East Falls-based Vestige HOME provided a thoughtful design refresh, honoring this New Hope home’s early 1800s past while adding a touch of the present.
Photography by Rebecca McAlpin / Styling by Kristi Hunter
When a young family of four wanted to transform their second home – an early 1800s stone colonial house nestled on a stretch of pastoral land in New Hope – into a modern English country-inspired retreat, they turned to facing Vestige HOME. It was a perfect match: the East Falls-based interior design firm finds inspiration in nature and history, and the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath retreat is brimming with both.
“One of the things we love is figuring out how to take the historical context of an older home and make it relevant for today,” says lead designer and CEO Nicole Cole. “And the scenery there is so beautiful. It’s very magical.
The clients wanted to update the house – which had been extended in 1997 – without embarking on a major building project, so Cole’s design emphasized the original character of the house. Here, simple, traditional elements (like Windsor-inspired chairs and peg rails) are mixed with modern lines, super-saturated colors, and tons of rich texture and sculptural lighting. The finished product is a serene escape from city life and a timeless blend of past and present.
Dining room
Cole designated the large bay window, which overlooks a pond, as the focal point of the space. “With the lighting in the dining room, it’s so peaceful and welcoming. We didn’t need a lot of decor to do this,” she says. The black Windsor-inspired chairs lend a historic feel and a A rustic trestle table expands to seat 12 for large family gatherings.An heirloom mantel clock sits atop the mantelpiece, which Cole had painted Benjamin Moore’s Mediterranean teal.
Bathroom
Instead of a traditional vanity, Cole sourced an antique cabinet, which pops against a dark charcoal gray trim (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams).
Girl’s room
The antique bed was a lucky Instagram score for Cole; she had it custom painted to fit the space.
The living room
Cole mixed formality and style with a pair of custom sofas, mismatched coffee tables, a mid-century-style brass light fixture, and moody purplish-brown paint (London Clay by Farrow & Ball) for the original fireplace. “It’s soothing and serene yet interesting,” she says.
Published under the title “Habitat: Country charm” in the May 2022 issue of philadelphia cream magazine.
