An Architect's Historically Respectful Retreat in Provincetown

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Built in 1802, the classic gable-front cottage in the Provincetown, MA, had everything Ezra Block and Jimmy Hung were looking for in a seaside retreat: an off-the-beaten-path location (down a quaint oyster-shell-paved lane), a generous flower and vegetable garden, and a free-standing shed large enough to host summer parties. Most important, the home offered unspoiled New England charm.

“Shortly after we moved in,” Ezra recalled, “Jimmy remarked on how our little house was so ‘unique.’ As an architect, I could see that nearly every house on our street was, at one time, the exact same as ours, but most had been bumped out or expanded in ways that hid their simple truth.” Honoring and enhancing that simple character became the central tenet of the couple’s design approach. Join us for a tour:

in lieu of clichéd nautical motifs, jimmy and ezra relied on a natural mat 17 — Above: In lieu of clichéd nautical motifs, Jimmy and Ezra relied on a natural materials and a sun-bleached palette to conjure a coastal vibe that reflects Provincetown’s maritime past. In the small but light-filled living room, the couple mixed textured vintage pieces with clean contemporary furnishings, such as Crate & Barrel’s Oasis sofa and Blue Dot’s Square Strut Coffee Table; $649.

Though the previous owners were restrained in their renovations, they did leave one calamitous legacy that Jimmy and Ezra did not discover until moving day. “While Jimmy was unpacking and I was making sandwiches, I started to feel a bit wheezy,” Ezra recollected. “We knew the previous owners had cats, and my allergies are pretty serious, but we had assumed a thorough cleaning would do the trick. As it turned out, I had to evacuate the house.” Perhaps a blessing in disguise, the incident forced the couple to hit the pause button, allowing them to tweak the palette as fresh finishes were applied to every surface of the home.

the multitude of generous windows is one of the most striking features of the h 18 — Above: The multitude of generous windows is one of the most striking features of the home. Minimal roller shades, which they leave up most of the time, allow Jimmy and Ezra to take full advantage of the light, air, and views.

a strategically placed mirror by the front door reflects the light and enhances 19 — Above: A strategically placed mirror by the front door reflects the light and enhances the sense of space in the intimate living room.

Above: To create a cohesive feel, the couple painted the entire downstairs—walls, trim, and ceiling—in Benjamin Moore Distant Gray, OC-68.

a large photo of bison in the wild by toronto based photographer christine flyn 21 — Above: A large photo of bison in the wild by Toronto-based photographer Christine Flynn adds a touch of wit to the simply furnished dining room.

the furnishings in jimmy and ezra&#8\2\17;s home represent a mix of new and 22 — Above: The furnishings in Jimmy and Ezra’s home represent a mix of new and old, including many hand-me-downs, as well as flea market and street finds. In the dining room, DWR Salt Chairs surround a metal-topped, Pottery Barn table (a purchase from Jimmy’s days in med school).

for jimmy and ezra, who cook and entertain frequently while in provinceto 23 — Above: For Jimmy and Ezra, who cook and entertain frequently while in Provincetown, the stainless restaurant supply table has become “the heart of household operations—the primary work surface, the shelf for much needed storage, the island, the breakfast counter, the cocktail bar, etc.”

though they plan to renovate some day, jimmy and ezra don&#8\2\17;t feel an 24 — Above: Though they plan to renovate some day, Jimmy and Ezra don’t feel an urgent need to overhaul the modest kitchen. “To us, the house had such great bones, we were a bit wary of making any serious changes.” For now a coat of Farrow and Ball Down Pipe on the cabinets is all the update it needs.

jimmy and ezra&#8\2\17;s signature vintage modern sensibilities extend to t 25 — Above: Jimmy and Ezra’s signature vintage modern sensibilities extend to the bedrooms in the home. In this small first-floor guest room, black accents include Crate & Barrel’s Jenny Lind bed, Schoolhouse Electric’s Medium Alabax Light ($149), and a black-framed map of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard; it all adds up to a clean, contemporary feel within the historic setting.

in the corner of the guest room, a vintage fan and ogee mirror from brimfield a 26 — Above: In the corner of the guest room, a vintage fan and Ogee mirror from Brimfield Antique Market are partnered with a table found on the street.

with the addition of a camp cot from ebay, ezra and jimmy converted a hallway u 27 — Above: With the addition of a camp cot from eBay, Ezra and Jimmy converted a hallway under the stairs into another guest space.

bedside the guest cot, simple elements—beach stones and a antique bottle 28 — Above: Bedside the guest cot, simple elements—beach stones and a antique bottle with some garden finds—rest on a small metal table, another eBay score.

upstairs, the master bedroom and bath received a similar minimalist treatment. 29 — Above: Upstairs, the master bedroom and bath received a similar minimalist treatment. The walls, trim, ceiling, and radiators are all painted Benjamin Moore Simply White, OC-117.

against the original beadboard walls, a bedside vignette includes a blue nautic 30 — Above: Against the original beadboard walls, a bedside vignette includes a blue nautical desk from Brimfield Antique Market, Ezra’s father’s KHL radio, and a porcelain bowl by the couple’s friend Olen Hsu.

the upstairs floors received a coat of white high gloss oil paint. the vi 31 — Above: The upstairs floors received a coat of white high-gloss oil paint. The vintage Italian chair and stuffed bear are both from Loveland, a local shop down the street.

$in the master bedroom, the home&#8\2\17;s original beams were the only elem 32$

Above: In the master bedroom, the home’s original beams were the only element left unpainted. On the bed, the throw is from Swan Island Blanket and the accent A-Cup Pillow is from Remodelista market alumna Virginia Sin; $295.

outside the master bath, a hallway features a vintage blue rag rug from marston 33 — Above: Outside the master bath, a hallway features a vintage blue rag rug from Marston House. (See Marston House in Vinalhaven: French Vintage Style in Maine.)

like the rest of the house, the clawfoot tub in the master bathroom received a 34 — Above: Like the rest of the house, the clawfoot tub in the master bathroom received a fresh coat of white paint.

a bathroom detail features a framed card and ceramic bowl, both from john deria 35 — Above: A bathroom detail features a framed card and ceramic bowl, both from John Derian.

the pared down, new england aesthetic also extends to the outside of ezra and j 36 — Above: The pared-down, New England aesthetic also extends to the outside of Ezra and Jimmy’s gable-front home.

Provincetown style is always in season. Here are some more of our favorites from this classic beach-side community:

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on July 25, 2019.

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