American architect Gil Schafer III is known for his keen ability to mix the traditional with the new, despite, as he jokes, being “deeply allergic to the trendy.” In Home at Last: Enduring Design for the New American House (Rizzoli, 2024), the final installment of his trilogy on “living modern” in classical American homes, Schafer highlights a collection of residences that are designed to adapt, evolve, and endure. Schafer explains in the book’s introduction that he has become a better listener—to both his family and his clients—and has realized that “the most indispensable quality of an enduring home is that it is adaptive to the evolution of life—the house can shape-shift, if you will, depending upon a family’s needs.”

While he believes architecture should always endure, Schafer recognizes that decorative schemes are ever-changing. The glazed porch of this Long Island compound, which Schafer designed for a sociable couple, is just one of many entertainment spaces on the property, which also includes a pool pavilion, guesthouse, greenhouse, nightclub-style basement, spa, badminton court, and entertaining barn. Decorative stone tile and wicker chairs invite guests to relax in the brightly lit room, which features an antique stone mantel found for the owners by interior designer David Netto. Grasscloth shades and potted plants bring the outdoors in, while an abstract brushstroke painting above the fireplace adds a contemporary touch to the informal gathering space. Create your own summer sanctuary with these nine finds.