Transforming a Wellesley Spec House into a Sophisticated and Functional Family Home

December 12, 2024

Designer Tiffany LeBlanc employs some strategic tweaks to elevate a home in Wellesley.

Text by Alyssa Bird Photography by Read McKendree/JBSA Produced by Karin Lidbeck Brent

Chic living room featuring a modern marble fireplace, curved beige sofas, and a unique statement chandelier. The space is adorned with abstract and portrait artwork, floral drapery, and a pair of layered coffee tables with natural wood and marble finishes, creating a sophisticated and cozy ambiance.

An abstract oil painting by Fran O’Neill brings a jolt of color to the living room, where a pair of sofas from Coup D’Etat face each other to facilitate fireside conversation.

Luxurious dining room featuring a round cream-colored table, bold burgundy upholstered chairs, a statement bubble chandelier, and wainscoted walls with warm tones. A built-in bar, large windows with patterned curtains, and a centerpiece of autumnal florals add elegance and sophistication.

In the dining room, designer Tiffany LeBlanc painted the existing paneling in a high-gloss Farrow & Ball shade called Dead Salmon; the built-in bar is a new addition.

Cozy family room with a vaulted wood-paneled ceiling, a rustic stone fireplace, and natural light streaming through large windows. The space features elegant decor, including upholstered armchairs, a neutral-toned sofa, decorative vases, and a round coffee table, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

The family room, with its stone fireplace and wood-planked ceiling, is positioned between the kitchen and the screened porch and serves as the heart of the home.

Inviting screened porch featuring patterned armchairs, a woven round coffee table, and lush potted greenery. The space is accented by a warm wood-paneled ceiling, a statement lantern-style light fixture, and a bar cart, creating a cozy and stylish outdoor retreat.

Century chairs surround a coffee table from industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue on the screened porch

Stylish powder room featuring a bold geometric-patterned wallpaper, a marble-topped vanity with wooden cabinetry, a unique gold-framed mirror, and a modern black wall sconce. Accents include a pink hand towel, fresh floral arrangement, and elegant brass hardware, creating a sophisticated and artistic ambiance.

The powder room is enveloped in a wallpaper from élitis, while sconces from The Urban Electric Co. flank an Arteriors mirror.

Bright and elegant dining area featuring a round wooden table, navy spindle chairs, a whimsical patterned rug, modern gold chandelier, and natural light streaming through large windows and French doors, complemented by pink floral decor.

In the eat-in kitchen, a light fixture from The Urban Electric Co. hangs above a table by Altura and a rug from Patterson Flynn.

Elegant kitchen design featuring a large central island with a marble countertop and rich wooden base, paired with upholstered bar stools. The space includes custom white cabinetry, brass pendant lighting, a large window with a garden view, and decorative potted plants for a fresh and inviting atmosphere.

The existing kitchen, thoughtfully preserved with minimal updates, features new lighting for a refreshed look while maintaining the original builder’s quality design.

Stylish basement entertaining space with a modern design featuring a gray sofa, colorful abstract artwork, decorative shelves with gold accents, plush navy ottomans, a patterned armchair, and a guitar adding a cozy touch.

A casual entertaining space on the basement level contains a sofa and chairs from Porada, ottomans from Normann Copenhagen, and a light fixture from Visual Comfort & Co.

Serene primary bedroom featuring a tufted upholstered bed with plush bedding, a velvet bench, and bedside tables with modern lamps. The space is highlighted by a dreamy mural-style wall design, a sleek writing desk with a green velvet chair, and a large drum-style ceiling light, creating a tranquil and elegant retreat.

Guests love this cozy basement-level bedroom with its scenic Thibaut wallpaper and plush bench from OKA

Modern home office featuring a sleek wooden desk, built-in open shelving with curated decor, and patterned upholstered chairs. The space is accented with vibrant artwork, neutral tones, and natural light, creating a stylish and productive workspace.

In the combination craft area and workspace (also on the basement level), custom shelving and a coordinating desk are joined by Potocco chairs; the room divider is from Masterpiece Woodworks.

From Spec House to Sophisticated Home: A Wellesley Renovation Journey

Waiting three years to renovate their new Wellesley, Massachusetts, residence may not have been the original plan, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise for these homeowners. The family, who had been living in another part of Wellesley, was craving a larger space to entertain. They landed on an 8,000-square-foot five-bedroom spec house built in 2019 on an idyllic lot.

“We started the project by tackling the landscaping and outdoor areas, but when Covid hit, we had to push the pause button on the interiors,” says the client, who shares the home with her husband, three teenage daughters, and two dogs. “Living in the space for a while helped us define what we wanted, so I’m grateful that we had the extra time to figure out the house.”

To help achieve their goals, the owners called on designer Tiffany LeBlanc. “The house didn’t require major work, but the space wasn’t being fully optimized,” says the client. “I also knew that I wanted a different aesthetic than we had in the past, and Tiffany has great versatility. I didn’t want it to feel too traditional or too contemporary. Simply elegant.”

And with their children now in their teens, the couple could focus on crafting a more sophisticated, adult-friendly environment. “Our goal was to make the home feel more custom and less like new construction,” says LeBlanc. “Adding more millwork throughout was a big piece of this project.”

Creative Solutions: Crafting Functional Spaces with Style

The most critical mandates? Carving out a workspace and craft area, a pantry, and more storage. The most dramatic updates are actually found on the basement level, which initially contained a massive gym, a large guest room, and a media room. A portion of the bedroom was converted into a cedar closet and additional storage while still retaining a comfortably sized guest room that now features a serene mural.

As for the gym, part of it is now devoted to the aforementioned workspace and craft area. But instead of adding permanent walls, which would block out much of the natural light, LeBlanc worked with builder Ted Toran of My Estate Concierge to come up with a more creative solution.

Toran installed a flexible wall crafted by Masterpiece Woodworks and composed of wooden slats that articulate depending on the desired level of privacy between the gym and workspace. “It works like a Venetian blind,” says Toran. “It required a lot of planning to hide the mechanics, but it’s a sharp piece.”

Adding Layers to a New Construction Home

Back on the main floor, the focus was on layering in more architectural details and cultivating the perfect environment for easy entertaining. “I wanted to be able to have ten people in the living room for cocktails as well as a round dining room table, which I think is more conducive to conversation,” says the client. A new bar area completes the dining room, whose paneling is painted a high-gloss pale salmon shade.

“We chose some murky European-inspired colors as well as some rich jewel tones to accompany the neutrals,” explains LeBlanc, who paired new streamlined furnishings with a mix of handmade and vintage rugs. “It’s a little swanky and sultry. We dialed up the volume from typical new construction to something that feels layered and considered.”

Project Team
Interior design: LeBlanc Design
Builder: My Estate Concierge
Landscape design: Matthew Cunningham Landscape Design