THE SUPERB AND UNEXPECTED ON EVERY PAGE
STAY CONNECTED
SOCIAL REGISTER
THE ART OF THE
OUTDOOR ROOM
At Waverly House in NYC’s Greenwich Village, Lanserring
transforms a townhouse garden into a refined outdoor
kitchen and sanctuary where culinary ritual, craftsmanship,
and quiet retreat converge.
SAMANTHA GREENE
In Greenwich Village, where outdoor space is both rare and revered, The Garden at Waverly House reframes what a townhouse garden can be. Designed by Lanserring as a continuation of the home’s Entertainment Room, this outdoor sanctuary is not an afterthought but a fully resolved architectural space. It is a place for cooking as ritual, for gathering with intention, and for retreating into something quieter, all while remaining firmly rooted in the cadence of city life.
Lanserring approaches the garden as an interior without walls. Every material, junction, and proportion is treated with the same discipline one would expect indoors, yet chosen to respond to weather, time, and use. Framed by the historic fabric of Greenwich Village, the space balances refinement with a grounded sensibility. It is both a culinary stage and a contemplative landscape, designed to host long evenings with friends as easily as solitary mornings spent preparing coffee in the open air.
At the center of the composition is the outdoor kitchen, organized along two primary axes that establish clarity and flow. The sink run is anchored by a custom metal sink fabricated from marine grade bronze, a material more often associated with nautical environments. Here it is selected for its durability and its ability to develop a living patina over time. The run is flanked by an integrated pizza oven and clad in a combination of blackened stainless steel and brushed raw lava stone. The contrast between the cool restraint of metal and the textured depth of stone creates a tactile experience that rewards close interaction.
Opposite, the main island serves as both focal point and workhorse. Wrapped in natural bronze and topped in Cristallo quartzite, it is designed to age with grace, acquiring character through use rather than showing wear. A professional grade barbecue is seamlessly integrated, alongside dual retractable flaps fitted with discreet LED lighting.
These elements protect the surface while extending the kitchen’s usability well into the evening. Inside the island, generously proportioned drawers lined in oiled black walnut introduce warmth and echo Lanserring’s indoor craftsmanship. Bespoke chopping boards, each designated for specific ingredients, are concealed within. Bronze recessed niches at either end hold cooking tools, while the rear face transforms into a buffet style serving zone, making entertaining feel effortless rather than orchestrated.
At the far end of the garden, the bar island anchors the social life of the space. Its floating L shaped counter is finished in cracked glazed lava stone, a surface whose fractured texture subtly recalls broken eggshells. Below, vertical glazed lava stone tiles in warm tones are softly illuminated, creating an ambient glow that shifts from day to night. Fully equipped with a drinks fridge, ice maker, and glass washer, the bar ensures hospitality is seamless. A bespoke brass foot rail completes the composition, offering comfort without compromising elegance.
Closer to the entry, the drinks cabinet provides a quieter moment of transition. Clad in Breccia Pernice stone, it creates a visual and material dialogue with the interior Entertainment Room. This threshold piece invites guests to pause, pour a glass of water or lemonade, and settle into the rhythm of the garden. Inside, oiled black walnut joinery and laminated glass panels encase hand pressed rubber tree leaves, a botanical detail that captures light and introduces a gentle organic presence.
What distinguishes The Garden is not only its material richness, but its sense of purpose. Each zone is clearly defined yet fluid, allowing the space to shift between theatre and retreat. It is a garden designed to be used daily, not just admired, and one that grows more compelling with time as materials weather and patina deepens.
As Waverly House continues to unfold, The Garden stands as a quiet manifesto for outdoor luxury. It demonstrates how thoughtful design, rigorous craftsmanship, and natural materials can transform even the most constrained urban garden into a place of generosity and calm. Through projects like this, Lanserring reinforces its collaborative ethos, working closely with architects and interior designers to deliver bespoke kitchens, millwork, and joinery that extend seamlessly across thresholds. Here, the outdoors is not an escape from the home, but one of its most considered rooms.