Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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ABODE & BEYOND Comfort Zone A NEW NORTH SHORE SHOP OFFERING AN ECLECTIC MIX OF ANTIQUE AND REPURPOSED ITEMS SHOWS THAT TOP-NOTCH DESIGN CAN BE FAMILY-FRIENDLY. BY MARNI ELYSE KATZ "T he days of the untouchable are over," asserts Jeff Ferreira, owner of the layout and provides historical context, reinforcing that this is a familyWell-Lived, a home furnishings boutique in tony Beverly Farms owned shop in a small New England town. One of Ferreira's favorite pieces in the shop is a Lucite trunk with rope that opened this spring. Ferreira, who has been designing under his own name since 2008, believes that good design can comingle with peanut handles that he's positioned as a cocktail table in front of a cushy Chesterfield butter and jelly, and runs his business as such. His children, two-year-old sofa. Off to the side, a Chippendale ball-and-claw-foot drop-leaf table holds Izzy and six-year-old Tad, love hanging out at the shop, and his wife, a collection of glossy coffee table books by of-the-moment interior designers, Maureen, works there on weekends. "They help show that the store is about as well as lacy vases in pleasing shades of sea foam, chartreuse, and persimmon by Fort Point –based ceramicist Lawrence McRae. Andrew Anderson, having a family and a well-lived life," says Ferreira. That said, you won't find brown Ultrasuede sofas, indestructible pine who owns Ilex Designs in the South End, plants them with succulents, which tables, and nylon carpet. Rather, the warm space, with its dark, hand-scraped have been a big hit, as have the orchids he plants in blue and white wares. On Fridays, Anderson runs a flower market out of the oak floors and creamy white walls, is scattered with back of the shop. antique sideboards and tables, newly upholstered When asked about his hunting grounds, Ferreira estate sale pieces, and lush rugs in subdued ikats says he finds things everywhere. He's a Sunday and geometrics, not to mention an assortment of morning regular at the Todd Farm Flea Market in table lamps, stools, and ceramics. nearby Rowley. "I go, coffee in hand, looking for It was quite a transformation. Previously, the things that can turn into mirrors, or chairs that space was a plumbing supply store that had been would look good in a zebra print." He tries to stay run by the same family for three generations. classic, punching it up later with finishing details. Everything was painted what Ferreira calls "bat—JEFF FEREIRA Ferreira operates under the philosophy that nothtleship gray" and the floors were covered in ing is off-limits. If a chair on the side of the road linoleum tiles, so he took it down to the studs and started from scratch. The shop's exterior was left as is, with its crisp white and seems to have potential, he'll stop and have a look, much to the embarrasshunter green scheme. The charming set of double wood and glass doors also ment of his wife. That said, he and Maureen have plans to explore Maison & remains intact, though Ferreira painted the interior surface a hot red— Objet, a major interior design trade show in Paris next year. "I decorate the store exactly how I live," Ferreira admits. "Or rather, how Benjamin Moore "Chili Pepper" to be exact. The oversize transaction desk in the back is another holdover, saved from the days when the building was a I aspire to live." Well-Lived, 721 Hale St., Beverly Farms, 978-969-2454; dry goods store. With its carved oak panels and rich patina, the piece anchors well-lived.com BC PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDY RYAN "I go, coffee in hand, looking for things that can turn into mirrors, or chairs that would look good in a zebra print. FROM LEFT: The eclectic offerings at Well-Lived include a Lucite trunk–cum– cocktail table, paired with a Chesterfield sofa; owner Jeff Ferreira outside his store. 138 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 138_BC_HP_Abode_Sep13.indd 138 8/2/13 2:26 PM