This Couple Redesigned a Cozy Old House in Maine with Antiques From Their Own Shop
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For Prudence and Roger Kiessling, their passion for antiques and interior design has led them to partake in many creative ventures. That includes opening The Kingfisher & The Queen—a vintage and home goods store—and designing Kingsford Manor, a cozy house in Alna, Maine.
The home is named for the nearby King’s Highway, and the Kiesslings are only the fourth family to own the dwelling since it was built in 1770 by Moses Carleton, an affluent ship owner who hailed from Newburyport, Massachusetts.
“We were lucky that many of the original features in the house were still intact, including original paint, doors—with their original hinges, knobs and leather washers—molding, floors, and fireplaces,” explains Prudence. “We wanted to preserve many of these features without renovating too much. We like the signs of wear on the painted floors, the different layers of paint showing through on the doors and such because we think it helps to tell the story of the house.”
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To keep with tradition and not change too much of the charming abode, Prudence and Roger “put all of the floors back in their original spots with reproduction nails” and removed the wooden shutters. They also painted the house white—the same color it had been in an old photo of the home they'd found, taken in the 1950s. The duo also renovated the dated kitchen, keeping the original wood cabinets and adding a Carrera marble countertop, Shaw sink, tiled floor, and a Thermador cooktop and oven.
See all of Kingsford Manor for yourself below.
Great Room/Kitchen
The interconnected great room and kitchen blend rustic and glam decor seamlessly, using pieces from Best Made Co, Shaws, Ferguson, The Home Depot, as well as antique shops. The figurines that sit on the mantel—which are from Santons de France, a shop run by Prudence’s grandmother—prove that personal touches can go a long way.
Paint: All White by Farrow & Ball. Chair: antique. Figurines: Santons de France. Clock: Best Made Co. Sink: Shaws. Faucet: Ferguson. Rug and Table: vintage. Tiles: The Home Depot.
Parlor
The homey parlor is a spot that’s filled with old and new decor, including ornate moldings that are original to the home and green copper spires from Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec, Canada, as well as pillows from H&M Home and sheepskin from IKEA. This juxtaposition makes for a room that’s perfect for uniting people and things of all ages.
Couch: Young’s Furniture. Pillows: H&M Home. Sheepskin: IKEA. Rug: Vintage. Painting: Estate Sale. Fireplace: antique.
The Study
With an antique desk and chair (and plenty of bookshelves), the study is certainly an ideal spot to get work done—but it also doubles as a place to kick back and relax, which is something the family cat, George, does quite often in this room. Furnishings that add to its welcoming feel include a plaid chair that’s upholstered in wool, and numerous framed prints of scenes of England.
Couch: Craigslist. Shelf Color: Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. Bookcase: Tiffany and Co.
Studio/Office
In the same space as the study is the studio/office, where Farrow & Ball’s “All White” color takes center stage, perfectly complemented by an exposed wooden beam ceiling. The aqua blue desk chair is a vintage find from a home located in Georgetown, Maine, while other pieces have family ties, like a vintage phone that belonged to Prudence’s children's great-grandmother.
Floor Paint: California Paints’ All Flor Battleship Gray. Wall Paint: All White by Farrow & Ball. Desk: vintage.
Bedroom #1
With wallpaper that’s worthy of an appearance in a period drama, this bedroom is right up any grandmillennial’s alley. Other furnishings in this maximalist-yet-cozy spot include a bed from IKEA, antiques from Molding Color, and a vintage Hermès box.
Bed: IKEA. Tables: antique. Molding Color: Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball.
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