Kids bedroom setup to be a bunkroom. Treehouse like window seat looking out over the backyard.

The new owners of this house in Harvard, Massachusetts loved its location and authentic Shaker characteristics, but weren’t fans of its curious layout. A dated first-floor full bathroom could only be accessed by going up a few steps to a landing, opening the bathroom door and then going down the same number of steps to enter the room. The dark kitchen faced the driveway to the north, rather than the bucolic backyard fields to the south. The dining space felt more like an enlarged hall and could only comfortably seat four. Upstairs, a den/office had a woefully low ceiling; the master bedroom had limited storage, and a sad full bathroom featured a cramped shower. KHS proposed a number of changes to create an updated home where the owners could enjoy cooking, entertaining, and being connected to the outdoors from the first-floor living spaces, while also experiencing more inviting and more functional private spaces upstairs. On the first floor, the primary change was to capture space that had been part of an upper-level screen porch and convert it to interior space. To make the interior expansion seamless, we raised the floor of the area that had been the upper-level porch, so it aligns with the main living level, and made sure there would be no soffits in the planes of the walls we removed. We also raised the floor of the remaining lower-level porch to reduce the number of steps required to circulate from it to the newly expanded interior. New patio door systems now fill the arched openings that used to be infilled with screen. The exterior interventions (which also included some new casement windows in the dining area) were designed to be subtle, while affording significant improvements on the interior. Additionally, the first-floor bathroom was reconfigured, shifting one of its walls to widen the dining space, and moving the entrance to the bathroom from the stair landing to the kitchen instead. These changes (which involved significant structural interventions) resulted in a much more open space to accommodate a new kitchen with a view of the lush backyard and a new dining space defined by a new built-in banquette that comfortably seats six, and -- with the addition of a table extension -- up to eight people. Upstairs in the den/office, replacing the low, board ceiling with a raised, plaster, tray ceiling that springs from above the original board-finish walls – newly painted a light color -- created a much more inviting, bright, and expansive space. Re-configuring the master bath to accommodate a larger shower and adding built-in storage cabinets in the master bedroom improved comfort and function. A new whole-house color palette rounds out the improvements. Photos by Katie Hutchison

Guest bedroom bottom tilted closed for privacy

Interior Directions

Sequined Asphault Studio

This spacious master suite showcases a rustic box beam ceiling detail, enhanced with subtle shades of navy, gold and cream, to create a casually elegant retreat

The bedrooms in this home definitely take on a more subtle style of Regency period design. We wanted the rooms to feel luxurious yet calming - but not overwhelming. We went with softer color schemes and usually one accent of pattern, either through the window treatments or bedding. Project designed by Michelle Yorke Interior Design Firm in Bellevue. Serving Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Medina, Clyde Hill, and Seattle. For more about Michelle Yorke, click here: https://michelleyorkedesign.com/

We treated the entry as a proper foyer, with its own console and mirror, and grasscloth wallpaper that almost perfectly matches the color and texture of the headboard. They love the suite so much that they are planning to host a Ladies Tea there! Designed by Lynne Lawson and Laura Gonzales, Decorating Den Interiors in Columbia, MD.

Matrix Tours

This is one of three bedrooms that I designed for the sweetest little girls. Each girl wanted pink and puppies in their room. This room was for the youngest of the three.

© andrés irrazábal Restaurante - Hotel Do Arxentino, Mera, A Coruña

We transformed this extra bedroom into a comfortable in-law suite reminiscent of a modern french country bedroom. We chose a cool blue and deep red to accent the yellow stripes on the walls. Then added soft accent pieces to create a welcoming space for our client's mother-in-law.

Anna Stathaki