The Tuthill Residence
Property perks
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ConciergeA concierge service is available for this property
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Baby rental
equipment partnerWe work with a carefully-chosen baby equipment rental partner in this location -
Kid & Coe
selectKid & Coe Select properties have been visited by our team and checked for their suitability for family travelers -
ItineraryWe provide a family-focused itinerary for properties in this destination
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Professional
partnerThis property is professionally managed by a trusted partner
Perks for the Parents
Owned by renowned interior designer Serena Dugan, this ultra stylish residence offers idyllic coastal views, tranquillity and plenty of space to gather on its own private slice of Shelter Island. It sleeps 12. Creatives, art enthusiasts and nature lovers will feel instantly at home with beauty and art-led design at every turn. Interiors have fabrics and wallpapers from Serena’s own studio, indigenous textiles and a rotating gallery of handpicked art, all designed to be ‘lived with’ rather than gazed at. For parents needing to relax, there is plenty of space to unwind with the bonus of an indoor sauna, a well-stocked bar and a luxurious primary bedroom set away from the rest; it has its own private porch for enjoying a moment's peace alongside views of the Mashomak Preserve. Designed as a house for 'gathering and memory making', there are plenty of atmospheric spots for social time, from cozy living rooms with open fireplaces, and a huge wraparound porch with sofa swing seats to the relaxing outdoor pool and sun terrace. For those who prefer wild swimming, there’s a small beach and harbor just across the way, perfect for morning dips, paddle boarding, boating and picnics; boards, blankets and coolers are provided for guests to borrow.
Why Kids Love it
Kids will love this coastal hideaway, set on a very private and quiet part of Shelter Island with acres to explore including lawn space to play on and forests for den building. Little paddlers and shell collectors will love the almost private beach just a stone’s throw from their own back yard. The hosts provide paddleboards, life jackets and a host of outdoor equipment including beach blankets for making a day of it. For those who prefer warmer water, there’s a heated outdoor pool in the garden with plenty of room for swimming and games, as well as a shaded poolside patio to relax on. Post swim cookouts are easy with a BBQ, and there's a Bluetooth stereo system for kids who enjoy setting the 'party' playlist. Inside the fun continues with a designated kids’ garage complete with a media/games room including a ping pong table. For bedtime, there's a kids' bunk room full of playful decoration with sleepover style vibes. The hosts provide bikes for those keen on exploring the wider island with plenty of other activities on offer including hiking trails, kayaking, tennis and mini golf.
Things to Know
Minimum stay: 1 week minimum; 4 week rentals preferred. Rates are shown for 7-night stays, please ask for a custom quote for 4 week bookings. Please note that the swimming pool and the hot tub are unfenced so younger ones should be supervised outside. There are 2 working fireplaces at the residence, both with fireguards. There is good WiFi throughout and office/study space for those who need to work. There is a laundry room with a double washer/dryer, and a double dishwasher in the chef’s kitchen for convenience. The residence comes with a deep water mooring space for boats, which guests are welcome to use, and access to a private beach which is only shared with the neighbors. The hosts provide water safety gear, as well as 3 paddleboards, 6 bikes and beach blankets/coolers for guests to use during their stay. There is a partially finished basement area which allows overflow space as required and houses a media/games space as well as additional storage. There is private parking available.
About the Location
The residence is located on Ram Island, a private part of Shelter Island which is set between the South (Hamptons) and North Fork of Long Island. It is only accessible by car ferry creating a physical and spiritual distance from its more crowded mainland neighbors. Known for its laid-back charm and natural beauty, the island has regular farmer’s markets and some excellent restaurants – from relaxed artist’s hang outs to the glamorous Sunset Beach Hotel. The nearest beach is minutes’ walk away near Coecles Harbor, a protected deep-water harbor near Mashomack preserve which includes a mix of tidal creeks and freshwater marshes - perfect for exploring on paddleboard. Wades and Sunset are the 2 best family beaches on the island (both 12 minutes’ drive), being life guarded and having bathroom facilities. There are several golf courses around a 10-minute drive away and mini golf at Whale’s Tale, 8-minutes by car. The closest restaurant is The Ram’s Head Inn, a 3-minute cycle or 10 minute walk, and there’s a good selection of other options dotted across the island. Regular ferries run to the island from North Fork (Greenport) in around 8 minutes and the South Fork (N Haven/Sag Harbor) in around 4 minutes. New York’s JFK airport is a 3-hour drive for international flights.
Accommodation Details
The residence has 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms on one main floor, plus a walk-out basement for overflow sleeping and hang-out space. The main space starts with a central open plan living/kitchen/dining area. The chef'’s kitchen is fully stocked with top of the range appliances including 2 Miele dishwashers, a Nespresso coffee maker, a pantry and a kitchen island seating 5. A large sectional sofa occupies the space behind with a wall mounted TV, and a dining table across seats up to 10 next to the fireplace. A separate living area with sofas, armchairs, a coffee table and a second working fireplace is just beyond through an open archway. Guests will also find a laundry room with double washer/dryer, a cloakroom, a bar with a wine fridge and an ice cube maker, a powder room, and a wet room/pool changing area with an infra-red sauna. The primary bedroom is set beside the second living area away from the rest of the house; it comes with a kingsize bed, an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub and shower, and access to its own porch area. The other 4 bedrooms are towards the back of the house and include a second bedroom with a kingsize bed and ensuite bathroom with radiant flooring, a third bedroom with a queensize bed and an ensuite bathroom, a fourth bedroom with a queensize bed, patio access and a bathroom shared with the fifth bedroom – the kids’ bunk room with 2 twin bunk beds sleeping 4. Downstairs, the basement area has a media room which is great for kids to have their own space to gather. Outside, there is a wraparound porch surrounding the house with 2 large porch swing beds. There is a patio area off to the side with a BBQ, and a heated stone-built pool and hot tub beyond with sun deck, loungers and an outdoor shower. There are lawns in front of the house with more chairs, and waterside views.
Style Notes
Re-imagined Adirondack. This classic 1930’s island residence was something of a passion project for Serena Dugan, who took 2 years to restore and redesign it from the inside out. Artistic flair and attention has gone into every detail from the taps and handles, to the sinks and cabinetry. The jewel in the crown are the fabulous fabrics and wallpapers, many of which are from her own studio collection. The house also serves as a unique gallery space with a rotating display of work, some of which has painted in the garden's own art studio, drawing inspiration from its wild natural surroundings. Other textiles and art pieces are from Serena’s private collection or the work of local artists, weaving joy and character throughout the interior spaces. Beautiful wood and tiled floors are complimented by a warm and colorful paint palette, offsetting earthy greens and reds with striking darker shades. Clever layering of patterns, and bold tiling, instils style and elegance enhanced by a mix of vintage and Urban Electric lighting, custom made upholstery from Wesley Hall and rugs sourced from Marrakech bazaars. Linens and bedding are from Serena’s own design studio, with award-winning Casper mattresses to ensure a good night’s sleep. We love the stone crafted outdoor pool area for daytime hangouts and the huge wraparound porch with it’s decadent sofa swing seats for curling up with a glass of wine and watching the sun set over the harbor.
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Air Conditioning
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Baby Bath
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Baby Monitor
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Babysitter / Nanny
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Backyard / Garden
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Balcony
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Bathtub
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Bed Rails
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Bicycles
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Cabinet Locks
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Changing Table
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Chef / Catering
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Children's Dinnerware
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Corner Guards
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DVD Library
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DVD Player
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Dishwasher
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Elevator
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Fireplace Guards
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Game Console
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High Chair
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Housekeeper
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Outlet Plugs
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Parking
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Pet-friendly
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Pool
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Pool Gate
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Stair Gates
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Television
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Toys / Children's Books
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Washer / Dryer
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Wifi
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Window Guards
Shelter Island, North Fork
A magical place for a family vacation
A weekender getaway from New York City with acres of sandy beaches, quiet roads and ice cream parlors, Shelter Island is a magical place for a family vacation. Outdoor adventures abound, whether that’s hiking through nature preserves, kayaking in the bay or cycling to the beach to collect shells and play in the calm waves. Getting here is part of the fun - kids love the ferry ride.
