76 THE HOUSE OF GOOD TASTE

A Massachusetts homeowner transforms a dilapidated bungalow into an elegant Craftsman’s cottage with tasteful surroundings.

See how a Massachusetts homeowner transformed this dilapidated bungalow into an elegant cottage with tasteful surroundings.

CURB APPEAL. The charming exterior celebrates a Craftsman gabled entrance, a stone chimney and manicured shrubs and perennials that add rich character to this New England cottage.

de Wolfe, the “first lady” of American interior design. De Wolfe pioneered the now-celebrated “light, airy and minimalist” approach to making a home beautiful, useful and livable. This core principle informs the design of Ellen Sharpe from Stoneham, Massachusetts, who embodies elegance, style and impeccable good taste.

Ellen resides with her husband, John, and their daughter, Kenna, in a picturesque cottage with abounding character, a house just a few doors down from where Ellen grew up. “My husband and I bought a small fixer-upper just a stone’s throw away from where I lived as a young girl,” says Ellen. “From the moment I set foot in that rickety, dilapidated bungalow from the 1920s, I was compelled to bring her back to life.”

Thus began a love affair with all sorts of do-it-yourself projects, interior design and just living simply and beautifully. Ellen and her husband did all the renovating themselves using salvaged materials. “When we purchased the property, my husband and I began to renovate it ourselves,” says Ellen, “digging in and doing things as time and money allowed. We incorporated a lot of upcycled materials and repurposed furnishings. ”The majority of Ellen’s home furnishings were thrifted or bought on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. “I want people to know their dream home is in their future, no matter what the budget, by doing the work themselves and buying items secondhand,” says Ellen.

“Good taste is as necessary as good manners,” declared Elsie

Ellen comes from a big family and designed an addition to accommodate large gatherings. “About two years ago, my husband and I designed a two-story addition on the back of the house,” says Ellen. “I knew I wanted to open up the house to the outdoors, to flood the inside, specifically the kitchen, with natural light. I wanted to achieve a classic New England look to the back that fit in nicely with the bungalow style, so I designed in a lot of woodwork around the window base and some flares to the upper siding on the exterior.”

The space is sparkling white and features floor-to-ceiling windows preserving an unobstructed view of the patio, a white shiplap ceiling, wide-plank floors, new and vintage furnishings and a reproduction antique dining table that continues the harmonic and relaxed aesthetic.

The biggest take-away for Ellen (besides the extra footage) is the beautiful source of light that has become a major focal point. “The sun’s movement across the walls and floors here has always provided a bit of magic to the daylight hours,” says Ellen. “Another improvement is how the dining area spills out into the patio. It makes entertaining a breeze.”

Ellen is enamored with everything and anything French—“I was always drawn to French-style butler’s pantries and larders,” says Ellen, “but with limited space in the kitchen, I designed reduced-depth cabinets with upper glass cabinets for this purpose.” They house all of Ellen’s dishware and are the kitchen’s prime focus. The space is well-designed, light and spacious, and lends a real family feel with more than enough seating around the kitchen island and adjoining dining area.

Ellen lives for a good DIY project and recognizes beauty when she sees it. Her handiwork has deconstructed furniture, bleached and repainted tables, and reupholstered chairs and sofas. Unless they are beautiful, Ellen prefers to camouflage home gadgets, and the family TV was at the top of her list. She recreated a sliding barn door to conceal her television when not in use. It adds interest and architectural detail; not to mention it’s a great conversation piece.

The master suite and bath are something Ellen has dreamed of for years. Her vision was soothing whites complemented by simple décor and layers of natural elements. The soaring ceiling, whitewashed walls and warm wood flooring lend a soft, sophisticated look, while the French doors highlight the alluring views of the garden and boost the natural light. Adding to the character and charm is a gorgeous antique marble mantel, and hung just above it is a framed television canvas that reflects Ellen’s personal style. The space feels opulent and romantic, yet clean and modest in its overall design.

“Someone with good taste is a member of an elite whose talent is choosing well.”—Pier Massimo Forni

“Taste expresses the mysterious demand of the eye and mind for symmetry, harmony, and order.”

—Edith Wharton

SECOND TIME AROUND. The living room is an eclectic mix of French, Swedish and farmhouse décor. “Most of the furnishings here were repurposed pieces that I found secondhand and even for free on the side of the road,” says Ellen. “A few of my favorites are the doors that hide our television, the Swedish clock, the deconstructed upholstery pieces and the painted vintage furnishings.”

|ABOVE LEFT| HIDDEN TREASURE. The living room houses the family television, but you wouldn’t know it when entering the space. So where is it, you ask? Ellen cleverly designed a cover made from an old barn door that slides to the side, concealing the TV when it’s not in use. Ellen loves the architectural detail it provides, and there are no electronics to be found.

|BELOW RIGHT| BEAUTIFUL BAKER’S TABLE. The antique aesthetic of this fabulous baker’s table, with all its imperfections, shines as a clear reflection of the past. The table is Ellen’s absolute favorite piece, which she purchased on Facebook Marketplace.

CREATIVE CARRIAGE HOUSE. The carriage house, which is essentially a converted garage, is a fun space for the family to gather when Ellen entertains. The large crystal chandelier on the second floor is a great contrast to the otherwise rustic space.

CLEAN, CRISP & CLASSIC. Ellen continues her crisp, clean design in the kitchen by painting the cabinets, walls and trim in “Snowfall White” (from benjaminmoore.com). She and husband John also installed marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, a wrought-iron light fixture that hangs above the island, and the striking built-in wall hutch that John constructed from her design.

SWEET SETTING. Calm and peaceful, the master suite is a billowing white oasis boasting a glorious view of the ornamental cherry tree through the French doors. The marble mantel, exquisite in detail, was an antique find that Ellen created from two separate fireplaces. A custom chair Ellen deconstructed and upholstered in French linen is a welcoming, comfortable place to unwind.

|ABOVE RIGHT| WRITE ON. Tucked away in a tiny corner is an antique writing desk that Ellen purchased at a local antiques market.

SHIPLAP SHOWER. The master bath is the epitome of opulence and features a double-sided marble sink, marble tile flooring, an oversized tub and a large walk-in shower. The shiplap inside the shower (a genius idea by John) is made with shiplap exterior siding or Azek PVC boards with a wood-like finish (homedepot. com). It is waterproof and a less expensive alternative to tile. To achieve the look, first apply zipwall board that has had the seams taped; then apply the shiplap exterior siding to the zipwall with galvanized finish nails. Fill the nail holes with silicone caulk or Ready Patch. The shiplap here was painted with exterior white enamel paint from Benjamin Moore.

Ellen is a designer of good taste and truly lives and breathes an authentic creative life every day. It is part of who she is, and when you have good taste, you never go out of style.

THE OUTDOOR LIFE. The backyard/patio area is a relaxing place to host barbecues and family get-togethers. “We essentially live out here in the summer months,” says Ellen. “I also spend a lot of time gardening. I can’t imagine a life without it; Mother Nature is my favorite interior decorator.”