This is a follow-up to yesterday’s post about the most expensive piece of Boston residential real estate, 130 Commonwealth Ave. Many of you wanted to know if there was a “quick fix” for the desecrated classic, with its headache-inducing colors and ubiquitous skull theme.
Some of you also thought that *I* Laurel, should take this on for real.
haha. I hope you realize that would kill me.
Later, I will take a stab at a virtual Makeover of 130 Commonwealth. Well, one room.
For real, I can think of several talented designers who would do an incredible job with this place. None are conventional designers. This is an extraordinary property; it doesn’t have to be a beaux-arts museum. However, I don’t think a circus is appropriate.
I love old buildings that look— old.
There are several designers who come to mind. Please know there are many more.
One designer who’s done some fantastic work here in Boston is San Francisco designer Ken Fulk.
He did a magnificent job with The ‘Quin; (the former AlgonQuin) a private club just down the street from 130 Comm Ave. And I like what he did with the Newbury, as well. His interiors have a quiet flamboyance, a drama that captivates and warms the soul. They are contemporary but with much, that’s deeply rooted in tradition. Very cool.
Outside the ‘Quin taken by me two years ago. I was lucky to get a dinner invite here, but photos are prohibited. Bummer.
This next designer would do an amazing job with this place.
Darryl Carter. There would be a lot less color—that’s an understatement. However, Darryl does vintage better than anyone else. He does it in a way that feels old and fresh at the same time and endlessly cool. He would make everything look like it was built in 1909 and would be extraordinary.
©-Tony Powell. (photo) Inside Homes Darryl Carter on X
Please follow Tony Powell on Instagram @tonypowell1
And Darryl Carter’s Instagram is here.
I realize a beat-up old floor isn’t for everyone, but I love it!
Darryl’s fantastic vintage kitchen.
For pure classicists, no one does this style better than AB Kasha, the oft-mentioned fantastic married team who’s made quite a name for themselves in Paris. Their renovations of neglected properties are legendary.
photo @idhalindhag_photographer – ab kasha on Instagram Paris flat
I love how they keep the architecture as it was in the 19th century and frequently juxtapose it with modern furnishings or a mix, as seen here.
Above is my attempt at one of their blank canvas entries. I need another one very soon! There’s one more here.
The next designer is a married team in New York City– Roman and Williams.
photo @ditteisager @roman_and_williams_ Veronika bar
Their old place, a loft in NoHo was incredibly chic; not for everyone. However, their restaurants are all places I’d be happy to live in. Plus, after she sold it, they did a magnificent job remodeling Jenna Lyons’ Brooklyn townhouse.
Oh, wait. Two more. John B Murray Architects and maybe a collaboration with Tammy Connor.
I love this little bathroom by JBMurray Architects.
And, no list of classical architecture would be complete without Gil Schafer and team, who would do an exquisite job with this place.
Okay, for fun, I wanted to see what I could do in the way of a quick virtual makeover of 130 Commonwealth Ave.
I used the neon blue parlor as a base. As this is what I had to work with, I was limited to what the wall color could be. For example, it’s impossible to make the walls white without looking very washed out.
Let’s look (quickly) at the before.
And now, presenting my virtual makeover of 130 Commonwealth Ave (the blue parlor). Please note this is a little rough because of the limitations.
Yes, you will recognize many of my favorite furnishings and colors. The idea is to show that all is not lost, even if you would go in another direction from this.
Could the wood stain ever come back? It could, but it would take a tremendous amount of painstaking work.
I don’t have a problem with a painted finish.
Most interiors of the beaux-arts period were painted. The stain would’ve been in places like the library and butler’s pantry.
The main living spaces can mostly get by with paint and new furnishings. However, the kitchen(s) and bathrooms will cost several hundred thousand dollars as they need more than paint. So, no matter what, it will be at least $1,000,000, maybe 2,000,000, to restore this gem.
There are dozens of ways one could go. I would love to see a Darryl Carter-type interior. I think it would be incredible.
Do I think this place is going to sell for $30,000,000?
No, and not even if Darryl Carter and architect Donald Loccoco designed it.
There are some compelling reasons why I think this.
The first one is more subtle, but the home faces north-northwest. The main living areas are in the shade for most of the year. Only in the summer, late in the day, is there a little sunshine. The back of the house is sunny but faces the alley abutting Newbury Street. It is not like the residential alley between Marlborough and Comm Ave. No, our alley is as grungy as can be.
Aside from those factors, let’s look at the twin sister at 128 Commonwealth Ave.
Right, shouldn’t those estimates give us an idea of what 130 is worth? I think so.
128 Commonwealth has a Zestimate range
$12.02M – $17.89M –
Redfin has an estimate of $18.06M – $21.48M
12, I think, is way too low. But, 18-20 sounds about right.
It is important to note two major differences between the two properties.
128 is about 1,000 square feet smaller than 130, and while it has two garage spots, there is only one additional outdoor parking spot.
So, there are three fewer parking spots outside.
An OUTDOOR deeded parking spot in this Back Bay Boston location is worth at least $500,000. Yes, guys, it’s half a million for one parking spot where your car will enjoy the company of dozens of dumpsters and countless rats. Rentals start at about $400 a month for outdoor spots.
Anyway, my point is that, at most, 130 is not worth more than 25 million, and I’m being generous. I predict it will sell for somewhere between 20M and 25 M.
One day.
I am going to close this topic with this interesting bit regarding the designer, Eric Roseff:
He has posted an image of this neon blue room on his Instagram page, along with dozens of glowing remarks. One is from the fabulous Mary McDonald, whose work I’ve long admired. She knows how to use saturated colors so they feel good, not like an instant migraine.
The main point for me isn’t the design so much. (even though I can’t stand it. lol) It’s WHERE they chose to put the design; plus, the stripping from this place certain structures charcteristics that are part of its unique heritage. Fine if one doesn’t like that. But then, please buy a home somewhere else that aligns with your aesthetic, not a building that’s part of the National Register of Historic Places.
From reading all of your fantastic comments, I gather that most of you who commented feel that way, too.
xo,
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20 Responses
Well, I just caught up to this saga today. I am under extraordinary stress, but I have to say that the blue room made me instantaneously nauseous as I had just had a meal after not eating all day.
I love lacquered walls, but not those lacquered walls in that room in that home.
The beauty humans create heals all of us. This is one reason I am so interested in interior design.
This zillionaire demonstrated his death wish for the house and probably the rest of us. Never trust anyone who post ‘love’ signs around their home.
I once had a student who got up and read his original poem which was just “love” over and “over” — And he had to look at his paper to do it. It turned out he was a rapist. True story.
Your virtual re-do was a relief to my eyes and heart 👏🏻🥰
What they did to that home caused heart palpitations and dizziness!!! Shocking! Who would do that???? However, I love, love your version.
I look forward to your renovation posts! I was recently in Hawaii for two weeks and then Vancouver. I was busy and couldn’t always check my email. I could hardly wait to get home so I could catch up with your renovation..
Add one more voice to the chorus. I love vibrant color and bold patterns, but this imposition of the ego on such a refined, well-preserved elderly lady produces in me an oppressive, visceral reaction. And that doesn’t even touch on all the morbid, macabre skull imagery.
We have the same here. Property purchasers move quickly to obliterate the very characteristics that are beautiful, unique, and not easily reproduced. And it’s expensive work, which creates new problems. Just buy something else, somewhere else. Please.
I love that there are so many ways to design a space. Most folks like to design their homes so it’s a reflection of them. I’m glad a member of the Blue Man Group had an opportunity to do that. I just wish he had done it in a modern space.
I love what you did with it. Hopefully who ever buys the place will use your design as inspiration of what it could be.
Please give us any updates regarding the sale.
It’s hard to believe that someone would actually think what they did that gorgeous home looked good!!!
They utterly ruined it! Love your redo!
The “renovation” of such a classic gem was a design travesty and I’m sure the final selling price will be significantly reduced in order to put things right. After all the throes and pangs of renovating your own beautiful property, I’d be curious about your estimate of what it might take to undo and redo one of “The Sisters”.
Hi Kristina,
I mentioned something in the post and no worries if you missed it. One thing I don’t mind are the floors. I like the black floors and saw them in the private women’s club at the end of the block and nearly fell over. But… the painting, restoration alone has to be at least $300,000 but probably more. There are six bathrooms and I can tell you that we’re talking $500,000 right there.
My neighbors redid their tiny 5×7 bathroom three years ago and it was $45,000.
There are also at least three kitchens. The main one with that incredible bay could be fantastic. However, with the butler’s pantry, we’re talking another $500,000 to make it right.
Then, there’s all of the carpeting, light fixtures. It’s a massive home.
I think it could be brought back for two million. I mean it’s eight of my place and I only did one little kitchen and one little bathroom. Yes, the stairs was a big deal and very expensive. I’m so happy I did it and can’t wait for the railing to get installed.
42+years ago I had a beautiful royal blue silk dress that I bought to wear to a wedding. By the time the wedding rolled around I was in the throes of 24 hr morning sickness. Needless to say I CANNOT bear anything royal blue now. Imagine the horror of how I reacted to that abomination of a room🤢. That designer should have his/her license revoked hahaha.
Your redo looks really, really beautiful, restful and gracious. The only issue I have with it are the two frameless paintings by the windows. I’m not a designer but they don’t look ‘right’ to me somehow. While I do like how the paintings pull in color, I wonder how two large related sculptures would look there instead, one on each wooden chest?
Hi Wendy,
I agree 100%. I don’t have the luxury of spending a dozen hours on this, and as it was spent six hours making the virtual change-over. As I said, it’s “rough” meaning things like frames are missing.
Oh Laurel – aren’t we all sick-to-death of people trying to turn beautiful period homes into some demented version of modern! In my neighborhood most homes were built 1900-1930 of red brick. In the 1980*s people painted them grey; now they’re busy painting everything white, with black trim. It’s sad to see so little respect for the charm of the period. If you want a “modern” house, why not just buy one?
I don’t “do” Instagram so I am wondering what, if anything, the designer had to say about the skull design in the bath shower floor. Seems bizarre (to me) but hey, different strokes for different folks, right? That would be the first thing I’d tear out LOL.
It hurts my eyes to see what these owners did to this property. You’re right – they could have bought a different home and put their mark on that one instead of this historical gem. I have to stage a house tomorrow that was tarnished by the new owner. The original home had beautiful moldings, wainscoting…grand proportions, beautiful wood floors and the new owner pretty much ruined the home with his aesthetic. I have to try to calm the house down a lot and bring back as much of the original beauty as possible. Wish me luck!
I really enjoyed reading about this house. I loved your virtual staging. If it really looked like your imaginative rendering – it would sell quickly! Thanks for your post!
Oh, THANK YOU, Laurel, for that virtual makeover of the hideous blue room. Oh, to have the money to buy the house and use your design. Just a gorgeous vision!
This was an excellent post–thank you. I learned a lot about design, about history, about other designers, and about you. And it’s not that I’m not enjoying your renovation saga, and learning a ton from that as well! I look forward to it every time. Still, it’s been a nice change of pace to see your skills and your eye at work in a different context.
A big takeaway for me is the reminder that nothing is ever perfect–and I don’t even want it to be. This is true on a grand scale as well as a small one. Yes, it’s sad to see any work of art destroyed or lost. Heaven knows I personally agree with you about the extent of that in the 128 renovation. (It was fun seeing how much your restoration sketch for the Blue Room resembles your own, beautiful place.) But it’s good to put it all in perspective and see the possibilities.
Beautiful virtual redo! There is hope for someone to be able to undo the travesty and regain some elegance and beauty there!
Yours is the best unquestionably.
Laurel,
Your virtual redo is gorgeous! What an incredible, lovely transformation. You are very talented. I love following your blog.
Dottie
The owner should have hired YOU!!!