When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Photograph by Chad Mellon Photography

An used closet under the stairs is transformed into a beautiful and functional chilled wine cellar with a new wrought iron railing for the stairs to tie it all together. Travertine slabs replace carpet on the stairs. LED lights are installed in the wine cellar for additional ambient lighting that gives the room a soft glow in the evening. Photos by: Ryan Wilson

Ingresso e scala. La scala esistente è stata rivestita in marmo nero marquinia, alla base il mobile del soggiorno abbraccia la scala e arriva a completarsi nel mobile del'ingresso. Pareti verdi e pavimento ingresso in marmo verde alpi. Nel sotto scala è stata ricavato un armadio guardaroba per l'ingresso.

Beautiful slatted white oak walls in the stairway add warmth while preserving sightlines to the lake view.

stairway draws attention with vertical timber elements

The dark wood newel and handrails complement the iron spindles on this transitional design staircase.

Photo by Jamie Anholt

Open riser stair well

The staircase once housed a traditional railing with twisted iron pickets. During the renovation, the skirt board was painted in the new wall color, and railings replaced in gunmetal gray steel with a stained wood cap. The end result is an aesthetic more in keeping with the homeowner's collection of contemporary artwork mixed with antiques.

We opened up the space by creating a open tread staircase in this Toronto loft. We wanted to keep the touch of glam so went with a custom satin brass detail on the staircase. We finished the room off with soft sheers, gold details, and a black and white gallery wall.

View towards the entrance and cloak room, screened by the staircase. Photo by Imagen Subliminal

The rear pool deck has its own staircase, which leads down to their private beachfront. The base landing of the stair connects to an outdoor shower for rinsing off after a day in the sand. Photographer: Daniel Contelmo Jr.