A couple’s new home reflects a style all their own.
The palette highlights wood, stone and metal to accentuate the clients’ appreciation for the natural environment.
A new couple’s first home not only bears witness to all of the early shared milestones but is emblematic of two lives sharing one roof. When homeowners Connor and Stephanie embarked on the renovation and styling of their new house in Wayland, they set out to construct a divine abode and in the process discovered a shared aesthetic.
The main entryway makes a memorable first impression.
Originally the couple hired New England Design & Construction (nedesignbuild.com) to complete a modest renovation of the Cape, retaining its style and proportions while elevating select areas to create a high-functioning home that reflects a more modern lifestyle. But as the design/build process began it became clear that the unique property, which includes a combined residence and art studio, had significant potential to transform. “Our initial vision was to infuse the space with a fresh, modern aesthetic tailored specifically to the client’s style. As the project evolved, it became clear that the potential for this property extended far beyond a simple refresh. Diving deeper into the functional possibilities of the space, we uncovered a range of opportunities to enhance both the practicality and the luxury of the house,” says NEDC senior designer Joe Wood.
The wallpaper nods to the clients’ love of the outdoors.
Wood and his team proposed several ambitious additions to add a touch of grandeur to the home including a lofted library, a space above the mini bar for socializing and, one of the most striking enhancements, the introduction of a custom-designed saltwater pool. All of the new spaces created sophisticated areas for recharging and relaxation.
Large windows with an abundance of natural light highlight the backyard.
One can curl up and get cozy in the elevated library while also enjoying panoramic views of the interior or one can grab a drink in the whimsical, yet opulent lounge above the mini-bar to unwind and the luxurious pool is not only a serene retreat, but it serves as a stunning focal point that seamlessly integrates with the home’s updated design. Additionally, NEDC re-imagined the main entryway, transforming it into a grand pathway that sets the tone for the home and ensures a memorable first impression for guests.
The color palette plays with warm walnut, honey oak, and soft taupe with olive green, rust, and amber accents.
The space is one that is heavily connected to the outdoors. It is built into the landscape and immersed in dense vegetation with new and old-growth trees and a wetland area likely home to an abundance of wildlife. This was one of the main selling points of the home, as Connor is a horticulturist and has nurtured the yard to match his and Stephanie’s aesthetic. The couple was married on the property this past spring. To play up the interior’s connection with the outdoors, NEDC embellished each space with rich natural materials like exposed wood, stone and metal. The color palette plays with warm walnut, honey oak, and soft taupe with olive green, rust, and amber accents.
The clients’ style is a balanced mix of modern clean lines and traditional with a feminine touch.
“Connor and Stephanie’s love for nature and botany drove a lot of the inspiration, especially in the wallpaper selections. We included prints with ferns, blackberries, cork and birds,” says principal and lead designer Kate Maloney Albiani, founder of Kate Maloney Interior Design (katemaloneyid.com). She worked with senior designer Elizabeth Stone to execute the client’s stylistic vision.
Upholstery and fabric combinations were inspired by the homeowners’ eclectic taste.
In addition to looking outward, the design team also had to consider two parallel styles coexisting in the home, both within the framework and within its residents. The home is primarily traditional, but it encompasses an attached barn art studio that is more modern. “Besides taking inspiration from the natural surroundings, we also worked to infuse the modern sensibility of the studio space with the more traditional style of the main gathering spaces,” says Albiani. As the project progressed she and Stone had to also allow for Stephanie and Connor to discover their new, combined personal style as a couple.
The lofted library
“Our team always takes time to develop a client’s preferred sense of style. We often gave Connor and Stephanie options for different selections in the beginning of the process to ensure we were on the right track. This really helped us to hone in on their preferences and before long we were in lockstep with helping them to narrow in on their favorite selections,” says Albiani. They injected Stephanie’s love for handmade items that evoke whimsy, incorporated the couple’s vintage art and added a contrasting color pallet to the warm, natural elements to achieve a unique result. “One of the fun things about working with a younger couple as they build their first home is trying to integrate special pieces that will become heirlooms, possibly moving from one home to another or passed down to future generations,” says Albiani.
Many items in the home were reclaimed, imported from Italy or handcrafted by local makers.
Pieces that will live here for now, but will one day become integrated into even more widely shared lives. No longer his stuff and her stuff, but their stuff. A comingling that represents a bit of each of them and all of their future.
Design Details
Type
Single-family
Interior Designer
Kate Maloney, Elizabeth Stone
Kate Maloney Interior Design
katemaloneyid.com
Architect, Builder
New England Design & Construction
nedesignbuild.com
Landscape Architect
Matthew Sullivan, Sudbury
Design Group
landscapearchitectureboston.com
RESOURCES
Essex Bay Cabinetry & Design
Custom built-ins throughout
essexbaycabinetry.com
Four Hands
Chairs, kitchen
fourhands.com
Holmes Fine Furniture
Coffee table, living room
holmesfinefurniture.com
Lee Industries
Sofa, living room
Chairs, home office
leeindustries.com
Made Goods
Side table, living room
madegoods.com
O & G Studio
Pendants, studio
Scones, studio
Accent table, living room
oandgstudio.com
Saltwoods
Table, kitchen
Desk, home office
saltwoods.com
Urban Electric
Pendants, mud room
Chandelier, studio
Pendant, studio
Flush mount, primary bedroom
Chandelier, primary bedroom
urbanelectric.com
Visual Comfort
Flush mounts, front entry
Chandelier, sitting room
Scones, studio
visualcomfort.com