58 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • FEBRUARY 2022
A HOME OFFICE
FOR WORK, LEISURE, AND BEAUTY
BY ARLENE GROSS
A home office for an architect in his new
waterfront home on Northport Bay in
Asharoken earned an Interior Design
Society’s first place “Designer of the
Year” award in the home office category
for Christine Conte, of Christine Conte
Interiors of Huntington.
Part of a complete home design and
build project, the 15-by-25-foot office
was positioned at the far end of the home,
away from the kitchen and family room,
to ensure that noise would be kept to a
minimum.
“Flow and entertaining were prominent
in designing this home and the rooms
attach as a series with both a common
hallway and open pass-throughs, so that
you can see the whole house from one
room to the other,” Conte says.
Though slated as a home office, the room
was designed to function as a refuge for
both work and relaxation.
“One side of the room was designed for
the husband to work; the other side
was designed for the wife, where she
could leisurely enjoy some time reading,
watching TV, or conversing with her husband
while he worked,” explains Conte.
STEP BY STEP
Before any plans were drawn up, Conte
discussed with the clients what their
vision for the space was, how it would
function, and who would be using it.
“It was designed in a transitional style:
clean lines, with a masculine nod,” says
Conte.
Conte proceeded to plan out the space,
choosing finishes and furnishings and
creating design drawings which included
a detailed ceiling plan, marble fireplace,
and custom cabinetry.
Construction commenced with the marble
fireplace, followed by custom millwork,
ceiling installation, and furniture
ordered. Next, wallpaper was installed,
followed by furniture and then styling of
the space, which included personal items
the couple wanted to display.
LIGHT AND TEXTURED WITH A
WATER VIEW
For continuity Conte kept to a mix of soft
gray hues with a hint of green accents,
covering the walls with a Phillip Jefferies
Greige Tweed fabric covering. She used the
same custom gray-stained finish for the
ceilings and beams as on the custom-made
cabinetry, which has raised diamondshaped
doors with concealed push latches.
Made from natural woven wood, the
window shades were chosen to dress
the windows, let light in, and provide
privacy at night.
In keeping with the design of the house,
Conte selected doors and windows that
would maximize both natural light and
the water view.
“The side windows flanking the fireplace
are nonfunctional doors,” she says.
FURNISHINGS FOR UTILITY
AND AESTHETICS
To delineate the two separate areas of the
room, Conte added a pair of matching
custom textural white woven rugs.
In the workspace, Conte opted for a glass
desk to keep the room light and bright.
“It is, in reality, a glass dining table, custom
sized,” she says.
Behind the desk is a built-in unit with
concealed drawers and roll-out shelves
for a printer, storage, and a large-lift TV.
On the other side of the room, Conte
added a custom chair-and-a-half, designed
for maximum comfort without
blocking the view, and a masculine/transitional
style faux snakeskin bench and
leather-wrapped floor lamp.
Complementing the style of the room,
Conte finished the design with art and
period pieces, including an authentic
vintage poster for over the fireplace
and vintage umbrella stands from
1stDibs for the architect’s drawings
and plans.
“The art deco martini table was selected
for its reference to the Chrysler Building
as an architectural element for an architect’s
office,” she says.
INSIDE JOB
Oversized doors and windows let water and light shine through (Photo by Nicole Larson)
Rugs delineate work space on left from leisure space on right (Photo by Nicole
Larson)
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