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Brooklyn transplants Alane Kelly and Daniel King have transformed a traditional North Fork home into a modern yet rustic bed and breakfast.

When the cycling enthusiasts, who had spent the past 15 years living in Williamsburg, checked out a five-bedroom, five-bath home on Main Road in Cutchogue last summer on a whim, they fell in love with it.

“I guess fate took over,” said Ms. Kelly, a Connecticut native and former marketing professional. “I thought, ‘I want to run a B&B.’ ”

The main living room/sitting area. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
The main living room/sitting area. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

Since Memorial Day weekend, Ms. Kelly and Mr. King, an instructor at Brookhaven National Lab, have been doing just that. The newly dubbed North Fork Guest House, which the couple purchased for $565,000 and spent six months renovating, is now booked throughout the summer.

Formerly known as the bed and breakfast Andrew’s Legacy, the four-square-style home was built in 1921 and sits on around half an acre. Located two doors down from Bedell Cellars, the property’s backyard is flanked by grapevines to the east and kale crops owned by a private farm to the west.

Since Ms. Kelly and Mr. King moved in last October, they’ve repainted the formerly dark purple house a crisp shade of white and added a backyard patio made from uncut flagstone.

“It has a rustic feel to it,” Ms. Kelly said. “And the sunsets here are just spectacular.”

The updated modern kitchen. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
The updated modern kitchen. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

Inside the house, the couple removed a large cabinet so that the kitchen flows into the light-filled dining room, where an oak table can comfortably seat 10. The kitchen’s dark cabinets were swapped for white ones and an island with quartzite countertops was installed. The room also features a new backsplash made from beveled white subway tiles.

“The kitchen was very dark,” Ms. Kelly said. “I really just wanted to lighten it up.”

The home’s contemporary design aesthetic continues in the living room, where sleek, neutral-colored furniture and a baby grand piano are surrounded by wall art including photographs of the North Fork taken by Mr. King.

The new patio overlooking Bedell Cellars' vineyard and farm fields. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
The new patio overlooking Bedell Cellars’ vineyard and farm fields. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

“I think what they’ve done is wonderful,” said Liz MacNish of Mattituck, the home’s former owner. The house was built by her husband’s grandfather, Andrew; Ms. MacNish decided to downsize last year by selling the property.

“They’ve brightened it up,” Ms. MacNish said. “I think they’ve made it a wonderful place for people to come. It’s completely different than what we had but I think it’s nice for a change.”

Upstairs at the North Fork Guest House, three of the home’s five bedrooms are reserved for guests. Each guest bedroom has a queen- or king-sized bed and its own bathroom featuring eco-friendly toiletries. In the morning, Ms. Kelly makes customized frittatas and Belgian waffles.

“I have to say, I really enjoy providing a place that seems to make people really happy,” she said. “It’s a great experience to watch people enjoy the area and enjoy what you’re providing. It’s just really nice.”

One of the three guest rooms- this one with a double bed. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
One of the three guest rooms- this one with a double bed. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

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