Black Rock

New residents of West Newton approached LDa with a stunning property and a vision for a defiantly different contemporary home. Transplants from the mid-west, our clients wanted a home that acknowledged its New England surroundings while embracing a ‘prairie modern’ sensibility. A design language emphasizing horizontal lines and uninterrupted flow of space connects the home to the landscape and evokes a strong modern aesthetic. A study in subtly, we used varied shades of black to create depth on the facades — from the darkest black window frames to gunmetal siding, to charcoal porcelain tile with shimmery veining. The home’s black exterior, broad planes of glass and use of water in the landscape create the effect of the building receding into itself, becoming a canvas for the natural surroundings.

On the main level, each room opens to expansive views and natural light -- blurring the lines between inside and out and creating a serene and sunny backdrop for every space. To create a sense of passage and retreat, LDa designed the primary suite as a pavilion separated from the main house by a glass vestibule. With floor-to-ceiling windows and ceramic tile flooring to match the bluestone terraces, the vestibule appears to bridge a reflecting pool in the landscape before reaching the owners’ sanctuary.

Inside, the design is stripped of ornamentation but evokes warmth through textures and materiality. Floors, built-ins and cabinetry are white oak or painted black, and countertops are a white quartz. Envisioning the house as background to life and landscape, our client added her own original artwork to each space, providing pops of complementary color and visual interest to each room.