When interior designer Paula Daher first saw this spacious Boston condominium, everything was stark white. “There was absolutely no color in the home,” recalls Daher, who was hired by the new owners to overhaul the interior design and oversee the unit’s gut rehabilitation. Daher had flat crown molding installed, replaced dark cherry floors with walnut, and added new lighting to illuminate all the right places. Clean-lined contemporary furniture, transitional elements, textural patterns, and handmade touches work together to create a sophisticated look. Awash with grays, deep blues, and turquoise, the living room is both calm and intriguing, without overshadowing the magnificent view of the city skyline.
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1 | Daher liked the gray Holly Hunt sofas for their low profile that doesn’t obstruct the view.
2 | Light gray drapes are a blend of polished cotton and silk. Behind the drapes are both motorized sheers and solar shades that keep fabrics from fading. “The windows are very large and the sun is very intense,” Daher says. “You have to be cautious of furnishings and rugs.”
3 | The living room’s wallcovering is grass cloth applied to a silvered background. “It reflects quite a bit of light and has a sheen to it,” says Daher.
4 | An abstract landscape painting by Robin Luciano Beaty features encaustic wax and vintage and found objects.
5 | A custom chaise is sheathed in Romo cut velvet; silk ikat print pillows by Donghia provide a play of pattern.
6 | A Kravet side chair is upholstered with a silk and cotton blend fabric in turquoise and dark blue tones. “The chair has a great shape; it seems very 1940s,” says Daher.
7 | The Christian Liaigre cocktail table has a wood base and a linen embossed resin top.
8 | Intended to draw the eye, the cut crystal chandelier in the dining area has the appearance of ribbons.
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9 | An oil painting by Barbara Flowers makes an impact in the foyer. “I loved the very traditional chest with its contemporary finish juxtaposed with the flower. They are items you might not necessarily pair together,” says Daher.
10 | The reproduction mid-19th-century French chest was the jumping-off point for the color scheme. “The deep cadet blue piece is lacquered, so it feels very contemporary,” says Daher. “But the hardware style is very typical of a French piece of that era, so it’s a wonderful combination.”
11 | A handmade wool and silk blend rug has gray and subtle green hues.