A complete renovation, this home had an authentic mid-century charm from the start, not to mention a view of the Portland Yacht Club. Our clients came to us looking to preserve that charm while improving energy efficiency and modernizing the structure’s design.

Pursuing efficiency in more ways than one, we took every opportunity to improve this home’s thermal envelope during construction–spray foam was applied to the roof rafters while the ceilings were being replaced, and two inches of rigid insulation were added beneath the new cedar and cement board siding. The additional insulation along with new windows and a heat pump greatly improved the comfort and efficiency of the home.

To achieve the design goals of the clients, we began with a new entryway that offers a welcoming, light-filled transition into the home. We replaced dated swirled-plaster ceilings with painted V-match pine, and where an enclosed U-shaped kitchen and hallway once stood, we designed a bright spacious kitchen area that opens into the dining and living spaces.

Beautiful new low-emissivity windows frame a picturesque view of the marina, and an additional row of windows follows the roofline, accentuating the loftiness of the space while bathing it in natural light. Glass sliding doors open the daylight basement’s informal living room to the well-landscaped yard. The master suite, complete with a contemporary bathroom and spacious walk-in closet, looks towards the marina over the peaceful cascading ponds in the backyard.

With our client's goals in mind, we looked to take advantage of the natural light and the location, designing a home with plenty of opportunities for the owners to revel in the bustle of the marina from the comfort of their own oasis.