Reimagining Spaces

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 lot of 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. Let’s take a peek at the entry, living room, and dining room. This beauty was featured in both Boston Home and The Boston Globe.

A Classic Welcome

Step into the earthy blue vestibule, where the original door greets you with sidelights and a glass interior door leading to the grand foyer. The foyer is a traditionalist’s dream, with its stenciled floor and all-original millwork—wainscot, baseboards, and trim—refreshed in a crisp cream color. We balanced this classic look with tone-on-tone geometric wallpaper, contemporary furniture, and modern lighting. The staircase, a showstopper in striking black paint, winds its way to the third floor, setting the stage for this spacious, layered entryway.

Modern Ease

The living room combines historic charm and modern ease. Original leaded glass cabinetry anchors the space, complemented by a new glass-and-metal light fixture above. Simple, neutral furnishings play well one of our favorite lounge chairs—a Scandinavian chair emphasizing simplicity, gracefulness, craftsmanship and timelessness. The fireplace retains its historic charm, adorned with simple art overhead, balanced by contemporary sconces. White linen drapery panels hang gracefully on black French return rods, tying the room together.

Grounded in Neutrals

In the dining room, history takes center stage (again) with an original fireplace and detailed millwork. A custom walnut-and-glass dining table is paired with black leather chairs, offering a modern balance. Overhead, a Roll & Hill light fixture hangs from a plaster medallion, a pairing that feels both historic and new. Grasscloth wallpaper brings texture, while an oak console with black hardware and matching buffet lamps adds elegance. Natural linen drapery panels soften the space, all grounded by a neutral indoor-outdoor rug that ensures spills won’t start a civil war.

Part of a Larger Story

Cohesion is the name of the game in this historic home interior design. Each room feels like part of a larger story, tied together by textures, patterns, and a shared color palette. This 10,000-square-foot estate demanded thoughtful transitions from space to space, and we delivered. Read more below where we’ll dive into the media room, office, family room, and kitchen – the casual spaces that truly makes a house feel like home.

Kids, Dogs, & Bare Feet Welcome

We love the casual spaces of this Concord historic estate — where kids, dogs, and bare feet are all welcome. This doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or style for durability. Instead of vinyl-covered couches or easily disposable furnishings, we invested in well-made, well-designed pieces. These rooms stand up to kids, a black lab, and everyday kitchen disasters. Below, we’re sharing the family room, kitchen, and casual dining areas — the heart of daily life in this historic home.

Moody Media Room

The moody media room features original millwork painted a classic navy, paired with Lee Jofa wallpaper designed by Kelly Wearstler. The ceiling is also painted a dark navy, creating an enveloping effect. Mid-century-inspired furniture in neutral, textured fabrics adds sophistication, anchored by a walnut and metal coffee table. Navy linen drapery covers the original French doors, tying the space together.

Adjacent to this dark and cozy retreat, a light-filled office provides a contrast. The historic millwork is painted warm grey, with a matching painted ceiling. Walnut furniture, including a classic desk, pairs with a Scandinavian lounge chair and ottoman. Monochromatic light grey linen drapery softens the look, creating a serene, functional workspace.

New Fireplace, Original Style

An expansive hallway, connecting the original home to its newer addition, feels more like a room than a passageway. Geometric wallpaper and a coordinating area rug set the stage for a sculptural chair, the focal point of the space. Above the chair, unique artwork adds intrigue, including a digital piece that displays time through rotating shapes.

Moving into the adjacent family room, historic charm blends with modern function. A new fireplace mimics the home’s original style, painted a cool white to keep the room light. Neutral furniture in shades of black and grey includes a comfortable swivel chair, perfect for enjoying either the fireplace or the TV. Subtle architectural light fixtures seamlessly blend into the millwork, maintaining the room’s cohesive design.

Avoiding Waste

In the kitchen, we avoided waste by replacing only the cabinet doors instead of a full remodel. Simple slab doors and drawers replaced ornate designs, paired with nearly invisible aluminum edge pulls. The island, painted black, now features two sculptural fixtures from Allied Maker. Leather counter stools, designed by Omar De Biaggio, were made in Italy.

The breakfast nook, bathed in natural light from six large windows, balances dark and light elements. Walls are painted a rich taupe, contrasted by a white oak table beneath a plaster pendant light. A neutral, scrubbable area rug grounds the space, while modern spindle chairs update a farmhouse classic. Monochromatic taupe linen shades soften the entire space, making this dark-toned room inviting and bright.

Durable for Daily Life

These casual spaces are the heart of the Concord historic estate where daily life unfolds. They balance durability with the luxury of thoughtful design. Neutral tones tie them to the entry, formal living, and dining spaces from part one, while bold black accents, like the kitchen island and light fixtures, provide continuity. Keep going, we’ll explore the second-floor hall, guest suite, kids’ bedrooms, and the primary suite.

Heading Upstairs

Let’s head upstairs, where the second-floor spaces take center stage in our New England historic design story. It starts with the hallway—a classic beauty with a modern edge. Original architectural details remain intact but get a bold update with rich black paint. The barely-there modern square sconces provide stark contrast against cream geometric wallpaper (a nod to the entryway below) and soft cream paint. Add a dash of contemporary art, and this hallway proves that timeless doesn’t mean boring.

Then, there’s the guest room: a tranquil retreat of soft whites and creamy millwork. The standout: A vintage curved desk that feels like it belongs in an old-school romance novel. Paired with striped drapery, Roman shades, and neutral furnishings, the room is simple yet sophisticated. We added an Ali Beletic painting in soft pink tones and a white boucle side chair that makes us want to linger forever.

The Heart of the 2nd Floor

Welcome to the heart of the second floor—the primary bedroom. The modern bed, with its upholstered back and sleek metal legs, feels effortlessly chic. Blackened oak bedside tables and matching metal lamps add texture and depth, while drapery panels in the same mocha hue keep the vibe cohesive. A sculptural lounge chair creates the perfect reading nook, complete with custom art by Erin Clark. Peek through the doorway, and you’ll find a navy blue office—a bold contrast to the calm of the bedroom.

Equal Parts Cool and Cohesive

The office tucked into the primary suite carries the design seamlessly. Navy walls frame a white boucle side chair—a quiet corner that feels as tailored as it does practical.

The children’s bedrooms mix historic charm with playful touches. One room features a bold blue ceiling and a charcoal area rug from Room & Board. A felted wool chair and ottoman from Blu Dot balance comfort with style—teenager-approved but still in harmony with the Federal-style fireplace. Another bedroom features a hanging egg chair, creating the perfect cozy, swinging spot for a teen to relax—or pretend to read. Add a sculptural light fixture and simple, soft furnishings in shades of grey and blue, and you’ve got spaces that are equal parts cool and cohesive.

Cohesion Is King

This collection of bedrooms and guest spaces ties seamlessly into the rest of the home, proving that New England historic design doesn’t have to mean fussy or conservative. Every room feels connected, creating a flow that lets you float from space to space. Because in the end, cohesion is king. When a home feels like a story you can’t put down, that’s when you know the design truly resonates. Read more about our work in historic homes, here and here.