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

January 17, 2025

Historic staircase in a 1903 Concord home with bold black spindles and risers contrasting cream millwork by Boston designer Sarah Scales.

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. Read more!

January 10, 2025

Modern family room in a historic Concord home with a traditional fireplace, coffered ceiling, and neutral tones by Sarah Scales.

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.

January 3, 2025

Entryway with earthy blue tones, stenciled traditional floor, Thibaut wallpaper, and modern furniture and lighting in a historic home interior design.

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. Let’s take a peek!

December 24, 2024

Modern boys' bedroom with Zak+Fox dark green wallpaper, a custom blue trundle bed from Motce, and a sleek desk from Design Within Reach in a UES apartment.

Our holiday gift to you: updates on our Upper East Side apartment design! Earlier this month, we stopped by our NYC project to review the paint, wallpaper, and light fixture installation. The first deliveries of furniture arrived, featuring many custom pieces, mid-century modern elements, and items from our client’s home in Concord, Massachusetts. Enjoy a sneak peek!

December 20, 2024

Living room in a historic Boston brownstone with an original fireplace, millwork, a womb chair, and a custom sofa by Boston interior designer Sarah Scales.

One of our favorite projects was transforming the parlor level of a stunning brownstone. This brownstone interior design project required a careful balance of style and functionality to bring our client’s vision to life. After an extensive renovation, we stepped in to furnish and decorate the main living areas. Our client, overwhelmed with decision fatigue, had a clear aesthetic vision – see how we pulled it all together.

December 13, 2024

Sarah Scales reviews drawings with clients in a custom Westwood kitchen, showcasing collaborative design and personalized planning.

Welcome to the nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes look at our interior design process. Spoiler alert: It’s not magic, but it’s close. We’re talking spreadsheets, software, and systems—all powered by caffeine and sheer determination. Designing your dream home takes work, but with our methodical process, we make it feel effortless (for you, at least).

December 6, 2024

Breakfast nook with mid-century modern table, chairs, custom white bench seating, shiplap ceiling, custom cushions, pillows, and white linen drapery panels.

Welcome to the land of well-planned spaces and perfectly fluffed pillows. We’re a full-service design firm based in Boston, and we love structure. No, really—We. Love. Structure. With 20 years of experience (including 15 years in commercial interiors), Sarah brings the big-gun processes from Boston’s top firms straight to your home. Learn more about what we do.

November 29, 2024

Monochromatic media room in a historic Brookline home designed by Sarah Scales, featuring a coffered ceiling in charcoal and navy, custom linen shades, textured sectional, velvet swivel chairs, mid-century modern coffee table, and custom pillows in Pierre Frey fabrics.

Navy is becoming a go-to choice in media room design for its deep and timeless appeal – especially in New England. This versatile color blends with both historic architecture and modern design, creating dramatic yet cohesive spaces – a quintessential coastal and classic hue. From a renovated Brookline home to a transformed Hingham basement to a Concord estate, see how navy lends depth, warmth, and sophistication.