Bridgehampton basement transformed: a subterranean sanctuary
What began as a pandemic-induced shift to year-round living has blossomed into an extraordinary design revelation for one Bridgehampton family. Faced with a suddenly cramped summer home, they turned to the familiar talents of architect Peter Pennoyer and designer Katie Ridder, the duo responsible for the main residence’s elegant charm, with a singular, intriguing request: “surprise us.”
A year-long secret, a world unveiled
Pennoyer and Ridder, each operating their own New York studios, have a proven track record of collaborative success, and this Bridgehampton estate is a testament to their synergy. While Pennoyer oversaw the original house’s structural integrity and form, Ridder infused it with her signature palette and rich textures—a treatment seamlessly extended to the basement’s ambitious reimagining. For nearly a year, as construction quietly unfolded, the family resided upstairs, blissfully unaware of the subterranean world taking shape beneath their feet, shielded by a discreet, sealed entrance.
The completed space, far from resembling a typical basement, is a revelation—a self-contained “grotto” that defies expectations. It’s a testament to the power of responding to a family’s evolving needs, and a bold exercise in architectural and design ingenuity.
Catering to every desire, from playroom to float tank
The transformation wasn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. Each family member harbored distinct aspirations for the space. The son, a toddler when Pennoyer initially designed the house, now required a dedicated zone—a haven for friends, video games, and a welcome escape from parental oversight. His mother, a woman of artistic sensibilities, yearned for a sanctuary where she could cultivate her creativity and find respite from the household bustle. “She’s deeply artistic, captivated by detail and craftsmanship,” Ridder explains, underscoring the project’s meticulous nature.
The initial challenge lay in the basement’s inherent darkness. Pennoyer’s ingenious solution involved excavating a portion of the building’s exterior, opening it up to a sunken courtyard graced by a custom bronze fountain sculpted by Josh Dow. “We intentionally curved the design to soften its impact on the property line,” Pennoyer notes, illustrating a commitment to both aesthetics and sensitivity to the surrounding landscape.
An aquatic fantasy, underground
But the true magic resides in the seamless integration of artistry and design. Ridder commissioned mosaic artist Stephen Miotto—a specialist renowned for his restoration of the ancient mosaic pool at Yonkers’s Untermyer Gardens—to adorn the courtyard with an original, Roman-inspired undersea scene. This aquatic theme then flowed indoors, permeating the entire space.
In the dining area, sculptor Heather Personett sculpted bas-relief coral forms onto walls painted a vibrant blue, creating an ethereal effect reminiscent of the ocean floor. The terrazzo floors, composed of hand-smashed marble chunks in irregular formations, add a layer of raw, almost archaeological texture. It’s a deliberate evocation of a hidden, subterranean world.
A jungle shimmer, and a sanctuary within
The main living area is equally captivating. Muralist Chuck Hettinger’s lush jungle scene, rendered on hand-brushed aluminum foil and shimmering with silver leaf, wraps around a curved banquette inspired by Stockholm’s Scandia Cinema. The room’s warmth is amplified by built-in bookshelves, a stylish soda bar, and ottomans upholstered in Ridder’s own Gigi fabric—a cheerful, densely patterned print that playfully incorporates the daughter’s name into its design. Hand-carved wooden animals, sketched by Pennoyer’s architect Eric Kirk, complete the scene, adding a touch of whimsical charm.
The homeowner’s desire for a dedicated craft room resulted in a space enveloped in Ridder’s Cherry Blossom print, complete with rattan-fronted cabinetry and ample storage for both the husband and the homeowner’s creative pursuits. Notably, a sensory deprivation float tank, a high-priority request, is discreetly tucked away in a Bisazza-tiled nook. “We were overwhelmed by family sensory input during COVID,” Ridder quipped, “so you can retreat in there and simply shut the lid.”
A symphony of artisans
“We threw every conceivable craft at this project,” Ridder reflects, highlighting the extraordinary breadth of talent involved. From mosaic artists and bas-relief sculptors to muralists, terrazzo workers, carvers, and a bronze foundry, the team assembled represents an unprecedented concentration of skilled artisans for a single project. The result? A subterranean space that transcends the ordinary, a place where one is constantly surprised—a testament to the power of collaboration and a daring reimagining of the humble basement.