Susan Strauss and her eponymous firm transformed a Nassau County home into an artful abode.

A stunning Lindsey Adelman fixture, Olivya Stone and Jordan Betten artwork in the dining room. Photographed by Regan Wood
A stunning Lindsey Adelman fixture, Olivya Stone and Jordan Betten artwork in the dining room.

THE PROJECT

With a mission to always deliver beyond her clients’ expectations, Susan Strauss was more than prepared to take this 10,000-square-foot Long Island home and transform it to be a one-of-a-kind living space for a family of five where the artwork takes center stage.

A pair of Rudi pendants by Roll & Hill hang on both sides of the bed in the primary bedroom Photographed by Regan Wood
A pair of Rudi pendants by Roll & Hill hang on both sides of the bed in the primary bedroom

“While most modern homes often feel cold, the details of this home allow it to exude a feeling of warmth instead,” says Strauss of rooms like this one where dark accent colors soften modern touches. Photographed by Regan Wood
“While most modern homes often feel cold, the details of this home allow it to exude a feeling of warmth instead,” says Strauss of rooms like this one where dark accent colors soften modern touches.

THE DETAILS

“[The theme is] contemporary with an open layout style that doesn’t compromise on the warmth or the hominess of the house,” says Strauss. “We stuck to neutral colors to keep to the modern theme with pops of accents and colors added in that gives an element of playfulness.”

A KAWS sculpture and Venicem lighting fixture add an artsy edge to the dinette Photographed by Regan Wood
A KAWS sculpture and Venicem lighting fixture add an artsy edge to the dinette.

THE CHALLENGES

What started out as a complication for the team turned out to be a blessing in disguise. “We were unexpectedly faced with a water issue that would change the front hardscaping and landscaping of the home,” explains Strauss. “At the time it felt like a setback that would negatively impact the overall look of the exterior. Contrarily, the garden that was created in order to rectify the water issue became the focal point of the house.”

In the kitchen, stone from Arena Stone and furniture from Olivya Stone Photographed by Regan Wood
In the kitchen, stone from Arena Stone and furniture from Olivya Stone

THE ART

From a concentric circle painting by noted artist Gary Lang in the den to a pair of miniature pumpkins by Yayoi Kusama in the hallway, there’s no denying that artwork was a driving force in the design project. “During the process of building, the owner fell in love with art,” says Strauss. “Now [they] assist others with choosing fabulous pieces for their houses that express their individuality and lighten up the spaces.” Any art buff can spot a KAWS 4-Foot Companion in the dinette, an Eddy Vitalone painting in the bedroom and Kidrobot x Andy Warhol resin banana bookends in the kitchen.

Thomas Hayes barstools. Photographed by Regan Wood
Thomas Hayes barstools

THE OUTCOME

“The aesthetic of the home does not represent an individual style. Rather, it reflects the owners specific tastes and preferences by juxtaposing different elements of design that make it unique,” Strauss notes. “While most modern homes often feel cold, the details of this home allow it to exude a feeling of warmth instead.”

A pair of Yayoi Kusama pumpkins and Baccarat figurines accent this hallway unit  Photographed by Regan Wood
A pair of Yayoi Kusama pumpkins and Baccarat figurines accent this hallway unit.

DESIGN DETAILS

DESIGNER

Susan Strauss, Susan Strauss Design

susanstraussdesign.com

LOCATION

Nassau County, Long Island

ARCHITECT

Brandes Maselli Brandes Maselli Architects

brandesmaselli.com

Spacuzzi crafted this inviting sauna in the home gym Photographed by Regan Wood
Venicem lighting fixtures illuminate the office.

BUILDER

MNC+Sons Contractors

mnccontractors.com

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Aaron Landscape & Design LLC

aaronlandscapedesign.business.site

Venicem lighting fixtures illuminate the office. Photographed by Regan Wood
Spacuzzi crafted this inviting sauna in the home gym.

CARPENTER

Benchmark Cabinets & Millwork, Inc

benchmarkcabinetsandmillwork.com

ELECTRICIAN

Current Mechanics

currentmechanics.com

PLUMBING

Home and Stone

homeandstone.com

In the spacious primary room closet, a chic Gabriel Scott fixture Photographed by Regan Wood
In the spacious primary room closet, a chic Gabriel Scott fixture

RESOURCES

ACUCRAFT FIREPLACES

Fireplace in living room

acucraft.com

CLASTE COLLECTION

Coffee table in living room

clastecollection.com

EDEN GALLERY

Angela Accardi Artwork in dinette

eden-gallery.com

“Hosting their friends and family is something very important to them and making their guests feel at-home is a priority,” Strauss says of the clients, a family of five. “The emphasis on creating a relaxed, warm environment was intended for this reason.” Photographed by Regan Wood
“Hosting their friends and family is something very important to them and making their guests feel at-home is a priority,” Strauss says of the clients, a family of five. “The emphasis on creating a relaxed, warm environment was intended for this reason.”

LINDSEY ADELMAN STUDIO

Light fixture in dining room

lindseyadelman.com

RYAN KEELEY ART

Walls in basement

keeleystudios.com

TAG ARTS

Gary Lang artwork

tag-arts.com

MOMA DESIGN STORE

Yayoi Kusama artwork in hallway

store.moma.org