From the outside, this shingle-style oceanfront home in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, was a classic New England dream. The primary colors and overwrought woodwork of the interior, however, told the not-too-flattering story of its circa-2000 build. Holly Gagne’s clients, who moved there from Cambridge, tasked her with turning the home into a fresh, clean family haven. “They wanted to brighten and modernize the home, but have it still feel like Maine,” says Gagne, owner of Holly Gagne Interior Design. In the kitchen, the team used Benjamin Moore’s White Dove to create a warm backdrop for earthy materials with patina that echo the landscape. “It feels very natural now,” Gagne says.
1 An extra-long, streamlined island made from character-grade oak with cutouts instead of hardware replaced double islands with turned spindle legs. “The exposed dovetail joinery enhances the feel of the craftsmanship,” the designer says. The unlacquered brass faucet echoes the new, straight lines and will patina quickly from the salt air.
2 Leathered black granite nods to the prior countertops—an aspect of the space that felt place-appropriate—and ties to the black parts of the range as well as the dark bronze pulls on the perimeter cabinets. “Contrast keeps the space from looking washed out,” Gagne says.
3 Ochre pendants made from fresh-sawn oak with gold leaf accents and stools with leather slingbacks and seats show off the textural materials palette.
4 The hand-painted Walker Zanger tiles from Old Port Specialty Tile Co. in Portland provide calm, muted color that complements the red range while speaking to the sea and sky.
Advertisement
5 The owners opted to keep the existing Aga range. “It’s a nostalgic element that speaks to childhoods in Maine,” Gagne says. Above it, she squared off the alcove and added a reclaimed beam that takes cues from the beams on the ceiling.
6 Shaker-style floor-to-ceiling cabinetry with a built-in microwave and extra fridge blends into the wall without skewing sleek.
Marni Elyse Katz is a contributing editor to the Globe Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @StyleCarrot. Send comments to magazine@globe.com.