New Life For a Historic Home

Over the past year, we’ve been elbows-deep in our latest Boston brownstone renovation, restoring it for a young couple with an eye for Scandinavian design and European influences. She’s a Massachusetts native, he trails from London. Each bring their own version of ‘classic’ and ‘modern’ to the design.

You’ll swoon over the details: Iconic brick exteriors, a grand ‘Essex Green’ pediment, and intricate corbels accented with dentil molding and details saturated in layers of aged white paint. The outermost doors are also painted a green and are complete with their original hardware. Not fully operating, but we can fix that. Inside, another pair of original doors are natural wood. The windows are not original and new orders have been placed: imagine, two-over-two black numbers from Marvin. But these doors… We’re keeping.

Blending Old and New

Stepping inside, the interior immediately captivates. The staircase, with its timeless appeal, remains a focal point. But the outdated millwork in the living room has to go, making way for something fresh with clean-lines. A limewash paint finish will cover the walls, while the marble fireplace surround is getting a much-deserved upgrade with a gas insert. Practicality and beauty working together.

While I love preserving an old aesthetic, we made the tough decision to replace the worn floors. In their place, we’re opting for wide-plank natural white oak, channeling Scandinavian simplicity to introduce a modern touch. One piece of history we couldn’t part with is the old gilded mirror—it’s a mystery in terms of origin, but its vintage glamour is undeniable. We strive to balancing old-world vibes with a contemporary edge.

Floor-To-Ceiling Moments

Architect Owen Thomas handled the structural work. His highlight includes opening up the rear façade to allow floor-to-ceiling doors and windows. The kitchen and basement media room will bathe in natural light, creating a seamless connection to the outdoors on both levels.

On-site, builder Gareth Barr of Barr Construction and I meet as often as possible to review every detail as the project evolves. From addressing old chimney stacks to navigating the quirks of a historic structure. Rough electrical, rough plumbing, and rough framing area all complete done. Below, Owen and Gareth oversee the installation of the new Marvin windows that frame views of the (future) backyard – currently half-installed. Drywall and wood flooring coming later in February.

The Exterior Vision

Architect Owen Thomas’s renderings bring the design to life, check out the transformation of the brownstone’s rear façade. A 3D view shows the new oversized windows at the back of the parlor level, including a set of doors connecting the dining room to the deck. Mirroring this design, a large window in the kitchen maintains visual consistency. Owen also repeated the door concept at the basement level, creating a seamless flow from the media room to the backyard. We love our floor-to-ceiling moments.

Future Primary Bathroom

We can’t reveal all the fabulous details just yet, but here’s a glimpse of what’s in store for the primary bathroom. Picture a freestanding tub, sleek wall-mounted vanities, a tall custom linen closet, and mosaic flooring. A wall-mounted toilet and a large, curbless walk-in shower. As for lighting, we’ve added darling pink pendants—though in reality, they’re a softer hue, perfectly complementing the simple yet refined design.

125 Year Old Quirks

If you’re into 125-year-old quirks with a side of modern updates, check out more of our old (literally) projects here, no tetanus shot required. Stay tuned for more as we keep bringing this brownstone’s past into the present, and more of our work as a New Engand based historic home desginer here.