Paul was eager to bring the amenities up to snuff, too: Homes lacking central air, a pro-style range, and Wi-Fi are now, after all, as rare in Sag Harbor as sperm whales. "I loved this old house," he says. "But it wasn't quite livable for the 21st century."
Working fireplaces, cozy bedrooms, and sight lines to the garden also sprang to his mind. But first came the question of how to straighten the place and brighten its warren of dark, stooped rooms.
Shown: Clean-lined furnishings and polished crown molding contrast with a weathered mantel, exposed beams, and salvaged wood trim.
Contribute to This Story Below