Restoring a 19th-Century Maine Home Around Heirloom Treasures

The article chronicles a thoughtful renovation on Portland, Maine’s Munjoy Hill. A 1850s home was reimagined around a young family’s inherited furniture, textiles, and objects.

Designers Kacee Witherbee and Juliana Barton of Insides Studio expanded the original kitchen refresh into a full remodel. They added a new bathroom, millwork, and transformed a former parlor into a library while honoring the house’s quirks and history.

Heritage meets modern living on Munjoy Hill

The design team focused on letting the house’s character shine. Instead of erasing awkward doorways, a kitchen chimney, and a not-quite-functional pass-through, they embraced and repurposed these features.

The result is a home that feels intimately lived-in. It combines a polished, contemporary sensibility with respect for its 19th-century roots.

A design strategy that respects quirks and history

Original details were preserved where possible. Entryway wallpaper and a ceiling light remain as quiet anchors.

Practical additions, like a marble shelf over the radiator, enhance daily life. The kitchen gained refined millwork by Good Cube Studio, creating a cohesive, high-performance workspace.

North Road Woodwork supplied custom shelving, banquettes, and millwork that organize tricky spaces and unify the floor plan. The team turned the challenging pass-through into a working pantry and discreet display area, keeping the house’s atmosphere light and unpretentious.

Textiles and tactile elements shape the home’s atmosphere. A custom oilcloth rug by Black Point Mercantile grounds the kitchen.

Fabrics from Decors Barbares, Charleston Duncan Grant, and Home Remedies Maine add depth to upholstery and soft surfaces. The interiors are assembled from curated lighting and furnishings, including pieces by Ron Rezek, Noguchi, Artemide, and Charlotte Perriand, alongside antiques like a 19th-century side table and a needlepoint rug.

Crafting space that works: kitchen, library, and living areas

The home balances modern function with historical presence. A playroom is designed to feel “cozy in chaos,” featuring concealed storage and café curtains that soften the space.

The living room accommodates a piano and a corner fireplace with tailored seating and custom benches. This balance between openness and enclosure allows the family to enjoy daily life while honoring the home’s past.

Solving tricky layouts with built-ins and tailor-made details

• New kitchen millwork by Good Cube Studio creates a refined, integrated workspace.
• Custom shelving, banquettes, and millwork from North Road Woodwork organize awkward corners and passages.
• Preserved entryway wallpaper and ceiling light retain historic cues.
• A marble shelf over the radiator adds practical, decorative surface area.
• The pass-through becomes a functional pantry and display zone.

Textiles and lighting: layering tactile warmth

Lighting and textiles are carefully chosen to add texture, color, and mood. The project combines curated lighting and furnishings with heirloom fabrics and modern pieces to create a layered, comfortable atmosphere.

Textiles and lighting that anchor the home’s character

• A distinctive oilcloth rug anchors the kitchen’s tactile palette.
• Fabrics from Decors Barbares, Charleston Duncan Grant, and Home Remedies Maine contribute varied textures and color.
• Lighting and furniture selections include Ron Rezek, Noguchi, Artemide, and Charlotte Perriand, blending contemporary and vintage styles.
• Antiques such as a 19th-century side table and a needlepoint rug deepen the historical feel.

Personal heirlooms as a design language

Heirlooms—satirical William Hogarth engravings, a rooster weathervane, and family chairs—anchor the interiors for an intentional mix of old and new. These objects tell a story about family, memory, and place, turning a hillside house into a living cabinet of curiosities that still feels modern.

A hilltop home with bay views and neighborhood charm

Perched on a picturesque hill with bay views, the house retains a strong sense of history and neighborhood charm. The family’s collection of objects adds both practicality and meaning to the space.

The renovation honors the past while preparing the home for modern living. Durability, beauty, and a personal story come together in the design.

 
Here is the source article for this story: A 19th-Century Maine Home Evolves Around a Family’s Inherited Treasures