All articles by Patty Lee

Patty is a native Brooklynite who got her start as a features reporter at NYC's hometown paper, the New York Daily News. She then followed her sweet tooth to Time Out New York, where she covered restaurant openings and dining trends for the food and drink section. When she's not contributing to 6sqft, she's writing — and eating — for Zagat and Cooking Channel. Follow her on Twitter @leepatty.

PENSA’s DIWire Machine Lets You Bend Wires Into Sculptural Decor for the Home

June 17, 2014

PENSA’s DIWire Machine Lets You Bend Wires Into Sculptural Decor for the Home

In a day and age when printers give us the ability to create 3D models, we're surprised that it's taken so long for a machine like the DIWire to hit the market. Developed by the creative tinkerers of PENSA, this sleek gadget's seemingly simple job — to bend wires with a click of a button — is an absolute game-changer for DIY enthusiasts.
See how the DIWire works

Fashion Meets Utility Inside Lela Rose’s Tribeca Loft Designed by WORKac (Catwalk Included)

June 16, 2014

Fashion Meets Utility Inside Lela Rose’s Tribeca Loft Designed by WORKac (Catwalk Included)

New York is a true walking city, but can you imagine installing a sidewalk inside your apartment? That's essentially what the architects at Work Architecture Company (WORKac) did for this minimalist White Street loft. At the very heart of the living and dining rooms sits a row of Japanese-style tables that can be extended or retracted to act as a dance floor, catwalk or stage. That's just one of the many stunning features conceived by WORKac and the home's owner, fashion designer Lela Rose.
Take a peek inside right this way

Fortis Property Group Will Build Condos and Medical Clinic on Site of LICH

June 16, 2014

Fortis Property Group Will Build Condos and Medical Clinic on Site of LICH

Perhaps the third time will be the charm — after multiple bids, the State University of New York may have found a buyer for its cash-strapped Long Island College Hospital. In the latest attempt to move redevelopment plans forward, Fortis Property Group has jumped in with a new deal: It'll pay $240 million to transform the Cobble Hill facility into market-rate condos and a clinic.
Details on the deal straight ahead

New Developments

Wood-clad Windsor Terrace House Mixes a Modern Layout with Rustic Elements

June 16, 2014

Wood-clad Windsor Terrace House Mixes a Modern Layout with Rustic Elements

Row after row of wood-framed houses fill the quaint, tree-lined streets of Brooklyn's Windsor Park neighborhood. Many are decades old and like this cozy home on Reeve Place, require a bit of a face-lift after many years of wear and tear. In 2013, the owners enlisted the architects at Brooklyn's Barker Freeman Design Office to give the semi-detached house a makeover, complete with a brand new wood-paneled exterior.
See how they mix the old with the new straight ahead

GLUCK+’s Showstopping Facade on This Midtown Townhouse Hides a Space-Efficient Home

June 13, 2014

GLUCK+’s Showstopping Facade on This Midtown Townhouse Hides a Space-Efficient Home

There's no doubt that the aluminium facade of this Midtown townhouse is a showstopper. Set between two traditional red brick homes on East 51st Street, the building's shiny, punctuated front is sure to get every passersby's attention. But it wasn't designed just to become talk of the town — it's also meant to give the owners some much-needed privacy.
The interiors are just as unique

Light Up Your Rooms with David MacMaster’s Blooming Beauties

June 13, 2014

Light Up Your Rooms with David MacMaster’s Blooming Beauties

Fans of floral centerpieces can now decorate their homes with blooms that won't wilt thanks to David MacMaster's flower-inspired pendant lights. They're part of the British designer's Bloom series, a line of elegant, wood-crafted lamps that will easily brighten up any room.
Details on the Bloom lights straight ahead

These Hamptons Houses by James Biber are Made for Both Summer and Winter Living

June 12, 2014

These Hamptons Houses by James Biber are Made for Both Summer and Winter Living

James Biber's portfolio features plenty of famous and easy-to-recognize works. In New York, the acclaimed architect has made his mark with designs like the Fashion Center kiosk and CUNY's Macaulay Honors College. Outside of the city, he's been on board projects that include the Harley-Davidson Museum and Arizona Cardinals Stadium. These big-name clients are the result of nearly 25 years in the industry, but often it's the smaller ones that leave the strongest impression. Case in point: Biber calls these three houses in Long Island "a seminal course in building."
Details on the three buildings here

June 12, 2014

The Beautiful Condos at Naftali Group’s Brand-New Gramercy Tower Have Hit the Market

Do you think too many of the new buildings coming up nowadays look like glassy, reflective eyesores? Then you'll be happy to set your eyes on this brand-new tower located at 234 East 23rd Street developed by the Naftali Group. With floor-to-ceiling casement windows, the facade is plenty modern, but the building is most striking because of its red brick nod to the Gramercy neighborhood it calls home. The units in the building just were just listed today, and you can get your first peek of the interiors right here.
Your first look inside the new building right this way

Distinctive Homes

A Modern Day Noah’s Ark by Architects Austin + Mergold Pops Up at Socrates Sculpture Park

June 11, 2014

A Modern Day Noah’s Ark by Architects Austin + Mergold Pops Up at Socrates Sculpture Park

An overturned ark has washed ashore Socrates Sculpture Park. But don't worry, Long Island City isn't the scene of a maritime accident — the upside-down barge is a brand new art installation designed by Philadelphia's Austin + Mergold. Dubbed the SuralArk, the hulking vessel — which spans 50-feet-wide and 18-feet-tall — is the 2014 winner of Folly, Socrates Sculpture Park's annual design competition co-sponsored with the Architectural League of New York. Austin + Mergold beat out 169 other entries from established designers and studios across the country to nab the top honors, giving their ark a summer-long stint at the park.
Get a close-up of the sculpture

Alicia Bastian’s Circular Nautilus Bookshelf Makes Reading Fun

June 11, 2014

Alicia Bastian’s Circular Nautilus Bookshelf Makes Reading Fun

Getting your kids to put down their smartphones and pick up a book will be a breeze with this brilliant storytime nook. Designed by Alice Bastian, the circle-shaped Nautilus is much more than just a shelf — it's a growing book-lover's reading sanctuary.
Check out more photos of the one-of-a-kind Nautilus

Popular Articles

LOT-EK’s Shipping Container Townhouse Brings a Modern Sustainable Edge to Greenwich Village

June 10, 2014

LOT-EK’s Shipping Container Townhouse Brings a Modern Sustainable Edge to Greenwich Village

At first glance, there's nothing particularly unique about the facade of this white brick townhouse, but take a second look and you'll see that there's more to the building than meets the eye. Upon closer inspection, you'll notice that the protruding bay windows aren't made from ordinary frames, but from sections of stainless steel truck bodies. The recycled windows are a signature of LOT-EK, the studio that owners Lawrence and Alice Weiner hired to re-do their Greenwich Village townhouse. Founded in 1993 by Columbia University grads Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Liganano, the New York and Naples-based firm has become known for its sustainable approach to construction and architecture, namely the use of upcycled steel containers.
More photos of the inside here

Oscar Nunez Injects Minimalist Whimsy Into Kids’ Furniture

June 10, 2014

Oscar Nunez Injects Minimalist Whimsy Into Kids’ Furniture

There are plenty of reasons for kids to fear monsters under the bed, but a whimsical collection of dressers may change their minds about the imaginary creatures. While most designers of children's furniture look to animal kingdom for inspiration, Oscar Nunez went in a far more playful route, creating a line of shelves modeled after monsters.
See the entire collection

Eva Solo’s Portable To Go Grill Makes Barbecuing in Small Spaces a Breeze

June 9, 2014

Eva Solo’s Portable To Go Grill Makes Barbecuing in Small Spaces a Breeze

Grilling is one of summer's greatest pleasures, but not all New Yorkers have room for a hulking barbecue behemoth. Eva Solo's compact To Go Grill solves that problem — measuring 15-inches tall by 13-inches wide, it's the perfect size for charcoal cooking in small outdoor spaces and to take on the road.
More on the grill right this way

A Retro NY Home Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Hits the Market for $795K

June 6, 2014

A Retro NY Home Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Hits the Market for $795K

Frank Lloyd Wright has put his stamp on some of the world's most famous and recognizable structures, including New York City's own Guggenheim Museum. But did you know the prolific architect was also the forefather of a revolutionary style of residential housing that informed the airy, open floor plans seen in many modern homes today? Wright's Prairie style took hold in the Midwest during the early 20th-century and quickly spread across the country, profoundly influencing the built landscape we know today. If you've ever wanted to live in an iconic Wright home, this could be your chance: One of the few prefab Prairie homes designed by the architect has hit the market, and it's just a quick half-hour drive from Manhattan.
Take a tour of the retro, mid-century property

Jonathan Adler’s Chic Shelter Island House is Up for Rent This Summer

June 6, 2014

Jonathan Adler’s Chic Shelter Island House is Up for Rent This Summer

What happens when two of New York City's most creative minds — interior designer Jonathan Adler and fashion guru Simon Doonan — deck out a summer home? You get a colorful Shelter Island beach house that screams seaside chic. The couple's busy schedules take them all around the world, which is good news for New Yorkers still looking for a Hamptons rental — the playful pad is available for the month of July. Situated in a secluded area on Crab Creek, the airy 1,300-square-foot beach house is far more stylish than your average summer rental and probably a lot pricier, too — it's currently listed for $11,000 a month.
Peek inside the vibrant Hamptons home

Brighten Up Your Floors With AVO’s Bold Graphic Rugs

June 5, 2014

Brighten Up Your Floors With AVO’s Bold Graphic Rugs

It's not often a rug becomes the star of a room, but when it's as stunning and unique as the graphic mats from AVO, we guarantee it'll quickly become a a topic of conversation. The gorgeous leather rugs are hand-painted by Brit Kleinman, a Rhode Island School of Design grad now working out of Brooklyn. Kleinman — once a handbag designer at Jack Spade — is founder of The Way We Carry, a website that looks at how we transport our everyday things, and her travels from around the world are also reflected in the designs of her Painted Plains collection.
Take a look at the entire collection

Gorgeous Gramercy Park Townhouse Fuses History with Modern Design

June 5, 2014

Gorgeous Gramercy Park Townhouse Fuses History with Modern Design

Turning a grand three-loft townhouse into a functional two-family home was no easy task for the architects at Fractal Construction. Built in 1848 and owned by the Isaly family, the Gramercy building was steeped in history and the many problems that come with old age. Not only did Fractal's Ulises Liceaga have to re-design the former triplex into two dwellings, he also had to replace the basics, like the electrical and plumbing systems. Liceaga added an entire new floor to make sure each family had enough space and gave each apartment open floor plans that connected the living room, kitchen and dining room.
Check out more photos of the transformation here

An 80-Foot Slide Winds Through This Whimsical FiDi Penthouse

June 4, 2014

An 80-Foot Slide Winds Through This Whimsical FiDi Penthouse

One of New York’s oldest landmarks is home to the city’s coolest apartment. Completed in 1896, 150 Nassau Street was originally designed as the headquarters for the American Tract Society. The religious printing house moved out of the beautiful Beaux Art skyscraper in 1914 and like a lot of historic New York City buildings, it has since been transformed into luxury condos. As with all penthouses, the top floor of the 23-story structure — appropriately dubbed the SkyHouse — boasts stunning views of the Big Apple’s most beloved landmarks, including the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. What sets the four-story home apart, however, is its distinct layout and one-of-a-kind accents, courtesy of architect David Hotson and interior designer Ghislaine Viñas.
Take a tour of the cool FiDi penthouse

Distinctive Homes

June 4, 2014

Join Us on a Tour of Battery Park City’s Brand New Mega Food Hall Hudson Eats

If you haven't been downtown recently, you might want to make the trek. Hudson Eats — the just-opened food hall at 200 Vesey Street — is turning a once sleepy corner of Battery Park City into a culinary destination. Located on the second floor of Brookfield Place (formerly World Financial Center), the gleaming, white-tiled emporium is one of many new additions helping to revitalize Lower Manhattan. Along with the trendy restaurants that now call the neighborhood home — like Danny Meyer's North End Grill and Stephen Starr's new El Vez — there's also the recent debut of the 9/11 Memorial Museum and eventual moves from media powerhouses Condé Nast and Time Inc.
See more pictures of the stunning food court

Lighting Designer David D’Imperio Captures Mother Nature in His Hanging Lamps

June 3, 2014

Lighting Designer David D’Imperio Captures Mother Nature in His Hanging Lamps

A lighting artist who typically helps spruce up the homes we live in is looking to Mother Nature for inspiration. From his studio in rural Pennsylvania, award-winning designer David D'Imperio creates one-of-a-kind fixtures that pull from natural structures. Among the wild objects you may spot in his works? Moth wings, orchids and bluebirds.
There's a light for every style

Mix and Match These Stylish New Chairs from Portuguese Furniture Studio TWO.SIX

June 2, 2014

Mix and Match These Stylish New Chairs from Portuguese Furniture Studio TWO.SIX

Portuguese furniture studio TWO.SIX is giving the phrase 'Pull up a chair' a colorful new meaning. Known for curating pieces that are both fun and functional, the brand's latest find is the vibrant Bi Silla chair crafted by Silvia Cenal.
Check out the entire collection of colorful seats

Take a Peek Inside Resolution: 4 Architecture’s Stunning Loft High Above Union Square

May 30, 2014

Take a Peek Inside Resolution: 4 Architecture’s Stunning Loft High Above Union Square

Closet space isn’t easy to come by in New York City, so when the owners of this stunning Union Square loft remodeled their apartment a few years back, storage was on the top of their to-do list. With help from Robert Luntz and Joseph Tanney of Resolution: 4 Architecture, the family transformed their newly-expanded apartment into a sleek, modern home with plenty of cabinets and shelves.
See more of the impressive, storage-friendly apartment

Distinctive Homes

Spruce Up Your Desk with Plant-in City’s Modern MINI Terrarium

May 29, 2014

Spruce Up Your Desk with Plant-in City’s Modern MINI Terrarium

Is your cubicle looking a bit dull these days? Quickly transform your desk from boring to zen with a stackable MINI terrarium designed by Plant-in City, a group that's looking to bring the botanical structures into the 21st century.
Click to see more pictures of the beautiful terrariums

New Yorker Spotlight: Minton’s Chef Alexander Smalls Breathes New Life into Legendary Harlem Jazz Club

May 28, 2014

New Yorker Spotlight: Minton’s Chef Alexander Smalls Breathes New Life into Legendary Harlem Jazz Club

It was dinner party cocktail chatter that led long-time pals chef Alexander Smalls and former Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons to launch a set of Harlem restaurants. Last fall, five years after that initial talk, the duo re-opened Minton’s, bringing the legendary jazz club back to its former glory, complete with Sunday jazz suppers. Around the same time, they also launched a brand new restaurant down the block called the Cecil, which boasts a cross-cultural menu inspired by Africa’s wide-spreading culinary influence. We sat down with Smalls, an opera-singer-turned chef and longtime Harlem resident, to get his thoughts on the changing neighborhood and what business owners can do to give back.
Read our interview with the culinary legend

Danish Designers BIG and KILO Create Tableware Outlined with City Skylines

May 27, 2014

Danish Designers BIG and KILO Create Tableware Outlined with City Skylines

Two Danish design powerhouses have teamed up to bring a unique city view into your dining room. Copenhagen's BIG architecture studio and industrial design group KILO recently launched a beautiful new tableware set trimmed with 12 different skylines, including ones of New York, Berlin and Paris!
Check out the full collection here

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