The Drake Devonshire is a Vintage Inspired Paradise

Will Murray artwork crowns the fireplace in the Owner’s Suite, which overlooks Lake Ontario. Fir wood cladding and reupholstered seating give the A-frame vintage vibes.

Drake Devonshire - Rick Leong’s bird mural

Rick Leong’s bird mural soars above a +tongtong-designed bed. The headboard was manufactured by Coletech Quality Woodworking with painted MDF and bent-metal edging.

+tongtong’s vision for Prince Edward County’s Drake Devonshire fuses old and new

By Sara Cunningham
Photography by Nikolas Koenig

The +tongtong-designed Drake Devonshire inn is a unique blend of old and new architecture. Set on the site of the 1860s-era Wellington Iron Foundry in picturesque Prince Edward County, the inn offers 11 rooms and two suites that feature a mix of vintage and modern elements. The whitewashed floors and custom tongue-and-groove headboards in the bedrooms create a beach house ambiance, while one of the bedrooms offers stunning views of Lake Ontario. The inn is decorated with vintage furniture and artwork sourced from antique shows and flea markets, which add character and history to the space and serve as a counterpoint to the new, barn-like additions and brightly colored walls.

One of the rooms at the Drake Devonshire in Prince Edward County

The chief curator at The Drake, Mia Nielsen, emphasizes the historical significance of the property, “The Drake Devonshire is at heart a historical property, so bringing in vintage paintings reinforces the sense of time and tradition.” The property offers moments of intrigue such as the Owner’s Suite, which features a dormer ceiling designed to imitate a classic A-frame and a private walkout deck overlooking the water. Overall, the inn offers a unique and inviting atmosphere that seamlessly blends historical elements with modern design.

The Takeaway

Nielsen insists that artworks need not “match” your bedroom – or each other. She asked Victoria artist Rick Leong to paint delicate murals above the beds, and Toronto collective Team Macho to tamper with vintage paintings, to add whimsical details to otherwise predictable landscapes.