A McPhee Associates of Cape Cod Quarterly Newsletter | | |
Greetings!
We've had quite the winter here on the Cape! Late January brought more than a foot of snow and some of the coldest temperatures we've seen in years. Our Property Management team has been busy with storm checks and keeping a watchful eye on homes — and we're happy to report that thanks to their preparation, everything is looking great.
We still have about five weeks of winter left, but we’re already starting to think about spring—and we imagine many of you are too. Until then, we’re appreciating moments like the one our administrative assistant Ali captured along the Herring River in West Harwich (below). Winter on Cape Cod has its own quiet, peaceful charm.
In this edition, you'll find some of our design team's fireplace projects, updates on current builds and renovations, a look at the Cape's 2025 real estate market, and a few local spots and events we think are worth checking out.
Stay warm and take care!
Sincerely,
Rob McPhee
| | ESSENTIAL WINTER CARE TIPS | | |
With over a month of winter still ahead, it’s a good time to double-check that your home is protected from the cold. Here are a few key reminders from our Property Management crew:
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Service your HVAC system – If you're noticing reduced efficiency or unusual sounds, don't wait; schedule a service call now to avoid breakdowns during the coldest weeks ahead.
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Clear your gutters – Remove leaves and debris to prevent ice dams. Check periodically for new ice buildup.
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Check condensate drain lines – Make sure lines that drain to the outside of your house are clear and not freezing up, which can cause system malfunctions.
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Adjust your humidifier – Set it to 35-40% to maintain comfortable indoor air quality without risking condensation on windows or walls.
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Inspect outside vents - Make sure exterior vents are clear of snow buildup to prevent system issues in the home.
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LOOKING AHEAD: GETTING READY FOR SPRING
It's been a cold, snowy winter on the Cape, and we know many of you are looking forward to the spring and summer season. As we head into the final stretch of winter, now's the perfect time to start thinking about your seasonal home projects. Here are a few items to consider:
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Reserve your spot on our paint list – This fills up quickly! Winter's dry air often causes cracking at seams in walls, ceilings, crown moldings, and baseboards. Getting on the schedule now means we can freshen things up as soon as warmer weather arrives.
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Create your spring prep checklist – Start jotting down any tasks you'd like us to handle to get your home ready for the season ahead. The earlier we know what you need, the better we can plan.
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Schedule power washing or light washing – Whether it's your deck, siding, or walkways, a good wash can make your home shine for spring and summer.
Reach out to our Property Management team (pm@mcpheeassociatesinc.com) to discuss your spring plans—we're here to help!
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Last summer, we photographed this 1970s colonial in Dennis following a complete renovation. Just a short walk from the beach, the home had served as a family gathering place for decades and was ready for a thoughtful update to reflect the way the owners live today. The goal was to transform a well-loved house into a refreshed home designed for year-round living and visits from adult children and grandchildren.
We collaborated closely with the owners’ son—an interior designer and owner of Simoni Companies Design—on the transformation. The remodel included a new primary bath addition, a finished basement with custom bunkbeds, a powder room and a spacious laundry room, as well as a new outdoor living area with a dining and entertaining patio and wood-burning fireplace. Thoughtful upgrades and all-new finishes have carefully blended the home’s original character with a modern sensibility.
| | The foundation was recently completed for a four-bedroom home designed by our team and featured in our summer newsletter. Thoughtfully sited to avoid the adjacent flood zone, the home’s footprint is positioned to maximize water views. | |  | Dormers are in and the front entry is almost complete for a remodel and second-floor addition our crew is working on at a Cape-style home in Harwich Port. (See more of this project in the Architectural Design section of our summer newsletter.) | | | Interior framing, roofing, and porch footings are underway for this 1,600-square-foot gambrel-style guesthouse designed by our team and first seen in our spring newsletter. | | | |
With the help of heaters to warm the winter chill, interior framing and roofing continues at this seven-bedroom, waterfront custom home build in Harwich Port that we’ve been following since last year's winter newsletter.
{Architect: Peter Zimmerman)
| | | Framing is in progress on a single-floor addition in East Dennis, with a new bedroom and bathroom beginning to take shape. | | | In the last days of 2025, we were overseeing the demolition of a ranch teardown in Wellfleet. We are now onto building the foundation for the two-bedroom home designed by architect Peter McDonald. | | |
Whether reimagining a dated red-brick hearth or crafting a custom centerpiece for a new build, the fireplace remains one of the most defining design decisions in a home. Here's a look at three recent projects where we elevated the everyday into something special. | | Custom Home on Winding Oaks | | |
For a new four-bedroom ranch in East Dennis’ Windward Village, our team crafted a living room fireplace that defines an open-concept floor plan built for livability. Calacatta Zambia marble spans the flush hearth, set beneath Alicante Antique ceramic 2-by-10-inch subway tile that captures light from the flanking windows. A natural wood mantel adds warm contrast to the white, tile surround and Benjamin Moore Graytint 1611-painted walls. Clean-lined molding frames the gas fireplace and television above, while symmetrical built-ins extend along both sides, grounding the room with contemporary sophistication.
See full gallery of Custom Home on Winding Oaks.
| | Masterful Haven in Windward | | |
Also in East Dennis' Windward Village, we revamped a study into a cozy retreat with a custom-designed fireplace as the focal point. Custom built-ins extend the length of the wall, combining adjustable open shelving with base cabinets for versatile storage. The fireplace features a Calacatta Bluette marble surround and flush hearth, set against nickel gap shiplap for subtle texture. A reclaimed pine mantel, stained to complement rich oak flooring, adds warmth and character. Painted Benjamin Moore Pebble Beach, the built-ins create a soft accent against white walls, while crown molding unifies the design with quiet polish.
See full gallery of Masterful Haven in Windward.
| | Coastal Colonial Transformation | | |
Our team reimagined a 1970s Dennis colonial's heavy red-brick fireplace into a light and sophisticated centerpiece. Where traditional red brick and dark-stained wood shelving once weighed down the space, White Carrara Gioia marble now meets crisp Benjamin Moore White Dove trim that climbs to the ceiling—evoking the grand fireplaces of historic sea captains' homes. The transformation is dramatic: white marble replaces red brick and clean lines replace visual clutter. The flush marble hearth and slim-profile gas insert complete the streamlined look, bringing refined coastal elegance to a home just steps from the beach.
See full gallery of Coastal Colonial Transformation.
| | 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 two lots remaining for custom-built homes: Lot 1 and Lot 5. Visit Windward Village for more details.
| | BRICC Award-Winning Projects Featured in At Home on Cape Cod | | | | |
We're honored to be featured in the winter issue of At Home on Cape Cod magazine. The spotlight showcases four of our award-winning projects that exemplify our commitment to exceptional design and craftsmanship.
Click here to read the full write-up.
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Coastal Farmhouse Décor & Ideas
Bring the relaxed elegance of coastal farmhouse style to your home with design ideas that merge rustic warmth and seaside serenity.
Keep reading
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Best Cape Cod Architects for Custom Homes & Remodeling
In addition to offering our own architectural design services, we've collaborated with top-tier firms whose exceptional work we highly recommend. See a list of our trusted collaborators.
Keep reading
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Remodel or Rebuild? Which is better for your home?
Should you renovate your aging Cape Cod home or tear it down and rebuild? This guide weighs the benefits of each option.
Keep reading
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REAL ESTATE MARKET NEWS - 2025 Year in Review
The Cape Cod and Islands Association of REALTORS®, Inc. has released its 2025 report on Cape Cod’s housing market, offering a detailed look at single-family and condominium sales in Barnstable County.
According to the annual report, Barnstable County showed relative stability with modest year-over-year declines in activity—new listings fell 1.4% and closed sales declined 1.7%—even as the median sales price climbed 3.4% to $739,000. The market showed mixed signals: inventory tightened to 2.0 months of supply (down from 2.3 months in 2024), yet homes took longer to sell at an average of 51 days on market, up 24.4% from the prior year, reflecting a more measured pace compared to the rapid turnover of recent years.
For the full report, and a closer look at the inventory supply and sales data for individual towns, click here.
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Tickets are going fast for Mangia al Museo, the Cape Cod Museum of Art’s 10th annual fundraiser. Guests sample chef-prepared sauces over pasta served in handcrafted ceramic bowls made by CCMoA pottery students and volunteers—which they keep. Proceeds support exhibitions, events, Museum School programming, and community outreach at this beloved Dennis community staple. Saturday, March 7 is sold out, but Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m. still has spots, while limited Mangia Boxes ($60) are available to enjoy at home.
Visit website
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For handcrafted, heirloom-quality furniture, visit West Barnstable Tables in their 1920s former cranberry-processing barn in West Barnstable. Since 1970, master craftsman Dick Kiusalas and his skilled team have been handcrafting tables, hutches, cabinets, and chairs from antique and new hardwoods, including Northern Red Pine, American Chestnut, Black Walnut, and Cherry. Live edge designs, reclaimed wood, and fully custom pieces showcase the artistry and precision that define decades of craftsmanship, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.
Visit website
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Love Farms in West Dennis opened in December to rave reviews, bringing a fresh take on farm-to-table dining. Guests can pick up locally grown produce and fresh-baked breads or enjoy breakfast, lunch, or a five-course, chef-led Harvest Dinner showcasing seasonal ingredients. The new hospitality space also features an outdoor stage for live music, al fresco dining, farm tours, catering, and private events—a true community hub for gathering, eating, and celebrating local flavors.
Visit website
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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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