Cape Cod Beauty!

I have been spending some down time with my family at the beach – no TV and limited computer access. Peaceful and relaxing time. Being at the ocean is so inspirational to me that I wanted to share with you this gorgeous home in Cape Cod, designed by the wonderful firm, Hart Architects.

A spectacular ocean front property renovated to support a modern family’s needs. I love the softness of the crushed gravel driveway, so common on the Cape.

The architects were phenomenal, really paying to attention to every beautiful detail. Let’s have a look inside.

The living room is lovely. Notice the deep arched entry ways and beamed ceilings. I love the x detailing on the doors and the soft graceful turn of the staircase. Notice that the room is painted white, but because there is so much architectural interest, the room is warm and inviting. Looking through the doorway on the right you can see the library.

I adore the warmth of an all wood room. You can see a bit of the ocean through the French doors - I could spend hours here!

The family room is lovely of palette of white and soft blue. You can see the kitchen beyond. I like the columns and the half wall division between the two spaces. Its visually gives each room its own defined area, but still feels very open and airy.

Another photo which shows the kitchen more closely. White cabinetry, subway tiles and bin pulls keep it classic but fresh.

A second kitchen area has a wonderful cozy keeping area. Perfect for enjoying that morning cup of coffee. Notice the peaked ceiling – with the ceiling height and the windows and French doors, the space appears much larger.

More French doors invite you out to enjoy the spectacular vistas. I love this little seating nook.

Finally a spectacular sunroom! Notice the gorgeous ceiling and the fireplace – Fabulous!!!

For more photos of this beautiful home and more inspirational designs visit Hart Architects HERE.

Hope you are all enjoying the lazy days of summer as much as I am!! See you in a few weeks!!

(Photo Credit: Cheryle St. Onge and Hart Architects. All content property of Willow Décor and not be copied with out permission)

Stunning Coastal Exterior and Interior Renovation

I am always intrigued by renovation. I especially marvel at exterior transformations and this beautiful home in New York is no exception.


On a breathtaking piece of property on the Long Island Sound it was a perfect home for renovation. Above is the Before - a wonderful, quaint colonial.

And here is the After: Notice the change in the roof lines - the original second story was expanded and a second story was also added to the original one story structure - These external additions changed the ordinary into extraordinary.

The kitchen renovation is stunning boasting state of the art appliances and marble counters. Notice the arched entrances between rooms.

I love the classic details of this kitchen including the subway backsplash tile, lighting, marble counters and the exquisite detailing on the corners of the center islands.

Looking from the other side of the center island we can see the dining and family room area. Notice the arched bookcases which echo the arches through out the first floor.

With the addition of a second story over the original one story structure, the owners were able to add a spectacular wood paneled library with fireplace and vaulted ceilings.



Again if look closely you can great details in the millwork of this room. The arched window provides a spectacular view of the Long Island Sound.

An infinity edge pool gives the illusion that the water's edge begins just steps outside the back door.
Wonderful coastal landscaping seamlessly bridges this outstanding home from land to sea.
I adore oceanfront homes - How about you??

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(All photos by Chuck Choi and property of Oliver Cope Architects & Mayfair Construction)

Welcome Back Thru Dutch Doors

(Traditional Home)

One of my favorite design elements are Dutch Doors. I love how they make an entryway immediately more casual, warm and fun. I have always imagined my children playing, each on a different side of the door - playing store, lemonade stand or ticket booth.

Looking out from a Dutch Door when the top is open is wonderful, as shown above in this fabulous ocean front home from Coastal Living. When we redo our beach house, adding a Dutch door is at the top of my list. So over the years I have collected several images of my favorites.

This natural wood Dutch door, which I found via BH&G, is high on my list of favorites. I love the iron work and my husband Dave, loves natural wood color.

Here is another beautiful entry from BH&G. This Dutch Door is surrounded by glass. Notice the diamond pattern on the sidelights and the transom. Very pretty.

Another photo I have had for some time from favorite designer, Windsor Smith via (Joni at CDT). Though a very neutral space, I love the punch of turquoise brought into the room when the top of the door is open.

Here is another turquoise door I found at Design Sponge. I love how the color of the door is repeated again on the inside of the bookcase.

Another painted door from Coastal Living, this time in yellow. See how Dutch doors add a bit of whimsy and lend a casual feel to a space. This is the type of feeling I am trying to achieve at the beach house.

Brooke at Velvet and Linen has a Dutch door in her gorgeous home. Can't you just feel the welcoming warmth in her house! Beautiful!!

A perfect entry! I adore this shot from Traditional Home. The Dutch door gives the illusion of a larger space. The black painted door, iron work and brick floor are sublime!

Here a laundry room/mudroom from Country Home, achieves the same illusion of space with a Dutch Door and with tile set on the diagonal. Cute dog!

(photo-Jack Arnold Homes)

This door has a lovely arch and X design on the bottom. The door is fully closed, but if you look closely you will see that it is in fact a Dutch door.

This door from Coastal Living also has the X design on the bottom. This seems to be a common element.

(Photo by Eric Roth for Catalano Architects)

You have seen this lovely room before at Willow Decor. It's from our talented friends at Catalano Architects. Notice to the far right a beautiful Dutch door. See the rest of this spectacular home here.

(Country Home)

The next two photos are kitchens with Dutch doors. This is my favorite room for incorporating a Dutch door into the design.

(photo Coastal Living)

In both instances the open top of the door really brings the outdoors in! I love the look but do have concerns with bugs flying in, as I have never seen a Dutch door style screen.

(Delaware Historic Society)

Above and below are two antique doors which caught my eye. I like this first door because I think the scale of the door is very interesting. I like the larger top. I would love to see the entire house but my suspicion is that the house itself is also very grand.

(photo - This Old House)

Finally - this my favorite door of the bunch . I love the color, the antique hardware, the small window and of course how wonderful it looks with the stone surround. Over the next several months I'll be on the look out for an antique Dutch door. If you have a Dutch door, let me know how it "lives" and if you are thinking of adding one to your home let me know which one you prefer.

Also check out Karla's Its The Little Things That Make a House a Home blog. She took an old door she found on the side of the road and created a gorgeous Dutch Door - see how she did it HERE. Thanks so much Karla!!

Lovely English Tudor- Is that in London?

What a beautiful English Tudor. The setting is spectacular! When I happened upon it I thought it must surely be a lovely estate in a small hamlet outside of London! Not so, this wonderful treasure is located on almost three acres of rolling hills in Greenwich, CT - a suburb and only 45 minutes outside of NYC.
Let's have a tour! You enter through a gorgeous stone entry with a beautiful, arched door.
Your first stop is the library/entry hall. Take a close look at the detailing of the walls. I love the secret wall of books that swings open to reveal a doorway. Also look at the staircase through the doorway.
Here is a closer look at the staircase. I adore the railing and soft curve. A glass and stone gallery leads you the living room.

The house is filled with period mouldings, leaded glass and limestone fireplaces.

I love the family room and the wall of french doors which invite you to enjoy the spectacular view. Notice the coffered ceilings.

The architectural detail in the dining room is sublime. Notice how the windows are not only trimmed out with molding, but also boxed out with column like detailing. This creates deep transitions to windows. I especially like how they kept this room white. You can enjoy the detailing with out being overwhelmed by it. Despite their reputation, Tudors can be light and bright. Here the kitchen is done in white with marble and wood counters. Clearly it has been updated and renovated over the years. I like the shape of the hood.

The nearly untouched Great Room is perhaps the home's most dramatic. The striking fireplace and wood beams are wonderful. Notice the curved floor to ceiling window.



I love to see old homes restored to their original grandeur. The home is currently for sale. To see more of it click here. And if you end up becoming the new owner, let me know and I will drive down from Boston for visit!
(all photos Sotheby's)

A Quick Cambridge Kitchen Redo!

Not all projects that I am involved with are huge in scope. Remember the Cambridge Workman's Cottage? You can read all about it here. It is a wonderful home that my dear friend, Leonard, renovated. Years before when budgets were tight a simple renovation was done to the kitchen. Here is the before. Cabinets were painted and new stainless appliances were purchased but the kitchen was largely as he had acquired it. In truth I really did not think the kitchen was as awful as Leonard did. Yes, the red counters were bad and I agreed that counter space was limited. Also, the stove seemed strangely out of place with about 24 inches of unused wall to the right. But Leonard's choice of cabinet color was really great. I especially loved how he refused to put in any upper cabinets. It kept the space wonderful and airy.
Here is the after - At first glance not terribly dramatic until you really take a closer look at all the details. First notice the gorgeous apron front soapstone sink and counters. A wonderful addition to a house seeped in history. We also moved the stove under the window and extended the counter to the doorway, this added significant workable counter space. Now he has two longer spaces of counters which definitely allows for more prep area. Drawers were chosen over cabinets for extra storage of pots and pans. The corner cabinet was outfitted with high quality pull outs to maximize the usable interiors. New KWC faucet and Cliffside cabinet hardware latches and pulls added the wonderful accent and ties in the stainless appliances wonderfully.

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Not terribly expensive to do, but a huge impact in terms of workability! And if you take a much closer look, I think you will agree it is an excellent improvement - a kitchen worthy of a house with so much charm and history!

(all photos Willow Decor and not to be used with out permission)