An abundance of natural light illuminates the home’s glass elements, such as the Danny Lane coffee table and surrounding art pieces.

While West Coast homes embrace the elements year-round through expansive windows and indoor-outdoor living, most Massachusetts houses hibernate in gloom all winter. Bidding adieu to nature for the season may be standard for New Englanders, but it’s certainly not the only way to live—especially at this glass house, just outside of Boston. With a purple-splashed, mid-20th century home as their shell, LDa Architecture & Interiors (lda-architects.com) and Ed Tarca of E.W. Tarca Construction (ewtarcaconstruction.com) transformed the two-story property into a two-main, three-half-level oasis. Four years later, the four-bedroom, five-full- and one-half-bath space became more than the clients ever intended. Th e 8,400-square-foot home was originally designed to be a clubhouse for extended family, steps away from their main quarters next door. However, early on in the process, the couple decided to go down a different path and turn it into their primary house after seeing it as a perfect spot to age in place. “They realized that this house gave them the opportunity to start fresh, apply all that they had learned in the renovation of their adjacent home and fully embrace the latest great ideas of contemporary materials and contemporary living,” explains Treffle LaFleche, LDa principal in charge. While their old home still serves as an entertaining place, the glass house provides an indoor pool, ample natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows and a gallery to display the couple’s extensive glass art collection. “There’s nothing about this house that isn’t bespoke,” says Ricardo Bilonick, LDa project manager. “We gave consideration to everything, taking a rather plain Jane neighborhood home and turning it into something spectacular.” Besides the rainbow of artwork that dots the walls, the home brings the outside in year-round through abundant windows, a terrace sculpture garden and functional lower level. Due to a sloped property, both the main and lower space have ground-level access—the latter not only houses the pool, gym and offices, but in the warmer months, the walls of windows slide open, welcoming summer breezes inside. Up the glass staircase (or glass elevator), a modern living room overlooks the sculpture garden by SiteCreative (site-creative.com). “This outdoor terrace gives you an incredible elevated treehouse effect where they can put their art and plant material, and have a fabulous view of the city,” shares Bilonick. Look out to Boston’s skyline, or admire the adjacent sculpture gallery, while resting on a gray velvet Ralph Pucci (ralphpucci.com) couch beside a custom marble and glass coffee table by London-based artist Danny Lane (dannylane.co.uk). Behind the living area, a kitchen awaits through Rimadesio (rimadesio.it) four panel doors, ideal for closing during catered events. Other than appliances and the sink, the room is dressed in glass from head to toe, creating a clean, modern space. Past a chic dining area, with a custom, metal light fixture by Conceptual Lighting (conceptuallighting.com), enter the primary bedroom through glass Rimadesio doors. The room mixes contemporary touches like a rare Cassina Bull chair (cassina.com/it) reupholstered in Edelman (edelmanleather.com) leather with vintage pieces, such as a 1920s Walter Nichols Chinese art deco rug. “They decided not to have it restored, so it’s kind of threadbare and worn,” notes Dean Sawyer, LDa senior interior designer. “I think that says a lot about their appreciation for the reality of things.” Off the bedroom, an en suite embodies the height of luxury with a soaking tub, glass shower and sauna. Following a collaborative effort between expert designers, landscapers and more, the home was completed in late fall 2020. “The couple seemed very pleased,” says Bilonick. “It’s working the way we designed it, showcasing the art while serving as a very active house for their grandchildren and kids.”

Overlook Boston’s skyline from the terrace sculpture garden inspired by New York City’s pocket parks.

Below the dining room’s bespoke light fixture by Conceptual Lighting, find the vibrant Paul Smith carpet from The Rug Company (therugcompany.com) and Cassina Cab leather chairs.

Dubbed the “Swiss Army knife of kitchens,” this space is not only hidden by sliding doors, but behind the kitchen stove, a glass cupboard flips down to hide the space’s inner workings.

The primary bedroom’s simple white cathedral ceiling, sleek finishes and abundance of light foster a calming atmosphere.

DESIGN DETAILS

TYPE
Single-family home

ARCHITECT & INTERIOR DESIGNER
LDa Architecture & Interiors Treffle LaFleche: AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Principal in Charge Ricardo Bilonick: Associate, Project Manager Dean Sawyer: Associate, Senior Interior Designer
lda-architects.com

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
SiteCreative, Stephanie Hubbard, Principal
site-creative.com

RESOURCES CASSINA
Armchair, primary bedroom; Cab leather chairs, dining room
cassina.com

CUMAR
Marble stone, foyer; quartz shower bench, quartz tub face and deck, and quartz countertop, primary bathroom
cumar.com

EDELMAN LEATHER
Leather for bed frame and leather for armchair, primary bedroom
edelmanleather.com

LEKKER HOME
Accent pillows, primary bedroom; stools, art gallery
lekkerhome.com

STONE SOURCE
Marble mosaic shower floor, marble shower walls and bath walls, primary bathroom
stonesource.com