Playhouse
If homes are expressions of their inhabitants, this Shelter Island house speaks of family values above all else. For many years the home base for the large family of New York’s Governor Hugh Carey, the property is now on the market for $2,950,000.
Architecture: Once a small old house, it grew and grew—to almost 9,000 square feet. The growth was organic, oriented to function rather than aesthetics, and the result is very successful: simple, pleasing, welcoming—large but not intimidating, totally immune to pretension.
Site: 1.3 acres with 200 feet of waterfront, sandy beach, substantial dock, swimming pool and hot tub.
The inside word: You’ll never get bored here. This is a playhouse—and we mean good, old-fashioned, wholesome sorts of play like swimming, boating and lawn games outdoors. In the house you’ll find a computer room, media room, music room, game room, a big family kitchen, a bar (we like that), as well as lots of bedrooms, baths and a nursery.
Sports Grounds
Isn’t this what we go to resorts for? Any activity any time you want it? And plenty of places to chill out when you crave relaxation. If you secretly pine for your childhood days at summer camp or you have an adult addiction to luxury spas, you could be on cloud nine in this place.
Architecture: Rambling traditional house with some nice inside detailing. The contrast of rather formal interior spaces with myriad outdoor amenities surprises in a satisfying way. It adds up to a first-rate composition of elements.
Site: This is a complete athletic complex: indoors, a professionally equipped gym with spa and steam room; outside, a 20 by 50 foot pool, tennis court, full court basketball, six stall horse barn with tack room and riding ring and fenced paddocks. You either have to hate sports or think hard to come up with reasons to ever leave here.
The inside word: Developed to estate standards, this nine-acre property is in a convenient but not highly prestigious location north of the highway in East Hampton. To be determined is whether the many indulgences offered the buyer will justify a price of $6,375,000, which would set a sales record for this particular locale.
History Lessons
It goes without saying that historic houses have authenticity and dignity and tradition. But they also have problems: unlike new homes, which are tailored to today’s lifestyles, historic houses require the inhabitants to conform to their way of living. Sensitive restorations and renovations often bridge this gap and give us the best of several centuries.
Architecture: Among the earliest houses built in colonial East Hampton, on one of the original “homelots” granted to the settlers, the early portions of this house date to 1656.
Site: On a landscaped acre, overlooking Town Pond and the South End burial ground, this is deep in the historic heart of the village. These early houses were naturally built along the earliest roads, which have now grown into some our busiest.
The inside word: The restoration of this house was done with care and skill and devotion. The mechanical systems (including air conditioning) and up-to-date kitchen mesh well with such details as original beams and floors and window glass. Ancient trees and vines similarly enhance the pool. Offered at $2,495,000.
Plain English
Variations on English country themes are very much with us these days. As with any style that becomes popular and gets into the hands of spec builders, we are now seeing some capable practitioners and some less-than-expert adherents. We recently examined an attractive reworking of this theme in Sagaponack.
Architecture: A fairly typical Hamptons interpretation of rural English forms and shapes. The architect was careful here: proportions are pleasing, roof pitches are proper, and each section of the house relates well to the other parts.
Site: Two acres on Sagg Pond with views over wetlands and pond to the ocean. Sand Dune Court, where it is located, was developed primarily in the 1970s and 80s with modern houses, so the contrasts with new traditional homes can be a bit harsh.
The inside word: More than anything else, the large covered porches and excellent views define this house. With six bedrooms and baths, three fireplaces and well thought-out details, it provides plenty of comfort—but we bet the buyer will be drawn to the porches and vistas. On the market for $4,950,000.