Nicole Hirsch on Creating Elegant, Livable Interiors Rooted in New England Heritage
people • DESIGNERS
Based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Nicole Hirsch is an interior designer celebrated for blending contemporary sophistication with the timeless charm of New England architecture. Her studio, Nicole Hirsch Interiors, creates spaces that are both refined and welcoming, characterised by layered textures, tailored detailing, and a modern yet enduring sensibility. In this exclusive interview with Designeers, Nicole shares her approach to transforming historic homes, guiding clients through bespoke design, and redefining luxury living across Boston and beyond.
Words: designeers
OCTOBER 2025
WEBSITE: nicolehirschinteriors.com
INSTAGRAM: @nicole.hirsch.interiors
DESIGNEERS
Your firm is known for marrying contemporary style with traditional New England homes. How do you modernise a classic house while preserving its authentic soul?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
There is always a need to bridge the traditional New England sensibility with a more modern aesthetic. We want to honour the architectural history of each home while creating a space that feels relevant and timeless. We often preserve original details, such as baseboards, crown mouldings, and doors, where possible, and restore existing floors or reintroduce traditional patterns, like chevron.
Fireplaces are another focal point. We might retain their historic structure but update it with elegant marble or bespoke millwork. Once those authentic elements are preserved, we layer them with modern furnishings, lighting, and art to create a dialogue between past and present.
DESIGNEERS
With major residential renovations, you shape everything from millwork and lighting to bespoke furniture. How do you guide clients through the process of living with truly one-of-a-kind design?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
Our process is deeply collaborative and detail-driven. From the start, we take time to understand how clients want to live and feel in their space. Every choice, from materials to proportions, is explained so they understand the story behind each element.
We rely on visual tools such as renderings, mood boards, and tactile samples to help clients imagine the final design. Many of our projects involve custom pieces, so we remain hands-on through every stage, design, fabrication, and installation. It’s part education, part artistry, ensuring that every bespoke detail enhances not only the aesthetic but also how the home functions day to day.
DESIGNEERS
You are increasingly working in urban luxury contexts like Seaport and Beacon Hill. How does your design adapt between suburban homes and city brownstones?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
While our aesthetic remains rooted in contemporary luxury, its expression changes depending on the setting. In suburban homes, we often work with open layouts and a strong connection to the outdoors. There’s more opportunity to play with scale and integrate natural flow throughout.
In city brownstones or high-rises, the focus shifts toward efficiency and light. We find beauty in restraint, celebrating architecture while optimising every inch of space. In a Beacon Hill project, for instance, we preserved period details while introducing sculptural furniture and modern art to bring balance and warmth. Each project reflects its context but always carries our signature sense of refinement and calm.
DESIGNEERS
Who are your top three favourite suppliers?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
“We want to honour the architectural history of each home while creating a space that feels relevant and timeless.”
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
DESIGNEERS
How would you describe your style in three words?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
Elegant, neutral, and timeless.
DESIGNEERS
Do you have a favourite ‘secret weapon,’ a detail or material you often return to for impact without noise?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
Drapery by Rosemary Hallgarten. We always say a room isn’t finished until the window treatments are installed. Her fabrics add depth, texture, and quiet luxury without overpowering a space. Whether it’s a soft bedroom or a formal living area, her drapery transforms the atmosphere in a subtle yet powerful way.
DESIGNEERS
As a designer, which hotel has left a lasting impression on you?
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
It’s hard to choose one hotel that has influenced me most because every destination has its own personality. From New York and Los Angeles to Palm Beach, Mexico, and Italy, I’m always inspired by how hotels blend local character with a modern aesthetic. One that stands out is Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, an open-air retreat where natural textures meet refined detailing. The mix of woven materials, sculpted stone, and luxurious finishes creates a sense of effortless sophistication. It’s those thoughtful layers and quiet luxuries that stay with me.
DESIGNEERS
Complete the sentence: A home should feel like...
Nicole Hirsch Interiors
A refuge and a place of peace. Somewhere that offers comfort, calm, and a sense of belonging, a home where family can gather and unwind at the end of the day.
