Mark Twain once said, “Actions speak louder than words.” The lesser-known part of his quote adds, “but not nearly as often.” When it comes to dogs though, actions are all they have; so perhaps a more fitting expression is: “Dogs are the definition of actions speak louder than words. They’ve never told you they love you, but you know they do because they show you every day.”

Meredith Hanson, who readers may recognize as a popular Nantucket-inspired artist whose work has graced the pages and cover of Cape Cod LIFE, resonates with this sentiment, especially when it comes to her dog Willis. For 11 years, Willis has been Mer’s constant companion—when she taught art classes in ‘Sconset he was affectionately dubbed her “art assistant.” During their time living on the island, Willis and Mer could often be found at ‘Sconset Market in the mornings, enjoying hazelnut coffee and blueberry-lemon muffins, or at Claudette’s for lunch, savoring veggie sandwiches (with the essential “secret sauce,” as Mer likes to add). And, of course, there was always time for Willis’ favorite pastime: a leisurely beach stroll. Willis, with his larger-than-life personality, became a beloved figure around town, earning the affectionate title of “the Mayor of Nantucket.”

“I moved to Nantucket full time in the fall of 2011 and launched my art career on island. A year or so went by and I realized that there was something very important missing from my life… a dog,” explains Mer about her early years on-island. She started her research and quickly found a Golden Retriever breeder near her alma mater, Wheaton College. “It felt like fate,” she remembers. “When I met Willis, he sat on my lap, looked up at me, and I knew he was the one. We took the ferry back to Nantucket that night, and the rest is history.”

As Meredith’s art career flourished, Willis began to make frequent appearances in her work. Mer trained for several years under Barbara Herzberg, a remarkable art instructor, before attending Wheaton College to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Art History. Under Barbara’s guidance, she honed her skills in pastel and oil still lifes and landscapes. Over time, her style evolved, and she began experimenting with watercolors and hand-painted acrylics on apparel, furniture, and decorative objects. Willis started appearing in whimsical and meaningful ways throughout her creations, such as in a mural on the window of Provisions in downtown Nantucket. Commissioned by Bill Creelman, CEO of Spindrift, the mural features Willis happily perched with his favorite Spindrift flavor.

Willis also made a special appearance in Magic Eyes, a children’s book by Lauren Fornes, which was illustrated by Meredith. The story follows a blind boy and explores the power of his imagination, with each page beautifully painted by Mer. Proceeds from the book benefit the Perkins School for the Blind. “Lauren asked if Willis could be featured alongside her dog Tuck, and it turned out to be such a fun little Easter egg,” says Mer, reflecting on one of her favorite scenes in the book. 

Meredith is known for her versatility across a variety of artistic mediums. If it can be painted on, then Mer is there to bring whatever canvas she’s using to life—from clothing, baskets, and her custom baubles, to window murals, coffee cups, Easter eggs, and more. Her artwork can be found in special editions of Swan Song, the latest hit by renowned Nantucket author, Elin Hilderbrand, as well as ongoing collaborations with Serena & Lily, Nantucket by Design, Erica Wilson and more! But her creative talents don’t end with painting. Mer’s passion for art also extends into photography, largely thanks to Willis’ photogenic charm. “As my art career evolved into different mediums and product collaborations, I discovered a deep love for photography,” she explains. “I began photographing and filming my creative process as a way of storytelling to show my beginning, middle and end of each project. Along with painting Willis, I loved capturing him on all of our island adventures. From various beaches to the cobblestones on Main Street, Willis and I were always drawing inspiration from all over the island.”

Willis’ distinguished photogenic looks and Mer’s creative spirit have also drawn the attention of Gray Malin, a prominent fine art photographer. Malin is known for his stunning photography compositions, often of remote locations like Nantucket. Recently, he put together a Nantucket photo collection with Meredith as one of his creative directors and guides. “We spent weeks brainstorming ideas, scouting locations, and gathering props to bring his vision to life,” she reflects. And of course, Willis joined the shoot as a model, appearing in several of Malin’s iconic photos. 

In 2024, Malin published DOGS, a collection of photographs of dogs around the world which began with his recognizable shots of glamorous pooches at the Beverly Hills Hotel. He explains how those initial photographs inspired the project in his introduction to the collection: “It was surreal how quickly it crept across the internet and how popular the marriage of an iconic location and the joy of man’s best friend, mixed with my whimsical lens, became overnight. I instantly knew I had to do more and began shooting dogs as my new beloved subject matter.” Malin began traveling everywhere from Aspen to Paris capturing the vivacious joy and quirky personalities of dogs all over the world, including Willis who can be found in two separate photographs in the “Nantucket” section of the book.  

Mer’s love for animals began early on as she was always surrounded by dogs and horses. “Growing up with animals, I’ve always known the joy and lessons they bring to our lives,” she reflects. Those lessons have stayed with her into adulthood, fueling her passion for supporting Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals (NiSHA). NiSHA is a local shelter dedicated to animals in need and offers a variety of services for pet owners on the island. In 2018, Mer partnered with NiSHA to create a custom portrait of an adoptable dog, which was featured on invitations, programs, and other materials for their annual fundraiser. Since then, she has continued to collaborate with the shelter on custom portraits and other projects to raise funds and support its mission.

“Willis actually got kicked out of dog training when he was a puppy,” reflects Mer with a laugh. “It was actually a blessing in disguise because it allowed Willis’ gentle, hilarious, and affectionate nature to flourish. Since bringing Willis home as a puppy he’s filled my life with so much joy and unforgettable moments. He’s been my constant companion for the last 11 years, and greatest source of love.”

Meredith recently celebrated another one of her great loves, tying the knot with her husband Patrick Schramm last May in Princeton, New Jersey. Willis was in attendance, of course. “When they first met, it was love at first sight…for Willis at least,” laughs Mer. “They’ve formed an incredible bond and it was so special to have Willis at the Mountain Lakes House with us to celebrate.” No longer full-time islanders, Mer, Willis, and Patrick are now content to spend their days exploring their new home in Princeton, New Jersey, and making frequent visits back to Nantucket for new painting partnerships, collaborations and some anticipated beach time for Willis. Next on the list for Meredith is a book about her many escapades with her trusty Golden Retriever. “With a lifetime of adventures, collaborations, and memories, I’m excited to start working on a book about Willis’ adventures—the perfect way to capture his spirit and celebrate our unbreakable bond,” she says.

In the final lines of Gray Malin’s introduction to DOGS, he dedicated the work to his rescue dog, Stella. He writes, “She just got a bath and is curled up sleeping while I type. She has no idea how much she has inspired me in this path…I know she won’t be with us forever, but I am so proud to dedicate this book to her—as it is the relationship between all of us and our dogs that make the artwork you see in the book so meaningful.” Much of the same could be said for Willis and his influence on Mer’s artwork, and so in that same fashion, we’re proud to dedicate these pages to Willis…at least until Mer has a book of her own, filled with happy memories of her art assistant, to dedicate to him.  

View more from Meredith Hanson at meredithhansonart.com and on Instagram at @merhanson. See Gray Malin’s new book in Cape Cod DOG.

Allyson Plessner is a freelance writer for Cape Cod Life Publications. 

The post An Artist’s Assistant appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

“Dry land is not a myth. I’ve seen it.” – Kevin Costner, Waterworld

The connection between food and place cannot be overstated—good food at least; think: shrimp and grits in South Carolina, crêpes in Paris, key lime pie in Key West, or a cheesesteak in Philly. And perhaps there is no better example than oysters on Cape Cod and the Islands.

It might surprise some to know that oyster farming is not a one-size-fits-all approach. The shape, size, and taste of each oyster you eat depends on where it was grown. For example, oysters from Katama Bay can be large and briny, Fiddler’s Cove oysters tend to be sharp in flavor with a stony finish, and Rock Harbor oysters are known for a sweeter brine. If you’ve ever seen a menu where oyster varieties are distinguished by location, then you understand the significance.

“The depth, the salinity, the currents, the sea floor character, the nutrients present as well as the wave action—just to name a few—all impact the growing and harvesting methods,” explains Jenny Ross. It took her and her husband, Pat, eight years to grow the perfect oyster for their location in Bourne. 

Jenny and Pat’s company, Sea State Foods, is even named for those all-important water conditions. “Sea State refers to the general condition of a large body of water—from wind to swell—at a certain location and moment,” Jenny explains. At Sea State, Pat and Jenny put an emphasis on capturing the qualities of Buzzards Bay in each oyster they serve, starting at their nursery in Monk’s Cove to their oyster beds at the head of Buzzards Bay, and finally to their fish market and traveling raw bars. 

At the forefront of the Ross’ efforts is an accountability to the vibrant natural habitats that allow them to pursue their unique passion. As Jenny explains it, “We know that we have a responsibility to the sea, and we always consider our impact, especially on our farm, where the oysters actually leave the quality of the water better than before the farm existed.”

At Cottage City Oysters, owned by brothers Greg and Dan Martino, Greg talks about the “oyster renaissance.” Beyond just the appeal of partaking in some local flavor, oysters are one of the most sustainable sources of food; farming them actually reduces emissions. 

Dan and Greg are both U.S. Coast Guard captains, but what first drew the duo to aquaculture was Dan’s time as a TV producer, documenting The Billion Oyster Project: an effort to clean up New York Harbor by 2035, using one billion oysters. 

“People are happy to eat oysters again, and I think that a big part of that is the environmentalism of it,” says Greg. Oysters extract nutrients from the water around them to build shells and proteins. Unlike with more traditional forms of farming, there’s no input needed. “Shell fishing is really the most sustainable form of protein farming,” notes Dan. “The next time you go to eat spaghetti and meatballs, think about switching that to linguine and clams. The amount of gas and water you save is exponential.”

Unlike many oyster farmers who set up shop in ponds or shallow lagoons, the Martino brothers farm on the open ocean between Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. Their cages are 15 feet below the surface, and where they sit, what was once a sandy bottom has given way to a new ecosystem. “We have ‘pet’ striped bass that have started to come back every year,” laughs Greg. “There’s eels and all sorts of fish who have made this spot their home. The oyster is really a miraculous creature and is the building block for this whole ecosystem.” 

“It’s like scuba diving…but on the surface,” laughs Dan, noting the many creatures that take up residence in the oyster cages they haul up.

Dan and Greg are true students of their craft—they offer on-the-water tours of Cottage City Oysters, speak at local schools, and Dan even published a book this year on the history and future of oyster farming, The Oyster Book. And though he will tell you that the practice dates to 100 B.C. and a man with an adventurous palate in Rome, the industry is really still in its infancy. “Fisherman have been gathering food for millennia, but aquaculturists are really the first farmers of the ocean, and we’re still just learning,” says Dan.

In fact, when Pat and Jenny Ross opened their flagship farm, Monk’s Cove Oysters, in 2012 Bourne was home to exactly zero oyster farms. “Aquaculture was happening in towns all over the Cape, but not in our town,” explains Jenny. “We took classes, talked with and worked with area farmers, then approached the town to see if we could start a new farm.” The process to gain an aquaculture lease in the town didn’t exist—so Jenny and Pat figured out how to do that too and became the first to grow oysters in the town of Bourne in over 50 years. 

Now, 14 years on, Pat and Jenny farm at three separate locations across five acres; they offer catering and raw bars for events, host pop ups across the Cape, and are the proud new stewards of Cataumet Fish, a local fish market with over 40 years of history. “We want to offer more than just a fish counter,” says Jenny. “We believe strongly in food that is connected to its place, enjoyed in close proximity to where it was grown, harvested or foraged, and handled by those that care about the quality of that food.”

Jenny and Pat call their ventures, “responsible seafood.” They evaluate their onus to their customers to provide food that has been assessed from every angle—the quality, distance from harvest, harvesting methods, handling after catch, and fishery certifications, to name just a few of the standards that they measure. And, of course, they also consider the impact to the habitats where they source from. A farm powered entirely by wind and solar is just one way the Rosses try to live up to that responsibility. “We sweat all the details,” laughs Jenny.

“I think what’s really exciting is that shell fishing is taking off today, when environmentalism and combating climate change is on every farmer’s mind,” says Dan. “In the next 50 years, we’ll need to feed more people than we ever have. Our population is growing so rapidly that there needs to be a drastic change in food output; I think that’s the future of aquaculture.”

For those who choose to spend their days in the sun, hauling cages from the water, harvesting oyster beds, tending to seeds in the nursery, and maybe sneaking a few oysters for their troubles, a few things are important: connection to place, building a community (of fish and people), and having fun.

At Sea State, preserved lemon cocktail sauce inspired by Pat and Jenny’s travels to Morocco, takes that connection to place one step farther, adding a surprising twist to a Cape Cod favorite. What’s most important to the Rosses though is, as Jenny puts it: “connecting with and supporting local growers, wild harvesters, fishers, farmers and makers.”

“It’s important for us to be leaders and mentors in our community, but also students of Mother Nature,” says Greg Martino. “I love working on the water,” adds Dan, “and unlike a fishermen, I get to go home and sleep in my own bed,” he laughs. Greg sums it up pretty perfectly:

“At the end of the day, when you go home and you’re beat from being in the sun all day, did you enjoy it?” 

Allyson Plessner is a freelance writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.

Book a Sea State Foods raw bar, find a pop up, or visit Cataumet Fish by going to cataumetfish.co. Learn more about Cottage City Oysters, book a tour, and purchase Dan’s book at cottagecityoysters.com.

Running for Bivalves

By Riley Shortsleeve Ament

Have you ever gone digging for clams to bring home for dinner? When you comb through the soft sand to find those elusive shells, the environmental impact of that shellfish is likely not the highest priority in your mind. You might be considering whether to steam the clams, eat them on the half shell, or cook them up on the grill. While these shellfish are definitely tasty, there is more behind them than meets the eye, or the palate. 

Softshell clams, better known as steamers, are on the list of favorite coastal seafoods, and Martha’s Vineyard is no exception. However, since the mid 1980s, the population of these once abundant bivalves has been in a steady decline. There are several factors that have contributed to this trend. First, steamers are particularly vulnerable to a disease known as neoplasia. This disease, which doesn’t affect humans but is deadly for the clams, has almost completely wiped out the steamer population in Edgartown’s Great Pond. Steamers are also difficult to cultivate in the island’s waters due to the lack of protection for the seed, which are susceptible to predators such as blue crabs and invasive green crabs. However, the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group is doing something to fight the decline.

The Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group (MVSG), Inc. is a 501(c)3 that works to preserve and ensure the island’s traditional shellfisheries for the economic, ecological, and social well-being of Martha’s Vineyard. Working with the six island towns, MVSG operates two hatcheries and one nursery to grow tens of millions of shellfish seed each year. Those seed are distributed to town shellfish departments to populate inland salt ponds throughout the island. MVSG utilizes public and private funds to operate a number of programs. More specifically, the shellfish group has worked to restore steamer populations through cultivating them as seed in their hatcheries in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Also, along with the Marine Biology Laboratory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, they have made breakthroughs in researching the disease that affects the clams. While many challenges remain, including how to protect the shellfish from predators before they burrow into the sand, their work has helped to raise awareness about the issue and about the driving forces behind the alarming decrease in population. 

The efforts by MVSG to restore softshell clam populations is only one example of their conservation projects on the Island. The small science-based organization collaborates frequently to ensure keystone shellfish species continue to thrive in order to provide a working waterfront, a local food source, and ecosystem benefits for generations to come.

Currently, MVSG has an oyster shell recovery program intended to restore oyster habitats and fight ocean acidification. The group partners with local island restaurants to collect discarded shells. The empty shells are collected three times a week and brought to a specifically designated shell pile in Edgartown. The recovered shells are used as substrate, or a material upon which shellfish larvae can cement and grow. Discarded shells are also placed at the bottom of Edgartown and Tisbury Great Ponds in order to support wild oyster larvae. 

Another major project at MVSG is the restoration of bay scallop habitat by planting eelgrass beds. Eelgrass is a key habitat constituent for many marine creatures; however, poor water quality and invasive species have led to its decline. MVSG has worked to cultivate eelgrass and to reseed it into the Vineyard Great Ponds to rehabilitate the fragile ecosystem. 

In addition to cultivating shellfish and grasses that support the island’s fragile coastal ecosystems, MVSG is dedicated to raising awareness and to educating a new generation of local supporters and future scientists.  

Riley Ament is a junior at Brookline High School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Her father grew up as a year-round resident of Falmouth, and her grandparents have had a cottage on Chappaquiddick since 1980. Her love of the Cape and Islands has led her to working as an intern at MVSG this summer. She is running the 2024 Falmouth Road Race in August and has pledged her fundraising efforts to benefit MVSG. 

Every donation supports the organization’s mission. Just like your family gathers around to eat those delicious steamers, MVSG serves as a force to bring the Island community together. 

The post Shuck It, Let’s Get Oysters appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

With over 20 years of experience, Cape Cod Celebrations owner, Jamie Bohlin and her team of planners, have an unmatched passion for the wedding industry on Cape Cod and are pros at bringing unique visions to life.

“When I was little, my mom used to buy me the big, heavy bridal magazines—the ones with about 400 pages—for long plane rides to keep me busy,” reminisces Jamie Bohlin. It was that nostalgia and a knack for planning that led her to a serendipitous position as a catering manager at the Chatham Bars Inn. “I didn’t even have any event planning experience at the time,” explains Bohlin. But, two summers was all she needed to know she was enamored with the details and organization that go into wedding planning. From there, she was married to the industry (pun intended).

Now the owner and chief event planner at Cape Cod Celebrations, which she founded in 2007, Bohlin has assembled a knowledgeable team of planners who have a passion for both spectacular weddings and the scenic backdrop provided by Cape Cod. Her two senior planners include Stephanie Diaz Eldredge and Heather Rumul. “Stephanie is our master of marketing, she manages our brand voice and handles all of our social media,” says Bohlin. “Heather is my celebration coordinator. She manages all of our inquiries, our planner availability calendar, assigns couples to planners on our team and manages our internship program.” Both women, she shares, are integral to the business’ success as it continues to grow. “Owning a business on Cape Cod, especially one that takes full advantage of its surroundings, beauty, and history is really a dream,” shares Bohlin. “The wedding industry is such a fun, crazy environment to be in, but we all relish in the beautiful outcomes we create with our clients. We love seeing the vision come to life and the joy on our client’s faces when they experience their big day.”

Cape Cod Celebrations assists couples with everything from booking vendors and managing timelines to creating a vision for the overall design of the big day. “We love to build amazing relationships with our clients and it’s important to us to earn their trust and friendship,” says Bohlin. And, Cape Cod Celebrations handles more than just weddings! Bohlin and her team offer their services for events like nonprofit fundraisers, birthday parties, and even proposals. “It’s so fun to help someone find a unique way to propose to their partner!” adds Bohlin.

With over 20 years of experience, she and her team all have deep connections to the Cape and a vast array of close relationships with local vendors; Cape Cod Celebrations works as the main point of contact for all of the vendors on the day of an event, making sure the details are perfect and that everything goes off without a hitch. “We’ve worked with so many amazing vendors over the years,” enthuses Bohlin. “We always love working with an all-star team, and many of them know each other which always makes the day run more smoothly.”

Bohlin explains that her business offers everything from day-of coordination to full-service planning. “A lot of times couples will start by asking for help finding a venue and booking the right vendors, so we’ll jump right in identifying the perfect partners to match the couple’s budget, style, and personality.” Wedding planning can be both demanding and time-consuming, so Cape Cod Celebrations makes it their mission to take the stress out of the equation. “The plan is to only do this once,” says Bohlin. “Couples put so many hours into just one day of their lives, so we want to help make that day as relaxed and stress-free as possible.”   

Like so many things on the Cape, the wedding industry can be very seasonal, but the Cape Cod Celebrations team works year-round to plan with their couples and to huddle as team to review best practices and find ways to better the business. “We find that so many clients have similar questions when it comes to wedding and event planning,” says Bohlin. With that in mind, the Cape Cod Celebrations team pulled their knowledge together to create an online FAQ for clients who are curious about things like preferred vendors, what to do when it comes to gratuities, what their timeline should look like, and more! It’s our “online goodie bag,” jokes Bohlin. The Cape Cod Celebrations website features other great resources as well, including a blog highlighting everything from gorgeous wedding days to inspirational cocktail recipes (think DIY mini margaritas).

“Our goal is that our clients wake up the next day having enjoyed the best day of their lives,” says Bohlin. “We love hearing that they had an amazing, stress-free day.” When reflecting on the things she likes best about her job, Bohlin is also quick to show her detail-oriented side. “I love booking vendors, picking out décor, and creating a timeline,” she notes. “On the day of a wedding, I love revealing the reception space to the couple before the guests enter. Their reaction when they see all of their hard work come together is the best!”

Bohlin’s number one piece of advice for brides and grooms-to-be? “Hire a planner,” she laughs. “But in all seriousness, it’s important to make sure you can really enjoy the planning process and then be able to sit back and enjoy your day when it comes.” What does it take to create a stress-free wedding day? To some it may sound like an impossible task, but Bohlin has a few tried and true tips. She advises couples not to compare their wedding to others, to trust in their own unique visions, and to start planning early!

“Cape Cod is a special place for so many people,” reflects Bohlin. “I always ask inquiring couples why they chose Cape Cod for their wedding day, and their reasons always make my heart so full. We’re lucky to live and work in a place that means so much to so many.” And for Bohlin, of course it’s not just about living and working but also celebrating in a place she loves—and what better place for a celebration than Cape Cod? 

See more from Cape Cod Celebrations at capecodcelebrations.com or on Instagram at @CapeCodCelebrations.

Allyson Plessner is a freelance writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.

The post Celebrating Cape Cod appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

What happens when a pool lover and a beachgoer meet? Like with any great marriage, the answer is compromise. For Josh Hundert and Greg Strazzulla, that compromise came in the form of an untouched foreclosure, just blocks away from a peaceful private beach and with a hidden gem in the front courtyard: a spacious pool. Thus began a two-year renovation, undertaken with the kind of love (and compromise) that it takes to restore a Cape home to its full glory.

“Greg grew up spending summers in West Falmouth. His first job was lifeguarding for the town,” reminisces Josh. “When we got married, we began the search for a house of our own. My parents rented a great place in Maushop Village one Fourth of July, and that was our first introduction to New Seabury. We loved it!” Greg and Josh were quick to fall farther in love with New Seabury once they discovered the subdivision of Promontory Point, with a quiet, garden-lined cul-de-sac just a short walk from a private beach and oceanfront golf course. “We really enjoy that each of the different villages of New Seabury have their own character and personality. And similarly, each of our friends and neighbors have something that make their home special—be it a pool or a roof deck,” explains Greg. 

When it came to creating their dream home, the existing structure was taken down to the studs in most places to combat untreated wood rot and the wear and tear of age. “We wanted to be true to the original design and playfulness of the home but update it with modern luxuries and style,” explains Greg about the scope of the project. “The inspiration was clear from the start: keeping in step with the original intentions of the architect, while tweaking it to fit our lifestyle. We also made a point to have a little fun! This is a place to get away after all.”

Working for a major home furnishing company, Arhaus, Greg has spent many years honing his style and becoming comfortable in his own world of classic, understated beauty. “Throughout my years at Arhaus I have witnessed how furniture is made and how selecting the right pieces can decide the energy of the room,” he explains. “I grew to love the story behind our décor choices for this property; many of the pieces we picked are made from sustainable natural materials, and they tell a meaningful story—about the artisans who makes the pieces and the places they come from. I’m especially drawn to earth tones and unique finishes. I value longevity in my designs, to create a solid base in a world full of fast fashion and to keep true to those elements that are already fixed in place such as the architecture of a home.”

With their New Seabury home, the couple felt they had an opportunity to unearth a fantastic story: one of natural Cape splendor, timeless design, and, of course, an outdoor escape. Greg and Josh gave a nod to the mid-century feel of the home with classic furniture pieces, clean lines, and stylish light fixtures. “We made a point to bring a natural element into every room,” says Josh. A neutral color palette gives the space an organic, understated atmosphere that is contrasted with vibrant, colorful art pieces like a large canvas painted in hues of white and bright aqua blue in the main dining area. In fact, all of the artwork in the home is from local Massachusetts artists, most of whom are from the Cape. “While we steered away from the ‘traditional Cape’ style, we did give a nod to the beachside lifestyle with elements like a fish scale tile, canvas slipcovered sofas, and, of course, lots and lots of hydrangeas on our patio,” notes Greg.

Having worked with Hingham’s Classic Tile and Stone on previous projects, Josh and Greg knew that once again they would seek assistance from co-owners Julie Ryan and Kristin Henaghan, as they knew that tile and stone would play an important role in setting the stage in almost every setting throughout the home, both inside and out. “This project was so exciting because the homeowners not only love tile, but also understood that natural stone and ceramic tile are a great way to add personality to a space, as well as bring easy functionality, particularly for a well-used vacation space like this,” Ryan explains. 

The age-old dichotomy between pool and beach is one that is echoed in other ways throughout the home: in the natural yet fun style that permeates each room; the soft greys and tans accented by surprising yet welcome pops of vibrant artwork or jazzy fish scale tiles, recommended by Ryan, which are handmade by artisans in the US. “The house is not traditional, and neither are we!” laughs Josh. “It is light and bright and we hope very welcoming as we love to have family and friends stay with us. We made decisions along the way together, and took lots of advice from professions like Julie and Kristin, that reveal a lot about us in every aspect. Our joint aesthetic can be seen in every room and finish selected, but there are pieces that we made sure were uniquely our own.”  

“We definitely had our challenges,” admits Josh, noting that the full renovation took about two years, largely due to material shortages. “One of our major successes, though, was reworking the floorplan to make it more functional.” The couple laughs about the extra space they were able to finagle by repurposing closets and moving every bathroom in the home. “The home feels cohesive and well-conceptualized. Everything seems to fit and go together,” says Greg. “My favorite part is the sense of completion,” agrees Josh. “We took on a tremendous project during a difficult time and were able to pull it off. I am so grateful that we had this opportunity to make this our own.” 

In the kitchen, waterfall quartz countertops, which are complemented by light grey cabinetry, and darker grey, organically shaped tile, give the space—which Greg and Josh note as one of the big triumphs of the renovation—a warm, calming feel. The original kitchen was situated in the middle of the home, disrupting the flow of the other rooms, and as the couple struggled to make this floorplan comfortable and functional, Greg’s mother, Diane, came up with a masterful solution: “She said, ‘just move the kitchen!’” they laugh. “Turns out, she was right.” Now in a new location, the space is complete with a farmhouse sink, Sub-Zero fridge, convection oven, and range. A French four-panel sliding door leading to the home’s courtyard oasis means that Josh and Greg can now happily enjoy cooking in a space filled with light and, of course, function. “The doors create a great indoor-outdoor flow and give the illusion of a larger kitchen,” notes Greg. “We were also able to remove the old kitchen walls and create a beautiful new dining space.” 

Another standout of the renovation is the master bedroom, featuring a curbless wet room with side-by-side showers. Finished with grey stone and a feature wall done in herringbone grey tiles, the shower pays homage to the natural, indoor-outdoor ambiance that is central to the home. A new dressing area and double vanity provide the couple with ample space to get ready in the morning, and Greg’s favorite elements—a large skylight and comfortable patio space—ensure lots of natural light and an organic feel to the bathroom. “Whether it be our view to the outdoor patio, the natural stone, or the furniture pieces we were able to bring into the bathroom, we wanted to echo that natural aesthetic in every room,” he says. 

Outside, that biophilic design comes full circle with two private outdoor spaces—one overlooking a backyard and the other boasting a poolside refuge. “Our intent with the pool was to create a true resort-style feel,” explains Greg. “We mimicked colors from the master bathroom and fireplace, carried the teak finish on the furniture over from the back patio, and tiled with glass that coordinated with our kitchen. The pool now feels like a seamless part of the home, letting your eye carry from one room to another, from inside to out, without conflict.” The pool abuts the house as well, running alongside the master bedroom, and can be seen from almost every room in the house. “The handmade, textured glass tile used for the pool waterline allows the light to dance and reflect all while playing off of the interior theme of the kitchen backsplash tile,” adds Ryan. To complete their outdoor getaway, Josh and Greg have a comfortable seating area along the back patio, surrounded by a large rock wall toward the back of the yard and in the spring by fragrant, eye-catching flowers—something that appeals to the couples’ natural green thumbs. 

“One thing that we love about New Seabury are the beautiful gardens,” emphasizes Josh. “We are lucky to have a front yard that has several varieties of hydrangeas as well as a Phantom hydrangea tree, a large wall of rhododendrons for privacy on the side, and in our backyard, we have a bluestone patio with more hydrangea varieties including Nikko blues and Limelights.” With two private courtyard areas, the couple has the space and privacy for both moments alone and valuable times with their community: another welcomed dichotomy. 

It’s obvious stepping into the space that each detail was thoughtfully considered by the couple—from a lively hexagonal tile in the guest bath to a living room decked with pops of coastal blues. “Plus, the heated floors in the master bath always make me smile,” points out Greg with a grin. The home is full of both personality and careful design choices and stands as a true homage to what it means to love an old Cape home. 

“Our home is the first you see when entering the neighborhood,” notes Josh, “so we are proud to have had the opportunity to give it a well-deserved and much needed update.” The great debate between beach vs. pool might not be solved by this one, albeit spectacular, home. But for a couple that lives in a world marked by duality—in a home that is once thoughtful yet unique, calm yet spirited, beachy yet chic—finding the best of both worlds is what’s important. 

Allyson Plessner is a contributing writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.

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