The Falmouth Village Green, a swath of emerald lawn encircled by a white post-and-beam fence, typifies postcard-perfect New England. A smattering of churches, private homes and bed-and-breakfasts overlook the green, situated at the west  end of a main street that becomes gradually more commercial, but no less charming, as it stretches east. This picturesque seaside town was first settled by English colonists in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1686.

It seems like it was meant to be

A true Federal-style house, its clapboard sides and wooden shutters painted in a classic white-and-black color combination, sits directly across from the green. It was built in 1844 by prosperous whaling boat owner Thomas Swift. Most recently, members of the Nickerson family had lived here for 80 years. When a “For Sale” sign appeared on the front yard of the home about two years ago, Eric and Dawn Peterson of Mashpee couldn’t contain their excitement. They had eyed the property for years. However, “We were disappointed when we saw the price,” says Eric, who grew up in a 1760s house in Carver and has loved old homes ever since. They persevered, closing on the house in December, 2009, and hosting a grand wedding there scarcely seven months later. In fact, the house, which has five chimneys, seven fireplaces, and five bedrooms, was so accommodating that 15 of the bride’s relatives visiting from England who had been invited to stay in the house for the week were reluctant to leave.

When the Petersons first looked at the 150+-year old house, they were pleasantly surprised to find it in good structural condition. “It was remarkable,” says Eric, a builder whose scrutiny was exacting. Still, Dawn hesitated, unsure whether she had the energy to tackle the renovation of yet another house. During their marriage, the couple had already worked on three homes, including a house built in 1814 that they had renovated entirely by themselves.

“Think about everything we don’t have to do,” Eric, using reverse psychology, told his wife. All the woodwork in the house was intact. Upstairs, the walls just needed stripping and painting and pretty, mature perennials were thriving in a thoughtfully landscaped lawn.

Yet, if you entered the house from the frequently used backdoor, it was easy to be discouraged: a low-ceilinged great room led to a dark kitchen via a few steps set off to one side. “It was a sight,” says Eileen Nadeau, the kitchen designer at Botello Lumber in Falmouth who worked on the project with Manager Paul Puchol.

The challenge was to make a brand-new kitchen blend in with the rest of the house, which has its original plaster walls, and old wavy glass and rope pulls in the windows. The common rooms and bedrooms are appointed, for the most part, with antique and slightly younger treasures, like a nautical oil painting from Eldred’s Auction Gallery in East Dennis and period pieces from a variety of furniture consignment stores on the Cape. A beautifully hand-finished Hallet, Davis Co. baby grand piano, which all four of the Petersons’ sons play, has the place of honor in the front room. Hallet, Davis & Co. was founded in 1835, and Franz Liszt played one of their pianos at the great Paris exposition in 1867. The piece illustrates just how careful the Petersons were to maintain the 19th-century character of the house.

To keep the home’s character and historical value intact even in the brand-new kitchen, Eric had the idea

of designing the center island to resemble an old icebox. A coffered, bead-board ceiling and a handcrafted built-in table and banquettes give the space a coziness which is enhanced by a new window framing the majestic, granite St. Barnabas Memorial Church next door. The church was built in 1890, and its architect, Henry Vaughan, also designed the Washington National Cathedral.

The great room was opened up by creating a cathedral ceiling and the three steps connecting it to the kitchen were installed in the center of the space, replacing the& oddly situated old stairs. Given the size of the space, says Nadeau, “It was even more critical to keep everything in character.” At the same time, the impact on entering had to be a “wow.” Nadeau likens the visual impact as one gazes from the great room to the kitchen to “a book about to unfold.” And if she were to choose just one element that makes this kitchen unique, she says it’s “incorporating the oak island with white cabinetry.” Choosing quarter-sawn oak for the island not only brings it back to the era, she says, but also, “It was really fun to use this oak instead of cherry.” The built-in bookcases on either side of the steps leading from the great room to the kitchen are a nice touch, too.

The Petersons wanted the kitchen to be family friendly and have an old feel. To this end, they chose Grabill inset maple cabinetry painted white, which, says Nadeau, “completely goes with the character of the home and also designates something of quality.” In addition to the flush inset Sub-Zero refrigerator with camouflaging cabinetry on the front and sides, significant elements in the kitchen include a ceramic apron sink with a farmhouse feel, soapstone countertops and prep sink, a six-burner Wolf stove, two Viking ovens, and transparent-glass lighting pendants. With its Papaya painted walls and linen white trim, the effect is sophisticated yet warm and soothing. That the Petersons like clean lines, says Nadeau, “…suggests a confidence in themselves.” They eschew gewgaws, preferring a few meaningful pieces, like a 13-foot dining room table Eric made from a board he found in the attic. Come Thanksgiving, the table will be the gathering spot for an ever-growing Peterson clan.

Might there be some guests from the past joining in— Swifts or Nickersons, perhaps? “We’ve spent a lot of time in haunted houses,” says Eric with a smile, “and so far this one doesn’t seem to have any ghosts.”