My husband, Dan, and I love driving around to get home inspiration. Taking roads we don’t normally, slowing down to check out different plantings and the ways people add texture and color into their landscapes with trees, bushes, grasses, flowers, pots, stone, sculpture, sheltering elements, spaces for play, furniture, structural additions — and then coming home to take all these great ideas to see if and how we might apply them to our own surroundings.
The house we own on Shelter Island had two owners before us — one who seemed to put some good thought into plantings, and one who I suspect didn’t spend a lot of time outside. Which means you have to constantly decide: Do we like this? Do we rip it up? Do we keep it and plant around it? How can we rethink these spaces and create more spots for us to enjoy the outdoor area we have (because we really, really do like being outside!). So when I was putting together this Spring Home issue of Southforker — our first for 2026 — I found myself indulging in a little of that horticultural voyeurism with the subjects of our stories. And boy, did I get some great inspiration.
When I interviewed Elizabeth Bakhash and Randall Stone, owners of the year-old hotel Three Ducks in Westhampton Beach, I was super fascinated by the similar issues they faced in refreshing the old lodging and grounds that we did at our home: How to create these wonderful outdoor moments that feel private and contained, yet take full advantage of the East End’s beauty? What do you keep and what do you get rid of? They knew that re-working the existing structures and adding landscaping that accentuates the acre-and-a-half property was their primary goal, and I think they did a pretty amazing job. Check out the story on p. 60 to see the native plantings, private gardens and beautiful natural touches that make Three Ducks a truly special spot to hang your hat, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
When photographer and writer Doug Young pitched the idea of the ultimate in (and, likely, originator of) potscaping, Kathleen Marder, I knew it would be a big treat to get some intel on how she thinks outside the planter. (And truly, it’s the story that made me most excited for spring.) Check out the Marder magic on p. 36.
I also really enjoyed Lana Bortolot’s story on interior designer Jennifer Morris (p. 68), as well as getting to talk with the latter for our new 5 Questions column (p. 22). There’s something really organic and kind in the way Morris goes about bringing her clients to a happy, comfortable place when reimagining the comfort of their own home, like the beautiful abode she re-envisioned in Noyac (p. 68).
And may I also wish a hearty Happy 25th Anniversary to the wonderful Almond? Talk about making people feel at home — lifelong friends Eric Lemonides and Jason Weiner have done the rare thing in 21st century hospitality: They haven’t just survived, they’ve thrived. Staff writer Emily Toy wrote a truly terrific story on this silver mark in Almond’s history (in a way I don’t think anyone else really could have — she worked there!) and I know you’re going to enjoy reading this one (p. 48).
Come with us to get drinks at Sag Pizza (p. 30), some excellent Italian eats at Alimentari Beach (p. 26), bespoke sundries at Sagaponack General Store (p. 24) — and hey, we have a new magazine feature this year: our top 10 list of what to do right now, this month and next! No need to Google; we’ve got it all right here (p. 20).
Stop and smell the flowers, friends — they’re blooming!
Amy Zavatto
Editor-in-chief
