Chester Two

A modern beach house

Front view of a white house with a gable roof, multiple windows, and a porch with stairs and a white railing, surrounded by trees and greenery against a clear blue sky.

The owners of this charming heritage home requested that the renovation create a comfortable “beach-y” feeling for the interiors. A serene palette of white and wood, using refurbished softwood floors, exposed beams and new shiplap walls, contributes to the relaxed aesthetic.

Kitchen with white cabinets, a large kitchen island with a blue base, wicker chairs with blue legs, pendant lights, and wooden beams on the ceiling.
A bright, cozy living room with white shiplap walls and vaulted ceiling with wooden beams. Large windows let in natural light, and a white sofa with blue and patterned pillows faces a black display cabinet filled with dishes and decorative items. There is a small ottoman with a remote control on it, a woven basket, and a patterned area rug. The walls are decorated with artwork, and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

An unused porch was expanded and transformed into a new kitchen and a family room. While generously sized, the existing layout did not lend itself to family gatherings. By reorientating the space, the kitchen, with its vibrant blue island, became the focal point of the main floor. The expanded family room is anchored at one end by a stone hearth and by a generous window seat at the other. This space is washed in sunlight throughout the day and opens onto lovely mature gardens.

A bedroom with a black metal bed, blue and white bedspread, white nightstand, two windows with white shutters, and wooden beams on the ceiling.
U-shaped kitchen with open white shelves filled with jars, bowls, and kitchenware, a window with tree view, and a wooden floor.
Close-up of a wooden surface with visible grain patterns, knots, and small nail holes.

The roof required extensive repairs and was completely rebuilt over the back portion of the house. The roof work created opportunities, adjusting headroom in the new section to accommodate a comfortable master bedroom suite and exposing a dramatic ceiling in a large guest room at the front. Awkward second floor spaces in the original part of the house were reconfigured to make functional bedrooms, and a spacious shower was tucked into an existing dormer in the guest bath.

Extensive envelope upgrades were completed, including insulation and air sealing, replacement of windows and doors throughout, as well as the installation of wood shingled walls and a metal roof.

Location: Chester, Nova Scotia
Type: Residential Renovation
Builder: Blueprint Construction
Windows and doors: Norwood
Photography: Acorn Art and Photography

Back view of a house with gray shingles, white trim, and a staircase leading up to a porch, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage and a clear blue sky.