Dane Austin Design

Kitchen Expansion: Reconfiguring the first floor and borrowing from the formal dining room to expand the kitchen, New England Design and Construction senior designer Joe Wood created fluidity and breathing space. Meanwhile, interior designer Dane Austin imbued a warm color palette as well as whisps of wildlife to enliven wall coverings, furnishings, and lighting. Now the wide-open kitchen and adjacent living room borrow from the backyard in a relationship of grounding energy.

Custom Essex Bay Cabinetry and Design cabinets are painted in contrasting Benjamin Moore’s “Philipsburg Blue” and Sherwin-Williams’s “Aesthetic White” to create a softer, artistic ambiance. La Dolce Vita quartzite stone on the backsplash, counters, and atop a 9-foot walnut island (complete with two ovens and a dedicated baking station for this family who enjoys bake daily) creates a kitchen where everyone wants to be.

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As seen in: Spring ‘26
EIC:
Story: Annie Sherman
Cover image: Sarah Wi******er
Design: Marla Mullen

[swipe] “‘Good design is about contrast and juxtaposition and showing the dichotomy between finishes. And I really believe in custom upholstery because you can focus on the comfort,” Austin says. “It’s about layering and creating that sense of sophistication that feels collected over time. It’s a sharp look when you can mix materials in a way that looks effortless.”

A bespoke table grounds the new dining room, where grasscloth walls and custom walnut shelving provide seamless continuity from the kitchen and living room.

From larger spaces to smaller moments for rest and reflection, the home has inviting little spots. A mini reading area is tucked next to the customized dining room.”

The alcove in window is a favorite perch for the client to birdwatch and rest — taking in views of the surrounding flora and fauna.

[swipe for B&A] This Cape Cod–style home in Dover underwent a full renovation to lean into the surrounding woods and pond that attracted the homeowner here to raise her family 20 years ago. Now embracing nature, efficiency, and a contemporary mood, it’s full of natural elements that create a marriage between inside and out.

~ Story by Annie Sherman in the Spring issue of Boston Home Magazine.

Thank you to EIC Jaci Conry for sharing this lovely project.

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Architect/ Builder:
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Florals & Styling:

Cover image: Sarah Wi******er
Design: Marla Mullen