Though its location on the tip of Cape Cod can’t be beat, this 1870s beach house was initially a crumbling 1,200-square-foot area with cupboard closets, tiny bedrooms and no fireplace. Kathy Cote and Kim Cromwell were intent on transforming it into a summer house suited to entertaining, and with the help of Peter McDonald Architect and Cape Associates, they were able to double the house’s size while still maintaining its historical exterior. Three outside decks, 180-degree views along with an open floor plan bring the gorgeous seaside surroundings in and take full advantage of its waterfront locale.

at a Glance
Who lives here: Kathy Cote, Kim Cromwell and their Yorkshire terrier, Kasey
Location: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
That’s intriguing: The customized paint color on the home’s landmark blue shutters is a sought-after secret formula.

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The deck on the”sea” level is the biggest of those three, extending 23 1/2 feet from the house. Much of the original pyramid-style roof was replaced, but it nevertheless has the exact same pitch. The rear of the house was extended toward the beach, along with the decking was added to the extension.

The roof overhang on front and sides of the house was duplicated in the new layout on the back of the house.

Decking: Zuri Royal Building Products

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Historical preservation was very significant to the couple. “We wanted a timeless, classic appearance on the inside and to conserve as much as we could about the outside. But once we began, we realized we needed to replace everything,” Cote says.

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The couple enjoys having guests stay over, so they designed a spacious main floor that will fit the way they live and amuse.

Slim steel support beams encased in coffered ceiling moldings replaced the original house’s much larger wooden beams. The layout — inspired by a photo on — incorporates the coffered ceiling with the fireplace, resulting in a shallower floor structure along with a height advantage of 6 inches.

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Furniture upholstered in Sunbrella fabric surrounds a 1700s blanket chest doubling as a coffee table. “I believe Sunbrella is your best-kept secret,” Cote says. “We love the fabric will not fade in sunlight.”

The white walls are a perfect backdrop for their collection of paintings by Provincetown artists.

Paint: Linen White, Benjamin Moore; all upholstered furniture: Norwalk Furniture in Sunbrella; brightly colored wood pieces: Maine Cottage

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The crisp white cohesive and paint finishes help achieve a timeless and smooth appearance throughout the house. The kitchen and all of the full bathrooms possess the exact same cupboard style, beadboard molding, brushed-nickel drawer pulls and subway wall tile. The same floor tile is also utilized in all of the bathrooms.

Cabinetry: Fieldstone Buena Vista Maple White Shaker; faucets, sink, granite: Supply New England; appliances: KAM Appliances; tile: Cloutier Supply

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The couple bought as much of the furniture from New England craftspeople as you can. The dining table is from Cottage Home in Maine and extends to comfortably seat 12. The chandelier is hand-picked by Nauset Lantern Shop in Orleans, on Cape Cod.

Chairs: Maine Cottage

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Nautical details — like the mirror along with the boat paddles within this entryway powder area — are a constant reminder of this coastal location.

Mirror: eBay

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This deck off the great room was designed for maximum durability and minimal maintenance with a high-wind and saltwater setting in mind. The cable cable railing by Feeney Architectural Products has bolts as end caps to maintain the wire. PVC trim is tough wearing and low maintenance.

Deck: Zuri Royal Building Products

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Previously, the house’s bottom floor was a basement with a bath, but it’s presently a guest bedroom. Digging to the ground allowed for a foot growth in ceiling height. Tile flooring was set up to take care of sandy feet coming in from the beach.

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The ceiling in the stairwell to the lower level was cut out to keep the exterior windows in the exact same size and style as the originals. This allows for the exterior of the house to look the same, though the inside levels are different.

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A copper boat’s lantern chandelier from Nauset Lantern Shop hangs in the stairwell to the upper level.

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The master suite includes a personal escape for Cote and Cromwell when the house is full of guests. A full bathroom, a large walk-in closet, a sitting room plus a private deck supply relaxation relaxation. The entire upper layer was reframed to make extra headroom for the living room ceiling beneath. Because of this, the ceiling in this area was increased as well.

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Wooden beams in the master suite produce heat and add visual interest to the high ceiling, directing the eyes to the view outside. A gas fireplace and overstuffed chairs create a comfy sitting area.

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The master bathroom suite, with its large walk-in shower, is dressed in an elegant white with gold accents.

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The roof overhang serves as an awning to the top levels and shields these bedrooms from the hot, bright sunlight.

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A built-in pile of shelves uses a narrow area next to the cast iron tub in the guest hall bathroom. A hinged three-quarter glass door keeps the tub open and airy without a track to wash.

Fixtures, tub, sink, tub door, vanity countertop: Supply New England; tile: Cloutier Supply

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The front and sides of the house have been replaced to seem as they did when the house was built — right down to the window openings along with the customized color on the milestone blue shutters. “When we heard a house was available, I was expecting it was the one with the blue shutters, and it was!” Cromwell states.

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The couple live in Florida during the remainder of the year but are excited about enjoying and creating memories within their new home on the harbor.

Architect: Peter McDonald Architect
Builders: Mark Kinnane and Ralph Creech, Cape Associates
Interior layout: Vantine Interior Design

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