One of the most interesting parts of our job is the diverse and challenging range of projects we get to work on. Whether we’re helping a homeowner or designer find a stylish solution for a window that’s oddly shaped, or working with an organization that’s renovating a historic property, there’s something about every job we get involved with that’s fascinating.
For example, The Eustis Estate in Milton, MA, designed by Ralph Waldo Emerson, built in 1878 and being renovated by Historic New England, is one of our new projects and we are obsessed! This elaborate home, originally created for newlyweds, William Ellery Channing Eustis and Edith Hemenway Eustis, was built by their well to-do families who situated the home in between their two large pieces of bordering properties. The Estate is surrounded by 80 acres, which adjoin the Blue Hills Reservation, is chock-full of unique and interesting architectural and design details. This 18,600 square foots house will open in May of this year, as a museum and study center. We’re thrilled to be part of the preparation for this exciting opening.
While there are many original shutters from back in the day already in place (and interestingly, created to slide into the wall when not in use), we chose old school Spring Roller Tiffany Shades in dark forest green for the 50 windows we were hired to dress. This choice lends a greenish glow like a Tiffany lamp would do, and is an appropriate historical choice. We also used several Solar Screen shades, which we designed to make look original to the home.
In an antique property like this, it’s important to install the correct and accurate window treatments. While we have modern and innovative new products, a historic home is generally not the place for them. Of course, working with Historic New England, which impressively is the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation, documenting more than 400 years of life in New England, made our work easy.
Mark your calendar for the May 2017 opening of The Eustis Estate. In the meantime, if you need interior wood shutters, shades, or motorized window treatments of any kind, let’s talk. We can’t wait to meet our next challenge.