4 min readWhen a young family traded the sunny atmosphere of Los Angeles for the leafy streets of Massachusetts, they arrived at a crossroads that many homeowners had walked before them. The debate at hand? Go all-in on the century-old Mediterranean Revival they had fallen in love with, or let logic win out and continue their search. The decision? They followed their hearts—and promptly sent an e-mail to designer Meghan Shadrick to help them figure out the rest.
The 4,700-square-foot home in question carried all the grandeur and charm you’d expect of a well-preserved gem—arched doorways, a sweeping center hall, and plenty of rooms designed for the type of formal entertaining rarely seen these days. But for the new owners, the charms of a bygone era weren’t enough to help them function day-to-day with two children under the age of three. “Our biggest design challenge was figuring out how to make the floor plan cozier for everyday family living,” says Shadrick. “The house has a traditional formal layout, which worked for the formal entertaining of yesteryear, but it felt very disconnected from modern living.
Rather than embark on a full-scale renovation, Shadrick and the team at Aloise Builders Inc. opted for a more nuanced approach, with the goal of melding the home’s 1920s charm with the family-friendly atmosphere her clients craved. “As a designer, juxtaposing historical and modern aesthetics is always my most gratifying type of project,” Shadrick adds. “I loved that my clients were very open to color, pattern, and sourcing a variety of vintage pieces spanning many decades.”
The resulting home is a master class in working with what you have—a formal dining room became a family-friendly retreat, existing cabinetry was reworked to allow for a freestanding island, and 1920s original subway tile was given new life with a custom vanity. In the end, Shadrick delivered her clients something far more special than a down-to-the-studs gut renovation: a home that feels entirely new, without losing a single thing worth keeping.
FAST FACTS
Designer:Meghan Shadrick Interiors
Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
The Space: A five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home across 4,700 square feet
FAMILY ROOM
Original millwork underwent an intensive rehab to ready it for its next act.
Designed as a spot for the family to unwind, watch television, and enjoy each other’s company, the family room boasts comfortable furniture and durable fabrics. Shadrick restored the woodwork wherever possible, which involved sanding, bleaching, and refinishing the mantlepiece and more.
LIVING ROOM
The more formal space gets texture and patina from plaster walls.
Geared towards entertaining, the living room offers a variety of different seating arrangements to facilitate conversation. A round table at the center offers up an extra dining spot or place for the children to break out their art supplies.
SUNROOM
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the retreat with light.
Located off the family room, the sunroom boasts the original glass-enclosed structure, making stepping into the room feel like jumping back in time. To modernize the environment, Shadrick incorporated of-the-moment furniture silhouettes, including sleek shapes and squiggle details.
ENTRYWAY
Folliage-inspired wallpaper hints at the New England atmosphere outdoors.
The sprawling entryway acts as a central artery to the home, connecting the home office, formal living room, and more. On the walls, Supply Showroom’s “Live Oak” wallpaper nods to the home's Northeast setting.
KITCHEN
A sage green color-drench unifies the space.
In the kitchen, the theme was restoration, not reinvention. “We completely reinvented this kitchen using all of the existing cabinetry,” says Shadrick. “Moving a section of base cabinetry that was the former peninsula against the wall allowed for a freestanding island in addition to adding a cozy breakfast nook complete with a custom corner banquette.”
At the breakfast nook, reworked built-in bookshelves and a custom banquette bring an intimate, restaurant-inspired feeling.
BUTLER’S PANTRY
A wallpapered ceiling brings a playful touch.
Housed between the kitchen and family room, the moody butler’s pantry is geared towards function, with extra appliances and a coffee counter. A high-gloss paint finish adds shine.
DEN
A multi-use space can accommodate every aspect of family life.
Shadrick designed the den to live multiple lives, effortlessly flexing between a retreat for the nearby guest room, a gaming room, and a WFH spot.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Dusty rose walls bring tranquility and calm.
Muddy neutrals bring the primary suite to life, including a nubby cream rug and Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball on the walls. A large-scale headboard promotes a comfortable, indulgent atmosphere.
BATH
A sibling-friend retreat that’s practically foolproof (and toothpaste proof).
Located off the kids' room hallway, this playful bath boasts all the essentials. A squiggle mirror ties back to the furniture profiles on the first floor.
About the Designer
Meghan Shadrick Interiors is a boutique interior design firm focusing on creating livable, playful, and comfortable residential interiors throughout New England and the United States.
Whether designing an urban brownstone, a beach retreat, or a classic suburban colonial, Meghan strives to create homes that are stylish, livable, and most of all reflect their owners’ unique personality and style.
