Northshore Home magazine highlights the best in architectural design, new construction and renovations, interiors, and landscape design.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1006262
73 entertaining areas. With the lot's existing home already in demolition and the owners' previous residence in Hamilton under agreement, the project's timeline didn't leave much room for error. Impressively, contractor Jeffrey Lawler, owner of County Homes, Inc., executed Dioli's plans expediently in just 10 months. Curb appeal was important to the couple (the exist- ing house had none), and Dioli's façade immediately impresses with its dual gables, stair tower projection, and covered entry. The bowed roof of the front entry— a riff on the traditional farmer's porch—echoes the shape of the eyebrow dormer up above. "The owners definitely wanted the home to embrace the history of a Shingle-style beach house; that Nantucket feel was very important to them," says the architect. Inside, the front entry leads directly into the living room, a standout two-and-a-half-story space filled with natural light. For the towering fireplace, the homeown- ers chose granite as a nod to their North Shore roots. "Each piece from the Cape Ann quarry was split using feather and wedge. The whole process took a solid four to five months," reveals the husband. After a great deal of discussion as to whether the room's focal point Left, Inside, the front entry leads directly into the living room, a standout two-and- a-half-story space filled with natural light. Right, The husband's first-floor study, a secluded room on the ocean side, is traditionally outfitted with mahogany millwork and a fireplace. should be all stone or just part stone with wood or plas- ter, the owners love the all-stone result. "It was the best decision we made," they agree. Since they barely used their dining room in Hamilton, the couple was adamant about an open-concept layout for their main living spaces. While the living room and dining area are lined up on the water side, parallel to the rear covered porches, the kitchen's bank of windows is on a separate axis that faces more northeast, toward the best view. Timeless in design, the kitchen partners gray- veined marble countertops with white cabinets and a wedge-shaped island, its curved edge oriented toward the views. Since upper cabinets were sacrificed for view- capturing windows, an adjoining butler's pantry accom- modates any storage overflow. With holiday parties drawing up to 30 people, it was important that all of the home's entertaining features be within quick and easy reach. The husband defied the wine cellar's more typical subterranean placement, deciding it should instead be on the ground floor oppo- site the dining table. An adjoining wet bar services the dining area as well. Altogether the main living spaces flow and work together as one big family entertaining