While some of the housing was grand, other homes built in this period were simple, shingle vacation cottages. The Cape Cod house featured on these pages was such a home. Architect Tom Catalano was commissioned to design a refurbishment that would enhance the existing character of the property and provide modern convenience.
Catalano says the only rooms that remained intact were the paneled dining room and the main staircase. This extends around the front of the house, following the angles of the gabled roof. Another open-sided porch, to the left of the main house, leads to a separate, new guest house and garaging. All the porches are painted white, adding to the property’s summery look and creating informal spaces for outdoor living.
The adjacent breakfast room features a vaulted ceiling, similar to one in the new guest house. Having adequate cross-ventilation means the house doesn’t need air conditioning. A variety of barrel-vault and angled ceilings further enhances the cottage character.