A Coastal Retreat in Watch Hill, Rhode Island

Nestled into a garden of grasses, ornamental oregano, and Snow Flurry aster, a bluestone terrace with a soft patina looks as though it has been there for generations. The pinks of a summer sunset inspired the hue of the chaises and umbrella.

he inviting front entry opens to a view through the house and out to the water.

The foyer’s hues of pink, lavender, and blue, a seascape painting from the homeowners’ own collection, and a woven rattan console with a painted base set a tone that nods to the waterfront without cliché

In the living room, designer Meghan De Maria layered subtle coastal touches, including the string-wrapped arms of the chandelier and a pair of woven chairs at the game table. The vivid artwork is by California-based artist Hiejin Yoo.

The kitchen’s palette continues the sophisticated coastal theme with blue ceramic tile, white cabinetry, and the sandy tones of the oak island and cane-back chairs.

The primary bedroom, on the home’s ground level, features a palette of neutrals, greens, and soft yellows, mimicking the view of pond and golf course. Draperies of custom hand-blocked Galbraith & Paul fabric hang from Lucite rods so as not to distract from the vista.

Farrow & Ball’s Pale Powder offers a whisper of light aqua-green on the primary bath’s walls.

Sturdy but elegant Lee Industries furniture, sourced through Eleish Van Breems Home, invites leisurely afternoons gazing across the nearby golf course and out to the sea.

Landscape architect Tyson Triplett planted a variety of grasses along with coastal favorites like mugo pine and beach plum. “There’s always a really great sea breeze,” he says. “The grasses are constantly in motion.”

A 1970s Home Gets a Fresh Update

Set on nearly two acres in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, this reimagined retreat pairs panoramic water views with interiors that feel fresh, layered, and quietly bold. The 1970s house was already designed as
an “upside down” home, with living spaces on the second floor to capture sweeping vistas of
a pond, a golf course, and finally the Atlantic beyond. During the renovation, that original
concept was sharpened.

Interior designer Meghan De Maria of Moss Design steered the home away from expected beach-house tropes. Instead of nautical motifs and weathered driftwood, she composed rooms with crisp whites, warm oak, caning, brass, and nuanced blues and greens drawn from sea and fairway. A blush-toned foyer light inspired by hazy sunsets, sculptural fixtures, and art with strong personality bring energy to the serene palette. “They really wanted a space that was transportive, removed from daily life, a peaceful environment,”
says the designer.

Architecture Improves Flow

That calm sophistication rests on the substantial architectural work of Cat Young, who began the project at
Penniman Architects and now leads TAMA Architecture. “It was like a rabbit warren of hallways and rooms that didn’t quite make sense,” she says of the lower level.

The floor was reorganized into welcoming bedroom quarters anchored by a light-filled foyer, while upstairs
a generous great room now combines kitchen, dining, and living areas with effortless flow to a broad deck. Expanded glass doors dissolve the boundary between indoors and out.

Behind the scenes, the renovation was equally ambitious. Once walls were opened, deeper structural issues emerged, including unstable fill beneath portions of the house. Builder Tom Buxton responded with sixty-one helical piles driven into the ground to stabilize the structure. “We held the building up, took it apart, and reconstructed it,” he explains.

Native Landscaping Completes the Seaside Design

Outside, landscape designer Tyson Triplett replaced an expanse of driveway paving and dated plantings with reclaimed stone paths, native plantings, and broad sweeps of grasses animated by the sea breeze. “Our goal was to put in native plants, give them the space they need, and really respect the place,” he says.

The finished home is sophisticated yet relaxed and stands as proof that coastal style can still surprise.

Project Team
Architecture: Penniman Architects
Interior design: Moss Design
Builder: T.F. Buxton
Landscape design: Triplett Design Studio