My Houzz: Thoughtful Updates to an Outdated 1900s Home
Handmade art and DIY touches bring a modern touch to a classic Boston-area home
Dave Roberts and Lara Van Lannen’s home in Winthrop, Massachusetts, had plenty of charm in the form of original wood floors, doors and architectural details, but it was in major need of an update. “Ninety percent of the rooms were covered in bad, dusty wallpaper,” says Roberts of the home, which was built in the 1900s by a crew of shipwrights and was still being heated by a 90-year-old furnace converted from a coal burner. The couple’s goal was to bring the home into the 21st century while retaining original features. They got to work right away, with both Roberts and Van Lannen functioning as project managers; Roberts had the added advantage of having grown up in a family of carpenters. “We were interested in renovating the way we like, at our pace, with our taste and good materials,” Roberts says.
One of the couple’s priorities was to restore whatever they could. “We used cafe rods for the sheers, rather than drapery rods, because we didn’t want to cover the window crown detail,” says Roberts. The wool blanket draped over the rocker was Roberts’ when he was a newborn.
Dresser: Hemnes, Ikea; lamp: Cost Plus World Market
Dresser: Hemnes, Ikea; lamp: Cost Plus World Market
AFTER: The couple removed the wallpaper and carpeting and painted the walls peacock blue. The collage over the changing table is a collection of various knickknacks that slowly came together. The gallery wall includes some of some of Lili’s first finger paintings and a portrait that Roberts painted of her. A neighbor made a commemorative birth plate, and the little craft birdhouse is from a flea market.
Cloth letters: HomeGoods; wicker baskets: Babies“R”Us; bird canvas boxes: Target
Cloth letters: HomeGoods; wicker baskets: Babies“R”Us; bird canvas boxes: Target
AFTER: The couple removed the plaid wallpaper and now a painting of Elvis by Roberts is the focal point of the living room. The guitar in the corner is a 1971 Guild acoustic made in the company’s now-closed Rhode Island factory. Van Lannen framed interesting patterns to create the collage on the wall to the left. A walnut end table with a lid, made by Winsome, hides Lili’s toys when she isn’t playing with them.
These end tables, from West Elm, were originally espresso colored; the couple painted them ivory to brighten them up.
Leather ottoman: Bo Concept; blue lamp: HomeGoods; area rug: Lowe’s
These end tables, from West Elm, were originally espresso colored; the couple painted them ivory to brighten them up.
Leather ottoman: Bo Concept; blue lamp: HomeGoods; area rug: Lowe’s
AFTER: Van Lannen made the stained glass piece hanging in the window. “The brushed stainless steel wall covering behind the bar was an interesting idea,” says Roberts. “It came from a place in Lynn, Massachusetts, that provides wall panels for elevator interiors. They cut it onsite based on the patterns we gave them, and it was very inexpensive.”
The glassware and decanters are part of a growing collection of vintage and new pieces. “The cocktail shakers are vintage. The big, colorful one belonged to my grandparents,” says Roberts. “I used to collect these. We have several others that we simply don’t have room for.”
Wine rack: Wine Racks America; wine cooler: Danby
The glassware and decanters are part of a growing collection of vintage and new pieces. “The cocktail shakers are vintage. The big, colorful one belonged to my grandparents,” says Roberts. “I used to collect these. We have several others that we simply don’t have room for.”
Wine rack: Wine Racks America; wine cooler: Danby
AFTER: The cabinetry was manufactured by Legacy Cabinets and purchased through a dealer in Revere, Massachusetts. The cabinets have solid maple fronts and boxes made of 100 percent postconsumer material. The countertop is Blue Pearl GT granite.
The hanging pot rack with Le Creuset cookware is from Ikea. However, “the piece of cherry that it is mounted on is one that Dave found on a pile of old lumber in the basement,” says Van Lannen. The vintage sprayers are from a flea market in Kentucky.
Sink fixtures, drawer and cabinet pulls: Ikea; egg tray: Marshall’s; hanging pot rack: Ikea; ceiling fan: Altus Hugger, Euro Style Lighting; floor tile: 18- by 18-inch porcelain, Lowe’s
The hanging pot rack with Le Creuset cookware is from Ikea. However, “the piece of cherry that it is mounted on is one that Dave found on a pile of old lumber in the basement,” says Van Lannen. The vintage sprayers are from a flea market in Kentucky.
Sink fixtures, drawer and cabinet pulls: Ikea; egg tray: Marshall’s; hanging pot rack: Ikea; ceiling fan: Altus Hugger, Euro Style Lighting; floor tile: 18- by 18-inch porcelain, Lowe’s
Local glassblower Seth West made the pendant light fixture that hangs over a small eating bar.
All appliances: Kenmore from Sears; “Cafe” sign: HomeGoods; bar stools: Ikea
All appliances: Kenmore from Sears; “Cafe” sign: HomeGoods; bar stools: Ikea
“We knew we wanted a chalkboard wall even before our daughter was born,” says Roberts. “It’s great for checklists, notes … just about anything.” The water bubbler is from Petsafe and provides the family’s 18-year-old cat, Tipper, with fresh and flowing water. The couple labeled Jelly Belly jars from Costco to organize chalk, stickers and more.
This area used to have a wall that came out to form a 45-degree corner, but the couple tore it down to give the kitchen a more open feel.
Chrome phone: Crosley
This area used to have a wall that came out to form a 45-degree corner, but the couple tore it down to give the kitchen a more open feel.
Chrome phone: Crosley
AFTER: “We had a small space to fit,” Roberts says; the niche for the sink is only about 16 inches deep. “By pure accident we found this setup at Ikea, and it was a perfect fit.” The sink base and mirror were also purchased from Ikea. The halogen vanity light fixture is from Lowe’s. The finishes are all brushed nickel, giving the space a cohesive feel.
Roberts and Van Lannen spent much time searching for the decor they envisioned for the bathroom. The photos and frames on the wall were purchased from a vendor at a street market in Charleston, South Carolina. Roberts’ father, who is a carpenter, custom built the shelves and drawers. They also now have a streamlined American Standard toilet with a detachable seat.
Medicine cabinet: Restoration Hardware
Medicine cabinet: Restoration Hardware
“We had considerably less than 5 feet for the tub, but we wanted one,” says Roberts. They found a solution in a Kohler Greek soaker tub. It’s 48 inches long and 24 inches deep.
The couple wanted to incorporate glass blocks into the wall to bring light into the shower enclosure, so they designed the room around that idea.
Shower fixtures: Sereno series, Simmons
The couple wanted to incorporate glass blocks into the wall to bring light into the shower enclosure, so they designed the room around that idea.
Shower fixtures: Sereno series, Simmons
The dark stone and the mosaic tiles were custom ordered from Lowe’s. “They actually have very nice tile you can get through special order,” says Roberts. “It takes a couple of weeks and is more expensive than what’s on the shelves, but very good quality.”
While renovating the dining room, Roberts and Van Lannen added crown molding to the bring elegance to the formal room. The rug was made in India. The couple considers this room to be just for now, according to Roberts. “We eventually want a Danish dining set, but we’re waiting for Lilianna to be old enough to respect the furniture.”
Table, chairs: Ikea
Table, chairs: Ikea
“When we first bought the house, there was a built-in china hutch on the wall where the whiskey still now sits,” says Roberts. “We knew we wouldn’t use it, so we took it out to reclaim the space on the other side and open up the kitchen a bit more.” The copper whiskey still was handcrafted by a metalworker in Lowell, Massachusetts, and the wooden sculpture adorning the dining room wall was created by Roberts. The stamped metal wall art is an online find from somewhere long forgotten. A 1960s bureau from a bedroom set serves as the buffet.
Original cast-iron Victorian radiators remain throughout the house. “We painted them copper because we felt it went well with the colors for these rooms,” says Roberts. This framed photo was taken in the 1970s by Van Lannen’s uncle, Randy. It depicts a house in Wisconsin that Van Lannen’s grandmother always liked but which had fallen into abandoned disrepair. “It’s one of our favorite pictures in the house,” says Roberts.
BEFORE: “We wanted the house itself to be a kind of blank canvas and rely on our furniture and decorations to be the personality of the rooms,” says Van Lannen. The blank-canvas feel can be seen in this “before” shot of the master bedroom.
AFTER: Roberts and Van Lannen replaced the bland wallpaper with boldly colored paint and original art. The abstract painting over the bed is by artist Natasha Bumbeck. The quirky shirt sculpture is a piece the couple bought in Lexington, Kentucky, artist unknown. The end tables are antiques from Roberts’ family.
Tipper the cat is often found napping the days away in this quiet corner of the house.
Center pillow: Thomas Paul
Tipper the cat is often found napping the days away in this quiet corner of the house.
Center pillow: Thomas Paul
Van Lannen made this necklace holder from a piece of driftwood found at a local beach and knobs from Anthropologie.
The family is seen here in Lilianna’s room.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Dave Roberts, Lara Van Lannen, daughter Lilianna (age 2) and cat Tipper
Location: Winthrop, Massachusetts
Size: 2,400 square feet (223 square meters); 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Year built: The land was purchased in 1897, and the owner was living there by 1906, according to town records.
Van Lannen created the “Lilianna” artwork by stenciling the letters on colored paper. The couple found the 1960s Bambi decorations that hang above Lili’s crib online. “Dave remembered seeing the same one hanging over his baby sister’s changing table as a little boy,” says Van Lannen, “and he wanted this in Lili’s room.”
Bookcase: Guidecraft