Decorating & Design
An East Coast-Inspired Home That Masters Sophisticated Comfort
Published on October 31, 2016
On a two-acre plot of land on a quiet street in historic Knowlton, Quebec, lies this relaxed and elegant New England-style house. The area has a mix of Victorian and mid-1800s Loyalist clapboard homes, which lend a distinctly East Coast vibe to the village — and it was that sensibility the homeowners hoped to capture. Interior designer Scott Yetman obliged by painting the home’s wood-plank walls in classic white and using a palette of muted tones inspired by seaside-weathered wood for the floors and cabinetry. “The architectural backdrop is the same throughout,” says Yetman. “What changes the character of each room is the artwork and the furniture, but the house itself reads as a unified whole.” Click through to see inside the cozy, East Coast-inspired home that’s comfortable and sophisticated all at once.
The homeowners were inspired by the shingled cottages of Sconset, a village on Nantucket Island. A gambrel roof and stone chimney have farmhouse appeal.
A Colonial-inspired bench with 5′-high back adds a hint of whimsy in the front entry.
In the mudroom, the walls are clad in shiplap boards, while an antique painted dresser functions as both furniture and art. The original patina adds texture and picks up on the soft pink undertone Scott used as an accent elsewhere in the home.
A coffered ceiling and french doors that look out to the screened-in porch visually expand the kitchen and maximize natural light. Full-height drapes are a polished touch, while the island does double-duty as both a functional workstation (featuring a farmhouse sink, dishwasher and storage on both sides) and a comfortable spot to enjoy a morning coffee.
An eight-burner Thermador stove is dressed up with a luxurious Calacatta marble backsplash, and the hood is enclosed in the same cabinetry used throughout the kitchen for a seamless, sophisticated look. A wall-mounted TV comes in handy during food prep.
A 36″-high shelf in the walk-in pantry offers an extra work counter.
In the dining room, large ginger jars animate the vignette and can be positioned at either end to form a more intimate setting for smaller dinner parties. The antique iron chandelier creates a cozy canopy over the table and adds to the relaxed country atmosphere.
Eschewing matching pieces for a more collected look, designer Scott Yetman went with a mix of chair styles and wood finishes in the dining room. Natural light floods the room, making the 10-foot farmhouse table glow against the pale palette.
A stone fireplace keeps the screened-in porch warm during late fall and early spring.
The study’s built-ins keep office equipment out of sight.
Strategically placed between two windows for maximum impact, the principal bedroom’s French-inspired bed is dressed in white with accent pillows that pick up the soft pink and green hues in the framed botanicals arranged in a diamond pattern above. Roman shades in pale green add a touch of color.
A cozy bench and high-backed wooden chair fill a corner of the principal bedroom with seating options.
Yetman loves the linear “busyness” of the shutters in this compact washroom.
Wool tartan fabrics give the guest room rustic charm.
André Rider
House & Home March 2014
Scott Yetman