Northshore Home magazine highlights the best in architectural design, new construction and renovations, interiors, and landscape design.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1261763
46 SUMMER 2020 it onto a new foundation. "In order to preserve the house and the integrity of the structure, that's what we needed to do," says principal architect Patrick Ahearn. Though a Herculean undertaking, it did create an opportunity to add a lower level. The house did not have a good presence from the road, as there wasn't a defined front door and many of the details—such as the shutters and window boxes that warm the façade—didn't exist at the start. The arrival was formalized and enhanced by the addition of a motor court, centered on the portico, and two carriage houses, one of which serves as a pool cabana. Additional changes to the front elevation included new Chippendale railings, window patterns, and chimneys; and the entire structure was reshingled. On the interior, minor changes were made to the floor plan to open the kitchen to the family room. "We preserved the overall character throughout, including the existing fireplaces and significant millwork, and we introduced higher-end finishes to improve the aesthetic of each space," Ahearn explains, noting that they reworked the circulation pattern too. Rather than a series of small rooms and pantries, they created a gathering space without changing the volumes. "We saw this as an opportunity to bring back the essence of the grand country house using the bones of the old house," says Ahearn, adding that careful editing of the original architecture and the introduction of thoughtful new elements resulted in a thoroughly reimagined property. INTERIOR DESIGN Lisa Tharp Interior Architecture + Design for "Back Bay Brownstone" "The main objective was to honor the client's leanings toward minimalism and contemporary style within the historic envelope of an 1860s Back Bay brownstone," says designer Lisa Tharp. The goal was to realize a fresh, streamlined take on a classical architectural style, evidenced in the bolection molding panels, among other details. Tharp relied on a mix of furnishings spanning two centuries. Traditional treatments such as silky wool draperies and fluted mahogany caseloads pair with vintage and custom pieces by the firm. She also went with an all-white palette in order to showcase both the furnishings and the architecture. "The white creates almost ethereal backdrop, and a dark floor grounds the space," the designer explains. "Every piece stands in sculptural relief. It feels like a celebration of clean lines, regardless of the era from which the works emanate." Such a spartan milieu called for warmer accents, which Tharp added in the form of artworks and brass and gold accents. "We wanted the eye to travel and find some warm hits in all of the cool," she notes. Special mentions include the way in which both bay windows were handled. Tharp describes the upholstery in those spaces as "fluid," and says the soft draperies call attention to the height and proportions of the rooms. The custom banquette is meant to function as both a casual dining space and a lounge area. The architect expanded the staircase up to connect to the roof deck and added a new head house clad in copper. Tharp punctuated its skylight with an Art Deco style pendant light, stating: "It didn't need a lot because the architecture is so strong." vignettes YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT McCORMICK IS A LEADER IN KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN, but it does not stop there. Over thirty years of experience designing and installing quality kitchens, baths, home offices, gyms, and even building entire custom homes have prepared McCormick to be an extremely vital resource for you at any step, of any project. BIG DREAMS FOR YOUR SPACE? WE MAKE THEM COME TRUE. Home improvements on the mind? Let's talk about them. (781) 231 - 4200 mccormick-kitchens.com info@mccormick-kitchens.com 1161 Broadway (Route 1 S) Saugus, MA