See all photosThe Boat House by Design Within Reach × Boutique — Shelter Island, 2026
- Bedrooms3
- Bathrooms3
- Guests6
- Dock40 ft
- Minimum14 nights
- SeasonJul – Nov 2026
An Exclusive Rental Home on Shelter Island.
Perched directly over the water in Dering Harbor, The Boat House by DWR × Boutique invites guests to slow down and experience modern seaside living. Originally built as a working boathouse in the 1920s, the home was later restored and thoughtfully reimagined by its owner, designer Scott Murphy of Dirt Design, honoring its maritime heritage (and retaining its much coveted dock) while adding warmth and contemporary comfort.
For this collaboration, Design Within Reach fully furnished the home with a mix of iconic and contemporary pieces from across its evolving collection — demonstrating how modern design can live beautifully within a historic waterfront setting. Vintage and contemporary furnishings by Herman Miller, HAY, Muuto, Møller, Nordic Knots, Wrensilva, Ellison Studios and more are layered throughout the property, creating spaces designed for gathering, reading, cooking, entertaining and reconnecting with the surrounding landscape.
The home is set within Shelter Island's uniquely protected and quietly enchanting landscape, suspended in time between the North and South Forks of Long Island. There are no traffic lights, one gas station, roadside farm stands operating on the honor system, oyster coolers filled that morning, and miles of preserved coastline and wooded trails to explore. Long known for its understated creative community and slower pace of life, the island offers a different kind of Hamptons experience: more natural, deeply local and focused on the water.
A house shaped by sailors.
Shelter Island was where society summered in the 1920s, arriving on steamships from Manhattan. Scott Murphy purchased the home in 2015 from 88-year-old widower Dick Driscoll. Both were sailors. They bonded over their love of the sea, and Murphy shaped the home with Driscoll in mind.
“His spirit carries on at the house. 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.
Design Within Reach
at The Boat House.
For this collaboration, DWR has added a selection of designs by storied and contemporary brands. Highlights: 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 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 parlor: a grand piano, a beautifully crafted Wrensilva record console, a curated collection of vintage vinyl, vintage backgammon, and DWR's Man Ray chess set. 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.
Two structures, internally connected.
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. Three bedrooms and three bathrooms across two floors. All three bedrooms are Queen, all en suite. A fully restored 1970 Airstream Land Yacht is parked on the property as a bonus hangout.
On the dock and around the island.
Access to Shelter Island Heights community tennis courts requires sign-up through the North Ferry website (approx. $20/hour). Bicycles, paddleboards, and beach equipment are included. Commercial fishing experiences are available.
For your stay, at a glance.
- SeasonJuly 1 — Nov 30, 2026
Available for a limited season.
- Minimum stay14 nights
Two-week minimum.
- Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
Smart-lock access. Door code sent post-booking.
- AccessFerry only
North Ferry from Greenport docks 3 min from the house. South Ferry from North Haven.
- DockUp to 40 ft
Approx. 30″ at low tide. Inquire with host before arrival.
- House rulesNon-smoking · No pets · Shoes off
Sound carries over water — be mindful of noise.
From Memorial Day through mid-October, the adjacent Shelter Island Yacht Club fires a ceremonial cannon at 8:00 AM and at sunset.
The house and the harbor.
Click any image to open the full-screen lightbox.
In the press.
This Shelter Island Boat House Brings Every Era of Modern Style to the Bay
“Now anyone can soak in — and shop — its easygoing elegance.”
Shelter Island.
Suffolk County, near the eastern end of Long Island. No traffic lights, one gas station, one supermarket. Farm stands on the honor system, freshly caught oysters in coolers by the road, community events including summer performances by young musicians from Itzhak Perlman's music school. Mashomack Nature Conservancy claims a third of the island. Crescent Beach (white sand) is a 10-minute bike ride from the house. Shelter Island Country Club within walking distance.
Dering Harbor is a premium boating location with fishing right outside the harbor. The house has a private dock for mooring; or use one of the home's paddleboards. Don't miss Sunset Beach (André Balazs' hotel restaurant), Vine Street Cafe (farm-to-table), 1901 Grill (casual, walking distance), Stars Café and Marie Eiffel Market for breakfast / lunch / coffee. Local pharmacy has a sip-and-soda counter. Saturday farmers market at the history museum.
July 1 — November 30, 2026.
Stays by inquiry through Boutique. 14-night minimum.