Behind the Build: Reimagining a Historic Victorian in Wellesley

This 1800s Victorian home in Wellesley was transformed to meet the needs of a growing multi-generational family – all while preserving the grace and charm of its historic exterior. For the homeowner, Kristen DiBella, a designer herself, living in a vintage residence had always been a dream. Yet the original layout and aging infrastructure couldn’t support modern family life. The solution was a complete interior gut and rebuild, executed with thoughtful care to maintain the home’s historic character while ushering it into the modern era.

The biggest challenge was opening the first floor of a home originally designed with undersized rooms and compartmentalized spaces. To achieve a more fluid way of living, walls were removed and replaced with concealed steel beams, allowing the living, dining, and kitchen areas to flow seamlessly into one another. The original rear staircase – charming but impractical – was also removed to create a more functional kitchen layout, designed to serve as the true heart of the home. 

At the back of the house, a new addition provided space for a serene primary suite. By reframing the rooflines, the design team created a spacious, airy retreat with subtle views of Boston, while ensuring the addition blended seamlessly with the home’s aesthetic. Inside, a custom white oak walk-in closet, finished with linen curtain enclosures and unlacquered brass Armac Martin hardware, reflects the project’s signature attention to detail.

Every space was approached with a curated eye, but none more so than the Oak Room. Located just off the main entry, this striking space layers white oak wall paneling and a coffered ceiling with hand-painted accents and bespoke lighting. It embodies the project’s balance of craftsmanship, historic reverence, and modern sensibility, reflecting the homeowner’s minimalist aesthetic while adding warmth and depth.

Alongside aesthetic choices, the renovation addressed major technical hurdles. Outdated systems, including electrical, framing, and HVAC, were replaced to meet current code. Additionally, previous additions with low, inconsistent rooflines had to be reframed to accommodate the new program without overwhelming the historic structure. Preservation was a delicate task throughout, as every update needed to respect the home’s original character while ensuring modern functionality for the family, their pets, and visiting parents.

The result is a home that feels both collected and contemporary, layered with natural materials, subtle textures, and cohesive finishes that reflect the homeowner’s personal vision. This project didn’t just restore a Victorian – it redefined it, creating a residence that celebrates the past while supporting the demands of modern life. 

The design has received national recognition, winning Gold in the 2025 Master Design Awards for Whole House ($500,000–$1 Million);read more here. It was also selected as one of the cover features in the Boston Design Guide Annual Issue; view the issue here. Both honors are a testament to the project’s success in marrying historic architecture with modern livability.

As one of the premier Boston architectural firms, we’d be happy to hear about your dream home renovation.