The area is rich in marine life, especially in summer. To see some the rest of the year, Krista covered a living room wall with whales!
The Old House & the Sea the SeaA restored 19th-century beach cottage in Newfoundland makes a splash with (just the right amount of) shiplap, midcentury and Victorian pieces, some playful wallpaper, and lots of whimsical touches. By Teddy WillsonPhotographs by Johnny C.Y. Lam
OG WALKING TENDS to be a pretty uneventful activity. But Krista Wells, her husband, Matthew, and their American cocker spaniel, Eugene, returned from a stroll back in May 2021 with their dream house picked out. The Canadian couple had spotted a for-sale sign staked outside a green clapboard-sided cottage in the beautiful beach town of Bonavista (where they were vacationing from their normal lives in comparatively bustling St. John’s) and called the real estate agent right away. The next day, they toured the historic 1890s home. “I knew the moment I stepped inside that there was something special,” Krista recalls. Though the interior admittedly looked like “a glorified shed,” she could see the potential, she says. “I loved it at first sight.” Once the 122-year-old place was theirs, the couple overhauled it, modernizing the plumbing and electrical systems and replacing the drywall throughout. After nine months of reno, Krista, a designer and DIYer (@georgestownonmymind), got to do the decorating — with all the coastal whimsy the beachside property called for. She found a whale-emblazoned wallpaper that was a no-brainer for the living room, painted the walls soothing blues and greens, then accented it all with thrifted and antique finds in a nautical theme. Fast-forward about 18 months and the house was finally seaworthy. Or should we say seeworthy?!
The world has changed a lot since the home was built. The exterior, however, hasn’t! It’s still the same green, yellow, and white cottage with double peak dormers. The only major modifications were a 1970s era porch (which ultimately became a full addition that incorporates the kitchen) and a charmingly old-school white picket fence.
Because the peel-and-stick wallpaper makes such a big statement, Krista kept the rest of the decor low-key, blending midcentury elements with coastal ones, like a leather lounge chair and nautical-striped lamp (page 88). A neutral flat-weave rug and soft leather couch give the room an extra-comfy feel. Just ask Eugene!
Krista coated the custom Shaker cabinets in a dreamy blue, then added brass hardware that will develop a patina with age. To continue that heritage style, she selected a rectangular zellige tile for the backsplash—the color and texture variation has an old-world vibe. For a slightly modern twist, she stacked them vertically and used dark gray grout. Finally, Krista styled the open shelves with vintage treasures, most notably the framed portrait of a sailor, lovingly nicknamed Gord. “We bought him at an auction, and he’s become the personality of the kitchen,” Krista says.
By demolishing the unsightly drop ceiling upstairs, the couple found two incredible gifts. First, exposed beams! Second, a 11∕2-by-2-foot window that floods the small space with natural light. Krista covered the vaulted ceiling in white shiplap to add some texture and make the room feel more airy, then she painted the rest of the walls the same calming blue-gray as the kitchen cabinets. To maximize space, little side tables serve as nightstands, and sconces keep surfaces clear. Once again, Krista leaned into coastal decor, choosing an eclectic mix of sea-inspired vintage paintings and photographs. Her tip for a successful gallery wall: Decide on a theme so you start out with a cohesive idea; from there, have fun mixing up frames and mats.
Look closely at the wallpaper, created by pattern designer Kate Golding: “It’s based on a bunch of classic homes in Bonavista, likely including ours,” Krista says. “I felt like that was kismet, so I had to use it.” Believe it or not, the beadboard below the wallpaper isn’t beadboard—it’s also wallpaper! Krista covered the seam between the two papers with a wooden chair rail and painted it to match. Brilliant.
The bird-centric photos above the bed inspired the room. “Once we won the art at auction, I started thinking about this space as a nest,” Krista says. She then spent four days installing and painting the tongue-and-groove paneling along the walls. To keep the space balanced, she turned to a trick she learned from scrapbooking (an old passion of hers): “When you’re mixing patterns, you want to think in terms of large, medium, and small. If you go with one of each, they won’t overwhelm each other.” The homey combo of patterns and textures makes this a prime perch for guests.