Blog
Behind the Build: Reimagining a Historic Victorian in Wellesley
This 1800s Victorian home in Wellesley was transformed to meet the needs of a growing multi-generational family – all while preserving the grace and charm of its historic exterior. For the homeowner, Kristen DiBella, a designer herself, living in a vintage residence had always been a dream. Yet the original layout and aging infrastructure couldn’t support modern family life. The...
Architecture & Landscape Architecture: A Timeless Design Partnership
Beautiful homes don’t happen through architecture alone. They are the result of a thoughtful partnership between the architect and the landscape architect – a collaboration that begins at the very start of a project. When these disciplines work together from day one, the home feels rooted to its surroundings rather than placed on the land as an isolated object. Architect...
Giving New Life to Old Structures
Adaptive reuse residential design is the practice of taking an existing building – often one that originally served a different purpose – and thoughtfully transforming it into a home or residential space, rather than tearing it down and rebuilding from scratch. It merges history with modern function, allowing us to preserve a structure’s character while reinventing its purpose for contemporary...
How to Design a Home Office That Feels Like a Retreat
The home office has shifted from a nice-to-have to a must-have. With many people working at least a few hybrid days a week, Boston-area homeowners are investing in and expanding their home offices to support productivity and creating a part of the home that’s intended to stand on its own. Whether it’s reimagined during a Brookline home renovation or the...
Behind the Build: A Modern Lakefront Retreat
There’s something timeless about a cottage on a New Hampshire lake – the still water, the wooded shoreline, the feeling of escape. For this project, two aging cottages stood on a stunning piece of property. While the setting was perfect, the homes themselves needed more than a facelift. The challenge? Respect local zoning rules, preserve the spirit of lakefront living,...
Multi-Generational Living in Historic Homes
In recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, more families in Greater Boston and across the Cape have adopted multi-generational living, where three or more generations live under one roof. Now, it’s not everyone’s preference, but for some families, it’s a viable option. Whether it’s grandparents moving in, adult children returning home for “in-between” periods, or extended family staying long-term,...
Renovating Historic Homes Under Massachusetts Guidelines
Boston and its surrounding towns are home to some of the nation’s most treasured/historically significant residential architecture. From the brick Dutch Colonials of Brookline to the coastal architecture of Provincetown and Chilmark, these homes embody history, craftsmanship, and heritage. But for homeowners, they also present challenges when it comes time to renovate to meet modern-day needs. Strict preservation (stretch codes)...
Follow The Build: Historic Home in Cambridge
We’re excited to share the first video from our Brattle Street project in Cambridge! In collaboration with Hawthorn Builders and Eleven Interiors, this series invites you to follow the transformation of this stunning 1873 historic home. The team walks us through the thoughtful renovation in progress, one that carefully preserves the home’s original architecture while introducing modern elements in the...
Cape Cod Kitchen Design: What Homeowners Want from Their Coastal Kitchens
On Cape Cod, the kitchen serves as a lens through which homeowners experience the rhythm and beauty of coastal life, as well as a place to prepare meals and entertain. Whether you’re sipping morning coffee as the sun rises over Chappy or hosting family dinners in Truro after a beach day, the kitchen is a centerpiece and synonymous with coastal...
