Welcome to our latest Tales Of Upper Hillsborough post, which shares the journey of a bestie and I who, ten years ago, bought a dilapidated vintage triplex in idyllic Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. It was originally intended to be a slow-simmer upgrade programme to be finished by the time we reached ‘retirement age’ (about 2 decades). However, in the span of just ten years, we invested a substantial chunk of change completing a foundation-to-eaves transformation and rebirth of the property. I have to admit as we add the final layers of soft furnishings to the last of three furnished suites – which we affectionately call The Captain’s Quarters – it’s a relief to finally be able to enjoy a nothing-to-do-but-enjoy experience when we stay there.
Today’s post is about making one of the original second floor bedrooms – which featured some vintage character details – feel a bit more whimsical. Our vision included a nod to the nautical, which we have long felt befitting an island getaway.
Here’s a ‘Before’ pic of the bedroom:
The room – with its high baseboards, original doors with bullnose trim, and wood floors – is a modest 10×12 feet. We wanted to infuse the space with more personality and also make it cozy. Because this suite is sandwiched between The Garden Suite and our Attic Atelier, we made it a priority to lay a large piece of bound carpet with very cushy underpad to help absorb noise. It, along with the pooling linen curtains from Restoration Hardware, help soften the space.
Given we’ve embraced black throughout the house – both inside and out – we incorporated it into this room by installing a black wardrobe (from Wicker Emporium), headboard, drapery rod, ceiling fan, and crown moldings.
I’ve long used wallpaper on ceilings to create a bit of interest and pattern in an unexpected way. This red and cream floral pattern was chosen spontaneously which, although I have no regrets, is a bit more feminine than I tend to go. I struggled with this choice for well over a year until we found the red ticking cushions (third photo) which sufficiently contrast with the floral to make it less girly.
We also indulged in thin wood paneling, painted white and installed horizontally on the walls to read as shiplap, which is not uncommon in shingle homes. It’s one of the subtle details which really elevates the room and gives it that nautical feeling we’ve aspired too. This is reinforced by art (not seen), pillows, and a porthole mirror (from Cottage Industry). And, as we’ve done throughout the house, we bought a lot of local vintage pieces like the side tables, old frame, desk and desk chair to keep the place simple, honest and easy (and not too precious). Most of the light fixtures were bought at the local Winners and Home Sense stores.
Here’s the Final Product:
Of the seven bedrooms in the house, this is one of my favourites (though I cherish all of them for their uniqueness), mostly because it’s comfortable, classic and has its own little twist.
Below is a little photo montage of the Captain’s Quarters which will soon be featured as it’s own reveal. Stay tuned!
We LOVE The Captain’s Quarters!
Of course, all of our three suites have their own personality, making it impossible to choose a favourite.
Curious to see more? Here’s our Black House website.
And stay tuned for more reveal of our Captain’s Quarters in The Tales Of Upper Hillsborough, and a ‘Guest Bedroom Feature’ in PEI Living showcasing two of our seven bedrooms!
~ Steven
Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-8000
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