Summer by the Sea by Thomas A. Kligerman - ISBN: 9781580937344
Hardcover
Rhode Island’s shingle style: Summer cottages, history, and captivating coastal beauty.
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Summer by the Sea

Cottages from Watch Hill to Little Compton

$71.96

  • Hardcover

    272 pages

  • Release Date

    24 February 2026

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Summary

This is the first book to focus on the seaside cottages of Rhode Island, the birthplace of the shingle style, lauded as the architecture of the American summer. This in-depth tour of seaside communities begins with Watch Hill and moves along the coast, weaving together the history of the state, the evolution of the shingle style, and descriptions of the geology and wildlife that create a unique sense of place.

Each chapter explores a different town, capturing landscape and seascape an…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781580937344
ISBN-10:1580937349
Author:Thomas A. Kligerman, Read McKendree
Publisher:Monacelli Press
Imprint:Monacelli Press
Format:Hardcover
Number of Pages:272
Release Date:24 February 2026
Weight:2.11kg
Dimensions:33mm x 314mm x 265mm
What They're Saying

Critics Review

‘A salt-tinged love letter to the architecture of memory.’ – FREDERIC

‘Architect Thomas A. Kligerman puts a spotlight on the iconic seaside cottages lining Rhode Island’s coast in his latest book.’ – Veranda

‘A vibrant exploration of the shingle style… . Lush photography captures breezy porches, layered interiors, and landscapes that make up this enduring idyllic setting.’ – Boston Magazine

‘A love letter to the coastal architecture of Rhode Island.’ – Providence Monthly

‘[A] portrait of this special summer world.’ – Dujour

‘Blend[s] personal narrative with architectural insight to capture the character of this storied seaside region.’ – Design Leadership Network

‘Peek into the timeless waterfront homes that dot the state’s coastline.’ – Rhode Island Monthly

‘A thoughtful portrait of New England’s coastal architecture – and the idea of summer living as both tradition and aspiration.’ – athome

‘Architect Tom Kligerman tours 16 houses, weaving together architectural history, personal memoir, and salt-air nostalgia that makes you want to leave your shoes at the door.’ ELLE Decor

‘Capture[s] the child-like wonder of cottage living.’ AirMail

About The Author

Thomas A. Kligerman

Thomas A. Kligerman is the founding partner of Kligerman Architecture and Design, an award-winning New York firm with residential projects in prestigious suburbs and summer communities along the East Coast, including the Hamptons, Martha’ Vineyard, Jamestown and Weekapogue, Rhode Island, and Mount Desert, Maine. A dedicated student of the history of domestic design internationally, Kligerman is the author of three books on the firm’ work, most recently Shingle and Stone: Thomas Kligerman Houses, and a sought-after speaker on the work of McKim, Mead & White, Bernard Maybeck and other iconic figures.

Kligerman was raised in Connecticut and New Mexico and spent years in France and England as a student. These experiences sparked his interest in the rich history of domestic architecture, gardens, and landscapes. Most significant, though, were the summers by the sea spent with his family on the coast of Rhode Island, amid the crash of waves on the rocky shore, sailing on the calmer waters of the inlets and ponds, and bicycling on sandy paths past the shingled cottages that are the architecture of the American summer.

Read McKendree is a well-known architecture and interiors photographer whose work is published in national shelter magazines including Architectural Digest, Luxe, and Elle Decor as well as regional publications including Connecticut Cottages and Gardens, New York Cottages and Gardens, Boston Globe Magazine, and New England Home. A lifelong resident of Rhode Island, McKendree brings an insider’ perspective on the design history of this unique coastline.

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