A Window Story: Where Old Meets New
Breathing New Life into a 19th-Century Brookline Home
When an 1890s multifamily home in Brookline fell into disrepair, builder Patrick Mulroy of Remodern Builders, along with development partners and the design expertise of Embarc Design to restore its late-Victorian charm. Located in a historic neighborhood filled with beautifully preserved homes from the same era, the house needed a thoughtful approach to preserve its architectural integrity. Remodern Builders partnered with JB Sash & Door to honor the home’s original character, choosing windows from the Marvin Elevate collection for durability and style.
Honoring the Original Design
Mulroy and his team retained some original windows, specifically the large distinctive arched windows in the sunroom, setting the tone for the design of all replacement windows.
“When we brought in JB Sash and Marvin, we wanted the new windows to take cues from the original ones,” says Mulroy. “Those original features became our guide.”
Selecting Marvin Elevate for Timeless Style and Practicality
Ultimately, they chose double-hung windows from the Marvin Elevate collection for most of the house, with a design of six divided lite over one—matching the classic look of the late-Victorian period. The Marvin Elevate collection allowed Remodern Builders to meet their aesthetic vision within a practical budget for such an extensive renovation.
“Marvin Elevate is great because it’s an all-wood window on the interior, so we have a lot of flexibility with paint and finishing,” Mulroy explains. “It’s also a solid choice in terms of affordability—it’s a high-quality window, far superior to the typical developer or contractor-grade vinyl options, but at a competitive price point.”
Managing a Large-Scale Project
In total, the project required more than 50 new windows. For Mulroy, partnering with JB Sash & Door was essential for managing a project of this scale.
“When you’re ordering 55 windows, you’re likely to run into small issues, like a missing screen or a part that needs replacing,” says Mulroy. “JB Sash has been there to help us every step of the way, making sure we have what we need to deliver a flawless end result.”
In addition to the Marvin Elevate windows used throughout most of the house, JB Sash supplied Marvin Essentials all-fiberglass windows for moisture-prone areas, like bathrooms, and Therma-Tru Classic Craft exterior doors. This combination of historic design and modern functionality ensures that this late-Victorian house is ready to stand strong for another generation.
“We’re proud to be a part of this project and grateful to have JB Sash as a partner,” Mulroy reflects. “It’s exciting to see this house restored and ready for a new chapter.”