Amy Doorley – Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty
Few places present a sense of freedom like the open air. Standing underneath a sweeping sky presents a sense of expansiveness, unboundedness, exhilaration. And while living among the clouds might be nothing more than a flight of fancy, a home can, through its unique location and architecture, capture the all-encompassing sense of peace, possibility, and escape that the wide blue sky promises.
Such a home may be situated on a bluff, on a hilltop, on a mountain, or at the top of an apt-named skyscraper. Or, like this magnificent compound in Charlestown, Rhode Island, it may be set amid private woods and quiet beaches, where there’s nothing to obscure or obstruct the sight lines of the breathtaking horizon, of shooting stars and sunrises. Here are some ways a property can truly take the sky to be its muse.
Eyes to the Skies
Nothing says “celestial” like skylights. Throughout this home, windows of different radiating shapes and dimensions crown the pinnacle of each of the peaked roofs, drawing the eye skyward and fostering a perpetual awareness of the sky’s color and closeness. While flat-paned, traditional skylights also feature above the dining room, it’s the faceted dome ceiling in the living room that showcases the most impressive overhead window.
As Above, So Below
Holistically conceived by a single visionary architect, Soheil Tavakoli, the home uses a variety of materials, and synthesizes motifs from both Persian and Native American aesthetics, to bolster its outward and upward views. Azure accents complement and amplify the skylights—from the tile in the kitchen and bathrooms, to the bas-relief interior window and fountain, to the gorgeous geometric pool on the grounds. It goes to show that the sky is best captured through color.
Days in the Sun
To take inspiration from the sky, a home should indulge indoor-outdoor living to the fullest. This property is a masterclass in how to do that, with its picturesque patio, glass-topped gazebo, and fountains and waterfalls spread across its terraces and gardens. A custom-built yoga platform makes it an ideal space for meditation and contemplation, offering fresh air and fresh perspective.
Endless Horizons
Because the skies are increasingly obscured and obstructed by tall towers, industrial infrastructure, and bright lights, location is crucial—and this property is a perfect cloudspotting and stargazing retreat. What better way to enjoy the serenity of the daytime, or the sublimity of the nighttime, than with a leisurely walk across the nearly twenty acres to the exquisite New England shores? Here, there’s nothing between the land, the ocean, and the sky—an elemental experience that eases the mind, even as it quickens the heart.
Ultimately, this unique Rhode Island compound shows that a home doesn’t necessarily have to be in the sky to be inspired by the sky. Brilliant glass surfaces, compatible tones and hues, and distance from urban light and noise pollution allow a property to create an aesthetic of boundless openness, and lift the spirits of those who live there.
Looking to expand your horizons through travel? See these five luxury homes located in famous escapes.
