Blog

In many New England homes, the garage was historically treated as a secondary structure – detached, utilitarian, and often disconnected from the daily rhythm of the house. Today, homeowners are looking for something different.  There has been a noticeable rise in demand for attached garage additions that improve convenience and design integrity. When approached tactfully, a garage addition can do...

Colonial homes hold a special place in New England/Bosontian architecture. Their balanced proportions, millwork, and purposefully defined rooms are hallmarks of design heritage. Yet the kitchens within these homes were designed for a very different era, one that doesn’t always align with how we live today. Classic colonial kitchens are smaller, more isolated spaces meant for function rather than gathering....

When a young family purchased this Dutch Colonial on West Newton Hill, they saw past its dated finishes and years of neglect to the home’s true potential. Their vision was clear: transform a dilapidated structure into a warm, functional family home that honored its 1920s character while supporting modern living. What followed was a comprehensive reimagining that required both thoughtful...

Natural light can transform how spaces feel and flow. Rooms that once seemed enclosed or dim can become uplifting, expansive environments. In our historic New England homes, however, daylight was not originally a primary design driver. Smaller windows, compartmentalized layouts, and deep floor plans often limited how light traveled through the house.  At Slocum Hall Design Group, much of our...

For many homeowners, the decision to renovate is not driven by a desire for something new or different, but by a desire to stay. They wish to stay in the neighborhood they love. Stay in the home that holds decades of memories. Stay rooted, even as life evolves. Renovating while living in place is often the only path forward. When...

Entertaining has always been part of how people experience their homes, but the way we gather has changed. Today, hosting is less formal. It takes a more fluid approach and often unfolds across multiple spaces, both inside and out. At Slocum Hall Design Group, we embrace designing homes that support this shift. We create environments where people naturally come together,...

There’s a quiet confidence to the mid-century ranch. It doesn’t announce itself with steep gables or ornate symmetry, and it doesn’t stack rooms one on top of another in the way Colonials and Capes do. Instead, it stretches out across the landscape. For those who enjoy a grounded, open, and understated look, mid-century ranch homes are just the ticket. For...

Perched high on a hill in Newton, Massachusetts, this much-loved 8,000-square-foot English manor-style home had been the heart of one family for more than forty years. As the owners transitioned into a new chapter as empty-nesters, they faced a choice familiar to many: downsize, or transform the home they cherished into a place that could support their evolving needs. They...

Newton, MA, is a city of architectural richness. From its historic estates to mid-century gems and everything in between, each neighborhood tells a unique story in wood, brick, and stone; Newton is architecturally eclectic, to put it lightly. At Slocum Hall Design Group, we’ve had the privilege of designing across this remarkable city, working with architectural styles ranging from classic...