Striking Shelter Island House Lets Nothing Distract From the Water Views

When you have views like that of this property on New York’s quiet Shelter Island, in the Hamptons, it’s generally best to keep interior design spare and simple. And that’s just what the owners — a couple who work in finance — of this simple yet modern residence have done. Built in 2009 and set on 2.2 acres, the one-of-a-kind house is listed at $7.5 million with Hedgerow Exclusive Properties.

The exterior of the curvilinear residence is red, a boldly unusual choice. But it works, almost looking like a red sail on a sailboat. It also beautifully contrasts with the blue of the sky and the sea as well as the pool.

In the living room, two-story panels of glass fill the cavernous open-plan space with natural light. And, with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and one powder room, all in 6,441 square feet, there’s plenty of room for memorable summer weekends and cozy winter evenings.

Besides the expansive living/dining space, there’s a well-equipped kitchen, as well as a library and a screening room. Upstairs, the the primary suite offers a private bay-front balcony and yet more panoramic views. Two en-suite guest bedrooms with views galore are also on the second floor.

The finished lower level, otherwise known as the basement, boasts a lounge area, pool table, and kitchenette. The final two bedrooms, also ensuite, are in the pool house. Beyond the pool, the property boasts 230 feet of frontage on Gardiners Bay, along with steps down to the beach.

An interesting and quirky feature of the house is the bridge that rests on top of an enormous 60-ton boulder. Because Shelter Island is in fact an island, there was an enormous amount of effort involved getting the boulder off the mainland, onto a ferry, and then trucked over to the home site. Indeed, it was such a production, the story made the front page of the Shelter Island Reporter.

After building this showplace of light and views, one wonders how the owners can bear to leave? Well, they’re not. Tax records show they also own the house next door. (Lucky them.)