HOME: Middletown

When an Aquidneck Island restaurateur was shown a house on a whim by a family member, he says he “fell in love with the place and location immediately.” Nestled along the reservoir in Middletown, the 1935-built Cape brims with quintessential New England coastal charm: weathered shingles, a fireplace, and freshwater views. Says the owner, “It’s close to the center of Newport but far enough away to feel secluded. It is almost like we are in the woods, away from everything.” The family with two young children put in an offer ASAP with one contingency: approval to add a second floor.

Upon taking ownership, East Greenwich-based Lindy Lowney Design was hired to work her modern-coastal magic. The project entailed completely gutting the structure and expanding and redesigning the floor plan to create single-family style living. “I had worked with these clients before, helping the husband and wife redesign their first home in 2014. Two babies later, they were in need of a bigger space to accommodate their expanding family, all in the midst of COVID-19, and a red-hot real estate market,” says Lowney.

From the sunlight-drenched breakfast nook, to the mudroom addition off the front of the home, Lowney crafted each room with efficiency in mind. “At all times I tried to utilize all available space in the roughly 2,000-square-foot home. Wherever possible, custom built-ins were created to maximize storage for the family of four,” explains Lowney of the renovation that took approximately a year and a half from start to finish. “To expand small spaces with lower ceilings, keeping each room light and bright was crucial in creating the feeling of a larger space,” Lowney explains, referencing white walls, lighting, and simple window treatments.

Beyond structural modifications, Lowney took her design direction from the waterside location. Spaces throughout the home boast clean lines with subtle touches reflective of the environment. “I blended neutral tones with coastal hues and lots of texture,” says Lowney of interiors that are at once a mix of streamline and warmth. “I landed on the modern coastal aesthetic early in the design process.”

“The modern coastal home came together to create a family-friendly space that works in concert with my clients’ day-to-day lifestyle. I’m immensely proud of the end product,” says Lowney. And as for her clients: “We love that Lindy is able to take what she knows about us and apply it to our home and the style we like surrounding us. It feels rich and clean with lots of little touches that reflect both of us and our children.”