6 DIGS.NET | 8.30.2019
P R O F I L E | M c K I N L E Y B U N G A LO W
Interior designer Robert McKinley and his wife
created a dream bungalow for rent with design
pieces to purchase.
W R I T T E N B Y K A R I N E M O N I É
PHOTOGRAPHS:
COURTESY
OF
NICOLE
FRANZEN
MONTAUK
in the M A K I NG
K
ate Nauta is from Oregon
and her husband, Robert
McKinley, is from
New York. Both, however, are
passionate about the ocean and
beach culture, and first met in
Montauk—a small but chic beach
town located at the farthest tip of
the South Fork peninsula of Long
Island—when Nauta was only 18.
In this very special place they were
married; the couple also worked on
a beloved project here that opened
its doors in June 2018. "We were
inspired to create a residence that
truly feels like a dream home,
ideal for relaxed beach getaways,"
says McKinley, who leads New
York-based interior design firm
Studio Robert McKinley. "To
me, summertime is always about
entertaining with friends at home,
so we wanted to collaborate with
our favorite artists, makers and manufacturers to produce a space that
would bring people together."
California Faucets, Cle Tile, Domingue, Floyd, Hem, Reform
and Rejuvenation are some of the brands whose products adorn
the house that is available for rent. Designed as a "fully shoppable
residence"—every piece inside can be purchased—the intimate
bungalow that was originally built in 1978 is spread over 1,900 square
feet and comprises three bedrooms, two bathrooms and open living
areas with a kitchen, dining room, living room and library, as well
as an attached one-bedroom apartment. Every corner was designed
to make up a warm atmosphere. e clean white palette combines
with natural oak floors, exposed beams, a plaster fireplace, sleek
fixtures and vintage pieces. Textures were introduced throughout by
the Studio Robert McKinley team—in charge of all interior design—
