Returning to the Ocean House: A Watch Hill Tradition Steeped in Nostalgia
Photo by MERZE Lifestyle
Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Just the name brings a wave of emotion. It’s more than a destination for me—it’s a feeling. A breath of salty air, the sound of waves rolling in, the way the light hits the sea—it all feels like a return to something deep and familiar. I grew up in New England, and every time I come back, especially to this quiet corner of the coast, I feel anchored again.
“Elegance doesn’t ask for attention—it simply exists. That’s the Ocean House.”
Tucked just off East Beach, Watch Hill carries a quiet elegance that’s hard to describe unless you’ve walked it yourself. While Newport may dazzle with its gilded-age grandeur, Watch Hill speaks in softer tones—weathered shingles, wraparound porches, hydrangeas blooming against picket fences, and timeworn paths leading to the sea. That gentle rhythm of life hasn’t changed. And at the heart of it all, perched high on the bluff like a sentinel watching over the shoreline, is the Ocean House.
Photo by MERZE Lifestyle
I’ve been coming to the Ocean House for years. Even when life keeps me moving, I always find my way back. Sometimes, it’s just for a cocktail with my husband and daughter on the veranda. Other times, it’s to linger longer and soak in the stillness. No matter how long I’m there, I leave with a memory I didn’t know I needed.
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Peaceful path lined with grasses leading from the Ocean House down to East Beach in Watch Hill.
Just a small walk from that veranda is the path I’ve walked more times than I can count, leading gently down to East Beach. It’s flanked by dune grass and wildflowers, which bloom differently every season. This path feels like a passage, a quiet moment between the inn and the waves, and walking it always centers me. That stretch of sand and sea holds a piece of my heart.
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View of East Beach from just a short jaunt from the Ocean House bluff, with waves rolling into the sandy shoreline.
The Ocean House is more than a destination—a work of art. Initially opened in 1868, it stood for more than a century before time and weather took their toll. When it was finally closed in 2003, there was a real fear it would be lost forever. But the new owners understood what it meant to this town and generations of families. They didn’t just rebuild it—they reimagined it, with respect. Every architectural detail was considered: the original window placements were recreated, the stone fireplace salvaged, the spirit preserved.
Finding a place where history and design live so gracefully is rare. The wide-plank floors, traditional millwork, arched transitions, and warm neutral palette give the interiors a sense of intimacy. You don’t feel like you’re in a hotel—you feel like a beloved family home elevated with thoughtful luxury.
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Garden path lined with daisies and wildflowers meandering near the Ocean House in Watch Hill.
And then there are the gardens. It’s hard not to fall in love with the winding flower beds, the way the paths curve naturally through lavender, daisies, and coastal wildflowers. I often wander with my camera, stopping to admire the sunlight as it filters through the petals. I’ve captured everything from dew-kissed blooms in the morning to golden-lit blossoms in the early evening.
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Close-up of white daisies blooming at the Ocean House garden in summer sunlight.
The Fourth of July is when the Ocean House truly sings. The flags fly high, and the entire property seems to glow with a quiet celebration. Families gather on the lawn, children play near the garden paths, and the air carries the scent of saltwater, sunscreen, and blooming florals. It’s patriotic without being loud—graceful, heartfelt, timeless.
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American flags flying on the white veranda of Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island during summer.
Every visit here feels like a return, not just to a place, but to a piece of myself. The nostalgia runs deep. My camera roll may be filled with flowers, flags, and sweeping views, but my mind holds something more: the laughter of my family, the clink of glasses on the veranda, the sound of the ocean just beyond the hedge. These are the kinds of memories that settle into your soul.
The Ocean House is quintessential New England, yes—but it’s also something more. It’s a reminder of what it means to slow down, sit still, and notice beauty in the details. Tradition lives and breathes, where elegance never asks for attention—it simply exists. And for me, it’s not just a place I visit. It’s a place I return to, time and time again.
Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Just the name evokes a sense of timeless New England elegance. For me, it's more than just a place on a map; it's a feeling, a memory, a breath of fresh, salty air that fills my soul with pure joy. Growing up in New England, the colors, the light, and the air feel like coming home.
Its name comes from its past – a crucial lookout point since colonial times, watching over the shimmering waters. By the late 19th century, this strategic spot blossomed into one of New England's most exclusive summer colonies, where families built sprawling, yet charmingly discreet, cottages. It developed a unique character, a quiet elegance distinct from the grand castles of nearby Newport, centered around traditions, family, and the ever-present sea. While the devastating Hurricane of 1938 swept away some of the original grand hotels, the enduring spirit of Watch Hill remains, anchored by landmarks like the historic Watch Hill Lighthouse that has stood sentinel since 1856. And no place embodies that enduring spirit and quiet elegance more than The Ocean House.
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This iconic hotel, first welcoming guests in 1868 after the Civil War, became the place to summer for generations. Its instantly recognizable yellow façade perched on the bluff became synonymous with idyllic New England escapes as it is today.
Standing on this white veranda, with its American flags snapping crisply in the ocean breeze, feels like stepping into the past and the present. It's easy to imagine the generations who gathered here, and it's where I love creating new memories – sharing small lunches and cocktails with my husband and daughter, laughter mingling with the sound of the waves.
It's a scene painted in the classic New England palette: the deep blues of the Atlantic, the crisp white of the hotel's architecture, and the vibrant reds, whites, and blues of Old Glory.
Watch Hill and the reborn Ocean House are a living, breathing embodiment of bicoastal style. It's a place where the East Coast's relaxed sophistication meets the ocean's boundless energy. Lavender, daisies, and a thousand other beautiful blooms bursting with color against a backdrop of endless blue. The vibe is easygoing yet undeniably chic.
How can you bring a touch of this New England magic into your own home, wherever it may be?
Embrace the Coastal Color Palette
Think beyond just navy and white! Incorporate powder blues, soft greens, sandy neutrals, and touches of classic red.
Layer Textures
Linen is your best friend. This fabric is essential for a relaxed, coastal vibe, from sheer linen window treatments that sway in the breeze to light cream linen upholstery.
Here is a cozy coastal room in the early morning.
Prioritize Comfort and Relaxed Furnishings
Coastal living is about feeling at ease. Opt for comfortable, sink-in sofas and chairs with generous proportions. Slipcovered furniture is a classic choice that feels relaxed and is practical for cleaning. Avoid overly formal or fussy pieces. Furniture with clean lines and a slightly casual feel works best.
Mix and Match
Don't be afraid to combine patterns. Blue and white florals, stripes and checks on throw pillows are a classic, but add geometric rugs or subtle floral patterns for a bicoastal flair.
Blue and white is classic with linen making the spaces feel cozy and calm.
Arched Details
Borrowing architectural details like arched built-in cabinetry adds a touch of classic elegance. Fill them with your favorite books and a few carefully chosen blue and white vases.
Bring the Outdoors In
Open those windows and let the light flood in! Sheer curtains will capture the gentle breeze, bringing the airy feel of the coast into your living space. Abundant natural light is key to a bright and airy coastal feel. Keep window treatments simple and allow light to flow in.
When it comes to artificial lighting, choose fixtures that enhance the coastal aesthetic. Consider pendant lights made from natural materials like rattan or capiz shells, lanterns, or lamps with ceramic bases in coastal colors. Layering lighting with a mix of overhead, task, and ambient sources creates a warm and inviting evening glow.
When incorporating coastal decor, artwork featuring seascapes, abstract art in coastal colors, or framed botanical prints of seagrasses works well.
Artwork: “Horizon” by Mary Madore-Hickey / MERZE Lifestyle. This painting captures a horizon, a personal reflection of my experiences in both New England and California. I've woven each coastline's unique colors and feeling into this bicoastal piece.
Placing beautiful outdoor plantings in a vase effortlessly enhances your home's well-being and brings the outdoors in. This simple touch offers significant health and wellness benefits.
Design and Photo by Mary Madore-Hickey / MERZE Lifestyle - This is a vase filled with hydrangeas from my garden. I love the different colors in the blooms.
New England, and especially Watch Hill, isn't just a place; it's a feeling woven through history and reborn for today. It's a beautiful place to visit, and a place that feels like home. By incorporating these colors, textures, and design elements, you can bring a piece of this New England charm into your life, creating a space that feels both stylish and deeply personal.
Photo by Mary Madore-Hickey / MERZE Lifestyle
“True beauty lives in the quiet details—the curve of a path, the sway of linen in the breeze, the way light lingers on a garden in bloom.”
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows.
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Additional blue and white inspiration.
Design with your heart™️
Have a beautiful day, my friends!
Mary
