Gambrel Revival Renovation

Project Details

By the time Robin & Mack bought a charming but tired ca. 1930 Gambrel style home overlooking the ocean in Marshfield, they were already seasoned world travelers, and self-described old house lovers.  

They knew that some poorly designed and executed additions and renovations severely detracted from the historic home’s appeal, but also knew that with a little creativity it could reclaim some of its turn-of-the-century charm. Their main goals were to create a new Master Suite, renovate the small, dark kitchen and – while they were at it – freshen up the exterior and bring the additions into harmony with the rest of the house. 

Three years and multiple design schemes later they landed on a plan from Frank Shirley Architects that fit the bill and brought their home squarely into the 21st century without sacrificing the old world feel.  

A flat-roof addition from the 1960s seriously detracted from the house’s charm.  To solve this, the exterior additions and renovations masterfully leveraged the gambrel rooflines and other original details. Now for the first time since the house was built the exterior façade is a cohesive entity instead of an amalgamation of discrete components.   

New wood shingle and copper roofing, along with period paint colors, freshen up the outside and complete the transformation. 

The second floor addition now contains a cozy Master Suite. We bumped out the rear wall of the main house providing a brighter and more user-friendly space for the kitchen. The kitchen itself was designed by Mark Landry to integrate traditional cabinets and soapstone counters with some of the owners’ own antiques and a gorgeous, highly prized Lacanche range. 

The final result is a beautiful new Kitchen perfectly tailored to the way the owners use the space.