House Magazine - Long Island's premier design architecture & lifestyle magazine

This Peconic Bay cottage shines again!

by Bryan Kappenberg
ELIZABETH GLASGOW/WWW.LIZGLASGOW.COM
Perimeters/RBS teams up with Gabrielsen Builders and Heritage Wide Plank Flooring to renovate this Eastern LI home.

Every once and a while you get to work on a project where you can feel the magic, where the relationship between homeowner, contractor, designer and material supplier clicks, resulting in a home that "feels good" and all involved are proud to have played a part. A space where each of the players has left their mark – a bit of material expression that will last for decades. The renovation of this Laurel property is one such project.

The project began with a Peconic Bay cottage that had not been renovated since the 1960s. Working with Gabrielsen Builders, a company now in its third generation, the homeowners were able to maintain the integrity of the home while including a tasteful addition to increase the overall living space. Gabrielsen Builders and their sub-contractors were often guilty of calling this project home.

Architectural details abound in this home, from the trim details on the covered front entry, to the many built-in cabinets housing small family treasures. In contrast to many of today's newly constructed homes with expansive open spaces, this home has a flow of intimate spaces and an abundance of built-ins that maximize the character.

Perimeters Designer Sandy Rementer assisted the homeowners in selecting Wood-Mode cabinetry for its quality finish which consisted of a fine brown glazing over white painted enamel. In addition to providing a platform for appliances and granite tops, the cabinetry also skirts an expanse of windows and creates bench seating for a large kitchen table.

Sliding barn doors to separate living spaces are the culmination of ideas between the contractor, homeowners and Chris Witt of Riverhead Building Supply. The custom doors were constructed in Riverhead Building Supply's new millwork shop and hung using concealed hardware. This unique detail adds to the home's cottage charm and frames the openings to the kitchen as well as the den.

Completing the interior spaces is random width oak flooring in five, seven and nine inch dimensions. The flooring was provided by Heritage Wide Plank Flooring and has a tung oil finish.

It is evident here that when all involved take pride in their craft and in the project at hand, good things are sure to happen!