Set on the banks of Charlestown’s Quonochontaug Pond, this 1962 cottage has been a beloved family vacation home for years. The original structure is true to its modern roots with a simple shed roof and large, intentionally placed windows in the living spaces. However, the original galley-style kitchen at the home’s entrance lacked proper workspace and blocked the flow of movement into the living area. The living area also felt small and hemmed in by a large bedroom on the main floor.
By repurposing the existing narrow kitchen into a mudroom and powder room, we afforded the home a more graceful entrance that highlights its water views and naturally leads into the living area. We also relocated one of the bedrooms to the ground floor, creating an open kitchen and living room that maximizes public family space and opens up to stunning views of the pond. In selecting finishes and fixtures, we played upon the home’s existing modern vocabulary and furthered its connection to the exterior by adding transom windows over the large windows below.
