Decorating & Design
Deb Nelson Brings Signature Seaside Style To Her Home In Chester, N.S.
Updated on August 2, 2023
Chester holds a special place in Deb Nelson’s heart. “It’s an incredibly charming seaside village filled with classic historical homes and beautiful ocean views,” says the seasoned designer and stylist Deb Nelson. “I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager, and I always wanted to have a place in the area.” The picturesque village has been home to not one but three of Deb’s dwellings — all within a few blocks of one another, and all gracing the pages of H&H. She sold her former house to buy two places: one in Halifax (where she often needs to be for work) and this one in Chester. “It’s smaller and has a quiet location in the village, which made it appealing to me,” she says. The modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom, which she shares part-time with her partner, Ken, puts her style on full display.
When she first saw this property on the market in 2017, it was proof that looks can be deceiving. Although the exterior of the Cape Cod-style house was cute and in fairly food shape, the dated and dark interior needed a lot of love. “My guess is that the house had last been renovated in the 1970s carpeted, so there was brown panelling, linoleum and lots of wall-to-wall carpeting throughout — there was even a carpeted wall upstairs,” says Deb. Her renovation goal was simple: lighten, brighten and totally freshen up the space.
As a backdrop for her evolving collection of bits and bobs, Super White by Benjamin Moore creates the perfect blank canvas and coats just about every inch of the house. “I always go for white interiors with colors and texture added through art, accessories, rugs and a little of the unexpected,” she says. “I love the character and uniqueness that antiques bring to a space.” White high-gloss marine paint — an extra-durable alkyd paint that’s used on boats — was applied to the upper level and porch floors and will ensure they look good for years to come.
Two summers ago, Ken and Deb bought a restored 1970 Boston Whaler Sakonnet and the mahogany-lined pleasure craft has been a game-changer. “We love getting out on the ocean every day in the summer if we can,” says Deb. In Chester, life really is smooth sailing.
Scroll down to visit this charming East Coast getaway!
It’s not unusual to find the designer sleuthing for treasures in secondhand shops in Great Village, Nova Scotia, or Halifax, where she does a lot of design work and once owned a shop called Nelson & Co. “Many of my favorite items have been found at antique shops or passed down to me,” says Deb. “I attended my first auction in Nova Scotia when I was a teen and still have some furniture from those early auctions.”
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 slim freestanding island with built-in shelves adds storage and seating in the kitchen.
Vintage objects, including a brass whale paper clip, are from Deb’s former Halifax shop, Nelson & Co.
Deb has had her antique dining table for 15 years, and it’s moved with her from place to place. “The legs fold in so it’s versatile and easy to transport,” she says.
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.
Sentimental art — including a map of Nova Scotia’s St. Margaret’s Bay — covers the hallway walls.
The principal bedroom has lots of natural light and a queen bed that fits neatly under the eaves.
A slim vanity and medicine cabinet add storage in the home’s only bathroom.
The exterior was refreshed with a coat of white paint and new windows on the second storey.
Janet Kimber
House & Home July/August 2021
Deb Nelson