Name: Steve Schappacher & Rhea White of SchappacherWhite
Location: Shelter Island, New York
We bought this 1904 fisherman's cottage 5 years ago. Originally planning to use the home as a weekend retreat from NYC, we now spend most of our time in the 1,100 square foot house, a block from Cockles Harbor. Originally, we were looking for something more modern but found this and had to make an offer — we're modernists and have completed several landmark modern historic preservation projects. This is what we did to transform the house and grounds that had been neglected for many years…
We like to entertain, have guests out all year round, and I love to cook. So, we wanted to have a place we could enjoy with family and friends. The entire ¾ acre site was rethought, so that the property could be used in different ways and in different seasons.
The interior had many misdirected renovations over the years — doors built into the floor that could not open, tiled ceilings, and the house was sinking on rotting wood posts. The yard was unusable condition. There was only one bathroom upstairs and two bedrooms, but we did not want to change the appearance and do a large add on, or alter the shape.
Connections were made to the exterior with new French doors off the dining room, a freestanding pergola was added along with a 17' freestanding reclaimed brick fireplace constructed at the end of the pergola. This created an expanded living room/dining room area at the exterior, but also helped to balance the house on the site. The bricks were recycled from a former factory in NYC, so we brought part of the City out with us. We even make fires at the exterior fireplace in the winter, since we can see it from the dining area and if not too cold we sit by the fire after dinner.
A custom pool with long cocktail steps was added with an open area for laps. The garage/tool shed was converted into a pool house which added an additional 300 square feet.
The first floor of the house was gutted, new footings to stop the house from sinking, new custom designed cabinetry, new wide plank floors, and a new bathroom added. The new 1st floor bathroom has a door to the exterior for easy access from the pool.
We lightened up the house with whites, off whites and sand colors. Then used black and naturally textured wood as contrast. There are modern pieces, antiques, and found/altered objects. It was all completed with cost in mind, resourced inexpensive materials and furnishings.
The new bathroom has a steel framed glass partition, that was inspired by our former NYC loft windows.
After 5 years we are still making changes and coming up with new projects to work on to make it more enjoyable for our friends and family.
Thanks Steve & Rhea!
Images: Laura Moss
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http://schappacherwhite.com/portfolio/residential/shelter-island/
Amazing... Love the entire aesthetic.
One quick question, where is are your door handles (specifically the bathroom) from? Those are the exact ones I want for my own home.
Thxs
view Noordam's profile
Gorgeous. I don't blame you for wanting to live there all year. Heck, I want to live there all year!
view creative license's profile
would love to see the befores on this.
photo 3 is very cool, not sure if it is an optional guest bed that can be opened up, but what a great idea
view ec05's profile
Looks so cozy! I love the kitchen design (is that a blackboard wall?) and the living room.
view KitchensPro's profile
this was in one of the last issues of Cottage Living
view matchjames's profile
Looks very nice. Love the black and white theme throughout. The old, dark wood is especially beautiful (and that rocking chair!)
What is the flooring for the outdoor living/dining room made of? Poured concrete? I'm looking for some inexpensive options to create a similar-styled outdoor "room" in my backyard.
view Indil's profile
Lovely. That's how you do east coast beach decor. (No seashells, sailboats or anchors - yay!)
view cleveburg's profile
Beautiful!
view ladymantle's profile
The kitchen and outdoor space are amazing.
view alllebasii's profile
What a relaxing and beautiful house. This is the right way to make an old house 'modern' yet comfortable.
view architectdesign's profile
gorgeous! I love the outdoor space. What a great place to have friends over.
view judyhrob's profile
OMG, I love this place! I agree, I'd want to stay here full time.
So will you give us a hint as to what this renovation cost? I wish there were before photos. The before/after difference, I'm sure, is almost unbelievable.
Also, this must have been a dream job for two people in your line of work.
view niabassett's profile
While this is not "my style" specifically - I think it is beautifully realized and the landscape is stupendous. I'm surprised this didn't warrant a full house tour.
view kristinm100's profile
I really like this place. While I'm getting a little bored with the general use of a strict black and white color palette, I think the eclecticism of the overall design makes up for it.
view unabridged's profile
I LOVE the TV thing they have going on. Sometimes, I don't want to look at the TV and all the cords and boxes. I want it to just...go away.
I love the Black/White color scheme here, too. It's easy on the eyes and not too matchy.
view triedthistwice's profile
I love the arcade-like pergola; it's an inspired creation that almost forces your outdoor entertaining to be stylish.
I'm not as impressed by the pumpkins strewn randomly around the floor. We can probably blame the magazine's stylist for that, no?
view Blandwagon's profile
You guys did a really nice job. It is good to see old buildings (with much character) being saved from raising to the ground. I'm sure your neighbors are really pleased too! Thanks for sharing.
view EAM's profile
Wow, you did black and white RIGHT!
view oliveoil's profile
Gorgeous! Love the TV under the stairs -- great use of space.
view heather77's profile
This is absolutely stunning. I'm usually a big fan of color, but the use of black and white here is just perfect. I love the window seat and can imagine reading and lazing the day away in there. Your pool is gorgeous, and I'm sure you have many-a-grand parties at your home. Beautiful.
view Adriennella's profile
matchjames, thanks -- I figured these had to be taken for a magazine spread.
The house is very pretty, and I'm so glad it found owners who restored it. I especially like the daybed under the window. I do wish there was some color, though the black and white is done well. Also love the iron twin beds.
view livc's profile
Hate to say it, but I am not a fan of this.
For me, and that's just my opinion, the black and white takes over the natural beauty of the building, i.e the design becomes the master when it should always be the servant.
view andreasduess's profile
I love how the b&w acts as a neutral; whatever color they put in wouldn’t make a difference. I would be in heaven waking up in this house
view pepper.p's profile
To me, this house is absolute perfection. I can't believe it didn't get a house tour! I would love to see the master bed and lots more pictures, please!
view aeg85's profile
It's COECLES HARBOR. jeeez. are you the kind of new yorkers who lock their cars when they pull up to the post office in the heights...? i miss the old shelter island of shabby couches and wood panelled living rooms...
view kingtiny's profile
LOVE IT!! BRAVO it looks inviting, well put together, comfortable and detailed oriented like the perfect place to have friends over and enjoy life....
view max10010's profile
i just drooled all over my keyboard
view jettsam's profile
Love the balance of modern and country. I wish I could figure out the best way to have this balance! Love this place.
view zigzag's profile
I absolutely love the first 5 and the last 3 pictures. I especially love the TV solution, and the blackboard wall.
Picture 6 is the only one with any design problems, in my opinion. Too many big, graphic stripes...
view lovesTwitchCity's profile