Coastal Connections

White and blues and ocean views define this North Shore gem renovated by SV Design.

- By Jennifer Sperry

Previously a house with stucco siding and a choppy interior, this three-level home is now the loveliest seaside location to entertain guests, stroll among the flower gardens, and breathe in the warm, salty summer air.

When SV Design’s clients first bought the oceanfront property, the house did not do justice to the stunning scenery. The front entry sequence was hidden and recessed, and once inside, various walls and low overhangs blocked views and light.

Hilarie Holdsworth Design created a beautiful garden to honor the homeowners love of flowers.

“Our first task was clearing obstacles out of the way, so that you immediately look out to the spectacular view upon entry,” recalls Tobin Shulman, AIA, principal and lead architect at SV Design.

The home's proximity to the shore limited SV Design’s ability to increase its size, however. “We were able to add on slightly to the sides,” notes Shulman. Working with the existing bones, the architecture and interior design firm and Georgetown-based Premier Builders accomplished a lot with a full-gut renovation, creating a coastal home that lives in a modern way.

An improved entry sequence includes decorative hardscaping and a new front porch with symmetrical dormers above.

“It’s not heavy traditional or super modern. It’s an updated version of Shingle-style,” explains the architect, who reworked the exterior elements to infuse the structure with reimagined charm. In place of a hipped roof with long shingle expanses, two gables with vertical boarding provide neat symmetry. Hardscaping and a new front porch (with triangular dormer overhead) form a more welcoming entry sequence.