Scandinavian Design on This Old House

Location:
Cambridge, MA

When they purchased this 1887 Queen Anne in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the owners saw an opportunity to preserve the historic façade while updating the interiors to create an open living space for their young family. The three-story house had an awkward floor plan, resulting from an earlier renovation that split the residence into a two-family dwelling and stripped away almost all the house’s original details. Structural issues had created sagging floors, and new supports were needed. These challenges presented an opportunity to take interior design in a fresh new direction.

With Elms’ guidance, the owners opted for a clean and functional Scandinavian design with white surfaces and natural wood tones. The monochromatic palette gets a pop of blue tile in the primary bath. At the same time, southern yellow pine adds warmth to the tub surround and vanity toe kick. Storage was important, so the layout included a linen closet, double sinks, and a shower tucked under the sloped ceiling. The casual dining room features a generous window seat with deep drawers underneath. A child’s bedroom also has a window seat for a cozy reading nook that doubles as a sleepover spot. The owners kept a few original details, such as a shelf with decorative wood brackets that once graced the side porch now hangs on the wall of the foyer. And arriving visitors can once again use the restored mechanical brass doorbell—the sound of old meets new.