W hen these clients approached Melissa Fenigstein of New Age Interiors, they had purchased a custom home in Muttontown, NY, that required some freshen- ing. “It started out as most of the home, and once we got started, honestly, they were such a pleasure to work for, and so incredibly enthusiastic about the project,” Fenigstein recalls. “They just kept going.” Fenigstein did some careful question-asking to strategize, such as: “If you’re standing prepping a salad, do you want to be interacting with the peo- ple in the family room or do you want to be staring out the window?” This helped shape work areas that allow for maximum interaction with guests. PHOTOS RIC MARDUR IMAGERY
T E X T PAUL HAGEN
Fenigstein also channeled one of the owners’ love of butterflies through decorative flourishes in the powder room and dining area. She also maxi- mized the interaction with nature—whether under glass in the solarium or in a well-equipped outdoor kitchen and entertaining spaces. Both Fenigstein and the homeowners were thrilled with the results. And the designer has some advice for those hoping to achieve a similarly impactful outcome: “Get help. Hiring a designer doesn’t mean you’re not doing it yourself. It means you have the appropriate support that will do research for you, expose you to things you didn’t know existed, didn’t know you wanted, or didn’t know you needed,” she says. “That’s our job.” ■
The owners enjoy the sound in this serene solarium when it rains.
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