Susannah Charbin, a quintessential city dweller, found herself unexpectedly captivated by a four-bedroom midcentury home on Long Island. Despite her cosmopolitan roots in London and New York City, the tranquil riverside setting, and the clean, delicate lines of the house appealed deeply to her. This newfound love for the serenity of suburban life prompted Susannah, her husband, and their two children to leave the city behind. Embarking on a design journey, Charbin, though not a professional designer, took charge of transforming their new abode into a serene retreat.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Founder and Creative Director: Susannah Charbin
Location: Long Island, New York
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Furniture Selection: Living Divani, Flexform, Ochre
Cabinetry: Devol
Floor Tile: Reclaimed Limestone
Upon moving into the house, they discovered it was largely unchanged since 1961, complete with dark cedarwood paneling and a leaky roof. Susannah took on the challenge of revitalizing the space, which still echoed its midcentury roots. She opted for a warm custom white paint to bring brightness and airiness to the interiors. Her approach involved maintaining the home’s original charm while introducing nature-inspired tones through texture-rich fabrics, making it a welcoming sanctuary.
The home’s expansive windows became a focal point, highlighting the stunning views of the surrounding tidal river landscape. These allow dynamic, ever-changing scenes to become part of the interior’s artful composition, whether showcasing the tranquil waters and sky reflections at high tide or the lush grasses and marshland at low tide. For Charbin, the presence of wildlife, like families of swans, added a comforting sense of continuity and life to the vista, enhancing the home’s peaceful ambiance.
Charbin and her family treasure their outdoor experiences, enjoying activities like swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The exterior was thoughtfully designed to complement their lifestyle, featuring windblown fountain grass framing the front walkway made from matte porcelain tiles. The natural setting offers a seamless flow from the indoors to the outside, encouraging a harmonious relationship with nature.
Inside, each space was meticulously curated to reflect the serene, airy ethos Charbin envisioned. In the entryway, a new skylight was incorporated to maximize the light, aligning with the original design features of the home. The living room carries a soft, tonal palette inspired by the grasses visible through the glass, with carefully selected furniture to enhance the comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Highlights within the home include a plush sitting room equipped for naps and wildlife watching, and a lively kitchen where spontaneous dance parties take place. A custom floating banquette in the dining nook creates an illusion of levitation above the landscape, adding a touch of playful elegance. In the bathrooms, reclaimed limestone and sleek design choices integrate seamlessly with the vintage bathtub, preserving the home’s historical narrative while meeting modern aesthetics. The house, now a blend of historical essence and contemporary comfort, embodies Charbin and her family’s new chapter, resonating with both peace and vibrancy.
