This past Sunday, Sally and I attended a champagne reception at Seawinds, 30 Folly  Point Road in Gloucester, hosted by John and Cindy Farrell of Boston North Real Estate. While the address is a Gloucester address, the feel is much more Annisquam and Lanesville. Or, as I said to Sally as we drove up the drive, “We could just as easily be looking out over oyster beds at the mouth of the Loire River, as be in Gloucester”.

A closer shot of the entry. Check out the bell with the rope pull…

The terrace looking toward Ipswich Bay…

To my delight, oysters on the half shell were served as an accompaniment to the Champagne. (along with many other yummy treats and appetizers…) While we were there, we had a nice chat with the contractor who has worked on the house for the past 10 years, Rocky Neck Associates (Their work is impeccable!) and Katharine Pickering, manager of Beverly’s Coldwell Banker office, and her husband, Richard.

Sally with the guys from Rocky Neck.

The home’s interior was a feast for the eyes, particularly the great room, dining room and master bath. Originally built as a three season summer home, the views are to die for.

When the house was original built in the 1920′s, the dining room was designed around 16th Century English paneling imported from England.

A close up of the fireplace…

Isn’t it spectacular?

The wood trusses, doors and hardware were imported to the project site from England and Europe.

A detail shot of the fireplace… The tile as fantastic!

There is a tiny bay window room off the great room that is to die for.

Sally and I were so taken by the detailing and paint work in the room. Great stuff going on here!

Note the roping and the painted dentils.

And check out the antique doors. Mortise and tenon and pegged together. Chamfered door stiles. Mmmmm.

Awesome pull, yes?

One last shot of the ocean thru little port hole windows that were in the upstairs bedrooms…

Wouldn’t you, love to wake up here???

Cheers,

Oh… This weekend the Wenham Museum’s North Shore Design Show opens. We’re bringing a little Belgian Style to the show. On Tuesday the 15th and Thursday the 17th, the Museum will remain open until 7 PM. I will be there from about 5 – 7. Sally and I are hosting a Home Styling Seminar on the 17th at 6 PM, where we will completely change the look and feel of our vignette using rugs, accessories and artwork. Hope to see you there!

If you’d like us to bring a little Belgian Style into your home, contact us here.

Sally and I spent late Friday afternoon at the Boston Design Center zeroing in on final selections for our vignette. We begin installation the week of May 7. We saw two very different console tables at Charles Spada’s show room and I’m struggling as to which one to use. The decision is made more complicated because mid way thru the show, Sally and I are presenting a home styling seminar. During the seminar, we will transform our Belgian style vignette to a fresh modern take on a living room by changing out the rug, artwork and accessories. This console is quite neutral, making it an easy backdrop to the accessories and artwork when we do the seminar. What it doesn’t make is that big bold statement, anchoring the vignette for the opening Gala event. Will accessories be enough???

Our vignette will be the first space visitors will see upon entering the show gallery and this console, made from architectural salvage from the 18th and 19th century, has the wow I’m looking for.

I love how it relates to the brackets that Payne Bouchier is making for us. (Great residential builder!) And it will look fabulous in any photograph! However, I’m concerned it will make doing the modern feel very difficult because it is such a bold piece. The transformation has to be believable in the eyes of those attending…

What would you do?

Cheers,

If you’d like us to help you design a Belgian Style Interior, contact us here.

Visit our website here.