Decorating & Design
July 29, 2019
This P.E.I. Summer Home Has The Beach In Its Backyard
Not long after the magnolia trees have burst into bloom, Kevin and Bernadette decamp from their house in Toronto and head to their 3,100-square-foot summer home on Prince Edward Island. Bernadette, a retired medical professional, and Kevin, who runs a global analytics group, built their waterfront retreat in 2012 after falling in love with P.E.I. on family trips with their three now-grown children. “We wanted something that we owned and enjoyed but that didn’t own us,” says Kevin. To that end, they kept things simple with a clean, coastal vibe finished with a crisp blue and white palette coupled with modern furnishings.
Scroll down to virtually escape to this tranquil, seaside summer home.
“Throughout its history, P.E.I.’s architecture has been greatly influenced by that of New England,” says David Lopes, the Charlottetown architect Kevin and Bernadette enlisted to design the home. The abode’s weathered cedar shake exterior has a distinctly Cape Cod feel.
The glass and hemp chandelier in the front entrance picks up the home’s cool blue accents.
In the living room, slipcovered furniture sets a casual tone. The fireplace is Wallace sandstone, which is also used for the home’s front stoop.
Two wing chairs take in the waterfront view. David chose black specifically for the interior window casings to better frame the ocean.
The dining area feels like an extension of the outdoors.
Food is a big part of the couple’s P.E.I. routine. When guests are in town, Kevin sets up an omelette station on the kitchen island. In the evenings, guests sip wine while he shucks oysters. Bernadette’s fondness for sea glass inspired the frosted-glass backsplash while the smooth Carrara marble countertops are perfect for making pie crusts.
There are always fresh herbs on the kitchen counter, ready to perk up a salad or seafood dish.
David designed the deck off the principal bedroom to be a sunny, sheltered retreat from the active main floor. “It gives you the feeling of being in your own private crow’s nest,” he says.
Hans J. Wegner’s mid-century modern lounge chair for Carl Hansen & Søn is one of Kevin’s favorite spots to enjoy a cup of coffee.
An open vanity gives the principal bathroom a relaxed look.
A vintage model clipper ship takes pride of place on a dresser.
Old-fashioned metal beds have classic cottage appeal.
Accent pillows have line drawings of plovers, birds commonly seen on the nearby beach.
Set about 75 feet from the water’s edge, the house is peaceful and private. Kevin is pictured walking up the steps from the shore.
P.E.I.’s provincial flag with views of the crashing ocean in the background.
A vintage egg-poaching dish holds shells and sea glass collected from the beach.
Songbirds flock to the zinnias and dahlias in the cutting garden.
Alex Lukey
House & Home July 2019
Architecture by David Lopes