A New Vision for Living

Multidisciplinary firm Carpenter & MacNeille revitalizes an heirloom property.

On a wooded Gloucester enclave caressing the shoreline, an iconic stone and slate cottage finds new life at the hands of multifaceted design and construction firm Carpenter & MacNeille. Balancing the structure’s beloved facade with a vision for expansion, lead architect and managing partner Michael Gray adapted the home to serve as a stateside anchor for the England-based homeowner and his family.

“Our client’s family owned the property for many years as a vacation house,” Gray shares. A generational heirloom, the home symbolizes legacy and heritage, which made preservation pivotal. “We wanted to respect the original architecture while allowing the client’s vision to shine.”

Adding 1,200 square feet, the expansion included a new stone and oak entry, a two-story addition, guest suite, kitchen, bar, and elevated dining room. Additionally, a nondescript shed was transformed into a contemporary outbuilding home to an ocean-facing private studio and sauna. Existing architectural elements, such as stone exterior details and red slate roofing, were continued on the new square footage, and an octagonal rear section was preserved. “We didn’t want to compete with what was there,” says Gray, noting that additions were also kept low and subtle to complement the original structure. 

Jutting out toward the shoreline, the deck was expanded and reconfigured to resemble the bow of a boat, fitted with cable railings to enhance transparency. “It was intentional that we went a bit literal on the layout, but it actually worked really well with the site,” says Gray, noting its seamless visual connection to the water.

Inside, organic elements, contemporary furnishings, and Scandinavian touches abound. The revamped interiors, spearheaded by architect Tim Curtis and lead interior designer Elizabeth Arkins, embrace the rugged, natural surrounding landscape. “We wanted everything to feel like it belonged there,” Arkins shares. Inspired by both original qualities of the home and contemporary flourishes, Arkins set out to design interiors that feel cohesive, livable, and unique. 

Throughout the home, unifying elements offer a balance of rugged and refined aesthetics. The entryway sets the tone, juxtaposing a sleek white oak bench with original rustic fieldstone. “The entryway was originally outside of the home. We enclosed the entryway and brought that fieldstone inside,” says Curtis. Echoing the cedar tones of the exterior, white oak anchors the primary living spaces, where the client’s desire for a contemporary, Scandinavian feel comes to life. Each space is complemented by custom millwork and cabinetry crafted by Carpenter & MacNeille’s in-house woodworking team.

In the living room, a modern linear fireplace holds court, combining custom Venetian plaster with reclaimed natural stone and an oak base hearth. Overhead, original timber rafters were preserved and re-stained in a honey tone to complement the home’s natural color palette. The dining room features a custom-designed table by Saltwoods in Needham, paired with lighting from Shiplights in Marblehead. “We used local artisans as much as possible, which was a really special part of this project,” Arkins shares.

The kitchen serves as the centerpiece, featuring custom rift-cut white oak cabinetry with vertical grain to accentuate the new clerestory library overhead. “The intent was to create verticality and introduce natural light to the interior of the house to counteract the original home’s lower ceilings and darker spaces,” Gray says.

By opening up the center of the house, the designers created a bright, airy focal point, bejeweled by a striking 16-foot bubble light fixture custom made by CloudWorks. Featuring a hidden door and crowned by a red copper roof sourced in Pennsylvania, its stone walls were retained from the original home.

A vertical tile backsplash in the kitchen complements this effect, while the island’s textured Shou Sugi Ban finish adds contrast.“ The cabinetry makers meticulously laid out the grain exactly aligned on every piece just the way we envisioned it,” says Arkins, noting the benefits of the firm’s multifaceted nature. “It really gives us the ability as designers to get exactly what we’re looking for.”

Renowned for traditional design, Carpenter & MacNeille took a bold step with this project, crafting a contemporary haven enriched with timeless details. “We like to say we have two clients—the homeowner and the house itself,” Gray explains. Blending the home’s original features with a modern vision, Carpenter & MacNeille succeeds in balancing beauty from all angles.

Architecture, Construction, & Interior Design: Carpenter & MacNeille | Photography: Greg Premru