When architects Eric Rosenberg and Michele Kolb of NY-based Rosenberg Kolb renovated their 1,700-square-foot 18th century Nantucket saltbox, the goal was to give the house low-maintenance finishes to stand up to harsh weather and salty air—without sacrificing any of the original charm. Here's how to recreate the look of their simple, but welcoming, back porch:
Above: Photograph via New England Home.
Influenced by Nantucket's Quaker culture in the 18th century, the design of the house emphasizes simple, utilitarian materials and finishes. Here, a stone slab serves as a step up to a new wooden stoop. Says owner Kolb, "The emphasis was on restraint, balance, and simple order."
Above: Two small black wharf lights flank the doorway. A 12-inch-high Small Nantucket Outdoor Light, available in matte black as shown, is $99 at Shades of Light.
See more of our favorite nautically inspired sconces at 10 Easy Pieces: Black Wharf Lights.
Above: A pair of flared terra cotta planters with a patina of moss flank the doorway, creating symmetry that echoes the repetition of the sconces. For a similar flared pot, a hand-turned Aged English Planter available in two sizes (15- and 18-inch) is available at prices ranging from $122.50 to $147.50 from Campo de' Fiori.
Above: Photograph via CG Trader.
For a hardy green plant that will stand up to salty sea air, we recommend planting perennial grasses in the pots. (Justine, who spends summers on Cape Cod, recommends these varieties: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), spiky blue grass, switch grasses, fountain grass, and simple beach grass.) For a selection of perennial grasses and other salt-tolerant plants, visit Plant Delights Nursery.
For more plants that thrive at the shore, see Justine's top recommendations in 10 Easy Pieces: Perennials for the Seaside Garden.
Above: A simple coir doormat adds texture to the entryway. To add a pop of pattern, consider the Hex Doormat from Commune Design; the coir mat measures 20 by 30 inches and is $60 from Lulu and Georgia.
For more of our favorites, see 10 Easy Pieces: Durable Doormats.
Above:A screen door with a wide wooden frame has a classic look. An 81-inch-high Fir Screen Door is available in five widths and has a bottom rail width of 6.5 inches; prices start at $284 (plus a $25 crating fee) from Screen Doors.
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Above: We polled architects to find out their their favorite exterior green paint colors; see the whole list in Seeing Green: Architects Pick the Best Paints.
Paired with the natural color of unstained cedar shingle siding, a front door painted dark green will prompt associations with woodlands, the forest, and natural surroundings.
Above: Farrow & Ball's Studio Green is very dark and has a black undertone. In a high-gloss finish, it lends formality even to a casual kitchen porch.
For more seaside style, see 10 Favorites: Picket Fences That Remind Us Why We Love Summer Cottages and Landscape Architect Visit: A Very American Garden on Cape Cod.
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