SUMMER BY THE SEA

Lifestyle writer Tricia Foley documents the characteristics of unique homes she encountered after moving to Bellport, New York, a seaside oasis for creatives of all types.

Discover beautiful, unique homes in Bellport, New York—a seaside oasis for creatives of all types.

The saying “Good things come in small packages” rings true for Bellport,

a small seaside haven on the South Shore of Long Island that exudes warmth with its Main Street home-goods shops, incredible ocean views and many bicycles.

In her book A Summer Place: Living by the Sea, lifestyle writer Tricia Foley catalogs 23 unique Bellport homes of collectors, artists, entertainers or those who simply felt the village beckoning. Readers tour minimalist residences, 19th-century cottages, blossoming gardens and vibrant art studios—with Foley’s personal hosting tips and bits of Bellport history peppered throughout.

The first home she profiles is her own—a 1990s white barn she renovated and filled with art from friends and mementos like an antique Belgian bench and china and crystal from her previous home. Foley fell in love with the old-fashioned summer rituals—like a walk down the promenade—and the sense of community she found in Bellport. “In summer, friends yell up to the deck to say hello when walking to the beach and stop to use the hose for water for their dogs,” she writes. “It felt like home right away.”

“In summer, friends yell up to the deck to say hello when walking to the beach and stop to use the hose for water for their dogs … It felt like home right away.”

Many of the dwellings Foley profiles boast high ceilings with exposed beams paired to create an airy atmosphere and let the ocean breeze swirl through the rooms. The homes often feature classic seaside characteristics, like a minimalist approach to rustic décor, white walls and splashes of greenery brought inside. The best way to decorate your space in a town infused with ever-dazzling picture-book scenes is to let the outdoor art—swaying trees, ocean view and flower-filled yards—shine in through vast windows, Foley believes. Another technique is incorporating unique, local artistry, from paintings and sculptures to handy kitchen items or furniture made from regional materials, like driftwood or roping.

HOSTESS HACKS

An avid entertainer, Foley offers her goto hostess and guest tips for everything from informal neighborly gatherings to special celebrations. No matter the size of the occasion, she says, preparations should always be relaxed and enjoyable. Her favorite gift to bring or receive is a bouquet of seasonal flowers or a nosegay of herbs.

To add character to your floral displays, use old ceramic jugs, emptied glass bottles or old-fashioned jelly jars to hold your finds from the local farmstand or cuttings from a generous neighbor’s garden. Foley advocates taking advantage of objects from nature for your tablescapes, and often decorates her tables with shells, rocks, fresh fruit and herbs.

“A table setting needs short, simple flowers and candles so that one can see friends across the table. Small bud vases and jars work well, and a blossom or herb sprig on each plate or napkin adds a summery touch,” she writes.

Foley fell in love with the old-fashioned summer rituals—like a walk down the promenade—and the sense of community she found in Bellport.

TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORT. Whether it’s time for a social occasion, a beach visit or a trip to the local farmstand, Bellport’s residents typically grab their bike for relaxed, healthy and sustainable transportation. |OPPOSITE| AN ELEVATED PICNIC. Foley’s home has access to a private beach, where her family often enjoys light summer suppers with just a few folding chairs, summery linens, a basket of scrumptious food and recently discovered shells and stones to hold napkins down.

|ABOVE RIGHT| “PAUSE IN THE DAY’S OCCUPATIONS.” Rattan chairs and bamboo lanterns keep this porch light and airy. Imagine sipping a cool drink out here as the golden late-afternoon sun signals that dinnertime is near.

|RIGHT| BLACKBERRY & BLUE. This 20th-century entryway features two striking Benjamin Moore paint colors: Blackberry and Newburyport Blue, which complement the blue cabinets and thick butcher-block countertop in the home’s kitchen. The new seagrass runner brings nature indoors for a light contrast to the dark paint.

|ABOVE LEFT| HAPPY HAVENS. Lush greenery, pale roses and lilies engulf this charming 19th-century abode. The screened-in porch shelters the front of the house from sweltering summer sun, while the backyard features a trellised dining and lounging area.

A Summer Place: Living by the Sea by Tricia Foley, published by Rizzoli, © 2021; rizzoliusa.com.

|TOP| BRIGHT, BREEZY & EASY. No matter the square footage of your floor plan, one of the hallmarks of a summery home is spacious, airy rooms. The high ceilings and windows in Foley’s open-plan kitchen and dining area create plenty of space for sunshine and seaside breezes to mingle.