Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 546x820

When I went looking for an apartment in Brooklyn Heights a couple of years ago I did not have a terrace on my wish list; the apartment I found had a large terrace, however it was junky and rather sad…

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 640x480

  PARADISE ? !

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 640x480

At some point in time a terrace had been ‘carved out’ of the top floor of this modestly scaled townhouse on Hicks Street; the slope of the roof would have made the room(s) here quite cramped and dark with only small windows near the floor.  One neighbor has the same type of terrace space, while the other has a roof for what is likely only an attic space.

“Knock-Knock”

“Who’s there?”

“OPPORTUNITY!”

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 640x426

I considered all of the things that I might use this space for and came up with a program that included dining, lounging, entertaining, dancing (why not?) and sleeping!

I called on my long-time landscape design collaborator Billie Cohen who helped guide me to a dazzlingly rich but easy to maintain approach to the plantings, including an irrigation system from Lifesource Irrigation.

I had another long-time collaborator, Dale Faught from Nutech Interiors, make a couple of twin-sized ‘opium beds’ set end-to-end for a combined length of 12 feet.  They are deep and loungy for relaxed seating, and occasional nights of sleeping under the stars! I installed outdoor speakers which are connected to the apartment-wide audio system, added some simple stake lights, and a couple of flood lights onto the large trees behind the building, and lots of plants including a couple of trees that have become quite large in only two years.

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 640x426

And if you look closely, I also added a large mirror on the South wall to magically create more terrace, and to expand my view of the sky.

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 640x426

The ‘AFTER’ photos are from last Summer – giving the plantings, and me to settle into a very happy existence.

Glenn Gissler - Blog - 2014 - Patio - Gross & Daley - 546x820

I have heard from others that once you have outside space in New York City it is hard to go back to just four walls; I think that I may be one of the converted!

It is a wonderful thing to have one’s own outdoor space to make into whatever version of paradise suits you…

P.S.  Last Fall I hosted 22 seventh graders for a dance party!