A Beach Cottage Renovation

We are happy to share with you some photos of our on-going beach cottage renovation!  Like many older homes, this house had its challenges but its breathtaking waterviews and private beach community are what drew the homeowner to this diamond in the rough.  And speaking of diamonds, half-way through the project, our client got engaged!  

The homeowner was out of college just 2 years when he purchased the home and therefore had a limited budget. He knew he wanted a comfortable, beach-style home that could be easily maintained with his busy schedule.  We started by knocking down a lot of walls, making an open floor plan that sweeps your eyes to the stunning waterviews of the Long Island Sound outside.

Have a look at some of the vintage finds we've incorporated into the design of this charming beach cottage on the North Shore of Long Island...  

We found these vintage wingback recliners in a consignment shop then reupholstered them in a sturdy navy blue stripe canvas.  They're comfortable & classy.

The fireplace facade was re-covered in river rocks and is flanked by a found oar which was painted with the number “12”,  the homeowner’s college baseball number.  

The wall’s were painted Benjamin Moore Montgomery White  which is very restful on the eyes.  We managed to save the heavily scuffed wood floors and stained them a rich dark chocolate color which contrasts nicely with the white/neutral tones throughout.

A Harbor Homestead custom-made round driftwood mirror was placed to reflect the water so that everyone seated in the dining room has a water view.

The dining room table is a Craigslist find.  Its worn, distressed patina is just what this young couple was looking for at a fraction of the cost. The industrial style galvanized metal pendant light is from Barn Light Electric evoking the look of old dock lighting.

Glass shelves float like water atop two vintage concrete corbels from an old New York brownstone.

There’s “Elton The Fish” whose tank is framed by a vintage ship's porthole sunk into a wall in the living room.

Here is a peek at the kitchen, a work-in-progress.  We are using Benjamin Moore Nantucket Fog on the walls with crisp white planked ceiling and bleached wood kitchen cabinets.  Hopefully the countertops will be here soon!

We will be posting more of the design as we near its completion in the weeks ahead including before and after photos.  The next phase is the completion of the entryway, mudroom and laundry room.  Maybe even a special wedding surprise for Ryan & Brenda from Harbor Homestead & Co. too :)

Last Day of Summer

On the last day of summer, I took a quick boat ride across Huntington Harbor to photograph a place called Puppy's Cove.  

 Blue

Escorts

This little trip had been on my  List of Things I Would Like To Do This Summer.  The late summer sun high in the afternoon sky provided great lighting to an already beautiful display of nature: lots of birdlife, fish & flowers everywhere.

Bee's & Goldenrod

Flower/weed...not sure of its name

White Egrets

Everything is still lush green but the yellow tips of the sea grasses are always a sure sign that Fall is in the air.  

What I really want to photograph is the Lefferts-Van Wyck Tidal Mill which is situated at the end of the cove on a narrow strip of land that separates Huntington Harbor from the tidal pond beyond it.  

I've admired its old, weathered grey walls from the boat many times and always wanted to hop off and get a closer look, today was my day.