Thursday, May 20, 2010

A Sea Captain's Home Revamped for Today

When the owners of this Maine home purchased it, the house was in a state of disrepair. But they knew the house, built in by sea captain Ambrose Childe between 1855 and 1862, would be the perfect summer retreat for their bustling family.
They hired one of my favorite architects/designers, Linda Banks, to renovate and restore the home they called "Big Pink". Linda drew inspiration from the homes seafaring past. To honor the history of the house and its location, she chose an earthy palette of blues, greens and taupes and accessorized with Audubon prints and nautical items.
The salon above was filled with historic details like the intricately carved frieze over the door, gothic door panel and original mercury glass door knobs. These details were painstakingly preserved. Notice how much texture the jute rug brings into the room.

Through the salon you can see the dining room above. Linda keeps the old home looking fresh with a mix of armillary style chandelier and heirloom antiques like the lovely chest. The palette is neutral with soft wall color and jute rug. The scientific charts on the wall add to the nautical, sea captain feel.

Period features figure prominently in every room, like the original fireplace. It's presence is enhanced by the beautiful antique mirror hanging above.

The home is filled with nautical reminders of the sea captain who lived here before the family. Notice the ship model, water charts and Audubon print above. Again a neutral palette and jute rugs allow the many small rooms to blend together seamlessly.
The library is a soft pink. Chairs are upholstered in a fabric with a coral motif and sea inspired rug create a pretty oasis for reading and relaxing.
The completely renovated kitchen is wonderful mix of white cabinetry and soft blue/green island. The counters are honed absolute black granite. Large windows over the sink and a glass door from the foyer flood the space with light.
One of the smaller bedrooms is done in a soothing blue and white palette. Notice the wonderful moulding around the floor to ceiling window which Linda does not hide, but highlights with soft sheer curtains.
Two new bathrooms were created from one of the bedrooms. White beadboard wainscotting and Clarence House wallpaper in La Mere Beige add to the playfulness of this sea captain's home.
A small bathroom was moved to make room for a landing library with views of the ocean. Notice the book shelves built above the windows to increase storage space.
Special thanks to Linda Banks for a peek into another gorgeous ocean home which captures both the history of it's past with the updated features needed for a family of today.
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To read more about this home in Maine Home and Digest click here. To see more of Linda Banks' exceptional work read previous posts here and to tour her personal home click here and here. To visit Linda Banks' website click here and finally to visit Linda Banks' store Simply Home click here.
(all photos property of Linda Banks and not to be copied with out permission)

32 comments:

  1. Beautiful! Oh, and that view!! Amazing. xo

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  2. That is lovely. I love all of the details.
    Ness xx

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  3. What a beautiful home! I love all of the nautical and beach touches, without it being overly themed. Thanks for the tour!

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  4. Wow, Gina, what a beautiful home, I loved the tour.

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  5. Please stop by an enter my French Basketeer tote giveaway.

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  6. Beautifully done nautical flair paying respect to both the original owner and the sea.

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  7. Isn't that beautiful!! Thanks for the tour.

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  8. Such a cohesive decor i look the space thanks for sharing

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  9. what a gorgeous home!!! it's so nice that someone came along and restored it to its full glory!
    xox alison

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  10. GORGEOUS! Wow -- now that is a BIG summer house!
    Yikes.

    I'd love to do this sort of decorating at our family's beach house -- but I'm afraid we are going to be putting it on the market soon. Sad.

    Beautiful home, tastefully and graciously decorated. Lovely!
    Cass

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  11. I like the photo with the lobster wallpaper geat thank you regards jĂĽrgen

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  12. What a beautiful home~ I love the chandelier in the dining room!
    Health and happiness,
    Angela

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  13. Gina, what a beautiful house, it is strange, but I believe I have seen this house driving by on our way to Kennebunkport. Is this possible? We drove along the coast, not on a highway. I believe I even took a picture...
    I love the interior! So completely Maine coastal bliss!

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  14. Beautiful! There's no place like Maine and this house is perfect for the location.
    Deborah

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  15. This is just breathtaking!
    That blue and white bedroom is simply divine.

    Have a wonderful Thursday!
    Anne

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  16. Stunning, I'm in love with "Big Pink". It has so many wonderful elements and it always makes me happy to see people go through the painstaking process of restoring an older home. The spot in the library over looking the water is absolutely breathtaking.
    Thanks for sharing such a beautiful space. xo

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  17. I love that little sailboat!!!! Be still my heart~

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  18. Gina,
    This may be my favorite house tour ever that you have posted...and you've done some great ones!

    The house and setting are stunning, but the interiors are just so warm and inviting. And, a pink library that does not look feminine...a little stroke of brilliance I'd say!

    Thanks!
    ~Rebecca

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  19. GORGEOUS home! I love the upscale casual feel of it.

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  20. Hello Gina~
    Love the architecture of this home.
    A summer home? Oh my.
    And the view is so amazing.

    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Donna

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  21. What a place! Love the reading nooks and that amazing dining room lamp.
    The design connection with the sea is wonderful and I really like that it isn't 'maritime' in a typical way. Instead there is a lot of humour and quirk amongst the otherwise traditional base.

    Lovely and warm.

    x Charlotta

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  22. Truly delightful and the nod to the sea is not overdone!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  23. I love this look - especially the garden armillary inspired chandelier -
    Love to invite you to join the virtual spring garden tour - details here... http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2010/05/spring-garden-tour.html

    Invitation to you and all the readers of your fabulous blog!

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  24. Thanks for the tour of this stunning home! That armillary chandalier just makes me Happy!!

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  25. Just a beautiful home and project. Thank you for sharing. The exterior shot is breathtaking. Hope you are having a great weekend. Love your blog.

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  26. Lovely home, and obviously not done overnite...I love the view and the coziness of it...The Lobster sign in the kitchen is great....Thanks! Maryanne :)

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  27. Beautiful, Gina. It definitely feels updated while keeping the feel of a Ship Captains Home.

    xo
    Brooke

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  28. Wooo what a dreamy place...
    Hey i just got my button,please put on your blog,(it will mean a lot to me) and let me know if you have one i will love to return the favor....

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  29. really nice... I really liked the ship.... very refreshing touch :)

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  30. Lovely... I thing some of these ideas will be in my house :)

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