Some projects arrive with history already written into the walls. This mid-century modern kitchen renovation, located in the historic Six Moon Hill community in Lexington, Massachusetts, was one of them. Together with architect William Turville and our design-forward clients, we created a kitchen worthy of its history and the people who live in it.

Six Moon Hill is one of the most significant post-WWII residential communities in the United States, founded in 1947 by young architects collaborating with Bauhaus legend Walter Gropius to form The Architects Collaborative (TAC). The homes were a manifesto about how modern design and community could coexist. TAC used progressive building materials and prioritized simple lines, creating a collection of unique but cohesive homes all reflecting the influence of the International Style.

We designed the cabinetry to speak the same language as the home: clean lines, honest materials, and a deep respect for craft. White oak veneer plywood brings warmth and grain movement that feels native to the mid-century bones of the space. Our signature exposed plywood edges run at every shelf return and cabinet end, adding material honesty that Gropius himself might have appreciated. Finally, we finished every surface with Osmo plant-based wood wax — our go-to for its low-VOC formula and protective properties — so the wood stays exactly itself.

For the rounded corner shelving and long floating shelf, we drew directly from the original kitchen’s layout. These pieces hold the clients’ folk pottery collection and ground the space in its history. Meanwhile, the dark soapstone counters and antique French tile backsplash add depth and character alongside the clean white oak slab-front cabinetry. The result is a Walter Gropius mid-century modern kitchen that feels both deeply rooted and entirely current.

Cabinetry: Boxco Studio | Architecture: William Turville | Photography: Cara Totman