A McPhee Associates of Cape Cod Quarterly Newsletter | | |
Greetings!
Summer is flying by, and fall and winter will be here before we know it. If you're a property management client, now's a good time to review your services and make sure everything's set for the seasons ahead.
Have a project you've been thinking about — something you'd like done before next summer? Let's plan it now, while there's still time to do it right. Last winter's blizzard and the widespread power outages it caused were a good reminder that staying ahead of maintenance always beats reacting to it. One of our property management clients recently shared a note that is a great example of why staying ahead matters. See below.
We also want to take a moment to recognize Richie Malone, a familiar face to so many of our clients and colleagues over his 30 years with McPhee Associates. Richie is retiring from his work as a Property Management Service Carpenter, where his wealth of knowledge, resourcefulness, and ability to fix just about anything made him someone we could always count on. Many of our property management and construction clients have gotten to know Richie through his work, and we're grateful for all he has contributed over the years. We wish him all the best in retirement!
In this issue, we're sharing a property management story where a simple paint job uncovered a structural surprise; a custom vacation home we built in Eastham designed by Peter McDonald; and a first look at the 3D plans for a contemporary shingle-style, upside-down waterfront home we designed in West Yarmouth. We've also got a few Cape events on our radar this season that we think are worth checking out — details at the end of the newsletter.
Grab a coffee, take a few minutes, and enjoy. Thanks, as always, for reading and for trusting us with your home.
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Sincerely,
Rob McPhee
| | A Coat of Paint Uncovers a Bigger Story | | |
We were hired for a straightforward job: repaint all of the home's white trim, including the chimney, in a clean semi-gloss finish. Nothing more than a cosmetic refresh.
But good work has a way of revealing what's hiding beneath the surface. As our crew prepped the front porch, one of our Property Management team members pulled back the trim around the columns and found rot working its way through the structure — the kind of damage that, left alone, wouldn't have stayed cosmetic for long.
We called the homeowner right away with two options: fix it now or address it in the fall when the house is vacated. Fixing it now would mean four extra days of work, but it would also mean catching the problem before it became worse—and more expensive. The homeowner didn't hesitate: “Do it now."
Our crew removed the damaged column and replaced it. Then, one of our staff members custom-crafted the trim work by hand — matching the profile and lines of the other columns so precisely you'd never know one had been rebuilt. All done on-site.
What started as a paint job ended with a home that was safer, stronger, and just as beautiful as before — because someone was paying attention to more than just the paint color.
This is the value of having eyes on your home. If you don't currently have anyone looking out for the small issues before they become big ones, reach out to learn more about our Property Management services.
| | | | Structural Support during Column Replacement | | Column Installation Complete | | |
We recently photographed Elevated Eastham Estate, a custom-built shingle-style vacation home in Eastham designed by architect Peter McDonald and built by us.
Natural oak beams define the coffered living room ceiling, while fieldstone unifies the space throughout — appearing behind the kitchen's display shelving, the dining room's wet bar wall, and extending outdoors to the retaining walls and pool house.
The open-concept first floor was designed for gathering, anchored by a custom kitchen built for a family who loves to cook and entertain — dual islands, a chef-grade range, and a hidden wet bar tucked behind custom-built cabinetry. The primary suite sits privately off the main living area, with a walk-in closet and a spacious spa-like bath.
Upstairs, there are two guest bedrooms and a central recreation area that opens onto an ipe deck with ocean views. Outside, features a private outdoor living area with a pool house, pool, spa, firepit, and pergola-topped kitchen.
| | Work continues outside to prepare this seven-bedroom Harwich Port property for the installation of a swimming pool, along with new hardscaping and landscaping. Architect: Peter Zimmerman. Photo: Brendan Kelly. | |  | Part of a larger renovation, this kitchen update features cabinets painted Benjamin Moore Simply White, Calacatta Cremo Marble counters, and a “Spice” stained oak island. | | | Next steps for this three-bedroom home in Eastham, designed and built by our team, include insulation, board and plaster, and the installation of tile and hardwood flooring. | | | Roof prep and rake trim are progressing, and the walls are beginning to go up at this barn under construction in South Dennis. | | | Construction is well underway on a new screened porch with retractable screens that will replace an existing patio. Above, a new roof deck is taking shape, with an exterior spiral staircase to be installed soon. | | | The foundation walls of a four-bedroom upside-down home in West Yarmouth is being backfilled. You can see the plans below in our Architectural Design section. | | | |
Upside Down by Design
Set along Lewis Bay and Sweetheart Creek, this contemporary shingle-style summer home, designed by our team, flips the traditional floor plan to put water-views first — horizontal siding grounds the lower level while classic shingles are set above.
The second floor holds the primary living spaces, framed by large windows that capture sweeping views and the sound of waves. A raised foundation will be built to meet flood zone regulations.
On the rear elevation, a screened porch offers second-level dining, shading the ground-floor deck below. Above it, a private widow's walk — hidden from street view — faces the water, visible only from the bay side of the home.
Three bedrooms sit on the first floor, while the second floor features the primary suite, complete with an adjacent yoga studio. A half-level above adds an office, full bath, and access to the widow's walk and deck.
A steel stair tower with open risers rises along the front elevation, connecting the first floor to the top of the home, while on the rear elevation, an exterior staircase links the first- and second-floor decks.
| | Follow us on social media to see progress photos and more McPhee projects. | | |
WINDWARD EAST & WINDWARD VILLAGE
Located on the north side of East Dennis, Windward East and Windward Village are exclusive McPhee Associates neighborhoods. The homes in both neighborhoods are set on pristine, wooded lots and are protected by special covenants that ensure new homes are designed and built to be compatible with Cape Cod and New England styles.
Windward East has sold out, but you can view our Windward East gallery of completed homes at the link above.
In Windward Village, there are just one lot remaining for a custom-built home: Lot 1. Visit Windward Village for more details.
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Summer came early for the McPhee Associates crew! Our annual Lobster Roll Cruise — usually a September tradition — set sail out of Sesuit Harbor in East Dennis this June, with sunny skies, calm waters, and open sea all around.
It was the perfect chance for our team to trade blueprints for sea breezes and simply enjoy each other's company outside the office. Lobster rolls, good company, and a stunning sunset — it doesn't get more Cape Cod than that.
Here's to summer traditions, great company, and many more cruises to come!
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The Selection Process: Honing Your Design Decisions
Remodeling or building a new home comes with countless decisions. Pam, our Interior Design and Selections Coordinator, shares her advice on navigating the selection process, from planning and deadlines to finishes, fixtures, and design trends.
Keep reading
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14 Amazing Cape Cod Mudrooms
Mudrooms may be small, but they can make a big impact. Take a look at some of the mudrooms we've built and find inspiration for creating a stylish, hardworking space of your own.
Keep reading
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Top Things to Do on Cape Cod During the Off Season
Cape Cod has plenty to offer beyond the summer season. Discover a few local favorites that keep the Cape lively all year long.
Keep reading
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By the Bay Fine Art & Craft Show — Brewster
Now in its 24th year, By the Bay's Fine Art and Craft Show returns to Drummer Boy Park on Route 6A in Brewster, September 4–6, 2026, from 10am to 4pm daily. Browse original work from Cape Cod artists and artisans — oils, watercolors, pottery, photography, glass, leather, folk art, and hand-crafted jewelry. Admission is free, with parking on-site.
Learn more.
Patio Planter Class at the Chatham Bars Inn Farm - Chatham
Join Fine Gardener Pamela Vasques and Farm Manager Shane Chambers for a hands-on workshop on the thriller-filler-spiller method for building a balanced container garden for your deck or patio. Friday, September 5, 2026, 1:00–2:30pm. Open to guests, members, and the public at $75 per person plus a 20% service charge. Reserve spots here.
Cape Symphony Thursday Night Chapters — Season Finale
Cape Symphony Presents wraps up its free weekly summer residency, Thursday Night Chapters, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the historic Chapter House in Yarmouth Port. The series features a rotating lineup of local and regional artists spanning folk, jazz, soul, and beyond, set in an intimate outdoor venue with a bar, food menu, fire pits and yard games. Admission is free. Learn more.
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At McPhee, we truly believe that our clients are the heart of our business. Our goal is to consistently provide the best service possible, and in doing so, we would love to receive feedback from our clients.
We would be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to leave us a Google review. This will help us let others learn of the value of our service.
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WE LOVE TO SHARE OUR WORK |
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