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My Houzz: A Summer Beach House Charms and Welcomes
An expansive, thoughtful renovation transforms a humble 1870s house on Cape Cod into an inviting place for living and entertaining
I am a Boston based contributing writer/photographer for Houzz, and a professional portrait and commercial photographer. My favorite design style is fresh, uncluttered, and modern although I appreciate any style that is well executed. I also love the surprise and rebellious twist of "a house within a house". This would be a contemporary home filled with period antiques or an antique home filled with modern design. I believe that what one chooses to surround themselves with reveals their true personality.
I am a Boston based contributing writer/photographer for Houzz, and a professional... More »
Although its location on the tip of Cape Cod can't be beat, this 1870s beach house was originally a crumbling 1,200-square-foot space with cupboard closets, tiny bedrooms and no fireplace. Kathy Cote and Kim Cromwell were intent on transforming it into a summer home suited for entertaining, and with the help of Peter McDonald Architect and Cape Associates, they were able to double the home's size while still maintaining its historical exterior. Three outdoor decks, 180-degree views and an open floor plan bring the beautiful seaside environment in and take full advantage of its waterfront locale.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kathy Cote, Kim Cromwell and their Yorkshire terrier, Kasey
Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That’s interesting: The custom paint color on the home’s landmark blue shutters is a sought-after secret formula.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kathy Cote, Kim Cromwell and their Yorkshire terrier, Kasey
Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That’s interesting: The custom paint color on the home’s landmark blue shutters is a sought-after secret formula.
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by Mary Prince
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| The deck on the "sea" level is the largest of the three, extending 23 1/2 feet from the house. Much of the original pyramid-style roof was replaced, but it still has the same pitch. The back of the house was extended toward the beach, and the decking was added to the extension. The roof overhang on the front and sides of the house was replicated in the new design on the rear of the home. Decking: Zuri Royal Building Products |
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| Historical preservation was very important to the couple. “We wanted a timeless, classic look on the inside and to preserve as much as we could on the outside. But once we started, we realized we had to replace everything," Cote says. |
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| The couple loves having guests stay over, so they designed a spacious main floor that would fit the way they live and entertain. Slim steel support beams encased in coffered ceiling moldings replaced the original home's much larger wooden beams. The design — inspired by a photo on Houzz — integrates the coffered ceiling with the fireplace, resulting in a shallower floor structure and a height gain of 6 inches. |
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| Furniture upholstered in Sunbrella fabric surrounds a 1700s blanket chest doubling as a coffee table. “I think Sunbrella is the best-kept secret," Cote says. "We love that the fabric won't fade in the sun.” The white walls are a perfect backdrop for their collection of paintings by Provincetown artists. Paint: Linen White, Benjamin Moore; all upholstered furniture: Norwalk Furniture in Sunbrella; brightly painted wood pieces: Maine Cottage |
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by Mary Prince
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| The crisp white paint and cohesive finishes help achieve a timeless and seamless look throughout the house. The kitchen and all of the full baths have the same cabinet style, beadboard molding, brushed-nickel drawer pulls and subway wall tile. The same floor tile is also used in all of the baths. Cabinetry: Fieldstone Buena Vista Maple White Shaker; faucets, sink, granite: Supply New England; appliances: KAM Appliances; tile: Cloutier Supply |
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| The couple bought as much of their furniture from New England craftspeople as possible. The dining table is from Cottage Home in Maine and extends to comfortably seat 12. The chandelier is hand-crafted by Nauset Lantern Shop in Orleans, on Cape Cod. Chairs: Maine Cottage |
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Nautical details — like the mirror and the boat paddles in this entryway powder room — are a constant reminder of the coastal location.
Mirror: eBay
Mirror: eBay
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by Mary Prince
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| This deck off the great room was designed for maximum durability and minimum maintenance with a high-wind and saltwater environment in mind. The wire cable rail by Feeney Architectural Products has bolts as end caps to hold the wire. PVC trim is hard wearing and low maintenance. Deck: Zuri Royal Building Products |
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| Previously, the home's bottom floor was a basement with a bath, but it's now a guest bedroom. Digging into the ground allowed for a foot increase in ceiling height. Tile flooring was installed to handle sandy feet coming in from the beach. |
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The ceiling in the stairwell to the lower level was cut out to keep the exterior windows in the same size and style as the originals. This allows for the exterior of the house to look the same, even though the inside levels are different.
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A copper ship's lantern chandelier from Nauset Lantern Shop hangs in the stairwell to the top level.
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| The master suite is a private escape for Cote and Cromwell when the house is full of guests. A full bath, a large walk-in closet, a sitting area and a private deck provide serene comfort. The entire upper level was reframed to make extra headroom for the living room ceiling below. As a result, the ceiling in this room was raised as well. |
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| Wooden beams in the master suite create warmth and add visual interest to the high ceiling, directing the eyes to the view outside. A gas fireplace and overstuffed chairs create a cozy sitting area. |
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| The master bath suite, with its large walk-in shower, is dressed in an elegant white with gold accents. |
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| The roof overhang serves as an awning for the upper levels and shields these bedrooms from the hot, bright sun. |
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A built-in stack of shelves makes use of a narrow space next to the cast iron tub in the guest hall bath. A hinged three-quarter glass door keeps the tub open and airy with no track to clean.
Fixtures, tub, sink, tub door, vanity countertop: Supply New England; tile: Cloutier Supply
Fixtures, tub, sink, tub door, vanity countertop: Supply New England; tile: Cloutier Supply
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by Mary Prince
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| The original front and sides of the home have been replaced to look just as they did when the home was built — right down to the window openings and the custom color on the landmark blue shutters. “When we heard a house was for sale, I was hoping it was the one with the blue shutters, and it was!” Cromwell says. |
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by Mary Prince
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| The couple live in Florida during the rest of the year but are looking forward to enjoying and creating memories in their new home on the harbor. Architect: Peter McDonald Architect Contractors: Mark Kinnane and Ralph Creech, Cape Associates Interior design: Vantine Interior Design Houzz call: Do you live in a beach house? Share it with us! |
Ideabook updated on Aug. 9, 2012.
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