Island Getaway
The couple was riveted by the dream of having a get-away that seemed like it was a million miles away from their hectic lives in the city. They engaged me as their designer, in conjunction with a building contractor, to make their dream come true. They had some very specific design requirements: “Do it small. We like things compact, everything we need within reach. We don’t need much – a place to hang out, a sleeping loft, a small but efficient kitchen, a minimalist bathroom. Lots of light. That’s about it.” There were two logistical requirements as well: the new place needed to be within a reasonable travel distance from Boston, and the project cost had to fall within a modest budget.
A tall order to fill. However, things started to fall into place when they got an exceptional deal on a small plot of land on Nantucket. At the same time, I embraced the challenge of their needs with the aesthetic of a simple, elegant, little temple of a cottage. It would be made to feel spacious with a double height living room, good natural light, and the lack of interior walls. Everything would be at their fingertips. With the contractor, I addressed the budget issue by employing panelized construction built on the mainland and shipped to the island site by truck and ferry. This system saved on the cost of materials and labor which would have been higher on the island. It was a very efficient way to build. The owners also saved by taking on much of the finish work themselves.
They loved their get-away home because it fit who they were, or – more accurately – who they were becoming. They found that the house, with its ethic of a simpler, slower-paced life, was having a profound effect on their very natures. In short, it was shaping who they were The simple, almost ascetic design of the house was helping them realize that what was important to them was slowing down. They wanted to enjoy the moment and appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings.
The outcome of this transformation in their lives was that they sold their Brookline condominium, quit their jobs, and relocated permanently to the island.
Island Getaway
The couple was riveted by the dream of having a get-away that seemed like it was a million miles away from their hectic lives in the city. They engaged me as their designer, in conjunction with a building contractor, to make their dream come true. They had some very specific design requirements: “Do it small. We like things compact, everything we need within reach. We don’t need much – a place to hang out, a sleeping loft, a small but efficient kitchen, a minimalist bathroom. Lots of light. That’s about it.” There were two logistical requirements as well: the new place needed to be within a reasonable travel distance from Boston, and the project cost had to fall within a modest budget.
A tall order to fill. However, things started to fall into place when they got an exceptional deal on a small plot of land on Nantucket. At the same time, I embraced the challenge of their needs with the aesthetic of a simple, elegant, little temple of a cottage. It would be made to feel spacious with a double height living room, good natural light, and the lack of interior walls. Everything would be at their fingertips. With the contractor, I addressed the budget issue by employing panelized construction built on the mainland and shipped to the island site by truck and ferry. This system saved on the cost of materials and labor which would have been higher on the island. It was a very efficient way to build. The owners also saved by taking on much of the finish work themselves.
They loved their get-away home because it fit who they were, or – more accurately – who they were becoming. They found that the house, with its ethic of a simpler, slower-paced life, was having a profound effect on their very natures. In short, it was shaping who they were The simple, almost ascetic design of the house was helping them realize that what was important to them was slowing down. They wanted to enjoy the moment and appreciate the natural beauty of their surroundings.
The outcome of this transformation in their lives was that they sold their Brookline condominium, quit their jobs, and relocated permanently to the island.