Olson Lewis + Architects designed this stunning beachside dream cottage for an active family, located in the charming coastal town of Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts. Built by Anderson Contracting, this beach house features of a wrap-around porch with tempered glass railings (optimizing comfort by blocking wind but not views). The homeowner’s spent 15 years looking for the perfect property to build their dream home.
An existing summer cottage on the property was torn down, replacing it with this beautiful year-round family home. The homeowner’s wish list included a two-car garage, but the lot had limitations and building codes were stringent. There was also a 25-foot height restriction. Ultimately, the architect create an efficient L-Shape plan that stretches towards and along the water’s edge… Continue below for the rest of this home tour, with plenty of fabulous details!
Above: On the shingle style exterior, the architects minimized the roofline by incorporating a total of eight gables. They were still able to create surprisingly high ceiling on the second level. The custom front door is composed of fir, manufactured by Vermont-based Loewen.
What We Love: This dream cottage features the ultimate family home with comfortable living spaces and a fantastic indoor-outdoor connection. The architects did a wonderful job of creating a soothing environment where the seaside views take center stage. Waiting a long time to find this dream home, these owner’s are lucky enough to enjoy outdoor entertaining, plenty of water activities and year-round ocean views.
Tell Us: Do you find this cottage be an idyllic place to call home? Please share your overall thoughts in the Comments below!
Note: Have a look at another fabulous home tour that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the portfolio of the architects of this home, Olson Lewis + Architects: Breathtaking lakefront summer getaway in Maine.
Above: On the interiors, the color palette echoes that of it’s seaside surroundings. This includes the hickory wood floors, which are in a dove-grey hue.
Above: In the dining room, the custom fabricated bar is composed of fir, built by Ipswich Cabinetry — they also crafted the floating vanities in the bathrooms.
Above: The kitchen countertops are Jet Mist granite, while the white backsplash tile is Ann Sacks (1″x6″, an updated version of standard subway tile).
Above: Overall the interiors of this dream cottage nods to tradition, but features intriguing contemporary elements throughout. This includes the Louis Ghost Chair by designer Philippe Starck in the kitchen. Natural wood elements can also be seen throughout, including the John Boos butcher block island countertop.
Above: In the kitchen, the dining banquette is covered in a faux leather by Osborne & Little.
Above: Less cabinetry was integrated into the kitchen to instead take advantage of the breathtaking seaside views. A nearby pantry was created to allow for extra storage options. The countertops are Jet Mist granite, while the backsplash is Ann Sacks tile — both materials repeated from the kitchen. This space accommodates everything from dry goods neatly displayed on open shelving, to root vegetables set inside cabinetry.
Above: French doors in the master bedroom opens to a private balcony, an ideal spot to enjoy morning coffee. Facing southeast, this space takes advantage of the morning sun, yet is shielded from the wind courtesy of the master bathroom’s gable massing.
Above: To prevent the millwork from appearing too traditional, the architects opted to float the bathroom vanities. This helps the keep the home feeling bright and airy.
Above: A wrap-around porch’s ipe decking expands the home’s living area, yet does not impair the sightlines of neighboring homes. As an added bonus, the decking material is eco-friendly, as the FSC-certified wood is responsibly farmed and harvested.
Above: The ground level walk-out of this dream cottage, features a home office, wine cellar, family gathering space, and a bathroom and sauna — ideal for those coming back from summer water activities. If one is looking for a quick rinse off, look no further than the outdoor shower! As an added bonus, there is a door that leads to the interior bathroom, further connecting indoor/outdoor living spaces.
Photos: Courtesy of Olson Lewis + Architects
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