Category Archives: Rooms

May 5, 2010 · 9:13 pm

Design Diary: A Japanese Garden in Boston

Almost two years ago I wrote about the fantastic Japanese garden that David Kimelberg created in the courtyard behind his Charlestown, Mass. townhouse – “A Backyard Fit For An Emperor” in the Boston Globe Magazine.

Lawyer by day, gardener and Japanese culture enthusiast on the weekends, Kimelberg researched diligently to learn about the various elements of such gardens, but instead of following the strict rules, he incorporated bits and pieces where he could.

In his garden, the koi pond represents the sea, large rough stones symbolize mountains, and each lantern is an ode to the Japanese temple. There’s a granite bench for contemplation and a slate-roofed model teahouse.

Of course, it’s not all so serious and serene. He and his wife host a Japanese garden party every summer, complete with sushi and sake. They dress the dog like a dragon and encourage guests to wear kimonos.

Kimbelberg on a granite bench, tending a bonsai in his garden.

Photo: Dave Henderson

Shoji-screened doors in a Japanese-inspired room with bamboo flooring (and a sofa from DWR) opens to the garden.

Photo: Dave Henderson

An overview of the courtyard garden. Kimelberg has about 30 bonsai specimens.

Photo: Dave Henderson

The 4′ x 4′ koi pond has five fish.

One of the half dozen Japanese maples in the garden.

Granite lanterns and springtime blooms.

Photo: Dave Henderson

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Design Diary, Flowers & Gardens, Rooms

Tagged as Boston gardens, Charlestown gardens, Dave Henderson, David Kimelberg, Japanese garden in Boston, Japanese gardens

May 4, 2010 · 10:06 am

Montage: 30 Ways to Branch Out

A breezy, beautiful day. But before we abandon the chilly season altogether, I thought I’d break out the branches. While I’m sorta over the branch branch furniture and accessories (though I included some shots), I love the real thing used as sculpture. And I still adore the wallpapers.

Photographer Kelly Ishikawa

Photographer Trevor Tondro

Photographer Trine Thorsen

Ghislaine Viñas

Marie Claire Maison

Clockwise: Photographer Trevor Tondro – Abington Gallery via Remodelista – unidentified – Minaric, Henry & Zervudachi

Clockwise: Photographer Trevor Tondro – Photographer Mark Williams – Stylist Rachel Vigor – Habitually Chic

Clockwise: Photographer Kelly Ishikawa – Photographer Ellen McDermott –
Remodelista via the City Sage – Photographer Hotze Eisma

Clockwise: Sixx Design – Eric Roseff – Leesa O’Reillh – Remodelista

Clockwise: Terrat Elms – Photographer Eric Johnson – Brad Ford ID – Desire to Inspire

Clockwise: Photographer Prue Ruscoe – Atticus & Milo – Photographer Jean-Pierre Lemoine – Photographer Lincoln Barbour

Tom Baker

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Urban Show House: Jonathan Adler

The Urban Show House is a smash. I missed the opening party Thursday night, but plan to stop by tomorrow to see the entire house in its fully decorated glory. Meanwhile Ricardo sent along some pics. Here is the one room I haven’t shown you – the kitchen/family room designed by Jonathan Adler. But one look and you know that. I am still not over the glossy green chairs, and totally contemplating theis color scheme for my living room. Just need to amp up with saturated color. Wish he had done some more pattern in here, with draperies, but since it’s not a real room, I guess there’s only so much one can do. Still like it lots. And now I know where his banana rug is meant to be. The house is open all weekend, so stop by 44 Bradford if you’re in Boston.

Photography by Eric Levin

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Tagged as Boston Show House, Eric Levin, Jonathan Adler, Jonathan Adler show house, Ricardo Rodriguez, Urban Show House South End Boston

April 27, 2010 · 2:08 am

Sneak Peak: Urban Showhouse

Ricardo invited me to take another peak at the almost completed Urban Showhouse he’s been organizing in the South End. A couple of weeks ago I posted pics of the unfurnished space. I stopped by on Thursday, hoping for a glimpse of Jonathan Adler at work, but alas, his furniture was just starting to show up, and he was nowhere to be found. Neither was Ricardo for that matter. Andrew Terrat had already put much of the living furniture in place, and Lisa Kreiling had completed her installation of the third floor bedrooms. Dennis Duffy was putting the final touches on the master suite. Have a look. And don’t forget to attend the actual event, which begins this Thursday and runs through Sunday; proceeds benefit the Pine House Inn.

44 B R A D F O R D S T R E E T

When I visited on Thursday, the living room looked like this. Andrew Terrat of Terrat Elms had put all the basics in place, but the finishing touches had yet to be revealed.

But this morning, photographer Greg Premu sent me this shot. Looks like Andrew finished styling.

Looking up at the chandelier from the lower level, location of the kitchen/family room.

Speaking of the lower level, here’s what the delivery guys were unloading for Adler. Love the crisp colors , shapes, and pattern against the glossy white kitchen and hardwood flooring.

This room opens to the patio, to which plantings have been added.

Now to the second floor master bedroom, where Dennis Duffy has installed a hot red mural.

And the master bath.

Up to the third floor hall, off of which there are two bedrooms and a bathroom.

All the rooms were decorated by Lisa Krieling. Lisa, we must meet!

My favorite room in the house, the study, with fabulous corner windows (I cut off the other half ). Of course, if I lived here, this would have to be a kid’s room. I recognize the rope lights on the back wall from J.E.M.

Another corner of the study. The mohair-covered folding chair is also from J.E.M. I bet the zoology print is too.

The third floor bathroom.

And the other bedroom, wonderful, decorated by Lisa Krieling.

Portraits of kids hang over the bed – a cute idea. Who’s the artist?

And the exterior.

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Tagged as Boston showhouse, Dennis Duffy, Jonathan Adler Boston, Lisa Kreiling, Ricardo Rodriguez, South end showhouse, Urban Showhouse

April 14, 2010 · 7:25 pm

Montage: 65 Palm Beach Style Rooms

With summer not far away, it’s no surprise I’ve got color on my mind. Not that I’ll ever go all out in my own house, but I definitely admire the mix of brights that designers employ in rooms with WASP style. The color, the prints, the faux bamboo, the ornate mirrors, the ugly porcelain frogs. It’s all a whirl of fun. Last month I put together two Palm Beach primers for The Inside Source ” Part 1 focused on the work of designers Ellen Hamilton, Annsley McAleer, and Angie Hranowsky; Part 2 on Amanda Nisbet and Palmer Weiss. Here are more rooms with a Palm Beach aesthetic.

Mary McDonald