Cape Cod Times, February 14, 2021

MARSTONS MILLS — Behind the unassuming façade of this house we find some wonderful surprises, from the unique split-level style to a spectacularly designed backyard.

And, of course, all the details in between.

In the living room, wide-plank hardwood floors combine with a high angled ceiling and a modern wallpaper accent wall. The brick around the fireplace is painted white and framed with railroad tie-style wood, which gives it a truly rustic-chic vibe, setting the tone for the rest of the house.

From the living room, a half-staircase leads to the bedrooms. There are three bedrooms, but the current owners of the home have a surprise — they’ve used the middle one not as a bedroom but as a “walk-in closet room.” The primary suite, at one end of the hallway, features an ultra-modern bathroom, and a second bedroom at the other end of the hall is across from a bathroom with a pretty turquoise distressed-wood vanity.

Back on the main level, the kitchen is totally contemporary, with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and recessed lighting. The natural stained and finely-crafted cabinetry again gives a touch of the modern-rustic. And let’s talk about the island, with a simple yet quite possibly revolutionary touch — a round countertop. Not only are there no corners to bump into, as real estate agent Shaelyn Hegarty remarked, but it’s pleasing to the eye and still well suited for gathering. Might this not change the future of kitchen design? It’s the simple things …

This kitchen opens to a great room, light and airy with exposed beams and a cathedral ceiling, with a sizable deck on the side of the house.

Then we step down to the finished lower level, where sliding glass doors bring in the light and bring you outside to the fabulous backyard, designed by Marstons Mills-based Lighthouse Landscaping for some serious outdoor entertaining. There’s an outdoor kitchen, need we say more? A patio with intricate stonework features a custom bluestone fire pit. Meticulous stone walls are carved right out of the landscape, and plantings — edged and mulched — finish the fine touches. Lighthouse Landscaping owner Pedro Spiguel is also the homeowner. “We just wanted to create an outdoor living space to have some friends over,” he said.

Marina Davalos is a freelance writer who lives in Cotuit.

Cape Cod Times, February 7, 2021

HYANNIS — If you’ve wondered what the condos at 615 Main St. are like – you know, the site of the former West End Marketplace and the infamous Guido Murphy’s, now home of the Seaside Pub on Main and the Cape Cod Harley-Davidson retail store – read on.

The front entrance on Main Street takes you into a secure lobby, from where you’ll be buzzed in via an intercom system. You go up a flight of stairs, and a long, hotel-like hallway leads past entrances to 12 units. This week’s House Hunt is number 11, doorway to the right, and thus all units on this side are, as an old radio commercial from the ’80s used to jokingly say, “overlooking the beautiful Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot.”

That said, this is perhaps the most happening spot in Hyannis.

Spotlight on the condo: you step into a wonderfully open floor plan, bathroom and laundry to the left, kitchen to the right. The kitchen is done in granite countertops with a bar/breakfast nook. White Shaker cabinetry pops with brushed nickel hardware, and chic industrial-look pendant lights hang overhead. These touches create an instant upscale vibe when you walk in.

The living space is all open, with hardwood floors and lots of windows that bring in the light. A sliding glass door off the open dining area leads to a huge deck. This is the end unit, so revel in the fact that it has perhaps the most space, as this deck stretches the length of the building, and each unit on this side boasts a shared portion of the deck. There’s lots of history here – this is the same deck that was once the upstairs at Guido’s, where after a day of sun at the beach, locals and visitors would come for happy hour, totally happening, with guys on guitar playing tunes like “Brown Eyed Girl” and “American Pie.”

Did we mention the townhouse style of this condo? From the dining area, a flight of stairs leads you up to the two bedrooms, which share a bath. This condo is so surprisingly spacious, comfortable and well appointed, it’s no wonder the owner has loved living here. While you’re right in the heart of downtown Hyannis, being in here makes you feel like you’re away from it all – the best of both worlds.

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.

Cape Cod Times, December 27, 2020

MASHPEE — This meticulously maintained home features a unique layout that is both sophisticated and super fun.

When you step inside via the front door, there’s a large entryway leading straight into the kitchen, and to the right are the steps that take you down to a fabulous sunken living room. It’s got lots of light, with hardwood floors, recessed lighting and glass doors out to a back deck. We can’t emphasize enough how fun and cozy this living room is. It is as if the home were built right into the landscape.

The updated kitchen features under-lit custom cabinetry, grey swirl granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. A mosaic tile backsplash is a work of art, with blues and grays dancing off each other. Pendant lighting accents the island.

It has been the current owner’s dream home, real estate agent Lisa Menard said. “She’s put a lot of love into it, she loves decorating,” she said.

Other fun features include a mahogany dining room entryway and a pretty bay window seat.

There are two first-floor bedrooms. Stairs leading to the second floor bring you to the primary suite, consisting of a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling, a recently renovated bathroom with a tub and a sizable walk-in closet.

A fantastic red wood-burning stove heats the lower level. Menard said she loves the home’s floor plan. “Everyone can have their own space,” she said.

The finished basement has pretty French doors that walk out to an enchanting back patio, pleasantly lined by tiger lilies. Like the living room, this patio is also sunken, as stairs from here lead up to the back deck. This is a delightful space for either a breakfast nook or cocktail hour.

This quiet, residential neighborhood is perfect — walk dogs down the street, ride bikes. And it’s situated within walking distance to the Santuit Pond Preserve, with 287 acres of conservation land and miles of walking trails.

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