There is much I could say about the way I found this troubled little property and, frankly, how I troubled over its transformation.  To me, it was an ugly duckling and I wasn’t sure I could ever love it.  It lacked the architectural details that, for me, illicit inarticulate utterances of ardor.  Still, with a nod to the sixties and an obliteration of the seventies cottage era, Milford Street was reborn.

First Date Doubts

I know how many folks adore an exposed brick wall. For me, it lacks the polish and clean lines for which I am drawn.  If money were no object, I would have brought in a whole team of Venetian plasterers to artfully hint at the texture below, creating a surface that shined.  Three floors of brick ran through this property, which contributed to my lukewarm feelings.  Oak floors, naturally stained with their parochial school connotation, strangely proportioned fireplace, a built-in and hidden door that may have been completed by a carpenter’s apprentice in need of a few more years experience, glass back splash, granite counter tops, pendants that missed the mark, and mill work and doors that screamed Cape Cod Cottage, all made me want to scream!

Seeing Sixties – Carly Gillis Photography

What’s a gal to do?  Accept a second date and explore the possibilities.  Here’s the long and the short of it:

No need to start from scratch: Fresh Face -Carly Gillis Photography

Brighten, beautify, store and stow. – Carly Gillis Photography

– Floors were stained ebony

– All doors were replaced with solid wood custom Jenn Air doors

– All new door hardware:  Baldwin

– Lighting:  Living Room Chandelier by Arteriors – Zanadoo Chandelier, Kitchen Pendants by Jonathan Adler – Rio Pendants, Bedroom Flush Mount fixture by Shades of Light Olive Leaf Ceiling Chandelier

– Kitchen:  Counter tops Carrera marble countertops, Tile Accent Wall, Polished Alaskan Blue and Eastern Carrera from The Tilery, Orleans, MA, Cabinets Painted in Benjamin Moore’s Dior Gray, Hardware by Colonial

Paint:  All by Benjamin Moore, Powder Room – Peacock Feathers, Living Room – Cloud Gray, Bedroom – Pink Paisley

Powder Room:  Wallpaper – Cole and Sons:  Alpana . Aqua and Gold

Hidden Jewel – Carly Gillis Photography