The views from this home perched above the shoreline near Springbrook, P.E.I., are some of the most iconic in Canada. They’re so coveted, in fact, that one homeowner, a born-and-bred Islander, even had a poster of this area on her wall as a teen. So, when she and her husband found the spectacular property for sale at a relatively discounted rate, they jumped. To update the huge but tired 1990s home, max out those stellar views and craft inviting transitional living spaces – that wouldn’t compete with said views – the pair brought in Charlottetown architect Aaron Stavert and Vancouver designer Lori Steeves, a childhood friend of one of the owners. 

The decorating mantra for the breezy, opened-up main spaces was “relaxed luxury,” says Lori. “They wanted a soft nautical feel, inspired by beautiful yachts they’d seen on their travels – a combination of dark navy, white and rich wood tones.” Quietly stylish and subtly evocative of luxe seagoing vessels, the home is the perfect complement to the iconic coastal vistas the owners love so much.

SITE LINES

In the living room, architect Aaron Stavert enlarged the windows dramatically and relocated the fireplace. “The views are immersive and always changing,” says designer Lori Steeves. To capitalize on these, she laid out separate zones: a large conversation grouping for entertaining, and a more intimate area around a games table by the window – a great spot for morning coffee. “The palette blends with the exterior views: a golden and green field and lots of blue water,” says Lori. “I think of the look here as East Coast meets West Coast, a mix of traditional with clean and modern.”

“We didn’t want to compete with the view; however, we do have alternate focal points, like the two-sided fireplace and the backdrop of the kitchen, to enjoy when it’s dark outside.”

GROWING INTEREST

“Green is the owner’s favourite colour,” Lori says. “She also has a green thumb, so there are a lot of gorgeous plants.” Built-ins were added to showcase colourful artisan pottery and glassware collected all over the Maritimes. Lori designed the hybrid coffee table/ottoman.

NATURAL CHARACTER

Stretches of pale wood fill the house with understated natural colour. The wood tones were carefully chosen to coordinate without looking too matched. “The oak hardwood flooring is consistent throughout. Then we added oak and walnut pieces in many places,” says Lori. There are also a few outliers, like the imposing burled-maple side table (top centre) and the quirky tree-root console beside the fireplace.

DIVIDE & CONQUER

The understated nautical tone, which Lori set in the living room with a navy and white palette accented by warm woods, is carried into the new, open kitchen beyond, with the navy island, curvaceous wood stools and patterned tile feature wall. The new kitchen was oriented so the sink in the island faces out to the view and to the living room for entertaining. Raw wood columns found in Quebec delineate the dining area.

“Any of the artworks that are not by local and Canadian artists are souvenirs from the owners’ travels.”

MAKE A SPLASH

Many rooms in the home were designed around pieces from the couple’s beloved art collection. A dynamic wave triptych by Leanna Wolff and purchased on vacation in Kauai, Hawaii, instills a lively mood in the dining room, and the cloud-like chandelier introduces gentle movement. Formerly a three-season porch, this space was closed in and insulated during the reno to expand the great room. While the navy chairs and a mid-tone wood table resonate with the adjoining spaces, Lori had the white oak flooring installed in a herringbone pattern to differentiate the dining room.

A WELCOME SIGHT

White oak flooring was installed throughout the house, and along with walls washed in Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, they establish a tranquil foundation that Lori based the warm, transitional rooms on. Neatly framed by the seating nook, a textile landscape by Newfoundland artist Mary Anne Donovan echoes the theme of the triptych in the dining room beyond. “I like that it’s this intimate moment in an otherwise large space,” Lori says. Floating stairs and an ethereal chandelier draw the eye up to accentuate the entry’s soaring height.

NEW FOCUS

The owners love to cook and entertain, so relocating the kitchen from a poky, closed-off room (now the pantry) to the expanded great room was a key goal. Their wish list for the space included lots of room for food prep and island seating to accommodate 10 to 12 people. While Lori kept the palette simple and the Shaker-style cabinets sleek, she brought in warm walnut pulls, which reference teak yacht interiors. A coffee station (above, back right) was a must. “One homeowner is an aficionado, and his Slayer espresso machine in white and walnut to match the decor is a beautiful showpiece,” Lori says.

“We chose the most traditional decor for the closed-off rooms. When you enter these spaces, they’re like special surprises.”

THE MORE, THE MERRIER

The island’s deep blue colour grounds the huge piece and helps extend the nautical theme from the living room, as does the striking backsplash, which is made of art glass from Edgewater Studio in North Vancouver. “The fish scale pattern, and blue and white palette are obvious ocean references,” Lori says. “The design was pieced together by hand to create an ombré effect.” Open shelves integrated into one end give the island a pleasing asymmetrical look.

ORDERLY ENTERTAINING

The hardworking pantry boasts a second sink, dishwasher, fridge and freezer. Because it’s closed off, the space is great for messier cooking and for caterers. As in other smaller rooms, Lori introduced charming old-world touches. “It’s a bit hidden, so we took the opportunity to reference European farmhouse kitchens,” she says. “Since pantries are storage areas, they are, by nature, more full of things. It just so happens that many of the things here are both useful and decorative.”

“I like spaces to have individual personalities, but if they’re open to one another, there needs to be some common threads, too.”

VIEW FINDER

The original primary bedroom was located on the main floor, near the kitchen, and had little privacy. This new suite was built atop the old one-storey bedroom wing. The serene sitting area offers breathtaking views of New London Bay. This property was originally settled in the 1880s. The original farmhouse still stands on the property next door. “Since the bedroom is a place of rest, we stuck with a neutral palette, reserving colour for the carpet, artwork and decorative pillows,” says Lori.

ISLAND RETREAT

Aaron designed the bedroom’s oak feature wall, which frames the bed and incorporates built-in bedside tables. The bed is oriented to take in the magnificent views; the owners commissioned the abstract artwork for the room from artist Rupert Piggott in Barbados, where they love to vacation. The three-sided fireplace, also designed by Aaron, is built to be appreciated from both parts of the suite.

ACCENT OF COLOUR

While the finishes and fixtures in the ensuite (above) are clean and simple, accents like splashy floral drapes and a light-as-air chandelier, which suggests a clump of bubbles floating up from the tub, take the room in a playful direction. The rugged side table was made from an off-cut from the dining room beams. An ample walk-in closet offers piles of storage, plus display shelves for one homeowner’s sneaker collection. A back staircase leads down to the pool and gym.

ARTFUL APPROACH

One owner says the main-floor powder room gets more compliments than any other room in the house. Its design was inspired by the painting hanging beside the sink, an evocative landscape by local artist Lucie Bellemare. Lori introduced more lush hues with leafy wallpaper dotted with colourful birds, which is also used in the nearby mudroom. The hefty wood counter was salvaged from a church in Nova Scotia, and shiplap wainscotting was installed horizontally.

WEATHER PROOF

Verdant garden-inspired hues and motifs instill a lighthearted mood in the mudroom, which is accessed from the garage and also leads into a music studio.

“We completely redesigned the millwork here; it was important to incorporate storage and seating for the music students to put on their boots after their lessons,” Lori says. “A mudroom is a critical feature for a home on P.E.I., where the sand and dirt are rust coloured and stain everything!”

A LESSON IN HARMONY

One homeowner teaches piano from a new music studio above the garage. This nearby window seat offers a cozy perch for waiting parents or siblings. Lori let nature guide the design of these spaces. “P.E.I. is a rich and fertile island, and nature is all around,” she says. “This property is situated on a beautiful estate made up of fields and forest. The natural patterns here reflect the natural beauty outside.” The music room, which has its own bathroom and entrance, doubles as a guest suite.