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A hallway “bridge” allows light to flow down from the skylights above. “By detaching the hallway from that wall, it allowed that light to really sink down into all the floors as much as possible,” says Jennifer, who notes that it reaches the ground level. “And keeping the railings light and the stairs as open risers are all ways of getting that light down.”

From the living room, steps lead up to an open dining area where terrazzo tiles line the floor.

The bentwood mirrors and brass fixtures in the master bathroom fit in with the subtle midcentury design language throughout the home. A large window fills the space with natural light, which bounces off the white Carrara marble vanity top and herringbone tiles on the wall.

The kitchen countertops and backsplash are Carrara marble slabs, while the cabinetry is crafted from vertical-grain white oak, which adds warmth while contributing to the brightness of the interior palette.

Michael Silber’s beach bungalow on New York’s Fire Island was built in 1939 by master carpenter Mike Coffey. When Silber added an upper level to the house in 2015, he sought tradespeople who could match Coffey’s skill, choosing RJS Custom Carpentry.

The bright, airy kitchen combines warm white oak millwork with crisp white solid surface accents. The sink is highlighted by a glass backsplash with an operable window, while a bar-height counter at the peninsula encourages guests to congregate in the heart of the home.

Cheng specified brass schluter inlay between the terrazzo tiles at the floor. "These are installed in an offset Y pattern, which is the first letter of their last name," says the designer.

"Most of the carpentry built-ins were done out of plywood with birch veneer, chosen for its very raw finish and inexpensiveness," says Amanda. "For more structural items like the adaptable bed platform, we used Baltic birch instead for its superior structure and planarity."

A sliding door opens up the kitchen.

An Ambit Rail pendant lamp from Muuto lights up the new kitchen island, which allows more room for food preparation and seating.

The mudroom, outfitted in custom oak millwork, connects the garage to the entry hall.

The guest bathroom features modern fixtures, cement-look tile, and subway tile. "This gives the space an elevated feel with high functionality, using some of the most basic materials," says Tarah.

A painting by Yael hangs near the Murphy bed in the make-shift guest sleeping quarters.

“I wanted the house to feel like a boat in the middle of the forest or on an island, standing alone,

The master bedroom is furnished with a rug from IKEA and a Mysa bedframe from Chilton Furniture Co.

The exterior massing was the first thing the couple nailed down while details like the stairs took a bit longer. "The challenge is that you realize there’s an infinite amount of detail you can drill down into," says John.

A walnut-and-steel staircase leads to the upper level. Massive, upcycled, old-growth Douglas fir beams line the ceiling.