Warm minimalism usually depends on empty space and quiet surfaces. This 14,500-square-foot house in Wellesley, 20 minutes west of Boston, applies that limitation to a home occupied by an active family of five, a large dog, and frequent entertaining. Tharon Anderson McEvoy, owner and manager Designed by Tharon Andersontreats minimalism as a durable framework rather than a set of precious surfaces, prioritizing tactile materials that stand up to everyday use.
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Ivory, gray, gray, brown and black create a neutral field that Anderson McEvoy describes as both a default and a palette that a client won’t tire of. It creates variation through texture and tone rather than pattern, layering natural oak, plaster, stone, mixed metals, wool, linen and mohair. Roman clay walls in Portola lime add troweled depth to otherwise flat rooms. it is a finish closer to old-world mural preparation than to modern paint.
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Indoor-outdoor performance fabrics, normally used outside, move indoors to withstand the daily traffic of three children and the dog, keeping the upholstery soft and serviceable. Anderson McEvoy designed every gathering space—from the open kitchen and great room to the living room and a dedicated cigar lounge—around the client’s request to accommodate a single room for both grown-up dinner parties and weekend gatherings for the kids.
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
She conceived the project immediately after the pandemic, without the travel that usually informs her work, and instead drew on her training in classical architecture and her early exposure to Nantucket’s traditional-coastal interiors. The result reflects this evolution, tailored and modern where her previous work leaned coastal and calm by intention.
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Catalano Architects he gave the house its New England exterior, with white-painted brick, stucco, and a cedar roof under steep gables that reference tradition, while the interiors remain modern. Soderholm Custom Builders completed two years of construction, with landscape design by Dan Gordon.
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
Furnishings and supplies are important, including a Lindsay Adelman chandelier above the table, Device lighting in the great room, Teleporter hand painted wallpaper and artwork by Kenny Nguyen and Holly Andy.
On three levels and six bedrooms, the basement is dedicated to family use, with a game room and sports court where Babson basketball players practice for their children and teammates.
Photo by Matt Kissidey; production from Karine Monier; styling by Katya Gref
