Tait House: When Homes Were Meant to Welcome You
There was a time when homes weren't designed simply to impress. They were designed to bring people together. Verandas invited neighbours to slow down, stop, and sit for a visit. Front doors weren't just an entrance; they were an invitation. This is the Tait House.
Maison Tait House at 293 Main Street in Shediac, New Brunswick.
A House That Makes You Look Twice
Driving along Main Street in Shediac, your eyes naturally settle on one home. It stands proudly among its surroundings, as if it has spent more than a century watching the town grow around it.
Historical Tait House/ Maison Historique Tait
I'm referring to the Tait House at 293 Main Street in Shediac, New Brunswick. Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a few nights here, and from the moment I stepped through the front door, I knew this wasn't just another boutique inn.
Beauty Before History
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an expert in architecture, but I do appreciate beauty and craftsmanship when I see it. You don't need to know that parts of the home were inspired by Queen Anne architecture or Italian design to appreciate it. You simply feel that this house was built with pride and built to last. It truly reflected the Tait family's success.
Built to Impress
The Tait family made their fortune in New Brunswick's potato industry and became pioneers in helping shape the province's agricultural history. This wasn't simply a family home, it was a reflection of everything they had accomplished. It was a symbol of status. Even today, more than a century later, it still sits like a statement in the sea side town of Shediac.
Details of Fine Craftsmanship.
A House That Still Welcomes
Today's Tait House beautifully blends heritage with modern comfort. Its nine guest rooms have been thoughtfully restored, preserving the character of the original home while offering all the comforts you'd hope for and more.
Nothing beats a good soak after a long day
Whether you're soaking in a deep tub after a day of exploring, enjoying an exceptional meal downstairs, or simply sitting on the veranda watching resident artist Brigitte LeBouthillier paint one of her masterpieces, it's easy to appreciate why Tait House is remaining such a special place for generations.
But perhaps what struck me most wasn't just how beautifully the house has been restored. It was the feeling that it's alive again.
Since changing ownership in 2025, Tait House has found a new rhythm. Along with welcoming overnight guests, it's becoming a gathering place for the community once more.
Events like Dining in the Dark, Murder Mystery Dinners, live music and curated dining experiences by Maison Tait's chef in residence, are giving both locals and visitors new reasons to walk through its doors.
One of the dinning rooms on the main floor
More than a century after it was built, Tait House is creating new memories alongside its rich history. Somehow, I think that's exactly what a home like this was always meant to do.
The Lady of the House
Café Eleanor Tait House Shediac
Every grand home has more than one story to tell. There's the one preserved in history books, and then there are the quieter stories that unfold behind its doors.
History tells us a great deal about Mr. Tait and the business empire he built, but far less about the everyday lives that filled this house.
Today, it's his daughter Eleanor whose name lives on in Café Eleanor, a bright, sun-filled room that invites guests to slow down over coffee or tea.
It's easy to imagine the conversations this room has witnessed over the years. Friends gathering for afternoon tea, neighbours stopping by for a visit, and stories shared around the table that never made it into the history books but quietly helped shape a community.
One Little Letter
The letter “T” a tribute to the Tait family.
There are countless beautiful details about the Tait House but one in particular caught my eye.
Carved into the fireplace is an ornate letter "T," a tribute to the Tait family who built the home in 1911. The same carving also appears in the woodwork at the entrance to the dining room and in other areas around the property.
Here's what made me laugh, Many years later, the current owner's name also begins with the letter “T”.
Coincidence? Probably.
It makes you wonder if the universe isn’t working behind the scenes just a little bit.
Where Heritage Meets Bold Design
The Chesley Lounge, named after another one of the Tait children, is a space that immediately catches your eye. While Café Eleanor has a softer, more feminine charm, the Chesley Lounge has more of a classic cigar lounge vibe. It’s one of those rooms where someone took a risk, and it paid off.
Pink and teal are a classic colour combination, but they're probably the last colours you'd expect to find in a beautifully restored 19th-century home. Yet somehow, they feel perfectly at home. Blending modern touches, retro flair, and original character, the room has a personality all its own. It's a bold design choice that proves heritage properties don't have to feel frozen in time—they can honour the past while embracing a fresh, inviting style.
Worth Slowing Down For
Homes like the Tait House don't survive for more than a century on craftsmanship alone. They endure because, along the way, someone cared enough to repair what was broken, strengthen what had weakened, and preserve what was worth saving.
As someone who is constantly searching for beautiful places, I can honestly say Tait House is one of those rare destinations that leaves an impression long after you've checked out.
Sometimes, the most memorable part of a trip isn't the attraction everyone came to see.
So here's my challenge to you. Book the room. Order the lobster tails. Put on the cocktail dress (or the sport coat). Raise a glass, indulge in dessert, and savour the moment.
Life is too short to wait for the perfect reason to celebrate. Sometimes the best occasions are the ones you create for yourself. Whether it's a weekend getaway, a memorable meal, or simply taking the time to enjoy life's simple pleasures, don't let "someday" slip away.
Tait House Boutique Inn: https://taithouse.com/hotel
Tait House Restaurant: https://taithouse.com/restaurant
Tait House Merder Mystery: https://taithouse.com/murder-mystery
Tait House Dining in the Dark: https://taithouse.com/dining-in-the-dark
Cafe Eleanor: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586046177005#
