- July 8, 2025
- Linda Weisberg
What I love about the Boston area is that there are so many old houses that need love, and it’s always an honor to be called upon to renovate and decorate them.
Our clients’ 1890 carriage house-turned-condo in Brookline, MA had been their home for 30 years. They wanted to update and redecorate their home with a modern traditional feeling.
We began with a kitchen/dining area refresh that set the tone for the rest of the residence.
A large banquette was removed and replaced with a dining table and chairs to give the space more breathing room. The cabinets to the right of the sink were also removed and reconfigured. A new island was rebuilt for more storage, and we flipped the orientation to create a focal point from the front door. A new soapstone countertop matches the existing soapstone on the perimeter.
The perimeter cabinets were painted a warm off-white color and the island in Farrow & Ball Vert de Terre. Brass goose neck faucets and pot filler replaced chrome fixtures. The counter island pendants and chandelier add modernity and a bit of bling. The fabulous wood ceiling, original to the space, needed refinishing and repair after old light fixtures were removed. The satin finish reflects light in the room.
To unify different sized windows, we placed the same size valences at the top of each and added café curtains for privacy to the two windows facing parking lots.
The large red armoire belonged to the clients and served as a closet. We keep it as the color was a good contrast to the green and white color scheme.
Moving through the space to the living room are the hall areas which house the powder room and a lovely 19th century French secretary that serves as a desk and storage area.
Originally it was a built-in cabinet similar to the kitchen cabinets, yet the clients wanted to take it down and have something more lovely in its place.
Part of our service is to find and incorporate vintage and antique pieces in our design work.
The clients are avid dog lovers and wanted to reflect that in a fun wallpaper for their powder room.
We installed a corner sink and chair rail to open the space and added café curtains for privacy. A vintage pill shaped mirror finishes it off.
Reconfiguring the Fireplace Wall in the Living Room
The living room was a challenge. It had a slanted wall with a stove in the corner and oversized furniture. Streamline Builders gutted the space, straightened the wall, created bookshelves and installed a one-hundred-year-old mantel that we sourced and refurbished, making it look as if it was always there.
We recovered one of the clients’ chairs in a beautiful Schuyler Samperton floral mixed with a wood armchair seen in “It’s Complicated” and added a lovely teal velvet sofa, antique table, and vintage rug.
The Mantel: Before & After
In the primary bedroom, the bed wall has an asymmetrical window situation which we balanced with a work of art.
The clients did not want to paint the original wood in the room, so we replaced the white window shades with dark woven wooden ones to match the wall and beams. It provides a dramatic backdrop for the gold, light blue, and brown color scheme.
The clients loved the look of a traditional pencil point four poster bed with other pieces of furniture in a similar style. The modern chairs and lamps and contemporary floral drapery fabric add a whimsical feeling and prevents the room from feeling stodgy. An antique rug adds color and softness.
And finally, a view of the charming courtyard patio!
Ready to bring new life to your old home? Whether you’re considering a thoughtful renovation, a timeless refresh, or a complete reimagining of your space, we’d love to help—let’s talk.
