Hunting Island

For the romantic in all of us, this stone cottage seems to rise right out of the rocks it was built on. Once a hunting retreat with no electricity, the original cottage held a couple of small rooms and had rustic plumbing, and remnants from ocean debris would wash in through the windows during winter ocean storms.

Although just a 5-minute boat ride from the town of Southport, once you’ve arrived at this coastal haven you feel as though you’ve been transported back in time. Challenges of permitting regulations, exposure, and not wishing to lose the essence of the island set the stage for a wonderful collaboration with the homeowners who wished to bring 21st-century upgrades for convenience and comfort.

With the cottage located so close to the water’s edge, careful attention was given to be sure the building could withstand the ocean’s fury yet invite gentle summer breezes and the ‘music’ of an ocean setting.

For the blustery winter months, the design team created custom-built, moveable kitchen cabinetry that can be stored in the back of the house, which experiences less water. The floors were replaced with poured, sealed concrete complete with drainage—and at the end of the season, customized bullet-proof storm panels protect the island cottage from the ocean’s fury.

To create room to host friends and family, a compact addition allowed for more elbow room while retaining the elements of the original structure. The desire for guest quarters, separate from the original stone cottage, led to the creation of a ‘bunk house’ that mimics the main cottage but with a contemporary flair.

The homeowner, an interior designer, chose simple furniture and an earthy palette with hues of soft blue. This allowed the cottage’s rustic features and weathered charm to take center stage.