Name: SpecialK
Location: Woodside, Queens
Reader SpecialK sent us images of her fifth floor terrace — one of two terraces of a 5-story building:
Uses: I don't use the space year-round. I have barbecues on the terrace. I eat my meals out there whenever I can. I occasionally sit out there to read. I also hang my laundry out there even though it's against condo rules. I really like to garden. Last year, I focused on getting some plants out there for privacy. This year, I'm going to focus on fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes, grapes, and arugula. I'm also going to try vermi-composting again. The space is still evolving...
Style/Inspiration: I'm not sure I have an eye for good style. It's just sort of "happening." I look at magazines, books, and ApartmentTherapy for ideas. I attended an ApartmentTherapy Design Meetup in NY about outdoor spaces. I also attended a seminar at the Horticultural Society of NY about rooftop gardens. A friend of mine told me to get a round table because it was Feng Shui-friendly. Furniture-wise, I'm trying to balance utility with openness. But my style and inspiration is largely guided by my new interest in gardening.
Problems: So many to list... It's windy up here. I have to be very careful with what furniture and plants I keep up here. Fallen leaves and garbage don't blow over the edge; they blow back and forth between my terrace and my neighbors terrace. I'm still trying to figure out what to do about privacy. There is a large apartment building diagonal from me, across the street. I'd like to create the sense of more privacy with more plants but I'm having a hard time finding the right planters and the right plants... at the right price. Also, the apartment is small so I need to find a place to store/hide the couch cushions on the terrace. I'd like to build some sort of outdoor storage for gardening tools and seat cushions. Ideally, I'm looking for a storage bench so I can have more people over when the weather is warmer. I think I need to pick up woodworking.
Thanks, SpecialK!
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Thats a really nice space. So big I'm definitely jealous compared to the size of our balcony!
http://www.eightsquaremetres.com
view cheese's profile
Great terrace, and more power to you for hanging your laundry on it! The idea that its somehow not "classy" to dry laundry outside on the line is just the most laughable bit of pomposity ever, and should be defied at every turn.
view cedargr0's profile
This is lovely, a real oasis. I really like that you're letting it evolve according to what you want to use it for, I think that's what makes it feel so relaxing. And I second the applause for you using it to dry laundry.
Cheese - I checked out your eightsquaremetre balcony and am sooo impressed, have added you to my favourites and will follow your excellent and inspiring progress.
view idontdobeige's profile
Hey, you're not too far from me! I'm technically in Astoria but I'm on the outskirts, near Woodside. I'd ignore the comment about the area; I love it here, personally.
And I love your terrace! I really like that you're taking it slow and seeing how you use it/what you can do, letting it evolve as it can or needs to. I think that design that "happens" is often the best kind, because it ends up being very 'you' and very real.
And I want to throw in one more congratulations on air-drying your laundry. I actually love the appearance of clothing drying on lines, in addition to liking the feel of line-dried clothes (and, of course, the energy saved). The closest I get is hanging my clothes in the vicinity of an open window.
view peanut's profile