Classic Cottage
| East Hampton, NY
A traditional East Hampton cottage is given new life through expressive color, natural materials and a mix of tailored furnishings and vintage finds—preserving its sense of familiarity while making it distinctly personal.
Tradition, Color and the Character of Things Found
Tucked into the woodlands of Settlers Landing, the house called for an approach that embraced its cottage character rather than erasing it. The renovation introduced greater clarity and comfort while retaining the warmth, scale and informality that made the home appealing in the first place.
Outside, cedar, stone, sage-toned trim and bronze fixtures reinforce the architecture's traditional roots, punctuated by a vivid red front door. Inside, wainscoting, painted beams and a layered palette bring definition to the rooms, while careful space planning makes the modest footprint feel purposeful and generous.
Material choices remain rooted in the familiar—Carrara marble, stone mosaics, subway tile, linen and reclaimed wood—but color gives the house its personality. Muted grays, earthy browns, greens, blues and terracotta move from room to room, creating variety within a cohesive whole.
The furnishings were approached as a collection rather than a matching set. New pieces sit alongside antiques and estate-sale discoveries, including a 19th-century workbench repurposed as a bar and a vintage pine dining table paired with a former ferry bench. The result feels assembled over time: comfortable, spirited and specific to the house.
Outdoors, layered landscaping, lawn and a generous mahogany deck extend that sense of relaxed hospitality into summer. It is a cottage designed for gathering—polished where it needs to be, but never at the expense of charm.