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.
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
“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.
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
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
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.
DESIGN DETAILS
DESIGNER
Susan Strauss, Susan Strauss Design
LOCATION
Nassau County, Long Island
ARCHITECT
Brandes Maselli Brandes Maselli Architects
Venicem lighting fixtures illuminate the office.
BUILDER
MNC+Sons Contractors
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Aaron Landscape & Design LLC
aaronlandscapedesign.business.site
Spacuzzi crafted this inviting sauna in the home gym.
CARPENTER
Benchmark Cabinets & Millwork, Inc
benchmarkcabinetsandmillwork.com
ELECTRICIAN
Current Mechanics
PLUMBING
Home and Stone
In the spacious primary room closet, a chic Gabriel Scott fixture
RESOURCES
ACUCRAFT FIREPLACES
Fireplace in living room
CLASTE COLLECTION
Coffee table in living room
EDEN GALLERY
Angela Accardi Artwork in dinette
“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
RYAN KEELEY ART
Walls in basement
TAG ARTS
Gary Lang artwork
MOMA DESIGN STORE
Yayoi Kusama artwork in hallway