Designer Snapshot: Traditional with a Twist

By Paula M. Bodah

As she was making her selections for Perspectives in our May-June issue, Norwell, Massachusetts-based designer Barbara Bahr Sheehan looked for items that speak to her fondness for classic shapes and designs that have been updated with a fresh, contemporary twist. Here she shows us that design sensibility in action, with photos of a Cape Cod house she just finished decorating.

Photo by Brian Sheehan Photography

“The house is really large but there are numerous small spaces that feel intimate and welcoming, niches like this one by the main staircase that aren’t overwhelming,” Barbara says. The pieces she chose have a simplicity, even as they celebrate classic shapes and materials. “A small abstract piece of art feels like a good juxtaposition to the more traditional other elements in this space,” she says. We especially like the choice of reading material in the magazine basket beneath the table.

Photo by Jeff Adams Photography

With its pristine white wainscoting and ceiling beam the dining room has lots of classic elements, but the bright blue gives it a fresh vibe. “A mix of bright color/pattern and rustic finishes make this room casual and lively,” she notes. “Not a formal dining room but a few steps up from the ‘picnic table at the beach’ look.”

Photo by Brian Sheehan Photography

The handsome living room is rooted in tradition with its fieldstone fireplace and ceiling coffers, but Barbara’s design brings it into the twenty-first century (while taking care to retain all its cozy comfort). “Blues and whites and greens bring the outside in,” she says. “The stone fireplace creates a focal point that also reflects the lawn and garden beyond. There are some ‘old house’’ elements here but it is all updated with color and pattern.”

Photo by Brian Sheehan Photography

“In the master bath we went for the ‘Ango Indian’ look with a vanity I designed to create an island-like retreat,” explains Barbara. “Crisp white tile and silver sconces and mirrors keep the look really tailored and easy on the eyes.”