Lakefront Cottage
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman gray two-story wood exterior home remodel in Boston

This remodel went from a tiny story-and-a-half Cape Cod, to a charming full two-story home. Space Plans, Building Design, Interior & Exterior Finishes by Anchor Builders. Photography by Alyssa Lee Photography.

Photographer: Jared Kuzia/This Old House
Bathroom photo in Boston

This farmhouse kitchen offers all the modern conveniences including 6 burner range, farmers sink and large kitchen island. Greg Premru Photography
Inspiration for a large farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Boston with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beaded inset cabinets

Cottage exterior home photo in Boston

Elegant exterior home photo in Boston

This kids bathroom is shared by their two daughters and connects to each of their bedrooms. Therefore, two separate sink areas were created with a center storage "shared" area. There is more storage in the medicine cabinets and underneath the sinks with custom pull out drawers. The bathroom was kept in green and white muted tones with the tile, cabinetry and countertop so it could be changed and accented through the years with the paint color (purple currently) and linen choices. The flooring is a Tessera glass mosaics and the wainscoting a classic white subway tile with an accent row of the flooring tile. There is a separate shower/toilet room created for privacy.

Example of a cottage freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room design in San Francisco with beige walls

Example of an island style medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room design in Boston

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

This remodel went from a tiny story-and-a-half Cape Cod, to a charming full two-story home. The exterior features an additional front-facing gable and a beautiful front porch that is perfect for socializing with neighbors. Space Plans, Building Design, Interior & Exterior Finishes by Anchor Builders. Photography by Alyssa Lee Photography.

Eric Roth - Photo INSIDE OUT, OUTSIDE IN – IPSWICH, MA Downsizing from their sprawling country estate in Hamilton, MA, this retiring couple knew they found utopia when they purchased this already picturesque marsh-view home complete with ocean breezes, privacy and endless views. It was only a matter of putting their personal stamp on it with an emphasis on outdoor living to suit their evolving lifestyle with grandchildren. That vision included a natural screened porch that would invite the landscape inside and provide a vibrant space for maximized outdoor entertaining complete with electric ceiling heaters, adjacent wet bar & beverage station that all integrated seamlessly with the custom-built inground pool. Aside from providing the perfect getaway & entertainment mecca for their large family, this couple planned their forever home thoughtfully by adding square footage to accommodate single-level living. Sunrises are now magical from their first-floor master suite, luxury bath with soaker tub and laundry room, all with a view! Growing older will be more enjoyable with sleeping quarters, laundry and bath just steps from one another. With walls removed, utilities updated, a gas fireplace installed, and plentiful built-ins added, the sun-filled kitchen/dining/living combination eases entertaining and makes for a happy hang-out. This Ipswich home is drenched in conscious details, intentional planning and surrounded by a bucolic landscape, the perfect setting for peaceful enjoyment and harmonious living

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to quality of design. For this petite Cape-style home along the Eagle River in Ipswich, Massachusetts, we focused on creating a warm, inviting space designed for family living. Radiating from the kitchen – the “heart” of the home – we created connections to all the other spaces in the home: eating areas, living areas, the mudroom and entries, even the upstairs. Details like the highly functional yet utterly charming under-the-stairs drawers and cupboards make this house extra special while the open floor plan gives it a big house feel without sacrificing coziness. In 2018, the home was updated with interior trim details, including new shaker paneling on the staircase and custom newel post, a TV built-in with shelves and drawers and beadboard back, and a half wall bookshelf with columns to replace the wall dividing the living room from dining room. The client also wanted a gas fireplace to enjoy during the winter, but didn't want to lose their beautiful marsh views. We designed the fireplace to go below the window, vented out the rear, with pebbled tile surround and benches flanking either side for storage.

Large transitional l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor home bar photo in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash and black countertops

Whimsical stairway with custom drawings in the “Cranberry Cottage”, a coastal home renovation on Cape Cod by Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders and received the 2015 CHATHAM PRESERVATION AWARD | Cranberry Cottage started its life in 1790 as a Half Cape Cod Cottage. PSD restored the antique portion, lifted it to install a new hand-made brick clad foundation with finished basement, and added compatible additions. The charming assemblage of old and new now functions well as a family home that is both full of character and memories. PSD Scope Of Work: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction | Living Space: 2,937ft² | Photography: Brian Vanden Brink |

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

Cape Cod style coastal bathroom in the heart of St. Pete Beach, FL.
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove shower remodel in Tampa with furniture-like cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Arched entry & porch columns on the “Cranberry Cottage”, a custom coastal home renovation on Cape Cod by Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders and received the 2015 CHATHAM PRESERVATION AWARD | Cranberry Cottage started its life in 1790 as a Half Cape Cod Cottage. PSD restored the antique portion, lifted it to install a new hand-made brick clad foundation with finished basement, and added compatible additions. The charming assemblage of old and new now functions well as a family home that is both full of character and memories. PSD Scope Of Work: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction | Living Space: 2,937ft² | Photography: Brian Vanden Brink |

Peter Vanderwarker
Mid-sized mountain style single-wall light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, paneled appliances and an island