Philadelphia Home: The New Modern Family Home in Chestnut Hill

With the help of Philadelphia designer Mona Ross Berman, a young family takes a 1907 house from empty shell to utterly sophisticated (but kid-friendly!).

Photograph by Jeffrey Totaro for Philadelphia magazine. A Mona Ross Berman designed home in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Backyard.

Life in Bloom

One of the owners of the house during the ’80s was a devoted gardener who meticulously planned extensive plantings. The homeowners have since discovered her detailed illustrations and charts of blooming periods for the entire property. Scrolled orange chairs (a providential Anthropologie find) add a dash of whimsy, while white Richard Schultz patio furniture mirrors the sleek interior design.