Inside the Concord Country Cape Renovation

The Concord Country Cape: Preserving History While Embracing Modern Living

In the heart of historic Concord, Massachusetts, an 1880s Cape Cod-style home has undergone a remarkable transformation that showcases the perfect balance between preserving architectural heritage and embracing contemporary convenience. This Old House Season 43’s inaugural project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can honor a home’s past while creating spaces that meet the needs of modern families. The project, which began in June and took eight months to complete, is a testament to the collaborative efforts of architect Andrew Sidford, general contractor Tom Silva, and the dedicated This Old House team.

The Pasquina family’s home sits on a sprawling countryside property in Concord, making it the ideal canvas for a complete reimagining. What started as a modest, compartmentalized 1880s dwelling with several poorly planned additions has evolved into a cohesive 4,025-square-foot residence featuring four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and a large finished basement. The renovation required demolishing previous additions, reimagining the home’s internal layout, and constructing a dramatic new wing that maximizes outdoor views while maintaining the home’s traditional street-facing facade.

Understanding the Original Challenge

The original Cape Cod home presented both opportunities and obstacles for the renovation team. At 2,523 square feet before the project began, the house had evolved through multiple additions that created a fragmented, disjointed interior. The Pasquinas, a working couple who both operate from home, found themselves constrained by a kitchen that was too small and living spaces that didn’t flow together naturally. Perhaps most critically, the home’s layout prevented the family from experiencing the beautiful views of their expansive backyard and the pond beyond, as walls and disconnected spaces cut off sight lines from the main living areas.

Architect Andrew Sidford recognized that the solution wasn’t simply to add square footage, but to fundamentally reconsider how the spaces functioned together. By thoughtfully removing certain walls and reorienting key areas like the kitchen, Sidford created sight lines that connect the original Cape with the new modern additions, allowing natural light and views to flow throughout the home.

Design Philosophy: Traditional Meets Contemporary

The architectural approach to the Concord Country Cape represents a sophisticated understanding of how to integrate old and new. Rather than erasing the home’s history, the renovation embraces it. The street-facing facade remains largely unchanged, preserving the home’s traditional Cape Cod appearance for the neighborhood. However, from the side angles and interior spaces, the modern intervention becomes apparent through high shed roofs, expansive windows, and open-concept living areas.

Sidford’s design strategy involved creating a journey through different spatial experiences. As residents move from room to room, they encounter varying ceiling heights, proportions, and light conditions. This variation creates a sense of discovery and prevents the home from feeling monotonous despite its expanded footprint. The architect explained that varying room proportions allows natural light to pour in from every angle, creating different moods and functions for different spaces throughout the day.

The Kitchen: A Warm Blend of Old and New

Perhaps the most visually striking transformation is the new kitchen, which occupies what was once the living room. This space exemplifies the project’s design philosophy by combining elements that seem disparate but create a harmonious whole. Neutral-colored cabinetry provides a sophisticated backdrop for the kitchen’s focal point: a massive island painted a vibrant blue and topped with dramatically veined blue quartzite featuring thick white swirls reminiscent of ocean waves.

The countertops surrounding the island present another design innovation. Thick, bleached-oak countertops appear to float around the island thanks to hidden steel brackets, creating a contemporary feel while the warm wood tone maintains connection to the home’s traditional character. The Pasquinas made the deliberate choice to preserve the existing corner fireplace and incorporate it into the new kitchen design, adding a built-in seating area with views of the front garden.

Sidford explained the strategic decision to relocate the kitchen: “By taking out the back wall of the living room and reorienting the kitchen, we were able to take advantage of the morning light that comes in from the old front of the house.” This new layout serves as a bridge between the original Cape and the modern additions, with the breakfast area feeling contained within the old house while the main kitchen opens toward the new spaces.

The Great Room: A Dramatic Modern Addition

Just beyond the kitchen lies the project’s most dramatic feature: a soaring great room that extends over twenty feet into the sloping backyard. This space represents the visible manifestation of the home’s transformation. With high shed roofs and 14-foot-tall windows, the great room floods the home with natural light and provides unobstructed views of the property’s natural beauty. The architectural challenge of connecting this modern addition to the existing Cape, with roof forms pitched in different directions, required complicated framing and flashing intersections—yet the result appears effortless from every angle.

Tom Silva, the general contractor, incorporated a modern staircase with an elevated landing at the center of this great room, anchoring the renovated home’s circulation. The staircase features stainless steel cable railings, which, as This Old House host Kevin O’Connor noted, create unobstructed sight lines through the great room to the outdoors. This attention to maintaining visual connections throughout the home became a hallmark of the design.

The Primary Suite and Upper Floor Organization

The second floor of the renovated home reflects careful planning to accommodate both the existing structure and new construction. To the right of the modern staircase, two bedrooms and bathrooms occupy the original Cape’s upper level, designed to allow the Pasquina children to grow into the spaces. A built-in reading nook in the hallway provides a cozy spot for story time, blending practicality with charm.

To the left of the staircase, beyond the second-floor laundry room, lies Megan and Lincoln’s primary-suite retreat. This luxurious addition sits above the new two-car garage, featuring a sloped ceiling similar to the bedrooms in the original part of the house but with a higher ridge that creates an airy, modern feel. Lincoln appreciated the space’s qualities, noting, “I like that there’s a lot of privacy and plenty of space, but that it’s also very cozy.”

Foundation Challenges and Construction Solutions

The construction phase presented unexpected challenges that required creative problem-solving. When builder Charlie Silva and his crew demolished the existing single-story garage foundation to construct the new structure that would support the primary suite above, they made a startling discovery: the main part of the original house had no footing. This revelation necessitated careful structural work to ensure the home’s integrity while proceeding with the new construction.

Environmental restrictions also affected the project timeline. The property’s proximity to wetlands meant that all work required environmental compliance oversight, which extended the construction schedule. Despite these challenges, Charlie met his deadlines and delivered not only a new two-car garage but also a large finished basement below it. This basement includes a home gym, a family room, and extensive finished storage, effectively tripling the home’s usable space.

Craftsmanship and Personal Touches

One of the project’s most meaningful details showcases the collaboration between homeowners and craftspeople. Inside the original front entry, the staircase is now flanked by graceful, period-appropriate newel posts that Megan Pasquina crafted alongside Tom Silva in his workshop. This creative collaboration revived fond memories for Megan of wood-turning classes she had attended years ago at Boston’s North Bennet Street School, adding layers of personal meaning to the home’s traditional elements.

The Finished Spaces and Living Experience

The completed renovation transforms not just the physical structure but the entire living experience of the home. The Pasquinas have discovered that the house feels cohesive and connected in ways the original fragmented layout never allowed. Rather than a mere updated antique with a new addition tacked on, the home has become what architect Sidford described as “a cohesive collection of unique spaces.” Each room offers its own spatial experience while remaining visually and functionally connected to the whole.

The renovation successfully addresses the family’s original needs: the kitchen is now spacious and integrated with family living areas, the home offices can support both parents’ work-from-home lifestyles, and the layout takes full advantage of the property’s views. Yet beyond meeting practical requirements, the renovation has created something more intangible—a sense of place that honors the home’s historic character while embracing contemporary comfort.

Space and Square Footage Overview

The transformation added significant living space to the modest original structure. The home now encompasses 4,025 square feet of living space across two floors, plus a large finished basement. This represents a substantial increase from the original 2,523 square feet. The new configuration provides:

• Four bedrooms with distinct character and purpose
• Four-and-a-half bathrooms
• A professional-grade kitchen with island seating
• An open-plan great room with dramatic ceilings
• Two home offices
• A spacious primary suite
• A finished basement with gym, family room, and storage

Floor Plan Strategy

The floor plan represents a delicate balance between preserving the original footprint and creating modern functionality. Most spaces—the kitchen, dining area, bedrooms, and bathrooms—occupy the same footprint as the existing house, but with completely reimagined layouts and functions. The primary exceptions are the great room, Megan’s office, and parts of the basement, which extend into the previously underutilized backyard space.

The kitchen, relocated from its original cramped location, now occupies the space where the living room once stood, connecting seamlessly to the open-plan great room that extends dramatically into the yard. This reorganization creates the visual and functional flow that was missing from the original compartmentalized layout.

Design Lessons and Principles

The Concord Country Cape project demonstrates several key principles applicable to any historic home renovation:

• Preserve What Matters: The street-facing facade and interior period details honor the home’s heritage while changes happen where they’re less visible.
• Create Visual Connections: Removing strategic walls and using glass railings maintain sight lines and create a sense of spaciousness.
• Respect Proportions: Varying ceiling heights and room sizes create interest and prevent monotony in expanded homes.
• Plan for Function: Dedicating spaces to the homeowners’ specific needs (work-from-home offices, modern kitchen) ensures the renovation serves real daily life.
• Balance Old and New: Using contemporary materials like steel and glass alongside traditional elements like wood and fireplaces creates visual interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the original construction date of the Concord Country Cape?

A: The home was built in the 1880s as a Cape Cod-style residence, making it over 140 years old at the time of the renovation featured in This Old House Season 43.

Q: How long did the complete renovation take?

A: The project began in June and was completed in approximately eight months, requiring coordination among architects, contractors, and environmental specialists.

Q: What were the homeowners’ primary goals for the renovation?

A: The Pasquinas wanted a larger kitchen, open-concept living and dining areas, home offices to support their work-from-home lifestyle, and the ability to enjoy views of their expansive backyard and pond.

Q: How much square footage was added to the home?

A: The home expanded from 2,523 square feet to 4,025 square feet of finished living space on two floors, plus a large finished basement—an increase of over 1,500 square feet.

Q: What is unique about the kitchen island?

A: The kitchen features a massive island painted vibrant blue and topped with dramatically veined blue quartzite. The countertops appear to float thanks to hidden steel brackets, blending contemporary design with warm bleached-oak elements.

Q: Did the renovation preserve any original features?

A: Yes, the street-facing facade remains largely unchanged, the original corner fireplace was preserved and incorporated into the new kitchen design, and original windows were maintained where possible.

Q: What challenges did construction crews encounter?

A: The most significant discovery was that the original house foundation had no footing. Environmental restrictions due to the property’s proximity to wetlands also extended the construction timeline.

Q: How does the new addition connect to the original Cape?

A: The architect designed complicated roof forms that pitch in different directions to connect the modern addition to the existing Cape, requiring sophisticated framing and flashing solutions.