Dan and Lori raised their three children in Singapore; however, as time passed, they began to feel very far away from their hometowns—both physically and emotionally. They starting searching for a home on Cape Cod and discovered the ideal property in Falmouth. Their 1890s carriage house was renovated for modern living and was recently featured in Season 2 of New England Living TV.
“Originally from New England, the couple wanted to make sure their children had New England roots and this home in this town plays an important part in that,” says New England Living TV host Parker Kelley.
Dan and Lori worked with Longfellow Design Build; however, this Falmouth dream home required all hands on deck. Dan’s father came out of retirement for this one last project with his son. While Dan and the family were in Singapore, his father was on the Cape monitoring how everything was coming along. A career builder, he was impressed by the historic barn’s solid foundation. “We started from the basement up and what I saw I was amazed at the structure the way it was built—the steel columns…this building hasn’t moved in 100 years,” says Dan’s father.
The living room is bright and open, but split into separate gathering places. A few original columns mark the former location of the stables. Brick floors and walls are also a nod to the building’s beginnings, but white walls and coffered ceilings add a contemporary feel to the old charm. Small details with big stories were saved throughout the renovation, such as the original drain in a room where the horses and carriages were washed, is now sealed and stamped into the brick floor.
“There’s so much character,” says Dan, who is passionate about the old building’s history. An original antique curved door opens into Dan’s office space, which is covered in an umber wood. He wanted it to look like a ship captain’s quarters, so that even when he was working, he couldn’t forget that he was on the Cape.
The kitchen was a completely new addition. Being the cook of the family, it was only natural that Lori played a major role in its design. “I wanted to it to feel like a ship as well…to just keep it crisp and clean with big windows so we could take advantage of the view,” says Lori.
Out the window, Lori and Dan look out at the blues and greens of a small pond and the ocean beyond. “This is a totally different living experience,” says Dan. “We go from high-rise city to the ocean.”
New England Living TV is sponsored by Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, Clarke Appliance Showrooms, Marvin Windows and Doors, Kohler, 7 Tide and Supply New England.
