
In the bar, Schumacher grass cloth wallpaper offers a textural contrast to the sleek cabinets painted Benjamin Moore's Newburyport Blue.

Don Easterling and Nina Long of Mathews Design Group.
Enter new paint colors, lots of wallpaper, colorful floral and botanical fabrics, luxurious rugs, and updated light fixtures. The team mixed fine antiques with reproductions while using brushes of deep blue, ocher, red, marigold, and green hues to impart liveliness. Every piece pairs perfectly with its partners, and, despite the tight time frame, nothing feels like a placeholder.

A bold lantern from Urban Electric brings a modern touch to the antiques-filled foyer.

With velvet armchairs and a patterned rug, the paneled study conveys a rich tone. The art over the mantel is by Brian Coleman from Anne Irwin Fine Art.

The dining room's dramatic, ornamental Schumacher wallpaper establishes the palette. The curvaceous dining table and the draped-back chairs add feminine touches to the space, while pagoda-topped etageres and a painted cabinet provide notes of chinoiserie.

The breakfast room's ode to blue-and-white includes chairs and a table from Hickory Chair, an antique clock, a custom settee with a fringe trim, and a large-scale chandelier from the Ralph Lauren collection for Circa Lighting.

A Sherrill sectional and Pearson chairs create a cozy corner in the family room. The multitiered, beaded chandelier adds a dose of wow.

Simple fixes such as fresh paint and new countertops brought the kitchen to life. The ladder is original and adds charm to the space while also making upper cabinets accessible.

The bar opens up to the family room.

In the living room, a mix of comfortable upholstered pieces in sophisticated, luxe fabrics invites guests to linger by the fire.

The main bedroom is a subtle symphony of icy blues and neutrals. Armchairs and a bench, all from Hickory Chair, offer space for relaxation after a long day.
RESPECTING TRADITION
While infusing the house with a fresh attitude, designers Don Easterling and Nina Long made sure the original beauty of the architecture remained intact. Floors throughout were unchanged, including the hardwoods, the brick in the bar area, and a lovely mosaic tile with Greek key detailing in the master bathroom. In the dining room and foyer, bold light fixtures draw the eye up to the intricate ceiling medallions. The living room, once a deep red, was reimagined with a lighter paint color to enhance its innate beauty. In lieu of the fussy window treatments of the past, streamlined panels, classic Roman shades, and even undressed windows in the family room allow light to pour in, making the windows focal points. The old-school paneling in the study was a must-keep for the homeowners. And while some fireplace mantels and surrounds received updates, they remain in keeping with the age of the home. “When given the chance to work on a house like this, Don and I firmly believe in taking clues from the original architecture,” says Nina. Adds Don, “It’s a joy to work on historic homes. You are stewards of the past, giving the intrinsic beauty a boost while still allowing it to tell a story.”

Original to the house, the Greek key tile floor in the master bath offers timeless appeal.