The mention of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill evokes images of narrow cobblestone streets, gas streetlights, and elegant brick row houses in 19th century Federal, Victorian, and Georgian styles. For this Beacon Hill brownstone, however, grace and charm ended at the front door. A previous owner had completely stripped the condominium of its original interior architectural elements to create a sterile Scandinavian/Contemporary look that was incongruous with the character of both the building and neighborhood. The new owner wished to bring back the classical old Boston look and make the space comfortable for her.

The primary challenge and design starting point was replacing an inappropriate and unsafe modern iron spiral staircase, which connected the home’s three floors. The project began with the removal of the spiral unit and construction of an elegant wooden staircase with curved plaster ceilings, new landing platforms, and traditional stair elements reminiscent of old world Boston.

The new staircase was built in one piece off site and ingeniously engineered to fit into the extremely tight existing envelope. However, installing the staircase proved to be a unique logistical challenge. The street-level common entry area was too narrow to move the staircase in place and the street, on which this brownstone is located, is very narrow with limited access. Special city permitting and traffic control were necessary to bring in a boom and crane, which hoisted the staircase over the four-story building and carefully dropped it 60 feet in the rear of the row house. It was then delivered through French doors and installed. The new stairs, easier and safer to navigate, dramatically changed the interior’s appearance and set the stage for the remaining renovations.

The owner's love of the sea and sailing, together with Boston’s rich 300-year history as a seaport, inspired the home’s interior design. Aesthetic elements and concepts common on gracious sailing vessels were used throughout the home. The entire condominium was restored with custom crown and baseboard molding, millwork, and cabinetry, using 19th century details. Mimicking clever shipboard storage solutions, built-in cabinetry and shelves make the most of available space. The compact galley kitchen is arranged with special cabinets fitted to the sloping walls, similar to a ship’s hull. The elevated dining area with open balustrade resembles a ship’s poop deck, providing a clear view of the living room. The working fireplace, which had been stripped of all decorative details, was restored with a new mantel featuring panelized pilasters and a surrounding built-in wall unit.

This project restored 19th-century elegance and charm to a gracious Beacon Hill brownstone and created a comfortable home that is perfect for the owner’s casual lifestyle.