Cape Remodel: Small Fixes, Lots More Function

The equation seems simple: larger family equals larger house. The house in question is a cottage in Amagansett, New York, in the dunelands of the East End of Long Island. Kevin Blaney purchased it as a weekend retreat when he was single and still courting his future wife, Liz. The house served them well, but a dozen years and four children later, "we had simply outgrown the place," says Liz. Yet, "we loved the atmosphere of Scheffer homes—they're so cozy and welcoming—and we wanted to keep that feeling." ("Scheffer" is architect Alfred Scheffer, who helped turn the townships of the East End into the sought-after summer resorts now known as the Hamptons.) Keep reading to see how the Blaney family modified the house they loved to accommodate their growing family.

Shown: New shutters, roof, windows, and brick and cedar-shingle siding give the 1965 house a fresh look without altering its modest, seaside-cottage style. Inside, many little changes add up to major improvements in comfort and flow.