Northshore Home magazine highlights the best in architectural design, new construction and renovations, interiors, and landscape design.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/579535
78 FALL 2015 Howell Custom Building Group, The Riverwalk Complex, 360 Merrimack St. #5, Lawrence, 978-989-9440, howellcustombuild.com Greaves. "We trickled out to the rest of the house." Guided by the preferences of the homeowner, who describes herself as "not an ornate person," Greaves designed a clean white kitchen that gets pizzazz from a hand-hammered copper hood and an apron-front farmhouse sink. The central island and the counters are topped with black granite whose watery pattern complements the accent tiles of the stove's backsplash. The focal point of the spacious, light-filled room is the far wall, where the six-burner stove, with its tile back- splash and copper hood, is flanked by windows. This configuration required moving the powder room; it is now at the end of the central hall. When a coat closet was lost as well, builder and designer worked together to create a clever solution: a new closet that slides out of the wall, hidden from view when not in use. Removing shelving from the living room fireplace wall created space for the closet. The master bathroom, like the kitchen, boasts white custom cabinetry. Porcelain tile flooring, white Car- rara marble, and wainscot paneling bring elegance to what was a sadly dated room. Especially pleasing is the freestanding claw-foot slipper bathtub, which replaced a 1980s Jacuzzi. Throughout the house, hefty new crown molding brings formality and character, complemented by soft colors and patterns chosen by Greaves. The original pocket doors, essential to any Victorian double parlor, had been rendered inoperable with countless layers of paint. "We spent half a fortune redoing them," the man of the house laughs. "They had to rip the wall out to make that happen." The doors now glide open and shut at the touch of a finger. Like the front doors, they represent the house's historic character while functioning like new. The sun porch speaks to the adaptability of good design work, as it supports contemporary living while respecting its historical foundation. See page 176 for resources vignettes nshoremag.com/nshorehome/