The Knightly Family of New Canaan, CT, summers at this great oceanfront beach house in Harvey Cedars. Originally constructed in 2004 while the family was living in London, the home recently underwent a major renovation under the direction of the owners’ close friends NYC decorators and Beach Haven shop-owners Mark W. Eggleston and David Allieiri of Wyndecrest Home, who also decorated the Knightlys’ primary residence. In fact, the designers and homeowners are such good friends that when the designers’ island residence was damaged by Super Storm Sandy, the family graciously offered their home as a temporary resting spot. So when it came time to renovate, the designers already had a design scheme in mind.
The home was stripped bare while the floors were sanded and stained a light gray and all the walls were painted a crisp matte white with the trim painted in the same Benjamin Moore color, only in high-gloss. Natural fiber seagrass rugs were added throughout the home in a complementary silver hue. The sound system was revamped, including speakers hidden behind the drywall. A new glass stairwell enclosure was added.
The kitchen was completely gutted and triangular windows were added to reflect those on the opposite ocean-side wall. The kitchen island, made of wood reclaimed from a barn in Wisconsin, was repositioned to maximize water views as per the husband’s only request. This rustic element contrasts beautifully with the Michelangelo marble used both as counter and backsplash, and the Lucite counter stools, mirror-finish stainless hood, and polished nickel hardware. The gray pendant lights above the island are actually ceramic and have a gloss exterior and matte interior finish.
The dining-room table was a piece the homeowners found in London and was powder-coated by the designers in a high-gloss lacquer to match the home’s trim. The white linen pendant drum shade suspended by rope above the table was a custom design fabricated in South Carolina by a friend of the designers.
The living-room features upholstered furniture by eco-friendly Lee Industries and is slipcovered in washable outdoor fabric. The pieces are actually made for the outdoors, composed of teak frames, marine foam, aluminum bases and the aforementioned outdoor fabric. The homeowner found them so comfortable and beach-friendly that she opted to use them indoors. The 1950s vintage cocktail table was damaged by Sandy in the designer’s Beach Haven shop, so was given the same powder-coating as the dining table.
The master bed is dressed in Belgian linens from Libeco Home and is flanked by white lacquer Parsons tables topped with concrete lamps, allowing once again the finishes and textures to create depth and interest. Blue lacquer boxes and mercury-glass knobs also feature in this mix.
The boys’ bunk-room beds were custom-made for the space and are cantilevered out of the walls and stabilized by toggle bolts and the same ship’s rope used to suspend the diningroom chandelier. The beds feature linens by John Robshaw.
The guest room’s navy tufted bench is also from Lee Industries and the vintage prints were something the homeowners couldn’t part with from their UK digs.
Altogether, it’s a wonderful home, congruent with and reflective of its setting here on LBI.