Shelter Island Home — Natura Interiors

*Photo by* *Lucy Schaeffer; Styling by* *Ed Gallagher*

The Story

Our clients, a delightful, busy couple with two young children, came to us looking to transform their entire first floor into a more elegant, yet family-friendly space.

With a house full of life and warmth — kids playing, grandparents visiting, weekends by the pool watching sports, and the occasional dog running around — the design choices had to be durable & practical. However, our clients wanted to add a layer of luxury to their space, and to have a home that would evolve with their family’s changing needs over time.

Inspired by Shelter Island’s natural woodsy shoreline, we chose a coastal palette of blues, whites and greens, with warm textures, walnut finishes and touches of brass. Our goal was to elevate our client’s home into a stylish, functional, vibrant and livable retreat.

*After Photo by* *Lucy Schaeffer; Styling by* *Ed Gallagher*

The Design Process

The scope of services included full-service furnishing and renovation, including a custom-built fireplace, kitchen nook & banquette, and a kitchen island large enough for the whole family to gather around.

During the design process, we worked closely with our clients to understand how they actually use their space — everything from where they place their laptop when working from home, to how much do they love to cook & entertain, to how do they spend time together at the end of the day. Having clarity on these real life questions gave us a roadmap for our design solutions & ideas.

We provided drawings, mood boards, renderings and physical samples to help my clients visualize the overall concept. We selected furnishings and finishes that feel luxurious, yet are easy to maintain, such as quartz countertops, performance velvet upholstery and indoor/outdoor rugs.

Our intention was to create a cohesive, coastal, welcoming feel throughout the entire home, while giving each space its distinct function & unique character.

The Construction Process

Keeping things on track is essential in a renovation project. In this case, things moved so smoothly I could make a happy dance just thinking about it! From demolition to completion, my team and I worked diligently to make sure we provided everything our client’s expected, and more.

One of my favorite parts of the construction process was to watch the transformation of the fireplace! We got rid of the heavy round stones and dated mantel, and created a clean-lined, yet classically inspired fireplace surround with a reclaimed wood mantel & bluestone hearth.

We chose to refinish the existing kitchen cabinets, as opposed to installing new ones, in a white & navy blue scheme, with satin brass hardware. The 8ft long kitchen island by Babylon Cabinet Co. turned out terrific, with plenty of storage and counter space.

Electric upgrades included modern, efficient and well-balanced lighting throughout the space, and a fun bubble chandelier at the kitchen nook. Speaking of kitchen nook, my carpenter outdid himself with the built-in banquette, with nifty hidden storage under the seat, and we installed aqua grasscloth wallpaper to make this space extra cozy and special.

The Newly Transformed Home

When it comes to what makes a home feel truly cozy and special, it’s all about the details. In this case, layers of contrasting materials — warm wood, natural textures, soft fabrics, cool metals — all within a palette of blues, greens, whites and pops of orange & gold. The effect is stylish, refined, yet livable and welcoming.

On the day of the final install we had everything ready so when my clients and their family arrived the music was playing, candles were lit and fresh cut flowers were on the table. The final reveal was so much fun and moving, I am thrilled we could make this happen for them!

I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of our Shelter Island project, with my team’s hard work, with the ability to resolve issues quickly & without fuss, and most of all, with my amazing clients. They were simply a dream to work with, and I am so grateful for their trust.