The backyard fades to swaths of meadow and marsh along a dead-end lane. It’s a quiet corner of Newbury where the owners-to-be saw potential for a forever property where they could put down roots and watch them grow. The owners were drawn to not just the coastal setting but also the newly constructed home’s bright, open-concept living spaces. When they purchased it in May 2024, they were expecting their first child together and felt ready to invest in furnishings that would meet their needs, reflect their style, and stand the test of time.
To help personalize the living spaces—to elevate the aesthetic beyond builder grade—the couple reached out to interior designer Leah Hook, principal of Gray Oak Studio. While every project is special to Hook, this one was even more so because the client (the husband) is an old school friend. She happily agreed to help them settle in, getting started immediately in June 2024 with the goal of finishing by Thanksgiving, a tight five-month timeline. With her clients preferring a minimal look, Hook knew that balancing a quiet color palette with lots of texture and details would be key.
“Our goal was to give this crisp, clean canvas some character. We took our time making each space feel interesting and personalized,” explains Hook of the process. At the heart of the home, the kitchen was already outfitted with plenty of cabinetry, including a dedicated beverage area. For an added layer of polish, Hook added a backsplash of white porcelain tile from Danvers-based Tile by Design. Black counter stools from Four Hands contrast the white and oak palette. Their woven backs add texture, and their leather seats are durable and easy to clean.
For casual family meals, Hook upgraded the kitchen with an eat-in component. The circular dining table from Noir allows for easy circulation out to the backyard. Oak dining chairs from Moe’s Home, like the island stools, are wipeable and stain-proof. With her clients looking to host family parties and holidays for years to come, Hook knew that a formal dining room was in order. For this light-filled space, she found what she calls “the most epic table” with double extensions. “It’s a super cool piece by Ethnicraft, beautifully crafted out of oak but still minimal,” she describes. To make the tablescape extra special, she partnered upholstered end chairs from Moe’s Home with wooden side chairs from Four Hands.
Another key family gathering space is the living room, oriented on a brick fireplace. Here, client and designer debated separate sofas but ultimately decided on one big, comfy sectional from Rowe Furniture to anchor the space. Slate green swivel chairs lend a cool edge. “The rug is the real scene-stealer—neutral, organic, and geometric all at once,” notes Hook. The coffee and side tables are unique but complementary, combining burl wood, walnut, and matte black metal. “And everything has a little curve to it,” adds the design professional.
For the primary bedroom, the key adjectives at play were quiet and restful. The bed and nightstands from Four Hands and upholstered bench from Room & Board are modern but comfortable. Underfoot is a Jaipur Living rug: “I love this rug; it introduces pattern but is still neutral,” notes Hook. Overall, mixed materials and textures keep the room feeling interesting. The pièce de resistance of the primary suite is the dressing room. Outfitted with built-in components by Lawrence-based Inspired Closets, a central island, and dedicated seating area, it goes way beyond “closet.” It’s an adult oasis.
Not to be outdone, one of Hook’s other favorite rooms is the home office. Like the rest of the house, it maintains a spare, neutral palette. Midnight blue built-ins, also by Inspired Closets, line the walls while a desk chair with midcentury lines ponies up to a Radnor standing desk. A custom gallery wall with picture light draws the eye. True to her word, Hook delivered a residence exemplifying what she calls “modern casual style with just a touch of mood.” The resulting simplicity is a breath of fresh air in a busy world. It’s the perfect starting point for a family about to joyfully expand.