Houzz Tour: Breezy Comfort for a Saltbox on Cape Cod
Thanks to a renovation and a new addition, hosting guests is smooth sailing in this classic yacht-inspired home
Becky Harris
December 4, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Photos by Michael J. Lee
House at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the Cape Cod vacation home of a family based in New Jersey
Location: Eastham, Massachusetts
Size: 3,125 square feet (290 square meters); three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms plus two outdoor showers
Designer: Lisa Tharp
This family, originally from Massachusetts but now living in New Jersey, bought a classic New England saltbox to serve as a family gathering spot on Cape Cod. This was a complete renovation in which keeping the spirit of the original saltbox alive was a priority.
Scope of work. The 1,700-square-foot house was expanded by converting the garage into a master suite with an indoor-outdoor shower and by creating an addition off the back (seen here) that includes the dining room, kitchen, screened-in porch, laundry room and mudroom. This project also incorporated a complete renovation of the existing home.
Interior designer Lisa Tharp worked in collaboration with architect Peter McDonald. Generally he handled the structure and exterior, and she went to work from the studs in. This included the floor plans, elevations, kitchen and bath designs, cabinetry and other millwork, built-in window seats, lighting and the material and furniture selections.
Exterior. “The architect brought local vernacular sensitivity to expanding the original saltbox,” Tharp says. “The exterior additions look as if they have always been there yet add a fresh point of view to the neighborhood.”
House at a Glance
Who lives here: This is the Cape Cod vacation home of a family based in New Jersey
Location: Eastham, Massachusetts
Size: 3,125 square feet (290 square meters); three bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms plus two outdoor showers
Designer: Lisa Tharp
This family, originally from Massachusetts but now living in New Jersey, bought a classic New England saltbox to serve as a family gathering spot on Cape Cod. This was a complete renovation in which keeping the spirit of the original saltbox alive was a priority.
Scope of work. The 1,700-square-foot house was expanded by converting the garage into a master suite with an indoor-outdoor shower and by creating an addition off the back (seen here) that includes the dining room, kitchen, screened-in porch, laundry room and mudroom. This project also incorporated a complete renovation of the existing home.
Interior designer Lisa Tharp worked in collaboration with architect Peter McDonald. Generally he handled the structure and exterior, and she went to work from the studs in. This included the floor plans, elevations, kitchen and bath designs, cabinetry and other millwork, built-in window seats, lighting and the material and furniture selections.
Exterior. “The architect brought local vernacular sensitivity to expanding the original saltbox,” Tharp says. “The exterior additions look as if they have always been there yet add a fresh point of view to the neighborhood.”
Inspiration. Tharp gleaned her inspiration for the interiors from local Cape Cod vernacular architecture, the surrounding marshes and the traditions of boat building and sailing. “Early in the project, I shared photography of a classic yacht with my clients,” she says. The sailboat was called The Bloodhound, was built in 1936 and was purchased by Queen Elizabeth II in 1962. (Alas, this photo in the kitchen next to the patio doors is not of The Bloodhound, but it captures the spirit.) The mix of canvas and ropes on its sails, mahogany, teak and white on the hull and brass fixtures gave her all the inspiration she needed for a materials palette that would subtly reference nautical style — white and ivory hues, campaign furniture, teak and black accents. She then layered in colors inspired by the miles of marshes seen through the home’s windows — calming pale blues, light grays and sandy tans.
Photograph: Cory Silken; stool: Made Goods
Photograph: Cory Silken; stool: Made Goods
Must-haves. “These clients wanted honesty and authenticity. Rather than tearing the house down, they wanted to preserve the original saltbox structure while sensitively expanding as if it had been added to over time,” Tharp says. She needed to make it feel light and spacious and able to host lots of family and friends comfortably. They were also looking for creative details within the design. She accomplished this with nautical references, small details such as window treatment ropes, silhouettes and repurposed materials that had history and meaning.
Dining room. The tabletop in the dining room, for example, comes from an old violin maker’s work table. “Its lovely patina and markings add to the dinner conversation,” Tharp says. Overhead, a sculptural pendant is composed of hand-formed split rattan with triple abaca twine hangers. The chairs provide a strong contrast — the simple side chairs are upholstered in repurposed Belgian linen table runners, while overscale wing chairs upholstered in velvet add sumptuousness to the more rustic elements.
The dining room, part of the addition off the back of the house, has a nice high ceiling. Coastal-style planks on the walls and ceilings run in different directions — vertical on the former and horizontal on the latter. This was a look she used throughout the house, adding simple texture and pattern to the walls.
Dining table: Jeff Soderbergh; chair fabric: TDC Libeco linens via Jack + Toba, Beacon Pendant: Jeffrey Alan Marks for Palecek; sconces: Dunes and Duchess; drapery fabric: Pindler & Pindler
Dining room. The tabletop in the dining room, for example, comes from an old violin maker’s work table. “Its lovely patina and markings add to the dinner conversation,” Tharp says. Overhead, a sculptural pendant is composed of hand-formed split rattan with triple abaca twine hangers. The chairs provide a strong contrast — the simple side chairs are upholstered in repurposed Belgian linen table runners, while overscale wing chairs upholstered in velvet add sumptuousness to the more rustic elements.
The dining room, part of the addition off the back of the house, has a nice high ceiling. Coastal-style planks on the walls and ceilings run in different directions — vertical on the former and horizontal on the latter. This was a look she used throughout the house, adding simple texture and pattern to the walls.
Dining table: Jeff Soderbergh; chair fabric: TDC Libeco linens via Jack + Toba, Beacon Pendant: Jeffrey Alan Marks for Palecek; sconces: Dunes and Duchess; drapery fabric: Pindler & Pindler
Porch. The new screened-in porch is right off the dining room and provides a casual breezy spot for gathering. Wicker furniture on the porch is practically a requirement on Cape Cod, but the use of crisp white modernizes the look. A slate floor, teak chair and distressed gray wood hanging light add warm contrast.
Sofas: Mainly Baskets; cushion and pillow fabrics: Pindler & Pindler; coffee tables: Delicious Designs; chair: Nantucket Looms
Sofas: Mainly Baskets; cushion and pillow fabrics: Pindler & Pindler; coffee tables: Delicious Designs; chair: Nantucket Looms
Kitchen. “The kitchen renovation utterly transformed how you experience the entire house with a new vaulted volume of space, high dormer windows for extra light and a mix of modern and classic materials,” Tharp says. “It is a soaring space that adds light and breathing room to the first floor.” The kitchen is open on this side to the dining room and the view through French doors that open to the patio. The photo was taken from the existing living room.
Flooring. The flooring throughout the house is wire-brushed oak.
Flooring. The flooring throughout the house is wire-brushed oak.
Tharp looked to the yacht for inspiration on materials and colors, like the white and teak counter stools and the teak ridge beam she added to the ceiling. On the perimeter countertops she used teak and holly wood boat decking.
Cabinets: Carpenter MacNeille; map light sconces: Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort; photograph above range: Coastal Nantucket; drawer pulls: Whitechapel, Needham Lock
Cabinets: Carpenter MacNeille; map light sconces: Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort; photograph above range: Coastal Nantucket; drawer pulls: Whitechapel, Needham Lock
Here you can see how the range, the photo of the diver above it and the subtle vent hood serve as a focal point. They are flanked by two pendant lights that Tharp chose because of their resemblance to a proud sailboat’s masts. The other appliances are concealed behind cabinetry panels.
Guests can enter off the patio and sidle up to the island to keep the cook company and have a drink. The stools have a clever leather detail on the backs. She had them custom made to bring in a campaign furniture look, something you’d find on a yacht like The Bloodhound.
Chairs: custom commission from Richard Wrightman; island countertop: Neolith; faucet: Kohler; range: La Cornue; pendants: Darryl Carter for Urban Electric Co.
Guests can enter off the patio and sidle up to the island to keep the cook company and have a drink. The stools have a clever leather detail on the backs. She had them custom made to bring in a campaign furniture look, something you’d find on a yacht like The Bloodhound.
Chairs: custom commission from Richard Wrightman; island countertop: Neolith; faucet: Kohler; range: La Cornue; pendants: Darryl Carter for Urban Electric Co.
Addition. Now that you’ve gotten to know the new addition from the inside, here is a look at it from the outside. The screened-in porch and dining room are in the foreground, the kitchen is tucked behind the new patio and the second outdoor shower is in the background on the left side. You cannot see the former garage-master suite from this angle.
On the driveway-facing side, the open rafters cover the second outdoor shower area.
Living room. The living room was part of the existing home, which had a chopped-up layout and low ceiling. Continuing that wonderful open and light feeling from the addition was the goal. A black grasscloth-wrapped coffee table anchors the living room; Tharp oriented the furniture around it. Ivory slipcovers continue the easy-breezy casualness. A flat-weave rug echoes the stripes of the planks on the ceiling.
To the right, she replaced an old brick fireplace and its raised hearth with a stone slab surround that’s flush with the floor, which saved valuable space for furniture. The rest of the surround is planking, for added texture.
Chairs: Lee Industries; rug: Merida
To the right, she replaced an old brick fireplace and its raised hearth with a stone slab surround that’s flush with the floor, which saved valuable space for furniture. The rest of the surround is planking, for added texture.
Chairs: Lee Industries; rug: Merida
Rope wraps this console table, which doubles as a desk. The ottoman below the desk can serve as extra seating.
Nook. Space was tight in the living room, and also, on Cape Cod, it’s all about how many people your home can sleep. So Tharp collaborated with McDonald on this window bump-out that runs the length of the living room. The window seat accommodates two twin mattresses. Drawers with leather handles beneath provide space to stash the bedding. The cushion itself is French mattress style, upholstered in an outdoor fabric for durability and to resist fading in the sunny spot. “It brings height, light, space and joyous lounging to the formerly small space with low ceiling,” she says.
The simple rope on what the designer has dubbed “the sail shades” and the rope on the bench bring more subtle nautical references. The folding style of the bench repeats the campaign furniture theme seen on the kitchen stools.
Fabric: Pindler & Pindler, pulls: Needham Lock; shade fabric; Schumacher; pivoting window sconces: Suzanne Kasler for Visual Comfort; folding bench: Bungalow Classic; pom-pom throw: Coastal Nantucket
The simple rope on what the designer has dubbed “the sail shades” and the rope on the bench bring more subtle nautical references. The folding style of the bench repeats the campaign furniture theme seen on the kitchen stools.
Fabric: Pindler & Pindler, pulls: Needham Lock; shade fabric; Schumacher; pivoting window sconces: Suzanne Kasler for Visual Comfort; folding bench: Bungalow Classic; pom-pom throw: Coastal Nantucket
Sconces make this a cozy spot for reading.
A large-scale painting down the hallway can be enjoyed from the living room. Another detail to note here is the salvaged brass-framed marine porthole window on the pantry door.
Coffee table: Bungalow Classic; rug: Merida; floor lamps: Modhaus
Coffee table: Bungalow Classic; rug: Merida; floor lamps: Modhaus
Mudroom. “The mudroom has yacht-inspired efficiency,” Tharp says. She custom-designed the sliding shutter at the window, the Coast Guard-inspired lockers with hole cutouts and vintage hardware and the window seat with yacht-style pulls on planked doors below. The bench is covered in durable outdoor fabric.
Flooring: Antique Nero Marquina, Paris Ceramics; vintage marine sconces: Our Boat House; window seat and pillow fabrics: Pindler & Pindler
Flooring: Antique Nero Marquina, Paris Ceramics; vintage marine sconces: Our Boat House; window seat and pillow fabrics: Pindler & Pindler
Exterior and garage conversion. Here you can see that the original saltbox house is intact, with pleasingly scaled additions. On the right side you can match up the windows in the mudroom with the previous photo. On the left side is the former garage, which now serves as the master bedroom suite.
Master bedroom. The layout includes a generous seating area — with a houseful of guests, it’s nice for the homeowners to have a private and quiet retreat. French doors let in loads of light and provide direct access outside. Tharp continued her play of planks on the walls in here — horizontal in the vault and vertical below. Large sliding doors provide a dark accent and lead to the master bath. “I added new rafters and planking to suggest age,” she says.
“The neutral color palette is calming and lets the view be the hero,” Tharp says. She brought in materials that include woven textures and glass for interest.
Tharp designed a custom canopy bed with a headboard shape inspired by the shape of a dock cleat.
Lantern and bed: custom, Lisa Tharp Collection; sconces: Visual Comfort: bedside tables: Bradford Kirchofer; lamps: Wishbasket; bedding: custom; area rug: Williston Weaves
Tharp designed a custom canopy bed with a headboard shape inspired by the shape of a dock cleat.
Lantern and bed: custom, Lisa Tharp Collection; sconces: Visual Comfort: bedside tables: Bradford Kirchofer; lamps: Wishbasket; bedding: custom; area rug: Williston Weaves
“You feel like you are floating in the salt marshes that stretch for miles outside the windows in here,” Tharp says.
Dressing hall. This space connects the master bedroom and bathroom. The long cabinet is an antique apothecary cabinet.
Master bath. Tharp amped up the contrast in the master bath with a black tile floor. There are matching vanities, and the tops are made of reclaimed planks from the Coney Island boardwalk. The wire bases were repurposed from Boston-area superflorist Winston Flowers; they used to be display pieces in their shops. She chose unlacquered brass wall-mounted faucets and minimalist rectilinear vessel sinks. The wall-mounted faucets save counter space and help protect the wood counters.
Sconces: Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort; shade fabric: Kravet; baskets: Seasons Four
Sconces: Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort; shade fabric: Kravet; baskets: Seasons Four
The bathroom features an indoor shower that connects to the private outdoor shower beyond it. The planking across both and the sliding glass door create a seamless connection between indoors and out. The shower walls are waterproof plaster. These planks were also salvaged from the Coney Island boardwalk.
Shower flooring: Jeff Soderbergh; shower faucet: Barber Wilson; totes: Michelle Willey
Shower flooring: Jeff Soderbergh; shower faucet: Barber Wilson; totes: Michelle Willey
Laundry room and pool bath. Over the washer-dryer Tharp repurposed vintage canoe chairs as shelving. She also designed the sailboat-inspired rolling shades.
Shade fabric: Shumacher, made by Acorn DesignCenter; Princeton Sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
Shade fabric: Shumacher, made by Acorn DesignCenter; Princeton Sconce: Schoolhouse Electric
The laundry room also serves as the pool bathroom. Tharp designed this sliding shutter and added rafters and planked paneling to bring a sense of age and authenticity. As for fitting a sink that would work for washing hands and handwashing laundry, she used a narrow trough sink. Vintage touches include the shaving mirror and light fixture, fashioned from an old fishing basket.
Sink: custom, Derek Oliver
Sink: custom, Derek Oliver
Upstairs hall bath. The stripes of a cabana beach towel inspired the tile floor. A driftwood mirror brings in salt marsh textures. The Roman shade fabric is a hand-blocked print.
Tile: Ann Sacks; Amani Mirror: Made Goods
Tile: Ann Sacks; Amani Mirror: Made Goods
Second-floor lounge. This cozy room under the eaves functions as a TV lounge, all-ages playroom and bedroom, thanks to another daybed. Again a mix of textures brings the neutral color palette to light. A blackboard gives children a place to get creative.
Tharp papered the wall in the daybed nook in vintage book pages and ephemera, including a pair of vintage metal-mesh swim goggles. The daybed is a mix of light linen, wools and smooth tweed.
“This project was about the luxury of simplicity,” Tharp says. This meant respect for simpler times blended with modern conveniences and a calm, cozy, comfortable home to gather with family and friends.
Daybed: Cisco Brothers; pillow fabrics: Robert Allen and Kravet; vintage book pages and ephemera: Thoreauly Antiques: Goggles: Nesting
Architecture: Peter McDonald of Peter McDonald Architect
Contractor: Clay Wilkins of Wilkins Construction
Landscape: Phil Cheney
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
“This project was about the luxury of simplicity,” Tharp says. This meant respect for simpler times blended with modern conveniences and a calm, cozy, comfortable home to gather with family and friends.
Daybed: Cisco Brothers; pillow fabrics: Robert Allen and Kravet; vintage book pages and ephemera: Thoreauly Antiques: Goggles: Nesting
Architecture: Peter McDonald of Peter McDonald Architect
Contractor: Clay Wilkins of Wilkins Construction
Landscape: Phil Cheney
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
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jackfavell Thank you for your enthusiastic, thoughtful and detailed comments!
With yacht as inspiration, wood flooring in the shower seemed like a natural, and the marine varnish-like protection by the amazing Jeff Soderbergh is holding up very well. Some folks love the natural patina of traditional unlacquered brass and some don't... ah, the beauty of individuality in design choices. :) It was wonderful that these clients cared very deeply about the quality and maintenance of the home. They get full credit for wanting to preserve and sensitively expand the original saltbox, which many other buyers would have simply torn down.
I share your aversion to ripping up books. These were very old, ripped and discarded so you are correct — they are far more loved now than in the dust bin to which they were headed. Cheers!
At first I thought "Please don't mess with the iconic Saltbox then turn the insides into super modern." I needn't worry. What a fantastic team headed by the owners who knew Saltbox and wouldn't stand for degradation. Their love of the Cape and nautical is handsomely displayed - classy yet simple without being overbearing or too minimalist. Thumbs up to the architect and designer who grabbed the project by the "box" and updated it while keeping it iconic.
My only wonderment is the master bath, like was discussed before. I didn't see any drains and was concerned water would flow off into the lower bath section. Thumbs up for the hand/clothes washing trough. Very creative and out of the box thinking. Same with the floral wire baskets for the sink vanity. Gave me a chuckle in a good way. It keeps the light flowing through and one can always use a wire "hole" to house a washcloth or hand towel at the sink. Once again, very creative. The apothecary chest for the usual "throw it into a drawer" is awesome and puts something vintage to work again in this modern world.
The entire house inside and out is not only very well balanced but the inside is melded to the outside. IOW, the inside belongs to the outside of the house and visa versa. It's not my style, but all I can say is "I like!"
celestina89 Thanks so much for a thoughtful comment, which recognizes the care that went into the design of this home... from clients through to every member of the design and build teams.
Not to worry, there is a drain in the shower. :)
Warm regards,
Lisa