INTERIOR DESIGN in the Berkshires has taken a turn from homes that are uniform and cold to warm, individualistic, and bold.
Designer Nicholas Spain, who’ s based in West Stockbridge and splits his time in New York City, says he’ s seeing a return to individualism and“ the death of the trend.” In years past, everyone turned to social media for inspiration, but Spain encourages clients to think about what speaks to them and why— and not just naming what they don’ t like, which he says is a cop-out.
“ I see a lot of people craving and responding positively towards things that are a little bit more idiosyncratic and reflective of the unique lives that are being led in them,” Spain says.“ I love that.”
Warm Tones
In keeping with the shift away from homogeneous, cold interiors— like a modern, whitewashed farmhouse with white shiplap and black windows, which Spain says he doesn’ t do anymore— today’ s designs are more varied in color and tone. Kaitlyn Caligari Laverdiere, showroom manager at E. Caligari & Son in Great Barrington, says that homeowners are looking for practical luxury— durable, stain-resistant finishes, for instance. She’ s also seen a shift toward color and warmth. Over the past couple years, she’ s seen a move away from cool grays, stark whites, and open, minimalist layouts toward interiors that feel more comfortable and welcoming— especially in the Berkshires, where many seasonal and yearround residents lead an outdoor-focused lifestyle and often want their homes to match their surroundings.
Caligari Laverdiere says the store, which is an official Benjamin Moore paint dealer, still sells white paints— but they lean more toward a warm undertone, like the shades White Dove and Swiss Coffee.
Going Bold In draperies and in wall covering, Caligari Laverdiere says she’ s seeing people choose bold, large-scale patterns, particularly with floral and botanical designs.
“ A lot of watercolor-looking murals have become popular,” she says.“ It tends to be in colors and designs that relate to nature and the outdoors,” especially in homes with large windows that give the feeling of being one with nature. For that reason, clients want grass cloth, wallpaper, or paperback textiles, and linen or wool on the walls, she says.
Spain encourages his clients to get inspired— by anything and everything, from album covers to poems to bold wallpaper or a purple lounge chair— whatever speaks to them on a visceral level, along with telling him why they like certain images or design elements.
Opposite, design by Virginia Kraft Textiles, Produced by TWENTY2 Wallpaper + Textiles, a favorite company used by Jess Cooney Interiors.( Courtesy of Twenty2 Wallpaper + Textiles) This page, from top, a view from a home in Stuyvesant, designed by Nick Spain.( Courtesy of Studio Nick Spain) One of the latest fabric and wallcovering collections by ROMO by Benjamin Moore.( Courtesy of E. Caligari & Son)
Spring 2026 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 63