In the heart of Concord, Massachusetts, a 1940s New England Colonial house has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a global design fusion. Interior designer Nina Farmer and her clients, who were locked down during the pandemic, channeled their shared love of travel and history into a unique and captivating interior. This house, with its classic lines and potential, became a canvas for a journey through time and space, blending European, Indian, and American influences. The result is a testament to the power of personal connection and the ability to create a home that tells a story.
Farmer, a Boston-based decorator, explains, "The house had character but wasn’t telling me what it wanted to be." She was intrigued by the building's exterior, but the interior was a series of busy rooms lacking cohesion. With the pandemic as a backdrop, Farmer and her clients turned to their shared wanderlust, using travel as a source of inspiration. "The conversations became more focused, and the house began to take shape," she recalls. "Even though we couldn’t go anywhere, our inspiration came from these conversations."
The study, a key starting point, was once a staid early American room. Farmer drew inspiration from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, a place the client was familiar with. She created custom hand-painted Fromental wallpaper panels, blending with the original paneling and revealing its natural patina. A Moroccan carpet and an onyx-topped coffee table add interest, while a custom sofa covered in Opera velvet and trimmed with Samuel & Sons fringe completes the room.
The dining room is a tribute to Isabella Stewart Gardner, with antique furniture from around the world. A 1940s Murano glass chandelier hangs over a French oak table set with Danish Modern chairs. The sitting room features henna-inspired motifs on abaca grass cloth, antique Delft tiles, and a large antique rug from East Azerbaijan, whose color palette inspired the entire house.
Farmer's approach to mixing textures, colors, and shapes is evident in the downstairs bathroom. A custom marble sink, a 1960s French rattan mirror, and a 1950s Stilnovo sconce create a carefully curated balance. The main bedroom, with its custom grey-green stained knotty pine paneling and a white plaster chandelier, adds a note of freshness. A French 1950s cerused oak desk provides a stylish workspace.
The en-suite bathroom in the main bedroom showcases a Moroccan tile floor with a geometric pattern inspired by an Indian flat weave rug. A whimsical pale green Water Monopoly bath sits under a 1920s French Art Deco pendant and beside a 1950s Italian chair covered in Schuyler Samperton’s ‘Benghal Stripe.’ Nina designed the dressing table based on a door she saw in Italy, connecting the house to the places they had visited.
Farmer's design philosophy is evident throughout the house, where every room tells a story. "Even as we worked from home on this project, the visual language of places we had seen and experienced was never far away," she says. "That brought so much nuance and expression to the house."
This house is a testament to the power of personal connection and the ability to create a home that tells a story. It is a global design fusion, a melting pot of influences, and a celebration of the places we have visited and the memories we hold dear. From the study to the dining room, every room is a journey, a conversation, and a reflection of the people who live there. In my opinion, this house is a masterpiece, a work of art, and a testament to the power of design to transport us to far-flung places and inspire us to create something truly special.
