Name: Mark Cutone and Joe Paul of BPC Architecture
Location: North End, Boston, Massachusetts
Size: 800 square feet
Years lived in: Owned 3 Years
These two Nantucket architects — each with different needs but similar tastes — decided to create an urban getaway for their families. The result is an 800 square foot shared apartment that could either be a play space for three small children or a setting for drinks in the city. Living on Nantucket year-round in larger dwellings made the experience in contrast — of style, context, and scale — enriching, allowing each to appreciate both the city and island environments even more. The North End has always been one of the country’s most vibrant neighborhoods and paring that environment with a clean, contemporary living space makes for a lovely result...
It's interesting to us (Wes & Kayla) the idea of designing a "city home" rather than a "country home." When you live in the city, designing something uber urban for everyday life doesn't seem ideal, comfortable or adaptable to the day-in, day-out routines of life, at least for us. But if we lived in the country (or on an island) and had this opportunity, we would go super sleek and hotel-esque, too. We love that this boutique space is in the middle of the old North End, in the heart of downtown Boston. What a great weekend (city) getaway...
Apartment Therapy Survey
Our style/Inspiration: We are hotel junkies so a lot of elements we incorporated into the design were inspired by experiences at various boutique hotels in the US and Europe.
Favorite Element: The hidden door that leads to the second half of the apartment. Guests just assume it is another kitchen cabinet. Always a fun moment when they realize that there is 400 sq feet in that cabinet.
Biggest Challenge: Renovating a unit in a building that is occupied. A little like open heart surgery.
What Friends Say: They often feel as though they are in some swanky mod hotel suite. They also comment on the serenity of the space.
Biggest Embarrassment: We were embarrassed we hadn’t elected to take the project on sooner – once we jumped in, it was a blast.
Proudest DIY: We didn’t actually lift a hammer, but the design, furnishings, and accessories were all us. We were very pleased with the end result.
Biggest Indulgence: Making the bathroom really nice – it was small but we wired it for sound and heated the tile floor. Feels like the smallest spa in the world.
Best advice: Be sure to go out of your way to be super considerate to your neighbors. Angry neighbors can become a mob real fast.
Resources
Appliances:
- Sub-0 — perfect for tight spaces
- Miele — open kitchen so quiet operation is a must
- Bosch — we really liked their styling when it came to the cooking elements
Hardware:
- Haefele — we wanted something very clean for the kitchen
- The door hardware is FSB — commercial, again, very clean
Furniture: Most of the pieces were sourced from Design Within Reach and Crate & Barrel. We purchased some slightly retro pieces from DWR and were very happy with them. At Crate we found some pieces that complimented the selections from DWR but also fit our budget.
Accessories: The kitchen was designed with open shelving so many of the pieces we use everyday had to look good and become accessories to the overall look. When backlit they almost look like jewelry. Our favorite indulgence with respect to accessories is the Aldo Rossi tea and coffee set.
Lighting: As architects we are fortunate to realize that lighting is critical in bringing the design to life as natural light fades. We spent quite some time making sure that the surfaces and details were properly washed. Guests often comment on the lighting but they can’t quite describe what it is that appeals to them. We think that makes for a successful lighting design. As a result we used very little task light — much of it was integrated into the architecture.
Tiles and Stone: We predominantly used carrara marble for the kitchen counters and the bathroom. It is a classic that goes with everything and won’t look dated 5-10 years from now. It worked great as a kitchen counter material against the dark wenge cabinets. The contrast was perfect.
Window Treatments: We focused our attention on the window wall of the Living Area. We elected to drape the entire wall in a slightly opaque white material. It worked to bring uniformity to the wall and diffused the light coming into the space creating an almost ethereal-like quality.
Paint: We used Benjamin Moore colors. The blue is actually Smoke Stack Grey — we get a lot of people asking about that. We reintroduced it in various spaces as you move through the apartment. It makes for nice fluidity as one moves from space to space.
Flooring: There was fir already in the apartment so we continued with that species but stained it a dark espresso. The result looks great, but remember dark floors show everything!
Images: BPC Architecture
Jonya & Brad's Modern A–Frame 
Quick Cleaning Tip: Keep Baseboards Cleaner With Fabric Softner
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Profile Chair by Ma...
Mac and Cheese: The Secret to Making It Rich and Creamy
Summer Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
Comments (45)
The color palette is so well balanced. Great job.
So light and airy, Gorgeous!
Beautiful!
Smoke Stack Grey. Magnificent.
A bit too matchy-matchy show-home looking for me, but I love the use of marble in the kitchen- especially as long slabs on the back splash.
Nice in a generic chain-hotel/Crate & Barrel store display/condominium model sort of way - Even though it's a shared vacation space, it seems like it could be more unique or have some sense of place with accessories or artwork...
...and why are the framed B&W photographs over the sofa so crazy-high on the wall?
Holy Smoke!...stack grey.
So many interesting design elements here, must try to remember:
-white flowing curtains
-ambient lighting at base of curtain in living area
-tiny directional spot lights in ceiling
-transition between dark tile and wood floor
-swiveling pot-filler as kitchen faucet
-lighting behind kitchen shelving
-minimal 3/4" round base trim in bedroom
-slatted/slotted wall feature between kitchen and living area
-bulkhead or soffit above bed for hanging lamps
-staged champagne bucket and glasses--I may have to steal that one someday
I have to agree the black and white pictures are too high from the sofa. Maybe since it will be a share - they are afraid people will kick the frames off the wall - dunno. I am personally allergic to writings on the wall... But other than that it is nicely done - it will appeal to a wide range of people that want to share - it looks like out of the pages of crate & Barrel or pottery barn.
I love beautiful hotels but to me they just don't say home. Even though I like the clean, crisp design, this place reminds me of one of those hotels made of ice. I'm not surprised the woman pictured is wearing a muffler. To each her own.
I think your apartment is spectacular. I really love the precision of the cabinetry, especially that hidden kitchen door. You also successfully brought together colors that are not normally together in the same space. I'd almost call it cloudlike, especially given the way the light plays with your curtains. I noticed you have done something to jazz up your entry door, I'd love to see what you did, as your pictures only show glimpses of the door.
All the best to you, your space is wonderful.
Lots of nice elements, but something is missing and the only thing that keeps crossing me mind is something antique, a flea market find. Everything looks so brand new and polished.
I like aspects of the bedroom, but overall, it needs to be a little quirkier and more personal. It feels very "tasteful."
it looks nice, but i'm not feeing it
I'll admit I'm not thrilled with the *style* of the apartment. But there are some really clever ideas here. The disappearing kitchen door is fantastic -- and it makes really good use of a small kitchen space. And the sitting room area behind the kitchen -- with the sliding glass panels to close it off -- is a really good idea for a guest room. I'd love to see more pictures of that area and the pass-thru bedroom in the back.
Wow, as one of the people who was pushed out of the North End some years back, it's interesting to see this apartment being used as a weekend "city space." The space seems generic, but that seems wholly appropriate for this sort of share.
Maybe it's supposed to be impersonal and hotel-like because two families share it?
And yes, the art over the couch is waaay too high!
I like the steel blue color on the wall. Sooo serene. And everything is so well put together, which further gives this apartment its serene vibe.
I'm a total mid-c guy, but I really love this boutique hotel look.
And I love the color of the sofa. I would have never picked that color myself, because I'm not that creative design-wise, but I think it looks great.
LOVE the cool gray colors (and the Starck Romeo Babe light fixtures?) It looks very Candace-Divine Design in a way. I wish it had a touch more unique personality overall.
I'm with you visualingual--hard to look at this and see anything other than reasons why I can't afford to live there anymore.
I believe that the paintings over the couch are hung that high so that the spots shine on them -- these definitely need to be lowered.
Love the colors.
I looks good, but doesnt feel like a home. If it were a hotel I would like to stay there but as home I am lacking the personal touches.
Ps: didnt realise it was to be shared, that would explain the lack of personal touches. So it's more of a 'personal hotel' and as that very apealing.
I like the style
I knew smokestake grey was too blue for my apartment. It looks great here, though. Agree about the pictures over the couch being so high even I noticed. And the "Dream" sign is too cliche, but I love the bathroom. Marble will always be the ideal for me.
Oh, great space!
A little chilly for me, but somewhere that would be great to relax on a hot summer day.
I think if the black and white photos over the sofa were lowered a bit it would make the living space feel much cozier. I had a series hung above my couch and I just couldn't rest with the height they were at...I brought them down by 8" and couldn't believe how different it felt!
Overall, a really crisp space though!
Peculiar how the owners leave Nantucket, to
relax in Downtown Boston for the weekends?
Having a nice pied-a-terre in the city would be a great luxury for a lot of us who live in smaller communities. It would be wonderful to be able to go to cultural or sporting events and then get to stay in Boston overnight. I bet Nantucket gets boring after a while, even as nice as it is.
The North End is "in the heard of downtown Boston"? You mean after you walk across the highway and through the financial district?
Beautiful! Very relaxing for any relative or friend stopping in Boston for the weekend. (Can I be your friend, BPC guys?!)
Hi All!
...a note from one of the BPC guys. First, it's very interesting to read all of the comments. and YES...the pictures are too high.....but the spots do hit them...in hindsight we shoud have made those spots adjustable or set them further out from the wall.
I can see see where you call are coming from relative to the space looking "cold" or lacking a personal touch. Oddly, this is what we were trying to achieve ...in a sense. Since the space is shared by two families...one with 3 kids and the other with a dog....and also used by many of our friends and family..we didn't want overtly personal items to be distracting. That said; the space feels very much like home for each of us when we're there! I think this is because the place embodies many memories of good conversation, laughter and an escape from the clutter than an every day home can accumulate. Also, we're so emotionally attached to the experience of creating this retreat that this exercise in itself provides a strong connection and sense of place for us. .... that being said, many personal items have been neatly tucked away..including toys for my business partners 3 kids.... one of the challenges was to design a space that would feel comfortable for each family during their use. In reading all these comments, perhaps it would have been good to show some photos with the kids playing or us adults having a cocktail party filled with friends and family. As we all now.....people bring life to a space. ....one final anecdote...the photos in the apartment are of trees from the Nantucket island and also B & W family photos that have special meaning to each of us. Every time i stay here i feel refreshed and invigorated!
So....thanks again for the comments!
I have to giggle when I see some of the comments -- once you have three kids running around the place, it will look "lived in" and "personal" in about 15 minutes! I think that the design is wonderfully thought out, relaxing and good for adults AND kids. Well done!
I love this apartment. May I ask how the floating shelves in the kitchen are supported? We have similar ones on my house, and they are supported by steel rods embedded in the shelves that pass through the studs in the wall. But I would like to put some in my condo, and that apt. has steel studs which would make the method I previously used very difficult or impossible.
I'm in love (with only one exception - the dream in the bedroom but I could probably adapt tot it :).
What are the sliding glass doors? Are they actual doors or are they IKEA PAX wardrobe doors?
Please let me know your source.
Gorgeous House.
Modfan, have you been here lately? The highway is underground now. The North End and the Faneuil Hall/Bullfinch Triangle areas overlap now, and there's green space and mixed-use buildings on the land that used to be under the elevated span of I-93.
Beautiful! Makes perfect sense for a shared space. I have two guesses on the art, lining it up with the material in the kitchen or getting it out of the way of someone tall/long arms/legs up the walls. Kids, even teens do this.
I'm pretty sure I saw this place for sale recently (Boston.com maybe?) Was that just a lark to test the price? Or does that mean this was ultimately a failed experiment for the architects and their families?
quoting BPC Architecture:
"When you live in the city, designing something uber urban for everyday life doesn't seem ideal, comfortable or adaptable to the day-in, day-out routines of life, at least for us"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME ??? !!!
And you call yourselves architects?
As a city dweller, I think you're way off base, and
have no idea what you're talking about.
I really like the commercial slat wall system used in the kitchen. I'd like to use something like this in my upcoming kitchen renovation. Anyone know who makes these?
Hi - Mark, one half of the BPC architects.
I wanted to address a couple of questions that have been posted recently. The sliding glass doors are from ExactFinish.com. We have used them on a few projects and we have been very pleased given their price point. The shelves in the kitchen were custom fabricated for the project. We typically use a steel bracket that we affix to the rough framing and then sandwich into the MDF shelving. This way the steel disappears. We have been pleased with this detail.
A note to Brad - you quoted Wes and Kayla, not us. We love the urban feel of the space especially when contrasted with our primary homes on Nantucket. It makes us appreciate each environment that much more.
Lastly this "experiment" of sorts has worked out great! We wouldn't have had the ability to use it every weekend so sharing it with another family was perfect. There was rarely ever a conflict in our schedules. We are currently looking for our next project and will certainly continue to share the space as we have the last few years.
Thanks again for the comments.....we've enjoyed reading them.
I find there to be a sterile, coldness, in much of urban home design and decor, but no so here! I am impressed!
Why are there always people that say something isn't personal, it needs some character, and the solution is to add in an antique or more junk? So we should add in someone else's previous belongings to make it more personal? Or clutter up the space with pretty things to give it more character? This actually has more accessories than I do in my home, and I believe my house is bursting at the seams with character. I spent so much time trying to strike the right mood, pick the right colors, and added and subtracted various items, I can't imagine someone saying it's not personal enough.
I'm sure this owner feels even more pride seeing the finished product. I love this space. It's clean, contemporary, and really relaxing. I would never want to leave home!
Gorgeous and breath-taking!! The bathroom tiles look so serene and calm, and I LOVE LOVE the hanging pendants in the bathroom and bedroom - I am so doing those for the rooms.
Ubercool.
LOVE the curtain walls. Absolutely divine. I've been thinking about doing the same in my manhattan postwar co op. The texture will definitely soften the harsh edges and hide closets and doors. I was thinking about using hospital tracks but not sure whether to use opaque or sheers as I don't want the rooms to feel smaller. What type of drapes are these? Were they custom or store bought? Do you think I'd need to double the width of the wall in order to get enough fabric for the curtain to make that ripple effect? What do you recommend as a pull system? Do you think the white curtains eventually get filthy after drawing them by hand - especially when fitting a closet. Decisions decisions.....