Vestibule - Fall 2012

Warm & WelcomingDesign Ideas to Make Your Home Shine

A COLDWELL BANKER PUBLICATIONFALL 2012 A COLDWELL BANKER PUBLICATIIOONFALL 2012

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Volume 7

In 1933, Henderson Talbot refi ned luxury real estate marketing with a revolutionary idea. He captured the essence of some of the most prized real estate homes on fi lm and held exclusive gatherings around the world for affl uent buyers to preview them as cinema. Nearly 80 years later, the Coldwell Banker Previews International program continues to set the benchmark for luxury real estate marketing around the globe.

Henderson Talbot, Previews Founder Circa 1933

COLDWELLBANKERPREVIEWS.COM

Africa North America Central America South America Asia Australia Caribbean Europe Middle East South Pacifi c

HISTORY IS THE DIFFERENCE

Wellesley, Massachusetts$5,200,000

Coldwell Banker Residential BrokerageT: 781.237.9090

© 2012 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker International Previews, the Previews International logo and “Dedicated

to Luxury Real Estate” are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

ON THE MARKET

2 vestibule a coldwell banker publication

We can help you find it.

Searching for your dream home?

15 offices and over 750 sales associates serving Metropolitan Boston.

ARLINGTON637 Mass Ave781-648-6500

BACK BAY137 Newbury St617-266-4430

BACK BAY160 Comm Ave617-247-2909

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BEACON HILL84 Chestnut St 617-723-2737

BELMONT7 Channing Rd617-484-5300

BROOKLINE1375 Beacon St617-731-2447

CAMBRIDGE171 Huron Ave617-864-8566

CAMBRIDGE1730 Mass Ave617-864-4430

CHARLESTOWN 2 Thompson Sq617-242-0025

CHESTNUT HILL622 Hammond St

617-566-2447

JAMAICA PLAIN713 Centre St

617-522-4600

NEWTON1261 Centre St617-969-2447

SOUTH END633 Tremont St 617-424-6244

WELLESLEY71 Central St

781-237-9090

WESTON426 Boston Post Rd

781-894-5555

NewEnglandMoves.com

Now that you’ve found the home of your dreams, let the professionals at NE Moves Mortgage


Spectacular SettingMajestically sited on Old Belmont Hill, this spectacular 11-room brick Georgian Colonial boasts a gracious living room and formal dining room, a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen, and a breakfast room accentuated with a wall of French doors overlooking lush gardens. The home has a stunning custom-designed family room with fi replace, a coffered ceiling, and win-dow seats. It includes fi ve bedrooms, three and one half baths, a master bedroom with a luxurious bath, a fi n-ished lower level and a two-car garage. A bucolic setting mere minutes from Cambridge and Boston.

LOCATION: 10 Clairemont Road, Belmont.

$2,500,000. 617-484-5300

To see more properties with the latest trends in home design, go to page 16.

From the President of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage New EnglandThis is the time of year that most people associate with celebrating the holidays surrounded by their family and friends in the warmth and comfort of their homes.

If you’re like me, the arrival of cool, crisp weather also brings thoughts of all the preparation, and long lists of errands and chores, that come along with the season. Still, this is the perfect time to pull out the warm sweaters and blankets and take some time to relax by a roaring fi re. I especially enjoy unpacking festive decorations to make my home even more inviting to my loved ones.

At Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, autumn is often very busy. Home-buying and selling activity is picking up now that vacations and the summer’s leisurely activities have come to an end. We also become very active with our charitable giving throughout Greater Boston.

Through most of November, our sales associates and offi ces sell delicious pies as part of the annual “Pie in the Sky” fundraiser for Community Servings, a nonprofi t organization that provides free, home-delivered meals to acutely ill individuals, their families, and their caregivers in 18 cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.

Our offi ces are also gearing up to collect toys and other gifts as part of The Home for Little Wanderers’ annual Big Wishes Gift Drive. We are so happy we can make the holidays brighter for the children and families supported by The Home.

The hectic pace of this season can be overwhelming, but I hope you can take a break and savor the moments you get to spend with friends and family while sitting around the kitchen table or lounging in the family room.

In the meantime, fl ip through this latest issue of Vestibule and be inspired by some spectacular home décor and design. Perhaps it will get you thinking about how truly delightful your home can be.

PAT VILLANIPresidentColdwell Banker Residential Brokerage New England

On the Market


VOLUME 7 * FALL 2012


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10 STEPPING OUT A streamlined backyard addition pushes a traditional Jamaica Plain home forward.

14 TREND TRACKING A Newton-based interior designer shares her thoughts on the latest direction in design.

18 LOFTY IDEALS With an eclectic collection of textured pillows and whimsical accessories, you can spend a lot— or a little—and get the same loft-couture look.

24 THE TREASURE OF AVON HILL A glimpse at a remarkably well-preserved 19th century masterpiece.

36 CHANGE OF SPACE A family converts an eyesore into a casual, contemporary retreat.

48 SOUTHIE STYLE Former suburbanites go metropolitan in Fort Point Channel.

57 STELLAR CELLARS Glean smart solutions for storing your wine from these stylish spaces.

64 ONE GREAT PLACE This Back Bay masterpiece off ers unparalleled views of the Charles River.

24


ON THE COVERElegant Estate This beautiful, young, shingle-style, custom-built home is located on a private road in an estate setting adjoining conservation land. Enjoy 10,000+ square feet of sunlit, elegant interiors with six bedrooms. A vaulted great room with a stone fi replace opens to an exquisite chef’s kitchen. Other features include a huge media room, a library, a stone terrace leading to gorgeous level acreage and an oversized, luxurious master suite. The home’s lower level has a gym, a wine cellar, a game room and 10-foot ceilings. LOCATION: 7 Nottingham Lane, Weston. $2,995,000. 781-894-55557 Nottingham Lane, Weston. $2,995,000. 781-894-5555


Lots of Luxury LivingThis large and lovely home boasts 5,400 square feet of open space and luxury living. The beautiful entry foy-er offers wainscoting and an elegant chandelier. A magnifi cent kitchen with granite counters and a marble backsplash is adjacent to a huge fam-ily room with a marble-faced fi replace. The home features an elegant master suite with a pond view, a tremendous walk-in closet, a huge marble double shower, and a soaking tub. The third fl oor’s bedroom/guest/au pair suite/game room has a full bath. Lovely patios and stone walls complete this home.

LOCATION: 10 College Road, Wellesley.

$1,599,000. 781-237-9090

Todd LamotheDIRECTOR, MARKETING SERVICES

Julie PerusseSENIOR MARKETING MANAGER

Kim WallaceMARKETING COORDINATOR

Bill McIntyreREGIONAL CFO, VICE PRESIDENT

Daphna FieldsREGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

METROPOLITAN BOSTON

Catherine CormierREGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF

MARKETING NRT, LLC NORTHEAST

Pat A. VillaniPRESIDENT

If you, as a seller or as a buyer, are currently under a written contract to use another broker exclusively then please disregard this notice. It is not our intention to solicit other real estate broker’s clients. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. Information about the property described

above was provided solely by seller(s) without verifi cation by the broker(s) therefore broker(s) is/are not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. Buyer should take any and all steps necessary to verify said information. Off ering is subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice. ©2012 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity

Employer. Equal Housing. Owned and operated by NRT LLC.

For general inquiries or advertising information, call 781-684-6300 or email [email protected].

EXECUTIVES AND MARKETING STAFF

John AngierCAMBRIDGE

MASSACHUSETTS AVE.

Susan AusielloWELLESLEY

Phil ChavesARLINGTON, BELMONT

Marc DeckerBROOKLINE

Sue CollinsSOUTH END

Pauline DoughertyBEACON HILL, BACK BAY

AND COMMONWEALTH AVE.

Paul MelansonJAMAICA PLAIN

Jeff MorgensternWESTON

Pat RobertCAMBRIDGE HURON AVE.

Beth RooneyNEWTON AND CHESTNUT HILL

Joseph SullivanCHARLESTOWN

Ken TutunjianBEACON HILL, BACK BAY

AND COMMONWEALTH AVE.

Chris CostelloSENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Aglaia PikounisPUBLIC RELATIONS/

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Amber CastrataroLUXURY MARKETS MANAGER

METROCORP CUSTOM PUBLISHING

Rick WaechterCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

John O’BrienSUBSCRIPTION MANAGER

VestibuleTM is a Coldwell Banker publication. Articles in this publication reprinted with permission

of Metro Corp. ©2012 Metro Corp. All rights reserved.

SALES OFFICE MANAGERS

Paul J. ReulbachPUBLISHER

Stephanie ThurrottMANAGING EDITOR

Anne BiglerART DIRECTOR

Emily BrownMARKETING COORDINATOR

Debbie CassellPRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Barbara BrennanPREPRESS SUPERVISOR

COLDWELL BANKER RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE NEW ENGLAND

On the Market

BLUEPRINT OUTSIDE/IN


STEPPING OUTDavi A sleek backyard addition

pushes a traditional Jamaica Plain home forward. by molly meyer

BY THE YARDThe Dutch Colonial home’s new rear entry leads to a renovated kitchen. Below, the blueprints show how the roundabout trip from kitchen to car was streamlined by the renovations.

BEFORE AFTER

like many older homes, this 1926 dutch colonial in Jamaica Plain lacked a true back entry. To get

from the car to the kitchen, the grocery-laden owners had to walk up a set of rickety steps into a chilly glass-

enclosed porch, then through a sunroom, formal living room, and fi nally, the front hall. To make

Photographs, eric roth

ON THE MARKET


HEAVEN ON HILLCREST Fine woodwork and craftsmanship are the hallmarks of this stately brick Georgian Colonial close to Belmont Center, schools, and public transportation. The home’s interior details include a gracious foyer with an elegant staircase, a large living room with a fireplace and beam ceiling, French doors leading to a family room, and a spacious, paneled dining room that opens to a screened porch. The butler’s pantry, breakfast room, and kitchen complete the first floor. All of this is complemented by five bedrooms, four full baths, a lower-level playroom with a fireplace, and a two-car garage.

LOCATION: 8 Hillcrest Road, Belmont. $1,200,000. 617-484-5300

matters worse, there was no real usable outdoor space.

The owners, a creative director at an investment fi rm and a fi lm pro-ducer, sought to marry the home’s traditional aesthetic with a modern addition. To helm the project, they hired David Stern of Boston-based Stern McCafferty, an architecture and interiors practice that special-izes in modern design.

Stern removed the original enclosed porch, reoriented the interior walls around a new rear-facing entry (which provided more privacy), and added a dining room, two open-air porches, and a mud-room. Now, bluestone pavers lead from the driveway into a generous entry that has steel sash doors, win-dows, and lead-coated copper cop-ings. The resulting bright, elegant, 250-square-foot addition shows how perfectly modern and traditional aesthetics can wed. Inside, a built-in bench provides ample seating. With the addition of two coat closets and

a skylight, Stern provided storage space and light without adding lots of square footage. And three steps now lead to the renovated kitchen.

Though the owners faced a thor-ough review process from local zoning boards and the total cost of the renovation was $250,000, they say the result was worth it. Stern is pleased, as well. “This addition showed us that small projects don’t have to be banal,” he says. “You can make a radical change through small gestures.”

The new dining room.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS Lovingly owned and maintained by the same family for almost 50 years, this delightful Cape is located on a corner lot in the Bishop School district. On the fi rst fl oor, you’ll fi nd a welcoming fi replaced living room with gorgeous gumwood wainscoting, a dining room, a half bath, an eat-in kitchen, a study with wainscoting, and a heated den/breezeway with sliders to a deck overlooking the backyard. The second fl oor has three bedrooms, a full bath, and access to a walk-up attic. Hardwood fl oors, a new heating system, central air conditioning, and a two-car garage complete this home.

LOCATION: 78 Richfield Road, Arlington.

$649,000. 781-648-6500


JAMAICA POND PLEASUREDwell in fi ne design and opulence. This nine-room townhouse renders

the pleasures of single-family living. The home features a formal dining room, a gourmet eat-in kitchen, a living room with winter pond

views, built-ins, a fi replace, and French doors to a balcony. There are two separate suites including a lavish master bedroom with a spa

bath. Additionally, the home has a family room, a media room, and an offi ce with a separate entrance. More features include built-ins, air

conditioning, a garage with two parking spaces, and lush gardens. Just steps to the best of Jamaica Plain.

LOCATION: 57 Burroughs Street—Unit B, Jamaica Plain. $1,095,000. 617-522-4600

ON THE MARKET

TRANSITION TIMEThese homes make it easy to enjoy the outdoors.


METICULOUS MANSARD VICTORIAN Architecturally signifi cant, this meticulously restored Mansard Victorian home has it all. There are two to three bedrooms and two marble spa-like baths. Enjoy cooking in the chef’s kitchen and entertaining in this home’s open fl oor plan, which creates an expansive living area. Many original details are still intact including beautiful crown moldings and wide pine fl oors. Walk out to a private yard and patio. There is also in-unit laundry, central air, and plenty of storage. It’s steps to the T and close to Jamaica Plain’s Centre Street shops, restaurants, and parks.

LOCATION: 113 Chestnut Avenue—Unit 1, Jamaica Plain. $525,000. 617-522-4600

WOODBOURNE COLONIAL Come home to this sought-after Woodbourne Colonial. In Olmsted’s historic neighborhood, it offers a storybook feel and proximity to Boston with the pleasures of suburban living. This home has a classic front-to-back living room with fi replace, a formal dining room, a sun-splashed sunroom, three bedrooms, and two baths. Some of its details include French doors and oak fl oors. Other features are a fi nished basement, a garage, and a generous fenced-in yard with a deck and brick patio for outdoor leisure. It has easy access to the Forest Hills playground and T Station.

LOCATION: 6 Bournedale Road, Jamaica Plain. $459,000. 617-522-4600


TREND TRACKING

NEWTON-BASED INTERIOR DESIGNER SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST DIRECTION IN DESIGN

Vani Sayeed of Vani Sayeed Studios keeps close watch on both local and national design trends. Along with her friend, interior designer Jill Litner Kaplan of Jill Litner Kaplan Interiors in Newton, she answered some questions about the latest home design developments.

Overall, how is home design changing?The direction has been towards personality-driven, family-friendly and environmentally sen-sitive design. The fi rst thing Jill and I noted was that people wanted spaces that are personal and voiced their personality. We call it the perfectly imperfect. Clients want beautiful envi-ronments that do not have a perfectly staged look. Rather, they want a dynamic mix of colors, textures, fabrics, lighting, art and objects that refl ect personally of the owner. The trend is towards a more curatorial approach to design, incorporating the personality of the client, as opposed to the dated, coordinated style that has a more hotel-like, impersonal atmosphere.

What trends are you seeing in the kitchen?The kitchen is serving as the heart of the home, taking center stage, with ample space for enter-taining and gatherings. People would rather stand in a kitchen and talk than be seated in a formal living room. This trend has been on the rise for a while. Kitchen renovations and remodels have been one of the top choices for families upgrading their homes. They’re choosing gorgeous kitch-ens with lots of personality or clean-lined white kitchens with a timeless quality,

How are living rooms evolving?Large, formal living rooms are on the decline, since most young families don’t use them. People prefer casual, comfortable, and childproof spaces that lead to multi-purpose transi-tional spaces in a home, such as a screened in porch, three-season room, or sunroom. With these spaces, families can appreciate the outdoors while staying indoors. Some of the spaces are fi tted with screens that can be popped out and replaced with glass for the colder months. These transitional spaces are often styled with outdoor furnishings and stone fl oors that seamlessly integrate them with patios and are perfect for entertaining.

How are children infl uencing choices?Another trend is that families do not wait for children to get older before decorating and designing their rooms. So there is a diminishing trend toward disposable furniture and a rise in investment of timeless pieces. Clients prefer to have their children “grow” into the furnishings and eventually learn to appreciate their environment.



Space, Style and More This elegantly renovated, 10-room, four-and-one-half bath home is designed

for contemporary living with amazing indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. It features beautiful fi nishes including crown

molding, wainscoting, skylights, numerous custom built-ins, and a fabulous home theatre. The residence is conveniently

located near Harvard Square with its many shops, restaurants, theatres, T, and the Charles River.

LOCATION: 25 Lakeview Avenue, Cambridge. $3,100,000. 617-864-4430

Let the Light In This fabulous two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home is located steps from Copley Place. It

has been renovated to perfection, featuring an eat-in kitchen with maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances. The home has

an extraordinary open living and dining room, hardwood fl oors, and a bay window with wonderful southern views of the South

End. The master bedroom suite offers a walk-in closet and a marble bathroom and a second bedroom has a gorgeous marble

bath and a walk-in shower. Amenities include a concierge service and extra storage.

LOCATION: 16 Harcourt Street—Unit 6L, South End. $1,499,000. 617-247-2909

A White Wonderland A beautiful, three-bedroom-plus-home-offi ce condominium occupies two full fl oors of a

handsome brownstone building on the sunny side of Chestnut Street. It was recently renovated and the apartment has

a wonderful open kitchen/breakfast room with an adjoining family room and great views to the Boston Common. A lovely

living room and dining area with fi replace and custom built-ins are beautiful features in this home. Other details include high

ceilings, period detail, a spacious master bedroom, new windows, central air, and a large private deck.

LOCATION: 33 Chestnut Street— Unit #3-4, Boston. $2,695,000. 617-247-2909

Warm Sophistication One of Wellesley’s fi nest properties, this home features 11,093 square feet of space and

includes four fl oors of luxurious living on one and a half acres of privacy in the heart of farms. A statement foyer with curved walls

and a beautiful staircase leads into a gallery, giving this home sophistication along with a warm and welcoming family room and

kitchen/dining for everyday living. The fi nished lower level has a 12-person media room and a large game room. Enjoy this gated

property with impressive grounds.

LOCATION: 86 Woodlawn Avenue, Wellesley. $5,200,000. 781-237-9090

Designer’s Penthouse Home This extraordinary 3,000+/- square foot home is a three-bedroom,

loft-style, penthouse triplex. An acclaimed designer’s own residence, it features soaring ceilings, a private elevator and a chef’s kitchen

with a wall of glass opening onto an 800+/- square foot roof terrace. It features an elegant master suite with a marble bath, a home gym, a guest suite and award winning 2009 “green” construction. Live in

luxury just steps from best of the Back Bay and South End.

LOCATION: 136 Arlington Street—#PH, Bay Village. $2,595,000. 617-266-4430

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A Timeless Touch In a prestigious West Newton Hill location, this home is an exquisite, classic, slate-roof Colonial with period details on level, manicured grounds. There are ten generous rooms, including five bedrooms and five and one-half bathrooms. In addition, it has two family rooms, one off the living room and a second off the kitchen leading to a spectacular private patio.

LOCATION: 38 Barnstable Road, Newton. $1,799,000. 617-969-2447

Striped Stunner Dramatic and exciting describe this Cliff Estates stone-front Cape-Colonial on one of Wellesley’s finest streets. It has a large, fireplaced living room with enormous ceiling height and double-bowed window. The home has an entertainment-size dining room for those special holiday occasions, as well as a huge eat-in kitchen opening to a vaulted-ceiling family room with a fireplace and French doors to a patio. A library with a fireplace and a lovely master suite complete the first floor. The home has three additional bedrooms plus room for expansion.

LOCATION: 76 Woodcliff Road, Wellesley. $1,795,000. 781-237-9090

Gracious and Gorgeous An elegant custom Colonial is located in the heart of the Cliff Estates. This stately home offers 16 rooms including six en-suite bedrooms, a library with built-ins, a gourmet kitchen with mahogany and granite, a breakfast room, plus gracious dining and living rooms with fireplaces. A luxurious master suite is complete with a fireplace and deck. The fabulous lower level includes an exercise room, a family room with a fireplace, an au-pair suite and a kitchen. A finished third floor has two bedrooms and a full bath.

LOCATION: 100 Cliff Road, Wellesley. $3,995,000. 781-237-9090

Cutting Edge This home is a new, classic Shingle-style residence and is Weston’s first Energy Star Tier 3 home, setting new standards in energy efficiency and design excellence. Its quality craftsmanship begins outside with an eco-stone driveway, two patios, extensive stone work, and professionally landscaped grounds. It continues inside with the perfect blend of space, custom woodworking, and superior finishes throughout. Breath cleaner air, spend less money on utilities, and enjoy the traditional warmth of wood and the durability of natural stone.

LOCATION: 11 Fairview Road, Weston. $2,495,000. 781-237-9090

Everything You Need This stunning Colonial is beautifully sited on 1.72 acres with mature landscaping and a private estate setting. The home’s features include a spectacular sun-fi lled kitchen with a large granite island and a spacious dining area with a fi replace overlooking a gorgeous backyard, a great family room addition with custom built-ins and French doors out to the patio, and four bedrooms on the second fl oor including a lovely master suite. A fi nished lower level includes a play room, exercise room, cedar closet, and bathroom.

LOCATION: 12 Bayberry Lane, Weston. $1,679,000. 781-894-5555


ACCENTS (BOTH PAGES) 1. Zoeppritz Flamingo pillow, $150, private collection. 2. Woven-wool Tibetan pillow with cotton backing, $220, Michelle Willey. 3. Zoeppritz wool-and-cotton throw, $285, private collection. 4. Zoeppritz Tibetan lamb pillow, $185, private collection. 5. Chic Rustique ceramic Guinea hen, $150, Hudson. 6. Joshua Stone felt vases, $290-$330, Lekker Home. 7. Vintage German seltzer bottle, $75, Hudson. 8. Oly zebra-printed cowhide pillows, $420, Hudson.

Photographs, HORNICK/RIVLIN

LOFTY IDEALSWith an eclectic collection of textured pillows and whimsical accessories, you can spend a lot—or a little — and get the same loft-couture look. by rachel levitt

more or less

Arco lamp, $1,448, Design Within Reach

Episodes modular sofa, as shown, $7,305, Roche Bobois

Nanimarquina Little Field of Flowers rug, $4,000 Bliss Home

1

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$15,683


Original BTC TaskOverreach Lamp, $1,250, Lekker Home

Milo sofa, as shown, $3,910, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Zia shag rug, $799, Crate & Barrel

$7,789


SPECIAL SPACESThese standout gems boast must-see features.

Rarely Available with a ViewEnjoy spectacular water views from this rarely available corner unit. It has spacious living and dining rooms with a fl oor plan that is ideal for entertaining. A high-end gourmet kitchen with a center island cooktop will bring out the chef in you. Three generous bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms and abundant closet space. This residence offers the ultra-luxury amenities the most discerning buyer expects from the InterContinental Hotel, including a full-service doorman, concierge, valet parking, health club spa, and 24-hour room service.

LOCATION: 500 Atlantic Avenue—Unit 16P, Waterfront.

$2,585,000. 617-424-6244

on the market


Designer-Decorated Home Sited on a cul-de-sac and abutting conservation land, this extraordinary young residence stands out from the rest. This designer-decorated home includes an elegant foyer, a chef’s kitchen with a large center island, a large family room with a gas fi replace and surround sound, and rich fi nish accents including custom built-ins, moldings, and hardwood fl oors. The home’s master suite has a gorgeous marble bathroom and a custom walk-in closet, and there are four additional bedrooms and three baths.

LOCATION: 115 Beard Way, Needham. $2,195,000. 617-731-2447 115 Beard Way, Needham. $2,195,000. 617-731-2447

Picture-Perfect TriplexThe South End’s best location on picture-perfect Gray Street. This is a rarely available sun-splashed triplex with a private entrance. An open living and dining area has a chef ’s kitchen that leads to a dramatic space with a soaring, two-story, 14-plus-foot-high ceiling, a wood burning fireplace, and direct access to a large enclosed patio–perfect for entertaining. Additionally, it has a guest bedroom with a tile bath, a second fireplace in the master suite, and an adjoining office or potential third bedroom. The home is steps to Copley Square, theaters, galleries, shops, and the T.

LOCATION: 29 Gray Street—Unit 1, South

End. $699,000. 617-266-4430


Great Location Near Public Gardens This rarely available fl oor-through two- or three-bedroom, two-and-a half-bath home overlooks the Public Garden. The home has exposures on two other sides and includes beautiful fi nishes, a fi replace, air conditioning, one garage space, a cozy private terrace and storage. The Heritage on the Garden is centered in an exciting part of the city and offers the most luxurious lifestyle with a staff to cater to all of your needs. Gorgeous common areas and a dramatic two-story resident’s library overlook the Garden and offer daily tea and Sunday brunch.

LOCATION: 300 Boylston Street— Unit 906, Back Bay.

$3,279,000. 617-266-4430

Open Spaces This home is a prized offering for contemporary fans at the top of Fisher Hill. This special gem features open spaces, walls of glass, and a fl exible fl oor plan that would allow for a fi rst- or second-fl oor master. This home features a fi replaced living room, a sleek stainless-steel kitchen, six bedrooms and fi ve full baths. It’s set on a private, landscaped lot with a two-car garage. LOCATION: 105 Seaver Street, Brookline. $2,300,000. 617-731-2447105 Seaver Street, Brookline. $2,300,000. 617-731-2447

on the market


Secluded Spots Beautifully sited on a large, level lot on one of West Newton Hill’s winding secluded streets, this attractive house is carefully appointed and has been meticulously maintained. It has a gracious living room, a contemporary-style dining room and a kitchen that boasts warm wood cabinets and granite counters. LOCATION: 21 Barnstable Road, Newton. $1,380,000. 617-969-244721 Barnstable Road, Newton. $1,380,000. 617-969-2447

Modern Chic Soaring ceilings, vast walls of glass, and sleek, high-end fi nishes defi ne this modern, chic, end-unit townhouse. Gorgeous light pours into this home, accentuating the spacious open fl oor plan and dramatic glass staircase. Over 2,000 square feet of interior living space on three levels make this home perfect for entertaining and comfortable living. It includes two private patios and parking.

LOCATION: 56 Clyde Street—Unit 3, Somerville.

$675,000. 671-864-8566

the treas ure of

Awash in fine cherry casework, the drawing room opens via pocket doors to the living room and a grand central hall to the left.


Avon H ll

A GLIMPSE AT A REMARKABLYwell-preserved 19th century mas te rpiece.

BY fr ank shirley PHOTOGRAPHS BY bob o’connor


No expense was spared on the home’s fi rst fl oor, where a large paneled entry hall opens to the equally grand dining room. The wrought-iron chandelier was designed to com-plement the custom andirons and medieval stone fi replace.


projects received more local press than the mansion that went up at 37 Lancaster Street in Cambridge in the spring of 1887. “[It] will be as fi ne as anything upon Cambridge Heights,” the Cambridge Tribune proclaimed on June 18 of that year. In fact, the Tri-bune ran no fewer than fi ve stories on the edifi ce, soon known as the Yerxa house, after its owner, Henry Yerxa.

As a partner in the largest retail grocery chain in New England, Yerxa was a member of Boston’s new busi-ness class. He involved himself with local politics and was president of the Cambridge Parks Commission, where he persuaded the board to create the parkway that is now Memorial Drive. When Yerxa sought to build a new home for his family on swanky Avon Hill, he hired the popular Boston architecture fi rm Hartwell and Richardson, known for its fashionable high-end homes.

But once design was under way, Yerxa discovered that his neighbor had enlisted the same architects to cre-ate an estate for himself. Perhaps an unspoken one-upmanship led Yerxa to demand a redesign late in the game. Then, plagued by buyer’s remorse, he fi red his fi rst builder, ultimately hiring Parkage and Littlefi eld to fi nish the job nearly three years after construc-tion had begun, at a cost of $25,000.

Yerxa easily won the design duel. His 7,800-square-foot residence showcased every state-of-the-art Vic-torian amenity, including electricity, indoor plumbing, and a central inter-com for calling maids. Designed in the shingle style, the house was “one of the best illustrations of modern architecture...” trumpeted the Tribune on August 11, 1888. Although it featured turrets, balconies, verandas, and dormers, all were wrapped in wood shingles. The simple wrapper made the home appear strong, staid, and confi dent from the outside.

From top, the four original soapstone laundry sinks are still in the house, ready to rinse loads of lin-ens that the maids would then boil in the adjacent brick cauldron; the exterior of the manse; novels collected over the decades hint at the hours of fi reside read-ing enjoyed in thegracious home.

Few



One of the home’s fi ve second-fl oor bedrooms features a handmade gold frieze and sponge-painted blue walls.


Inside, however, it was a delicate beauty. Upon entering the house, visitors were stunned by the rich-ness of the details. No surface went unadorned: The interior was a symphony of mahogany, white oak, cherry, cypress, and African pommele sapele woods. Beyond the intricate casework were deeply embossed friezes, lattice-woven oak screens, handcarved newel posts (no two alike), 10 uniquely fi nished fi re-places, hand-stenciled and glazed ceilings, and stained-glass windows, some reaching two stories high. Equally stunning were the gas and electric wrought-iron light fi xtures and matching andirons, all designed specifi cally for the Yerxa house.

In 1921, William and Dorothy Field fell in love with the house and purchased it from the Yerxas. (Family lore tells us that William off ered his wife a choice of the house or a new ring; she chose the house.) Impressed with the completeness of the design, they even bought the furniture, some of which had been made for the home.

For the next 89 years, the Fields were dutiful stewards of the Victorian masterpiece. For Dorothy, it was a place to enjoy her growing family. For her fi ve children and nine grandchildren, the strange and opulent mansion was simply magical. Pamela Worden, one of the grandchildren, recalls waking up Christmas mornings to a two-story tree on the oversize stair landing, fully decorated by her grandparents during the night. Worden also remembers a special piece of red glass in the stained-glass window along the grand staircase. Considered good luck, it was out of children’s reach, but when she was carried upstairs to bed, Worden would stretch out her small hand to brush the talisman. Margo Rogers, another grandchild, recalls going to her grandparents’ home for Sunday dinner, and how her grandfather would ring a chime in the dining room to call the family to the table.

Dorothy knew her house was special—an architectural diamond worthy of great respect. She fret-ted over the smallest changes: She was loath to install a dishwasher, for


The fi rst-fl oor landing is undoubtedly the main attraction, with a towering handcarved terra cotta fi replace, exquisite paneling, gold friezes, and stunning leaded-glass windows.


example, for fear of disturbing the kitchen’s custom cabinetry or the butler’s pantry.

When Dorothy and William passed away, their daughter Patricia became the de facto caretaker of the house. A shy woman, she never mar-ried and seldom interacted with her neighbors. On Halloween, her door-bell went unanswered; on a recent tour of the house, a neighbor was overheard saying it was the fi rst time she’d set foot inside the house in the 30 years she’d lived nearby. But Patsy’s door was always open to fam-ily, and she embraced her brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.

Over the decades, the building shielded the timid woman from the outside world. In turn, she protected the home from the ravages of time. By keeping the curtains closed, she inadvertently protected the home’s delicate wood and 19th-century fi nishes from the darkening caused by sunlight. To this day, everything remains bright and colorful; the original hand-rubbed wax fi nish on the cherry pocket doors looks brand- new. Hand-stenciled wall paintings that should have faded into memory are still vibrant.

After Ms. Field passed, Realtors and potential buyers were able to peek into a rarifi ed world seen by few beyond the Field family. To cross the threshold of the home at 37 Lancaster Street is to step into another era; one can imagine the din of servants polishing silver and boil-ing the laundry, or the groomsman prepping the coach. Every surface you see was designed by architects, executed by craftsmen, and safe-guarded by the owners.One could marvel at the detailing for days.

With an always-competitive Cambridge housing market and a prime location, this living legacy was purchased by a new owner in March 2011. The Yerxa-Field house, as it is known today, now lives on with another family that recognizes its fi ne architecture. ■

ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS�Hartwell and Richardson CONTRACTOR�Parkage and Littlefield, Boston

From top, the fi rst-fl oor plan reveals that almost a third of the space was dedicated to servants’ areas, including the laundry room, kitchen, and back staircase; intri-cate leaded-glass windows incorpo-rate tiny jewel-toned accents; a detail of one of the many hand-carved newel posts in the main hall.


PICTURESQUE TUDOR Beautifully sited on a picturesque road, this stately English Tudor showcases charm and elegance. Meticulously constructed in 1930 with extensive handcrafted architectural detail, this gracious home is ideal for entertaining. Its features

include a step-down living room, a library, a family room, six bedrooms, front and back staircases, three fi replaces, central air and many updates. This desirable property has an Old Belmont Hill location that is close to public transportation and is just minutes to Cambridge.

LOCATION: 45 Fieldmont Road, Belmont. $2,200,000. 617-484-530045 Fieldmont Road, Belmont. $2,200,000. 617-484-5300

CLASSIC ELEGANCE Built in 1900, this sun-fi lled brick Georgian is set high on a hill and off ers three full fl oors of living with 16 spacious rooms, including eight bedrooms, fi ve and one half baths, and four fi replaces. Twin verandas fl ank the grand center entrance hall, which has a majestic central staircase. Gracious living and dining rooms with beamed ceilings, wainscoting, and Roman-brick fi replaces framed by carved wood mantels accentuate this unique home. This home has open space that is great for entertaining. LOCATION: 233 Grant Avenue, Newton. 233 Grant Avenue, Newton.

$1,929,000. 617-731-2447$1,929,000. 617-731-2447

Agel es s Charm THESE HOMES BOAST DETAILS AND ACCENTS THAT HIGHLIGHTS THEIR ERAS


on th e market

BACK BAY BEAUTY This is a beautiful, water-side Beacon Street condominium. The home has two bedrooms plus a den or guest room, and three full baths. It occupies the entire second fl oor plus third fl oor front of the building. The unit can be accessed by an elevator that opens into the wonderful foyer with a winding staircase to the upstairs. Features include a double-parlor living and dining area, 13-foot ceilings, hardwood fl oors, huge windows front and back, and two original marble carved fi replaces. The home is very sunny with a great kitchen that has a large window overlooking Beacon Street. Three parking spaces are included.LOCATION: 168 Beacon Street—Unit #2, Back Bay. $2,999,000. 617-247-2909168 Beacon Street—Unit #2, Back Bay. $2,999,000. 617-247-2909

HIP LOCATION, TRADITIONAL CHARM This sun-fi lled, “Churchill Style,” luxurious, customized townhouse is nestled in a private setting and boasts an open fl oor plan ideal for entertaining. Features include a living room with a stone gas fi replace, a dining room, an oversized deck, a master bedroom suite, a gourmet kitchen, custom built-ins, and a sound system. The second fl oor features a large loft, two bedrooms, a full bath, and ample storage. A walk-out lower level with a great room, a wet bar, an exercise room, a full bath, and a sauna bath complete this wonderful unit. LOCATION: 17 Ossipee Road—Unit 2, Somerville. $550,000. 617-864-443017 Ossipee Road—Unit 2, Somerville. $550,000. 617-864-4430

SUNNY AND WARM This stunning Beacon Hill property is arranged on over fi ve fl oors. Perennial plantings present one of the most luscious gardens in Boston with access from the gourmet kitchen/family room through fl oor-to-ceiling French doors with original fi ttings. The home features an elegant, curved, fi rst-fl oor, large formal dining room, a second-fl oor, open-vista living room and library, many fi replaces, bay and west windows, luxurious bedroom suites, and a ground-fl oor, full one-bedroom unit with a private entrance.LOCATION: 4-4A Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill. $4,995,000. 617-247-29094-4A Chestnut Street, Beacon Hill. $4,995,000. 617-247-2909

ARTS AND CRAFTS GEM This is simply the fi nest Arts and Crafts-style home available. A combination of Virginia slate and cherry hardwood blanket the fl oors on the main living level. The sophisticated dining room has a coff ered ceiling, pocket doors, and built-in cabinetry complete with Swarovski crystal hardware. A well-equipped cherry kitchen has an island and a large pantry. The cathedral ceiling-beamed family room includes a two-story fi replace and a beverage center. Other amenities are a fi rst-fl oor master suite with a dream closet, a lower-level game room, a three-season porch, and more. LOCATION: 42 Shaw Drive, Wayland. $1,850,000. 781-894-555542 Shaw Drive, Wayland. $1,850,000. 781-894-5555

FABULOUS LIVING This custom-built Colonial is on over half an acre of land and has four fl oors of fabulous living. It is nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac and within a short distance of Wellesley High School, the train station, and the Brook Path. This home has something special for everyone: an open fl oor plan with a two-story stone fi replace, a gourmet kitchen, a mahogany library, and a walk-out basement. The third fl oor has a guest room and an exercise room plus a custom sauna. LOCATION: 53 Park Avenue, Wellesley. $2,595,000. 781-237-909053 Park Avenue, Wellesley. $2,595,000. 781-237-9090

TREASURED HOME Located on one of Needham’s most prestigious streets, this home off ers gorgeous grounds with a Hollywood like in-ground pool. Its many exquisite details include a coff ered ceiling and custom wall units. There are six bedrooms, three and one-half bathrooms, an inviting family room, an offi ce/study, and a stunning kitchen. LOCATION: 20 Burr Road, Needham. $1,950,000. 617-969-244720 Burr Road, Needham. $1,950,000. 617-969-2447


HANDSOME DETAILS Situated on a cul-de-sac and bordering the Brae Burn Golf Course, this architecturally signifi cant, English Queen Anne-style home sits on a high point in Waban. This well-proportioned home combines museum-quality details with comfortable and livable spaces. The home’s features include large, open, entertainment rooms, leaded glass, bow windows, high-beamed ceilings, a cook’s kitchen with an adjoining breakfast room and a light-fi lled family room. The property is surrounded by lush gardens and includes a carriage house. LOCATION: 203 Windsor Road, Newton. $3,495,000. 617-969-2447203 Windsor Road, Newton. $3,495,000. 617-969-2447

NEWLY BUILT This luxury, new-construction home was built by a highly respected builder and is sited on one of Newton’s premier and most desirable streets. It off ers the best of an open fl oor plan with formal entertainment spaces, an exceptional chef ’s kitchen with a center island, high-quality fi xtures and fi nishes, luxury baths, a gorgeous outdoor balcony, veranda and patio. LOCATION: 14 Baldpate Hill Road, Newton. $2,449,000. 617-969-244714 Baldpate Hill Road, Newton. $2,449,000. 617-969-2447


on th e market


A new pergola, supported by granite posts reclaimed from a

Maine barn, shades the entrance.

TWO VISIONARY ARCHITECTS CONVERT AN EYESORE INTO A CASUAL MODERN RETREAT.

BY RACHEL STRUTT PHOTOGRAPHS BY MATT KALINOWSKI STYLING BY LAURA ROSENBERGER

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meadows and abutting the DeCordova Museum’s Sculpture Park that piqued her curiosity. Judy asked her husband, Marcus, also an architect, to investigate while she went on a college- scouting trip with their eldest daughter.

Once on the site (just a fi ve-minute drive from their old house), Marcus agreed with his wife’s assessment. He saw a sad home on a fantastic hilltop location. But the structure’s unpreten-tious scale appealed to his design sen-sibility. On the spot, he made an offer that was accepted the following day.

Judy and Marcus, principals at Cambridge-based Gleysteen Design, set out to radically transform the home while barely touching its original foun-dation. By building up rather than out, the duo preserved a balance between house and land. They reconfi gured the roofl ine, replacing its low, twin gables with a single high gable to create a lofty main living area. They added a third story to accommodate rooms for their daughters, Katie and Lucy. Over the front door and along the side of the house, they attached large pergolas—a Gleysteen Design trademark.

After 10 months of construction—and almost daily site visits—the Gleysteens moved into their new home. Once gloomy and dated, the abode is now light and sun-drenched, at once traditional, modern, and playful. From the street, it looks like a typical New England home clad in linen-white shin-

gles; from the rear it is a contemporary interpretation of a Massachusetts barn. “I could show you houses we’ve designed in which you’d have to put on an evening dress to fi t in,” Marcus says. “But this is the way we like to live. Judy and I are not very formal people.”

“It was defi nitely a challenging proj-ect,” adds Judy. “Some spaces in the orig-inal house seemed too large, and others were too small, dark, and poky. Few rooms took advantage of the view.” These days, that bucolic vista is front and cen-ter, especially in the kitchen, where a wall of windows opens to a sunny fi eld. “We combined the living space with the kitchen to serve multiple functions,” says Marcus. “It’s great for hanging out by the fi re, cooking while watching TV, and entertaining at the same time.”

The Gleysteens’ relaxed design philosophy is also apparent in the home’s mix of furniture styles. Con-temporary pieces—including coffee tables and shelving made by Mar-cus—commingle comfortably with family heirlooms. Upstairs in Katie’s bedroom, a French Rococo headboard, inherited from Marcus’ Swedish great-grandparents, is mere feet away from modern white shelves. In the kitchen, not far from a streamlined island, a highly vocal cat named Twinkie lounges on an antique chair, one of a set bought in Leningrad by Marcus’ foreign diplomat parents. “These chairs are Josef Hoffmann knockoffs

made around 1915,” says Marcus. The chairs were restored at the Hermit-age, Russia’s great museum—not too shabby for replicas. Adds Marcus, “My older brother [Wellesley-based archi-tect Jan Gleysteen] inherited an actual Hoffmann set, but I like these better.”

The house is not only artful at every turn, it’s also seriously green—from its use of sustainable woods to the fi ve heating and cooling zones that allow rooms to “hibernate” when not in use. All the wood fl ooring is reclaimed, and hardwoods are used sparingly in favor of faster-growing species like pine and cedar. The major indoor spaces are situated on the east and south sides to capture solar warmth throughout the day during winter months. The light that pours into the home warms the spirit of the place, as well—making the structure’s Brady Bunch beginnings nothing but a distant memory. ■

Four years ago, architect Judy Gleysteen came across an online listing for a tired Brady Bunch-era home. “I told my husband it was the ugliest house I had ever seen,” she laughs. Unlike most home-hunters, though, she wasn’t all that interested in the building itself. It was the spectacular 4.5-acre lot overlooking former farm

Above, the home’s plan. Below, from left, a gable creates a dining and kitchen area; Marcus and golden retriever Sophie; from the street, the house looks deceptively traditional.

ARCHITECT Gleysteen Design, Cambridge CONTRACTOR David Brookes Construction, Lexington


A Miele hood hangs above Carrara marble counter tops and custom fi r cabinetry by Ward Hill–based Walter Lane.


The open dining room features a Charles Webb table, two paintings by Harvey Quaytman from Boston’s Nielsen Gallery, and lighting pur-chased at Chimera in South Boston.


Clockwise from above left, a night table from the Morson Collection sits next to a Frette linen-bedecked bed; Marcus paints in the studio he shares with Judy; Russian Empire chairs and a Finnish Karelian wood table form a cozy nook in the

master bedroom; Marcus at work in his offi ce, beneath Formula One racecar models.


Above, Marcus reads in his study on a vintage sofa with Sophie (the ceiling is lined with Douglas fi r). Below, the master bath has fi xtures by Dornbracht and a custom sliding door with Klassik hardware from Germany.


The Gleysteens’ living room spills into an eating area and kitchen. The brick fi replace is clad in salvaged bluestone and granite.


PROPERTIESPROPERTIES

Harvard Square Oasis This meticulously renovated 11-room home is set on over one-quarter acre of landscaped grounds in a private oasis just blocks from Harvard Square. The home’s generous entertaining spaces fl ow gracefully between cozy family retreats in this masterfully executed fl oor plan by Cafasso Design Group.

LOCATION: 53 Francis Avenue, Cambridge. $3,950,000. 617-864-4430

BEAUT Y ABOUNDS IN THESE CHARMING HOMES.

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Urban Dweller’s Dream

Stylish, convenient and renovated, this wonderful unit has high ceilings, gleaming wood floors, and large windows. It is located in trendy Central Square just a few blocks from the T and ideal for the urban dweller looking to be near everything. An open floor plan with two bedrooms and a study make this particularly appealing.

LOCATION: 401 Washington Street—Unit 3, Cambridge.

$424,900. 617-864-8566

o n t h e M A R K E T

Completely Renovated This lovely free-standing home has four-plus bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and an open-plan first floor. The current owner “gut renovated” and created an addition in 1992. There are deep crown moldings, hardwood floors, and five panel solid core doors. The updated kitchen has new stainless appliances.

LOCATION: 146 Garden Street—Unit 146, Cambridge. $1,200,000. 617-864-4430

Green House Chic design meets state-of-the-art green technology in this townhouse, which boasts over 60 sustainability features and is platinum LEED certifi ed. This unique home is located on a lovely tree-lined street near Huron Village and Fresh Pond. You can relax in the fi replaced living room or enjoy the fenced yard and terrace. Choose your master bedroom (there are two) or work at home from the offi ce and roof deck. This home has endless possibilities.

LOCATION: 19 Field Street, Cambridge. $789,000. 617-864-8566

Wright Living This sophisticated contemporary home infl uenced by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright has privacy, location, an open fl oor plan, elevated ceilings, hardwood fl oors, and a delightful screened-in porch bringing nature inside. All of the bedroom quarters offer French doors to a balcony. There is also a great space in the lower level that has a walk-out with a large room and bathroom.

LOCATION: 100 Robin Road, Weston. $1,350,000. 781-894-5555


Elegant Colonial This stunning, classic brick Colonial with slate roof features a gracious entry foyer, an elegant living room with a fi replace and a wonderfully renovated chef’s kitchen. There is a fi rst fl oor family room that overlooks a heated pool—a perfect backdrop for outdoor entertaining. The home is surrounded by greenery with expansive views of Skyline Park. Chestnut Hill is truly one of Brookline’s most beautiful residential areas.

LOCATION: 39 Arlington Road, Brookline. $1,200,000. 617-969-2447

Victorian Dream This meticulous, single-family Victorian home in highly desirable Mid-Cambridge features soaring ceilings, inlaid fl oors, marvelous moldings, and windows galore. The gracious combination of the formal and informal in this home lends itself to entertaining. You can enjoy the well-equipped cook’s kitchen with herbs from your own fenced yard, replete with fruit trees and gardens. Four generous bedrooms and two and a half baths complete this special property.

LOCATION: 62 Dana Street, Cambridge. $1,575,000. 617-864-8566

Exquisite Architectural Detail This spectacular new-construction home was thoughtfully constructed with exquisite architectural detail. It features a sun-drenched interior with custom wainscoting, extensive crown moldings, stunning appointments, and beautiful accents throughout. The fi rst fl oor features a handsome study with a coffered ceiling and a gorgeous chef’s kitchen. The kitchen opens to a family room with French doors leading to a patio and beautifully landscaped grounds. A fabulous master suite, fi nished third fl oor, and lower level complete this offering.

LOCATION: 1489 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton. $2,890,000. 617-731-2447

Light and Open This home is a pristine contemporary version of a Back Bay-style townhouse. It is fi lled with light and is generously proportioned with soaring ceilings and custom built-ins. The open fl oor plan, fi replace, and deck with wide green view make this perfect for entertaining. If you don’t feel like cooking, you can stroll to one of the many Davis Square restaurants. Two of the three bedrooms are en-suite and two-car garage parking is included.

LOCATION: 21 Weston Avenue, Somerville. $659,000. 617-864-8566

O N T H E M A R K E T


A Kastall shag and a Cassina sectional sit atop a raised bam-boo fl oor in the living room.

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METROPOLITAN IN FORT POINT CHANNEL.BY RACHEL STRUTT

PHOTOGRAPHS BY COREY HENDRICKSONSTYLING BY TUI STARK/ENNIS


When is a wall not just a wall? When it’s the focal point of an entire home. Such is the case in Tom O’Brien and Barbara Beck’s South Bos-ton loft, where a cold-rolled steel wall subtly divides and defines the couple’s living space. O’Brien, who works in Newton as the CEO of TravelCenters of America, and Beck, a beekeeper and retired health-care company vice president, were looking for a way to organize their 1,800-square-foot apartment. The brainchild of architects William Ruhl and Grant Scott, the multipurpose steel wall acts as a minimalist sculpture, entertainment center, bar, and storage space—a clever solu-tion in a city where closets are as valuable as square footage.

“Like many of our clients, Tom and Barbara struggled with their desire to defi ne smaller areas without losing that open feel that makes lofts so desirable,” says Ruhl, whose fi rm, Ruhl Walker Architects, has designed several Boston lofts. “Their goal was to have light throughout and estab-lish separate places for sitting, eating, and entertaining.”

O’Brien, who conjures Jerry Seinfeld with his neat appearance and humorous quips, refers to the dark steel-paneled wall as the Monolith. “He called it that from the beginning,” explains Ruhl. “He had fl ash-backs to the Stanley Kubrick movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, where that monolith fl oats through space.”

But unlike Kubrick’s foreboding obelisk, O’Brien and Beck’s wall has a lighter side, including fl uorescent up-lights that illuminate the 12-foot-tall ceilings and concealed lights in all of the display areas. The end result is a soft, ethereal glow that bounces off the condo’s bamboo and concrete fl oors.

The fortysomething couple also own a house in Stow, but bought the Channel Center loft to reduce O’Brien’s lengthy commute to Newton. The large, industrial space was a welcome contrast to their more tra-ditional, Colonial-style home, which Beck says is “much more family-friendly,” with furniture from Pottery Barn and Ethan Allen. “We were very involved with the concept of the Stow house,” Beck remembers. “We drew the layout before we hired an architect and builder. This space was fun because it was more challenging than creating a house from scratch. We had to work with constraints, like the irregular shape and limited natural light.”

No strangers to design, the Boston transplants knew what they wanted in their new urban nest. A big fan of midcentury modern, Beck planned to furnish the condo with mostly vintage pieces, but was detoured by the


This page: The brightly upholstered chairs and the original wood beams in the master

bedroom radiate warmth. Opposite: From top, the freestanding wall, made of waxed, acid-

blackened steel, divides the living room from the study; a built-in dry bar; below a backlit acrylic niche sits a Lunar sofa by B&B Italia.


The only material the owners insisted on using were these glass tiles. “We were a little worried,” says architect Grant Scott, “but were wonder-fully surprised that it turned out so bright and comfortable.”

The loft plan showing the wall,

shaded in blue.


sales team at Montage. “Meryl Thompson worked with us and was dead-on with her recom-mendations,” she says. “Meryl suggested two B&B Italia chairs for the space behind our sec-tional sofa. We told her we’d pass. We then went back two or three months later with hat in hand and said, ‘You were right.’”

Still, Beck continues to haunt vintage furniture shops and online sellers for pieces like her Lucite lamps and Heywood Wakefi eld dressers. She dog-gedly tracked down a set of Eero Saarinen dining room chairs—from the Brimfi eld Antique Show, eBay, and more vintage stores—and had them reuphol-stered in a leafy green fabric. Her aesthetic criteria remain more important than design pedi-gree: To wit, she found lamp-shades at Target and a rug at TJ Maxx. Overall, the fi nal mix of designer, vintage, and bargain pieces is deft and playful.

O’Brien is also fl exible when it comes to the furnishings. He points out the vintage green Formica cubes—bought at A2Z Modern in Worcester—that serve as stools in the kitchen. “We were using them as night tables in our bedroom,” he says. “I thought they’d look good in the kitchen, but it’s really because I didn’t want to carry them out to the car. I can be inventive when manual labor is involved.” Fortunately for him, his wife’s keen eye and the loft’s massive wall do most of the heavy design lifting at home.

This page: From left, Beck in the open kitchen with her favorite ceramics; the entryway has a stained concrete fl oor. Opposite: Bisazza glass tile walls and fl oors light up the master bath.

Clockwise from left, a view into the master bedroom; O’Brien in the living room; the La Rotonda by Cassina dining table; a patterned glass panel divides the study from the kitchen.


A GREAT SPACEThis is a spacious and sunny two-bedroom, two-full-bath home at The Macallen Building, Boston’s fi rst LEED Gold certifi ed condominium residence. The unit features upgrades such as bamboo fl ooring throughout and a custom lighting plan. A separate offi ce area offers work-at-home and guest accommodation possibilities. The amenities include a beautiful garden area, a lap pool, a meeting room, a fi tness center, and concierge services. One deeded garage-parking space is included.

LOCATION: 141 Dorchester Avenue—Unit 419, South Boston.

$850,000. 617-424-6244

SOUTHIE CHARM Old world charm and character are alive in this bi-level condominium that boasts two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open fl oor plan, bow windows, and lots of natural light with city views. The period details include original inlay hardwood fl oors, high ceilings, crown moldings, marble mantles, and pocket doors. This 1890s brownstone sits on top of East Broadway, steps from cafes, restaurants, shopping, and public transit.

LOCATION: 554 East Broadway—Unit 1, South Boston.

$459,000. 617-242-0025

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FANTASTIC AND FULL SERVICE This fabulous one-bedroom condominium is located in one of the few full-service complexes in Cambridge. The complex offers a concierge, full fi tness facilities, an elegant library/community room, a lush green courtyard, and an enormous roof deck. This light-fi lled unit features cherry fl oors, high ceilings, oversized windows, and garage parking. LOCATION: 150 Cambridge Street— Unit A307, Cambridge. $429,000. 617-864-8566

360° VIEWS This stunning, three-level condominium boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open-concept eat-in kitchen, a living room with a gas fi replace and a separate dining area. The property features a master bedroom with a cathedral ceiling and skylights. A spectacular third-level solarium has 360-degree views overlooking the bay, the Kennedy Library and the city, complete with two private balconies. It is located at the top of East Broadway, just steps to restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and public transportation. This home is perfect for entertaining and is city life at its fi nest.

LOCATION: 554 East Broadway—Unit 2, South Boston. $599,000. 617-242-0025


AMAZING VIEWS This picturesque penthouse overlooks the city

with amazing views from every window. It was recently updated and has direct elevator

access. This fl oor-through penthouse features an open and spacious fl oor plan, three large

bedrooms that all have great closet space, Brazilian cherry fl oors, a fi replace, central air conditioning, roof rights, and private storage.

LOCATION: 3 Walnut Street, Beacon Hill.

$1,699,000. 617-723-2737

GREAT LAYOUT AT THE GLASS FACTORYThis fantastic home at the historic Glass Factory has spectacular views of Boston. This unit has one of the best layouts in the building with opposite-side bedrooms and an offi ce nook. Additional features include a granite kitchen with stainless appliances, two marble baths, hardwood fl oors in the living room, and washer/dryer in the unit. The building has a gym, a business center, a common function room, and a garage parking space. A great location next to the Green Line T stop completes this city home. LOCATION: 169 Monsignor O’Brien Highway—Unit 714, Cambridge. $459,000. 617-266-4430

LOFT LOVE This unique, loft-like space has direct-access roof rights and cathedral ceilings and includes one parking space. This is a great opportunity to renovate this 1,416-square-foot penthouse directly across from the Public Garden. LOCATION: 90 Beacon Street, Beacon Hill. $889,000. 617-723-2737

ON THE MARKET


STELLAR CELLARSHow do you know when to build a real storage space for your

wine? If you’ve got bottles stashed on the top of the fridge, piling up in the garage, or even, heaven forbid, stowed in a stuffy

attic, it’s way past time. BY SUSAN CHAITYN LEPOVITS

KEY ASSETS: A wrought iron gate guards a Dover family’s impressive 7,500-bottle collection.

Photograph, eric roth


Though it may seem intimidating, building a cellar for your wine doesn’t require an MIT degree. In fact, local experts agree that with the proper plans, a profi cient do-it-yourselfer can create one in a few weeks’ time.

To make sure bottles don’t go bad, most wine cellars carefully monitor temperature, humidity, and light. Ideal storage conditions are between 50 and 59 degrees Farenheit with 60 to 80 percent humidity. Too cool a space can encourage deposits; higher tem-peratures contribute to premature aging. Low humidity causes corks to dry out, which can allow air to sneak inside and oxidize your prized bottles, while high humidity can breed mold. All this may sound awfully technical, but just remember that the only real necessities are access to electricity and, for bona fi de oenophiles, room for expansion.

For more guidance in designing a cellar, turn to a local expert like Apex Wine Cellars in Marlborough. Prices vary for a professionally built cellar, but expect to spend a few grand to adequately house your merlots and Sancerres. “We’ve done cellars that hold 120 bottles of wine [for about $5,ooo],” says Apex’s Peter Oikle, “and ones that hold 3,500 [for about $20,000].” To see the range of possibilities that custom cellars offer, we took a peek inside four stunning local spaces.

PROJECT #1: THE BOYS’ CLUBWhen Jim Nuzzo’s wife wanted to build him a wine cellar for his 50th birthday,

she asked the contractor who had just fi nished their Newton home’s million-dollar renovation: Andy Bolalek of Canton-based Bolalek Construction. His one stipulation: “Promise you won’t come downstairs until it’s all fi nished.” The Nuzzos agreed.

Bolalek capitalized on the 110-year old Victorian’s stone foundation and worked within the existing space to create a wine cellar with a domed ceil-ing. A small Jerusalem stone table and two chairs made from ‘50s tractor seats—Jim Nuzzo found them on eBay for $80 each—make for a unique place to sample a bottle. The designer also installed a handmade chandelier and wall sconces. One door leads to the main house, the other to what Nuzzo

calls the Bat Cave, a 6-by-10-foot cigar room finished with a TV and two rock-ing chairs.

“When I opened the door, my jaw hit the fl oor,” says Jim Nuzzo, a venture capi-talist and WBUR commentator who’s been collecting wine for decades. Among his favorite treasures are three bottles of port: one from 1955, his birth year; one from his 1977 college graduation; and a 1988 port he got on his wedding day. He’s also storing three other special ports—from each of his three children’s birth years—that he plans to uncork on their 21st birthdays.

PROJECT #2: THE CONVERSIONA trio of South Enders all shared a love of wine. They also shared a coal bin. The unusual 104-square-foot brick-lined tunnel was adjacent to their five-story townhome’s below-ground kitchen. “The curved brick tunnel is reminiscent of the wine caves of Italy,” says designer Peter Oikle. And the coal bin’s inherent low humidity and temperature made it the ideal spot for a cellar.

It did, however, need a few modern-day updates. “The bin wasn’t water-proof, and during heavy rains, water would leak in,” says one of the co-owners. So before construction even began, he hired Weymouth’s Holland Construction to renovate the tunnel.

Another challenge was getting the rack lengths right, since the circular ceiling had an irregular radius. Oikle solved the problem by sizing the African

NICE RACKS: A custom-made chandelier and wall sconces shed light on Jim Nuzzo’s growing collection of wine. The Newton venture capitalist bought the two former tractor seats off eBay.

TUNNEL VISION: Designer Peter Oikle turned this crumbling coal bin into a smart South End wine cellar. The structure’s subterranean climate is ideal for housing hundreds of bottles.

Photographs, eric roth


THE MODEL: SubZero 430THE COLLECTOR: Obsessive oenophiles and state-of-the-art kitchensTHE SPECS: The 7-foot-tall stainless mammoth stores up to 147 bottles in two climate zones—temperatures range from 38 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit—and comes with a sleek translucent glass door.THE HIGH NOTES: An illuminated display highlights boast-worthy bottles. Parched teens, beware: The fridge door locks and can Iink to a home’s security system.THE COST: $5,739-$6,829GET IT: Poirier Sales and Service, 244 Dedham St., Newton, 617-558-5500, poiriersalescom.

THE MODEL: Howard Miller rosé soleTHE COLLECTOR: Midlevel wines with a penchant for Pottery BarnTHE SPECS: With two separate stor-age areas the distressed-wood cabinet holds 18 bottles in racks, plus 16 more in its optional fridge.

THE HIGH NOTES: A sturdy stemware rack and a double-hinged door that swings open 270 degrees and allows for easy selection.THE COST: $1,098GET IT: Jordan’s Furniture, 50 Walkers Brook Drive, Reading, 781-944-9090, jordans.com.

THE MODEL: GE Monogram under-counter wine reserve with liquid-crystal windowTHE COLLECTOR: Modest millionaires with budding palatesTHE SPECS: It fi ts neatly under most kitchen counters-but still packs in seven heart-of-cherry wood shelves and 57 bottles of wine.THE HIGH NOTES: An LED temperature gauge speeds up heating or cooling, and shelves slide easily. The real draw, though, is the liquid-crystal door, which can morph from clear to opaque.THE COST: $1,800GET IT: Yale Appliance + Lighting, 296 Freeport St., Boston, 617-825-9253, yaleappliancecom.

THE MODEL: Haier thermal-electric wine cellarTHE COLLECTOR: Aging frat boys look-ing to “date up”THE SPECS: The size of a microwave, it holds eight bottles in a temperature controlled environment.THE HIGH NOTES: The low price. Also, the Haier system is coolant-free, making it an eco-friendly storage space for tem-peramental organic wines.THE COST: $99.99GET IT: Jarvis Appliance, 958 Worcester St. (Rte. 9), Wellesley, 781-235-5112, jarvisappIianceinc.com.

COLD CASESCan’t swing a full-fl edged cellar? Give these high-tech fridges a try. BY JESSICA LUSSENHOP

There comes a point in every adult’s life when Two-Buck Chuck no longer passes muster, and $1.99 bottles of Boone’s give way to crisp chenin blancs and earthy pinot noirs. And as tastes mature, so must storage systems. Most young collectors don’t have the space (or the budget) to build an extensive wine cellar, but there are other ways to keep booze cool: wine refrigerators. Here, our picks for preserving your bottles without digging out and souping up the basement.


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mahogany shelves on-site, during the actual installation (typically, racks are precut). He chose the wood for its natural rich grain and color-stained and varnished racking often releases fumes that penetrate wine corks.

Today, with low-voltage lighting (to minimize unwanted heat), clean and restored brick walls, and Italian lime-stone fl oor tiles, the original coal bin is all dressed up.

PROJECT #3: SUITE DREAMInspired by the great cellars of Bur-gundy and Bordeaux, this serious cel-lar in Dover comprises two rooms con-nected by a limestone foyer. One is a semicircular space fi lled with custom made mahogany racks and 1,500 bot-tles of wine. In the other are even more racks and a wooden plank-top table piled high with 500 cases of wine.

Westborough-based interior designer Ned Jalbert erected a wrought iron gate at the entrance to the fi rst room. He also installed a hanging metal neo-Gothic light fi xture in the foyer. “The way it casts light around. . . it’s kaleidoscopic,” he says.

The owners also worked with a venti-lation specialist to ensure the tempera-ture and humidity are always optimal, and that a backup system is in place.

PROJ ECT #4: THE ITALIAN JOB A trip to Italy was all it took. Shortly after returning stateside, a local home-owner hired Charles River Wine Cellarsto help him turn a section of his Kingston colonial’s basement into a Tuscan-inspired retreat.

Rather than use the typical lime-stone for the walls, designer Ed Loughran crafted columns out of the less expensive—but nearly identi-cal looking—European castle stone. Loughran also hired a local artist to paint sweeping Tuscan landscapes onto the room’s tumbled marble tiles, which are further enhanced by soft accent lighting.

The owner chose mahogany racks for their durability and resistance to moisture—the upscale shelving holds 1,600 bottles and cost $50,000 to cre-ate. But that doesn’t strike Loughran as too extravagant. “You really owe it to the collection to house it properly,” he says with a smile. “We call it liquid asset protection.”

Andrew Deitz, general manager, Brix Wine Shop 1284 Washington St., Boston, 617-542-2749, brixwineshop.com

REDS2003 Bodegas Aalto “Aalto”(Ribera del Duero, Spain)2003 Meinert “Devon Crest”(Devon Valley, South Africa)2004 Tikal “Amorio”(Mendoza, Argentina)2005 Massena “The Moonlight Run” (Barossa Valley, Australia)2005 Yves Cuilleron Saint Joseph Rouge “Les Pierres Seches”(Rhone Valley, France)2003 Chateau Cordeillan-Bages Pauillac (Bordeaux, France)2004 Roessler Cellars “Savoy” Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley, California)2002 Clos Saron “Cuvee Mysterieuse” (Sierra Foothills, California) 2004 Justin “Isosceles”(Paso Robles, California)2001 Brovia Barolo “Garblet Sue” (Piedmont, Italy)

WHITES2004 De Trafford Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa) 2006 Planeta “Cometa”(Sicily, Italy)2005 Robert Weil Riesling Spatlese “Kiedrich Grafenberg”(Rheingau, Germany)2005 Pat & Hall “Durell Vineyard” Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley, California)2005 Albert Boxler Gewurztraminer (Alsace, France)2005 Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse “Les Sceles” (Burgundy, France)

SPARKLING 1996 Henriot “Millesime” (Champagne, France)

DESSERT2001 Cru d’Arche-Pugneau “Trie Exceptionnelle” (Sauternes, France)

Vicente Pina, owner, Vin de Vin Wine Tasting & Collecting Consultants9 Northey St., No. 3, Salem, 917-251-6168, vindevin.com.

REDS2004 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron Paulliac (Bordeaux, France),2004 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, USA)2000 Vietti Barolo Rocche(Barolo, Italy)1999 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico2005 Maison Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granits (Rhone Valley, France)2004 D’Arenberg “The Dead Arm” Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia)2005 Artadi Vinas de Gain (Rioja, Spain)

WHITES2005 Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve (Napa Valley, USA)2004 Grosset Polish Hill Riesling (Clare Valley, Australia)2004 Robert Weil Riesling Spatlese (Rheinhessen, Germany)2004 Didier DagueneauPouilly Fume Pur Sang(Loire Valley, France)2006 Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)

SPARKLING 1996 Deutz Cuvee William Deutz (Champagne, France)1996 Veuve Clicquot La GrandeDame (Champange, France)1995 Krug Clos de Mesnil

Blanc de Blanc (Champagne, France)Non Vintage Montaudon Brut (Champagne, France) 2003 Chateau Rieussec (Sauternes, France)

DESSERT1997 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (Duoro, Portugal)

SPIN THE BOTTLESTwo local oenophiles share their top collection-starters. BY ELIZA G. SIVO


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MONTGOMERY PARK MASTERPIECE Located on one of the most coveted corners of the South End, this completely renovated, single-family home overlooks majestic Montgomery Park. Its features include three to four bedrooms, central air, incredible custom woodwork and a sensational fl oor plan, and a wine cellar as seen on page 58. Unmatched outside space on both the upper and lower fl oors allows home owners to feel connected with the peace of the neighborhood at any time of year. A renovated kitchen by Holland Development is a focal point of this exceptional home. LOCATION: 153 West Canton Street, South End. $2,895,000. 617-266-4430153 West Canton Street, South End. $2,895,000. 617-266-4430

RAISE A GLASSWhether it’s an everyday Chardonnay or a cellared Cabernet, in these homes you’ll have reason to celebrate


CHEERS TO CHESTNUT HILL This stunning four-bedroom, three-and-one-half bath contemporary home is located in desirable Chestnut Hill. Renovated in 2008, its features include granite coun-tertops, a marble bath, hardwood fl oors, soaring ceilings, central air, and lots of natural light. It has a beautifully landscaped yard with a garden and a spacious separate suite on the third fl oor. It’s close to the T, shops, restaurants, and the many amenities Newton has to offer.

LOCATION: 252 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton.

$899,000. 617-731-2447

CELLAR WITH TASTING ROOM Stone pillars frame the entry of this magnifi cent estate sited on nearly three secluded acres abutting treasured conservation land. Exceptionally gracious, this beautiful European inspired manor offers serenity and splendor. The home features wonderful formal spaces, a stunning mahogany library, a wine cellar with a tasting room, a home theater, and a four-car garage. Hand-forged decorative wrought-iron gates and window guards add distinction to this property. A heated gunite pool, sweeping terraces and exquisite landscaping complete this property. LOCATION: 51 Sudbury Road, Weston. $3,850,000. 781-894-555551 Sudbury Road, Weston. $3,850,000. 781-894-5555

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RELAXING RETREAT Built by a renowned local builder, this traditional Colonial exudes excellence and quality craftsmanship throughout. The home includes an open kitchen/family room with a fi replace and easy access to a private backyard. Grand entertaining spaces and a large, private, cherry offi ce complete the expansive fi rst fl oor. A master suite and four bedrooms are on the second level with a walk-up attic. The fi nished walk-out lower level has an impressive bar, billiards/media area, and exercise/playroom. Located in a sought-after south-side neighborhood.

LOCATION: 81 Beaver Road, Weston.

$2,998,000. 781-894-5555

INCOMPARABLE ESTATE This magnificent stone and shingle estate is on a private, south-side road in a prime location. It has three levels of living space that includes 19 rooms, five-plus bedrooms, a media room, a gym, a wine cellar, a billiards room, a four-bay garage, and stone terraces overlooking lush acreage. The home also features a spectacular indoor pool/spa complex. It is private and secluded, yet convenient to all major routes. This rare property in an incomparable location cannot be duplicated. It boasts over-the-top luxury, yet is warm and inviting. LOCATION: 12 Claridge Drive, Weston. $11,700,000. 781-894-555512 Claridge Drive, Weston. $11,700,000. 781-894-5555

ONEGREAT PLACE

EXQUISITE DETAILS A waterside masterpiece in Back Bay overlooks the idyllic lagoon and offers an unparalleled panorama of the Charles River. This home has exquisite original details including a beautifully carved staircase, ornate fi replaces and moldings, grand-scale towering bay windows, rich paneling, and soaring ceilings. There is elevator service to all fl oors. Four garage parking spots, a roof deck, and an outdoor terrace complete this spectacular home.

LOCATION: 318 Beacon Street, Back Bay. $9,300,000. 617-247-2909

Our Toy Room is on the move!The Home’s Toy Room, our primary drop-off location,

is moving! There will no longer be a drop-off location at

161 South Huntington Avenue in Jamaica Plain.

Visit our website for more information.

November 26 – December 21, 2012

Big Wishes is sponsored by:

Make holiday wishes come true for the thousands of children and families in our care by participating in our Big Wishes Gift Drive.

Ways you can help:

• Pledge an item from a child’s wish list

• Sponsor a family

• Participate in our Gift Card Challenge

Other gift drop-off locations:Visit our website to find a Coldwell Banker Residential

Brokerage Office or community drop-off site near you!

November 29: Stuff-a-Truck Boston Common | Legacy Place, Dedham

Help stuff a truck full of toys for children! WCVB-TV and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are teaming up with The Home by challenging the

community to fill two Bernie & Phyl’s trucks — one at the Boston Common and another at Legacy Place in Dedham — full of wish list items and essentials for children of all ages. Last year’s campaign resulted in the collection of more than 4,000 gifts!

For more information, visit:

www.thehome.org/events

www.thehome.org/bigwishes

Whether you’re ready to look or ready to buy, the place to come is Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

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Vestibule - Fall 2012