Although the front of the house is traditional colonial (above), the back view (below) is distinctly Victorian.  Designed by Catalano Architects, Boston, Massachusetts.


This stone and shingle gem in Chatham, Massachusetts, is on the town’s historic Main Street.  It was designed to take advantage of the sloping site, while still working within tight zoning restrictions.

The street view reflects many of the historic architectural elements common to Chatham–shingle siding, colonial shutters, widow’s walk, and contrast quoining.  (Quoins are the white, decorative/structural stones on the corners of the first level of the front of this particular house.)  The gambrel roof, says the architect, was used to maximize interior volume, but keep the house within building-height limits.

On the back of the house, large windows and an open terrace take in the ocean view and, on the lower level, the house opens to a stone patio, classically styled pool, and beach beyond.  ~JLJBackToClassic.com

(Above) Aged granite from Maine adorns the ocean side of the house.

(Above and Below) The entry foyer has all the hallmarks of traditional–leaded-glass door surround, white paneled walls, and wide-plank wood floors.  The compass-rose medallion adds a striking focal point.  The waterfall treatment on the stairs allows the carpeting to flow from step to step without having to be tacked to the thread nosing underside.

(Above) As seen from the stairway, the foyer opens directly onto the formal dining room, where blue and white sets the theme for the rest of the house.

(Above) To maintain height and still add interest, coffers are more shallow in the formal dining and living rooms.  In the family room (below), the architect took advantage of the higher ceilings and used deep coffers with richly carved, thick beams.

(Above and Below) The family room retains a traditional theme by housing the television in a bookcase pullout to the side of, rather than above, the fireplace, which is decorated in blue and white ship-themed tiles.

(Above) View of the family room from the kitchen, which shares the same, sweeping 180-degree ocean views.

(Above) The kitchen connects seamlessly with the family room via a deep, paneled arch.

(Above) The butler’s pantry provides ample storage and plenty of work space by incorporating both floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and wood-topped counter space.

(Above) Along with a formal dining room, the house also features a more casual dining area.

(Above) The blue and white theme continues upstairs, reflecting the sea and sky.

(Above) A charming, built-in daybed is tucked into a window nook, creating additional sleeping accommodations for visiting children and grandchildren.

Photographs courtesy of Catalano Architects, Boston, Massachusetts.