The Boat House by DWR x Boutique

An Exclusive Rental Home on Shelter Island

Following the debut of the Design Within Reach x Boutique rental home in Palm Desert last year, we are delighted to share our second collaboration, The Boat House on Shelter Island in New York.

Originally built as a working boat house in the 1920s, when Shelter Island was where society summered, arriving on steamships from Manhattan, it was carefully restored and reimagined by its owner, designer Scott Murphy, in 2015. Murphy purchased the home from 88-year-old widower Dick Driscoll. Both were sailors. They bonded over their love of the sea, and Murphy redeveloped the home with Driscoll in mind. "His spirit carries on at the house," he says. "There's a special energy there. It's not just the location—it's something about the feeling people get when they're there. I look at myself as just a steward, holding down the fort."

The renovation honors the property’s maritime heritage—a suspended rope bed, a glass floor panel that shows the water below it—while simultaneously introducing contemporary details. Reclaimed white oak from a Pennsylvania barn, Japanese-inspired bath detailing, and an all-black Swedish pine tar exterior set the tone for a space that feels both timeless and deeply personal.

For this collaboration, DWR has added a selection of designs by storied and contemporary brands, with highlights including a vintage Eames lounge chair and ottoman, a Møller Otto dining table, Nordic Knots rugs, an Americano sofa, a HAY Palisade dining set, Muuto stacked storage, and outdoor furnishings by both Muuto and Ellison Studios.

Designed for slowing down and reconnecting, the property offers multiple indoor and outdoor environments—from dining and lounging decks to a private dock, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and a screen-free parlor room. Within the welcoming space of the parlor, guests will find a grand piano, a beautifully crafted Wrensilva record console, a curated collection of vintage vinyl, vintage backgammon, and DWR's Man Ray chess set. If you're staying in, the kitchen is built for cooking. The Boat House is also equipped for wellness, with an outdoor cedar hot tub and infrared sauna.

Furnishings and accessories featured in the home are available for purchase at dwr.com.

Layout

The Boat House occupies two structures: a main house and a detached wing that houses the kitchen, open-plan living, and dining. The two buildings connect internally. There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms across two floors.

- Bedroom 1 — Queen, en suite

- Bedroom 2 — Queen, en suite

- Bedroom 3 — Queen, en suite

A fully restored 1970 Airstream Land Yacht is parked on the property, fitted with a day bed, bistro dining booth, mini kitchen, and a selection of books, instruments, and games.

Experiences

Access to the Shelter Island Heights community tennis courts requires a sign-up through the North Ferry website (~$20/hour). Bicycles, paddleboards, and beach equipment are included. Commercial fishing experiences are available.

Good to know

This home is available for a limited period only, from June 1 to November 30, 2026. There is a two-week minimum stay.

Shelter Island is accessible by ferry only. The floating dock accommodates boats up to 40ft. Water depth is approximately 30 inches at low tide—inquire with the host in advance.

Sound carries over the water, and guests are asked to be mindful of noise. The home is non-smoking and does not accommodate pets. A cleaner will visit once a week, but additional cleaning is available on request. Shoes must be removed on entry.

From Memorial Day through mid-October, the adjacent Shelter Island Yacht Club continues its long-standing tradition of firing a ceremonial cannon salute at 8:00AM and again at sunset.

Rental registration number: L-0009.

Amenities & services

Private dock, outdoor hot tub (cedar, harbor-facing), outdoor sauna, outdoor shower, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, gas grill (six-burner), two paddle boards, vintage Airstream (A/C, heat, electricity), bicycles, beach essentials, Sonos, EV charger, wood-burning fireplace (main house), wood-burning stove (kitchen wing), soaking bathtub, rain shower, flat-screen TV, vinyl record player, fine linens, high-end kitchen appliances, Sub-Zero refrigerator, professional gas range, community tennis (sign-up required), community beach club access

Around

Shelter Island is located in Suffolk County, New York, near the eastern end of Long Island. It sits between the North and South Forks, and is reachable only by ferry.

The island has a protected wonderland quality, with no traffic lights, one gas station, and one supermarket. Farm stands work on an honor system, freshly caught oysters sit in coolers by the road, and there are numerous community events, including summer performances by brilliant young musicians from Itzhak Perlman's music school. The Mashomack Nature Conservancy claims a third of the island, with thousands of acres of trails through fields and along the coast. Crescent Beach, with its glorious white sands, is a 10-minute bike ride from the house. For golfers, the Shelter Island Country Club is walking distance. Dering Harbor is a premium boating location, with fishing right outside the harbor, and the house has a private dock for mooring. If you don't have a boat, use one of the home's paddleboards to explore the water.

Don't miss local hot spot Sunset Beach, the restaurant at André Balazs' much-loved hotel, which is close by. Or Vine Street Cafe, famous for its farm-to-table American menu that's drawn a loyal local crowd for years. For something more casual, the 1901 Grill is walking distance. For breakfast, lunch and coffee, Stars Café and Marie Eiffel Market are also easily reached on foot from the house. The local pharmacy still has a sip & soda counter, and there's a farmers market every Saturday at the history museum.

Location

Shelter Island Heights, Shelter Island, Suffolk County, New York, US. Nearest airports: Long Island MacArthur (ISP, 60km), John F. Kennedy International (JFK, 130km). Shelter Island is only accessible by car ferry. The North Ferry departs from Greenport, NY (and docks three minutes from the house), and the South Ferry departs from North Haven (Sag Harbor), NY.