"When the homeowners acquired the property there stood a five-tenement apartment building dating back to the early eighteenth century. The exterior was completely covered in stucco and prior to the renovation the original structure underneath was something of a mystery due to the multiple alterations the building had undergone in the previous two hundred years. Architect John Battle described the project as a jigsaw puzzle..."
"The fashion versus function debate takes on a whole new meaning in this Wellesley, Massachusetts, house, where the parents’ sense of style coexists with a kid-friendly sensibility."
"A careful play of openess and enclosure allows this remodeled kitchen to serve as both a busy crossroads and a series of comfortably defined spaces. The double-arched opening to the family room makes an elegant gateway linking the two rooms while ceding each its own identity."
...Architect John Battle of Boston designed the new house with the goal of creating a look similar to the familiar old lake camps that hug the shores here, and he adopted elements from the home where Steve had summered as a child. "I've had wonderful exposure to old New England camps and the full spectrum of styles," John says. "The owner was reassured that I was not set on doing something that was dramatically different than what he wanted. Most of the camp projects I have done are rustic and humble."
...One decision the clients and Battle made together was how to situate the house so that it would face the head of the lake and have a front-row view of the golden summer sunsets and the white winter landscape.
Only natural materials like stone and wood were used, inside and out, giving the house an organic, timeless sensibility. The exterior was done in cedar shingles, the wood trim painted muted shades of beige and green that blend with the wooded surroundings. Inside, the walls and ceilings are bead board or knotty pine with no drywall or plaster anywhere.”
...Relaxing in the tub is a rare luxury for many of us. But with the spectacular view on offer from this bathroom, a long, hot soak is time well spent.
When architect John Battle proposed a guest bathroom design that would stand out from the norm, the owners of this New England home happily gave him creative carte blanche.
Part of an addition to the house, its secluded waterfront outlook made it possible to put windows on three sides of the space without the usual privacy concerns.
The bathroom features a shower and vanity along one side, with a toilet and dresser on the opposite wall. At the far end of the space, the focal point is the tub. Set into a tiled surround, it is framed by an arched ceiling finished in white-stained wood siding.
...Dream Homes New England is the nineteenth book of a series that offers readers a breathtakingly rich photographic tour of a compilation of dream residences envisioned and built by a select group of more than 40 leading New England architects.
This large house sits on a spectacular property overlooking a hundred acres of conservation land. The greatest design challenge was that of positioning the home, nestling it into a hillside and minimizing its impact on the rural streetscape.
