Visions of Grandeur(2)

Though the interior’s ornate plasterwork had been painted a blinding hospital white, it was undamaged. No one bothered to clean or refinish the French walnut parquet floors, but they were left in place. And perhaps most amazing, three mid-1800s Carrara marble fireplace surrounds and mantels remained intact, albeit spray-painted black.

After rehabbing three other Boston properties—two in Beacon Hill and one in Back Bay—Gerald wasn’t intimidated by the rundown condition or the unfortunate color choices of previous tenants. He could visualize the grandeur that lay beneath the dirty surface of the four-level home, divided into three separate residences. “I tend to buy places and do them over—places in dire repair that have good bones,” Gerald says. “There were 14-foot-high ceilings, huge windows, three working fireplaces, a terrace off the living room, and details like moldings, medallions, and picture railings, all in remarkably good condition.”

Sources:
Area rug (Capri Weave #1804EA): Asmara, 800/451-7240, trade only.
Ottoman; camelback sleeper sofa: by Gerald Pomeroy, 617/227-6693.
Ottoman fabric (“Ocelot’’/Aqua, Sand #10877-06): Cowan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only.
Sofa-and-chair fabric (“Bruno’’/Adobe #10265): Calvin Fabrics, 888/732-1996, trade only.
Blue pillow (“Quogue’’/Wedgwood #NC0802-095): Nancy Corzine, 212/223-8340, trade only.
Patterned pillows: Kravet, 888/457-2838, trade only.
Pillow trim (“Chenille Brush Fringe’’ #983-26812): Samuel & Sons, 212/704-8000, trade only.
Floor lamp: Vaughan Designs, 212/319-7070, trade only.
Prints: owner’s collection.
Sofa and chairs: custom.
Nesting tables; chair at secretary: The Barn at 17 Antiques, 617/625-5204, trade ony.
Bird painting (Shore Bird, Oluf Rudbeck, reproduction): Antiques, on 5, 617/951-0008.
Three-tiered console: Gerald Pomeroy, 617/227-6693.
Console fabric (faux ostrich): Calvin Fabrics, 888/732-1996, trade only.
Brackets (reproduction): Robert Allen, 800/333-3777, trade only.
Drapery: Calvin Fabrics, 888/732-1996, trade only.
Hardware: Royal Britannica by Vesta, 800/638-3782, ivesta.com.
Lantern (“Venetian’’): Niermann Weeks, 212/319-7979, trade only.
Mirror: custom. Celadon vase: Webster & Co., 617/261-9660, trade only.
Secretary; tray; tea service: owner’s collection.
Mantel (Carrara marble): original to house.
Wall paint: custom.
Ceiling paint (“Dimity’’ #2008); trim paint (“Ringwold Ground’’ #208): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com.