A charming storybook cottage in Massachusetts gets a stunning modern update

Gray shingle house exterior with steep gambrel roof, twin chimneys, and white picket fence

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This beautiful storybook cottage, reimagined by Christopher Russ Architects in collaboration with R. Everts Interiors, blends timeless charm with refined interiors in the picturesque town of Wellesley, Massachusetts. The exterior features a steep roof and an arched doorway with an eyebrow overhang, which the builder custom-fabricated on-site.

With an appreciation for historic architecture, the goal of the homeowner was to give her charming circa-1928 house a makeover, creating bright, airy, and cozy living spaces. The main level is just three simple rooms: a living room, a remodeled kitchen with a dining area, and a home office, which was once a sunroom. Continue below to see the rest of this historic home, refreshed with colorful new spaces.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE Christopher Russ Architects
INTERIOR DESIGN R. Everts Interiors
BUILDER Kells Construction
LANDSCAPE DESIGN Ferre Landscape & Management

Storybook Exterior with Steep Roofline and Arched Front Door

Gray shingle-style home exterior with arched dark front door and white trim detailing

What We Love About This Home

This storybook cottage shows that a 1928 home can feel completely new while keeping its original charm. In the living room, high-lacquer pistachio-green built-ins set a playful tone, while the scalloped blue vanity in the owner’s bathroom and the cheerful floral fabrics in the kitchen and dining area carry the same palette throughout, feeling collected over time. Every space, from the sunroom turned office to the open kitchen, is brighter and more functional now, with plenty of personality for everyday living.

Tell Us: What details do you love most about this home renovation project? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other sensational home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Massachusetts: An unbelievably stunning Massachusetts beach house with idyllic water views and This dreamy New England home has the rustic warmth of an Aspen lodge.

Front porch entrance with white columns, flower box, and glimpse of red console table inside

Green Entryway with Pink Floral Slipper Chairs

Green-trimmed entryway with pink floral slipper chairs and a glossy green door

Above: An archway connects the living room to the front entryway. On the wall, a Laura Zachry photograph mounted on acrylic adds a modern touch.

Pistachio Green Living Room with Built-In Bookshelves

Green-paneled sitting room with pink floral armchairs, a green sofa, and built-in bookshelves

Above: The living room’s millwork and custom paint colors play off each other, giving the space a modern lift without losing sight of the house’s 1920s aesthetic. Bruno’s Painting & Restoration painted the interiors of this home. The old casement windows were replaced with new ones that still retain the storybook charm of the original design.

Glass-front green built-in bookshelves styled with vases, books, and pink floral armchair and ottoman

Green built-in shelving with wildflower bouquet in white pitcher and decorative books and pottery

Close-up of wildflower bouquet in white pitcher beside green built-ins and a pink floral roman shade

Green built-in window seat with striped cushion, graphic pillows, and a pink throw blanket

Above: A wall of bookcases and a window seat were custom-built by Walter Lane Cabinetmaker, painted in an eye-catching, high-lacquer pistachio green.

Green marble fireplace with mantel decor, potted caladium, and a pink floral slipper chair

Open-Concept White Kitchen with Marble Countertops

White kitchen island with woven counter stools in blue floral fabric under scalloped blue lanterns

The kitchen of this storybook cottage was once small and dark, closed off from the rest of the home. The project team removed a wall to create an open-plan kitchen and dining area. French doors were added, leading out to the patio and garden. A pair of casement windows bathe the space with natural light. The countertops are marble.

Wide view of white kitchen with scalloped blue pendant lights and blue-and-white floral roman shade

Above: In the renovated kitchen, Coleen & Company’s lantern-style pendants are suspended over the island. The eating and window treatments feature cheerful floral fabric from Betsy Textiles.

White kitchen with marble island, blue floral bar stools, and range hood in background

Close-up of white kitchen range with wok, marble backsplash, and brass-knobbed cabinetry

Charming Breakfast Nook and Dining Area

Round blue breakfast table with bamboo-style chairs in floral fabric under a white chandelier

Above: Next to the kitchen is this charming dining area, featuring a table by Dunes and Duchess that expands to seat up to 10 dinner guests.

Table setting with scalloped green plates, wildflowers, and bamboo-handled flatware

Butler’s Pantry with Bold Floral Wallpaper

White butler's pantry with beverage fridge, bar cart, and bold floral roman shade

Sunroom Turned Bright Home Office

Archway view into a sunroom with striped sofa, rattan ottomans, and a red chinoiserie chair

Above: The former drafty sunroom was transformed into a bright home office with a new archway. It features a vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling painted white to maximize reflection of the natural light coming through the weather-tight, multi-paned windows.

Sunroom seating area with striped sofa, wicker ottoman, and red chinoiserie-print armchair

Above: The barrel chair is a cherished family heirloom, while a lantern-style light fixture sourced from Coleen & Company adds a pop of color and reinforces the space’s easy indoor/outdoor feel.

Powder Room with Botanical Wallpaper and Brass Fixtures

Powder room with botanical wallpaper, marble sink, brass fixtures, and monogrammed towels

Above: This charming powder room is tucked off the main floor front hallway.

Mudroom Storage and Built-In Shoe Drawers

Open mudroom closet with patterned coats, woven baskets, and built-in shoe drawer

Owner’s Bedroom with Floral Wallpaper

Bedroom with blue floral wallpaper, upholstered headboard, and matching window seat

Above: The owner’s bedroom offers a serene atmosphere, with a custom upholstered headboard in a Schumacher fabric. The blithesome Maryam Vine wallpaper is also from Schumacher.

Bedside vignette with blue gourd lamp, white tasseled dresser, and blue-and-green floral wallpaper

Hallway with white built-in cabinetry, blue-and-white china, and a green armchair reading nook

Cornflower Blue Owner’s Bathroom with Scalloped Vanity

Blue primary bathroom with double vanity, scalloped mirrors, and green trellis wallpaper

Above: In the owner’s bathroom, a custom vanity painted in cornflower blue has a scalloped edge that adds a stylish detail to the space.

Scalloped blue mirror above bathroom sink with green trellis wallpaper and milk-glass bud vases

Blue vanity and makeup desk with floral upholstered stool and green trellis wallpaper

Guest Bedrooms with Vintage-Inspired Wallpaper

Bedroom with cane headboard, blue star-print wallpaper, and pink throw blanket on white bedding

Serene blue-gray bedroom nook with striped headboard and palm-print window valance

Twin bedroom with vintage-style blue spindle beds, green wallpaper, and patchwork quilts

Skylit Guest Bathroom with Hand-Painted Wallcovering

Skylit bathroom with green patterned wallpaper, cane mirror, and polka-dot shower curtain

Above: In this guest bathroom, the Versailles Wallcovering and Fabric by Dana Gibson features a graphic pattern hand-painted in greys and greens, inspired by European gardens.

Skylit green-and-white bathroom with cane-framed mirror, console sink, and dotted shower curtain

Laundry Room with Blue Toile Wallpaper

Laundry room with blue toile wallpaper, patterned tile floor, and stacked washer-dryer

Pergola-Covered Patio and Outdoor Kitchen

Pergola-covered patio with rattan seating, pink pillows, and orange Moroccan-style coffee table

Above: Step outside to the patio of this storybook cottage, which offers a private oasis surrounded by lush vegetation, courtesy of Ferre Landscape & Management. The outdoor furnishings include orange tables from oomph and seating from the Mimi collection by Celerie Kemble on Lane Venture.

Close-up of orange arched coffee table on patio with cheese board and paper lanterns overhead