One With Nature
We’re starting off the month of April with a little something different. On the outside this home showcases a very modern facade, a unique style in comparison to our previous featured properties BUT when walking in, you still get that airy, coastal-like interior that our New Englanders love. The juxtaposition of styles is what made this home an intriguing pick for this week’s feature post…among other things! At first sight, the exterior of this Watch Hill home has a very clear mid-century look to it, which makes sense given it was built in 1970. The monochromatic palette, the squared, strong lines, and the flat planes…all these features are commonly known from the modern architectural era. The simplicity and purely functional emphasis continues inside the home as well, with its clean, minimalist aesthetic and prominence on its relationship with nature. The interior design elements on the other hand are more transitional and even coastal at times. On top of the refreshing blend of design styles, another characteristic that really stood out with this home was how it takes your typical architectural elements such as doors and walls and ceilings and transforms them into a particular detailed design decision that altogether create the foundation of bringing the outdoors in.
Ceilings
With the openness and minimalism in each of the spaces, the ceiling design was a great way of adding an additional layer that creates a more cozy and coastal ambience. The wood paneling and exposed beams, painted white, add character to the spaces while still adhering to the minimalistic approach without making them seem sterile.
Doors
The function of doors in this home are not to create two different spaces with privacy from one another, but instead are used for the exact opposite: as a way to connect the two. The [very] large sliding glass doors, along with the open concept and minimalistic decor, allow for two things to take place: 1. for the natural light to pierce through and completely fill the interior and 2. for the scenic views to be accentuated, enticing anyone in the space to want to go and explore the outdoors. Like the beautiful coastal woven accent chair in the top middle photo, theses design features are a perfect way to visually and spatially weave together the interior and exterior. There is this one interior door that also caught my eye, though, and is just as impactful as the glass doors and that’s the pocket doors leading into the bedroom. Although it’s not used in great quantity such as the glass doors, this actually makes it even more of a gem amongst the rest. Pocket doors are such a subtle way of opening the flow from one space into another…and I just love when the designer takes the opportunity to add a nice touch to the door itself and not have a mundane piece since the expectation is that it’ll be hidden most of the time anyways.
Walls
For the most part the walls in this home are purely white with minimal ornamentation but there are some areas where they stray from this and add a unique aesthetic in comparison to the rest of the house. The tile work in the bathrooms are used quite differently but both beautifully. In one, you have the tile in the shower spilling over into the rest of the space making it seem as all one area whereas in the other, you have it separating a corner pocket space for the shower with the color palette visibly blending with the walls, therefore not having the two spaces contrast too much. On the other hand, in the master bedroom you have a beautiful contrast of colors. The earth tones directly tie this space to the home’s natural surrounding landscape. The deep green and tans highlight the bright aesthetic of the ceiling just as a clear sky does to a wooded landscape.
Roof
The roof design is the defining characteristic that makes this home stand out from the rest on our blog. Green roofs have been a growing trend in the architecture world. There’s the sustainable reasons, of course, with the heating & cooling and longer life span, and then there’s the natural beauty it brings to rural or urban structures. Incorporating a green roof is a newly popular approach…which makes this Watch Hill home ahead of its time! Though, the design here doesn’t just feature a green roof, it makes use of all the horizontal planes offered! The multi-level roof decks give you a series of livable experiences and scenic views of the naturally stunning surrounding.
Take a look at these architectural precedents that tie in the green roof to their design. To the left you have the Andrew Berman’s ‘Watermill Residence’ that fills the roof with planted wildflowers creating a picturesque elevated meadow and to the right you have a more sleek approach in KWK PROMES’ Auto-Family House that seamlessly blends to roof exterior with the landscape , especially when viewing it from above.
Landscape
The minimalistic facade on this property wasn’t an accident [or at least I assume it wasn’t]. It purposefully allows for the natural environment to encompass the structure without taking attention from it. And why wouldn’t you want the main focus to be on this magnificent landscape when you have THIS surrounding your home?!
If you'd like to learn more about this home, please contact Lori Joyal with Lila Delman Real Estate.
For any interior design and renovation services, please contact Ally Maloney.
Images credited to Lila Delman Real Estate. Additional editing done by Maloney Interiors.