A Chic Beach House on Fire Island
A Stylish Fixer-Upper on Fire Island
Far House, an A-frame on the western end of Fire Island was bought from the family that built it in 1945 from a Gimbel’s prefab kit. Working with an island contractor and keeping a careful tally to stay on budget, this couple turned it into the ultimate simple and clean seaside retreat. It’s only a train and ferry ride away from their East Side studio in New York. This couple has done a fabulous job creating a second home on a tight budget. BTW, it's 410 sq ft! Take a look....
A raised wooden walkway leads to the house, which is positioned in a lush, two-block-wide community of winding boardwalks with views of ocean on one side and bay on the other. The 32-mile-long island has no paved roads and is car-free other than official vehicles.
The owners painted the entire space in Benjamin Moore China White (matte finish on the walls, eggshell on the floor). The daybed is by Mc & Co., and the white linen pillow shams and sheets are from Matteo.
The kitchen’s three banks of shelves are built from Ikea $4 Ekby Valter birch brackets painted Benjamin Moore China White. The dishes are a collection of current and vintage Coupe Line pottery from Heath Ceramics. The utensil container is a Michele Quan Firefly Vase. The brass trivets and coasters and the pitcher (shown in the previous photo) are new designs from Sir/Madam, Aesthetic Movement’s tableware line.
I love this! Opposite the kitchen counter, the couple made use of narrow available space by introducing an Ikea hack—the $129 Rekarne pine console is painted Benjamin Moore China White and fitted with a honed Carrara marble top.
Thank you to the owners Lori Scacco & Ann StephensonPhotos: Kate Sears