A Journey Through Time: The Martin Keith House
The first settlers of Ipswich, Massachusetts, faced a fierce nor’easter that made them reconsider their journey. Fast forward to 2020, where designer Katie Martinez found herself in a similar predicament during a stormy evening. Stranded after a canceled ferry, she and her husband were unexpectedly drawn to a historic 1807 home in Boston’s North Shore.
Katie Martinez, a bicoastal designer, set out to renovate the Martin Keith House, a stunning example of Federal-era architecture that had fallen into disrepair. Since its disassembly and storage in a Cape Cod barn in 1990, the house was carefully reconstructed, preserving many of its original features like the front stairway and shuttered fanlight doorway.
Martinez stayed true to the house’s roots while infusing it with a loose yet soulful aesthetic. She incorporated a vintage apothecary cabinet, an antique khotan rug from Eliko, and a bronze sconce from Collier Webb topped with a pleated lampshade by Helene Blanche.
“It was pouring, and there was no electricity so it was really dark; we didn’t even see the backyard,” Martinez recalls. Despite the limited view, she was captivated by the Federal-era property that featured stunning details like a leaded-glass fanlight doorway, wall murals, and a bathroom adorned with a William Morris print.
After spending six hours in a ferry parking lot brainstorming, Martinez and her husband made the bold decision to sell their 1920s home in California and modernize the historic house in time for their daughters’ next school year.
This stunning renovation showcases the balance between history and modern living, proving that even the oldest homes can adapt while retaining their unique charm.
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