Reimagining a Coastal Retreat: From Childhood Memories to Modern Elegance
Childhood Adventures on Long Island’s Shinnecock Bay
As a young girl, Julie Frist’s weekends were marked by spontaneous adventures along a narrow strip of land that separated Long Island’s tranquil Shinnecock Bay from the tumultuous Atlantic Ocean. Her father, eager to share his love for exploration, would take her on rides in a battered old wagon, barely wider than a soccer field, that traversed the dunes and marshes. The road, lined with wind-swept pines and a weathered highway, served as their private playground. Sitting on her father’s lap, Julie would take the wheel, feeling the bumps of pebbles through the floorboards-an experience she fondly recalls as “like a secret joyride.”
Transition from Childhood to Present-Day
Today, the landscape has transformed dramatically. The once-empty coastal land is now dotted with elegant homes, and the roads are busier, though still maintaining a Southampton-typical calm. When Julie greets visitors at her residence, dressed in a flowing blue caftan, she exudes a graceful, athletic presence, a far cry from her youthful days of carefree driving. Her loyal German shepherd, Athena, playfully circles her ankles as she guides me around the lush property beneath the blazing sun.
From Summers in Southampton to a Life in the Heart of America
Julie’s formative years were spent in Washington, D.C., before her family relocated to New York City and later Connecticut. Yet, her summers in Southampton remained a constant, a cherished escape since the late 1960s. “Back then, there were no cell phones,” she reminisces. “You could leave at dawn, bike to the tennis club, and attend swim lessons-all without a digital tether. The afternoons were spent barbecuing in the backyard, with neighbors and friends drifting by, then repeating the routine the next day.” Her frequent summer visitors, often childhood friends, became some of her closest confidantes, shaping her sense of community and belonging.
A Family’s Journey to Architectural Revival
After a career in finance, Julie met her husband, Tommy Frist III, at Harvard, where they were both pursuing graduate studies. The couple eventually settled in Nashville, Tommy’s hometown, raising their three children now in their twenties. Despite their roots in Tennessee, their affection for Long Island persisted, leading them to purchase a modest carriage house during their courtship. Their real estate journey took an unexpected turn when they discovered a neglected architectural gem: a stark white, Le Corbusier-inspired box, battered by years of storms and salty winds, perched on a rugged four-acre lot with dunes that shielded it from the ocean.
Restoring a Coastal Icon
The house, a relic of modernist design, was a shell of its former self-humid, infested with mice, and overwhelmed by the elements. Yet, its potential was undeniable. Julie describes the allure as a dialogue between two waterscapes: the bay, with its breathtaking sunsets and shimmering horizon, and the ocean, which remains mysterious and dim under moonlight. Their goal was to create a residence that felt timeless, as if it had always belonged to the landscape.
Designing a Home That Honors Its Environment
The Frists enlisted renowned architect Gil Schafer, interior designer David Netto, and landscape artist Miranda Brooks to bring their vision to life. While Schafer and Netto had previously collaborated on their Nashville home, this project demanded a delicate balance of style and practicality. The design aimed to blend the relaxed charm of the Hamptons’ shingle style of the 1920s with the formality of Colonial Revival architecture-an aesthetic that embodies “seaside elegance with a touch of sophistication,” as Schafer describes.
Discussions among the team often resembled academic debates, each bringing their expertise to refine the design. Schafer focused on establishing the house’s fundamental structure, while Netto pushed for creative details, such as window proportions and the layout of the driveway, to evoke a sense of authenticity and historical continuity.
Navigating Coastal Constraints
Building on a site with strict regulations posed challenges. Wetlands encircled the property, limiting the footprint to less than an acre, while FEMA’s flood protections mandated elevating the house. Local ordinances further constrained the height, requiring the structure to sit gently on the land. Landscape designer Miranda Brooks devised a plan that addressed these hurdles, selecting native plants like viburnum, privet, and pines to create a resilient, low-maintenance perimeter. The garden’s design emphasizes natural harmony, with a central courtyard-an “orchard”-serving as an outdoor living room.
A Garden of Native Beauty and Pollinator Habitat
The landscape is a testament to sustainable design, featuring a mix of salt-tolerant species and native flora that withstand coastal conditions. The dunes leading to the beach are planted with sparse seaside grasses, while the garden’s core includes white hydrangeas in weathered terra-cotta pots, replacing traditional blue blooms with a more subdued palette. A special corner, dubbed “Julie’s Garden,” is a shaded sanctuary filled with sun-loving perennials like yarrow, echinacea, and liatris, creating a vibrant haven for pollinators.
Interior Spaces Filled with Character and History
Inside, the house reflects a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and history. Netto sourced an 18th-century Louis XV-style mantle made of travertine-its rough texture reminiscent of being submerged underwater for centuries. Tommy’s lounge features planks designed to look as if they had been dragged from the sea, evoking the rugged beauty of storm-wrecked fishing boats and coastal storms that have shaped the region’s architecture for generations.
The Art of Imagination and Trust in Design
Creating such a poetic and personalized home requires a high level of trust between homeowners and designers. Netto emphasizes that their role is to realize visions clients may not initially envision, transforming raw ideas into tangible realities. Whether it’s opening a window to frame a water view or turning a patch of sand into a lush garden, the process involves patience and a shared sense of adventure. “Our job is to inspire clients to see possibilities they never imagined,” Netto explains.
A Coastal Sanctuary for Future Generations
Today, Julie’s home stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of coastal architecture, blending history, nature, and modern comfort. It’s a place where childhood memories and sophisticated design coexist, offering a sanctuary that honors the land’s natural rhythms and the family’s legacy. As the dunes sway and the water reflects the changing sky, this retreat continues to tell its story-one of restoration, imagination, and timeless elegance.
