Our clients desired a casual, relaxing summer home with a "summer camp" attitude and beachy feel. The Shingle-style house, overlooking the water in Osterville, MA, is the perfect place to spend a Cape Cod summer. Despite its beautiful bones, the interior was far too formal for their taste, with a grand central staircase and several arches and columns. There were also several small, closed-off rooms, rather than the open feel the couple desired. I worked with architect Patrick Ahearn and builder E.J. Jaxtimer to bring the house down to the studs to create a more fluid and open floor plan. This transformation allowed sunlight to flood the home from dawn to dusk and maximize the breathtaking water views. The new architectural details, such as beadboard ceilings, vertical shiplap walls, and a graceful stairway, added elegance without feeling stuffy. I incorporated the couple's love for entertaining by designing multiple seating areas with different uses. The game area in the living room is perfect for breakout card games or brunch. The added built-in bookcases make the dining room feel less formal and more like a multi-use space. The interior design aimed to reflect the natural surroundings without being overly clichéd. Colors from nature—marsh grasses, sand, ocean, and sky—were brought inside to create a cohesive yet subtle coastal theme. The views are magnificent, and all seating areas were oriented to face the water. I used several vintage pieces in this home and many existing pieces from the homeowners' previous home in Massachusetts. Reupholstering and refinishing these pieces makes them unrecognizable yet integral to the new design. For instance, a once cream-colored sofa now features a graphic fabric in red, white, and blue, adding a touch of Americana without being too literal. Bobbin chairs, originally black with dark blue velvet, were painted white and reupholstered in sky-blue fabric, giving them a fresh new look. The stairway's raised platform became the perfect spot for a table and a favorite painting from the owners' suburban Boston home. The porch, extending the entire back of the house, was designed to be a perfect outdoor oasis for al fresco dining and relaxation. The seamless blend of interior and exterior spaces ensures that the home is as functional and inviting outside as it is inside. Whether entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet retreat, the outdoor area provides ample space and comfort, taking full advantage of the picturesque surroundings.

A console table with a driftwood base sets the tone for this foyer’s coastal style. A blue-framed mirror above the table stands out against crisp white wood-paneled walls. A natural-wood Dutch door lets the outdoors in while maintaining some privacy.

A white staircase leads down to a natural-wood landing with a console table. The space’s coastal style is evoked through the basket’s natural material and blues and greens in the artwork and accessories. A white column adds architectural interest.

Pendant lights comprised of white glass globes wrapped in and suspended by rope add a coastal vibe to this staircase. The staircase is painted a crisp white to keep the space feeling open.