Boston Home Spring 2010: Belgian Rhapsody

Bananto, who worked primarily on historical renovations before launching his own interior design business eight years ago, is just as obsessive when selecting furniture. He not only scours New York City flea markets and high-end furniture stores, but also trolls European antiques emporiums. The dining room shows off his knack for mixing styles and eras: An 18th-century Gustavian sofa is paired with Swedish chairs and an early 1900s chandelier from Olde Good Things in New York City. He’s not afraid to add contemporary pieces into the mix, too, like the jaunty orange Bertoia chairs from Knoll that flank the kitchen island.

Because the clients also wanted the home to be kid-friendly for their many grandchildren, Bananto gave the attic of the main house a turn-of-the-century schoolhouse theme and created a stage where the youngsters now put on plays. Downstairs, in a room that abuts the outdoor pool, Bananto selected a wheat-colored carpet by Bolon. Elegant and understated, it looks like sisal, but is actually rubber—and totally waterproof.

As it turns out, design sense runs in the family. Under Bananto’s direction, the couple’s daughter put together an eye-catching arrangement of books in the guesthouse living room. “When a photographer came over to shoot the house, the shelves were bare, so we scrambled to unbox some old books that were my father-in-law’s,” says one of the owners. “We took off the covers and my daughter quickly created the color-coded arrangement. We’ve kept it that way ever since.

“We didn’t want the house to be busy, ruffled, or frilled. We wanted it to look like it had always been there,” the owner continues. Frilly this house is not. With hushed hues and a graceful mix of minimalist-leaning furniture, Bananto and his clients have created a residence that is strangely, and beautifully, timeless.

ARCHITECT Doreve Nicholaeff, Osterville
INTERIORS Bruce Bananto, New York