Boston’s Oldest Home

Built in 1661, the James Blake house in Dorchester is Boston’s oldest single family home. Unlike other homes its age, it is not a museum. It is still a residential home. When the project first started the home was in a state of neglect. The walls were crumbling and in serious need of historic plaster restoration and more period appropriate colors. Working with the local historic society, we had the plaster walls restored and the walls painted to mimic what would have been whitewashed walls in the 1600s. Once restored, much of our design work focused on the primary bedroom, bathroom and living room. It was important to our client that the home look as 17th century as possible while adding function and much needed storage.

Photos by Jared Kuzia