Since this room did not have water views, Sue Bartlett of Bartlett Design Associates thought it would be ideal for a second-floor retreat for TV viewing and games. She kept the palette light without becoming bland, and chose a natural linen sofa and a seaglasscolored weave for the chairs, combined with accents of peacock green, garnet, and lime. Slate green walls with caramel paint accents add to the array of organic colors. Driftwood tones on the furniture complete a relaxing ocean theme. The rattan bar, finished in a mushroom tone, was inspired by furniture at the Truman Little White House in Key West.

The breeze off the water inspired a pulledback, edited but casual theme for the porch by Gerald Pomeroy of Pomeroy Design Group. “The seamless transition from the living room/ great hall/kitchen to the porch reinforces the relaxed and timeless silhouettes, materials, and fabrics that reference and salute the harbor itself,” he explains. To complete the look, Pomeroy selected Kravet fabrics, plantings from Artefact Home Garden, and lanterns from Lighting by the Sea.

The guest bedroom by Michael Englehardt of Ethan Allen Home Interiors was designed to be an inviting, restful retreat for the weary traveler. Englehardt incorporated a palette of neutral coastal colors and a blend of fabrics and bed coverings that didn’t overtake or compete with the elegant lines of the European-inspired furniture. “I really love the wood finishes of the furniture,” he says. “They remind me of beach sand on a warm summer’s day.” Englehardt overcame the challenge of difficult ceiling angles, which limited the display of oversized art or mirrors. All furnishings are from Ethan Allen Interiors.

Anne Cowenhoven of Accent and Design created a serene study that is part library, part art gallery. Crisp linens and soft linen tweeds and stripes bring out the colors of the beach stones in the fireplace. Cowenhoven selected drapes that would soften the wood cabinetry by Rocky Hill Woodworking and warm the room. Soft gray walls with a hand-painted stenciled design by Judy Dibble of Brookwood Designs soften the strong lines of the wood. The warm but light-toned wool Tibetan carpet beautifully highlights the walnut floor. “Some of my favorite elements in the room are the linen sofa, copper coffee table, and fabulous artwork from local artists,” she says. “I wanted the space to evoke the feeling of summer, a cool room to escape to on a hot day.”

Meredith Bohn of Meredith Bohn Interior Design created a beautiful, restful master bath off the master bedroom (which she also designed) in keeping with the quiet riverside location. A claw-foot tub faces the water, and soothing neutrals give the space the feel of a sanctuary. A chevron area rug provides a contemporary pop.

John Parsons Painting, in conjunction with Museums of Old York, took on the design of the wine bar/pantry. “The size of the space is similar to that of a powder room, and I wanted to give it that sort of charm,” says Parsons. He took his cues from the counter surface and the large stainless-steel and glass wine refrigerator that were already there. Historic colors by Benjamin Moore work in harmony with the counter surface, and metallic hues refer to the stainless-steel appliances. A decoupage backsplash was created with wine labels and custom-stenciled fabric. “I resisted the oft-used theme of Tuscany,” he says. “My only Old World reference was the base treatment of the walls. The randomly placed damasks break with tradition and give the room a quirky contemporary charm.”

The house is perched above a tidal river, so Chuck Hugo and Maya Travaglia of Charles C. Hugo Landscape Design created an outdoor space inspired by the constant movement of the slow-flowing waters, the going in and out with the tides. Flowering plants open and close with the day’s sun and mimic this tidal rhythm. The plantings are a mix of native and traditional coastal trees, shrubs, and perennials. “We hope this space allows people to slow down, to take time to watch the river, and to let one’s mind and imagination wander.”

Patricia Finn of Finn-Martens Design designed the teen hangout around a vintage black-and-white photo of a teen playing the drums. Finn enlarged the photo to wall size, instantly personalizing the room and creating an atmosphere (and because teens are known to change their minds often, it can be removed easily for the next great image). The sofa, chairs, and tables are by Knoll, and the chevron area rug is from Landry and Arcari. The Diamond chairs are covered in bright orange fabric. “It’s all fun and teen friendly yet classic in design, so parents like it too,” says Finn. To let creativity run wild, an entire wall has been turned into a whiteboard with Wink, a write-and-erase surface. Finn filled the space with soft, comfortable, and colorful seating and gadgets.

Gerald Pomeroy of Gerald Pomeroy Design Group took his inspiration for the living room, great hall, and kitchen from the view outside, of beautiful York River. Farrow and Ball’s Lulworth Blue colors the walls and trim, creating an unexpected and dramatic canvas that envelopes the spaces and lays the groundwork for the subtle shapes, textures, and finishes that reference the colors of the coast. “The biggest challenge to bring my vision to life,” he says, “was to unite the spaces to create one unified oasis. I achieved this with unorthodox choices of materials and scale for the fireplace surround, as well as by using ethereal Blanco Magnifica honed marble to transform the kitchen into a focal point that further enhances the understated elegance of the spaces.”