A Classic Generational Home in Stone Harbor

For designers Erica Vassalotti and Dana Bergman Falcione of interiors firm Bergman Vass, the challenge was clear: create a brand-new build that felt storied, soulful, and utterly timeless.

“He came to us saying he wanted the house to feel like it had been passed down,” Erica recalls. “Authenticity was everything — from the millwork to the paint to the reclaimed pine he had been collecting for years.”

Design: Bergman Vass | Photography: Brian Wetzel | Styling: Kristi Hunter

A Home with History in Its Bones

Built in 2021, the Cape Cod structure was designed with old boathouses in mind. Board-and-batten, v-groove, and exposed beams were layered throughout, paired with Farrow & Ball’s School House White — a paint that feels aged and softened, instantly grounding the house with patina. “That canvas allowed us to build a vintage palette,” says Erica.

Reclaimed pine became the anchor material, while vintage tiles, unlacquered brass, and polished Carrera marble reinforced the sense of history. “We wanted everything to look like it could have been original,” Dana adds. “That way, you’d never know it was new construction.”

The Heart of the Home: Kitchen & Breezeway

In the kitchen, every detail was designed to blend function with heritage. A La Canche range in Chocolate with unlacquered brass knobs anchors the space, flanked by handmade Heritage subway tiles and a custom island topped in Carrera marble. The island, a client favorite, doubles as both prep station and dinner table — a setup perfect for cooking while entertaining. Collected oyster plates and vintage counter stools with rush seats add character.

One of the home’s most distinctive architectural gestures is the breezeway connecting the main house and guest house. With nano doors that slide open, it can be transformed into an airy passage with sweeping bay views — or closed to become a cozy vestibule between the two wings.

Living Spaces with Character

In the family room, comfort meets playfulness: an English-arm sofa in ticking stripe, chairs reupholstered in a rich palm motif, and vintage finds sourced from Chairish — including oyster plates and a quirky 70s floor lamp. A custom coffee table, inspired by ancient Egyptian drawings, adds a one-of-a-kind note.

The guest house (or “boat house”) continues the nautical story. Painted completely in School House White, it layers nickel gap cabinetry and v-groove millwork for a light, seaside shell. Stark’s hand-knotted rug, a bamboo coffee table from 1stDibs, and shelves running across the windows infuse the space with charm and age, as though it had always been there.

Upstairs Retreats

Climbing the stairwell, board-and-batten millwork frames a gallery of the homeowner’s vintage fish prints, while a Stark runner striped in blue and red adds punch. The second-floor landing continues the collected theme with a reclaimed wood console, oversized blue lamps, and antique decoys.

Bedrooms lean into nostalgia: one son’s room has an iron bed and textiles that feel like “a knitted sweater passed down from grandma,” while the primary suite features a bobbin headboard, vintage kantha throw, and a Paris-sourced painting. The primary bath, dressed in deep blue Heritage tile and Carrera marble, offers serene views of the bay.

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