Name: Libby and John Lodge (of John Lodge Architects)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Most Boston dwellers are familiar with the pitfalls of living in period houses: small rooms, miniscule closets, and dim lighting. So when product designer Libby and her architect husband John stumbled upon a Cambridge Greek Revival with not one, but two large sunny common rooms, they jumped at it. Nine years later, they couldn't be happier with their choice.

The simple, elegant lines of the original architecture spoke to their modern sensibilities, but that didn't stop the couple from transforming the dated interior into a warm, functional space that would meet the needs of their growing family. Their use of reclaimed materials and a neutral palate with punches of bright color evoke a contemporary farmhouse feel that reflects both John's interest in sustainability and Libby's Swedish roots.

The obvious heart of the home is their vast multipurpose kitchen. In updating the space, the pair opted for a non-traditional layout that eschews upper cabinets and flow-stopping islands in favor an open plan that incorporates a wall of built-in cabinetry, a long banquette with storage underneath, and a cozy, sun-drenched reading nook. The result is a flow that most apartments this size rarely achieve. And with three children under the age of eight, having room to roam is a necessity.

The overall aesthetic is one that effortlessly combines antique finds like the rustic farm table with high end fixtures such as the hallway pendant from FLOS design. Thoughtful touches like the slate fireplace surround which doubles as a chalkboard and the banister John painstakingly constructed from four salvaged staircases make one thing abundantly clear: This is a house that love built.

Thanks, Libby and John!

Images: Ronee Saroff

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