REMODEL REWARDS

A FAMILY HOME IN NEWBURYPORT GETS A STYLISH KITCHEN AND BATH UPGRADE.

- Jennifer Sperry

BUILT IN 1994, THE HOME’S EXTERIOR PRESENTS WITH A Federal-inspired charm to match its historic neighbors. For the new owners—a family with three sons ranging in ages from 14 to 20—it was the perfect location. Newburyport is one of the North Shore’s most coveted villages.

However, the interior hadn’t been updated in three decades, and the age showed in both look and function. “We knew when we bought the house that we would be renovating the kitchen and primary bathroom,” says the owner. “Since the bathroom is right over the kitchen, we figured it was more cost effective to do them both at once.”

Armed with a clear vision of her design goals, the owner assembled a collaborative team to bring the 1990s spaces into the 21st century.

Rachel Harris of Vesta Architecture handled the larger design elements, while Shelby Goudreau of Amesbury-based builder BLB Design/Build kept the project going smoothly as project manager. “We can handle a variety of whole-home projects, but kitchens and baths are our bread and butter,” points out Goudreau.

Stylewise, the homeowner drew heavily on the feel of an English country home. “I follow a couple of British designers on Instagram, and Emma Sims-Hilditch is one of my favorites,” she explains.

“My husband and I stayed in a Cotswolds manor house 10 years ago, and she had designed the dining room and bar area. That’s the moment when I fell in love with British style.”