Interior Designer Robert Mckinley and His Wife Created a Dream Bungalow for Rent With Design Pieces to Purchase
Robert McKinley & Kate Nauta
Kate Nauta is from Oregon and her husband, Robert McKinley, is from New York. Both, however, are passionate about the ocean and beach culture, and first met in Montauk—a small but chic beach town located at the farthest tip of the South Fork peninsula of Long Island—when Nauta was only 18.
In this very special place they were married; the couple also worked on a beloved project here that opened its doors in June 2018.
“We were inspired to create a residence that truly feels like a dream home, ideal for relaxed beach getaways,” says McKinley, who leads New York-based interior design firm Studio Robert McKinley.
“To me, summertime is always about entertaining with friends at home, so we wanted to collaborate with our favorite artists, makers and manufacturers to produce a space that would bring people together.”
California Faucets, Cle Tile, Domingue, Floyd, Hem, Reform and Rejuvenation are some of the brands whose products adorn the house that is available for rent.
Designed as a “fully shoppable residence”—every piece inside can be purchased—the intimate bungalow that was originally built in 1978 is spread over 1,900 square feet and comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms and open living areas with a kitchen, dining room, living room and library, as well as an attached one-bedroom apartment.
Every corner was designed to make up a warm atmosphere. The clean white palette combines with natural oak floors, exposed beams, a plaster fireplace, sleek fixtures and vintage pieces. Textures were introduced throughout by the Studio Robert McKinley team—in charge of all interior design—with rattan furniture, a Moroccan daybed with pillows and linen curtains, among other features.
Two sources of inspiration were key to the project: “Montauk’s wild and salt-weathered coastline and the casual elegance of Europe’s seaside towns, where centuries-old cultures exude rich color and patterns,” says McKinley.
Created with a sense of approachable luxury, the contemporary bungalow also has outdoor spaces including a mahogany deck, a sprawling lawn with seagrass and white hydrangeas for an Italian garden feel, and a barbecue area with a dining table in the backyard. Located only a five-minute drive to the popular beach Ditch Plains, the property invites guests to take one of the Shinola bikes available at the house and explore the surroundings at their own pace before spending the evening with family or friends.
Photographs: Courtesy Of Nicole Franzen
