Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Farmhouse Charm on the Massachusetts Coast
Coastal-style inspiration and English manor details mix well in a family home
Danielle and Luke Driscoll have always loved historic houses. So the moment they walked through the door of the four-bedroom home in their desired neighborhood of Scituate Harbor in Scituate, Massachusetts, they knew they had to have it — even though it wasn’t for sale. The house had been on the market the previous year but hadn’t sold, so their agent approached the owners to ask if they were still interested in selling. As luck would have it, they were — and the Driscoll family soon moved in.
Although the house didn’t need many major renovations when the Driscolls moved in, they did put their stamp on almost every room. They painted most of the walls lighter than the darker palette the previous owners had preferred, and they infused every room with their characteristic farmhouse style. And while the entire house is family-friendly, they’ve also made a point of creating a stylish, considered home.
The living room is one of their favorite rooms. They spend a lot of time together here playing board games and watching movies. Every Friday night, they order pizza and watch a movie together as a family.
The living room is one of their favorite rooms. They spend a lot of time together here playing board games and watching movies. Every Friday night, they order pizza and watch a movie together as a family.
Danielle finds great joy in decorating their home for the different seasons and holidays. She enjoys expressing herself in a visual way, which is the basis of her blog, Finding Silver Pennies, where she shares home projects and decorating tips with her readers.
She made this accent table from scratch, even adding a faux galvanized metal top, and shared the process on her blog. “I’m really enjoying creating faux finishes in our home with paint,” Danielle says. She was inspired early on by Annie Sloan, creator of Chalk Paint, and Marian Parsons, creator of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint.
She made this accent table from scratch, even adding a faux galvanized metal top, and shared the process on her blog. “I’m really enjoying creating faux finishes in our home with paint,” Danielle says. She was inspired early on by Annie Sloan, creator of Chalk Paint, and Marian Parsons, creator of Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint.
This past spring, the Driscolls embarked on a larger renovation because the ceilings were cracked and needed to be replaced. They took down the ceilings in the living room and dining room, and removed a fake wall in the kids’ bedroom. They replaced those ceilings, and supported the ceiling in the boys’ room (as it was bowing), working with Fitzsimmons Construction, A.J. Lane Painting, Rodrigues Plastering and M.J. Carr Electrical Services.
They also added recessed lighting in the living room, which made the room much more functional and inviting.
Wall paint: Mascarpone, Benjamin Moore; linen curtains: Ikea
They also added recessed lighting in the living room, which made the room much more functional and inviting.
Wall paint: Mascarpone, Benjamin Moore; linen curtains: Ikea
Danielle loves the dark woodwork with the warm whites, tans and taupes that they’ve chosen for the walls in most rooms. It looks especially attractive here in the dining room, paired with the lighter chairs and rug.
Danielle has done all the interior design herself. She’s inspired by the ocean because of its special textures and relaxing colors. Thanks to this inspiration, along with the house’s proximity to the beach, coastal details, such as this driftwood planter, show up throughout the home.
The Driscolls’ sons, John and Conor, have a playroom on the first floor next to the dining room. They spend lots of time here, doing creative projects and playing with friends.
Wall paint: Navajo White, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Navajo White, Benjamin Moore
The space is filled with Lego toys, stuffed animals and art supplies, but its style still fits with the vibe of the rest of the house.
Hemnes daybed: Ikea
Hemnes daybed: Ikea
Their dog Poppy was sprayed by a skunk next to the sunroom a couple of years ago, so they decided to redo the space. They tore out the carpet, then redecorated the room with the beautiful blues and neutrals that are found in the rest of the house. The boys often do their homework in the sunroom, and sometimes Danielle and Luke have coffee here in the morning.
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; ceiling paint: Ocean Air, Benjamin Moore; floor stain: Silver Gray exterior stain, Benjamin Moore; Byholma wicker chairs: Ikea
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; ceiling paint: Ocean Air, Benjamin Moore; floor stain: Silver Gray exterior stain, Benjamin Moore; Byholma wicker chairs: Ikea
The kitchen has ample cabinet space, including a set of built-ins on the left where the Driscolls display dishes. Their new rescue puppy, Max, can often be seen running around the kitchen in search of his toys.
The kitchen feels connected to the rest of the house, thanks to its multiple connecting doorways and its location in the heart of the first floor.
Cabinet paint: Bone White, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; trim paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; counter stools: Ballard Designs
Cabinet paint: Bone White, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; trim paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; counter stools: Ballard Designs
A small half bath sits between the kitchen and the dining room. A pocket door and a corner-mounted sink and toilet fit the small space perfectly.
A wide shelf does double duty as a display area and a place for hand towels.
Wall paint: Bone White, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Bone White, Benjamin Moore
A refinished bench in the front entryway provides a spot to put on boots in the winter. Across from it, a vintage marble-topped dresser offers both storage and a place to display coastal decor items.
Wall paint: Muslin, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Muslin, Benjamin Moore
Two antique chairs from Spain sit at the top of the stairs, adding color to the neutral space.
The Driscolls use the fourth bedroom as an office and workspace. They outfitted it with functional furniture and decorative items to inspire their creative work.
Wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore; love seat: Target; hide rug: Wayfair
Wall paint: Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore; love seat: Target; hide rug: Wayfair
An easel is set up to accommodate any sudden urge to paint, one of Danielle’s many hobbies.
The Driscolls also love to add small references to Luke’s English heritage. Danielle spent five years in England, meeting Luke in Bristol and marrying him in Cornwall, where he grew up. Danielle loves the style of old English manor houses, with their tufted leather, rich woodwork and moldings, and antiques and Oriental rugs, all of which she has tried to incorporate throughout the house.
Here, the boys’ room has a playful color scheme of red, white and blue, with a few fun references to Britain.
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; beds: Wayfair
Here, the boys’ room has a playful color scheme of red, white and blue, with a few fun references to Britain.
Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; beds: Wayfair
The home still has the original windows, woodwork and crystal knobs, all of which are especially noticeable in the children’s room.
Rug: Wayfair
Rug: Wayfair
The guest bedroom has a light, relaxing feel, courtesy of very pale green hues paired with light browns.
Wall paint: Glass Slipper, Benjamin Moore; Simply Shabby Chic bedding: Target
Wall paint: Glass Slipper, Benjamin Moore; Simply Shabby Chic bedding: Target
The full bathroom continues the neutral color scheme found in the guest bedroom next door. Danielle repainted the vanity herself.
Wall paint: Manchester Tan, Benjamin Moore; vanity paint: Champlain, Fusion Mineral Paint
Wall paint: Manchester Tan, Benjamin Moore; vanity paint: Champlain, Fusion Mineral Paint
The master bedroom has a similarly serene atmosphere, with a handful of coastal details dotting the room.
Wall paint: Silver Cloud, Benjamin Moore; shell mirror: Brimfield Antique Show
Wall paint: Silver Cloud, Benjamin Moore; shell mirror: Brimfield Antique Show
The couple made the headboard themselves, one of their first DIY projects together.
Roman shades: Smith & Noble
Roman shades: Smith & Noble
The family loves the fenced-in backyard. It provides the kids and dogs with a safe place to play, and the ample size lends itself to plenty of entertaining options. The fire fountain is a favorite feature during the warmer months.
The couple recently added a “she shed” in the corner of the yard, pictured above in the background. They worked with Home Depot and Sheds USA to create a sanctuary for Danielle to relax in, providing a quiet place for her to read or work.
My Houzz: Coastal Style for a New England Garden
The couple recently added a “she shed” in the corner of the yard, pictured above in the background. They worked with Home Depot and Sheds USA to create a sanctuary for Danielle to relax in, providing a quiet place for her to read or work.
My Houzz: Coastal Style for a New England Garden
The walls are lined with shiplap, a nod to Joanna Gaines, one of Danielle’s favorite interior designers. She used soft textures and colors to create a calming vibe. “It is my coastal oasis away from my sometimes loud and messy boys,” Danielle says.
Shed: Sheds USA and Home Depot; wall paint: Polar Bear, Behr; rug: Home Decorators Collection
Shed: Sheds USA and Home Depot; wall paint: Polar Bear, Behr; rug: Home Decorators Collection
Danielle immediately fell in love with the exterior of the home. She loved the Dutch Colonial style of the roofline and the weathered cedar shingles.
The trim needed to be painted, however, and that’s what they tackled first with the help of A.J. Lane Painting. They picked Buxton Blue by Benjamin Moore for the shutters, which made the house seem more welcoming. It previously had black shutters and a yellow door, but blue felt more more appropriate for their coastal location.
The trim needed to be painted, however, and that’s what they tackled first with the help of A.J. Lane Painting. They picked Buxton Blue by Benjamin Moore for the shutters, which made the house seem more welcoming. It previously had black shutters and a yellow door, but blue felt more more appropriate for their coastal location.
The Driscolls — from left, dog Poppy, Conor, Luke, Danielle holding Max, and John — love living in Scituate. They very much enjoy the many great beaches, restaurants, shops and galleries within walking distance from their home. It is a family-oriented town, with festive celebrations on every holiday.
The family use their home to its fullest capacity. Toys are often strewn across the floor, and projects are spread out on tabletops. The yard is well-loved by both the boys and the dogs. They had an incredible vegetable garden this past summer that they are still harvesting from.
“Even though our home is historic, it is very comfortable and lived-in. We use and enjoy every room,” Danielle says. “I would much rather be home than anywhere else.”
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
The family use their home to its fullest capacity. Toys are often strewn across the floor, and projects are spread out on tabletops. The yard is well-loved by both the boys and the dogs. They had an incredible vegetable garden this past summer that they are still harvesting from.
“Even though our home is historic, it is very comfortable and lived-in. We use and enjoy every room,” Danielle says. “I would much rather be home than anywhere else.”
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
Who lives here: Luke and Danielle Driscoll; their sons, John, 10, and Conor, 7; and their dogs, Poppy, a Labrador and flat-coat retriever mix, and Max, a terrier mix
Location: Scituate, Massachusetts
Size: Four bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms
Year built: 1927
The beautiful dark woodwork, crystal doorknobs and built-ins were appealing period details that gave the home its older Colonial feel. “It was ever so charming,” Danielle says of the space as a whole. When she was a child, Danielle’s parents restored an old Colonial mansion and turned it into a restaurant. She also grew up in an old Cape Cod-style home and had always wanted to share her life with her family in an old house, so this place felt right.