A Dreamy Coastal Cottage with the Best Bathrooms
Nestled on Fishers Island at the eastern tip of Long Island, today’s home, dubbed the Sound Cottage, is a beautiful blend of coastal tradition and modern comfort. Designed by Jacob Albert of Albert Righter Tittmann Architects, the 2,500-square-foot, single-story coastal cottage reimagines the classic island bungalow with an eye toward contemporary living.
The cottage replaces an older “upside-down” house, where living spaces were on the upper floor to capture ocean views. To maintain those vistas while enhancing the connection to the land, the team raised the site’s elevation, allowing the new home to sit at nearly the same height as the former second floor. This clever grading creates a seamless transition from the living room to a covered porch, then to a deck, and finally to a grassy plateau that gently descends to the original ground level.
While the home’s symmetrical layout imparts a sense of formality, its materials and detailing—such as painted beadboard wainscoting and built-in bookshelves—lend a relaxed, informal charm.
Architecturally, the house draws inspiration from the island’s vernacular, featuring decorative rafters and a post-and-beam porch reminiscent of early 20th-century summer homes. The main living area, with its ceiling following the roof slope to a central ridge, is flooded with natural light from dormer windows, ensuring brightness despite the full-width porch.
Interior designer Dorsey Miller infused the spaces with a light and summery palette, guided by a seaside painting by Frederick Judd Waugh.
Periwinkle blues and crisp whites dominate, creating a breezy, coastal atmosphere. The kitchen features Carrara marble counter tops with nautical inspired bar stools.
Photo by Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.
I particularly like the whimsical bathrooms in this coastal cottage. Playful wallpaper and white trim and wainscoting create a light and airy space.
The pretty wallpaper in the master bathroom is the Bangalore Paisley pattern by Quadrille. Quadrille offers a wide range of beautiful wallpaper patterns! The floral light in periwinkle blue adds the finishing touch.
And the mirror! It lends elegance to the coastal vibe of the home.
Sound Cottage stands as a testament to thoughtful design that honors the past while embracing the needs of modern living. Its harmonious integration of architecture, interior design, and landscape creates a serene retreat that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Photo by Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects, Inc.
See more photos of today’s coastal cottage by Albert Righter Tittmann Architects.
Very pretty home. Like the colorful chairs along with the white sofas in the living room. I also like the sink where it looks out the window and not in the island. The bathrooms are so crisp and fresh looking – wonderful.