When Ashley McCarthy and her husband, a realtor and developer, purchased their Greater Boston property, they initially considered it an investment project. It was going to be just another business move. But Ashley fell in love with the neighborhood— she grew up visiting her dad’s office in the same area—and decided it would make a perfect family home. Admittedly, she tried but never felt at home in the suburbs, preferring the hum of a nearby city. “We pivoted,” she says with a smile.
Adding in 360-Degree Views
However, their family home-to-be required some work. They embarked on a full gut renovation, combining three individual condos into a single family structure. This merger gained them three floors of living space with five bedrooms and four baths. They also built a brand-new roof deck with 360-degree views. At the time, Ashley was busy with two kids under the age of five and pregnant with her third. “We had renovated a few homes together before, but this time I was open to some help,” admits the mom. She had a lot of ideas but wanted a pro to manage all those small yet key decisions that add up to a cohesive, stylish whole.
She hired Kelley Elizabeth Antonuccio, principal of Kelley Elizabeth Interiors, to customize the project from construction through completion. “They wanted the interior to feel elegant and refined,” describes Antonuccio, who let the building’s 19th-century character be her guide. First and foremost, she focused on millwork and lighting. “Of course, furnishings are important, but I always want the bones to be substantial, particularly on a historic home like this,” she explains. Using those good bones and tall ceilings to full advantage, Antonuccio expertly danced a line between her clients’ preference for modernity and New England tradition.
In the kitchen, white perimeter cabinetry and heavily veined Arabescato marble countertops and backsplash present as light and bright. Then, Antonuccio used stained white oak on the island base cabinetry and custom hood for warmth and character. Accents like the Aerin light pendants and leather and black-framed counter stools lean more contemporary. Behind the kitchen lies an expansive butler’s pantry with bar sink, fridge, microwave, and rollout appliance garage. “I love having all the appliances and the mess and clutter of cooking prep hidden out of sight,” says Ashley of the feature.
Black Panther Presence
Black continues making its presence known in the adjoining dining room, where Benjamin Moore’s “Black Panther” delineates the space. Here, the furniture is contemporary: leather circle-back chairs line an oak veneer table. But the millwork— tall baseboards, prominent crown moldings, and windows with crowns and dentils—is traditional. Overhead, a Kelly Wearstler chandelier draws the eye with its bold organic form.
A bar placed in between the kitchen and dining room is the perfect beverage prep and hovering spot for entertaining. “The cabinets are finished in ‘Urban’ by Sherwin-Williams,” notes the designer, who finished off the destination with a stained walnut countertop. “You can also circulate from here out to the side porch,” she adds. The renovated home has two primary suites on the second and third floors. “The extra suite is perfect for when Ashley’s parents visit,” says Antonuccio. The primary bath has a high-end, hotel-like feel thanks to Calcutta gold marble on the vanity top and in the glassed shower. Similarly, the guest bathroom is luxurious in feel but decorated with a black-and-white theme.
A Zen Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom, meanwhile, presented Antonuccio with a design challenge: “The ceiling was uneven and pitched. There was no opportunity for millwork, so I recommended the color drenching in Benjamin Moore’s ‘Amazon Soil.’ It distracts from the lack of symmetry and makes the big, open room feel cozier,” says the interior designer. Reveals Ashley: “I love how the bedroom turned out; I find the whole space super Zen. My bed at night with the fireplace on is my happy place.” On a tight time frame, Antonuccio brought many of Ashley’s wish-list items to life. The powder room’s regal purple wall covering by Twenty2 Grasscloth is one of them. A sweetly appointed dressing area in the primary suite is another.
Perfect Play Zone
Yet another is a sitting room overlooking a kids’ play area on the third floor. Adults can linger in the elegant space, with a lustrous Venetian plaster wall, by Pauline Curtis of Patina Designs while the kids let loose in their play zone, complete with monkey bars and foam pit. “I wanted to be comfortable while supervising the kids,” notes Ashley. “I also wanted to be proud of the space when company is over.” Now, the family has everything they envisioned: amenities within walking distance, plenty of neighborhood friends, and chic yet functional spaces for their modern family lifestyle.