This Massachusetts Family Home Channels Parisian Chic

How do you exemplify the je ne sais quoi of contemporary Parisian chic in Massachusetts? For starters, you enlist the services of Wellesley-based designer Nicole Hirsch, whose work combines the timeless appeal of classical architecture and bold, fresh applications of color.

That’s just what her clients had in mind. “This home belongs to the most wonderful, fun family who have two boys in elementary school. [They’re] both very active and love sports,” she explains. “It’s a 9,000-square-foot Colonial home built in 1987 that has been slowly refurbished since the family moved in. Our work on the home includes the entire second floor and primary suite, including the bedroom, bathroom and closet.” By knowing just where and when to apply boldness and restraint, she created a sanctuary that’s vibrant and restorative. Here’s how she brought it to life.

The anchoring area rug in this space outside the boys’ bedrooms is actually broadloom carpet that Nicole’s team had cut down to size — a nifty pro trick. “The leather ottomans are from Mitchell Gold and we selected tones of teal and sage green for all the pieces to give it a pop,” she explains. “We grounded it all with that amazing camo rug from Fayette Studio.”

Gallery walls are well and good, but their appeal is often lost on the elementary-school set. Nicole adopted an athletic aesthetic to create a one-of-a-kind display that reflects the boys’ youthful energy. “Though they aren’t skateboarders, per se, they love trying new and different activities and we thought these incredibly cool skate decks from the MoMA Design Store would pair perfectly in this hangout/TV/homework area.” Ultra-durable versions of Andy Warhol’s 32 Campbell’s Soup Cans? Genius.

This sleek workspace has a sense of fun, thanks to six graphic basketballs arranged on acrylic rings above the shared desk. “The boys both really love basketball and soccer and bringing in the graffiti balls was an awesome accent for the built-ins,” Nicole says. “We wanted the space to feel comfortable and fun. We designed the built-in double desks so they each had a place to sit and comfortably do their homework. We added metal cabinet fronts above for an edgy textural difference.”