My Houzz: A Moody Industrial Loft in Boston
A couple’s ‘moderate minimalist’ style works well with the raw finishes of their open space
For Jessica Lambi and Michael Silinonte, making sure there was room for their goldendoodle, Yogi, was a top priority in finding a place to live in Boston. It turns out that their 820-square-foot loft in a converted mill is incredibly pet-friendly. When they moved in, they realized that the majority of the residents were pet owners. “There are over 80 dogs in our building — almost one per loft!” Lambi says. The building staff members even know Yogi by name.
In addition to being a happy space for Yogi, the loft also provides the couple with the perfect foundation for their neutral, texture-filled style of decorating. The exposed brick-and-metal accent wall makes a memorable backdrop for their well-curated collection of furniture, accessories and mementos.
In addition to being a happy space for Yogi, the loft also provides the couple with the perfect foundation for their neutral, texture-filled style of decorating. The exposed brick-and-metal accent wall makes a memorable backdrop for their well-curated collection of furniture, accessories and mementos.
The windows are on one side of the loft, providing dramatic lighting that accentuates Lambi’s penchant for dark furniture and neutral textures. She describes their style of using functional pieces as decor and adding mementos from their travels as “moderate minimalist.”
The main living area connects to the dining area and kitchen, and it’s where Lambi and Silinonte spend most of their time. They like the flexibility that the open concept provides, allowing them to shift things around. “I like the idea that the design journey is never set in stone — there’s a fluidity that we embrace,” Lambi says. “If we want to move, change, add or subtract something, we do!”
Dining set: Bob’s Discount Furniture
The main living area connects to the dining area and kitchen, and it’s where Lambi and Silinonte spend most of their time. They like the flexibility that the open concept provides, allowing them to shift things around. “I like the idea that the design journey is never set in stone — there’s a fluidity that we embrace,” Lambi says. “If we want to move, change, add or subtract something, we do!”
Dining set: Bob’s Discount Furniture
The couple love the Charlestown location of their building, as it is within Boston without being right in the center of city. They can walk just across the Charlestown Bridge to the North End, Boston’s Italian neighborhood, and it is an easy train ride to the trendy South End. The streets immediately surrounding their building are quiet and provide the perfect spot to walk Yogi or grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.
Edris metal globe floor lamp: Target
Edris metal globe floor lamp: Target
Lambi and Silinonte cover their sleeper sectional sofa with cozy blankets and lounge on it with Yogi. It’s a great spot for movie night or relaxing on Sunday mornings.
Friheten sleeper sectional in beige Skiftebo fabric: Ikea; Aboleda coffee table: Loon Peak
Friheten sleeper sectional in beige Skiftebo fabric: Ikea; Aboleda coffee table: Loon Peak
“Our home is special to us because it is essentially a representation of who we are as people. It is a visual depiction of our likes, values and experiences,” Lambi says. Seen throughout the loft are mementos from trips, family heirlooms and a selection of carefully chosen vintage or thrifted accessories.
Hexagon glass catchall dish: Urban Outfitters
Hexagon glass catchall dish: Urban Outfitters
Cooking is one of the couple’s favorite ways to spend time together. They also enjoy hosting friends and family for dinner parties and get-togethers. The open-concept layout makes their unit ideal for entertaining, allowing them to cook and socialize simultaneously.
Lambi is a content marketing freelancer, and Silinonte is a sales manager at Formlabs. After work, the couple’s typical evening involves cooking dinner together with cocktails in hand.
Wood-and-glass bar cart: Target
Photo Flip: Bar Cart Bonanza
Wood-and-glass bar cart: Target
Photo Flip: Bar Cart Bonanza
The hallway connecting the main living space to the bedroom features a little inset area that the couple use as a workspace. Here they are especially careful to display only pieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Just the bare necessities make the cut — everything else goes in the drawers.
Printmaker’s desk in espresso pine: RH
Printmaker’s desk in espresso pine: RH
Shelving located directly behind the desk holds meaningful photos, prints and objets d’art. The night sky print displays the stars visible above Boston on their first date in 2015. The Rhode Island canvas is made from shells found in the state, with a pin over Roger Williams University in Bristol, where both Lambi and Silinonte went to school.
The biggest decorating challenge the couple still face is the bedroom lighting, as the room is almost completely devoid of natural light. They have compensated for that with string lights and floor lamps.
The exposed brick continues into the bedroom, creating a beautiful accent wall behind their bed.
The exposed brick continues into the bedroom, creating a beautiful accent wall behind their bed.
The bathroom connects to the bedroom, and an opening above lets in a small amount of natural light from the main living area.
A vanity with two large drawers provides a significant amount of storage for toiletries.
Coral Blooms flat-weave hand towels: Target
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Coral Blooms flat-weave hand towels: Target
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Who lives here: Jessica Lambi, Michael Silinonte and their goldendoodle, Yogi
Location: Charlestown neighborhood of Boston
Size: 820 square feet (76 square meters); one bedroom, one bathroom