topic Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE in Home

WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Oznell — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 06:01:37 GMT

Katie Rosenfeld, a traditional designer with a sense of whimsy, did the interiors on her own quirky, historic Tudor revival house from the 1920's.

This house is "storybook" territory to me. Although it's in a populous Massachusetts suburb, it could just as easily be a remote, magical cottage, lost in the woods ...

Love that the interior doors have that little Gothic arch motif, you first glimpse on the exterior of the house, and that continues inside....

In restoring the house, they kept charming little nooks, and architectural throwbacks, like this built-in bench :

Love her antiques, the baskets, the flamestitch ottoman. Could that umbrella stand / walking stick holder be an old wooden butter churn, @PamfromCT ? @ECBG ? Or anyone else who might know?

The living room is light yet cozy.

Love this spacious living room.

Exotic chairs and 'campaign chest'-style table, give that "world-traveled" air.

Here's the usual disclaimer, "I am not a wallpaper person", and wouldn't personally have chosen this design.... but, this is a nice dining room. Katie Rosenfeld's sporadic use of wallpaper in a house like this, even if not to my particular liking, is appropriate.

The kitchen's continuous soapstone counter, backsplash and shelf are attractive and dramatic. Soapstone seems so at home in older houses.

The island is painted in Farrow and Ball's "Studio Green". The larder to the left of the stove hides the microwave, among other things.

I like the 'dun' color chosen for the kitchen cabinetry-- reminds me of the color of English drabware.

She has a collection of Toby jugs on top shelf! And below, such handsome antique pottery. The floor is reclaimed terra cotta.

This bath pleasantly alludes to times past.

Same disclaimer as before about wallpaper in these two bedrooms-- I just don't care for wallpaper anywhere but a powder room, perhaps, or small entry. But I still like these rooms, over all.

That antique swan bench at foot of bed is enviable!

A bedroom window seat is such an asset. Love the quilt, rug and butterfly prints. I also like the way the bedrooms are completely different from each other.

But strangely enough, one of my favorite rooms might be the office, below! Imagine having an office like this. Perfect for an interior designer, with those cubbys full of wicker bins, ideal for stowing samples and other designer gear.

This office is comfortable, roomy, and it has its own window seat too.

By the way, like many Tudors, this one had very dark stained millwork-- door frames, beams, etc. Katie Rosenfeld made the decision to paint most of it out in Farrow and Ball's "Shaded White".

What's your position on painting out vintage woodwork? Personally, I think you have to take it on a case-by-case basis, but am all for it if the wood comes across as too dark or oppressive in the house. As you can see by looking at the beams, and door frames, "Shaded White" is warm and soft, not a harsh, bright white. To me that makes all the difference in a mellow, old house.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

VegasBusinessWoman — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 07:55:58 GMT

Charming house. The architectural features make it all thee more unique. Thanks for sharing this, Ozzie!

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

ECBG — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 13:21:57 GMT

Ms Rosenfeld has created a home "true to it's bones". I love the colors, patterns, and textures that play off of each other. I would only have to change a few things to move in.

Yes, the umbrella stand is a butter churn. The metal hoops add charm to that little area.

Although, I don't generally paint woodwork, I loved the color she used. I think I would have lightened the woodwork myself.

I loved the kitchen!

As we moved through the house, I was surprised at the spaciousness of the rooms compared to the outside of the house.

I'll have to show you the architect's water color of the house he built for my grandparents. I'd love to have that home, except it's on a busy street.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Somertime — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:36:57 GMT

Tudor has never been one of my personal favorites. For me, it has a heaviness and darkness to it. But this Tudor home is a breath of fresh air! Lightening the wood on the outside of the home as well as the inside takes it to another level.

It is charming. Like you, I am not a fan of wallpaper but I adore the bedroom!

This was a delight, thank you.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

author — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 14:39:28 GMT

Absolutely love this house, and the wallpaper! All the charming details are wonderful, yet it isn't overly "done" or cluttered. The kitchen, well, just perfect.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

DREAMON — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 20:36:28 GMT

This is a lovely very well done home. I could move right in and not change a thing.

I am not a wallpaper or painted over wood person but I think it works here.

The perfect creamy off white paint and wallpaper brighten up the rooms and give them a spacious interesting vibe.

I don't know what is happening to me but wallpaper isn't nearly as much of a turn off to me as it was in the past.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

just bee — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 15:17:41 GMT

I think the other posters' comments sum it up well.

I have a soft spot for the Tudor and the "lightening" here really works. A home with exquisite details, filled with some very special pieces.

Not too much, but just enough so that one can appreciate each of the carefully chosen items.

Like that wonderful swan bench in the bedroom.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Citrine1 — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 15:21:25 GMT

Not a fan of most of the artwork on the walls, but LOVE everything else about this house. Just beautiful.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

stevieb — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 23:06:55 GMT

Lose the Asian chairs, the couple of more contemporary chairs and the bullion fringe on the living room chair and I'll keep the house and everything in it. Love the campaign style influences, the wallpaper, the kitchen and so on, not to omit to mention the home's exterior, which is a bit off the beaten track and lovely.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

faeriemoon — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:20:43 GMT

I adore this house!

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

PamfromCT — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 16:39:30 GMT

@Oznell, I wish I could help, but I have never seen anything like that walking stick holder. A very skinny barrel!

I have only been in one authentic Tudor home. It had such beautiful golden oak paneling and woodwork - I wouldn’t touch that with paint. The front door opened into a large room, just an entry to the house. Just gorgeous! The kitchen had been updated beautifully, in the spirit of the home. In our area they are very expensive homes, and I would rather one than a typical McMansion. But unless we had won the lottery, just a dream.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

We rescue cats — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 17:49:38 GMT

WOW, that is lovely, love it.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Nonametoday — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:43:44 GMT

@author wrote:
Absolutely love this house, and the wallpaper! All the charming details are wonderful, yet it isn't overly "done" or cluttered. The kitchen, well, just perfect.

@author

I agree. Genius decorator as she took what could have been a dark and dreary home and made it into a magical fairytale home with a light and bright look and Oznell is right about the "well-traveled" look and yet it looks like it works with the period home although it is almost eclectic in its flavor. Love the wallpaper but I personally would not have done that but it works beautifully.

I am loving how decorators and even those of us who like to play decorators with our own homes, are using mixed periods and placing them in unexpected homes. This is a fine example. This looks like the person has a flair for the past mixed with trendy and what she has "picked up" along the way. I like that. She has a bit of the Bunny Williams taste although she has used it sparingly and made the expanses appear as large as they are rather than making it look smaller, like a little jewel box as Bunny is inclined to do. Yet, they both know how to mix periods and styles.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Oznell — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 13:13:11 GMT

Thanks for responding to my question about the "butter churn- umbrella stand", @ECBG , and @PamfromCT !

Wow, all of you have such interesting insights into this house in its various aspects, a pleasure to read.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

CANDLEQUEEN — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:52:38 GMT

This is a beautiful home. Very warm and cozy. I don't mind the wallpaper at all either.....I would probably change a few of the furnishings, but not too much!!

Just beautiful!

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

wilma — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 15:53:30 GMT

I like the interior better than the exterior. I don't care for a chimney on the front of the house. The balcony that's not centered above the front door would drive me crazy. 🥴

The interior is very nice. There's a few things I would change, but overall, the furnishings and accessoies appeal to me. I appreciate the bright airy feel of the rooms. Love the entry. I like the contrast between the dark woods and lighter cream wall color. I'm not usually a wallpaper person, but I like it in the dining room.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

shoptilyadropagain — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:28:38 GMT

It's well done even if it isn't my style. There are some things here and there that would definitely have to go or be changed out. I love that campaign side table and there's a similar style used for the coffee table that I also really like.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Nonametoday — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 01:56:45 GMT

I really cannot get enough of looking at this house. Isee Shaker, British Colonial, Farmhouse, Rococo, the Campaign chest mentioned. I see so many periods, styles of decor here and all together it just works beautifully. I would not have done this house this way but then I don't have the wherewithal to take a person's collection of furniture and family heirlooms from travel and curations. It is so interesting to the visitor.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Lucky Charm — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 03:19:21 GMT

@Oznell You're descriptions are so ....delicious!

My maternal ancestors hail from neighboring towns. Myself....Boston.

Some of the antiques could've been their's!

I do remember a goose neck/swan neck rocker that a great aunt had in her *pahlahr*.

The wood was almost bleached white on the handles....her mother (my great grandmother) used to *hit it with a bleach* solution after visitors-- back when tuberculosis was rampant at the turn of the last century.

Re: WELLESLEY, MASS. TUDOR HOUSE

Oznell — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 13:51:11 GMT

Your observations are right on, @Nonametoday . After perusing her portfolio, I was delighted to see that Homeworthy did a lengthy video of her giving a filmed tour of the house. Loved her down-to-earth personality-- none of the decorator la-di-da. She came to designing by a circuitous route, via Wall Street! Very interesting person, which translates to interesting house...

Wow, amazing stories and memories from the venerable Bay State, @Lucky Charm . Always love your stories. That swan rocker must have been wonderful too, bleached arms and all!