Black Rock

A couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation to attend an open house/art show called "A Celebration of Fine Design" at the exclusive Residences at Black Rock Country Club in historic Hingham, MA, which is located here on the South Shore. Black Rock is a gated community, so it's rare to be able to get in. It's cedar shingled homes are situated around expansive rolling lawns and golf course. It's residents include major league sports stars and a rock star. Well, I didn't have any star sightings, but I certainly did enjoy my tour!

This newly built home still has the luscious cedar smell from the new shingles. It was quite a pleasant way to enter a home!

Let's start our tour with the double height front hall.

The "Slopes Mirror" below was made by a Long Island craftsman in the manner of Neal Small.

The gourmet kitchen was designed by Judy Whalen of Roomscapes Luxury Design Center here on the South Shore. They created a cooking "niche" by placing facing book cases right on the counter with an arch overtop.

Designer Judy Whalen refers to these narrow tiles as "piano stick". Installed horizontally, they take on a subtle woven texture. The tiles are marble in taupe, ivory and gold tones. The hood is cast stone. The counter is Marron Brown granite.

To the side of the kitchen is a small, cozy seating area. The house was staged by Lisa Plimpton of Plimpton Design. The rug, chairs and pillows are from Company C, based in New Hampshire.

The tile floor is Antiqued cream/tan travertine in a Versailles pattern.

The downstairs powder room features a vertical "Glass Twigs" wall tile in sienna/brown. I was really charmed by the wicker basket vanity.

Looking out from the kitchen through the dining room to the living room, you can really grasp the span of the open floor plan. The dining room boasts a lovely coffered ceiling

In the dining room, the glass top table is from Circa Home Furnishings in Norwell, the lattice chairs are from R.O. Home, and the rug is from Company C.

In the living room, the painting over the mantle seems to have inspired the entire decorating color palette. The sofa, chairs and round wicker ottoman is from R.O. Home, the rug from Company C and the Morocco table/stools from BG Beyond Gorgeosity in Hingham, MA.

A view down the hall looking towards the bedroom wing.

The bedroom hall showcases art by Franny Andahazy titled "Afternoon Simplicity" and the demi-lune console is by Jardins en Fleur.

In the guest bedroom, we have bedding provided by ZuZu's Sisters in Hingham, MA and art entitled "Study in Lilacs" by Margaret MacWethy.

Chairs and Chloe Etagere from Beyond Gorgeosity. Armoire and mirror from White Magdalena House in Hingham, MA. Shell Mirror from All Cracked Up, Hingham, MA. Hand died wool "Bless Ewe" rug by Ellie Bates. (how cute is that!!)

The master bedroom: Chelsea Queen bed and bedding by Company C; Round pine end tables and Cathedral candlestick lamps by R.O. Home. Desk by Paul Carlino and Istanbul stool/table by Susan Ortiz (set designer for Ugly Betty!) - both from Beyond Gorgeosity.

Studley cabinet in the manner of Tommy Parzinger; Mushroom lamp by Vetri Murano, circa 1960's - Beyond Gorgeosity. Artwork: "Pansies" by Ros Fairbush.

The master bath: Artwork - "Glory" by Kelly McDonald. Rug by Company C.

Up the stairs to the second floor there is a nice little vignette of a quite place to get away. The second floor includes two bedrooms and a bath, which were not staged.

Here are a few more of the homes in the community, including the clubhouse.

For real estate inquiries, contact Marilyn Jackson Adams at Coldwell Banker. 781-749-4300.

The location is certainly beautiful, as are the homes - with the one exception that the garages are all so overwhelming - I wish they had turned them to the side, or at least pushed them back. It's such a common feature of these types of communities and it must have something to do with space planning (takes up less room, shorter driveways), but I still think they nearly ruin the facades of otherwise lovely homes!

View all images in a Flikr set here.