Design Style for Ugly Duckling

No walls, interior trim or newel post...blank slate!

In many ways, this house will be quite a bit different from our previous projects.  First, we will be enlarging the house with a new addition and a lot of new construction.  Second, since the existing house had been stripped of all its interior walls, we don’t have any original trim or architectural features, so we can't build on the existing style.  We will need to add everything new.  That gives us a blank slate - which is kind of exciting and scary at the same time!

So with a blank slate, I thought the interior should be contemporary.  Something sleek and modern, to contrast with the traditional exterior.  I was really excited about it (although it does take me a bit from my comfort zone).

And then I stumbled across this antique mantle.  Seriously, does anything say 'cottage' more than this mantle?  How could I possibly pass this up?

Look at the carvings!  

And the size is perfect!  It will create the ideal frame for a gas fireplace insert, with custom bookshelves on either side.   Won't that be a cozy focal point for the living room?

Contact paper stained glass

And to further cement the cottage style, I found a leaded glass window at an antique store in Stonington.  Sure, it will be hard to say goodbye to the red and blue contact paper that’s currently in the window…..but this will make the transition easier.  LOL!!
















And that turquoise/watery blue frame.  Love it!

I’d still like to incorporate some contemporary touches in the house, but those will probably tie to the furnishings.  For the woodwork, floorpan and custom touches, we'll go with a traditional cottage style.  And given this starting point, it looks like we’ll be studying inspiration photos from magazines like New Old House.















And as luck would have it, The Old House Journal, New Old House and Period Homes sponsored the biggest Historic House Show in the country last weekend.  I couldn't wait to sign up!  Thanks to The Old House University and some fantastic exhibitors, I got lots of new ideas, that I'll be sharing in the coming weeks.

Doesn't this look a lot like our house??? 

Best quote of the show!  Historic is nice - but a more modern paint scheme is nicer!

I love antique style....but still want a modern range!!

What do you think?  Would you do a traditionally styled interior on this house?

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