FEATURES

Click on any photo for a larger gallery view.

Gallagher doesn't have a particular design philosophy, instead approaching each project as an individual entity, capturing the homeowners' tastes and personality. Viertel and Daily were just the sort of clients that he likes, able to articulate their own ideas for the home and not afraid to express themselves. Gallagher had no "theme" for the house, and Daily's quirky design sense started them on the hunt for distinctive furnishings and accessories, visiting shops in Hudson, NY, and NYC. She fell in love with the idea of a retro kitchen, and outfitted it with a '50s metal table and chairs, and a 1940s stove from Antique Stove Heaven in Los Angeles. The vintage wall clock from her collection of Dairy Queen mementos fit in perfectly!

STAY A WHILE (click photo for larger view)

The formality of the Greek Revival exterior belies the beach cottage vibe inside. Gallagher chose colors that mirrored the seaside—sand, sunny yellow and many shades of blues and greens. One of the few modern rooms in the house is the master bath. Viertel says the blue floor-to-ceiling mosaic tiles make it feel "as if you're walking into the ocean waves." The two large windows—one is in the shower—flood the room with light, and accessories have been kept intentionally spare. The bedrooms all have a vacation-home feel, with quilts, rattan furniture and vintage metal bed frames.

The homeowners also wanted a well-furnished porch for outdoor entertaining—a glider was a must. They spend most of the summer there and host frequent weekend guests. An added bonus to the home's purchase was the shed out back. It served two purposes—one half was a latrine and the other was a lobster-cleaning room. With no more need for an outhouse, Gallagher repurposed the building as a guest suite with an updated bath, but kept the rustic décor.

What Viertel and Daily wanted was a home that looked like it was neither acquired nor overly done by a designer. They wanted the home to evolve gradually, and Gallagher was adept at helping them discover their style. Much like a theater production, the three collaborated on the project. "It was a joy to help them visual their dream home and make it a reality," Gallagher says. For Viertel, who grew up in Stamford near the water, Noank brings back memories of that time. "Being in our home is a like a spiritual retreat," he says. "We feel renewed and at peace here."