle, diffused way—just another detail that took this ordinary pool project from simple to sublime.
outdoorhome
67
A curved seating wall constructed of Dover wallstone allows for extended seating, complete with cushions and pillows.
RESOURCES Carol Cioppa, Cioppa Architects, LLC Pound Ridge, NY, www.cioppaarchitectsllc.blogspot.com Ron Lucini, Salem Ridge Construction Ridgefield, CT, Carpenter Tino Candulo, CBI Concrete South Salem, NY, Stonework Stepping Stones Marble & Granite New Canaan, CT, Lagos Blue Limestone Countertop Ring’s End Lumber Vista, NY, Western Red Cedar wood for pavillion Albano Appliances Pound Ridge, NY, www.albanoappliances.com, Capital built-in stainless steel charcoal grill, GE Monogram outdoor undercounter refrigerator Hardscrabble Farms North Salem, NY, Plant Material Valley View Greenhouses South Salem, NY, Plant Material Dullo Prado, Prado Landscaping LLC Brewster, NY, Plant Installation 68
July / August 2014
DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE!
SUBSCRIBE
NOW
ng T Painti
he
e d s c ap r L an g Your Landscape g You n A Guide To Lightin ti h Painting Th Lig Painting The Night— e Night—A ide To u Guide To Li G A t— ghting Yo h ig N
ur Landscap
VA LL E Y HU DS O N
OUTD OO R LIVING IN TH E HUDS O N VA LLE Y st 2014 July/Augu entar y Complim
Unique backyard Unibqaucekyard PA RIdTY eas Y PARIdTeas OU
IN TH E LI VI NG TD OO R
THIN K OUTS ID THE B E LOCK .
THINK OUTSIDE THE BLOCK.
Think this look is not possible from manufactured stone? Think again. Unilock®, the leader in outdoor living, can create the distinct, hand-crafted look you always dreamed of.
THINK OUTSIDE CK . THE BLO s look is Think thi ble from not possi ne? tured sto ® manufac ck , the ain. Unilo ag ink Th ng, tdoor livi ou in r leade tinct, dis the can create u ed look yo hand-craft of. ed am always dre
rIvE
Think th not po is look is ss manuf ible from acture d ston Think e? ag leader ain. Unilock ® in outd , the can cr oor liv eate th ing, hand -craft e distinct, ed alway s drea look you med of.
rIvErCrEST
™
The character of natural, stacked flagstone is combined with the consistency and affordability of manufactured stone to create this sophisticated garden wall.
rCrEST
™
tural, cter of na The chara e is flagston stacked with the d ine ility comb affordab ncy and consiste stone to factured of manu ated tic his s sop create thi ll. garden wa
Su m me r
Living
Poolsider Rooms Outdoo ing Entertain ls Essentia Rubs, Glazes,e&s, Oh My! & S au c Design Planting m the Pros Tips Fro For more outdoor inspiration or a referral to a trusted Unilock Authorized Contracto r connect with us at Unilock.com or 1 800-UNILOCK.
n inspiratio outdoor For more sted al to a tru or or a referr Contract thorized k.com iloc Unilock Au Un with us at connect NILOCK. or 1 800-U
rIvEr Cr E
The ch ST ar stacke acter of na tural, d combi flagstone is ned w ith consis the te of man ncy and aff ordabi ufactu lity create red st on th garden is sophistic e to ated wall.
OUTD
OOR
L IV IN
Uniqu bacekya PARTY rd Ideas G IN THE
July/August 2014 Complimentar y
HUDS
ON V ALLE
e
Y July/A ug Comp ust 2014 limenta ry
™
Su m m
er L
iving Pools Outdoide Poolside or Ro oms Outdoor Rooms En t e r tainin E s se n g Entertaining tials Essentials ed nla z e s, & esig&G D y Rubs Design ll S u Tas f Glazes, a te u & s, cetefu , edT ble TasRub s, Ohlly rm totetarp & Sauces, Placnetin...a Myto Ohfa My! farm ie astefu ...a ! table s a g Tips F Desigmasterpiece Planting Design m n ...a fa lly Desig ro m t he Pr r m to Tips From the Pros n os tab ed m Summer Living
+
For m or or a re e outdoor in ferral Unilo to a tr spiration ck us connec Authorized ted t or 1 80 with us at Contractor Unilo 0- UN ck.com ILOCK .
+
+
a st e r p l e i ec e
THE HUDSON VALLEY’S OUTDOOR LIVING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE Outdoor Home Magazine brings our readers the best in outdoor living. Stunning local project features, tips and tricks for achieving better outdoor spaces, outdoor cooking and entertaining features, and more! Connecting the area’s best products and industry professionals with savvy Hudson Valley homeowners with every issue.
WWW.OUTDOORHOMEMAGAZINE.COM (845) 475-8162 INFO@HALSTEADMEDIA.COM
THINK OUTSIDE THE BLOCK. Think this look is not possible from manufactured stone? Think again. UnilockÂŽ, the leader in outdoor living, can create the distinct, hand-crafted look you always dreamed of.
RIVERCREST
™
The character of natural, stacked flagstone is combined with the consistency and affordability of manufactured stone to create this sophisticated garden wall.
For more outdoor inspiration or a referral to a trusted Unilock Authorized Contractor connect with us at Unilock.com or 1 800-UNILOCK.
70
July / August 2014