A collaboration with Patrick Ahearn Architects to finish and furnish a new home steeped in history and designed for modern life.
client stories
Weekapaug, Rhode Island
A House for the Ages
Project Partners
Timeless Design Rooted in Classic Architecture
With memories of summering in Charlestown, Rhode Island (affectionately known as Quonnie to the locals) with their young family and a growing collection of New England antiques, it was only natural for our clients to be drawn to the exceptional work of Patrick Ahearn when it was time to build a family home in nearby Weekapaug.
For us, helping to imbue a new construction home with the timeless character of New England architecture is a happy assignment, and a privilege we take seriously. But that’s only one aspect of our contributions to the family home.
Our other primary deliverable was helping our clients create a house that flexes up when grown children, and future grandchildren arrive for (hopefully) several weeks in the summer, while shrinking back down to a comfortable home for two in the off seasons.
To achieve this goal, we focused our attention on appointing large spaces where the entire family could gather and creating more intimate spaces for our clients to be together when the house is a bit more quiet.
To complement Ahearn’s architecture, we kept the finishes and furnishings classic – warm whites accented with navy and pops of pattern and ‘spritely’ color (a wish from our client). Drawing inspiration from his collection of antique furniture and Heriz area rugs, we embraced the mix of old and new and kept it timeless, rooting this home in the past while supporting the family’s bright future.
Key Takeaways
Lessons Learned
Taking parts of the existing home and repurposing in the new is a great way to honor the original house all while being sustainable. The ceiling in the sunroom are one-hundred-year-old floor boards from the original home on the site, refinished and repurposed to contrast the warm white interior trim throughout the home.
The mix of old and new are what separates a house from a home. We encourage clients to show us their existing furnishings to have the opportunity for a glimpse into their style and their story. We take inventory and make recommendations on what to incorporate into the new home’s interior, ensuring a part of their own history carries on to the new house/their new chapter.
Full Project Gallery
Photographer:
Kyle J. Caldwell
