Distinctive Homes | Winter 2023 by East Bay Media Group

WINTER 2023

Distinctive

HOMES of the East Bay & South Coast

THANK YOU To All of My Clients For an Incredible Year Over $16 Million Sold in 2023

CHERRY ARNOLD Local Knowledge | Unparalleled Marketing | Global Reach Little Compton | Westport | Tiverton www.cherryarnold.com 401-864-5401

cherry.arnold@mottandchace.com

Each office independently owned and operated.

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DISTINCTIVE HOMES

WINTER 2023

of the East Bay & South Coast A supplement to the East Bay Media Group newspapers

SCOTT FRANCES

“The River House,” in Westport, Mass., as seen from the east branch of the Westport River. Designed and owned by architect Jonathan Levi, the house is a marvel of innovation, showcasing new ways of building and new ways of thinking about residential construction.

6 Designed to be perfect The owner of this unique South Tiverton home is also the visionary, the designer and the developer

12 A beacon of light

‘The River House’ is unlike any other – warmed by the sun, free of fossil fuels, encased in glass, and turning its wood frame into an art form

22 In good hands New owners promise to restore and protect an historical beauty in Little Compton

25 Going green with festive florals A floral designer talks about how to create your own locally sourced wreaths, centerpieces and holiday decorations

28 Healthy dishes

for the holidays Balance the sweets and treats of the holidays with delicious foods packed with things good for you

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Designed to be perfect The owner of this unique South Tiverton home is also the visionary, the designer and the developer PHOTOS COURTESY OF LILA DELMAN COMPASS (PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL DAVID COMMERCIAL)

Built into a hillside overlooking the Seapowet marshes in South Tiverton, this new home is on the market for $4,995,000. Surrounding it are a few scattered houses and pastoral fields, as well as a path through the trees leading down to the water.

BY SCOTT PICKERING Just off the main road leading to Tiverton Four Corners, down a short cut-de-sac lane, sits a house unlike any other. At first pass, it seems to hide from view. Built into a steep hillside, it cannot be fully seen from the roadway above it. Only at the entrance to the long driveway does it truly reveal itself — a massive, elaborate structure that resembles a small castle nestled into an English countryside. The house is built unlike any other, because its builder is unlike any other. He is the visionary, the site manager, the designer, the developer, the owner and the current inhabitant. Though he asked not to be identified in this story, he led a tour and talked about his unique process for both building and living within houses. “I have a different approach from anyone,” he said. “I design. I develop. And then I want to live in it, to get it as 6

The home is designed in an immersion modern style, with simplicity and elegance. Here, a bank of windows and doors lead from the open living space to a large area of decks facing the water.

The living space on the main level has an enormous kitchen, with multiple areas for seating, cooking or entertaining.

perfect as possible. And I mean that. The longer I live here, the better it gets. If I notice any little imperfection, I have to fix it. That’s the only way for me, because I’m proud of what I deliver to the next person. I want it to be perfect.” He has done this many times before — designed a house, lived in it for a short time, and then passed it on to the next owner. Though each house is unique, there are consistent themes. They are thoroughly modern in both design and finish, and they are built to withstand anything. The home on Nonquit Lane is anchored in steel framing, including a massive beam to support the intricate design of its roof. It sits in a precise location on the three-acre lot, chosen so that the sweeping views of the Seapowet marshlands and the Sakonnet River could be appreciated from all three levels. Creating that three-level view was no small feat. It required hundreds of tons of fill, enough to raise the building site 14 feet and create the foundation for an 8,000-square foot home that looms high

above the spectacular vistas down below. The exterior of the home is wrapped in gray, slate shingles, a task which took nearly six months to complete. Paired with green metal trim, it looks both brand new and 600 years old, and it promises a lifetime with zero maintenance. The interior must be seen to be appreciated. The spaces are designed to create a constant flow within. Multiple stairways lead to each level; every space connects to another; there are no hallways to dead-ends. Everything is large, clean, simple, elegant and modern. Many doors are custom-designed with teak and white glass. They are wrapped in stainless steel framing, creating a glistening, slick look throughout. Many of the floors are elegant terrazzo, poured in place, with no seams. Two separate stairways leading from the main level to the upper level are described as “floating,” because they rest upon steel beams, supporting custom-designed, 3 1/2-inch teak treads.

Every space presents with simplicity, but building it is anything but simple. “The difficulty with modern architecture is there’s nothing to hide mistakes,” the owner said. “Everything is open.” As he was talking, he pointed to the ceiling and then to a baseboard that is recessed and flush with the wall. “That’s why most people put a flat ceiling and then have an attic, because it’s a lot easier. That’s why people put in baseboards and casings around doors, because it’s easier. Doing it this way, everything requires more work, more labor, more skill.” The home has no baseboards, no casings, no crown moldings — features that can be used to hide the construction and materials beneath. In this house, all the excruciatingly precise labor is there to see. The home has no attic, because the owner does not believe in them. He designed an intricate series of dormers and angles, and he wants everyone to see them, both inside and out. “I like to do the unexpected,” he said. Continued on page 8 7

A staircase connecting the main level to the upper level is “floating,” with a steel beam supporting custom teak risers.

“You know, when people say you can’t do that, I want to do it. For example, if you look up at the roof, there’s no attic. I said to my engineer, what I see on the outside, I want to see on the inside … So you see all the spaces. You see all the dormers. You see all the angles, the intricacies of the framing. Why hide that? To me, that’s artwork.” Technology and luxury Though seemingly simple in design and presentation, the home is a state-of-theart masterpiece of technology. There are 22 zones of radiant heat. There are seven separate zones for heating and cooling. There are security cameras outside and inside. A single app on a smartphone or tablet can control everything, from the cameras, to the thermostats, to the builtin speakers that are everywhere, to the lighting, to the window shades, which are programmed to raise or lower at specific times every day. The mechanicals reside in the lower level, featuring a 400-amp electrical service and a whole-house generator, not far from a “two-car” garage that is designed with 12-foot-high doors and high ceilings — 8

A corner office also connects to the deck and looks out over the pastoral landscape.

enough space for a future owner to install car lifts, if they’d like, to fit four cars instead of two. The home also has an elegant, three-level elevator with glass doors.

Future owners may find it’s essential, or maybe it’s just a convenient way to move large or heavy items throughout the house. The lower level is also home to an enor-

The rear of the property has an endless flow of outdoor spaces, with multiple patios and decks and the set-up for multiple outdoor kitchens, as well as two gas fireplaces.

mous exercise room, loaded with an array of equipment. Its doors and tall windows face toward the water and connect to a lower series of patios and outdoor living spaces — all with the sweeping vistas that were envisioned back when this was just a grassy hillside. Luxuries include six and half bathrooms, each worthy of a five-star hotel. Every bedroom has its own bathroom, and the primary suite has two. The patios and decks are wired for outdoor televisions with built-in speakers. There are two separate areas set up for outdoor kitchens. There are multiple gas fireplaces throughout the house, as well as two outside. A room on the lower level is set up to be a home theater, or it could become a sixth bedroom. A corner office on the main level has its own fireplace and doors to the outside deck, with a wall of built-in shelves, drawers and cabinets. Many of the furnishings within the house were built and designed specifically for this space, and all are available for sale. A beautiful dining table, built to fit where it fits, along with furniture, artwork,

This is the view from the primary bedroom, which connects to two separate bathrooms and has its own private deck.

beds, can all be purchased along with the home. Asked why he would want to sell and move out of a home he built and loves, the owner said that’s how he’s wired. He

loves it, but he does not get attached to it. Besides, he has another vision, for another unique home, and he’s already looking at sites within the region to make that vision a reality too. 9

A N E L E VAT E D R E A L E S TAT E E X P E R I E N C E H A S A R R I V E D .

$916M+

Total Sales Volume Year-to-Date More than any other RI Brokerage*

Brokerage in Rhode Island*

Luxury Brokerage in Rhode Island*

SOLD

206 Rumstick Road, Barrington

17 Willow Way, Barrington

120 Ferry Road, Bristol

5 BD 5F 1H BA 6,601 SF $2,725,000 Kirk | Schryver Team 401.225.0371

4 BD 4F 1H BA 4,284 SF $2,250,000 Kirk | Schryver Team 401.225.0371

3 BD 2F 1H BA 2,442 SF $1,100,000 The Modern Collective Group 401.744.2692

SOLD

446 Maple Avenue, Barrington

126 Anoka Avenue, Barrington

36 Barton Avenue, Warren

3 BD 2F 1H BA 2,591 SF $750,000 Kirk | Schryver Team 401.225.0371

3 BD 1F 1H BA 2,075 SF $655,000 Friedman Group 401.864.0269

3 BD 2F 1H BA 2,308 SF $591,000 Friedman Group 401.864.0269

O N E B RO K E R AG E . O N E G OA L . O N E S A L E AT A T I M E . . Compass, the Nation’s #1 real estate brokerage, continues to make great impact in Rhode Island’s real estate market.* Across the Ocean State, Compass owns & operates 12 offices, including Compass & Lila Delman Compass. Each day, our team of market leaders is driven by the same mission - to help everyone find their place in the world. SOUT H K I NG STOWN 4 01 .783.961 1

W EST E R LY 4 01 .3 2 2 .03 57

BA R R I N GTON 4 01 . 269.3 24 4

P ROVI D EN C E 4 01 . 274 .16 4 4

C HARL ESTOW N 4 01 .3 6 4 .33 8 8

WATC H H I L L 4 01 .3 4 8 .0700

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. *Data is based on sales volume of real estate transactions closed between 1.1.23 – 11.07.23 in the Rhode Island State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. Sales volume for Compass in Rhode Island includes Lila Delman Compass, Randall Realtors Compass, and Compass.

W H E R E H E R I TA G E A N D P R O G R E S S M E E T. SOLD

ON THE MARKET

179 Indian Avenue, Portsmouth

333 Poppasquash Road, Bristol

82 Nonquit Lane, Tiverton

5 BD 5 BA 5,559 Total SF $8,550,000 Kim Doherty 401.862.3956

8 BD 9F 3H BA 13,516 SF $7,450,000 Gregory Arakelian 401.954.5703

4 BD 6F 1H BA 8,008 SF $4,995,000 Renee Welchman 401.649.1915

SOLD

PENDING

ON THE MARKET

9 Monkey Wrench Lane, Bristol

128 Thayer Drive, Portsmouth

212 Round Pond Road, Little Compton

6 BD 5F 1H BA 7,256 SF $3,350,000 Pila Pexton 401.862.1977

3 BD 4F 1H BA 4,210 Total SF $2,995,000 Alexandra Thursby 401.266.9900

3 BD 2 BA 1,506 SF $2,500,000 Debby Ladd | RJ Soares 774.627.0536

SOLD

ON THE MARKET

SOLD

1 Winslow Road, Little Compton

22 Willow Lane, Portsmouth

50 Mallard Lane, Tiverton

4 BD 3F 1H BA 3,062 SF $2,500,000 Debby Ladd 401.635.8887

4 BD 4F 1H BA 3,850 SF $1,599,999 Newport Living Group 401.338.3771

4 BD 4F 1H BA 5,022 Total SF $1,229,000 Alexandra Thursby | Jen Silverman 401.266.9900

NARR AGANSET T 4 01.789.6666

NEWPORT 4 01.848.21 01

WATCH HILL 4 01.348.1 999

JAMESTOWN 4 01. 423.34 4 0

BLO CK ISL AND LIT TLE COMPTON 4 01. 466.87 7 7 4 01.635.8887

PROVIDENCE 4 01.274 .164 4

Lila Delman Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT FRANCES

The River House is designed in five of what the architect calls “pavilions,” with three shown here. To the right is the master suite pavilion, with bedroom, bathroom and office nook. At center is the main living pavilion, home to the kitchen and main living space. At left, which is really the center of the house, is the library, which is just off the front foyer. Two more bedroom / bathroom pavilions are to the left, not shown.

A beacon of light ‘The River House’ is unlike any other – warmed by the sun, free of fossil fuels, encased in glass, and showcasing its wood frame as an art form BY SCOTT PICKERING Jonathan Levi lives within his life’s work. His home, nestled along the east branch of the Westport River, is unlike any other. Besides being home to Levi and his wife, it is a physical manifestation of the concepts, innovation and knowledge Levi has accumulated in an architect’s career spanning more than four decades. Levi has owned his own firm, been a faculty member at Harvard University and designed buildings far bigger and more elaborate than the 3,400-square-foot home they call “The River House.” His small firm of 15 people works on projects ranging from $80 million to $350 million. They designed the new Westport Senior and Junior High School. They are design 12

directors for the City of Boston’s 123-school, 10-year master plan, which involves designing 12 model schools for the city. They are working on a design to replace McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket with a new $330 million high school. They have designed dozens of new schools throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond. But The River House is a deeply personal project with a design never seen before. “My practice in architecture is about innovation, invention. It’s about doing things that no one’s done before,” Levi said. “We try to do as much as we can within the public realm, but it is often difficult.” Designing his own house, with no

restrictions, he unleashed all his creativity and innovation. “I seized the opportunity to use this as a demonstration house, to showcase all kinds of new ideas. There is almost nothing in this house that’s conventional, from the walls, to the floors, to the ceilings, to all the plumbing and the mechanical systems. They’re all kind of invented,” he said. Wood as art As he talked, Levi was sitting in a chair within the home’s library. The slow roll of the river passed behind him, and clouds drifted overhead on a dark, gray day. The space was warm, bright and comfortable. Throughout the interview, Levi repeatedly connected the dots from his professional Continued on page 14

For those who expect service like none other, there is only Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty. We’re the industry’s best agents, curating with incomparable attention to style and detail. WESTPORT, MA

TIVERTON SOLD

SOLD

37 Glen Road Liz Kinnane

$3,525,000 401.835.1030

BRISTOL

85 Sunset View Drive Liz Kinnane LITTLE COMPTON SOLD

SOLD

341 Thames Street, #303S Judy Chace & Allison Dessel mottandchace.com

$2,550,000 401.835.1030

$3,550,000 401.245.3050

28 Meadow Lane Cherry Arnold

$2,195,000 401.864.5401 Each office is independently owned and operated.

The main living area is the epitome of open-concept living. This room showcases two of the predominant design choices in the home – enormous windows and glass roofs to maximize sunlight and passive solar energy; and celebrating the home’s wood frame as its own design element. The River House has almost no drywall of any kind.

life to his personal residence. “At Harvard, I taught the main design studios for the graduate students, but I also taught a course called Cities of Wood, which was all about wood construction.” He continued, “I don’t think people realize how blessed we are with our method of construction here in the United States. It is something that we all take for granted. But in other parts of the world, wood is a very precious material, and you don’t use it unless you really need to … In a way, this house is a showcase of wood construction techniques.” At The River House, the framing itself is a featured decor. “In designing this house, I revealed the frame of the house as a decorative element. So you can see the studs, which are usually buried in the walls, are all here to enjoy.” The texture of the wood is a lead character in the home’s dramatic presentation. 14

“One of the other things I’ve learned in my career is that carpenters are the smartest guys on a job, outside of electricians. They’re really brilliant, and they can do amazing things. So why hide it all?” Here, the framing that is normally hidden behind drywall and paint, is out in the open, meticulously crafted, like cabinetry, throughout the entire space. The wood is clear, vertical grain Douglas fir, driven by trucks across the country from the Pacific Northwest. Commercial to residential Because the studs are exposed, the insulation that is typically hidden within the walls, behind the drywall, is instead wrapped in a thick layer around the outside of the house. “That is something I learned from my commercial practice, where we always put the insulation on the outside,” Levi said. “The outside of the house is sheathed in

teak plywood — beautiful, gorgeous teak plywood, the same marine teak plywood that is used to build boats.” The layers of The River House are also very unconventional for residential construction. “The other technical thing we learned from the sophisticated buildings that we build in the commercial world, is that instead of making the outside finish of the house be the weather barrier, which is how most houses are built — with shingles or clapboards as the weather barrier — this house is wrapped with an air vapor barrier, on the outside of the fir plywood, and that is actually the protective layer of the house.” Thus, the exterior walls are built, from inside out, with exposed teak studs and plywood, then the air vapor barrier on the outside face, then the insulation, then an air space, and finally the marine-grade teak outer layer, which protects everything

This view shows the front of the house, with the Westport River behind. To the left of the railing shown here is a narrow waterfall that trickles down the stairs, runs through the center of the house, continues out through the back terrace, and spills into two reflecting pools looking over the river.

underneath it from the damaging effects of the sun. That exterior layer of teak requires annual maintenance, much like a boat, consisting of light sanding followed by a new finish coat. Windows to nature The entire roof of The River House looks like it is made of glass, but it is actually many layers of a polycarbonate material — the same type of material used in schools, because it is a durable, strong material, very difficult to break. “I wanted to make a house where you really feel like you’re in the outdoors,” Levi said. Looking up and pointing through the roof to the sky above, Levi said, “It’s a cloudy day, and it feels bright and luminous in here. The house gives you a sense of uplift, even on a cloudy day. You don’t have that sense of being divided from the nature that’s around you. A lot of that has to do the light. Of course, there’s a lot of glass in the house, too.” Windows are everywhere, in all directions, especially on the side of the house facing south and east. Floor to ceiling windows light up all spaces 365 days a year. “There is almost no drywall in this house. Almost everything is either teak Continued on page 18

A view of the kitchen, looking out toward the Westport River. 15

20 24 HAPPY NEW YEAR, E A S T B AY ! RHODE ISLAND’S REAL ESTATE COMPANY®

FIRM in RHODE ISLAND

FIRM in THE EAST BAY

2023 SALES VOLUME YTD*

BARRINGTON NEWPORT

CUMBERLAND

PROVIDENCE

EAST GREENWICH

SOUTH COUNTY

LITTLE COMPTON

WEST SIDE PVD

WESTPORT

Residential Properties is a licensed real estate brokerage and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Rankings based in whole or in part on data supplied by the State-Wide Listings Service and MLS PIN. The MLS does not guarantee and is not responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Sale and firm rankings based on information from MLS PIN or Statewide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for period 1.1.23 - 11.14.23. East Bay includes the following towns: East Providence, Warren, Barrington, Bristol, Tiverton and Little Compton.

HIGHEST SALE IN WESTPORT IN 2023*

37 GLEN ROAD SOLD: $3,800,000

Sold by Kathy Santos 508.889.2517

HIGHEST SALE IN LITTLE COMPTON IN 2023*

1 WINSLOW ROAD SOLD: $2,500,000

Sold by Jain Cern 508.961.7484

ONE OF THE TOP TEN SALES IN BARRINGTON IN 2023*

246 RUMSTICK RD. SOLD: $1,900,000

Sold by Kerri Payne 401.837.0325

ONE OF THE TOP FIVE SALES IN DARTMOUTH IN 2023*

443 BARNEY’S JOY RD SOLD: $2,800,000

Sold by OnPoint Team 508.636.4529

ONE OF THE TOP TEN SALES IN BARRINGTON IN 2023*

17 WILLOW WAY SOLD: $2,250,000

Sold by Eddie Rayden 425.894.6344

ONE OF THE TOP TEN HOME SALES IN BRISTOL IN 2023*

66 FR ANKLIN ST. SOLD: $1,270,725

Sold by Lisbeth Herbst 401.447.2639

This view shows all five pavilions, with “guest” bedrooms to the left, main living space in the center, and master bedroom to the right. The entire structure is designed in a crescent shape, so it gently wraps around and encloses the terrace.

or glass,” Levi said. The architect has a suite of patents, and patents pending, including many of the windows used throughout the house. The custom design has frameless glass panels. Warmth from the sun The River House consumes no fossil fuels. Its heat and hot water are derived from a number of sources, including active solar panels, passive solar heat, and four 300-feet-deep geothermal wells, which pull up water that is heated by two large-capacity heat pumps. The entire house is warmed by radiant heat from the floors — along with the natural effects of sun streaming through glass doors, windows, walls and roof. The geothermal wells rely on the fact that, once you dig deeper than three feet under ground, all the water is about 50 degrees. In the winter, it is 50 degrees, and in the summer it is 50 degrees. “You can think of it as a refrigerator, working backwards. It actually extracts heat from the 50-degree water, intensifies it, and then turns it into hot, hot water, which then goes through the floors. In the summertime, it does the opposite. In the summertime, it does what a refrigerator does, and it creates cold water,” Levi said. Even on a cold, gray day, like the one when Levi was sitting in his library to talk, the radiant heat was not turned on. Yet the entire space was warm, almost toasty. That warmth was entirely the result of the “passive solar” effect of sunlight streaming in from all sides. “The sky is radiating heat into the house directly, and it’s being absorbed by the floor, which is extra thick and has extra insulation under it. Then it’s being re-radiated out into the house … The house is heating itself,” Levi said. In the summertime, the greenhouse-effect of the glass Continued on page 20 18

The master bedroom is at one with the sky and the natural environment. The owner admits that the space can be challenging for those who are not early risers. Therefore, they have plenty of silk eye masks for anyone who desires them.

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This view of the front of the house shows the hot tub (foreground), which is built to the left of the home’s front entrance, designed so an interior fireplace can provide ambiance to those outside.

can make things uncomfortably warm, but Levi said that’s when they throw open all those windows and let Mother Nature provide a solution. “We are blessed here, living on the east branch of the Westport River. In the summertime, there is a southeast wind blowing all the time,” he said. About a third of the roof is covered with solar panels, but that cannot produce enough power for the entire house. The panels generate about 20% of the home’s electricity. A trickle of nature From April through October, an outdoor fountain pushes water through a waterfall that runs along the exterior stairs to the front door of the house. The water then trickles directly through the center of the house, in a shallow channel that bisects the entire space, carrying the water out through the back patio to feed two separate reflecting pools facing the river. “It’s like being in a Japanese garden. You heard the trickle, trickle, trickle of the water,” Levi said. “We love it. We love having a connection to the water.” Asked what the house feels like today, now that concept has become reality, Levi 20

became emotional for a moment. “It feels much better than I expected it to feel. Really. I didn’t realize the effect that this much luminosity would have on my life. Actually tears are welling up,” he said. “It’s a new way of life. I think we’re used to living in caves, and most houses are like caves. But when you’re surrounded by light all the time, it’s uplifting. It really is. It’s uplifting.” Levi and his wife had planned to spend their winters living outside of Boston and their summers in Westport, but they’ve found themselves at The River House more than they imagined, even throughout the winter. “It’s just such a joy to be here. There is such a sense of joyfulness when you’re here … And then when we’re here, we’re here with nature. I mean, everything that happens outside, is part of our lives, and there’s a lot that goes on out there,” Levi said while looking out toward the river. “We have three bald eagles who live here. We have merganser ducks. We have a lot of cormorants. We have families of swans. We have river otters, and a lot of deer and hedgehogs, and they’re all wandering around, right in front of us. It’s not like you have to look for them, they’re right here.”

As much as the entire family loves the house, there has been one challenge. “It can be an advantage to have a dark bedroom. So we have silk eye masks for everyone,” Levi said with a smile. But even that is a work in progress. Levi has designs for shades that roll up and down to shield some of the sunlight from the bedrooms. A crescent view Innovation exists throughout all aspects of the house, including its footprint. Levi designed the home with a crescent configuration, so it subtly surrounds the back patios facing the water. From the inside, it means every space, and every bedroom, has a slightly different perspective on the river and the natural surroundings. Outdoors, the crescent configuration also creates an outside “room.” Said Levi while standing on the back patio, “The house sort of embraces this terrace. It creates a finite boundary to it.” The property now home to The River House was originally home to a Boy Scout camp in the first half of the 20th century. Levi’s parents bought the land in 1966, and the Levi family spent their summers living in what remained of the camp. It

included a cafeteria building, bunk houses, a wood shop, tent stands and loads of outdoor recreation facilities. A few years ago, Levi inherited the property and decided to build a house that would serve his large family. He and his wife have five children, who are now starting to have their own children. “I wanted to build a house large enough to accommodate all the kids and their families, and that’s the reason the configuration is almost hotel-like. When you walk down the corridor, there is a series of rooms that are almost identical, and there’s plenty of privacy for everyone.” The house is laid out in what Levi calls “pavilions.” The master suite is its own pavilion. The main living space, home to kitchen and living room, is another. The three guest bedrooms are divided among two pavilions. And the library is the final pavilion. In between the open pavilions are the service areas, home to the bathrooms and solar panels on the roofs above. In the “guest” wing of the house, Levi wrestled with a dilemma of how to have two bedrooms share the same bathroom, yet still be able to maintain privacy. He designed the space so there are lockable doors from both sides, to multiple areas of the bathroom. Then he added a twist. “It’s kind of like it a valve, with multiple switches. You can either privately access the toilet, or you can privately access the shower, or you can privately access both from both sides,” he said. The twist was installing a large area of illuminated glass in the water closet that contains the toilet. If someone is using the facility alone, they can leave the glass “off,” allowing sunlight and openness to the rest of the bathroom. If they want privacy, they turn the glass on, and no one can see in. The designer’s innovations continue with custom furniture in each of the guest bedrooms. A large wooden structure on wheels, when standing upright, is a wardrobe for storing clothes. It also doubles as a Murphy bed, so that when it tilts horizontally it can rest on the floor to create multiple twin beds, or a full and a twin. A local masterpiece Levi is proud to boast that The River House was built entirely by Westport craftsmen. The carpenters, electricians, plumbers, excavators and masons were all from Westport businesses. He is also proud to show the house to others, especially architects and homeowners open to new methods for residential construction. Levi hopes people learn

At the center of the main living space is a little nook they call “the temple.” Though open to the sunlight on all sides, it is one of the few living spaces with a solid roof overhead. It includes builtin sofas and a gas fireplace. “We spend much of our time in here. It’s like a building within a building,” owner Jonathan Levi said.

from this house, and he suggests two primary takeaways. First of all, he wants people to see that wood can be its own aesthetic. “I think the frame of this house is beautiful, and it adds a whole level of scale and detail to an interior other than blank, painted drywall. One of my greatest disappointments, when I walk into other houses, is when there are vast seas of just plain, blank walls … I think a house should be self-sufficient, aesthetically.” Secondly, be open to the sun. “While people may think of this house as a curiosity, I actually think it’s a prototype for the way other people might build houses, particularly around the idea of

using this much passive solar,” Levi said. “I think the goal for all of us should be to have onsite energy generation. We should all be able to make all the energy that we consume on-site, and this is a very powerful method — to just harvest the sun directly, without going through solar panels or anything else. That is something I would recommend to folks, and it’s not expensive. What we did here, with the roof, was not expensive.” And, Levi said, the house has done more than help him see the sun. It has helped him see the light. “We were built to have the sky over our head. Living in this house has had an enormous impact on my life.” 21

This 200-year-old Little Compton home was recently sold to private owners by the United Congregational Church. It was sold with a preservation easement, so the house and its historical exterior will remain intact.

In good hands Restoring and protecting an historical beauty in Little Compton BY LUCY PROBERT Located in the heart of the Little Compton Commons, 2 Commons Road has been a mainstay in town since it was built in the 1820s as part of the Methodist Church and moved to its present location in the late 1830s. A private home for many years, after World War II it became The Old Meeting House Inn, owned by Amie Hampton Medary, where she offered lunch, dinner, tea and a dessert called the ‘Tipsy Parson,’ featuring cubes of cake soaked in sherry and covered in cream custard. The United Congregational Church, across the street, purchased the home in the 1960s and it became their parsonage. More recently they have rented it out as a single-family home. The Congregational Church listed the property for sale earlier 22

this year, along with an historical preservation easement, a requirement for buyers, which ensures the outside will be repaired but preserved and that structurally it will remain intact. “I think there’s a real sense of shared community history with such a prominent building that so many of us have grown up with and loved over the years,” said Cherry Arnold, sales associate at Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty, who listed the house along with Liz Kinnane. “No one wanted to see it torn down, and now with this easement in place, that will never happen.” “When we as a church realized the expense to maintain the house was becoming too much and we began exploring options to sell, it was always very important that the outside and the structure itself would be preserved,” said

Shirley Hardison, chair of United Congregational Church’s facility committee. So they worked with Preserve Rhode Island, a statewide advocate for Rhode Island’s historic places, to put together an historical preservation easement, which is a binding legal agreement that protects select historical and architectural qualities of the property, ensuring it will not be destroyed or altered inappropriately. “This easement, which will be passed down to future owners as well, gives sellers of historic properties peace of mind going forward that when they sell their properties they will be cared for appropriately. It was a perfect fit for the church,” said Valerie Talimage, Preserve Rhode Island’s executive director. After receiving several offers, the church accepted a buyer with deep ties to the area, who has restored historic

homes in the past. With more than 3,000 square feet and six bedrooms in a once Federal style, transitioned to Greek Revival style architecture, 2 Commons still includes such early details as bracketed cornices, 6 over 6 window panes in the front and 12 over 12 on the sides and in back, high ceilings and wide-plank hardwood floors throughout. Several months ago, the now new owners, on their way to Wilbur’s General Store, spotted the ‘Coming Soon’ sign in front of the house and knew right away it was where they wanted to be. “Liz Kinnane and I have fielded many questions from community members about the planned use of the building, and each time I say it’s going to be kept as a single-family home I’m met with a big smile!” said Cherry Arnold. Plans for the property include improving and updating electrical and plumbing, painting the outside and giving it a refresh, looking after Continued on page 22

A view of the kitchen, prior to any renovations by the new owners. They plan to upgrade the kitchen and make repairs and cosmetic improvements throughout.

neglected daisies and other plants inside and around the stone wall, planting around the shed, updating the kitchen, repairing some of the hardwood flooring upstairs, trying to get the fireplaces in working order and restoring the navyblue toile wallpaper on the hallway upstairs and down, which they love. Otherwise, they look forward to kicking back and just enjoying the history and beauty of the house. “When we first walked through the gate and in the front door, the home was giving us Little Women vibes,” said the homeowner. “It exudes a lovely, calm feeling. We love it and think it deserves to be preserved and remain beautiful.” In an effort to support the community, the United Congregational Church is donating 15% of the net proceeds from the house’s sale to supporting affordable housing in the area, and other funds will be used for much needed updates to the church’s thrift shop located next door. “We as a church are thrilled about how this worked out,” said Shirley Hardison. “It’s just given us a lot of joy to know someone else is going to love the house the way it should be loved.”

A view of an upstairs hallway. The new owners love the navy-blue toile wallpaper and are planning to have it restored.

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Going green with festive florals A floral designer talks about how to create your own locally sourced wreaths, centerpieces and holiday decorations MARK BERNSTROM

A few simple clippings from the yard or nearby woods can be transformed into striking decorations for a holiday table.

BY LUCY PROBERT Make the holidays merry and bright this season by bringing the outside in, decorating with evergreens from your yard or surrounding woods, putting in your own personal touch. “People have so much around them in their own landscaping that would work great for a wreath, a garland or a table centerpiece, it just takes some looking,” says Mary Kate Kinnane, owner and lead designer of The Local Bouquet in Little Compton, creating floral décor for weddings and special events. She also teaches floral design classes and offers subscriptions for seasonal arrangements. To find the clippings, Mary Kate suggests looking for native greens like arborvitae, pine, cedar, holly, even from magnolia trees. “Take a nature walk and see what’s available.” For variety, add textures like pinecones, juniper with blue berries, or holly with bright red berries. “Texture elevates Continued on page 26

SARAH PETRARCA PHOTOGRAPHY

Floral designer Mary Kate Kinnane suggests taking a walk in nature to see what might be incorporated into your holiday decor. 25

PHOTOS BY MARK BERNSTROM

When putting together a table centerpiece, there’s no need to stick to traditional holiday floral colors and plaid ribbons.

any holiday centerpiece.” Another great greenery source is using what may need to be cut from the bottom of a Christmas tree when it’s moved into the house. “When you have to cut a tree down for space, use those branches to decorate,” she says. Putting it together For a wreath, Mary Kate recommends buying a sturdy 12” or 18” wire wreath frame from a craft store like Michael’s and then, starting with the leftover Christmas tree greens as the base, add in small bunches of your cedar or pine or arborvitae. Include some textures like pine cones or holly berries and a ribbon. “Skinny ribbons are in right now,” she says. “Velvet or leather looks really nice and high-end on a wreath.” For garland, use the same greenery and if needed, include an artificial pine garland from a home store, as long as the color is natural looking, she says.

With a wire frame, a few green clippings and some ribbon, anyone can create their own custom wreath.

For texture, add extras like the pinecones, berries, ribbon and maybe a few favorite tree ornaments to make a mantle or entryway feel special and festive. Centerpieces When putting together a table centerpiece, there’s no need to stick to traditional holiday floral colors and plaid ribbons. “Base your choices off of your own home décor, pulling from colors that are naturally surrounding you, whether it’s from rugs, pillows, tapestries or art. Use colors you are drawn to,” says Mary Kate. For a recent client, she chose a white theme for a centerpiece and included white anemones, Ranunculus, parrot tulips, and Helleborus, also known as a Christmas rose, and ferns. For a table centerpiece container, she suggests pulling out a favorite family heirloom serving piece. “You don’t have to use a traditional vase; find a serving dish in a bowl shape and use that. It creates a wonderful and memorable focus for the table,” says Mary Kate. To keep the florals upright, she suggests using tape across the top to make a grid or chicken wire balled up at the bottom. How you decorate always comes down to personal style, says Mary Kate. “This season, whether it’s more natural and earthy or traditional and classic, this is a great time to show your holiday spirit.”

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SERVE IT UP: Healthy dishes for the holidays BY LUCY PROBERT

With vibrant colors and loaded with nutrition, foods like carrots, purple top turnips, tuscan kale, tomatoes, pomegranate, and a carrot hummus make a striking presentation.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to go by the wayside during the holiday season; keep the rolls and butter-filled mashed potatoes, but add a few dishes packed with both flavor and nutrition. Westport-based executive chef Haley Rego started The Holistic Trick about five years ago, offering healthy personalized meal preparation and catering services. With a degree from Johnson & Wales University, she focuses on the benefits of eating whole foods and finding delicious healthy options for meals. “I’m a huge fan of using fresh herbs, spices from across the globe, healthy fats and components that lend flavor to dishes without the need for significant amounts of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats,” she said. We asked Haley to put together some recipes to prepare for the upcoming party-packed season. A great way to incorporate healthy options into this otherwise not so healthy eating time of year is focusing on preparing vegetable dishes, she said. “Vegetables are naturally low in calories but are packed with the micronutrients we need for optimum immunity and other benefits. They’re also loaded with fiber, so you feel fuller faster. Veggies paired with protein are my mainstays.” Her favorite vegetable is kale, the Tuscan variety specifically. “It has the best flavor and texture and contains an antioxidant which has amazing health benefits. Greens are also naturally high in calcium, iron, vitamins C and A, potassium and fiber. They really are true superfoods.” Haley recommends being inspired by the array of plant foods that beam with colors of the rainbow and come in different textures any time of the year. “Have fun in the kitchen, play around with meals and make cooking and eating a creative experience,” she said.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA AMBROSE

Continued on page 30

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DO TRY THIS AT HOME Garam Masala Spiced Lamb Chops & Husk Cherry Sauce Make it a dish with Celery Root Puree, Braised Tuscan Kale, Pomegranate Seeds, & Toasted Pine Nuts Celery Root Purée n 2 lbs. celeriac, (she used local organic, from Skinny Dip Farm in Little Compton) n 1/2 cup water n 1/2 cup milk (she used 2%) n 1 bay leaf n 1 tbsp. butter n Salt and pepper to taste Carefully clean the celeriac root by peeling it or use a knife to take the rough exterior off to get to the white interior. Cube into 1-inch pieces and add to a small saucepan. Add water and milk to just about cover the cubes. Add the bay leaf. Boil until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Once tender, drain (reserving the liquid) and add to a food processor or use a pastry masher to puree/mash. Add the butter, salt, pepper to taste, and use just enough of the reserved milk liquid until the mash has a nice smooth consistency. Braised Tuscan Kale (or other Greens) n 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped n 1 tbsp. olive oil n Pinch of crushed red pepper n 2 bunches Tuscan kale, cleaned, deveined, and roughly chopped, (she used 30

local organic, from Skinny Dip Farm in Little Compton) n 1/2 cup white wine n 3/4 cup stock or water n Salt and pepper to taste n 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil In a medium sized pot turn heat to medium and sauté chopped garlic in oil until fragrant and lightly brown. Add crushed red pepper and then the kale. Stir until kale begins to wilt. Add white wine, the stock of choice, salt and pepper to taste. Cover the pot and cook on medium heat until the kale wilts down and becomes tender, about 10-15 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper if needed, and drizzle with olive oil before serving. Husk Cherry Sauce n 2 cups husk/ground cherries n 1/4 cup sugar n 1 lemon, zested and juice added at the end of cooking Clean and husk the cherries. Add fruit to a small saucepan with sugar and turn heat to medium high. Stir occasionally until the mixture becomes liquid-like and begins to boil. Reduce heat slightly and bring to a low boil until the sauce reduces and thickens, about 25-30 minutes. Once slightly thickened, add the lemon zest and juice. If you reduce this too much, add water to desired consistency. Can be enjoyed chilled or warmed as a sauce on just about anything.

Garam Masala Spiced Lamb Chops n 12-16 small to medium sized lamb chops (she used grass-fed local from BeeBaa Farm in Little Compton) n 2 tbsp. garam masala spice blend n 2 tsp. salt and pepper n 1 tbsp. olive oil n 1 pomegranate, cleaned, seeds set aside for garnish n 4 tbsp. pine nuts, lightly toasted for garnish. Season the lamb chops with salt, pepper and garam masala blend. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat (keep the pan hot, but not smoking, for a good sear). Start with the thickest looking chop and add to the pan; continue adding the chops until they are evenly placed but not crowded in the pan. Cook on the first side for about 3-4 minutes, depending on how large the chops are. Turn and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes or until a thermometer reads about 130 degrees F. Take the lamb off the heat and let it rest for up to 5 minutes. Put the dish all together by starting with 3/4 cup of the celery root puree in the center of the plate, add Tuscan kale to one side of the puree and 3-4 chops to the other side. Drizzle the chops and outside of the dish with husk cherry sauce. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and toasted pine nuts for color and texture.

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