Designing a custom home is an exciting journey—but with so many possibilities, it can feel overwhelming at times. That’s where our experienced design team comes in, guiding homeowners through each step of the process with confidence and clarity. We always encourage clients to explore what speaks to them most—whether that’s browsing online platforms like Houzz and Pinterest, flipping through home magazines, or visiting local showrooms. To help spark ideas, we’ve gathered a collection of custom home design tips and inspiration from our own portfolio.
Sophisticated Second Home
Custom craftsmanship defines this classic Cape Cod-style home with doghouse dormers and a wraparound porch. Elegant wainscoting, prominent window and door casings, and transoms above interior doors create a timeless sense of grandeur. Thoughtfully designed built-ins—such as window seats, bookshelves, and bedroom dressers—increase visual appeal and functionality. A statement-making stone veneer wall in the dining room and gas fireplaces in the living room and bedrooms further enhance the home’s traditional charm.
Home Building Design Ideas and Tips
Thoughtfully placed architectural features and millwork, such as custom built-ins, wainscoting and trim work can add character and functionality to a home.
Photos by Dan Cutrona Photography
Buzzards Bay Overlook
Buzzards Bay Overlook is a masterclass in custom coastal living—designed to showcase panoramic ocean views from every main room while maximizing outdoor enjoyment with a waterside granite patio, saltwater pool, and two outdoor showers. Set high on a bluff in Sippewissett, the Shingle-style home combines timeless architecture with subtle nautical and Craftsman-inspired details, like diamond-patterned cedar shingles, porthole windows, and v-groove paneling. A main-level primary suite, complete with private wing and outdoor access, anchors a layout that thoughtfully separates guest and family spaces. Inside, warm oak accents, built-ins, and a serene palette keep the focus where it belongs: on the sweeping horizon of Buzzards Bay.
Home Building Design Ideas and Tips
Position your home—and your windows—to frame the best views. Thoughtful placement on the lot and strategic window design can turn your surroundings into a natural focal point, making every room feel like a retreat with a view.
Photos by Dan Cutrona Photography
Classic Cape Reimagined
Classic Cape Reimagined is a complete renovation and custom addition that transformed a traditional 1950s Cape Cod home overlooking Little Pleasant Bay in East Orleans into a refined, multi-generational summer retreat. While preserving the home’s original charm, including its steep roofline and cedar shingles, the project added a two-story custom addition with a garage, in-law suite and a vaulted kitchen, as well as expanded living areas.
Home Building Design Ideas and Tips
Blend classic architectural elements with modern finishes to create a home that feels both timeless and fresh. By preserving the original Cape Cod charm and introducing updated materials such as v-groove paneling and statement lighting, the home strikes a balance that respects its history while embracing contemporary style.
Photos by Amber Jane Barricman
Timber Frame on Skinequit Pond
This traditional timber frame home is perfectly suited to its serene pondside setting in Harwich. Soaring cathedral ceilings and expansive windows flood the interiors with natural light, creating an airy, open feel that blurs the line between indoors and out. Exposed wood beams, a tongue-and-groove ceiling, and a natural fieldstone fireplace add warmth and character, echoing the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Home Building Ideas and Tips
Use natural materials like exposed wood beams and fieldstone to create a warm, organic feel that complements the surrounding landscape.
Photos by Dan Cutrona Photography
Sea Oaks Splendor
Built as a dream retirement retreat, Sea Oaks Splendor was designed for both everyday living and entertaining. The Cape-style home features an open floor plan, custom millwork, a chef-grade kitchen, and smartly integrated features like a hidden coffee bar tucked into a pantry, a secondary staircase leading to a guest suite and pub-style lounge, and a sunroom that opens directly to the pool area. A seamless connection to the backyard oasis extends the home’s living space outdoors. Smart features, energy-efficient systems, and one-level living ensure the home is as functional as it is beautiful.
Home Building Ideas and Tips
Design with purpose by creating spaces that reflect how you truly live. Whether it’s a hidden coffee bar, a second staircase to a guest suite, or a sunroom that opens to the pool, thoughtful planning around daily routines and lifestyle makes a custom home feel both luxurious and effortlessly livable.
Photos by Amber Jane Barricman
Simplicity on the Sound
Simplicity on the Sound is a new construction oceanfront retreat in Harwich Port that honors the spirit of the family’s original 19th-century beach cottage while embracing the ease of modern coastal living. The new home was built on the same footprint with a similar floor plan, preserving the cozy charm of the original while vastly improving light, flow, and function. Key features include a central open living space with panoramic views of Nantucket Sound, wraparound decks on both levels, and dedicated sunroom and breakfast lounge areas that thoughtfully reinterpret the original cottage’s nostalgic porches. The all-white interior palette and understated finishes were carefully chosen to keep the focus on the sea, ensuring this simple yet sophisticated beach cottage remains a generational sanctuary by the shore.
Home Building Ideas and Tips
Thoughtful design can capture the essence of a beloved family cottage while improving layout, comfort, and longevity. Consider reimagining sentimental elements, like porches or cozy nooks, in a way that blends nostalgia with modern livability.
Photos by Amber Jane Barricman
Charming Cape
Designed as a beachfront retreat, this home features expansive windows and glass doors along the rear facade to capture breathtaking ocean views. A soft, neutral palette, light-stained wide-plank flooring, and understated lighting allow the scenery to remain the focal point. Carefully designed outdoor spaces—including a second-floor balcony, screened porch, and patio—offer the perfect vantage points to take in the spectacular coastal landscape.
Home Building Ideas and Tips
For beach homes, highlight the waterfront views with expansive windows and a neutral color palette that complements rather than competes with the scenery.
Photos by Roe Osborn Photography
Coastal Comfort
A true slice of old Cape Cod, this remodel of a traditional New England coastal home honors its original character while seamlessly integrating modern comforts. Crisp white interiors provide a fresh, airy feel, perfectly complementing the warmth of the fir flooring without detracting from the breathtaking ocean views. Thoughtful details— such as custom built-ins, a screened porch fireplace crafted from reclaimed wood and fieldstone, and a kitchen island repurposed from old house boards—enhance the home’s timeless appeal. Overlooking the beach, a spacious sundeck invites relaxation, offering a comfortable spot for taking in a classic Cape Cod sunset.
Home Building Ideas and Tips
Incorporating elements like reclaimed wood, fieldstone, and repurposed house boards adds authenticity, sustainability, and a sense of history to a home.
Photos by Roe Osborn Photography
Nautical Retreat
Custom details and nautical touches bring this one-of-a-kind beachside gambrel in Harwich Port to life. A custom front door, arched windows, decorative widow’s walk, and handcrafted shutters with sailboat cutouts pay homage to the home’s coastal setting, while paneled ceilings reminiscent of a boat deck add to its nautical charm. The homeowners can enjoy stunning water views from the patio or the second- or third-floor deck. Inside, the living room features rustic custom-built hutches that frame a natural fieldstone fireplace, blending expert craftsmanship with coastal elegance.
Home Building Ideas and Tips
Employing architectural details inspired by the home’s surroundings, such as nautical elements and custom millwork, creates a cohesive design that enhances both character and sense of place.
Photos by Roe Osborn Photography
