Crow’s Nest, Montauk

I recently read an article in Domino magazine about Sean MacPherson, a hotelier with properties in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Montauk.

I recently read an article in Domino magazine about Sean MacPherson, a hotelier with properties in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Montauk.  When one of the ladies in my office announced she’d be visiting Montauk, it reminded me of the article and of MacPherson’s restaurant there — The Crow’s Nest — and I suggested she make it one of her stops.  It reminds me of the Montauk of years past, before the area became more upscale.

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My dad always spent a lot of time in Montauk over the years.  The Crows Nest is one of those places that just exudes a casual summer vibe.  It’s a little gem of a place that makes you feel like it’s ok to walk in with bare feet and sand between your toes.  The decor is approachable, not overly decorated or precious.  Everywhere you look are lots of authentic things that give the restaurant a bohemian chic feel, all of if perfectly showcased by the surroundings and the incredible view.  I’m often drawn to this kind of raw simplicity.

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Dining at The Crow’s Nest is quite a treat.  The menu features fresh, local fare prepared with beautiful simplicity, letting the ingredients shine.  Seafood is the star of the menu, but you can also enjoy grass fed beef, lamb, and plenty of vegetarian options.  They have the greatest margaritas!

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To see the full menu or learn more about the Crow’s Nest, visit their website.

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Planters

One great way to incorporate greenery is with planters.

Sometimes the spring/summer season sneaks up on you, but you can’t neglect the task of beautifying your patio or deck.  One great way to incorporate greenery is with planters.  With such a range of sizes and styles available, you can really say something with planters.

axel medium sutherland furniture

pennoyer newman industrial planter

 

cubist fiber planter from terrain

When choosing planters, you can find something that provides contrast or select pieces that blend with the architecture, outdoors or indoors.  There is such a variety of textures, colors, and shapes of planters –big pots filled with gorgeous plants make a major statement in a great room or sun room.  Or, you can group smaller planters together on a wall, the stairs, or a console.

great lakes rectangular planter

artisan series planter

riverside sheet metal zinc planter

You can further customize planters with what you fill them with.  The contents of your planters have just as much potential for variety, from flowers and herbs to trees and tall grasses.  When choosing plants, take into consideration their height, texture, and color.  Some plants repel pests while others make pleasant sounds when the wind moves through them.

inverlussa palm box with rivets mckinnon harrisaldo cibic and cristiana urban riviera plant stands

williams sonoma reclaimed redwood planters

How do you decorate with planters?

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Coastal Cottage in House Beautiful

While reading this month’s House Beautiful, I fell in love with this sweet little cottage in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

While reading this month’s House Beautiful, I fell in love with this sweet little cottage in Provincetown, Massachusetts.  Designed by Frank Roop, this home is perched directly over the water and features quite a picturesque view.

House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 1
The cottage overlooking Captain Jack’s Wharf.
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Designer Frank Roop

The cottage is super small and quaint — size doesn’t matter!  The nautical theme and details throughout the cottage are so pretty and clever.  Although space is limited, with plenty of light and a bright palette, the design doesn’t feel cramped at all.   Roop’s selections of furnishings are proportionate and multi functional to the space and I absolutely love the color palette  -a sea of blue.  The upholstered wall in the bedroom is genius!

House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 2
The living room.
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Nautical details on the stair railing.
House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 3
Porthole windows set directly into the kitchen back splash.
House Beautiful Coastal Cottage 6
The home office.

To see more photos of the home, visit the House Beautiful website.  You can also read an interview with Frank Roop about this project here.

Photos by James Merrell

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Color Obsession: Citrus & Lime

I find myself craving color right now, drawn to everything bright, sunny, and cheerful.

Maybe it’s because I was born in summer , but this my favorite time of year.  I find myself craving color right now, drawn to everything bright, sunny, and cheerful.  This is the season when I search for bold hues that make a big impact.  Lemon, lime, and other citrusy colors remind me of the warmth of the sun and are perfect for this season.  You see these colors in a lot of vintage fashion from the 1940s and 1950s, a time when people were adventurous in how they dressed.  You can definitely make a summer splash with Citrus and Lime!

Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design LLC Greenwich CT

  1.  Living room by Jeff Andrews Design.
  2. Imperial Gates – Green and Key Lime on Ivory Manila Hemp from Phillip Jeffries.
  3. Malibu Wrapped Coffee Table from Oomph.
  4. Cosy Light Fixture from Urban Electric.
  5. Overdyed Vintage Rug from Sacco Carpet.
  6. Pulling Down on Yellow, 2013. Gloss paint on aluminum. 49 x 49. By Natasha Law.
  7. Lime Alpaca from Sandra Jordan.
  8. Christian Louboutin Cap Toe Lucite Heels
  9. Swimsuit by Eres Paris.
  10. Bubbles and Lime Slices

 

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Method Monday

This is a design scheme we came up with for a coastal home with views of Long Island Sound.

This is a design scheme developed for a coastal home with views of Long Island Sound.  The architecture embraces the view so that the all you see from the spectacular rear of the home is the sea.  In contemplating the design, we wanted no obstruction to the breathtaking setting.  One of the challenges of a home with a wide open floor plan is choosing furniture so that nothing competes .  There needs to be a cohesive feel throughout the space.  To achieve this, we chose a monochromatic, neutral palette.  There are transitional elements and a user friendly approach for this family — they have children and also like to entertain.  We kept a textural sense by combining the oak floors and douglas fir ceilings with cozy, warm fabrics.  The patterns are not overly bold, resulting in a welcoming, comfortable home that makes the most of the beautiful seascape.

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Swimming Pools

When it comes to swimming pools, I prefer designs that are an integration of the home’s architecture.

When it comes to swimming pools, I prefer designs that are an integration of the home’s architecture.  For me, the pool has to be parallel with the home’s interior — I gravitate toward designs that are very structured.  Infinity pools are hot right now if you have the environment for one.  The landscape around the pool can complement the style of the pool or have a more organic feel.  Here are some examples of gorgeous swimming pools.

swimming pool 3 swimming pool design 2 swimming pool design 4 swimming pool design 5 swimming pool design 6 swimming pool design 7 swimming pool design 8 swimming pool design

What does your ideal swimming pool look like?

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