Featured Slideshow
Long view of the living room. The original brick façade of the fireplace was painted and the simple mantle left intact. Notice the window cornice brought to the ceiling molding to both draw the eye to the detail and to create an illusion of height.
Detail of acrylic waterfall coffee table with natural horn bowl and hand-thrown vase. Natural vine table base holds a brass webbed sphere table lamp.
Detail of A. Rudin living room chairs and bamboo end table, looking to foyer and stairway. Notice original wrought iron twisted rail and floral detail.
Foyer detail. Note the curved wall in foyer as seen in ceiling outline crown molding juxtaposed with a contemporary hanging fixture.
Long view of the dining room. Plan was designed for intimate dinner parties. Note the leather-bound custom sisal carpet.
Elissa Fenster
Truth-to-materials of the Craftsmen period inspired Elissa Fenster in her design.
The masculine interior is perfect for the homeowner.
Built in 1940, with a brick- veneered Tudor exterior, the interior architecture of this home suggests a Craftsmen style bungalow. The simplicity of form seen in the exposed ceiling beams and the visibility of handicraft seen in the woodwork spoke to and directed the designer to both a bold visual and an appropriately understated furnishings plan.
From the outset, the vision was to keep the gumwood trim intact. Minimally contrasting wall tones to the trim were applied. There is color change from room to room, but to keep a room-to-room flow, the color value remains consistent.
There is little pattern and a subtle use of texture on both fabrics and floor coverings. Occasional pieces, like the natural vine end table in the living room underscores a rough-hewn quality and the truth- to- materials viewpoint of the Craftsmen period. These marry well to the urban edge sought for the bachelor homeowner who entertains often. The homeowner feels both well-heard and well-represented by what he concludes is a ‘masculine’ interior.
Newton, MA
Inspirations Gallery
