OCT 2024 – The underlying theme in this home’s overall design is the balance of modern and rustic features, which creates a home that feels equally sophisticated and casual. This balance of contemporary and rustic elements is carried through each phase of the project, from the architectural design to the selection of materials and finishes to the interior design elements, themes, and artwork.

The primary color throughout the home is eucalyptus green, balanced with natural wood and rust-colored details (e.g., couch, island chairs), all grounded with black countertops, hardware, and window trim, providing a cool and peaceful ambiance. Bright flecks of color are then sparsely introduced—e.g., the gold inside the pendant lights and the artwork framed by the credenza. Eucalyptus green is also cleverly reflected in some interior design selections, such as a bowl mixer and the Dutch oven on the stove.

The Great Room
Double Gable Cathedral Ceiling–The great room was initially designed to have a single gable peak. The homeowner requested that the plans be revised to have a double peak with the fireplace centered. Geometric rectangle and triangle-shaped windows were carefully planned to provide a sweeping panoramic view of the forest.

Great care was taken in the design to ensure that all the angles and negative space were balanced throughout the room, including the staircase lines. To support this design, the main structural beam was placed front to back, with the accent beam placed side-to-side.

Red cedar wood accents and the stone fireplace (Vineyard Granite) give the home a relaxed NH mountain retreat feel, and the modern features, such as the geometric windows with black trim, black countertops, and wire stair rails, balance the rustic with contemporary touch.

Kitchen Design
The kitchen is unique in that the work area has one long counter, the width of the back wall, and the stove and stove hood are centered—four windows replace the usual top cabinetry, bringing additional light into the home. Mountain homes surrounded by trees are often light-deprived. The room’s scale provides ample cabinetry, bottom cabinets, a generously sized butler’s pantry, and a dry bar area. Extending the counter up the wall 18″ as a backsplash with a slight shelve and completing the wall with ceramic tile is a masterclass in design sophistication.

Custom Built-ins and millwork are integrated into every room of the home. The cabinetry is constructed of plywood with maple doors, dovetail, full-extension soft-close drawers, and soft-close hinges.

Primary Bedroom
Following the modern vs. rustic theme, the primary bedroom is connected to a private office separated by barn doors with rod iron hardware. The ceilings are natural red cedar-finished nickel-gap shiplap planks.

Powder Room Pattern
The powder room off the front entry is wallpapered with a unique black-and-white animal print cleverly mirrored in the curtains—printed with the same pattern.

October 2024 – When the adjacent property to their generational Cape Cod estate became available, this homeowner seized the opportunity and purchased the 2-acre/4,065 sqft home overlooking Cotuit Bay. The existing home on the property needed costly repairs. They hired Longfellow Design Build to demo the house and build an outdoor living area. To avoid a lengthy and uncertain permitting process, we recommended the new outdoor living area be built on the same footprint as the home currently on the property.

Architectural Design
Homeowners wanted a space they could enjoy throughout the day without returning to the main house. Our intention for this design was to create a versatile space that offers a variety of distinct spaces and experiences while also providing a cohesive outdoor living space. Longfellow developed a patio, pool, and poolhouse design that provides a variety of distinct activity areas to accommodate various moods and modes of enjoying the spectacular property. Activity areas include:

– Canopy building with a hip roof for sun protection while relaxing by the pool with a lounge chair and a beverage
– Round Marino glass gas firepit area surrounded by Adirondack chairs for chilly evening discussion
– Pavilion sitting area with outdoor furniture, marine-grade speakers, and a 65″ Samsung Terrace outdoor TV
– Outdoor cooking area near the pool house take-out bar with barstool seating to serve lunch to the kids
– Infinity pool centerpiece with built-in seating and a waterfall over foundation stones where the water’s edge lines up with the view of the Cotuit Bay
– All-cedar outdoor shower

Using the view of Cotuit Bay as a design element was essential when evaluating sight lines and ambiance for each of the separate patio areas.

The patio and pool areas are enclosed by a modern glass pool fence with black posts, and the property is landscaped with gardens of native species.

Pool House
Converted garage into a pool house with custom kitchen, quartz island countertops, bathroom, and storage closet with custom cabinetry constructed of plywood with maple doors, dovetail, full extension soft close drawers, and soft close hinges.

One key aspect of this project was the conscious use of the original home’s rock foundation, which added unique character to the outdoor living area and contributed to its sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Foundation Stones
Stones from the original house were repurposed and used as a design element throughout the site:
– Retaining walls and pool foundation
– Waterfall for the infinity pool
– Column posts on the patio
– Foundation for the outdoor grill/kitchen & round gas firepit

Full Scope of Work
– Demolish the existing home to its foundation
– Replace septic with a new Title 5 system
– Add a leaching pit for the roof, patio, and pool drawdown
– Install infinity pool and patio
– Convert existing garage into pavilion, pergola, and poolhouse with custom kitchen & bath
– Build a canopy structure with a hip roof and exposed cedar supports
– Build the all-cedar outdoor shower
– Mitigate plantings with the associated grading, utilities, and landscaping
– Install TV and marine-grade outdoor speakers with automation throughout the property
– Install Lutron lighting system with automation

Like so many Cape Cod properties, this home has been enjoyed as a summer weekend retreat through many generations with no significant renovation or remodeling done since the early 1970s

This kitchen remodel represents the first phase in the updating of a 21-room, 1930’s Cape Cod estate overlooking Cotuit Bay. Like so many Cape Cod properties, this home has been enjoyed as a summer weekend retreat through many generations with no significant renovation or remodeling done since the early 1970s.

Given the COVID situation that developed in the spring 0f 2020, the current owner – a greater-Boston couple, anticipates spending more time living at the Cotuit home with their 9-year-old daughter.

The renovated space includes a full kitchen, pantry, and laundry area. The kitchen features a breakfast nook with custom built-in banquette seating and custom china cabinet, a hammered zinc prep sink set into a 3″ walnut butcher block prep station, and a 3″ thick marble countertop.

Cabinetry throughout is custom, maple door, full-extension dovetail with soft close drawers with a Summerfield drawer style. The interior wall includes 7′ of refrigeration with panel overlays.

Project Highlights

3″ Walnut butcher block cutting board and 3″ Calacatta Arno quartz island-top with hammered zinc prep sink and faucet.

Longfellow custom built-in china cabinet/hutch with glass panes and a cherry wide plank top

Custom banquette kitchen seating, trim, and wall panels design by Longfellow architectural designers and built by our in-house finish carpenters.

Custom banquette kitchen seating, trim, and wall panels design by Longfellow architectural designers and built by our in-house finish carpenters.

Interior wall boasts 7′ of paneled refrigeration. Maple inset Longfellow custom, dove-tail, full-extension, cabinetry with soft-close drawers throughout

Interior wall boasts 7′ of paneled refrigeration. Maple inset Longfellow custom, dove-tail, full-extension, cabinetry with soft-close drawers throughout.