Fifteen years ago, Alison Westlake’s house was, quite literally, relocated – lock, stock and barrel. The one-time inn, which dates from the 1820s, was transported about 50 miles from its original location in Cobourg, Canada to this 13-acre plot of land on the island of Prince Edward, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Board by board it was labelled and then rebuilt on a new foundation.
Even an early Canadian log cabin that also sat on the original land was uprooted and brought along too, where it was attached to the main house and converted into a kitchen. During the rebuild, the house was fitted with modern electricity and plumbing and given indoor bathrooms. But for the most part, every single item, down to the rippled glass windows and doors, is original.
Alison Westlake and her husband Tyler, who run a floristry business, bought the house three years ago. ‘The instant I saw the property I knew it was our home and that I would do whatever it took to buy this house,’ says Alison. What drew her in was the building’s heritage – it was one of the first colonial homes ever built in Ontario – and the 13 acres of land (complete with church, naturally) that came with it.
The previous owners, explains Alison, had designed the interior like a museum so her main task on moving in was to make it more homely. ‘They had gone to enormous lengths to recreate the atmosphere of the house as it was when it was built. They went as far as to remove a window and part of a wall to get an antique dresser in that was too big to fit through the door,’ she says. It’s still in situ today.
Similarly, Alison was keen to make sure that her furnishings were in keeping with the colonial style of the house and plumped for Regency and Queen Anne pieces. But to create a modern twist that keeps the interior from feeling too staid, she’s applied a muted colour scheme that’s anything but dated.
‘After moving in, all we changed were the colours of the walls. We softened the overall look by sticking to neutral shades throughout, replacing some of the more period colours and bringing them up to date. And because of my love of flowers and colourful pieces, the neutral shades are a tranquil backdrop. The scheme helps me to feel calm,’ says Alison. Throughout the home, soft furnishings are pastel and prints are discreet so nothing shouts or jars.
As far as furnishings and accessories go, Alison has inherited her parents’ eye for design. From an early age, Alison would frequent flea markets and vintage stores with her family. Even though she appreciated it less at the time, it instilled in her a love of the authentic and the old. Her timeworn pieces are perfectly at home in these historic surroundings.
There are almost no new items in the house, and each piece has a history and a story to tell. ‘I love a good find,’ she says. ‘Ontario is great for antiques shops.’ Being a florist, Alison has a weakness for botanical prints, apothecary bottles and glassware, and has vast collections of each. She picks such items up for a song at local flea markets. ‘I’d describe my style as romantic and nostalgic,’ she smiles.
Alison and her family make the most of the large amount of land by keeping animals, including Harry the rabbit, a collection of sheep and seven ducks. But the land has more uses. Between April and October they grow flowers for their business, Coriander Girl, and Alison hopes to soon use greenhouses to expand the growing season. ‘I love living here because, despite appearing to be rural and secluded, it’s actually close to town. It’s also like taking a step back in time but with the comfort of modern conveniences. It’s the perfect blend of then and now.’
