Breathing Room for a 90s Condo
A condominium in Cambridge would have been considered a modern delight in the early 90s, with it’s 3-way fireplace and recessed lighting. But for the owners — a family of three — the fireplace was never used, and only served to make the living space feel cramped and awkward. A surplus of decorative columns and overhead panels made the space feel choppy, and the couple longed for an open view between the dining and living areas. When a neighbor with the same floor plan removed their fireplace, my clients loved the results, and it was an easy decision to follow suit.
Living Area: BEFORE
Living Area: AFTER
The floor space gained once the fireplace was removed wasn’t huge, but it allowed for a total reorientation of the living area. Now a low-backed sofa could divide the dining and living rooms, and easily face a wall-mounted television for family movie nights (opening up the bank of windows previously covered by the old TV). A pair of airy leather armchairs provides comfy seating for guests without closing off the space. Superfluous cabinets and consoles were unloaded on Marketplace or used elsewhere in the house.
A new library/office replaced the former play area of the couples’ growing daughter — floor-to-ceiling walnut-stained bookshelves anchor the room, with a moody navy paint peaking through to balance the new white walls throughout. Mom has a petite desk for WFH days, and the young reader has her own rocking chair in the corner — all on a vintage wool rug from the couples’ collection that we layered over an inexpensive cream wool blend to cozy up the nook.
Custom drapery panels in a playful tie-dye turquoise linen speak to the fun personality of the family while also bringing a more tailored look to the tall patio doors. New rugs (an easy-care printed vintage-inspired rug for the living area, and carpet tiles in a jute-look for the dining room) protect the refinished floors, and a bold photograph from a long-admired artist is the beginning of a plan to continue collecting over time as pieces seem right for the new space.
