Celebrating 40 years of unparalleled commitment to excellence, the Boston Design Center (BDC) stands as a beacon of inspiration and innovation in the world of home decor. Since its inception in 1985, the BDC has transformed New England interiors with its exquisite offerings and unmatched expertise. With 40 distinguished showrooms, this monumental establishment has earned its rightful place as the largest and most esteemed design center in the Northeast.
Over four remarkable decades, the BDC has showcased a spectacular array of design solutions, from timeless classics to cutting-edge contemporary styles, consistently setting the bar for quality and creativity. Serving as a collaborative hub for designers, architects, and homeowners alike, the Boston Design Center fosters a dynamic community dedicated to elevating the aesthetic and functional aspects of living spaces.
As we celebrate this prestigious milestone, we honor the BDC's unwavering dedication to fostering design excellence and its pivotal role in shaping the interiors of countless homes. Here's to 40 years of visionary leadership, and to many more years of inspiring and enhancing the art of living in New England and beyond.
Photo: Nat Rea Photography
INTERIOR DESIGN: NICOLE HOGARTY
PHOTOGRAPHY: READ MCKENDREE
ARCHITECT: PAYNE | COLLINS DESIGN
cabinetry collection is custom crafted in North America available exclusively through select kitchen design showrooms
The Downsview cabinetry collection is custom crafted in North America and available exclusively through select kitchen design showrooms si nc e 1967 1 967
To experience the Collections ne of our flagship showrooms
To experience the Collections visit one of our flagship showrooms
DOWNSVIEW of BOSTON
DOWNSVIEW of BOSTON
Design Center Place - Suite 241,Boston, MA 317-3320 www.downsviewofboston.com
One Design Center Place - Suite 241,Boston, MA (857) 317-3320 www.downsviewofboston.com
DOWNSVIEW of JUNO
DOWNSVIEW of JUNO
U.S. Highway 1 - Suite 100, Juno Beach, FL 799-7700 www.downsviewofjuno.com
12800 U.S. Highway 1 - Suite 100, Juno Beach, FL (561) 799-7700 www.downsviewofjuno.com
DOWNSVIEW of DANIA
DOWNSVIEW of DANIA Griffin Road - Suite C-212, Dania Beach, FL 927-1100 www.downsviewofdania.com
1855 Griffin Road - Suite C-212, Dania Beach, FL (954) 927-1100 www.downsviewofdania.com
Dell Anno kitchens are a refined expression of innovation and elegance. Each space is thoughtfully designed to balance form and function, using the finest materials and advanced technology. From contemporary minimalism to timeless sophistication, Dell Anno offers fully customizable solutions that elevate both everyday living and special moments. With meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to quality, Dell Anno redefines the kitchen as the true heart of the home — where beauty, purpose, and experience converge.
CALIFORNIA | FLORIDA | GEORGIA | ILLINOIS | MASSACHUSETTS
VIRGINIA | PUERTO RICO | CANADA | PORTUGAL
MASSACHUSETTS | NEW YORK | FLORIDA | CALIFORNIA | ILLINOIS | COLORADO
GEORGIA | VIRGINIA | NORTH CAROLINA | BRAZIL | URUGUAY | PUERTO RICO
CALIFORNIA | FLORIDA | GEORGIA | ILLINOIS | MASSACHUSETTS
VIRGINIA | PUERTO RICO | CANADA | PORTUGAL
ARCHITECT: PATRICK AHEARN
DAN GORDON
RYAN MAHEU
CAPE
SeptemberOctober
VOLUME 21, ISSUE NO. 1
HOMES
230 Peak Performance
In the mountains of Massachusetts, a family’s devotion to art, music, and togetherness finds voice in an exquisitely crafted home.
244
A New Storyline
For interior designer and author Erin Gates, a new residence and a thoughtful renovation lead to a dream home—and her latest book.
256 An Awakening
Refreshed and renewed, a historic house and its extraordinary garden are updated for an active young family.
270 A Celebration of Design
From the designers to the makers to the homeowners, everyone brought something to the table in this Boston renovation.
282 In Perfect
Harmony
Classic meets contemporary on the coast of Maine.
September October
55 Entertaining
A trip to Paris and global table accents make a dining room feel less formal and more fun. Plus, inspiration for your next party.
68 Designers at Home
Noelani Zervas leaned on her instincts and reinvented her family’s home with fearless tones and joyful tension.
80 Metropolitan Life
A Barbie collection and a passion for pink inspire an interior designer to think outside the box.
92 Things They Love
Interior designer Meichi Peng talks about growing up in Taiwan and her collection of ancient Buddha statues.
98 Special Spaces
A Massachusetts home rises in perfect harmony with its restored natural surroundings.
112 Kitchens We Love
Each of these kitchen renovations carries its own distinctive point of view.
132
Inspired
Interiors
There’s space for everything in this art collector’s Boston high-rise—with room left over to grow.
144 Shop Visit
Susie Smith Coughlin changes the subject with her new Maine boutique.
Award-winning architecture
Assembled with precision
September October
156 293
148 Things We Love
Gardens fit for a king inspire a British heritage brand’s latest collection.
152 Artistry
A New Hampshire artist pays her respects to the source of life.
156 5 Under 40
Meet the talented young design professionals who make up our sixteenth annual slate of winners.
THE GOOD LIFE
293 In the Details
Get up close and personal with craftspeople from three of this issue’s featured homes.
300 On the Market
These waterfront properties are looking for new homeowners.
308 Design Dispatches
Read up on industry news and mark your calendars with these must-attend events.
312 The Scene
A look back at a host of design-related events.
328 Last Look
Each month, oenophiles gather in this suburban wine room to swirl, sip, and savor.
SPECIAL MARKETING
193 Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Welcome
Ecosystems are on my mind. This is partly because as I write this in mid-July, my garden is changing by the hour, and I regularly make the rou nds to selectively weed and pluck spent blooms. I’ve also recently returned from Newport Design Week and Nantucket by Design, where New England’s thriving community of designers and design enthusiasts turned out in force. What a thrill to twine with friends new and old while engaging in fascinating conversation, exploring historic landmarks, and experiencing the cultural heritage unique to both locales.
The issue you hold in your hands is not only twenty years in the making, but the culmination of a group effort by a skilled team of professionals that involved many months of brainstorming, ruminating, scheduling, discussing, editing, and executing. With each issue we set the bar enormously high for ourselves, and for this monumental anniversary, our goal was to reflect the peak tempo of residential design right no w
Fit tingly, our cover features a fanciful soiree concocted by our friends at Daher Interior Design and staged at a home designed with a good party in mind. In fact, the multiyear project concluded with a celebration on-site, so that the renovation team could enjoy the fruits of their labor. Of course, many of the homes we feature make for picture-perfect entertaining, so in the pages following we selected festive vignettes from the archives to further inspire. Elsewhere, we’re sharing more homes in more pages than ever before, including our annual tribute to kitchen design, and a salute to the emerging greats blooming in our landscape: you’ll meet this year’s 5 Under 40 winners on page 156.
It ta kes every one of you to make this ecosystem thrive. We’re enormously thankful to you, readers and friends, for the last two decades, and for your continued enthusiasm for the stories we sow. Here’s to twenty more!
JENNA TALBOT T @jennatalbott
Contributors
Photographer Michael J. Lee started out in interior design. Then, eighteen years ago, he had a “creative epiphany” on a New England Home photo shoot that completely changed his career trajectory. Lee, who shot this issue’s cover along with “Let’s Party” (page 55), “A Celebration of Design” (page 270), and “An Awakening” (page 256), has since photographed more than ninety magazine and book covers. “To say that New England Home and I grew up together is an understatement. I would not be where I am today without the magazine’s mentorship and support during my early years. I’m so proud of our numerous collaborations.”
P.S.
WE’RE TWENTY YEARS OLD!
I love to snap behind-the-scenes photos whenever we produce a story. Here’s a glimpse at our cover photo shoot, and a shout-out to some of the people—and props— who made it possible.
Designer Clayton Daher and his masterful charcuterie.
Champagne and carrot cake? Yes, please.
Paula M. Bodah, who writes “Back to Nature” (page 98) and “Peak Performance” (page 230), served as New England Home’s senior editor from 2005 until 2020, when she transitioned to senior contributing editor. “I was lucky to be a part of the small team creating New England Home. The excitement was palpable as we worked toward that first September–October issue. In the years since, it’s been a joy to watch the magazine—and the residential design community it celebrates— reach ever greater levels of creativity and refinement. I still feel a little spark of pride and excitement each time a new issue arrives.”
Jenna Talbott portrait by Jessica Delaney. Michael J. Lee portrait by Ben Flythe
I couldn’t resist a photo op with our creative director, Robert Lesser, and photographer Michael J. Lee.
Letter from the Publisher
It is with great pride and gratitude that I share this milestone with you: the issue you’re holding in your hands marks the twentieth anniversary of New England Home. I’ve been fortunate to be part of the New England Home family for fifteen of our twenty years, and boy, time really does fly when you’re having fun!
When our first issue was released, back in September 2005, our mission was simple: to celebrate the incredible talent, creativity, and craftsmanship that define luxury design in New England. Twenty years later, that mission continues. With articles showcasing everything from seaside retreats to historic brownstones to modern mountain homes, each issue has been a tribute to the extraordinary skills of our region’s designers, architects, landscape professionals, builders, and artisans who bring these breathtaking spaces to life.
This anniversary issue is both a heartfelt thank you and an exciting look ahead.
To our readers, thank you for welcoming us into your homes and for trusting us to be your source of inspiration over the years. There is nothing better than meeting a subscriber who tells me they have saved images from the magazine and website to share with the design team working on their new home. (This just happened again last week while I was on Nantucket!)
To our advertising partners, many of whom have been with us since the beginning, your trust and collaboration have made this journey possible. Together, we’ve built a brand that is not just a magazine but a vibrant community—one that values quality, authenticity, and the art of living well.
As the design landscape evolves, we are committed to continuing our tradition of excellence, expanding our reach across all platforms, and introducing new initiatives while maintaining the timeless beauty that defines New England Home
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to twenty years of exceptional design—and to many more years of celebrating the best of New England’s homes and the people who create them.
With heartfelt thanks,
KATHY BUSH-DUTTON @kbushdutton
Dear New England Home Team,
On behalf of all of us at Hutker Architects, and with confidence that our entire residential design community joins us, we extend heartfelt congratulations to New England Home as you celebrate twenty years of publishing excellence.
Over the past two decades, New England Home has been more than a magazine. It has become the connective tissue of our design world, drawing together the talents of architects, interior designers, landscape architects, builders, artisans, and makers into a true creative community. Your pages don’t just reflect design; they inspire it and document its evolution across our region.
We are especially grateful to Kathy BushDutton and Jenna Talbott for their leadership, creativity, and tireless commitment. Their vision and drive have shaped New England Home into the entwining and inspiring platform it is today. We also recognize the contributions of the NEH team, past and present, including former Editor in Chief Kyle Hoepner and Managing Partner Adam Japko, whose founding of the Luxury Home Design Summit has extended the brand’s reach and relevance across the industry.
The New England Design Hall of Fame is particularly visionary, offering a sincere, career-capping moment of recognition for those who have made lasting contributions to our field. Another standout initiative is the 5 Under 40 Awards. By honoring emerging architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and makers, New England Home ensures that the next generation is seen, supported, and inspired.
Thank you for telling our stories. Thank you for helping us see one another. And thank you for continuing to bring us together. Here's to the next twenty years and all that’s yet to come.
Respectfully,
The Partners of Hutker Architects,
Mark A. Hutker, FAIA
Phil Regan
Jim Cappuccino, AIA
Greg Ehrman, AIA
Thomas McNeill, AIA
Kathy Bush-Dutton portrait by Dorothy Greco. Hutker Architects photo courtesy of the firm
INTELLIGENT LUXURY
TSP Smart Spaces provides exquisite whole-house smart home technology solutions. Our Design, Build, and Support process ensures we are with you from the beginning of your smart home journey and well beyond.
To experience for yourself, visit us in our award-winning showroom, right in the heart of the design-centric SoWa neighborhood.
2. Beautiful lighting control keypad from Belgium-based company Basalte. Here showing the Fibonacci keypad in brushed brass.
1. A South-End creative loft is transformed into a haven of luxury and convenience through design and smart technology.
3. Lutron Motorized Palladiom shade with ‘Dawn’ fabric from the Atelier collection, matched with elegant satin nickel brackets.
SOFT TEXTURES
Editor in Chief
Jenna Talbott jtalbott@nehomemag.com
Associate Publisher
Erika Ayn Finch efinch@nehomemag.com
Creative Director
Robert Lesser rlesser@nehomemag.com
Market Editor
Lynda Simonton lsimonton@nehomemag.com
Senior Editor Lisa H. Speidel lspeidel@nehomemag.com
Senior Contributing Editor Paula M. Bodah
Contributing Editors
Karin Lidbeck Brent Nicole Polly
Contributing Writers
Alyssa Bird, Alyssa Giacobbe, Maria LaPiana, David Masello, Kathryn O'SheaEvans, Gail Ravgiala, Nathaniel Reade, Kristan Zimmer
Contributing Photographers
Terrence Adderley, Michael Blanchard, Julia Cumes, Matthew Cunningham, Dan Cutrona, Liz Daly, Jessica Delaney, Emily Elisabeth, Ben Flythe, Thomas J. Fraley, Kirsten Francis, Bill Hoenk, Ari Kellerman, Jared Kuzia, Neil Landino, Michael J. Lee, Sean Litchfield, Joshua McHugh, Read McKendree/JBSA, Jane Messinger, Georgie Morley, Joe Navas, Greg Premru, Jeff Roberts, Patrick Rogers, Bruce Rogovin, Jayson Ruboy, Chris Rucinski, Carley Rudd, Darren Setlow, Matt Stone, Joyelle West, Luke White nnn
Editorial Submissions
Designers, architects, builders, and homeowners are invited to submit projects for editorial consideration. For information about submitting projects, email edit@nehomemag.com
Letters to the Editor
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at letters@nehomemag.com.
Upcoming Events
Are you planning an event that we can feature in our calendar? Email information to calendar@nehomemag.com
Parties
We welcome photographs from design- or architecture-related parties. Send highresolution photos with information about the party and the people pictured to info@nehomemag.com.
Subscriptions To subscribe to New England Home ($19.95 for one year) or for customer service, call 800-765-1225 or visit our website, nehomemag.com
Advertising To receive information about advertising in New England Home, please contact us at 800-609-5154, ext. 713, or info@nehomemag.com
Editorial and Advertising Office 530 Harrison Ave., Suite 302 Boston, MA 02118 617-938-3991, 800-609-5154
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Sign up at nehomemag.com.
Social Media
Engage with us at @nehomemagazine on Instagram + Pinterest + Facebook.
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New England Home Magazine, LLC
Managing Partners Adam Japko, Chris Legg
Finance Manager
Kiyomi DeBay kdebay@nehomemag.com
Circulation Manager Kurt Coey
Newsstand Manager
Bob Moenster nehomemag.com
TIMELESS WOOD LOOKS, LASTING PERFORMANCE
The Alpine Collection from AZEK Exteriors brings the rich look of finished hardwoods to your outdoor spaces without the ongoing maintenance of wood. Durable PVC stands up to weather and water, so it looks good now and will for years to come. Alpine is available in two stylish profiles: traditional beadboard and contemporary WP4.
ORDER FREE SAMPLES
AZEK Alpine WP4 in Auburn
Douglas Friedman Photography
&Here There
L ’sParty
A trip to Paris, global table accents, and handfuls of rose petals make a dining room feel less formal and more fun.
J. LEE
Te xt by ERIKA AY N FINCH | P hotography by MICHAEL
This past spring, interior designer Paula Daher found herself wandering through Paris, searching for treasures for her Maine boutique, Mélange Home Shop. Instead, her eye kept landing on, of all things, pampas grass. “It was everywhere,” she says. “And it made every space feel like a party.”
It also planted a seed of inspiration that grew into a full-fledged design scheme when it came time to set the stage for a party in a Boston home Daher recently completed. The designer, who
has offices in Boston and Maine, wanted to inject the home’s formal dining room with a hefty dose of whimsy. She also sought to draw out the pinks and purples in the room’s upholstered chairs.
Armed with ceramic busts sourced from Italy, tableware from Morocco, and her own red Waterford glasses (a cherished wedding gift), Daher created a room that feels elegant but vivacious. The finishing touch? In lieu of a runner, she scattered the tabletop with rose petals.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
PAULA’S PARTY TIPS
1. Forgo a tablecloth for layers of placemats: “It deescalates the formality.”
2. Opt for candlesticks that are different heights but still have a common theme. Here, it’s crystal.
3. To replicate the rosesinstead-of-runner look, seek out day-old flowers.
4. Forget matching place settings. Instead, use the same placemats but mix up plate colors and napkin patterns.
ARCHITECTURE: Payne | Collins Design
INTERIOR DESIGN: Daher
Interior Design
BUILDER: BSA Construction
Produced by LYNDA SIMONTON
Champagne Cooler by Baccarat, Neiman Marcus, Boston, neimanmarcus.com
westontable.com
Rialto Glass Coupes by Sir/Madam, Bliss, Kennebunk, Maine, blissboutiques.com
Premium Shucking Knife Island Creek Oysters, Boston and Duxbury, Mass., islandcreekoysters.com
Dining room photograph by Jared Kuzia; styled by Frances Bailey
Del Tesoro Napkins, Matouk, Fall River, Mass., matouk.com
Harcourt
Mille Nuits Flutissimo Flutes by Baccarat, Neiman Marcus, Boston, neimanmarcus.com
Vintage Oyster Plates, Weston Table,
True Barware Set Tiffany & Co., Boston, tiffany.com
Nickel Rectangular Tray with Bamboo Handles by Dessau Home, Room Tonic, Marblehead, Mass., roomtonic.com
Edgar Side Table by Gabby, Grand Rapids Furniture Co., Boston Design Center, grandrapidsfurnitureco.com
Mass., cebuladesign.com
Cocktail
, E. Braun & Co., ebraunnewyork.com
Traditional Toast
FROM OUR ARCHIVES: It's always five o'clock at this wet bar on Cape Cod.
, Boston Harbor Distillery, Boston, bostonharbordistillery.com
SALUD Wallcovering by Backdrop, Schumacher, Boston Design Center, schumacher.com
Bar photograph by Tim Williams
Putnam Whiskey
Galets
Napkins
Spencer London Bar Cabinet by Theodore Alexander, Cebula Design, Newburyport,
Mondo Bowl in Gloucester Swoosh, Jill Rosenwald, Boston, jillrosenwald.com
Rattan Link Napkin Ring, Kim Seybert, kimseybert.com
The Ultimate Feast
Windsor Tankards Simon Pearce, various New England locations, simonpearce.com
Leland Rattan Beverage Tub, Crate & Barrel, various New England locations, crateandbarrel.com
Mauviel Copper Stock Pot, Williams Sonoma, various New England locations, williams-sonoma.com
Mass., serenaandlily.com FROM OUR ARCHIVES: A late-summer lobster lunch on Nantucket.
Cracker by Maine Man, LeRoux, various New England locations, lerouxkitchen.com
,
Lobster
Gingham Napkins
Serena & Lily, Chestnut Hill,
Kaorumi Dessert Plate, Hermès, Boston, hermes.com
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup, Runamok Maple, runamokmaple.com
Fantasia Place Setting by Mepra, Lekker Home, Boston, lekkerhome.com
Grand Slam Breakfast
Moka Express Espresso Maker by Bialetti, Kiss the Cook, Burlington, Vt., kissthecook.net
FROM OUR ARCHIVES: A cozy morning in Vermont.
Color Block Porcelain Cups by Franca, December Thieves, Boston, decemberthieves.com
Filigrana Jug, Two Webster, Osterville, Mass., twowebster.com
nook photograph by Jim Westphalen; produced by Karin Lidbeck Brent
www.robbramhallarchitects.com
Tuned-Up Tudor
Noelani Zervas leaned on her instincts and reinvented her family’s home with fearless tones and joyful tension.
Text by KATHRYN O’SHEA-EVANS | Photography b y JESSICA DELANEY
Interior designer Noelani Zervas outside her Tudorstyle home in Milton, Massachusetts.
The Art of Subtle Brilliance.
gave
When designer Noelani Zervas first toured this 1928 Tudor in Milton, Massachusetts, it had already scared off another buyer, who backed out of the deal post-inspection. “It was a total fixerupper money pit,” Zervas explains. “It needed everything.”
While a lot of the issues were cosmetic, some were truly necessary. All of the brick, for instance, needed to be repointed, and the systems updated. But what the house lacked in polish, it made up for in potential. So once the vital issues were fixed, Zervas turned to aesthetics, repointing (ahem) the home’s style, too. That included everything from
ABOVE: Zervas
a late-1800s painting that portrays a fortune teller pride of place in her family’s TV hangout. LEFT: Located at the back of the TV room, this dining nook is the family’s informal gathering space. The custom curved banquette was a happy accident: it was originally intended for the foyer, but its radius coincidentally wound up being the same as the table.
“MY HUSBAND SAID, ‘YOU’VE GOT A VISION, RUN WITH IT.’ ”
—Interior designer Noelani Zervas
paint and wallcoverings to adding an open-plan kitchen/great room, a feat in its own right. “There was quite a bit of structural work needed to accommodate the open concept,” says Eric Johnson, owner of Scorpion Construction Group.
“We wound up adding a forty-two-foot ClearSpan steel beam that takes a load off the exterior wall.”
While Zervas and her husband had played it safe with small-scale revamps for the first eleven years they lived in the home, “This time around, he took the shackles off,” Zervas recalls. “He said, ‘You’ve got a vision, run with it.’ ”
LEFT: Upper cabinets were eschewed entirely in the kitchen, thanks to the stealth storage just beyond in the butler’s pantry.
BELOW: The pantry hides the hardworking heart of the kitchen—appliances, storage, and all—behind a sliding door. Like many decisions in the home, this space is a confident blend of style and subversion: darker and funkier than the adjacent kitchen yet essential to that room’s uncluttered appeal.
fl wer I t starts with a
a delicate purple geranium, that grows in rich soil to create a breathtaking garden that thrives on sunshine and long rainy days, and the kind of meticulous care and profound knowledge and dedicated hard work that makes you feel there’s no place on earth you’d rather be.
It’s in our nature.
And run she did. Now, their family’s home exudes a fearlessness that would shock the actual Tudors to the core. Case in point: the new wall color in the great room, Farrow & Ball’s Dead Salmon. “Everybody flipped a biscuit over that,” says Zervas, “but it’s just so much better than a neutral.”
Zervas contrasted the deliciously dirty pink with the trim’s warm green: Sherwin-Williams Retreat. “Noelani’s naturally inclined for design,” says Johnson. “Sometimes we are looking at it like, ‘Wow, that’s interesting that you thought of that.’ And then when it comes together it’s like, ‘That’s absolutely amazing.’ ”
RIGHT: The dining room’s antique side chair—rescued from an auction, where it was upholstered in a tattered tapestry—now has a fresh look in Schumacher’s Annika Floral Tapestry. BELOW: A zodiac-print panel by Schumacher transforms the room’s ceiling into a starry sky. The designer considered wrapping the entire foyer in it, but the dining room ceiling “just felt right.”
In the dining room, Zervas applied a celestial wallpaper within the coffered ceiling. “It’s a zodiac panel from Schumacher,” she says. “When you’re looking up, it’s kind of like seeing the constellations in the sky.”
Even the powder room channels symbolism, with a wallpaper that is quite literally eye-popping. “I married into an awesome, huge Greek family, so it’s kind of an homage to the evil eye and warding off bad luck,” says Zervas. Or maybe it’s a nod to a designer who doesn’t need luck—not when she trusts her instincts.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Zervas’s daughter’s room features a cozy curtained daybed, ideal for accommodating sleepovers. Octopus-patterned wallpaper from cult brand Grow House Grow anchors the primary suite with unexpected surrealism. Layered with twin pendants and personal symbolism in the form of ocular wallpaper, this powder room proves small spaces can hold big stories.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Rockwood Design
INTERIOR DESIGN: Noelani Zervas Interiors
BUILDER: Scorpion Construction Group
LANDSCAPE DESIGN: J. McKinnon Inc.
Designer Dennis Duffy created shelving to house his client’s prized Barbie collection. Fixtures from Circa Lighting suit her love of glamour. The wall finish is a custom ombré application by Eric Erbelding, and the artwork is by Flora Borsi.
The homeowner knew exactly what she wanted. She just needed someone willing to give it to her. She’d moved into a blank slate of an apartment at One Dalton in Boston, in a unit a few doors away from her sister. “I love pinks and purples,” she says. “But no one wanted to design in pink. They’d say, ‘I can’t do this shade, it doesn’t look good. I don’t think I can give you the colors you’re looking for.’
There were all kinds of negatives.”
TOP: Art Applications refinished the interior of the living room’s Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams cocktail table. RIGHT: Duffy incorporated more subdued touches to provide a counterpoint to all the excitement, including a custom-designed storage cabinet boasting subtle Topex Design Swarovski crystal pulls.
H& T METROPOLITAN LIFE
Though the Christopher Guy dining chairs are neither pink nor purple but instead a Mokum animal print sourced through Holly Hunt, they were fun enough to earn the homeowner’s approval. The dining table is from William/D/ Scott, and the photo of dancer Tiler Peck is by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory.
MICHAEL J LEE
But Dennis Duffy of Duffy Design Group, who had worked with the owner’s sister years earlier, appreciates an obsession—and loves a design challenge. “When we called him, he was thrilled,” remembers the homeowner.
“He said, ‘Of course I’ll help you. This will be so much fun.’ ”
Duffy set to work on a design for his new client that included refinishing floors and cabinetry, incorporating new gas fireplaces and surrounds, updating the primary bath and powder room, and installing new lighting and audiovideo systems, along with sourcing new furnishings and finishes in colors and patterns that made her happiest.
Every room is a standout, but both the homeowner and Duffy especially love how the primary bedroom came together, courtesy of a Jonathan Adler Barbie-printed ballerina chair,
a gemstone-studded headboard, and custom cabinetry by Masterpiece Woodworks.
Duffy was also tasked with incorporating his client’s vintage Barbie collection into the new design. She estimates she has about fifty dolls from a variety of eras, “though I only get the ones that are glamorous,” she says. The showpiece is recessed-and-illuminated display shelving that runs along the main hallway, set into a hand-painted ombré wall. It was a learning process for the veteran designer, to say the least.
“When I went to install the dolls, I asked her which were the most
LEFT: The kitchen shines courtesy of a mirrored backsplash from TileBar and a pendant from Coup D’Etat. BELOW: In the makeup room, Duffy reupholstered a CB2 chair in fabric by Great Plains sourced through Holly Hunt as the finishing touch against a pink carpet from STARK and a Christopher Guy mirror.
by
Photo
Trent Bell
DENNIS DUFFY OF DUFFY DESIGN GROUP APPRECIATES AN
OBSESSION—AND LOVES A DESIGN CHALLENGE.
ABOVE: Duffy didn’t change much in the powder room, but he did delight in finding a vessel sink “from an obscure source in Canada,” he says. LEFT: In the primary bedroom, Duffy designed cabinetry using an Osborne & Little wallcovering for the door and drawer panels. The too-perfect chair is from Jonathan Adler.
important,” says Duffy. “I found out, to my horror, that you can’t take them out of the boxes or they lose their value.” The display shelving accommodates around fifteen dolls (in their boxes), and Duffy created shelving throughout to display the rest, including a backlit corner shelf in the main bedroom that currently houses a special edition American Girl doll.
The owner has collected Barbies since she was a teenager, but this home presents the first chance she’s had to display them. “I never had the space before,” she says. “Now, when people come in, they can’t believe it. It’s so colorful. They say, ‘No one’s house is like this.’ I couldn’t love it more.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Duffy Design Group
Photography by Read McKendree
MEICHI PENG
always loved to draw. As a child in Taiwan, she took figure-drawing classes, studied calligraphy and traditional Chinese watercolor, and taught herself knitting and leather crafting. When she told her father she wanted to study abroad to be a fashion designer, he urged her to pick a career where she could at least support herself. “So practical, as an Asian dad,” she says, lau ghing. But as it turns out, his advice paid off. “I ended up picking interior design—a career that could satisfy my parents but also makes me happy.” Peng earned a degree in interior design from Wentworth Institute of Technology, and today she is the founder and creative director of Meichi Peng Design Studio in Boston. Her imaginative residential and commercial spaces balance form and function with a precise architectural perspective. And she did not abandon her sartorial dreams; in 2007, she launched Peng Bags. Her sleek and structured handbag designs complement her interiors and reflect more than a little of her father’s practicality. Born from a need to transport her traditional drafting tools while in college, the hand-stitched bags (she frequently adds new styles) are numbered for ease of ordering and tracking inventory. meichipeng.com; pengbags.com
Interview by JENNA TALBOTT | Portrait b y JOE NAVAS
1. A place that means a lot to me…is Taiwan. I grew up on farmland in the countryside. I helped my family with our duck farm business and cooked for all the farmworkers during my teenage years. As I get older, I love going home to visit my family during the summer and Lunar New Year.
2. I have a collection of…ancient Buddha statues from different regions and periods. I love the serenity of their facial expressions and layers of aged textures. They keep me grounded and humble.
3. An object I would never part with…is a set of carved stone figurines called Candlelight Mom. A seated figure with a smile-wrinkled face is sewing a button against a bamboo wood fence, surrounded by candles, hens, and small chicks. I love how the artist sets a scene.
4. The best gift I’ve received…is a pair of carved ducks. They remind me so much of when I was growing up.
5. The best gift I’ve given recently…was a donation to the Ocean Alliance. A very close friend of mine introduced me to it. I select a charitable organization each year that matters to me the most [depending on] the environment we are in.
6. My style icon…is Chitose Abe of Sacai. I love the structure, mixed materials, and casualness of streetwear.
7. The most meaningful advice I ever received…was from a Buddhist temple host in the village near my family home. Translated from Mandarin to English, I remember it as: “Life on Earth is a part of training; be compassionate and learn as you go.”
8. My favorite way to unwind…is to walk either in the park or by a river, hike in the mountains, or snorkel in the ocean. Last summer, I went hiking in Matera, Italy. The landscape was breathtaking.
9. I always carry…my iPad Pro in Peng No. 24 Cream, a backpack and belt bag I designed for work and travel. I've used them every day for almost two years. The belt bag is for my wallet and phone. When I go out in the evening, I can wear it differently.
10. In another life I would have been…a chef. My mom is a wonderful cook, and as a young girl, I helped her in the kitchen. My dad was a social butterfly and loved to host. We hosted huge banquets for friends and family at our house and my mom would cook. By watching her speedy course preparation, I learned to cook spontaneously with whatever is in the fridge—no menu.
11. When I need inspiration I…watch movies for the set design. One of my favorite movie sets is from the 2006 remake of [the 1979 movie] When a Stranger Calls. I don't typically watch thriller movies (I get nightmares), but I was so intrigued by the house design. It has an indoor central courtyard with trees, a pond, live fish, and birds—entirely created for the movie. I was working in corporate design at the time, but seeing this set confirmed my dream to become a residential designer.
Back to Nature
A Massachusetts home rises in perfect harmony with its restored natural surroundings.
With vertical siding of heat-treated ash and a standing-seam metal roof that holds an array of solar panels, the home is both low-maintenance and energy-efficient. The landscaping plan relies on native materials, including fall-blooming purple New England aster, that attract pollinators.
Text by PAULA M. BODAH | Photography b y JARED KUZIA
Ahouse that belongs. That was the guiding principle behind a young couple’s vision for their new home on a 2.4-acre lot bordering conservation land.
From the first walk-through of the Concord, Massachusetts, property, their goal was clear: restore the site to its native beauty and design a house that felt as though it had always been there.
Architect Kelly Ennis Connellan of Neubauer Ennis Architects immediately connected with the clients’ ethos.
“They came to us asking for a modern farmhouse,” she recalls, “but what really excited us was their commitment to sustainability and habitat restoration.”
Ennis Connellan drew inspiration from the vernacular of New England
ABOVE: The 2.4-acre property had been clear-cut by previous owners, so the priority for the landscape team and their clients was to rewild the site, bringing it back to nature and merging the lot with the surrounding woods.
LEFT: The mudroom has an easy-care natural stone floor and a long oak bench with open storage below.
“QUALITY IS NOT JUST CRAFTSMANSHIP, BUT THE WAY A HOME PERFORMS OVER TIME.” —Builder Mark Doughty
farmsteads and nestled a series of simple volumes into the slope of the land. “We pushed the house deeper into the lot,” she explains, “so it felt quieter, more part of the land.”
A single-story wing holds the kitchen and great room, while four bedrooms, a game room, a gym, and two offices occupy a separate two-story wing. A glassed-in breezeway connects the two parts of the house.
Restoring the land itself was an equally considered process. “It was a blank slate,” says Anna Curtis-Heald, landscape architect with Crowley Cottrell. “The site had been clear-cut years ago, and the new owners were determined to rewild it.”
The landscape team seeded meadows and added plant materials to knit the property back into the adjacent conservation area. “We were creating habitat—bringing back the forest edge, supporting
Black soapstone counters, glass-front cabinets with black metal framing, an expansive island of natural oak, and a sextet of Natalie Page’s ceramic funnel pendants complete the contemporary farm-kitchen look. Awning windows at the sink usher in the breeze.
pollinators and birds. It’s not just about beauty but biodiversity,” Curtis-Heald says.
Builder Mark Doughty of Thoughtforms says that the couple’s clarity of purpose elevated every aspect of the project. “They wanted a home that was healthy, high-performing, and enduring,” he says. “That made it easier for everyone to work toward a unified vision.”
The house is fully electric and employs dense-packed cellulose and rigid wood-fiber insulation. Its vertical cladding, a thermally treated ash, requires no finish and weathers
RIGHT: A fireplace of locally sourced stone is a commanding presence in the living room, where a seating arrangement includes a pair of sculptural Lawson-Fenning Niguel lounge chairs.
BELOW: Interior designer Meredith Thayer added textural interest to the screened porch with Gloster’s Lima dining chairs in wood and wicker and the Cuff Studio twisted-jute pendant light.
naturally. “We think of quality holistically,” Doughty says. “It’s not just craftsmanship, but the way a home performs over time.”
Meredith Thayer brought the same philosophy to the interior design. “They really cared about materials and sustainability,” she says. Natural elements dominate, including the kitchen’s soapstone countertops and oak millwork, and the primary bath’s
Vermont Danby marble.
The furnishings reflect the couple’s lifestyle: comfortable, unpretentious, and thoughtfully sourced. Thayer painted all the walls with Benjamin Moore’s soothing White Dove. “It allows the woodwork to sing, and it doesn’t detract from the beautiful landscape,” she says.
Every element of the home is intentional—from the timber-framed structure to the native plantings to the views that frame conservation land like living paintings. “The big story,” says Ennis Connellan, “is how the landscape was brought back, and how the house settles into it so naturally. I’ve always believed a house should feel appropriate
ABOVE: The homeowners were intent on using natural, earthy materials, such as the durable basalt flooring in the primary bath. LEFT: An upholstered headboard, a Steven King carpet, and a bench with a plush linen cushion bring cozy softness to the primary bedroom, located on the second floor.
to its site. Here, it does.”
This home isn’t just a place to live— it’s a promise to the land, fulfilled with care and craftsmanship.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
ARCHITECTURE: Neubauer Ennis Architects
INTERIOR DESIGN: Thayer Design Studio
BUILDER: Thoughtforms
LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Crowley Cottrell
The screened porch’s oversize windows look out to the two-story bedroom wing. The ceramic lamp on the teak end table is from Thayer Design Studio.
DesignerCollaboration
Punch Up the Personality
Each of these kitchen renovations carries its own distinctive point of view.
Text by ALYSSA BIRD
The sunflower detail was inspired by an architectural motif on the exterior.
The clients requested a walnut island resembling an antique worktable found in old English kitchens; this custom version, however, expertly conceals the kitchen’s second dishwasher to satisfy the needs of a modern family.
Victorian Vision
A 1990s renovation had left this kitchen in the Boston neighborhood of Jamaica Plain looking dated, so it was time to turn back the clock even further and give it something befitting of its 1875 Victorian exterior.
“The clients are interested in historical architecture and wanted a style that’s in line with the house,” says architect J.B. Clancy of ART Architects, who worked alongside Katie Rosenfeld & Co. and Kevin Cradock Builders to realize the English-
The niche is backed in Moroccan zellige tile from Mosaic House.
inspired kitchen. The team reworked the layout to include a moody aubergine pantry, a bleached-walnut worktable, a tiled niche for the Lacanche range, and a breakfast nook.
“A door to the garden had been blocking the view of a beautiful dogwood tree, so we replaced it with a bay window,” explains Clancy. “This bay window and the range niche that sits opposite serve as the room’s anchor points.”
The team worked together to carry out several historic-inspired details, such as the corbels that set off both the range niche and the breakfast nook. “The corbels are replicas of originals seen throughout the rest of the house,” notes Kevin Cradock. “We also installed wood corner beading, which is more traditional than plaster, and restoration-glass windows. The goal was for everything to be as authentic as possible.”
ABOVE: The Victorian residence was built in 1875. The exterior’s sunflower details reappear indoors on the kitchen cabinetry. LEFT: A new pantry is painted Farrow & Ball Brinjal, while the upper cabinets feature Banker Wire mesh panels.
“The goal was for everything to be as authentic as possible.”
—BUILDER KEVIN CRADOCK
Indeed, Rosenfeld’s team designed the island to resemble the simple worktables found in old British estates, complete with turned legs and visible joinery and bolts (and a hidden dishwasher). But perhaps the sweetest addition is a sunflower motif carved into the upper cabinets that references an exterior architectural detail. “I love incorporating a playful, whimsical element like that,” says Rosenfeld. “This kitchen is fit for modern life, but everything looks as though it could be original.”
RIGHT: A new bay window houses the breakfast nook. BELOW: The nook is outfitted with a custom banquette and chairs, a table from Dunes and Duchess, and a Soane pendant with Décors Barbares fabric.
ART Architects
DESIGN: a Blade of Grass
Katie Rosenfeld & Co.
Read McKendree/JBSA
Kevin Cradock Builders
EXTERIOR
Greg Premru
STYLING: Matthew Gleason
The new window offers an improved view of a beloved dogwood tree.
detailing lends interest and texture.
The reimagined kitchen and new coordinating bar area complement the existing glass wine storage.
Cool and Contemporary
When a couple purchased this unit in Boston’s Millennium Tower several years ago, renovating the kitchen wasn’t a top priority. “The original kitchen was more traditional than what the clients had envisioned, but they hesitated to rip
Tambour
it out because it was very well done,” explains designer Carolyn Thayer, who decorated the residence when the clients first moved in.
However, Thayer recently got the call that it was finally time to address the space. “The owners like to cook and entertain, but it was really the overall aesthetic that drove this renovation,” says Thayer. “They asked for a kitchen that feels updated and cool. There are two entrances to the unit, one being near the kitchen, so that space really grabs the eye upon entry.”
Thayer concocted a luxurious scheme that includes an interesting mix of both dark-stained wood and metal cabinetry, glass displays, tambour detailing, and dramatic granite countertops. “Sometimes kitchens can feel like a bunch of boxes, but you don’t get that feeling here,” says the designer. “This is much more integrated.”
ARCHITECTURAL
DESIGN AND BUILDER: Sleeping Dog Properties
INTERIOR DESIGN: Carolyn Thayer Interiors
CABINETRY: Herrick & White
PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Premru
ABOVE: The sleek new kitchen overlooks expansive city views. LEFT: The palette features a mix of darkstained wood cabinetry, metal cabinetry, and Tropical Storm polished granite on the countertops, backsplash, and sink; the pendant lights are from Articolo Studios.
The PITT cooktop has burners that are embedded directly into the granite.
A glass-and-steel partition separates the kitchen from the living room.
European Flair
When the owners of this Boston pied-à-terre purchased their unit, it was a white box with an open kitchen and living area, according to designer Nikki Dalrymple. “The clients love color and pattern as well as a sense of history,” she says. “The goal was to inject
character into the home and give it a European aesthetic.
“The first thing we did was add crown molding, wall molding, and herringbone flooring. And to create some delineation between the kitchen and living room, we installed a steel-and-glass partition.” Buildergrade cabinets were swapped out for custom versions painted Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue and finished with brass hardware that will continue to patina over time. “Other than the range, the appliances are concealed with panels,” notes Dalrymple. “The range and the partition are the focal points.”
Directly on the other side of this
partition, adjacent to the living area, is a breakfast corner featuring a custom wicker banquette and an art deco–inspired table. “We didn’t
want it to feel too cold with all the steel and glass,” she continues. “This spot brings some color and warmth into the space.”
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Brass hardware from Needham Decorative Hardware and brass sink fittings from House of Rohl complement the cabinetry, which is painted Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue. Herringbone wood flooring from PID Floors and wall and crown moldings lend European flair to the living room; a brass picture-hanging rail system from Collier Webb displays vintage and antique artworks. A custom wicker banquette and table, both from Mulligan’s, make for a cozy breakfast nook off the living room.
The table has an art-deco vibe.
The gold mirrored tiles create a sense of openness and add a hint of glamour.
Green with Envy
When designer Josh Linder of Evolve Residential was presented with a parlor-level pied-à-terre in an 1850s townhouse in Boston’s South End, he chose to lean into a more contemporary kitchen that wouldn’t compete with the historic shell. “The adjacent living room was intact, but the rear had been chopped up into a few different spaces with a
Indian Onyx polished marble countertops, a gold mirrored tile backsplash from Tilebar, and walnut accents offset the walls and cabinetry painted Benjamin Moore Essex Green.
Both the front and back of the peninsula features storage space.
narrow kitchen and a loft above it,” recalls Linder. “We wanted to reestablish these two grand rooms and have each space sing on its own.”
To this point, the deep green kitchen serves as a bold counterpoint to the light, airy living room. “The main focus was downplaying the sense of a traditional kitchen to allow the space to feel as open as possible,” continues Linder. “The lack of upper cabinetry helps a great deal. Instead, we were able to tuck some storage into the thickness of the walls.” Slab-front cabinetry, a functional peninsula with a waterfall edge, and a mirrored backsplash lend a contemporary flair to the space. “We selected sleek items to contrast with the beautiful, heavy existing moldings,” says Linder.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:
Pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting illuminate the sleek space, which contains a custom sofa and Stellar Works barstools upholstered in a Kvadrat fabric. The clients specifically requested a coffee bar. The curtain fabric is from Casamance.
ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGN: Evolve Residential
CABINETRY: Venegas and Company
PHOTOGRAPHY: Sean Litchfield
The Art of Living
There’s space for everything in this art collector’s Boston high-rise—with room left over to grow.
Text by DAVID MASELLO | Photography b y LUKE WHITE
The homeowner’s impressive
rivals
and
art collection
the stunning views of Boston from the living room. Interior designer Charles Spada positioned an eighteenth-century French fauteuil
a chaise longue upholstered in fabric from George Spencer Design in a windowed corner.
Two kinds of artwork fill this Boston apartment. There is the collection of mostly blackand-white prints and drawings by some of the twentieth century’s greatest talent, and there is the other full-color “artwork” visible through the twentyninth-floor windows that reveal Boston Harbor, the downtown skyline, and the Blue Hills undulating in the distance.
“Every time I come back inside,” says homeowner Phyllis Adelson, who has lived in this two-bedroom apartment for a year and a half, “and walk down my hallway and see the views, I am astounded.” She remains astounded, too, by the work of interior designer Charles Spada. “I gave Charles carte blanche to do as he wished because, well, he’s better at it than I am.”
Spada had designed Adelson and her late husband’s Back Bay apartment,
The living room showcases a vast collection of antique English creamware and artwork by Milton Avery (far left, bottom) and Jackson Pollock (above the oak writing desk). The Kathryn Ireland sofa and chairs surround a Mies van der Rohe coffee table.
The success of Flavin projects is founded on collaboration. We learn about our client’s daily patterns and translate those routines into a vision for the home and property. We envision buildings that respond to client needs and to the beauty of the landscape in which they are situated.
flavinarchitects.com
An intimate breakfast nook/ dining area in the kitchen features a Kartell dining table and Philippe Starck Ghost chairs. Artwork by Willem de Kooning hangs above a floating shelf. A George Segal bust perches on a pedestal.
“I WANTED TO USE ALL OF THE PIECES AND THE FURNISHINGS—AND, DOWN TO THE LAST, WE PLACED IT ALL.” —Interior designer Charles Spada
and both designer and homeowner were determined to repurpose as many elements as possible in the new home. “We worked very, very hard and moved dozens and dozens of pieces around to get it all to fit,” says Spada, referencing, in particular, the artwork. “I wanted to use all of the pieces and the furnishings—and, down to the last, we placed it all, even though windows take up lots of wall space.”
So meticulous is Spada that he not only configured the shelving to hold the homeowner’s array of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century English creamware, but he also hand placed each tea caddy and plate, candlestick and figurine for maximum effect. He bathed rooms in
ABOVE: A hallway showcases works by Marsden Hartley (mountains and cabins), Jackson Pollock (center), and Roy Lichtenstein (to the right of the Pollock). RIGHT: An eighteenthcentury worktable from the Charles Spada Collection serves as an ideal surface for a variety of objects, including an antique crystaland-silver perfume bottle and a framed work by Henri Matisse.
KATHIE, HOMEOWNER
JULIEN JALBERT, AIA ARCHITECT
Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White and kept furnishings the same hue, conceding that the “art is the main feature.”
As he often does with his projects, Spada juxtaposed old and new—here centuries-old porcelain and other decidedly antique elements, like the living room’s circa-1900 Venetian mirror, live with contemporary works by the likes of Jean Dubuffet and Roy Lichtenstein.
But Spada also took his inspiration from his earliest impressions of Adelson and her late husband, David. “He was, and she still is, what I first loved about them—people who love art, who are really ‘into’ it, not for effect, but because of a real passion.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Charles Spada
BUILDER: AJP Contract Services
Interiors
TOP TO BOTTOM: The primary bedroom is furnished with a pair of gilded table lamps set on nightstands from the Charles Spada Collection. Even a powder room becomes a gallery of sorts: seen here is a framed Sol LeWitt and, reflected in the mirror, a Joan Miró.
People Person
Susie Smith Coughlin changes the subject with her new Maine boutique.
Text by ERIKA AYN FINCH | Photography by CARLEY RUDD
Ten years into her career as a residential and commercial interior designer, Susie Smith Coughlin had to admit it: she was lonely. “Aside from my clients, I was working alone,” says Smith Coughlin. “My background is in sales and there’s a lot of energy in sales. I realized I missed being around people.”
So in December 2024, Smith Coughlin, who attended high school in nearby Yarmouth, opened Le Marchande in the heart of Falmouth, Maine. The 3,000-square-foot shop, tucked under The Wyeth luxury condominium complex, features a mix of antiques (predominantly from France and Turkey), artwork (everything from Slim
ABOVE: Shop owner and interior designer Susie Smith Coughlin in Le Marchande. LEFT: “I think antiques are one of the best ways to inject character and charm,” says Smith Coughlin. Witness the store’s eighteenth-century jelly cabinet and an antique portrait.
Aarons prints to vintage oil landscapes), and gift items (like candles and books). Vessels of muted faux florals from Abigail Ahern, lighting from Currey & Company, colorful glass coupes, and sumptuous linens give the space a decidedly Parisian vibe, hence the name, an artistic reimagining of la marchande, French for “the merchant.”
“I wanted to bring another voice to the design conversation in Maine—something other than nautical,” explains Smith Coughlin, who runs her design
studio out of the space and offers a trade program. “It’s really about mixing interesting pieces—maybe a modern sofa with an English cottage dresser. I want to show people how to create spaces with depth and a sense of imagination.” Le Marchande, Falmouth, Maine, lemarchande.com
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The Inside ottomans upholstered in Scalamandré surround an antique French farm table; a Slim Aarons print keeps watch over the scene. Faux flowers from Abigail Ahern are displayed on a custom piece from Pennsylvania Farm Table Company. These candy-colored Venetian-inspired coupes and bowls are from Sir/Madam.
Royal Roots
Gardens fit for a king inspire a British heritage brand’s latest collection.
By LYNDA SIMONTON
Sanderson’s latest Highgrove Collection draws inspiration from the gardens of Highgrove House, lovingly cultivated by King Charles III for the past forty-five years. The charming fabrics and wallpapers reflect the monarch’s commitment to sustainability and his lifelong fascination with gardening. Developed in collaboration with The King’s Foundation, the collection captures the spirit of Highgrove with hand-drawn florals, botanical motifs, and references to wildlife native to the estate. Perhaps the extensive collection, which features toiles, damasks, and tapestries, will help satiate our endless fascination with British design. Or, more likely, it will leave us wanting more.
1. A four-poster bed is swathed in Hydrangea & Rose fabric, and the headboard is crafted from Annabel’s Suzani. 2. The eighteenth-century Indian doors at the entrance to Highgrove’s Cottage Garden inspired the Shand Gate fabric.
3. The Stumpery fabric reflects the environmentally sound Victorian practice of creating fern and moss gardens among felled stumps.
PLANTING A SEED
A New Hampshire artist pays her respects to the source of life.
By NATHANIEL READE
Photography
Arctic Ecology (2013), 27"H x 24"W, serigraphy on fused glass.
Shani McLane appreciates seeds. So much so that during the summer solstice of 2015, a time of year when the sun never really sets over the Arctic Ocean, she joined twenty other artists aboard a wooden ship sailing through the chilly, iceberg-cluttered waters of an archipelago north of mainland Norway so that she could visit the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This underground bunker was built to save a copy of every crop seed on Earth, should a catastrophe destroy them. And the irony, McLane says, is that because of global warming, the permafrost around the seed vault is now melting.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Tomato (2018), serigraphy on fabric by the yard. Barley (2018), serigraphy on fabric by the yard. Maize (2018), serigraphy on fabric by the yard. Cellular Compositions (2013), 18"H x 18"W, serigraphy on fused glass. Lilac Silhouettes (2024), 34"H x 20"W, serigraphy on fused glass. Shani McLane at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
McLane had been concerned about climate change—and interested in seeds—for some time, but this voyage was particularly emotional for her. She watched a polar bear and her cubs, yellow against the dunes of white snow, eat a reindeer. “They’re supposed to be eating seals,” she says, but because of ice melt they can no longer reach the seals.
“To see that untouched world, and how our actions are affecting it, was breathtaking.”
McLane started out as a printmaker, but after running the printmaking studio at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, made famous by glass artist Dale Chihuly, she began to transfer her designs onto glass and fabric. Today she makes boldly colored images inspired by plants and seeds in whatever medium her inspiration commands.
Recently she honored her own New Hampshire flower garden by making what she calls “glass flowers.” These are not like the 3D models you may have seen at the Harvard Museum of Natural History; they are graphic floral shapes she screens onto flat glass and fuses in a kiln a total of three times. By adjusting the temperature, McLane builds up a separate layer from each firing, which gives the work texture, depth, and the feeling of being right at the level of the plants, the soil, and the seeds.
“It all stems from seeds,” McLane says. “Food, plants, even people, when you think about it. Seeds are the the root of all life.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: To see more of Shani McLane’s work, visit her studio in Ashland, N.H. (by appointment), or shanimclane.com
Cellular Compositions and Lilac Silhouettes photographs by John Hession
Becky Garrity of Becky Garrity Interiors, Alison Hammatt of Alison Hammatt Home, Thomas J. Fraley of Gregory Lombardi Design, Jen Stephens of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, and Julien Jalbert of Knickerbocker Group.
The 2025 5 Under 40 Awards
With a discriminating eye on the future, New England Home’s 5 Under 40 Awards celebrate the wealth of young design talent in New England.
This is the sixteenth year for the program, which honors excellence in residential architecture, interior design, and landscape design. Each year, our panel of judges selects five young professionals who embody that excellence in both the caliber of their work and in their contributions and dedication to New England’s vibrant design community.
This year’s awards ceremony will be held on September 18 at The Galleria at 333 Stuart Street in Boston. The festivities will include food, drink, and the chance to catch up with old friends while making new ones. The highlight of the evening is the auction of five unique rugs designed by our 2025 winners and produced by Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting, with all proceeds supporting a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating women from South Asia. We can’t wait to see you there!
Text by MARIA L A PIANA Portraits by BRUCE ROGOVIN
Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence
Congratulations to New England Home
For two decades, New England Home has led the way in celebrating the region’s finest in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and craftsmanship. Your dedication to showcasing exceptional talent and fostering meaningful connections has strengthened and inspired our design community.
Thank you for your vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you.
- All of us at Hutker Architects
BECKY GARRITY
“I had a unique upbringing,” says Becky Garrity, recalling the five years she lived in Vienna, Austria, as a child. Her family traveled throughout Europe during that time, so she was immersed in history, culture, and architecture. “It shaped me in countless ways,” she says.
Garrity moved to Winchester, Massachusetts, when she was in middle school, and it was there that she had her own room for the first time, which piqued her interest in design. “I rearranged my furniture all the time,” she says. “I’d source vintage pieces, gravitating toward anything midcentury and art-deco inspired.” She studied art history at
Vanderbilt University and got her foot in the design door at Kristin Paton Interiors in Boston, where she worked for ten years. “I wore many hats and gained invaluable experience. It made me a strong project manager,” she says. “I became skilled at problemsolving and learned to always come up with plans B, C, and D.”
Now thirty-five and at the helm of her own Boston-based design firm, Becky Garrity Interiors, since 2018, Garrity says she experiences “deep
Photograph (left) by Joyelle West
Becky Garrity of Becky Garrity Interiors
5 Under 40 Awards | INTERIOR DESIGN
fulfillment in creating layered, livable spaces.” Her work is a thoughtful combination of elements from different eras. She’s fond of textures and neutrals. “I’m inspired by nature,” she says. “I tend to favor organic and earthy tones over punchy colors.”
Garrity and her husband, Ryan, who is in construction, currently live in Boston with their Australian labradoodle puppy. In time, the designer plans to grow her firm
Becky Garrity believes in balance everywhere, even underfoot. Hence, the structural, symmetrical design of her rug, a model of minimalist repetition. Inspired by the art deco principles of geometry and simplicity, it’s earthy, monochromatic, and quietly luxurious. Sculptural silhouettes, rich textures, and subtle silk accents combine to create a “composition that’s both timeless and grounded,” she says. The designer describes it as “the perfect anchor” for a thoughtfully curated space.
to take on more projects, particularly anything involving older homes: “I love the idea of taking a beautiful home with good bones and honoring its history.”
THOMAS J. FRALEY
Thomas J. Fraley’s passion for landscape design was awakened the summer before high school, which he spent in northern France. His work is still deeply inspired by travel, especially to the Caribbean, which he visits every year. “The landscape there opens my eyes to form, color, and texture,” he says. “I live and work in New England, but I love to see what’s going on in the world.”
At thirty-seven, Fraley is a senior associate with Gregory Lombardi Design, a landscape architecture firm with headquarters in North Billerica, Massachusetts. He grew up in southern Indiana and, in the summer months, his family vacationed at their cabin in north-central Minnesota.
“I spent a lot of time outdoors and was always interested in plants,”
he says. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Ball State University.
After moving to Boston in 2012, Fraley worked with the city’s Parks and Recreation department then joined a nonprofit focused on sustainability. He serendipitously found his way to the firm of renowned landscape architect Morgan Dix Wheelock, where he stayed for three years. “I was lucky. I had a lot of latitude, and I learned so much,” he says.
by
Photograph (left)
Neil Landino
Thomas J. Fraley of Gregory Lombardi Design
5 Under 40 Awards |
A licensed landscape architect in Maine, Fraley leads his firm’s northern New England projects while setting standards for the company’s practices and protocols. “I try to challenge conventional ways of thinking, to push the envelope, the aesthetic,” he says, “to embrace what it means to practice landscape architecture.” Fraley’s “planting forward” process positions horticulture as
Place-based memory is incredibly powerful, and it was Thomas J. Fraley’s first trip to St. John that inspired a painting he made, a painting that years later inspired his rug design. Captivated by the Caribbean’s vibrant palette and bold, exotic vegetation, the landscape architect came to appreciate the beauty that lies beyond his New England backyard. “The trip challenged my notion of what landscape design is and can be.”
the driver of design, whether creating lush environments in the region’s vernacular or exploring what is possible in the face of a changing climate.
He lives on the shore north of Boston, where he tackles home and garden improvement projects with his gardening assistant, Tucker, a loyal five-year-old golden retriever.
Photography (top right) by Thomas J. Fraley and (above and top left) Neil Landino
ALISON HAMMATT
“I always used to say that in another lifetime I’d want to be an interior designer,” says former teacher Alison Hammatt. As luck would have it, she decided to be one in this lifetime.
Hammatt, who just turned thirtyfive, had been a high school English teacher for almost ten years when the pandemic hit. Like so many, she and her husband, Brendan, were stopped in their tracks. They were living on Long Island when they decided to move to Providence “without a real plan.” She looked for teaching jobs but couldn’t find one.
Designing interiors was always in the back of her mind. “My mother worked with professionals when decorating our homes,” Hammatt
remembers. “I loved following them around. After school I’d go with my mom to look at fabrics. And I admired the relationships designers had with their clients.”
Coincidentally, two friends asked her design advice at the same time— one in Rhode Island and one on Long Island. “They said they loved my taste and asked if I’d be interested in getting paid to work with them on their homes,” she says. “It was May 2022—and the next thing I knew I was
Photograph (left) by Liz Daly
Alison Hammatt of Alison Hammatt Home
5 Under 40 Awards |
a working designer.”
Based in Providence, Alison Hammatt Home takes on residential projects throughout New England and beyond.
“I think of my work as rooted in classic design but updated with fresh, thoughtful details,” she says. “With timeless interiors,
Alison Hammatt looked to both of her grandmothers for her flatweave rug’s inspiration. The stylized floral pattern is based on midcentury Scandinavian rug designs. It honors her grandmother from Sweden, who decorated her traditional home with rag rugs and handmade straw ornaments at the holidays. The color story evolved from the pinks, rouges, blushes, and other warm tones of her other grandmother’s elegant Georgianstyle home. The designer says she added the greens and blues that she favors “as a way to weave in my own story.” ➤
it’s always about a blend of old and new.” Hammatt’s projects skew toward a layered and lived-in sensibility, with a touch of whimsy. She lives with her husband (a former teacher, he’s now in finance) and their two young children in a home dating back to 1854. “It’s a perfectly imperfect house, and we love it,” she says.
What is her most important accomplishment to date? “That’s easy,” Hammatt says with a laugh. “Starting a business with a four-month-old at home. Definitely.”
BLU
DORNBRACHT
PALMER
JULIEN JALBERT
Growing up in rural New Hampshire with a self-taught architect and builder for a dad and a teacher for a mom, Julien Jalbert learned how to design, construct, and fix just about anything. “My father imparted all his skills to me,” says Jalbert, an architect with Knickerbocker Group, a designbuild firm with offices in Portland and Boothbay, Maine.
Now thirty-eight, Jalbert was preparing for his vocation in every practical way, but it took a year as a computer science major at Northeastern University for him to realize his calling. He discovered coding
really wasn’t for him, so he changed his major to architecture and never looked back. “Immediately I had the sense that ‘these are my people,’ ” he remembers.
In between earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he took a job at Northeastern doing renovations on campus, then he designed restaurants for a small boutique firm. All the while he was sharpening his focus on sustainability. He obtained LEED certification and studied ways to
Photograph (left) by Jeff Roberts
Julien Jalbert of Knickerbocker Group
5 Under 40 Awards | ARCHITECTURE
recycle, renew, and combat climate change.
At his Knickerbocker Group interview in 2017, Jalbert shared his thesis on modular construction; once hired, he put his passion for energy efficiency to work. In time, he was asked to study trajectories the firm might take to become more sustainable. That led to the development of the company’s Prefab Pod division. “We figured out how to build homes faster and more efficiently with environmentally responsible, bio-based materials,” he says.
Jalbert lives in a neighborhood of postWorld War II homes in South Portland with his wife, Sarah, and their three young sons. Despite his expertise in sustainability, he believes he was chosen for the 5 Under 40 honor because his portfolio is fairly diverse. “I can do vernacular Maine as well as modern and sleek,” he says. “I don’t stay in one lane.”
“The hexagon is a true force of nature,” explains Julien Jalbert, who admits a fascination with geometry and the “awe-inspiring” six-sided wonder of the world. Its prevalence in the natural world is remarkable—from turtle shells and insect eyes to honeycombs. The architect’s rug pattern celebrates the hexagon, and the bee, a critical player in our ecosystem. We take the bee for granted, says Jalbert, so he wanted his rug to “pay homage to the small and busy worker that helps keep us all well-fed.”
JEN STEPHENS
A passion for preservation and a wealth of horticultural knowledge define Jen Stephens—the person and the accomplished landscape designer. Stephens, who’ll be forty in November, is a principal at Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, with offices in Stoneham and Vineyard Haven, both in Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine.
She grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural Massachusetts, where she discovered a love of plants and landscapes from an early age. She also became attuned to the idea of renewability. “Every April we’d be out there planting hundreds of bare-root
seedlings to replace the trees we cut,” she remembers. “And then we’d watch them grow to full-size trees in ten years.” It stayed with her. “Subconsciously, I learned just how much of an influence Mother Nature has on the rhythm of growth,” she says.
As a child, Stephens loved both science and art. “I always thought I’d go to art school,” she says, but instead she fell in love with the campus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “When I found landscape
Photograph (left) by Chris Rucinski
Jen Stephens of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design
5 Under 40 Awards
architecture among its majors, I just knew,” she says. “It flexes both sides of my brain.”
While earning her bachelor’s in landscape architecture, she spent summers working at Bigelow Nurseries in Northborough, where she became a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist. Her first post-grad job was at Copley Wolff Design Group, focusing on public spaces. She liked the work, she says, but designing for people she didn’t know? Not so much.
When Stephens was offered an opportunity to join former 5 Under 40 winner Matthew Cunningham—his first hire, by the way—she jumped at it. She’s been integral to many of
➤
Jen Stephens is hopelessly in love with classic Persian rugs, often called Serapi in the trade. She’s equally enamored with inspired garden designs. So she combined the two for her rug, abstracting a classic Serapi pattern into a formal garden plan. Her rug depicts a fifty-acre estate radiating from a central medallion lake, surrounded by textural meadows and a tree-lined canal border. The vibrantly colored rug is woven at twenty scale using more than 800,000 hand-knots.
the firm’s notable projects from day one. Stephens says she’s inspired by “good food, music, and old things.” She lives in a 200-year-old house in Acton, Massachusetts, with her husband, Peter (also a landscape architect), and their young daughter.
What’s next? “I want to mentor some of our emerging professionals,” she says. “I’d like to inspire their curiosity and give back to the community I love.”
5 Under 40 Awards
The Announcement
Edited by CAMILLA TAZZI
This spring, as the 2025 5 Under 40 winners were officially revealed, friends, family, colleagues, and past recipients gathered at Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting’s Boston showroom to congratulate the winners and get an exclusive first look at their custom rug designs.
Holly Charbonnier and Ryan Alcaidinho of Hutker Architects flank Thomas J. Fraley of Gregory Lombardi Landscape Design
Julie Arcari Cook of Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting and New England Home’s Kathy Bush-Dutton
Two of the 2025 judges: Jennifer Palumbo of Jennifer Palumbo Interior Design and Michael Tartamella of Patrick Ahearn Architect
Back row: Cory Gans of Planeta Design Group and Troy Sober of Gregory Lombardi Design. Front row: Devin Hefferon of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, Ryan Alcaidinho of Hutker Architects, Kelly Taylor of Kelly Taylor Interior Design, Matthew Cunningham of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, and John Day of Blue Hour Design
Dean Sawyer of Blue Hour Design, Ryan Wampler of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, and Joel Port of Parterre Garden Services
Jill Adler, Jill Ostiguy, and Lisa Novak of DiscoverTile flank Alison Hammatt of Alison Hammatt Home (third from left)
Azra and Umut Yilmaz of Lazzoni with Julie Arcari Cook
Bob Marzilli of R.P. Marzilli & Co., Jen Stephens of Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design, and Sean Reynolds of Woodmeister Master Builders
Tara Haley-Park and Joe DiLazzaro of Opus Master Builders flank Becky Garrity of Becky Garrity Interiors
The Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting team
Julien Jalbert of Knickerbocker Group (center) with the Gregory Lombardi Design team
New England Home’s Jenna Talbott (fourth from left) with the 2025 winners
design: Maryann Thompson Architects
5 Under 40 Awards
The Process
FROM FANCIFUL IDEAS TO FABULOUS RUGS
The 5 Under 40 program does more than attest to the talents of young professionals who are making a difference in New England’s design community
Unique rugs designed by the winners come to life under the guidance of the experts at Landry & Arcari Rugs and Carpeting. The custom rugs are fabricated, then auctioned, with proceeds benefiting a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating women from South Asia.
The rug-making process begins with a workshop that covers the basics of rug design and construction, according to Eric Brissette, who heads up custom rug production and inventory management at Landry & Arcari. He acts as a liaison between the designers and the arti-
sans in Nepal who weave the rugs.
“We meet in the spring to go over the process and look at different rugs, methods, and techniques,” says Brissette. “We set parameters. For example, the rugs must measure forty square feet.”
While most designers opt for traditional five-by-eight rugs, others will choose squares, runners, even circles. “Some designers will try to see how far boundaries can be pushed,” he says. Once the
designs are set, the weaving is fast-tracked, typically taking two to three months.
“We really are always delighted to see what the designers will
do,” says Brissette. “They’re so creative. I have to say this year’s rugs are some of the most interesting we’ve ever had.”
The Judges
The judging panel for this year’s 5 Under 40 Awards consisted of a group of seasoned design pros. We are grateful for their time, expertise, and dedication to the vetting process.
Jennifer Palumbo, Founder and Owner, Jennifer Palumbo Interior Design, Newton, Mass.
Justin Quinn, Principal, James Doyle Design Associates, Greenwich, Conn.
Mike Tartamella, Managing Principal, Patrick Ahearn Architect, Boston and Edgartown, Mass.
5 Under 40 Awards
We’re delighted to honor the 2025 winners of New England Home’s 5 Under 40 Awards. Please join us to celebrate exceptional design at our gala and auction— and contribute to a very good cause by bidding on five one-of-a-kind rugs designed by the winners.
The Party Thank You to Our Sponsors
DATE: LOCATION:
SCHEDULE: 5:30 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 7:30 P.M.
TICKETS:
September 18, 2025
The Galleria, 333 Stuart St., Boston
Rug Preview Awards Ceremony and Rug Auction Cocktail Party
$120 online
$130 at the door (cash only)
PRESENTING SPONSOR HOSTED BY
SIGNATURE SPONSORS
SPECIALTY SPONSORS
Liz Daly Photography
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Photography by Nick Eaton
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MICHAEL
Special Marketing Section
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Clarke Showrooms
Dreaming of a new kitchen and don’t know where to begin? New England designers often suggest that homeowners start their kitchen design projects with appliance selection. Why? Your investment in appliances is often significant, and their positioning will impact your layout, cabinetry, and design decisions. A visit to Clarke, New England’s official Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove showrooms in Boston and Milford, Massachusetts, or South Norwalk, Connecticut, is a valuable step in the design process. Clarke doesn’t sell anything. Their showrooms are education centers where homeowners and designers can learn about the options available with these
world-class built-in appliances. You can see more models of Sub-Zero and Wolf at Clarke than anywhere else, all displayed in inspiring kitchens created by local designers. Clarke’s secret sauce is their showroom consultants. These friendly professionals are expertly trained in every facet of refrigerators, freezers, wine storage, ranges, cooktops, ovens, warming drawers, and more. In a couple of hours, you’ll understand which options best fit your lifestyle. You can test-drive the appliances and meet with a Clarke chef to ask questions. If you would like to make a purchase, your Clarke consultant will connect you with a trusted dealer in your area.
1. New England’s most inspiring kitchens start with Sub-Zero refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage, along with Wolf ranges, ovens, warming drawers, and Cove dishwashers. 2. You’ll compare Wolf’s range and oven configurations, designed to fit into traditional, contemporary or transitional designs. Explore gas, electric, induction and dual-fuel technologies to learn what fit’s your lifestyle. 3. Clarke also offers an opportunity to explore The Galley workstations, where you can chop, strain and mix easily and ergonomically to prepare a meal and efficiently transition to cooking with a cooktop nearby. 4. Clarke is a handson experience, where you’ll test drive appliances with your consultant or learn from a chef, giving you all the information you need to make selections that will enhance your kitchen and your home. 4
Clarke Showrooms
Boston Seaport Milford, MA South Norwalk, CT 800-842-5275
clarkeliving.com/welcome
BOSTON SHOWROOM MANAGER JEREMY McCULLA
Crown Point Cabinetry
Nationally recognized for the finest-quality fit and finish, Crown Point handcrafts cabinetry for every room in your home. Whatever your style, we have the details, materials, and skilled artisans needed to create a project that can take your breath away.
Our talented team of in-house designers works directly with trade professionals and homeowners alike. From concept to completion, we work with you and your team every step of the way
Looking for full customization, walnut plywood box construction, solid walnut dovetail drawers, one-inch-thick
cabinet faces, and an oven-baked finish? Look no further than Crown Point. Does your project have a tighter budget, but you want the same quality, fit, and finish as Crown Point? Our Crown Select line is custom built by the same craftspeople and offers you limited customization, maple plywood box construction, solid maple dovetail drawers, industry-standard three-quarter-inch faces, and an ovenbaked finish.
Proudly built in New Hampshire, our spectacular showroom and amazing cabinetmaking facility is available to tour by appointment.
1. Elevated surfaces bring dimension and purpose to this sleek, handcrafted island centerpiece. 2. Open shelves and an integrated beverage cooler seamlessly add function without clutter, combining smart storage with modern elegance. 3. Frameless and flush, this built-in cabinetry blends form, function, and precision. 4. Natural light above, thoughtful storage below. Finished in Modern Gray and designed for everyday beauty.
Crown Point Cabinetry
462 River Road, Claremont, NH 03743
800-999-4994
crown-point.com
Feinmann, Inc.
At Feinmann, Inc., we specialize in creating stunning kitchens and baths that blend elegance, functionality, and personal style. Our award-winning portfolio showcases a wide range of beautifully remodeled spaces—each one uniquely tailored to reflect the vision and lifestyle of our clients.
Whether you’re dreaming of a luxurious kitchen, a spa-like bathroom, or a full-scale home renovation, our integrated design-build approach ensures a seamless experience from concept to completion. Our expert team handles every detail—from architectural planning and interior design to custom cabinetry and construction. Feinmann’s recent design awards are a testament to
our passion for creativity and our dedication to delivering exceptional results through a streamlined, client-focused process. 2025 recognition includes three Gold Awards and one Silver Award from the Professional Remodelers Organization of New England.
Founded in 1987 by CEO Peter Feinmann, our firm has spent nearly four decades redefining the design-build experience through innovation, quality, and a commitment to excellence. Today, under the leadership of President Maren O. Reepmeyer, AIA LEED AP, we continue to push the boundaries of design while empowering our team through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
1. This light-filled kitchen features a spacious island topped with elegant marble and paired with a waterfall white-oak counter for additional seating. 2. Set in an 1886 Victorian home, this primary bath features arched doorways and furniture-style cabinetry, blending openness with distinct spaces for each function. 3. An open-concept dining/living area flows into the chef’s kitchen, where a solid walnut island with soapstone top is both a functional and handsome focal point. 4. A soaking tub anchors this tranquil primary bath that blends crisp, modern elements with walnut beams and cabinetry.
PETER FEINMANN AND MAREN O. REEPMEYER
Longfellow Design Build
Chosen as Best of Boston 2025 for high-end remodels, Longfellow specializes in creating exceptional kitchens and baths, thoughtfully designed to align with each homeowner’s lifestyle. Our experienced in-house team of architects, designers, engineers, and skilled tradespeople collaborate efficiently to deliver personalized spaces tailored precisely to client needs. Longfellow’s design-build methodology ensures an integrated process, effectively reducing risk, cost, and overall project duration from initial concept through final completion.
Our award-winning design team is recognized for
their talent, responsiveness, and professional approach, guiding homeowners clearly through every stage of the design and build process. By working closely with expert cabinet makers and trusted vendors, we continuously update our selections, providing homeowners with innovative, high-quality options. Whether renovating within your existing kitchen layout or significantly altering your home’s configuration, Longfellow consistently meets and exceeds expectations through customized solutions and meticulous attention to detail. Contact us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation and discover how Longfellow can enhance your home.
NS Builders
At NS Builders, we pride ourselves on redefining luxury kitchens through unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design. Our latest project, the 45 White Oak kitchen, exemplifies our commitment to excellence. Although still under construction, the renderings of this space showcase a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and functionality, brought to life through our partnership with Materia Millwork.
The 45 White Oak Kitchen: This kitchen will feature bespoke cabinetry, precision-engineered by Materia Millwork, integrating state-of-the-art appliances and sustainable materials. Every detail, from the custom island to the sleek finishes, reflects our “rip-it-out mentality,” ensuring
that only the best elements make it into the final design.
Craftsmanship and Creativity: Our youthful, energetic team challenges the status quo, embracing a philosophy that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. We leverage collective industry wisdom and a collaborative approach, pushing boundaries to set new standards in high-end residential construction.
Commitment to Excellence: NS Builders is not just about building homes; we create experiences. Our projects are a testament to our dedication to quality and our relentless pursuit of perfection. The 45 White Oak kitchen is a prime example of how we bring our clients’ visions to life, setting a new benchmark in luxury kitchen design.
1. The 45 White Oak kitchen showcases a harmonious mix of natural materials, with a marble island, custom cabinetry, and wood-beamed ceilings, defining modern luxury. 2. The 45 White Oak kitchen features custom cabinetry by Materia Millwork, state-of-the-art appliances, and elegant marble countertops for a seamless blend of functionality and luxury. 3. Large panoramic windows in the 45 White Oak kitchen offer breathtaking views, merging indoor and outdoor spaces for a tranquil cooking experience. 4. A serene dining nook at 45 White Oak, framed by large windows, invites nature into the home with bespoke woodwork and marble accents.
NICK SCHIFFER
Oliver James Interiors
Our mission is to transform homes into timeless, authentic sanctuaries by blending traditional design with rich color, layered patterns, one-ofa-kind pieces, and bespoke millwork, resulting in a home that feels comfortably lived-in and soulful.
We cater to discerning clients with a taste for exceptional craftsmanship and design and a passion for pushing the boundaries and elevating their living spaces. Our goal is to create thoughtfully curated interiors that exude easy elegance, livability, and enduring beauty— designed to reflect our client’s vision, lifestyle, and legacy.
Our Enchanted Meadow project is an exemplary example of our company’s philosophy. We reimagined this
early 1990s builder-grade spec home into a home that felt custom, revitalized, and authentic to the client’s adventurous vision while also being grounded by natural color palettes and themes that will age gracefully over time for a family of five. Custom kitchen cabinetry and components designed and produced in collaboration with Oteri Kitchen & Bath showcase our commitment to craftsmanship, partnership, and attention to detail that we uphold to the highest standard. At Oliver James Interiors, we’re not just designing interiors—we’re crafting meaningful, lasting environments that feel deeply personal, beautifully lived-in, and completely at home for generations to come.
1. New custom cabinetry by Oteri Kitchen & Bath hides appliances beautifully and includes smart storage solutions in addition to the adjacent custom built pantry. 2. The arched casement and new chandelier further defines the dining area. Rich wood tones ground the jewel tone colors and performance velvet and caned dining chairs add texture. 3. A coordinated color palette with the view from the laundry room to the pantry. 4. An unfussy jewel-box of a pantry which pulls the garnet colors in the kitchen wallpaper.
WHITNEY TALSMA
Red House Design Build
Red House is Southern New England’s premier design-build firm, specializing in high-end remodels, additions, and historic renovations. Based in Rhode Island and serving Southeastern Massachusetts, we blend old-world craftsmanship with sophisticated design and modern innovation to create homes that are both timeless and deeply personal.
What matters to you matters to us. Every space we design is rooted in the unique way our clients live, work, and gather—because enhancing your everyday experience is at the heart of what we do. From custom kitchens
to whole-home transformations, we craft spaces that reflect your values, your style, and your future.
Our commitment goes beyond beautiful results. We deliver an elevated remodeling experience, grounded in trust, collaboration, and a deep respect for your home. With a three-year warranty and long-term support, we stand by every project and every client, long after the dust has settled.
Red House isn’t just about building better homes—it’s about improving lives through thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship.
1. Thoughtful kitchen accessories, like these pull-out wicker baskets, are perfect for keeping fresh finds from the farmers market. 2. Layers of storage meet refined detail in this wall of custom inset cabinetry—complete with brushed brass accents, natural stone, and plenty of counter space for prep work or decor.
3. A commanding range takes center stage beneath a sculptural plaster hood, framed by soft blue cabinetry and a sweeping slab backsplash for equal parts form and function. 4. The view into this kitchen from the dining room reveals a dramatic design moment. From the perfectly chosen shade of blue to the statement-making range that anchors the space, every detail speaks to the homeowners’ design-forward sensibility.
JUSTIN ZELLER
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
a Blade of Grass
For thirty years, a Blade of Grass has been redefining what it means to be a premier provider of landscape design, installation, and maintenance services. We thrive on the challenge of working in a field that is equal parts creative, technical, and personal—and always evolving.
Every property, whether a city terrace, a formal garden, or a simple perennial border, offers an opportunity to craft something unique and beautiful. A thoughtfully designed outdoor space blends style with functionality, creating a place to connect with nature in everyday life.
We are proud to be locally owned. We have deep roots in the Greater Boston area and are thrilled to expand our services to the Cape. We love what we do and are grateful for the close client relationships that have shaped us into the company we are today.
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Main Street at Botello’s Showroom
Step into a world of innovation and style as you enter our expansive cabinetry showroom. This stunning space showcases the latest trends combining functionality with breathtaking aesthetics.
Our displays feature facades showcasing exceptional moldings, door and window selections, and endless design possibilities for interiors and exteriors. Our Closet Studio highlights customizable storage cabinetry simply and beautifully.
Main Street’s showroom is filled with exciting finds that cater to every taste, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide you from concept through installation. Imagine your kitchen transformed with elegant cabinetry that not only serves a purpose but also acts as a centerpiece, redefining your space and making home your favorite place to be. Start your journey of inspiration...Stroll through Main Street @Botello’s.
Main Street at Botello’s Showroom 26 Bowdoin Road Mashpee, MA 02649 508-477-3132 mainstreetbotellos.com
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Britta Design Inc.
Creating sustainable luxurious environments for three decades. In the place you spend most of your precious time, every detail matters. Light, scale, texture, and flow are integrated into all our designs so that spaces are uplifting yet grounding, smartly lit and full of warmth, and as beautiful as they are functional.
We believe that the connection with nature and art is important and take special consideration of views, orientation, surfaces, and objects that will delight your senses. Materials and furnishings, sourced from trusted makers and artisans, are fresh, current yet timeless, durable, and healthy for you and the planet.
We would love to work with you to ensure your primary or secondary home is one in which you can live well, be happy, and find your ease of being.
Member of ASID, NKBA, and NESEA. Serving New England and beyond.
BRITTA MCCARTHY AND PAULA ANTONEVICH
The juxtaposition of wood, handmade tile, raw plaster, unique furnishings and art is bathed in natural light, creating an unexpectedly playful and serene space.
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Classic Kitchens & Interiors
For more than forty-five years, the experienced team at Classic Kitchens & Interiors has brought client visions to life—creating custom kitchens, baths, and other interior spaces tailored to each homeowner’s lifestyle. Known for thoughtful design and meticulous installation, they specialize in these spaces for both new homes and renovations across Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Southeastern New England.
As a trusted partner for homeowners, architects, builders, and interior designers alike, Classic Kitchens & Interiors delivers a collaborative experience from initial concept to final completion. Their team is dedicated to personalized design, superior craftsmanship, and high-end cabinetry. Utilizing the finest materials and the latest innovations, they create kitchens, baths, and interior spaces that are not only beautiful and functional, but also built to last.
Schedule an appointment to visit their Hyannis showroom and meet with one of their expert designers to begin the process.
THE TEAM OF DESIGNERS AT CLASSIC KITCHENS & INTERIORS
Casual coastal elegance meets functionality—muted beach tones, paneled upscale appliances, and natural oak accents create a warm, inviting space with room to gather, cook, and connect.
David Sharff Architect, P.C.
David Sharff Architect is a Boston-based firm dedicated to the art of residential architecture and design. Since 1995, we’ve partnered with discerning clients to transform their homes into deeply personal, timeless spaces. With a focus on new construction, renovations, and interior architecture, our work spans suburban estates to sophisticated urban residences. Each project is rooted in collaboration—integrating the
David Sharff Architect, P.C. Boston, MA 508-359-5737
davidsharffarchitect.com
client’s vision with our design expertise, contractor input, dedicated trade partners, and thoughtful material selections. Our approach honors New England’s architectural heritage while embracing modern living. From concept to completion, we bring a meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to lasting quality—creating homes that are as beautiful as they are functional.
PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL J. LEE
This elegant kitchen in a renovated nineteenth-century Boston townhouse was designed in collaboration with Venegas and Company. Featured in the September October 2024 issue of New England Home, it features dark oak cabinetry, honed marble, and a custom hood for a refined yet modern aesthetic.
DAVID E. SHARFF, AIA
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Installations Plus
At Installations Plus, we have been installing highend tile and countertops throughout New England for more than forty years. We specialize in ceramic, glass, stone, brick veneer, and large-format porcelain panels.
We’re more than an installation company; our customer service is unrivaled. We treat every job with the care we’d want in our own homes. We’re responsive, collaborative, dependable, and we strive to provide the highest quality. Our team delivers results from a lifetime of experience. We bring our core values—Professional, Reputable, Respectful, Dedicated, Integrity, and Teamwork—to every project. We’d love to work with you on your next project, no matter how big or small.
JON MOSS
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
J. Morin Design
J. Morin Design, led by owner and principal designer Justine Morin, is a boutique interior design studio based in Duxbury, Massachusetts, serving discerning clients throughout Greater Boston, the South Shore, and the Cape & Islands. As a full-service firm, J. Morin
Design creates functional, timeless spaces tailored to each client’s lifestyle, especially those with an aspiration to live in a home that truly reflects them.
Combining her background in interior design and project management with a sophisticated understanding of how to layer patterns and textures and balance propor -
J. Morin Design 1 Hatches Bar Rd. Duxbury, MA 02332 617-860-8369 jmorindesign.com
tion and scale, Justine ensures each project is executed seamlessly from concept to completion. Clients praise her ability to listen and turn ideas into reality. One described working with her as “the best decision we made for our home,” noting her remarkable talent and grasp of functional needs for their home. Another shared that their renovated home felt like “us— but better,” highlighting the focused personal design and stunning result. Justine’s expertise and warm, engaging approach make every project an enjoyable, deeply rewarding experience.
A charming powder room with a custom Snow and Jones walnut vanity, unlacquered brass Kallista fixtures, Visual Comfort sconces, and Schumacher wallpaper in the adjoining laundry room has a timeless, elegant look.
JUSTINE MORIN
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Jacob Lilley Architects
Jacob Lilley Architects is an award-winning architecture firm with offices in Wellesley and Nantucket, creating distinct custom homes, renovations, and additions that reflect the needs of our discerning clients. Our belief is that good design is concise, compositional, and fosters a strong relationship with the outdoors. Using natural materials, and with a focus on craftsmanship, our projects are vibrant, unique, and enduring.
Jacob Lilley Architects Wellesley & Nantucket, MA 781-431-6100 jlaarchitects.com
JAKE LILLEY
KAM Appliances
The kitchen that matters most isn’t the one you show off—it’s the one you live in. Enter the scullery, pantry kitchen, or “back kitchen”—a rising star in upscale home design. Once a relic of the past, this second kitchen is making a modern comeback, blending practicality with luxury.
Hidden just behind the main kitchen, the scullery is a discreet space for prep work, cleanup, and storage— allowing the primary kitchen to stay spotless and styled for entertaining. It’s also a haven for high-end appliances: think second dishwashers, wall ovens, wine fridges, and built-in ice makers.
For those building or upgrading their second kitchen, KAM Appliances offers the expertise and premium appliance selection to bring your vision to life. As homeowners prioritize sleek, clutter-free main kitchens, the back kitchen becomes the workhorse behind the beauty—and KAM is here to pack your pantry with power and purpose.
Sales, delivery, installation, and service, KAM is here through the life of your appliances and honored to be in the heart of your home!
Pantry design and cabinetry by KAM partner, Lewis & Weldon Cape Cod, lewisandweldon.com
ERIN COX, PARTNER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
KitchenVisions
Your vision combined with our expertise results in award-winning projects that (we promise!) will exceed your expectations. At KitchenVisions we craft and execute design solutions and space-planning that bring our clients’ goals to life—seamlessly blending cabinetry, fixtures, and finishes for kitchens, baths, and living areas. We deliver premium customer service every step of the way. Whether its new construction, an addition, or a remodeling project, we collaborate with you and our esteemed partners to create spaces that are beautiful and highly functional.
“West Meets East” Sherborn kitchen featured in the July/August issue of New England Home
KitchenVisions Wayland, MA 978-257-0004
hello@kitchenvisions.com kitchenvisions.com
PHOTO CREDIT: SABRINA COLE QUINN
JODI SWARTZ, CKBR, FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
MBA Builders
MBA Builders is about more than foundations and finishes. We create homes where people make lasting memories. Come to us for our expertise— and stay for how we show up: with a collaborative mindset, authenticity, and calm under pressure. When things get complicated (and they always do), we bring solutions. We don’t just manage timelines and budgets (though we’re proud of how we do both). We guide, support, and collaborate. Because building a home should feel as good as the final result looks. From custom homes to thoughtful renovations of any size, we partner closely with clients, designers, and architects. Together, we bring vision into focus—and keep it all moving forward with transparency and trust.
MBA Builders: Building. Relationships.
We Build More Than Homes— We Build Relationships
buildwithmba.com
ALLEN CARPENELLA, PAUL MACERO, KEITH FORLIZZI
This family kitchen revolves around an expansive, detailed custom island. Wine storage and an heirloom display complete the look.
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
Designs by Mid-Cape
Designs by Mid-Cape offers professional, personalized design services to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re building new or remodeling, our team of experienced designers works closely with homeowners, builders, and remodelers to create beautiful, functional spaces that reflect your lifestyle. From cabinetry and countertops to millwork and layouts, we provide expert guidance and product knowledge every step of the way.
Designs by Mid-Cape specializes in spaces that inspire, delivering custom solutions tailored to your budget, aesthetic, and daily needs. We proudly offer premium product lines such as Dura Supreme Cabinetry and many more that can be seen in any of our five showroom locations. With detailed renderings, collaborative consultations, and seamless coordination with contractors and homeowners, Designs by Mid-Cape ensures a smooth, stress-free experience from concept to completion. From modest upgrades to complete redesigns, the Designs by Mid-Cape team turns your vision into thoughtfully crafted spaces that feel as good as they look.
SOUTH DENNIS
465 Route 134 South Dennis, MA 02660
508-398-6071
ORLEANS 15 Main Street P.O. Box 99 Orleans, MA 02653
508-255-0200
MIDDLEBORO
123 East Grove Street Route 28
Middleboro, MA 02346
508-947-2353
FALMOUTH
81 Locust Street Falmouth, MA 02540
508-548-3154
MARTHA’S VINEYARD SHOWROOM
20 East Line Road
Edgartown, MA 02539
508-693-3375
midcape.com
Designed by Mid-Cape’s Donna Benoit, this serene kitchen features Dura Supreme cabinetry, Silestone quartz countertops, and expansive windows framing stunning Cape Cod views.
DONNA BENOIT
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
SHAKE architecture:construction
Balancing a client’s aspirations for their home with practical project constraints does not need to stifle creativity. This kitchen was born out of the creative process of spatial problem-solving. As part of a full-house gut remodel, we could have moved the kitchen’s location. Instead, we embraced the dimensional challenge, allowing it to inform a unique layout that doesn’t compromise on function, comfort, or character. Stone, millwork, plaster, appliances, and lighting were carefully orchestrated to create a truly bespoke space. Original timber joists revealed during demolition were incorporated into the
design. Ultimately, the playful dialogue in shape and form between old and new is tempered by the saturated, stoic expression of color and materiality.
72 West Cedar St. Boston, MA 02114
617-586-4810
info@shakeac.com
shakeac.com @shake.ac
Distinctive Kitchens and Baths
The Design Intention
The Design Intention specializes in creating custom interior spaces that blend timeless craftsmanship with modern functionality. Serving homeowners seeking expert design guidance, the firm offers comprehensive services—from initial concept development and product selection to installation and final detailing. Each project is thoughtfully tailored to enhance both the beauty and function of the home, with a refined aesthetic and attention to everyday life.
Known for their collaborative approach, The Design Intention team works seamlessly with architects, contractors, and clients to provide custom designed homes with custom products. Whether crafting a heritage-inspired restoration or a clean, contemporary space, the team delivers designs that reflect each client’s unique vision and lifestyle.
With a reputation for integrity, innovation, and exceptional quality, The Design Intention transforms everyday spaces into enduring expressions of elevated design and lasting sophistication.
Navy cabinetry, stone surfaces, and brass fixtures unite in this elegant kitchen, where modern lines meet classic materials for a warm, sophisticated, and timeless design statement.
JASMIN LEE
Distinctive
Kitchens and Baths
the Design Studio
While other designers distinguish themselves with a signature look or a set of recognizable design elements, we value passion over formula, believing great design should push the boundaries. At the Design Studio, we not only work closely with the area’s top builders, architects, and interior designers, we are also a unique design-build firm guiding clients from design concept through execution to completion, streamlining every detail for a seamless, turnkey experience under one trusted roof. Here you will not only be working with the South Shore’s top design and build talent, but a team dedicated to exploring what successful design means to you.
We love making your project come alive, uncovering architecture, design, and a style that brings your dreams to life. Our favorite moment isn’t just revealing the final project to a client—but the many moments when a client experiences the luxury of a life uniquely crafted through design.
the Design Studio 305a Nantasket Ave. Hull, MA 02045 781-492-2390 thedesignstudio.design
BILL DUCHESNEY PRINCIPAL, BUILDER
JULIE LYONS PRINCIPAL, DESIGNER
In this distinctively designed kitchen, elegant soft wood tones, bold textures, and sculptural details create a space that feels both effortlessly refined and warmly inviting.
August 29-October 27
SLOCUM HALL DESIGN GROUP, INC. READ MCKENDREE
Speaking of celebrating anniversaries...
As we celebrate our 38th, we want to congratulate New England Home on their 20th! Only 5% of businesses survive to their 20th year!
Since 1987, Michelle and Wayne Southworth and their Team at MWI Fiber-Shield have been committed and devoted to the Interior Design, Architect, and Building trades, providing:
• Educational Seminars on the science of fine fiber maintenance
• Complimentary Fabric/Rug Testing for Designers/Architects
• Leadership - past Presidencies of ASID Industry Partners and IFDA
• Multi Award-winning from Professional Associations and Publications
THANK YOU to all of the Designers, Architects, Builders and Industry Partners who have supported MWI Fiber-Shield over the last 38 years.
Contact us now to experience why these professionals insist their clients use MWI Fiber-Shield to protect their own brand as well as their clients’ investments.
ASID Industry Partner Excellence Award, 2012 Boston Design Center Showroom, 1994
Exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, from the radiant floors to the sculptural furniture to the picture-perfect hilltop views, make this estate a master class in design. See the story on page 230.
Photograph by Joshua McHugh
The interiors marry elevated design, as in the foyer’s Charles Haupt glass-topped table and Alain Ellouz alabaster light fixture, with elements that nod to nature, such as the table’s branch-like bronze legs and a pair of bronze leaf vases. FACING PAGE: Exterior materials, including the board-formed concrete that wraps the chimney and roof projection, were chosen for their endurance and sustainability.
Peak Performance
In the mountains of Massachusetts, a family’s devotion to art, music, and togetherness finds voice in an exquisitely crafted home.
Text by PAULA M. BODAH | Photography b y JOSHUA M C HUGH | Styled by MIEKE TEN HAVE
Granite pavers set into stone dust and populated with monolithic granite benches turn the home’s forecourt into a casual gathering space. A water feature consisting of a runnel with uplighting for an ethereal glow leads visitors past a grove of honey locusts to the front door. Energy-friendly Brombal windows from Italy allow views through the house to the mountains beyond.
A Bösendorfer Model 225
the stage at one end of the
a
when Patrick Planeta first set foot on the 147-acre site in the hills of Western Massachusetts, some foundations had already been pour ed. “But the clients had a different vision,” he says.
“Woodmeister Master Builders brought us in and said, ‘We have this amazing project, but it needs a new direction.’ ”
That fresh start gave Planeta Design Group—led by Planeta and design director Cory Gans—a rare opportunity to shape every detail of a multi-
Imperial Grand piano takes
living room under
micro-perforated wood ceiling that enhances the instrument’s sound. FACING PAGE: Low furniture with a contemporary profile, including a coffee table of bronze and cast marble and a pair of sculptural Mathieu Lehanneur sofas, sits on a Stark carpet atop the living room’s floor of local granite tiles.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Bog-oak cabinetry, custom-designed pulls, a backlit tobacco-barn ceiling, and leathered stone countertops give the spacious kitchen personality plus. A carefully curated collection of furniture includes a dramatic chair of black walnut by British design team Ian Spencer and Cairn Young. The tobacco-barn ceiling extends from the kitchen to a screened gathering area.
structure estate, from the swoop of the rooflines to the placement of the cabinet pulls, into a deeply personal statement.
That statement? A home that’s expansive yet intimate, sophisticated yet playful, rooted in its setting, and perfectly attuned to its owners’ passions: art, architecture, nature, music, and, most of all, family.
The home orbits around the family’s prized vintage Bösendorfer Model 225 Imperial Grand piano, which sits on a performance stage in a music room with glass walls that vanish into the landscape. When the walls glide open, the house transforms and music spills across a lawn that can hold up to 200 people. “It’s pretty spectacular,” says Planeta.
“The clients came to us with intense room-by-room programming, but also with a spirit of joy.”
—ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGNER PATRICK PLANETA
The 18,000-square-foot main house includes seven bedroom suites, a recording studio, and a gallery-like living space curated with help from Planeta Design Group’s own art advisory. There’s also a pool cabana, a two-story art studio, and a garden folly. And it’s all meant to stand the test of time. “The clients were clear from the start—they wanted this to be their family’s home forever,” says Ed Paquette of Woodmeister Master Builders. “That meant high-performance systems, timeless materials, and every detail built to endure.”
Treated cedar siding and clay roof tiles from Denmark will weather gracefully; geothermal wells, radiant floors, and a solar array ensure comfort and sustainability. Inside, the finishes are a refined
study in contrast: shikkui plaster walls that cool and purify the air, blackened stainless steel trim, and micro-perforated wood ceilings that soften acoustics. Even the kitchen feels sculptural, with backlit tobacco barn ceilings, leathered stone counters, and custom-designed bog-oak cabinetry.
The couple’s contemporary art collection infuses the home with energy and wit. A large textile piece depicting Daffy Duck makes a playful counterpoint
ABOVE: A vivid abstract piece by Suzanne McClelland brightens a corner of a serene sitting area, where a Stefan Bishop wood coffee table resembles a tumbling pile of river stone. RIGHT: A powder room makes a dramatic statement with its bright-green carvedstone sink and evocative artwork. FACING PAGE: The wife’s light-filled art studio, minimal, efficient, and playful, looks out onto the meadow.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The freestanding tub in the primary bath is carved from a single piece of stone. A sitting area in the primary suite is all curves and swoops, including the Poliform sofa that sits against the curved stone wall that hides the bed. The headboard wall, stone on the outside and leather on the inside, cocoons the bed in quiet comfort.
to the living room’s sophisticated vibe. In the powder room, a sultry close-up by Marilyn Minter—lipstick, gloss, and glimmer—offers an artful jolt. “They wanted to buy pieces they really loved,” says Planeta. “They’re very authentic; when they see something and light up, it was pleasing to watch their faces.”
Despite the estate’s scale, it never feels imposing. “They wanted it to feel relaxed and intimate,” Gans says. “This is not a place for high heels.”
That ease extends outdoors, where Dale Schafer
of Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture shaped a sequence of landscape “rooms,” including a lawn sized for concerts and parties, quiet garden spaces, and seasonal blooms threading through reclaimed granite walls. “We extended the geometry of the house into the landscape,” Schafer explains. “The views, the paths, the gathering spaces all align with the architecture.”
From the performance lawn to intimate fern gardens, from granite-edged meadows to cutting
gardens in full bloom, the land unfolds in a quiet rhythm.
The architecture follows suit. The rooflines echo the nearby peaks; the materials palette draws from the surrounding woods and fields. “The clients were a dream,” Planeta says. “They came to us with intense room-by-room programming, but also with a spirit of joy.”
As Gans puts it, “They even thought ahead to their teenage daughter’s wedding and asked, ‘Can we fit a tent for 200 here?’ That’s how much this place is about family—and about the future.”
And with the Bösendorfer waiting center stage, the next generation will always have a place to play.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGN: Planeta Design Group
BUILDER/ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Woodmeister Master Builders
RIGHT: The infinity-edge pool has an integrated spa. BELOW: An outdoor entertaining space offers seating aplenty for frequent gatherings of friends and family. FACING PAGE: The lawn is delineated by a border of reclaimed granite and surrounded by a natural meadow that draws the eye to the mountains.
“We extended the geometry of the house into the landscape. The views, the paths, the gathering spaces all align with the architecture.”
—LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
DALE SCHAFER
Text by KRISTAN ZIMMER | Photography b y KIRSTEN FRANCIS | Styled by FR ANCIS BAILEY
Old meets new in designer Erin Gates’s foyer; she refinished the entry’s grand staircase and tempered it with a contemporary area rug from her own line with Momeni. FACING
PAGE: Gates chose Breccia Capraia marble for the living room’s woodburning fireplace surround. Modern white and brass touches like the coffee table and chandelier pair with velvet sofas custom designed with Bjork Studio in Atlanta.
A New Storyline
For interior designer and author Erin Gates, a new residence and a thoughtful renovation lead to a dream home—and her latest book.
Interior designer and New York Times
best-selling author Erin Gates had driven past the stately house countless times. She’d always admired its Second Empire architecture, sweeping front lawn, and white picket fence.
When it hit the market, she and her husband, Andrew, had to see it, even though it was on a main road. Andrew and Gates’s dad, an architectural designer and developer, scouted it first. “My dad called me twenty
ABOVE: Gates played off the green patina of the aged copper roof over the front stoop by painting the shutters and the front door Sherwin-Williams Mountain Road green. RIGHT: In the long, skinny living room, a sunny window spot houses a desk and rolling upholstered chair. FACING PAGE: The formal dining room is dinner-party ready with its custom-designed table inspired by a French antique, chairs from Chairish upholstered in a rich green velvet, and an elegant Visual Comfort & Co. chandelier.
ABOVE: A Charles Stewart sectional in a durable Perennials fabric anchors the family room. LEFT: “Everyone who walks in says, ‘I love this,’ ” says Gates of the little bar room off the kitchen, which has a ceiling dressed in a Schumacher tortoiseshell wallpaper. FACING PAGE: Gates loved the Michael S. Smith Inc. Jasper collection wallcovering in the former iteration of this mudroom so much that she had Commercial Wall Coverings hang it again when she expanded the space.
minutes later and said, ‘You have to get over here. This is your house.’ ”
Then two things happened: Gates began the multistep renovation of her dream home, and she got the inspiration for another book. “I had told my editor from Simon & Schuster that I wasn’t going to write a third book,” recalls the author of the Elements of Style series.
“She follows me on Instagram, and she was like, ‘I saw your new house. I really think this is a book.’ ” The storyline was too good to pass up: Elements of Timeless Style: Creating a Fore ver Home debuts September 30.
True to the title, Gates’s new home exudes classic elegance. Set on an acre of wooded land in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a half-circle driveway and a three-story barn, it has a traditional layout and stately front hall. While the mechanicals
Gates
she says.
mixed metal finishes and earth tones for a modern take on a classic English kitchen, selecting a brushed brass hood above the range, beige cabinets, and a slabmarble backsplash and countertop with gray and brown veining. “I love the mix of warm and cool,”
A separate refrigerator and freezer flank the doorway to the butler’s pantry. RIGHT: A ceramic subway tile backsplash and glass doors on the cabinetry allow Gates’s favorite blue dishes to shine. FACING PAGE: A breakfast nook in the family room features a café table from Modway, an upholstered vinyl banquette custom designed by Bjork Studio, and chairs from Hollywood at Home.
and windows had been updated, it needed cosmetic work—music to a designer’s ears. Gates had Brookes + Hill gut the bathrooms, give the kitchen a facelift, refinish the wide-plank oak floors, and paint everything. “It was actually the quickest renovation I have ever done,” she says.
Gates desired a home defined by warm colors, rich textures, and easy elegance. She started in the dining room. “This was probably the room I was most excited about,” she says. She envisioned a panoramic mural, specifically a soft gray landscape. To get the look of a hand-painted grisaille without the price tag, she called on The Mural Source in Virginia, which specializes in murals that are printed to order.
For the window coverings, Gates worked with Manny Makkas of Makkas Workroom to select a gray linen drape. They kept treatments straightforward throughout to highlight the home’s character and charm. Makkas’s favorite: a simple lined café curtain beside the soaking tub in the primary bath.
ABOVE:
BELOW: The primary bedroom, which is painted Benjamin Moore Fairview Taupe, has a custom upholstered bed from Liven UP Design in California and burlwood side tables from Made Goods. FACING PAGE: A cast-iron soaking tub from Penhaglion finished in aged brass takes center stage in the primary bath and pairs beautifully with Michael S. Smith Inc. wallpaper in the entryway to his-and-her closets.
“My primary bathroom is one of those spaces I didn’t hold back on.” —INTERIOR DESIGNER ERIN GATES
“My primary bathroom is one of those spaces I didn’t hold back on,” says Gates, who designed custom vanities with New England Artisan Restoration to look like antique chests.
Gates knows even a dream home calls for concessions, and the kitchen proved her biggest challenge; she prioritized functionality and was uncompromising on style. With lots of doorways, choosing a layout wasn’t easy, but eleven-foot ceilings helped. Simple shaker cabinets go all the way to the ceiling. Additionally, she had Cambridgeport Construction turn an old mudroom into a butler’s pantry for added storage.
Storage was key throughout the project, not only to keep clutter out of sight but, in the case of an arched bookshelf, glass doors, and floating shelves, to let heirlooms shine. “I always like layering in personal and meaningful items, especially art and antiques,” says Gates. “These items reflect our story as a family, and that is the extra touch that makes every home feel soulful.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Erin Gates Design
BUILDERS: Brookes + Hill; Cambridgeport Construction
Wide steps of lawn and stone lead to the terrace outside the l’orangerie at the far end of the “life room” designed by Hutker Architects. “It’s not too precious or manicured,” says the homeowner. “It’s a place where kids like to sit and chat and play games.”
An Awake ning
Refreshed and renewed, a historic house and its extraordinary garden are updated for an active yo u ng family.
Text by GAIL RAVGIALA
Exterior photography by NEIL LANDINO
Interior photography by MICHAEL J. LEE
Styling by SEAN WILLIAM DONOVAN
BELOW: The restored entry foyer includes an inglenook with an array of stained and leaded glass and a fireplace; the original carved oak millwork and beams established the materials palette for the rest of the house. FACING PAGE: A paved driveway directly in front of the main entry, a design holdover from the days when guests arrived by horse and buggy, was replaced with a refined elevated landscape. Puddingstone for the walls and steps is native to the site.
The stately Victorian-era house was surrounded by once luminous gardens and pathways now barely discernable beneath the overgrowth. Think Sleeping Beauty’s castle before the prince arrives.
“There was a poetic sense of abandonment,” says landscape architect Matthew Cunningham of the 1898 house and its surroundings. “An end of an era was visible.”
Set on three acres that include numerous breaching puddingstone formations, this onetime country estate in the Boston suburbs was designed for the age of the horse and carriage when grand driveways greeted guests and carriage houses were de rigueur.
The “life room,” which encompasses the kitchen and dining area as well as casual family seating, is distinguished by a modified version of a l’orangerie that opens to a terrace and the mature landscape beyond. The oak beams are an updated reflection of the original carved beams found in the restored front entry.
The kitchen overlooks the backyard patio where a carriage house was demolished. “Its stone foundation was integrated into the cliff to create a kind of grotto,” says landscape architect Matthew Cunningham.
FACING PAGE: Off the front entry, new oak millwork crafted by Youngblood Builders defines a doorway between the living room and the library.
“Lifestyles have evolved over the century,” says Cunningham, and the couple who purchased the historic property wanted to make it a comfortable home for themselves and their four young children. “We wanted space where kids could be kids,” says the homeowner. “We didn’t want precious—we wanted calm and comfort.”
Mark Hutker, founder and partner of Hutker Architects, and his team were mindful of the aura of history emanating from the property as they
designed the modern open interiors the family envisioned while also restoring and improving the exterior. “If we were going to express a new design narrative, it had to be as mature and thoughtful and well-crafted as that which we were replacing,” he says. “We emphasized the juxtaposition between old and new in almost every space,” adds Hutker project designer Eder Romero.
The compartmentalized Victorian-era floor plan did not suit the lifestyle of a modern young family.
A third-floor space with an arched ceiling makes organization both pretty and playful as the kids’ games and toys are stashed in built-in cubbies. FACING PAGE: The new staircase was conceived as a ribbon that connects the whole house. It was crafted by architectural woodworkers King & Company with such attention to detail that the handrail is designed specifically for the grip of client’s hand.
“We wanted space where kids could be kids. We didn’t want precious—we wanted calm and comfort.”
—THE HOMEOWNER
Hutker’s solution is the “life room,” a combination kitchen, dining, and large casual seating area. “I don’t like the term ‘great room,’ ” he says. “This space is not about size and grandeur. Rather it is about family togetherness.”
It occupies roughly half the first floor with the visual focus on the mature landscape framed by
mullioned sliding doors and windows that form a modified version of a l’orangerie.
The gardens, originally designed by John Charles Olmsted, son of famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and a renowned designer in his own right, have their own storied provenance. Armed with historic photos of the property,
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: “We wanted the primary suite to face the yard and celebrate it,” says the homeowner. “Every season looks different. It feels like a vacation spot.” A door in the corner of the bedroom opens to the roof garden atop the garage; the stepping-stone path leads to a puddingstone outcropping and onto the landscape. The bathroom has a bird’s-eye view of the patio and the stone fireplace carved into the foundation of a demolished carriage house.
Cunningham and fellow principal Devin Hefferon viewed its preservation through the lens of the present. “The owners bought this with kids in mind,” says Hefferon. “The focus is on outdoor adventuring.”
“We worked with the natural landscape,” says the homeowner. “The cliffs and ledges are just so beautiful. Devin and Matthew paid tribute to
Olmsted and reimagined spaces thoughtfully and respectfully. It’s a magical place where children love to be.”
Adults, too, are charmed by the garden’s glories and secrets. The primary bedroom opens to a garden on the rooftop of a new garage that is both a lush retreat and a secret entrée to the hillside setting. Away from the house, an old garden shed
ABOVE: A garden shed described as “a ramshackle building in bad repair” by builder Jim Youngblood was reimagined as a spa retreat. RIGHT: Perched on a puddingstone ridge, the building blends gently into the sylvan setting. FACING
PAGE:
was transformed into a spa retreat with a Japanese-inspired soaking pool. Perched atop a puddingstone outcropping, “it is quietly beautiful,” says Hefferon. “You have a sense of being in a tree house.”
Much as the original house and gardens worked together to meet the needs and aesthetics of its day, the renovation has delivered a family oasis for its current owners. “It’s a treat to experience the gorgeous landscape with the historic tradition of the architecture,” says Hutker.
“When we bought the house, it was a mishmash,” says the homeowner. “I wanted to simplify. Now, there is nowhere we would rather be.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN: Hutker Architects
BUILDER: Youngblood Builders
LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design
The vibe is serene and restful, and the view lends a tree house sensibility.
designer Paula
found the
in
that rest under the
on a buying trip for
“When the wife saw me post a photo of them on Instagram, she drove up on opening day just to purchase them,” says Daher. FACING
Interior
Daher
four-foot-tall concrete sculptures
stairwell
Paris
her Maine boutique, Mélange Home Shop.
PAGE: Scalamandré wallpaper behind artwork by Jackie Moore Watson inspired the library’s teal wall color.
A Celebration of Design
From the designers to the makers to the homeowners, everyone brought something to the table in this Boston renovation.
Text by ERIKA AYN FINCH | Photography b y MICHAEL J. LEE
It all ended with a massive party, but the guests weren’t just friends and family. They were also designers and builders—the collaborators who turned a quirky, dated Back Bay brownstone into an elegant contemporary home. The soiree acted like an exclamation point, a snapshot of how these particular homeowners move through life, says interior designer Paula Daher: “They are charismatic, happy, positive patrons of the arts.”
LEFT: Near the living room’s conversation alcove, Daher topped an Italian commode with an antique lamp that belonged to the homeowner’s grandmother. The artwork is by Vickie Marsango. BELOW: An antique potting table from France serves as the vanity in a powder room tucked under the building’s stairwell. FACING PAGE: The living room’s detailed ceiling launched the home’s European-flavored design.
And it truly did take a village to gut the apartment and turn it into a colorful home that welcomes friends for Sunday afternoon football and kids for holiday gift exchanges. But even before the village was assembled—and well before the champagne was poured—it started with one very special living room ceiling.
David O’Malley and David Schwartz of BSA Construction, along with the architects at Payne | Collins Design, were
already in the process of renovating the extra-wide (fifty feet!) brownstone when a couple and their realtor approached them about purchasing it. Before signing on the dotted line, the couple began auditioning interior designers, and when Daher arrived for her interview, the wedding cake ceiling in the living room took her breath away.
“I told them, ‘Whether you hire me or not, don’t let anyone remove this
The family’s dog loves to lounge on the the kitchen’s banquette, upholstered in a nubby olive green fabric. Overgaard & Dyrman chairs offer additional seating. FACING PAGE: In the kitchen, with its dramatic barrel-vaulted ceiling, Blue Caravaggio marble tops a cerused-walnut island and the nearby counter and backsplash.
“There were one hundred decisions we had to make for each room, but ultimately it made the project that much more rewarding.”—Builder David O’Malley
ceiling,’ ” remembers Daher, who has offices in Boston and Maine. “It had these Haussmann-like details that just made me think of Paris.”
That keen observation sealed the deal, and Daher got the job. Aside from the ceiling, the owners elected to keep most of the original fireplaces in the 1887-built home and insisted on
repurposing its stained glass (more on that later), but a free-flowing staircase replaced the original suburban-esque design, and the home was given a luxe primary suite on the second floor. The team devised a dramatic barrelvaulted ceiling in the kitchen, and Daher added a crescent-shaped banquette niche in the same space. “The wife only
ABOVE: The chairs in the formal dining room are wrapped top to bottom in Romo fabric, while dual niches flanking the fireplace contain dry bars crafted from the same Calacatta Viola marble as the fireplace surround. RIGHT: The dining room’s wine cave holds 750 bottles.
“The homeowners are charismatic, happy, positive patrons of the arts.”
—Interior designer Paula Daher
CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW: The headboard in a guest room is eight feet tall. A closet in the primary suite showcases antique doors from France. Absolute Glass disassembled stained glass original to the home and turned it into a statement piece on the second-floor landing; the artwork is by Vickie Marsango.
wanted curves in the house—no ninetydegree angles,” says Daher. “You’ll see that everywhere from the staircase to the wine cave in the dining room to the rounded corners on the range hood.”
Not surprisingly, challenges appeared around every curved corner. The team had to get creative with the new ductwork, and it took a small army
to relocate 400-pound solid-mahogany pocket doors from the living room to the dining room, says O’Malley. “There were one hundred decisions we had to make for each room,” he explains, “but ultimately it made the project that much more rewarding.”
The high-gloss teal library is especially rife with details, and its built-ins
contain all kinds of secrets. To the left of the fireplace, a TV rises on demand from a concealed opening in what reads as base cabinetry. To the right, says Daher’s son and business partner, Clayton, the bookcases slide to reveal a computer desk.
As for the aforementioned stained glass, the Dahers searched high and low
ABOVE: In the new primary suite, Daher repurposed a sofa from the homeowner's former living room, reupholstering it and adding fringe to the bottom. The artwork above the fireplace is by Cate West Zahl.
The primary bedroom's empire chandelier is original to the home. FACING PAGE: New Ravenna tile in the inset behind the primary bath adds an artistic element to the room.
for someone who could repurpose it in an unexpected way. They found a craftsman in Methuen, Massachusetts, who took the panels apart and integrated LED backlighting. The resulting art piece now takes center stage in a recess on the upstairs landing.
But back to that party. It was intended to thank the team for their creativity and gumption. “It really was a very special project in that everyone involved, from the builder to the artisans to the homeowners, was willing to go along with some crazy ideas,” says Daher. “It was such a treat to return and see the final outcome. It was a night to remember.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
ARCHITECTURE: Payne | Collins Design
INTERIOR DESIGN: Daher Interior Design
BUILDER: BSA Construction
RIGHT:
In the dining area, a light fixture from Hubbardton Forge hangs above a custom table from Huston & Company. FACING PAGE: While renovating this 1960s Federalstyle residence, architect Kevin Browne updated the brick facade with taller windows featuring dark sashes, a simplified entry with a more prominent door, and a lighter paint color.
In Perfect Harmony
CLASSIC MEETS CONTEMPORARY ON THE COAST OF MAINE.
Text by ALYSSA BIRD | Photography by LIZ DALY | Styled by KATJA GREEFF
After nearly a decade of living in this oceanfront residence in Falmouth, Maine, the homeowners decided that some changes were in order. “The house just wasn’t functioning anymore with three kids,” explains interior designer Nicola Manganello, who collaborated with her clients on the interior architecture and furnishings, while architect Kevin Browne transformed the envelope. “They needed more space to get organized.”
RIGHT: Artwork from Moss Galleries hangs above the living room mantel, which is fabricated from local granite. LEFT: Another section of the living room features a daybed from Hickory Chair, a cocktail table from Verellen, and a sofa and side chairs from CR Laine.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The kitchen contains two islands; here pendants from The Urban Electric Co. hang above the quartz countertop and CB2 barstools. The second island features the same countertop with oak details to match the cabinetry. One island culminates with a custom dining table and bench. FACING PAGE: A new glass, steel, and oak staircase leaves sight lines open from one side of the main floor to the other.
To satisfy the family’s wish list, it soon became clear that a complete gut renovation and expansion were necessary. “The clients had done a smaller renovation when they purchased the 1960s Federal-style house eight years prior, including the addition of a modern, angled dining room,” says architect Kevin Browne. “They were looking to freshen things up and infuse that contemporary feel throughout.”
Though the general footprint remained fairly intact, the residence feels completely transformed. Even the front facade—purposely left more traditional to blend in with the neighborhood—received a few key updates that elevate it in an understated way. In addition to painting the brick a lighter shade, removing the shutters, and streamlining the entry portico, Browne went with taller windows with dark sashes and a more prominent ten-foottall door.
“THE HOUSE JUST WASN’T FUNCTIONING ANYMORE WITH THREE KIDS. THEY NEEDED MORE SPACE TO GET ORGANIZED.”
—Interior
designer Nicola Manganello
The entry gives way to a new sculptural glass, oak, and steel staircase, a more open plan, and ocean views off the rear of the home. “Originally, there were defined rooms and a central stair that blocked one side from the other,” explains Browne. “The goal was to allow these spaces to communicate and infuse more light throughout.” The rear facade lets in lots of natural light and takes full advantage of the expansive views thanks to its large singlepane windows.
In fact, the rear facade has been completely reworked. Not only did the design team expand the primary suite—located above the dining room addition—to accommodate a larger bath and closet, but they added a second level above the garage and gained two children’s rooms, a bath, laundry, gym, and game room.
Elsewhere on the second floor, they reconfigured two bedrooms into a larger children’s room and an office for the husband. Meanwhile, back on the main level, they renovated an existing guest suite behind the garage, and turned a former bedroom into a
ABOVE: A boy’s bedroom is enveloped in a planet-themed wallpaper from Sanderson. LEFT: The husband’s office is located on the second floor and can be closed off with a steel-and-glass sliding door. FACING
PAGE: A floral wallpaper from Sanderson covers the ceiling in a girl’s room, while the walls feature a paper from Innovations; the rug is from Dash & Albert.
library and music room. On the lower level, below the guest suite, they added a family room and office for the wife. “This was a heavy-duty modification,” notes Greg Greenwald of Wright-Ryan Homes. “The basement had two separate foundations that we needed
to connect in order for all spaces to be accessible.” Throughout the residence Manganello worked with the couple to incorporate a more contemporary language that is still warm and welcoming. The designer switched out white coastal-inspired
paneling for plaster, dark floors are now white oak (as are the new ceiling beams), and metal-and-glass barn doors play against antique pine accents. The furniture—a neutral mix of custom and existing pieces along with a few antiques—features wipeable indoor-outdoor fabrics that stand up to kids and a dog. “Nothing is too precious,” says Manganello,
LEFT: The soaking tub in the primary bath sits in an alcove delineated by antique pine panels; the wallpaper is from Arte. RIGHT: While the front of the home maintains a sense of tradition to fit in with the neighborhood, the back reads much more contemporary.
ARCHITECTURE: Kevin Browne Architecture
INTERIOR DESIGN: Nicola’s Home
BUILDER: Wright-Ryan Homes
who notes that the biggest challenge was trying to meld the couple’s styles. “Her style is more traditional, while he favors contemporary.” And in the end, as the designer points out, the exterior turned out to be the perfect combination of “New England traditional in the front and party in the back.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
“THEY WERE LOOKING TO FRESHEN THINGS UP AND INFUSE A CONTEMPORARY FEEL THROUGHOUT.”
—Architect Kevin Browne
IN THE DETAILS
The Good Life
ON THE MARKET • DESIGN DISPATCHES • THE SCENE
Peak Performance page 230
Everyone involved in designing and building this Western Massachusetts house paid the utmost attention to every detail, including Angelo “Ivo” Cubi and his team at Cumar. For the primary bath’s steam shower, Cumar used Apuan Fantasy marble—a natural stone whose dramatic gray veining evokes a stormy sea or sky—for walls, floor, benches, and ceiling. Every slab was meticulously cut and matched to minimize seaming and give the space its luxurious, spa-like feel. “Like everything about the home, this space is a very custom, very well-thought-out design,” says Cumar president Carlotta Cubi.—Paula M. Bodah
Photograph by Joshua McHugh
The Good Life IN THE DETAILS
Denis Shpak of DCW Stairways in Easthampton, Massachusetts, has been crafting staircases for twenty-five years, twenty of those in New England. When interior designer Paula Daher approached him about the two-story Boston apartment she was renovating, the two of them envisioned an elliptical design with intricate wrought-iron spindles, quarter-sawn white-oak treads, and a handrail carved from sapele, a type of mahogany. Depending on your vantage point, the staircase offers a different profile and reveals new details. If it sounds like an artist conceptualizing a sculpture, that’s not a trope. “I see these staircases as unmovable pieces of art,” says Shpak.—Erika Ayn Finch
A Celebration of Design, page 270
by
Photograph
Michael J. Lee
The Good Life IN THE DETAILS
A New Storyline, page 244
Interior designer Erin Gates had already swathed this bedroom in Schumacher’s Chinois Palais vinyl wallpaper during her home’s initial renovation, but when the space transformed from primary to guest room, she decided to add closets on either side of the window. By papering right over the closet doors with the same pattern, “the closets disappear,” says Cheryl Marrs of Cape Cod’s Commercial Wall Coverings, whose team executed Gates’s vision for the space. “It’s a challenge, and you do use a lot of paper so it’s expensive, but the outcome is just gorgeous. It has a smooth finish, but it looks like it’s almost threedimensional.”—Kristan Zimmer
by
Photograph
Kirsten Francis
STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTS
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Available through authorized dealers and contractors. CoastalSource.com/Razor | 800.719.1996
The Good Life | ON THE MARKET
Text by LISA H. SPEIDEL
BY THE NUMBERS
150 SEAPORT BLVD., #GPH, BOSTON
$49,500,000
$22,930 HOA FEE
10,609 SF
6 BEDS
10 BATHS
1 ELEVATOR
1 PRIVATE ROOFTOP POOL
The High Life
BRAGGING RIGHTS
As if owning the Grand Penthouse at the St. Regis Boston isn’t enough of a coup, if this listing fetches even close to asking, it will be the most expensive home ever sold in Massachusetts. The sprawling six-bedroom, two-story unit, which listing agent George Sarkis calls “a mansion in the sky,” was built in 2022 and completely tricked out with the help of Elkus Manfredi Architects and Sousa Design Architects.
WHAT’S INSIDE
Glass and marble for days! A grand foyer with an Italian marble radial inlay floor paired with a curved floating staircase with glass railings, and a double-height great room that boasts jaw-dropping views of Boston Harbor sets the stage for truly luxurious living. The primary suite has dual bathrooms and walk-in closets, and the kitchen is a modern marvel with its Stevali cabinetry.
OUTDOOR APPEAL
Every penthouse needs a rooftop entertaining area, and this one is extraordinary. Spanning 1,000 square feet, its centerpiece is a sleek infinity-edge pool and spa with a clear acrylic bottom so swimmers can—get this—dive down and see the unit’s kitchen below. A gas fireplace, a custom bar and kitchen, and a retractable Libart glass roof ensure lofty living and year-round fun.
The pool’s acrylic bottom was made by an aquarium manufacturer.
CONTACT
George Sarkis, 781-603-8702, Manuel Sarkis, 781-801-0610, The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Boston, thesarkisteambos.com, MLS# 73383587
The Good Life | ON THE MARKET
BY THE NUMBERS
$8,985,000
Endless Summer
A sedum green roof blends beautifully with the landscape.
LAY OF THE LAND
The setting is surreal: perched on a bluff, the property boasts views of Penobscot Bay that stretch clear to the Camden Hills. And the team that pulled off this dreamy coastal retreat is equally amazing: the homeowner collaborated with renowned architect Toshiko Mori on the main residence and a separate barn that includes a two-car garage with a one-bedroom guest suite above. The stunning landscape, conceived by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, seamlessly blends structure and surroundings while honoring the island’s natural beauty.
ARCHITECTURAL INTRIGUE
The one-bedroom main house, a modern marvel clad in burned-cedar siding and sporting floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows, celebrates an indoor-outdoor connection (note the complementary stained-cedar paneling and the Monson slate floors). Simple yet elegant, it features an open floor plan that allows the views to take center stage.
FUN FACTOR
Since the turn of the nineteenth century, North Haven has been a soughtafter summer community, celebrated for its embrace of a simpler way of life. This peaceful estate embodies that relaxed vibe (albeit accompanied by a welcome dose of modern luxury). To wit, a walking path leads to a heated saltwater pool with a pergola, and a set of steps travels down to a private pebble beach. “It also has one of the best sunsets on the coast of Maine,” notes listing agent Joseph Sortwell.
CONTACT
Joseph Sortwell, LandVest | Christie’s International Real Estate, Camden, Maine, 207-706-6294, landvest.com, MLS# 1626872
The Good Life | ON THE MARKET
BY THE NUMBERS
$7,995,000
8,008
2.89
4
7
1
1
5
Farm Fresh
Easy access to cocktails and wine makes entertaining a cinch.
CURB APPEAL
Built in 2023, The Saltmoore House was designed by its original owner, a detail-oriented developer/lawyer with a penchant for building one-of-a-kind, high-end homes. Modern-contemporary architecture takes a Brutalist twist in this coastal oasis with a very considered materials palette: the shingles
are slate, the roof metal, the windows aluminum-clad and commercial-grade, and the balconies and decking are teak.
WHAT’S INSIDE
All the bells and whistles a modern buyer could want. A sophisticated urban aesthetic meets a relaxed seaside sensibility. Clean lines, an open-concept layout, and soaring ceilings are paired with top-of-theline fixtures, finishes, and furniture (it’s all included, so the buyer need only pack a suitcase). Highlights include a spacious chef’s kitchen with a full pantry, a primary suite that spans half the second floor (complete with two bathrooms and two balconies), and a lower-level wellness center.
LAY OF THE LAND
listing agent Renee M. Welchman. It has privacy in spades and is also built with an eye toward entertaining (an expansive deck runs the length of the house, and a saltwater pool with a built-in spa beckons), but it’s only minutes from sweet cafes, farm stands, and beaches.
Rolling farmlands and the Sakonnet River beyond form a picturesque backdrop. “With this property you can feel as secluded or connected as you want,” says
CONTACT
Renee M. Welchman, Compass, Little Compton, R.I., 401-649-1915, welchmanrealestate.com, MLS# 1386386
Photography by Michael David Commercial
Photography
The Good Life | DESIGN DISPATCHES
Edited by LYNDA SIMONTON
Style Scene
DESIGNxRI
SEPTEMBER 12–19
Enjoy talks, tours, panel discussions, and parties, all showcasing the Ocean State’s exceptional design talent.
Various locations throughout R.I. designxri.com
›› New England Home’s 5 Under 40 Awards
SEPTEMBER 18
Kick off the fall social season at The Galleria at 333 Stuart Street and toast the 2025 5 Under 40 winners.
Boston
nehomemag.com
›› Winchester’s Fabulous First 50! A Tour of 19thCentury Home Interiors
SEPTEMBER 20
Celebrate Winchester’s 175th anniversary by exploring the town’s Victorian-era homes.
Winchester, Mass. histoury.org
›› RISD Craft: Fall 2025
OCTOBER 11
Expand your art collection at this juried show that includes works by RISD alumni and current students.
Providence risdcraft.com
‹‹ Boston Design Center Fall Market
OCTOBER 9
Participate in a day of design featuring keynote speakers, open houses, collection launches, and panel discussions.
Boston bostondesign.com
Cape Ann Artisans Tour
OCTOBER 11–12
Considering expanding your art collection? Enjoy a self-guided tour through artists’ studios on the North Shore.
Gloucester and Rockport, Mass. capeannartisans.com
›› 2025 PRISM Awards Gala
OCTOBER 23
These annual awards, held this year at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, honor the achievements of professionals in the home-building industry.
Boston prism-awards.org
139th
New England Flower Show
SEPTEMBER 20–21
This year’s theme, World in Bloom, draws inspiration from around the globe. The show takes place at The Garden at Elm Bank. Wellesley, Mass. masshort.org
Coastal Kitchen Tour
OCTOBER 11
Explore notable Maine kitchens while raising funds for the Spaulding Center for Active Living.
Kennebunkport, Maine seniorcenterkennebunk.org
Notebook
We are soaking up the final days of summer while keeping a close eye on the latest industry news.
First up, Gary McBournie Inc. is now McBournie Richards. The new name reflects the long-standing personal and professional partnership between Gary McBournie and Bill Richards, which has shaped the company for more than fifteen years. Fans of the firm’s refined style will be pleased to know it is expanding its wallpaper and fabric collection, and a design book is in the works. Venegas and Company, known for its luxury kitchens, has announced that Meaghan Moynahan has been named partner. Moynahan, a New England Home 5 Under 40 winner, has been working with founder Donna Venegas since the company’s inception. As a partner, the designer will assume a more significant role in the company’s business development while continuing to work with clients to create personalized kitchens.
While we’re on the subject of promotions, S+H Construction has announced that Edward Sullivan has been promoted to president, and Sarah Lawson, who has served as president since acquiring the company in 2016, will transition into the newly established role of chair. Sullivan will focus on the company’s day-to-day operations, while Lawson shifts her energies to strategy and partner-building. “Ed and I started at S+H the same month back in 2007,” says Lawson. “Since I took ownership, Ed has taken on more and more responsibility, always with integrity, humility, and a deep
Meet Peter Hill. With decades of valuable experience and a savvy knowledge of the area you can only get from growing up here, Peter Hill not only knows how to treat his clients like they’re the Royal Family, he also knows how to negotiate like the head of the United Nations. And he’s nice. Yup, nice, as in you’ll not only enjoy going on your real estate journey with him, but you’ll also miss him, once it ends. What’s more is that he’s part of the MGS Group Real Estate family, so he’s got 15 stellar agents behind him, plus a list of connections and resources as long as the Charles River, that can assist clients with everything from preparing their home to sell, to doing in their new home. So, if you’re ready to buy or sell, or both, don’t make a move without calling (or texting!) Peter at (508) 353-9721.
DISPATCHES
commitment to excellence. I trust Ed to be a steward of who we are and to help lead us into the future.”
Things are heating up in New Hampshire. Soake Pools and Harbor Saunas have formed a strategic partnership, making it easier than ever to create a backyard wellness retreat. Take a dip in a cool (or warm) pool, then luxuriate in the sauna—your endorphins will be buzzing.
The state-of-the-art Clarke showroom in Milford, Massachusetts, once again hosted the annual PRO Awards sponsored by PRO New England The awards celebrate the finest work by our region’s remodeling professionals. This year’s gold winners included Kenneth Vona and Son Construction, Feinmann, Top Notch Contracting, Highline Construction, Red House Design Build, and Platt Builders. Cheers to Michelle Glassburn, president of Lavallee Systems and former executive director of PRO New England, who was honored with the Member of the Year Award.
A hearty congratulations to KW Contemporary Art in Kennebunk, Maine, on its fifth anniversary. It has quickly established itself as a sophisticated resource for sourcing art from around the globe. The gallery fittingly marked the milestone with Summertide, an exhibit featuring new works from KW’s gallery artists alongside the debut of new talent.
Heading to the Berkshires this fall? Stop by Honeychurch, a home goods shop that opened in downtown Lenox, Massachusetts, this past spring. The store relocated from Salisbury, Connecticut, and fans will be delighted to know that the new location is now bigger and, dare we say, better than the original. The larger space offers a more robust selection of handcrafted ceramics, rugs, and other home accessories.
Do you have news to share with New England Home? Email Lynda Simonton at lsimonton@nehomemag.com
The Good Life | THE SCENE
Edited by CAMILLA TAZZI
May-June Issue Celebration at Lazzoni
Design professionals gathered at Lazzoni’s stylish furniture showroom on Boston’s Newbury Street to toast New England Home’s May-June issue.
July-August Issue Celebration with Crown Point Cabinetry at Clarke
To launch the July-August issue of New England Home, design creatives convened at Clarke’s Boston showroom for the debut of Crown Point Cabinetry’s new kitchen vignette and to enjoy hors d’oeuvres crafted by Clarke’s culinary team.
Photography by Jayson Ruboy
Photography by Matt Stone
Dan Jablonski and Amanda Reid of Mandarina Studio
Paula Antonevich and Britta McCarthy of Britta Design
Chris Pike of Clarke with Christina Goncalves and Helen Shoemaker of Venegas and Company
Whitney Talsma of Oliver James Interiors, Michelle Southworth of MWI Fiber-Shield, and Julie Murphy of Designer Draperies of Boston
Crystal Martin, Liz Holzwarth, and Irina Michaud of Crown Point Cabinetry with Michelle Southworth (third from left)
Leah Wyner of TMS Architects Interiors, Jenny Tredeau of Clarke, and New England Home’s Karen Middleton
Meredith O'Reilly and Jessica Tolman from Briar Design, photographer Sabrina Cole Quinn, and New England Home’s Jenna Talbott
New England Home’s Kathy Bush-Dutton and Jenna Talbott (first and third from left) with Rachel Reider of Reider + Co and Katie Murphy of Sweenor Builders
Brianna Boidi of LDa Architecture & Interiors, Emma Douglass of Liz Miller Interiors, Lauren Hamilton of Hamilton Interiors, and Hannah Oravec of Lawless Design
Dean Sawyer of Blue Hour Design and Kelly Taylor of Kelly Taylor Interior Design with Umut and Fatma Yilmaz of Lazzoni
The Good Life
Cape & Islands Issue Celebration
Design pros gathered at Woods Hole Golf Club to network, enjoy cocktails from Wiggly Bridge Distillery, and raise funds for Family Table Collaborative.
Soake Pools Spring Block Party
To kick-start outdoor season and celebrate Soake Pools’ tenth anniversary, partygoers gathered at the company’s new indooroutdoor experience center in New Hampshire to get up close and personal with its plunge pools.
Photography by Julia Cumes
Sam Bodell and David Newton of C.H. Newton Builders with Mark Hutker of Hutker Architects
Leslie jon-Vickory of Jarves & Main, Bernice Wahler of Bernice Wahler Landscapes, and Andrea Brooke of Little Greene
Jeni Wheeler of Family Table Collaborative and New England Home’s Kathy Bush-Dutton
Ally Hess, Tara Romine, Mary Rogers, and Holly Charbonnier of Hutker Architects
Don Bartels and Blaise La Porta of Outlands Design flank Norman Courchesne and Alyssa Andress of Salt Architecture
Cara Meneses of Archwright, Lori LaBarge of LaBarge Homes, and Kelly Ennis Connellan of Neubauer Ennis Architects
Ann Humphrey and Douglas Whitla of Whitla Brothers Builders
Jack Stevenson, Fallon Rice Everman, Joe Solecki, Dale Simmons, Nadia Amaral, and Jonathan Piers of Mid-Cape Home Centers
The Soake Pools team gets the party started
Karen and Emma Larson of Soake Pools
The Good Life
Luxury Home Design Summit
Now in its sixth year, the Luxury Home Design Summit, presented by New England Home and Esteem Media, returned to the Chatham Bars Inn.
PRO New England Awards
PRO New England celebrated excellence in remodeling at its annual awards held at Clarke’s showroom in Milton, Massachusetts.
Photography by Patrick Rogers
Photography by Julia Cumes
Nicole Ruffing of Ring’s End with Jay Williams and Dan Gibbons of TimberTech/AZEK
More than 350 people attended this year’s event
The LDa Architecture & Interiors team with scholarship winners Catherine Tobin and Caeli Finch (fourth and fifth from left)
New England Home’s Jenna Talbott and Katie Rosenfeld of Katie Rosenfeld & Co. and Vanity & Co.
Leslie Schneeberger of Schneeberger Collective and Chandon Georgian of 111works
Keynote Rush Jenkins of WRJ Design and Jim Cappuccino of Hutker Architects
Opening keynote Gil Schafer of Schafer Buccellato Architects
Eric Adams of Adams + Beasley Associates and Adam Japko of Esteem Media
Brandon Vescera, Robin Shor, and Donna Zinckmoore of The Portland Group/Splash and Spritzo
Kevin Cradock of Kevin Cradock Builders, New England Home’s Kathy Bush-Dutton, Patrick Collins of Kenneth Vona and Son Construction, and Robin Gannon of Robin Gannon Interiors
John Marchiony of PRO New England, Nick and Niki Vercollone of Highline Construction, and Chris LeBihan and Robin Gannon of Robin Gannon Interiors
The Good Life
Nantucket by Design
The Nantucket Historical Association’s premier summer fundraiser, Nantucket by Design, brings design enthusiasts together with a mission to preserve and celebrate the island’s history.
Designed for Summer Soirée
In partnership with the Custom Residential Architects Network and the Boston Society for Architecture’s Residential Design Committee, architect Daniel G. Steger hosted a jazz-filled evening at his home in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.
Photography by Terrence Adderley
Photography by Michael Blanchard, Emily Elisabeth, Bill Hoenk, and Georgie Morley
New England Home’s Jenna Talbott, Brad Guidi of Blue Flag Capital, Nantucket by Design cochair Bill Richards of McBournie Richards, Nantucket by Design cochair Marla Mullen Sanford of MARLA Design Group, Kristin Paton of Kristin Paton Interiors, and Andrew Kline of Workshop/APD
Kim Huebner, Fiona West, Patrick Frey, and Kristen Golov of Pierre Frey with Stacey Bewkes of Quintessence (second from right)
New England Home’s Kathy Bush-Dutton and Thomas Kligerman of Kligerman Architecture & Design
Marla Mullen Sanford and Bill Richards Keynote Martha Stewart
Chip Webster of Chip Webster Architecture, Sara Boyce, Tucker Holland, Lauren Cuneo of LC Home, Michelle Holland of Nantucket House Antiques & Interior Design Studios, and Debbie MacKenzie of Studio 534
Whitney McNell of McNell Interiors
Eliza Crater Harris of Sister Parish
Diane Komodromos of Top Notch Contracting, Laura Burnes of Adams + Beasley Associates, Tracy Mowschenson of Tracy interiors, Lana Nathe of Light Insight Design Studio, and Tori Migre of Tracy Interiors
Daniel G. Steger of DGS/a Architecture + Design and Ellen Perko of Embarc
Isaac Bell House
2
PRESENTS THE 12 TH ANNUAL 12TH
CHECK
OUT OUR FEATURED EVENTS:
0
2
FRI, 9/12
DESIGN WEEK RI 2025 KICKOFF PARTY
5-8 PM | Moniker Brewery, 432 W Fountain St, Providence, RI 02903
Join DxRI in partnership with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and the RI design community to celebrate the start of the week! Featuring fabulous raffle prizes, mini-Pecha Kucha, and the reveal of the DESIGN WEEK RI 2025 beer can!
FRI-SUN, 9/12-14
OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND
Friday: Providence | Saturday: Northern RI | Sunday: Southern RI
Check out over 30 different studios opening their doors statewide.
TUES, 9/16
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
3:30-6 PM | Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
DESIGNxRI teams up with Innovate Newport’s Industry Spotlight Series! Join the conversation as designers discuss growth, scaling, and how to know what’s right for your business.
WED, 9/17
RISD ARTS INNOVATION RESEARCH (AIR) SHOWCASE
4-8 PM | RISD Main Building, 20 Washington Place, Providence, RI 02903
5
EVENTS CALENDAR
The AIR Showcase is an interactive event featuring research by RISD faculty and students whose exploratory practices address regional and global issues. There will be installations, activations, flash talks, lab and studio tours, and more.
THURS, 9/18
GALLERY NIGHT: DISCOVER ART IN PROVIDENCE
5-8 PM | Tours leave from the Graduate Hotel and Waterfire Arts Center
Galleries, museums, and creative spaces across Providence open their doors to the public. See incredible art, learn a bit of history, and discover new places!
Eat, drink, and reconnect with all your favorite DESIGN WEEK RI pals, and watch Rhode Island’s boldest ceramicists throw down for the crown at Anyhow Studio’s MOST EXCELLENT POTTERY THROWDOWN!! Will our potters prevail in rapid fire challenges, or will their work flop on the wheel?? Come through DESIGN WEEK RI’s no-holds-barred closing party to find out!
institute of classical ARCHITECTURE & ART
new england
SAVE THE DATE
Join Us October 18, 2025 for The Bulfinch Awards at The Harvard Club of Boston.
To purchase tickets, visit classicist-ne.org/bulfinch-awards-1
OUR MISSION
To advance the appreciation and practice of classical architecture and its allied arts by engaging educators, professionals, students, and enthusiasts.
Celebrate classical architecture and art in New England. Become a member of the ICAA. To learn more, visit classicist-ne.org
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This might be where you find your people. Your best vendors. Those amazing collaborations. The events that finally feel right. Here is where the PROs like you make things happen. Here might be where you need to hang out. Membership
Photo Credit: Patrick Rogers Photography
Resources
A GUIDE TO THE PROFESSIONALS IN THIS ISSUE’S FEATURED HOMES
Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. New England Home (USPS 024-096) is published 6 times a year (JAN, MAR, MAY, JULY, SEP, NOV) by New England Home Magazine, LLC, 530 Harrison Ave, Ste 302, Boston, MA 02118, 617-938-3991. Periodical postage paid at Boston, MA, and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New England Home, PO Box 97, Northbrook, IL 60067. For change of address include old address as well as new address with both zip codes. Allow four to six weeks for change of address to become effective. Please include current mailing label when writing about your subscription.
Wined Down
In the basement of a Lexington, Massachusetts, nineteenth-century home that was recently renovated, 4,300 bottles of wine, mostly reds and whites from Burgundy, are lovingly cradled in walnut racks designed by Kidder Blaisdell Woodworks in two storage wings that also showcase the home’s original brick foundation. In between, a tasting area (it’s furnished by Robin Gannon Interiors, and the painting is by Henk Serfontein), complete with seating and a wet bar, hosts monthly oenophile gatherings. The space is kept at a vino-friendly fifty-seven degrees and sixty percent humidity. “The room was designed to be hermetically sealed,” says Nick Vercollone, principal at Highline Construction. “It includes two HVAC systems for redundancy—and a QR-coded inventory system.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: For details, see Resources.
IT SAYS A LOT WHEN SOMEONE WHO USED TO WORK FOR YOU COMES BACK TO WORK FOR YOU AGAIN. This is Ethan. He’s a LEED AP Project Manager and Supervisor at Kenneth Vona & Son Construction. He worked with Ken in the past and has recently returned to do so again. That’s because Ken’s team is the kind of team everybody wants to work on, and because Ethan is the kind of team player everybody wants to work with. He does estimates, hires and schedules subs and keeps his jobs running on time and on budget. He’s smart and he’s loyal. Which means, he fits in now just as well as he fit in back then.
