Name: Steve
Location: Boston, MA
Size: 693 sq/ft
Years lived in: Rented for 7 years, Owned for 3 years
For those who aren't familiar with Boston's North End, affectionately known as "Little Italy", it's the city's oldest neighborhood and one of the most vibrant and intimate neighborhoods in Beantown. We've always wanted to step foot inside more North End apartments, so we were delighted to have the opportunity to tour Steve's remodeled North End treasure...
Steve's condo is a deep labor of love. When Steve decided to upgrade from renter to owner three years ago (in the same space) he was confronting some significant health challenges. Maybe that's why there is a particularly palpable sense of joy and humble pride you feel upon entering his space. Steve clearly poured his heart into this demolition and remodel, in which he transformed a compartmentalized and partitioned dark space into one bright free-flowing open floor plan.
Steve's decorating and design style is definitely minimalist (he's in the process of adding some artwork) which allows for greater appreciation of the architectural details like the interior brick wall, the lovely blue tile in the bathroom, the sleek pocket door, and the self-designed grey tile mosaic in the kitchen.
AT Survey
Style: Modern minimalist with influences from Northern Europe (e.g. Germany, Sweden) and Asian (e.g. Japan, Hong Kong) architecture and living spaces.
Inspiration: I purchased the apartment which I had rented for many years. The previous owner had subdivided the space, but I always knew the apartment could be more than it was. So the day after closing, I began a process of demolition to the studs (no walls, no drop ceilings, no counter tops - just pure open space) to live and get a feel of what the place could be. Though it was not easy, I lived for months in the space while developing a scapbook of ideas from design magazines. Then one day in Germany I was reading a magazine, 20 Private Wohntraume, that profiled an apartment in London. At that moment, my ideas started to flow and I began the creation process. I had found my starting point.
Favorite Element: The creative collaboration between myself, the architect and the builder. Due to budget constraints, I worked with the architect during the design process, but was left to execute and interpret the plan with the builder.
Biggest Challenge: Since it was a complete gut renovation, how to distribute the construction budget across multiple rooms while monitoring overall investment so that it could be recouped in the long term. Plus, I had to move into a hotel for two months.
What Friends Say: Considering that my previous furniture collection consisted of a card table, two folding chairs and a mattress, "I never thought you could do this."
Biggest Embarrassment: I should have involved the HVAC contractor much earlier in the design process which would have allowed for a more creative use of space. Ductwork is hard to change after the fact.
Proudest DIY: Did more than half of the demolition myself. I remember the words of the Home Depot salesperson, "Buy this sledgehammer and crowbar, turn off the power and start swinging." Also, I picked out all of the fixtures, appliances and tile (I surprised myself. See "What Friends Say?").
Biggest Indulgence: The bathroom medicine cabinet. Due to the design of the bathroom, I needed a vertical setup rather than the traditional horizontal orientation. When I saw it in a catalog, I knew it was the perfect fit, but it cost more than my dishwasher.
Best advice: Don't be afraid to get professional help early in the process. Though it might seem like an extra expense, it enabled me to be more creative, make better decisions and develop a more satisfying finished product. Trust your gut feeling when making decisions.
Dream Sources:
Architecture: Katy and Kristen at THEREdesign
Construction: Dave at Colony Construction - 508-524-0629
Appliances: Yale Appliance
Art: Pam Reynolds
Kitchen and cabinetry: Ikea
Inspiration: Dwell magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Taschen Books
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
What a fantastic place, I'm so impressed by the remodel job. I wish it was mine. Well done!
view ncantine's profile
Damn. That looks WAAAAAAAAAY better than my North End apartment ever did.
I love that you left part of the original brick wall.
I'm jealous. I miss the North End. :(
view sparkle's profile
Wow! A great remodeling job. Everything looks simply fantastic. I love the tiles, the brick wall, and that this is in the North End. Would love to see more art work in the living room. Thanks for sharing.
view timmy jr.'s profile
really really nice use of the space, and of making the most of what you have. and call me crazy, but I really like the exposed hvac...
view loftlover's profile
Anyone know the make/model of the refrigerator? I'm looking for something exactly like that. This is a beautiful remodel. Nice job.
view truthy's profile
awesome, looks really nice
view plasticorange's profile
Steve, you've done a wonderful job! Kudos especially for having the patience to live in the raw space and let it "talk" to you.
I don't think I would change a thing. My only tweak would be a screen/curtain of some sort between the kitchen and bedroom, but certainly not anything that couldn't be pulled aside completely.
What's in the skinny wall that's floating in the kitchen next to the island?
view rockypondgirl's profile
rockypondgirl - that look's like a very clever disguise for the electrical panel.
view peachpie's profile
Steve, that is absolutely gorgeous! I'm sure you're seriously NOT missing that old harvest gold kitchen! Your new space seems much larger than it is. Beautiful work -- seriously. And I love that you didn't cover over all of the brickwork.
view darcidoodle's profile
truthy - I think I have the same fridge. It's Fisher & Paykel.
view Cynthia in SF's profile
Very nice remodel. Definitely minimalist but I think the only thing missing are some rugs to give the apartment a more homey and comfy feel. I'm not sure how I feel about the open plan with the kitchen and bedroom right there. Personally, if it were my place, I would probably have sliding frosted glass doors between the kitchen and bedroom that I would close at night when sleeping or for some privacy if I have guests.
view oliviahh's profile
The place looks amazing; what a great use of the space! Although, I'm a bit confused why you have two islands in the kitchen and at two different heights. I realize one is used for seating, but why not combine it all in one?
view BrendenM's profile
You did a wonderful job with this.
I'm really impressed by your tiling choices and the fact that you created so much storage. You'll be able to maintain your minimalist style with all of the cupboards you put in. It really looks healthy and welcoming - a great use of a small space. Also, your gleaming floors are gorgeous.
view Chris in Seattle's profile
Wow! Fantastic :) What fridge is that, and where is it from? It's exactly what I'm looking for! Thanks for sharing.
Shannon
view swirthy13's profile
Simply amazing!
view LuckyMonkey's profile
Dear All,
Thank you for your comments and suggestions. Also thanks to Kyle for considering me. It is a pleasure getting your feedback.
Steve
Regarding your questions.
1. Am in the process of designing a divider to separate the bedroom and kitchen which will play off of the tiled column (currently in the design phase). If you are interested, I can update later with pictures.
2. Regarding the two tables in the kitchen. The space in the middle was created to allow access from one aisle to the other and to the bathroom (rather than going around). The taller table was meant as a more traditional breakfast bar while the shorter one was more for storage. Both tables are actual wall and undermount cabinets with doors on both sides (one side can be opened).
3. Refrigerator is Fisher & Paykel. Actually the appliances are international. Fisher & Paykel (New Zealand), Sharp (stove from Japan) and W/D (Bosch).
4. More pictures: Yes, I am working on it. I welcome advice. I like industrial photos.
5. Rugs: I really need advice on this. I don't know how to choose.
view RenoNE's profile
PS: Yes, the column is the electrical work. And the wood panel is the cover for the electrical panel and put there to match the other wood.
A similar technique was used to hide the heating and ac unit (in the bedroom the first set of cabinets).
view RenoNE's profile
Wow, this is gorgeous! The tile work is fabulous.
view josieboston's profile
Love it! Where did you get your bathroom sink? I've search high and low for a small sink like that!
view lisaoliver90's profile
Dear LisaOliver90,
The sink was ordered out of a catalog from Home Depot. It is a bar sink with no overflow.
Since then, I might have installed a Corian sink (see Dupont website) instead because it can be sized to order.
Steve
view RenoNE's profile
I love that you didn't cover the brick wall and your use of space is wonderful. One thing to consider with art, that in smaller spaces one larger piece of art can make a space look bigger or a bunch of tiny pieces of art placed together to create the illusion of a larger piece. Great job!
view gsolakelady's profile
steve, great job on the remodel! It looks fantastic! Is the ikea cabinetry that is storage next to your kitchen in the kitchen section, or is it part of ikeas wardrobe solutions? I'll be doing something similar in my tiny bungalow. Oh, the sacrifices for downtown living!
Thanks!
view jadepwinters's profile
Dear JadePWinters,
All of the cabinetry in the kitchen comes from IKEA's kitchen department (the islands, the countertops, etc.). The two islands are modified cabinets.
If you need more info, please let me know.
Regards,
Steve
view RenoNE's profile
thanks Steve,
What I was mainly referring to was the wardrobe style storage you have in between your kitchen and bedroom. I assume those are ikea kitchen as well. If so, what size? I have never seen anything in the ikea kitchen section with large double doors like that.
I am trying to disguise a stackable washer and dryer that will be going into our kitchen area due to lack of an actual utility room. Thanks for your help on this one!
All the best,
Jade
view jadepwinters's profile
Dear Jade,
That's funny because that is exactly what I did. The first set of double doors actually has a w/d inside (a Bosch stackable pair and the last set actually houses the heater and ac.
Regarding the products, those come from the PAX collection (wardrobe) and I tried to match the color as close to the kitchen as possible so it looked like one piece. The doors are 90 inches.
Please let me know if I can provide any more information.
Steve
view RenoNE's profile
great minds think alike! I cant fathom owning a home and having to go to the laundry mat every week! Thanks for your help and resources. They have been a huge help!
view jadepwinters's profile
Hi Steve:
I know it has been a while since you made your posting, but hope you still can answer my questions. Your apartment is "WOW."
You mentioned using Theredesign for architectural help. I had talked to a few architects (including theredesign) but they all made it sound as if they would be responsible for the entire project. Honestly, I cannot afford it so I was wondering how you negotiated hiring architects just for design purpose. Was it an hourly fee or a fixed fee? Thanks.
view designfan's profile
Dear DesignFan,
Thanks for your question. It is a difficult balance between and small and large project for both yourself and with the design/architectural firm.
I went through the same process and I can understand where your and they are coming from. It is hard to bid on a project without a finite and defined outcome (avoid, the one more hour here and there). And it is hard for them because they want to deliver the best product possible. So there seems to either be a "few hour consultation" or a full-fledged project with little in between.
I am not sure really what to advise because I don't know the full extent of what you are trying to do. In my case, I clearly defined a short-term deliverable where both parties understood the pros and cons of the approach and the work exposure on the firm side was capped.
Maybe if you tell me more about your situation, I could give you some more advice.
Regards,
Steve
view RenoNE's profile