Decorating & Design
16 Dreamy Coastal Homes With Relaxed Summer Style
We won’t weigh in on which coast is the best host, but those who have homes on Canada’s beautiful shores are pretty much blessed either way. From a P.E.I. summer home with the beach in its backyard to a modern custom home on B.C.’s Bowen Island, click through these charming coastal retreats and let us know: which side is calling your name? East Coast or West Coast?
A Cape Cod-Style House In Chester, Nova Scotia
This modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom home, which designer Deb Nelson shares part-time with her partner, Ken, puts her style on full display. The exterior was refreshed with a coat of white paint and new windows on the second storey. As for the inside? “I always go for white interiors with colors and texture added through art, accessories, rugs and a little of the unexpected,” says Deb.
Chester holds a special place in Deb’s heart. “It’s an incredibly charming seaside village filled with classic historical homes and beautiful ocean views,” she says. “I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager, and I always wanted to have a place in the area.”
An antique French door with a matching screen door was a real find. “I’ve been collecting for years, and I absolutely love looking for unique old pieces,” says the master of the high-low mix.
A sofa bed (slipcovered in white twill) and a new set of French doors turn the den into an impromptu guest bedroom. “Those doors allow light to come through but can be closed in the winter months, which helps retain heat,” says Deb.
The principal bedroom has lots of natural light and a queen bed that fits neatly under the eaves.
A Designer’s Vancouver Ranch Home
Designer, cookbook writer and bakery owner Rosie Daykin has a knack for focusing her love of all things English through a Canadian West Coast lens. She and her husband, Paul, bought this 3,000-square-foot, mid-century ranch house 14 years ago and recently upgraded it with British-inspired decorating.
The pink tone of the mohair sofas in the living room acts as both a neutral and a driving force. “It was an interesting exercise that led to my color choices,” says Rosie. “I had no commitment to a sofa color, but I loved my overdyed patchwork rug, so the sofa upholstery was going to be whatever worked best with the rug. When I put down a rainbow of color swatches, the pink just made sense.”
In the kitchen, the couple had tired of the house’s original detailing, so they refreshed it with more traditional elements. Because the layout already worked well, they focused on upgrading the finishes. “I could only live with the teak we had for so long,” says Rosie. “I added a Carrara marble backsplash, changed the cabinet doors and used brass accents.”
A spark that came from a London trip evolved into their storybook principal bedroom design, with its checkered bedspread (handmade in England) and pastoral wall mural from Anewall. “I love pattern on pattern on pattern,” she says. “It takes a confident hand but, to my eye, it looks the best.”
A full wall of mosaic tile emphasizes Rosie’s love of color and pattern in the principal bathroom.
A Circa-1890s House In East LaHave, Nova Scotia
Halifax designers Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie of 31 Westgate bought this derelict Italianate house on the shore of East LaHave, Nova Scotia, and transformed it into a nostalgic getaway perfect for summer.
At the entrance to the store and studio area, clients are welcomed by a basket of vintage croquet mallets and an antique wing chair originally designed to curb eavesdropping.
Preferring intimate gatherings, Kenneth and Colin chose a dining table that only seats eight when expanded. An antique butler’s tray (left) works as a serve-yourself bar.
Salvaged cupboards and a counter fashioned from old boards create a vintage vibe in the kitchen.
An antique French daybed in an upstairs hallway is used for afternoon naps or as an extra bed for guests. A vintage pickle jar (back, left) serves as an informal vase for privet branches from the garden.
A Contemporary Custom Home On B.C.’s Bowen Island
Homeowners Craig Pearce and Kendra Patton originally planned for this quaint property on B.C.’s Bowen Island to be a vacation home, but this idea was scrapped when they fell in love with the island and decided to put down roots.
The spacious main room of the home is minimal but doesn’t lack coziness. “We have the most amazing view of the water and mountains looking east toward Cypress Mountain, Horseshoe Bay and the Sea-to-Sky Highway,” says Kendra (pictured).
A mix of woods and metals gives the kitchen an industrial look. “The house is filled with different woods and black, gray and white so, in the kitchen, we wanted something colorful, rich and slightly traditional,” she says.
The principal bedroom features a custom built-in wardrobe for sleek storage. Natural wood gives off a rustic yet refined feel.
The family bathroom is modern and sleek. A vibrant vintage runner, subway tiles and rich brass accents add texture to the sun-filled space.
A Seaside Summer Home In P.E.I.
This East Coast home is the ideal escape for homeowners Kevin and Bernadette. Built in 2012, the 3,100-square-foot abode draws from Kevin’s New England roots and has a distinct Cape Cod feel. “We wanted something that we owned and enjoyed but that didn’t own us,” he says.
With hits of blue and natural wood, the living room has a laid-back coastal vibe.
Large French doors allow the dining area to feel like an extension of the outdoors.
The kitchen plays a large role in the couple’s P.E.I. routine, from making omelettes in the morning to shucking oysters in the evening. The frosted-glass backsplash was inspired by Bernadette’s love for sea glass.
A large balcony off the principal bedroom — designed by architect David Lopes — looks out at the ocean. “It gives you the feeling of being in your own private crow’s nest,” he says.
An East Coast-Style Home In Boundary Bay, B.C.
Photographer Tracey Ayton gave this West Coast home a dose of classic East Coast style. Inspired by Nancy Meyers’ home in Something’s Gotta Give, Tracey knew this was her dream house when she and her husband, Jay, came across the Boundary Bay, B.C., listing.
The couple kept the kitchen very fresh with tons of natural light, classic white subway tiles and a marble island. “We immediately envisioned what we wanted when we walked through the rooms,” says Tracey. “We knew what we could do with the space.”
Keeping with the laidback theme, the principal bedroom is serene and muted. A large woven blanket, rustic bench and rattan pendant add hits of natural texture to the room.
The principal ensuite was also kept very simple, but the addition of shiplap on the walls brings a touch of Hamptons cool.
In the backyard, a lounge area with fire bowl is ideal for entertaining and roasting marshmallows.
A Mountain Retreat On B.C.’s Pender Island
Dubbed the Hawaii of Canada, B.C.’s Pender Island is filled with natural beauty, including ocean views, lush greenery and mountains that dot the horizon. The exterior of designer Carrie McCarthy’s nature-inspired retreat capitalizes on its surroundings, with a patio that takes advantage of sweeping vistas.
The home’s minimalist interior features a restrained white palette and simple but luxurious materials. A Gothic chandelier draws attention to the height of the living room.
Carrie’s compact country kitchen has all the trappings of a modern city home. An oversized burlap tablecloth adds natural color and texture.
A low-profile bed makes this loft bedroom feel laid-back and comfortable. A simple wooden cube serves as a bedside table.
A Relaxed Home In Chester, Nova Scotia
Homeowner Nicholas Lewin never thought he’d end up in the coastal town of Black Harbour in Chester, Nova Scotia. Originally from Montreal, he “thought this was the last place we would want to live,” he says of his family’s deep grey abode. Now, he can’t imagine living anywhere else. “As a family, we’ve become much closer here.”
Drawing on the comfort and ease that comes with living seaside, Nicholas — an architectural designer — opted for beamed, 18′-high ceilings that impart an airy feel in the kitchen.
A wooden dining table adds warmth against polished concrete floors in the dining room, while ample windows and doors can be opened up to let the ocean breeze in.
Floor-to-ceiling shelves provide storage space for the family’s impressive book collection in this guest bedroom. The colorful spines pop against the room’s white envelope.
A striped blue rug punches up the principal bathroom’s white and wood aesthetic with color. An ornate baroque mirror is an unexpected choice.
A Contemporary West Coast Cabin
Surrounded by maples and foxgloves, this vibrant green-fronted getaway on B.C.’s Gambier Island is made up of seven separate buildings connected by walkways. “Arriving at and entering the cottage is an experience — following a pathway around a cabin, with beautiful little outdoor sitting areas along the way,” says the homeowner.
The cabin’s largest building features an open-concept kitchen and living area that’s ideal for entertaining. Orange leather pulls and dark grey piping on the sofa add subtle hits of color and contrast.
A monochromatic palette allowed designer Erin Chow to mix furniture styles. Modern, rustic and traditional pieces all happily coexist in the living room.
In this guest bedroom, an unadorned window set just below the roofline lets plenty of sunlight stream in and keeps the room bright throughout the day.
To make the bathroom feel like an indoor-outdoor space without compromising on privacy, Erin installed a large skylight in place of a roof.
A Breezy New-Build In Vancouver, B.C.
Taking its cue from Cape Cod-style cottages, Kenny and Michelle Gemmill’s Vancouver home has an airy palette and is filled with classic architectural moves like beadboard ceiling and simple moldings. “We’re really drawn to a beachy look and feel. So Cape Cod-style architecture was an inspiration for us,” says Michelle.
In the kitchen, indigo blue lower cabinets pair nicely with clean white uppers and a mod walnut island.
Ample throw pillows make the banquette a cozy spot to linger after a meal, while tall windows keep the area light and bright.
Built-ins maximize storage around the TV in the family room. Yellow throw pillows and a deep blue rug flood the space with color.
A crisp white envelope keeps the principal bedroom serene. A standout light fixture and plush bedding up the luxe factor.
The Gemmill’s pool may be on the smaller side, but it’s become one of their favorite features. “My idea of putting in a pool was met with some disbelief,” says Kenny. “Now everyone thinks it was the greatest idea.”
A Color-Filled Vancouver, B.C. Home
You would expect that an artist’s home would be filled with color and bold, large-scale artwork, and Bobbie Burgers’ home is no exception. Her home is filled with vibrant patterns and plenty of fun pieces — in the kitchen, chinoiserie plates and a simple bouquet of flowers pop against white cupboards and countertops.
Florals abound in the living room, seen in the painting on the wall, patterned throw pillows and on the coffee table.
A standalone tub placed next to a floor-to-ceiling window creates the feeling of alfresco bathing.
The patio just off the living room is partially shaded by a pergola. Tree branches grown between the slats evoke vineyards in the South of France.
The Woodbox In Chester, Nova Scotia
Here is designer Deb Nelson outside The Woodbox, a circa 1844 Georgian Revival in Nova Scotia which is clad in shakes, and has a charming fanlight over the door.
In the historic Chester, Nova Scotia, home, the third-floor bedroom overlooking the Chester harbor is the ideal viewing gallery for Canada’s largest keelboat competition, held in August.
Deb says a high hedge gives her three-storey coastal home privacy. At the same time, “it’s got that secret garden feel, even though it’s right in the middle of town,” she says.
Deb makes regular antiquing trips to Great Village, Nova Scotia. The sculptural whale vertebrae by the fireplace is one of her most cherished finds.
A Modern Cottage In Howe Sound, B.C.
Sculptor and designer Martha Sturdy’s cottage is located on Preston Island, a private enclave overlooking B.C.’s Howe Sound. White leather sofas in the main entertaining space make a clean visual statement and hold up wear and tear from a cottage that can accommodate 18 family members.
When Martha wants something, such as the resin light fixtures in the dining room, she makes it. The orbs are randomly spaced for a playful look and they float like planets above the waterfront view.
Martha continued the minimalist palette in the principal bedroom. The headboard and hollowed-out cube tables she made boast a marbled effect that echoes the surrounding stone.
A Saltbox On Northumberland Straight, P.E.I.
In P.E.I., designer Sarah Richardson and her team tackle a striking new saltbox perched on the red cliffs of the Northumberland Strait. The living room pulls together the home’s sea-inspired blue and white palette. A soaring ceiling accommodates the two-tiered wrought-iron chandelier.
The dining room, with its unadorned glass doors, is all about the view. Vinyl upholstery wipes clean, and the bench can accommodate a crowd of kids.
A pale blue palette and the fresh sea air makes bedroom especially conducive to a tranquil sleep. Dark wood twin headboards, bought at auction for $60, feel light and airy after being transformed with white paint.
A Modernist Vacation Home In South Pender Island In B.C.
There is a real connection to the sea in the glass-walled pavilion at the heart of a modernist vacation home on South Pender Island, in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands. Furnishings here are sleek and low-slung, so they don’t block the views. The huge white oak dining table and benches are designed to feel like a modern picnic table.
Natural materials such as stone and wood play a starring role, where family and friends gather to watch TV or enjoy a fire in the natural stone fireplace, one of the home’s most impressive architectural features. The dining bench slides into the living area for more seating.
The principal bedroom is cantilevered and wrapped in windows so it feels like a treehouse nestled in the cedars. A spiky wooden light fixture is a modern take on an antler chandelier. Plush carpeting, linen drapes and cozy bedding in soft, calming shades of grey and taupe balance the industrial austerity of concrete floors.
A Coach House In Chester, Nova Scotia
Despite being a new-build, designer Philip Mitchell’s Chester, Nova Scotia, coach house was designed to look old. Divided windows, an Enviroshake roof that looks like authentic cedar and trim details are true to the period of the main cottage, which was built in 1795. Pretty hydrangea bushes keep the coach house totally private.
Philip maxes out space in his Nova Scotia guest house with clever storage solutions. Along one wall of this narrow hallway, he installed a bar with fully stocked cabinets, a mini fridge and sink.
Nautical-themed oil paintings, boat etchings and photographs become a curated collection in the stairwell that leads up to the coach house apartment this new build with a heritage look.
In the bathroom, Philip modelled the floor after a 1940s lavatory, and to give the room a vintage feel, used practical black grout. The tub deck is antique Labrador brown granite.