Step Inside a Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Condo with a Neutral Palette
December 19, 2023
An interior designer takes a minimalist approach on a coastal retreat without sacrificing comfort and warmth.
Text by Clinton Smith   Photography by Jared Kuzia
The Aquidneck Club in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is a magical place in a bucolic setting overlooking picturesque Narragansett Bay. For one Boston couple who have been longtime members, it has served as a weekend respite from the hustle and bustle of their busy weekday lives in the city. So when one of the clubâs coveted condominiums hit the marketâa rare occurrenceâthe duo snatched it up.
Then they called Blair Moore, creative director and principal of Moore House Design based in Warren, Rhode Island, to come to the rescue. The clubâs majestic shingle-clad facade is quintessentially New England; the residenceâs interiors Moore initially encountered were not. âThe space didnât reflect the outside of the building, which feels warm and inviting,â says the designer. âInside, it felt void of detail and craftsmanship.â
Working with builder Christopher Pettit of Pettit Construction, Moore and the couple embarked on a complete renovation that included new paneling and lighting, entire kitchen and bath reworks, and new flooring, tile, and plumbing. No detail was overlooked.
In the meantime, Moore and her team devised a design scheme that would honor the buildingâs architectural heritage and coastal sense of place, along with her clientsâ desire for minimal, calm spaces and a lack of clutter. The designerâs less-is-more approach melded sculptural furniture with contemporary silhouettes (many from her new furniture line, Roweam) while also incorporating vintage and antique pieces to retain a sense of warmth and coziness.
When it came to selectingâand editingâfurnishings, lighting, art, and accessories, Moore maintained a hard line on what made the final cut.
âDonât put anything into your space unless it adds character, value, and conversation,â says Moore. âAnd if it doesnât, why do you need it? You donât need it. If Iâm adding something, it has to add value to the story of the house and to the story of the clients.â
For these lucky homeowners, Mooreâs acute eye and edited approach allows every special piece to contribute its own narrative to a decorative tale that seamlessly blends old and new with a nod to the present and future. It goes to show that, when done right, minimalism can make a maximum impact.
Project Team
Interior design: Moore House Design
Builder: Pettit Construction
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