ABOUT LISA THARP DESIGN

Known for timeless interiors with a collector perspective, Lisa Tharp Design inspires “The Art of Living Well.” While every project is unique, each embodies the principles of streamlined sophistication, a deep respect for architecture and art, and support for the well-being of people and the planet.

Fulfilling a lifelong passion, Tharp founded Lisa Tharp Design after prior careers in other visual arts forms (HBO, Time Life Video & Television). She was recently inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame, is an AD Pro Featured Designer, one of Traditional Building magazine’s Who’s Who “The 25,” and an active member of Boston’s historic-preservation-focused Back Bay Architectural Committee. 

The firm’s work has been featured by leading national and international publications, television, books, and honored with successive Institute of Classical Architecture & Art Bulfinch Awards for Interior Design, EcoHome Award for The Concord Green Healthy Home, Luxe Gold, Best of Boston Home, and Metropolis magazine's Planet Positive Award for Lisa Tharp Colors, an organic designer paint collection with ECOS Paints. Headquartered on Newbury Street in Boston, the firm is available for projects globally.

MODERNIST PENTHOUSE - Greater Boston, Massachusetts

Empty nesters trade their traditional family home for a light-filled minimalist penthouse with spectacular views. Streamlined custom furnishings provide crisp, sculptural counterpoints to a sprinkling of heirloom antiques. The clients’ art collection is a “who’s who” of modernist masters, from Motherwell to Gottlieb to Giacometti.

Artwork between the windows is by Robert Motherwell. Artwork above the antique chest is The Artist’s Mother Seated by Alberto Giacometti.

The curved sofa by Dmitriy & Co joins a sculptural cocktail table by Egg Collective.The Italian brass and opaline light above is an homage to Angelo Lelli.

“Framed Portals” - Tharp’s team conceived of repeating frames around doors, windows and alcoves throughout the residence. The frames are rendered in rich walnut or, in the case of the kitchen and primary bath, in the form of stone alcoves at perimeter counters and the shower. A large round laylight floods the kitchen and dining area with light throughout the day.

Rich dark walnut frames the library’s glass wall and skylights above, and creates a long cantilevered window seat below. The seat is clad in sintered stone to seamlessly blend with the terrace stone floor outside. The freestanding stone step to the terrace door is partially tucked below the window seat. 

The primary bedroom walls and bed are upholstered in velvet for optimum serenity. A Serge Roche inspired plaster chandelier floats above. Custom leather-clad nightstands provide ample storage. The walnut frames continue into the dressing room to create an interior walnut-lined vanity table with sconces from Articolo Lighting.

A modern retreat for work and reflection, the study features floor-to-ceiling wood paneling. Overhead, spotlights accent bookcases while faceted glass sconces light the sofa alcove. The floating portion of the built-in desk preserves full length views of the city. A 1960s Severin Hansen Jr table joins iconic Florence Knoll sofa and Ray and Charles Eames Management Chair.

Artwork above the sofa is by Adolph Gottlieb.

In the primary bath, stone alcoves frame the sink and shower areas. Polished nickel outlines mirror and floating vanity. In the guest bath, the interiors team designed a monolithic stone sink cabinet with matched veining across the drawers.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

SOURCES AND CREDITS

Living Room

  • SOFA: Decca Sofa with Gainsborough Velvet (Source: Dmitriy & Co. and Schumacher)

  • COFFEE TABLE: Custom Isla coffee table, smooth lacquered wood in Dove (Source: Egg Collective)

  • LOUNGE CHAIR: Maras Swivel Chair by Jiun Ho with Oxford Cloth (Source: Dennis Miller Associates and Link Outdoor)

  • SIDE TABLE: Contemporary side table made with cast concrete (Source: Forma and Cemento via 1st Dibs)

  • DAYBED: Custom daybed with Gainsborough Velvet (Source: Lisa Tharp Collection and Schumacher)

  • CHAIRS AT FIREPLACE: Florence Knoll Relaxed Lounge Chair (Source: Knoll Studio)

  • COFFEE TABLE AT FIREPLACE: No 106.1 Travertine Coffee Table by Amee Allsop (Source: Amee Allsop Studio via 1st Dibs)

  • SURFACE MOUNT: Angelo Lelli Style Italian Brass and Opaline Pendant Light (Source: MMDesign Dept via Chairish)

  • SCONCES: Pair of Vintage 1950's Sconces with Shades, Maison Arlus (Source: Vingtieme via 1st Dibs)

  • RUG: Handmade Tibetan  2162 Pashmina in Snow White (Source: JD Staron)

  • ART BETWEEN WINDOWS: Untitled by Robert Motherwell

  • ART OVER ANTIQUE CHEST: The Artist’s Mother Seated by Alberto Giacometti

Dining Room

  • TABLE: Custom Keel Dining Table in HH Walnut (Source: Holly Hunt)

  • DINING CHAIRS: Milano Leather (Source: Holly Hunt)

Kitchen

  • PENDANT: Pen 142, Nickel Plated, Lacquered (Source: Plug Lighting)

Library

  • WINDOW SEAT: Custom window seat, Fabric is Streamline (Source: Lisa Tharp Collection and Romo)

  • SOFA: Wood Frame Sofa in Cowboy Black leather (Source: Montauk)

  • PILLOW: Pure New Zealand Box Pillow, Rectangular (Source: Lisa Tharp Collection)

  • COCKTAIL OTTOMAN: Florence Knoll Bench (Source: Knoll Studio)

  • CHAIR AND OTTOMAN: Platner Upholstered Chair and Ottoman (Source: Vintage)

  • SURFACE MOUNT: Jonathan Browning’s Glacon Single Vanity Sconce in Antique Bronze (Source: The Bright Group)

  • SPOTLIGHTS: Diamant Lamp by Joseph Dirand for Ozone (Source: Studio Twenty Seven)

  • SCONCES AT WINDOW: Astro Lighting Parma LED Wall Sconce, White plaster finish (Source: 2 Modern)

  • RUG: Custom Cut Flamboyant Rug in Pearl (Source: Steven King)

Primary Bedroom

  • BED: Seefeld Bed with Gainsborough Velvet (Source: Dmitriy & Co and Schumacher)

  • NIGHTSTANDS: Custom Upholstered Nightstands with European Cowhide Leather (Source: Lisa Tharp Collection and Spinneybeck)

  • BENCH: Arica Bench with European Cowhide Leather (Source: Dennis Miller Associates and Spinneybeck)

  • CHAIR: No. 873 Chair (Source: A Rudin via M-Geough)

  • PENDANT: French Plaster Chandelier in the style of Serge Roche (Source: Thomas Gallery)

  • SCONCES: Custom sconces with brass and blown glass (Source: Lumfardo Luminaires via 1st Dibs)

  • WALLS: Custom Upholstered Walls with Gainsborough Velvet (Source: Eliot Wright Workroom and Schumacher)

  • DRAPERY: Custom Window Drapery with Gainsborough Velvet (Source: Schumacher)

  • RUG: Custom Cut Flamboyant Rug in Pearl (Source: Steven King)

Study

  • DESK CHAIR: Eames Management Chair (Source: Knoll Studio)

  • SOFA: Divana Sofa in leather with polished chrome (Source: Knoll)

  • COFFEE TABLE: Wooden Side Table by Severin Hansen Jr., Circa 1960 (Source: Nekonato via 1st Dibs)

  • SCONCES BY SOFA: Jonathan Browning’s Chartier Sconce in Antique Bronze (Source: The Bright Group)

  • MONOPOINT LIGHTS: Cylinder Down Light in Aged Brass (Source: Apparatus)

  • PILLOW: Pure New Zealand Box Pillow, Rectangular (Source: Lisa Tharp Collection)

  • RUG: Custom Cut Wool Rug (Source: Williston Weaves)

  • ART OVER SOFA: Adolph Gottlieb

Dressing Room

  • PENDANT: Mindy Pendant in Burnished Natural Brass (Source: Holly Hunt)

  • SCONCES: Fini Wall Sconce in Brass (Source: Articolo Lighting)

  • OTTOMAN: Custom (Lisa Tharp Collection)

Hall Bath

  • STONE VANITY: Custom (Serafini, Italy)

  • SCONCES: Line L 100 Sconces (Source: Plug Lighting)

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography + Videography by Arturo + Lauren

Website: arturoandlauren.com

DESIGN

Instagram: @lisa_tharp

Website: lisatharp.com

PARTNERS

Lisa Tharp Design collaborated on all interior architecture, kitchen, baths, cabinetry, in addition to interior design.

PUBLICIST

Lisa Davis
DAVIS GONTHIER
415.793.3334
lisa@davisgonthier.com
Instagram: @davisgonthier