“I have always been obsessed with the quirky Queen Anne style of architecture,” says art curator and designer Marie Samuels. So, it’s not surprising that when she saw a “for sale” sign in front of a significant two-and-a-half-story, 1881 rambling cottage in the historic Hill district of Newport, Rhode Island, she felt compelled to investigate further.
Newport is famous for its Gilded Age mansions, once home to families like the Vanderbilts, Wetmores and Astors, and for its upscale neighborhoods, like the one where the property that piqued Marie’s interest is located. Set within a spacious lot on a tree-lined street, the building was designed by Clarence Sumner Luce, one of the era’s most esteemed architects.
Upon entering the 140-year-old home, Marie observed the extent of the restoration needed to repair the sagging ceilings and bowed walls. A complete remodel of the bathrooms and kitchen would also be required. On the plus side, she was pleased to see how well the home’s 19th-century artistry had been preserved, including the hand-carved paneling, the stairway banister and the front door. She also loved the high ceilings, the scale of the windows and the amount of wall space—a must for displaying the ever-growing collection of artworks she has acquired over the past 20 years.
In the den, a modern sofa is upholstered in soft leather. Vintage terrazzo tables add an artisanal touch, and an abstract by Frank Stella puts a contemporary spin on midcentury style.
Rattan vintage pendants illuminate the island, which functions as a grazing station.
Light from the original windows and lush greenery gives the dining room a conservatory- like appearance. An organic quality unites the rattan table and bamboo deck chairs.
In the living room, curved bronze tables offset the straight-lined sofas. A painting by Belgian artist Karin Gielen and an original stained-glass window have an artful quality.
Original oak flooring has been sandblasted to reveal honey-toned wood. Marie has incorporated a few well-chosen antiques, such as this wing chair.
The primary bedroom gets its cozy vibe from a new pine bed with a woven headboard, a striped pillow and a vintage Moroccan blanket.
Marie and her husband, William, turned to the contractor who had restored the couple’s previous home. Once the structural renovation work was complete, Marie set out to bring fresh life to the rooms. Though she appreciates the intricacy of the original hand-hewn details, she favors a clean backdrop against which to showcase art and objects, a look that goes hand in hand with the simplicity of the Scandinavian interiors she admires most. “Combining period architecture with modern furnishings creates an interesting mix that produces an energetic tension between old and new,” she explains.
Marie began by painting the walls and ceilings a crisp shade of white that keeps the existing 19th-century design features present but prevents them from overwhelming the spaces. The original oak floors were sandblasted to reveal their pale beauty. Marie carefully balanced the authentic roots of the house with modern comfort and functionality. Each room is accentuated by contemporary pieces and a few antiques. The clean lines of the interiors extend from one space to the next while a profusion of ferns and orchids honors the home’s romantic history.
Marie and William have paid homage to its beautiful, original craftmanship and retained the one-of-a-kind architectural parameters that came with the property. The result is a uniquely sleek, chic and exciting interior, which works as well for modern-day living as it did in Newport’s Gilded Age.
