Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Easygoing Elegance for a Massachusetts Saltbox
With beers on tap, a pizza oven and a guitar collection, this home mixes classic with generous doses of fun
Cheryl and Nick Grant are cooking enthusiasts. That passion is reflected in their Boston-area saltbox, which the couple tailored to satisfy their taste for grilling, smoking, baking and cooking.
Working with Perry Murphy Construction, the couple — she's a marketing executive; he works at a digital agency — revamped their family home in phases. Originally, the house had a dusty screened-in porch that served as a passageway, a grassy backyard with no patio, and a kitchen with a dark, cloistered pantry, closet and desk area.
"As soon as we moved in, we got out a pen and paper to start planning our projects," Cheryl says. The porch got a light and bright update. An unfinished second-story space became Nick's devoted man cave, with seasonal beer on tap. And new hardscaping created an outdoor patio and kitchen with a fireplace and pizza oven. For the interiors the couple honored their home's classic style by pairing secondhand finds with fun modern pieces.
"We love to blend newer and older pieces together to create a comfortable, lived-in, yet modern and clean look," Cheryl says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Cheryl and Nick Grant, their 3 children and Labrador retrievers Bella and Bear
Location: North of Boston
Size: 3,600 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 1995
Working with Perry Murphy Construction, the couple — she's a marketing executive; he works at a digital agency — revamped their family home in phases. Originally, the house had a dusty screened-in porch that served as a passageway, a grassy backyard with no patio, and a kitchen with a dark, cloistered pantry, closet and desk area.
"As soon as we moved in, we got out a pen and paper to start planning our projects," Cheryl says. The porch got a light and bright update. An unfinished second-story space became Nick's devoted man cave, with seasonal beer on tap. And new hardscaping created an outdoor patio and kitchen with a fireplace and pizza oven. For the interiors the couple honored their home's classic style by pairing secondhand finds with fun modern pieces.
"We love to blend newer and older pieces together to create a comfortable, lived-in, yet modern and clean look," Cheryl says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Cheryl and Nick Grant, their 3 children and Labrador retrievers Bella and Bear
Location: North of Boston
Size: 3,600 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Year built: 1995
During the kitchen remodel, the couple created a much more open floor plan. They removed the existing L-shaped countertop and cabinetry to create an open eating area near where the table is now. They removed a dark pantry and closet, and a built-in desk that was located to the right of the back door.
Originally, there was no direct access to the dining room from the kitchen, only from the pantry. With the remodel the Grants were able to center the dining entrance and install a new pantry, bookshelf and cubbies. They upgraded to stainless steel appliances and added a stand-alone island with wine fridge for more casual dining.
Nick grew up cooking in restaurants, and Cheryl has always loved to bake. "We wanted something unique to illustrate that this is indeed a kitchen that is used by enthusiastic cooks," says Cheryl. While searching online for illustrations of cows and pigs, the couple came across the graphic black and white meat-themed wallpaper from an Australian retailer. It's now a family favorite.
Stove: BlueStar; hood: Vent-A-Hood; pot-filler faucet: Axor Montreux, Hansgrohe; table: Sumner Fixed Square (rustic pine finish), Pottery Barn; chairs: Crate & Barrel; paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; wallpaper: King & Sons Butcher, Down That Little Lane; backsplash: subway tile, Tiles Gone Wild
Originally, there was no direct access to the dining room from the kitchen, only from the pantry. With the remodel the Grants were able to center the dining entrance and install a new pantry, bookshelf and cubbies. They upgraded to stainless steel appliances and added a stand-alone island with wine fridge for more casual dining.
Nick grew up cooking in restaurants, and Cheryl has always loved to bake. "We wanted something unique to illustrate that this is indeed a kitchen that is used by enthusiastic cooks," says Cheryl. While searching online for illustrations of cows and pigs, the couple came across the graphic black and white meat-themed wallpaper from an Australian retailer. It's now a family favorite.
Stove: BlueStar; hood: Vent-A-Hood; pot-filler faucet: Axor Montreux, Hansgrohe; table: Sumner Fixed Square (rustic pine finish), Pottery Barn; chairs: Crate & Barrel; paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; wallpaper: King & Sons Butcher, Down That Little Lane; backsplash: subway tile, Tiles Gone Wild
The kitchen renovation opened up an expansive view into the pink dining room and foyer beyond. The kids really utilize the new built-in mini mudroom area, with its lower drawers designed to hold hats, mittens and sports items. "It makes getting out the door a lot easier and faster, because they can do it themselves," says Cheryl.
The kitchen, family room and sunporch (accessed to the right of the refrigerator) converge to create an open flow that is ideal for this family's food-oriented, outdoorsy lifestyle.
Island pendants: Randolph, Hudson Valley; stools: WishBasket; kitchen cabinets: Cabico, B&G Cabinet; knobs, pulls: Amerock; microwave: Fisher & Paykel
Island pendants: Randolph, Hudson Valley; stools: WishBasket; kitchen cabinets: Cabico, B&G Cabinet; knobs, pulls: Amerock; microwave: Fisher & Paykel
The sunporch was originally a screened-in deck that attracted a lot of bugs, dirt and dog hair. "We didn’t think that having a new kitchen with our dirty, buggy porch was going to make us happy," Cheryl says. "So we decided to put in all-new windows and doors."
The couple reconfigured the doors, so this space now opens directly onto the upper-level patio (to the right). The coffered ceiling is accented with cedar, and the floor is insulated and finished in slate. The Grants replaced the old interior siding and screens with drywall and insulated windows. The space is furnished with a love seat and two swivel chairs that let the couple keep an eye on children playing in the yard.
Swivel chairs: Larkin Swivel Glider, Ballard Designs; love seat: One Kings Lane; table: Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table, Atlas Wood; paint: Harbor Haze, Benjamin Moore
The couple reconfigured the doors, so this space now opens directly onto the upper-level patio (to the right). The coffered ceiling is accented with cedar, and the floor is insulated and finished in slate. The Grants replaced the old interior siding and screens with drywall and insulated windows. The space is furnished with a love seat and two swivel chairs that let the couple keep an eye on children playing in the yard.
Swivel chairs: Larkin Swivel Glider, Ballard Designs; love seat: One Kings Lane; table: Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table, Atlas Wood; paint: Harbor Haze, Benjamin Moore
Cheryl likes to pair secondhand finds with bigger splurges. On the porch she combined a red bench from Todd Farm Flea Market and a pillow from Marshall's with an artwork titled "The Spaces In Between," by favorite local artist Sara Demrow Dent.
The view to the left is of the newly renovated sunporch, with steps leading down to a lower patio area. The lower patio features a bar, pizza oven, Weber grill and fireplace, where the family enjoys cooking throughout the year, including at Thanksgiving.
Table: Gloster; chairs: Kingsley-Bate; bar stools: Poly-Wood; gas grill: Summit Series, Weber
Table: Gloster; chairs: Kingsley-Bate; bar stools: Poly-Wood; gas grill: Summit Series, Weber
The couple completely repainted the interior walls and smoothed out their "popcorn rainbow" ceiling. They also added new doorknobs and light fixtures (like the pendant over the dining table), and refinished the existing wood floors.
Sofa: Macy's; chair: Ethan Allen; paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; pendant: Clemson Prismatic, Restoration Hardware
Sofa: Macy's; chair: Ethan Allen; paint: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore; pendant: Clemson Prismatic, Restoration Hardware
The Grants covered over the overpowering brick fireplace with a white wood mantel designed to echo the colonial-style moldings throughout the house.
Artwork: Alan Bull
Artwork: Alan Bull
The dining room doesn't receive as much natural light as other rooms, so Cheryl and Nick painted it pale pink to add a soft glow. The painting to the right is another by Sara Demrow Dent; its aqua palette offers a striking contrast to the pink walls.
Trestle dining table: Walker Creek; pendant: Restoration Hardware; wing chairs: Arhaus; side chairs: Urban Elements; artwork: "Endless Sea" by Sara Demrow Dent, The Walsingham Gallery; buffet: Red Bird Trading; paint: Heather Pink, Benjamin Moore
Trestle dining table: Walker Creek; pendant: Restoration Hardware; wing chairs: Arhaus; side chairs: Urban Elements; artwork: "Endless Sea" by Sara Demrow Dent, The Walsingham Gallery; buffet: Red Bird Trading; paint: Heather Pink, Benjamin Moore
Cheryl's home office used to be in the "dark and dreary" basement; she moved it up to the living room. Now she works with a view to the beautiful lawn and neighborhood.
Cheryl gave new life to the old brass floor lamp in the corner using silver Rust-Oleum spray paint and a new shade from Simon Pearce. The bookshelf contains mostly art books, photo albums, a few silver and pewter pieces, and pottery handed down from the couple's family. The corner table between the windows was designed for playing checkers and backgammon.
Petrie Sofa: Crate & Barrel; side table: Bromley Drum table, Ethan Allen; ottomans: Ethan Allen; bookshelf: Arhaus; console table lamp: Anthropologie; window treatments: Silk Taffeta Multi Stripe in Silver Sage, Restoration Hardware; paint: Stone Hearth, Benjamin Moore; drapery hardware: allen + roth, Lowe's
Cheryl gave new life to the old brass floor lamp in the corner using silver Rust-Oleum spray paint and a new shade from Simon Pearce. The bookshelf contains mostly art books, photo albums, a few silver and pewter pieces, and pottery handed down from the couple's family. The corner table between the windows was designed for playing checkers and backgammon.
Petrie Sofa: Crate & Barrel; side table: Bromley Drum table, Ethan Allen; ottomans: Ethan Allen; bookshelf: Arhaus; console table lamp: Anthropologie; window treatments: Silk Taffeta Multi Stripe in Silver Sage, Restoration Hardware; paint: Stone Hearth, Benjamin Moore; drapery hardware: allen + roth, Lowe's
An unfinished room above the garage was the perfect spot for a pool table that was gifted to the Grants. "We installed hardwood floors to properly level the pool table," says Nick. "For months there was just nice hardwood floors, a pool table and studs everywhere else." Soft leather armchairs, Nick's guitar collection and a long bar-height counter with stools complete the man cave.
Leather armchairs: Hickorycraft; pool table: Brunswick Billiards
Leather armchairs: Hickorycraft; pool table: Brunswick Billiards
Nick used to play in a band and has been a guitar player since his teens, but these days he's more of a weekend warrior. Some of his prized guitars, displayed here, are a '59 reissue Les Paul Gold Top, a '60s reissue Fender Telecaster Deluxe, an anniversary-model Gretsch 6120, a Gretsch Historic Series Acoustic, an '80s Rickenbacker and a custom-made tube-driven Frenzel amplifier.
Nick's man-cave bar has Gritty's Halloween Ale on tap and his bourbon collection on display. Nick picked up the Ford truck backsplash from a flea market.
In the master bedroom, white wall-to-wall carpet was replaced with hardwood flooring. "With the kids and dogs, [the white carpet] didn't last that long," says Cheryl. The room's decor began with the Jonathan Adler bedspread and developed from there.
Bedside tables: Horchow; artwork: "The Edge of Spring," by Sara Demrow Dent, The Walsingham Gallery; duvet: Hollywood Grey, Jonathan Adler; quilt: West Elm; paint: Tranquility, Benjamin Moore
Bedside tables: Horchow; artwork: "The Edge of Spring," by Sara Demrow Dent, The Walsingham Gallery; duvet: Hollywood Grey, Jonathan Adler; quilt: West Elm; paint: Tranquility, Benjamin Moore
The master bath had a teal tile floor and peach walls done in a faux-painted diamond pattern; the single large mirror hung above a white Corian counter. "We took that all out and put in the double vanity from Restoration Hardware, limestone countertops, porcelain tile, new faucets and dual mirrors," says Cheryl. They added the pony wall and woodwork to match the vanity.
Vanity: Hutton Double Vanity Sink in Dark Espresso, Restoration Hardware
Vanity: Hutton Double Vanity Sink in Dark Espresso, Restoration Hardware
Cheryl made the upholstered headboard in her daughter's bedroom as an afternoon project. "The headboard is made from two pieces of plywood held together by brackets. It's wrapped in foam and batting, and covered with fabric by Amy Butler that was stapled on," says Cheryl.
Paint: Hint of Violet, Benjamin Moore
Paint: Hint of Violet, Benjamin Moore
The couple's two sons share a bedroom, which has floating shelves filled with Mighty Muggs figurines. "We started collecting them when the boys were younger, because they are a unique take on a typical action figure or superhero," says Cheryl. The framed Star Wars prints are bordered in blue to match the nightstands.
Prints: Fab; dresser: Vilas, Overstock.com
Prints: Fab; dresser: Vilas, Overstock.com
"We grill, smoke and bake just about everything out here, including chicken dinners, casseroles, breads and pizzas," Cheryl says about their new backyard patio. Nick even prepares the Thanksgiving turkey in the Big Green Egg charcoal grill while roasting potatoes and vegetables in the pizza oven. "We have hosted many pizza parties, and all of the kids love getting involved," says Cheryl. "What’s nice is after the mess has been made, you can just take a hose to it all for a quick cleanup."
Cheryl and Nick worked with ND Landscape to design their patio hardscape. The paving is bluestone, and the wall, fireplace and pizza oven are fieldstone with bluestone caps.
Backyard stone supplier: Stone Farm
Backyard stone supplier: Stone Farm
Nick spent his weekends clearing trees from the woodsy 1-acre property with the help of neighbors. Fallen wood is cured for about eight months before it's used in the home's fireplaces.
Adirondack chairs overlook a natural stone fire pit and a neighboring meadow.
Adirondack chairs overlook a natural stone fire pit and a neighboring meadow.
Cheryl, shown here on the front porch, says, "We love our new home and don't plan to change much else."
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More: Saltbox Houses Pleasingly Pepper Landscapes
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More: Saltbox Houses Pleasingly Pepper Landscapes
The house is situated on a tree-lined street in a family-friendly community. "Our neighborhood brings back memories of our childhood, where the kids run from house to house, playing with their friends," Cheryl says.
The exterior was originally peach with lavender shutters. The couple repainted it in a more traditional color combination. A paved front walkway was torn up and regraded with a step halfway down. The new walkway is paved in bluestone and granite that match the back patio area.