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Endless Summer When a vacation home became a primary residence, the attic got a second look Newport’s Cliff Walk is a popular spot for romantics, nature lovers, and thrill seekers and it’s where Elise and Gregg Thomas got engaged. “Right on the cliffs!” says Elise, with palpable glee. Married 25 years, the crags that buffer the Atlantic always held a special place in their hearts, so when a house came on the market not far from the place known for taking giant leaps, the couple jumped. “We’ve always loved the area. It is a very sentimental and special place for us.” The quintessential New England Cape Cod-style home is nestled in blue hydrangeas, boasts water views from a rooftop deck, and is a short walk to a deeded beach around the corner from Castle Hill. While perfect in so many ways, the Thomases have enlisted help over the eight years since taking ownership from Newport-based designer Solange Richards of Solange Marie Design, LLC. “I met with them right after the closing, and Elise and I immediately hit it off. I’ve been working with them ever since!” says Richards. “We started with a full renovation of the boys’ bathroom, then a facelift of the first-floor half bath, then added an outdoor shower.” Photography by Marial Maher, Visual Manor, courtesy of Solange Marie Design The Bay • June 2022 41
