Perched on a peninsula in Long Island Sound, this contemporary, shingle-style beach house was built as a weekend home for empty nesters in 2007. The nature of the property necessitated careful attention to environmental concerns, FEMA requirements, and the installation of extensive subterranean drainage. Supported by 72 steel-encased concrete pilings, this 8500 sf home was designed and built to capture the stunning 180 degree views afforded by its prime location.

The exterior shingle siding and wood shake roof are complimented by the stone veneered foundation. Custom mahogany and glass windows meeting requirements for a hurricane zone, offer virtually continuous views on the water side of the house. A blue stone terrace extends from the back of the house and features a swimming pool, also built on pilings, and a mahogany pergola.

An oil and stone driveway leads from the street to a circular parking terrace. The entry portico, balanced by bluestone steps, shelters the full-height glass entryway. The transparency of the front entrance allows for an uninterrupted view through the main gallery and living room, which also has full-height banks of windows and glass doors. The warmth of the antique French limestone, installed on the diagonal in the main gallery, balances the clean lines of the custom paneled walls and coffered ceiling.

The gallery continues the full width of the house with ship lapped walls and distressed oak floors. Directly ahead, the 37' x 22' living room features custom built-ins, Venetian plaster walls, and a coffered ceiling.

An adjacent two story dining room boasts a wall of windows and an overlook from the second floor balcony.

A custom milled ceiling and bead board walls create a crisp backdrop for the marble counters and limestone floors in the kitchen and family room. Beyond the kitchen, a pantry with custom shelving, a mudroom, and a family powder room are nestled in between the back staircase and the garage. Radiant heat was installed throughout the first floor.

The master suite anchors the east end of the house with a sitting room, custom his and hers closets, a light-filled bedroom with ship lapped walls, and a study with custom built-ins. The master bathroom is outfitted with custom cabinetry and millwork, a steam shower, free-standing tub, and marble and glass medicine cabinets.

Just outside the master suite, a staircase floats in the center of a light filled hallway with a guest powder room tucked under the stairs. The front and back walls are constructed of full-height window banks, and the side walls are lined with ship lap. The second floor features four guest bedroom suites, a gym with exercise room flooring, maid's quarters, a laundry room, and a mechanical room. A sophisticated sound attenuation flooring system upstairs, along with carpeted floors, creates a sound barrier. This open-web truss floor system also encloses intra-floor mechanicals.

Surrounded by mature plantings, this fully modern house appears to have always been part of the Long Island Sound landscape.