This home in Water Mill has come a long way — literally and otherwise. Once a 19th-century barn in Vermont, it was dismantled and brought to its current location in the 1970s by Jeffrey Hollander, who would become the founder of Seventh Generation, the brand of eco-friendly household products. Hollander completely reimagined the home into an open studio-like summer house before selling it to the current owners in 2000.
The 2,256-square foot house has details that evokes its origin—reclaimed-wood beams in the cathedral ceilings and the original red sliding barn door as a centerpiece of the back deck—and also incorporates Hamptons character with its cedar shingled exterior. Sited on 1.7 acres and ringed by mature hardwoods, flowering hydrangeas and rose bushes, the house “has a wonderful European character in a very natural environment,” says Mary Ellen McGuire, the Brown Harris Stevens agent who is listing the property.
“The property is cradled by trees, and yet the huge picture windows offer a wonderful view opening out over the garden and pool and stretching into the woods,” the owner says, calling the home an “insanely peaceful retreat from the city.”
The owner, who is English, but raised her family in New York City, says, “Our children have a library worth of the most wonderful year round memories from the house and area that they will cherish forever.”
The first floor features an open great room of about 400 square feet (room measurements were taken manually and are approximate, as the home never had a formal floor plan drawn up), anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and featuring a beamed cathedral ceiling, oversized windows and doors leading to the deck that let in an abundance of light. A three-quarter wall of built-in shelves serves as a separation between that and the rest of the floor. Measuring about 120 square feet, the country-style kitchen has ample space for both a table and the breakfast bar that seats two. Stainless-steel appliances are by Fisher & Paykel, KitchenAid and Frigidaire. The two-toned cabinet design is topped by butcherblock counters. Like the living room, it offers access to the spacious back deck for additional dining.
The 240-square-foot primary bedroom offers high beamed ceilings and windows overlooking the backyard. Two generously sized closets have hanging and shelf storage space, as well as an upper storage cache. The bathroom features double porcelain sinks, a soaking tub and tiled shower, built-in cabinets and shelves for storage. The bedroom suite is entered through a 5 by 7-foot space currently used as a small office/work area. The second bedroom on this floor measure 10.5 by 12 feet and is connected to a second bathroom, which can also be accessed from the hallway.
The second floor is dedicated to two guest rooms, each measuring 12 by 16 feet sharing a bathroom featuring wainscoting and other cottage-like touches.
The walk-out basement is full height and painted, currently used for exercise, recreation and storage. It offers a clean slate for a renovation project.
The heated 20 X 40 pool is surrounded by a brick patio and hidden from view behind the trees encircling the property. There is no garage on site, but the driveway has ample off-street parking.
The home at 60 Noyac Path is near the tip of a peninsula jutting out into the body of water that becomes Noyac Bay. Clam Island, which is a county park, is five miles north. Nearby recreation attractions include the Noyac Hills County Park, the Bridge Golf Club and Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildife Refuge. Foster Memorial Beach offers swim access 5.8 miles away. Also close by are the Children’s Museum of the East End and the Watermill Center artist residency, with public programming.
“Water Mill is between where everything happens so it’s a nice, quiet place,” says McGuire, the listing agent. “You can get here many different ways. It’s off the main drag and very accessible to Sag Harbor or Bridgehampton — it’s a nice respite and refuge.”
This Vermont-to-Water Mill barn lists for $2,950,000 and the details can be see here.