A designer’s renovated cottage is a love letter to its history.
One look at this teacup Bellport, Long Island, gem gives you an immediate sense of the level of sensibility in its design. From the tailored exterior to rustic cobblestone floors to a color palette that rings more earthy than coastal, designer Michael Tomei’s cottage is a standout beauty. Having served as a caretaker’s home during the 19th century, a standalone house in the 1920s and the residence of a famous photographer throughout the ’70s, the property was derelict when Tomei and his husband purchased it. His goal became clear: to give it new life and celebrate its small square footage with panache and style, all the while paying homage to its unique past.
Tomei’s first step? Detective work to find descendants of the cottage’s owners of old. Using the trove of heirloom family pictures they provided, he then pieced together what design elements the home could have possessed prior to its ’70s renovation. “The current design, the masculine palette and antique furnishings all echo the period of these images,” notes the designer. “I imagined the original caretaker, a captain who fished and rode horses, and how he would live today—but with high art sprinkled in to elevate everything.”
The house, which is laid out “upside-down,” with living spaces upstairs and bedrooms at floor level, is chock-full of antiques and great art. “It was really important to not only include artists we know from all over, but also local artisans,” shares Tomei. Unique finds, from ceramics by German artist Roger Herman to Quaker portraits discovered inside the walls during the renovation, infuse every space with personality.
In addition to steering clear from expected hues (“We have sea views as a backdrop,” notes Tomei. “We didn't need to bring blues in.”), this marriage of moody design and surprises, like a sail flag serving as drapery in the great room, makes the cottage a timeless residence rather than just a seasonal spot. “It’s a very four-season house,” says Tomei. “That’s what’s so beautiful about Bellport—it shines in the fall and winter, at its most serene time.” The designer takes pride, with good reason, in writing the next chapter in his home’s history. “We saved this little cottage—and we’re continuing its legacy.”
