Case Study:
Cambridge Victorian

Our relationship with the owners of this spacious 1880s Victorian dates back to the mid-1980s. When the couple first contacted us about our services, they were newly married with no children. Today, they have three sons, several pets and a busy lifestyle. Over the past 20-plus years, they have repeatedly asked us back to take on something new. Along the way, we've worked on every room in their home.

Balancing Casual with Formal
One of the joys of this long-running relationship has been working with a client who has a clear idea of what she wants. Her approach is to live casually while embracing formality in her decorating. So we have incorporated elegant touches, such as antiques, damasks and detailed upholstery, while making sure spaces are still functional and comfortable enough to accommodate three growing boys.

Femininity - But with Limits
The client also loves the English country style; the use of florals makes her feel connected with nature and the beautiful garden she maintains outside. As a result, many of the rooms have a distinctly feminine appearance. Of course, we still have to account for her husband and boys. That's why we downplay the femininity where appropriate, such as in the family room, children's rooms and master bedroom.

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The Quest for More Space
A major ongoing challenge has been to respond to the family's need for more and more usable space. Early on, we designed 1,600 square feet of living space in the former attic, creating a nanny's bedroom, bathroom, media room, play room, weaving room and home office.

We have since devised several graceful solutions for integrating storage into various rooms, including the master bathroom (pull-out pilasters in the vanity), family room (custom-designed entertainment center) and children's rooms (toy boxes and shelving).

Decorating and Beyond
Most of our work in this house has involved decorating: color selections, window treatment design and purchase, and selection and purchase of furniture, fabrics and carpets. However, there have also been major remodeling components. In addition to our work on the attic, we completely tore out two old-fashioned bathrooms, a maid's room and a back hall to create a master bathroom and dressing room.

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From the Client's Lips...

"The former owner of our home had renovated and in doing so, removed a lot of the original architectural detail. Right from the beginning, Sally knew exactly what I meant when we talked about wanting to restore the home's gracefulness. She has brought me beautiful choices from her showrooms, and we have shopped together for antiques. The details she has introduced are exquisite while also creating a very livable home for our three children."
- G.H., Cambridge, MA

Please see our Projects section for details on and photographs of the master bathroom, family room and dining room.