My Houzz: Colorful Cape Cod

In 2003, Nielsen added 1,500 square feet to the back of the house, including a family room on the main floor, a master suite above and an expansion of the lower-level recreation room. She designed the space and finishes, and acted as her own general contractor, but she worked with carpenter Don Webber.

The living room was opened up to include the dining room space and create better flow. A handmade rug by Vermont artist and author Susan Sargent serves as a bright visual centerpiece.

"I met Susan Sargent and fell in love with her use of vibrant colors, Scandinavian design and creative choices for furnishings," Nielsen says. "It's a heavy influence on how I connect with my environment."

Today the home is gracious and comfortable, filled with treasures gathered throughout Nielsen's life. Cherished pieces include artwork by herself and her kids, furniture built by her father, paintings by her mother and, pictured here, a prayer wheel from a trip to Tibet she guided.

Nielsen was ecstatic to find these tufted fuchsia chairs at Timeless Interiors. They go perfectly with her Susan Sargent rug.

On the opposite side of the original house, the kitchen was opened up to become a functional and bright gathering place with an eating nook and reading chairs. The fabric on the upholstered chairs is also by Susan Sargent.

On the main floor behind the kitchen and living room lies the focus of the addition: a deep and inviting reading nook.

The cozy reading nook welcomes in plenty of natural light, and colorful pillows invite reading, lingering and enjoying views of the backyard.

"I love my bright colors, but I also found the need to find spaces that are more subdued," Nielsen says. This master bedroom, added above the family room, is the ultimate retreat. Perched high among the trees, the room is surrounded by light and windows, and its palette is soft and pastel. Just outside, within the giant pines, hangs a large bird feeder, which is a hub of activity and peaceful entertainment.

The master suite features a built-in bookshelf, a walk-in closet and a hallway space that's home to a massage table and treasures from Nielsen's travels to Mount Everest. Nielsen's father built the jelly-roll cabinet.

A beautiful wood deck outside the kitchen links to the family room, the screened-in-porch (on the left) and the backyard.

Here's a shot of the wonderfully maintained and modest exterior that is loyal to the house's heritage.