Interior Decorating, Home Design, Room Ideas

I'm sure you like looking at before and after photographs. This 1980's house in Bridgehampton, New York, used to be dark and barn-like and was transformed into a light filled summer house. For this, owners Nina Richter and her husband, Greg, appointed architect Stuart Disston and interior designer Ken Gemes.




The front before the renovation.


To give the house the profile Nina wanted, architect Stuart Disston reshaped the structure by extending rooflines to create two gambrels.


The foyer before the renovation.


After. An antique mahogany table, teak stools, and a thick sisal rug from in the large open foyer. Stairs were widened and flared at the base, and walls were paneled and painted Benjamin Moore Linen Sand.


The living room before the renovation.


After. The stone fireplace surround was replaced with wood panels and trim for a refined style. A room overlooking the living area was enclosed and a walkway to a second-level balcony was added above the fireplace.


French doors with transoms open the living room to a back porch.


Nina Richter and daughters Gretchen, 14, and Sabina, 11, with dogs Otto and Olive, sit on the porch off the living room.


An old harvest table in the dining area is surrounded by teak-and-cane chairs


The kitchen before the renovation.


After. A boxed beam ceiling with beadboard insets and simple cabinets with chrome hardware give the kitchen a vintage feel. A Roman shade in adds a pop of warm color. Caned-back bar stools around the island.


An attached garage was reconfigured, making space for an TV/sitting room.


A guest room was created when an open space overlooking the living area was enclosed. Designer Ken Gemes chose a sea-foam palette, including draperies made with a hand-blocked fabric.



A chair and ottoman (by the bed) are covered in an aqua linen trimmed with ivory piping.


The rear of the house before the renovation.


The back exterior was balanced with the addition of a second chimney, matching an existing one. The new chimney serves both a fireplace in the sunroom and a grill on the porch. A covered back porch, sunroom addition, and new balcony above the porch open the interiors to the yard.

Photography Tria Giovan
All images and information from Traditional Home.