I like nothing better than snooping around someone’s thoughtfully assembled home, and I had heard local jewelry designer Laura Loew’s is a stunner. Her antique abode in Essex is an absolute charmer. She has deftly transformed what could easily be a tangle of small rooms in this 1849 home into a bright and airy space filled with art and antiques. From the moment you walk into the foyer/sitting room, you know you’ve hit on something special. A black velvet settee and black painted floors ground the room, while large canvases painted by her mother, artist Marilyn Bogdanffy, on white walls are focal points. The living room is spare, overseen by a sculptural swan, while a corner reading nook is lined with shells collected at Griswold Point. A small porch was incorporated into the minimal and elegant dining room to accommodate a gorgeous built-in bar with a nautical vibe. 

Out back is a terraced garden, and beyond is a cottage that houses a fun Tiki Hut (which opens to the terrace for impromptu summer gatherings) and Laura’s jewelry studio. 

Laura’s decorating style is not unlike her jewelry: minimal and sculptural. Her skillful mixing of modern and antique pieces, plus lots of family art and a-less-is-more philosophy, creates a cozy yet contemporary sanctuary.
Upholstery and fabrics by Pough Interiors. 

Laura’s jewelry was featured in our Valentine’s Day round-up here: the-e-list.com/local-jewels-for-valentines-day/