A Coastal Dream

Now that spring has finally decided to stay and summer is just around the corner, we felt it necessary to feature a home that embodies all that is summer! The engulfing feeling of relaxation, the warmth of your skin from being out in the sun, the pure bliss that takes place over any stressors in your life…it is this beautiful phenomenom that takes place during this time of year that we simply cannot explain but we are glad it’s there. Summer simply tends to equal happiness and joy and this adorable coastal cottage personifies exactly that. The home is freshly new, built in 2018, and full of ‘beach side living’ character. DiMauro Architects did an exquisite job reflecting what coastal living is all about, which is no surprise when you look into some of their other designs. It is evident how thoughtful they are with each project they are presented with. They study the surroundings and the environment and make a point to work with it rather than against it. Their goal as residential designers is that “each time you drive up to your property, they want you to have that 'summertime, instant relaxation, ahhhh' feeling - and they want it to be so powerful that it lives on in your hearts while you are away.” Well, I think it is safe to speak for all of us when we say that they definitely achieved their goal with this home and they truly spoke to us, as we at Maloney Interiors aim for that similar style of living!

Coastal cottage

This beautiful waterfront property isn’t just a picture perfect home; it even has an adorable, catchy name attached to it: the “Sea Spray” cottage. Capturing the essence of New England charm, Sea Spray is a shingle style home that has a classic yet informal look which portrays the East Coast aesthetic. The cottage works with a palette of materials and colors appropriate to the setting that begin with the exterior and continue into the flow of the interior spaces. The relationship between the built environment and the natural is thoughtfully designed in order to complement one another and enhance that connection. The outbuilding and layered decks elongate the use of space amongst the property and guide one to experience more of the land. The welcoming veranda delves more into that coastal palette that we will experience on the inside and overlooks the countryside, giving one an instant feeling of escape and relaxation.

Ocean-like vastness

The line separating the outdoor environment with the indoor is very much blurred in this home, due to the complete open layout, high ceilings, light color palette, and minimalism across the spaces. These qualities provide an effortless flow as you move from one space into another, consistently embodying comfort and serenity. Drawing direct inspiration from its surroundings, the interior design reflects the type of lifestyle that is experienced when living on the coast and truly enhances the quality of your everyday life.

Bright ambience

Designers that design with nature make it a priority to really study the environment. Analyzing the sun path in relation to the site, seeing where the shadows lie, where the light hits, studying the wind patterns, thinking about the directed views from within…all these factors are carefully thought out when creating that first initial floor plan. The Sea Spray exemplifies the outcome when putting these into consideration and I’m sure we can all agree that the result is absolutely beautiful. The kitchen and dining room layout is a perfect introduction to how the placement of the windows and use of materials with minimal color scheme really make a difference and allow for the natural light to penetrate deep through the space.

Beach side comfort

When you think of summer, what usually comes to mind? Is it packing up your car, putting on your lightest clothing, spending the day on the beach or on a much needed vacation where you can wake up to the sight and sounds of the ocean? Well, if that doesn’t paint a summer picture, then I don’t know what else would. Most of us tend to directly associate summer with being near the coast…and the Sea Spray cottage offers that experience. As you flow from one space into another, there are constant opportunities to sit back and relax no matter where you are. Whether it be alone with a book in hand or entertaining a group with the sunset backdrop, the home is designed to cater a comfortable, stress-free style of living and we are totally on board for it!

Waterfront presence

If you notice among all the interior photos we’ve shown you, there always appears to be that same stunning setting in the background! The architectural design beautifully captures nature’s views regardless of where you are in the home. You can be eating in the dining room, relaxing in one of the many living room spaces, or even just waking up in your bed…you can always count on that captivating view to be there. The glistening water with gorgeous greens all around make it seemingly impossible not to want to go out and take advantage of the day.

Airy palette

We’ve probably become a bit repetitive at this point, but it’s because this home has a sense of unity and consistency to its overall design that make it hard not to reiterate on how effective its impact is. Through light, color, and indigenous materials, the coastal aesthetic is one that is clean, airy and aimed at evoking a sense of delight and relaxation. This type of design style really affects the human spirit just as Mother Nature does. Being outdoors has you overcome with peacefulness and gives you this feeling of simplicity and certainty how life just makes sense and things fall naturally into place. Sea Spray also reflects these feelings and allows one to take its natural course throughout home. If you are relaxing in one of the living room spaces, you are there just for that…no clutter, no heavy ambience weighing you down. The view from the dining room onto the landscape is seamless as if the table is directly outside. The lighting fixture is simple with a material that blends in with the sky. The table and chairs also take inspiration from the outdoors in that it reflects the sand on the beach. The palette in each of these spaces truly keep it minimal and light so that the main contrast and focal point is always the background of the bay.

Nature infused

And with that background, why wouldn’t you want to take advantage and go directly to the source! Just as the interior makes use of every space in order to offer that style of comfort, so does the landscape design. There are multiple opportunities to sit back and relax and soak in the natural setting. Basically what we can take away from this home is that whether you are outside or in, you will always feel at peace in this beautiful cottage home!