Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Family-Friendly Updates in Massachusetts
Newly painted walls, renovated bathrooms and classic New England style brighten this family’s first home
Erin and Eric used to live in Somerville’s Davis Square, just north of Boston, and were renting a one-bedroom apartment without a dishwasher. They searched nearly three years before buying their first home. They love living within walking distance of restaurants, shops and parks and that the commuter rail to Boston is right around the corner. They still have access to the city, but they also have an ideal space for their growing family.
Sectional: Pottery Barn with Sunbrella fabric; rug: Wayfair; accent table: HomeGoods; ottoman: Overstock; browse more tufted ottomans
The couple worked with general contractor Colm Lynch of Red Hand Construction and interior designer Misty Gray of Grayscale Design to update their family room. They removed the existing wood paneling that made the space feel dark and dated. Newly painted walls in a bright creamy white and newly stained original wood flooring gave the space a whole new look. All furniture was chosen with kid-friendly upholstery that cleans easily while keeping the need for soft edges in mind for the 9-month-old who often plays in this space.
The artwork on the dining room wall, a gift from Eric’’s great-aunt, portrays Ocean Point, Maine. “Ocean Point is very special to us because it is where we got engaged and we have visited often since then,” Erin says.
Rug: rugs.com
Rug: rugs.com
Eric and Erin wanted a more open floor plan, so they removed the wall where the kitchen peninsula now stands. The sight line now goes from the kitchen to the family room and bar area and straight through to the back deck. “We wanted the house to be open and friendly, allowing guests to feel like they can put their feet up on the couch, grab a drink and stay for an hour. Or stay all day,” Erin says.
The couple love their bar area as a separate place to mix cocktails and serve wine – especially helpful when they have friends and family over for parties or backyard barbecues. The bar area includes a separate refrigerator that provides ample room for wine as well as Eric’s collection of craft beer.
The countertop is from Ikea, but Eric refinished and sealed it himself for a more custom look.
Bar stools: Overstock; cabinets: Home Depot; pendants: Amazon
The couple love their bar area as a separate place to mix cocktails and serve wine – especially helpful when they have friends and family over for parties or backyard barbecues. The bar area includes a separate refrigerator that provides ample room for wine as well as Eric’s collection of craft beer.
The countertop is from Ikea, but Eric refinished and sealed it himself for a more custom look.
Bar stools: Overstock; cabinets: Home Depot; pendants: Amazon
Although it can be difficult with a baby in the house, Erin and Eric try to keep surfaces clean and free of clutter. They love having abundant storage in the kitchen, providing a designated place for every item.
The kitchen sits in the heart of the house, with Erin’s office on one side and the family room on the other.
A French door between Erin’s home office and the kitchen allows her to open up or close off the room.
Shelving: Vittsjö, Ikea
Shelving: Vittsjö, Ikea
After: The couple asked Misty Gray of Grayscale Design for help with their bathroom renovation as well as the family room. Gray was an integral part of the process, from sourcing the appropriate fixtures to picking finishes that would achieve the contemporary yet welcoming aesthetic the owners wanted.
Medicine cabinet: Kohler from Build.com; floor tiles: Fitzgerald Tile; shower curtain: Pottery Barn; vanity: Ikea
Medicine cabinet: Kohler from Build.com; floor tiles: Fitzgerald Tile; shower curtain: Pottery Barn; vanity: Ikea
Family and friends also weighed in on decorating choices. “I’m terrible at making decisions, so I asked a lot of people for suggestions. It takes a village!” Erin says.
Towels: Pottery Barn
Towels: Pottery Barn
The shower curtain conceals Avery’s bath toys, but they’re usually kept neatly corralled in a tub caddy.
Wall tiles: Porcelanosa
Wall tiles: Porcelanosa
When the couple found out they were expecting, they moved Erin’s home office to the opposite side of the house and turned what was the office space into a nursery. They opted to keep the gender of the baby a surprise, so the main colors in the room are gender neutral. The walls are painted a calming green color and gray and white layered rugs warm up the floor.
Pink accents were added to the space once Avery was born. Her name is spelled out above the crib, and family photos and artwork add other personal touches.
Crib: Sniglar, Ikea; bedding: Pottery Barn; gray rug: Nuloom from Overstock
Pink accents were added to the space once Avery was born. Her name is spelled out above the crib, and family photos and artwork add other personal touches.
Crib: Sniglar, Ikea; bedding: Pottery Barn; gray rug: Nuloom from Overstock
A corner chair provides a comfortable spot to relax, with a matching child-size chair beside it.
Sheepskin rug: Overstock; wall color: Wythe Blue, Benjamin Moore; armchair: Serena & Lily
Sheepskin rug: Overstock; wall color: Wythe Blue, Benjamin Moore; armchair: Serena & Lily
Books line the walls of Avery’s room, and stuffed animals await in every corner.
Shelves: Bekväm, Ikea, spray-painted white
Shelves: Bekväm, Ikea, spray-painted white
The master bedroom walls are painted a soft gray to give the space a calm, relaxed vibe. Bright white accents give it a fresh, clean feel. Pops of purple and mauve lend some dimension to the soothing space.
Wall color: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore; rug: Pottery Barn; headboard: Wayfair; chandelier: Overstock
Wall color: Stonington Gray, Benjamin Moore; rug: Pottery Barn; headboard: Wayfair; chandelier: Overstock
After: Their more inviting renovated bath features a clean gray and white color scheme to match the master bedroom.
Medicine cabinet: Kohler from Build.com; towel bar and toilet paper holder: Dryden Collection, Delta, Build.com; floor tiles: Porcelanosa; Browse more floor tiles
Medicine cabinet: Kohler from Build.com; towel bar and toilet paper holder: Dryden Collection, Delta, Build.com; floor tiles: Porcelanosa; Browse more floor tiles
A dark gray vanity adds contrast to the light gray wall and Carrara marble tiles.
Wall tiles: Porcelanosa; towels: Pottery Barn
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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Wall tiles: Porcelanosa; towels: Pottery Barn
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: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Erin and Eric Nordstrom and their 9-month-old daughter, Avery
Location: Winchester, Massachusetts
Size: 3,000 square feet (279 square meters); four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Year built: 1955
Since moving into their 1950s home northwest of Boston in 2014, Erin and Eric Nordstrom have been busy updating the interior. “It needed a lot of work, but it had good bones,” says Erin, who works from home in sales while Eric works outside the home in biopharmaceuticals.
In the front family room, the couple had custom built-in shelves installed to flank the original brick fireplace. The shelves display souvenirs and family photographs. The couple also painted the walls a classic navy and added crown molding and wainscoting.
Green upholstered armchairs: Home Decorator’s Collection; accent pillows and area rug: HomeGoods; sofa: Jordan’s; patterned armchairs: One Kings Lane