Charming 1800s Beach Cottage Gets a Breathtaking Makeover into a Coastal Dream Home
The Little Owl Cabin offers a television and a thoughtfully stocked library indoors, ensuring your evenings are never short on entertainment. Venture outside and you’ll discover a crackling firepit surrounded by rustic log seating in the front yard an open-air haven for stargazing and stories. Tucked on the back deck, a cedar soaking tub invites you to unwind in steamy serenity. Truly, what more could the soul desire?
Paul Caddell’s beachside cottage may be nestled among sprawling mansions and lavish vacation estates in The Hamptons, but its ingenious use of space sets it strikingly apart. With smart design choices and thoughtful details, this modest retreat holds its own and even outshines its grander neighbors.
Constructed in 1814, Paul’s New York cottage has been transformed into a picture-perfect retreat worthy of a glossy magazine spread. A keen design choice placed the front door slightly off-center, carving out extra breathing room for the living area. When adding a pair of upstairs bathrooms, Paul cleverly elevated the roofline, infusing the upper floor with height and light. And perhaps the sweetest luxury of all Paul and his dog Beulah can reach the shoreline on foot in under fifteen minutes.
Paul intentionally selected furniture and décor designed to amplify the sense of space in his living room. Every piece was chosen with purpose light tones, sleek silhouettes, and clever layouts all working together to make the room feel open, airy, and far larger than its footprint.
“I gravitate toward whites like Moore’s White Dove for the walls, pair them with neutral-toned upholstery and bedding, then weave in gentle hints of color through accent pillows,” he shared with Country Living. For furnishings, he opts for a compact settee in place of a traditional sofa and repurposes a slender vintage trunk as a charming, space-saving coffee table.
The kitchen, although on the smaller side, has oodles of farmhouse charm.
To carve out additional countertop space, Paul opted for a scaled-down version of the classic apron-front sink. The kitchen strikes a harmonious balance merging rustic charm, seen in the warm butcher block counters, with sleek modern conveniences, including gleaming stainless steel appliances.
A single handrail staircase leads to the home’s second floor.
Keeping one side of the staircase open lends a sense of breathability and visual flow to the room. In true small-home fashion, Paul curated furniture with dual functionality. “I picked up a hutch at an estate sale it not only stores glassware and dishes but also features a fold-out surface that doubles as a serving station,” he explained.
The home boasts three thoughtfully designed bedrooms, each one intentionally curated with Paul’s guests’ comfort and relaxation at the forefront. Every detail, from bedding to layout, reflects a warm, welcoming touch.
“I enjoy offering guests a spot where they can either work on a laptop or freshen up,” Paul shared, referencing the petite table placed thoughtfully at the foot of the bed. Eschewing the usual trunk or bench, he chose a piece that adds both utility and charm something he believed visitors would genuinely appreciate.
While Paul’s cottage may lack the opulence of neighboring estates, he firmly believes in the quiet magic of modest living. “Honestly, I find smaller spaces far more inviting than vast, echoing rooms. There’s a warmth to close quarters they spark the richest conversations.”
What would you prefer? A mansion or a small cottage like Paul’s in The Hamptons?
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Article Sources: Country Living
