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

April 25, 2025

Tariff talk is exhausting. With imports from Asia getting more expensive and shipping no longer cheap, more people may start avoiding fast fashion—and it’s about time; I’ve been doing that for years (long live Poshmark and The Real Real). It’s a good time to turn toward secondhand everything beyond clothing, including home decor and furniture. We’re not the first to catch on to secondhand goods—just pointing out the growth!

April 11, 2025

Mid century modern furniture in use: the iconic Womb Chair styled in a historic home interior with traditional architectural details

Florence Knoll didn’t just shape the look of mid-century modern furniture—she hired the people who defined it. Her collaborations with Eero Saarinen led to some of the most enduring furniture designs of the 20th century, and they still show up in our projects today. Mid-century pieces like the Womb Chair, Tulip Chair, and Tulip Table—designed by Saarinen for Knoll—pairs with the Executive Chair, designed by Knoll herself.

March 14, 2025

Media room painted Hale Navy with Lee Jofa wallpaper and mid-century furnishings from Room and Board, designing for a historic home.

Room & Board recently featured our work on their blog, linked here; we’re super happy with the write-up and the recognition. Their products blend quality craftsmanship with timeless design, making them a natural fit for our projects. Based in Minnesota, they source from skilled artisans across the country—including some right here in New England.

January 17, 2025

A warm corridor in a new construction home, painted Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17), a top choice for the best white paint colors.

There’s a reason Benjamin Moore has an entire collection dedicated to white—it’s anything but simple. In fact, their Off-White Collection includes 152 different whites. That’s right….152 options. No wonder finding the best white paint colors can feel overwhelming. Cool white, warm white, off-white, pure white. it’s a lot to process. Here are three of our favorite whites and some foolproof tips for finding your own “perfect” white.

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.

December 6, 2024

A casual dining space designed through Full-Service Design Boston, part of a fully renovated historic Hingham home with warm, livable interiors.

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

Navy blue media room design in a historic Brookline home with dark walls and a matching coffered ceiling. A modern sectional blends with navy walls, reupholstered swivel chairs, and personal art.

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.

November 22, 2024

A classic Boston kitchen design in a Winchester home with light green cabinets, reclaimed oak shelving, and a locally made wood and metal island.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let’s talk kitchens—the heart of the home. As a Boston kitchen designer, I’ve tackled some pretty unforgettable projects. Some are fresh, others historic, and a few date back to my earliest work. While some of these projects no longer grace my portfolio, they hold a special place in my design journey. Let’s dive into some standout spaces from a collection of our work.