A Contemporary Boston Carriage House
December 15, 2020
A former carriage house is pulled into the twenty-first century for an active couple and their daughters.
Text by Alyssa Bird    Photography by Michael J. Lee
When Nicole and Michael Conlon set off to find their next home in Bostonâs Beacon Hill, they had no idea how much patience it would require. The couple was over condo life and craving more space for their family of four, but they werenât willing to part with their beloved neighborhood. âWe looked for a long time,â recalls Nicole Conlon. âWhen we finally found this property, we hadnât seen anything like it in two years.â
The townhouseâoccupying 3,000 square feet of an 1895 carriage house (the structure was divided into three residences during the 1960s)âwas indeed a rare find, but it was also in dire need of a refresh. âThe home hadnât been renovated since the 1980s, and it was showing its age,â notes Boston-based architect Timothy Burke. âNot only were there problems with the layout and finishes, but the floor structure was sagging and not up to code.â
The Conlons suddenly found themselves smack dab in the middle of a gut renovation. An upside of this unexpected (and prolonged) foundation work, however, was the opportunity to excavate a new basement, giving the Conlons even more room to spread out. âThey are a very active family, so storage for items such as skateboards, skies, bikes, rollerblades, and golf clubs was critical,â explains designer Michael Ferzoco, founder of the Boston firm Eleven Interiors.
The kitchen was relocated from the front of the home to the center and accommodates a large dining area. In this space, Ferzoco followed the homeownerâs lead, as Michael Conlon has had plenty of experience building out commercial kitchens as a restaurateur (heâs a partner in seven Boston-area restaurants including Fat Baby, Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant, and Capo).
âMichael was intent on not hiding any of the utilitarian aspects such as the appliances,â explains Ferzoco. âWood cabinetry and a copper hood were musts, and we took a multilayered approach to lighting, employing a mix of dimmable recessed fixtures, pendants, under-cabinet, and even interior-cabinet and drawer lighting.â According to Burke, by relocating the kitchen, it better serves as a family gathering spot and makes use of the natural light streaming in via the adjacent atrium. And although the architect reduced the size of the existing atrium, the new one is just as effective at illuminating the middle of the townhouse, where there are no windows.
When it came to the decor, a critical piece of the puzzle was the coupleâs art collection, which is of particular importance to Nicole, who sits on the advisory board of the Institute of Contemporary Art. Ferzoco consulted on scale, subject matter, and medium, and together they landed on the perfect balance of worksâseveral of which are by local artists and friends. A stylish mix of custom and new furnishings provides a neutral backdrop.
âI love that Michaelâs aesthetic is clean, but not overly modern,â says Conlon, who fell for Ferzocoâs work while attending a holiday party at a residence he designed. âThere isnât a room in the house that doesnât get used daily,â explains the designer, âso itâs less formal and more lounge-like, with deep sofas and chairs covered in durable performance fabrics. I wanted them to feel like they can kick their shoes off, flop on the sofa, and eat around the cocktail table if they choose. Itâs approachable luxury.â
Project Team
Architecture: Timothy Burke, Timothy Burke Architecture
Interior design: Michael Ferzoco, Eleven Interiors
Builder: C.H. Newton Builders
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