Fresh Start Contracting

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

A look inside the Seabrook kitchen and pantry, featuring pop-up island plugs, toe-kick lighting, flush Prado outlets, and a hidden walk-in appliance room out of sight. Which feature would you add to your layout?

05/28/2026

Moving into the private guest suite at the Seabrook project to look at how custom requests come together in production. This first-floor wing utilizes a distinct color-drenched approach, finishing both the walls and the ceilings in the exact same tone to create an immediate sense of atmosphere.

Functionality was built right into the footprint by executing a full three-quarter bath instead of a standard powder room, complete with a custom floating oak vanity and an arched ceiling matched directly from the client’s original inspiration photo. To maintain clean structural lines throughout the shiplap and drywall, a hidden audio system was integrated entirely behind the surface-delivering complete sound coverage across the first floor without visible ceiling grilles.

As we continue sharing more completed spaces from this project, tell us in the comments: would you opt for completely hidden drywall speakers or standard fixtures in your home layout?

05/22/2026

Stepping inside the Seabrook project for the very first time to look at the entry ex*****on. In the mudroom, we used a meticulous two-part bleaching and custom staining process to strip the red out of the durable mahogany front doors so they perfectly match the interior palette. From there, the threshold opens directly into a family-centric living room featuring 6-inch wide rift-sawn white oak floors and a coastal shiplap ceiling.

Every detail here was highly coordinated, from the precise alignment of the recessed lighting across the space to the custom light fixtures integrated seamlessly into the built-in bookcases. This layout highlights how deliberate structural choices and on-site problem-solving establish the flow of a home from the moment you step inside. Stay tuned as we continue sharing more completed spaces from this build.

05/18/2026

A luxury home deserves more than just a beautiful surface. At Fresh Start, we believe that technical mastery in the early stages of a build is what truly defines a successful renovation. We focus on the heavy lifting, things like structural framing, integrated HVAC systems, and rigorous waterproofing, because those are the details that protect your investment over time.

Our goal is to eliminate the typical anxiety of construction by being your trusted expert peer throughout the process. We handle the complex problem-solving on-site and provide
you with radical transparency through our collaboration tools, so you can stay focused on the excitement of your new space.

When the foundation is right, the rest of the design follows naturally.

05/14/2026

This Cambridge Project is a standout example of why structural mastery is the backbone of great design. Completed in 2022, this transformation began with a massive structural undertaking: lifting the entire house to install a brand-new foundation. It was a complex engineering milestone that allowed us to completely reimagine the home’s footprint and integrate high-efficiency systems throughout.

Inside, the vision was all about a sleek, modern aesthetic. We utilized a thoughtful mix of materials, from warm walnut cabinetry and custom chevron patterns to deep olive accents and industrial-inspired surfaces. By balancing these bold design choices with a full interior re-framing, we turned a structural necessity into a sophisticated, high-performance home.

Architect: Runcible Studios
Photographer: Kyle J Caldwell

05/01/2026

We love a classic home, but we have to be honest, most New England Colonials just weren’t built for the modern homeowner’s lifestyle.

This property had some major hurdles, from a lack of parking to a total disconnect from the backyard. We started by filling in the old tuck-under garage and leveling the driveway with the sidewalk, which completely solved the parking issue and gave us room for an EV station.

We also turned the old side porch into a fully functional, custom-built mudroom, creating a seamless path from the car to the house.

The biggest change, though, was ripping out the back wall and adding a kitchen addition with huge patio doors. Now, the kitchen and living room flow right onto a large back porch, making it so much easier to actually enjoy the backyard.

It’s all about rethinking the space to make it livable again, and you can check out the rest of our portfolio at freshstartcontracting.net.

04/30/2026

It's a yearly highlight to visit our alma mater and award a scholarship to an outstanding carpentry student at CRLS. Way to go Kamai - you're destined for greatness! 👏👑

We're thankful for connections through work and community with Cambridge.

04/20/2026

Checking back in at our renovation and dormer addition on Lake Cochituate!

Adding a dormer brings the old attic space to life, but you can feel the impact all the way through the first floor. These photos walk it out; from the new space taking shape up top, down through the framing and layout changes, and into the main living areas below. This is when the whole house starts to connect.

Architect:
Designer:
Framing: