SARAH SCALES

INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO | BOSTON & BEYOND

SARAH SCALES

INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO  |  BOSTON & BEYOND 

Journal

design narratives

Discover rooms we love, materials that
inspire, and stories from our projects; giving you an inside look at our studio and work.

Recent Posts

August 15, 2025

Blue stucco Italianate home with white trim and columns on State Street in Bristol. new england historic home designer

A stroll through Bristol, Rhode Island, reveals the kind of architectural inspiration that makes this a must-visit for any New England historic home designer. A quiet waterfront town just north of Newport—about an hour from Boston if you’re lucky with traffic. I take projects throughout New England, and this one landed me in a place I hadn’t explored before.

August 7, 2025

Classic Boston brownstones and historic mansions in Back Bay, showcasing Victorian-era architecture and timeless urban design.

A closer look at architectural details that define historic home design in Boston’s Back Bay—from classic brownstones to one-of-a-kind standouts. Famous for its architectural rhythm—block after block of brownstones, bay windows, and mansard roofs, all standing neatly in line like a (very fancy) army. But take a closer look, and the rhythm breaks—in the best way.

July 11, 2025

Mayan Revival concrete structure in Los Angeles with architectural details and lush landscape design at Hollyhock House

Join me on a Los Angeles historic homes tour with stops at three landmark houses: Hollyhock House, Kings Road House, and the Ennis House. From early modernist design to bold geometry and layered texture, these homes still influence how we think about space today. Between vegan meals and boutiques, I squeezed in a few landmark buildings—and this tour was totally worth it.

June 28, 2025

Classic white millwork wraps the stairwell and hallway in this Boston brownstone renovation project

It’s been a while since we shared progress on our K Street project, and while we’ve shared updates on Instagram, the journal posts have been quiet. With six weeks (ish) left in construction, it felt like the right time to offer a peek. This brownstone renovation leans into classic architecture and timeless materials—always our favorite combination. As historic home designers, we’re always balancing restoration and reinvention.

June 13, 2025

A charming pink stucco house with a bright teal door and minimal trim details, located in Windsor Square near Hancock Park, LA.

LA is full of contradictions. A city, but sprawling like a suburb. Industry-driven, yet business deals go down in flip-flops. Full of both grit and glamour; famous, yet somehow still faceless. What I learned is that LA’s architecture is hyper-varied: One block with a Spanish Colonial Revival, the next Craftsman or a Mid-Century Modern. What LA does best is to tuck it’s architectural gems into places you don’t expect.

May 9, 2025

Chanel storefront in Toronto, a 1930s yellow brick building redesigned by Peter Marino for modern luxury retail.

Toronto’s neighborhoods offer more than just a pleasant stroll—they’re a study in layered history, evolving styles, and architectural details that still feel lived-in. On this trip, I wasn’t only browsing boutiques and admiring façades—I was gathering historic home design inspiration at every turn. From Georgian buildings reimagined as luxury storefronts to rows of Victorians, the structures hold strong.

January 3, 2025

Historic Home Interior Design featuring a grand black-painted staircase with neutral wallcovering, freshly painted millwork, and a new stair runner in a historic Concord home foyer.

When tackling a 10,000-square-foot historic estate, you need more than just good taste—you need a plan, a ladder, and maybe a little caffeine. This Concord home, originally built in 1903, challenged us to create spaces that honored its history while inviting a fresh perspective. With a cohesive palette, modern touches, and a focus on historic home interior design, we brought new life to its iconic bones.

September 27, 2024

An original marble fireplace in a Boston brownstone sits beneath a modern mirror, paired with mid-century furniture and contemporary art.

There’s something magical about fireplaces in historic New England homes. They’re not just spots to warm up—they’re like time machines wrapped in marble, brick and tile. Each one is an architectural gem, full of charm and stories from centuries past. So, grab a seat (preferably near a fire) and let’s take a little journey through some of the most captivating and cozy fireplaces we’ve had the pleasure of reviving.

September 20, 2024

Custom interior design pairs a vintage heirloom desk with a walnut daybed, a Gastón y Daniela tufted mattress, and Pierre Frey alpaca pillows.

When it comes to designing a space, textiles make the biggest statements—working (sometimes quietly) behind the scenes, making everything feel more comfortable and sophisticated. In this Brookline home, every pillow, drapery, and upholstered piece was handpicked with care – we made sure each material not only reflected the client’s personality but also gave the home’s classic architecture a little extra flair.

July 24, 2024

Family room with soft grey sectional, blue chair and ottoman, mid-century coffee table, and simple lighting by a Boston area interior designer.

We focused on honoring the home’s classic architecture while subtly updating it with modern furnishings for this full home renovation project in Hingham. We stayed true to historic home design principals, and reconfigured spaces WITHOUT extending beyond to original footprint of the house. The studio improved the floor plan, refreshed rooms with paint and wallpaper, and introduced details that feel both fresh and timeless.

July 5, 2024

A formal living room with original built-ins, leaded glass, modern furniture, fun art, and simple neutral decor in a historic Concord home.

Renovating historic homes in New England is both a challenge and an art form. It requires a thoughtful balance between preserving the charm of the past and incorporating the necessities of modern living. From colonial-era farmhouses to Victorian brownstones and Arts and Crafts gems, these homes hold stories in their walls. Whether it’s a plaster medallion or an original marble fireplace, each speaks to the craft of a bygone era.

June 21, 2024

Pool at a historic Concord estate featuring modern furniture from Design Within Reach, designed by a Boston interior designer.

When it comes to outdoor living, blending modern functionality with old-school architecture can elevate any home. In our latest project, we transformed the exterior of a beautiful New England home, creating versatile outdoor spaces designed for relaxation and entertainment, as seen in Boston Home Magazine’s Instagram feed.