High Design

A Timeless Sag Harbor Beach House with Classic Coastal Style

Writer Emma Ungaro invites us inside her family's charming Sag Harbor beach house, where classic coastal style and generations of family memories come together. More than just a summer home, the house is deeply intertwined with the remarkable story of Emma's grandmother, Sue Mingus, whose extraordinary life took her from Milwaukee debutante to Parisian writer before becoming an influential record producer and the longtime steward of legendary jazz musician Charles Mingus' musical legacy. Her work preserving his music earned her a Grammy Award in 2011.

Growing up, Emma spent countless summers here alongside her family, with Sue at the heart of every gathering. As the family's matriarch, she created a home where everyone came together—a tradition that continues today.

Recently refreshed with a relaxed coastal sensibility, the interiors embrace soft sea blues, natural textures, and comfortable furnishings that reflect the easygoing spirit of life by the water. Throughout the home, a thoughtfully curated collection of artwork celebrates the family's history and creative spirit, ensuring the house reflects not only who they are today, but also the remarkable legacy of the generations that came before them.

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