I love taking a look inside old homes. There’s a level of charm and quirky character that newer builds rarely have. Things like parlor doors, original hardwood floors and built-in details get me every time. It’s not to say, though, that older homes don’t come with their own set of issues — they absolutely do. Necessary updates, original structures that are smaller than current standards, and creaks and squeaks are all part of owning a century-old (and then some) home — but for the right people, it’s a dream. This 1830s farmhouse in Natick, MA was exactly what the Alfanos were looking for.
Emily Starr Alfano is an event/wedding designer and stylist and Bill Alfano is the marketing and outreach director. Emily, Bill, and their dog Bruno found this gem in July 2014 in the sweet town of Natick. They toured the home the same day it went up for sale and put in an offer the next day. This house was move-in ready with a beautifully redone kitchen, which made finding such a great, historic home even more exciting. “Since I spend so much time here, and use various rooms for work and staging pictures, it was important the house either had certain existing elements or could be transformed,” Emily says. “We just straight up lucked out with this house. I don’t think either of us ever dreamed we could have a house with such character but many modern updates…especially in our first house!”
Their good luck hasn’t come without work and adjusting to the home. “Despite many updates and upgrades over the years, at the end of the day the house is almost 200 years old — there are obvious challenges! Among them are super small doorframes which make moving couches, tables and other large items fairly difficult. We’re pretty sure our staircase is the original and it’s essentially a straight line up. We’ve got wonky walls and ceilings that aren’t straight!” says Emily. “We found this perfect-for-us piece of real estate. I think more than anything we wanted to create a space that reflects us a family and honors the original design…quirks and all.” I love the way they have embraced their house, with the wonderful things and the challenging things, and have made it uniquely their home. —Lauren
Photograpy by Joyelle West
SOURCE LIST
Kitchen
– open shelving: done by the previous owners, but they built with wood + brackets from Home Depot
– paint color: Behr Salt Glaze
– shades: were here when we bought it!
– island: DIY
– farm sink, butcher block counters + cabinets: IKEA
– black cabinet pulls + knobs: Home Depot
– Persian runner: Rugs USA
– specific items on the open shelving, counters + island: Anthropologie deer vase, wood fruit trays from H&M, wood + gold trays by Diane Von Furstenberg, vintage soda bottles from Magnolia Market, marble pastry slabs from Crate & Barrel, cutting board from Terrain, and lots and lots from HomeGoods!
– vintage floral prints over sink: Brimfield Antique Market
– Bruno’s teepee: PetWaki on Etsy
– various plants: Russell’s Garden Center
– olive topiary: TuscanyTopiary on Etsy
Dining Room
– paint color: unsure (we kept it when we moved in)
– farm table: custom from Wooden Whale Workshop on Etsy
– chairs: Overstock
– chandelier: Wayfair
– rug: Rugs USA
– metal stag: HomeGoods
– Grand Taxonomy of Rap Names: Pop Chart Lab
– shelving: IKEA
– wood cup display + side table: HomeGoods
– lavender plant: Russell’s Garden Center
– wire basket + weathered pitcher on table: HomeGoods
– succulent + cactus vases from Anthropologie + IKEA
– Bar bookcase: HomeGoods
Studio
– paint: Benjamin Moore White Dove
– white shelving: IKEA
– desk: IKEA
– Bertoia-style desk chairs: Amazon
– sheepskin: IKEA
– black floral wallpaper: Anewall Decor
– wood + white stool on bookcase: Serena & Lily
Living Room
– paint: Benjamin Moore White Dove
– fiddle leaf fig tree from Russell’s Garden Center (displayed in a Nate Berkus for Target fringed basket) + IKEA
– disco ball leftover from an event
– driftwood stools: HomeGoods
– tripod lamp: Wayfair
– clipboard frames: Michaels
– succulent notecards: Edtya Szyszlo purchased at Paper Source
– sectional: Jordan’s Furniture
– black + white stripe pillow: H&M Home
– geometric pillow + light coral pillow: HomeGoods
– sheepskin pillow: IKEA
– navy blue rug: Hayneedle.com
– Persian rug: Rugs USA
– coffee table: World Market
– coral blanket: Target
– cable knit blanket: IKEA
– pendant chandelier: Lowe’s
– “Bentley” driftwood stag: some random website that we can’t seem to find anymore!
– driftwood garland: One Kings Lane
– feather prints: TheClayPlay on Etsy
Bedroom
– paint: Benjamin Moore Calm
– blue nightstand: Target
– headboard: reclaimed table top
– duvet cover: HomeGoods
– linen sheets: Crate & Barrel
– sequin blanket: West Elm
– white linen pillows: IKEA
– picture ledge: IKEA
– framed wrapping paper: Paper Source
– bedside lamp: HomeGoods
– jewelry display: HomeGoods
via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1IfPHi9 From Lauren Chorpening
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