This Massachusetts home renovation is filled with art, colour and curios

Robert and Cortney Novogratz used lockdown for a home renovation project

home renovation
(Image credit: The Novogratz)

Robert and Cortney Novogratz are no strangers to modern home renovation projects. The husband and wife design team has designed and developed many unique houses and apartments in their native New York, L.A. and beyond over the last 25 years. 

In fact, many of the Novogratz projects have featured in the pages of Livingetc. Known for their love of colourand art, the couple has done it again. This time with their own holiday home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. 

See Also: This 19th century New York brownstone townhouse features a refreshingly modern interior

THE PROPERTY

Robert and Cortney Novogratz bought their home renovation project in Great Barrington, Massachusetts in 2001. They sought out a home in the country for their family of nine as a country refuge just after 9/11.

It has 6 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, plus kitchen, living area, dining room, gym (a recent addition) and a laundry downstairs.

When the pandemic hit earlier this year, the entire Novogratz family sheltered in place in Great Barrington. Kids came home from wherever they were, and everybody moved into the house for months and months.

That is when Robert and Cortney decided to redo the interior of the house.  Part of it was necessity — when the whole family could not fit at the dining room table, they built a breakfast nook, which took care of the overflow.

HALLWAY AND LANDING

The entire upstairs hallway started as a modest gallery wall of the family, their extended family, friends and experiences had in the house. Now it covers the entire upper-floor walls.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

DINING AREA

When The Novogratz first got the house, it was a warren of small rooms, upstairs and downstairs.  They started with the bottom “living floor”, taking down walls and turning the space into a loft-like experience, airy, spacious, with living areas that flowed easily into another.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

Much of the renovation was created through the total change in accessories, colour, art, new pieces of furniture,

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

See Also: A 1920's farmhouse in Canada is brought up to date with modern rustic style and Californian funk

LIVING ROOM

They retained the hardwood floors, which they painted white, and all the fireplaces.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

The furnishings in the house are a mix of vintage, found at flea markets and shops around the world (they love Paris), and modern pieces.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

ART ROOM

They made the room over the garage into an art room, and it has had many other uses over the years.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

MASTER BEDROOM

The Novogratz enjoy mixing styles both high and low, including pieces from their own collection and their new collection at Target.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

KID'S ROOM

Each of the kids rooms had a lick of fresh paint and new artworks and accessories.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

TWINS ROOM

Edgy artworks prevent the space from feeling too 'girly'. 

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

BATHROOM

A wall of large mirrored tiles makes the small bathroom feel bigger than it is.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

THE GYM

The gym space is another new addition. The floor-to-ceiling doors not only look beautiful, they keep it well ventilated too.

home renovation

(Image credit: The Novogratz)

See Also: A Television Exec's Los Angeles Family Home Gets a Sophisticated Refresh

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Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites


A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written  for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.