A Designer’s Montauk Home With 180-Degree Views of Block Island Sound

Designer Esha Soni, whose sculptural purses and accessories are sold at stores like New York’s Bergdorf Goodman, bought and renovated this four-bedroom, four-bathroom house in Montauk, New York, 10 years ago.

The hilltop home enjoys “breathtaking views and spectacular sunsets,” according to Zachary Tunick of Douglas Elliman, one of the listing agents.

Its location overlooking Block Island Sound “also means you get 180-degree views,” he said. “And you hardly need air conditioning because the ocean breezes are so spectacular.”

The home’s location “on a quiet cul-de-sac ensures there is absolutely no road noise or drive-by traffic,” Tunick said. “But there are trendy restaurants and terrific seasonal shops within walking distance.”

With a designer’s touch from Soni, the home is “beautifully renovated,” Tunick said. “It can be taken to the next level, but it’s already very livable.”

Open-plan living, dining and kitchen spaces anchor the home’s main level, with water views from walls of windows. There is a wood-burning brick fireplace in the living room.

The kitchen, with a granite-topped island at its center, features Wolf appliances. The primary suite includes two closets, a foyer, a large bathroom and walkouts to the home’s broad wooden terrace. The main floor includes a second bedroom, office, pantry and mudroom.

The lower level—“which is not subterranean, because of the topography,” Tunick said—includes two more bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and storage space.

“I love my house because the view of the water and the sunset, the wide-open space, and the lush, old trees create a deep sense of calm,” Soni told Mansion Global in an e-mail. “In the evenings, the white walls and floors reflect the colors of the sunset in a simple, beautiful way.”

Before launching her eponymous handbag line in 2022, Mumbai-born Soni designed accessories for labels including Ghurka, Michael Kors Collection, Ralph Lauren and Proenza Schouler. “

The bags feel like they could easily double as home decor,” enthused fashion blog WhoWhatWear in August.

Furniture is available by separate negotiation.

Stats

With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, this 3,400-square-foot house occupies a 0.88-acre lot.

Amenities

The large wooden deck, about 15 feet deep by 80 feet wide, features a mechanical canopy.

Talking Points

The 3,400-square-foot house “could easily get expanded to 6,000 square feet,” Tunick said. While there is no pool, the property is permitted for one; because of the home’s large legal setback, a new owner could also add a garage, Tunick said.

Neighborhood Notes

Montauk is on the eastern tip of Long Island’s South Shore, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Block Island Sound.

While Montauk has a reputation for nightlife—the village is home to more than 50 bars—“there is a community within the community of very successful, sophisticated parents with kids in the incredible schools here,” Tunick said. “These are people at the top of their fields, but down-to-earth. Montauk is about a laid-back lifestyle.”

Celebrity residents have included Julianne Moore, Robert De Niro and Bad Company drummer Simon Kirke. A-listers like Taylor Swift and Leonardo DiCaprio have also reportedly hung out at local hotspots like The Surf Lodge.

Private airports nearby include East Hampton Airport, about 20 miles west, and Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach, about 40 miles west. Midtown Manhattan is about 117 miles west.

Agents: Zachary Tunick, Nicole Tunick, Douglas Elliman

Australia’s prestige homeowners are increasingly choosing to reinvent their existing properties rather than enter an uncertain property market, fuelling what industry insiders are calling a “Renovation Revolution.”

From heritage terraces to coastal retreats, this shift reflects a deeper change in mindset. Homes are no longer viewed as stepping stones, but as long-term assets worthy of thoughtful investment and personalisation.

“Homeowners are approaching renovation with purpose, balancing lifestyle needs, design aspirations, and long-term return on investment,” says Jodie Cramer, CEO of Andersens, a national flooring and interior finishes company.

“Viewed through this lens, renovating often makes more financial sense than moving. Homeowners with built-up equity are confidently premiumising their space, achieving better returns on capital.”

More than half of Australian homeowners were planning renovation or improvement projects within a year, with many considering structural changes such as reconfigured floor plans, extensions, or even additional levels.

Personalisation becomes the ultimate luxury

For affluent homeowners, renovation is no longer driven solely by financial logic. It is about crafting environments that reflect individual lifestyles, values, and aesthetic sensibilities.

“Home upgrades allow families to customise their spaces,” says interior designer Delena Pitman.

“They’re not always looking to move up the property ladder; they want to make where they are feel more like home. Renovations give people the freedom to design functional, comfortable, and visually inspiring spaces.”

This trend aligns with the broader luxury movement toward intentional living, where design choices prioritise comfort, wellbeing, and enduring quality over short-term trends.

Flooring sets the foundation for luxury interiors

Among the most transformative elements in any high-end renovation is flooring, which establishes the visual and tactile foundation of a home’s design.

“Think of flooring as the canvas for your entire home,” Pitman explains. “Once it’s chosen, everything else — furniture, lighting, window treatments, and accessories — becomes easier to select, and the space feels cohesive and intentional.”

Premium materials such as engineered timber, natural stone and luxury vinyl planks are increasingly favoured for their durability and aesthetic appeal, while softer textures like wool carpet add warmth and acoustic comfort to private spaces.

Continuous flooring across open-plan living zones enhances spatial flow, while darker tones such as walnut or charcoal introduce richness and sophistication.

Designing cohesive, layered spaces

Today’s most successful renovations are guided by a holistic design approach, where flooring, cabinetry, lighting and furnishings work in harmony.

“Change the floor, and everything else either harmonises or clashes — it’s the anchor of your interior design,” says Pitman.

“Once the floor is selected, you can choose wall colours to complement or contrast, coordinate cabinetry and countertops, and adjust lighting to provide bright task illumination or soft mood lighting.”

This layered approach allows homeowners to create interiors that feel both elevated and deeply personal.

Renovation as a strategic property investment

Beyond aesthetics, renovation is increasingly viewed as a strategic investment decision. In prime suburbs and lifestyle regions alike, improving an existing home often delivers greater value than purchasing anew.

This approach enables homeowners to preserve location advantages while enhancing liveability, energy efficiency and long-term capital value.

Whether upgrading a waterfront residence, modernising a federation home, or refining a contemporary coastal retreat, the message is clear: in Australia’s luxury property market, the smartest move is often staying exactly where you are — and transforming it into something exceptional

A Designer’s Montauk Home With 180-Degree Views of Block Island Sound

Esha Soni, who designs luxury handbags and jewelry, bought and renovated the four-bedroom hilltop house a decade ago.

High-end homeowners are choosing to upgrade rather than relocate, investing in bespoke design, premium finishes and long-term lifestyle value.

Personalisation becomes the ultimate luxury

Flooring sets the foundation for luxury interiors

Designing cohesive, layered spaces

Renovation as a strategic property investment