Architecture and Design Obsession
Designer Robert McKinley’s New Montauk Bungalow Is So Cool it Hurts
Weekend getaway meets shoppable showroom in this carefully curated residence where everything—even the faucets—is available for purchase.
Weekend getaway meets shoppable showroom in this carefully curated residence where everything—even the faucets—is available for purchase.
While working on boutique hotels across the U.S., New York–based designer Robert McKinley noticed a shift in the way people were traveling. Realizing that travelers increasingly crave spaces that offer a sense of discovery along with a home-away-from-home feel, the young multi-hyphenate saw a golden opportunity to combine his signature coastal and laid-back style with his favorite brands in a new endeavor—the McKinley Bungalows: rental homes with a “shoppable stay” concept.
“It feels very much like a home, where we mixed products from our design partners together very organically, whether they be books, textiles, ceramics, or furniture, so there is a sense of inspiration and discovery,” says Robert McKinley.
Nicole Franzen
Just one year after opening the Fairview Bungalow in the coastal hamlet of Montauk on New York’s Long Island, McKinley has completed his second property, the Federal Bungalow. As with its predecessor, the Federal takes cues from Montauk’s coastline and European seaside towns for a modern and elevated spin on the beach chic aesthetic that’s emphasized with thoughtfully curated furnishings and objects, all of which are available for sale.
The dining room features a HAY dining table and Aelfie tapestry. In addition to outfitting the bungalow with brands, the design team also added decorative elements found at antique markets and from Etsy.
Nicole Franzen
“We chose to create a space that reflects our own aesthetic sensibilities— that we’d want to bring our families to, but also one that people could visit and enjoy,” explains McKinley, who filled the fully shoppable interiors and exteriors with his studio’s favorite brands like Floyd, California Faucets, and Heath Ceramics.
The Federal Bungalow is centrally located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Montauk and is a five-minute drive to the popular beach Ditch Plains. The door hardware is by Emtek and the house numbers are by Heath Ceramics.
Sarah Elliot
See the full story on Dwell.com: Designer Robert McKinley’s New Montauk Bungalow Is So Cool It Hurts
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