Living in a city known for extraordinarily high real-estate
prices and battling an economy that continues to meddle with many a savings
account has led droves of Bostonians to put down roots in rented properties. If
you don't have a deed to your own four walls, it's easy to assume that the
space can't be made to feel uniquely yours, but that is not the case. There are
easy ways to add luxury and personality to a rental that won't force you to
forfeit your security deposit or invest loads of money where you won't see a
return.
That fact is made clear by the home of Beacon Hill photographer
Sarah Winchester and her husband Steve. Love brought Winchester up to snowy,
overpriced Boston from warm and sunny Atlanta, where she owns a darling
bungalow. In an attempt to quell any homesickness, she and her then fiancé
decided to forgo sharing his Back Bay condo and instead fulfill her dream of
residing on the charming gas-lit streets of Beacon Hill. After trolling
Craigslist for the perfect rental, they spotted the one. Floor-to-ceiling
windows, two marble fireplaces, and a monstrously large walk-in closet that
could also serve as an office made the decision to sign the lease an easy one.
An avid design-blog reader and experienced homeowner, Winchester
gathered ideas and set out to customize the space. She began by getting
approval from her landlord to change the wall colors, which is the easiest and
cheapest way to warm up an uninspired room. Splurging on low-VOC Benjamin Moore
paint, Winchester coated the living room in a soft gray, which accentuates the
fireplace and beautiful white trim. She then painted the interiors of the
built-in bookshelves with glossy black, which not only deepens the space
visually but also makes all the accessories inside pop vividly. Small doses of
bold color can make a big impact with little effort and commitment. "It's
amazing what even a slightly different color can do to a space," Winchester
recounts. She added a modern zebra rug and café table to offset the classic
architectural details, while the antique-inspired entry console and mirror play
along with the sense of history in the unit.
The bedroom is an ethereal and soothing light blue, which glows
with the ample amount of light from the large windows. Adding more sparkle is a
mirrored dresser, an homage to the boudoir glamour of yesteryear, while modern
bedding from DwellStudio contributes vibrant color and pattern. The master
closet is what sets this space apart from many cramped Beacon Hill rentals.
"When I walked in, I immediately envisioned it as an office with that fabulous
bay window," Winchester says. By rolling up her sleeves and mustering a little
do-it-yourself effort, she made a custom desk that fits snugly into the bay
window with one-inch plywood. After sanding and covering it with white enamel
paint, she mounted it with brackets. The project cost her no more than $30 and
allowed her to use every inch of the space. By adding a stylish IKEA Lucite
chair and sheepskin, she has a sunny place to work at home that's separate from
the main living space.
Despite the tediousness of having to patch holes before moving
out of a rental, hanging artwork is a must in any residence. Winchester is
lucky to have many of her own beautiful photographic works to choose from, and
she hung them not only on the walls but in unexpected places, like on the
inside of the closet door and on the front of the shelves in the living room's
bookcases. Individual touches like this make each corner and surface feel
carefully considered and personalized. And while they plan on purchasing a new
place in the near future, the couple relishes in the fantastic details of their
stylish apartment - so much so that Winchester barely thinks about those warm
Georgia breezes she left behind.
