Nestled in a wooded Boston suburb, this charming home and its surroundings feel like a retreat from the modern urban jungle. Winding roads lead through forested slopes, opening into generously portioned lots dotted with houses. We visited the Pakistani couple who moved here about a year ago, tackling adjustments and renovations to set up an ideal family home for themselves, their two teenage sons and adorable dog. The homeowner spoke to us about the joys and challenges of settling into their new home.
How old is this house and did it need extensive renovations?
The house was built in the eighties and we didn’t have to do any major re-modelling but it did need some work. For instance, all the fixtures, the lights etc are new.
Two of the bathrooms were completely re-done. The celings had a very dated ‘popcorn’ finish which we changed and so on….It’s still a work in progress. It’s a project and we are putting it together slowly.
What made you choose this house?
We love this neighbourhood! The area is so beautiful, all the trees and how you feel you are in the midst of nature. Inside the house, I also fell in love with the cathedral ceiling and the large windows. Then it’s close to my children’s school and not too far a commute from my workplace.
There is also a lot of space. The bedrooms are very spacious and well lit and there is a bedroom on the ground floor which one doesn’t always find.
Where did you source your furniture from?
Some pieces were bought from the previous home owners because this is a larger space which we needed to fill up; like the couch in the upstairs sitting area.
But most of it is our old furniture. Most of my good pieces are from Pakistan. I bought them when I lived there and they are made of excellent quality wood like teak and sheesham which one can’t get abroad.
And the accessories?
All the paintings are from Pakistan which we bought when we lived there or on subsequent visits. The carpets are also mostly from there.
But my husband is also very fond of visiting estate sales and auctions. For example, he picked up a beautiful Persian rug from an estate sale. I feel that things made in Pakistan or Iran, in our part of the world, are very precious in terms of the quality and craftsmanship.
But you don’t like to fill the house too much ?
No, we don’t like clutter and are quite minimalist in that we don’t like very ornate pieces. But we also like things which have history; hence the love of estate sales and auctions. My husband recently picked up a ship’s bell which will be hung over the door. The sundial and birdbath are also from auctions.
You are also very fond of gardening.
I have recently taken up gardening and I am finding so much joy in it. There is a lot to learn. I have made some friends at the plant nurseries and joined many online groups to pick up tips and educate myself.
I enjoy picking up things for the garden and the deck outside. Many are from Amazon like the lights in the garden. They are solar powered and go on themselves once it’s dark.
Do you entertain often?
We do but it’s mostly close friends and family. We do have a lot of space here and I would like to host larger parties for graduations and such in the future.
Photography by Naeema Kapadia
