Canadian-born interior designer Philip Mitchell and his husband, Mark Narsansky, have a knack for perfect timing and talent. They met almost 20 years ago and have since acquired several properties together. When they stumbled upon a troubled 18th-century cottage on the coast of Nova Scotia, they couldn't resist the opportunity for a renovation project. The cottage, known as White Cottage, was a mish-mash of architectural styles and had fallen into disrepair. Determined to save the house from demolition, Mitchell and Narsansky decided to dismantle it piece by piece and rebuild it according to its original design. The restoration process took about two and a half years, and then Mitchell took on the task of decorating the house. He infused it with a luxurious seafaring style, incorporating a mix of inherited and new antiques from Europe, as well as contemporary art. 

In the summers, Mitchell and Naransky ensure that the entire main floor of their home gets slipcovered in white linen. Especially their third floor deck which is the perfect spot to sit back and watch the wooden sailboats sailing below in Chester Harbor.

Their home is a perfect blend of design trends, combining elements of "Eclectic Grandpa" and "Coastal Grandmother". They achieved this by using original flooring and incorporating a mix of inherited items and antiques sourced from Europe. Additionally, the presence of white linen during the summer adds to the overall aesthetic.

Architecture and Design by Philip Mitchell

Photography by Annie Schlechter