PRELUDE Volume VI

Volume VI 

SUSTAIN 

ABILITY 

& STYLE 

RHODE ISLAND’S 

HIDDEN CHARM 

A publication of Boston Design Guide

AWARD-WINNING LEADER IN COASTAL BUILDING 

W e know how important your home is to your well-being. As custom home 

builders for nearly 40 years, we have crafted and restored coastal and luxury homes 

in Rhode Island and throughout New England. Our goal is to create spaces that allow 

you and your family to thrive. 

DAVITTINC.COM

Coastal 

PERFECTION 

4 FRANK AVE • SUITE A1 • WEST KINGSTON, RI 02892 • 401.792.9799 • DAVITTINC.COM

JOYELLE WEST PHOTOGRAPHY 

581 TREMONT ST, BOSTON, MA 02118 | 617-982-6136 | TWELVECHAIRSINTERIORS.COM

17 WOLCOTT CT., BOSTON, MA 02136 | 617.333.6800 | FBNCONSTRUCTION.COM

LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS 

CONSTRUCTION | MASONRY | MAINTENANCE 

Photography: Marianne Lee 

R.P. MARZILLI & CO., INC. | 508.533.8700 | 21-A TROTTER DRIVE | MEDWAY, MA 02053 | WWW.RPMARZILLI.COM

RICHARD MANDELKORN 

RICHARD 

New Homes | Renovations | Historic Preservation 

New Homes | Renovations | Historic Preservation 

Home Maintenance | Small Projects 

Home Maintenance | Small Projects 

Building trust since 1976. 

171 Reservoir 171 RESERVOIR St., Needham, ST., NEEDHAM, MA 02494 | 781.237.0505 | falloncustomhomes.com | 781.237.0505 

FALLONCUSTOMHOMES.COM | INFO@FALLONCUSTOMHOMES.COM 

CUSTOM HOME 

DESIGN/BUILD, WEST

From the Publisher 

PRELUDE – Rhode Island 

This PRELUDE is our RHODE ISLAND edition. While I have been traveling to the Ocean State 

for over 35 years, I’ve mostly only visited Newport and Providence. In recent years, however, I 

have learned about more and more people who are making Rhode Island their second home, 

in towns including Jamestown, Portsmouth, Bristol, and Little Compton. Those bucolic towns 

give me a whole different perspective of Rhode Island. Now, when I think of the area, I envision 

farms, vineyards edged with stone walls, and wide open spaces with the ocean nearby. 

Whether you’re living on Bellevue Avenue, Jamestown, or in Little Compton, the region truly 

evokes the movie, Somewhere in Time—the 1980s period romance staring Christopher Reeve 

and Jane Seymore—in which timeless architecture and regal beauty by the water really do 

exist. Throw in the fact that the state is considered the “sailing capital of the world” and is 

home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Newport Polo, Rhode Island’s refined, classic 

character is indelible. 

In this edition, we showcase some of the many people working in the design and build realm 

who are mindful of the environment. We feature three homes in which sustainability was a key 

component of the design. Conserving resources and creating energy are common themes 

in this issue, which also showcases landscape professionals who are doing their part to be 

stewards of this spectacular place we’re all blessed to be a part of. 

So enjoy going back in time as you browse this PRELUDE. Take in the beauty and style in which 

these talented individuals have created and preserved for generations to come. 

Melanie Perillo, Publisher 

@BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignMag 

PHOTOGRAPHY: WARREN PATTERSON 

karensebastianllc@gmail.com • 617.529.6719 • karensebastianllc.com 

6 

bostondesignguide.com

CONTENTS 

12 Pastoral Haven 

A historic Little Compton home get’s sustainable updates and a refined, 

timeless landscape. 

34 Passion for the Build 

WKP Construction strives to get the job done right with precision. 

40 Super-Powered Home 

TSP Smart Spaces covers all aspects of residential technology. 

43 Enduring Legacy 

A masonry artist’s insights on building long-lasting client relationships. 

50 Positive Vibes 

Thoughtforms creates homes with people in mind. 

54 Ship Shape 

A family relies on its experience living aboard boats to build an 

uber-efficient home. 

58 Fresh Perspective 

A kitchen overlooking Narragansett Bay embodies originality. 

12 

PUBLISHER 

Melanie Perillo 

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 

Jaci Conry 

DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Rob Silsby 

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST 

Andrea Mingels 

WRITER 

MaryKate Forté 

SALES/DISTRIBUTION MANAGER 

Ian Kaplan 

ACCOUNT MANAGERS 

Lisa Almquist 

Ian Kaplan 

Colleen Keelan 

Maureen Lampert 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Anthony Crisafulli 

Warren Patterson 

Michael J. Lee 

Nat Rea 

Keitaro Yoshioka 

43 

54 

Cover: Architecture: Gale Goff Architect; Construction: Arkins Construction Company; 

Landscape Architect: Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design LLC; 

Landscape: Landscape Creations; Photography: Anthony Crisafulli 

58 

www.bostondesignguide.com 

BDG PRELUDE - Volume VI, 2021, prints triannually and is 

published by Boston Design Guide, Inc. 365 Boston Post Road, Box 

373, Sudbury, MA 01776. Boston Design Guide (“BDG”) provides 

information on luxury homes and lifestyles. Boston Design Guide, 

its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher) 

accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions 

with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The 

publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies 

and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are 

mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the 

claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective 

products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein, 

and neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser 

products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no 

liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by 

any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or 

mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any 

purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods 

and/or claims made thereto. Opinions expressed in the magazine 

and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions 

of the Publisher. Neither the Publisher nor its staff, associates or 

affiliates are responsible for any errors, omissions or information 

whatsoever that have been misrepresented to Publisher. The 

information on products and services as advertised in BDG 

PRELUDE are shown by Publisher on an “as is” and “as available” 

basis. Publisher makes no representations or warranties of any 

kind, expressed or implied, as to the information, services, 

contents, trademarks, patents, materials or products included 

in this magazine. All pictures reproduced in BDG PRELUDE 

have been accepted by Publisher on the condition that such 

pictures are reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent 

of the photographer and any homeowner concerned. As such, 

Publisher is not responsible for any infringement of the copyright 

or otherwise arising out of any publication in BDG PRELUDE. 

BDG PRELUDE is a pending licensed trademark of Boston 

Design Guide, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication 

may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, 

electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any 

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written permission of the Publisher. ADDRESS SUBSCRIPTION 

REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE TO: Boston Design 

Guide, 365 Boston Post Road, Box 373, Sudbury, MA 01776. 

Email: Info@BostonDesignGuide.com or telephone 978-443-9886. 

8 


Architecture by Flavin Architects Photo by Nat Rea 

www.m-d-l-a.com | 203.592.4788 | Boston

Architecture: Stern McCafferty 

Photography: Chuck Choi 

KEVIN CRADOCK BUILDERS 

Custom Building | Renovation | Millwork 

617-524-2405 | cradockbuilders.com | Boston, MA

12 


A historic property in 

Little Compton gets 

sustainable updates 

and a refined landscape 

with timeless appeal. 

PASTORAL HAVEN 

bostondesignguide.com 13

Topped with a green 

roof, the sleek addition 

has three walls of 

glass and connects 

to the new patio 

overlooking the pool, 

vegetable garden and 

pasture beyond. 

One of the first homes built in Little Compton, 

this property came into being in 1790. The rustic 

Cape Cod-style house and adjacent barn, set 

amid four verdant acres, ultimately became a 

gentleman’s horse farm. The current owners who live yearround 

in Boston purchased the place as a summer retreat in 

2017. Before their offer had even been accepted the couple 

consulted architect Gale Goff about renovating the original 

house with a modern addition that would honor the historic 

nature of the home. 

Ultimately, Goff’s office designed a glass central core that 

connects the storied structure with a 650-square-foot 

addition encompassing a new open stairway overlooking the 

living spaces, along with a mudroom, powder room, laundry 

area and an expansive hang out space. ”The new room 

has a very modern vibe, with large expanses of glass. It’s a 

great contrast to the rest of the house,” says Goff. Set low to 

the ground, the space seamlessly transitions with the patio 

when the sliding doors are opened, blurring the boundary 

between indoors and outside. Because truly, the home is all 

about the lush parcel upon which it is set. 

While it was important to the homeowners that the property 

retain its patina and rustic appeal, it also needed to feel 

suited to contemporary living. “Because of the way the 

site is positioned away from the road, the place really feels 

stuck back in time. The idea was to build on the agrarian 

aspect of the property,” says landscape architect Matthew 

Cunningham, who designed the grounds. “The family really 

wanted the kids to be able to run around barefoot.” 

Cunningham and his team worked with the homeowners to 

select drought tolerant and eco-friendly plantings to create 

14 


ostondesignguide.com 15

“THE RECLAIMED GRANITE PIECES HAVE INSTANT PATINA 

THAT LOOKS LIKE IT’S BEEN THERE FOREVER.” 

– Mathew Cunningham 

Clockwise from above: The neighbor’s horses often roam on the property; 

the addition is clad with clapboards painted black, while the original part 

of the house features black trim and classic cedar shakes; the barn, which 

has an outdoor shower is adjacent to the pool. 

16 


ostondesignguide.com 17

18 


a landscape that feels laid back and authentic and doesn’t 

require huge maintenance or an intense carbon footprint. 

The property has several century-old fieldstone walls and 

Cunningham called for the creation of additional walls 

made with antique rocks. Landscape Creations carefully 

repaired the existing dry-stacked stone walls, installed 

plantings, and introduced modern outdoor amenities 

including a pool, firepit and terrace. 

“Reclaimed granite pieces were brought in to fit the rustic 

setting. We used feathers, wedges, and wrought iron tools 

to antique materials to the desired look,” says Landscape 

Creations founder, Jonathan Zeyl. “Then slings, excavators, 

and vacuum lifts were used to place the massive stones to 

exact specification.” 

The house needed significant updates to ensure it was an 

airtight space. “We stripped the home down to its original 

post and beam structure and reframed the walls to get 

the necessary insulated value,” says Andrew Cliff, project 

manager of Arkins Construction, the firm that spearheaded 

construction on the renovation. The need for fossil fuels 

was eliminated on the property by installing solar panels. 

A green roof was planted on top of the addition and 

the home’s original stone foundation was wrapped with 

a rubber membrane to make the basement watertight. 

While the home’s new systems ensure that it maintains 

a modernized eco-friendly footprint, interior details nod 

to its origins. The original 18th-century floors have been 

preserved on the main level along with three fireplaces and 

a beehive oven. 

The main chimney made out of ballast imported by brick 

from the Netherlands in the 1700s was rebuilt with the same 

joinery used back then. As with the way the landscape was 

designed and installed with reverence to the property’s 

provenance, Cliff says, “We worked hard to make sure the 

craftsmanship matched the time-period of the house.” 

Clockwise from left: A rebuilt stone wall with 

granite steppingstones leads through the 

gate to the pool. The gate posts are reclaimed 

salvaged granite; the patio and firepit are made 

of reclaimed granite procured from parking 

lot curbs, bridge parts, and old foundation 

slabs; Landscape Creations installed an allée of 

Crabapple trees that lines the meadow path. 

Architecture: Gale Goff Architect 

Construction: Arkins Construction Company 

Landscape Architect: Matthew Cunningham 

Landscape Design LLC 

Landscape: Landscape Creations 

Photography: Anthony Crisafulli 

Text: Jaci Conry 


Clockwise from top: Rosemary Fletcher Photography, Ngoc Doan Photo, Anthony Crisafulli Photography 

BUILD SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY 

We work with New England’s top landscape architects, custom builders, and clients to build extraordinary 

landscapes. Rhode Island projects featured were completed in collaboration with (clockwise from the top): 

Katherine Field and Associates, STIMSON, and Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design. 

MASSACHUSETTS | CONNECTICUT | RHODE ISLAND landscapecreationsri.com | 401.789.7101

(401) 635-2329 

info@arkinscorp.com 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHER: ANTHONY CRISIFULI

Photography: Anthony Crisafulli 

WWW.GALEGOFF.COM 

401.855.1929 

7 MAIN STREET LITTLE COMPTON, RI 02837

live large. insure simply. 

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f ine homes. 

autos. watercraft. aircraft. umbrella.

Native Surroundings 

An outdoor haven is created with reverence 

to its historic backdrop. 

T 

The backyard of this suburban home abuts conservation 

land, a verdant wooded wonderland of pathways, fields, 

and wildlife. The homeowners contracted landscape 

design firm, a Blade of Grass, to create an outdoor oasis 

where they could enjoy the view and spend time with 

their family. 

Owner and lead designer, Jim Douthit’s idea was to 

divide the space into four outdoor rooms, including an 

outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill and a seating area 

surrounding a firepit. “Each room is defined by distinct 

bluestone patios. The plantings around them serve as 

walls,” says Douthit. 

As a nod to the heritage of the protected landscape, the 

firepit is made of antique granite, which has a timeless 

appeal. Since a bit of privacy was necessary to shroud from 

the public pathway, the team calculated how tall plantings 

would ultimately grow. “We didn’t want anything too tall 

that would block the view,” says Douthit, noting that some 

of the varieties selected include black-eyed Susans and 

Verbena, which complement both the landscaped yard 

and the wild nature of the adjacent conservation land. 

For more information, visit abladeofgrass.com 


Experience the beauty of light 

with Palladiom Wall Controls & Shading System 

• MUSIC 

• VIDEO 

• LIGHTING 

• SHADING 

• COMMUNICATIONS 

• CONTROL 

Providing the finest automation solutions to 

homeowners and businesses throughout New England. 

Cutting Edge Systems • 364 Littleton Rd. • Westford, MA 01886 • (978) 392-1392 • www.cuttingedgehome.com

ELEVATE YOUR ENVIRONMENT 

Lutron has been controlling light for decades by 

offering a wide variety of fabrics and solutions for 

window treatments that are reliable and quiet. 

Their Palladiom Shading System and keypad is yet 

another solution, elegant in its simplicity. The easy-tooperate 

keypad is sophisticated without being complex 

and its sleek design with backlit lettering makes it a chic 

solution perfect for any type of room. “The idea behind 

the shading system is that it has very simple lines, which 

doesn’t take away from the environment because it’s so 

non-obtrusive,” says president and CEO of Cutting Edge 

Systems, Evan Struhl, whose company sells this system. 

“The keypads don’t draw attention and don’t make you 

look at the shades, they make you almost forget that 

they’re there.” 

The Palladiom keypad is designed to work with the 

shading system, but it can also be used with the Lutron 

HomeWorks System to provide lighting, heating, 

ventilation, and air conditioning control. “Lutron’s 

evolution of different processes provides homeowners 

and businesses with ways to control the light in their 

environments,” says Struhl. “Palladiom is a step in the 

direction of providing not only controls and the basic 

features, but also elegance and simplicity for controlling 

environments.” For more information, check out 

cuttingedgehome.com. 


COME HOME TO STYLE 

BEAUTIFYING NEW ENGLAND ONE GARAGE DOOR AT A TIME 

617-862-6164 | DESIGNERGARAGEDOORS.COM

Catherine Truman Architects opens an outpost on Cape Cod. 

SOUTHERN EXPANSION 

Catherine Truman Architects has been slowly and quietly 

gaining a reputation for subtle, well crafted, understated, 

and elegant projects. The Cambridge based firm, founded 

seven-and-a-half years ago, is primarily known for its work in 

the greater Boston area, yet its projects span from northern 

New England to the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands— 

with plans to do even more throughout New England. 

Truman will be expanding her practice to add an office on 

Cape Cod starting in 2021. The move southward comes as 

a result of her recent purchase of one of the oldest homes 

in Falmouth—and becoming her own client, undertaking a 

painstaking renovation of the antique property. 

The firm will continue to be anchored in the Cambridge 

office: “our world headquarters,” Truman jokes, where she 

and her team continue to take on new and varied projects. 

Currently, she’s working on the design of a new artists 

studio space in Boston, a mid-century modern renovation 

outside of town, and a barn-inspired family home on a 

conservation-protected property in a western suburb. At 

the time of this interview, Truman was also thrilled to share 

with us that her Net Zero Barn and Farmhouse project, 

in Western Massachusetts, had recently been awarded a 

Boston Society of Architects Residential Design Award—all 

great news and indicative, we hope, of future success! 

Photography: Nat Rea 

For more information, visit catherinetrumanarchitects.com. 


Photography: Warren Patterson 

LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION • HORTICULTURAL SERVICES • EXCAVATION • AGGREGATE & ORGANICS 

(978) 263-1185 | ONYXCORPORATION.NET

Architect: Foster Associates; Photographer: Warren Jagger Photography 

Fine Custom Home Building, Renovations & Home Services 

“Exceptional Craftsmanship since 1978” 

Cape & Islands: 215 Onset Avenue, Onset, MA 02558 | 508-295-8700 

Greater Boston: 916 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720 | 978-635-9700 

www.kistlerandknapp.com

Without Sandy, it wouldn’t be Clarke. 

More than 20 years ago, Sandra 

Lashway left a career in home 

economics and education to join 

the Clarke team. She is expertise 

personified. Ask her anything 

about cooking and how to 

create your beautiful, 

functional kitchen. 

Spend an hour at a Clarke Showroom and one thing is clear: 

your time with a Clarke Consultant is the most valuable part of your 

kitchen journey. While they’re not designers, these are the people 

designers call on when it comes to appliance recommendations. 

You won’t buy anything at Clarke, so there’s simply no pressure. 

What you can do is compare more Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove models 

than anywhere in New England. And explore a living portfolio of kitchens 

created by the region’s top designers. You’ll leave inspired with new 

knowledge to make your appliance selections with confidence. 

New England’s Official Showroom and Test Kitchen 

Boston & Milford, MA • South Norwalk, CT 

800-845-8247 • clarkeliving.com

The MacDowell Company Landscape Architecture 

21 Center Street, Weston, Massachusetts - TheMacDowellCompany.com - 781.899.9393

“WKP Construction doesn’t just build homes, 

we solve for longevity. We build homes that 

are designed to be cherished and lived in, 

truly lived in, for generations to come.” says 

Wade K. Paquin, whose Newport, Rhode Island-based 

firm, WKP Construction will mark its 20 th year in business 

this June. “If a client comes to us with a challenging 

request, all the better. We love experimenting with new 

materials, leveraging the knowledge of our tradesmen, 

creating innovative solutions and elevating our expertise 

overall.” 

Ensuring that a home is built to its highest quality with 

meticulous attention to detail can sometimes be a long 

process, but the end result makes it well worth it, says 

Paquin. “Just as we appreciate and marvel over a fine 

cuisine, hand-crafted furniture, high fashion clothing—all 

of these things are in part luxurious and valued because 

of the time, attention and thoughtfulness spent creating 

them. I’m a firm believer that great things take time. And 

since a home is one of the biggest investments most 

people make, this has always just resonated with me. That 

said, not everyone agrees with this philosophy. And we’re 

okay with that. We’re not for everyone.” 

Paquin has been on construction job sites since he was 

a two-year-old when he would accompany his father, a 

home builder and designer, on jobs in the Boston area. He 

started framing when he was 12 and continued working 

on his father’s construction sites through college. After 

graduation from Construction Management at Roger 

Williams University, Paquin did a stint working for a 

large commercial construction firm, but he missed the 

THE BUILD SHOW NETWORK 

WADE PAQUIN 

www.buildshownetwork.com 

“I consider it a commitment to my clients, present 

and future, to constantly enrich and immerse 

myself in learning experiences that allow me to 

better understand our industry and the materials 

that help build long-lasting homes. My knowledge 

base is constantly expanding from annual trade 

shows, to meeting new tradesmen and artisans to 

understanding innovative building technologies,” 

says Wade Paquin, who is one of three builders 

from around the country that serves as a contributor 

on The Build Show Network, a channel devoted to 

showcasing the science behind building and quality 

craftsmanship with more than 900 videos. 

34 


Passion 

for the Build 

WKP Construction strives to get the job done right with 

precision, fine craftsmanship, and dedicated teamwork. 

Photo by George Gray 


Projects in WKP Construction’s portfolio include 

these stunning spaces (clockwise from top): an 

open-air porch has unfetterd views of the ocean 

and a ceiling inset with custom wood detailing; 

a spacious kitchen with brass fixtures exudes 

contemporary elegance; this refined flat-roofed 

home nods to mid-century modern design; a freestanding 

tub in this master bathroom is oriented to 

overlook the secluded pastoral setting. 

36 


Photos by Warren Jagger 

residential side and launched his own business. “I was a 

one-man-show for the first few years, building during the 

day and doing paperwork at night,” recalls Paquin. 

Eventually, his hard work paid off, resulting in contracts 

for large, high-end homes and a robust, growing team. 

“I learned over the years that I had to get out of my own 

way and let go of the reins a little,” says Paquin. “I had 

to hire people to help the company grow and delegate 

responsibilities.” 

Since I’m working in the best interests of my clients, my 

job is to not only deliver a superb final product but also 

educate and evaluate along the way, in tandem with them. 

So if that means spending a Saturday evening reviewing 

the pros and cons of a product or material, I consider that 

part of my commitment to them. 

According to Paquin, the little details matter a lot. “My 

project managers and subcontractors know that I’m a 

stickler for the most minute details. I push everyone to give 

each task their all and then some. I suppose I like to think 

that perfection exists in home building. That mentality is 

simply part of our culture.” 

Visit wkpconstruction.com to learn more about the business. 


Refrigeration Redefined. 

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change your approach to grocery 

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The Premier Refrigerated Pantry

Landscape Architecture 

LombardiDesign.com

SUPER 

POWERED 

HOME 

Offering advanced cyber security, 

lighting, sound systems, and IT solutions, 

TSP Smart Spaces covers all aspects of 

residential technology. 

Visit www.tsp.space 

Launched by MIT graduate Michael Oh in the early 1990s as a 

provider of Mac small business IT support, TSP Smart Spaces 

recognized a gap in the market about a decade ago: clients were 

asking for the company’s help at home. “They were dissatisfied 

with their home systems and the level of service they were 

getting from providers,” says Aaron Stallings, director of TSP’s 

smart spaces division, who focuses on client relations and 

residential design. 

With high profile corporate clients including the Boston Celtics 

and Novartis, TSP expanded into designing multi-faceted security, 

lighting, audio, and IT systems for luxury residential projects. “Our 

40 


history in IT services has provided us with more than just a robust 

set of technical skills. It has given us a unique perspective on 

home automation as a continuing relationship rather than just a 

one-time install.” says Stallings. 

TSP’s technical expertise is in demand now more than ever with 

so many people working from home requiring robust networks with 

strong security. “We build the cyber security infrastructure in the 

house, including the firewall and networking equipment,” says 

founder Michael Oh. “We’re not using stuff you buy on Amazon 

which can be easy to hack.” 

AV systems are now converging with more systems in the home 

and that creates risk, says Oh. “Our job is to design the systems 

including building the cyber security, having them installed, and 

then being there along the way to provide updates.” 

TSP also works with clients to install cutting edge lighting solutions. 

“There is a lot to understanding lighting control these days. 

We use systems that follow natural daylight patterns and rhythms 

and have a big impact on the homeowner’s well-being,” says 

Stallings. “Lighting is changing at the pace of computer technology 

and our job is to educate ourselves about what’s out there and 

bring it to our clients.” 


We have raised the bar. 

Walnut interiors. 

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Our new standard. 

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Handcrafted in New Hampshire 

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42 bostondesignguide.com 

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Available direct, nationwide 

Work with one of our 

in-house design professionals

Enduring Legacy 

A masonry artist’s insights 

on creating excellence and 

lasting relationships. 



44 


By Nick O’Hara, O’ Hara and Company 

When someone interviews me for a project, 

regardless of size, one of the first things I 

ask is, “How long are you going to enjoy 

living in this house?” The answer that 

motivates me most is when the client says, “Forever. 

This is our last house.” That’s the client for me. It’s a new 

opportunity to establish a long-term relationship, to build 

something beautiful and build it to last. 

These days I primarily work as an artist in my own right, 

but I also jump at the chance to work with like-minded 

people who want to build beautiful masonry projects that 

generations of their family will enjoy. 

Such was the case with this French-inspired, greater 

Boston property, a project I have been working on for 

three decades. 

Artistically like-minded people often come in the form 

of homeowners. People who want to see their visions 

made into reality. I’ve also been fortunate to run into 

many artistic and creative landscape architects, architects, 

interior designers, a few really good general contractors, 

and many great subcontractors. 

I was lucky with the two different lady owners of this 

magnificent property, both so talented in many ways. It 

all started back in the 1980s. My brothers and I had just 

“gotten off the boat” from Ireland. The original client 

was Mrs. O, who asked us to install “a nice set of Indiana 

limestone steps, please.” 

Of course, we had no idea what Indiana limestone was. 

Thus began my journey of discovery of all things STONE in 

America. We installed those limestone steps, then sought 

the help of an artistic landscape architect and installed the 

swimming pool and tennis court. 

One day, the artistic Mrs. O telephoned me. She had 

sadness in her voice. She was selling the house but 

assured me that she would only sell it to a like-minded 

person. 

And she did. I will just call that second owner Mrs. A. She 

is a magnificent lady, very sharp, with an artist’s aesthetic–– 

always working it, a real collaborator, a gem. We added 

four fountains, a stunning barbecue area, koi pond, new 

terraces, a courtyard, entry gates, and a stucco addition 

built by one of the best general contractors around––Rob 

Lawrence out of Westwood. 

The original project evolved over a decade and 28 years 

later, I am still involved with the client’s team, paying close 

attention to the home’s ongoing upkeep and working on 

a few new projects like adding a pickleball court to the 

existing tennis court. 


46 


The message that I’d like to get across to young construction 

professionals is that you can enjoy a long-term relationship with clients 

who will always come back to you if you build it beautiful and you build 

it to last. I didn’t invent that, I just learned from the masters who came 

before me. And I’ve had a lot of help along the way. 

Clockwise from left: A courtyard with fish pond 

connects two parts of the home; a tranquil fountain 

in the kitchen courtyard; an airy pergola 

offers a shady spot to sit by the pool; a dining 

pavilion on the property has a romantic, timeless 

feel; the greenhouse overlooks the tennis court. 

To learn more about O’Hara & Company, visit oharacompany.com. 


LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 

Behan Bros.’ skilled team of craftsmen has deep Rhode Island roots. 

“It’s all in the details,” says Garrett Behan. Garrett and 

his brother Mike Behan work as project managers at 

Behan Bros., Inc., the construction firm their father 

Michael Behan started in the 1970s. “All of our personnel 

take a very detail-oriented approach to every task they 

complete; every detail matters. This has been engrained 

in the company culture for over four decades.” 

Middletown-based Behan Bros., a leader in both 

residential and commercial building in Newport 

County, is regularly called upon to take on some of the 

region’s most ambitious and challenging construction 

programs—including the first LEED Gold-certified 

project in Rhode Island and the venerable Carnegie 

Abbey Club, now the Aquidneck Club. The firm builds 

several custom homes a year and frequently takes on 

nationally registered historic renovations. 

Most of the firm’s employees are native Rhode Islanders, 

which gives them intimate knowledge of the landscape 

in which they are working. It is a family culture: “Many 

members of the team have honed their carpentry and 

construction skills with Behan Bros.’ for 20, 30, or even 

40 years. This long-standing knowledge is critical to our 

success,” says Mike Behan. 

“Our customer service, experience, and commitment to 

quality are what set us apart, along with our ability to selfperform 

the most complex or critical details and facets 

of each project,” says Mike Behan. With a fully operational 

mill, a team of skilled carpenters, and several specialty 

tradesmen on staff, the company is able to ensure 

performance and quality are achieved on all job sites. 

For further details, visit behanbros.com. 

Photography Credit: Nat Rea Photography 

Architect: Union Studio Architecture & Community Design 

48 bostondesignguide.com

MICHAEL J. LEE PHOTOGRAPHY 

CREATE 

SOMETHING 

REMARKABLE 

BOSTON | 617-547-2800 

CAPE COD | 508-300-3000 

jwconstructioninc.com

Thoughtforms, in business since 1972, strives to 

build homes that will endure. “The goal is to create 

homes that will be enjoyed for generations,” says 

Mark Doughty, who believes strongly in the value of 

high-performance homes. Doughty and his team are 

well versed in building science, product and process 

innovation, and the lifecycle impacts of a home and they 

are always looking for ways to build better and to share 

what they learn. 

“The possibility of a great future is something that 

everybody has to participate in, particularly given 

the range of challenges society is facing. There is no 

reason for a custom builder today to not build a highperformance 

home,” says Doughty. “But not everyone 

does because there’s a lot of misinformation in the 

market. The decision to build a high-performance 

home is too often seen as a statement on people’s 

values, rather than what it truly is: an objectively good 

choice in terms of a family’s health, economics and the 

environment.” 

A high-performance home is one with “good bones 

and a strong cardio system.” The building envelope 

(the “bones”) is carefully air-sealed and is well insulated, 

not just in the wall cavities, but also with continuous 

exterior insulation and energy-efficient windows. The allelectric 

mechanical systems (the “cardio”) are typically 

smaller than systems in a less-efficient home and include 

dedicated fresh-air ventilation that brings filtered air into 

the living space, necessary to counter air tightness and 

also an opportunity to improve indoor air quality. 

“If you connect a high-performance home to renewable 

energy—solar panels on the roof or adjacent land or 

renewables on the grid—you can reach net zero,” says 

50 


Positive Vibes 

Mark Doughty, owner and CEO of 

custom builder Thoughtforms, creates 

homes with people in mind. 

Photography: Chuck Choi 

Doughty. A home that is net-zero produces as much 

energy as it consumes. For his own home, Doughty 

achieved net positive, meaning that the home produces 

70 percent more energy than it uses; with the extra 

electricity the family is able to power their home and a 

plug-in hybrid vehicle, while also banking credits with 

the electric company. 

“In my house, the biggest thing you notice about 

sustainability is that you don’t notice anything. It’s just 

our home. You’d have no idea it has high-performance 

attributes because it doesn’t seem any different inside 

or out,” says Doughty. “Living in a high-performance 

home, you have the comfort and emotional security of 

knowing you’re protecting the environment. Now we just 

have to figure out how to reduce the embodied carbon 

in construction…” 

For more details, visit thoughtforms-corp.com. 


Construction: MacCormack Builders; Photography: Bob O’Connor 

508-620-0775 | 93 Beaver Street, Framingham, MA 01702 | onyxgranite.com

Spring is nature's way 

of saying, "Let's Party." 

– Robin Williams 

Don't wait until spring to start planning your 

outdoor kitchen and patio projects. 

PROVIDENCE | 401-421-5815 | 379 Charles Street, Providence, RI 02904 

BOSTON | 617-244-3900 | 244 Needham Street, Newton, MA 02464 

FINEHOMEDETAILS.COM

Ship Shape 

A FAMILY RELIES ON THEIR EXPERIENCE LIVING ABOARD BOATS TO BUILD A HOME THAT IS OF MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. 

It’s no small accomplishment for a family of five to reside 

on a sailboat. “We figured if we could manage on a boat, 

we could certainly manage to live in a relatively small 

house,” says Chris Museler, who set about designing a 

sustainable home in Jamestown, Rhode Island with the 

help of architect Paul Weber. 

“The goal was to live in as small a space as we could get 

away with while still having enough room for the five of 

us,” says Museler, of this compact four-bedroom home. 

“We also wanted the house to be unobtrusive and recede 

with the woods; to look and feel as though it had been 

here for a long time.” 

Sustainability was a key object to the design of the home. 

All systems are electric—heat pumps, air conditioning, 

hot water, clothes dryer, lighting, cooking—and all run-off 

batteries supplemented by photovoltaic panels installed 

on the roof, says Weber. 

“The house is super insulated with double-thick exterior 

walls and triple-glazed windows.” As a result, the home 

is net-positive, which means it typically produces more 

energy than it uses over the course of a year. 

Weber devised a simple-shaped, narrow, two-story 

structure that echoes the extruded form of a barn with 

yellow cedar exterior siding offset by cementitiouspanel 

cladding. Utilizing a simple palette of materials 

helps ensure the home doesn’t feel extravagant or 

pretentious, says Museler, noting that the kitchen features 

a combination of European birch plywood and Formica. 

“Every space in the house is a multi-use space,” says 

Museler. The home’s one “grand feature” is a doubleheight 

vaulted ceiling in the living area. “As a result, we 

lost two rooms upstairs,” he says. “But if we find we don’t 

have enough space, that just means we need to get rid of 

some stuff.” 

54 


Kritsada photography 

Visit paulweberarchitecture.com for more information. 


781.861.0086 | brookesandhill.com 

Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Color Makes 

a Comeback 

FRESH STYLES REPLACE CLASSIC KITCHEN 

AND BATH ELEMENTS. 

With custom styles and splashes of color, kitchen and 

bathroom fixtures are bolder than ever. Not only is color 

making a comeback, but the return of wood is too, 

according to Patricia Jones, vice president of retail sales at 

Snow and Jones, Inc. who is observing an increase in the 

demand for authentic wood vanities. 

Driftwood and washed gray tones, along with white oak 

are increasingly popular, says Jones, noting that wood 

warms up bathrooms, which tend to be among the coolest 

feeling spaces in the home. “For so long we were in a 

world of only white and gray vanities, but now we’re seeing 

more wood, which is long overdue.” 

Snow and Jones offers Bertch semi-custom vanities, 

available in a variety of wood tones. They also carry 

Victoria + Albert custom painted bathtubs, offered in 

volcanic limestone with 150 matte or glossy colors to 

choose from. The bathtubs demonstrate homeowners’ 

willingness to incorporate more warmth and personal 

touch in the bathroom. 

“People used to be really focused on resale value and 

didn’t want to make a mistake in a renovation,” says 

Jones. “Now people are not afraid to be themselves.” 

Two-tone faucets are another way individuals are spicing 

up their spaces, which is seen particularly in urban areas, 

says Jones. Snow and Jones displays the Juxtapose 

kitchen faucet by Kallista, a black and brass two-tone 

faucet that is bolder and more colorful than a traditional 

stainless-steel faucet. Jones says, “The two-tone faucets 

offer a fun pop of color and contrast in the kitchen and 

bath spaces, which is refreshing.” 

Snow and Jones has showrooms on Cape Cod and the 

South Shore, for information visit snowandjones.com. 

Architect: Marcus Gleysteen; Interior Designer: Hurley Hafen; Photographer: Douglas Friedman Photography 


Photography by Keitaro Yoshioka 

58 


FRESH 

A JAMESTOWN KITCHEN OVERLOOKING 

NARRAGANSETT BAY EMBODIES ORIGINALITY 

PERSPECTIVE 

With its majestic ocean views, it was 

important that the elements of this 

kitchen in Jamestown, Rhode Island 

didn’t detract from the outdoor 

perspective. Equally important, according to Samantha 

DeMarco, the senior designer at Divine Design Center who 

was contracted by the homeowners to execute the first 

floor redesign, was that the kitchen exude a sophisticated 

minimalist aesthetic with a calm and inviting appeal. 

The homeowners are avid cooks who love to entertain, 

says DeMarco, noting that they were very involved in the 

design phase. “They wanted the kitchen to be reflective of 

them and it was important that it have a modern vibe.” 

Walnut continuous horizontal grain veneer frames the 

white matte lacquer cabinetry, exuding a subtle sense of 

warmth. All of the Doca cabinets feature custom Bunotte 

doors with cut-out handles that are discreet and sleek. The 

Arketipo Auto-Reverse sofa and the Leolux Parabolica add 

casual sophistication to the living room. 

The Gaggenau steam and convection oven commands 

attention. The hand-crafted steel and glass oven is a 

utilitarian work of art that is as efficient as it is luxurious. 

With a touch to open feature for ultimate convenience, the 

Gaggenau refrigerator and freezer are clean and minimal 

with no handles. The appliance is encased discreetly behind 

the white panels, creating no interruption in the cabinetry. 

The quartzite island, which has a full surface induction 

cooktop at the center, comfortably seats the family’s 

four children and also serves as a great spot for adults to 

congregate and entertain. Designed at a slight angle, the 

island is oriented to capture an expansive view of 

the water. 

“Working with my clients on this project was truly a 

rewarding experience in that we shared the same passion 

for bringing this design to life. It was extremely fulfilling to 

see it come together.” says DeMarco. 

To learn more about Divine Design Center, visit 

divinedesigncenter.com. 


Maryann Thompson Architects, Scott Norsworthy Photography 

96 SWAMPSCOTT ROAD, SALEM, MA 01970 | 781-592-3135 | GROOMCO.COM/BDG

EVERLASTING 

Landscapes 

Schumacher Companies 

focuses on cultivating 

grounds for longevity. 

A family business since inception in 1965, Schumacher 

Companies is a landscape construction and maintenance 

firm serving a high-end residential clientele throughout 

New England. With over 50 years crafting quality 

landscapes, it’s clear that the team knows a few things 

about longevity. The company has a keen understanding 

of the impact their work has on the earth. 

“Our goal is to be stewards of the landscape,” says Molly 

Hutt-Wardell, the maintenance manager for Schumacher’s 

Cape Cod division. “We have a respect not only for the 

client’s expectations and aesthetic, but for the ecology 

of the habitats we are working in.” This means that the 

company is committed to sustainable practices including 

using organic lawn fertilizers and vinegar to treat weeds. 

A focus is put on using native plant material in Schumacher 

designed landscapes as plants from other zones require 

more water and additional fertilizers to stay alive. 

Additionally, landscape teams double-grind leaves taken 

from a property into compost that is put back into the 

yard. Says Hutt-Wardell, “Taking raw material from a site 

and transforming it is creating a circular system—how we 

take what we have and utilize to the best of our ability.” 

“Education and science are at the forefront of what we 

do,” says Hutt-Wardell. “It’s a balance of maintaining the 

integrity of the landscape and horticultural principles while 

being a good steward.” 

Visit dschumacher.com for details. 


Quality Craftsmanship 

Warren Patterson Photography 

1545 Broadway Road Dracut, MA 01826 | 978-804-5083 

www.liencustombuilders.com

This smart home embodies modern technology and style. 

This Boston area residence, designed 

by Slocum Hall Design Group, takes 

cues from Prairie style architecture 

and elevates the definition of smart 

home to the next level. Concept 

Building and Systems Design and 

Integration collaborated on the 

building and integration of electrical 

devices for this home, using the 

latest technology. Work began in 

February 2019 and the project is only 

a few months away from completion. 

Jeff Capello, owner of Concept 

Building, and his partner Alan Baima 

have worked closely throughout the 

process with the owners of Systems 

Design and Integration, Alexa and 

Angel Centeno, whose company 

integrates smart home system technology into spaces. 

They worked together to ensure that by the end of this 

project every home automated function will be operated 

by voice, phone, or iPad. 

Josh.ai, a natural language processing technology, is used 

throughout the home for voice control that is natural and 

convenient. Savant home automation system and climate 

control provides comfort at the touch of a button and can 

be activated by the homeowners’ smartphones. 

The home also boasts Seura TV Mirrors, which are highperformance 

televisions when on, and stunning mirrors 

when off. Leon moving art lifts are also featured, using 

original art to conceal televisions so they blend into the 

home. Lutron lighting throughout the house is managed 

with the touch of a button, and Circadian lighting supports 

the human circadian system by reflecting strong light 

during the day and less of it at night. 

Artison invisible speakers are located in the dining room, 

hidden behind sheetrock so they seamlessly blend into the 

space. A dedicated home theater showcases a 120-inch 

screen and projector, creating a high-end entertainment 

experience. 

For more information, visit slocumhalldesign.com, 

conceptbuildinginc.com and sdiboston.com. 


CAPE COD, GREATER BOSTON & SOUTH SHORE, NH 774 255-1709 LONGFELLOWDB.COM

A R C H I T E C T & B U I L D E R

Welcome Home... 

to the place for creating a modern home. 

Our 8000 square-foot showroom at Battery Wharf is New England’s largest Modern Kitchen & Living showroom 

offering Europe’s top brands, including TEAM 7, LEICHT, MisuraEmme, Arketipo, Altamarea, Gaggenau, 

Thermador, Rolf Benz and Miele, for kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, and wardrobes. 

2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02109 | 617-443-0700 | www.divinedesignbuild.com

PRELUDE Volume VI

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