Photo by Germaine Gatewood
The owners and principals of Zavaglia Associates in Larchmont share their tips and tricks for a beautiful outdoor space this season and beyond.
Background: Tony started working in the family business — established in 1948 by his grandfather as a lawn-care and landscape-maintenance company — when he was 12 years old. Jess received her landscape designer training and certification through The New York Botanical Garden and now teaches its course in Professional Landscape Design Practice.
Design Philosophy: Every project is centered around the concept of thoughtful investment in design, with an emphasis on sustainability. “Our goal is to bring out the inherent beauty of a property and ensure consistency and flow between the interior and exterior spaces of a home.”
Inspiration: Beautiful public gardens, such as The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx), Wave Hill (Riverdale), Untermyer Park (Yonkers), etc., and Manhattan’s High Line for its focus on sustainability and native plantings.
Hottest Exterior Design Trends: The blurring of lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, including outside kitchen and dining areas and living areas with heat and water elements to extend enjoyment through colder months. Bringing the outdoors in, including potted plants/trees and vertical plant walls, and installing playful hanging seating indoors.
Top 3 Design Tips:
1. Pay attention to the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. The outdoor spaces and garden should support the overall design aesthetic of the home’s interior.
2. Define a focal point. Every outdoor space should have a “power spot” that stands out, such as a patio space or firepit for entertaining.
3. Incorporate color, like Classic Blue, Pantone’s Color of the Year, through plants and accessories.
Go-To Home Design
Resources
Shelter Mags (other than Westchester Home):
Architectural Digest
Dwell
Garden Illustrated
Blogs:
Garden Design
Thinking Outside the Boxwood
Websites:
www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
www.nybg.org
www.gardendesign.com
Instagram Feeds:
@highlinenyc
@pietoudolf
@nybg
@gardendesignmag
TV Show:
HGTV’s Fixer Upper, with Chip and Joanna Gaines
Westchester Shops/Showrooms:
At Land, Dobbs Ferry (beautifully curated indoor/outdoor furnishings, accessories)
Foley Hardware, Larchmont
Robert’s Department Store, Mamaroneck (outdoor-inspired clothing, accessories)
West Elm, Scarsdale (home furnishings, accessories)
Bedford Hills Nursery, Bedford Hills (plants)
Byram Mason, Stone, Building & Landscape Supply, Port Chester (stone and masonry)
CT Shops/Showrooms:
Terrain, Westport (garden, indoor/outdoor home furnishings, accessories)
NYC Shops/Showrooms:
Janus et Cie (outdoor furnishings)
Pennoyer Newman (distinctive garden pots/sculptures)
Decoration & Design Building (everything related to design)
Brands/Designers:
Gloster (contemporary outdoor furnishings)
Dedon (woven outdoor furnishings with a bohemian edge)
Filson (American-made outdoor clothing, including terrific jackets for cool-weather jobs)
Danner (American-made outdoor work shoes/boots)
Fave Products
Roberto Burle Marx: Brazilian Modernist, by Claudia J. Nahson and Jens Hoffman
Barnes & Noble, Scarsdale
“One of the most prolific landscape designers of the 20th century.”
Radius Planters
West Elm, Scarsdale
“The clean lines of these planters complement any design, and [they] can be easily moved indoors and out.”
Lavender (Lavandula)
Bedford Hills Nursery, Bedford Hills
“Not a native plant, but it’s a natural mosquito repellant and beautiful in borders or patio planters.”
Gloster Ambient Nest Outdoor Solar Light, Steel
Seasons Too, Larchmont
“Perfect for adding soft lighting to your outdoor spaces.”
Gloster Bells Side Table, Meteor
Seasons Too, Larchmont
“This table comes in several colors and adds a contemporary touch to any decor aesthetic — and it doubles as an ice basket!”
Yeti Rambler 30-oz Tumbler, Coral
Foley Hardware, Larchmont
K’un Rust Throw
At Land, Dobbs Ferry
“This versatile linen throw can be used as a tablecloth for picnicking, whatever. And it’s machine washable!”
Felco 8 Ergonomic Pruner
NYBG Shop, Bronx
“These are our go-to when hand-pruning; light and easy to use.”
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Bedford Hills Nursery, Bedford Hills
“Love this beautiful native grass — great in beds, as borders, anywhere color or texture is needed.”
Victorinox Swiss Army Huntsman Knife
Robert’s Department Store, Mamaroneck
Librett Durables Work Gloves
Foley Hardware, Larchmont
Wave Hill Chair
The Shop at Wave Hill, Riverdale
“This is a contemporary revision of the classic Adirondack chair.”
