This Dreamy Cape Cod Retreat Is a Lesson in Indoor-Outdoor Living
Summer homes often call for an open-door, barefoot vibe that permits both sandy daytime beach trips and elegant nighttime hosting. To maximize functionality, it's key to properly pair the two, seamlessly integrating comfortable indoor entertainment spaces with stunning outdoor porches and patios.
That's exactly what the owners of this charming Cape Cod beach house requested of designers Peyton Lambton and Sarah Waldo of Washashore Home. Constructed by A3 Architects and Bannon Custom Builders in 2019, the beachfront abode exudes a coastal vibe, but with a twist.
"It was such a fun project because it's in Chatham, which is a very traditional part of Cape Cod, and the exterior has a very distinct look. She wanted it to be a little bit more unexpected on the inside. She really wanted this bright, fun and relaxed vibe where friends and family come to visit," says Lambton.
Tasked with adding an element of playfulness throughout the home, Lambton and Waldo went to work. The duo relied on pops of color, wood accents and mixed textures to bring it to life.
Relax indoors in the living room, or head out for some sun.
Sip your morning coffee on the comfort of your own couch or take it outdoors for some much-needed sunlight. Either way, these areas work together to create one cohesive space the homeowners can enjoy.
"The focus on the back was having this whole indoor-outdoor feel. So, if you wanted to lay on a lounge chair to get some sun, you have that option as well."
Stay protected from the elements in the screened-in porch.
Take a step further into the dining room to experience another example of the flawless integration between the indoors and outdoors. Dine at the table, or spend time in the covered deck area. "The sliders could be opened to the screened-in porch so that you're protected from the elements," says Lambton.
Texture — particularly wood accents — was also important to this home's bright, beachy vibe. "We wanted to layer textures not only with the fabrics, mixing solids and prints, but then also adding in different layers of wood with the table," she adds.
Enter the coastal blue kitchen.
With blue cabinets already integrated into the kitchen, the design team at Washashore Home had to think outside the box in order to take this classic coastal kitchen to the next level.
"We were able to bring in that really fun Walter G. Tangier Denim Linen fabric on the stools just to give it a punch. You see blue kitchens in coastal homes all the time, but we wanted to take it up a notch. It's the unexpected elements in this house that made it stand apart from other Cape homes we've done," says Lambton.
Watch the sunrise or doze off at sunset.
Although they each have their own distinct vibe, both bedrooms still feel coastal in their own right. The primary bedroom, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, is all about comfort and texture, pairing a charming woven bed frame with a cozy, lightweight waffle comforter. "You can wake up to these stunning views, but then you can also sneak away with a book or a cup of coffee in the corner and watch the sunrise," says Lambton.
In the guest bedroom, the focus was on the bold blue bed frame the homeowners already owned. Not willing to conform fully to typical all-blue coastal design, Lambton and Waldo went for an unexpected wallpaper choice.
"Adding in the Anna French Cairo green and white wallpaper was the perfect way to kind of break up the blue but still make it coastal and interesting. The print on the wallpaper gave it a little bit of a traditional yet tropical vibe in there," says Lambton.
Host friends in the bunk room.
Everyone wants to visit a beach house. So when it comes to sleeping arrangements, it's always helpful to have as many beds as possible. Enter, the bunk room.
"It was one of my favorite bunk rooms we've done, just because the wood that was chosen really felt like drift wood. It had this worn feel that wasn't brand new, slick, shiny wood. The builder was so strategic with where to put storage because there was just a very small closet in that room," says Lambton.
Lounge around in the bonus room.
Doubling as an at-home yoga studio and game room, the homeowners wanted an area everyone could enjoy for their own purposes. Whether guests are just looking to take a step away from the high-traffic areas of the house or simply want to take in another view of the ocean, this is the space to be.
"The plan there was to put two day beds that can pull out into full beds. I love to have a space that can be whatever you need it to be. This can be a place for somebody to sneak off and have a nap. It can be a place for someone to do yoga, because it opens up onto another porch with a beautiful view of the water. This room was a lot of fun because it can serve so many different purposes," says Lambton.
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