I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Stephen Fletcher, the vice president of Skinner auction house, frequent appraiser on PBS's Antiques Roadshow, and long-time second-home resident in Provincetown. Along with telling stories about great finds or the one that got away, Stephen also shared his love of Cape Cod. He often hears from people that the Cape has changed too much, that it has lost its character over the years. We both wholeheartedly agreed that this was not the case. With miles and miles of National Seashore to explore and the largest historic district in the country—Old King's Highway, the Cape has been able to maintain much of its natural landscape and historical character when the flavor of other coastal areas around the country has eroded. Today more than ever architects, builders, and designers are creating living spaces sensitive to our fragile environment. In this issue, we showcase homes designed to honor our past while focused on protecting our future.

Architect Ned Collins and builder Rick Roy worked with homeowners Kermit and Jeanne Eaton to restore a 1930s beach house in Chatham. little cottage, a modest 1,900-square-foot building, had rotting walls, rattling windows, and no insulation. Ned and Rick worked together to create a sound structure that meets today's strict coastal codes yet maintains all the charm of the original cottage. On Nantucket architect Mickey Rowland designs a Shingle-style house reminiscent of the island's vernacular oceanfront cottages of the early 20th-century. Local carpenters and artisans added the unique details to construct a home with integrity.

M. Duffany Builders, Inc., executes architect Steve Hart's design for a second home high on a bluff overlooking the water in Falmouth. The home is a masterpiece of ingenuity and engineering feats, which include building materials selected to increase the longevity of the home as well as cutting-edge geothermal technology. Although the design has an eye toward the future, the house appears as if it has evolved over a period of time, much like the grand old vacation homes in the area. Also included in this special annual issue is our source book for creating your own haven in this unique region called the Cape and Islands.

Enjoy!

Nancy Berry

Editor, Cape Cod Home