The elegance of modern design and the luxury of Gilded Age meet in this luxury home!
In an era of homogenized landscapes, certain American locales retain a unique identity. Newport, Rhode Island, is such a locale. This coastal summer community, known as the birthplace of the Gilded Age, boasts a collection of opulent neoclassical and Renaissance Revival mansions built by prominent American industrialist families like the Astors, Vanderbilts, and Dukes. These grand estates showcase the opulence and extravagance of the era. Let’s take a look at one of these, a luxury home that boasts Gilded Age elements mixed with the simplicity and elegance of modern design.
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Despite the passage of time, many houses in Newport still stand, clustered around the deep-water harbor that attracts yachts and regattas. Some have remained family homes, while others have become trophies for newcomers like Oracle founder Larry Ellison. While Newport is known for its historical architecture, modern designs are rare.
In the spring of 2020, Poonam Khanna, founder of the New York City-based firm Unionworks, received an intriguing call from Charlotte Wagner, a Boston art collector and philanthropist. Wagner was seeking to renovate a historic Newport estate.
Wagner and her husband purchased a waterfront plot in Newport, Rhode Island, with plans to build a weekend retreat. Despite the existing Victorian-style house, they desired a modern and contemporary home. As longtime collectors of art, they sought a design that would complement the area’s historic character while reflecting their modern aesthetic.
Charlotte Wagner emphasized the importance of honoring the community’s excellence through careful siting, design, and craftsmanship. The new home should be a testament to the area’s rich history and blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
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A strong connection to the landscape was a crucial aspect of the home’s design. Poonam Khanna’s expertise in balancing minimalism with organic grace made her the ideal choice for the project. Her mastery of materials, including metals, wood, and boldly figured stone, resulted in a fresh and innovative approach to the home’s design.
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Designed by Boston-based architect David Stern, the property—a main house and a guest cottage connected by a rain garden—harmonizes with the windswept surroundings. The low-slung silhouette, featuring a flat roof and mahogany rain screen, reflects the modernist tradition. The breezeway leading directly to the sea adds a sense of airiness and openness. Over time, the untreated mahogany will develop a silver patina, further enhancing the building’s integration with the natural environment.
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The couple’s primary residence in Cambridge, Massachusetts, features statement furnishings by Vincenzo De Cotiis and artwork by Cecily Brown, Glenn Ligon, and Alice Neel. In contrast, the Newport vacation home offers a more relaxed and informal atmosphere. While the rooms are neutral in color, Khanna has incorporated a variety of textures to create a sense of beachy serenity. By repeating materials and playing with different colorways, she has achieved a subtle cohesion throughout the space.
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Khanna’s approach was to create a sense of continuity and harmony, similar to the ripples of water, without overwhelming the space with a single theme.
A walk around the five-acre property and adjacent beachfront provided inspiration for the project. The unique geological formations, known as pudding-stone, featured rounded pebbles of various shades fused with a neutral sandy background. Khanna recognized the potential of this natural palette to inform the design of the home.
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“We wanted there to be a subtle thread that runs through, like ripples of water.”
—Poonam Khanna
The exterior’s slender vertical lines are echoed in the interior design. Oak wall panels create a warm backdrop for the minimalist metal stair railings. A striking artwork by Stanley Whitney, a brightly colored grid of squares, dominates the landing, adding a vibrant touch to the space.
The powder room features a striking vanity and wall made of richly veined Turkish marble, showcasing Khanna’s characteristic panache. A vintage French rope mirror complements the marble, adding a touch of elegance.
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