Michael J. Lee

After living in a large suburban house for years, the homeowners dreamed of downsizing to a chic urban space. They loved the views of the Charles River from this roughly 2,000-square-foot Cambridge condo, but the interior needed lots of work. “The unit was very dated. Quality materials hadn’t been used initially. It was time for a face lift,” says Boston interior designer Leslie Fine, who created the home’s new aesthetic and oversaw a gut renovation. Now the home sparkles with fresh finishes, fixtures, and custom design elements.

1 > NEW CHERRY FLOORS with a maple border are so handsome that the homeowners opted not to obscure them with a rug in the master bedroom.

2 > BLUE AND TAN LINEN DRAPES that invigorate the understated color scheme bring in the hues of water and sky, seen through the room’s expansive sliding glass doors.

3 > THE BED is upholstered in a sueded material that “is both durable and soft to the touch,” says Fine, who selected a curved headboard that offers comfortable support for reading.

4 > NEW MILLWORK, including built-in shelves around the bed that are backlit with LEDs, adds architectural interest as well as space to display plants or pretty objects.

5 > BATHROOM WALLS are sheathed in a mosaic pattern by Ann Sacks using limestone and Jerusalem gold tiles.

6 > A RECESSED MIRROR-FRONTED CABINET above the vanity offers additional storage and conceals electrical outlets.

7 > NEUTRAL TONES offer a sense of serenity and timelessness, and “they won’t end up looking dated,” says Fine. “If you want to bring in color, add accessories.”