A Design Couple's Shelter Island Sanctuary: Where Garden Meets Wetland

Andrew Corrie and Harriet Maxwell Macdonald—founders of NYC design studio Ochre and tableware brand Canvas Home—bought a wood-sided bungalow on Shelter Island in 2004. The interiors are serene and beautifully furnished, but the garden, perched at the edge of thousands of acres of protected marshland, is equally masterful. “We designed the garden ourselves, asking enthusiasts for ad hoc thoughts,” says Corrie. The result is a landscape that sits lightly on the land, blurring the line between cultivated space and wild wetland.

Living on the Edge

The main house and pool house overlook reeds, honeysuckle, bayberry, and perennial grasses that fringe the marsh. A massive wooden dining table seats 12; a matching table can be joined for 24-guest feasts. “The idea is we can put the two tables back-to-back for big dinner parties,” Corrie explains.

Pool as Wetland Extension

Perennial grasses soften the pool’s perimeter, visually linking the deck to the wetlands beyond. A pergola with built-in seating shades the pool edge, while a wall of horizontal wooden slats acts as both windbreak and backdrop.

Playful Structures

Corrie designed a wooden pyramid with local craftsmen—concrete footings anchor it, and wisteria vines add stability. “The idea is a hollow internal space for kids to play inside, but they love climbing the outside just as much.”

Drought-Tolerant Planting

In front of the woodpile, a bed of wind- and drought-tolerant perennials thrives: sedums and silvery artemisia look good for months with minimal care.

Green Roof Innovation

Garden designer Geoffrey Nimmer planted a hydroponic roof garden above the garage. “It’s been wonderful to look at, keeps the space below cool, and is fairly low maintenance,” says Corrie.

Both house and pool house are clad in white cedar, embracing the Northeast’s wood-building vernacular. The garden doesn’t compete with the landscape—it converses with it.