In Northeast Harbor, the old, storied homes lining the town are a piece of the area’s history. Filled with family heirlooms and art, they have firm roots in traditional, Eurocentric design. When Laura Pierce at Keeler and Co. was charged with refreshing one of these classic structures, she wanted to preserve the overarching style of the area and add a fresh twist.
To keep along the lines of a timeless look that feels distinctly modern, Laura stayed away from installing contemporary pieces in this home that was asking for something warmer and familiar. She relied on fabrics, wallpaper, and textiles to do the work of making the home feel lived in, while staying away from chintz and traditional florals. The wallpaper in the bedroom, Camille in Green by Nina Campbell for Osborne & Little, depicts a sprig set in a small-scale trellis. In the bedroom, a green motif echoes the wallpaper and is paired with different patterns and shades of blue. These colors feel modern and light and make the traditional bones of the house feel timeless.
Function was also a priority of the redesign, and storage spaces were added throughout the home, such as tucked-away cabinets under a window seat. In Northeast Harbor, the sun rises at 4 a.m. at the peak of summer, so drapes and blinds were essential to filter the light. The den was designed to house the TV, a natural escape to hole up and get away. The woven blinds allow light to permeate the room, but the roman blinds can be pulled shut to create a true den for sleeping. In the primary bedroom, blue-and-green draperies by Ferrick Mason keep the room dark, but also add to the color cohesion throughout the room.
Laura notes that it wasn’t all out with the old. The client’s original pieces, such as the beds in the guest bedroom, were things they wanted to keep. These items helped Laura preserve the history of the area, and the clients trusted her to mix in something new, fresh, and fabulous—in this case, a green nightstand.
