A condominium in Cambridge would have been considered a modern delight in the early 90s, with it’s 3-way fireplace and recessed lighting. But for the owners — a family of three — the fireplace was never used, and only served to make the living space feel cramped and awkward. A surplus of decorative columns and overhead panels made the space feel choppy, and the couple longed for an open view between the dining and living areas.

The floor space gained once the fireplace was removed wasn’t huge, but it allowed for a total reorientation of the living area. Now a low-backed sofa could divide the dining and living rooms, and easily face a wall-mounted television for family movie nights (opening up the bank of windows previously covered by the old TV). A pair of airy leather armchairs provides comfy seating for guests without closing off the space.