Today we are bringing you a job in progress which is located in Boston’s South End neighborhood. This is a duplex condo unit in a historic building with 12 foot ceilings and beautiful grand windows. The existing layout utilized an open loft concept with a separate Study. The lower level consisted of a Guest Bedroom, Guest Bath, and a Master Suite with walk-in Closet and en suite Bath. Our intention was for the duplex to feel more like a single family home rather than an apartment or loft. The Client is downsizing from a larger home and desired the feel of a town home in the middle of the city.
Here is the existing layout:

Existing Upper Level

Existing Lower Level
Although we originally designed an Upper Level complete with Powder Room and Walk-In Pantry, the Client wished to retain much of the existing layout. Our goal was to refine the existing open loft by creating a large “Great Room” with a paneled Piano Alcove. We also created a Foyer that opens to a renovated Main Stair. This Foyer presents a sense of arrival and becomes the transition between the Upper Level common spaces and the more private sleeping quarters on the Lower Level.

Proposed Upper Level
The existing Master Suite on the Lower Level was excessively large and lacked privacy from the common Hall. Our plan incorporated an en suite Study/Nursery, a full Walk-In Closet, a larger Master Bath with double vanity, a work center concealed within cabinetry, and maximized storage space.
Except for a few aesthetic modifications, the layout of the Guest Bedroom remained the same. The Guest Bath was to be gutted and renovated with finishes consistent with the rest of the space.

Proposed Lower Level

Front Entry Foyer: Existing

Front Entry Foyer: In Progress

Kitchen and Dining Area: Before

Kitchen and Dining Area: Before
By eliminating the dropped ceiling and the HVAC chase space, we maintained a consistent ceiling plane allowing the space to feel larger than it currently does. This allowed for increased storage space in the Kitchen as well.

Kitchen/Dining: In Progress

Kitchen/Dining: In Progress

Living Room: Before
The original Study was opened up to allow for a larger living space. In this space now is a large cased opening with a Piano Alcove and hidden cabinetry behind paneled walls.

Living Room: In Progress

Study: Before

Study, now Piano Alcove with new cased opening: In Progress

Stair: Before

Stairs: In Progress

Master Bedroom: Before

Master Bedroom: In Progress

Guest Bedroom: Before

Guest Bedroom: In Progress
We will update in the coming weeks to show you more progress and final completion of this project.