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There’s a certain kind of summer house that looks perfect in photos but asks guests not to touch anything. That was never going to work for designer Genevieve Lavelle’s Brewster, Massachusetts, project. Designed for a large, growing family who uses every inch of the property year-round, the home needed to withstand sandy feet, wet dogs, impromptu gatherings, and the general chaos that comes with a multigenerational house by the sea. “Nothing could be too precious,” says Lavelle. Instead, she aimed for layered, low-key, and deeply lived-in.
The main house is a riot of richly patterned textiles, antiques, vintage art, and cheerful colors. Painted wood floors stand in for delicate rugs, while throws draped over ottomans protect upholstery from pups returning straight from the beach. The result is sophisticated, but not stuffy. In the adjacent cottage, Lavelle pushed her playful approach even further, inviting people to settle in immediately and stay as long as they wish.
How did this project come to be?
The homeowners are family friends of mine. I grew up in Connecticut and spent every summer on Cape Cod, so I’ve known them forever. They’ve had the property for more than 20 years, and as the family expanded with grandchildren, they decided it was time for a refresh. We started with the cottage on the property and then it naturally spiraled into revamping the main house too. It was primarily cosmetic: painting, reupholstery, layering textiles, and reworking existing furniture. The house is used year-round, but summer is really the heart of the home, so we wanted everything completed before the season started.
What was your overarching vision?
It’s a huge family with dogs, grandchildren, and constant activity, so the spaces had to feel durable and welcoming. I wanted the house to have this layered, lived-in quality—almost like John Derian meets British country style. Lots of color, lots of pattern, but still relaxed and comfortable.
The cottage’s vibe is similar, but different.
The cottage was where we really leaned into the fun. We painted the floors Farrow & Ball’s Dix Blue and played with more daring pattern-mixing. There’s a Décors Barbares sofa in the lounge that felt risky at first, but once it was installed everyone completely understood the vision. Because we reused so much existing furniture, there was actually more freedom to experiment through upholstery and textiles.
How did working with what was already there shape the design?
We reupholstered so many existing pieces, which meant we could invest in really beautiful textiles while still being mindful of the budget. Sometimes limitations actually make a project more interesting—you’re forced to think more creatively about layering and mixing patterns. We even used leftover fabric remnants from bedrooms to make lampshades or recover smaller chairs throughout the house.
You used a lot of antiques and vintage pieces throughout. Why was that important?
Partly budget, honestly. We invested heavily in textiles, so I had to get creative elsewhere. Antiquing is my favorite thing in the world, so I sourced a lot of furniture, needlepoints, artwork, and ceramic plates [that way].
The decorative plate walls are such a fun detail. How did those come about?
It actually started in the boy’s bedroom because the bed had this beautiful subtle curve to it, and I thought a cluster of antique marble plates would mirror that shape perfectly. From there, it kind of spiraled throughout the house. I love using plates because they add warmth, texture, and another layer of pattern without overwhelming a room or requiring major artwork budgets. Every single one was sourced while antiquing or vintage shopping, so they all feel collected over time.
Do you have a favorite design choice?
I love the shell sconces in the dining room—they were something I’d had in storage for years waiting for the perfect place. I’m also obsessed with the Robert Kime wallpaper in the family room. The ceilings are so high, so I was nervous about it, but it completely transformed the space. And honestly, the blue cottage floors make me happy every time I see them.
Is there an unexpected detail you love?
The outdoor bathtub. The homeowners wanted a place where the grandkids could rinse off after the beach, and we happened to have an extra tub from another project that was too small for its original use. We figured out a way to make it work outside, and it ended up becoming one of those charming, functional moments that makes the whole house feel even more connected to summer living.
What’s your biggest takeaway from this project?
That homes don’t need to be overly precious to feel beautiful. Some of the best spaces are the ones that are actually lived in—where dogs come in wet from the beach, grandchildren are running around, and everything still feels warm, layered, and personal.
