Inside a Charming 1950s Beach Cottage Filled with Vintage Finds & Antiques Treasures

When Talia Hubbell, founder of Maude and May, first stepped inside this 1950s cottage in Newport, Rhode Island, it was far from picture-perfect. The house smelled of cigarettes and cat urine, the walls were a tired shade of yellow, and nearly every room needed attention. Still, Talia saw something worth saving. The cottage's proportions, its location, and original architectural details—including its arched doorways and charming kitchen cabinetry—convinced her to take on an ambitious renovation with, as she admits, a healthy dose of naivety.

The project quickly grew far beyond what she had anticipated. The interior was completely gutted, while the exterior received new cedar shingles, windows, and doors. Working with a local contractor and family friend, Talia preserved key original elements that anchored the home to its 1950s roots while updating nearly everything else. The result is a cottage that feels fresh without losing the character that first drew her in.

The living room establishes the home's warm, collected aesthetic. Custom green built-in bookshelves frame the front window, inspired by the shabby chic interiors Talia admired in late-1990s and early-2000s design books. Rather than filling the shelves with new décor, she sourced secondhand books from the local library bookstore, mixing them with antique finds, vintage Americana, nautical accents, and personal keepsakes. One of the room's most meaningful pieces is a framed section of the home's original hand-painted wallpaper, uncovered during demolition and preserved as artwork.

Throughout the cottage, antiques sit comfortably alongside thoughtful DIY projects. A contemporary console table was customized with new hardware and fabric behind the glass panels to give it the look of an older piece, while family photographs share space with flea market treasures collected during Talia's years living in Los Angeles, New York, and New England.

The kitchen blends original craftsmanship with carefully considered updates. Talia preserved the existing cabinetry, including the distinctive window trim above the sink that first made her fall in love with the house. Beadboard walls, copper cookware, and shelves filled with vintage dishware reinforce the cottage's 1950s character while reflecting Newport's rich architectural history. Many of the room's most meaningful pieces were made by family members, including a handcrafted recipe box built by her grandfather and filled with favorite family recipes. A custom glassware shelf, built by her boyfriend, adds another personal touch.

The bathroom continues the home's mix of craftsmanship and personality. Custom floor tile, beadboard walls, antique nautical accessories, and illustrated Delft tiles inspired by places Talia has lived—including Los Angeles, New York, London, and Kansas City—fill the compact room with meaningful details.

Outside, raised garden beds produce tomatoes, zucchini, jalapeños, cabbage, and flowers throughout the growing season. Beyond the garden sits one of the home's most playful spaces: a former shed that, according to a neighbor, once served as a fugitive's hideout. After renovating it, Talia transformed the building into a craft studio where she sews, paints, scrapbooks, and develops products for her brand, Maude and May.

Throughout the cottage, every renovation decision reflects Talia's appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and collected objects. Whether preserving original architectural details, hunting for antiques across New England, or incorporating meaningful family heirlooms, she has created a home that feels both rooted in its past and distinctly her own.