Blog
Posted Jan 11 at 10:00 PM in by Sandy Giardi
Jeff Birnbaum, President of Pioneer Construction, takes us inside a beautiful new build in Wellesley to show us some of his favorite spaces.
As owner, Birnbaum has his hand in every detail. He keeps his firm “boutique” in scale, for lack of a better word, to ensure that he not only has an easy rapport with the full design team, which, for this home, includes architect Tom Catalano, interior...
Posted Jan 10 at 2:16 PM in by Sandy Giardi
With the introduction of the newest voice-activated 5.8-inch employee, who plays music and places paper towel orders, we’ve become increasingly concerned that Alexa is recording our conversations. And our team is not alone. As more incidents of recorded conversations surface, many people are worried about the vulnerability of these devices. With 50 million Amazon Alexas sold as of August, we...
Posted Jan 8 at 3:21 PM in by Sandy Giardi
Leave it to the Swiss to make one of the hardest-working fixtures in the kitchen work even harder. And smarter, for that matter. Franke’s Chef Center, available at Splash, takes the basic kitchen sink to a higher level, with its integrated ledge system and custom-fitting accessories.
In a world of open-concept living spaces, where everyone seems to gravitate to the kitchen, Franke’s design have...
Posted Jan 8 at 6:47 AM in by Melanie Perillo
As Dr. Seuss says, “Oh, the places you’ll go”….
Isn't that the truth? I am happy to introduce BDG's inaugural issue of PRELUDE. When I started BDG 23 years ago, it was always my intent to get up close and personal with the businesses we feature and reveal their behind-the-scenes stories. I wanted everyone to know and see the amazing talent and expertise that I have been privileged to witness...
Posted Jan 7 at 10:46 AM in by Sandy Giardi
Not far from a busy, divided highway dotted with traffic lights and populated by strip malls and car dealerships, within a private block cloistered by hundreds of Norway spruce, is a garden for the ages. The extraordinary, expansive landscape, inspired in part by the vistas and terraces of the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Washington D.C., has an unmistakably European feel. Its series of structured...
Posted Jan 4 at 2:52 PM in by Sandy Giardi
Area architects and builders have dug deep (we’re talking far below basement and subbasement levels) to give homeowners ready-when-they-are sport courts. In their hands, a pickup hoops game or the chance to perfect that stroke is just a flight of stairs away. We are seriously impressed by these athletic cellar dwellers.
Above, Sanford Custom Builders crafted a subbasement regulation squash court...
Posted Jan 4 at 12:29 PM in by Kathleen Parente
A.F. Hultin & Co. and ZeroEnergy Design were recently honored with BRICC's Gold Award for Excellence in New Single-Family Home Design and Construction. The recognition was for a new three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath green home in Wellfleet, Mass., created for a West Coast couple that wanted a vacation home for themselves, their family and for use as a rental property.
Several green...
Posted Jan 3 at 1:08 PM in by Sandy Giardi
Every year, the Pantone Color Institute rolls out a vibrant and nuanced shade that taps into the current collective mood and spirit of the populace. The hue is determined by the Institute’s experts, who comb the world over for trends and color influences.
For 2019, they’ve given the honor to Pantone’s 16-1546 Living Coral, a vital, immersive hue that is rooted in nature and yet friendly and...
Posted Jan 1 at 8:55 PM in by Sandy Giardi
Come January, the fervor and frenzy of the holiday season gives way to peaceful hours spent fireside. These glowing settings are perfect for curling up with a good book, sipping a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, or drowsing alongside a flicker of flames.
In the image above, a rustic brick hearth makes its presence known from many angles of a new farmhouse designed by D. Michael Collins Architects...
Posted Dec 28 at 6:04 PM in by Sandy Giardi
Over the course of this festive long weekend, many will be making a descent into their wine cellars for a prize bottle or two to ring in the New Year. We’re guessing, however, that most won’t look quite like this one.
This wine cellar, which graces the basement of a minimalist Cambridge smart home renovated by S+H Construction, Inc., was created for homeowners who hail from Iceland, and champion...
