My Houzz: Revitalized 1857 Seaside Victorian in New England
Returning American expatriates eager to get settled transform a worn, dated space into a glamorous family home
Mary Prince
January 23, 2016
A sweeping staircase, 12-foot-high ceilings and a stunning view of the harbor from the home’s cupola drew Beth and Chris Calitri to this 1857 house in the seaside town of Newburyport, Massachusetts. They recognized the home’s potential even though its dark wood and paint, old carpeting and inconsistent moldings gave it a worn and dated feel. They were eager to settle their family into the house, especially after having lived abroad and moved several times. They set to work transforming and personalizing the space with contemporary and classic design elements to create their forever home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chris and Beth Calitri; their son, Max, 12; their daughter, Zoey, 9; and their English cocker spaniel, Phoebe
Location: Newburyport Historic District, Newburyport, Massachusetts
Size: 4,200 square feet (390 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 1857
That’s interesting: Previous owners include two former city mayors and the founders of the Newburyport Horticultural Society
In the family room of Beth and Chris Calitri’s home, what was once a flat wall is now graced by a gas-fueled ribbon fireplace flanked by cantilevered shelves, creating a new focal point for the space.
Beth likes the look of numerous light sources in a room, so she had lights built into the shelves. The textured wallpaper above the fireplace and the cerused finish on the shelves reflect her casual, elegant style. Beth loves cerused wood, known in England as limed oak, and appreciated that it gave them another opportunity to pay homage to the home’s original craftsmanship.
Contractor: Snow Renovations; fireplace: Majestic; wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries woven grasscloth; abstract pillow: Tamasyn Gambell, Design Within Reach; throw pillows: Square Feathers; chandelier: Visual Comfort
Who lives here: Chris and Beth Calitri; their son, Max, 12; their daughter, Zoey, 9; and their English cocker spaniel, Phoebe
Location: Newburyport Historic District, Newburyport, Massachusetts
Size: 4,200 square feet (390 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 1857
That’s interesting: Previous owners include two former city mayors and the founders of the Newburyport Horticultural Society
In the family room of Beth and Chris Calitri’s home, what was once a flat wall is now graced by a gas-fueled ribbon fireplace flanked by cantilevered shelves, creating a new focal point for the space.
Beth likes the look of numerous light sources in a room, so she had lights built into the shelves. The textured wallpaper above the fireplace and the cerused finish on the shelves reflect her casual, elegant style. Beth loves cerused wood, known in England as limed oak, and appreciated that it gave them another opportunity to pay homage to the home’s original craftsmanship.
Contractor: Snow Renovations; fireplace: Majestic; wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries woven grasscloth; abstract pillow: Tamasyn Gambell, Design Within Reach; throw pillows: Square Feathers; chandelier: Visual Comfort
The Calitris once lived in Basel, Switzerland, where they purchased the tourism poster that hangs above the bar cart in the family room.
Nicoline serving cart: Uttermost; table lamp: Visual Comfort
Nicoline serving cart: Uttermost; table lamp: Visual Comfort
A set of windows in the family room provides views to the deck and backyard. The family uses this small table from Ralph Lauren to play chess, checkers and backgammon.
A dentist who once lived in the home had set up his practice in the dining room. One evening the family heard a knock on the door and an older woman was there, wanting to visit the space where her dentist’s office used to be.
A vintage Baker Regency china cabinet inherited from Beth’s grandmother was updated with wallpaper on the inside.
Mirror: Global Views
A vintage Baker Regency china cabinet inherited from Beth’s grandmother was updated with wallpaper on the inside.
Mirror: Global Views
The Calitris moved to Hampstead, England, when their son, Max, was 7 months old. Inspired by their fondness for England and the lyrics to London Skies, a song by Jamie Cullum, Beth chose a smoky gray color for the walls. The third time was the charm: She painted the room twice before settling on the current color.
The wallpapered ceiling visually shortens the room, making it more intimate and cozy. A bold, bright green oil painting provides the perfect counterpoint to the otherwise muted tones of the room.
Ceiling wallpaper: Zoffany, Lustre Tile; dining table: Julian Chichester; chairs: Robin’s Nest; chandelier: Restoration Hardware; wall paint: Dior Gray, Benjamin Moore; green oil painting: ARSartshop
The wallpapered ceiling visually shortens the room, making it more intimate and cozy. A bold, bright green oil painting provides the perfect counterpoint to the otherwise muted tones of the room.
Ceiling wallpaper: Zoffany, Lustre Tile; dining table: Julian Chichester; chairs: Robin’s Nest; chandelier: Restoration Hardware; wall paint: Dior Gray, Benjamin Moore; green oil painting: ARSartshop
Previous owners added this great-room area. The harvest-style dining table was one of Beth and Chris’ first purchases after they got married. Beth likes the contrast of the rustic table with the more urban, modern furnishings in the room.
Dining table: ABC Carpet & Home; lighting over dining table: Stonegate Designs; dining chairs and kitchen stools: Robin’s Nest; lighting over kitchen counter: Arteriors
Dining table: ABC Carpet & Home; lighting over dining table: Stonegate Designs; dining chairs and kitchen stools: Robin’s Nest; lighting over kitchen counter: Arteriors
The previous owners also updated the kitchen in 2006, but the cabinet color and style aren’t exactly to the couple’s taste. With the help of interior designer Robin Pelissier, they added a few touches like a new tile backsplash, recessed lighting, pendant lights, comfortable bar stools and new cabinet pulls to create a more modern feel.
Dog bowls: The Natural Dog, Newburyport; pendants: Arteriors
Dog bowls: The Natural Dog, Newburyport; pendants: Arteriors
Rather than tearing out walls and building a mud room, Pelissier installed a bench with storage and a tall cabinet for coats and boots adjacent to a main side entrance.
This space was used as a utility room by the previous owners, but it’s now a study for the kids. A gorgeous triple-lamp light fixture gives the room a warm glow.
Chairs: Zuo; cabinets and countertops: Behind Clothes Doors, Bedford, New Hampshire; wall paint: Wish, Benjamin Moore; light fixture: George Nelson triple bubble fixture kit, Design Within Reach
Chairs: Zuo; cabinets and countertops: Behind Clothes Doors, Bedford, New Hampshire; wall paint: Wish, Benjamin Moore; light fixture: George Nelson triple bubble fixture kit, Design Within Reach
“Fixing up the kids’ rooms was the first thing we did when we moved in,” Beth says. She and her husband really wanted the kids to feel a sense of permanence in the house after moving around for so many years. Zoey’s room reflects her outgoing, theatrical personality and love of fashion. The decor is a mix of dramatic smoky walls; splurges like the window treatments, a canopy bed and the French vintage poster by Jacques Bellenger; as well as steals like the corner bookcase from Overstock.com. The teapots on the wall sconces are from a grandmother.
Wall paint: Spring Violet, Benjamin Moore; bird lamps: Stray Dog Designs; bed: Pottery Barn; glass side table: Bernhardt; window treatments: Tricia Guild of Designers Guild
Wall paint: Spring Violet, Benjamin Moore; bird lamps: Stray Dog Designs; bed: Pottery Barn; glass side table: Bernhardt; window treatments: Tricia Guild of Designers Guild
The kids’ rooms are decorated with items from their time living in Europe. An antique French settee and lounge chairs, a gift from Beth’s grandmother, have been reupholstered and used for a sitting area in Zoey’s room. The painted cuckoo clock is from Switzerland.
Chinese Lantern stool: Safavieh; glass side table: Bernhardt
Chinese Lantern stool: Safavieh; glass side table: Bernhardt
In Max’s room, the walls are painted in Santorini Blue by Benjamin Moore because the Greek island of Santorini is his favorite place. The constellation wallpaper is all one piece and reflects Max’s interest in the Star Wars series and in Lego planes. The parents joke that his room is a place where he can really “space out.” Beth’s father was an Air Force and commercial pilot, and when he introduced Max to former astronaut Roy Bridges Jr., Bridges asked Max if he thought he’d like to go to the Air Force Academy. Beth recalls that Max replied, “Yes, sir, I’ll be in the graduating class of 2026.”
Custom European constellation wallpaper: Mr Perswall; bed: Room & Board; bedspread: Serena & Lily; M pillow: Jonny’s Sister (England); window fabric: Tricia Guild of Designers Guild; wall paint: Santorini Blue, Benjamin Moore
Custom European constellation wallpaper: Mr Perswall; bed: Room & Board; bedspread: Serena & Lily; M pillow: Jonny’s Sister (England); window fabric: Tricia Guild of Designers Guild; wall paint: Santorini Blue, Benjamin Moore
This guest bedroom decor was inspired by what Beth refers to as her “hotel crush.” The Crosby Street Hotel in New York and other hotels in London served as the inspiration for choosing a tall, upholstered headboard and graffiti art for the walls. She describes this room as “NYC class meets contemporary English elegance in the comfort of a cozy retreat in Newburyport.”
Graffiti print: Oliver Gal Artist Co.; pillows: Ryan Studio, West Elm; wall paint: Steel Wool, Benjamin Moore
Graffiti print: Oliver Gal Artist Co.; pillows: Ryan Studio, West Elm; wall paint: Steel Wool, Benjamin Moore
An inherited midcentury desk serves as both a small workspace and a dressing table.
The kids and their friends enjoy hanging out in this room on the first floor off the great-room sitting area.
Owl painting: Pier One; sofa: Calvin Klein; stools: Home Goods; wall paint: Covington Blue, Benjamin Moore
Owl painting: Pier One; sofa: Calvin Klein; stools: Home Goods; wall paint: Covington Blue, Benjamin Moore
Beth considers light fixtures to be the jewels of a house. That includes the lighting in the powder room, where the play of light on the walls brings a real wow factor. The white sunburst mirror, delicate metal light fixture and diamond-patterned wallpaper add texture and modernity. Beth freshened the look of the vanity and wooden countertop with a coat of neutral-colored semigloss paint.
Mirror: Janice Minor; wallpaper: Valencia in Taupe/Pewter, Schumacher; light fixture: Regina-Andrew at Horchow; vanity paint: Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball
Mirror: Janice Minor; wallpaper: Valencia in Taupe/Pewter, Schumacher; light fixture: Regina-Andrew at Horchow; vanity paint: Charleston Gray, Farrow & Ball
Beth found this octopus shower curtain and had it mounted on a wooden frame to hang on the wall of a second-floor bath. She also installed floating shelves with lighting. Fabric peel-and-stick wallpaper behind the commode gives the small space high style.
Octopus shower curtain: Cafe Press; wallpaper: AccentuWall; wall paint: Shale, Benjamin Moore
Octopus shower curtain: Cafe Press; wallpaper: AccentuWall; wall paint: Shale, Benjamin Moore
The house, known as the James B. Fairbanks House, was built in 1857 by Fairbanks, who was a merchant. From the home’s cupola, he would watch his ships come and go in the harbor. Other notable residents have included former Mayor Albert Currier, who served from 1859 to 1860; Robert Couch, a ship captain and mayor from 1870 to 1881; and Arthur Plouff and his wife, founding members of the Newburyport Horticultural Society.
A mansard roof is one of the features of the Victorian home. The cupola is clearly visible from the front.
The Calitris are considering creating a mudroom space off the kitchen as well as turning part of the third floor into a home theater-game room and the cupola into a sitting room.
The Calitris are considering creating a mudroom space off the kitchen as well as turning part of the third floor into a home theater-game room and the cupola into a sitting room.
The view of the harbor from the cupola.
Clockwise from top left: Chris, Beth, Zoey, Max and Phoebe Calitri on their staircase. “We plan to continue to create special places within our home that blend inspired fabrics, textured wall coverings and colorful artwork,” Beth says.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Way to go, EE!