There’s a particular kind of magic in a place that feels so rooted in its location. The grounds, rooms, and details seem like they have always been there. That sensation of rootedness, of continuity, is exactly what Colleen Bashaw, Vice President of Interior Design for Cape Resorts, set out to create at The Pridwin, the newly redesigned historic waterfront property on Shelter Island that has welcomed generations of summer guests since 1927. We sat down with Colleen to talk about stewardship, nostalgia, and what it really takes to bring a beloved American resort into its next chapter.
A Legacy Worth Honoring
Originally built in 1927 and cared for by the Petry family for three generations, The Pridwin carries nearly a century of history within its walls. For Colleen, that history came with responsibility.
“It was important to me to approach the renovation with a real sense of stewardship,” she explains. “Rather than reinventing the property, I wanted to honor what made it so beloved while thoughtfully bringing it into its next chapter.”
That meant refurbishing much of the original wicker and rattan furniture, layering in natural linens and collected pieces, and drawing inspiration from vintage summer camps, yacht clubs, and classic New England cottages. The result, she says, is a property where “guests would arrive and immediately feel a sense of nostalgia, ease, and connection, as though they had discovered a place they had somehow always known.”
The Spirit of Grown-Up Summer Camp
Ask Colleen to describe The Pridwin experience, and one phrase comes up immediately: adult summer camp. With nearly ten acres, waterfront cottages, boating, tennis, a pool, beach, and expansive lawns, the property itself becomes the centerpiece of the stay.
“I always design with emotion in mind,” she says. “I want guests to arrive and immediately feel comfortable, nostalgic, and completely at ease. It’s a place where families and friends can disconnect from their routines, reconnect with one another, and create the kinds of memories that feel increasingly rare today.”
Shaped by the Island Itself
Shelter Island’s quiet, relaxed character is foundational to the hotel’s design philosophy.
“The moment you step off the ferry, the pace naturally slows down,” Colleen notes. “You’re surrounded by water, nature, and a sense of calm that immediately shifts your mindset.” That shift informed every decision at The Pridwin, from its architecture to its atmosphere, all in service of celebrating “the nostalgia of classic American summers: barefoot afternoons, bike rides, front porches, and long days spent outdoors.”
Opting for Timeless Over Trendy
The aesthetic guiding The Pridwin draws from the great tradition of American summer resorts: historic inns, clapboard cottages, yacht clubs, and the kinds of places families return to year after year. Preserving the original furnishings was non-negotiable for Colleen, who believes those pieces “carry a sense of authenticity that simply can’t be recreated.”
Layered with custom textiles, vintage-inspired linens, antiques, and playful touches like a striped bar and painted green floors, the design philosophy comes down to one guiding principle: “My goal was never to create something trendy, but rather something timeless that feels collected, lived-in, and woven into the history of the property.”
Who Comes Back — and Why
The Pridwin’s guests range from couples on a romantic weekend to multigenerational families, but they share a common thread: an appreciation for authentic hospitality and unhurried time together.
“Guests often tell me that The Pridwin reminds them of summers from their childhood, or the kind of summer retreat they’ve always dreamed about,” Colleen shares. “I think that sense of nostalgia is what keeps people coming back year after year.”
What’s Next for The Pridwin
Even as it honors its past, The Pridwin continues to evolve. This season brings a Tammy Fender wellness residency, a Dante cocktail collaboration, live music, boating experiences, and seasonal programming designed to bring guests together — all additions that, in Colleen’s words, “enhance the experience without changing what makes The Pridwin feel so special.”
For Colleen, the connection to The Pridwin runs deeper than any single project. “Every project becomes personal because I think about how people will feel in a space long after the design work is finished,” she reflects. “With The Pridwin, there was an added responsibility because of its history and the generations of families who have loved it.”
Her measure of success isn’t found in design awards or press coverage; it’s in a simple guest reaction: “When guests tell me it feels like it’s always been this way, I know we’ve succeeded.”
To learn more or book a stay at The Pridwin, visit Caperesorts.com/pridwin.
