Fact-checked by As far as New York City power couples go, you could say Allison Michael Orenstein and Simone Saint Laurent fill the bill. Allison is a celebrity portrait photographer whose work has graced many a magazine cover; Simone owns an artists agency, St. Laurent, and co-owns popular hair salon Laicale in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood. For much of the year, their “home” is a prewar Williamsburg, Brooklyn, apartment with dark wood, high ceilings, and a soaring chandelier. But come early May, the couple of 22 years (along with their long-haired dachshunds) hops on a Fire Island, New York-bound ferry to a happily humble getaway situated in the heart of Cherry Grove, an LGBTQIA+ community named for the black cherry trees that have long dotted the landscape.
Their 500-square-foot writer’s cottage—a reference to the barrier island’s past and present literary-minded residents (W.H. Auden, Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote, to name just a few)—needed a plot twist of its own. “Even the whitewashed wood was stained and dingy,” says Allison. “We opened it up and made it more airy. Our mantra is pretty much: When in doubt, paint it white.”
The furniture was equally dated. “The sofas had orange covers, and there were clown-theme curtains,” adds Simone. Fortunately, on Fire Island it’s easy to kick the kitsch to the curb. “Out here, you just put your discards on the boardwalk and people can come by and find a treasure,” says Allison.
Summer days are spent mostly outdoors—“It’s like we live in a nature preserve,” marvels Allison—before the couple heads back to the city come September. “We’ve learned to put everything away during the off-season—even the birdseed,” says Allison. “There was one year when the mice of Cherry Grove had the biggest party in our house.” Still, a few raucous rodents couldn’t keep them away for long. “Spending summers out here has turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made,” says Allison. “Living near the ocean and witnessing the stars, tides, sunrise, sunset, and wildlife this close to New York City, with a close-knit community, is such a magical gift.”
Read on to see how they make the most of island time.
Pint-Sized Kitchen
Simone, who grew up sailing with her family, especially loves the compact kitchen because it reminds her of a sailboat galley. Guests can sit on the home’s original barstools, which the couple repainted white, and chat as Simone cooks. “We all joke that it’s ‘Simone’s Clam Bar,’ ” says Allison. The refrigerator—a new “skinny” model to fit the 1950s footprint—is a recent upgrade. “We had a tiny one for 10 years,” says Allison. “We can fit a whole watermelon now!” The tile and countertops are original to the property; a new IKEA shade dresses up the preexisting light fixture. The kitchen’s curvy open shelving contains assorted coffee mugs left behind by past houseguests. The artwork (far right) is a tribute to the couple’s dachshund, Louie.
Get the Look:
Ceiling, Wall, and Cabinetry Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore
Tile with Local Flair
The dining table, which came with the house, was designed by local legend John Eberhardt. The self-taught architect, known for his fanciful doors, windows, and cupolas, built more than 50 homes in the area during the ’50s and ’60s, including famed guesthouse The Belvedere. “Some of the other homes on the block have the same tile table,” says Allison.
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Collected Curiosities
The dining area’s open shelving contains a hodgepodge assembled during more than 13 years of summering on the island, including vintage Springbok puzzles, faded books, and assorted seaphemera. “There’s something amazing about the conversation that flows while doing puzzles,” says Simone.
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Dog-Friendly Daybed
Tucked under the living room window, the futon-turned-lounger, which homeowners Simone and Allison repainted white and covered with a Hungarian featherbed, is Allison’s favorite spot in thehouse. “I can snuggle with the dogs and watch the birds,” she says. The throw pillow assortment includes denim finds from Target and a few others Simone made out of durable burlap. Long-haired dachshunds (and half-brothers!) Louie (9) and Teddy (6) are well accustomed to island life. Follow along on their adventures @louiesaintlaurent.
Wood Wagon Coffee Table
The living room’s rickety wagon-turned-coffee table is a nod to Fire Island’s history. Residents historically used the vessel to transport everything from luggage to groceries to children around the no-cars-or-bikes-allowed community. At one point, each of the island’s 4,500 properties was said to own a wagon.
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Seaside Treasures
Beachcombing is a serious pastime on the barrier island. “You never know what the tide will bring—white rocks, sea glass, purple-and-white oyster shells,” says Allison. “One year, it was all sand dollars—we collected almost 2,000 of them! We have one rule—whatever the sea brings has to stay on the island.”
Captain’s Quarters
The space-saving, storage-maximizing captain’s bed (the platform base holds four drawers) paired with an 8-inch-deep floating shelf was a practical choice in the small bedroom, which is intentionally spare. “We wanted it to be peaceful, so there’s no electronics,” says Allison. “It’s just simple and cozy.” The gemstone artwork above the bed is by musician Lara Meyerratken.
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Dinners Alfresco
The outdoor dining table was given to the couple by friends who were moving, and they painted it blue. “It’s a really gorgeous French blue,” says Simone. The solar-powered string lights go on automatically when it gets dark, meaning they can linger longer with occasional houseguests or close family friends who live down the block. “We’ve known each other for 20-something years,” says Allison. “We call them our Gay Family.”
Get the Look:
Dining Table Paint: Buckland Blue by Benjamin Moore
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Meet the Homeowners!
Allison Michael Orenstein (right) is a celebrity portrait photographer and Simone Saint Laurent owns an artists agency and co-owns a Manhattan hair salon.
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Rachel Barrett is the Editor-in-Chief of Country Living. She can't pass up a vintage seascape, drives an '89 Woody Wagoneer (that is, when it'll start), and hopes to buy you a lemonade at a future Country Living Fair.
Stephanie Gibson Lepore is the Copy/Research Editor of Country Living. She enjoys writing about a range of topics and making sure the facts are accurate. When she's not checking out the latest Instagram post from Merriam-Webster, you can find her hunting home decor at an antiques shop, reading WWII fiction in a sunny spot, cheering (loudly) for her football team, or planning her daughter's next birthday party (themes forever!).
