A bathroom for a getaway home should be a serene, calming space—a place to wash away the stresses of everyday life and relax into vacation mode. This approach is indicative of interior designer Liz Stiving-Nichols’ master bath and powder room designs. Owner of Martha’s Vineyard Interior Design, Stiving- Nichols finds inspiration for her designs from the natural environment. “I create a direct connection between the design and to the natural surrounding we find on this beautiful island,” says Stiving-Nichols. Read more…

Posted in Interiors

One doesn’t have to look hard to find the footprints of Cape Cod’s past scattered about. Stone walls dating far back as the Pilgrims’ first foray into the New World offer a glimpse into the one of the oldest construction methods in existence: masonry. Read more…

Posted in Architecture, Interiors

It’s not often one comes across an early Cape Cod period house in close to its original state—floors, windows, and moldings still intact. Tucked away on a quiet lane in Truro is a diamond in the rough—a 1790 structure with good bones and authentic Colonial charm reflected in several early architectural details. The house has an interesting past, typical of many Cape Cod homes, which often have structural additions from one period or another, reflecting differing needs of families through the centuries. Read more…

Posted in Architecture, Interiors

Green Inspirations

By its very nature, sustainable architecture requires a different perspective.

There is a premium on efficiency in design and materials, seamless integration into a building’s surroundings—and close communication between designer and homeowner. Read more…

Posted in Architecture, Interiors, Sustainability

After just one visit to Nantucket, Darren Sukonick and Matthew Sapera fell in love with the island’s seafaring history, quiet windswept beauty, and pure architectural forms. So much so that they decided to draw upon their home design talents—both are designers for Matthew Sapera Fine Homes in Toronto—and build a getaway home for themselves. Read more…

Posted in Accomodations, Architecture, Interiors, Travel

Architect John Dvorsack’s office, located in historic Highfield Hall in Falmouth, is a picture of subtle color and form. Look closely and you’ll see the hand-cut nails that stud the pumpkin pine floor. In late afternoon, you may notice a particular golden light that pours through the deep original windows. The bright, spacious office, tucked away on the second floor of the grand 1878 former estate—now a cultural center—perfectly melds historic craftsmanship, the natural world, and modern architectural practices. Read more…

Posted in Architecture, Interiors

For Chuck Hart, the kitchen has always been, and always will be, the most important room in the house. “It’s more than where people cook and eat meals,” Hart says. Besides being the emotional center in most homes, the kitchen is also the site of great movement. As Hart says, “Almost any activity within the scope of the home starts or finishes in the kitchen.” Read more…

Posted in Architecture, Interiors

Margo’s in Osterville is a sumptuous haven that combines comfort and sophisticated style. On Cape Cod, this home décor shop has a very special niche. “Our goal is to be original, and we are, in almost everything we do,” says owner Margie Huggard. “When I have clients come in, they are often pleasantly surprised.” Read more…

Posted in Interiors

When a client consults with Cape Cod furniture maker Dick Kiusalas, everything is on the table. Freeform, structured, conceptual, artistic—Kiusalas has rendered these and almost every other style imaginable in his 40 years of business. Read more…

Posted in Architecture, Interiors

Working at the nexus of design, construction, and art, Brian Burbic occupies a special domain. As the owner of Brian Burbic Custom Homes & Woodworking in Barnstable Village, Burbic works with wood as high art: trim work is flawless; cabinetry has the look of sculpture; wood shines with a silky gleam. So it makes sense that his new office on Route 6A, near the Barnstable County Courthouse, opens into an art gallery. The bright, sunny space is a place to hang art, display gorgeous tables he has built, and provide an area for clients to browse. “It gives a different side of me,” Burbic says. “People get to see the artistic side.” Read more…