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PRELUDE Volume V

PRELUDE is a timely print and digital companion publication to BDG's annual luxury home resource guide.

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<strong>Volume</strong> V<br />

A publication of Boston Design Guide<br />

KITCHENS!<br />

High-style solutions<br />

for the heart and soul<br />

of the home.


PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC ROTH<br />

TRANSPARENCY


COMMITMENT<br />

IN THIS UNPRECEDENTED<br />

TIME WE WOULD LIKE TO<br />

RECOGNIZE AND THANK OUR<br />

CLIENTS, OUR ENTIRE TEAM<br />

HERE AT FBN OUR TRADE AND<br />

DESIGN PARTNERS AND ALL<br />

THOSE THAT HAVE ALLOWED<br />

US TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND<br />

MOST IMPORTANTLY SAFE<br />

AND HEALTHY. IT IS NOT AN<br />

EASY THING TO DO AND THE<br />

ATTENTION, THOUGHTFULNESS<br />

AND CARING, SHOWN BY ALL,<br />

IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.<br />

#FBNSOUL #FBNBUILT<br />

#WECANDOTHIS<br />

17 WOLCOTT CT., BOSTON, MA 02136 | 617.333.6800 | FBNCONSTRUCTION.COM


PROfile<br />

Kistler & Knapp Builders<br />

draws on over 40 years<br />

of fine craftsmanship to<br />

reflect the most demanding<br />

architectural concepts.<br />

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CITYCHIC<br />

PROfile<br />

With over 40 years of building experience, Kistler & Knapp Builders, Inc. is one of<br />

the most highly-regarded construction firms in the Greater Boston region. Their work<br />

reflects the finest craftsmanship and the most demanding architectural concepts.<br />

Kistler & Knapp has always understood the importance of effective communication<br />

and working well with the entire team in all aspects of the building process. The<br />

foundation of their reputation rests on expert management, transparent accounting<br />

and fiscal prudence. Owners Doug Stevenson and Renée West are committed to<br />

creating successful relationships during construction and well into the future, thereby<br />

maintaining a legacy of excellence in fine home construction. And Kistler and<br />

Knapp’s Home Services Division is there for the long haul, maintaining their clients’<br />

homes well into the future.<br />

916 Main Street<br />

Acton, MA 01720<br />

(978) 635-9700<br />

www.kistlerandknapp.com<br />

Architect: Ruhl Studio Architects<br />

Interior Designer: Bill Lewis<br />

Photographer: Warren Patterson<br />

bostondesignguide.com 3


Photograph: Warren Patterson<br />

Relationships Are Our Foundation.<br />

Arthur Massaro and Kate Durrane<br />

(office) 508-655-4070, (cell) 617-293-6145, (fax) 617-241-2848<br />

www.columbiacon.com<br />

21 Eliot Street, South Natick, MA 01760


Landscape Architecture<br />

LombardiDesign.com


From the Publisher<br />

Shelter from the Storm<br />

This <strong>PRELUDE</strong> is our kitchen edition. As we are having more “stay-at-home” celebrations, it is more important than ever to have a kitchen<br />

inside or out that fulfills your basic needs, and then some. Walk-in refrigeration, storage for stocking up on paper goods and spaces that<br />

give everyone some breathing room while “hanging” or working in the kitchen are key to elevating daily routines.<br />

Life as we know it will never be quite the same, but what we are experiencing now is creating a road map for how to navigate this<br />

new norm. What do you need if you have to shelter in place? How would you create your own sanctuary? What calms you, gives you<br />

strength, and rejuvenates you to be your best self? For me, my home office doubles as a makeshift gym. The peaceful zen garden with<br />

water features for morning meditations has brought me comfort in these uncertain times. And I love that my whole family can gather in<br />

my spacious new kitchen. These are the spaces I’ve tackled, and I am thankful I did. As you read through this issue, I hope you find the<br />

inspiration to create settings that work well for you now—solutions that, though they may not have mattered before, change every day for<br />

the better. Every day is a new day!<br />

Stay safe and keep the faith for better times ahead,<br />

Melanie Perillo, Publisher<br />

@BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignMag<br />

508-358-4500 abladeofgrass.com<br />

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Michael J. Lee Photography<br />

ERIC HAYDEL DESIGN<br />

BOSTON - NEW ORLEANS<br />

WWW.ERICHAYDEL.COM<br />

GATHER ’ROUND...<br />

Where life’s most important moments unfold.


CONTENTS<br />

12 Kitchens!<br />

High Style Kitchens, Design Cornerstones, The Anatomy of a Perfect<br />

Kitchen, and Refrigeration Redefined.<br />

20 Publisher’s Picks: Outdoor Kitchens<br />

Where to cook when you’re renovating; alfresco grilling designs that<br />

make cooking a joy.<br />

23 Designer Digs<br />

Inside Interiology Design Co.’s Experience Studio with Mark Haddad<br />

28 New Chapters for Storied Homes<br />

In the hands of Jan Gleysteen Architects, homes of the past live well today.<br />

36 Small-Scale Splendor<br />

A finely detailed home in Brookline is big on character and elegance—<br />

not compromise.<br />

40 Creating Your Backyard Oasis<br />

Onyx Corporation reveals the ideal way to put in a pool—and all that<br />

goes with it.<br />

46 Tech Talk: Your Landscape...Wired<br />

Advancements in outdoor living entertainment allow homeowners to<br />

take Elite Media Solutions’ smart home and AV systems outside.<br />

48 The ProFile<br />

Meet Larissa Cook, Executive Vice President of FBN Construction.<br />

28<br />

40<br />

Cover: Architecture and interior design: SV Design; kitchen design: Venegas and Company; stone:<br />

Cumar, Inc.; construction: Windover Construction; photo by Michael J. Lee Photography<br />

12<br />

PUBLISHER<br />

Melanie Perillo<br />

EDITOR<br />

Sandy Giardi<br />

DESIGN DIRECTOR<br />

Rob Silsby<br />

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST<br />

Andrea Mingels<br />

SALES/DISTRIBUTION MANAGER<br />

Ian Kaplan<br />

ACCOUNT MANAGERS<br />

Lisa Almquist<br />

Ellie Benson<br />

Colleen Keelan<br />

Maureen Lampert<br />

ACCOUNTING/ADMINISTRATIVE<br />

Darlene Neufell<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

Warren Patterson<br />

Roger Pelissier<br />

Michael J. Lee<br />

www.bostondesignguide.com<br />

BDG <strong>PRELUDE</strong> - <strong>Volume</strong> V, 2020, prints triannually and is published<br />

by Boston Design Guide, Inc. 365 Boston Post Road, Box 373,<br />

Sudbury, MA 01776. Boston Design Guide (“BDG”) provides<br />

information on luxury homes and lifestyles. Boston Design Guide,<br />

its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher)<br />

accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions<br />

with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The<br />

publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies<br />

and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are<br />

mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the<br />

claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective<br />

products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein,<br />

and neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser<br />

products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no<br />

liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by<br />

any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or<br />

mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any<br />

purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods<br />

and/or claims made thereto. Opinions expressed in the magazine<br />

and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions<br />

of the Publisher. Neither the Publisher nor its staff, associates or<br />

affiliates are responsible for any errors, omissions or information<br />

whatsoever that have been misrepresented to Publisher. The<br />

information on products and services as advertised in BDG<br />

<strong>PRELUDE</strong> are shown by Publisher on an “as is” and “as available”<br />

basis. Publisher makes no representations or warranties of any<br />

kind, expressed or implied, as to the information, services,<br />

contents, trademarks, patents, materials or products included<br />

in this magazine. All pictures reproduced in BDG <strong>PRELUDE</strong><br />

have been accepted by Publisher on the condition that such<br />

pictures are reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent<br />

of the photographer and any homeowner concerned. As such,<br />

Publisher is not responsible for any infringement of the copyright<br />

or otherwise arising out of any publication in BDG <strong>PRELUDE</strong>.<br />

BDG <strong>PRELUDE</strong> is a pending licensed trademark of Boston<br />

Design Guide, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication<br />

may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,<br />

electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any<br />

information storage and retrieval system, without the express<br />

written permission of the Publisher. ADDRESS SUBSCRIPTION<br />

REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE TO: Boston Design<br />

Guide, 365 Boston Post Road, Box 373, Sudbury, MA 01776.<br />

Email: Info@BostonDesignGuide.com or telephone 978-443-9886.<br />

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Dazzle with Linea Couture.<br />

Cumar is New England’s preeminent source and fabricator of the finest marble, granite, limestone, and exotic stones. | 617.389.7818 | cumar.com


THE ART, CRAFTSMANSHIP & EXCELLENCE OF HAUTE CUISINE<br />

HANDCRAFTED CooKING RANGES &<br />

SUITES, STEEL CABINETRY, FINE Wooo WORKING & APPLIANCES<br />

l'ATHlrn<br />

PARIS • NEW YORK • MIAMI • LOS ANGELES<br />

www.LEATELI ERP ARIS.COM 1 800 792 3550<br />

PARIS<br />

HAUTE DESIGN


Homegrown<br />

Botanica, a new organic vegetable,<br />

fruit and flower gardening division,<br />

takes root at R.P. Marzilli & Company<br />

R.P. Marzilli & Company embraces the home gardening<br />

trend with Botanica, a new arm of their full-service<br />

landscape business dedicated to designing, cultivating<br />

and maintaining custom edible and home gardens. Now<br />

families can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables harvested in<br />

their very own backyard—no green thumb required.<br />

For 35 years, R.P. Marzilli & Company has brought beauty<br />

to the outdoors, and with Botanica, they bring fresh<br />

fare to your table. Its fully certified team of landscape<br />

professionals is wholly committed to organic practices for<br />

natural fertilization, soil amendments and microbial food<br />

sources, so clients can trust their produce is free from<br />

chemicals and pesticides.<br />

Botanica works with homeowners to tailor seasonal,<br />

successional custom crop plans, cultivating the likes of<br />

vine-ripe slicing tomatoes, zucchini and crisp radishes in<br />

the summer, and broccoli, arugula and bok choy come fall.<br />

The experts simplify home agriculture, communicating<br />

and implementing optimal location selection, fencing<br />

requirements, quantities and productivity.<br />

Additional services include cutting gardens (for backyard<br />

bouquets arranged either by or for you), seasonal<br />

orchards, pollinator gardens, chicken and coop care,<br />

and cold-frame gardens that extend the season, whether<br />

giving your harvest a head start or protecting it from the<br />

elements. To learn more, visit BotanicaFineGardens.com.<br />

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HIGH ST<br />

ELEMENTAL EFFICIENCY<br />

Elemental Efficiency: Thoughtforms Corporation, thoughtforms-corp.com, Photograph by Richard Mandelkorn<br />

Sleek Minimalism: Groom Construction Co., Inc., groomco.com, Photograph by William Horne<br />

European Chic: Divine Design Center, divinedesigncenter.com, Photograph by Warren Patterson<br />

Classic Beauty: Bannon Custom Builders, bannonbuilds.com, Photography by Greg Premru<br />

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YLE KITCHENS<br />

CLASSIC BEAUTY<br />

SLEEK MINIMALISM<br />

EUROPEAN CHIC<br />

Whether sipping, supping or hanging out, the kitchen, almost universally,<br />

serves as the family’s favorite gathering spot. Given the room’s ranking within<br />

the home’s hierarchy, shouldn’t it look the part? The following builds by top<br />

industry pros offer kitchen goals for every taste.<br />

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KITCHEN<br />

FRESH-AIR SKYLIGHT<br />

THE STATEMENT STOVE<br />

A SCULPTURAL SINK & FAUCET<br />

CUSTOM CABINETRY & ISLAND<br />

The Statement Stove: Jarvis Appliance, jarvisapplianceinc.com<br />

A Sculptural Sink & Faucet: Snow and Jones Inc., snowandjones.com, Photograph courtesy of House of Rohl<br />

Fresh-Air Skylight: VELUX, veluxusa.com, whyskylights.com, Photograph courtesy of VELUX America LLC<br />

Custom Cabinetry & Island: Crown Point Cabinetry, crown-point.com, Photograph courtesy of Crown Point Cabinetry<br />

Gleaming Counters: Onyx Marble & Granite, onyxgranite.com, Photograph by Warren Patterson<br />

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COMPOSITION<br />

GLEAMING COUNTERS<br />

Showstopping marble surfaces, thick inset cabinetry, an artistic faucet<br />

and sink, and a sizzling stove, topped by a skylight to bathe it all in<br />

glorious sunshine (and properly ventilate), these industry darlings are the<br />

cornerstones of the heart of the home.<br />

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PREP AND COUNTER SPACE<br />

Design Around a Central Hub<br />

Nearly every kitchen Venegas and Company designs<br />

for a new construction incorporates an island, and<br />

sometimes two. In addition to visually anchoring the<br />

space, it creates separate “workstations, meaning<br />

you may have multiple cooks working, prepping and<br />

cleaning.” Venegas’ team quickly learns that each<br />

family member has a different interest. “Today’s<br />

kitchens are relational,” says Venegas. “She preps<br />

and cooks, he cleans. The daughter loves to bake.”<br />

• • • •<br />

The deep island allows for space for splatter, away<br />

from seating. Whenever possible, Venegas increases<br />

the depth of kitchen counters to 27-30 inches.<br />

A 5-foot galley workstation is adjacent to a 15-inch<br />

induction cooking module.<br />

Food prep, cooking and serving is done facing those<br />

seated on the island and beyond.<br />

According to kitchen designer Donna Venegas, the ultimate kitchen is one that facilitates her clients’ lifestyle, there<br />

is no one right answer. There is however, one common denominator, she says: “Every client would like more time!”<br />

The answer? Efficiency. “If things are easy to find, if the design creates a logical flow and offers organization, cooking<br />

becomes more fun, and ultimately saves homeowners time for other things.” The show kitchen within Venegas and Company’s<br />

South End showroom and design studio illustrates the expert’s deep knowledge of functionality, circulation and the latest<br />

technologies—and more than a few tricks of the trade. Visit venegasandcompany.com for a kitchen tailored to your lifestyle.<br />

CUSTOMIZED CABINETRY<br />

Storage Meets Beauty<br />

Venegas and Company is always pushing themselves<br />

and their cabinetmakers to discover what’s next. Their<br />

designs not only make the studio a standout, they<br />

propel the discipline forward. Finish development is<br />

ongoing and constant, and the firm is incorporating<br />

metal, stone veneer doors—even recycled military<br />

canvas—into their offerings. “The goal is for the client<br />

to find elements that speak to them,” says Venegas.<br />

• • • •<br />

Serving items are located on the side with seating.<br />

All cabinetry has personalized interior accessories,<br />

fully integrated LED, mechanically controlled parts and<br />

articulating doors.<br />

Photography by Michael J. Lee Photography<br />

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THE BEVERAGE ZONE<br />

A Venegas Must<br />

“Every kitchen should incorporate a station for beverages<br />

and snacks away from the cook,” maintains Venegas. It<br />

is not only convenient, it also creates a warm welcome<br />

for the morning ritual. “For many, coffee is ceremony,<br />

so designing a beautiful space that flows sets the tone.”<br />

Venegas, who renovates many compact spaces in Boston,<br />

thinks creatively about siting her beverage centers, often<br />

borrowing space in the living room, along the dining<br />

room wall or a small closet if there isn’t kitchen space.<br />

Sometimes the design of her breakfast/coffee bars morph<br />

into a cocktail/entertainment spot come 5pm.<br />

• • • •<br />

Shelves along the backsplash hold all coffee<br />

accoutrements, cabinets above store glassware.<br />

A Coffee System is integrated above a cup warmer and<br />

wine refrigerator.<br />

A sink is close by to fill the water carafe.<br />

An 18-inch dishwasher is ideal for coffee cups and<br />

wine glasses.<br />

THE ANATOMY OF A PERFECT KITCHEN<br />

Donna Venegas of Venegas and Company dissects the features that make the space.<br />

HIGH-POWERED!<br />

Every Inch is Working<br />

This kitchen packs a tremendous amount of cooking<br />

power in a small space. All of the appliances are<br />

compact and work in concert with one another. Even<br />

smaller kitchens contain multiple ovens. One oven, for<br />

finishing proteins, should be close to the action, while<br />

a second oven, for baking, say, can be further away.<br />

Venegas likes to split up refrigeration, positioning<br />

the primary refrigerator by the chef’s prep space and<br />

drawers by the beverage area, where coffee, tea,<br />

juices and smoothies are prepared. “Beverage drawers<br />

are great to have at the extremities of a kitchen,” she<br />

says, giving kids and guests quick access.<br />

• • • •<br />

A Combi-Steam Oven allows for convection and<br />

steam cooking for fast, healthy cooking.<br />

A working backsplash has shallow,<br />

water-resistant shelving.<br />

Proteins are stored in refrigerator drawers, and vacuum<br />

sealed in another drawer for sous vide cooking.<br />

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Top: RootCellar’s automatic door<br />

allows owners to go in and out with<br />

their hands full. The fully concealed<br />

refrigerated pantry is ideally<br />

positioned near the kitchen or garage<br />

entry and is an option for both new<br />

constructions and remodels.<br />

Bottom (left to right): Founders<br />

Don Lake and Paul DeLorenzo.<br />

RootCellar refrigerated pantries eliminate the “food graveyard” that often befalls standard<br />

refrigerators, eliminating waste and keeping ingredients organized and at eye view. No two<br />

RootCellars are the same. This custom design was created for newlyweds who love to entertain,<br />

and is inlaid with marble to match the kitchen counters; all have restaurant-grade glass.<br />

Measuring at 400 cubic feet, this RootCellar easily contains weekly grocery items, as well as<br />

platters for entertaining, fresh florals, kegs or cases of beer, chilled wine, bushels of shellfish—<br />

even a Thanksgiving turkey. If the residents don’t have time to put away their farm share or food<br />

delivery, they can simply place the parcels within it until they do. RootCellars can be configured<br />

with camera apps to allow owners to view its shelves from the store.<br />

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Refrigeration Redefined.<br />

RootCellar ® refrigerated pantries bring<br />

a cool change to kitchens.<br />

RootCellar Concepts has unveiled a breakthrough<br />

new product for fine homes that may just change your<br />

approach to grocery shopping, food organization and<br />

refrigeration. The company has introduced a premier,<br />

fully customizable refrigerated pantry and freezer that<br />

can replace the refrigeration in your kitchen, and fit in<br />

seamlessly within your design.<br />

The concept is the brainchild of Paul DeLorenzo,<br />

who has been in the food and beverage industry for<br />

decades, and Don Lake, a serial startup entrepreneur.<br />

DeLorenzo, who knows how essential “walk-ins” are to<br />

restaurants, wanted something similar in his own home.<br />

Lake latched onto the idea, envisioning the virtues of<br />

a walk-in closet for the kitchen. It is the kind of Aha!<br />

moment that is met with a resounding “Of course!”<br />

and “Brilliant!” by everyone who learns of it. “When<br />

you think about it,” explains Lake, “refrigeration hasn’t<br />

changed much in 100 years.” Families live in their<br />

kitchens today; a RootCellar pantry supports modern<br />

lifestyles, answering the universal need for more<br />

storage, freeing up space and revolutionizing the way<br />

people shop for and organize their perishables.<br />

Design development—quieting the evaporator,<br />

maximizing efficiency, wiring the lighting and hands-free<br />

door system, and refining the clean-lined aesthetic—<br />

took time to perfect. The result, however, is game<br />

changing for main residences and second homes, as<br />

you can stock the RootCellar at the outset of the high<br />

season to ensure you’re guest-ready. The investment is<br />

on par with what homeowners might spend on a top-tier<br />

refrigerator, drawers, freezer column and a wine cooler.<br />

“Yet you still wouldn’t have one-third the volume of a<br />

RootCellar,” reveals DeLorenzo, “or the convenience.”<br />

To learn more, visit rootcellarconcepts.com.<br />

Photography: Warren Patterson<br />

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PUBLISHER’SPICKS<br />

the<br />

OUTDOOR KITCHENS<br />

Renovating your kitchen? When I tackled the making of my own dream kitchen, my outdoor grill<br />

saved my bacon. These alfresco kitchen designs make cooking a joy, even during construction.<br />

THE ENTERTAINER<br />

Created for fresh-air family dinners and entertaining friends,<br />

this handsome stone cooking station was sited in proximity<br />

to both the home and pool. The luxury gas grill is paired with<br />

a burner (for boiling corn or lobsters), a refrigerator and a<br />

striking, custom fabricated reclaimed redwood countertop<br />

for quick cleanup. Visit abladeofgrass.com. Photo courtesy of<br />

a Blade of Grass, LLC.<br />

STUNNER BY THE STAIR<br />

This shimmering outdoor kitchen, seemingly carved<br />

into the stone and stair, belongs to an ambitious<br />

renovation to the outdoor living spaces of a Weston<br />

estate. Landscape contractor R.P. Marzilli & Co. was<br />

given a Gold Award by the National Association<br />

of Landscape Professionals for their first-place<br />

craft and masonry. Visit rpmarzilli.com. Landscape<br />

architecture by Hawk Design, Inc. Photo by<br />

Rosemary Fletcher, courtesy of R.P. Marzilli & Co.<br />

COMPANION PIECE<br />

This enchanting kitchen is part of<br />

a multiprogrammed terrace with<br />

ample opportunities for dining<br />

and lounging. A grill-facing bar is a<br />

design masterstroke, as the cook<br />

can pass a cold one to friends<br />

from the built-in fridge and have<br />

company when manning the flames.<br />

Visit themacdowellcompany.com.<br />

Photo by Gregg Shupe, courtesy of<br />

The MacDowell Company.<br />

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FALLON CUSTOM<br />

HOMES & RENOVATIONS<br />

GIVES A BEAUTIFUL ROOM,<br />

BREATHING ROOM.<br />

I Love You, But I Need My Space<br />

Photography: Greg Premru<br />

Cherry woodwork in a custom stain by Fallon Fine Cabinetry;<br />

construction: Fallon Custom Homes & Renovations; interior<br />

design: Sharon Staley Interiors<br />

During these unprecedented times, when everyone has<br />

been holed up at home more often than not, even the<br />

most spacious quarters can feel a bit, well, confining. It’s<br />

for this reason that we applaud the design and<br />

craftsmanship of a two-island kitchen by Fallon Custom<br />

Homes & Renovations. The premier custom builder has<br />

its very own millwork shop, Fallon Fine Cabinetry, and is a<br />

master at the art of function and form.<br />

Gleaming with cherry millwork and coffered ceilings<br />

that define each space, this multi-zoned kitchen has a<br />

layout developed for the way the clients use the space<br />

and its amenities. The island closest to the wall oven and<br />

refrigerator serves as a food prep and cleanup station,<br />

complete with a dishwasher, sink and a raised alcove for<br />

dishes. “With the plate storage right there,” explains<br />

Production Manager Brett Larson of Fallon Custom Homes<br />

& Renovations, who helped with the design, “residents<br />

don’t have to travel to the outside walls for dishes.” Plus,<br />

anyone working there is out of the way of the stove.<br />

Thanks to a second bar-topped island, while the chef is<br />

readying a meal, the evening’s bartender can serve up<br />

cocktails or soft drinks. This two-tiered workspace and<br />

bar contains everything beverage related, “including an<br />

icemaker, bar fridge and slide-out bar pullout,” says Larson.<br />

Its stool seating, abutting the family room, provides a<br />

perch close to the action, yet not too close for comfort.<br />

Visit falloncustomhomes.com for more information.<br />

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In Pursuit<br />

of Paradise<br />

A seaside destination in South Dartmouth<br />

by Gregory Lombardi Design required<br />

precision—and action.<br />

To look at it, you wouldn’t think that this idyllic coastal<br />

landscape is anything other than the picture of serenity. Yet<br />

the tranquil water of the elevated, infinity-edge lap pool<br />

created for an avid swimmer, the raised waterfall spa carved<br />

into granite to align with the bay kitchen window, the cleanlined,<br />

almost Zen-like terraces and hardy plantings that ebb<br />

and flow like the tide, are, in actuality, the products of a<br />

flurry of activity that lasted only nine months’ time.<br />

This landscape design was part of a new beach home<br />

project with a lot of program—a main house and garage,<br />

pool house, pool and spa—all situated on a “gorgeous but<br />

thin, sensitive site that’s right on the wetlands off an inlet,”<br />

says principal Gregory Lombardi. The landscape architects<br />

had to navigate high velocity zones and other “invisible<br />

lines,” like conservation setbacks and pool codes, to bring<br />

the striking summer escape to fruition. Principal Troy Sober,<br />

who was in the trenches throughout the process alongside<br />

landscape contractor R.P. Marzilli & Company, still marvels<br />

at the superstructure Parker Construction erected over the<br />

entire job site (pools and all), “wrapping it like a boat” to<br />

allow construction to continue all winter long and fast-track<br />

the home for summer. The initiative was intensive but fun,<br />

says Sober. And when that covering was peeled off before<br />

Memorial Day to reveal what is, by all accounts, a legacy<br />

piece? Perfection.<br />

To learn more, visit lombardidesign.com.<br />

22<br />

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Architecture by DSK Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners;<br />

pool by Custom Quality Pools, photography by Anton Grassl.


Designer Digs<br />

INSIDE INTERIOLOGY DESIGN CO.’S EXPERIENCE<br />

STUDIO WITH MARK HADDAD<br />

Photography: Warren Patterson<br />

When we asked to profile<br />

Certified Master Kitchen and Bath<br />

Designer (CMKBD) Mark Haddad<br />

in his element, he naturally chose<br />

Interiology Design Co.’s Experience<br />

Studio in Watertown as the setting.<br />

The owner and his team work amid<br />

the studio’s curated, comprehensive<br />

displays, a space brimming with<br />

design solutions for the whole home<br />

as well as one-of-kind accessories,<br />

upholstery, art and case goods.<br />

Interiology Design Co.’s impressive<br />

kitchen installations illuminate<br />

Haddad’s 19-year depth of<br />

knowledge and coveted CMKBD<br />

level of certification, which requires<br />

accredited instruction and ongoing<br />

education. From the fully operational<br />

Gourmet Kitchen (top), with its walnut<br />

island, motorized cabinetry and<br />

custom storage, to the contemporary<br />

Coffee Kitchen (below) with its<br />

Noisette cabinetry by Composit,<br />

it is clear the studio is a winning<br />

resource for homeowners and trade<br />

professionals alike.<br />

Aside from the sexier considerations<br />

like aesthetics, kitchen design<br />

requires a thorough grasp of<br />

plumbing, electrical and structural<br />

aspects. “Designing a new kitchen<br />

is one of the most important<br />

investments you will make in your<br />

home,” offers Haddad. “An NKBA<br />

(National Kitchen & Bath Association)<br />

certified designer can help guide you<br />

through the process.”<br />

Start your journey at The Experience<br />

Studio at 430 Main St. in Watertown<br />

or online at interiology.com.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 23


The Comforts of Home & Garden<br />

The Outdoor Living Store<br />

Outdoor Furniture<br />

Garden Gifts<br />

Statuary<br />

Perennials<br />

Annuals<br />

Trees & Shrubs<br />

Pottery<br />

Fountains<br />

Umbrellas<br />

Fire Pits Sunbrella Cushions Tableware<br />

Designers welcome<br />

Closed Tuesdays<br />

National Furniture<br />

Retailer of the Year in<br />

the Casual Furnishings<br />

Industry<br />

1265 Massachusetts Avenue | Lexington, Massachusetts<br />

781-861-1200 | www.seasonsfour.com


MICHAEL LEE PHOTOGRAPHY


Open It Up<br />

Deck It Out<br />

Over the Garage < ><br />

< ><br />

Up on the Rooftop<br />

26<br />

bostondesignguide.com


EXPANDED<br />

LIVING<br />

In this day and age, every last one of us has<br />

to multitask, and Longfellow Design Build<br />

believes our houses should work as hard<br />

as we do. It’s likely your home has extra<br />

living space hidden in plain sight. Maybe<br />

you are all too clear on what could use a<br />

transformation or perhaps you need help<br />

envisioning the opportunities. Either way,<br />

the team at Longfellow Design Build can<br />

help. The design-build firm has mastered the<br />

art of remodels and additions; here follows<br />

a few of the ways that Longfellow Design<br />

Build has made much of the settings where<br />

homeowners live, work and play.<br />

Deck It Out: Given social distancing, adding<br />

opportunities for outdoor living is high on every<br />

homeowner's wish list. This expansive deck is an<br />

asset to an award-winning mid-century postmodern<br />

project in Cotuit and provides a welcome connection<br />

to the great outdoors.<br />

Screen It In<br />

< ><br />

Open It Up: Homeowners are often surprised to<br />

find that Longfellow Design Build can transform<br />

multiple first-floor rooms into an open-concept great<br />

room. By removing a load-bearing wall, the firm can<br />

create vast, wide-open spaces to accommodate<br />

families spending more time at home.<br />

Up on the Rooftop: The Cape Cod company is happy<br />

to offer homeowners a little perspective, as well<br />

as an amazing view, often of the water. For decks<br />

and roof decks, Longfellow Design Build schedules a<br />

drone session as part of the design process to scout<br />

out the ideal outlook.<br />

Over the Garage: A garage addition is an optimal<br />

place to grow your living space, and gain a little<br />

ground. These projects are best suited to offices,<br />

guest suites and family entertainment rooms—all<br />

places that benefit from a little distance from the<br />

main home.<br />

Screen It In: Screened-in porches and sunrooms<br />

are easy additions with a big impact, maintains<br />

Longfellow Design Build. A cheerful, three-season<br />

room with plenty of natural light and fresh air is just<br />

the antidote needed when you’re feeling stir-crazy.<br />

Visit longfellowdb.com to begin your home<br />

transformation.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 27


In the hands of Jan Gleysteen Architects,<br />

homes of the past live well today.<br />

New Chapters for<br />

Storied Homes<br />

Jan Gleysteen, principal of Jan Gleysteen Architects (JGA), describes himself and his colleagues as “avid students<br />

of the homes of the past.” Having studied under the architect Robert A. M. Stern at Columbia University, Gleysteen<br />

has a deep understanding of different architectural styles and how to design within those styles. And while the firm<br />

is best known for its distinctive and distinguished new constructions, the timeless elegance of their new homes is<br />

considerably informed by another area of expertise: the firm’s background in historic additions and renovations.<br />

There is an art to architectural replication which requires copious technical research and comprehension of the<br />

construction methodology of yesteryear. So it only makes sense that Gleysteen’s new partner Joanne Powell would also<br />

be well versed in historic renovations. Powell, who has been with JGA for nearly 12 years, shines within this area, and has<br />

an affinity for making older homes livable today.<br />

We explore three impressive transformations, all of which preserve, position and forward the design of the home for its<br />

next lifetime.<br />

28<br />

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“I love finding ways to use old houses and really bring<br />

something out in them. These old homes have another life<br />

ahead of them now. That’s something I love doing.”<br />

—Joanne Powell<br />

It’s hard to imagine this striking home in Needham was<br />

once a modest 1938 center entrance Colonial. This<br />

elegant renovation undertaken by JGA provides the<br />

owners the conveniences of a modern lifestyle without<br />

losing sight of the home’s original character or the<br />

neighborhood context.<br />

Though JGA added 2,300 square feet to the home,<br />

the redesign goes largely undetected from the street<br />

view. The front façade retains the original massing with<br />

restored leaded glass at the entry and enhanced with<br />

proper historical detailing. The rear façade, however,<br />

was dramatically reimagined. The ground level now<br />

boasts a modernized kitchen and breakfast room<br />

alongside a stunning family room with soaring ceilings<br />

(pictured at left), while the second floor features an<br />

elegant master suite and private deck.<br />

Builder: Kells Construction, Inc.; Photography: Richard Mandelkorn<br />

The success of this project hinged on “balancing<br />

an informal lifestyle within the more formal historic<br />

framework without abandoning the old or hindering the<br />

new,” says Gleysteen.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 29


Builder: Kells Construction, Inc.; Photography: Warren Patterson<br />

30<br />

bostondesignguide.com


New Chapters for Storied Homes<br />

“When you walk in the front door of an older home,<br />

especially a home like this, you stop and say, ‘Wow!’ It’s<br />

just not the kind of thing you see anymore. There are<br />

details around every corner.”<br />

—Joanne Powell<br />

When Gleysteen and Powell learned that this historic<br />

Jacobean home in Winchester was designed by and<br />

for an architect, the details that imbue every inch of<br />

the lakeside home soon made perfect sense. For this<br />

project, JGA was tasked with providing gathering<br />

spaces for the young family beyond the formal,<br />

historically proportioned rooms of the old house.<br />

Rather than carving up the fabric of the historic home,<br />

the duo designed an addition encompassing a new<br />

kitchen, family room, breakfast room, mudroom, and<br />

basement rec room. The new wing has sweeping water<br />

views and is stitched in seamlessly to the main home<br />

and enveloped in the same intricate brickwork and<br />

masonry detail of the original structure.<br />

JGA also renovated portions of the existing home, like<br />

an attic-turned colorful home office (pictured), updated<br />

bathrooms, and converting the old kitchen into a cozy<br />

library. The firm had to think like preservationists, as<br />

well as revolutionaries, weighing when to keep what<br />

exists and when to make a change. Solutions went<br />

through many iterations; “But when we got it, we<br />

knew,” enthuses Powell.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 31


A third historic renovation by JGA gave them the<br />

opportunity to study the work of Benjamin Proctor,<br />

Jr., an architect of local renown. This 1930’s house is a<br />

rare example of the architect’s clapboard design, as<br />

Proctor typically used brick for his private residences. Its<br />

current owners were “captivated by its charm, scale, and<br />

warmth,” offers Powell.<br />

Builder: Kells Construction, Inc.; Photography: Richard Mandelkorn<br />

As the historic design was largely unaltered from its<br />

initial intent, JGA focused on maintaining the feel of the<br />

old home when embarking on an addition to replace<br />

the undersized garage while adding a new family room,<br />

and mudroom wing. The firm studied and faithfully<br />

replicated the historic details and massing, including<br />

recreating the existing two-car garage in a new location<br />

with an attached third bay capped with a low hipped<br />

roof. Almost every room in the home was touched, but<br />

all updates eschewed a modern “open” floor plan for<br />

the discrete room layout of the past with fixtures and<br />

hardware that speak to the home’s provenance.<br />

For more information, visit jangleysteeninc.com.<br />

32<br />

bostondesignguide.com


New Chapters for Storied Homes<br />

bostondesignguide.com 33


Landscape Artisans<br />

Photography: Mitch Harper<br />

New England’s oldest and most trusted name in<br />

landscape construction, maintenance, & irrigation.<br />

Serving all of New England<br />

www.dschumacher.com


Photography: Jeffrey S. Adams<br />

WE HAVE ONE SIMPLE CONCEPT:<br />

Build the best team of in-house staff, support them with a core<br />

network of highly skilled subcontractors and clients will come…<br />

and come back.<br />

Photography: Shelly Harrison<br />

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION AND LARGE-SCALE RENOVATIONS THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS<br />

781-703-5970 | 31 GREEN STREET, WALTHAM, MA 02451 | WWW.CONCEPTBUILDINGINC.COM


Splendor<br />

SMALL-SCALE<br />

36<br />

bostondesignguide.com<br />

Photography: Shelly Harrison


Due to its symmetry and circulation, the home lives large despite<br />

its square footage. To make up for the long views the property<br />

lacks, the landscape was brought clear up to the windows.<br />

W<br />

A<br />

finely detailed new home in Brookline is big on character<br />

and elegance—not compromise.<br />

Within the bucolic neighborhood of Brookline’s Pill Hill,<br />

a historic district so named for the doctors in residence<br />

who wanted an idyllic locale and proximity to Boston’s top<br />

hospitals, lies a surprise of a house designed by Meyer<br />

& Meyer Architecture and Interiors. The finely-detailed<br />

home, which sits atop a leafy slope, is a revelation for a few<br />

reasons. Firstly, at only 4,000 square feet, it represents a<br />

departure from the 15,000-square-foot estates, and<br />

castles, even, for which the elite architectural and interior<br />

design firm is known. Secondly, it was created for a young<br />

developer and his family, who saw value in embedding a<br />

new home within the enclave’s architectural fabric that<br />

looks every bit the part of its well-established neighbors.<br />

Homeowners have choices when designing a new home.<br />

“‘New’ doesn’t have to mean different,” underscores Cofounder<br />

and Principal Interior Designer Laura Meyer. “It<br />

can mean anything that is important to the client.” In this<br />

case, that means a medium-sized residence with plenty of<br />

character and specialty details that reinforce the integrity<br />

of the neighborhood. The beauty of this home is that it fits<br />

in, asserts Principal Architect and Co-Founder John Meyer.<br />

“It’s not taking as much as it’s giving back.”<br />

At Meyer & Meyer, “the creativity of the architecture isn’t<br />

found in the style of home, it’s what’s underneath,”John<br />

continues. For that, the firm draws on its wealth of design<br />

skills, culled from decades of conceiving palatial estates, to<br />

create a refined “home within reach.” Says John, “We can<br />

play with the dimensions and the proportions and stretch<br />

it across the lot in a way that makes it look just as elegant<br />

as any of the 12,000-square-foot homes in its midst.” As for<br />

the interiors? Artful tactics—positioning a striking dining<br />

room within eyeshot of the foyer, designing a ceremonious<br />

stair that ascends to the second floor, wrapping a corner of<br />

the kitchen with an expanse of windows—give the living<br />

spaces a feeling of grace and grandeur.<br />

Best of all, its owners won’t feel compelled to downsize<br />

once the kids have grown. “It’s designed for a lifetime,”<br />

says John, “and your kids, and kids’ kids. It’s part of the<br />

family.” Visit meyerandmeyerarchitects.com to learn more.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 37


Photography: Greg Premru<br />

QUALITY COMMITMENT TRUST KNOWLEDGE CRAFTSMANSHIP<br />

CREATE<br />

SOMETHING<br />

REMARKABLE<br />

Boston | 617.547.2800 • Cape Cod | 508.300.3000 | www.jwconstructioninc.com


Living Room Transformation<br />

At Cutting Edge Systems, we’ve been on the forefront of state-of-the-art technology systems<br />

in the home for over 25 years. Architectural audio and visual solutions are our specialty.<br />

How do we do it? In this elegant living room, we installed a JBL Synthesis surround sound system that is<br />

typically reserved for home theater rooms. A motorized, 120-inch Stewart screen concealed within the<br />

ceiling lowers to meet a powerful, custom designed speaker that rises from a custom cabinet hidden<br />

behind the couch. A projector, encased along the molding, casts images onscreen, while Lutron shades<br />

descend automatically and the lighting dims. We can equip any room to transform at the touch of a button.<br />

Cutting Edge Systems • 364 Littleton Rd. • Westford, MA 01886 • (978) 392-1392 • www.cuttingedgehome.com<br />

CuttingEdgeSystems.BDG24_FULL.indd 1<br />

Photos: Warren Patterson Photography<br />

Music<br />

Video<br />

Lighting<br />

Shading<br />

Communications<br />

Control<br />

8/4/20 2:08 PM<br />

Living Room Transformation<br />

Music<br />

Video<br />

Lighting<br />

Shading<br />

Communications<br />

Control<br />

Photos: Warren Patterson Photography<br />

At Cutting Edge Systems, we’ve been on the forefront of state-of-the-art technology systems<br />

in the home for over 25 years. Architectural audio and visual solutions are our specialty.<br />

How do we do it? In this elegant living room, we installed a JBL Synthesis surround sound system that is<br />

typically reserved for home theater rooms. A motorized, 120-inch Stewart screen concealed within the<br />

ceiling lowers to meet a powerful, custom designed speaker that rises from a custom cabinet hidden<br />

behind the couch. A projector, encased along the molding, casts images onscreen, while Lutron shades<br />

descend automatically and the lighting dims. We can equip any room to transform at the touch of a button.<br />

Cutting Edge Systems • 364 Littleton Rd. • Westford, MA 01886 • (978) 392-1392 • www.cuttingedgehome.com


A WORD FROM<br />

THE LANDSCAPE<br />

ARCHITECT:<br />

This pool project represents the<br />

first time that Onyx Corporation<br />

collaborated with Gregory Lombardi<br />

Design. The project entailed fitting a<br />

pool house, swimming pool and spa<br />

into a beautiful backyard on the cusp<br />

of a picturesque Concord meadow.<br />

Much of what makes the site so<br />

spectacular also made it a challenge,<br />

explains Senior Associate and Project<br />

Manager Rebecca Verner, and the<br />

landscape architects “had to be<br />

creative about how to fit in that pool<br />

terrace and pool house given the<br />

conservation setbacks.” Their vision<br />

was to elevate the pool terrace to<br />

allow it to serve as its own enclosure<br />

and provide an outlook that captures<br />

“the romance of a mown lawn as it<br />

transitions to the meadow beyond,”<br />

adds Principal Gregory Lombardi, a<br />

vista he describes as a “visual palate<br />

cleanser” that seems to slow time.<br />

The design aesthetic walks the line<br />

between New England restraint<br />

and modernity. Fieldstone walls and<br />

bluestone salvaged from the existing<br />

terrace were deftly interwoven with<br />

Morning Mist Granite in a seamless<br />

mix of old and new. The homeowner<br />

shared Verner’s passion for materials,<br />

and she was fascinated by the process<br />

of selecting stone and finishes. Her<br />

enthusiasm only paid off, as “the<br />

granites used around the pool area<br />

elevated the design,” offers Verner.<br />

Over the course of this project, Onyx<br />

Corporation and Gregory Lombardi<br />

Design formed “a great functional<br />

relationship,” says Verner, and Onyx<br />

is now one of her “go-to” firms.<br />

Onyx did a brilliant job of realizing<br />

the conception, Verner enthuses. “It<br />

takes high quality contractors to see<br />

our design work to the end.” To learn<br />

more, visit lombardidesign.com.<br />

Additional credits: Pool by Environmental<br />

Pools; architecture: DSK Dewing Schmid<br />

Kearns Architects + Planners; stone:<br />

Freshwater Stone; additional planting by<br />

Parterre Garden Services; photography<br />

by Warren Patterson<br />

40<br />

bostondesignguide.com


CREATING<br />

YOUR<br />

BACKYARD<br />

OASIS<br />

This summer, residents everywhere were scrambling to<br />

make a splash in their own backyards and reaching out<br />

to Onyx Corporation to see just how fast the landscape<br />

professionals could make that happen. When installing a<br />

pool, there are many moving parts—it’s<br />

not just about finding a spot and filling<br />

’er up. In actuality, the time to begin your<br />

landscape transformation is now; Onyx<br />

Corporation rolls out how the process<br />

should go.<br />

Homeowners should begin by discussing<br />

pool ideas with Onyx, leveraging the<br />

landscape contractor’s deep knowledge<br />

of the field and their industry contacts.<br />

Onyx works with a select group of<br />

landscape architects and can offer<br />

guidance on finding the right fit for<br />

your vision. Landscape Division Manager Julie Bergeron<br />

and Landscape Assistant Manager Megan Moreland<br />

explain: “The pool is the driving goal, but the landscape<br />

surrounding it anchors the pool and transforms your yard<br />

into the ideal getaway space. It is essential that the two be<br />

cohesive and studied as a whole.”<br />

Once a schematic design is complete, Onyx works with<br />

homeowners to meet with pool contractors, compare<br />

options and review details. Onyx then collaborates with<br />

Onyx Corporation<br />

reveals the ideal<br />

way to put in a<br />

pool—and all that<br />

goes with it.<br />

you, the landscape architect and pool contractor to value<br />

engineer the design and provide final pricing that aligns with<br />

your budget. The team will then spearhead the engineering<br />

and permitting process in order to secure the pool permit.<br />

Permit in hand, the pool contractor can<br />

mobilize and excavation can begin. Onyx<br />

will guide you step-by-step through<br />

the landscape and pool construction<br />

process—ranging from gunite and<br />

plumbing to patios, lawn and lighting,<br />

and then to the fun, final step, filling<br />

the pool! During this process, Onyx’s<br />

full-service team will be onsite, building<br />

the landscape that envelops your pool,<br />

including fire features, outdoor kitchens,<br />

walkways, retaining walls and plantings.<br />

Bringing these elements to fruition can<br />

occur simultaneously, and having the right team in place is<br />

essential for coordination and efficiency.<br />

Now that you are ready to enjoy your new pool and<br />

landscape, the last consideration is upkeep. With your<br />

team in place, Onyx will oversee the transition from<br />

construction to maintenance. Your landscape and<br />

pool will be carefully maintained, ensuring the success<br />

and longevity of your own personal paradise. Visit<br />

onyxcorporation.net to get started.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 41


Love Your Garage.<br />

Quality Floor Coatings, Cabinets and Organizers<br />

781-836-5145<br />

www.bostongarage.com


1. Whole House Audio<br />

2. Custom Media Edge Frame<br />

3. Savant Control Screen<br />

4. Automatic Shades<br />

5. Lutron Lighting Control<br />

6. Home Automation<br />

Photography: Warren Patterson<br />

Enhance your lifestyle and<br />

have complete control with<br />

smart technology throughout<br />

your entire home.<br />

WHOLE HOUSE AUDIO | HOME AUTOMATION | LIGHTING CONTROL | MOTORIZED SHADES<br />

MEDIA ROOMS | NETWORK | LANDSCAPE LIGHTING | OUTDOOR AUDIO<br />

Visit our Experience Center / Showroom at 34 Wexford Street, Needham, MA 02494<br />

(617) 391-8919 | www.sdiboston.com


º Natural wood beauty<br />

º Suitable for any climate<br />

º One of a kind Warranty<br />

º Environmentally friendly<br />

º Miami-Dade NOA<br />

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º Zero Maintenance<br />

º Only wood shingle allowed<br />

855-488-7232 | TuradaShingles.com


Brawn&<br />

Beauty<br />

Tough-as-nails Turada<br />

Hardwood Shingles offer an<br />

alternative to cedar roofing.<br />

by Andrea Mingels<br />

With over 50 years of experience, Tropical Timberwoods Inc.<br />

is an industry leader in the production and distribution of<br />

tropical hardwoods and the leading importer and exclusive<br />

provider of Turada Hardwood Shingles—a beautiful choice<br />

for real wood roofing without chemical preservatives.<br />

Turada Hardwood Shingles are valued by home professionals<br />

worldwide for their classic, rustic look and unequaled<br />

durability. In fact, the product bears the distinction of being<br />

the only wood shingle allowed on the Texas coast due to<br />

their Category 5 hurricane wind protection and unparalleled<br />

fire resistance rating. Turada Hardwood Shingles are also<br />

naturally resistant to decay and insect activity and can last<br />

up to 50 years without maintenance, making the material a<br />

worthwhile investment.<br />

Turada Hardwood Shingles are made from wallaba wood, a<br />

dense tropical hardwood harvested in the forests of South<br />

America. Unlike traditional cedar shingles that lose color<br />

over time, wallaba shingles transform from a radiant reddishbrown<br />

color into a stunning silver hue.<br />

At Tropical Timberwoods, giving back is part of the culture.<br />

The company has helped employ over 150 indigenous<br />

workers, and contributes directly to the sustainable<br />

livelihoods in the communities where they harvest. In fact,<br />

their Guyana plant gives away thousands of dollars daily<br />

in wallaba ends that select villagers—mainly women—in<br />

Yarrowkabra use for their successful coal burning business.<br />

Tropical Timberwoods has made it its mission to provide<br />

quality services and products at the best possible value, all<br />

the while supporting environmentally sustainable practices.<br />

For more information, visit www.NotCedar.com.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 45


When choosing an<br />

outdoor TV, it’s important<br />

to consider location. If<br />

you want to watch TV<br />

by day, opt for a full-sun,<br />

55-inch TV, says Brian. If<br />

your TV will be housed<br />

within a porch with an<br />

overhang, choose partial<br />

shade. Outdoor TVs aren’t<br />

inexpensive, but you have<br />

to keep in mind they are<br />

designed to withstand<br />

the rain, snow and cold,<br />

as well as the heat. Elite<br />

Media Solutions considers<br />

Séura (pictured right and<br />

bottom) to be “the best of<br />

the best.”<br />

Coastal Source (pictured above)<br />

is Elite Media Solutions’ go-to for<br />

landscape lighting and audio, due<br />

to its functionality and aesthetics.<br />

For lighting, Elite works with the<br />

landscape architectural plans and<br />

manufacturers to provide lighting<br />

suggestions—from uplighting trees<br />

to create a 3D effect, to wayfinding,<br />

to “lip lighting” pools and spas to<br />

beautify cascades of water.<br />

Typically, Elite Media Solutions<br />

positions audio around the perimeter<br />

of a patio area, targeting the rich,<br />

even sound toward the listeners, not<br />

the neighbors. Bollard speakers, also<br />

pictured above (one is wrapped in<br />

birch), are ideal for smaller areas; the<br />

subwoofers are buried underground<br />

while the top portion blends in with<br />

the plantings.<br />

Above, far right: Screen Innovations’<br />

motorized shades seal off outdoor<br />

living, and offer full protection or<br />

shade. Some residents are screening<br />

fire pit areas to use them more often.<br />

46<br />

bostondesignguide.com


YOUR LANDSCAPE...<br />

WIRED<br />

smart<br />

Now more than ever, homeowners are regarding the<br />

backyard as an extension of their house. Add COVID into<br />

the mix, and the outdoors has become the safest place<br />

to socialize, and a welcome escape from the four walls of<br />

home, with plenty of fresh air and opportunities for fun.<br />

Given the current climate, residents are “building a<br />

vacation at home,” maintains Olivia Gibson, Manager of<br />

Marketing & Client Relations for Elite Media Solutions.<br />

This means adding outdoor TVs and home theaters for<br />

alfresco movie nights, incorporating targeted outdoor<br />

audio and illuminating pools and spas, pathways, granite<br />

steps, trees and gardens with landscape lighting. With<br />

these elements, “you’re transported someplace else,” says<br />

Olivia. Suddenly, you’re not in New England anymore.<br />

Bringing AV and tech capabilities outside means first<br />

addressing your network, or what Owner and President<br />

Brian Gibson calls the “digital foundation of the house.”<br />

Elite Media Solutions can configure access points that<br />

cover up to an acre of land, so you can expand your WiFi<br />

Advancements in outdoor living entertainment<br />

allow homeowners to take Elite Media Solutions’<br />

home and AV systems outside.<br />

coverage and never be far from Netflix. “If you get your<br />

network right first, everything else will be fabulous,” says<br />

Brian, “because everything has a direct pipeline to it.”<br />

Many are embracing outdoor theater, with full cinema<br />

sound, and Elite Media Solutions has seen a massive<br />

demand for outdoor TVs. The prescient company was<br />

prepared for the spike, as they stock the Séura and<br />

SunBrite TVs they recommend—while most firms do<br />

not. When designing your viewing space, add motorized<br />

screens to keep the mosquitoes at bay and provide a bit<br />

of shade. They, too, are one of the season’s hottest trends<br />

and allow homeowners to stay outdoors come nightfall.<br />

Integrating audio into the landscape also “creates quite<br />

a dynamic” within your outdoor living spaces, says Brian.<br />

Elite embeds subwoofers underground and conceals<br />

small brass fixture speakers among the foliage. The<br />

immersive technology can enliven the atmosphere or help<br />

homeowners relax—and who among us couldn’t use that?<br />

Visit elitemediasolutions.com to outfit your outdoors.<br />

bostondesignguide.com 47


Meet Larissa Cook,<br />

Executive Vice President<br />

of FBN Construction<br />

THE<br />

ProFile<br />

Executive Vice President Larissa Cook is celebrating<br />

15 years at FBN Construction, one of Boston’s<br />

premier residential construction and remodeling<br />

firms. Cook began her tenure at FBN as an assistant<br />

to the former owner John DeShazo, with no<br />

construction experience under her belt, and worked<br />

her way up with posts as an Estimator, General<br />

Manager and, occasionally, Bookkeeper, before<br />

serving in her current role under mentor President<br />

Bob Ernst. Her success is the result of hard work,<br />

determination and consistency. The self-motivated<br />

Cook would often work until morning to train herself<br />

and win the respect of her peers. Her ascent within<br />

the award-winning company mirrors that of the<br />

business itself; under her guidance and leadership,<br />

FBN has doubled in size in 10 years.<br />

While her career path was unexpected—she went<br />

to school for criminal justice—Cook can’t envision<br />

herself anywhere else. From day one, she took to<br />

the culture at FBN and its team. Ernst, she says,<br />

with his kindness and sky-is-the-limit approach, has<br />

been instrumental to her professional and personal<br />

growth. And, while Cook’s day-to-day tasks vary<br />

from contracts to financial analysis to marketing, she<br />

finds supporting the staff, coaching and company<br />

interaction to be most rewarding.<br />

Photography: Roger Pelissier<br />

Outside of the office, Cook supports nonprofits like<br />

the Ellie Fund, the Women’s Institute for Housing and<br />

Economic Development and Rebuilding Together<br />

Boston, as well as animal rescue initiatives. Riding<br />

is her escape. Cook’s grandfather, a milkman who<br />

worked 12-hour days, six days a week, passed on a<br />

tireless work ethic and a love for horseback riding.<br />

The two bonded when he took her to riding lessons<br />

as a child, where she learned practices and principles<br />

that inform who she is today: discipline, certainly, as<br />

well as persistence. “I’ve learned that through hard<br />

work and practice you can reach your goal, but it’s<br />

not necessarily going to happen overnight.” It also<br />

brought nerve to her signature verve. “Riding helps<br />

me push myself,” she says. “Even if I think I can’t do<br />

something, just to go for it!”<br />

To learn more about FBN Construction, visit<br />

fbnconstruction.com.<br />

Cook with Fenway, a Hanoverian horse she rides at Grand<br />

Champion Show Stables in Norfolk, Mass.<br />

48<br />

bostondesignguide.com


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Thermador, Rolf Benz and Miele, for kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, and wardrobes.<br />

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