Trial-and-Error Arcadia
New York magazine|May 06, 2024
Kitty Hawks and Larry Lederman's Chappaqua gardens have been a three-decade-long journey.
WENDY GOODMAN
Trial-and-Error Arcadia

In 1992, Larry Lederman, a lawyer in New York, and his wife, the interior designer Kitty Hawks, bought a small house in Chappaqua on four wooded acres overlooking a nine-acre former reservoir. “We were drawn to the enormous oak trees lining one side of the driveway,” Hawks says, “as well as two huge maple trees and a very old apple tree on the lawn.” They also loved that the property had lots of rock outcroppings. 

They nicknamed it the Hawks Nest. They hired David Piscuskas from 1100 Architects to expand the house upward to take better advantage of the views. After it was finished, Lederman asked Hawks to stand with him and tell him what she saw. “I see the house,” she said. He asked, “Where is the garden?” Hawks looked at him and started to laugh, answering, “I hate you,” knowing what they were in for.

This story is from the May 06, 2024 edition of New York magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 06, 2024 edition of New York magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW YORK MAGAZINEView All
Reality Check
New York magazine

Reality Check

Joseph O'Neill's realist novel embodies the best and worst of the genre.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
An Atlas Who Can't Carry
New York magazine

An Atlas Who Can't Carry

J.Lo's AI-friendly flick flattens its own world.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
Billie Doesn't Have to Do It All
New York magazine

Billie Doesn't Have to Do It All

The singer's gleefully disorienting third album doesn't hit every note it reaches for.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
A Hollywood Family's Grudges
New York magazine

A Hollywood Family's Grudges

In Griffin Dunne's memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club-about growing up the son of Dominick Dunne and the nephew of John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion-both acid and names are dropped.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
Quite the Tomato
New York magazine

Quite the Tomato

A summer appetizer from a seriously ambitious restaurant.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
This Cooking Can't Be Pinned Down
New York magazine

This Cooking Can't Be Pinned Down

Theodora's menu is all over the map. That's what makes it great.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
Answered Prayers
New York magazine

Answered Prayers

Brooklynites Cristiana Peña and Nick Porter had a dream to live in an old church upstate.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
INDUSTRY Goes for Broke
New York magazine

INDUSTRY Goes for Broke

With a new Sunday-night time slot and Game of Thrones's Kit Harington co-starring, can this buzzy GEN-Z FINANCE DRAMA finally break out?

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
THE SECRET SAUCE
New York magazine

THE SECRET SAUCE

As Marcus on THE BEAR, LIONEL BOYCE is the guy everyone wants to be around. He's having that effect on Hollywood too.

time-read
9 mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024
The Love Machine
New York magazine

The Love Machine

LOVE IS BLIND creator CHRIS COELEN drops a new group of singles into his strange experiment-and wrestles with all the lawsuits against the series.

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 03 - 15, 2024