What lies beneath
Formerly an unused basement of a Victorian-era brownstone, this master suite is part of an extensively remodeled pied-e -terre
Every designer will tell you that the secret to a successful interior design lies in getting the scale right. Achieve balance here, and everything else will most likely fall into place.
When Jon Hattaway and Martin Potter of MJ Berries Design were commissioned to work on the remodel of a Boston brownstone, scale was of particular importance to the outcome of the project.
"A permanent residence occupies the top two floors of the house, while the lower two levels the ones on which we worked are used as a pied-e -terre," says Hattaway.
These levels were fully remodeled to provide a home that offers a lock-up and leave lifestyle, with the comforts of a primary residence including the reworking of the basement level into a master suite.
"The most challenging aspect of this remodel was working within the confines of the basement. The low ceiling meant the scale was greatly reduced and even simple elements, such as the headboard for the bed, had to be especially configured," says Hattaway.
Other obstacles that had to be overcome included a four-inch ledge that protruded from a wall where the bed now sits. However, there were elements within the space that worked in favor of the design.
"The curved wall of the ensuite bathroom sits beneath an external stair, and the space would have originally been used to store coal. What was once a very utilitarian area has become the focal point of the bathroom," Hattaway says.
While it appears grand, Hattaway says the bathroom is actually quite a small space. A judicious use of the available area, along with the refined palette, gives the impression of spaciousness.
"We were very conscious of not over-cluttering the room. The vanities provide the only storage, freeing up space around the tub, while the tone-on-tone color palette lends a seamless appeal to the room."
To ensure the seamless quality was maintained, the designers had mirrored outlets installed onto the mirrors above the vanities.
The glass sconces not only add period detail, but light the room in a radiant manner, which Hattaway says produces a warmer illumination, flattering to skin tones. Reflections in the mirrored panels add brightness to a space with little to no natural light.
Story by: Justin Foote
Home kitchen bathroom commercial design
