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HIS CUSTOM BARRINGTON HOME IS THE SECOND ONE THE HUSBAND-AND-WIFE DUO HAVE BUILT TOGETHER WITH MERIDIAN CUSTOM HOMES.
Their first one captured the eye of a passerby, who basically knocked on their front door asking to purchase the property. Suddenly in need of a new home, the couple eventually found a spot near the Barrington River, practically hidden by trees and cluttered with bushes and rocks, and set within a flood zone. The homeowners saw past the vegetation and worked with Meridian Custom Homes to carry out the ambitious project.
Alex Mitchell, co-owner of Meridian Custom Homes, says the team had to brainstorm to work with the tricky footprint of the lot to achieve their goal. Since the lot is in a flood zone, they placed the above-ground basement on the first level, the living room and kitchen on the second floor, and the bedrooms on the third floor.
“ We had restrictions, but we were able to work hard with the design and accommodate all the desires of the client,” Mitchell says.
The project took about fourteen months, and despite the various challenges of building near a large river, the home’ s panoramic water views made it all worthwhile.
“ We wanted to make it so that when we got upstairs to the main living room area, we had a nice view of the water,” says the homeowner.“ We have a lot of southwest-facing windows; the house isn’ t on the water, but we’ re hit with nice expansive views.”
The homeowners wanted the same experience in the master bedroom, so the windows look out onto the river for a serene water view. The natural light and nine-and-a-half-foot-tall ceilings contribute to the airy feel of the space.
The master bathroom is equipped with his-and-hers sinks, a whirlpool bath and an oversized tile shower. On the other wing of the third floor are two guest rooms attached to a jack-and-jill bathroom, where the homeowners’ adult children stay when they’ re visiting. The sunroom on the main floor also doubles as a guest room, featuring a pull-out couch and a fireplace— one of two in the home.
The couple loves to entertain family and friends, so their dream kitchen includes plenty of space for cooking and mingling. A light oak dining table, placed under an elaborate glass globe chandelier, can accommodate ten people.
The homeowners’ dream kitchen requirements included a double oven, oversized refrigerator and plenty of cabinets. Riley Kitchen & Bath in Bristol supplied the cabinetry, and the appliances are from Gil ' s Appliances. The butler pantry is complete with a second sink, dishwasher and coffee bar as well as the food pantry. The expansive kitchen island has a marble top and a wooden counter for informal meals. The bar area stores liquor, cocktail mix-ins, glassware and a beer and wine cooler.
32 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY’ S NEST | 2025