North Fork Perch

The Living Room “Our inspiration was the seating of an old Riva boat,” architect Eliot Lee says of the built-in sofa. “I had fantasies about a sunken living room,” his wife, Eun Sun Chun, also an architect, says. “Even though this isn’t one, it was kind of the lowest we could go.” The chandelier is by Lindsey Adelman Studio, the rug is by Marc Phillips Rugs, and the vessel is by Cody Hoyt. Photo: Thomas Loof

When architects Eliot Lee and Eun Sun Chun began exploring what might be available in their price range on the East End of Long Island, one of the first listings they found was a dated Cape Cod–style cottage clad in vinyl siding with a crystal chandelier in the kitchen and an illegal deck. The house was in a striking location, perched on a bluff in Baiting Hollow overlooking Long Island Sound. “The view, of course, was the centerpiece,” Lee says.

Lee, a partner at Steven Harris Architects LLP, and Chun, an architect and interior designer, got busy gutting the interior, reshingling the exterior, and adding a pergola for outdoor dining. The couple put in new, bigger windows, including a dramatic one in their bedroom. “This window literally captures and frames the view of the water,” Chun says. “It’s an ever-changing artwork and is always the ‘Ah!’ moment for first-time guests.” The one thing they left alone was the foundation of the house. Lee, who grew up in Berkeley, California, says the Oakland firestorm of 1991 left a lasting impression on him. “The houses that rose up from the charred parcels were bloated versions of their former selves,” he says. “The best new houses rebuilt after the fire were those that were constructed on the original surviving foundations, allowing them to remain part of and nestled into the landscape — not the other way around.”

Chun says she had hoped for a home where they could build memories with their two sons, although she acknowledges they were a little late to the game, as the kids were finishing high school when they bought the house. “We were trying to rush finishing the work so we could make some memories ASAP.” At a certain point, she says, “I got over it.” Lee adds, “We made some memories during renovation.”

The Exterior “We kept the footprint of the building but maximized the window sizes to take advantage of the north view toward New Haven,” Lee says, noting that is where he and Chun met. The exterior structural work was done by Heidtmann & Sons, Inc. The wood cladding is Alaskan yellow cedar shingles. The galvanized steel windows are from Bliss Nor-Am. Photo: Thomas Loof

Outdoor Dining Lee and Chun designed the pergola. “We look forward to the wisteria completely taking over the wood structure, so it really feels like an outdoor room,” Chun says. The dining table is from DWR. The dining chairs are from HAY. Photo: Thomas Loof

The Main Bedroom The picture window frames the Long Island Sound. The sisal carpet is by Summit International Flooring. The upholstery fabric is by Casamance from Angela Brown, Ltd. The speakers are by Spendor. Photo: Thomas Loof

The Dining Corner They installed a mirror that works like a clerestory window at the top of the wall to visually expand the space and bring more sky and daylight to the back of the house. The wall tiles are by Ann Sacks, the table is custom, and the leather chairs are by BDDW. The pendants are by Vilhelm Lauritzen. Photo: Thomas Loof

The Outdoor Shower It’s located at the back of the house behind a bamboo screen found at a flea market. The seat is from HAY and the shower fixture is from Outdoor Shower Company. Photo: Thomas Loof

The Fireplace The wood stove is by Wittus. “We waited over a year for it,” Chun says. “There are so many beautiful wood stoves available in Europe, but not so many in the U.S.” The wood floor is by Kaswell Flooring Systems. The fishing rod belongs to the family. “We aren’t avid fishermen,” Lee says, “but we love the mechanism of the fishing rod.” Photo: Thomas Loof

The Kitchen “Since it’s a small house,” Chun says, “we decided to install under-counter refrigerators. All three are on the left side. The vertical cabinet on the far right is a small pantry with a coffee-tea station inside.” The plumbing fixtures are by Kallista, the bamboo countertop on the left is by Teragren and on the right by ABC Stone. The runner is by Chilewich. The shades are by Distinctive Window Treatments. Photo: Thomas Loof

The Stair Down to the Boys’ Room “It’s been called the witches’ stair, but it’s most commonly known as an alternate-tread stair. It’s simply an efficient way to get up and down in a short span with steep risers in a tight space,” Chun says. “The stair always scares people the first time, but even the grandparents are able to manage it!” Photo: Thomas Loof

Eliot Lee and Eun Sun Chun. Photo: Thomas Loof

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Before

From left: The Exterior Facing the Water The house and deck before renovation. Photo: Courtesy of the subjectsThe Interior Downstairs The open kitchen and living room before renovation. Photo: Courtesy of the subjects

From top: The Exterior Facing the Water The house and deck before renovation. Photo: Courtesy of the subjectsThe Interior Downstairs The open kitchen ... more From top: The Exterior Facing the Water The house and deck before renovation. Photo: Courtesy of the subjectsThe Interior Downstairs The open kitchen and living room before renovation. Photo: Courtesy of the subjects