We started with a boarding house built in 1904 with very few updates…old, out-moded heating, cooling, plumbing and electric and a truly tiny kitchen.

Our challenge was to retain the wonderful arts and crafts charm of this 100–year–old home while making it functional as a family beach house – able to accommodate both overnight guests and friends over for barbeque. Once we winterized the house, added central air, and replaced 90% of the electrical wiring, we were able to focus on restoring architectural details like stained glass transoms, pocket–doors, ornate oak banisters and beautiful detailed millwork.

The final design was an open plan on the first floor that retained the majority of architectural elements such as crown molding, wide–plank floor boards and paneled pocket doors. We were able to preserve these elements and also expand the kitchen by approximately three times its size. We also removed a full bathroom and replaced it with a half–bath – and found space for an additional full bathroom upstairs on the second floor by transforming an old utility closet. On the exterior, we used cedar–shake–style vinyl siding for its durability and low–maintenance. In the kitchen we vaulted the ceiling and exposed the beams but painted them (several coats) white to keep a fresh, clean look.

The goal from the beginning was to retain the charm – but make it work for a contemporary family, while making it a light–filled space – taking advantage of through light through the length of the house. The house was finished in replica materials from the early 20th century such as school house lighting, subway tile and wide–plank oak flooring.