Click on this photo to see it in the note cards/prints gallery.As the New Year approaches, I'm increasingly in a back-to-basics mood. This no-nonsense sink (equipped with separate hot- and cold-water faucets along with a sliver of stone-like, black soap) is purposeful and engaging. Its straight-forward design sends a loud message. Keep it simple. What better time to refresh and regroup than now? Scrub up and start anew.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

Salem's oldest brick building, the Derby House c. 1762, is an exquisite example of Georgian Colonial architecture. The pedimented entry and symmetrical arrangement of 12/12 double-hung windows are hallmarks of the style. Decked out for Christmas and captured here in yesterday’s snow storm, it’s a fitting New England image for the season. With it, I wish you a warm home, health, and happiness over the holidays and in the New Year.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

This sophisticated, metal guardrail beautifully offsets the weathered, cedar stair, deck, and cottage it serves. The marriage of the marine, industrial, tech look with the wood, natural, low-tech context is inventive and playful. The curved hand rail is another fun contrast with the straight, hard edges that otherwise predominate. See another take on a cable guardrail in this earlier design snapshot.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

It sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? But let’s face it; Modernism is a style, and, as such, significant Modern structures warrant preservation as much as important structures built in more commonly recognized historic styles like Greek Revival, Federal, or Georgian. Jaci Conry writes in the Globe that five Modern cottages in Wellfleet are en route to preservation thanks in large part to the efforts of Peter McMahon, an architect and executive director of the recently formed Cape Cod Modern House Trust.

The cottages, among 115 other homes, were built on land later assigned to the Cape Cod National Seashore when it was created in 1961. The National Park Service obtained the properties by eminent domain, offering their previous owners lifetime use of them or 25-year leases. Once empty, the five Wellfleet cottages fell into disrepair. They were slated for demolition in the late 90’s. Then times and attitudes changed. McMahon is now arranging to lease the properties from the Park Service through the Cape Cod Modern House Trust in order to preserve them. McMahon's organization plans on restoring the Gips House, designed by Charles Zehnder, first with hopes of opening it this summer to the public for tours, among other activities.

According to the Globe article, David Fixler president of DOCOMOMO/US New England, another non-profit engaged in preserving Modernism, said, “The cottages were built very cheaply and close to nature. They spoke to a wonderful way of life…”

McMahon is quoted in the piece saying, “There’s a lot to learn from these houses.” I don’t doubt it. I look forward to visiting them one day.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast

Here are two quintessential New England charmers. These simple forms, cloaked in rugged shingles and outlined with quiet green trim, have enormous back-to-basics appeal. They work together as sibling structures or perhaps as an old, married couple: living side by side, each distinct, but compatible, with a comfortable space between them in which they welcome others to gather in their overlap. They look like they’ve led happy lives.

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast