Key Features:
- Laundry relocated from the first-floor mudroom to the second floor
- Separate pantry nook for small appliances, dog food, and everyday essentials
- Perimeter countertops and full-height bespoke slab backsplash in honed soapstone
- Island countertop in Blue Ocean leathered quartzite with a decorative ogee edge
- Glass-front pantry cabinet with cremone bolts to display collected pieces
- En suite marble bathroom with 6’ vanity
Built in 1860, this character-filled Victorian was purchased by our clients in 2023. From the start, they knew they wanted to rework the home to support their daily routines and long-term plans. This multi-room renovation included a carefully designed addition to create a primary suite with a marble en suite bath, a new office, a relocated laundry area, and a renovated additional bedroom. At the same time, the heart of the home—the kitchen—was revitalized to better connect with the home’s beautiful ocean views and to function as a true gathering place.
From the earliest design conversations through the final walk-through, this was a deeply collaborative project. Our clients were highly engaged at every stage, exploring layout options, material combinations, and construction scenarios with our team. That same hands-on approach carried into the build phase, where our craftsmen, trade partners, and design team worked together to execute the vision with care and precision.
Kitchen
The kitchen is where the home’s new balance of history and modern living really comes to life. We reworked the layout by introducing a secondary opening from the dining room into the kitchen, and a generous island that provides both seating and additional work surface for cooking, hosting, and everyday living. Designed as a furniture-style piece, the island features turned legs, a decorative valance detail, and open shelving that’s perfect for stacking cookbooks and displaying frequently used pieces.
Cabinetry in the island and pantry is finished in a Sage Cherry wood stain that brings warmth and depth while still feeling fresh and current. Along the perimeter, creamy cabinetry is paired with honed soapstone countertops with a full-height slab soapstone backsplash. The profile of the stone was hand-drawn and custom-fabricated, adding a finely crafted, bespoke note to the space.
The island is topped with Blue Ocean leathered quartzite, which introduces movement and subtle color variation. A decorative ogee edge gives the stone a tailored, furniture-like presence that reinforces the island as the focal point.
A new pantry nook was carved out to corral small appliances, dog food, and other daily-use items, keeping the main kitchen surfaces feeling calm and uncluttered. Within the kitchen, a glass-front pantry cabinet fitted with cremone bolts turns storage into a display moment, showcasing collected pieces and adding another layer of classic detailing.
We reimagined the existing kitchen fireplace to create a more intentional focal point. New wood detailing, a carefully proportioned surround, and an updated hearth give the fireplace a sense of presence and balance.
Primary Suite + Second Floor
The new addition allowed us to reconfigure and elevate the private spaces on the second floor. A key move was relocating the laundry from the first-floor mudroom to the second floor, placing it closer to the bedrooms and simplifying day-to-day routines.
The primary suite was designed as a quiet retreat, with a sitting area that now features enlarged windows to better capture ocean views and southern light, filling the space with warmth in the morning hours. These architectural changes enhance the connection to the landscape while reinforcing the sense of calm and openness throughout the suite.
The space is anchored by a custom marble en suite bath that feels both luxurious and timeless. A six-foot double vanity, topped with classic Carrara marble, offers generous storage, while the shower includes a large recessed niche that keeps bath products neatly organized and off the floor. An Ann Sacks custom marble floral mosaic tile adds a subtle moment of artistry at the shower floor and bench front, bringing texture and visual interest without overwhelming the space. Materials and finishes were selected for their quiet elegance, complementing the historic bones of the home rather than competing with them.
Craftsmanship + Collaboration
From the bespoke slab backsplash profile to the furniture-style island and carefully detailed fireplace surround, this project is defined by thoughtful craftsmanship and integrated design. Decorative rosettes were sourced and incorporated at the window and door casings, reinforcing the home’s character through subtle, well-considered detail. Every decision, from relocating the laundry to refining the kitchen work zones, was made with the family’s daily rhythm in mind.
The result is a home that honors its Victorian roots while fully embracing the needs of contemporary living. It is now warm, functional, richly detailed, and ready for many more years by the sea.
