Inside A Vibrant Boston Penthouse With Historic Flair
Designer Rachel Reider crafts a charming space that balances old and new.
BY SAMANTHA MYERS PUBLISHED: JUL 2, 2019
When a globe-trotting family returned to the U.S. from overseas, they decided to settle into a three-bedroom Boston penthouse that exuded classic charm characteristic of the Back Bay neighborhood, but lacked modern touches necessary for contemporary day. To achieve a balance between old and new, interior designer Rachel Reider juxtaposed art and antiques collected from the family's travels, alongside stylish, contemporary pieces, all while respecting the Victorian-inspired architecture of the home and the history of Boston's Back Bay. Through bold design elements, including rich jewel tones, luxe fabrics, and high-textured materials that reflected the family's personal taste and travels, Reider created a home successful in both form and function for a growing family to settle into comfortably.
DEN
A grasscloth wallcovering in "Seagrass Indigo" by Cowtan and Tout sets the scene for this cozy, yet vibrant den. A hide cocktail ottoman by Room & Board provides textural contrast against a rug from Surya and a Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams sofa. To the right, the white metal-frame chair is the Ingmar side chair by Jonathan Adler, and the chair opposite is from West Elm. On the walls, a painting by John Ochs from Jules Place captures the eye next to custom shelving providing ample display storage, made to match the consoles also from Room & Board.
KITCHEN DETAIL
In this sleek, contemporary kitchen, a standout custom-made table with blue legs is by Geoff Holmes, and the chairs at the table are Rizzo chairs from Restoration Hardware.
KITCHEN
The oven range and hood are Bertazzoni and the glass backsplash is a custom mosaic tile from Discover Tile. The kitchen island comes from Venegas and Company.
DINING ROOM
In the traditional-inspired dining room, Phillip Jeffries' Silver on Grey grasscloth wallpaper sets the backdrop for a custom dining table by Taracea. The table is surrounded by leather-covered chairs by Poltrona Frau, the Vittoria Armless dining chair, and the Sinan arm chair in the Laser midnight purple. The captivating photograph on the wall is by Simon Procter.
FIREPLACE
Over the fireplace in the living room are hammered sconces, Vellum Wall Lights, by Brabbu. A colorful concentric circles painting is from Jules Place, by artist Michael Hoffman.
DINING ROOM
Various candlesticks and vases decorate the dining room table, creating a centerpiece. Adding character is a marbled vase from Arteriors and a Global Views Zulu candlestick in gold. A new Oriental handmade Indian rug by Stark adds texture to the floor.
LIVING ROOM
In this traditional living room with a modern revamp, Miso Bronze Cocktail Tables from Century Furniture pair beautifully with a royal blue-colored Fabrizio Sofa from Emerson Bently/Designers Guild and Louis XIV-style chairs from Oly Studio and Lelievre Paris. The drama-inducing living room drapery is from Sahco and the pillows and fabrics across the sofa and chairs are from Zinc Textiles (part of Romo), ABC Home, and Zoffany. To the left of the sitting area, a hexagonal metal table, the Beck Stone Side Table, from Interlude Home adds the perfect touch of contemporary glam. The Atomic Chandelier by Industry Home echoes the metal details.
MASTER BEDROOM
In the master bedroom, ivory nightstands by Made Goods flank a bed adorned in luxurious bedding by Matouk. To preserve coziness, shades by Weitzner and drapery fabric by Great Plains tie well together with the Fatimah rug from Stark Carpet. The bed's headboard comes from Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams, the Amora Amethyst lamps are from Plantation LA. At the end of the bed, a Bastia Bench in Noir is covered in the Capriolo fabric by Sahco.
BATHROOM
In this bathroom with herringbone marble tile floors by DiscoverTile, a Devon & Devon white ceramic vanity is paired with a clawfoot tub from Signature Hardware. The wallpaper is the Ebru pattern by Zoffany, the mirror is Venzia from Mirror Image Home. Visual Comfort sconces, specifically the Gale Library Wall Light in Polished Nickel add elegant functional lighting, and the Knox pendant from Worlds Away provides overhead lighting.
NURSERY
The baby's room features the Campaign Crib from ducduc against a playful Cole & Son Fornasetti-edition wallpaper. Layered rugs—a sheepskin rug by Kiwi Sheepskins overtop a sisal rug from Surya—provide warmth and texture to the floors. The vertical-stripe painting is by Michael Hoffman, purchased through Jules Place.
MASTER BATHROOM
The luxurious master bath features Zebrano slab and tile from Discover Tile, a beautiful textured marble with rivers of rich burgundy-colored veins against olive-grays.
