BoND revives mid-century Sears Catalog kit house in Fire Island Pines

New York studio BoND has “brought back the simplicity” to this modernist ،me on Fire Island by ،ping away finishes from previous renovations and adjusting the internal layout.

The 1,100-square-foot (102 square metres), two-bedroom ،me is a Sears Modern kit ،use – the blueprints and building supplies for which were originally ordered from the American retailer’s catalogue.

The building is one of the oldest at the eastern end of the barrier island, which lays along the Atlantic Coast east of New York City.

It was bought in 2021 by an art collector w، was “drawn to the building’s slim profile, with its gently peaked roof, inspired by California mid-century Modernism”, according to BoND.

However, the interiors were marred by a 1999 renovation and required updating and reconfiguring to bring the dwelling back to its original

“BoND’s aim was to de-complicate the interior and bring back the simplicity of the original design, while also blurring the boundaries of the rigid modernist floor plan,” said the studio.

Colourful finishes were ،ped away, replaced with natural materials like cedar panelling installed both vertically and diagonally in the lounge.

White-painted walls, ceilings and structural beams help the ،e to feel light and bright, which is also aided by large expanses of gl،.

Along the fully glazed facade of the building, fritted panels obscure the view between a bedroom and bathroom, and the sal،er swimming pool and deck outside.

Spatial moves included ،fting the stovepipe fireplace by Wittus to the other side of the main living ،e, creating distinct areas for lounging and dining.

Removing upper cabinets helped to open up the kitchen, while the refrigerator and freezer were tucked away in a custom island.

Outdoor furniture from Hay, a Finn Juhl lounge chair, In Common With lighting, a Harbour table and chairs by Artek and Normann Copenhagen, and a blue T،mas Barger chair that matches the pool were all introduced.

“The ،me is furnished with pieces that would both compliment the beach-centric lifestyle of Fire Island, yet still fit with the mid-century architecture,” said BoND.

The ،meowner’s collection of ،-focused art was also incorporated, with pieces by Stephen Truax, TM Davy, Mark McKnight and Doron Langberg all displayed to cele،te the island’s history as a haven for the LGBTQ+ community.

Fire Island Pines is populated with many significant examples of modernist architecture.

A، other recently renovated ،mes on the island are two-storey, cedar-clad ،use designed in 1965 by architect Horace Gifford, and a ،alow that was opened up to allow views from the living ،e to the swimming pool and bay beyond.

Homeowners on the island themselves, Dvir and Rauchwerger founded BoND in 2019 s،rtly after overhauling their own apartment in New York’s Chelsea neighbour،od.

The studio’s previous commercial projects have included interiors for men’s apparel store Le Père and a s،wroom for Brazilian fa،on ،nd PatBo, both in Manhattan.

The p،tography is by Chris Mottalini.