Color and Pattern Energize a Historic Milton Home

The home’s back entry is wrapped in a deep, dramatic teal that sweeps up the curved staircase. A vintage Brimfield flea market rug and artwork from Chelsea Lyons Teta ground the space.

Rich brown millwork, a glossy pink ceiling, and tapestry wallpaper evoke a cozy lodge aesthetic and sanctuary in the library, says interior designer Thiara Borges Dananberg.

Woven Casamidy chairs with saddle-blanket backs flank a kid-friendly table in the dining area, while a sleek flush-mount fixture injects modern interest beneath the low ceiling.

Lavender grasscloth wallpaper infuses the living room with airy texture, balancing a midcentury Moroccan rug, warm neutral trim, and a delicate glass light fixture.

Soft sage walls offer a visual breather, providing a unifying backdrop for a vintage kilim rug, plush velvet chairs, and an eclectic mix of decor.

An L-shaped sectional sofa anchors a family room that serves as the primary gathering space. Custom parchment ceiling mounts with plum trim were created locally by Blanche P. Field.

A vibrant mango hue awakens the butler’s pantry, beautifully juxtaposed against botanical wallpaper backing the cabinets and a playful silk ikat café curtain.

Abstract pink wallpaper adds an earthy, elegant feel to the primary bedroom, where a caned bed and rich burlwood nightstands wrap the space in layered warmth.

Geometric Robert Kime wallpaper and custom green-patina sconces cast a soft, ambient glow in a second-floor landing painted with warm teal accents.

A Historic Renovation with a Playful Point of View

Interior designer Thiara Borges Dananberg often draws on a home’s history, location, and architecture to help dictate the direction of a project. But when a Boston couple commissioned her to reimagine their historic estate in Milton, Massachusetts, she found inspiration in the alchemy of collaboration.

“The clients had a big impact on the overall aesthetic,” explains Borges Dananberg, whose detail-focused design approach exists at the intersection of livable function and a client’s lifestyle needs. “I typically work with the owners to understand what they want,” she adds. “But these clients are the most fun and down-to-earth people to work with, and I think that spirit really carried through to the interior design.”

That irreverent spirit emanated from Liz Van Sickle and her husband, Rob Van Sickle, cofounder of Polkadog, the cult-favorite purveyor of handmade, healthy treats for pets. The couple purchased the property in 2022 but sought a renovation that went beyond simply highlighting its history.

New England History Inspires the Interior Design

“I wanted colors and layers and unexpected things,” recalls Liz. The original 1678 residence burned to the ground in 1748, only to rise again a century later, resurrected with reclaimed timbers salvaged from the ash. “We wanted the interiors to feel appropriate for the house, which was old and quirky and very New England,” she says. “But we also wanted something that felt a little bit like a Vermont-meets-safari lodge.”

The designer employed captivating color and artful whimsy to deliver on that eccentric mandate while orchestrating a deliberate, meticulous renovation of the entire residence.

Millwork in the library is painted a deep brown to produce a warm shell that replaces the previous sterile white. The back entry is bathed in a dramatic teal that carries up the curved stairs to highlight the millwork and build a genuine sense of presence. A light lavender grasscloth in the living room creates another “breather” moment, the designer says.

“Liz gave me lots of inspiration,” explains Borges Dananberg. “Classic traditional inns, lots of wallpaper, pattern on pattern, and some American national parks lodges thrown in.”

By weaving these disparate threads together, the designer says she ultimately achieved more than just an updated historic structure but also an homage to its resilient past. “Collaborating with the clients really helped breathe new life into the old bones of the home,” Borges Dananberg adds.

Project Team
Architecture: Oak Hill Architects(opens in new tab)
Interior design: Studio Borges Interior Design(opens in new tab)
Landscape design: Melissa MacDonald Landscape Architect(opens in new tab)