Head in the Clouds

With a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern flair, this metropolitan sanctuary is a breath of fresh air.

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When one California couple’s children decided to stay in Boston after college graduation, purchasing a second home in the city where they could stay during visits and continue to make memories with their family was a no-brainer. The couple opted for a two-bed, two-bath condo on the 34th floor of the luxurious Four Seasons One Dalton (onedalton.com), featuring breathtaking city views above bustling Back Bay, as well as Applegate Tran Interiors (applegatetran.com) owners Gioi Tran and Vernon Applegate to make it feel like home. Having previously worked with the designers, they trusted Tran and Applegate to bring their dreams of a coastal, vacation like aesthetic within a practical family home to life.

To start, the designers chose a bright and airy color scheme complemented by pale oak flooring and sprawling windows to evoke a California chic vibe in the entire abode. “We wanted to give it a clean, light palette, yet give it the warmth and richness that goes along with the history of Boston,” Applegate says. In the sun-splashed living area, this came to fruition with floor-to ceiling windows that brought the focus back onto the views, as well as making the 2,200-square-foot condo feel even larger. Intricate English style paneling embellishes the walls, integrating a textural element into the room. A sculptural, rounded sofa by Jiun Ho (jiunho.com) wraps around the Nido Living (nidosf.com) geometric coffee table—bringing a playful yet comfortable touch. And while most of the furniture remains neutral in hue, pops of color still exist thanks to a Kyle Bunting (kylebunting.com) turquoise cowhide rug, fl orals and a dark, oil-rubbed bronze fi replace. Adjacent to the fi replace, a subtle art gallery curated from the client’s personal collection draws eyes, displaying various images of olive green leaves and delicate tree branches. Artwork dots the walls throughout the home, which is all made by local artisans and vendors—a solution to the clients’ desire for a strong New England tie. Also in the living area, a scenic dining experience above the clouds awaits, along with a custom-built wet bar cabinet. In the kitchen, more hues of green are strewn throughout, thanks to Kravet (kravet.com) sage leather bar stools. Sleek off -white cabinets keep the open floor plan spacious. A charming breakfast nook completes the room, composed of a farmhouse-inspired dining set, handcrafted by Rhode Island’s O&G Studio (oandgstudio.com).

For the primary suite, the designers wanted to create visual interest through a combination of distinct materials and shapes. “I really wanted to play with the textures,” Applegate says. He completed the look with a leather headboard, carved walnut side table, woven leather bench by Marcali Designs (marcalidesigns.com) and a Robert James Collection (robertjamescollection.com) oak bed frame with steel detailing. Coastal-inspired art adorns the walls to mirror the magnificent views of the Charles River. Neutral and soft blush Christopher Farr (christopherfarr.com) drapery adds a warmer hue to the room. “Th e result is an elegant mix of the clients’ tastes with a strong nod to New England and coastal living,” Applegate says of the entire home.