After a decade living amid muted grays, a family in Newton, Massachusetts, enlisted designer Cecilia Casagrande to infuse their 1800s Victorian home with lively color and intricate patterns, creating a joyful and eclectic atmosphere that celebrates their love of art, travel, and heritage.
- Color and pattern replace a decade of gray in a historic home
- Design inspired by family art, travel, and fabric heritage
- Blends Victorian architecture with modern and European influences
What happened
The Newton, Massachusetts family had long lived in their gray-toned 1800s home before engaging interior designer Cecilia Casagrande to bring their vision of vibrant, maximalist rooms to life. The project focused on enriching every space with bold colors, diverse patterns, and art reflecting the owners’ eclectic tastes and family history.
Cecilia drew inspiration from British and European design, traveling boutique hotels, and the family’s ties to the fabric industry to carefully select wallpapers, fabrics, and furnishings. Each room features a distinct palette and layered details, from turquoise and rust patterns in the TV room to deep London Clay walls paired with traditional fabrics in the living room.
Why it feels good
The redesign lifts the home’s atmosphere from cool neutrality to warm, inviting vibrancy that truly aligns with the family’s bright, stylish personalities. The thoughtful integration of color and pattern fosters a playful yet sophisticated environment that embraces both history and contemporary artistry.
Personal connections to the arts and fabrics make this transformation more than decoration—it is a celebration of the family’s legacy and passions. The careful craftsmanship behind chosen antiques and lighting further enriches the sense of authenticity and care throughout the home.
What to enjoy or watch next
Explore how the remodeled rooms enhance everyday living with artwork and color choices that echo the family’s love of travel and style. Notice how the inventive use of pattern, such as wallpaper on ceilings in the dining room or layered textiles in the living areas, creates immersive and cozy spaces.
For those inspired by this blend of old-world charm and bold modernity, following Cecilia Casagrande’s future projects or browsing collections in magazines like Homes and Gardens will provide fresh ideas for incorporating rich textures and colors into heritage homes.