Orient Ave Project
Orient Avenue, East Boston
Danielle and Matt Emond, Eastside Co/Lab
Jared Kuzia Photography
One of Eastside Co/Lab’s most impressive full-service renovation project is located on Orient Avenue in East Boston. In 2019 a young family - with two kids, two dogs, and a lizard - found an opportunity to purchase an off-market turn-of-the-century brick cottage in the quaint neighborhood of Orient Heights. The single-family home was built in 1920 and needed a complete gut renovation. The renovation began and was completed during the height of the pandemic from 2019 to 2020.
The result is classic New England mixed with traditional English cottage vibes and Eastside Co/Lab’s signature black and white contrasts woven throughout. Functionality and beauty collide with custom hidden storage, minimalist furnishings and features, and family-oriented design choices. New windows showcase spectacular views of the Boston skyline and a completely reworked floor plan maximizes space, utility, and the flow of family life.
Scroll through to see why Eastside Co/Lab “design pioneers'' are paving the way to solidify Eastie’s place as Boston’s hottest new neighborhood.
Kitchen
The chef’s kitchen is bright and welcoming with a huge island for prep and entertaining. A separate pantry to the right provides ample cabinet and storage space allowing the kitchen to feel spacious and minimalist. An extra large 48 inch range and custom glazed tiling adds a layer of warmth against the contrast of creams and blacks. The new floorplan created a large open living space on the parlor level to highlight the view and allow for better flow. The original bronze windows were restored with two new windows added. This family loves to entertain, so the kitchen island has seating for up to nine. Leather bar chairs are child-friendly and allow for heavy use. The matte black countertop is black-honed granite, which mimics soapstone, but is more resilient.
Features:
Lighting, Circa pendants
Island, quarter sawn white oak
Appliances, Thermador
Floor, 4 inch white oak
Chairs, ARHAUS
Cabinets, Direct Kitchen
Countertop, Atlantic Stone Works
Hardware, Rejuvenation
Designers chose cream cabinets along the wall of the kitchen, and a contrasting natural wood island that creates interest and syncs with open shelving made of the same wood species.
Features:
Shelving, custom
Windows, Original Bronze & JD Sash
Dining Room
Although difficult to see in this photo, the minimalist dining space is intentionally simple to feature the “million dollar” views of the Boston skyline. English cottage vibes are continued in this space with a double linear pendant.
Features:
Lighting, Circa Lighting
Windows, Original Bronze Windows & JD Sash
Chairs, McGee & Co
Entryway
The stairway is the focal point upon entry into this home with a custom oak and iron railing. The original brick chimney was preserved to add texture juxtaposed with clean built-in cabinets for storage and display. Custom cabinetry throughout this home makes every inch functional. Designers revised the floor plan to open up the entire first floor, but this staircase allows for a logical flow, separating the entryway and a small office (not shown).
Features:
Railing, custom oak and iron
Stairway
The original brick chimney continues to the second level where a black metal and glass fixture sparkles. This level maximizes square footage with a primary suite, two kids bedrooms, and a small second bath, along with ample custom storage and laundry. A perfectly-sized kids room can be seen to the left.
Features:
Lighting, Arteriors Home
Railing, custom oak and iron
Primary Bedroom
The primary bedroom suite has a small footprint, but enormous style. Dramatic windows showcase the same jaw-dropping view of the Boston skyline. The black and soft white expression continues in this room with pops of pastel, and natural wood and fibers. Double doors allow light to stream down the hallway. Adjacent to the bedroom is the primary bathroom (not shown).
Designers took advantage of the sloping ceiling in the primary bedroom to maximize space and build custom his and hers storage in the eves. The black and white color scheme is punctuated with a subtle cream shade on the trim. Not shown are custom built-in dressers on the right side.
Features:
Lighting, Wolfers Chandelier
Benches, Vintage
Sconces, Wolfers Lighting
Kids Room
Bold, fun colors punctuate this cozy kids bedroom. A trundle bed encourages sleepovers while allowing for space efficacy.
Features:
Rug, Etsy
Light, Shades of Light
Trundle Bed, Pottery Barn
Artwork, vintage
Kids bathroom
A small second bathroom has bold teal tiles in the shower. Brass hardware and a whimsical pendant that brings together this fun and functional space. Matching oak vanity and medicine cabinet add storage along with vertical shelves flanking the shower.
Features:
Lighting, bubble pendant, Etsy
Oak mirror, Amazon