This Dedham Home Underwent a Midcentury-Modern Transformation
Eleven Interiors brings a mix of materials—and a whole lot of character—to a suburban living room.
Photo by Greg Premru
When an enthusiastic client rang designers at Eleven Interiors to tell them he’d just snagged a new build with views of the Charles River, principal Michael Ferzoco and his team were shocked. “He loves midcentury homes. And this is not [one],” says lead interior designer Gabrielle Bove, who toured several older fixer-uppers with the client. “It wasn’t unique to his taste, but the property sold him.”
Tasked with redesigning the living room (among other spaces) for the Dedham home, the team planned to meld the midcentury-modern vibe the owner craved with the tradition-al style the architecture required. The designers first tackled the sitting area, where a geometric rug from Stark sets the tone. Overhead, an angular chandelier complements the carpet’s pattern and creates “a halo above the seating,” Bove says, including a Camerich sofa and a pair of armchairs. Outfitted with stainless steel bases, the chairs are a lighter, sleeker counterpart to the clean-lined couch. “We played with different [shapes], but the difference in materiality and color brings it all together,” she adds.
Photo by Greg Premru
Next, opting to use a range of metals, the pros introduced brass in the room to “harken back to the [midcentury] period,” Ferzoco says. Subtle elements, such as the tripod lamp’s fittings, elevate the design, but the team’s favorite brass feature lives behind the sofa: the inlay of the walnut credenza. A photograph of the ocean, taken by the client’s brother, echoes its metallic tone from above. “Serendipitously, the credenza works so well with it,” Ferzoco says.
After nailing down the furnishings, the team turned its attention to the living room’s pièce de résistance: a wall of natural ash slats, complete with a gas fireplace. The vertical strips mimic the shape of the trees outside, while the wood’s color exudes warmth. And because the slats purposely stop short of the floor and the ceiling, the wall looks like it’s floating. “The owner appreciates [design] like an art form. He treats his [house] as part home, part gallery,” Bove says. “It’s a joy to work with somebody like that.”
Contractor
Vin Gadoury Construction
Interior Designer
Eleven Interiors
