Before & After: A Ceramicist’s Home Is Bolder (and Bigger!) After a Major Remodel and Addition

Ceramicist Molly Hatch and her husband are actually only the second owners of this Massachusetts house; they purchased it seven years ago from the original owners. Originally built in 1948 as a single-floor Cape-style home, when Apartment Therapy first toured it, it was a one-story house with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Molly and her husband’s first renovation of the older home was an update to reflect their design style; only the bathtub, first floor flooring, and kitchen cabinets and counter remained. Recently, Molly and her husband have finished even more major renovations, expanding into a second-floor addition and adding a porch and a mudroom.

Many of the first floor’s original rooms have changed function and style: the former living room is now the dining room, and the former master bedroom is now a sleek guest bedroom. The second floor addition features an airy living area, master bedroom, and big master bathroom. Of course, not all the changes to the old house were aesthetic; during renovations they stripped the exterior siding down to the studs so they could “super” insulate the house. They upgraded to all new windows, as well as added a standing seam roof and solar power. The house started its life at 700 square feet (not including the garage), and after the addition is now a still-modest-but-much-roomier 1470 square feet, with three bedrooms and two baths. And though lovely to look at, all of the renovations to their home were done in service to the sense of community they are cultivating.

“Our home is our sanctuary. We love that it’s cozy and welcoming, a true reflection of how we spend time in the space,” writes Molly. “We have carefully included inherited objects and furniture with new pieces that reflect our taste. We want the story of our home to be the story of our family. We do entertain often, whether it’s a girl’s night in or dinner with friends, or holidays with family. We cook all of our meals with the rare exception to eat out, so our time here is about being together as a family.”

My Style: Modern yet traditional.

Inspiration: We love history and stories behind objects. We are inspired by English homes—World of Interiors

Favorite Element: The upstairs bathroom because it really reflects how we have merged the new and the old in one room. Plus, who doesn’t love a good gallery wall and custom tile?

Biggest Challenge: We really love open floor plans but the renovation would not allow for it without moving our staircase, so we left the floor plan on the first floor as it was originally. We moved the living room upstairs with the addition; this way we could entertain more with a proper dining room!

Proudest DIY: We did the whole house, but the spot where we both came together in the biggest way was in the mudroom addition. I hand made the ceramic tile floor and Oliver installed it!

Biggest Indulgence: The dining room table was our largest expense, but I would actually say we indulged in the custom cement tile for the new upstairs bath!

Best Advice: Find someone who shares your aesthetic and everything will be good!

What’s your best home secret? We love shopping everywhere—from Target to antique shops and high-end design stores. When you mix valuable inherited objects with less expensive items and DIY/self-made pieces you can save a ton of money and still have a luxurious look.

• Most everywhere — Benjamin Moore Snowfall White
• Dining Room — Benjamin Moore Rust

• Pendant lamp —  West Elm similar available at Serena and Lily
• Door knocker —  Anthropologie

• Hexagonal Inlay Coffee Table—Anthropologie
• Pillows—Anthropologie, Ikea and custom
• Leather Butterfly Chair—Amazon
• Leather Ottoman—Etsy
• Rug—Drew Barrymore Flower Home
• White chair—Anthropologie
• Sheepskins—IKEA
• Planter—Target
• Large Mirror—Vintage

• Farmhouse Dining Table in Sand —Anthropologie
• Leann Ford Pendant Lamp —Target
• Vintage mid-century school chairs —URBN (sold out)
• Sheepskins —IKEA
• Reclaimed Rug Pillows— IKEA
• Rug—Drew Barrymore Flower Home
• Sconces— IKEA
• Mirror— IKEA
• All-Weather Wicker Planter— Terrain
• Petit Arc Brass Floor Lamp—West Elm

• Hallway mural was hand-painted by Molly
• Rug — Vintage Moroccan

• Urban Renewal Vintage School Chairs— URBN
• Rug—Vintage
• Table — Vintage
• Milk Glass Pendant—Anthropologie
• Shelving — Custom
• Tile — Molly Hatch

• One-Of-A-Kind Painting Bag —Swarm Home
• Bedding—Anthropologie
• Small pillows—Target
• Large Pink pillows—Target
• Throw—John Derian
• Planter with metal stand—Target
• Desk lamp—Target
• Wall hanging—Secret Holiday Co.
• Hanging Wall Planter—Kestrel
• Modular wall piece above bed—Bend Goods
• Eye Pillow—Rise & Fall

• Geo Wallpaper in Grey—Molly Hatch for Chasing Paper
• Desk Lamp—Target
• Desk Organization—Target
• “It’s OK” Wall Hanging— Secret Holiday Co.
• Bedding—Molly Hatch for Crate & Kids
• Cloud Cushion—Donna Wilson
• Flokati Rug—Target
• Tassel Bed Canopy—Target

• Pettit Arc Brass Floor Lamp—West Elm
• Bedding—Target and Brooklinen
• Throw Blanket—vintage kantha
• Brass Vase—Target
• Copper Hanging Planter—Anthropologie

• Shower curtain — Anthropologie
• Sconce—West Elm
• Talleviken Sink—IKEA
• Toto Aquia IV Toilet—Toto

• Smith & Hawken Basket Organizers—Target
• Wall Sconces—hardware Anthropologie, shades IKEA
• Striped Towels— Garnet Hill
• Floor Tile—Cement Tile Shop
• Sinks—Found
• Hex Brass Hardware—CB2
• Cut Glass knobs—Anthropologie

Thanks Molly!