It feels like a lifetime ago, but really it was only about five years back when our family's journey to Shelter Island began.

A day trip from the city took us through the bucolic farmland of the North Fork and onto the Shelter Island ferry. My then-boyfriend (who had yet to propose, but somehow thought it was cool to consider a weekend home purchase with me) got out of the car, took a deep breath of salty air and said, "This is what I want it to feel like."

After a few years of open houses and unaccepted offers (oh yeah, and a wedding, our first child, AND our second child!) a day trip escape with the kids led us to a drive-by discovery of our future home. I remember getting out of the car, and looking at this sweet little house. I turned to my husband and said, "this is what I want it to feel like."

We had found our place. (Well, I found it, and I convinced him!)

Despite loving our Brooklyn life, the realities of living with the pandemic and our uncertain future led us to the realization that our weekend getaway was actually meant to be our full-time home.

Shelter Island has given us a new rhythm. The busy, over-scheduled life of classes, playdates, and work has been replaced by beach walks to collect shells that lead to spontaneous strolls with neighbors.

Shelter Island has reconnected us to the pleasures of the everyday.

We get dressed, we don't get dressed up. We've embraced the simple idea that something can be both beautiful and comfortable.

It's these feelings that inspired us to create Shelter Isle. It's an ongoing creative collaboration to express our love for this special place. Our first project is a series of sweatshirts designed to be beautiful and comfortable. They're our loungewear love note to our new island, and we want to share it with all of you!

-Ana, Damon, Colette and Beau


top images by Kinship Photo