New York's Studio Robert McKinley has created a rentable vacation home on Long Island that doubles as a showroom, where guests can test out a range of carefully selected decor, from z-shaped dining chairs to Noguchi lighting.
The McKinley Bungalow is a four-bedroom home in Montauk, a coastal hamlet at the eastern tip of the island. Situated in a residential neighbourhood near a popular beach, the dwelling serves as a comfy getaway that is "fully shoppable with the designer's favourite brands".
Encompassing 2,400 square feet (223 square metres), the ranch-style house was built in 1971. Robert McKinley, who runs his eponymous studio in Manhattan, took cues from the coastal landscape and European villages while conceiving the home's refurbishment.
"McKinley drew inspiration from Montauk's coastline, paired with the casual elegance of Europe's seaside towns filled with rich colour and pattern," the studio said in a project description.
The project involved an extensive overhaul of the residence, including opening up the plan to create a smooth flow between the living room, kitchen and backyard – engendering a more suitable atmosphere for entertaining. The team also removed the home's attic, resulting in a double-height living room, and added a wooden screen to the rear elevation.
White walls, wooden flooring and tiles in neutral shades are among the finishes within the bright and airy dwelling. The colour palette is meant to feel "fresh and light", with lime-washed whites intermixed with earthy materials.
The "shoppable bungalow" features a range of contemporary decor, along with vintage items and eclectic artwork. The pieces are listed on the bungalow's website, and also are featured in a printed brochure that is displayed in the home. Guests purchase items at retail price directly from the brand.
In the living room, the designer placed a custom sofa with a Wright mattress, a circular coffee table and rattan ottoman by Vintage, and a playful rocking chair by Marni. A spherical, paper lantern by the Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi hangs overhead.
The dining area features a Pyramid Table by Hay and z-shaped Kangaroo chairs by German designer Ernst Moeckl. A tapestry by Aelfie – one of several in the home – hangs on the wall.
The kitchen has travertine countertops, linoleum cabinetry by Reform, and bar stools made of wood and wicker. Lining one wall is a timber shelf for storing books and tableware. Plates and bowls were sourced from Heath Ceramics, a well-known California studio started in 1948.
The sleeping areas have a subdued aesthetic. The designer incorporated wooden bed frames by Flloyd, light-toned bedding by Wright, and side tables by either Hay or Flloyd. In one room, a black-and-white rug and a colourful tapestry with a nude figure enliven the otherwise quiet, restful space.
The dwelling also offers a library that boasts dark green walls, chunky wooden tables and brass lighting fixtures. A similar look was deployed in a detached pool house, where guests can enjoy a Moroccan-style daybed and wet bar.
The home is meant to embody the "same sense of approachable luxury" found in McKinley's other hospitality projects, including a revamped motor lodge in California's Laguna Beach. The designer also converted another ranch-style home in Montauk into a rentable vacation dwelling, which opened in 2018.
Nightly rates at the McKinley Bungalow start at $1,700 (£1,362).
"I've spent much of my career creating hospitality spaces, and I think the bungalow speaks to the way we travel now," said Robert McKinley in a project description.
"It feels very much like a home, where we mixed products from our design partners together very organically – whether they be books, textiles, ceramics or furniture – so there is a sense of inspiration and discovery."
Photography is by Nicole Franzen, unless stated otherwise.