Case Study:
European Villa Style

Some homes "scream" potential. So it was with this one, a former stable/carriage house to a large estate. Dating back to the early 1900s, it had been remodeled in a contemporary style in the 1980s. While it lacked period detail, the house did have ample space (5,600 square feet), high ceilings and a beautiful pond view.

European-Style Flair a Must
The homeowner had discontinued work with an architect who mistakenly pegged her style as New England traditional. In our initial interview with her, we discerned that her vision embraced a classical, ornamental style and a sense of drama. We immediately pictured villas in southern France and northern Italy, and so "European-style villa" became the guiding theme for the project.

From Soup to Nuts
The renovation encompassed the whole interior, including a large foyer and three-story open stairwell. We provided a wide range of services to bring a truly European style throughout and ensure all the spaces flowed well together. The scope of work included an overall design concept for each space, design drawings, custom millwork design, furnishing and decorating each room, project management, and much more.

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Elegance and Drama
Our challenge was to make each room different while making sure they all flowed together. The results bear out our approach:

• Elaborate moldings and traditional columns that lend an architectural quality.

• Antique gilded light fixtures along with antique-style furnishings and fabrics.

• Decorating with lots of detail, all carried out with a sure and measured hand.

The result: a European-style home with all the American conveniences and technology hidden from view.

From a Stairway to a Wet Bar
Part of our job involved creating new uses for existing spaces. For instance, what had been a back stairway is now a wet bar. This dramatic space has a barrel-vault glossy red ceiling with built-in cove lighting, charcoal gray cabinets, and a granite counter with tumbled marble backsplash. And a room that was once plain vanilla is being transformed into a fully paneled mahogany library and entertainment room. (In progress).

Please see the Room Types section for details on and photographs of the French Country kitchen, powder room, master bedroom and dining room.

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From the Client's Lips...

"Sally has tremendous energy and drive, and she really cares about the homes she designs. She exhibits a wealth of knowledge about everything from molding and lighting to art and antiques. Her resources seem to be endless, and I love knowing that what she does in my house, you won't see in anyone else's."
- C.D., Prides Crossing, Beverly, Mass.

Please see the Room Types section for details on and photographs of the French Country kitchen, powder room, master bedroom and dining room.