Saltbox Charm in a Heritage Fishing Community
Elizabeth and Ed Burry’s second-generation saltbox home sits on a small hill in the historic fishing community of Trinity at Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada — population 150 in the summertime, as few as 38 in the winter. The manicured city is as magical as it seems, thanks to strict building codes which help maintain a townscape that dates back to the 16th century.
The home, based on a style by artist Frank Lapointe, capitalizes on coastal views and overlooks the area’s historic aesthetic. The few resides here from May through October while focusing on creative jobs — she is a registered nurse who is now an artist and jewellery designer; he is a writer. The rest of the year, they live in nearby St. John’s.
in a Glance
Who lives here: Elizabeth and Ed Burry, plus their 12-year-old rescue dog, Molly
Location: Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Size: 1,400 square feet; two bedrooms plus a loft, 11/2 bathrooms
Year built: 2001
Becki Peckham
Three sides of the hilltop saltbox home enjoy spectacular views of the bay. Within the construction code to your town, a roof leadership, pitch and structure must visually match the original character of the surrounding structures. The siding must be 4-inch horizontal wood clapboard unless there is existing original masonry.
Originally the Burrys were likely to opt for a red siding to their home, but they decided on a muted green therefore the home would blend with the landscape.
More about saltbox homes
Becki Peckham
The Burrys painted the walls and baseboards white to give the space a light and airy texture. The ground is covered in spruce, whereas the staircase are walnut, and both are treated with a wood stain.
Due to limited storage space — the home doesn’t have a cellar — they included storage cabinets where possible, including under the staircase.
Wall paint: White Chocolate, Benjamin Moore; flooring stain: Historical American, Minwax
Becki Peckham
The few brought some wood furnishings, such as this light oak table, from their principal home in St. John’s. “We wanted to make a light and casual feel in the home,” Elizabeth says.
The pendant lights, nevertheless, are a current splurge.
Becki Peckham
Pauline Bartlett designed the table settings with simple illustrations of Newfoundland saltbox houses. One of Elizabeth’s original paintings hangs across the sideboard off the dining area.
Becki Peckham
This sunroom is a recent addition. “It started the whole home and brought light to the space,” Elizabeth says. Additionally, it happens to show the dust greater. “We are on a hill in a windy place, therefore dust is a common occurrence,” she states.
Wall paint: White Chocolate, Benjamin Moore; bass jug: Living Rooms; armchairs: Ashley Furniture
Becki Peckham
Elizabeth says that her advice to homeowners construction having a view is to make sure your windows are low so that you can see out when sitting. “Plan, plan, plan. Can I say plan?” She states.
To Boost views of the sanctuary, she made sure the width between the two windows behind the woodstove was a small as possible.
Becki Peckham
Open walnut stair treads and iron balusters increase the airy and spacious feeling. All of the wood walls were given a whitewash, and the few left the wood ceiling and beams exposed to keep the space warm.
Wall paint: White Chocolate, Benjamin Moore
Becki Peckham
The upstairs main bedroom brings in blues and sand colours and features another one of Elizabeth’s paintings above the bed. She paints mostly Newfoundland landscapes.
Becki Peckham
The home’s only full bathroom was kept simple, and the oak door was painted. The bathroom overlooks the water. While there currently is not a washer-dryer unit, the couple plans to add one soon — as they finally must go in to town to do laundry.
Becki Peckham
A second-floor bedroom doubles as an office. The ladder is the only method to access the loft space. The flooring throughout the top level are spruce.
Becki Peckham
Though the ceilings are low, this loft loft makes amazing sleeping quarters for guests. The few painted the wood-paneled walls at the same whitewash as in the principal areas on the first floor to keep the space bright. Through the small window is a view of the marina.
Wall paint: White Chocolate, Benjamin Moore
Becki Peckham
A folding divider provides privacy for the two full beds on opposite sides of the space.
Becki Peckham
A rear deck overlooks the bay along with Elizabeth’s studio (with red shutters). Every time a boat is brought down to the water to the first time, Ed and his friends have a party where they start the boat, then celebrate with beer and martinis in a local residence.
Becki Peckham
Elizabeth’s studio perches on stilts over the globe and doubles as her seaside shop, Mirabella. Its layout is reminiscent of the fishing channels original to town.
Becki Peckham
A city library, a museum, restaurants and a marina serve the small population, and there is a local theater known as the Rising Tide Theatre that’s creating a play based on Ed’s current publication, The Loop.
Becki Peckham
Twice weekly during the summer, The New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant Occurs. For the past 20 decades, the pageant takes people through the roads and historical sites, while professional actors and actresses in the Rising Tide Theatre act out stories in the past. One of the websites is next to Elizabeth’s studio. The pageant brings thousands of tourists through every week.
Becki Peckham
Here is the view of Trinity in the next city over, Port Rexton. The Burrys’ home sits at the center on top of the hill; though mixing in, it’s still visible from throughout the bay.
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