We are always thrilled when a home with deep local roots is given a fresh perspective.
One of our recent sales, a circa-1910 structure originally built as a carriage house for a grand estate at the corner of South Howells Point Road, has been thoughtfully transformed into a refined yet livable retreat.
Recently featured in House Beautiful, the home has been reimagined with grace and restraint by designer Alexander Reid, and we’re thrilled to have played a small part in its next chapter. With guidance from our agent Howie Guja, the new homeowners discovered the kind of property that rarely comes along: full of character, potential, and history waiting to be written.
This stunning renovation wouldn’t have been possible without the skilled execution of Varney Contracting and Design whose meticulous craftsmanship helped bring the designer’s vision to life.
Measuring approximately 5,000 square feet, the home blends early 20th-century craftsmanship with modern sophistication. Reid’s vision celebrates the home’s Bellport heritage while gently layering in coastal influences, never literal, but always intentional. Natural textures, warm tones, and global accents bring a calm, lived-in sensibility that feels right at home in the village.
One of the most memorable spaces in the home is the living room, where the dramatic ceiling height sets a calm, expansive tone. Rather than let the scale overpower the space, Reid used a pair of custom back-to-back sofas to create two distinct seating areas within the same room. This simple yet clever move brings clarity and warmth to the large footprint: one side encourages quiet reading or conversation, while the other is arranged for gathering around the fireplace. It’s a room that feels both open and grounded, designed to meet the rhythms of everyday living in a timeless way.
And sometimes, the most interesting design moments come from unexpected places. The terracotta floors in the sunroom, original to the home, weren’t a favorite of the new owners. But Reid offered simple, powerful advice: “Lean into the thing you think you hate.” Instead of covering the floors, he drew inspiration from them — “pulled the red tones that dictated the whole sunroom” — turning what could have been a design challenge into a defining feature. It’s a lesson in trusting the process and honoring what makes a home unique.
Traditional rooms were also reimagined for contemporary living. A formal dining room was converted into a hardworking mudroom; the office became a cozy guest suite; and the living room now serves as a generous dining space fit for hosting. Each change reflects the way people live in Bellport today: casual, connected, and intentional.
Upstairs, the den (affectionately called “the birdhouse”), embraces the pitch of the roofline and features wallpaper inspired by Bengali motifs, a nod to the homeowners’ Indian heritage. It’s these personal, layered touches that make the home feel both global and grounded in Bellport.
This renovation reflects the very best of Bellport living: a deep respect for history, a love of design, and a lifestyle that values both beauty and comfort. To the new owners, congratulations on a stunning transformation. And to Alexander Reid, thank you for showing just how gracefully a historic Bellport home can evolve.
READ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/a63216911/alexander-reid-bellport-new-york-home-tour/
Photography by PETER MURDOCK
