It’s hard to believe looking at it now that Athena Calderone’s terrace design didn’t even exist when she first bought their Brooklyn Townhouse. Situated within an L-shaped crevice off the kitchen and only measuring 6-by-10 feet, Calderone struggled with the asymmetry of the existing design. One side of the house was deeper while the other was shorter so she and her husband Victor made the decision to open up the back of the house to the interior with two sets of custom bifold doors that essentially pushed the balcony out to make it a square. The end result is an indoor-outdoor living room that is truly an extension of the house. “When I made the choice to open it up and create the L-shape in all glass, it seemed to identify itself,” recalls Calderone. “This whole area just wanted to become this open living space.”
Keep reading to discover Calderone’s terrace design process including all the before and after photos, and the affordable marble stone tiles she found to create the iconic checkerboard floors.
But first… the source list:
Bi-Fold Doors: Optimum Window
Architecture: Elizabeth Roberts Architects
Gardener: Aimee Kirby, Ferox Studio
Stone: Sandy Neck Traders
Outdoor Sofa: RH Balmain Aluminium Sofa
Coffee Table: Vintage from Chairish
Garden Chairs: Vintage Mathieu Matégot
Outdoor Light: Vintage
Planters: Mix of Vintage from Etsy, Chairish, and local gardening stores