PRELUDE Volume IV

Volume IV 

LUSH 

LANDSCAPES! 

Outdoor Living Spaces 

Guaranteed to Inspire! 

A publication of Boston Design Guide

Photography: Eric Roth

“Why Doesn’t 

Everyone Do It This Way?” 

Architects, Designers & Clients Agree 

fbnconstruction.com | 617-333-6800

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME... 

You put yourself in harm’s way for a stranger? 

Ran into the fight, knowing you may get knocked down 

or even sick, for others? 

THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH... 

To all of our first responders, 

the literal backbone of this country and the world. 

Especially to our protective, Bad-Ass Nurses 

who RUN to the front lines during this war! 

All of this courage… 

Armed only with full Hearts—For strangers. 

We See You. We Love You. 

And when this is all over, 

WE. OWE. YOU. 

Forever grateful, 

Koulopoulos Vona & Company

uild to endure 

What kind of home will you build for your family, our community and the environment that sustains us all? 

We think a lot about sustainability and how to make it a sincere and meaningful part of our everyday business. We continue 

to learn, engage, think and improve. Take a few moments to see what we’re doing ... you may find ideas you can build on. 

thoughtforms-corp.com | 978.263.6019 

Schwartz/Silver Architects | Photographer: Alan Karchmer

From fine bespoke designs to handcrafted millwork, The 

Gallery can transform your vision into a beautiful and 

efficient space. Our team can conquer all aspects of 

design in your home or business. 

Just eleven miles from the city of Boston, The Gallery 

Showroom of Newton is a personalized, hands-on 

experience featuring revolutionary designs, sleek timeless 

finishes, and highly functional cabinetry solutions. 

We invite you to visit our showroom! 

Hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10am - 6pm | Saturday 10am - 3pm | Or contact us to schedule a private showing. 

244 Needham Street, Newton, MA 02464 | 617-916-0970 | info@worldwidecabinetsgallery.com

Let’s Discover Why You’ll Love To Be Home 

Photography by Jared Kuzia 

Whole Home Interior Design Services 

Renovation and Contruction Services 

Concierge Project Management 

THE EXPERIENCE STUDIO 

430 Main Street 

Watertown, MA 02472 

617.741.3131 | interiology.com

Architecture: Flavin Architects; Interior Design: Erica Darnall Design; Photography: Warren Patterson 

Quality People. Quality Work. 

Arthur Massaro and Kate Durrane 

(office) 508-655-4070, (cell) 617-293-6145, (fax) 617-241-2848 

www.columbiacon.com 

21 Eliot Street, South Natick, MA 01760

Custom Homes | Design/Build | Green Building 

603-288-1574 yankeebarnhomes.com

catherine truman architects 

architecture • interior design • renovation • truman-architects.com • 857.285.2500

From the Publisher 

The Comfort of Home 

My adult children have left their apartments in 

Southie and NYC to return home. They’ve bunkered 

down with me in the ‘burbs, seeking the comforts 

only a family home can provide as we “self 

quarantine” together. At least most of us. Every 

morning, my daughter, a nurse practitioner, puts on 

her scrubs while my sons and I slip on our sweats. 

She drives to the medical facility for her 10-hour 

shift, while we charge our phones for conference 

calls and power up our far-from-threatening laptops 

by the fireplace. 

As a mother, it brings a tear to my eye as she goes 

off, knowing her calling makes her vulnerable to this 

global health crisis. Still, I am in awe of her resolve 

and strength, and think the world of everyone on the 

medical front lines. You are all warriors. 

And, while I wish I could keep my daughter safe from 

harm, I am heartened by the fact that I can give her 

a safe haven. She returns every evening to a homecooked 

meal that we all sit down to eat together. We 

often take a walk afterwards, waving from a distance 

to neighbors we haven’t seen in ages, or play a 

board game or work on a puzzle. 

In times like these—when we look to our immediate 

family for support and recreation—I am glad I did 

my renovation, put in a home office and installed 

a bocce ball court in my yard. As my 93-year-old 

father says, “Keep the faith. This too shall pass.” 

So, I say plan your next renovation or build. Maybe 

it will include a bigger freezer or an amazing 

outdoor space for long-awaited celebrations. The 

professionals featured in PRELUDE and on www. 

bostondesignguide.com are anxious to help you with 

your next project. Couldn’t we all use something to 

look forward to? 

As our homes are our refuge, I hope that you find or 

create your household’s definition of “comfort.” 

Be well and tend to those in need, 

Melanie Perillo, Publisher 

@BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignMag 

PUBLISHER 

Melanie Perillo 

EDITOR 

Sandy Giardi 

DESIGN DIRECTOR 

Rob Silsby 

DIGITAL DIRECTOR 

Kathleen Parente 

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST 

Andrea Mingels 

SALES/DISTRIBUTION MANAGER 

Ian Kaplan 

MARKETING SALES DIRECTOR 

Daniel Kaplan 

ACCOUNT MANAGERS 

Lisa Almquist 

Ellie Benson 

Colleen Keelan 

Maureen Lampert 

ACCOUNTING/ADMINISTRATIVE 

Darlene Neufell 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Warren Patterson Roger Pelissier 

Greg Premru Keitaro Yoshioka 

www.bostondesignguide.com 

BDG PRELUDE - Volume IV, 2020, prints triannually and is published by 

Boston Design Guide, Inc. 365 Boston Post Road, Box 373, Sudbury, MA 

01776. Boston Design Guide (“BDG”) provides information on luxury homes 

and lifestyles. Boston Design Guide, its affiliates, employees, contributors, 

writers, editors, (Publisher) accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors 

or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. 

The publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies and/ 

or products that advertise within the publication or that are mentioned 

editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims made by the 

Advertisers or the merits of their respective products or services advertised 

or mentioned editorially herein, and neither expressly nor implicitly 

endorses such Advertiser products, services or claims. Publisher expressly 

assumes no liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by 

any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or mentioned 

editorially herein and strongly recommends that any purchaser or user 

investigate such products, services, methods and/or claims made thereto. 

Opinions expressed in the magazine and/or its advertisements do not 

necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. Neither the Publisher nor 

its staff, associates or affiliates are responsible for any errors, omissions or 

information whatsoever that have been misrepresented to Publisher. The 

information on products and services as advertised in BDG PRELUDE are 

shown by Publisher on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Publisher makes 

no representations or warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, as to the 

information, services, contents, trademarks, patents, materials or products 

included in this magazine. All pictures reproduced in BDG PRELUDE 

have been accepted by Publisher on the condition that such pictures are 

reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer and 

any homeowner concerned. As such, Publisher is not responsible for any 

infringement of the copyright or otherwise arising out of any publication 

in BDG PRELUDE. BDG PRELUDE is a pending licensed trademark of 

Boston Design Guide, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication 

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ADDRESS SUBSCRIPTION REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE TO: 

Boston Design Guide, 365 Boston Post Road, Box 373, Sudbury, MA 01776. 

Email: Info@BostonDesignGuide.com or telephone 978-443-9886. 

10 

bostondesignguide.com

CREATE 

SOMETHING 

REMARKABLE jwconstructioninc.com BOSTON | CAPE COD 

MELLOWES AND PALADINO ARCHITECTS LISA THARP INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHY: READ McKENDREE

CONTENTS 

14 Lush Landscapes! 

A springtime celebration: breathtaking entryways, 

glorious gardens and inviting landscape designs that 

inspire all to live alfresco. 

27 Publisher’s Picks: Outdoor Spaces 

An amazing widow’s walk, the perfect pergola of a 

lakeside manor and reflections on a striking and 

singular window display. 

30 Farmhouse Flair 

An airy New England escape designed for an 

equestrian and her family embraces the quiet beauty 

of the paddock. 

38 For the Love of Shiplap 

Hawthorn Builders uses the popular cladding in rad 

and wonderful ways. 

430 

27 

38 

43 Tech Talk: Gamer’s Delight 

Calling all millennials! Cutting Edge Systems 

Corp. transforms a townhome living room into a 

high-tech gaming den. 

43 

44 The 30-Second Commute 

Working remotely; smart home office designs to 

suit your style. 

52 Soapbox 

Derek Stearns of Plymouth Quarries discusses kids 

who want to work, the company’s education program 

and career opportunities in landscape design. 

14 

Cover: Landscape Construction: R.P. Marzilli & Company 

Landscape Architecture: Dan Gordon Landscape Architects 

Photograph: Greg Premru Photography 

12 


A R C H I T E C T & B U I L D E R 

FOR CAPE COD & BEYOND 

MAIN STREET SHOWROOMS 

OSTERVILLE FALMOUTH CHATHAM 774-255-1709 LONGFELLOWDB.COM

1. 

MAKING 

2. 3. 

14 


LUSH 

LANDSCAPES! 

4. 

AN ENTRANCE 

Whether lined by delicate, fresh-faced blooms, shocks of greenery, gated or 

carved in stone, these inspired pathways say welcome, beautifully. 

1. Traditional and contemporary elements harmonize in a tulip-lined gateway conceived by Matthew 

Cunningham Landscape Design. Here, antique Rockport granite meets blackened stainless steel art 

and an incredible show of spring bulbs. Landscape construction by Martin Lucyk Landscape Construction 

2. Granite walls and a stepping stone path lead the residents of a Duxbury property, cultivated by 

a Blade of Grass, to an enticing pool and patio beyond the wooden gate. Bursts of hydrangea and 

other bayside plantings soften the vista’s hard lines. Photo by Charles Mayer 

3. Thanks to Onyx Corporation, a Concord home heightens its connection to the landscape with 

drama and tranquility. Rectangular, black granite steps “float” over the glassy waters of a reflection 

pool that sits undisturbed beside a blue-gray terrace. Photo by Warren Patterson 

4. Flanked by natural grasses, hedges and bountiful container plantings, the walkway of a shingled 

Nantucket estate brings a bit of fanfare as it ascends from the yard to the veranda. With its lush 

freedom and hints of formality, Gregory Lombardi Design’s inspired landscape design captures the 

essence of the island. Landscape contracting by Atlantic Landscaping; photo by Richard Mandelkorn 

bostondesignguide.com 15

Formal, carefree, historic or Japanese in spirit, these edens were carefully 

cultivated to delight the senses. 

1. This slice of paradise on Cape Cod, installed and maintained by the landscape artisans at Schumacher 

Companies is sunny and resplendent. The garden’s pleasing symmetry, punctuated by circular urns in 

full bloom and a sculpture at its center, invites nature lovers to stay awhile. Photo by Mitch Harper 

2. A lush pool garden by Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design is part of a verdant backyard escape. 

Its native plantings erupt against a disappearing, minimalist enclosure while rich wood fencing frames 

the terrain’s perimeter. Landscape construction by Phil Mastroianni Corp.; photo by Matthew Cunningham 

3. R.P. Marzilli & Company revived the exquisite beds and beauty of Newport, Rhode Island’s historic 

Blue Garden. The landscape professionals installed a comprehensive new planting plan—a glorious 

palette of texture and fields of purple and blue—that will preserve the intent of the private garden’s 

1913 design for posterity. Reed Hilderbrand Landscape Architecture; photo by Marianne Lee Photography 

4. Spectacular and serene, this traditional Japanese Strolling Garden by Zen Associates was made 

for contemplation. Its features, including waterfalls, islands, bridges and tree and plant material, 

like a rare weeping hemlock, and mountain laurel and azaleas for spring color, were designed to 

inspire moments of peace and pause. 

GLORIOUS GAR 

1. 

16 


3. 

DENS 

2. 

4. 


1. 

OUTDOOR LIVI 

Family playgrounds by the sea, courtyard living rooms and convivial 

poolside terraces bring the art of living en plein air to higher ground. 

1. This multitiered living space is a contemporary urban oasis in Boston’s South End. Crafted by 

a Blade of Grass for an avid entertainer, this striking enclosure uses every inch to its advantage, and 

includes fire and water features, artful lighting, an outdoor kitchen and lounge seating. 

2. R.P. Marzilli & Company carved this family paradise with a seaside lookout from an existing terrain of 

slope and ledge. Breathtaking by night and by day, the outdoor living areas include a bluestone dining 

terrace, fire pit, infinity pool and dramatic fire piers that alight the pool wall. Landscape architecture by Tucker 

Architecture and Landscape; photo by Rosemary Fletcher Photography 

3. This fire feature and terrace, designed by Gregory Lombardi Design and constructed by Landscape 

Creations, is part of an outdoor program that offers family-centric “rooms” for every season. This feelgood 

setting uses classic New England materials, like granites and bluestone, to cultivate a California vibe. 

Architecture: Morehouse MacDonald and Associates; construction: Sanford Custom Builders; photo by Nat Rea Photography 

4. A sparkling pool terrace crafted by the Schumacher Companies is upbeat and refreshing with its Black 

Irish limestone, red brick and a circular fire feature. Arcing streams of water from custom spouts within the 

coping complete the effect, making a gentle splash. Photo by Mitch Harper 

18 


2. 

NG 

3. 

4. 


LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE | INTERIOR DESIGN 

DESIGN + BUILD 

zenassociates.com 800.834.6654

Beauty 

RESTORED 

Landscape Creations expands and 

cultivates a shining coastal meadow. 

Though a glorious meadow on the sound in Stonington, 

Connecticut, looks the way nature intended, the hand of 

landscape contractors Landscape Creations is undeniably 

present. When a client sought to expand and rehab 

the reedy, colorless coastline that stood between their 

property and the water, they envisioned a minimalist, 

native-looking landscape that could serve as a border 

between the lawn and the home. The terrain would be a 

pollinator’s playground and promote a healthy ecosystem, 

with its success measured by how seamlessly the new 

elements could be stitched into the existing meadow. 

© Heather Conley Photography, LLC 

Though the vista comes off as effortless, its completion 

required significant work. The plentiful stones that dotted 

the site couldn’t be disturbed or marred by machinery, so 

seeding the grassy passages and beds called for “light 

touch hand work,” offers the firm. Also, as landscape 

architect Anne Penniman of Anne Penniman Associates 

specified plants that abound in native landscapes but 

are hard to find in commercial nurseries, specialists were 

brought in to collect and cultivate seeds from the existing 

meadow well in advance of the planting stage. 

Once installed, Landscape Creations wouldn’t fully subject 

the meadow to Mother Nature’s whim. For several seasons 

they monitored the meadow with patience and persistence, 

coaxing the desired sprouts while keeping the weeds at bay. 

For more information, visit LandscapeCreationsRI.com. 


UNWIND 

OUTDOORS 

When you move outside 

in warmer weather, 

your music should follow. 

EXPLORE THE WORLD 

OF OPPORTUNITIES OUTDOORS. 

Landscape Music • Outdoor TV • Irrigation, Pool & Spa Control 

Outdoor Wireless Network • Outdoor Lighting 

ELITEMEDIASOLUTIONS.COM 

781-237-2929 | 9 FOREST STREET | WELLESLEY HILLS, MA

BUILDING 

ENDURING 

RELATIONSHIPS 

Bruce S. MacDowell Jr., principal and owner of The 

MacDowell Company, believes that a successful 

landscape architectural design project starts 

with the development of a trusting relationship 

with each client. It is essential that the design process be 

a collaborative effort; one which is highlighted by clear 

and effective communication. It is crucial that landscape 

architects and project managers inform and educate 

the client throughout the design process and project 

implementation phases, so they are properly equipped to 

make confident, well informed decisions. 

Though passion, knowledge, artistic and technical abilities 

of a landscape architect are essential ingredients to 

conceive and develop a unique and enduring design, the 

highest level of success in this field is achieved through 

exceptional interpersonal communication. Landscape 

architects and design team members must not only be 

highly proficient at developing custom, visionary designs, 

but must also build a trusting relationship with each client. 

Talented, dedicated professionals and strong relationships 

are what most often lead to positive project experiences 

and optimal designs. 

Each project inherently develops a history of design 

iterations, considerations, discussions and decisions 

throughout the design process. Without proper 

professional guidance from a landscape architect and 

project management team, that history, as well as general 

design intent, can often be misunderstood or lost during 

the construction process. Project managers at The 

MacDowell Company, are integral members of the team 

from the outset of the design process and are readily 

available to contribute valuable knowledge to the design 

team and client. Project managers witness and partake 

in the design evolution so they are thoroughly equipped 

to oversee and implement each project’s distinct design 

intent and custom detailed components as envisioned. 

A successful project can be designed and managed 

through implementation in a variety of ways. However, 

to The MacDowell Company, the most rewarding aspect 

of providing a seamless set of services is the longlasting 

relationships they build with each individual 

client, the enjoyable experience consistently delivered 

to them and the unique spaces that are harmoniously 

integrated into their homes for their family and friends 

to enjoy. Collaboration, communication, trust and strong 

relationships are the governing principles and ideologies 

that The MacDowell Company incorporates into every 

design project and has exemplified the Company ethos for 

over 50 years. 

For more information, visit themacdowellcompany.com. 


Photography: Richard Mandelkorn 

96 SWAMPSCOTT ROAD, SALEM, MA 01970 | 781-592-3135 | GROOMCO.COM/BDG

Salon Style 

THE VERELLEN SHOP AT ARTEFACT BOSTON IS A NEW ENGLAND EXCLUSIVE 

Nine years ago, renowned designer Tom Verellen handpicked Sue and 

Maureen Walsh of ARTEFACT to represent the high-quality Verellen 

furniture brand in the New England market. Verellen—which is rooted 

in Belgium, where flax fields and natural materials abound, and 

bench-made in the U.S.—is wholly aligned with Sue and Maureen’s 

aesthetic. The owners, a sister act, prize comfort, luxury and craft in 

the curated items for the home they carry in their Belmont shop and 

in their new South End location, a Verellen salon enhanced with select 

decorative accessories, tabletop wares and “objects of desire” of their 

own design and from other artisans. 

For Verellen, “it’s about a better 

product, better materials and 

better resources,” Tom explained 

at the launch of the Washington 

Street boutique last spring. 

Verellen’s heirloom furniture is 

sustainable, customizable and, 

with its soft contours, easy on the 

eye. For Sue and Maureen, who 

have impeccable taste and love to 

entertain, comfort as well as sophistication is 

key. “We want each piece to be gorgeous, but we want it 

to be very approachable,” says Maureen. “We’ve always 

felt that way about Verellen. “It isn’t too fussy, and the 

design is spectacular.” 

The pair is enthralled with the latest collection, a complete 

line of sofas, chairs, dining and case goods, rife with 

luxurious fabrics, new designs and subtle refinements 

to Verellen classics. The line is full of curves, and “very 

textural,” says Sue. “Very now.” 

And yet timeless. This beautiful intersection is where 

Verellen shines, as the furniture maker synchronizes 

authenticity and a weaving tradition with forms that are 

wonderfully fresh and current. 

ARTEFACT works with the trade as well as homeowners 

to customize Verellen’s luxury products. Maureen and Sue 

are intimately acquainted with every piece, and can walk 

buyers through the numerous fabric selections and detail 

options. For more information, visit 1317 Washington St., 

Boston, 1000 Pleasant St., Belmont or artefacthome.com. 

Pictured: 1) Verellen’s tarifa dining stools, Himalaya seat; 2) 

Hamilton modular sofa in grey wool; 3) I-Beam console and 

rug by Verellen and Amadi Carpet; 4) Custom designed 

leather tray, a collaboration of ARTEFACT and designermaker 

Keith Waters; 5) Verellen’s outdoor Lola Lounge 


OUR FINE GARDENING SERVICES CULTIVATE BEAUTY AND 

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A DIVISION OF R.P. MARZILLI LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS 

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Chicken & Chicken Coop Care | Organic Land Care | Ecological Landscape Solutions 

774-277-2575 BotanicaFineGardens.com 

ACCREDITED ORGANIC LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

PUBLISHER’SPICKS 

the 

OUTDOOR SPACES 

ULTIMATE WIDOW’S WALK 

Along with its picture-perfect views, I’m enchanted by 

the design of this oceanside rooftop deck conceived by 

Duckham Architecture & Interiors. A wet bar, hidden 

within a faux chimney, features a dumbwaiter that makes its 

ascent from a butler’s pantry below. www.kentduckham.com. 

Construction by The Bishopric Companies, Photo by 

Richard Mandelkorn 

PERFECT PERGOLA 

I have always loved the romance of 

a pergola, but this shaded walkway 

for a manor on New York’s Lake 

Skaneateles is truly extraordinary. 

Indeed, the entire estate, designed 

by Meyer & Meyer Architecture & 

Interiors is something out of a fairy 

tale, and the fact that it was a new 

construction but looks steeped in 

time is unbelievable to me. Visit 

meyerandmeyerarchitects.com to 

see more. 

WINDOW DISPLAY 

Though I’m a traditionalist in practice, my inner self 

has a total appreciation for the modern California 

style of living that blurs the lines between indoors 

and out. In this Twin Cities project, the products 

of Western Window Systems were key to a design 

that is spare, stunning and good for the soul. 

westernwindowsystems.com. Photo by Paul Crosby, 

courtesy of Western Window Systems 


design: S V Design 

bannon 

Imagine a home, build a legacy 

www.bannonbuilds.com | 508-833-0050

VELUX: Not Your Grandparents’ Skylights 

When people think of skylights, often age-old concerns come to mind, even though skylights today are light years away 

from those of the past. Nearly ten years ago, VELUX, the ahead-of-its-time market leader in the manufacturing of skylights 

and roof windows, completely redesigned the skylight, with a mission to bring “confidence back into the category.” The 

resulting product is glorious, issue-free way to transform the rooms of your home with daylight. 

VELUX’s Solar Paneled “Fresh Air” Skylights harness the power of natural light, beautifying living spaces, and bringing 

fresh, clean air into living environments. There are no longer negatives, but rather a compelling list of benefits to adding 

VELUX skylights into your home. Here, we clarify fact from fiction, allowing lingering misconceptions to remain firmly 

where they ought to be: in the dark ages. 

Fiction: Skylights leak. Fact: VELUX leveraged 75 years 

of engineering experience to offer its patented No Leak 

Promise. VELUX is so confident that homeowners won’t 

have headaches with their products that they offer a No 

Leak Warranty that will cover labor, materials and any 

damages should issues arise. They won’t, however; VELUX 

Deck Mounted and Curb Mounted Skylights have three 

layers of protection, including leak barriers and step 

flashing, making it nearly impossible for water to get in. 

Fiction: Skylights are drafty. Fact: VELUX Skylights utilize 

“Clean, Quiet and Safe Glass” designed to let fresh air 

in and send stale air out, in a regulated, steady flow, 

and reduce unwanted outside noise. Fresh air is vital 

to a comfortable indoor climate and VELUX ventilation 

solutions make for refreshed living spaces no matter the 

weather. Silicon dioxide gives the glass an exceptionally 

smooth surface; water sheets off, reducing spotting. 

Fiction: Skylights fade furniture and art. Fact: Direct 

sunlight is no longer an issue; VELUX uses glass that blocks 

99.9% of UV rays. VELUX skylights can be paired with 

Light-Filtering Skylight Solar Blinds, which diffuse light 

through a soft, pleated fabric, or Room Darkening blinds 

for bedrooms and other spaces that should be as different 

as night and day. 

Fiction: Skylights are an energy drain. Fact: VELUX 

Skylights increase the home’s energy efficiency, allowing 

residents to save on heating and cooling. When placed 

strategically in new constructions and renovations, 

skylights can increase the amount of daylight to the home 

dramatically. Because a skylight brings in twice as much 

light as a similarly sized vertical window, they can be used 

in lieu of added windows to achieve more daylight with 

less glazing, which equals greater energy efficiency. Plus, 

VELUX’s Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights are eligible 

for a 26% federal tax credit. 

Fiction: You need an electrician or a pole to operate 

skylights. Fact: The Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylight 

comes with a preprogrammed remote control allowing 

control at the touch of a button, as well as an Integrated 

Rain Sensor that signals the skylight to close at the first 

sign of inclement weather. A small solar panel on the 

exterior of the skylight charges a fully concealed battery. 

Powered by the sun, this battery opens and closes the 

skylight, and eliminates the need for an electrician during 

installation. 

For more information, visit veluxusa.com or whyskylights. 

com. VELUX skylights are available for purchase at Harvey 

Building Products. https://www.harveybp.com/ 


Farmhouse 

An airy New England escape designed for an equestrian 

and her family embraces the quiet beauty of the paddock. 

30 


“The home is part of the landscape. It 

looks like it should be there. With the 

horse pasture out back, it just feels right.” 

–Ken Frommer, Kistler & Knapp Builders, Inc. 


32 bostondesignguide.com

The living room’s weathered trusses and the kitchen’s custom wood hood 

and island lend a warm, rustic vibe, while the shimmering backsplash and 

Forester Millwork’s cream-white cabinetry provide the polish. The Xs on 

the island and console evoke those of a barn, and the light fixtures are 

substantial but not heavy. The kitchen is Douglas Stevenson and Erin Tracey’s 

favorite room; “When you’re in it, it feels really good,” says Tracey. 

When one thinks of building a summer home in New 

England, Sudbury typically isn’t the first locale that comes 

to mind. But, for a dressage rider who lives, trains and 

competes year-round in Florida, heading north to enjoy 

New England’s short but sweet season with her family and 

pack of horses was a natural fit. She has roots there, a barn 

for her horses and rolling, family-owned land where she 

could build a timeless Shingle-Style farmhouse. She and 

her brother grew up just across the property’s yellow-green 

fields, and, now, so will her daughters. 

Down south, the family is used to living outdoors, so 

when LDa Architecture & Interiors began to design the 

client’s classic New England home, Principal Doug Dick 

and Senior Associate Carter Williams knew to integrate 

the landscape beyond the walls as much as the setting 

within. After all, trading the sweltering Florida heat for 

Massachusetts’ fresh, more temperate, summer is the 

reason the family comes back every year. 

Nestling the home within its site was of chief importance 

to the client, and, as such, drove the home’s architecture. 

LDa worked closely with Kistler & Knapp Builders, Inc. 

early on to determine “how the house would sit,” explains 

Vice President and Senior Project Manager Ken Frommer. 

As the house was placed within a low-lying wooded area 

abutting the horse pasture, Kistler & Knapp worked hard 

to ensure the elevation—which, ultimately, was higher than 

the original grading—was just right to provide views and 

easy access to the yard. 


Kistler & Knapp Builders’ work on this house “was top-shelf in 

every way,” says Carter Williams, and the stonework, all hand 

laid by David Gravlin Masonry, on the chimney and along the 

foundation, front entry and garage area, is incredible. Pella of 

Boston’s Architectural Series of windows and doors struck just the 

right note; the products’ beautifully refined details and iron ore 

color were selected to complement the exterior cladding. Right: 

The “lanai,” or covered porch, is a Florida amenity specifically 

requested by the homeowners. From a construction standpoint, 

Kistler & Knapp took special care to ensure that the exterior 

materials were just as elegant as those inside, for a seamless 

indoor-outdoor flow. 

Architecture: LDa Architecture & Interiors 

Construction: Kistler & Knapp Builders, Inc. 

Interior Design: LDa Architecture & Interiors 

Windows and Doors: Pella of Boston 

Photography: Greg Premru 

Text: Sandy Giardi 

Frommer credits the architectural team for including 

the golden swaths of land and sky-high oaks within 

the layout of the living spaces. It then fell to Kistler & 

Knapp Builders, who did the site work as well as the 

general contracting, to further develop the outdoor 

vistas throughout the build process—preserving trees 

whenever possible, or eliminating or adding them as 

needed—explain Principal Douglas Stevenson and 

Frommer. As a result of the two firms’ seamless and 

highly efficient collaboration, the house feels deeply 

connected to its site. 

“As beautiful as this house is on the inside,” offers 

Williams, “the experience of being inside is all about 

looking out and connecting to this very special place.” 

From the great room with its soaring cathedral ceilings, 

to an enchanting, breath-of-fresh-air of a master 

bedroom with stunning French doors and windows by 

Pella that open to a private balcony, to the kitchen, 

dining room, and even the mudroom, there are vantages 

34 


The home has a feeling of airiness and space without being overly grand. 

The family comes here to relax; it’s pretty but not precious, and 

meant to feel easy and calming.” –Carter Williams, LDa Architecture & Interiors 

everywhere to the meadow, paddocks and barn. “Those 

views have a lot of significance,” says Williams, “but it is 

also just objectively beautiful land. We wanted to bring 

that inside as much as possible.” 

While the exterior of the homestead, with its classic 

stone and shingles, copper gutters and downspouts, and 

low-skirt apron roof celebrate a traditional New England 

aesthetic, the interior takes a more minimalist approach, 

and was designed to be “clean and simple,” maintains 

Interior Design Associate Erin Tracey of LDa. The living 

quarters reveal an elevated rusticity as well as flourishes of 

“unexpected glamour.” However, it’s the intangible feeling 

of airiness and “warm-weather” sensibility conjured by the 

designers and contractor that may be the home’s crowning 

achievement. As for the nods to an equestrian lifestyle? 

Whether subtle, like the hide rug in the great room, or 

overt, like the reclaimed trusses overhead, those details 

are just plain fun. LDa was careful not to overdo the riding 

references, says Tracey, “but it’s what our client loves and 

what this place is all about.” 

In the breezy master bedroom, Pella’s transom window with custom arched top and 

French patio doors frame a spectacular view of the oak tree-lined pasture and lead to 

a private deck. The hardware was upgraded to a distressed bronze for a rustic feel. 


Enhance your lifestyle and have complete control with 

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Crowning Glory 

Quality cabinet choices for every budget 

Crown Point Cabinetry, the premier cabinetmaker 

located in Claremont, New Hampshire, was launched 

in a garage in 1978 by President Brian Stowell’s father 

with a table saw, radial saw and a belt sander from Sears. 

From those humble roots, Crown Point has emerged as an 

industry leader in inset wood cabinetry, and now operates 

from a state-of-the-art facility with top-tier machinery and 

artisans, and an inspired showroom of custom designs. 

The family-run business has never lacked vision. In the 

summer of 2018, Crown Point launched Crown Select, a 

secondary line offering the same high-quality inset and 

frameless cabinetry for a lesser investment. Crown Select 

is the Toyota to Crown Point’s Lexus, maintains Stowell; 

they are built by the same artisans, share the same quality 

standards and use Crown Point’s beautifully durable ovenbaked 

finish. Both Crown Point and Crown Select offer 

custom fit appliance panels and accessories, including 

recycling centers, tray and flatware dividers, rollout storage 

and Lemans corner units. Each arrives blanket-wrapped 

direct to the site and is backed by a comprehensive, 10- 

year warranty, but there are some key differences. Crown 

Point offers complete customization for those looking 

to “reinvent-the-wheel,” while Crown Select boasts the 

merits of Crown Point with limited customization, as well as 

the following distinctions.... 

CROWN POINT 

CROWN SELECT 

Vs. 

• 1-inch thick face frames, doors and drawer fronts (the 

hallmark of the highest quality cabinet) 

• $40,000-50,000 for the average kitchen (*does not 

include install, countertops, backsplash or appliances) 

• Hand-selected woods, including Cherry, Quarter Sawn 

White Oak, Sapele and Walnut, and reclaimed woods 

sourced from across the U.S. 

• Full spectrum of customization, including projects with 

unusual specs or contours 

• Walnut dovetail drawers 

• A choice of 158 standard paint colors, and the option 

for a custom color. Sprayed and brushed applications 

• Production time: 14-16 weeks from design finalization 

• 3/4-inch thick face frames, doors and drawer fronts 

(the industry standard) 

• $27,000-32,000 for the average kitchen (*does not 

include install, countertops, backsplash or appliances) 

• Square inset, beaded inset or frameless construction 

• Traditional maple dovetail drawers 

• A choice of Cherry, Flat Sawn Oak and Beech 

• Limited customization 

• A choice of 20 paint shades on hard maple, “from the 

whitest white to the darkest dark” 

• Production time: 10-12 weeks from design finalization 

For more information, visit crown-point.com and crownselect.com. 


38 


FOR THE 

LOVE OF 

SHIPLAP 

Hawthorn Builders uses the popular 

cladding in rad and wonderful ways. 


The resident had an appreciation for the Magnolia look, but wanted to make the modern farmhouse style her own. 

The Hawthorn team was encouraged to take artistic liberty, and shiplap was among the modes of expression. 

Above, shiplap is offset by a band of reclaimed wood in the hood of the kitchen and, at left, used for the ceiling in 

a sun-filled breakfast nook. Hawthorn Builders was strategic in its application. “You get just enough,” says Design 

Associate Lauren Passaretti, “but it’s not overdone.” 


While shiplap has been around forever, 

there is no doubt that the clean-lined 

application is the darling of home design. 

Homeowners adore the rustic yet refined 

“modern farmhouse” look, and shiplap is one of the 

style’s defining features. Yes, Joanna Gaines of Magnolia 

fame and television’s many home shows deserve some of 

the credit, admit Design Associate Lauren Passaretti and 

Jessica Chabot, VP Business Development and Design, 

of Hawthorn Builders, but the two also attribute shiplap’s 

renaissance to a trend away from “overly complicated 

design” and a shift to a fresh, full look. 

Roughly 60 percent of Hawthorn Builders’ clients are using 

shiplap, says Chabot; no doubt, because it is affordable, 

readily available, easy to install and can be used in any 

number of ways. A new home in Needham beautifully 

illustrates its versatility as well as the custom builder’s 

inventive applications, which were used to create visual 

texture. “We walked a fine line,” explains Passaretti, 

“incorporating a detail with shiplap but not making it 

overbearing or overpowering the whole space.” 

“We selected creatively where it will get the most 

attention, but in the right way,” she continues. Shiplap 

adorns the graceful archway that leads to the kitchen, 

giving the open-concept space definition and a sense of 

ceremony, and clads a statement-making hood over the 

stove. It also shines as a ceiling over the breakfast nook, 

delineating the area and drawing attention to a change 

in volume. “Even though there is no case opening or wall 

definition for that space,” says Chabot, “the ceiling makes 

it feel like it’s a different space even though it’s the same 

room. Without the texture of the shiplap on the ceiling, 

that space wouldn’t have been as successful.” 

Shiplap’s dimension also has a cozy air and a way of 

making a home feel well established, warding off a sense 

of sterility that can accompany a new construction. The 

master bath, another area where the team “mixed it 

40 


up,” shows how shiplap can bring warmth and additional 

interest to the rear wall. Its horizontal lines draw the eye 

through the space, elongating the room and connecting 

its amenities. 

Unlike other trends, Hawthorn Builders doesn’t expect 

shiplap to go away anytime soon. In fact, Chabot, 

conjuring her inner crystal ball, forecasts bigger and more 

varied applications in the future. “I would like to see an 

even more modern bent on it, where it gets even wider— 

eight or 12 inches wide—where you get a really subtle 

detail. I think that’s probably how it will morph.” 

Shiplap has become an alternative to wainscoting and isn’t overly 

fussy. Left, a shiplap archway ensures that the open-concept 

layout doesn’t feel too “exposed,” and its lines guide you into the 

kitchen. Above, Chabot had the idea of painting the bathroom 

trim to match the cabinets to make the shiplap pop, while the 

wood underfoot and on the mirrors provided a nice sense of 

warmth. 


High-Fashion Faucets 

Photo by Michael J. Lee 

What are all the sinks wearing? Statement-making fixtures that shine in the heart of the home. Waterstone is the brand in demand 

for those with traditional taste and for those with a flair for the contemporary. The Gantry Faucet in satin brass (at right) 

is a focal point in kitchen designer Donna Venegas’ own home and selected as it had the “height and the proportion to fit the 

scale of the island.” To see what the designer would suggest for your kitchen renovation, visit Venegas and Company at venegasandcompany.com. 

Monique’s Bath Showroom offers both fixtures shown above; ask for the Traditional Standard Reach 

PLP Pulldown Faucet 5600 (left) or Waterstone’s The Gantry. Visit moniquesbathshowroom.com. 

High-FashionFaucets.indd 1 

3/19/20 5:17 PM 

Lighting + Shading + Technology. 

Simplified. 

Driven by the System 7, Wolfers Lighting, 

and Boston Shade team. 

Design Gallery at the Boston Design Center, 

Online at StructureLighting.com. 

617-409-5577 

Image © Hubbardton Forge 

Image © Hubbardton Forge 

StructureLighting.com 

42 


Photography: Warren Patterson 

These days, home theater systems are not 

solely about movies, says Evan Struhl, President 

and CEO of Cutting Edge Systems Corp. 

“You can watch TV or choose to become captivated 

by playing video games.” Along with streaming video, 

gaming has become an obsession among millennials, and, 

for the young residents of a beautiful new Beacon Hill 

townhome, it is undoubtedly “their hot spot.” 

They approached Cutting Edge Systems because they 

wanted a “killer system” in their posh, high design living 

room. The catch was that the impeccably tasteful space 

couldn’t look like a home theater; it needed to be a “living 

room without compromise,” says Struhl. 

At the touch of button, a custom speaker, designed and 

built by Cutting Edge Systems, rises from its hiding space 

behind the sofa to meet a motorized, 120-inch Stewart 

screen. A powerful subwoofer is housed in a hidden, 

custom built cabinet behind the couch. The projector fires 

up from across the room; Lutron shades lower to shut out 

the outside world and the lighting dims, casting a warm 

glow over the high-tech scene. 

The audio electronics by JBL Synthesis, says Struhl, “are 

the highest quality and usually reserved for dedicated 

home theater rooms.” Typically, you wouldn’t use such 

a grand system in a space like this, he continues, but his 

clients “wanted a lot of impact and excitement to come 

through.” Cutting Edge Systems was happy to comply, 

installing the motorized soundbar/subwoofer behind the 

couch and a fully calibrated surround sound system that is 

built in, invisibly. 

As important as it is, the gaming theater is just one 

component of a whole-home integration system. Cutting 

Edge Systems also configured music, using small aperture 

speakers that mimic the overhead lighting fixtures, video, 

Lutron Palladiom keypads, lighting and shades. All of the 

electronics, including an enterprise computer network with 

secure WiFi, is efficiently housed in an equipment rack that 

slides in and out of a custom closet. 

For more information, visit cuttingedgehome.com. 


oakdd.com 

brendonproperties.com; Mary Prince Photography 

Many enjoy the luxury of working in a dedicated 

office behind closed doors, whether the space is 

masculine and masterful like a study lined with 

bookshelves by Fallon Custom Homes & Renovations 

(below middle), or crisp and uncluttered like Carter & 

Company’s bright home office (below right) with pops 

of turquoise. Other designs create desk space within 

a wall of woodwork, like the gracious dove gray 

built-in by Brendon Properties (above), or define it 

with millwork, carving out a polished workstation 

within the wall of the room à la Adams + Beasley 

Associates (below left) or as a “study hall” of 

sorts, as in Nicholaeff Architecture + Design’s well 

articulated—and well situated—custom workstation 

(top right). Mellowes & Palladino Architect’s flawless 

living room design (above right) takes a different tack, 

allowing for the job to get done at a glass table in 

the thick of things, overlooking the landscape. Yet 

Oak Development & Design’s Tiny House turned 

temporary office (top left) may well be the most genius 

of all; its retirement plan includes a next life as an 

Airbnb on a vacation spot up north. 

adamsbeasley.com; Nat Rea Photography 

44 


mellowespaladino.com; Richard Mandelkorn Photography 

nicholaeff.com; millwork: Kochman Reidt + 

Haigh Cabinetmakers and Detail Millwork; 

Richard Mandelkorn Photography 

Working remotely is the 

new norm. These smart 

home office designs 

suit any style. 

THE 

30-SECOND 

COMMUTE 

falloncustomhomes.com; Eric Roth Photography 

mcarterandco.com; Michael J. Lee Photography 


THE BOLD LOOK 

O F F KOHLER® 

85 Accord Park Dr. 

167 White's Path 

Norwell, MA 

S. S. Yarmouth, MA 

781-878-3312 

508-394-0911 

snowandjones.com 

@SnowandJones 

We Live for Joy. 

Let's bring more joy to where we live. 

Find the moments and memories that spark joy in you and make them the 

inspiration behind your kitchen and bath spaces. Let the design expert at 

your local KOHLER @ store show you how.

THE GREAT 

WIDE OPEN 

A fresh, feel-good new construction by 

Concept Building is stark and striking for its 

use of disparate tones. 

“What really separates this house from others,” says 

Owner Jeff Capello of Concept Building, “is the strong 

contrast between the dark floors, the bright walls, sharp 

trim lines and the sleek counters. That combination 

creates a stunning feel for the space.” 

Right out of the gate, the divergent tones make an 

impact. In the foyer, nontraditional trim “creates a layer 

of cleanliness and sexiness that you don’t get in most 

traditional homes,” says Capello. It not only makes 

the entry hall a stunner, it raises the bar considerably 

on the level of craft needed to execute the design 

components. 

In the kitchen, Concept Building took “the bright and 

exciting route” over a warm and traditional look and 

merged the entertainment spaces to appeal to an active 

family with a fun social life. Paired with an incredible 

music system, that space “not only makes for a great 

meal,” says Capello, “it makes for a great night.” 

A modern den mingles comfortable furnishings with 

crisp, clean lines, while a bifolding exterior door brings 

the outside in. As with all of the living spaces, that spare 

use of trim makes for an “unforgiving” build. Yet the 

effect? Flawless. 

Visit conceptbuildinginc.com to learn more. 

Architecture by Slocum Hall Design Group; Photography by Jeffrey S. Adams 


(781) 793-0700 

CommerCial and residential natural stone restoration 

Countertops, Bars, Baths, Floors, Foyers & more 

Bostonstonerestoration.Com 

The CITGO sign lights Kenmore Square. 

We’ve got the rest of Boston lit. 

u 617.527.3296 difoggioelectric.com 

48 


BRIGHT 

IDEAS 

for Your Bathroom 

Frank Webb Home on Lighting 

While most people choose their lighting 

fixtures based on how the fixture looks, you 

should select bathroom lighting for how it 

makes you look and how well it illuminates 

this all-important space in your home. 

“Bathrooms should have a combination of ambient and 

task lighting,” explains Jim Henderson, Frank Webb 

Home’s lighting specialist. “Ambient lighting is your main 

lighting source. It’s designed to illuminate the space 

evenly. This can be accomplished with a decorative 

overhead fixture, recessed lighting or an exhaust fanlight.” 

According to Henderson, task lighting is directed so that 

you have proper illumination for shaving or applying 

makeup. Your bathroom is also the place where you or 

members of your family may need to check a thermometer 

or take medications, so creating at least one section of 

your bathroom with enough directed brightness to see fine 

detail is important. 

Sconces, positioned on either side of your mirror, are a 

popular form of task lighting. These eliminate shadows 

cast from harsh overhead light. “Many medicine cabinets 

now have LED lighting built into the mirrors, plus interior 

and nightlights,” says Henderson. “Plus, don’t forget your 

shower lighting. It’s important for bathing and shaving your 

legs. Look for fixtures that are actually rated waterproof if 

they will be inside your shower.” 

Whether you are looking for a dramatic ceiling fixture, 

artful sconces for your vanity or a lighted medicine 

cabinet, Frank Webb Home offers a wide array of options 

and working displays to help you envision how the light 

will enhance your bathroom. With a dozen showrooms in 

Eastern Massachusetts, and 45 in all, a Frank Webb Home 

lighting expert isn’t far from your home. 

For more information, visit frankwebb.com/lighting. 


SOMETIMES 

PEOPLE LIE ABOUT 

THEIR AGE. 

x 

We’ re rather proud of it. 

PMS 872 

THE 

PORTLAND GROUP 

C26 M12 Y19 

60% black 

THE 


C36 M15 Y13 

70% black 

For 90 years The Portland Group has been New England’s top choice for 

plumbing and heating. Our showrooms, Splash and Spritzo, offer the most beautiful bathroom 

products on the market. It’s true what they say, we’re not getting older, we’re getting better. 

The Portland Group. 90 years of beautiful. 

617-332-6662 / 244 Needham Street, Newton, MA / SplashSpritzo.com 

Affiliated Spritzo Showrooms: 

Worcester, MA / Providence, RI / Saco, ME / Clinton, CT / Middletown, CT / Vernon, CT

Architecture: Amanda Martocchio Architecture; Photography: Michael Moran/OTTO 

BUILDING MOMENTUM 

THE 


TYPE 

C72 M27 Y37 

THE 


brookes + hill custom builders, inc. ushers in a new decade with dynamic changes. 

It has been a banner year at brookes + hill custom 

builders, inc. The high-end custom builder and renovator 

is celebrating its 10th year in business, and has marked the 

milestone by moving to a new Waltham office, launching a 

compelling new website and by promoting Jessica Griffith 

to the role of principal, joining Eric Hill (pictured above 

left) and David Brookes (right) at the helm. 

Griffith, who has been at the company for seven years, 

has, by all accounts, earned her new title. “She has the 

respect of everyone in the industry,” asserts Eric Hill, “and 

has become a tremendous asset because of how she 

works and who she is.” As brookes + hill has grown, the 

firm has become increasingly reliant on Griffith. “She has 

accepted the responsibilities and has been a really great 

fit,” says David Brookes. “This was our way to recognize 

her contributions.” 

One of brookes + hill’s foremost virtues is the high 

involvement of its principals. With that operational 

structure, it follows that the boutique firm’s growth would 

necessitate a third leader, and Griffith is well respected 

within the industry. “We only take on what we can be 

personally involved in,” says Brookes. “That’s something 

that a lot of people cannot claim.” 

Because each project is “so custom and personal,” seconds 

Griffith, at least one or two principals are invested in every 

project—whether in the city proper or in Greater Boston. 

“There are not a lot of people that do what we do,” says 

Brookes. The custom builds and renovations of brookes + 

hill are complex and unique projects that require careful 

oversight and management. “That’s what makes us strong.” 

Visit brookesandhill.com to meet the principals in a short 

video and learn more. 


Derek Stearns is the Manager of Marketing, Sales and Design at Plymouth 

Quarries, the 105-year-old Hingham quarry known for its Weymouth Granite. 

Derek spearheads Plymouth Quarries’ education and mentorship program 

that supports vo-tech schools, including South Shore Technical High School 

in Hanover, Mass. Derek’s masonry expertise and communication skills have 

been showcased on guest spots on PBS and as co-host of two national TV 

shows. He is a regular keynote speaker at trade shows nationwide. 

Ten years ago, when Derek Stearns and his cousin Dean 

Marsico, head of executive sales and design at Plymouth 

Quarries, were crisscrossing the U.S., and airing 200 

episodes for “Rock Solid” and “Indoors Out,” they kept 

hearing the same irritating line: The next generation 

doesn’t like to work. “We were seeing ads showing a 

piece of equipment that does the work of four people at 

conventions,” says Derek, so we started to investigate this 

so-called lack of labor. 

Lumping an entire generation of kids together and claiming 

they are all alike didn’t sit well with Derek. “That’s a 

lie,” he says emphatically, “and I decided I didn’t want to 

take part in that anymore. I didn’t want to talk about kids 

that way.” He knew there were hard workers out there, 

he and Dean would just have to figure out where to find 

them—locally. “I just started knocking on doors,” he says. 

“These kids don’t know you and you don’t know them, but 

they’re out there and they want to work.” 

Plymouth Quarries, a 105-year-old cornerstone in the region’s 

stone industry, includes an educational component 

as part of its mission that exposes students from South 

Shore Vo-Tech and other schools to the rich opportunities 

in the landscape field in a year-round program. Through 

Dean and Derek with students from South Shore Technical High School. 

the partnership, students see the full scope of landscape 

design, tour the facility’s interior and exterior showrooms, 

and learn about the products and what goes on in the 

fabrication shop. They explore the different types of stone, 

brick and concrete pavers and start to visualize how they 

can work with these materials from a design perspective. 

“The kids get jazzed up,” says Derek. “They really do.” 

For Derek, fueling that fire was personal. “I struggled in 

high school, with reading and books,” he admits. The one 

thing he had, though, was building stone projects with his 

dad, who was a master stone cutter. Derek recalls repairing 

his first set of steps. The job gave him $500 in his pocket, 

and, even better, a sense of pride. “I was like, ‘Wow! I like 

this!’” As Derek wasn’t a “college kid,” he went to work. 

“I started building and getting creative, and I have to say 

it saved me.” 

Many of the students on Plymouth Quarries’ program can 

relate, and Derek is all about their empowerment. The 

landscape industry has so much opportunity, he underscores. 

“It is a multi-billion dollar industry. Let’s give it 

some numbers.” It isn’t a cop-out, it’s a calling, and it’s 

for this reason that Derek welcomes parents to join him 

on tours and school info sessions. “In ten minutes they’re 

thinking about the industry in a completely 

different way.” 

Derek wholeheartedly believes that 

Plymouth Quarries as a business has a 

responsibility to the next generation. “We 

can’t just expect them to find their way by 

chance. We’ve got to reach out to them.” 

A great career and living are within reach. 

“They just don’t know it yet.” 

Fifty men and women running design 

companies, contracting businesses and 

architecture firms are waiting to hire the 

groups from South Shore Vo-Tech after 

graduation. “I tell the kids all the time: 

‘We have so many companies waiting to 

meet you,’” says Derek. “They have no 

idea how important they are.” 

52 


CUSTOM HOMES 

That Reflect Your Vision. 

See more at 

merzconstruction.com 

or call 978-371-1828 


Builder: Merz Construction, Inc. 

Architect: DSK | Dewing Schmid Kearns 

Interior Design: DSK Interiors

Welcome Home... 

to the place for creating a modern home. 

Our 8000 square-foot showroom at Battery Wharf is New England’s largest Modern Kitchen & Living showroom 

offering Europe’s top brands, including TEAM 7, LEICHT, MisuraEmme, Arketipo, Altamarea, Gaggenau, 

Thermador, Rolf Benz and Miele, for kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, and wardrobes. 

2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02109 | 617-443-0700 | www.divinedesignbuild.com

PRELUDE Volume IV

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