Few dogs are as fortunate as a little gray fellow named Lucky. Sure, some have nice places built of plywood out in the back yard, in the classic style of Snoopy’s pad with the upside-down “U”-shaped entryway. Maybe they even have some all-weather bed from Orvis or L.L. Bean upon which they can lounge in the shade, tongues lolling through the dog days of summer. Or perhaps their owners allow them to sprawl out on the living room sofa or provide them with fancy outfits appropriate for various weather conditions and stylish personal floatation devices for adventures on the seas. Regardless of how pampered or spoiled these other dogs may be, however, it’s safe to assume that few have actual homes named for them. For the little dude called Lucky, his owners contracted with Polhemus Savery Dasilva Architects Builders (PSD) to completely reimagine and build a home on Cape Cod Bay that has been christened “Lucky’s Bluff.”

PSD’s Senior Designer Sharon DaSilva, who led the rebuilding design project, says, “Lucky’s a special dog, who is definitely a big part of the homeowners’ family. He was there for our photoshoot, and he did a really good job of posing.” In one shot, Lucky stands in the home’s entryway, very clearly in the role of welcoming host rather than intimidating watch dog. He seems ready to offer guests a tour, but he also radiates a certain degree of pride in his abode and its dramatic view of the bay. From the driveway, one can look straight through the home and directly to the sand flats and water beyond. From this vantage point, the home transforms through the simple act of opening the front door from a charming cottage in a quiet neighborhood to a viewing gallery of natural wonder. It’s no wonder that Lucky looks so pleased, and the effect provides a window into one of the home’s overall themes—that of expansiveness. DaSilva says, “We often have clients who want space but also want the look and feel of a cottage. It’s like the scene in the fourth Harry Potter movie, where the family is going camping, and what looks like a pup tent becomes a two-bedroom apartment once people enter.”

Polhemus Savery DaSilva frequently dip into their spellbooks for the magic necessary to create illusions and to expand spaces. As is often the case in a rebuilding project, PSD had to design and build Lucky’s Bluff on the pre-existing footprint of the original home. “It was an older house with a funky set up that included a little shop, as well,” DaSilva recalls. “So our challenge was to make the house feel open and airy but within a fairly limited footprint.” On the neighborhood side of the home, which faces roughly south, DaSilva brought traditional elements to bear, such as shingles, shutters, and white trim, but she played with scale to shrink the overall facade. “The hood over the entryway is larger than what is typical,” she says. “It’s more generous, creating a more substantial opening.” In addition, the hood’s brackets are oversized and elegant; they serve as both the traditional element that they are, but because of their grandeur, they also evoke the feeling of columns. “We set tiny windows on either side of this to add interest by changing the scale,” says DaSilva. These tiny windows are paired with only one shutter each, which also breaks up the pattern of the home’s facade. These lie on the outer side of the windows, creating something like bookends to the entryway. Like all the shutters on the front and sides of the home, these miniature, square ones are also crafted with v-grooves and a CNC-machined cutout in the shape of a scallop shell; they are both decorative and actually functional (although it is unlikely that the homeowners will ever find the need to close them, they could). 

“We’ve done boats and starfish designs for other clients,” says DaSilva, “but this was the first time we’ve done scallops. They were actually tricky because the scallops have such a delicate shape.” Directly above the hood is a large double window with correspondingly larger shutters. “These provide light to both the first and second floors,” notes DaSilva. Although it may not be immediately obvious, all of the other windows on the front and sides of Lucky’s Bluff are also oversized. “The muntins are also bigger, which creates an interesting effect,” DaSilva explains. “It makes the house look slightly smaller than it really is.” In combining these various elements of illusion, Lucky’s Bluff blends into the neighborhood in the same way that the Weasleys’ little pup tent fit into the campground outside the Quidditch World Cup. 

While the neighborhood side of Lucky’s Bluff “cottage-izes” the home, the back side expands and practically telescopes the house into the landscape and beyond. From the street, one might actually be unaware that the home is even on a bluff. It’s a fairly wooded area in Brewster, which itself is a relatively forested town. The trees along the quiet lane are tight enough that visitors might fail to even notice Cape Cod Bay until they open the front door and enter not only the home but another world. The design of the home’s north-facing, waterfront side relies upon a number of techniques that maximize access to light and to the view. The most obvious of these is the shed dormer on the second floor, where DaSilva says, “We placed arrays of windows with the idea of bringing in as much light as possible.” In total, the dormer houses three triptychs of windows, with no shutters. At either side of the dormer is another of the same tiny windows that adorn the main entrance. These meet one of PSD’s general goals, which is to allow each room in a home to access light from at least two directions. “They’re also special details that add interest,” says DaSilva. 

PSD is proud to deliver both architectural design and the actual building construction—and is thus able to streamline the entire process of creating homes. The company does work with other designers for some particular items. At this home, PSD collaborated with Classic Kitchens & Interiors in Hyannis for the kitchen design. Designer Barbara Darcy says, “This project was a team-oriented collaboration from the start. As the kitchen designers, we had design input early on, ensuring a smooth process to the completed project. Although each room is defined by custom built-ins and columns, the overall feel is still open and airy. It was important that the kitchen design contribute to this feeling of connection to the view and family activity, while also offering a functional space to prepare meals.” One of the features of the kitchen is the “beautiful honed marble” of the countertops, which seem to pick up both the white of the cabinets and drawers and also the silver tones of the drawer pulls. “This bright and custom kitchen shows very little stainless steel, keeping the space soft and cozy, and includes details like tapered feet around the island for a more furniture-like appearance,” Darcy further explains.  “The simple cottage-style hood with shelf and corbels creates a beautiful focal point while offering the option to display a favorite dish or platter.”

The interior floor plan is essentially open, but Sharon DaSilva and the PSD team used a few other elements to provide definition in different spaces. There’s no fireplace in Lucky’s Bluff; instead built-in cabinetry and shelves create a focal point in the living room that centers upon the widescreen TV. With fireplaces, sometimes the placement of a TV is tricky—it can be too high for comfortable viewing if above a mantle, or it can create a secondary focal point to a room. “Here, the TV doesn’t have to compete with the fireplace,” says DaSilva. Crown molding ceiling treatments, smaller wing walls, and additional built-ins are other key features of the main areas downstairs. “They all help to differentiate the spaces, to break them up so it doesn’t feel like a bowling alley,” explains DaSilva. One feature that is fairly unique to Lucky’s Bluff is the use of big square columns that also help define spaces. “Openness is nice, but these elements all make a big difference in preventing it from being too open,” says DaSilva. In addition to the thoughtful architectural elements, the homeowner relied upon Mary Snow Designs for the cohesive and calming interior design found throughout.

Some of the features on the first floor also broaden space and position the inhabitants of the house immediately upon the bluff and within the broad view. “We try to frame the views,” says DaSilva. “We’re always cognizant of what you’re going to see when you’re walking through a home.” The house is located right near the crook of the Cape’s “elbow” and is nestled above sand flats that seem to extend for miles into bay. Thus, the horizon views most immediately take in the west-facing beaches and coastline of Eastham and Wellfleet. “One way that we expanded space, both literally and in terms of light and view, was by inserting bay windows,” says DaSilva. “There’s one in the living room and another in the dining area. They provide places to perch right up next to the windows and view.” And while Lucky may not be a bed or sofa dog, he most certainly is a window seat pup who seems to have made this spot in the sun his throne. In conclusion, DaSilva says, “Houses are always a collaboration among the owners, architect and builder, and this was one that worked really well.” Perhaps Lucky, himself, had little actual say in design choices, but he certainly has benefitted from the comforts and bayside location of his namesake.

Chris White is a contributing writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.

The post Lucking Out appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

Why do people gravitate toward the Cape? Arguably it is the iconic images of this tiny spit of land that are responsible for making merely the mention of Cape Cod immediately recognizable for people around the globe. Lighthouses, unspoiled beaches with frothy waves washing them clean for eternity, foggy mornings on a still marsh or harbor; these are all the uniquely satisfying vistas people lean into. Therefore, when considering what to include when one is appointing a Cape house, the answer is right here. Not only outside our windows, but thankfully also on Main Street in Chatham. Focus Gallery has been offering curated, locally representational photography for over a decade. Owner and gallery director, Cindy Vallino was the sole artist in the early days of her gallery; today, Focus Gallery is home to eight talented artists, Vallino’s riveting close-ups of plants, shells and other sea life share the walls with work by Alison Shaw, Brian Skerry, Bryant Austin, Michael Kahn, David Hills, Michele Dragonetti and Stephen Lathrop. “I’ve curated all the artists we have here at Focus Gallery,” she explains. “It is a lot of work to represent somebody, and it is not a responsibility that I take lightly.” With the gallery’s limited wall space and commitment in terms of the time it takes to properly represent an artist, Focus Gallery rarely adds new artists. “Brain Skerry, a photojournalist who has been a contributing photographer for National Geographic Magazine since 1998, is our most recent addition as well as Michele Dragonetti, a photographer specializing in architecture and urban landscapes in addition to her popular Boat Hull series,” shares Vallino. “Alison Shaw, Stephen Lathrop, and Michael Kahn are probably the three artists we’ve had featured for the longest period of time at Focus Gallery, they have been with us pretty much since the beginning, so it really is a testament to how popular their work truly is.” 

An awarded photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments, Brian Skerry continues to dive into the mysterious world under the sea. “My desire is to capture the magnificence / perfection of marine life so that others can gain an appreciation for their value to our planet.”

Inspired by her summers on Martha’s Vineyard, Alison Shaw of Alison Shaw Photography captures coastal scenes that she abstracts into contemporary works of fine art, using her camera to paint with light. Shaw continues to draw inspiration from her now permanent residence on the island. 

As a photographer and a skilled print maker, Vallino creates the majority of Focus Gallery’s prints at her offsite studio, “We work with artists who either offer archival prints or we do the prints in-house,” she explains. “All of our prints are archivally produced with the highest quality papers and pigment ink; they really are the most highly-rated at this point for producing colored photographs. With the print being our product, we’re pretty picky about what we bring in,” says Vallino. “We do a lot of custom work, but we also have several standard sizes. If we need to adjust a size we start with the matting and framing, if necessary, we will do a print crop which prevents a printer cropping the original work of the artist.” She continues, “It really is important for us to work with the artist closely because we want them to understand how the final product is going to look. These are limited addition prints, so each run is a separate edition and with our printing being in house, we have quality control directly at our fingertips.” 

A fine art photographer for over 25 years, Stephen Lathrop is what you would call a “deliberate” photographer. As he waits for just the right conditions to merge with the proper light, he captures the ever-changing moods of the sea in captivating detail. 

With his 1950’s camera in tow, Michael Kahn photographs the world’s finest boats and seascapes. To this day, Kahn still capture everything on his film cameras, producing handmade photography in his darkroom that even landed him on Oprah.

Focus Gallery also offers corporate fine art consulting. “Clients usually find us through the gallery, and we will develop proposals for a few prints, or plan an entire building installation. Depending upon what the client is looking for, we are able to source work from artists, not just our own featured artists.” Working alongside corporate committees and teams, Focus Gallery’s art specialists have helped fit entire corporate buildings such as Mathworks, Rockland Trust Company, Lululemon Athletic and more with exceptionally produced art. 

For the last 15 years, David Hills has captured the day-to-day activities of the commercial fishing industry. He shares, “When you get down to it, I love boats, water and fish.” Through his love of photography, he has been able to support our local fishermen.

In addition to their corporate consulting, Focus Gallery also works closely with designers, builders, and architects to fit homes with artwork that will provide major impact on the projects. With a 72-hour trial period, local clients are able to take a piece of art home to truly see how it works in their space, “Sometimes it really is a matter of taking it home and looking at it within the space,” shares Vallino. “We also create a Photoshop view of what the piece would look like in our client’s space, which is helpful for our long-distance clients.” With an almost a non-existent rate of return, Focus Gallery truly finds the right piece for a prospective space. “We have a lot of larger pieces at the gallery, so they need special shipping. At least 60% of what we sell we ship somewhere.” That somewhere includes significant client bases in New York, Florida and California. Vallino goes on to say, “We pretty much ship everywhere and we have clients from all over who have continued to source from us over the years, so it is important that the piece is the right fit.”

Michele Dragonetti specializes in architecture and urban landscapes, currently capturing abstract patterns with her Boat Hull series, she explains, “Photos in the ongoing series transform often humble vessels into abstract portraits, revealing their individual identity and experience and celebrating their imperfect appeal.”

As an acclaimed portrait photographer–of whales, Bryant Austin raises awareness of the incredible species through his breathtaking, often life-sized artwork. “They have this great mystery about them,” Austin says. “I want to inspire more people to be curious.”

Complementing the captivating images that command attention on the walls of the gallery, Vallino says that photography and “coffee table” books are also popular with her clients. Working directly with publishers, Focus has also brought in titles from photographers other than the ones represented, as well as books that highlight and benefit environmental conservation issues, “Which is kind of the gallery’s overall theme,” Vallino remarks. Undeniably, all of the photography at Focus Gallery represents a quintessential coastal feeling. And although the featured artists rarely rotate, each year the eight featured artists continue to bring new work in to keep the walls of the Chatham gallery fresh. Thankfully this year is no different for Focus Gallery, as the summer 2021 features new work, upcoming artist events, and the celebration at their Chatham location of the 11th anniversary. 

To keep up with upcoming events visit thefocusgalleries.com/blog. Focus Gallery is located at 595 Main Street in Chatham. For more information or to place an order visit thefocusgalleries.com or call 508-348-1493. 

Christina Galt is the editorial assistant/ digital coordinator for Cape Cod Life Publications.

Focus Gallery Events

• Brian Skerry ~ “Secrets of the Whales” Book signing event and new photographs from the whale series introduced.  Tuesday, July 13  11:00 to 4:00.  Advance purchase of books is recommended. 
• Michele Dragonetti ~ Boat Hulls.  Artist appearance in gallery.  August 14; 1:00-5:00 
• Bryant Austin ~ “Beautiful Whale” Book signing and gallery appearance.  August 28 and 29; 10:00-5:00   
• Michael Kahn ~ Book signing event and new photographs on display.  September (Date TBD) 

The post Staying in Focus appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

The spaces in which we live and work directly affect one’s well-being; if a bedroom is cluttered, you may also feel scattered or unorganized. In fact, in many instances a room can be an extension of your personality (this is your sign to go for that brightly colored couch you’ve been eyeing). An office space should be no different. Developing a vibrant and successful brand should extend into every detail of a company, right down to the color of the office walls. For Del Mar Vacations, their brand is one of dedicated service and attention to detail. The company culture is defined by a love of Cape Cod—heralded by their growing staff of year-round employees—and a commitment to incomparable quality. Now, they have the office space to match.

“When we looked at the building it was this massive, cedar shingle warehouse in the middle of Orleans. It was very imposing,” shares Luke Chapman, CEO and founder of Del Mar Vacations, about their original office space. “We wanted to take this imposing building and modernize it using dark colors, so it almost disappears. It’s still very present, but because of its size and location on a hill, we wanted it to feel less overbearing.” For years, Del Mar has provided both homeowners and vacationers with full-service rental experiences from Dennis to Provincetown. Renters can expect Del Mar to meet their every need, right down to providing fresh hotel-quality towels, and homeowners can trust that their property is secure and well-maintained. For Chapman, it seemed only right that the Del Mar office space receive the same, unparalleled level of attention that he provides to his owners and guests.

When deciding to reinvigorate the Del Mar offices, Chapman turned to his friend and former college roommate, Wes Piermarini, to conceptualize the design. “I’m very proud to have a friend involved,” says Chapman. “He’s all the way in Canada, but his creative spirit shines through in this new space.” Piermarini’s designs are characterized by light touches to the exterior and interior of the building, breathing life and distinctive character into the space without changing the original footprint, and to carry out those plans Chapman entrusted Eastham-based Cape Associates. Through valuable collaboration with Chapman, the Cape Associates team turned Piermarini’s vision into full-scale documents and, eventually, a striking new space. Rich Bryant, executive vice president of Cape Associates, perfectly defines the finished project in a single word: “sleek.”

“The new look is very modern, with fine-lined windows and doors that create a black accent tone which ties into the gutters and roofing,” explains Bryant. Horizontal channel siding (known for being low-maintenance and having recessed grooves between boards) gives the exterior a contemporary look. This is particularly emphasized by the deep navy color, “the darkest blue you can have without adding any black pigment,” emphasizes Chapman. The decision to avoid that black pigment, which would require a higher energy use to keep the building cool, came from a desire for energy efficiency. “Dark colors and composite products can lead to excessive thermal expansion of the product, so getting the correct heat resistive formula was critical,” explains Bryant. Creating an energy efficient design is a distinctive way in which Chapman’s vision and attention to specifics shines.

“The owner has an incredible eye toward detail,” elaborates Bryant. “We managed to take a building more than 40 years old and increase the overall thermal performance through a new weather resistive barrier and siding, high-performance wall insulation, energy efficient windows and doors, and a new standing seam metal roof.” To top it off, the team at Cape Associates also incorporated a new solar array to help offset energy usage. 

Inside, blue jean-colored carpets are contrasted by pops of invigorating orange (Del Mar’s signature colors), and contemporary desks and lighting make for a handsome yet subdued appearance. Windows and glass partitions between workspaces add to that elegant yet fashion-forward environment. Since the footprint didn’t change, the window placement throughout the first floor also remained the same, meaning that there are some asymmetrical elements that defy the symmetry of the space, creating an edgy feel. The best part of the new space? A third roof deck surrounded by stylish, stainless cable rails with views of Orleans’ Town Cove. 

“There are multiple levels of decking and with the stainless steel cables, navy siding, and a cool breeze, you almost feel like you’re on a yacht,” elaborates Chapman. “I think that captures our brand well—it’s this feeling of vacation elegance.” Del Mar embodies both the classic, timeless energy of Cape Cod as well as the accessible, modern requirements of the service industry, and the space certainly speaks to that. “For us, it’s the five-star service that’s really important,” emphasizes Chapman. “Anyone can get their house booked, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be getting the level of service they deserve.” 

Chapman would say that Del Mar solves problems, but it is perhaps even more accurate to say that they anticipate needs—everything from landscaping to housekeeping, the level of service at Del Mar is distinct. And in a world where convenience is king, customers can rest easy knowing that their home or vacation is being handled by a professional, and importantly, local team. 

“You can’t outsource service,” explains Chapman. “Our staff is integrated and talking to each other all the time. We support over 40 year-round jobs, another 30 seasonal employees, and around 100 part-time seasonal team members which means that we can provide true, on-the-ground protection for your home.” Having such a large, local staff means that the Del Mar team has both the expertise and resources to provide renters with long-lasting Cape Cod memories and homeowners with the peace of mind knowing that their home is being taken care of at a standard befitting the Del Mar brand. The growing staff was also a big part of the decision to revitalize the Del Mar offices in order to increase efficiency and give the team a place to work that is representative of the culture of their company. An undeniable benefit to the overall Cape community as a whole is the unseen investment the company makes to the local infrastructure. A gainfully employed work force supports the local economy, and the rental industry that is often derided or criticized is reponsible for millions of dollars flowing to muncipalities from occupancy taxes.

From the desirable areas to work out on the deck, to the functional, chic offices inside, the Del Mar office has become a true a reflection of the brand, thanks to the insight of the Del Mar team and the expertise of those at Cape Associates. Entering the building is like looking at a snapshot of the refined personality that is Del Mar: style, functionality, detail, comfort, and overall, unrivaled experience. These are all the things that make up a great vacation rental, and coincidentally, (or perhaps more accurately: intentionally) they are what form the foundation of Del Mar—both figuratively, and now with a reinvigorated building, literally. 

If you’re looking to find Del Mar online—though really their new office is one that deserves to be enjoyed in person—like many of the deliberate details of the organization, it is perhaps fitting that their URL is thisisdelmar.com. That is because every experience with Del Mar, be it in a home, or in their stunning new office, has an unmistakable quality of exceptionalism—one that will make you say, beyond a doubt, “This is Del Mar.” 

For more on Del Mar, visit thisisdelmar.com, and to reach Cape Associates, visit capeassociates.com.

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

The post Building Business: This is Del Mar appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the color blue is thought to represent hope and whimsy. With every reference of the color, the story unfolds amidst idyllic and aspirational scenes. Whether it be the glasses of Dr. Eckleburg or Gatsby’s blue garden beneath the stars, blue conjures hope. In the Madsens’ family home, the color blue calmly flows throughout each space, acknowledging the waterfront exterior as it informs every corner of the interior. Like in the novel, the blue in this Orleans home emits peace and serenity. “I just think this house is a happy house,” homeowner Paula Madsen says. 

In 2018, homeowners Paula and Drew Madsen began searching for a New England summer home to escape the Florida heat. The couple looked at multiple properties to find the one with the bones and location that would fulfill their wish list. Finally, they found their home along a quiet shoreline in Orleans. A water view was at the top of their list, and while the Atlantic Ocean is majestic in its own right, Pleasant Bay won their hearts. “We thought, ‘Pleasant Bay is really interesting because it’s a huge body of water, you can see the National Seashore, but it’s a bit calmer with so much dimension,’” Paula shares.

“It became apparent that this property was once in a lifetime. They don’t come around like this often. We looked at a million houses, and I remember catching my husband’s eye when we walked into the house and just nodding at him,” Paula recalls. Aside from the water views, the home offered the ability to entertain and had an array of comfortable spaces for people to congregate.

For the new homeowners, a significant renovation and addition was needed. Leslie Schneeberger, AIA, Associate Principal of SV Design, became the Madsens’ trusted architect for the project renovation. When the plans were complete, SV Design introduced the father-and-son team of Ted and Matt Spencer of Spencer & Company to the homeowners in 2019. The Chatham-based builder’s expertise in custom millwork and details made them the perfect partner for the job. 

The plans focused on enhancing the property into the high-end haven it has become. “I feel like we got big impact out of small changes. It was smart in the planning. Partially because the Madsens were so involved in the design process, so there was a lot of working together and playing out scenarios. They were the right changes, because they had a significant effect,” Schneeberger says.

From the start, a key objective was to better utilize the expansive view by enhancing the windows. “All of the windows and doors on the east elevation were replaced with wider and taller units to take advantage of the views and brighten up the space,” Matt Spencer says. The main floor now boasts beautiful sliding glass doors and large windows to invite in the view. Further, it was imperative to maximize the open floor plan, which the team thoughtfully adjusted. “It can be hard to find an existing open floor plan when looking at real estate. That was what was so great about this house. There were kitchen cabinets and islands arranged in a way that blocked the flow, but there weren’t walls. We enlarged the opening between the living and dining room, but structurally, we made very few changes,” Schneeberger recounts. 

Today, approaching the newly finished home feels like reaching the very edge of the “Olde Cape” to unveil an untouched haven. Nestled behind a stone walkway, a cozy farmer’s porch welcomes guests and sets the tone for the charming interior. “The house changed in that when you approached the home, we added a lot of character at the entry approach. One of our first things is we wanted there to be a porch, an overhang or some kind of extra layer before you get into a house. We added the porch and rearranged the garage doors to the side so that front courtyard, instead of being an expanse of driveway leading into the garage, could be lawn and greenery. Then, we added the porch and that allowed us to add the mudroom and powder room spaces. We focused our attention, as far as additions to the house, right there,” Schneeberger says.

Stepping through the front door, there are multiple layers to admire in the view, from the back patio, to the lush greenery, Pleasant Bay, and the coast of the National Seashore just beyond. Paired with the airy, coastal design of the interior, the home is a serene environment that washes visitors over with a sense of ease. 

On the interior, the Madsens wanted the style to embody a charming, cozy Cape retreat. “For me, I wanted a place that was comfortable and charming that felt like it belonged on the Cape, which to me meant lighter colors, big windows, and wood floors. We leaned a lot on SV for that,” Drew says. SV Design was both the architect and interior designer for the project. A thorough interior design process began from a strong palette to designing space by space to ensure everything worked together.

On the main floor, each area seamlessly flows into another. While nestled on the living room couch, the entire floor is in view across to the screened porch, a perfect spot to curl up with a cup of coffee overlooking the water. In the dining room, the long wood table is flanked by two walls of full windows that brighten and open the space. In the warmer months, the sliding doors can be completely opened for an indoor/outdoor dining experience with the outdoor couch and fire table just beyond. 

In the kitchen, in keeping with the home’s prevailing aura, coastal style blends with a clean, modern feel. Atop the oversized island and the base cabinets, a light blue marble is the star of the show. The wet bar, with its glass cabinetry and wine cooler, adds a layer of luxury and is a perfect area for crafting a coffee or cocktail. By the powder room, the open pantry is complete with the puppy’s own personal space, a built-in crate fitted with his own bed. 

Thanks to the collaboration between SV Design and Spencer & Co, custom finishes went a long way. “Millwork is such a big part of what we do, so it was great to work with a team that really wanted to develop some unique moldings,” Matt Spencer shares. “We came up with a custom crown molding that helped make the modest ceiling height feel a little taller and added a touch of elegance without overpowering the more modern and coastal feel.” Schneeberger adds, “We designed some interesting and unique details, and that’s where the Spencers shine. Their cabinetry, and the fact that they are doing all of their finish inside and out themselves, you can see it’s what they love.”

To the right, a large lounge area, called the flop room, is a laid-back space to unwind that adjoins with the screened porch. The textured area rug, paired with a large ottoman, sectional, and wooden accent furniture make this a rich, layered design. The white vaulted ceilings amplify this space, while the blue furnishings tie in the coastal palette used throughout the house. 

Upstairs, the master was reconfigured to create a vestibule before entering the room, leading to the closet or the master bath on either side. The wall of built-ins was added surrounding the bed, where a mix of calming blues and neutrals make this the ultimate seaside escape. The spa-like master bath is a work of art, with a free-standing tub and a spacious double sink. The tilework is a touch within the project that stands out to Matt Spencer. “There was some pretty special tilework in some of those bathrooms; great selections, subtle details, and the color palette really worked, nothing was forced,” he comments. 

Also on the second floor sits a waterfront office and a guest room with an en suite bath, where a built-in bed overlooking the view is one of the coziest nooks of the home. Tucked above the garage, a third bedroom suite claims a unique, elevated vantage point of Pleasant Bay. Here, the built-in bookshelves and seating area add yet another space to relax.

On the exterior, the patio and deck areas completely transformed the underutilized backyard, connecting the pool and outdoor living space from the interior. “For a property with such stunning views, there was no emphasis on outdoor living in the original home,” Matt Spencer explains. “The pool was there, but it didn’t relate to the house and the home lacked any outdoor entertaining areas. We added a couple of decks, one with a fire feature, and a patio with bistro lighting that spanned from the house to the pool area. SV Design really tied everything together inside and out. It’s a great example of how impactful the little changes can be. They don’t have to be dramatic to be successful.” 

This June, the Madsens and their one-year-old Labrador retriever settled in for their first summer in their Orleans oasis. “There are so many things I love about the house. It’s one of those things where you walk downstairs and you’re like, how lucky am I? This is just so beautiful. Once you get here, it’s like time has no relevance. It’s all peaceful and lovely,” Paula shares. For the Madsens, their home is now the charming, New England coastal escape they envisioned. Like in “The Great Gatbsy,” the blue throughout this home and in its captivating Pleasant Bay view is illustrative of its joyful, peaceful essence. 

Brenna Collins is the story editor for Cape Cod Life Publications. 

The post Pleasant Bay Blues appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

This innovative home in West Dennis is all about finding the balance between sustainability and thoughtful design. A3 Architects and McPhee Associates collaborate to create a home that will last through generations of family adventures on Cape Cod. 

On Cape Cod, building homes to last a lifetime—through generations of sandy feet running excitedly from room to room and innumerable summer cookouts with neighbors and friends—is a purpose of the highest order. For a young family of five in West Dennis, imbuing their colorful spirit into a home that will yield lifelong summer memories was exactly the goal when they finally found the perfect spot to build a family vacation home. 

“Once I found the property, I walked past a nearby beachfront project that McPhee was building,” the homeowner explains. “I asked if I could see the inside, and they were great about letting me check it out. I could not believe the quality of their work, particularly the finish; it was perfect. So when I started to work with A3 Architects I specifically asked to have McPhee included in the consideration of builders.”

As a second-generation building and design firm, Dennis-based McPhee Associates of Cape Cod has their finger on the pulse of Cape Cod, crafting custom homes to last a lifetime…or several. They have built lasting relationships with local architects to create buildings that are thoughtful representations of a homeowner’s desires and lifestyle. From beginning to end, the team at McPhee uses their vast expertise to bring to reality the goals of a homeowner, and with this project, the desire was to create a sustainable and modern space for lifelong memories and colorful adventures. 

“It was a very exciting project and a bit of a departure from the traditional Cape style homes we see so often,” says Rob McPhee, president of McPhee Associates. For a company with almost 50 years of experience, that’s saying something. The home itself is a spectacular example of collaboration between builder, architect, and homeowner. “It was really rewarding for us to work with the owner and architect to bring their visions to reality with clean finishes and style,” says Sue Contonio, vice president at McPhee and project coordinator. “Seeing the unique spaces, such as the children’s nook under the stairs, come to life, is personally one of my favorite parts of this project.”

McPhee’s commitment to quality and the overall success of the project resonated with the homeowner as well. “McPhee’s quality is indisputable, but another important element is how well they communicate. I knew I couldn’t be on the Cape for meetings on a frequent and regular basis, so I needed someone who could really support me through the whole process and McPhee was absolutely fantastic about that. They communicated and consulted on every detail.”

With views of Nantucket Sound from the front of the house, and a charming pond to the back, Alison Alessi, of A3 Architects, was particularly focused on working with the client to design a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, capturing the effervescent scenery that is so intrinsic to Cape Cod. A variety of covered porches and roof decks facing a multitude of directions makes for a variety of incredible spaces to enjoy classic Cape Cod views, rain or shine. Structurally, the collection of decks create a home that is beautifully intricate—and statuesque. Due to the home’s location in a flood zone, the structure is organized vertically and sits some six feet above grade.

“This home was definitely a challenge, but an exciting one,” notes Alessi. “The site, which is somewhat limited at around 11,500 square feet, required conservation and zoning approval while also needing to be built above the flood plain. All of these sometimes competing requirements are design opportunities.” For example, having to build vertically gave the A3 team the opportunity to emphasize one of the most essential aspects of such a towering home: the stairwell. 

“The stair is a light modern open rise stair, and the stair tower itself bumps out from the main massing of the house itself,” describes Alessi. “The stair tower has lots of oversized windows bringing light into the home and providing a variety of interesting views that frame the beach beyond.” The vertical orientation was important to achieving these desirable views, which only get better the farther up you ascend the two-and-a-half stories, and on a bright summer day, the home is flooded with light. At dusk, elegant recessed lighting illuminates the stairs and reflects off of the modern stainless steel cable railing. “The floating stair finished with custom railing details immediately communicates the clean, contemporary aesthetic,” says Contonio. “The homeowner really wanted a modern clean style that emphasizes the views and location.” 

“The home is unique in the sense that it’s not what you would expect on the Cape…but it’s still at the beach,” adds McPhee. “We have collaborated with A3 in the past, and this project really stands out. Lines of communication were open, problem solving was more about opportunity identification and the creative spirit was evident in everyone’s approach.”

One of the most standout aspects of this home is that it is 100% net zero, meaning that it’s designed to produce as much energy as it uses. “There is a +/- 8640 kWh photovoltaic system on the roof by E2 Solar. It’s hard to see but it’s there!” enthuses Alessi. “We also designed the whole house with electric systems since the PV panels produce electricity.” For 20 years Alessi has focused her architectural expertise toward designing environmentally responsible homes, collaborating with clients on conceptualizing projects that are not only sleek and beautiful, but sustainable as well. Her designs are both insightful and responsible, so that families building lives and homes on Cape Cod can look forward to a lasting and vibrant future. For these West Dennis homeowners, Alessi’s eye for design and passion for sustainability made A3 the perfect pairing to McPhee. 

“The mechanicals are all electric,” continues Alessi about the home, “and with enhanced insulation strategies and triple glazed windows we are able to reduce the mechanical loads enough so that the solar produces all that is needed.” The benefits of net zero design are clear. A 2019 report found that buildings and construction are responsible for just under 40% of CO₂ emissions. Architects have a profound responsibility—and as Alessi likes to view it, opportunity—to work toward a greener future. Sustainable design comes in many forms, and even among net zero homes there are various ways to achieve the same end goal, but the expertise of a team like A3 is important for creating a home that is both durable and creative, as well as lasting and personable. And for a vivacious family of five, durability is key. 

The homeowner explains how and why A3 was her architect of choice. “I knew that I wanted a modern home and I found A3 from searching for projects on the Cape. When I got in touch with Alison, I started to learn about net zero homes and it was clear, they were the right choice for what I was looking for: a modern aesthetic and sustainability.”

“Building a net zero home for us is about balance,” explains Alessi. “Balancing the energy used, of course, but also balancing the space. On the Cape you have these incredible opportunities to connect a home to the outdoors, but it’s important to also create spaces that are cozy and inviting even when it’s cold and rainy.” The homeowners, too, have a unique appreciation for balance, and worked well with Alessi and McPhee to create spaces that found the elusive line between sophistication and playfulness. “We loved their aesthetic and the blend of modern materials they chose,” says Alessi about working with the homeowners. “For example, more traditional wood accents and lap siding were mixed with more modern fiber cement panels to create a unique exterior.”

Detailed accents like large doors and windows to capture dynamic, expansive views of sparkling Nantucket Sound; exterior folding doors; and wide plank flooring make the space feel thoughtful and complete. Colorful furnishings and elements—like the teal front door leading into the mudroom with deep navy geometric tiles—bring a spirited energy that complements the modern aesthetic. Under the stairs on the first floor is a unique play area. “Kids only!” laughs Alessi. The home is all at once contemporary yet retro (with accents of hot pink and detailed wallpapers); sleek yet bubbly (think contemporary chandeliers next to an electric blue couch); and structural yet seamless. It oozes personality, encouraging experiences and adventures to come, and above all, finds an almost intangible balance.

“My favorite part about our house is the way Alison has framed every view through every window, like an artist,” the homeowner states. Each window acts like a picture frame. She took the time to consider every opportunity in the design to be able to fully appreciate the views.”

“We wanted to make sure that the home was resilient and would last for many generations,” says Alessi. Especially with a vulnerable location along the beach and in a flood zone, finding that space between durability and creativity, inviting interiors and relaxing exteriors, and contemporary and coastal aesthetics was essential. It’s an undertaking that McPhee and A3 handled with an easy commitment to collaboration and teamwork. “I’m proud of my whole team,” says McPhee. “It’s not that they were stepping out of their comfort zone. Instead, it is like they had an opportunity to push the envelope to try something completely different and that was an invigorating experience for everyone.”

Allyson Plessner is a frequent contributor to Cape Cod Life Publications

The post The Beauty of Balance appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

The owner, a pilot for Cape Air, never intended to live in the house. The modest A-frame dwelling was a purchase for her parents. Just 10 minutes down the road from the Sandwich home where she was raising her three children, it would allow her to pop over easily when they came north from Florida for half the year.

She didn’t do any significant renovations to the residence, which looked like a poor man’s version of a ski chalet. The envelope was covered with a combination of vinyl siding and T1-11— the long, vertical siding you might see on a shed at Building 19. “We painted it and slapped some pictures on,” the owner says, and that served her parents for the better part of 10 years.

Then the trip back and forth from the Sunshine State became too much for the aging snowbirds, and the owner rented the place out. But after several more years, she had to have the tenants evicted. They had completely trashed it. “Refer to the movie Pacific Heights,” says Rick Anderson of R.W. Anderson & Sons, a Sandwich-based member of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod who had done some work on the family’s primary home. 

The owner brought in Rick and his son, Caleb Anderson, and a real estate agent to help figure out what to do with the property. Their verdict: hold onto it and sell the other home. Yes, the house was in bad shape, but it was sited on almost three quarters of an acre down a long, private driveway on Sandwich’s Peters Pond, offering fantastic water views and direct access to boating and swimming.

Her next step was selling her first home and, with her eldest away at college, moving with her two younger children into the one-bedroom apartment above the pond-side house’s garage while a designer drew some CAD drawings with plans for enlarging the residence.

Then the owner, along with the Andersons and Nantucket-based interior designer Donna Elle, who had been recommended by a former Cape Air colleague, started redlining them. The drawings were very basic, very cookie-cutter, the owner says. “I wanted something Hansel and Gretel, something with some detail, some character.” 

The drawings were also over-scaled, designer Donna Elle says. For instance, they showed a kitchen addition that would simply be too big for the home, not to mention budget-unfriendly. A kitchen addition was definitely called for; there was only a kitchenette on a wall at one end of the living room. But it had to be right-sized.

“I had no feel for the size, for the scope of it, from the drawings,” the owner says. “Donna took it to a scale that made it both livable and also fit well within my budget.”

One important step was to design a not-huge but still commodious 8-foot kitchen bump-out that would provide plenty of room for prepping and cooking. For still more judiciously added space, the Andersons built a windowed shed dormer on either side of the roof’s ridge line to create more headroom upstairs and bring in more light. The shed dormers in the CAD drawings were “bigger and boxier,” Rick says. “We shaved them back, so you’re still getting extra space, but it’s not ugly and boxy from the outside.”

One of the new dormers allowed the Andersons to create more square footage in one of the two upstairs bedrooms, along with raising the ceiling in the upstairs bathroom so you didn’t almost hit your head every time you stood up from the toilet. The other dormer expanded headroom on the staircase. The Andersons also built closets in both upstairs bedrooms, which previously had no storage, a feat accomplished both by moving knee walls and creating a couple of new walls.

For each of those bedrooms, one for the owner’s middle child, a daughter, and one for her younger son, the Andersons designed and constructed a floor-to-ceiling window bay that lets light flood in, opens up the incredible views, and stretches each room outward by a relatively small but still meaningful 20 inches. It’s just the amount of space that gives each bedroom a feeling of expanse, especially with all the added window panes.

The bay for the girl’s room, which has the best view of the pond in the house, was not in the plans. The Andersons gifted it. “There was just so much enthusiasm about the home, and I knew it was something that would add a lot of character as well as dimension,” Rick relates. And I have to say, [the owner’s] daughter is a sweet girl, so we spoiled her a little bit,” he adds.

All the changes look positively charming from the outside, adding depth and interest to the facade, which is now sheathed in red cedar shingle from Shepley Wood Products in Hyannis. Uncharacteristically, the shingle is not broken up with corner boards at each of the home’s edges, which would have interfered with the fairytale look. It instead has what are called laced corners, giving the envelope a very uniform feel.

The Andersons also re-built the outside staircase leading down to the home from the driveway, by which one reaches the newly created arched entryway at the home’s front door. Before, it had just been a series of railroad ties that were low to the ground. Now, the approach to the home is literally gentler and looks and feels positively magical. “We string white lights down the stairs and around the arch at Christmas time,” the owner says. Hand-crafted copper lanterns by Sandwich Lantern complete the charming effect.

The work was not easy. “Steep” does not begin to describe the descent from the main road down to the house. Bringing in the equipment to dig out a full foundation to support the kitchen addition was an engineering feat in itself. Also, Rick says, because the home sits on conservation land by the water, “we had to pull permits months and months in advance. We had to go before the Conservation Commission a lot.” It took the better part of a year for the Andersons just to get permission from the town to remove a telephone pole that proved an aesthetic eyesore once they put the telephone and electricity lines underground. 

Inside, Donna Elle worked her design magic by creating specs for a beautifully appointed kitchen that comfortably fits an island and allows not just for plenty of elbow room and prep space but also for flow. For finishes, she chose bark-colored Shaker cabinetry that anchors quartzite countertops with a leathered, non-glossy patina. “I wanted a countertop that was more textural, more gritty, more earthy than some of what you might see,” Donna Elle comments. “It says ‘Lake.’” 

“It was very important that all the textures, finishes, and colors go with out there,” Donna Elle says, pointing to the greenery and the 125-acre pond. That’s why she didn’t go with white, which is often the default choice for kitchens right now.

She complemented the kitchen colors and feel with living room walls painted in Marilyn’s Dress, a soft blue-grey produced by Benjamin Moore. And she gently contrasted the room’s cottage-y matchboard ceiling and ceiling beams in Benjamin Moore White Dove. White was her choice as well for the brick on the fireplaced living room wall at the opposite end of the main living area from the kitchen. In its original, very dark brown iteration, “it had been giving off a dingy vibe,” she says. 

Above the fireplace, Donna Elle designed a hollowed-out mantel that hides the wires leading to the television, painting it a soft grey to offset it a little from the wall. And a new firebox surround installed by the Andersons syncs, both dimension-wise and design-wise, with the flatscreen TV above. “All together it updates the look,” Donna Elle says.

Outside the living room, the Andersons built a new deck that overlooks the pond. And they replaced two sets of sliders leading to it with French doors and huge side windows, enhancing the view toward the water and the surrounding greenery while also giving the home a much warmer feel. 

The budget was reined in by saving all the home’s oak floors. The original plan was to rip them out and start anew, but the Andersons were able to salvage them, in part by surgically removing rot and refashioning some of the dark oak borders. Where the new kitchen meets the main room, a strip of that same dark oak marks the delineation, helping to make the entire added space look as if it had always been there.

The Andersons snuck in a closet next to the staircase in the entry hall, too. Before, you could see straight through to the powder room leading from the living room to the first floor’s main bedroom.

In the main bedroom itself, they reconfigured a walk-in closet to allow much more room for clothing and other items and turned the regular closet door into a pocket door to save space. They also transformed a hall closet into a much needed linen closet in the en suite that now opens from the other side. These small changes add both efficiency and livability.

Donna Elle dolled up the en suite bathroom by swapping out an unattractive pre-fabricated shower for a glassed-in oasis with a mosaic tile floor. For bathroom fittings, she chose satin nickel from Snow & Jones in South Yarmouth. 

Upstairs, Donna Elle chose a bathroom vanity base in an arresting navy blue, topping it with quartz from Cape Cod Counterworks in Mashpee that has bits of blue inspired by sea glass.  

In the basement, the bulk of which comprises a large, open family room space, an original stone fireplace anchors one wall, except now it is graced with a mantel salvaged from a home built by the original owner of the Sandwich Glass Factory. The downstairs bath, destroyed by the tenants, has been refurbished, while across the hall a ballet room for the owner’s daughter now has newly lengthened windows, making it more pleasant for the teenager to practice her pliés. Donna Elle had the room painted in Benjamin Moore’s Antique Pearl.

The owner did not go crazy with new furnishings, choosing instead to hold on to such heirlooms as her grandmother’s bedroom set for her own room. Pieces the owner did buy were mostly for the living room. Working with Denise Belair of Bassett Home Furnishings in Chestnut Hill, she chose a blue and silvery Alastar rug, and everything else riffed off of that.

All told, the project took two years from start to finish, as long in the planning as in the building. But it was worth the wait, the owner says.

The water access is definitely part of it. “We have two kayaks, my daughter has a paddle board, and we all enjoy swimming as a family,” the owner comments. “And we have lots of friends over to enjoy the water.” 

But it was more than just the pond. “I can’t say it enough that Donna, Rick and Caleb took my vision and my dreams and made them a reality,” she enthuses. “I wanted this sweet little home, and they made it happen. It feels just like living in a storybook.”

Larry Lindner is a contributing writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.

The post Storybook Ending appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

A sprawling front lawn invites visitors to trek through the meadow of grass to the backyard, where the expanse of Lewis Bay becomes visible, glinting diamonds in the sunlight. Gazing upwards, it is suddenly clear that the home’s distinct features were crafted to take advantage of this backyard bay. Peering upwards, one squints to estimate where the house ends and the sky begins as the midday sun obscures its true height. Its four layers stacked like a chocolate cake of gigantic proportions, the home guards Lewis Bay with the tenacity of a lighthouse. On a stone courtyard under the shade of the balcony recline several lounge chairs, ideal for taking advantage of the bay breeze on a Cape Cod summer’s day. The home’s many vantage points overlook the sailboats and orange buoys bobbing happily on the horizon. Designed by ERT Architects and constructed by MJ Nardone, the home is a thoughtfully-executed celebration of its seaside location.

As a remodel of a preexisting structure, the soaring house which now occupies the property succeeds most where its predecessor failed: in complementing the beauty of its bayside location. The former property was a low-profile, ranch-style home built during a time when waterfront views were not cherished. Making matters worse, the L-shaped home was visually imbalanced, with one side towering over the other. “The homeowner’s vision was to take better advantage of the water views and to modernize the home,” explains Erik Tolley, Principal and Lead Architect at ERT Architects, “Giving the home a better sense of balance from the exterior was a large part of this modernization.”

“One of our objectives was to maintain the character of the house that was built 40 or 50 years ago as it reveals itself when you come down the long driveway. And of course, we wanted to maximize the view,” the homeowner explains.  The challenge of simultaneously creating balance and optimizing views of the bay was accomplished through a reconsideration of space in the home. “Whereas the old house was chopped up into lots of small spaces, we opened up the floor plan in the remodel,” Tolley describes, “This was particularly successful in that it completely transformed the feeling of the house into a warmer, more welcoming space.”

The first floor of the home now boasts a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances that leads into a spacious and comfortable living area. The kitchen and living spaces are bathed in natural light shining in from numerous wide windows and a set of glass patio doors leading outside. The ceilings in this area were raised during renovations to allow space for five floor to ceiling windows that gaze over the bay.

The raised ceilings were also intended to make the living area a space for personal connection. “The homeowner’s intention was to make the home a place where they could entertain, enjoy  family, and just be there, and not have to go somewhere else,” explains Mike Nardone of MJ Nardone, “You can be in that house and have a lot of privacy, or be in the open living spaces and really be together as a family.”

The outdoor living space in particular plays a special role for this family. “The L-shaped house creates a natural courtyard in the back,” describes Nardone, “Those two parts of the house used to be really separate, so being able to take that area and turn it into an outdoor living space really brought the house together.”

Because of its central location, the outdoor living space pulls double duty as both a lounge area and a kitchen. The colorful lounge chairs and bubbling jacuzzi share their space with a stone fire pit, a grill and numerous amenities essential for the perfect summer barbecue.

To bring the outside in, natural light is prioritized throughout the home, particularly in the master suite. Located on the second floor, the master bedroom is dotted with white-trimmed windows oriented towards the water. A trio of floor to ceiling glass panels invites the Cape Cod sun to flood the room with warmth, and opens to reveal a cozy, curved balcony furnished with chairs and a table to enjoy a cup of tea on a slow morning. “When you’re on that little round deck facing the water, you can see all of Lewis Bay,” recalls Mike Nardone of MJ Nardone, “It’s really a very unique spot.”

Perhaps the most strikingly sunny spot in the master suite is located in the adjoining bathroom. “My favorite feature in the house is probably the soaking tub,” says Tolley, “One of the homeowner’s desires was for the soaking tub to have a view.  It was a little bit challenging, but we ended up being able to put a nice soaking tub right in front of the master bathroom window.” The window offers a landscape view of the stone jetty and wooden docks of the houses along the street, while the tub itself screams sophistication. Bordered by clean white wainscotting and reflective grey granite, the soaking tub is the striking focal point of this room of relaxation.

The materials used for the home were carefully selected to reflect the dreamy location. The flooring throughout the house is the same light grey of weathered driftwood. In the master bathroom, the shower floor is textured with stones one might find on the beach, while the walls of each room flaunt various hues of pale greens, blues and greys. Even the stairs are supported by visible cables reminiscent of fishing wire. “I find that people with waterfront homes really want to capture the sense of the classic Cape Cod beach house,” Tolley explains, “That’s really what drives things like finishings and colors. Everybody wants that beach house feel.”

This vision clearly influenced the design of the home’s uppermost room. Atop the master suite, a half-story office gives way to a sunbathed roof deck keeping watch over the sprawling bay beneath. For Nardone, the office and roofdeck are the most unique attributes of the house. “If I could wake up every day to an office with a sliding door that opens up to Lewis Bay, I’d be happy,” he laughs.

The office itself proved to be a haven during the COVID-19 pandemic. Crowned with a chandeliered cupola, the office ceiling is entirely paneled in natural cedar wood to mimic looking out at the bay from inside the hull of a schooner. Painted a seafoam green and tastefully adorned with white carpeting and a cozy blue couch, the office proved to be the ideal sanctuary to thrive during a year of at-home employment.

Each room in this seaside home embodies its waterfront location in a meaningful way. From stunning bay views to wide open spaces for the family to enjoy a Cape Cod summer together, the property seamlessly unites its extraordinary setting with the importance of family connection. “I love the feeling of improving a house and turning it into something beautiful, and that’s really what we do,” Tolley reflects, “And in this case, I really think we were able to capture everything that the homeowner envisioned.”

The homeowner whole-heartedly agrees, “From my perspective it couldn’t have gone any better since Erik and Mike have worked closely together on several projects, there are no questions marks, so it was very seamless. And once we settled on the design with Erik there really weren’t any surprises. Working with them got us exactly what we envisioned and more.”

Hannah Kunze is a contributing writer for Cape Cod Life Publications.

The post Bayside Beauty appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

When guests exit bustling Route 6A and pull into the driveway of Brewster’s Candleberry Inn, they’re not only escaping the frenetic–often frantic–pace of 21st-century life, they’re entering the personal, real-life “canvas” of innkeepers Angelo Ferraro and Marco DiDomizio.

From the meticulously manicured privet hedges that front the historic home to the various gardens that adorn the property, visitors couldn’t be blamed if they felt like they’ve stumbled into a painting.

One of the innkeepers’ most recent landscaping experiments was to tear out – and replace – the old garden that separates the property’s front and back lawns. Like landscape “painters,” the partners planted “layers” of blue-purple Siberian iris, pink-purple rhododendron, blue and white hydrangeas and electric-yellow goldenrod against a “canvas” of evergreen Italian cypress.

“It really looks like a Monet painting,” notes Ferraro. “We purposely planted this combination of flowers, knowing that they would sing together in some way. It’s really exceeded our expectations this year.”

The same could be said for a stay at the Candleberry Inn, according to the inn’s guests, who helped propel Candleberry to the top of Tripadvisor’s “Travelers’ Choice” ratings for the world’s top bed and breakfasts and inns in 2021. Guest reviews placed the Candleberry Inn as the number three inn in the U.S. and number eight globally.

“I spent a lot of time on the Cape as a child, and driving down 6A is a sentimental journey for me,” says retired nurse and educator Kathie Tritone, who has been staying at the inn – multiple times a year – for the past eight years. “My husband, Jim, always drives, and I get to enjoy the view. We pull into the driveway, past the perfectly manicured privet hedges, and the home and yard are so beautiful every time we visit.

“When we finally realized we weren’t going to have a Cape Cod home of our own, we wanted to find a place where we could go and put all our cares away,” says Tritone. “We walk in the door [at the Candleberry Inn], and it’s all peace and tranquility. It’s very calming. It feels like our second home.”

The “Rational” Road to Brewster

Growing up in the shadow of Manhattan, Ferraro and DiDomizio are no strangers to New York City’s long hours and “always-on” approach to work and career. A graduate of Iona College, DiDomizio is a CPA who was a global financial and operations director for an ad agency in New York City, while Ferraro is a registered architect who most recently specialized in classical design and renovation for wealthy residential clients. 

As their careers wore on, though, the partners realized that they had a “next chapter” to their story. Given their combined business and artistic acumen, and their passion for hospitality, the pair began to toy with the idea of innkeeping.

“We both liked what we were doing, and we were successful,” says DiDomizio. “But we also knew that we wanted to do something else. We didn’t see ourselves doing New York City jobs for another five to 10 years, so the question of ‘what’s next’ kept coming up for years.”

During their careers, the partners had become very familiar with Cape Cod, enjoying frequent getaways to the region’s many B&Bs and inns. “We specifically liked to stay in old Victorians to experience the scale and charm of the era and to explore their quirky details,” notes DiDomizio. “Soon, we started to notice how the inns were being run and thought, ‘We might be able to do this.’”

They decided to view a few properties on the Cape, but were “scared away” for one reason or another. Stepping back, Ferraro and DiDomizio re-grouped and decided to join the National Association of Innkeepers as “aspiring innkeepers.”

One weekend, they took part in an intensive “Innkeeping from the Innside” seminar that proved transformative for both. In addition to learning the basics of running an inn, they learned how to value a property, including real estate, home contents and business valuation. 

The seminar’s instructor, Carol Edmondson, was also a realtor on Cape Cod with Cape Cod Village Realty, so Ferraro and DiDomizio began working with her to scout potential Cape properties. After six months of searching, the pair found the Candleberry Inn in Fall 2015. 

“We wanted a quaint, small-scale colonial building,” says Ferraro. “We knew [the Candleberry Inn] had been operating as an inn since the 1940s, originally named The Welcome House. While the property had several interventions over the years, we saw its potential based on the building’s layout, scale and location. The Candleberry Inn has a rational floor plan, with a logical hierarchy and progression of spaces, which are all essential points to the architect. The individual rooms enjoy much natural light through the original six-over-six hand-blown glass windows. The rooms are well-scaled and balanced and we knew we could create an overall relaxing experience for our guests.”

Enlightened Architecture and Design

The 18th-century Enlightenment’s focus on reason not only influenced the philosophy, science and politics of the era, but it also had a major impact on architecture. During this “Age of Reason” in Europe, part of a young man’s education was taking “The Grand Tour” of the continent, which included excursions to the ancient ruins of Greece and Rome.

The rediscovery of this classical architecture – both rational and balanced – gave birth to the Georgian and Federal styles of architecture. Known for their clean, classical lines and balanced proportions, these closely related styles are the physical embodiment of rationality. 

Although the front portion of the Candleberry Inn’s Main House is often referred to as Georgian, it more closely resembles its cousin, the Federal style, which was common throughout the northern English colonies of North America in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“The Candleberry Inn’s detailing is more restrained than the more robust lines of the Georgian style, so I consider the inn to be Federal style,” says Ferraro. 

Located at 1882 Main Street, the inn and its buildings are part of the Brewster Old King’s Highway Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The front of the Main House was built by Massachusetts State Senator George Copeland, Esq., around 1800. His wife, Sarah, was a teacher, and in the 1820s ran the Dame’s School for Boys in the front parlor rooms, which are now the Breezing Up and Copeland guest rooms. Later in the 1800s, Sea Captain Francis Foster was also an owner prior to losing his life at sea. The Highlands, Beach Rose and Cricket rooms round out the guest facilities in the Copeland section of the home.   

The oldest part of the inn’s Main House – where the dining room and Seacroft Suite are located – was built sometime between 1780 and 1790, and is believed to have originally been a farmhouse. 

In the Main House, four of the six guest rooms offer fireplaces. All Main House rooms feature poster beds and are “outfitted in the traditional décor of the time,” according to DiDomizio. All guest accommodations have private bathrooms, and the larger rooms boast luxurious soaking tubs. 

With Ferraro providing design guidance this past off-season, the pair gutted and upgraded the inn’s 10 bathrooms, including their private suite’s bath. The contractor with whom they worked was Dana Greene, of Rustic Elegance, who custom built all of the vanities that were designed by Ferraro. The inn’s bathrooms offer guests plush Turkish towels, robes and slippers, as well as Malin + Goetz natural skin and bath products.

In six years of ownership, DiDomizio and Ferraro have renovated and/or redecorated almost every space in the inn. A new HVAC/central air conditioning system throughout the inn eliminated the need for window cooling units. They purchased new beds, reupholstered the furniture, torn out wall-to-wall carpeting and restored the flooring, installed wide-planked floorboards where needed, and introduced HD TVs, cellphone-charging stations and high-speed Wi-Fi. 

The bedrooms also offer 600-thread count cotton sheets, as well as Matouk blankets, coverlets and duvets. “We’ve really scaled up to give our guests a more luxurious experience in their rooms and bathrooms,” said DiDomizio. 

The Carriage House, which is separate from the Main House, contains three guest accomodations – the Garden Suite, Seabreeze and Treetops rooms. Prior to a renovation in the early 1990s, the building served as a carriage house, then a garage, and at one point even housed a dentist office. Where the Carriage House is technically not part of the Main House, this structure would have been modest in its design. DiDomizio and Ferraro built upon this with a more beach cottage inspired flavor. 

“Some guests seek to be transported back in time and will choose the Main House rooms, while others prefer the more casual cottage feel and select the Carriage House rooms. And then there are still other guests who over multiple stays enjoy working their way into every room for the complete Candleberry Inn experince! We love them all!”

To learn more about the Candleberry Inn and its delectable breakfasts, visit www.candleberryinn.com.

Joe O’Shea is a contributing writer for Cape Cod LIfe Publications. 

The post Home Away from Home appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

With their shared passion for good design and luxury, as well as their commitment to building a brand that combines California beach chic and European contemporary living, the mother daughter duo Kirsten and Kathy Meyer created The Grey House in 2016.  

After living in California for over 50 years, Kathy Meyer and her husband finally decided it was time to retire to their beloved summer home on the Cape, her daughter Kirsten chimed in, “But we decided that my parents Cape house wasn’t quite large enough anymore for our growing family.” Together, the women came to the decision it was time to remodel the 3 ½ bedroom home, turning it into a 6 bath 6-bedroom family home of their dreams. “After working on this project as a team, we just fell in love with working together,” the duo shares. 

“I was very much into design,” recalls Kirsten, finding that this project was just the inspiration she needed to get her degree in interior design. “After that, we came to the joint decision that we wanted to open our own retail store on the Cape, combining my contemporary European style inspired from living in the UK and my mom’s California beach chic,” explains Kirsten. 

“When we were remodeling the home, we wanted it to be contemporary, but really couldn’t find anything like that locally,” they recall. “We felt there was really a gap in the market, and with my design experience and my mom’s 40 years of retail experience, we knew we could fill that gap,” says Kirsten.

“We look for things that are unique, things you wouldn’t find anywhere else on the Cape besides our boutique,” explains Kathy. “It’s hard to get a curated collection, but we try to source a lot of our products from Europe.” At the boutique you’ll find sustainable furniture, artisan crafted jewelry, comfortable women’s clothing, gifts, and their Pappelina rugs that sell out every summer! 

“We love the fact that we’ve created a relaxing atmosphere for our clients. It’s really an easy retail experience that can be enjoyed,” says Kathy. With their clients at the heart of everything they do, the duo has clients returning to their carefully curated boutique time and time again, making The Grey House collections part of their everyday lives. 

The Grey House is located at 515 Route 28 in Harwich Port. For more information visit thegreyhouse.design or to set up a free consultation with Grey House Interior Designs call 774-237-0052. Follow them on Instagram
@thegreyhousecapecod. 

The post Shore Things: The Grey House appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.

On the picturesque island of Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll find the busy bustle of the tourist shops, waterfront restaurants and an abundance of traditional architecture, but if you venture a little further down the island, you’ll find a peaceful place. You’ll pass by ocean views, vast farmland and if you dare make your way down the long dirt roads into the woods, you may even stumble upon a hidden gem.

With their new book, Martha’s Vineyard: New Island Homes, authors and architects Keith Moskow and Robert Linn have unearthed some of these hidden island gems. “That was truly the driving factor of this book,” explains Moskow. “I grew up spending a ton of time on the Vineyard,” he explains now as a part time resident. “Before I became an architect, I really enjoyed surfing–I still do.” As Moskow would make his way around the island in search of that perfect wave, he would find himself down private roads. “When I was a teenager, I would come across these amazing houses and when I became a carpenter on the island, I began learning of other projects that were hidden away.” These hidden secrets inspired Moskow to pursue these projects as he began his own firm. “I’m an architect, so the book was really just a fun venture,” remarks Moskow. “I thought, wouldn’t it be cool to sort of bring these houses out for public viewing?” 

With the fragility of the landscape at the forefront, all of the featured contemporary homes are sustainably designed. “The selected projects were completed by both internationally known architects and emerging designers. All responding with sensitivity to the varied ecologies and cultural heritage of the island,” Moskow explains. All of the homes are fitted one way or another in the landscape, becoming in a sense “one” with their surroundings. 

Moskow shares, “Our goal with this book was to have the architects communicate in their own words directly to the reader why they did what they did in the specific environments. There are a lot of things for architects to respond to and when you look at the Vineyard its really surprising how many contemporary homes are hidden away out of view.” In collaboration with the architects, builders, and designers, Moskow and Linn have essentially brought these builds out of the woods, and into our grasp. 

Martha’s Vineyard: New Island Homes is available for purchase locally at Titcomb’s Bookshop in East Sandwich. Visit moskowlinn.com to see more Moskow Linn Architects.

The post Shore Lines: “Martha’s Vineyard: New Island Homes” appeared first on Cape Cod LIFE.