Nestled on a sprawling lot in the leafy Long Island town of Locust Valley, New York, interior designer Meg Braff’s gracious home bears little resemblance to the 1950s ranch-style house that originally sat on the property when she purchased it. After a three-year renovation process—including a year of planning and two years of construction—the only things remaining from the original structure are the general footprint and the paneling in the living room, which Braff lacquered in her favorite color: green.
Her reward for such a herculean effort? A warm, elegant family home for Braff, her husband, and four sons that’s perfect for entertaining. Its welcoming energy is achieved by balancing saturated colors and calmer tones: Mixing patterns within a palette of blues, corals, ivories, and greens, Braff creates a unifying thread that ties each space to the next, from the formal dining room (where an antique crystal chandelier hangs alongside playful chartreuse pelmets and curtains) to the primary bedroom (which Braff covered in Miles Redd’s Brighton Pavilion chinoiserie panels for Schumacher, creating a glorious turquoise cocoon).
Outside, Braff laid out her gardens to create a meandering feel, with retaining walls that help create transitions between different sections. The addition of a 60-foot-long terrace, a pagoda, and a rose-covered arbor by the pool creates an oasis that reflects Braff’s vibrant style and vivacious personality—and best of all, has more than enough room to host everything from summer barbecues to dinner parties for 30!
