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THE PREMIER LUXURY HOME AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

LION’S GATE ON THE SOUND MATTITUCK

PRESENTED BY KRISTY NADDELL OF DOUGLAS ELLIMAN SEE PAGE 25

Make Your Next Move

$935,000

$899,000 | 4 BR, 3.5 BA | Web# 952678

$699,000

$895,000

$679,000

A Winning Record That Gets You Results

Kristy B. Naddell

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

O 631.354.8100 | M 631.905.8584

kristy.naddell@elliman.com

#UnlockYourFuture

@kristy.naddell

The right representation matters.

#1 North Fork Agent across all brokerages for 2025 based on Total Sales Volume and Transactions*

#1 North Fork Agent by Transactions, Sales Volume and Gross Commission Income for 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025**

Ranked Top 1.5% Nationwide by RealTrends Verified***

Sound Front Estate on 3.3 acres

MATTITUCK | $6,999,000 5 BR, 7.5 BA | Web# 907439

SOUTHOLD | $2,795,000 4 BR, 4.5 BA | Web# 944505 Co-lister, Constantino Marra M: 516.946.2355

Scan to view all of my listings

Premium Land on the North Fork

The Laurel Collection - New Construction AQUEBOGUE | $2,950,000 66.49 Acres | Web# 941531

PRESIDENT / CEO

Jim Miller

PUBLISHER

Claudette Greenstein

DESIGN

Fontsy Design Inc.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lana Bortolot | Heather Buchanan

Mila Everhart | Hannah Selinger

Heather Senison | Annie Sisk

Beverly Stephen | Jaxon Wilde

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mary Thames-Louis

FINANCE DIRECTOR

Ellen Miller

SOCIAL

East

North

Iconic Modernist Masterpiece — A Norman Jaffe-designed home comes to market on Shelter Island

The Long Game— The East End’s most beautiful gardens are built on patience and planning

Regeneration — Long Island’s history of ecological art and care

Everybody in the Pool— Homeowners are already thinking about new outdoor furnishing, accessories, and dinnerware

2026

Make A Splash — How intentional design transforms your pool from a place to swim into the social centerpiece of your home

SPACE. STYLE. SERENITY. ALL AT BAITING HOLLOW - YOUR HAMPTONS ALTERNATIVE, WITHOUT THE COMPROMISE

Could Be You®

34600 Route 25, Orient—76.84 acres with unfinished 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath house 34750 Route 25, Orient—0.69 acres with finished 2 bedroom, 1 bath cottage & 1 car garage 34920 Route 25, Orient—25.29 acres

This expansive waterside property offers privacy, potential, and versatility.

SOUND FRONT

Mattituck | $5.75MM | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Full Baths |

Acres | Water frontage: 111’ Rare blend of modern design and stunning sound front sunsets. This incredible Res4-Build on the Long Island Sound is located within one of Mattituck’s most coveted locations.

SOUND FRONT

Cutchogue | $3.5MM | Vacant Land | 2.72 Acres | Water frontage: 183’ Rare chance to own prime land with water frontage on esteemed Oregon Road in Cutchogue. Electricity & water at the property.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Mattituck | $2.250MM | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 1 Half Baths Pool | 2.01 Acres

Tucked at the end of a country road, on two lush acres in Mattituck, this farmhouse balances clean-lined sophistication with a sense of calm that only the North Fork can provide.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Greenport | $2.050MM | 4 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 2 Half

Baths Pool | Pool House | 1.19 Acres

Situated in the coveted Cleaves Point Community, this rare North Fork find is now available for sale with deeded bay beach rights in one of New York’s most sought after locations in Greenport.

FOR SALE—ZONED HAMLET BUSINESS

Greenport Village | $1.095MM | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 1 Half Baths | 0.12 Acres

CHIC. STYLISH. SOPHISTICATED. This Brooklyn Brownstone-inspired beauty brings big-city edge to North Fork living.

APPROVED SUBDIVISION

Riverhead | $1.45MM | 5 acres

This is the opportunity to make your mark on the North Fork. Approved 4 lot subdivision. Please call for a private appointment.

Southold | $1.85MM | Commercial Property

Apartment: 2 Bedrooms | 1 Full Bath | 0.12 Acres

The building features a fully operational commercial kitchen. Upstairs, the apartment with full kitchen is ideal for live/work convenience or

BUILDABLE LOT

Cutchogue | $2MM | Land | 11.57 Acres

This extraordinary lot is located in Cutchogue, A.K.A. The Sunniest Spot in New York State! 11.57 acres including a shy 3-acre building envelope. This conservation subdivision is the perfect blend of natural beauty and development potential.

This home balances timeless design with modern conveniences in a coveted beach community. It’s not just a house — it’s a backdrop for life at the beach. Could be you! ®

2 Apartments | Greenhouse | 0.62 Acres

Nestled in the bustling heart of Mattituck, this exceptional commercial property offers the perfect blend of retail space and residential income opportunities.

BUILDABLE LOT

Jamesport | $750K | Vacant Land | 1.6 Acres

Strategically positioned at the end of a picturesque vineyard and surrounded by preserved land to the North and East, this vacant residential land is an exceptional opportunity to build your dream home.

For Sale with the Elkin Team

3745 Nassau Point, Cutchogue NY

$8,250,000 | 4 BD | 6 BA | Bayfront Beach & Pool

Perched above the shimmering waters of Peconic Bay, this custom-built waterfront estate offers one of the North Fork’s most coveted coastal settings. Commanding sweeping panoramic bay views from nearly every room, the approximately 5,500-squarefoot home is set on two beautifully landscaped acres with 200 feet of private bay beach and a heated waterside gunite pool. The open-concept layout transitions seamlessly from intimate family living to grand-scale entertaining, while two fireplaces, a private home office, and a partially finished lower level reflect the thoughtful functionality woven throughout.

$2,100,000

Place, Greenport NY

168 Sterling Street, Greenport NY

$2,695,000 | 3 BD | 3 BA | Large DeepWater Dock

Set on one of Greenport Village’s most sought-after streets, this charming cedar-shingled home offers a rare opportunity to own a waterfront Village property with a generous deep-water dock. The home features a beautifully detailed interior with updated kitchen and baths, original millwork, and a separate one-bedroom apartment. Outdoors, a waterside deck and spacious yard create an ideal setting for entertaining or quiet enjoyment, framed by open-water views. This property is one of only a few that pair waterfront living with effortless village access.

Charming Cape with a large pool, farm views, and a sandy bay beach at the end of the street. The light-filled first floor features a welcoming foyer, a spacious living room, dining room, and a generous eat-in kitchen that opens to a cozy den with a fireplace. Outdoors, the backyard is anchored by a beautiful swimming pool with southwest exposure and overlooks a picturesque farm and nursery, offering exceptional privacy and a serene North Fork setting. 660 Sutton

Built in 2021 and offered in like-new condition, this stylish fourbedroom residence pairs clean contemporary design with the relaxed ease of North Fork living. A semi-open floor plan creates natural flow across the main level, connecting the living, dining, and kitchen spaces in a layout equally suited for everyday living and effortless entertaining. Four spacious bedrooms offer comfortable accommodations, while a full unfinished basement presents excellent potential for additional living space.

ICONIC MODERNIST MASTERPIECE

A Norman Jaffe-designed home comes to market on Shelter Island

BY HEATHER SENISON

BY GIEVES ANDERSON & GEIR MAGNUSSON

PHOTOGRAPHY

High on a bluff above Gardiners Bay, a series of terraces and cantilevered decks mirror Jaffe’s signature interplay between geometry and landscape.

High on a bluff above Gardiners Bay, with long views stretching toward Orient and Gardiners Island, 4 Dawn Lane is the kind of home that rarely comes to market and rarely survives intact.

Known as the Osofsky House, the waterfront mansion was built in 1971 by modernist architect Norman Jaffe for fashion executive Meyer Osofsky. It was then expanded by Jaffe himself a decade later.

Now, after a meticulous renovation, the six-bedroom residence is listed for $17.995 million with Sotheby’s International Realty - East Hampton Brokerage agents Nick Brown and Lidia Murphy.

Set on more than 1.5 acres with 175 feet of direct bay frontage, the 5,089-squarefoot home has eight full baths and two half baths, plus a host of amenities to entertain guests and owners alike.

The grounds unfold in a series of terraces and cantilevered decks that mirror Jaffe’s signature interplay between geometry and landscape. An extra-deep heated gunite pool anchors the outdoor entertaining areas, which also include a pergola outfitted with a kitchen and fireplace, a tennis court lined for pickleball and coastal-inspired landscaping woven with pollinator gardens.

“Expansions and renovations of Jaffe homes are not uncommon, but what is unprecedented is having Jaffe himself returning to a property and offering a new chapter for the owner’s expanding family,” says Brown, who calls 4 Dawn Lane “arguably one of the most important modernist homes on the East End.”

That second chapter is part of what makes the Osofsky House so significant. Jaffe’s return in 1981 to expand his own design created a layered architectural narrative.

“Many Jaffe homes and other important modernist homes have been neglected and in several cases have been torn down,” Brown says. “The story of this home is quite different.”

In 2020, Benjamin Brougham, senior creative director at Jonathan Adler, purchased the property from the original owners. The brand’s founder, Jonathan Adler, also lives on Shelter Island, and reportedly influenced Brougham’s decision to purchase a home there.

When the Osofsky House came up for sale, Brougham reportedly jumped at the chance to buy it, selling his original Shelter Island home on a whim. What followed was a two-year renovation overseen by Brougham and executed by the East Hampton-based Shoshi Builders.

architectural lines.

“The Osofsky House is an iconic modernist home that offers the ultimate in luxury living while honoring the Iconic provenance of Norman Jaffe, sitting high on Gardiners Bay,” Brown says.

Brougham’s intervention was bold but reverent. In an interview with The New York Times, he described relocating the kitchen to the 1,600-square-foot finished basement, transforming it into a gathering hub for his large family. He designed a giant circular dining table made from patchwork panels of cerused

Upstairs, Brougham softened the dramatic effect of a blocky granite fireplace and floor-to-ceiling plate-glass windows with a plush white rug and a semicircular gray bouclé de Sede sofa, blending midcentury gravitas with contemporary warmth. The interiors balance spectacle and livability.

A dedicated guest wing occupies the first level, offering privacy for visitors, while the primary suite sits on the upper floor, oriented to maximize water views. Amenities include a chef’s kitchen, private gym and movie theater.

Brown has built a reputation representing architecturally significant homes. He currently represents 8 Little Ram, another Modernist masterpiece by James Merrell on Coecles Harbor and recently sold 2 Charlies Lane, a Bauhausinspired Bertand Goldberg. “For many, Shelter Island feels like a return to the Hamptons of yore,” Brown says. “The Island has made many efforts to protect what they have by limiting the size of new construction and buying back property whenever possible. A third of the Island is preserve and Islanders are very proud of this.”

rarity of 4 Dawn Lane. “There are many unique properties throughout the east end,” Brown says, “finding a luxurious iconic home in mint condition, on the water with all amenities is rare.”

Indeed, the buyer pool is as specific as the house itself. “Homeowners of Iconic Modernist homes often are collectors of Art and their home represents an extension of this,” Brown explains. “This home draws a buyer who understands that they are taking on a stewardship of a home that will certainly bring them joy while remaining a part of the future of understanding of architectural and design excellence.”

REGENERATION: Long Island’s History of Ecological Art and Care

The Parrish Art Museum Highlights Art and the Environment at New Exhibit

BY HEATHER BUCHANAN

Whether a long time resident or mere visitor to the East End, the land, beaches, oceans and waterways have been an irresistible draw. Another of its natural resources, local artists, has also been a cultural lure. The Parrish Art Museum has launched Regeneration: Long Island’s History of Ecological Art and Care as part of its series PARRISH USA250: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. On view until June 14, the exhibit showcases numerous artists’ work which emerge at the intersection of ecological art, environmental action, and community collaboration. It is both literally and figuratively an exploration of the changing landscape.

Scout Hutchinson, the FLAG Art Foundation Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Parrish who co-curated the exhibit with Corinne Erni, the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Chief Curator of Art and Education takes personal pride in bringing together these artists and works to start a conversation. “We felt it was important for the focus to be local, and there are so many artists here and in New

York concerned with ecological issues. There is a strong emphasis on community engagement and activism as well.” One example is North Fork artist Cindy Pease Roe who incorporates discarded materials on the beach into her work and also has a not-for-profit UpSculpt focusing on ocean pollution and plastics. Scott Bluedorn also uses fiberglass remnants from boating in his work which explores the shifting ecology and history of East Hampton’s Bonac fishing, farming and hunting practices.

The exhibition also focuses on intergenerational artists. Often it is the younger generation who realize they will inherit the earth and the results of climate change. Sasha Fishman creates sculptures and installations informed by her

research into marine biomaterials, toxicology, and natural alternatives to plastic, even focusing on a sustainable alternative to resin, a widely used preservative in art. Fishman’s work will be exhibited next to renowned artist Maya Lin, an exciting opportunity for an emerging artist to have her work in conversation with an international icon. Lin’s recycled silver sculptures of different local bodies of water were made in 2014 for a Parrish solo show, and can be compared to the changing shape of them today.

Hutchinson says, “We are shining a light on a problem but it is a way for audiences to be engaged without feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes a small effort can be the start of something broader.” A focal point is a newly commissioned work by artist Sara Siestreem made in collaboration with the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, an intergenerational collective of Indigenous women who harness the ancestral tradition of seaweed harvesting to address nitrogen pollution in the waters. While it may seem at times abstract all you have to do is look at the collective despair over the decimation of the local Peconic Bay scallops.

Photographs from Jeremy Dennis use both humor and gravitas in his “Sacredness of Hills” series to highlight the impact of land development and residential construction on Shinnecock sacred sites. The exhibits scale ranges from smaller “Seed Calendar” drawings from Michelle Stuart to large biomorphic sculptures from Mamoun Nukumanu.

One of the side benefits is the artists coming to know one another. Hutchinson, through research, studio visits and word of mouth has put together a group with a common purpose, and the stroll through the galleries feels like a coherent journey even with many different materials and processes. It refocuses our attention on what is important and what we do not want to lose. And rather than be another cog in a wheel of current despair, it highlights ways to be involved and activate. A way, in a changing landscape, to preserve what is near and dear to the East End and beyond.

Not One More Step By Jeremy Dennis

Scott Bluedorn

Sugar Kelp By Randi Renate

EAST MARION: WATERFRONT ! BEAUTIFUL PEACEFUL SERENE & PRIVATE LAKEFRONT RETREAT. An ideal setting for your entrepreneurial spirit. There are 9 cottages for ideal family compound or reimagine your own dream. Six 2-br units. Three of which have 1 bath, three have 2 baths. Three 1-br units. This 1.5 acre property is a short distance to a community beach with views of Peconic Bay. $5,700,000 MLS#954079

JAMESPORT: RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE! ENJOY LIVING WITHIN A SHORT WALK TO THE JAMESPORT SUGAR SAND BEACH! Boat ramp & tennis courts. Just minutes away. King size Colonial fit for a queen! 4 BRS, 2.5 baths, hw floors. Spacious family rm with potential for a first-floor en suite primary br, LR, EIK with center island & dining area, and upstairs balcony. Full basement & attached 2 car garage. Wine country calling! Preserved farmland with Vineyard views and room for a pool! Experience the beautiful North Fork!

$899,000 MLS#955771

JAMESPORT: CREATE YOUR OWN ESTATE. THIS BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY OFFERS PRIVACY AND WATERVIEW. Create your own Hampton Estate on the beautiful North Fork. Ideal personal horse farm, tennis court & gardener’s delight. Covenants for 1 home only cannot be subdivided. Very close to Iron Pier beach, boat ramp & playground just 2/10 of a mile.

$1,900,000

MLS#859621

From spring planning to summer entertaining, how intentional design transforms your pool from a place to swim into the social centerpiece of your home.

BY ANNIE SISK

Imagine a warm, sunny day. You and your family and friends have gathered around the pool, and it’s a full sensory experience. The trickling of water, the tinkling of clinking glasses, the redolent scents of herbs in full bloom, teasing your taste buds with the promise of delicious things yet to come …

After the winter so many of us have endured, it’s a scene we can all look forward to with enthusiasm.

The pool is more than just a place to swim. It’s the social heart of your home in warm weather. If you’re afraid your pool isn’t quite up to snuff, don’t worry – there’s still time! Intentional design, planned in early spring, is what transforms a beautiful pool area into a truly exceptional place to entertain.

We spoke with two experts, interior/exterior designer Zoe Grant of DBD Lifestyles and East Hampton landscape designer Edwina von Gal to get their best advice on how to intentionally design your poolside area for peak summer entertaining experiences.

THINK LIKE A DESIGNER: THE POOL AS AN ISLAND

Grant says that she and her partner Madeleine Biache like to approach a new poolside project by thinking of the pool as a large island. Good design is then about crafting a natural traffic flow around that island.

Approaching poolside design this way also helps maintain crucial sightlines. Strive to maintain visibility to the water from every zone, so the pool remains the visual anchor no matter where guests are gathered

Practical takeaway: Before you buy or place a single piece of furniture, map out the flow so everything supports your design vision and helps to maintain the zones.

ZONING FOR LIFE (NOT JUST THE 4TH OF JULY)

Grant also says that the most common mistake she sees homeowners making is one of focus – that is, designing for the biggest party you'll ever throw, rather than for everyday use and smaller-scale entertaining. The solution is to create zones that reflect how your family lives in the summer, whether grilling, eating, lounging, or swimming.

Prioritize flexibility over excess. Extendable tables, pull-out chairs, and modular seating serve both the intimate Tuesday dinner as well as the big summer blowout. In Hamptons-style settings with expansive views, cluster seating around anchoring elements such as a fire pit or an outdoor TV to create cozy conversation areas without blocking the landscape. Toss in plush pillows, outdoor poufs, and ottomans to layer in warmth and casual comfort.

Design note: Consider adopting the DBD ethos of “whimsical luxury” so that the space feels inviting and lived-in, not like a showroom.

THE LIVING LANDSCAPE: ECOLOGY AS AMBIANCE

There’s more to a beautiful poolside than aesthetics, as Edwina von Gal can attest. In von Gal’s view, a truly beautiful, healthy landscape doesn't require chemicals. Instead, it requires intention.

She also recommends using trees as design elements, not mere afterthoughts, and says, “[Trees] shade hot hardscape and provide habitat for birds and butterflies. Choose and plant carefully to ensure the shade falls where you need and the leaves or seedpods maybe not. And think about how much less work it is to occasionally sweep under a tree as opposed to buying and messing with lifeless umbrellas.”

Additionally, von Gal points out that hot stone terraces are a natural tick deterrent, providing a practical, chemical-free approach that Hamptons homeowners will appreciate.

Finally, don’t neglect the wellness dimension that a well designed poolside can serve. Birdsong in the morning, fireflies in an early evening, fresh air all day long — von Gal notes these are proven health benefits of an ecological landscape, adding a sensory richness that elevates any gathering.

THE SPRING PREP:

PLAN NOW, ENTERTAIN ALL SUMMER LONG

It might not be time to plant just yet, but late winter and early spring is prime planning season.

The decisions you make now will pay off by Memorial Day with a visually stunning poolside that teases every sense.

As your guiding design principle, consider the DBD design approach. Grant says, “We love to plan what we call a cocktail garden – herbs, edible flowers, and citrus trees in pots so it's easy to pop over and have fresh accouterments for cocktails and grilling. There's nothing better than having your own lavender or mint fresh out of the garden.”

Edwina von Gal also believes that spring is the ideal moment for ecological upgrades. She says, “Instead of buying mulch, fill the spaces with ground cover plants. They will do a much better job suppressing weeds, creating a healthy root zone, and providing beauty.“

In addition to giving you more control and freedom in designing your poolside area, planning ahead reduces stress and creates genuine anticipation. You’ll be eagerly looking forward to receiving your first guests of the season as soon as the pool opens.

MATERIALS THAT WORK AS HARD AS YOU PLAY

According to Grant, the biggest furniture mistake a homeowner can make poolside? Ignoring weather and maintenance realities. Grant recommends homeowners select lowmaintenance finishes and materials, so that hosts can focus on their guests, not their furniture.

To that end, Grant and Biache are fond of using polywood, a durable substance made out of recycled high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. It’s their go-to recommendation from the Hamptons to Palm Beach to the Bahamas, offering zero maintenance while capable of withstanding anything. Another great materials choice: Crypton fabrics. For durability and ease of use in cushions and upholstery, without sacrificing style, they’re hard to beat.

WHAT TO LEAVE OUT – AND WHY IT MATTERS

Finally, we asked our experts what smart homeowners should leave out of the poolside area for maximum entertaining performance

The design pros advocate exercising discernment and refraining from maximalizing. Grant says, “You may not need regular dining seating for 20 if you’re a small family but have extra chairs to pull out and an extendable table. It's easy to get caught up in the summer fun and think that you need a separate area for every possible activity but will you really use a dedicated volleyball space?” Consider it your exterior design edit.

Edwina von Gal suggests leaving out one key substance for the healthiest poolside landscape. She says, “This is super simple to answer – no chemicals – but many people find it hard to do as their landscapes are designed to depend on them.” Instead of using chemicals, von Gal says you can have beautiful, healthy and ecologically friendly landscapes with a few simple strategies. “[Use] lots of native plants – they were doing just fine before chemicals were invented – and water wisely – seldom and deep to encourage strong roots and discourage fungus diseases and ticks.” (For more tips, visit von Gal’s Perfect Earth Project at perfectearthproject.org.

The shared philosophy: restraint, intention, and designing for your actual life produces spaces that feel generous rather than cluttered. A welledited pool area is more inviting and more functional than an overstuffed one.

MAKE THE RIGHT KIND OF SPLASH THIS SUMMER

Your pool should represent summer at its best, spent poolside with the people you love. By melding an intentionally designed space with an awareness of your living landscape, you can create an environment that is beautiful, functional, ecological, and genuinely hospitable all season long.

Photo: Kathy Kuo

the long game

BY LANA BORTOLOT

Why the East End’s most beautiful gardens are built on patience, planning, and the quiet miracle of plants that simply keep coming back.

They call them perennials for a reason: they come up every year and, once established, they deliver the blooms. In addition to providing reliable pleasure each year, perennials enable gardeners to design and plan their plots with consideration to texture, height and color. It’s an undertaking for the long haul, say experts.

“Take it slow,” says Pam Healy, manager at Fowler’s Garden Center in Southampton. “Rome was not built in a day and neither will be your garden,” she says.

“Do your research, look at everything and visit garden centers frequently through the season to see what’s in bloom,” she says, recommending purchasing a few early-, mid- and latesummer bloomers to see how they look and adapt to your conditions. And, ask for help at the garden center: your first-year intel will inform next year’s garden.

As an organic farmer, Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht, owner of Garden of Eve in Riverhead, gardening is all about getting down to earth.

“You have to focus on building soil health before you plant anything,” she said. “You’re not trying for a quick fix.” After years of working with flowers, her farm now focuses on certified organic vegetables, but she said the same principles apply to perennials, particularly when it comes to dirt.

Lavendar

Photo: Denes Kozma

She says poor soils often are found in parcels too close to the house and along the driveway—they may be eroded or hard packed, mixed with pebbles and other matter, are nutrient-poor and unable to host beginning plants. Amendments such as compost—and plenty of it—can help revive dead soil and provide a base for a sustainable perennial garden.

“If you can’t dig down, you can build your garden up,” she says, and use rocks to create a retainer wall for the compost. Once you’ve defined your area, fill it with compost (organic is best), “then set it and forget,” she says.

Kaplan-Walbrecht advises asking your supplier lots of questions about how your chosen posies will overwinter.

“Even a hardy easy-to-grow plant that’s a ‘steady Eddie’ may not overwinter well,” she says. “They may look great one year and then not come back.” Ditto for ornamental plants forced to bloom in artificial conditions. “They’re meant to be gifts, not plant outside,” she says. She advises buying in April, May and June, noting survival rates for next year’s planning. And, “don’t take it personally if your plant fails.”

Even the most experienced gardeners say their hobby is a matter of trial and error. “We move things around each year if they don’t work out and it’s a kind of fun and free way to have a new garden,” says Healy.

What to choose depends on numerous conditions, climate chief among them. Gardeners and growers alike rely on the USDA Plant Hardiness Map, which assigns growing zones based on zip code. Plant tags and garden literature often refer to the zone, indicating growing success for perennials and making it easier for gardeners to plan. (Nearly all the South Fork and most of the North Fork—generally from Orient to Cutchogue and the outer fringes—is in Zone 7b.)

After climate, consider color. Do you want blooms from spring to fall and what does that looks like? Do you want contrast and visual energy or something cool, calm and natural? Maybe nostalgia is your sweet spot? Horticulturists are well versed in color theory and can advise you on how to turn an entry way into vibrant welcome mat or a backyard into meditative

While flower trends do come and go, here are five foundation plants that are perennially popular:

Plants in the Salvia family are drought-and salt tolerant, making them good candidates for coastal gardens. Depending on the variety, these are tall spikes or whisps of blues and purples. Bonus: They are deer resistant and are hard-working pollinators attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Lavendar is partial to maritime climates (think south of France!) and alkaline soils, and presents in a variety of styles from bushy to wispy. Not all varieties are suited to our region, so ask your supplier for recommendations or consider hardier hybrids.

Rudbeckia, aka Black-Eyed Susan, is a bright, long-blooming and tall filler for the garden. Once more of a roadside attraction, it’s made a comeback with native-plant gardeners who value its versatility, low maintenance and medicinal properties.

Butterfly Bush, a fast-growing, deciduous, woody shrub that, as its name implies, is a magnet for butterflies. “People love them because of the Monarchs,” says Healy. “A couple of years ago, I couldn’t keep them on the shelf.” The Dwarf Buddleia, she says, are “great performers.”

Daylilies are hardy and versatile in the garden as they function as both a bloom and foliage. The Stella d’Oro variety will deliver blooms in spring and late summer.

Finally, you’ll want to consider how to protect your garden from fourlegged predators. Most plant tags will note if the plant is deer resistant and many nurseries organize their selections for quick identification. Ask your horticulturist for best recommendations and remember, what a deer doesn’t eat one year, it might eat the next year. Just don’t take it personally.

Daylilies

Photo: Ted Balmer

Perenialls

Photo: Uellue

We’ll be throwing pool parties any day now. Before the snow had even melted, pool companies were sending out contracts for pool opening dates. And homeowners were already thinking about new outdoor furnishing, accessories, and shatterproof dinnerware.

SUNBATHE

Mille adjustable striped outdoor sun lounger

$3,999.00, crateandbarrel.com

UNBREAKABLE

Bamboo 10-ounce double old fashioned glass; Lanai 35” square flip top outdoor dining table

$9.95 glass;$399.00 table, crateandbarrel.com

Resort Collection Pool floats lightweight and durable.

$141.75-$164.25, frontgate.com

Pillowtop outdoor sand stripe hammock with stand.

$1,490.00, crateandbarrel.com

Produced by Beverly Stephen

LAZY DAYS

LUXE LOUNGE

Balencia chaise lounges set of 2 $1,274.75, frontgate.com

LION’S GATE ON THE SOUND

Welcome to Lion’s Gate on the Sound, a premier waterfront estate set on over 3 private, gated acres along the Long Island Sound in Mattituck. This move-in-ready sanctuary blends timeless architecture with modern luxury, offering unmatched privacy and sweeping coastal views. A newly resurfaced driveway leads through electronic gates to beautifully lit grounds featuring a restored gazebo, lush lawns, and thoughtful landscaping. Inside, the home shines with freshly refinished hardwood floors, custom details, and a reimagined primary suite with spa-like finishes. Smart-home automation, new TVs, and elegant upgrades enhance everyday living. The finished lower level offers a professional gym, billiard room, and custom bar, while the upgraded garage with epoxy floors and smart tech is ideal for car enthusiasts. Outdoors, enjoy a new dining pavilion, full irrigation, and multiple vantage points for stunning sunsets over the Sound. Perfectly located near vineyards, farm stands, and charming village life, Lion’s Gate on the Sound is more than a home, it’s a legacy estate of luxury, seclusion, and natural beauty.

Exclusively Presented By Kristy Naddell of Douglas Elliman 631-905-8584 | kristyb.naddell@elliman.com

Photos: Jeremy Garretson and Kyle Hardy

Photo:

ROMANTIC WATERFRONT LIVING

East Marion | There are a finite number of properties that exist beyond the everyday. Specifically, one where 604 feet of private beach meets the endless horizon of the Long Island Sound, and a cottage sits quietly amongst the landscape as though it’s always belonged there. This is the one. The setting speaks louder than any renovation could. Morning light spills across the water. Evening brings that stillness that only waterfront sanctuaries know. The beach stretches long and uninterrupted, a rare luxury on the North Fork where sound frontage of this magnitude simply doesn’t come available. The cottage itself? Charmingly unassuming. It understands its role here-to frame the views, shelter you from the wind, and otherwise stay out of nature’s way. There’s an honesty to its rustic character that feels increasingly rare. What you’re really acquiring is 604 feet of your own coastline in one of the most coveted corridors of the North Fork. This is the setting that stops conversation mid-sentence. The kind of place that makes you forget what day it is. Raw, romantic, and utterly uncommon - a Soundfront opportunity that simply doesn’t surface often on the North Fork! $5.75MM