Designer Rebecca Hay shows us how to give breezy turn-of-the-century style to a brand new home.

1. Set the Tone

Photography: Mike Chajecki | Walls and millwork PAINT COLOUR, Oxford White CC-30, wainscotting, Cloud White CC-40, Benjamin Moore; TILE FLOORS, Olympia Tile; sphere-shape PENDANTS, SCONCE, Universal Lighting; Lee Jofa PILLOW FABRIC, Kravet; SEAT CUSHION FABRIC, Len’s Mill; MIRROR, HomeSense.

Nautical details, such as the port-hole shaped mirror and ship-style sconce, adorn the fresh entryway. The casual pillow and ticking-stripe seat cushion can be removed for washing. The bench drawer stows shoes and umbrellas out of sight.

2. Soften the Brights

For an airy look, soft grey walls were paired with warm white wainscotting. Similar tones are echoed in the large-scale porcelain faux-marble floor tiles. “Don’t over-match,” advises Rebecca. “Variations in shade play beautifully with the nuances of natural light.”

3. Consider the Walls

Photography: Mike Chajecki | DEMILUNE TABLE, Sell My Stuff; VASE, Of Things Past; BISTRO CHAIR, BASKET on table, Aberfoyle Antique Market.

For everyday charm, Rebecca opted for vintage hats, not paintings, for wall decor. The woven surfaces of the hats echo the basket and chair seat. The linear millwork on the walls provides a stately backdrop for the antique demilune table.

4. Bring on the Baubles

Photography: Mike Chajecki

Glass-paned double doors lead from the entryway to the home’s central hallway and stairs. To emphasize the classic coastal design of the home, two nautical-style pendants were hung from the high ceiling.

5. Blend the Blues

The whisper-soft hue of the glass-tile backsplash nods to the lake-blue kitchen island with its built-in bench. “For richness, layer lighter blues with darker ones,” says Rebecca. The row of pillows features the hue in various shades and paired with neutrals to keep the mood light.

6. Aim for Texture

Photography: Mike Chajecki | Cabinet PAINT COLOUR, Cloud Cover OC-25, bistro chairs, Gray Owl OC-52, kitchen island, Amsterdam AF-550, Benjamin Moore; PENDANTS, Universal Lighting; TABLE, CHAIRS, Aberfoyle Antique Market; PORTRAITS ON WALL, Of Things Past; Scallop TILE, Anatolia Tile; FAUCETS, Moen; HARDWARE, Upper Canada Specialty Hardware.

Rustling grass pendants and a rough-hewn barn-board table provide a counterpoint to the kitchen’s many smooth surfaces. The seats of the vintage bistro chairs are textured, as well. “Even the gold frames on the vintage portraits near the window have a welcoming patina,” says Rebecca.

7. Layer the Lighting

Photography: Mike Chajecki

“If you don’t have a living room ceiling fixture, try one,” says Rebecca Hay. “We used a large-scale shade with brass netting.” A rose-tone lamp casts a soft glow across the sofa; the brass accent light above the shelving repeats the coastal theme; and pot- lights make the room feel more open.

8. Paint and Display

Photography: Mike Chajecki | SOFA, Elte Mkt; COFFEE TABLE, END TABLE, Sell My Stuff; SCONCE over bookshelf, LAMP on end table, CHANDELIER SHADE, Universal Lighting; RHD Signature Line RUG, Studio 321B Flooring +; ART over fireplace, Of Things Past; ART over sofa, P.I. Fine Art.

“A new house doesn’t have to mean new furniture,” says Rebecca. The coffee table – a consignment find – was painted a warm white. A simple tray provides a spot for an ever-changing display. “When you need room for drinks or a jigsaw puzzle, just move the entire tray!” she says.

9. Dial up the Colour

Photography: Mike Chajecki

A burst of cloth wallpaper brings personality and a pop of colour. The white piano is accented by the gentle blue of the wainscotting. The creamy background of the wallpaper is gracious and soft.

10. Dial Down the New

Photography: Mike Chajecki | Christopher Farr WALLPAPER, Kravet; DEMILUNE TABLE, TABLE (at base of staircase), Sell My Stuff; LAMP, HomeSense; slipper CHAIR and FABRIC UPHOLSTERY, Of Things Past; brass SCOOP on floor, Furniture Bank; blue wainscotting PAINT COLOUR, Constellation AF-540, Benjamin Moore; wool RUG under piano, Studio 321B Flooring +.

Two antique demilune tables, one in the central hallway and one near the piano, make the brand-new house seem older than it is. The white slipper chair and brass container in the central hallway are both vintage finds, as is the candelabra on the piano.