Having just returned from our little retreat by the sea at Captain Whidbey, it seemed only appropriate to lead into this week with a different kind of Captain’s quarters… a timeworn Cape Cod house tour belonging to one of my favorites, John Derian…
This beautiful house tour first appeared on Cup of Jo where they explored all the elements of this home, but my favorite nugget might just be how Derian made the conscious decision not to do much renovation – leaving the peeling wallpaper and paint as a mark of the home’s history. It’s felt so important to me lately to have a home’s soul show a bit more – even through the ‘flaws’.
Of course this worn aesthetic happens to be perfect for the infamous collector’s personal style. Nothing new in sight – only perfectly aged items like candlesticks with years of drippy wax layers, rusty lanterns, or paintings with chipped edges. While it’s not for everyone, it certainly works here.
My favorite kind of shelf: one filled with beach treasures and vintage glassware! Ready for the impromptu dinner party at any given moment! How much do you love the dining room and that old wallpaper!? I think it’s so lovely how it leads into this separate nook too…
Up the worn staircase, bedrooms for John and his guests await, along with the most beautiful walls…
I love all the art in this little home! It’s so random, but perfectly so. This is how I feel art should be – little collected bits that call out to the owner, for who knows what reason. I’ve got such a stash of art waiting to be framed right now… this is motivating me to get it done and hung!
I think this tiny room might be my favorite. A bit more pared down than the others, but with it’s own fireplace and those funky speckled floors…
Of course it wouldn’t be a John Derian home without a bit of signature whimsy in the shape of a whale peeking through the window in those old doors.
For the full interview, you can see the original post on Cup of Jo.
