A historic brownstone in Beacon Hill gets an update, while still honoring its past.

The client’s art collection seamlessly blends with the new decor.

THE PRIORITY
The clients wanted to bring new life to their 7000-square-foot brownstone located in Beacon Hill’s esteemed Louisburg Square while still honoring its past. They wanted to keep as many of the existing features in the residence, built in 1840, as possible and ensure any added elements would look as if they had been there for a hundred years or more. Also important to the client was that their home always be ready to accommodate family and friends and they hoped to have as many bedrooms and baths as the six-story space would allow.

A touch of glamour in the dining room thanks to added panneling, a painted ceiling and the Baccarat bronze and crystal chandelier.

THE CHALLENGE
Over the years, remodels and renovations with modern conveniences hadn’t always stayed true to the home’s original architecture. Most of the fireplace mantels, bathrooms and kitchen cabinetry were replaced and it was challenging, but important, to blur the line between what was new with what was existing.

The bar features mirrored tiles, brass shelving and painted cabinetry.

THE DETAILS

Whenever possible, historic features in the home were preserved, such as the office and living room built-ins. In the study, all of the original millwork and moldings remained and the room was freshened up with the help of high gloss lacquer paint Mineral Deposit by Sherwin Williams (sherwin-williams.com).

In the primary suite neutrals were layered with accents of soft blues and smoky lavenders.

Beautiful wood flooring and dark walnuts accentuate a moodier color palette in this room that incorporates blues, green, walnut, and brass. Architectural features were kept more traditional like the fireplace mantels and moldings. Modernity was introduced in high polished ceilings painted in a rich Dustblu by Sherwin Williams and within the bar in the family room with mirrored tiles, brass shelving and painted cabinetry.

Artistic tile in the shower is Walden Bianco Onyx Select by Cereamic Matrix

In the foyer, living and dining rooms, paneling was added and painted in White Dove by Benjamin Moore (benjaminmoore.com). In the kitchen, cabinetry painted in China White by Benjamin Moore was paired with Soapstone countertops.

looking down the grand staircase that connects the floors.

Custom antique mirrored glass display cabinets trimmed in Cyberspace, a dark charcoal paint by Sherwin Williams, reflect the light from the bay window that looks out into the private courtyard. In the primary suite, neutrals were layered with accents of soft blues and smoky lavenders.

The foyer features Venatino marble tile from Trinity Surfaces.

THE OUTCOME
A mix of both traditional and transitional furniture and modern yet classic furnishings helps to seamlessly blend the old with the new and gives the home a rich and welcoming feel. The homeowner’s art collection weds beautifully with the new decor. The eight-bedroom ten-baths and two half-baths space also features a finished basement and rooftop terrace with sprawling views of Boston.

Original millwork and moldings in the study were refreshed with a high gloss paint.

The living room built-ins were preserved.

Custom antique mirrored glass display cabinets are a focal point in the kitchen.

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE
Single-family home

LOCATION
Louisburg Square

ARCHITECTURE
Meyer & Meyer
Meyerandmeyerarchitects.com

BUILDER
Davis General Contracting
davisgeneralcontracting.com

INTERIOR DESIGN
Marc-Michaels Interior Design Melissa Adair, Senior Designer Rachel Ortiz, Senior Detailing Director
marc-michaels.com

RESOURCES

FLOORING
Trinity Surfaces
Trinitysurfaces.com
Burchette & Burchette
realhardwoodfloors.com

LIGHTING
Light Bulbs Unlimited
Lightingandbulbsunlimited.com Visual Comfort
Visualcomfort.com
Currey & Company
Curreyandcompany.com
Restoration Hardware
Rh.com

ART
Mark Pulliam Fine Art
markpulliam.com Leftbank Art
Leftbankart.com

CURTAINS & BLINDS
Drapery Castle
draperycastle.com
Romo
Romo.com

RUGS & CARPETS
Carpet Source
carpetsource.com

WALLPAPER
Phillip Jeffries
Phillipjeffries.com

FURNITURE
Ammon Hickson
Ammonhickson.com
Hickory Chair
hickorychair.com
Ironies
www.ironies.com
Made Goods
Madegoods.com
Baker Furniture
Bakerfurniture.com
Century Furniture
Centuryfurniture.com
Barclay Butera
barclaybutera.com

FIXTURES
Architectural Elegance
Architecturalelegance.com

TILE
Artistic Tile
Artistictile.com
Ceramic Matrix
ceramicmatrix.com

APPLIANCES
Wolf
subzero-wolf.com