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It’s a big house with big rooms,” Laura says. “We wanted to hang on to that
open, airy feeling and create a sense of warmth and coziness at the same
time.”
First, they had to rebuild the interior from the bottom up. “The
floors were completely rotten. We replaced them with ebonized oak that we
stained a great, deep brown-purple-red shade, rich and warm, inspired by an
antique cabinet in the master bedroom.”
Only one of the
bathrooms had functioning pipes—“and I use the word ‘functioning’ loosely.” The
kitchen was equally challenging. “It took us forever to redo—both of us were
working on other projects, trying to earn a living so we could fix up the house.
For the first couple of years, we cooked with two hotplates, a grill, and a
microwave. We washed dishes in the darkroom sink.”
Three years into the
renovation, daughter Grace came along. “This place is her very own wonderland,”
Laura says. “At an early age, she learned to sleep straight through all kinds of
noise and chaos—a talent that will serve her well if she ever renovates a home
of her own.”
Eclectic, Not hectic
(f) Vintage glove molds wave from the living
room fireplace. (g) In the sitting room, mid-century Thai chairs are
comfortable, even without cushions. Like a lot of Jesse’s work, the table has
moveable panels. “Grace hides stuff in that old steel cabinet, a birthday gift
from Jesse.” Randomly collected paintings add color and humor. (h) A steel-and-glass dining room cabinet (rescued from a
store that was
going out of business) displays antique Chinese checkers games
and
other treasures (i) .“Every time I slide into the Corbusier chaise, Moby
climbs on my lap and we go
straight to sleep.”
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