Cape Cod Times, January 31, 2021

FALMOUTH — Situated in the beachy community near Falmouth Harbor and the Surf Drive beaches, this pretty home, once a one-story ranch, boasts light airy rooms and rambling gardens. The current owners, who purchased the property in the early ’90s, added on a second story and customized the landscape with beautiful blooming perennial gardens and trellises. Two outdoor sheds house the gardening equipment, and a large backyard and a deck make for optimal entertainment.

A sizable driveway brings you to the entryway to a screened porch. This porch is perfectly Capey, with beadboard walls and a shiplap ceiling painted white. The light flows in through windows all around, and it just feels good in here, even in the winter.

This leads to the kitchen, where the beadboard theme continues with the backsplash. White cabinetry and a skylight create an airy feel, and granite countertops complete the look. This is an eat-in kitchen, with a dining space off to the side. But through another kitchen door we find a more formal dining room.

Did you know that wallpaper is coming back? It’s been trending for the past couple of years. While we do agree that some wallpaper shouldn’t come back, the light blue floral pattern in this dining room adds a very tasteful decorative element.

The living room, with a shiplap ceiling, is anchored by the brickwork of the fireplace. Natural light flows through the windows, and pretty French doors open to the back deck.

For that first-floor living that we so desire nowadays, a primary bedroom features off the dining room. Again, we find floral wallpaper, and we love it. It gives the room an almost bed-and-breakfast feel.

Not going overboard with wallpaper, the upstairs bedrooms feature solid walls, one with beadboard wainscoting. What makes this second story unique is an open sitting room at the top of the stairs – an extra TV room, an office, or just a place to relax with a good book.

Finally, a finished basement provides overflow guest space, complete with a third bathroom.

Marina Davalos is a freelance writer who lives in Cotuit. Follow her on Twitter @Marina_Davalos1.

Cape Cod Times, January 17, 2021

CENTERVILLE — Located in a prime beach spot in an enclave of vacation cottages, this cottage offers the total Cape Cod experience.

“I walk in and it’s like a glimpse from my childhood, with days at the beach, on the river, having ice cream, and everything just feels right,” real estate agent Jennifer Swaylik said. “Even now, in the winter it feels like that.” It’s the whole package, she added.

The cottage features a sturdy living room with a fireplace, for those chillier offseason months — yes, you could live year-round here, without all the hustle and bustle of the busy season. “I look at this house and I think it would be perfect for a couple who wants to move to the Cape,” Swaylik said.

Living room walls are of the rustic wood paneling still found in many a Cape Cod beach house. A cut-out window, fashioned with a countertop, looks into the kitchen, which also highlights the nostalgia with natural stained cabinetry. However, we find modern-day stainless steel appliances with that sought-after balance: maintaining the rustic, with the contemporary conveniences.

The cottage has three bedrooms, all with wood floors, Nantucket gray walls and white trim, and the layout flows nicely.https://www.usatodaynetworkservice.com/tangstatic/html/ncct/sf-q1a2z3be0d353f.min.html

The front of the cottage faces the beach, practically due south. Spoiler alert: From this location, you have the rare opportunity to see the sunrise over the ocean, to the left near Hyannisport, and the sunset over Osterville to the right. Lose your thoughts with long walks in either direction.

After a day of summer fun, have an outdoor shower and enjoy grilling and drinks on the front patio. Don’t feel like cooking? The Barnacle is right next door — head over for a burger, a lobster roll, fried clams.

“The perfect end to the perfect beach day,” Swaylik said. “It’s not just the cottage. It’s the feeling you get. It feels like what Cape Cod is supposed to be,” she said.

We couldn’t agree more.

Marina Davalos is a freelance writer who lives in Cotuit. Follow her on Twitter @Marina_Davalos1.