On the Market: An Artistic Treasure in the Forest

Geometric shapes, hand-painted tiles, and natural landscapes grace this midcentury modern home in Dedham.


Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

88 Stoney Lea Road, Dedham
Price: $1,050,000
Size: 4,000 square feet
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 3.5

As long as it’s not leaking, the roof is likely not the first thing you notice about a house. But the asymmetrical lines of this canopy, carefully invented by architect Wendell Phillips, are eye-catching even among the crowd of treetops.

When the current owners moved into the home, they decided to make the steep expanses of roof—many of which you can glimpse through the wide windows inside—even more spectacular, by using black and ochre shingles to create a series of stripes.

The geometric play continues indoors, where large triangular windows echo the A-framed shape of the 18-foot cathedral ceilings in three of the rooms, which are adorned with cedar clapboard. There are plenty more artful touches, too, with hand-painted tiles scattered throughout the dwelling. Local artist Gail Boyajian created the glazed-clay majolica tiles that frame the living room fireplace, while the owner, artist Lisa Houck hand-carved the tiles that surround the wide fireplace in the family room.

The adjoining kitchen makes its own statement: A mosaic mural by Houck depicts several birds on a green background, right above the bay window. (Look through the window at the variety of birds flitting through the forest for the source of inspiration.) The countertops are a mosaic in their own right, made of dramatic marinace granite. A dark greenish base is ingrained with circular stones in shades of pink, blue, red, and black.

A couple of sandblasted glass pocket doors designed by Houck are also tucked into the kitchen, portraying more scenes of nature and geometric patterns. But to see the great outdoors for yourself, step out onto the vast decks that wrap around the second floor of the contemporary home—looking out at the treetops, Houck says it feels like living in a treehouse.

For information, contact Hope McDermott, Hope McDermott Real Estate, hopemcdermottrealestate.com

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

Photo by Pebblehaven Co Inc. via Hope McDermott Real Estate

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