My Houzz: Seaworthy Style for an Oceanfront New England Home
http://www.decor-ideas.org 04/18/2015 01:14 Decor Ideas
From the outside, Nanny and Peter Noyes’ home in Marblehead, Massachusetts, is a classic New England shingled home with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Inside, it’s a tribute to the its history and the family’s roots and love of the sea. It’s filled with inherited pieces tucked into nooks and crannies, and maritime accents, wherever you look.
The farmhouse that originally sat on the property was one of only three on Marblehead Neck. In 1906, Frank McQuesten bought the home and added large towers to the top of the house. It was known as Questenmere and was used as a landmark on nautical charts for boaters entering Marblehead’s waters. Peter’s family bought the land in the 1930s and renamed it Tioga Towers, a name used on many of their sailboats. The couple built the current home in 1999. They worked with Harry Gundersen, a commercial architect, to customize every element to match their lifestyle, especially as it related to the sea and sailing. “Because we’re in the boat business, we knew what we wanted. We just needed someone to draw it, and that’s where Harry came in,” says Nanny.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Nanny and Peter Noyes
Location: Marblehead, Massachusetts
Size: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Year built: 1999
A staircase winds its way up three stories through the center of the house, providing better views of the ocean the higher you climb.
The couple left the front hall fairly empty, allowing plenty of room to entertain in the space.The couple’s three grown children visit often and both are deeply rooted in the Marblehead community. “At Christmas we bring in a 15-foot tree,” says Nanny, “and it takes two days to decorate.” They installed an electrical plug specifically to accommodate the tree in the entry area.
Every year they host a party the night before Christmas Eve, often serving dinner to more than 30 guests. “That’s when we let loose and celebrate,” says Nanny, “surrounded by garlands running up the banisters and loads of Christmas decorations, cheer and music.”
Inspired by the grand hall at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, their three-story foyer has floor-to-ceiling windows providing a stunning view of their backyard — the Atlantic Ocean. The Noyes family’s fascination with the ocean extends far beyond their proximity to it. They used to run charter boats for private events, have worked as mates and cooks for other boat owners, and are currently restoring a vintage yacht that they plan to rent out for high-end cocktail parties. They even own a Navy ship that was used in the filming of Shutter Island.
This deep connection to the sea is a prominent theme in their decor. Mermaid accents are found in unexpected places throughout the house, like this one that keeps watch over the foyer. Mermaids have always appealed to Nanny both aesthetically and symbolically, representing the bond she has with the sea.
Vintage pieces are paired with contemporary accents in nearly every corner of the house. This painting is one of the many nautical-themed art pieces that depict local vistas or places with sentimental value, or that nod to Peter’s career as a boat captain.
A baby grand piano fills the front alcove of the formal living room, with nearby seating provided by a tufted velvet green sofa that belonged to Nanny’s aunt, Louise Southwick, affectionately known as Aunt Weezie. Nanny’s mother played for the family during every visit, and one of the couple’s daughters taught herself to play on it when she was young.
Azul Handpainted Rug: Serena & Lily
The family room sits between the front hall and the kitchen and is wrapped in windows to take advantage of the view. Warm textiles and vintage furniture give it a cozy feel. One of Nanny’s flower arrangements always sits on the table, adding a vibrant burst of color. She has been an avid floral artist for years, creating arrangements for weddings and events. She recently started Blooming Blog, where she posts in-depth, step-by-step flower-arranging tutorials. Her home provides the perfect backdrop for photographing her bouquets.
A large sectional lines the perimeter of the deck that is off the family room, providing a comfortable place to relax in front of the ocean with a glass of wine.
Sectional: Overstock
The soothing green walls in the dining room play off the vibrant textiles used for the rug, tablecloth and cushions. Decorative mermaids once again make an appearance, this time in the windows.
Rug: Company C
A large island is the centerpiece of the kitchen. The refrigerator behind it is an old wooden icebox from a restaurant (now closed) in Marblehead; the couple bought it at an auction. It is fully functional and provides a rustic accent in the kitchen.
The couple splurged on cabinet hardware from Restoration Hardware, thanks in part to choosing less costly but still appropriate cabinetry. Because they chose mostly vintage and commercial appliances, they have not felt the need to update the space significantly since it was built but have made some cosmetic changes, including adding new light fixtures and repainting the walls.
Cabinet knobs and pulls: Restoration Hardware
The couple bought the stove at a restaurant supply store. It had been returned because of its size, and they were able to buy it at a discounted price. The stove’s large size has been a plus for the Noyes family, as they used to often host team dinners for more than 60 of their children’s schoolmates. Sentimental trinkets around the stove give the area a personal touch.
Commercial stove: Garland
A smaller dining area sits in a nook off to the side of the kitchen. It’s decorated in a country style with a few subtle coastal details. Nanny’s floral talents can be seen in this room as well in the form of a cheery box of daffodils.
The master bedroom faces the ocean. The view was so good that Peter and Nanny had the windows lengthened at the bottom so they could see the water from bed.
On a clear day, they can see from Gloucester, Massachusetts, all the way to Cape Cod through their vintage telescope.
The generous ceiling height and unique fan give the master bedroom an open feel that’s reminiscent of a beach villa. Stairs lead up to a tower with the best view of the ocean in the house.
At 47 feet up a steep set of stairs, this space is the highest point in the house, and the views are breathtaking. The couple had to get special permission to construct this tower because of town height restrictions. From the tower they often watch the weekly Wednesday-night sailboat races in the summer.
The couple installed a secret passageway leading to a second tower hidden behind a bookshelf in the bedroom that was used by their oldest daughter when she lived here. They were inspired by the hidden passageway in The House of the Seven Gables in nearby Salem and thought it would be an amusing addition.
The second tower’s contemporary decor is perfect for their three children, who are now in their 20s.
Large picture windows provide an unparalleled panorama.
The entryway welcomes guests with a glass-front door and sidelights, rich tongue and groove fir wood paneling, and a stone facade.
“I always wanted a house that attracted our kids and their friends,” says Nanny. The house offers all the amenities that a visitor could want: welcoming rooms, outdoor space, private beach access, kayaks and readily available stand-up paddleboards.
Windows: 112, Pella
In addition to documenting her love for flower arranging on her website, Nanny also works as a college counselor. For her, there’s nothing better than an evening spent enjoying the view with her family and friends.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
Related Articles Recommended
Related Images Recommend
