Story & Photos by Michael White
Here’s what happens when people first enter Pearl Cottage in Blue Point:
“They come in not knowing what to expect, and they have this quiet, ‘aha’ moment and settle in,” explained co-owner Laura Hansen of Sag Harbor. “And this peace comes about them — and they will often verbalize that by saying, ‘This is so lovely.'”
For the younger demographic, Pearl Cottage strikes an immediate chord, she added, mostly because it reminds them of all the pretty pictures on Pinterest.
“What women of all ages are seeing online nowadays are these beautiful, material settings — be it at home, or the way a baby shower is decorated — and to actually walk into a store and find what they’re seeing really makes them happy,” Hansen said.
Pearl Cottage is owned by Hansen and her sister, Susan Fasano of Bayport. They opened in March at 10 Corey Avenue, near the beach.
The store offers a combination of new and vintage furniture and home decor, along with hostess gifts and a small selection of clothing. (More photos below.)
The Blue Point opening followed a wildly successful, three-month pop-up version of Pearl Cottage that ran from October to December on Main Street in Southold.
“We figured we would do OK [in Southold] but we didn’t think we’d do that well,” Fasano said. “We literally left that store and had zero merchandize left over. We’ve since had people from the North Fork taking the trip to see us here.”
The sisters had been looking to settle on a permanent location on the East End, but decided to open in Blue Point after they couldn’t find something this winter.
The new Pearl Cottage isn’t far from their original Hamptons West venture in Sayville, which the sister sold before attempting to venture east.
They had also hosted “No Ordinary Yard Sale” events at Fasano’s property in Bayport.
The sisters, who grew up in East Islip, spend countless hours searching for old furniture and other antique items to repurpose and stage in their store. They deal with pickers and visit trade shows, flea markets and estates stales. They refinish the furniture, do upholstery, even make their own items from scratch.
One thing they stress, is how affordable everything is for the consumer — like a newly upholstered, beige swivel chair GreaterPachogue scoped out for just $175. (This is less than HomeGoods.)
Borrowing a phrase from a customer, they described their look as “rustic and refined.”
“And we present that in a light, airy, contemporary way that’s affordable and makes everyone feel they can have that same look; they can attain it,” Fasano said.
“It’s very achievable,” Hansen said, “whether they buy here or get inspired to do it themselves.”
