Project Reveal: A Historic South End Brownstone

I am SO excited to share this new project with you guys– finally, I can share projects as they finish! :) YAAAAAYYY!  This was SUCH a fulfilling job, as the bones of this place are just breathtaking to start with. When given this kind of canvas, it’s hard not to create a masterpiece! The brownstones in Boston’s Back Bay/South End/Beacon Hill are some of my favorite spaces, as they are chock full of the most incredible, charming detail you just do not find in newer homes.  Just look at these ceilings!  However, we needed to adapt these formal spaces to everyday living. This young couple plans on having a family (and already has big, happy dog) so they did not want anything quite as grand as the space itself.  We started with the parlor level of the home, designing the family room and formal living room, and did a little work in the garden level kitchen and powder bath.  We hope to keep going and work on their dining room next, but I couldn’t wait to share these shots Sarah Winchester took for us!

This is the family room– a comfy but tailored sectional done in a Perennials fabric assures durability, comfort AND good looks. The gorgeous drapery was a statement maker, by our much adored workroom.  The extra wide tape trim feels perfectly balanced considering the ceilings are over 11′ high, and the custom metal rods (which were there from the previous owner, which was lucky) are fitted perfectly into the gorgeous curves of the windows. The rug, believe it or not, is an indoor/outdoor from Stark that really does wear like iron but feels delightful underfoot.

We used a more casual ottoman in a leather for “kick your feet up” comfort, the prints are from the Studio 534 showroom and the pillows are all custom.  The marbleized lamp is Bradburn Home from OKL.

There were recesses on each side of the fireplace in here, so we designed some built ins with shelving above to utilize the space and visually draw the eye up. Nick from NS Builders did an AMAZING job on these for us, and they came out exactly as we had envisioned! We used a grey/blue grasscloth on the back wall to enhance the look of the shelving and items on it. Also, this chair is BONKERS (to the trade frame done in a Mark Sikes for Schumacher fabric).

The back of the room has this gracious arched nook, where we placed a glass front storage cabinet and pair of lucite pedestals with topiaries on top (faux, because let’s face it, real ones would not flourish with the light here).

This room has gorgeous pocket doors that close it off from the more formal living space…

Which, when you open the doors, looks like this! A more formal take on the family room, basically. Same light fixture (here) and magnificent detail though. We used the same drapery since these rooms are most often left wide open to each other. The console is from Wisteria, the X-benches are Ballard done in a custom fabric.

A pair of blue sofas, done in a Crypton treated fabric – again for durability – mirror each other by the fireplace. The pillows are custom.

We found this pair of giclee framed prints on OKL, believe it or not! It’s all about mixing high and low.

I just love the lines of the sofa arm here. And behind this seating area we created a little game table area that is one of my FAVORITE parts of this home :)

We found these vintage chairs on Chairish and had them reupholstered in Vanderbilt Velvet from Mary McDonald’s line with Schumacher.  We used this stunning Bunny Williams table between the chairs, and topped it with a gorgeous blue lamp.

In their kitchen they had this nook that was just calling out for a built in banquette. The clients LOVED the look of Nantucket’s Club Car restaurant and so we made the banquette out of a similar light blue faux leather that is so easy to clean.  Pillows make the nook a cozy spot for breakfast or dinner!

A pair of Kayce Hughes pieces were a great complement.

IN the TEEEEEENY powder bath off the nook, we papered with this fabulous Carleton V wallpaper – making a statement in a small space is SO fun.

I hope you enjoyed this reveal!  If you want to win a chance to have me design a room like this for YOUR home, just pre-order my new book (coming April 2) and enter your info HERE! :) On sale right now for $22.50 on Amazon too!