Listening to a 1765 home

Designer Philip Mitchell restored Sheet Anchor House in Chester, Nova Scotia by 'listening to it.' The European owners wanted a heritage guesthouse for family.

A heritage award winner

The restoration won a Built Heritage Award from the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia. The recognition honors sensitive restorations of historical buildings.

Respecting layered history

The goal wasn't to return the house to 1765. Mitchell honored later additions like the early 1900s kitchen wing and 1980s cabinets.

18 months of skilled work

Blueprint Construction and Vaci Painting led a team that restored original floors and hardware, replicated historical plaster, and fabricated period-accurate windows.

Not a museum piece

Mitchell added modern updates to make the house livable today. The owners wanted to respect heritage without creating a museum.

“makes the house livable for our current time.”

Invisible infrastructure upgrades

All cladding was removed to install new electrical, plumbing, mechanicals and insulation from outside. Interior plaster and panelling stayed mostly intact.

Two bathrooms added seamlessly

New bathrooms were positioned where mechanicals could go without damaging the building's fabric. Beams and woodwork hide unavoidable intrusions.

The dining room restored

Original floors and panelling were restored and repainted pale green. Woven chairs surround a wood table with contemporary lighting above.

A dramatic 18th century fireplace

The living room's focal point fireplace was painstakingly repaired. It complements original beams, floors and plasterwork.

Green inspired by needlepoint

A 19th century wingback chair with tapestry needlepoint inspired the shades of green used throughout. The palette gives rooms an evolved feel.

Bold historical colors

Floors were hand-sanded and painted in historical colors found during restoration. The kitchen got a vivid blue, the bedroom an arched green ceiling.

Classic East Coast stairway

The main stairway features painted floors, walls and panelling. A vibrant hall runner resembles 18th century rag carpets.

Balancing period and contemporary

Furniture mixes period and contemporary styles with a few quirky pieces. Colors are balanced with neutrals throughout the house.

“My clients have a great sense of fun.”