When a Manhattan-based couple decided to leave their apartment for Long Island’s greener pastures, it was because they were looking for more space to accommodate their growing family. In search of a tight-knit community with good schools, they purchased a property in the village of Roslyn with plans to build their forever home from scratch.
“Our wish was for the house to look timeless,” shares the client of her aesthetic directive. “You can always change out accessories, but the foundation—the flooring, the kitchen, the tiles— needed to be classic and cozy.” The couple’s other leading design directive: durability. “I wanted the look of a hotel but also for my three kids and their friends to be able to sit down anywhere in wet bathing suits,” she adds.
For designer Emily Del Bello, who has three young boys herself, making a house kid-friendly never means sacrificing style. “No matter how beautiful a home is, if there are children, you’re going to have messes,” she says. “Our job is to help homeowners feel excited about having their friends over and not nervous about the wear and tear.” Her fail-safe approach entails focusing on tough materials in high-touch areas. For this project, Del Bello utilized outdoor-grade fabrics, quartzite countertops and durable wool rugs, weaving together a transitional look that would stand up to daily use from active kids—and seamlessly evolve as they grow.