This 1935 retreat serves as a getaway for Wendy and Larry Steinberg. Larry, who is on the faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia, has worked with Wendy to restore this two-bedroom cottage in a way that might make it unrecognizable to its original owner. “Simplicity and comfort are the characteristics that come to mind when I think of the cottage,” says Larry. Though no additions have been made to the original structure, the interior pine walls have been restored in perfect contrast to the refinished original hardwood floors, making it a perfect setting for long-held pieces and rustic appointments. “We have a mission-style oak rocker in one of the rooms that we purchased for $35 at a Wisconsin garage sale when we were first married and which, when placed in my son’s nursery, was used by my husband to rock him to sleep each night,” says Wendy. The bathroom has been renovated to a classic look with 1930s tiling, and the galley kitchen has been updated with professional-grade appliances, hardware and period lighting, all of which are intended to ensure the integrity of the home for decades to come. “The kitchen during the daytime is our favorite room as the sun streams against white walls and original handcrafted cabinetry,” remarks Wendy.
On the far end of the living room, a group of french doors opens to a deck and view of a wooded canyon filled with wildlife and a nearby stream. Complementing the french doors is a host of latched wood windows that, when opened during the day, provide soothing breezes, helping to keep the single-wall building fresh and cool. “We love our turn-of-the-century paintings accented at night with the hues of vintage floor lamps,” Wendy notes. The pond boat in the living room is circa 1925 and once sailed the ponds of New York’s Central Park. It sits adjacent a life jacket from Minot’s Light, a yacht once owned by renowned writer Arthur Beiser, author of The Proper Yacht. The cabin sign leaning above the fireplace was purchased from an antiques dealer in Maine and lends a perfect touch to the mantel.
Entry to the cottage is made through a gated and rose-covered trellis. The building is surrounded by a lush garden of fragrant and colorful flowers, hearty trees and abundant roses. “The front brick patio is our favorite outdoor setting, particularly with our dogs, Smuckers and Lucy,” comments Wendy. The herringbone brick path leads to a red front door—a true East Coast touch!
A side view of the living room reveals the beamed ceilings and the breadth of the main room accented by a circa-1925 pond boat.
A side view of the living room focuses upon the french doors leading to the deck overlooking a wooded backyard.
The built-in above the fireplace contains a spectacular collection of French and American shell inkwells and boxes spanning a period from 1890 to 1930.
A newly constructed arbor spans the front gate with a view toward a traditional red cottage door.
Entry to the cottage is made through a gated and rose-covered trellis. The building is surrounded by a lush garden of fragrant and colorful flowers, hearty trees and abundant roses.
An inviting bentwood rocker from Genesee River provides courtyard comfort.
Smuckers and Lucy are Keystone’s official greeters.
The rocker adjacent the bed is from Maine Cottage Furniture and is accented with a circa-1930 trade-blanket pillow.
The master bedroom’s pine walls are brightened by a vintage lime-and-grape-colored spread and lime-colored covered pillows from Utility Canvas.