Wellesley Home

Location:
Wellesley, MA

A young family wanted the ben­efits of suburban living while echoing the contemporary vibe of their Boston high-rise apartment. The 6,500-square-foot classic colonial had an open plan but lacked spatial separation between rooms. We opted to retain the sweeping feel of the first floor but added industrial transom windows between spaces, giving each area its separate mood. The clients are avid art collectors, so the living room became an opportunity to showcase their artwork. In the central foyer, the curved stairwell draws the eye with the addition of a custom wallcover­ing hand-designed by Elms. The kitchen was optimized for entertaining and dining around the table and the massive island. A rough-hewn beam wrapped in steel and a vintage streetlight fixture from Paris adds a cool factor that works equally well for a grownup cocktail party or homework duty.

 Lighting was also a key focus throughout the home: a white glass chandelier with sculptural edges adds unexpected tension to the dining room’s deli­cate palette. At the top of the stairs hangs a showstopping chandelier of interlocking Murano glass. This leads to a luxurious primary suite, complete with a soaking tub for tranquil self-care. The addition of dreamy blue paneling adds a cozy feeling to a previously nondescript guest room, while the daughter’s bedroom is warmed by cheerful blossom curtains and a sentimental mirror that had belonged to her mother. An unexpected moment awaits inside the basement door: a mural of palm tree fronds painted by hand by Patina Designs—a nod to New York City hotspot Indochine —which creates a visual transition to the swimming pool, transporting guests to a tropical retreat.