Having occupied a small piece of rocky shoreline in Cape Elizabeth since 1961, this Royal Barry Wills home was about to get new owners, with new ideas. A well-designed house with impressive ocean views was the perfect place for an imaginative couple to have some fun while collaborating on the design of their forever home.

Working with the existing layout, the design team did some reconfiguring as well as expanding a bit to modernize this classic home. The kitchen was relocated to its original planned position, opening the entire ocean-side of the house to become a great room including a dining area, living room, and wet bar. The expansive yet cozy space is cohesive while experientially delineated by three different ceiling conditions. A sprawling deck spans the entire side of the house to enjoy the outdoors while a screened-in porch was added at one end for those buggy Maine evenings.

Building up above the existing bedrooms, a new primary suite was added, complete with Juliet balcony. Similarly, above the previously added-on third garage bay, a second-story studio was constructed for one of the clients, who is a jewelry artist. 

The entire house was re-sided, with the existing forms in one color and the additions in another, both colors chosen to compliment the surrounding greenery. The design team decided to accentuate the roof lines, as one of the owners in particular was attracted to the aesthetic evoking a child’s drawing of a house

The design of this home was a true exercise in blending old with new. Creating an inviting and cozy home to enjoy the beautiful nature of northern New England.

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