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Happy New Year, dear friends! Thank you so much for your well wishes and for your patience! At last I’m back to our regular posting schedule and for the first story of 2023 I thought we could all visit Boston’s chicest new bookshop, Beacon Hill Books and Cafe! If you’ve seen images of it in Veranda magazine and on social media, and are curious for more, during a recent family trip to Boston I stopped by and snapped enough pictures to show you every nook and cranny!
Owned by Melissa Fetter and decorated by the amazing Cathy Kincaid, Beacon Hill Books and Cafe opened its doors in September 2022 and quickly became a favorite Bostonian destination. The well-stocked shelves and the cozy atmosphere make it a haven of tranquility – my daughter and I had a hard time leaving. It is interesting to note that Beacon Hills was home to a number of famous American writers, including Henry David Thoreau, Sylvia Plath, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Robert Frost, Louisa May Alcott and yet Beacon Hill Books is the first bookstore in 30 years in a neighborhood renowned for its literary history.
The bookstore is set in a brick townhouse on the picturesque Charles Street, just minutes from the Boston Public Garden. Prior to opening, the house had undergone an extensive renovation led by local architect Monika Pauli of Pauli Uribe Architects and interior decorator Cathy Kincaid. Following the owner’s vision, the interior architecture has a distinct residential feel, which in turn plays a major role in the bookshop’s appeal to design and book lovers alike.
The bookstore’s three levels are filled to the brim with builtin shelves, cozy window seats and painted rattan chairs and wandering in will give you the impression of being in someone’s exquisitely-designed home library. The designer, Cathy Kincaid, opted for a timeless look: Visual Comfort sconces punctuate the shelves, Sister Parish Design papers and fabrics cover the walls and were used exclusively for lampshades and upholstery. A custom Farrow & Ball blue / green paint color was chosen for the majority of the millwork and bookshelves, while an attractive red (Rectory Red by Farrow & Ball) sets the Aesthetics section aglow.
Timeless architectural details, soft music, muted blues and greens, comfortable window seats, plush wall-to-wall carpeting and charming vignettes sprinkled throughout make Beacon Hill Books an experience you’ll want to enjoy over and over again. If you find yourself in the Boston area, I highly recommend a visit, followed by a stop in Tatte, to sample the world’s most delicious grilled-cheese sandwich!
You can admire more of Cathy Kincaid’s impressive portfolio HERE. Her book, The Well Adorned Home is a personal favorite.
Wow. What a unique concept to have a bookstore that feels almost like a home. Thanks for sharing and happy to have you back!
Author
That’s very kind of you, Lauren! Thank you! It feels good to be back.
xo, Eva
Incredibly beautiful! Love the paint colors–can you say what they are? Cathy Kincaid is one of my favorite designers, and she’s outdone herself here.
And yes, happy new year and welcome back–looking forward to your stories!
Author
Thank you so much, Diana! It’s good to be back!!!
About the paint colors: I was curious about them, too, and found that the stunning red in the Aesthetics section is Rectory Red by Farrow & Ball. The powdery blue is sadly a custom mix, harder to duplicate without knowing the exact formula, but it did remind me of Parma Grey, also by Farrow & Ball.
xo, Eva
Can I live in this store? Haha. It’s absolutely a dream, filled with inviting decor and details. Thank you for taking such great pics. I feel like I’ve visited.
Happy New Year and welcome back, I’ve missed your posts.
Karen B.
Author
Thank you so much, Karen! It’s good to be back, and I’m glad you enjoyed these images! It was the first time I saw Cathy Kincaid’s work in person, and it was inspiring.
xo, Eva
Thank you so much for taking us along on your visit! From the moment I saw it I made it a goal to visit this beautiful store. Books + beautiful design….what could be better??
Author
Thanks so much for your comment, Julie! I’m happy you enjoyed this virtual tour and I hope you’ll visit in person soon!
xo, Eva
Oh,how beautiful! Bookstores are among my, most favorite places in the world and this is perfect,Thank you so much for taking time to share with us and good to have you back!xo
Author
Thank you so much, Annette! It’s great to be back!
xo, Eva
Thank you for sharing such a delightful shop and introducing me to Cathy Kincaid. I will be checking out her book. . Like Karen said- I could live there!
Author
I’m happy to hear it, Lynn, she’s amazing! Wishing you a great weekend!
xo, Eva