1880 HOUSE | MODERN RENOVATION.
With this gut interior renovation over four floors, the homeowners bring modern design to their quaint 1880 New England farmhouse. The renovation dramatically transforms the interiors to fit their lifestyle and aesthetic. Improving the size and proportions of rooms, eliminating redundant circulation spaces, and fitting out the basement further increases the home’s functionality.
FIRST FLOOR.
Common in late 19th C. New England homes, the ground floor consisted of a compartmentalized set of rooms and a narrow entry hall. The renovation creates a spacious open plan by removing two obsolete chimneys and many of the interior walls.
MODERN KITCHEN.
The sleek cabinets, triangular backsplash tile, and marble patterned countertop create a bright white-on-white palette with textural variation balanced by the warm wood flooring. The European cabinetry runs floor-to-ceiling, taking advantage of the 9-foot ceiling height for additional storage. An induction cooktop, wall oven, microwave drawer, and appliance garage are among the amenities of this streamlined kitchen.
KITCHEN / DINING INTERFACE.
The kitchen and dining work together. A large square island anchors the kitchen with functions on all four sides and a wood seating console. The tall wall cabinets serve the kitchen and dining, much like a sideboard. Hidden behind a vertical sliding door, the appliance garage further enhances these multiple uses.
EXPANSIVE DINING.
Creating an efficient and functional kitchen layout maximizes the dining area. There is generous space to gather around the extended table for large dinner parties. The design of the dining area also accommodates flexible uses. Within the tall kitchen cabinetry, red open shelving keeps the children’s toys and books easily accessible. The adjacent soft seating creates a reading nook. As the children grow, this area can be repurposed in various ways.
DISTINCT SPACES FOR GATHERING.
The ground-floor open plan creates an ample space that easily supports entertaining and family gatherings yet delineates functional zones for daily living. The previous owners’ alterations removed many period details from the home. The original stair is one of the few remaining features, and the renovation preserves it as a homage to the home’s history.
NODS TO PAST.
Another reference to the past is found in the first-floor bathroom. One of the homeowners had a bright yellow bathroom in her childhood home. With the renovation, we recreated this memory. The bathroom’s modern look is in keeping with the style throughout the house, and the bright yellow amidst the soft palette of whites, greys, and browns used elsewhere makes it memorable. One day her children will talk about the yellow bathroom of their childhood.
SECOND FLOOR.
A small rear addition built over an existing one-story bump-out creates sufficient square footage to add an en-suite bathroom for the Primary Bedroom. The renovation also reconfigures the second floor’s layout to better proportion the bedrooms, efficiently use the available space, accommodate new large closets, and create a more inviting second-floor hall.
MAKING ROOM FOR A PRIMARY BEDROOM SUITE.
Carefully reconfiguring spaces allows for a new Primary Bedroom suite by expanding the second floor over a first-floor bump-out at the rear of the house. The new cathedral ceiling gives this compact room additional height, making it airy and spacious. Large windows and a skylight connect strongly to the outdoors and flood the room with daylight.
DESIGNING FOR TRANQUILITY.
The Primary Bedroom suite design intention is minimal, uncluttered, and calm. Large reach-in closets eliminate the need for dressers and other furniture within the room. A refined palette of soft white, light grey, and natural wood is selected to support the tranquil design sensibility.
MODERN BATH.
The Primary Bathroom continues the tranquil palette of the bedroom with whites and light greys and a wood double vanity. The soft palette, in combination with the wall-mounted fixtures and large format tiles, creates a spacious, relaxed vibe.
PROJECT INFORMATION:
PROJECT: 3000 SF Single-family full interior renovation in Newton
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Tripi Engineering Services, LLC
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Segovia General Construction, Inc.
KITCHEN CABINETS: Divine Design Center
PHOTOGRAPHY: Sabrina Cole Quinn Photography
