Historic Massachusetts home restored for modern family
Discover how a historic Massachusetts home was restored to blend 19th-century charm with modern family living seamlessly.
A single-family home built in 1850 in West Concord, Massachusetts, has been renovated to blend its historic character with modern family living after years of feeling disjointed by a 1990s addition.
The original structure, a classic mid-19th-century residence, sat awkwardly next to a hexagonal 1990s expansion that included the kitchen, sunroom, and a small mudroom. The owners, Jess and Quentin, sought a solution that preserved the home’s charm while improving functionality for their family.
Meredith Thayer of Thayer Design Studio, the firm behind the renovation, explained the owners’ vision. “Our clients, Jess and Quentin, are a family of four with young children who wanted their home to feel raised, but also welcoming and highly functional for everyday life.” Established in 2015, the studio focuses on interiors that combine careful design with a relaxed, lived-in feel.
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A kitchen as the missing link
The renovation aimed to unify the addition with the rest of the house. The kitchen, previously lacking a pantry, was redesigned to include one—a key upgrade for a busy family. The new layout also connected the space to the sunroom, with custom millwork and trim reinforcing the home’s architectural harmony.
Thayer described the kitchen’s role. “It became the connection between old and new. The challenge was making it feel deliberate, not tacked on.”
Quentin, whose family has experience in custom home building, oversaw the project. His dual role as client and manager ensured the renovation respected the home’s history while addressing the family’s needs. The studio also selected furnishings for the living room, dining room, and entryway to create a consistent look.
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The team chose a tonal, textured palette, blending natural materials with vintage and contemporary pieces. The approach aimed for a timeless aesthetic—classic but not fleeting. “It was important to our clients that the home felt classic and timeless but also unique and not caught up in current trends,” Meredith notes. “Overall, we focused on a tonal, grounded palette that is layered with natural textures and a mix of new and vintage. Creating a sense of depth and quiet sophistication that feels lived-in, collected, and shaped by travel and personal experience.”
Two years of details
The project required two years, much of it spent perfecting small elements. Thayer remembered the process. “Much of that time was spent in the design phase, getting every little detail right. Seeing the finished home, the clients were incredibly happy with how everything came together. It felt like everything had settled into place—a quiet confirmation that the time invested was well worth it.”
The renovation maintained the home’s historic structure while adapting it for contemporary life. The outcome is a space that honors its past while serving its current owners.
