December 2, 2024 | Maddie Brisbane
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
In the Mountain-brimmed lakeside town of Lovell, Maine, architecture and interiors photographer, Sean Litchfield, and architectural historian turned carpenter Zachary Violette, have created a quintessential New England holiday retreat in their 3,500 square-foot Greek Revival Home.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
Recently, the couple gave the inside scoop on their stunning home to Yankee Magazine - you can find the full article here!
Built in the 1830s by timber mogul James Walker, and later restored by its previous owner, Grosvenor Newcomb, the residence features handsome moldings, wide-plank pine floors, and well-proportioned rooms. Pleased with the the home’s well-kept condition, Litchfield and Violette purchased the home just four years ago.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
“With my husband’s background in historic preservation, Grove knew we would be the perfect stewards,” Litchfield notes. Violette’s refined carpentry skills also meant raw space on the second floor could be transformed into a stylish, one-of-a-kind short-term rental suite, "The Ell."
(Photography: Sean Litchfield | Instagram at @theellmaine)
Throughout the home, thoughtfully chosen furnishings complement its historic bones. Shaker-inspired ladder-back chairs found at a local estate sale replace more modern seating, while a farmhouse table crafted by the couple out of floorboards from the home’s original kitchen graces the dining area.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
“Everyone in town knows this house, so we felt some pressure about decorating it for the holidays,” says Violette. It is clear such motivation served the couple well, as wreaths adorned with lush red velvet ribbons frame the candle-lit six-over-six windows, and locally-sourced evergreen garlands, with fairy lights aglow, wrap the stately porch columns. “Christmas decorations are ephemeral, so I have fun with them,” Litchfield says.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
Inside, the spirit of the holidays billows through the space. In the double parlors, cognac leather safari chairs plucked from a yard sale surround a marble-topped tulip table. A simple evergreen tree—lovingly scavenged from the yard—stands in a corner, beaming with minimalist charm. Wrapped gifts—many reserved for their beloved golden retriever, Lily, and German shorthaired pointer, Otis—beckon beneath the tree.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
Even the powder room under the stairs gets a dose of holiday cheer, with a little tree and holly of its own. “I’m a Christmas maximalist—I like a Christmas tree in every room,” Violette declares.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
In the heart of the home, Windsor-inspired chairs from Maine’s Chilton Furniture line the marble-topped island, while a rebuilt fireplace creates a cozy place to gather. Monogrammed stockings, including ones for Lily and Otis, of course, hang from the garland-adorned mantel, infusing the space with a holiday essence.
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
(Photography: Sean Litchfield for Yankee Magazine)
Whether hosting community gatherings or savoring quiet mornings by the fire, Litchfield and Violette have created a home that celebrates its history while embracing the warmth of the holiday season and beyond.
To learn more about "The Ell," the couple's darling short-term rental suite, follow along on Instagram at @theellmaine.
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