At Home in South Boston
A well-traveled couple imbue a classically New England home with modern, jet-set flair in one of the city’s most dynamic communities.
Words: Chelsea Mullen
Images: Samara Vise
After tying the knot three years ago, Megan and Andrew Spring decided to put down roots in Boston, turning to Compass agent Nick Hanneman to help them with their search. It was love at first sight upon stepping inside this meticulously updated, single-family home in South Boston. Tucked onto Grimes Street, a quaint boulevard stretching only 1.5 blocks, the home was immediately recognized as a place they could make all their own.
Megan, a graphic designer, and Andrew, an auto industry financial consultant, have since personalized their dream home as a peaceful retreat that’s anchored by clean lines, international finds, and local bargains. Happily settled into their new neighborhood, Megan, Andrew, and their hilarious terrier Buster invited us to tour their sophisticated Boston abode.
When did you decide to buy and why?
Megan: When we first moved to Boston from the midwest, we lived in a signature Leather District loft for a little over a year and a half before moving to the South End, where we had a fantastic place on top of a stately brownstone. After we got married, we decided it was time to invest in a property, ideally a single-family home. Originally, South Boston wasn’t even on our list of neighborhoods, but the moment I entered this house, I immediately knew that it was going to be our home.
How did you know this was the one? What features really sold you on it?
Megan: The house was completely move-in ready and exactly our style! The previous owners did such a fantastic job adding special touches, like the beautiful dark wood doors, marble countertops, and top-line hardware and appliances.
Andrew: It was owned by an architect and his wife, and they had done all the renovations over a span of four years. The only major improvements we’ve made are to the deck area, where we’ve built up the walls for more privacy; our neighbors are wonderful, but we wanted a tranquil space to ourselves. With plenty of seating and touches like the potted plants and patterned rug, we’ve decorated it in a way that extends the living and socializing space beyond the kitchen and dining nook.
What was the search like? How was it working with Nick?
Andrew: The Boston housing market is hyper-competitive, and we knew that we had to be aggressive since single-family homes with a Boston zip code are incredibly rare. The open house was on a Sunday, and all offers were due by the following day. I remember it was snowing, and I think that gave us an advantage — fewer people were out searching! Nick helped us out significantly during the negotiation and did an incredible job closing the deal for us.
Your dog, Buster, is adorable! Does he have any favorite spots of his own?
Megan: Buster’s favorite spot is anywhere that Andrew and I are; he’s always hanging out with us. If we’re not home, he loves to lay on the fur blanket on our bed, where he blends right in. If we’re downstairs, he likes to lay under the coffee table where we have a small faux-fur rug.
Your home blends sleek elements with homier ones. How did your individual styles lead to your design choices?
Megan: The house was built in 1885, and it has historic Boston charm inside and out. This style was the direct predecessor of the classic triple-decker home the city is known for. A simple architectural frame, prominent bay window, original fir floors, and impressive woodwork allude to its classic past, but the renovations have given it a modern look, which was important to me. Our preferences are very similar, and this home presented a blank slate for us to bring our tastes to life.
Any interesting stories behind the other furniture or art in your home?
Megan: Yes! The glass-paned, double front doors were found in New Hampshire at a flea market, but are originally from France. Andrew and I also really enjoy traveling, and I’ve made a point to pick up at least one thing for the house on each trip. We’ve collected a pillow from South Africa made of real cowhide, Turkish pillows from Istanbul created from recycled kilim rugs, and an elephant figurine on our desk which we picked up in Thailand.
Above our breakfast nook, there’s a large framed map of the world that I gave Andrew on our one-year anniversary, and we’ve added dots to the places we’ve traveled ever since. As we get older that will be a snapshot of where we’ve gone, the experiences we’ve had, and the great memories we’ve made along the way.
I notice someone’s bicycle in the living room. Do you have any favorite bike paths in the neighborhood or the rest of Boston?
Megan: That’s mine! I ride to and from work in the Financial District every day when it’s warm enough. There’s also a great path that’s part of the Harborwalk, which you can take north to Castle Island or south along Boston Harbor all the way to the JFK Library and Museum. It’s a really beautiful ride along the water.
Andrew: It’s nice that we’re right in downtown Boston, but also three blocks away from Carson Beach. We have all the benefits of city living while still enjoying easy access to a coastal environment and a more suburban lifestyle.
There’s been so much talk about South Boston’s dramatically changing profile over the past decade. What have been your experiences in the neighborhood?
Andrew: There’s very much a sense of responsibility to look after your neighbors in South Boston. There have been a handful of times when we’ve gone on our trips and left a door unlocked or a window cracked. Our neighbors have reached out to us while we’re away, asking, “Did you mean to leave your front door open?”
Megan: They’ll shut the door or pick up any packages left on the steps. One neighbor even helped me remove snow when my husband was gone and installed an air conditioning unit in the window.
It seems like this home is truly a perfect fit for the two of you. So, what’s next?
Megan: We’re so thankful for our home; I continue to feel the same love for it that I did the first day I walked in. It perfectly suits our needs, and the experience with Nick has been fantastic.
We’ve actually continued to work with him as we look at other properties for a potential investment in the future. In the process of buying our home we also gained a friend, and we really couldn’t have asked for more.
