New Newton home stands out
When replacing the dilapidated, century-old home at 19 Bowdoin St. in Newton with this handsome New Traditional house, builder Claude Sangiolo faced several challenges.
First, he wanted to put a much bigger home on the property, but still keep the grassy, leafy backyard. Second, he sought to maintain the original structure’s character, but also build in modern amenities — like garage parking, weatherand waterproofing and lots of room. Finally, he didn’t want the place to look like a big box.
“It was 1,600 square feet” in the old home, said Sangiolo, of Casa Sangiolo LLC, standing on the porch of the new home earlier this week. “Now it’s over 4,500 square feet.”
The result of his planning is a $2.27 million, four-level house with six bedrooms and nearly as many bathrooms that elegantly and efficiently mixes classic and contemporary styles. Unmistakably new, the house is an abstract take on Victorian and Colonial Revival architecture. With its busy roofline that’s punctuated by a quirky center curve amid a cascade of triangles, the place shuns the dreaded design flaws that are common in some New Traditional and Millennial Mansion dwellings, and holds its own in this wealthy section of Newton.
Instead of shoving a garage in the front of the home, for example, Sangiolo hid the garage on the side, out of sight from the street. He also kept the foundation high, with five full steps to the front entrance, and the dimensions of the original porch were preserved, as were some original gables. To get size, Sangiolo constructed the home to spread out from the sides, avoiding cutting into the backyard. But unlike cheap classic lookalikes whose facades appear flat, this elegant house gains depth and texture by zigzagging back from the street.
“We made it step back to make it less imposing,” Sangiolo said.
He then pointed to the facade, describing how he used a mix of cedar clapboards and shingles as found in the original house, instead of slapping on vinyl siding.
Inside, the house’s design shines. It’s bright and open with rooms that are good-sized but not outsized. Again, here the place is also nuanced — built with a practicality and density that can be appreciated only after touring other new houses that come off bloated and bare.
“We were trying to think about the ability to furnish it,” said Sangiolo, “not just about big rooms.”
Most striking are the kitchen, master bedroom and step-down family room. The big kitchen takes on a contemporary, clean look with white cabinetry, a long granite-topped center island, marble tile backsplash and high-end stainless steel appliances. The family room with a long horizontal fireplace has the same bright look — thanks to its nine windows and glass door leading out back. Upstairs, the master bedroom suite has high, rounded ceilings that resemble the plaster walls of old, double walk-in closets and a bathroom with double-vanity and skylight. Much of the rest of the place feels modern, save for the formal dining and living rooms outfitted with traditional crown moldings and white wainscoting. Oak floors are throughout.
In the basement is the sixth bedroom and a big playroom with high, 9.5-foot ceilings.
The sale of the home is being handled by Eda Mayer of Coldwell Banker, 617-901-1535.