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House Beautiful profiled textile designer and artist Serena Dugan’s renovation of an Adirondack-style cottage on Shelter Island, New York. The work included major foundation repairs and rebuilding the original stone fireplace; the expansive porch is furnished with two hanging beds and rocking chairs. The source does not provide the project’s cost or completion date.
House Beautiful has published a tour of textile designer and artist Serena Dugan’s renovated cottage on Shelter Island, New York, detailing how she repaired the home while retaining its character. The report spotlights the wide front porch, where two hanging beds and rocking chairs make the outdoor space a central part of the home.
Dugan, a California-based designer and cofounder of Serena & Lily, first saw the Adirondack-style cottage as a listing on Zillow. She was considering an East Coast vacation home and asked a local friend to view the property. After he urged her to visit, she traveled to Shelter Island and decided to take on the project. She recalled arriving at dusk and being drawn to the stone fireplace, broad porch and reflection of Coecles Harbor.
The house required more than cosmetic work. Dugan told House Beautiful that it needed major foundation repairs and a complete reconstruction of the fireplace. The rebuilt fireplace was made with local stone to match the original, according to the magazine. The report describes the renovation as a balance between preserving the cottage’s atmosphere and updating it for use.
The porch was planned around its scale. Dugan said she wondered whether the space could accommodate a hanging porch bed; the final design includes two hanging beds and rocking chairs. Inside, the family room was opened to the kitchen to create a larger shared space. The rooms combine Dugan’s fabric and wallcovering designs with vintage furniture and textiles, while the kitchen includes Calacatta Macchia Vecchia marble. Dugan said she accepted the possibility of staining because she was comfortable with the stone developing a patina.
A Porch Designed for Everyday Use
The project shows how the porch functions as more than a decorative feature: it is a usable gathering place, fitted with rocking chairs and suspended beds and connected to a house designed for visitors. Dugan told House Beautiful she wanted a home where people could make memories. That intention is reflected in choices aimed at regular use, including performance fabric on the living-room sofas and materials she expects to show wear over time.
The renovation also illustrates the practical demands behind a picturesque older home. Foundation repairs and a rebuilt fireplace were necessary before the cottage could serve as a vacation retreat. The article does not report engineering details or costs, but the scope makes clear that preserving a home’s character can involve substantial structural work as well as finishes and furnishings.
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From Zillow Listing to Island Retreat
Dugan’s first view of the property was a small marker on a Zillow map. She was living in California and exploring the idea of a place on the East Coast. A local friend drove past the cottage and advised her to come see it; she booked a flight. The setting near Coecles Harbor and the house’s existing features shaped the direction of the renovation.
Rather than erase those features, Dugan said she feared damaging the home’s distinctive calm. The fireplace was reconstructed to resemble the original, and the interiors mix new elements with vintage pieces. House Beautiful also reports that Dugan made selective budget-conscious choices: the matchstick blinds cost about $29 per window, and she added brass cleats to dress them up. The magazine’s account presents the home as a personal design project, not a real-estate sale or a report of a new development on the island.
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Costs and Project Dates Not Reported
House Beautiful’s tour does not state when the renovation was completed, how long the work took or what it cost. It also does not provide detailed information about the foundation repairs, permits, contractors or the fireplace reconstruction process. The article describes Dugan’s design choices and the completed spaces, but it does not independently document construction specifications or assess the home’s structural condition.
The headline’s description of the porch as the “best” is an editorial opinion, not a measurable ranking. The article supports the description with photographs and design details, but does not compare the porch with other homes or establish an objective award.
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No Further Project Milestone Listed
The source is a published home tour rather than an announcement of upcoming construction or a planned sale. It identifies no next renovation phase, public event or follow-up date. Readers can see the full room-by-room account and photographs in House Beautiful’s original report; any later changes to the property have not been established by the material provided.
Adirondack style outdoor furniture
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Key Questions
Where is Serena Dugan’s cottage?
The cottage is on Shelter Island, New York, in a corner near Coecles Harbor, according to House Beautiful.
What makes the porch a focus of the home tour?
The broad porch is furnished with two hanging beds and rocking chairs. Dugan told the magazine that she considered whether a hanging bed would fit the space and ultimately chose two.
What major work did the cottage need?
Dugan said the home required major foundation repairs and a complete rebuild of its stone fireplace. House Beautiful reports that local stone was used to match the fireplace’s original appearance.
Did Dugan use only high-end materials?
No. The report describes a mix of costly and lower-cost choices. Dugan selected statement materials, including marble, but also said the matchstick blinds cost about $29 per window before she added brass cleats.
How much did the renovation cost, and when was it finished?
The source gives neither the total cost nor a completion date. It also does not provide a project timeline or detailed construction records.
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