If you’re seeking a home with an artistic lineage, a Shelter Island hideaway that has recently come to market has ties to a powerhouse creative couple.

The sellers of the coastal compound are David Rankin and Lily Brett, both of whom have been awarded the Order of Australia medal for their outstanding achievements in the arts. Rankin is a celebrated visual artist whose works take pride of place in both public and private collections around the world; Brett is a novelist, poet, and essayist whose writing has been widely published. The pair are longtime Shelter Island residents, but they’ve now decided to list their modernist estate for $3.3 million.

Dating back to 1999, the property draws influence from early Fire Island architecture and Andrew Geller–designed beach houses. Large windows dot the exterior of the wood-clad structure, which sits on almost an acre of land with water views. The three-level main residence spans four bedrooms, with sleeping quarters on every floor. An open great room pairs an all-white kitchen with cozy living and dining areas. There’s also a carpeted den tucked away for quieter moments. The lower level, lined with tile, offers plenty more space for hanging out.

Out back, an L-shaped pool sits in the middle of the property. Across the way, separate from the main house, is a casita for guests. Inside lies a modern main room with a kitchen, dining area, and living space, along with two bedrooms that open to the outdoors. The final piece of the compound is a 1,400-square-foot art studio, where Rankin himself has worked. While the space will no longer be filled with his paintings, you can tap into your creative pursuits and turn the studio into your own sanctuary.

Rankin and Brett have listed their home with Jenny Landey and Maz Crotty at Sotheby’s International Realty—East Hampton Brokerage. It’s a steal compared with other properties that have recently hit the market in Shelter Island. Just last month, the island’s most expensive home came to market for $18 million. Known as the Osofsky House, the six-bedroom estate was designed by the architect Norman Jaffe back in 1971. Other properties of note include a $15 million spread on more than three acres of land that hit the market in October 2024 but seems to have landed in contract.

Click here to see all the images of David Rankin and Lily Brett’s Shelter Island estate.