Favorite Rooms at the Junior League of Boston 2012 Show House

I had the great pleasure of visiting the Junior League of Boston Show House yesterday (thank goodness for babysitters!), on the day it opened to the public. I have way too much to share for just one post, so I’ll be breaking it down into somewhat logical topics over the course of the next week or so.

Today, I’ll give you the first taste – my very favorite rooms in the house (so hard to choose), The Potter Estate, an historically significant Second Empire manse dating back to 1862. It also happens to be right here in my hometown of Newton, Massachusetts. This is just my highlight reel, folks…

Above, the Sitting Room, designed by Michael Carter. I loved how he combined silver and gold finishes in a not-at-all shiny or glitzy way. It’s a perfect balance for a serene, classically elegant setting.

 

A sitting area in the French/Moroccan-inspired master bedroom, designed by Kristen Rivoli. There were so many gorgeous details in this room, including an amazing lantern hanging under a billowing fabric canopy over the bed (of course, my picture  of this did not come out), patterned nailhead trim on upholstered panels on the walls, and the most sumptuous fabrics and rugs.

 

Interior and textile designer Mally Skok created “A Young Woman’s Bedroom,” featuring many of her own fabrics. What a fun room for a tween! The bolster pillow in the foreground on the bed is made from her new collection, “Suzani Luv,” which is slated to debut later this year.

 

Wellesley, MA based designer Andra Birkerts designed The Hideaway, a room she envisioned being used by an artist for her creative endeavors. The low-slung white furnishings create a feeling of calm, while the bright contemporary painting (possibly the inspiration for the room’s color palette) injects a jolt of energy into the space.

 

OK, I wish I could go back and take about 17 more pictures of The Inner Sanctum, my absolute favorite space in the house, and creation of Laurie Gorelick. The cabinetry built-in to the sloping mansard roof is brilliant in so many ways – in how it conceals the odd angle of the exterior wall, is an incredible glossy tomato/salmon red, and has the coolest brass Asian-inspired hardware. I could go on and on…

 

This long and skinny room adjacent to the kitchen is aptly named “The Green Room,” and was designed by Elizabeth Benedict. I love how she let the color really do the talking in this space, and that it has a clear relationship to the kitchen (with its chartreuse cabinetry and periwinkle blue accents) – something you don’t always see in a show house setting.

I’m planning a few more posts spotlighting vignettes, details, window treatments, and, of course, “interiors for families.”

A big thanks to the wonderful ladies at the Junior League of Boston for allowing me to photograph these beautiful spaces, so I could share them with you all! If you are in the Boston area, or will be in the next month, you should definitely buy tickets and support this great organization.