GRAND MILLENNIAL CHARM

Designer Mary Nigh’s transformation of a Georgian home retained its timeless design while infusing it with the family’s personality.

Framed by manicured gardens and clipped hedges, the entrance to this classic Georgian residence sets the tone for the elegance found within.

The house’s traditional architecture and gracious floor plan lent themselves to the homeowners’ vision for their growing family’s forever home that balanced classic design with modern comforts. Yet, the scale of the six-bedroom, nine-bathroom home required an experienced hand. So, they enlisted the talents of North Shore–based designer Mary Nigh, whose refined eye for layered, classic interiors brought character and cohesion to the home.

Beyond the beautiful moldings, generous proportions, and classic detailing, Nigh saw an opportunity to soften the scale and create interiors that felt more intimate and inviting. “We had to think about warming it up and making each room feel distinctive and personal,” says Nigh. “They needed my help with scale, proportion, furnishings, and art.”

The two-story foyer makes a memorable first impression. Reimagined with rich wood flooring, custom millwork, and a tiered lantern-style chandelier with delicate crystal detailing, it brings a sense of grandeur while maintaining warmth. Carefully considered sightlines connect the foyer to the adjacent living, dining, and kitchen spaces, while white millwork-trimmed walls offer a visual pause from the beautifully layered rooms beyond.

Drawing on the homeowners’ interests and passions, the interiors feel deeply personal. “The homeowners’ love of horses, travel, and sophisticated lifestyle, as well as their tradition-meets-maximalist approach to English décor, was a huge influence,” Nigh says. “Think a combination of Ralph Lauren and Nina Campbell.”

In the living room, a bold equestrian triptych by Gail Gash Taylor, commissioned prior to the project, became the room’s design anchor.

“Every piece of art is intentional,” says Nigh. “My clients were very happy I incorporated their artistic interests and helped them acquire new works through galleries in Atlanta and Chicago.”

While equestrian influences run throughout the home, Nigh introduced landscapes and contemporary works to create balance and contrast. In the dining room, a striking landscape by Megan Lightell takes center stage, while Caroline Boykin’s ceramic art adds texture and dimension with delicate flowers that appear to bloom from the wallpaper.

Style and livability remained central to every design decision. The family room, with its refined beaded trim on the drapery and forgiving fabrics on the sofas and chairs, exemplifies this approach. “A family room is for family,” Nigh explains. Meanwhile, the sunroom’s design, with its shades of blue, delicate florals, and Ralph Lauren’s Garden Vine China, offers a subtle nod to the home’s heritage-inspired influences.

Nigh also interjected moments of contrast, like the boot room’s graphic black-and-white stone flooring juxtaposed with an English plaid wallcovering from Mulberry Home, to add personality and charm.

Affectionately dubbed the “Crown Jewel” by Nigh, the primary suite was one of the last rooms designed. Grasscloth walls, tailored drapery, and custom ceiling paneling soften the room’s scale, while a sea glass palette and a carefully placed Bennison floral fabric add an elegant touch. A linen press and chinoiserie table from William Word Fine Antiques lend the room a collected feel, while Nick Mele’s equestrian photography introduces a subtle modern edge.

“A look truly becomes curated when multiple artisans and layers are introduced,” observes Nigh. “For this room alone, we sourced from 34 vendors.”

The home feels true to the family’s vision: welcoming, elegant, and sophisticated. It tells the story of who they are—a hallmark of Nigh’s thoughtful and highly tailored approach to design.