traditional

By using a natural, neutral color palette in the great room, the design team ensured the furniture and accessories would not detract from the dramatic exterior views or the focal-point stone fireplace.

Although the home is filled with wood, the design team varied finishes and species to prevent the interior from looking, as the owner says, “too much like a log cabin or overbearing.” Custom-crafted lighting fixtures and a specially designed range hood give the kitchen and dining space a feeling of elegance and artisanship.

Some of the homes architectural details include hemlock brackets, flared columns, and an eyebrow arch.

Architect Paul Robert Rousselle and his client agreed the Shingle style would be the perfect blend of classic and contemporary for this Vermont home.

Rousselle varied the heights of the rooflines to reduce the home’s sense of volume, and added a host of elegant architectural details.

High ceilings, elegantly simple locally sourced lighting fixtures, and floor-to-ceiling windows fill the dining room with light all year round.

The house sits on 2.6 acres, and includes a barn and this guest house, where the Bowman family lived while the main house was being remodeled.

The atmosphere is relaxed in the living room, with colors borrowed from a Cuban painting over the fireplace. A skirted table divides the room into two seating areas. A console table was turned into a bar to draw people into the living room.

Brass accents add a historic sheen to the kitchen, whose table extends out from a marble-topped island.

A second island anchors the adjacent prep-and-cleanup area.

The color palette is established in the entry hall, thanks to an exuberant striped wallpaper from Stroheim that designer Lynn Morgan paired with the homeowners’ own console table and mirror.

Comfort was paramount in the family room, which features a custom ottoman covered in outdoor canvas. Patterned paper enlivens the back of the bookshelves.

Manicured plantings underscore the formality of the Colonial Revival architecture.

To lighten the formality of the owners’ mahogany dining set, Morgan upholstered the chair backs in a blue zebra print and introduced a sisal area rug and clear glass chandelier.

The neighboring butler’s pantry was turned into a wet bar.

Blue is paired with orange in son Juan-Carlos’s bedroom, which once belonged to hockey great Max Pacioretty.

The palette is more peaceful in the master bedroom, where the custom bed is topped with Legacy Linens.

The rear of the house has a more classically symmetrical look.

A spacious circular porch with idyllic views sits off the master bedroom.

Mirrored nightstands lend the master bedroom a touch of glamour.

Timeless, yet contemporary, the pristine white kitchen sports silvery gray accents in the Caesartone counters, stainless-steel appliances, and a knockout polished-nickel light fixture above the island.

The designers searched out unique lighting, including the hanging sculpture by Doug Johnston in the long gallery that separates the entry from the living room.

In keeping with the home’s bayside location, the family room takes on a nautical flair with beachy colors and a cleverly designed barrel-vault ceiling.

Architects Arthur Hanlon and Joseph Goncalves designed a house that presents the classic Shingle style in a refreshing new way. Unexpected elements include the asymmetry of the front facade, upper windows with muntins only above eye level, and a projecting tower to hold the main staircase.

Bright pops of color and ethnic patterns bring a youthful feel to a bedroom.

The white lacquered drawers and door of a vanity in the master bath tuck into an alabaster frame.

The study features darker colors and materials and a bold, graphic rug.

The master bedroom draws from a lighter seaside palette of colors and textures for a serene look and feel.

The sunken living room’s expansive windows frame the drop-dead view.

The kitchen continues the beach tones in the rich blues of the granite countertops and the back-painted, glass-tiled backsplash.

A curvy drive meanders through a wooded lot, ending at the entrance to the classic Shingle-style home, never letting on that spectacular water views await within.

The front hallway is punctuated with bold blue ocean hues.

A wood and rattan side table, topped by a 1940s painting, is a classic touch in the contemporary setting.

The sloping lot offers extensive views of the bay beyond from the home, from its many terraces and patios, and from the deck surrounding the infinity pool.

The pool house is an architectural nod to the main house.

Local fieldstone visually links the house with the terrace areas.

Pale shades of sand and sea reflect the home’s location.

An elegant but relaxed design scheme is evident in the living room and the dining room beyond.

An environmentally protected coastal bank provides a natural buffer between the pool and the bay.

Boats on the wall, windmills on the custom rug, and dogs on the sofa—the study is an engaging mélange of motifs.

The existing master bath was gutted and enlarged to make way for the spacious marble-tiled shower.

The plant-filled patio speaks to the owner’s passion for gardening.

Twin sheds and a shade-lending pergola anchor the pool area and complement the house.

“Soft melon and cream are colors the owners have always preferred,” says interior designer Richard FitzGerald, referring to the pastel-hued living room.

French doors in the kitchen’s sitting area (once a porch) open to the garden. The cheery cushions on the rattan furnishings and woven Serena & Lily counter stools are in keeping with the stunning color of the La Cornue range.

Details often found in the classically inspired work of Royal Barry Wills Associates include the quoining along the corners of the main block of the house and the full-length shutters that flank the first-floor windows. Traditional plants such as tailored boxwood and blue hydrangeas complement the elegant architecture.

The owners covered the entry’s original brick wall with meticulously painted and glazed woodwork; light wood and a big mirror make the small space appear larger.

Builder Craig Ashworth rescued the corner cupboard from another home and installed it here, much to the owners’ delight, where it houses a growing collection of fragile oyster plates.

Lustrous antique silver lends character to the refined dining room.

The master bedroom features a number of antiques, including a gleaming highboy—the ideal staging area for an assemblage of blue and white porcelain.

A patterned coverlet in the master bedroom evokes mussels that wash up on the beach.

The penny-round tile in the master bath is the gray-blue of the ocean on a cloudy day.

The outdoor furniture is pale in tone and unadorned, to blend in with the sand and beach grasses.

Spring-fastened stools at the kitchen island allow diners to bob gently, evoking the feeling of the waves beyond these walls.

Driftwood accents, sea blues, and local artwork bring the beachfront vibe indoors.

Interior designer Mary Rentschler chose a dining-area chandelier that, while substantial in feeling, is made of thin wire so as not to block views of the water.

Marine-inspired accessories remind occupants of the office not to ignore the call of the sun and sea for too long.

Simple, white-painted furniture in the second-floor guest bedroom comports with the owners’ desire for cottage decor in this space.

The 1860 Boston brownstone was converted back to a single-family home.

Wallpaper with an ikat-inspired design picks up the diamond-shaped details of the reproduction vanity in the first-floor powder room.

More than a place to sleep, the master bedroom is designed with comfort for the whole family in mind.

Decorative beams, a stone fireplace, and a sliding barn door give the living room a rustic feel.

The kitchen is rich with texture, including smooth Calacatta marble countertops, an imposing bronze range hood, and heavily checked hemlock ceiling beams.

A long front porch with a metal roof links the home’s two imposing gambrel-shaped gables.

Subtle textures in the grasscloth wallcovering, tufted upholstery, and a reclaimed wood fireplace make the dining room comfy, not fussy.

A reproduction of a vintage bronze tub sits atop painted wooden tiles in a first-floor bath.

Sheltered under the back porch, a living and dining area allows the family to gather outside for much of the summer.

A barn holds two parking bays, a recreation room, and a fitness center, while at the same time creating an elegant entrance experience to the property. Its charming gatehouse look reinforces the French estate feel the homeowner requested.

Lounge chairs help keep the living room as comfortable as it is elegant.

Beaded white wallpaper in the powder room shimmers gently at night.

With no kids or pets in residence, the homeowners embraced this pale, custom-designed rug by J.D. Staron. Photographs by Jim Nickelson add a graphic punch, and gold coffee tables gleam at the center of it all.

Heather Kahler from Downsview Kitchens of Boston brightened up the kitchen, which had been moodier in its previous incarnation.

A guest room used by the couple’s adult daughter when she visits boasts a custom Phillip Jeffries wallpaper embellished with a white embossed design.

Fauteuils from the homeowners’ prior home flank the painted limestone fireplace.

The condo’s beautiful crown moldings seduced the homeowners on first viewing; modern white-leather dining chairs keep the dining space from feeling too rococo.

The marble floor and wrought-iron banister already in place helped inspire the “Paris apartment” feel of the redesign. Designer Starr Daniels painted the stair steps black and added an animal-print runner for a chic, modern look.

The designer’s comprehensive approach extended to the placement of the owner’s Nantucket baskets and boxes on the living room’s étagère.

Waterworks, in Westport, was the source of the contemporary furnishings in the spacious master bath builder Chris Washington carved out of the original master bedroom.

The serene master bedroom is a study in quiet neutrals and soft textures.

The Josephine sofa from J. Robert Scott makes the living room a favorite spot for snuggling up with a book on a sunny afternoon.

The kitchen was truly in move-in condition; the only additions were the pots and pans and a pair of Holly Hunt crescent stools.

A modest shingled exterior belies the home’s light-filled interior spaces. High-peaked rooflines hint at the multiple vaulted ceilings inside.

Typical of the home, the dining room blends the owner’s collected possessions—table, chairs, and artwork—with new lighting, rug, and wallcovering.

The house presents a classic, simple Georgian facade in keeping with its New Canaan location.

Iconic Eames walnut stools are part of the room’s playful mix of patterns and textures.

The homeowner designed the Chippendale-style headboard for the master bedroom.

New and old blend in this backyard view of the home: the original 1826 section of the house is in the middle, flanked by the 1916 addition to the right and the new family room to the left, where a carriage house once stood.

Tamara Kalin’s favorite color makes a bold appearance on pillows, throws, and accent pieces in the couple’s bedroom.

A balcony was closed in to create the master suite’s chic sitting area.

The living room’s sofas, custom designed by interior designer Gilles Clement, get extra visual interest with built-in shelves at their backs.

Serena & Lily bar stools surround a marble-topped kitchen island; the owners acquired the vintage, orange-lacquered lunch box on a trip to Myanmar.

Appliances are concealed within a wooden enclosure designed to resemble an old ice box; like much of the interior millwork, it was built by Michael Smith.

A reclaimed nineteenth-century door opens onto the foyer, construction of which required the removal of an old fireplace and the relocation of a staircase.

The cocktail room’s gold paint and drapes brighten the substantial leather furniture and deep teal shelves.

The comfortable everyday dining area just off the kitchen has sunny backyard views on two sides.

The cheerful upstairs office, with walls painted in dramatic Charlotte’s Locks from Farrow & Ball, is functional and fun: the owners run their winery from here when they’re not in California.

A new tin-roofed wraparound veranda, eyebrow windows, and authentic gaslights from Bevolo of New Orleans add character to the historic home on a hilltop in Wilton.

Interior designer Jenn Sanborn chose to keep the entryway’s existing wallpaper, then introduced vintage pieces both to add a layer of interest and to offer a preview of the home’s casual English country vibe.

In the master bedroom, a luxuriously upholstered bed and geometric grasscloth wallcovering replaced a spartan four-poster and bland painted walls.

The master bedroom’s fireplace, like the others in the house, was converted from gas to wood burning.

Wainscoting of Italian tile adorns the niche that holds the new freestanding tub.

A soffit was extended to provide the great room’s new barrel ceiling a place to land. It also allowed the designer to inch the sofa forward by placing a thin table behind it.

Wall paneling cures multiple ills in the great room by giving the small firebox more presence while minimizing the impact of the television.

A fresh finish was all the perimeter cabinets needed. The island, however, was enlarged and reborn in the image of a European range.

A built-in wet bar adds versatility to the breakfast nook.

An antique hall rack hits a traditional note in the entryway.

Stripping, painting, and reupholstering the dining room chairs lent the beautiful but staid mahogany dining set a whole new look.

The antique pool table, turned chair, and Scottish tartan rug reference a country manor, but the purple walls, upholstery, and mantelpiece disrupt any presumptions.

The sitting room got new life as a billiards room.

The kitchen’s marble surfaces sport a leathered finish, which translates to less maintenance.

In the generously scaled master bedroom, the designer confidently mixed a modern chevron wallcovering with the bold chinois drapes, and created a link between an old house and a modern mood with the graphic custom rug. The chairs add classic style and a pop of plum.

Rich wood paneling gives the living room its cozy feel. The homeowners had used the vast felt rug in their New York City apartment but, amazingly, it was a perfect fit here as well.

The kitchen was a complete redo. Custom cabinets were painted to brighten the space and provide contrast for the dark floor finish.

The classic home on a tight urban site was fully fenced and comfortable in its surroundings, with a “nice enclosed, landscaped feel,” says architect Robert Adams, but previous renovations hadn’t been kind to it, so he set about restoring its original beauty.

A prized woodcut by Jim Dine was given a place of honor.

A bump-out in the kitchen makes the perfect spot for a sheltered family hangout. The banquette makes the most of the compact space, and the chairs and table lend a modern note.

The dining room, with its graphic rug and X-based table, is an example of what the designer calls “casual, urban chic.”

A slew of Williams Sonoma pillows in a host of summery blue tones raises the living room’s comfort level, while a glass top enhances the dining table’s practicality. Leather-bound books and an antique copper boiler add to the hearth’s charm. The handsome rug pulling it all together is from Ballard Designs.

To create a lighter atmosphere for the living room, designer Patricia Lapierre removed the doors that once enclosed the lowest part of the shelving and brought in beachy accessories. She also embellished a small upholstered chair with nailhead trim, upping its character tenfold.

A bar tray holds entertaining essentials at the ready.

A sisal rug defines the sunroom’s dining area. Cheery curtains make a colorful frame for the view.

To update the existing outdoor furniture collection, Lapierre had the pieces repainted and outfitted with new pillows and umbrellas.

In the living room, accessories from Ralph Lauren Home lend an antique chest fresh personality.

Less than two decades old, this classically designed colonial home in New Canaan offers no hint of the redesign from the front.

Kitchen designer Donna Venegas and interior designer Jennifer Palumbo collaborated on the kitchen, where subtle color gives classic elements a fresh look.

Architect Lyman Goff worked closely with the clients to design a moderately proportioned Shingle-style home.

Sandberg wallpaper from Stark graces a guest bath.

A sunny screened-in porch is cooled by Cape Cod breezes and scattered with comfy chairs atop a Stark area rug.

In the guest quarters, a custom-built table and vintage Klismos chairs upholstered with Stark leather cozy up to one of the Otis house’s original fireplaces.

The master bedroom sits in a quiet corner of the addition with views out to the backyard.

A midcentury sideboard forms a stylistic bridge between the living room with its contemporary furniture and the dining room with its traditional Windsor chairs.

The open kitchen features a Thermador Pro Series gas range and hood and granite countertops.

Reclaimed bullseye windows were used in the entry hall’s transoms.

An upstairs guest room in the original house sports bright primary colors.

The original house, which holds guest quarters, is connected to the barn-style addition by the Royal Barry Wills-inspired entrance hallway.

The dining area features a dining table from Restoration Hardware and Windsor chairs from D.R. Dimes.

A soaking tub nestles between shiplap walls in the master bath.

Beams from an eighteenth-century New Hampshire barn frame the view from the living room to the backyard.

The star of the terraced backyard is the swimming pool with its natural rock diving platform. J.P. Zigante Landscaping kept plantings simple with lavender and grasses that dance in the wind.

Wide porches, two balconies, and a roof walk allow open-air views of Nantucket Harbor to the north.

At one end of the infinity pool, a cabana features an enclosed bar area, bathroom, and changing room.

In the master bedroom, a tailored approach lends structure to the powder-blue easy chair, custom headboard, and bed skirt. French doors swing open for a view of the harbor.

The living room gets a nice punch of color from the oversized painting by Ben Georgia above the fireplace.

The red-cedar roof and white cedar shingle siding, traditional for the area, are allowed to weather naturally.

Brightly patterned fabric by China Seas pops against the neutral surroundings of the main staircase. The J.D. Staron runner is one of Morgan’s favorites. “I just love the simplicity of it, and the way the striped borders give it definition.”

In the basement bunkroom, striped bedding and nautical details add up to a space made for grandchildren.

Chairs upholstered in a Jane Churchill print liven up the white milk-paint dining table from Circa Antiques.

A deft mix of antiques and contemporary pieces fosters a charming cottage ambience. “The wife and I had a wonderful time sourcing pieces,” says interior designer Linda Banks. “Many of them are from local sources.” Holding court in the living room, the old cherry coffee table has a waxed finish reminiscent of a boat’s deck.

The generous deck wraps around the house and is accessible to the living room and the guest bedroom.

The king-size bed in the guest room is from Leonard’s in Seekonk, Massachusetts. “Should the owners ever want one-floor living, this room is like a secondary master suite,” Banks says.

Versatile x-benches slide out of the way when not needed, while an oat straw and wood Orkney chair lends texture.

The living room’s vintage black barley twist writing table was among the first purchases made for the home.

The eye-catching painting is by local artist Allen Whiting, who was inspired by the Norton Point Breach, a breach in the barrier beach connecting Edgartown with Chappaquiddick. The wife scored the captain’s chairs at a charity flea market in Manhattan, and Banks designed the weathered oak refectory table crafted by furniture maker Mike Elkins of Elkins and Company in Boothbay, Maine.

The daughter’s bedroom boasts a headboard covered in a textured fabric that looks like crewel work.

In compliance with the owner’s wishes, the rejuvenated house looks like it has always been there. “We wanted to maintain the home’s modest scale but also make it function the way people like to live today,” explains architect Patrick Ahearn.

The sophisticated walnut dining room table sports a hand-planed top and rustic carved bases—a fetching contrast to the hearth’s edited frame. The living room’s vintage black barley twist writing table was among the first purchases made for the home.

The breakfast area is open to the kitchen and living room, which allows family members to engage in different activities and still be together; the framed commemorative scarf is a memento of one of the numerous Newport to Bermuda races the husband has sailed.

Gold flame honeysuckle climbs the pergola, overlooking the perennial garden’s mix of lavender, salvia, Rozanne geraniums, Bluebonnet, and Asiatic lilies.

The home’s classic shingled exterior looks much the same, post renovation, with the addition of a multitude of new window boxes filled with pink geraniums.

Higgins and her client laid out the garden like a parterre, with four flower beds surrounding a bird bath.

Kevin Baker Stonework is responsible for the hardscaping, including the stone terrace on the water side of the house, where the homeowners’ pup, Chewie, enjoys the view.

Original exterior details, such as the cornerstones, were replicated in the new parts of the house.

A soft palette of peach and gray enhances a guest bedroom, where Badger, Helen Higgins’s faithful Jack Russell Terrier, stops for a rest. The pastel palette, reproduction cane bed, and brick-lined fireplace augment the space’s romantic ambience.

A white wash lends subtle color to the master bedroom’s paneled walls.

A twentieth-century Rockport School painting marks the entrance to the pantry.

An antique fish weathervane decorates the kitchen’s custom hood.

Custom shades from Blanche P. Field finesse the powder room sconces.

Louis XIII wing chairs and a leather-upholstered ottoman help create a comfortable fireside oasis in the great room.