Inside River Glen: A Contemporary Take on New England Charm

It’s a familiar shift: city life traded for space, quiet, and room to grow. But River Glen—as this Wellesley, Massachusetts home is aptly named—is anything but expected. Designed by Nicole Hirsch, the interiors walk the line between old-school New England charm and a more contemporary sensibility. Nicole’s goal was to honor the home’s traditional bones while giving her clients a space that feels current, personal, and built for a growing family. Nearly every room underwent a thoughtful refresh, including a top-to-bottom renovation of the kitchen, primary bathroom, and powder room—all of it balancing comfort with a dose of style.

Design: Nicole Hirsch Interiors | Photography: Jared Kuzia | Styling: Sean Williams

A Grand Entrance That Sets the Tone

The foyer at River Glen makes a quiet kind of statement. A sculptural Giopato & Coombes light fixture hangs overhead, while an abstract runner by Art + Loom draws the eye up the dramatic black staircase. It’s a bold introduction—graphic, textural, and grounded in contrast—and yet, it doesn’t feel overdone. The balance of strong lines and soft curves continues throughout the home, setting the tone for a space that’s both elevated and easy to live in.

Soft Shapes & Strong Statements

In the living room and adjacent bar, Nicole leaned into shape and subtle contrast. A pair of curved sofas wrap around a light wood coffee table, creating an easy, sculptural rhythm. In the bar, a custom black unit grounds the space, softened by natural wood stools and a mirrored coffee table that bounces light in all the right ways. The palette stays neutral, but the play of materials keeps things interesting and anything but flat.

A Kitchen That’s Quietly Bold

At first glance, the kitchen reads calm and classic. But look closer, and you’ll spot the drama. Warm white cabinetry and clean-lined millwork, executed in collaboration with Metropolitan Cabinets, set a quiet backdrop for a striking slab of quartzite that steals the show without being overly loud. Wooden chairs and a plaster chandelier in the breakfast nook, located off to the side of the kitchen, echo the soft, organic shapes found throughout the rest of the home. And in the butler’s pantry? A luxe floor-to-ceiling stone-on-stone moment.

The Power of Texture in Restful Rooms

In the private spaces, texture takes the lead. The bedroom features custom leather, shagreen, and geometric drapery, paired with soft neutrals, creating a look that feels polished yet deeply calming. The adjoining bathroom picks up the thread with calming taupe tile and plenty of homey finishes. And the powder room goes all out: a gorgeous, hand-painted, lacquered grasscloth wallpaper mural by Phillip Jeffries, paired with a marble vanity and a white oak vanity.

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The living room layers sculptural seating and soft drapery against a bold marble fireplace fabricated by Metropolitan Cabinets, with stone from Marble & Granite in Westwood, MA.