I wanted to share a new project that I've just started this week. My friend and client who lived in the Beacon Street, Boston penthouse above that I
worked with him on has finally found a new city pied-a-terre in Cambridge, MA. He works in Boston and has a weekend house on Cape Cod, so has been looking for a new city home for quite a while. After undertaking an overwhelming renovation like the Beacon Street place, he wasn't all that interested in tackling such a huge project again.
After looking at several places in and around Boston (including being committed for a year to an as yet unbuilt property on the Hingham waterfront), he finally closed last week on a lovely little condo snuggled right in the heart of the most beautiful old Victorian and Colonial homes in Cambridge, just minutes from Harvard Square. Of all the properties I saw with him, this was the one I personally liked the most and also felt that most suited his needs and personality. One of the best things about working with clients over long periods of time, especially clients who are close personal friends, is that we get to know what someone really wants and needs and can help keep them on track.
So, when I saw the listing for the above condo, I was excited to see it in person. It looked like it was in great condition and move-in ready. We visited this home in the middle of a summer deluge and it just seemed so warm and cozy, even though we couldn't sit on anything because we were soaked! Just before viewing this property, we'd visited another space that was a top floor condo with skylights and a great view of the Charles River and Boston. While it was less money, the kitchen and bath were dated and the floors mismatched. I know my client - he couldn't have lived with the dated/mismatched elements for long and before we knew it, he'd be hip-deep in a new reno project, which would ultimately cost more than the price difference between the two properties. And while it's fun to tear down and start over, it's not always the best choice, for reasons having to do with budget, but also personal happiness and comfort. And so, I was happy that he decided on the property above and last week, he closed!
This past Sunday, on another dark and dreary day, we headed up to Cambridge to start the very fun work of making this space his own. I like to work very collaboratively with my clients and I'm blessed that this one has great taste and a collection of wonderful art and Middle Eastern and Afgani rugs. He also takes my opinions seriously, which is nice. Initially, he thought he'd only have to repaint the bedroom (he's a green guy, not a blue guy), but after he'd seen the living/dining area on a bright sunny day, he decided the beige paint was too "skin-toned". It's very pretty and warm on a dark day, but no one likes a flesh toned wall!
While we were originally going to keep the red accent wall in the living room and repaint the brown wall in the dining area to match, we decided to change up that color slightly as well.
And so, the beige walls will still be, beige, and the red/brown walls will still be, yes, red. But getting the right shades is important and we wanted to work with his existing collection of rugs, plus the granite in the kitchen/bathroom which has some deep rusty flecks.
The beige walls will be Ben Moore's Dunmore Cream HC-29
And the red walls will likely be Ben Moore Onondoga Clay #1204
Or Garrison Red HC-66, if the Onondoga Clay doesn't work.
The bathroom and bedroom will both be the same color:
Ben Moore's Vale Mist #1494
This is only a 600+ square foot space, so consistency throughout will be key to keeping it feeling larger, yet the accent walls help define the different spaces. Unfortunately, the only downside to the space is that it's ground floor under the building and the ceiling is low-ish, is textured and there is no option for recessed lighting. At this point, we're not planning on removing the popcorn ceiling (it's a huge, miserable job), but you never know, that may happen down the road. However, the pluses of this space include a fully updated (tho tiny) kitchen and some very nice light fixtures in the living/dining room and all the smaller touches like matching door knobs and other fittings.
By the way, how fabulous is this rug? My client bought it several years ago at the Sandwich Auction House for $100. He's never used it or even looked at it since. And it fits perfectly in the dining area!
And so, we're off on a new decorating adventure! We'll be using some of his existing furniture, but will be looking for a new dining room set and sideboard, and we will be needing a new bed and possibly a new sectional for the living room area. The one he has (pictured up top) is very flexible, but not overly comfortable. And, we'll likely be installing the tv over the mantle. Not either of our favorite thought, but the only other option is to put it on a stand in the corner of the living room, blocking the windows. Final decision to be made on that one!
Meanwhile, I'm also preparing for a photoshoot of my kitchen on Friday for
Country Woman magazine. Since my neighbors include cows, chickens and the occasional wild turkeys, I guess I qualify!
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