architecture « Elements of Style Blog

Archive for the ‘architecture’ Category

Design Crush: LDa Architects

Thursday, September 20th, 2012

The other night I was at a design related event in the city and ran into an old friend from college- turns out he works for a fantastic architectural firm, LDa Architecture + Interiors here that I had heard of, but hadn’t really researched. Man, am I glad I did. Their work is fantastic- greatly diverse, from modern to traditional and really, really beautiful. The design community here is small and actually very friendly, in my opinion, and I love supporting and showing off the work of other talented Boston-based firms!

This is a new construction house that makes me think I may go with yellow for my front door!

This house made me yelp with glee. That reclaimed wood ceiling- are you kidding me? This space is BRILLIANT.

This is the exact color I want my floors. Why I didn’t refinish them BEFORE moving in, don’t ask.

Stairs. Window seat. So perfect.

I really want to be friends with these people so I can have a glass of wine RIGHT HERE.

And another totally different look- check out those studded front doors!!!

Drama. Pure drama.

That bathtub is the thing dreams are made of. And MORE studded doors!

Love the Otomi headboard and that sink. Dang.

Which house is your favorite? See more of their work HERE.

Posted in architecture, because i love it, Boston, crazy awesome, design crush | 25 Comments »

House Hunting

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

I am a real estate agent’s worst nightmare. As the daughter of an architectural designer and an interior designer myself I am insanely picky about homes. I spent many weekends as a kid with my Dad driving around looking at homes as he pointed out beautiful facades, sites and details. I also have a major obsession with old homes- show me a new McMansion and I’ll turn on my heel, but show me a dilapidated 1860′s Greek Revival cottage and I will clean out my bank account for it. Unlike some people, I can see potential in a disaster, but since I don’t have the funds to do what a lot of my lovely little wrecks need, I have to find something in between old and sturdy/updated. And in the booming Boston market, this has proven very difficult. Homes we’ve been looking at not only are selling in a week, but selling for over asking. You have to move fast, which when making such a huge decision feel impossible to me! Gratefully my Dad is an incredible resource and has helped us avoid money pits and pushed us towards homes that I may not loooooooove but he insists he can help make adorable. So we continue our search… so in the meantime here are some styles of homes I would love to live in (99% are from Cottage Living….(WHY did that magazine fail? It was so good!)

This 1920′s cottage is the stuff I dream about.

A small brick front Charleston cottage:

I am currently laser focused on Greek Revivals…

or a bungalow (very rare up here in New England)

Or even this Victorian style guy…

Pretty much anything on architect Patrick Ahearn’s website makes me weep with joy:

However, this about the size of a Patrick Ahearn house I can afford:

(Can you even stand it?)

Posted in architecture | 37 Comments »

She Annoys Me…But Her House Doesn’t.

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

I am not particularly a Lea Michelle fan. Something about her just really rubs me the wrong way, and I don’t even watch Glee. However, I kind of adore her new, little cottage in LA! Of course, only in LA would a small 2 bedroom home cost $1.4 million, but I’m impressed by her modest purchase (size wise) and the potential of this ADORABLE little gem! Oh what I could do with this thing!

I’m dead over this cuteness. DEAD.

If dying twice were possible, it just happened.

SUCH a darling backyard!

Oh hello outdoor kitchen. Me gusta!!!

I’d get rid of that butcher block island, as it makes the space crowded. I might swap those counter tops for Cararra marble and do a little subway tile with black grout on the back splash. (Obvs!)