Paine’s Creek
Brewster, MA 2018
After spending idyllic childhood summers on Cape Cod, the owners of this unique and spectacular property decided to build their dream home, with plans to enjoy it now as a vacation retreat and retire to it in the future.
The site is essentially a peninsula of land at the mouth of a wetland creek inlet, bounded on three sides by marsh and pond, with unobstructed views of Cape Cod Bay beyond. An existing one and a half story, traditional cape house was torn down, and Wetland Preservation setbacks established a modest buildable footprint for the new house.
There are two gabled structures: a linear, rectangular main house, and a semi-detached carport, with space for entertaining above. The two buildings are connected at the second story by an open air bridge.
An elegant, minimal aesthetic gives priority to the coastal landscape, which is framed by expansive, floor to ceiling glass throughout the entire house. The fenestration not only allows for full views from all sides of the first floor great room, but also fills the space with natural light. White walls and cabinetry, subtly honed stone, and a steel and wood open tread staircase, all work to quietly focus the attention outside.
The second floor holds the master bedroom suite, guest bedroom and bath, and a study. Both the master and guest baths have floor to ceiling glass, like the rest of the house, but offer privacy with window fog at the touch of a switch. The master bedroom, guest bedroom, and entertainment room have private cantilevered balconies, which extend the space to the outdoors.
At the far end of the house, at the point of the peninsula of the site, sits the screen porch. Like many porches that JNA has created, this one was designed with both dining, and extended relaxation in mind. The built-in upholstered bench is the place to linger after dinner, watching the sun set, and listening to the sounds of the marsh birds.
Just outside the porch and the great room, landscape architect Bernice Wahler created a bluestone terrace that functions as a tranquil, outdoor room.
Builder: Cape Associates
Landscape Architect: Bernice Wahler Landscapes
Photographer: Jane Messinger
Drone Photographer: Andrea Baerenwald
