For this project, owners with a modern sensibility hired Elza B. Design to renovate their basement to include a wet bar, wine cellar and family media room.
Pastel colored cement tiles cover the wall in the wet bar area, setting the tone for the rest of the space. Frosted glass in the upper cabinets hide details of the contents but still gives an airy feeling. A custom wine rack and wine refrigerator complete this area.
For the sitting area, Barbara recommended the dark gray sofa as a backdrop to the area rug, throw pillows and ottomans in various shades of pink and raspberry. Contemporary artwork complements the color scheme and keeps it gender neutral.
Barbara created a very organic, elegant and inviting look for this very large porch overlooking the water and landscaped gardens for the Museums of Old York 23rd Annual Decorator Show House. The Show House was open to the to the public in summer 2013.
For the sitting area of the porch, Barbara chose oversize woven wicker furniture with off-white cushions, forming the perfect place to relax and read a book or share a drink with friends. Several benches provide additional seating while potted plants echo the surrounding landscape.
The wooden slatted dining table with Phillipe Starck Masters chairs blend organic with modern for the dining area. An occasional table painted in a deep blue, adds a pop of color to the mostly neutral scheme. Throw pillows and accessories in colors inspired from nature add more color and interest to the design.
A love of the ocean, beach and outdoors inspired Barbara’s design of this Hopkinton family’s home. They wanted a New England coastal vibe…restful, airy and clean with a mid-century edge.
There is an organic feel to these rooms with the combination of different textures and fabrics. Weathered wood, metal and leather mix with velvet, linen and wool to create an inviting and interesting décor. The color scheme with blues, creams, aqua and pops of orange enhances the coastal and organic feel. All spaces are comfortable and easily accessible, with kid-friendly furnishings and fabrics.
All three rooms work for both family time and entertaining, whether it is watching television, having a glass of wine with friends or listening to a piano concerto.
This Cambridge home was in serious need of upgrades for their two bathrooms! A clean, modern and masculine bath was created for the man of the house, while the wife wanted a more glamorous look.
For the gentleman’s retreat, Barbara gutted the whole bathroom which included an oversized washer and dryer, unappealing linoleum floor, bisque walls, and a salmon color plastic bath and shower insert. A large transom window was created to give maximum light to the space, while a transparent glass door and light colors to open the space up visually. A new custom cabinet with a concealed toe kick heating unit houses a city-sized washer and dryer which were recessed to gain maximum space. Unusual black plumbing fixtures and the grey vanity ground the space.
A modern spa-like bathroom was created for the lady of the house, creating a clean, open, glamorous space. We gutted the 70’s style bathroom which featured ugly linoleum floors and blue plastic drop in bath/shower insert. In the curbless glass shower, an accent wall was covered in recycled glass tile placed vertically to bring the eye up. A lovely crystal chandelier was added to give drama and personality to the space. Lots of hidden storage makes use of the limited space: a floating glass vanity with a large drawer and incorporated night light, a tall medicine cabinet with its own hidden outlet, and a small shelf with compartments for towels. This project won Excellence in Design in the Small Bath Category at the Shine Awards, hosted by Designer Bath, in Beverly, MA July 2016.
This fun project entailed updating and staging a home prior to putting it on the market. Barbara used the clients’ preference for a modern/Scandinavian design with lots of bright colors as her inspiration, and then infused the rooms with warmth in the form of wood furnishings and textured fabrics. Blues and greens bring in the natural elements of the outdoors viewed through the many large windows in the house. Some higher end items were purchased with the intent of moving them on to the next home; Barbara then added some more economical accessories to add interest and dimension.
Each year Concord opens up a few of its beautiful homes to designers for The Holiday Tour at Christmas. Designers decorate the homes for the holiday, and the Tour acts as a fundraiser for the Concord Museum.
Barbara Elza Hirsch participated in Boston’s design community charity event for Heading Home in 2019. She designed a table themed “Food for Thought”. The goal of this event is to raise awareness and help alleviate homelessness in the Boston community.
