A 17th-century Cape Cod house with authentic décor
Follow Planète Déco on Google — add us to your favourites to keep our decor articles in your news feedDiscover the decor of a Cape Cod house. Marine antiques, brass, and linen come together to create an interior with timeless charm
This Cape Cod house, located in the town of Sandwich, was built in 1639. It is the oldest house in this small town. The building sits on the edge of a peaceful pond, in the heart of the historic village. Its owners have restored every room with love and care. The exposed beams and wide wooden planks tell the story of four centuries of history. Each space blends antique furniture, nautical art, and tastefully selected textiles. The result evokes an English novel, even though we’re in the U.S.
This house even has a name: House on the Cape. The firm Watts Design House, founded by Stephenie Watts, oversaw the entire renovation. The American magazine *Country Living* featured it in a special report. This editorial recognition confirms the quality of the work carried out on-site. Watts Design House now rents out the house for short stays, in the style of an intimate boutique hotel.
The cedar-shingled facade is weathered by the Atlantic sun. The asymmetrical sloping roof creates the classic colonial saltbox silhouette. Its olive-green door contrasts with the whiteness of the window and door frames. A white picket fence encloses a garden teeming with perennials.
Ivy climbs freely along the entire length of the old walls. At the back, a vine-covered pergola shades a stone patio. Pink and purple hydrangeas line the path to the cedar shed. The shed now houses an outdoor shower made of untreated wood, fitted with brass fixtures. The fire pit area features white Adirondack chairs beneath the canopy of leaves. A weeping willow bends its branches down to the edge of the pond.
The main living room is centered around a white-painted fireplace. Built-in bookcases frame the windows and overflow with leather-bound books. Seashells, white coral, and mother-of-pearl bowls adorn every shelf. A gilded convex mirror, typical of the American Federal style, hangs above the room. A brass eagle crowns its carved frame with flair.
An ecru linen sofa features navy-striped cushions. A blue-and-green tartan throw is casually draped over the seat. A deep burgundy leather armchair complements this understated color palette. The marble coffee table, set on an antique base, holds art books and a hammered silver bowl. Colorful marine signal flags adorn an entire wall. This decor evokes an English cottage transplanted to the American coast.
The kitchen occupies a low wing, beneath a ceiling with exposed beams. Raw wood, weathered by the centuries, contrasts with a white marble countertop. Green cabinet fronts adorn the low, understated, and timeless base cabinets. A massive brass faucet dominates the deep zinc sink. A range hood clad in white zellige tiles hangs over an Italian range, also accented with brass.
An open shelf, supported by gilded brackets, holds a stack of ceramic bowls. In the adjoining dining room, a solid mahogany table takes center stage on a floor of wide pine planks. Windsor chairs also surround a bench with black slats. An antique stoneware vase overflows with long green branches. Two glass doors open onto the veranda and the garden.
Upstairs, an attic bedroom makes the most of the sloping roof. The walls and floor, painted white, capture all the natural light. An antique console table with drawers serves here as an improvised dressing table. A mirror, leaning against the wall, casts subtle reflections. White bedding dotted with dark patterns adds a touch of brightness.
In another bedroom, a four-poster bed commands the room. A black fireplace, framed by terracotta tiles, warms the winter atmosphere. A jute rug softens the feel of the antique hardwood floor under bare feet. The paneled walls, painted dove gray, envelop the room in a soft, subdued light.
The bathrooms break with the restraint of the rest of the house. One features deep olive-green walls, appearing almost black in the subdued light. An antique mirror with a carved pediment sits above a veined marble countertop. Brass fixtures sit atop a white ceramic sink.
The other bathroom is adorned with willow-patterned wallpaper by William Morris. This dense, graphic botanical pattern covers the walls all the way up to the black lacquered ceiling. An antique oak bathroom cabinet completes this Victorian ambiance.
The house has several fireplaces, distributed among the living room and bedrooms. Each retains its original mantelpiece, either painted or topped with antique brick. A veranda extends the living room toward the garden, sheltered from the sea breeze. This space adds an extra living area to the home.
The garden stretches to the tranquil shore of the nearby pond. Raw-wood Adirondack chairs invite you to contemplate the landscape. The weeping willow filters the evening light onto the water. This home enjoys a rare setting, nestled between a historic village and unspoiled nature.
This decor captivates with its cohesiveness and rustic simplicity. Each antique piece tells a story connected to the sea or travel. The blend of raw linen, weathered leather, and brass works perfectly.
This home exudes a way of life passed down from generation to generation. The choice of vintage antique furniture reinforces this sense of authenticity. Watts Design House embraces a sensory approach to its projects, far removed from rigid interiors. This philosophy shines through in every room.
Settlers from Saugus founded this village with the approval of the Plymouth Colony in 1637. They named their new town after Sandwich, in Kent, England. Today, more than 800 historic buildings make up the heart of the village. Shawme Pond borders the town hall and the oldest houses.
The Dexter Mill, built in 1640, still operates on its banks. A wooden footbridge crosses the salt marsh to the beach at the bay. The Sandwich Glass Museum chronicles the rise of a thriving local industry. Cafés, restaurants, and shops line the shaded streets of the town center. This house enjoys a rare location, just a short walk from everything.
This home in Sandwich combines history, tasteful decor, and an exceptional natural setting. It proves that a 17th-century home can be passed down through generations and remain comfortable without losing its soul. The owners have successfully blended respect for the past with modern living. Interior design enthusiasts will undoubtedly find a source of inspiration here.
The house around 1830
This Cape Cod house is available for rent through Airbnb
This house even has a name: House on the Cape. The firm Watts Design House, founded by Stephenie Watts, oversaw the entire renovation. The American magazine *Country Living* featured it in a special report. This editorial recognition confirms the quality of the work carried out on-site. Watts Design House now rents out the house for short stays, in the style of an intimate boutique hotel.
A preserved saltbox silhouette
The cedar-shingled facade is weathered by the Atlantic sun. The asymmetrical sloping roof creates the classic colonial saltbox silhouette. Its olive-green door contrasts with the whiteness of the window and door frames. A white picket fence encloses a garden teeming with perennials.
Ivy climbs freely along the entire length of the old walls. At the back, a vine-covered pergola shades a stone patio. Pink and purple hydrangeas line the path to the cedar shed. The shed now houses an outdoor shower made of untreated wood, fitted with brass fixtures. The fire pit area features white Adirondack chairs beneath the canopy of leaves. A weeping willow bends its branches down to the edge of the pond.
A living room steeped in maritime history
The main living room is centered around a white-painted fireplace. Built-in bookcases frame the windows and overflow with leather-bound books. Seashells, white coral, and mother-of-pearl bowls adorn every shelf. A gilded convex mirror, typical of the American Federal style, hangs above the room. A brass eagle crowns its carved frame with flair.
An ecru linen sofa features navy-striped cushions. A blue-and-green tartan throw is casually draped over the seat. A deep burgundy leather armchair complements this understated color palette. The marble coffee table, set on an antique base, holds art books and a hammered silver bowl. Colorful marine signal flags adorn an entire wall. This decor evokes an English cottage transplanted to the American coast.
A rustic and bright kitchen
The kitchen occupies a low wing, beneath a ceiling with exposed beams. Raw wood, weathered by the centuries, contrasts with a white marble countertop. Green cabinet fronts adorn the low, understated, and timeless base cabinets. A massive brass faucet dominates the deep zinc sink. A range hood clad in white zellige tiles hangs over an Italian range, also accented with brass.
An open shelf, supported by gilded brackets, holds a stack of ceramic bowls. In the adjoining dining room, a solid mahogany table takes center stage on a floor of wide pine planks. Windsor chairs also surround a bench with black slats. An antique stoneware vase overflows with long green branches. Two glass doors open onto the veranda and the garden.
Soft and serene bedrooms
Upstairs, an attic bedroom makes the most of the sloping roof. The walls and floor, painted white, capture all the natural light. An antique console table with drawers serves here as an improvised dressing table. A mirror, leaning against the wall, casts subtle reflections. White bedding dotted with dark patterns adds a touch of brightness.
In another bedroom, a four-poster bed commands the room. A black fireplace, framed by terracotta tiles, warms the winter atmosphere. A jute rug softens the feel of the antique hardwood floor under bare feet. The paneled walls, painted dove gray, envelop the room in a soft, subdued light.
Bathrooms that dare to be colorful
The bathrooms break with the restraint of the rest of the house. One features deep olive-green walls, appearing almost black in the subdued light. An antique mirror with a carved pediment sits above a veined marble countertop. Brass fixtures sit atop a white ceramic sink.
The other bathroom is adorned with willow-patterned wallpaper by William Morris. This dense, graphic botanical pattern covers the walls all the way up to the black lacquered ceiling. An antique oak bathroom cabinet completes this Victorian ambiance.
A veranda and fireplaces
The house has several fireplaces, distributed among the living room and bedrooms. Each retains its original mantelpiece, either painted or topped with antique brick. A veranda extends the living room toward the garden, sheltered from the sea breeze. This space adds an extra living area to the home.
A garden by the pond
The garden stretches to the tranquil shore of the nearby pond. Raw-wood Adirondack chairs invite you to contemplate the landscape. The weeping willow filters the evening light onto the water. This home enjoys a rare setting, nestled between a historic village and unspoiled nature.
Our take on this decor
This decor captivates with its cohesiveness and rustic simplicity. Each antique piece tells a story connected to the sea or travel. The blend of raw linen, weathered leather, and brass works perfectly.
This home exudes a way of life passed down from generation to generation. The choice of vintage antique furniture reinforces this sense of authenticity. Watts Design House embraces a sensory approach to its projects, far removed from rigid interiors. This philosophy shines through in every room.
Sandwich, Cape Cod’s oldest town
Settlers from Saugus founded this village with the approval of the Plymouth Colony in 1637. They named their new town after Sandwich, in Kent, England. Today, more than 800 historic buildings make up the heart of the village. Shawme Pond borders the town hall and the oldest houses.
The Dexter Mill, built in 1640, still operates on its banks. A wooden footbridge crosses the salt marsh to the beach at the bay. The Sandwich Glass Museum chronicles the rise of a thriving local industry. Cafés, restaurants, and shops line the shaded streets of the town center. This house enjoys a rare location, just a short walk from everything.
In summary
This home in Sandwich combines history, tasteful decor, and an exceptional natural setting. It proves that a 17th-century home can be passed down through generations and remain comfortable without losing its soul. The owners have successfully blended respect for the past with modern living. Interior design enthusiasts will undoubtedly find a source of inspiration here.
The house around 1830
This Cape Cod house is available for rent through Airbnb
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