PRELUDE Volume V

Volume V
A publication of Boston Design Guide
KITCHENS!
High-style solutions
for the heart and soul
of the home.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC ROTH
TRANSPARENCY

COMMITMENT
IN THIS UNPRECEDENTED
TIME WE WOULD LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE AND THANK OUR
CLIENTS, OUR ENTIRE TEAM
HERE AT FBN OUR TRADE AND
DESIGN PARTNERS AND ALL
THOSE THAT HAVE ALLOWED
US TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND
MOST IMPORTANTLY SAFE
AND HEALTHY. IT IS NOT AN
EASY THING TO DO AND THE
ATTENTION, THOUGHTFULNESS
AND CARING, SHOWN BY ALL,
IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
#FBNSOUL #FBNBUILT
#WECANDOTHIS
17 WOLCOTT CT., BOSTON, MA 02136 | 617.333.6800 | FBNCONSTRUCTION.COM

PROfile
Kistler & Knapp Builders
draws on over 40 years
of fine craftsmanship to
reflect the most demanding
architectural concepts.
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CITYCHIC
PROfile
With over 40 years of building experience, Kistler & Knapp Builders, Inc. is one of
the most highly-regarded construction firms in the Greater Boston region. Their work
reflects the finest craftsmanship and the most demanding architectural concepts.
Kistler & Knapp has always understood the importance of effective communication
and working well with the entire team in all aspects of the building process. The
foundation of their reputation rests on expert management, transparent accounting
and fiscal prudence. Owners Doug Stevenson and Renée West are committed to
creating successful relationships during construction and well into the future, thereby
maintaining a legacy of excellence in fine home construction. And Kistler and
Knapp’s Home Services Division is there for the long haul, maintaining their clients’
homes well into the future.
916 Main Street
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 635-9700
www.kistlerandknapp.com
Architect: Ruhl Studio Architects
Interior Designer: Bill Lewis
Photographer: Warren Patterson
bostondesignguide.com 3

Photograph: Warren Patterson
Relationships Are Our Foundation.
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

Landscape Architecture
LombardiDesign.com

From the Publisher
Shelter from the Storm
This PRELUDE is our kitchen edition. As we are having more “stay-at-home” celebrations, it is more important than ever to have a kitchen
inside or out that fulfills your basic needs, and then some. Walk-in refrigeration, storage for stocking up on paper goods and spaces that
give everyone some breathing room while “hanging” or working in the kitchen are key to elevating daily routines.
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
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
strength, and rejuvenates you to be your best self? For me, my home office doubles as a makeshift gym. The peaceful zen garden with
water features for morning meditations has brought me comfort in these uncertain times. And I love that my whole family can gather in
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
inspiration to create settings that work well for you now—solutions that, though they may not have mattered before, change every day for
the better. Every day is a new day!
Stay safe and keep the faith for better times ahead,
Melanie Perillo, Publisher
@BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignMag
508-358-4500 abladeofgrass.com
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Michael J. Lee Photography
ERIC HAYDEL DESIGN
BOSTON - NEW ORLEANS
WWW.ERICHAYDEL.COM
GATHER ’ROUND...
Where life’s most important moments unfold.

CONTENTS
12 Kitchens!
High Style Kitchens, Design Cornerstones, The Anatomy of a Perfect
Kitchen, and Refrigeration Redefined.
20 Publisher’s Picks: Outdoor Kitchens
Where to cook when you’re renovating; alfresco grilling designs that
make cooking a joy.
23 Designer Digs
Inside Interiology Design Co.’s Experience Studio with Mark Haddad
28 New Chapters for Storied Homes
In the hands of Jan Gleysteen Architects, homes of the past live well today.
36 Small-Scale Splendor
A finely detailed home in Brookline is big on character and elegance—
not compromise.
40 Creating Your Backyard Oasis
Onyx Corporation reveals the ideal way to put in a pool—and all that
goes with it.
46 Tech Talk: Your Landscape...Wired
Advancements in outdoor living entertainment allow homeowners to
take Elite Media Solutions’ smart home and AV systems outside.
48 The ProFile
Meet Larissa Cook, Executive Vice President of FBN Construction.
28
40
Cover: Architecture and interior design: SV Design; kitchen design: Venegas and Company; stone:
Cumar, Inc.; construction: Windover Construction; photo by Michael J. Lee Photography
12
PUBLISHER
Melanie Perillo
EDITOR
Sandy Giardi
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Rob Silsby
DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Andrea Mingels
SALES/DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Ian Kaplan
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Lisa Almquist
Ellie Benson
Colleen Keelan
Maureen Lampert
ACCOUNTING/ADMINISTRATIVE
Darlene Neufell
PHOTOGRAPHY
Warren Patterson
Roger Pelissier
Michael J. Lee
www.bostondesignguide.com
BDG PRELUDE - Volume V, 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
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mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any
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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
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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
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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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Email: Info@BostonDesignGuide.com or telephone 978-443-9886.
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Dazzle with Linea Couture.
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
HANDCRAFTED CooKING RANGES &
SUITES, STEEL CABINETRY, FINE Wooo WORKING & APPLIANCES
l'ATHlrn
PARIS • NEW YORK • MIAMI • LOS ANGELES
www.LEATELI ERP ARIS.COM 1 800 792 3550
PARIS
HAUTE DESIGN

Homegrown
Botanica, a new organic vegetable,
fruit and flower gardening division,
takes root at R.P. Marzilli & Company
R.P. Marzilli & Company embraces the home gardening
trend with Botanica, a new arm of their full-service
landscape business dedicated to designing, cultivating
and maintaining custom edible and home gardens. Now
families can enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables harvested in
their very own backyard—no green thumb required.
For 35 years, R.P. Marzilli & Company has brought beauty
to the outdoors, and with Botanica, they bring fresh
fare to your table. Its fully certified team of landscape
professionals is wholly committed to organic practices for
natural fertilization, soil amendments and microbial food
sources, so clients can trust their produce is free from
chemicals and pesticides.
Botanica works with homeowners to tailor seasonal,
successional custom crop plans, cultivating the likes of
vine-ripe slicing tomatoes, zucchini and crisp radishes in
the summer, and broccoli, arugula and bok choy come fall.
The experts simplify home agriculture, communicating
and implementing optimal location selection, fencing
requirements, quantities and productivity.
Additional services include cutting gardens (for backyard
bouquets arranged either by or for you), seasonal
orchards, pollinator gardens, chicken and coop care,
and cold-frame gardens that extend the season, whether
giving your harvest a head start or protecting it from the
elements. To learn more, visit BotanicaFineGardens.com.
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HIGH ST
ELEMENTAL EFFICIENCY
Elemental Efficiency: Thoughtforms Corporation, thoughtforms-corp.com, Photograph by Richard Mandelkorn
Sleek Minimalism: Groom Construction Co., Inc., groomco.com, Photograph by William Horne
European Chic: Divine Design Center, divinedesigncenter.com, Photograph by Warren Patterson
Classic Beauty: Bannon Custom Builders, bannonbuilds.com, Photography by Greg Premru
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YLE KITCHENS
CLASSIC BEAUTY
SLEEK MINIMALISM
EUROPEAN CHIC
Whether sipping, supping or hanging out, the kitchen, almost universally,
serves as the family’s favorite gathering spot. Given the room’s ranking within
the home’s hierarchy, shouldn’t it look the part? The following builds by top
industry pros offer kitchen goals for every taste.
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KITCHEN
FRESH-AIR SKYLIGHT
THE STATEMENT STOVE
A SCULPTURAL SINK & FAUCET
CUSTOM CABINETRY & ISLAND
The Statement Stove: Jarvis Appliance, jarvisapplianceinc.com
A Sculptural Sink & Faucet: Snow and Jones Inc., snowandjones.com, Photograph courtesy of House of Rohl
Fresh-Air Skylight: VELUX, veluxusa.com, whyskylights.com, Photograph courtesy of VELUX America LLC
Custom Cabinetry & Island: Crown Point Cabinetry, crown-point.com, Photograph courtesy of Crown Point Cabinetry
Gleaming Counters: Onyx Marble & Granite, onyxgranite.com, Photograph by Warren Patterson
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COMPOSITION
GLEAMING COUNTERS
Showstopping marble surfaces, thick inset cabinetry, an artistic faucet
and sink, and a sizzling stove, topped by a skylight to bathe it all in
glorious sunshine (and properly ventilate), these industry darlings are the
cornerstones of the heart of the home.
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PREP AND COUNTER SPACE
Design Around a Central Hub
Nearly every kitchen Venegas and Company designs
for a new construction incorporates an island, and
sometimes two. In addition to visually anchoring the
space, it creates separate “workstations, meaning
you may have multiple cooks working, prepping and
cleaning.” Venegas’ team quickly learns that each
family member has a different interest. “Today’s
kitchens are relational,” says Venegas. “She preps
and cooks, he cleans. The daughter loves to bake.”
• • • •
The deep island allows for space for splatter, away
from seating. Whenever possible, Venegas increases
the depth of kitchen counters to 27-30 inches.
A 5-foot galley workstation is adjacent to a 15-inch
induction cooking module.
Food prep, cooking and serving is done facing those
seated on the island and beyond.
According to kitchen designer Donna Venegas, the ultimate kitchen is one that facilitates her clients’ lifestyle, there
is no one right answer. There is however, one common denominator, she says: “Every client would like more time!”
The answer? Efficiency. “If things are easy to find, if the design creates a logical flow and offers organization, cooking
becomes more fun, and ultimately saves homeowners time for other things.” The show kitchen within Venegas and Company’s
South End showroom and design studio illustrates the expert’s deep knowledge of functionality, circulation and the latest
technologies—and more than a few tricks of the trade. Visit venegasandcompany.com for a kitchen tailored to your lifestyle.
CUSTOMIZED CABINETRY
Storage Meets Beauty
Venegas and Company is always pushing themselves
and their cabinetmakers to discover what’s next. Their
designs not only make the studio a standout, they
propel the discipline forward. Finish development is
ongoing and constant, and the firm is incorporating
metal, stone veneer doors—even recycled military
canvas—into their offerings. “The goal is for the client
to find elements that speak to them,” says Venegas.
• • • •
Serving items are located on the side with seating.
All cabinetry has personalized interior accessories,
fully integrated LED, mechanically controlled parts and
articulating doors.
Photography by Michael J. Lee Photography
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THE BEVERAGE ZONE
A Venegas Must
“Every kitchen should incorporate a station for beverages
and snacks away from the cook,” maintains Venegas. It
is not only convenient, it also creates a warm welcome
for the morning ritual. “For many, coffee is ceremony,
so designing a beautiful space that flows sets the tone.”
Venegas, who renovates many compact spaces in Boston,
thinks creatively about siting her beverage centers, often
borrowing space in the living room, along the dining
room wall or a small closet if there isn’t kitchen space.
Sometimes the design of her breakfast/coffee bars morph
into a cocktail/entertainment spot come 5pm.
• • • •
Shelves along the backsplash hold all coffee
accoutrements, cabinets above store glassware.
A Coffee System is integrated above a cup warmer and
wine refrigerator.
A sink is close by to fill the water carafe.
An 18-inch dishwasher is ideal for coffee cups and
wine glasses.
THE ANATOMY OF A PERFECT KITCHEN
Donna Venegas of Venegas and Company dissects the features that make the space.
HIGH-POWERED!
Every Inch is Working
This kitchen packs a tremendous amount of cooking
power in a small space. All of the appliances are
compact and work in concert with one another. Even
smaller kitchens contain multiple ovens. One oven, for
finishing proteins, should be close to the action, while
a second oven, for baking, say, can be further away.
Venegas likes to split up refrigeration, positioning
the primary refrigerator by the chef’s prep space and
drawers by the beverage area, where coffee, tea,
juices and smoothies are prepared. “Beverage drawers
are great to have at the extremities of a kitchen,” she
says, giving kids and guests quick access.
• • • •
A Combi-Steam Oven allows for convection and
steam cooking for fast, healthy cooking.
A working backsplash has shallow,
water-resistant shelving.
Proteins are stored in refrigerator drawers, and vacuum
sealed in another drawer for sous vide cooking.
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Top: RootCellar’s automatic door
allows owners to go in and out with
their hands full. The fully concealed
refrigerated pantry is ideally
positioned near the kitchen or garage
entry and is an option for both new
constructions and remodels.
Bottom (left to right): Founders
Don Lake and Paul DeLorenzo.
RootCellar refrigerated pantries eliminate the “food graveyard” that often befalls standard
refrigerators, eliminating waste and keeping ingredients organized and at eye view. No two
RootCellars are the same. This custom design was created for newlyweds who love to entertain,
and is inlaid with marble to match the kitchen counters; all have restaurant-grade glass.
Measuring at 400 cubic feet, this RootCellar easily contains weekly grocery items, as well as
platters for entertaining, fresh florals, kegs or cases of beer, chilled wine, bushels of shellfish—
even a Thanksgiving turkey. If the residents don’t have time to put away their farm share or food
delivery, they can simply place the parcels within it until they do. RootCellars can be configured
with camera apps to allow owners to view its shelves from the store.
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Refrigeration Redefined.
RootCellar ® refrigerated pantries bring
a cool change to kitchens.
RootCellar Concepts has unveiled a breakthrough
new product for fine homes that may just change your
approach to grocery shopping, food organization and
refrigeration. The company has introduced a premier,
fully customizable refrigerated pantry and freezer that
can replace the refrigeration in your kitchen, and fit in
seamlessly within your design.
The concept is the brainchild of Paul DeLorenzo,
who has been in the food and beverage industry for
decades, and Don Lake, a serial startup entrepreneur.
DeLorenzo, who knows how essential “walk-ins” are to
restaurants, wanted something similar in his own home.
Lake latched onto the idea, envisioning the virtues of
a walk-in closet for the kitchen. It is the kind of Aha!
moment that is met with a resounding “Of course!”
and “Brilliant!” by everyone who learns of it. “When
you think about it,” explains Lake, “refrigeration hasn’t
changed much in 100 years.” Families live in their
kitchens today; a RootCellar pantry supports modern
lifestyles, answering the universal need for more
storage, freeing up space and revolutionizing the way
people shop for and organize their perishables.
Design development—quieting the evaporator,
maximizing efficiency, wiring the lighting and hands-free
door system, and refining the clean-lined aesthetic—
took time to perfect. The result, however, is game
changing for main residences and second homes, as
you can stock the RootCellar at the outset of the high
season to ensure you’re guest-ready. The investment is
on par with what homeowners might spend on a top-tier
refrigerator, drawers, freezer column and a wine cooler.
“Yet you still wouldn’t have one-third the volume of a
RootCellar,” reveals DeLorenzo, “or the convenience.”
To learn more, visit rootcellarconcepts.com.
Photography: Warren Patterson
bostondesignguide.com 19

PUBLISHER’SPICKS
the
OUTDOOR KITCHENS
Renovating your kitchen? When I tackled the making of my own dream kitchen, my outdoor grill
saved my bacon. These alfresco kitchen designs make cooking a joy, even during construction.
THE ENTERTAINER
Created for fresh-air family dinners and entertaining friends,
this handsome stone cooking station was sited in proximity
to both the home and pool. The luxury gas grill is paired with
a burner (for boiling corn or lobsters), a refrigerator and a
striking, custom fabricated reclaimed redwood countertop
for quick cleanup. Visit abladeofgrass.com. Photo courtesy of
a Blade of Grass, LLC.
STUNNER BY THE STAIR
This shimmering outdoor kitchen, seemingly carved
into the stone and stair, belongs to an ambitious
renovation to the outdoor living spaces of a Weston
estate. Landscape contractor R.P. Marzilli & Co. was
given a Gold Award by the National Association
of Landscape Professionals for their first-place
craft and masonry. Visit rpmarzilli.com. Landscape
architecture by Hawk Design, Inc. Photo by
Rosemary Fletcher, courtesy of R.P. Marzilli & Co.
COMPANION PIECE
This enchanting kitchen is part of
a multiprogrammed terrace with
ample opportunities for dining
and lounging. A grill-facing bar is a
design masterstroke, as the cook
can pass a cold one to friends
from the built-in fridge and have
company when manning the flames.
Visit themacdowellcompany.com.
Photo by Gregg Shupe, courtesy of
The MacDowell Company.
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FALLON CUSTOM
HOMES & RENOVATIONS
GIVES A BEAUTIFUL ROOM,
BREATHING ROOM.
I Love You, But I Need My Space
Photography: Greg Premru
Cherry woodwork in a custom stain by Fallon Fine Cabinetry;
construction: Fallon Custom Homes & Renovations; interior
design: Sharon Staley Interiors
During these unprecedented times, when everyone has
been holed up at home more often than not, even the
most spacious quarters can feel a bit, well, confining. It’s
for this reason that we applaud the design and
craftsmanship of a two-island kitchen by Fallon Custom
Homes & Renovations. The premier custom builder has
its very own millwork shop, Fallon Fine Cabinetry, and is a
master at the art of function and form.
Gleaming with cherry millwork and coffered ceilings
that define each space, this multi-zoned kitchen has a
layout developed for the way the clients use the space
and its amenities. The island closest to the wall oven and
refrigerator serves as a food prep and cleanup station,
complete with a dishwasher, sink and a raised alcove for
dishes. “With the plate storage right there,” explains
Production Manager Brett Larson of Fallon Custom Homes
& Renovations, who helped with the design, “residents
don’t have to travel to the outside walls for dishes.” Plus,
anyone working there is out of the way of the stove.
Thanks to a second bar-topped island, while the chef is
readying a meal, the evening’s bartender can serve up
cocktails or soft drinks. This two-tiered workspace and
bar contains everything beverage related, “including an
icemaker, bar fridge and slide-out bar pullout,” says Larson.
Its stool seating, abutting the family room, provides a
perch close to the action, yet not too close for comfort.
Visit falloncustomhomes.com for more information.
bostondesignguide.com 21

In Pursuit
of Paradise
A seaside destination in South Dartmouth
by Gregory Lombardi Design required
precision—and action.
To look at it, you wouldn’t think that this idyllic coastal
landscape is anything other than the picture of serenity. Yet
the tranquil water of the elevated, infinity-edge lap pool
created for an avid swimmer, the raised waterfall spa carved
into granite to align with the bay kitchen window, the cleanlined,
almost Zen-like terraces and hardy plantings that ebb
and flow like the tide, are, in actuality, the products of a
flurry of activity that lasted only nine months’ time.
This landscape design was part of a new beach home
project with a lot of program—a main house and garage,
pool house, pool and spa—all situated on a “gorgeous but
thin, sensitive site that’s right on the wetlands off an inlet,”
says principal Gregory Lombardi. The landscape architects
had to navigate high velocity zones and other “invisible
lines,” like conservation setbacks and pool codes, to bring
the striking summer escape to fruition. Principal Troy Sober,
who was in the trenches throughout the process alongside
landscape contractor R.P. Marzilli & Company, still marvels
at the superstructure Parker Construction erected over the
entire job site (pools and all), “wrapping it like a boat” to
allow construction to continue all winter long and fast-track
the home for summer. The initiative was intensive but fun,
says Sober. And when that covering was peeled off before
Memorial Day to reveal what is, by all accounts, a legacy
piece? Perfection.
To learn more, visit lombardidesign.com.
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Architecture by DSK Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners;
pool by Custom Quality Pools, photography by Anton Grassl.

Designer Digs
INSIDE INTERIOLOGY DESIGN CO.’S EXPERIENCE
STUDIO WITH MARK HADDAD
Photography: Warren Patterson
When we asked to profile
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath
Designer (CMKBD) Mark Haddad
in his element, he naturally chose
Interiology Design Co.’s Experience
Studio in Watertown as the setting.
The owner and his team work amid
the studio’s curated, comprehensive
displays, a space brimming with
design solutions for the whole home
as well as one-of-kind accessories,
upholstery, art and case goods.
Interiology Design Co.’s impressive
kitchen installations illuminate
Haddad’s 19-year depth of
knowledge and coveted CMKBD
level of certification, which requires
accredited instruction and ongoing
education. From the fully operational
Gourmet Kitchen (top), with its walnut
island, motorized cabinetry and
custom storage, to the contemporary
Coffee Kitchen (below) with its
Noisette cabinetry by Composit,
it is clear the studio is a winning
resource for homeowners and trade
professionals alike.
Aside from the sexier considerations
like aesthetics, kitchen design
requires a thorough grasp of
plumbing, electrical and structural
aspects. “Designing a new kitchen
is one of the most important
investments you will make in your
home,” offers Haddad. “An NKBA
(National Kitchen & Bath Association)
certified designer can help guide you
through the process.”
Start your journey at The Experience
Studio at 430 Main St. in Watertown
or online at interiology.com.
bostondesignguide.com 23

The Comforts of Home & Garden
The Outdoor Living Store
Outdoor Furniture
Garden Gifts
Statuary
Perennials
Annuals
Trees & Shrubs
Pottery
Fountains
Umbrellas
Fire Pits Sunbrella Cushions Tableware
Designers welcome
Closed Tuesdays
National Furniture
Retailer of the Year in
the Casual Furnishings
Industry
1265 Massachusetts Avenue | Lexington, Massachusetts
781-861-1200 | www.seasonsfour.com

MICHAEL LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Open It Up
Deck It Out
Over the Garage < >
< >
Up on the Rooftop
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EXPANDED
LIVING
In this day and age, every last one of us has
to multitask, and Longfellow Design Build
believes our houses should work as hard
as we do. It’s likely your home has extra
living space hidden in plain sight. Maybe
you are all too clear on what could use a
transformation or perhaps you need help
envisioning the opportunities. Either way,
the team at Longfellow Design Build can
help. The design-build firm has mastered the
art of remodels and additions; here follows
a few of the ways that Longfellow Design
Build has made much of the settings where
homeowners live, work and play.
Deck It Out: Given social distancing, adding
opportunities for outdoor living is high on every
homeowner's wish list. This expansive deck is an
asset to an award-winning mid-century postmodern
project in Cotuit and provides a welcome connection
to the great outdoors.
Screen It In
< >
Open It Up: Homeowners are often surprised to
find that Longfellow Design Build can transform
multiple first-floor rooms into an open-concept great
room. By removing a load-bearing wall, the firm can
create vast, wide-open spaces to accommodate
families spending more time at home.
Up on the Rooftop: The Cape Cod company is happy
to offer homeowners a little perspective, as well
as an amazing view, often of the water. For decks
and roof decks, Longfellow Design Build schedules a
drone session as part of the design process to scout
out the ideal outlook.
Over the Garage: A garage addition is an optimal
place to grow your living space, and gain a little
ground. These projects are best suited to offices,
guest suites and family entertainment rooms—all
places that benefit from a little distance from the
main home.
Screen It In: Screened-in porches and sunrooms
are easy additions with a big impact, maintains
Longfellow Design Build. A cheerful, three-season
room with plenty of natural light and fresh air is just
the antidote needed when you’re feeling stir-crazy.
Visit longfellowdb.com to begin your home
transformation.
bostondesignguide.com 27

In the hands of Jan Gleysteen Architects,
homes of the past live well today.
New Chapters for
Storied Homes
Jan Gleysteen, principal of Jan Gleysteen Architects (JGA), describes himself and his colleagues as “avid students
of the homes of the past.” Having studied under the architect Robert A. M. Stern at Columbia University, Gleysteen
has a deep understanding of different architectural styles and how to design within those styles. And while the firm
is best known for its distinctive and distinguished new constructions, the timeless elegance of their new homes is
considerably informed by another area of expertise: the firm’s background in historic additions and renovations.
There is an art to architectural replication which requires copious technical research and comprehension of the
construction methodology of yesteryear. So it only makes sense that Gleysteen’s new partner Joanne Powell would also
be well versed in historic renovations. Powell, who has been with JGA for nearly 12 years, shines within this area, and has
an affinity for making older homes livable today.
We explore three impressive transformations, all of which preserve, position and forward the design of the home for its
next lifetime.
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“I love finding ways to use old houses and really bring
something out in them. These old homes have another life
ahead of them now. That’s something I love doing.”
—Joanne Powell
It’s hard to imagine this striking home in Needham was
once a modest 1938 center entrance Colonial. This
elegant renovation undertaken by JGA provides the
owners the conveniences of a modern lifestyle without
losing sight of the home’s original character or the
neighborhood context.
Though JGA added 2,300 square feet to the home,
the redesign goes largely undetected from the street
view. The front façade retains the original massing with
restored leaded glass at the entry and enhanced with
proper historical detailing. The rear façade, however,
was dramatically reimagined. The ground level now
boasts a modernized kitchen and breakfast room
alongside a stunning family room with soaring ceilings
(pictured at left), while the second floor features an
elegant master suite and private deck.
Builder: Kells Construction, Inc.; Photography: Richard Mandelkorn
The success of this project hinged on “balancing
an informal lifestyle within the more formal historic
framework without abandoning the old or hindering the
new,” says Gleysteen.
bostondesignguide.com 29

Builder: Kells Construction, Inc.; Photography: Warren Patterson
30
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New Chapters for Storied Homes
“When you walk in the front door of an older home,
especially a home like this, you stop and say, ‘Wow!’ It’s
just not the kind of thing you see anymore. There are
details around every corner.”
—Joanne Powell
When Gleysteen and Powell learned that this historic
Jacobean home in Winchester was designed by and
for an architect, the details that imbue every inch of
the lakeside home soon made perfect sense. For this
project, JGA was tasked with providing gathering
spaces for the young family beyond the formal,
historically proportioned rooms of the old house.
Rather than carving up the fabric of the historic home,
the duo designed an addition encompassing a new
kitchen, family room, breakfast room, mudroom, and
basement rec room. The new wing has sweeping water
views and is stitched in seamlessly to the main home
and enveloped in the same intricate brickwork and
masonry detail of the original structure.
JGA also renovated portions of the existing home, like
an attic-turned colorful home office (pictured), updated
bathrooms, and converting the old kitchen into a cozy
library. The firm had to think like preservationists, as
well as revolutionaries, weighing when to keep what
exists and when to make a change. Solutions went
through many iterations; “But when we got it, we
knew,” enthuses Powell.
bostondesignguide.com 31

A third historic renovation by JGA gave them the
opportunity to study the work of Benjamin Proctor,
Jr., an architect of local renown. This 1930’s house is a
rare example of the architect’s clapboard design, as
Proctor typically used brick for his private residences. Its
current owners were “captivated by its charm, scale, and
warmth,” offers Powell.
Builder: Kells Construction, Inc.; Photography: Richard Mandelkorn
As the historic design was largely unaltered from its
initial intent, JGA focused on maintaining the feel of the
old home when embarking on an addition to replace
the undersized garage while adding a new family room,
and mudroom wing. The firm studied and faithfully
replicated the historic details and massing, including
recreating the existing two-car garage in a new location
with an attached third bay capped with a low hipped
roof. Almost every room in the home was touched, but
all updates eschewed a modern “open” floor plan for
the discrete room layout of the past with fixtures and
hardware that speak to the home’s provenance.
For more information, visit jangleysteeninc.com.
32
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New Chapters for Storied Homes
bostondesignguide.com 33

Landscape Artisans
Photography: Mitch Harper
New England’s oldest and most trusted name in
landscape construction, maintenance, & irrigation.
Serving all of New England
www.dschumacher.com

Photography: Jeffrey S. Adams
WE HAVE ONE SIMPLE CONCEPT:
Build the best team of in-house staff, support them with a core
network of highly skilled subcontractors and clients will come…
and come back.
Photography: Shelly Harrison
NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION AND LARGE-SCALE RENOVATIONS THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS
781-703-5970 | 31 GREEN STREET, WALTHAM, MA 02451 | WWW.CONCEPTBUILDINGINC.COM

Splendor
SMALL-SCALE
36
bostondesignguide.com
Photography: Shelly Harrison

Due to its symmetry and circulation, the home lives large despite
its square footage. To make up for the long views the property
lacks, the landscape was brought clear up to the windows.
W
A
finely detailed new home in Brookline is big on character
and elegance—not compromise.
Within the bucolic neighborhood of Brookline’s Pill Hill,
a historic district so named for the doctors in residence
who wanted an idyllic locale and proximity to Boston’s top
hospitals, lies a surprise of a house designed by Meyer
& Meyer Architecture and Interiors. The finely-detailed
home, which sits atop a leafy slope, is a revelation for a few
reasons. Firstly, at only 4,000 square feet, it represents a
departure from the 15,000-square-foot estates, and
castles, even, for which the elite architectural and interior
design firm is known. Secondly, it was created for a young
developer and his family, who saw value in embedding a
new home within the enclave’s architectural fabric that
looks every bit the part of its well-established neighbors.
Homeowners have choices when designing a new home.
“‘New’ doesn’t have to mean different,” underscores Cofounder
and Principal Interior Designer Laura Meyer. “It
can mean anything that is important to the client.” In this
case, that means a medium-sized residence with plenty of
character and specialty details that reinforce the integrity
of the neighborhood. The beauty of this home is that it fits
in, asserts Principal Architect and Co-Founder John Meyer.
“It’s not taking as much as it’s giving back.”
At Meyer & Meyer, “the creativity of the architecture isn’t
found in the style of home, it’s what’s underneath,”John
continues. For that, the firm draws on its wealth of design
skills, culled from decades of conceiving palatial estates, to
create a refined “home within reach.” Says John, “We can
play with the dimensions and the proportions and stretch
it across the lot in a way that makes it look just as elegant
as any of the 12,000-square-foot homes in its midst.” As for
the interiors? Artful tactics—positioning a striking dining
room within eyeshot of the foyer, designing a ceremonious
stair that ascends to the second floor, wrapping a corner of
the kitchen with an expanse of windows—give the living
spaces a feeling of grace and grandeur.
Best of all, its owners won’t feel compelled to downsize
once the kids have grown. “It’s designed for a lifetime,”
says John, “and your kids, and kids’ kids. It’s part of the
family.” Visit meyerandmeyerarchitects.com to learn more.
bostondesignguide.com 37

Photography: Greg Premru
QUALITY COMMITMENT TRUST KNOWLEDGE CRAFTSMANSHIP
CREATE
SOMETHING
REMARKABLE
Boston | 617.547.2800 • Cape Cod | 508.300.3000 | www.jwconstructioninc.com

Living Room Transformation
At Cutting Edge Systems, we’ve been on the forefront of state-of-the-art technology systems
in the home for over 25 years. Architectural audio and visual solutions are our specialty.
How do we do it? In this elegant living room, we installed a JBL Synthesis surround sound system that is
typically reserved for home theater rooms. A motorized, 120-inch Stewart screen concealed within the
ceiling lowers to meet a powerful, custom designed speaker that rises from a custom cabinet hidden
behind the couch. A projector, encased along the molding, casts images onscreen, while Lutron shades
descend automatically and the lighting dims. We can equip any room to transform at the touch of a button.
Cutting Edge Systems • 364 Littleton Rd. • Westford, MA 01886 • (978) 392-1392 • www.cuttingedgehome.com
CuttingEdgeSystems.BDG24_FULL.indd 1
Photos: Warren Patterson Photography
Music
Video
Lighting
Shading
Communications
Control
8/4/20 2:08 PM
Living Room Transformation
Music
Video
Lighting
Shading
Communications
Control
Photos: Warren Patterson Photography
At Cutting Edge Systems, we’ve been on the forefront of state-of-the-art technology systems
in the home for over 25 years. Architectural audio and visual solutions are our specialty.
How do we do it? In this elegant living room, we installed a JBL Synthesis surround sound system that is
typically reserved for home theater rooms. A motorized, 120-inch Stewart screen concealed within the
ceiling lowers to meet a powerful, custom designed speaker that rises from a custom cabinet hidden
behind the couch. A projector, encased along the molding, casts images onscreen, while Lutron shades
descend automatically and the lighting dims. We can equip any room to transform at the touch of a button.
Cutting Edge Systems • 364 Littleton Rd. • Westford, MA 01886 • (978) 392-1392 • www.cuttingedgehome.com

A WORD FROM
THE LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECT:
This pool project represents the
first time that Onyx Corporation
collaborated with Gregory Lombardi
Design. The project entailed fitting a
pool house, swimming pool and spa
into a beautiful backyard on the cusp
of a picturesque Concord meadow.
Much of what makes the site so
spectacular also made it a challenge,
explains Senior Associate and Project
Manager Rebecca Verner, and the
landscape architects “had to be
creative about how to fit in that pool
terrace and pool house given the
conservation setbacks.” Their vision
was to elevate the pool terrace to
allow it to serve as its own enclosure
and provide an outlook that captures
“the romance of a mown lawn as it
transitions to the meadow beyond,”
adds Principal Gregory Lombardi, a
vista he describes as a “visual palate
cleanser” that seems to slow time.
The design aesthetic walks the line
between New England restraint
and modernity. Fieldstone walls and
bluestone salvaged from the existing
terrace were deftly interwoven with
Morning Mist Granite in a seamless
mix of old and new. The homeowner
shared Verner’s passion for materials,
and she was fascinated by the process
of selecting stone and finishes. Her
enthusiasm only paid off, as “the
granites used around the pool area
elevated the design,” offers Verner.
Over the course of this project, Onyx
Corporation and Gregory Lombardi
Design formed “a great functional
relationship,” says Verner, and Onyx
is now one of her “go-to” firms.
Onyx did a brilliant job of realizing
the conception, Verner enthuses. “It
takes high quality contractors to see
our design work to the end.” To learn
more, visit lombardidesign.com.
Additional credits: Pool by Environmental
Pools; architecture: DSK Dewing Schmid
Kearns Architects + Planners; stone:
Freshwater Stone; additional planting by
Parterre Garden Services; photography
by Warren Patterson
40
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CREATING
YOUR
BACKYARD
OASIS
This summer, residents everywhere were scrambling to
make a splash in their own backyards and reaching out
to Onyx Corporation to see just how fast the landscape
professionals could make that happen. When installing a
pool, there are many moving parts—it’s
not just about finding a spot and filling
’er up. In actuality, the time to begin your
landscape transformation is now; Onyx
Corporation rolls out how the process
should go.
Homeowners should begin by discussing
pool ideas with Onyx, leveraging the
landscape contractor’s deep knowledge
of the field and their industry contacts.
Onyx works with a select group of
landscape architects and can offer
guidance on finding the right fit for
your vision. Landscape Division Manager Julie Bergeron
and Landscape Assistant Manager Megan Moreland
explain: “The pool is the driving goal, but the landscape
surrounding it anchors the pool and transforms your yard
into the ideal getaway space. It is essential that the two be
cohesive and studied as a whole.”
Once a schematic design is complete, Onyx works with
homeowners to meet with pool contractors, compare
options and review details. Onyx then collaborates with
Onyx Corporation
reveals the ideal
way to put in a
pool—and all that
goes with it.
you, the landscape architect and pool contractor to value
engineer the design and provide final pricing that aligns with
your budget. The team will then spearhead the engineering
and permitting process in order to secure the pool permit.
Permit in hand, the pool contractor can
mobilize and excavation can begin. Onyx
will guide you step-by-step through
the landscape and pool construction
process—ranging from gunite and
plumbing to patios, lawn and lighting,
and then to the fun, final step, filling
the pool! During this process, Onyx’s
full-service team will be onsite, building
the landscape that envelops your pool,
including fire features, outdoor kitchens,
walkways, retaining walls and plantings.
Bringing these elements to fruition can
occur simultaneously, and having the right team in place is
essential for coordination and efficiency.
Now that you are ready to enjoy your new pool and
landscape, the last consideration is upkeep. With your
team in place, Onyx will oversee the transition from
construction to maintenance. Your landscape and
pool will be carefully maintained, ensuring the success
and longevity of your own personal paradise. Visit
onyxcorporation.net to get started.
bostondesignguide.com 41

Love Your Garage.
Quality Floor Coatings, Cabinets and Organizers
781-836-5145
www.bostongarage.com

1. Whole House Audio
2. Custom Media Edge Frame
3. Savant Control Screen
4. Automatic Shades
5. Lutron Lighting Control
6. Home Automation
Photography: Warren Patterson
Enhance your lifestyle and
have complete control with
smart technology throughout
your entire home.
WHOLE HOUSE AUDIO | HOME AUTOMATION | LIGHTING CONTROL | MOTORIZED SHADES
MEDIA ROOMS | NETWORK | LANDSCAPE LIGHTING | OUTDOOR AUDIO
Visit our Experience Center / Showroom at 34 Wexford Street, Needham, MA 02494
(617) 391-8919 | www.sdiboston.com

º Natural wood beauty
º Suitable for any climate
º One of a kind Warranty
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º Only wood shingle allowed
855-488-7232 | TuradaShingles.com

Brawn&
Beauty
Tough-as-nails Turada
Hardwood Shingles offer an
alternative to cedar roofing.
by Andrea Mingels
With over 50 years of experience, Tropical Timberwoods Inc.
is an industry leader in the production and distribution of
tropical hardwoods and the leading importer and exclusive
provider of Turada Hardwood Shingles—a beautiful choice
for real wood roofing without chemical preservatives.
Turada Hardwood Shingles are valued by home professionals
worldwide for their classic, rustic look and unequaled
durability. In fact, the product bears the distinction of being
the only wood shingle allowed on the Texas coast due to
their Category 5 hurricane wind protection and unparalleled
fire resistance rating. Turada Hardwood Shingles are also
naturally resistant to decay and insect activity and can last
up to 50 years without maintenance, making the material a
worthwhile investment.
Turada Hardwood Shingles are made from wallaba wood, a
dense tropical hardwood harvested in the forests of South
America. Unlike traditional cedar shingles that lose color
over time, wallaba shingles transform from a radiant reddishbrown
color into a stunning silver hue.
At Tropical Timberwoods, giving back is part of the culture.
The company has helped employ over 150 indigenous
workers, and contributes directly to the sustainable
livelihoods in the communities where they harvest. In fact,
their Guyana plant gives away thousands of dollars daily
in wallaba ends that select villagers—mainly women—in
Yarrowkabra use for their successful coal burning business.
Tropical Timberwoods has made it its mission to provide
quality services and products at the best possible value, all
the while supporting environmentally sustainable practices.
For more information, visit www.NotCedar.com.
bostondesignguide.com 45

When choosing an
outdoor TV, it’s important
to consider location. If
you want to watch TV
by day, opt for a full-sun,
55-inch TV, says Brian. If
your TV will be housed
within a porch with an
overhang, choose partial
shade. Outdoor TVs aren’t
inexpensive, but you have
to keep in mind they are
designed to withstand
the rain, snow and cold,
as well as the heat. Elite
Media Solutions considers
Séura (pictured right and
bottom) to be “the best of
the best.”
Coastal Source (pictured above)
is Elite Media Solutions’ go-to for
landscape lighting and audio, due
to its functionality and aesthetics.
For lighting, Elite works with the
landscape architectural plans and
manufacturers to provide lighting
suggestions—from uplighting trees
to create a 3D effect, to wayfinding,
to “lip lighting” pools and spas to
beautify cascades of water.
Typically, Elite Media Solutions
positions audio around the perimeter
of a patio area, targeting the rich,
even sound toward the listeners, not
the neighbors. Bollard speakers, also
pictured above (one is wrapped in
birch), are ideal for smaller areas; the
subwoofers are buried underground
while the top portion blends in with
the plantings.
Above, far right: Screen Innovations’
motorized shades seal off outdoor
living, and offer full protection or
shade. Some residents are screening
fire pit areas to use them more often.
46
bostondesignguide.com

YOUR LANDSCAPE...
WIRED
smart
Now more than ever, homeowners are regarding the
backyard as an extension of their house. Add COVID into
the mix, and the outdoors has become the safest place
to socialize, and a welcome escape from the four walls of
home, with plenty of fresh air and opportunities for fun.
Given the current climate, residents are “building a
vacation at home,” maintains Olivia Gibson, Manager of
Marketing & Client Relations for Elite Media Solutions.
This means adding outdoor TVs and home theaters for
alfresco movie nights, incorporating targeted outdoor
audio and illuminating pools and spas, pathways, granite
steps, trees and gardens with landscape lighting. With
these elements, “you’re transported someplace else,” says
Olivia. Suddenly, you’re not in New England anymore.
Bringing AV and tech capabilities outside means first
addressing your network, or what Owner and President
Brian Gibson calls the “digital foundation of the house.”
Elite Media Solutions can configure access points that
cover up to an acre of land, so you can expand your WiFi
Advancements in outdoor living entertainment
allow homeowners to take Elite Media Solutions’
home and AV systems outside.
coverage and never be far from Netflix. “If you get your
network right first, everything else will be fabulous,” says
Brian, “because everything has a direct pipeline to it.”
Many are embracing outdoor theater, with full cinema
sound, and Elite Media Solutions has seen a massive
demand for outdoor TVs. The prescient company was
prepared for the spike, as they stock the Séura and
SunBrite TVs they recommend—while most firms do
not. When designing your viewing space, add motorized
screens to keep the mosquitoes at bay and provide a bit
of shade. They, too, are one of the season’s hottest trends
and allow homeowners to stay outdoors come nightfall.
Integrating audio into the landscape also “creates quite
a dynamic” within your outdoor living spaces, says Brian.
Elite embeds subwoofers underground and conceals
small brass fixture speakers among the foliage. The
immersive technology can enliven the atmosphere or help
homeowners relax—and who among us couldn’t use that?
Visit elitemediasolutions.com to outfit your outdoors.
bostondesignguide.com 47

Meet Larissa Cook,
Executive Vice President
of FBN Construction
THE
ProFile
Executive Vice President Larissa Cook is celebrating
15 years at FBN Construction, one of Boston’s
premier residential construction and remodeling
firms. Cook began her tenure at FBN as an assistant
to the former owner John DeShazo, with no
construction experience under her belt, and worked
her way up with posts as an Estimator, General
Manager and, occasionally, Bookkeeper, before
serving in her current role under mentor President
Bob Ernst. Her success is the result of hard work,
determination and consistency. The self-motivated
Cook would often work until morning to train herself
and win the respect of her peers. Her ascent within
the award-winning company mirrors that of the
business itself; under her guidance and leadership,
FBN has doubled in size in 10 years.
While her career path was unexpected—she went
to school for criminal justice—Cook can’t envision
herself anywhere else. From day one, she took to
the culture at FBN and its team. Ernst, she says,
with his kindness and sky-is-the-limit approach, has
been instrumental to her professional and personal
growth. And, while Cook’s day-to-day tasks vary
from contracts to financial analysis to marketing, she
finds supporting the staff, coaching and company
interaction to be most rewarding.
Photography: Roger Pelissier
Outside of the office, Cook supports nonprofits like
the Ellie Fund, the Women’s Institute for Housing and
Economic Development and Rebuilding Together
Boston, as well as animal rescue initiatives. Riding
is her escape. Cook’s grandfather, a milkman who
worked 12-hour days, six days a week, passed on a
tireless work ethic and a love for horseback riding.
The two bonded when he took her to riding lessons
as a child, where she learned practices and principles
that inform who she is today: discipline, certainly, as
well as persistence. “I’ve learned that through hard
work and practice you can reach your goal, but it’s
not necessarily going to happen overnight.” It also
brought nerve to her signature verve. “Riding helps
me push myself,” she says. “Even if I think I can’t do
something, just to go for it!”
To learn more about FBN Construction, visit
fbnconstruction.com.
Cook with Fenway, a Hanoverian horse she rides at Grand
Champion Show Stables in Norfolk, Mass.
48
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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