A Wall Comes Down—And the Real Decisions Begin
For South Berwick residents Jessica and Brandon Elsemore, the wall was gone, the kitchen was open, and the first floor finally had the flow they’d been imagining for their family. Then came the part that stops most renovations in their tracks: the finishing decisions that determine whether the new space feels seamless—or like good ideas that never quite connect.
I talked with interior designer Sheri Gibson, owner of Rein & Co Design, about how she helped the Elsemores bring their remodel across the finish line—making the space work for everyday life while showcasing the pieces that already told their story.
“I often receive calls from clients who are planning or in the midst of a renovation project,” said Gibson. “They’re excited for the changes, but quickly get in the weeds navigating finishing touches and next steps, especially for a space they can’t see yet.”
For Jessica and Brandon Elsemore, it sounded like this: What do we do for backsplash tile? Do we hang lights over the island or not? Where do we start and stop the new paint color? We have a new kitchen, but now what?
After walking the space with them, Gibson understood what they were really building: a fun, welcoming home base where family and friends could gather around a big island, cooking and eating together. They also wanted to work in their best “ingredients” already on hand: vintage barware, a cookbook collection, cake stands and serveware, and art with history—Jessica’s photography, family photos, modern pieces, mid-century nods, and coastal oils. The goal: make it all belong and work for real life.
Kitchen: Quiet Texture, Lasting Style
With cabinetry and countertop selections already underway, Gibson helped the Elsemores choose finishes that added interest without overpowering the space. For the kitchen backsplash, they selected a glossy, ribbed vertical white tile—modern, organic, and intentionally restrained. In the adjacent bar area, they opted for a penny round tile, closely matching the rich cabinet color, creating contrast and cohesion simultaneously.
Lighting: Clear Lines, Big Impact
Lighting was next, and it became a classic renovation crossroads: hanging light fixtures over the island, or a clear ceiling that lets the architecture breathe? With varying ceiling heights, they decided to keep the island free of fixtures, so the eye could travel from the family room across the kitchen to the dining area. A cool, multi-arm modern fixture over the dining table became the focal point and set the tone for the rest of the open layout.
Family Room: Designed for Real Life
In the family room, Gibson leaned into comfort with intention. She layered in a rich patterned rug that, as Gibson likes to say, “hides a lot of life,” and chose a new sofa in performance velvet—beautiful, durable, and family-proof. Soft teal swivel chairs add flexibility: turn toward the TV, the kitchen, or the conversation.
Then came one of the most personal moves: a gallery wall that frames the TV within artwork, so it becomes part of the story, not a black box on the wall. Photos, oils, and meaningful pieces wrap the room—finished with subtle graphic wallpaper, a narrow mid-century-inspired cabinet, and a round coffee table that softens the layout.
Where Style Meets Story
For Gibson, the best rooms don't look staged—they look loved. “I think our homes are always evolving, just like we are,” she says. “I want them to be representative of the people who live there.” And in the Elsemores’ home, that’s exactly what happened—through a design that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels like home.
“I think our homes are always evolving, just like we are,” she says. “I want them to be representative of the people who live there.”