Lori Hamilton

photo by Read Mckendree

Elegant powder room with both chandelier and sconces set in a full wall mirror for lighting. Function of the mirror increases with Kallista (Kohler) Inigo wall mounted faucet attached. Custom wall mounted vanity with drop in Kohler bowl. The transparent door knob, a mirrored switch plate and textured grey wallpaper finish the look.

The modern mix is a blending of many materials and ideas to create a stunning home. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

The picture perfect home

Photograph by Chad Mellon Photography

Alexander James

©Finished Basement Company

Cherie Cordellos Photography

A cantilevered vanity with quartz top provides storage, with custom wood-framed mirrors to create a sense of verticality and increased height. Jimmy Cheng Photography