Harbor View
Client Brief
We were approached to create a new Gilded Age seaside estate that celebrated the rich architectural tradition of New England’s shingle-style resorts while embracing modern living. They desired:
A timeless home that honors historic precedents but lives comfortably for a contemporary family.
Spaces that could shift from intimate family living to grand-scale entertaining.
A home deeply connected to the bayfront setting, with porches, terraces, and outdoor rooms that embrace the landscape.
Resort-style amenities, including a spa, wine cellar, pub, and spaces for relaxation.
A design that reflected their success, heritage, and love of the sea, while preserving privacy from the constant presence of passing boats.
Site Challenges
Exposure: With nearly four acres fronting the bay, the site was highly visible from the water, requiring careful planning for privacy without losing the expansive views.
Topography: The land sloped down to a rocky cliff edge, making access to the beach and boat launch complex.
Scale & Context: The new home needed to harmonize with 150-year-old historic estates nearby, appearing timeless yet providing modern comforts.
Harsh Coastal Environment: Salt air, storms, and shifting weather demanded durable materials and detailing.
Design Response
The design solution was a grand shingle-style estate, rooted in tradition yet alive with modernity.
A linear plan with wide wraparound porches maximized bay views from all principal rooms.
Flexible interiors allowed the home to shift seamlessly: private libraries and studies could be closed for intimacy, while vast interconnected living rooms could open for gatherings and celebrations.
Terraces and decks at multiple levels created layered outdoor living, from intimate balconies off bedrooms to expansive fireplaces for seaside evenings.
The 3rd floor guest level provided the highest and most dramatic views of the Atlantic beyond, ensuring guests experienced the property’s full grandeur.
Below, a resort-style lower level introduced leisure and retreat spaces, while still connected to the outdoors with a covered porch.
The architecture embraced true craftsmanship and enduring materials, with every detail meticulously drawn and executed.
Design Principles in Action
The family’s principles were consciously woven throughout:
What the eye sees, what the heart feels: Long sightlines to the bay evoke serenity and awe; intimate alcoves bring comfort.
Emotional response: Grand entertaining halls create excitement, while tucked-away nooks and libraries provide peace.
Tone and comfort: The balance of scale ensures the home feels welcoming despite its size.
Expression of identity: The estate communicates the family’s story—rooted in tradition, yet bold in self-expression.
Light & shadow: Deep porches, dormers, and high-ceilinged rooms sculpt light and drama throughout the day.
Materials & texture: Natural shingles, stone, and wood detailing ensure permanence and timelessness.
Playfulness: Unexpected spaces—like the pub room and expansive bayside fireplace—add joy.
Craftsmanship & human touch: The work of New England’s finest artisans imbues the home with authenticity and artistry.
Outcome
The completed design is a resort-style estate that feels at once historic and alive with modern vibrancy. From sunrise views across the bay to evenings gathered by the outdoor fireplace, the home embodies the family’s vision of luxury, heritage, and connection. The property now functions as both a private retreat and a stage for large-scale entertaining, a house that lives gracefully across generations.
Lessons Learned
Site exposure can be turned into an asset: Rather than fighting visibility, thoughtful design leveraged it, balancing openness with privacy.
Historic references must be more than cosmetic: True timelessness is achieved through proportion, material authenticity, and craftsmanship.
Flexibility is key: Homes of this scale must allow for multiple modes of living, from quiet evenings to large gatherings.
Every detail matters: A design rooted in principles—and executed with precision—creates homes that transcend fashion, becoming bridges “from the material to the sublime.”