Boston South End Condo Kitchen Remodel – Before & After

It’s always an exhilarating experience to take on a full kitchen remodeling project and watch it come to life. I’m pleased to unveil the before and after shots from one of my recent projects — a South End kitchen renovation which was also featured recently in The Boston Globe. The transformation between this kitchen’s initial layout and its final design was such a success that the new space is hardly recognizable from what it used to be!

Before the renovation, the kitchen of this Boston condo lacked flow, comfort and aesthetic appeal. The layout was cramped and choppy due to an adjacent pantry space and a narrow laundry room. Another challenge faced was finding a way to work around the areas that couldn’t be moved or altered because of the condo’s duct work and piping.

Kitchen BEFORE:

As you can see from these photos, the overall design lacked visual interest and appeal. Not surprisingly, when my clients purchased the property, the kitchen upgrade was a priority. What they desired was an open and elegant contemporary kitchen that was fully equipped with high-tech features, appliances and amenities.

Kitchen BEFORE:

We opened up the space and created a seamless flow by removing multiple walls and integrating the former pantry space and former laundry room into the new kitchen design. (The laundry room was relocated to another area of the condo.) These crucial steps significantly impacted the condo’s entire floor plan allowing for an open design that flows beautifully into the adjoining living and dining rooms. I integrated the cabinetry, appliances and millwork to achieve an attractive and functional design while accommodating the immovable ducts and pipes.

Kitchen AFTER:

The kitchen cabinetry by Poggenpohl features an organic, textured laminate finish. All new, upscale appliances were used to ensure top-notch functionality. Caesarstone countertops and backsplash add to the kitchen’s sleek appearance, while the organic riverstone accents by Ann Sacks are a gorgeous feature above the stove top and as a stripe in the backsplash around the room.

I also designed the kitchen’s rift oak custom millwork to create feature walls that add dynamic interest while coordinating with the look, feel and quality of the furniture in the home. With its dark stain and stainless steel reveals, the millwork contrasts beautifully with the light colored , organic cabinetry for a stunning effect. The materials and details work together to achieve a contemporary, striking and sophisticated look and even provides additional storage.

As the heart of the home, a kitchen shouldn’t be anything less than beautiful and functional. If this kitchen renovation has inspired you, contact Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc. in New England either online or by calling 617.236.2286 to discuss your own home design project. Whether you are considering a kitchen remodel or a whole-home renovation, I would love to work with you to create a custom design that caters to your needs, lifestyle and personal aesthetic.

Photography: Michael J. Lee

Poggenpohl: Rosemary Porto

Millwork/cabinetry: Herrick & White

Builder: FBN Construction

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His Bathroom Oasis in Boston’s Back Bay – Before & After

As with the rest of the interiors in my Boston Back Bay design project, the husband’s bathroom also needed some major TLC — both architecturally and aesthetically. My clients wanted the space to be contemporary and unique as well as functional and easy to maintain.

Bathrooms should be a place of total relaxation and rejuvenation but, like the rest of the home, bathrooms also should reflect discerning tastes and style. I was determined to transform “his” bathroom into a private oasis for the husband to retreat to at the start and end of each day.

In this before shot, you can see that the focal point was a traditional style vanity topped with green granite with the floor and shower walls in carerra marble. The overall look and feel of this design lacked the spa like ambiance that define most luxury bathrooms.

His Bathroom BEFORE:

The final transformation of this bathroom oasis is really quite breathtaking — from drab to dreamy, you can see how I achieved the ultimate bathroom design below!

For the vanity, I used dark wood contemporary cabinetry and polished stainless steel hardware that would bring rich contrast and sleek masculinity to the space. I lifted the vanity off the floor to evoke a sense of airiness. The wall above the vanity was clad with mirror to reflect more natural light while also providing functionality. Additionally, I incorporated a recessed medicine cabinet in the center of the mirrored wall for conveniently hidden storage.

For the bathroom floors and shower walls, I used a textured porcelain tile. Not only are these tiles attractive and contemporary, they are extremely easy to maintain and don’t require sealing or regular maintenance. The neutral tones create a sophisticated spa-like effect that’s masculine, fresh and appealing.

To learn more about the interior design services I offer in the New England area (and beyond) or to discuss a home design project, contact Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc. by calling 617.236.2286.

 

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Leslie Fine Interiors wins a Gold PRISM Award for Best Bathroom

I’m thrilled to report that at the gala event held on October 30, 2013 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc. was the recipient of the coveted Gold PRISM Award from the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston for BEST BATHROOM!

The clients desired a “spa-like” bathroom with an extra large shower with a two sided set up using two shower heads, two rain heads and multiple body sprays and a long bench for sitting on and relaxing. Furthermore, they wanted plenty of vanity storage and countertop space with two sinks and a separate makeup area.

To keep the bathroom light, bright and airy, I used large white tiles for the floor and bright white vanities and countertops. The spa-like green glass tiles were used halfway up the walls of the bathroom and on the shower walls. River stone was used on the shower floor (so many of my clients love the feel of this material under their feet). With chrome plumbing fixtures and sconces, the vanity area was topped off using a combination of mirrors and sandblasted glass.

I am thrilled to add this 2013 PRISM Award to many other PRISM awards that I have received in past years. I love designing luxury bathroom spaces as there are so many materials and fixtures available to incorporate into an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.

Here are the photos of the award winning BEST BATHROOM:

(Builder: FBN Construction; Photographer: Greg Premru)

Design by Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

Design by Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

Design by Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc.

Are you thinking about renovating a bathroom in your home?  Call Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc. at 617-236-2286 to make your vision a reality! Check out our portfolio for other bathing beauties!

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Leslie Fine Interiors Wins Bathroom Design Award

I am pleased to share that Leslie Fine Interiors has been awarded a 2012 Bath Design Award from Signature Kitchens & Baths Magazine. The award recognizes excellence in bathroom design across the United States. It was exciting to see the spa-like bathroom I designed on the pages of this well respected national publication.

The bathroom was designed for a home in suburban Boston with the goal of creating a spa retreat for the homeowners. A series of small spaces were opened up to create a bathroom that is large, functional and full of natural light. Each element of the bathroom design was carefully selected to provide the homeowners with the amenities they desired. Sleek fixtures, rich wood cabinetry from Poggenpohl, and a stunning mosaic tile treatment from Ann Sacks create a suburban oasis that feels fresh and sophisticated.

While the bathroom’s finishes are noteworthy, it is the room’s unique design and floor plan that makes this bathroom a stand out. The focal point is a large freestanding vanity in the center of the room with sinks on both sides. A two-sided, custom stainless steel framed mirror, suspended from the ceiling, is centered over the vanity. Sculptural pendant lights on either side of the mirror supply excellent task lighting.

The fact that this room is chock full of storage space can’t be overlooked. The extensive storage space means there is plenty of room for towels, beauty supplies and bathroom cleaning products. There is even a large area for the storage of dirty clothes – one hamper for whites, one for colors and the third for dry cleaning!

Click here to read the article.

Wouldn’t you love a bathroom retreat like this? Give me a call to schedule an appointment to discuss your bathroom renovation.

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