For a small family in the Boston suburbs, their modest sized home was just the right size. But with some smart changes, they wondered if it could be more enjoyable. Working with architect Joseph S. Artley, we came up with a number of solutions: • To make the kitchen a more comfortable work and gathering space, a bay window was removed and the kitchen itself bumped out slightly to allow for the introduction of an expansive island, as well as additional countertop and cabinetry. • The first floor half-bathroom was relocated to the end of the entry hall. This allowed us to connect the kitchen with what had been a three-season porch. • That three-season porch was properly heated and remodeled as a sunny breakfast nook: the perfect spot for the family to gather in the mornings. • Near the entry to the breakfast nook, an existing electrical box could not be moved. To conceal it, we suggested an oversized family bulletin board, which we provided as a gift to the homeowners. Now, it offers a great spot to catch up on the day’s activities and enjoy some family artwork while heading in for breakfast. • This family loves to read and they asked for custom built in bookshelves in the living room that would look original to the home and match existing shelving on the other side of the room. • The den is a favorite spot for the family to watch movies and play games, but the room, which had also been a three season porch prior to an earlier renovation, was drafty in the winter and hot in the summer. We introduced new, energy efficient windows and insulation throughout, resulting in a much more inviting and cozy room. Today, after barely increasing the footprint of the home, the family has a new breakfast room, a usable den, a larger and more inviting kitchen, and a better-situated first-floor bath. Lots of simple fixes = a much happier space for the whole family. Photos by Shelly Harrison

We recently completed three distinct bathroom renovation projects, all located in the same home. Each bathroom — a master, a children’s Jack & Jill bath, and a family/guest bath — was gutted and fully remodeled. We worked on the project with architect Michael Szalaji of Cambridge-based On the Boards Design. The Jack & Jill bath was one of two that needed to be expanded. We annexed an adjacent closet to provide extra square footage. This allowed for the comfortable introduction of a shower stall with a glass Dreamliner door and for the installation of a tall, semi-custom hamper cabinet. The cabinet and vanity were each fitted with Caesarstone countertop. The master bathroom also received an upgrade, with a new shower stall, baseboard and crown molding. The shower features decorative 5” Ogee Drop Tile and an accent border in Natural Stone Pencil. The custom shower door, by Prestige Glass, includes a translucent privacy band etched across the center of the glass. For comfort on cold mornings, radiant heating was installed. On the third floor, adjacent to the family room, a third bath was remodeled. Like the children’s bath, the footprint for this room was also expanded by annexing closet space. We added a shower stall here too, and this one features built-in bench seating. Window glass in the bathroom window was replaced with tempered, frosted glass for safety and privacy. Photos by Shelly Harrison

We recently completed three distinct bathroom renovation projects, all located in the same home. Each bathroom — a master, a children’s Jack & Jill bath, and a family/guest bath — was gutted and fully remodeled. We worked on the project with architect Michael Szalaji of Cambridge-based On the Boards Design. The Jack & Jill bath was one of two that needed to be expanded. We annexed an adjacent closet to provide extra square footage. This allowed for the comfortable introduction of a shower stall with a glass Dreamliner door and for the installation of a tall, semi-custom hamper cabinet. The cabinet and vanity were each fitted with Caesarstone countertop. The master bathroom also received an upgrade, with a new shower stall, baseboard and crown molding. The shower features decorative 5” Ogee Drop Tile and an accent border in Natural Stone Pencil. The custom shower door, by Prestige Glass, includes a translucent privacy band etched across the center of the glass. For comfort on cold mornings, radiant heating was installed. On the third floor, adjacent to the family room, a third bath was remodeled. Like the children’s bath, the footprint for this room was also expanded by annexing closet space. We added a shower stall here too, and this one features built-in bench seating. Window glass in the bathroom window was replaced with tempered, frosted glass for safety and privacy. Photos by Shelly Harrison

The living room in this 1837 home is a welcoming space that showcases tremendous period detailing. Restored large 15-paned windows provide abundant natural light during the day, and night, graceful white shutters can be closed to provide privacy. The maple wood floors are immaculately refinished and the brick fireplace and hearth pay tribute to the home's historic heritage. The wood mantel is original to the house and is painted a clean, vibrant linen white. Photo by Shelly Harrison.

Unlike many similar houses of the era, this 1870s Shingle Style house was built without a cap on the turret. Because neighboring houses of a similar style did have a cap, its owners asked if we could construct something period-appropriate. In addition, asphalt shingles were replaced with faux slate, which is indistinguishable from natural slate but far more long-lasting. Historically correct wood-turned spandrels were introduced to a railing and the exterior was painted in period-appropriate colors. The turret's original curved bay windows, which no longer operated properly, were restored and made functional again. Photo by Shelly Harrison.

We recently completed three distinct bathroom renovation projects, all located in the same home. Each bathroom — a master, a children’s Jack & Jill bath, and a family/guest bath — was gutted and fully remodeled. We worked on the project with architect Michael Szalaji of Cambridge-based On the Boards Design. The Jack & Jill bath was one of two that needed to be expanded. We annexed an adjacent closet to provide extra square footage. This allowed for the comfortable introduction of a shower stall with a glass Dreamliner door and for the installation of a tall, semi-custom hamper cabinet. The cabinet and vanity were each fitted with Caesarstone countertop. The master bathroom also received an upgrade, with a new shower stall, baseboard and crown molding. The shower features decorative 5” Ogee Drop Tile and an accent border in Natural Stone Pencil. The custom shower door, by Prestige Glass, includes a translucent privacy band etched across the center of the glass. For comfort on cold mornings, radiant heating was installed. On the third floor, adjacent to the family room, a third bath was remodeled. Like the children’s bath, the footprint for this room was also expanded by annexing closet space. We added a shower stall here too, and this one features built-in bench seating. Window glass in the bathroom window was replaced with tempered, frosted glass for safety and privacy. Photos by Shelly Harrison

This formerly drab and ordinary space in an 1853 Greek Revival home became a fun bath area for the homeowner's two year old with the addition of blue and green mosaic tiles, a child-sized toilet, a larger bath tub, and pendant lighting. A skylight brings in cheerful natural lighting. Photos by Shelly Harrison.

We designed and built this dramatic stone fireplace, the focal point of a rustic, lodge-style living room in a converted barn attached to an 1849 Greek Revival farmhouse. The chimney presents an elegant profile of white stucco. Part of a larger project for the television series "This Old House," the Rumford style fireplace features a substantial granite lintel, soapstone firesides, and charming hearth in granite, laid down in a playful wave pattern.

We recently completed three distinct bathroom renovation projects, all located in the same home. Each bathroom — a master, a children’s Jack & Jill bath, and a family/guest bath — was gutted and fully remodeled. We worked on the project with architect Michael Szalaji of Cambridge-based On the Boards Design. The Jack & Jill bath was one of two that needed to be expanded. We annexed an adjacent closet to provide extra square footage. This allowed for the comfortable introduction of a shower stall with a glass Dreamliner door and for the installation of a tall, semi-custom hamper cabinet. The cabinet and vanity were each fitted with Caesarstone countertop. The master bathroom also received an upgrade, with a new shower stall, baseboard and crown molding. The shower features decorative 5” Ogee Drop Tile and an accent border in Natural Stone Pencil. The custom shower door, by Prestige Glass, includes a translucent privacy band etched across the center of the glass. For comfort on cold mornings, radiant heating was installed. On the third floor, adjacent to the family room, a third bath was remodeled. Like the children’s bath, the footprint for this room was also expanded by annexing closet space. We added a shower stall here too, and this one features built-in bench seating. Window glass in the bathroom window was replaced with tempered, frosted glass for safety and privacy. Photos by Shelly Harrison

Design / Build project with Charlie Allen Renovations Inc. Shelly Harrison Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless master white tile and subway tile marble floor corner shower remodel in Boston with a console sink

This formerly drab and ordinary space in an 1853 Greek Revival home became a fun bath area for the homeowner's two year old with the addition of blue and green mosaic tiles, a child-sized toilet, a larger bath tub, and pendant lighting. A skylight brings in cheerful natural lighting. Photos by Shelly Harrison.

This bathroom was introduced into an 1853 Greek Revival row house. The home owners desired modern amenities like radiant floor heating, a steam shower, and a towel warmer. But they also wanted the space to match the period charm of their older home. A large glass-encased shower stall is the central player in the new bathroom. Lined with 3" x 6" white subway tile and fully enclosed by glass, the shower is bright and welcoming. And then the transom window at the top is closed, steam jets lining the shower create a relaxing spa. Although placed on an interior wall, the new bath is filled with abundant natural light, thanks to transom windows which welcome sunshine from the hallway. Photos by Shelly Harrison.

The homeowner wanted to add more functionality to her small first-floor half-bath by introducing a shower. We introduced an enclosed glass stall with a base that mirrors the period baseboards lining the room, as well as period-appropriate lighting.

A new bath in an 1853 Greek Revival home is designed for the husband in the family, and placed next to his third-floor office. The room presents modern, masculine design elements, like black slate floor tiles and sink top and polished chrome fixtures within an historical framework, such as high baseboard, built to match existing baseboards seen throughout the home, and a period-appropriate 12-paned window. A new skylight takes advantage of the top floor location to bring additional natural light into the space. Photo by Shelly Harrison.

This bathroom was introduced into an 1853 Greek Revival row house. The home owners desired modern amenities like radiant floor heating, a steam shower, and a towel warmer. But they also wanted the space to match the period charm of their older home. A large glass-encased shower stall is the central player in the new bathroom. Lined with 3" x 6" white subway tile and fully enclosed by glass, the shower is bright and welcoming. And then the transom window at the top is closed, steam jets lining the shower create a relaxing spa. Although placed on an interior wall, the new bath is filled with abundant natural light, thanks to transom windows which welcome sunshine from the hallway. Photos by Shelly Harrison.

Architect: Becker Henson Niksto General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography
Example of a trendy concrete floor and gray floor powder room design in Santa Barbara with open cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink, solid surface countertops and gray countertops

Renovation is stressful. Wouldn’t it be nice to let someone else oversee product selections, manage day-to-day issues, and bring your project to a successful completion? The owners of a two-family in Arlington recently did just that, flying off to Florida just as we began renovating their first floor unit. Of course, before they left we thoroughly discussed all aspects of the work order, which included renovating the kitchen and bathroom, painting the bedroom, and adding a laundry closet. We reviewed color and material selections, and set up a schedule for regular briefings. A handful of issues did come up. But because we had planned ahead, we were able to resolve them with very little stress for our clients. For instance, the client had chosen a bright yellow paint color for the kitchen walls, but once the new cabinets, countertop, and flooring had been installed, it was clear that yellow would clash. We suggested a more complementary Benjamin Moore Lancaster Whitewash shade instead. In the bathroom, the clients had selected a deep inset mirrored medicine cabinet. But when the wall behind the vanity was opened, it revealed a pipe running up the wall, too close for the inset model. In this small space, a bump-out medicine cabinet would be awkward, so instead we placed a mirror over the sink and two smaller inset cabinets on either side – a solution that pleased the homeowners, who now have his-and-hers storage spaces. Finally, the homeowners had resigned themselves to the fact that the laundry closet would be too small for storing detergent and other needs. However once the units were in place, we realized that a small custom shelf could be built and had it installed to the delight of the homeowners. Photo by Shelly Harrison

Aluminum siding had completely covered the exterior of this home, located across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, leaving many of its period architectural details hidden from view. We removed the siding and rotten clapboards beneath, wrapped the house to protect from moisture, and then re-sided with pre-painted clapboards and shingles. 30 windows were replaced or restored, including original curved double windows on the front bay. Three kinds of siding were used: western red cedar clapboards on the first floor, white cedar shingles on the second, and white cedar fish scale shingles for the front gables. A new copper bonnet roof and curved copper gutter on the front porch offer additional distinction.

We added a gas insert fireplace to this elegant study, allowing for warmth & character while maintaining the sleek clean look of the room.
Trendy living room library photo in Boston with a standard fireplace