SHAMROCK HOUSE

LESS OF BETTER IS BEST

Sublime. Can a tiny 1930s cottage on a gravel road—so close to the train you can feel it pass—be truly sublime? In the artful care of two accomplished creatives, it can. Absolutely, it is.

Shamrock House is an extension of AP, Ariane and Archer Prewitt’s singular, sophisticated clothing and home shops. In keeping with the shops’ aesthetic, the cottage is an intimate, two-bedroom, one-bathroom testament to the idea that less of better is best. And that curiosity is a powerful driver of creativity.

Multidisciplinary in their chosen pursuits (stylist, designer, curator, musician, cartoonist), the pair are academics at heart, drawn to the who, why, and how of things we live with. Consistently, their joint projects’ unspoken ethos generously shifts the spotlight from their own talent to the artists, designers, and craftspeople they admire.

At the cottage, this manifests in a graceful, grass-filled landscape inspired by Piet Oudolf or an elegant, minimalist picnic table referencing Donald Judd. Hand-drawn wallpaper by Lake August and postmodern art by Gary Stephan. Although guests may not know the provenance around them, artistry and intention are felt. Here, inspiration whispers, leaving plenty of space for your own.

Furnished with a skillful edit of pieces sourced locally from Sojourn, Alchemy, Stockholm Objects, FL Braswell, Judith Racht, and Elizabeth Coyne—as well as AP collections—the cottage is an eloquent expression of the community’s creative culture. Even the kitchen, transformed by master carpenter Dennis Snow, nods to craft and collaboration.

Shamrock House is minutes on foot to shops, cafes, and restaurants and a very walkable mile to the beach. Its petite footprint nearly doubles with a peaceful, private open-air living area featuring all the lake getaway requisites: Adirondacks, firepit, hammock, outdoor shower, and cedar-clad Nordic spa. Countless other thoughtful touches—fresh flowers and locally sourced provisions, to name a few—mark this subtly branded form of hospitality. To inquire, contact AP Shops.

Local Tip: At the moment, authentic ethnic food is rare in these parts, with the exception of one 30-year gem a short walk from Shamrock House. Cafe Gulistan serves delicious Kurdish fare in a humble, bohemian setting. Sit outside in the garden or order a tasty spread to enjoy around the fire at the cottage.

read our interview with Ariane

words Collette DiJohn Kemper
images Jodi Bodtke
June 12, 2024