A Cambridge Condo Redesign
Inside the famed Moshe Safdie-designed Esplanade complex in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Subramaniam family had a 2,600 square-foot condo which hadn't seen a redesign in nearly 20 years. Homepolish's Sonja Haviland came in to take the apartment to the 21st century.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
In the living room, Sonja kept the travertine flooring, but she updated the paint color to a light and bright white (Benjamin Moore's Dove White), changed out the fixtures to LEDs, and switched out hardware finishes to stainless steel.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
A beautiful stone fireplace inset makes the space feel even more luxe.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
Shelving is built right into the apartment, but minimally decorated so as not to distract from the beautiful views of the Charles River.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
Over the dining table, a sculptural chandelier adds some subtle sophistication.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
Both the entryway bench and chandelier were already in the apartment, but Sonja repurposed and updated them. Against the travertine, it looks absolutely royal, like you'd find Marie Antoinette sitting there eating cake. Like she does... or did.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
In the study, the walnut shelving was updated with a light gray trim. The conference table was swapped out for a Saarinen tulip table with a striking black marble top.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
The master bedroom is immediately set apart from the rest of the home with a dark and moody vibe. How much more moody can you get than these moon prints?
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
Not to mention this incredible Philip Jeffries metallic paper weaves wallpaper.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
This Victoria & Albert freestanding tub is quite literally the stuff of dreams. Pop in the Adele, throw in some bubbles, and grab some bubbles to drink... this is where you can find us after work. At least in our dreams.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
His & hers sinks sit under faintly art deco medicine cabinets.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
In the Subramaniam's guest bedroom (usually used by their daughter), another Philip Jeffries wallcovering (this one an aqua textured silk) brings life and color.
Photos by Joyelle West.
A Cambridge Condo Redesign
Not to mention, the whole room looks way too comfy.
Photos by Joyelle West.
Who
Sundar and Evelyn Subramaniam, tech and finance startups
Designer
Where
Time
For a family's condo that hadn't seen an update in nearly 20 years, Homepolish's Sonja Haviland brought a contemporary revamp.
Photos by Joyelle West.
Here’s a little architecture lesson for you. Chances are that if you don’t work in architecture and design, you haven’t heard of the preeminent architect and urban planner Moshe Safdie. Let us assure you, the man is a legend in our circles. Having masterminded such projects as the Habitat 67 in Montreal (which looks like a crazy Lego construction) to sections of Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport and more recently Los Angeles’s Skirball Center, the man has had a varied and long-lasting career. But the project we’re showing off today happens to be in his Cambridge, Massachusetts development, the Esplanade condominium complex.
Inside this sloping, staircase-like building on the Charles River, the Subramaniam family bought a 2,600 square-foot condo in 1998. Based in New York, they often find themselves in the Boston area for work. However, since the space was a second home, when it came to the design and layout, it came in second to their primary residence. In fact, the apartment didn’t see a redesign in nearly 20 years.
Homepolish’s Sonja Haviland came in for a much-needed refresh of the space. Working primarily with existing furniture, the group went through each room systematically to breathe new life into the condo. Finishes and hardware were given a modern update, and Sonja carefully curated a mix of old and new furniture for an eclectic meets contemporary vibe. They even managed an overhaul of the plumbing. Now, the home is fitting of the famous address.
“”
What I really love about this project is that we worked with a lot of existing items. Oftentimes, it’s easier to gut a space and start from scratch, but working with some of the original elements and giving them new life can be a creative challenge. A lot of the elements in the home were kept and we altered them just enough to give them new life.
- Sonja Haviland, Homepolish designer
