6 min readWhen designer Rachel Reider first walked into her clients’ 1896 Victorian home outside of Boston, its bones were impressive, but much of the original character had been lost. “The home had been renovated by a developer who stripped away quite a bit of the architectural detail,” she says. “The clients were really interested in bringing that back.” Paint and wallpaper decisions were put on the back burner as Reider and the architects studied archival photos of the house, using them as a guide to bring historic details back onto the scene.
Soon the house was once again filled with bespoke, period-inspired mainstays: pocket doors that allow spaces to open or close with ease; graceful archways that soften the transition between rooms; geometric, richly detailed coffered ceilings; custom millwork framing fireplaces and accenting walls.
One room that was less historically driven, but rooted in the homeowners’ love of heirloom finishes, was the kitchen. The island, crafted from paldao wood, chosen for its dramatic grain, is finished in a rich teal and custom brass fittings. “The owner admires antiques and always loved the idea of icebox hardware,” Reider says. “This seemed like a place to play with that—adding it like jewelry to the island.”
If the kitchen hints at the home’s personality, the rest of the house fully embraces it. The entry sets the tone immediately, with walls papered in two patterns and a gleaming brass-and-wood inlay marking the threshold. From there, color builds room by room. The teal living room stretches across the front of the house, its generous scale softened through a series of smaller gathering areas; just beyond, the library shifts the mood, with lacquered millwork turning what was once a simple pass-through into a rich, enveloping retreat.
“We’re known for embracing color, but on this project our client pushed even our own boundaries,” Reider says. There were many instances where we would ask, ‘Is this too much?’ And the client would say, ‘Never!’”
FAST FACTS
Designer:Reider + Co
Location: Suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts
Architect:NICHE Architecture
Builder: Sea-Dar Construction
The Space: An eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom, three-half-bathroom 1896 Victorian across 10,000 square feet.
LIBRARY
Lacquered walls, layered pattern, and hidden tech turn this former pass-through into one of the home’s hardest-working spaces.
Finished in high-gloss Midnight Navy by Benjamin Moore, the library functions as a lounge, office, and homework headquarters all at once. A custom table by Masterpiece Woodworks conceals a monitor that rises and rotates 360-degrees when needed, allowing the room to shift easily from work mode to family gathering space.
Reider positioned floating desks beside the windows to maximize natural light for after-school studying, while a built-in bench beneath an existing window transforms an overlooked architectural moment into a cozy reading nook. Overhead, a Phillip Jeffries wallcovering adds another layer of texture and pattern to the richly enveloping room.
LIVING ROOM
Multiple gathering areas bring intimacy and flexibility.
Rather than treating the living room as one oversized entertaining space, Reider divided it into a series of smaller moments designed for reading, conversation, puzzles, and after-dinner drinks. A mix of tailored seating—including a Cisco Home sofa and Hickory Chair lounge chairs—gathers atop a deep plum JD Staron rug that softens the room’s grand scale.
Across the room, a built-in bench beside the fireplace creates another cozy perch beneath Roman shades in Villa Nova fabric, while textured Élitis wallcovering deepens the teal-drenched space. Overhead, a multicolored Murano fixture introduces an unexpected flash of color and subtle Italian glamour.
DINING ROOM
Handcrafted surfaces and richly painted millwork transform dinner parties into an immersive experience.
The dining room became one of the home’s boldest expressions of color and pattern. An embroidered and beaded de Gournay wallcovering wraps the room in a lush jungle scene, inspiring millwork painted in Flamenco by Benjamin Moore—a saturated raspberry tone pulled directly from the artwork itself. Overhead, artisans hand-gilded the coffered ceiling, allowing light to shimmer softly across the room during evening dinners and large family gatherings. “Jungle,” Reider says when asked to describe the atmosphere. “It really does feel like this magical special space.”
Painted in Flamenco by Benjamin Moore, the dining room’s built-in buffet layers concealed storage with open display niches for art and collected objects.
KITCHEN
Tailored storage solutions and heirloom-inspired finishes give warmth and purpose.
Designed for a family of six, the kitchen was meticulously planned around the homeowners’ daily routines. “We programmed every drawer and cabinet to make sure there was space for everything,” Reider says.
The room’s teal-finished Paldao island—selected for its dramatic grain—is fitted with custom brass icebox hardware from Armac Martin, a detail inspired by the homeowners’ love of antiques. Nearby, a backsplash that mixes marble with reclaimed wood introduces warmth and texture, while Urban Electric pendants illuminate the expansive workspace.
POWDER ROOM
Bold pattern and sculptural materials make the compact room feel unexpectedly transportive.
Tucked beneath the stairs, the powder room transforms an unexpected corner into one of the home’s boldest moments. A richly patterned Kravet wallcovering envelops the compact space, while a floating concrete sink by Concretti introduces an unexpected sculptural element against the saturated backdrop. Reider embraced the room’s smaller footprint, layering dramatic materials and brass accents to create a space that feels collected, immersive, and slightly daring.
ENTRY
Leather detailing, layered wallcoverings, and custom brass hardware create an unforgettable first impression.
The entry establishes the tone of the house immediately, pairing two distinct wallcoverings with richly detailed millwork and custom brass accents underfoot. Oversized indigo medallions from Galbraith & Paul frame a pair of coat closet French doors wrapped in vivid red leather by Joseph Noble Leather, their paneled detailing traced in nailheads and finished with chunky E.R. Butler hardware.
Reider describes the space as an intentional pause point before moving deeper into the home. “We wanted the entry to feel like a moment,” she says. Just beyond the entry, a sculptural seating vignette softens the transition into the rest of the home, where stacked floor cushions and richly colored upholstery invite guests to linger.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Silk-covered walls and deeply saturated millwork bring drama and softness.
The primary bedroom balances bold color with an unexpectedly restful atmosphere. A teal silk Élitis wallcovering forms the backdrop for millwork, painted in Pelt by Farrow & Ball, a deep aubergine that creates a dramatic architectural feature behind the bed.
Layers of saffron and patterned textiles soften the room’s cooler tones, while a chaise beneath the windows creates a quiet place to read or unwind at the end of the day. Reider approached the room less as a traditional bedroom and more as a richly layered retreat.
PRIMARY BATH
Warm walnut, marble, and brass create a polished yet deeply calming atmosphere.
The primary bath was fully reconfigured to create a more functional and luxurious retreat for the homeowners, complete with a soaking tub, walk-in shower, and dual custom vanities by Vanity & Co. Reeded walnut paneling softens the room’s marble surfaces and introduces warmth against polished brass accents throughout.
“The success of this bathroom lies in its ability to be both architectural and indulgent,” says Reider. Vanities painted in Bermuda Turquoise by Benjamin Moore add another unexpected layer of color within the otherwise serene space.
BOY’S BEDROOM
Deep teal walls and plaid upholstery create a room that feels youthful without sacrificing sophistication.
Designed for a wildlife-loving kid, the bedroom balances playful patterns with enough sophistication to grow alongside its occupant over time. Walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s In the Tropics set a lively tone, while a plaid bed by Lousso Designs—upholstered in Osborne & Little fabric—anchors the room beneath a collection of framed animal prints.
BATHROOM
Richly veined stone and a kaleidoscope-inspired wallcovering turn the small space into a wow moment.
Rather than softening the smaller footprint, Reider leaned fully into color and pattern in this bathroom, layering a richly detailed Kravet wallcovering against teal-painted trim and heavily veined stone surfaces. Brass fixtures and a sculptural mirror introduce warmth and polish, while custom red sconces punctuate the space with another unexpected jolt of color.
LAUNDRY
Sunny painted cabinetry and cheerful wallpaper brighten one of the home’s most practical rooms.
The homeowners requested that the laundry room become “the happiest room in the house,” prompting Reider to treat the utilitarian space with the same attention to color and layering found elsewhere in the home. Botanical Schumacher wallpaper wraps the room in a lively pattern, while millwork painted in Benjamin Moore’s Glimmer introduces a soft, sunny contrast.
About the Designer
Founded in Boston in 2006, Reider & Co. is known for creating richly layered homes that balance bold design with the realities of everyday family life. Led by founder Rachel Reider, the firm draws from its experience designing both large-scale residences and boutique hotels to craft interiors that feel deeply personal, immersive, and highly functional. As a mother of two, Reider approaches each project with an understanding of how families truly live, blending comfort, customization, and expressive color throughout every space.
