Born and bred in the heart of London before relocating to New York City, Susannah Charbin—founder and creative director of the multidisciplinary creative studio The Beaux Arts—ardently identifies as a city person. So when she found herself humoring her husband and touring a four-bedroom midcentury home on Long Island, she didn’t expect to fall in love with it. The house, with its clean, delicate lines and tranquil riverside setting, called to her. “My taste is quite quiet,” she says. Ready to embrace that aesthetic calm, Charbin, her husband, and their two young children bid adieu to city living and embarked on a new chapter where she (though not a designer by trade) led the design project herself.
Their new home “hadn’t changed since 1961 and the roof leaked,” Charbin says with a laugh, adding that they used pots and pans to collect dripping rainwater when they moved in. It was a time capsule, dark cedarwood paneling and all, and quite the opposite of the ethereal levity the home now exudes thanks to a coat of a custom warm white paint from Benjamin Moore and texture-rich fabrics in nature-inspired tones. To emphasize the surrounding tidal river landscape, Charbin practiced restraint and let the wall-spanning windows do the talking. “If it’s high tide, all you see is water with beautiful reflections of the sky. But then at low tide, you see tall grasses and marshland,” she says. “Some families of swans moved in during the pandemic,” another comforting element for her. “There’s a sense of peace and continuity mixed with this ever-changing view you’re seeing outside, whether it’s the water or the animal life,” Charbin says. But it’s not only about the views. The family loves being outside, whether they’re swimming, kayaking, fishing, or simply resting under the trees.
Exterior
Soft, windblown fountain grass frames a front walk of matte porcelain tiles from Patio Pavers for a breezy welcome. Paint: China White, Benjamin Moore.
Entryway
This spot “felt a bit darker than everywhere else,” Charbin says, “so we decided to add a skylight.” She made sure it was consistent with the original ones elsewhere. Wall unit and shelves: Frama.
Living Room
The soft tonal color palette palette is inspired by the fountain grass beyond the glass. Sofa: Living Divani, in Holly Hunt fabric. Chairs: Flexform, in Holly Hunt fabric.
Sitting Room
This plush corner is an ideal perch for naps and wildlife watching. Pouf and accent pillow (zigzag): Missoni Home. Swivel chair: ABC Carpet & Home. Coffee table: Ochre. Rug: JOV.
Kitchen
Natural views set a calm mood. That said, Susannah Charbin adds, “We have great dance parties in here.” Pendant: Pinch. Chandelier and dining table: Ochre. Cabinetry: Devol.
Dining Nook
The custom floating banquette is designed to make diners feel as if they’re levitating above the field. Storage unit: Devol. Dining chairs: Ochre.
Bathroom
The family already had this vintage bathtub. Charbin paired it with reclaimed limestone floor tile and a sleek glass divider that blends in with the house. Wall tile: TileBar.
Terrace
“The paths around the house and patio were all built level with the interior floor” for a seamless flow between indoors and out, says Charbin. The ornamental grasses around it echo the landscape and are deer-proof. Sofas: Living Divani. Poufs: Casalis.
