A Regal Rhode Island Retreat
Seth Ballard, founder of Washington, DC-based Ballard + Mensua Architecture, discusses a grand renovation he did for a couple’s property overlooking Narragansett Bay.
Have you always been interested in architecture?
As a kid, I wanted to be a fireman. But when I was seven, I visited the National Gallery of Art’s East Building and was blown away—everything had so much order. My parents, knowing that I loved drawing, explained what an architect is and what they do. I immediately wanted to be one, and the feeling never wavered.
What led you to open your firm twenty years ago?
I worked for well-known architect Douglas Soe Lin for eleven years, building everything from resorts in Southeast Asia to country clubs and office buildings in the States. But I wanted to focus more on residential architecture, and, on top of that, I wasn’t seeing my young kids enough. So I started my own firm.
How did you get involved with this project? What were the clients’ goals?
I’ve been friends and worked with Bill and Tina for years; they’re quite a couple. Bill’s a commercial real estate developer and Tina’s the daughter of one, and both have backgrounds in construction. When their boys relocated to New England, they started looking at real estate in Rhode Island so they’d have a place nearby.
They found this house on a beautiful four-acre lot on the water and wanted me to make it like a private bed-and-breakfast—complete with seven en suite bedrooms and three bars—because they entertain so many friends. I appreciate how much faith they had in me, allowing me to shop for everything from the furniture, art, and paint right down to the dishes and linens.
What was the home’s original style?
It was a late sixties/early seventies hodgepodge with very minimal trim and a mix of flat and angled roofs—and it felt very dated. Ultimately, we ripped out the roof, most of the walls, the plumbing, and all the wiring and basically used the remaining structure as a starting point. We then created additions up and all around it, swallowing it within them to make the great room.
How did the water setting influence your design?
We wanted the home to feel like a big ocean liner because it overlooks vast Narragansett Bay. For instance, we weathered seasoned timber with a coastal color for a driftwood feel and sculpted waves in it, making it look like hand-hewn ship beams. We also incorporated other nautical details, such as round windows, copper lights, a ship-style railing above the garage, and two stories of glass in the great room. You can even walk across what feels like a bridge on the upper level.
Were the exterior choices based on withstanding bayside elements?
Yes, but Bill and Tina wanted authentic, historically correct materials as well, so I pulled inspiration from New England. The pergola’s timber frame is western red cedar, for example, which we stained to make it long-lasting, while the garage doors are custom mahogany and the roofing is slate and copper for beauty and durability. Similarly, the flagstone and bluestone around the perimeter are maintenance-free, and the subterranean patio is made out of Nantucket Stacked Stone; I designed the latter with civil engineers to withstand a hundred-year storm.
The octagon tower is breathtaking. Would you discuss it?
The tower offers a water view on every side but one, and each level and room has something special. On the lowest level, for example, visitors can step out onto the beautiful 1,000-square-foot patio. But Bill and Tina’s bedroom in the middle level is the biggest highlight of all because when you’re in it, you’re surrounded by water and the beautiful rolling hills of Barrington; you can even see a lighthouse in the distance. In fact, many guests paint that scene because it’s so picturesque.
So the project’s name, All Points of View, is appropriate—for both the spectacular vista in all directions and how Bill and Tina are very welcoming to everybody. They used to host guests 300 out of 365 days a year in this house before retiring there.
You mentioned the home being like a B and B. How did you achieve this?
Every guest room has a built-in desk, dedicated luggage area, and en suite bathroom with two sinks. We also included a wing above the garage with colorful, children-oriented spaces that are still welcoming for adults. It features custom bunk beds and window seats, a play zone for young kids, and a separate area where older ones can play video games. Such details make guests very comfortable, knowing how much thought the owners put into their stay.
Is it challenging to craft homes that are grand yet welcoming?
The main reason this dichotomy fails in such houses is because they have no scale, resulting in a cold, lifeless furniture layout. That’s why we always make plans with proportion and scale top of mind. So in this house, you want to sit and relax, not only because of the view but also because the furniture is comfortable and lets you sink into it and there’s ample space between each piece, creating a cozier environment within the larger environment.
Do you also consider all points of view when you do a job?
Yes—it’s a natural fit. I credit my family for instilling that in me from a young age as well as Douglas, my mentor. He’d never go against a client’s wishes, which is smart because they’re proud of their ideas and won’t like or trust you if you push back too hard. Instead, I’ll say something like “We could definitely do that” but keep drawing and then show them what it could be. They’ll often like my option better since I took the genesis of their vision and remolded it using expert principles.
Overall, I see my job as being their editor, making sure there’s tastefulness within the realm of what they want. To do so, I need an open mind to receive their input, give it proper scale, proportion, and color balance, and synthesize everything for them. Only by considering all these points of view can I create their dream house.
For more info, visit ballardmensua.com