A Gallery of Their Own: Interior Designer Trevor Fulmer

“We want our home to be like an art gallery where we can reflect on our past travels and experiences.”

Such was the vision Trevor Fulmer’s recent clients—a cultured, design-savvy couple in their 70s—laid out in their first meeting. For Fulmer, an award-winning interior designer with seven years of experience working in Boston and greater New England, it was an intriguing challenge, unlike any he’d encountered before.

The couple, who’d met in Boston during college, had spent more than thirty years in the Peace Corps together, traveling across Asia. They had collected artwork, furniture, and cultural artifacts from every chapter of their lives there. Their treasures include hand-painted gold screens, pottery, vintage vases, and a remarkable range of paintings and drawings.

Fulmer’s goal was to thoughtfully incorporate these pieces within the architecture so that the home itself became a gallery but remained a comfortable, liveable space.

Built in the 1870s, the 1,750 square foot Marlborough Street brownstone needed to tell the story of two lives well lived. The home carried all the charm and intricacy of its era, along with the challenges of narrow rooms, segmented layouts, and limited natural light.

From the beginning, the clients requested a neutral palette. White rugs, cream upholstery, and tonal wallcovering became the backdrop. For Fulmer, whose design studio was branded around use of contrast and texture, this project offered an opportunity to explore restraint. The simple palette allowed Fulmer and his design team to focus on light, form, and proportion.

A Focus on Light

Light became the guiding principle. Brownstones rarely offer abundant daylight, so every beam mattered. Fulmer refined the lighting plan to highlight each piece of art, ensuring that every fixture and placement allowed the collection to shine.

“The result was a space that felt creatively calm and contemplative, where the clients felt at peace,” explains Fulmer. “Once we created that space, we added furnishings that continued that sense of balance.”

An unexpected tonal cheetah pattern carpet from Landry and Arcari, custom cut to the shape of the room, brightens the living room, softens outdoor noise, and anchors the seating area. A Gregorius Pineo sofa upholstered in Lee Jofa mohair brings sculptural curves with its gentle scooped arm and traditional silhouette.

A classic Isamu Noguchi coffee table introduces a midcentury moment, while an acrylic side table—custom designed by Fulmer himself—adds a touch of modern clarity.

In the primary bedroom, a ceiling fixture from Calger Lighting casts a soft, diffused glow that frames the room. Bedding from Frette adds a layer of luxury. Sheer drapery introduces a sense of formality, a zebra print rug brings a playful contrast, and a vintage hand-carved Chinese chair grounds the space with cultural history and character.

One of the bedrooms was transformed into a custom office space. The built-in millwork provides ample storage and display for books, artwork, and collected objects. Painted in a rich cream semi-gloss finish and detailed with brass hardware, the cabinetry echoes the palette of the rest of the home. This office allows the clients to work while surrounded by the pieces that define their story.

Creating Cohesion

Traditional interior details and classic millwork restore the home’s connection to its nineteenth century origins. Silk wallcoverings by Phillip Jeffries, antique brass hardware, and graceful drapery add texture, depth, and warmth. Each decision was deliberate, contributing to a reflective and cohesive atmosphere.

One of the home’s most memorable vignettes appears just inside the entryway. Two paintings by Yuji Hiratsuka greet visitors and set the tone for the rest of the home. Over the sofa, a hand-painted centuries-old Chinese silk screen from the late Edo period reflects light from the window, its golden surface softly glowing throughout the day.

The palette of whites and creams creates continuity from one room to the next. Materials provide depth where color is secondary. Linen, silk, and wood each offer a subtle shift
in tone.

“Our goal was to let the art and the architecture have a conversation,” says Fulmer. “Every decision came down to what would honor the client’s collection and the story behind it. When design is personal, it becomes timeless.”

Fulmer Design Studio’s tagline, “Your home is the backdrop to your life’s story,” resonated with the clients from the start, but according to Fulmer, it took on deeper meaning once the project was complete.

“They were thrilled to see their treasures proudly displayed, each piece telling its own story,” says Fulmer. “They let us know we didn’t just design a home for them; we designed a home for their art and their history. Every space became a place to admire and reflect.”

The completed brownstone stands as a portrait of its owners—not only a place to live but a living memory. It honors their past while celebrating the life they continue to build

“We want our home to be like an art gallery where we can reflect on our past travels and experiences.”

Such was the vision Trevor Fulmer’s recent clients—a cultured, design-savvy couple in their 70s—laid out in their first meeting. For Fulmer, an award-winning interior designer with seven years of experience working in Boston and greater New England, it was an intriguing challenge, unlike any he’d encountered before.

The couple, who met in Boston during college, had spent more than thirty years in the Peace Corps together, traveling across Asia. They had collected artwork, furniture, and cultural artifacts from every chapter of their lives there. Their treasures include hand-painted gold screens, pottery, vintage vases, and a remarkable range of paintings and drawings.

Fulmer’s goal was to thoughtfully incorporate these pieces within the architecture so that the home itself became a gallery but remained a comfortable, liveable space.

Built in the 1870s, the 1,750 square foot Marlborough Street brownstone needed to tell the story of two lives well lived. The home carried all the charm and intricacy of its era, along with the challenges of narrow rooms, segmented layouts, and limited natural light.

From the beginning, the clients requested a neutral palette. White rugs, cream upholstery, and tonal wallcovering became the backdrop. For Fulmer, whose design studio was branded around use of contrast and texture, this project offered an opportunity to explore restraint. The simple palette allowed Fulmer and his design team to focus on light, form, and proportion.

A Focus on Light

Light became the guiding principle. Brownstones rarely offer abundant daylight, so every beam mattered. Fulmer refined the lighting plan to highlight each piece of art, ensuring that every fixture and placement allowed the collection to shine.

“The result was a space that felt creatively calm and contemplative, where the clients felt at peace,” explains Fulmer. “Once we created that space, we added furnishings that continued that sense of balance.”

An unexpected tonal cheetah pattern carpet from Landry and Arcari, custom cut to the shape of the room, brightens the living room, softens outdoor noise, and anchors the seating area. A Gregorius Pineo sofa upholstered in Lee Jofa mohair brings sculptural curves with its gentle scooped arm and traditional silhouette.

A classic Isamu Noguchi coffee table introduces a midcentury moment, while an acrylic side table—custom designed by Fulmer himself—adds a touch of modern clarity.

In the primary bedroom, a ceiling fixture from Calger Lighting casts a soft, diffused glow that frames the room. Bedding from Frette adds a layer of luxury. Sheer drapery introduces a sense of formality, a zebra print rug brings a playful contrast, and a vintage hand-carved Chinese chair grounds the space with cultural history and character.

One of the bedrooms was transformed into a custom office space. The built-in millwork provides ample storage and display for books, artwork, and collected objects. Painted in a rich cream semi-gloss finish and detailed with brass hardware, the cabinetry echoes the palette of the rest of the home. This office allows the clients to work while surrounded by the pieces that define their story.

Creating Cohesion

Traditional interior details and classic millwork restore the home’s connection to its nineteenth century origins. Silk wallcoverings by Phillip Jeffries, antique brass hardware, and graceful drapery add texture, depth, and warmth. Each decision was deliberate, contributing to a reflective and cohesive atmosphere.

One of the home’s most memorable vignettes appears just inside the entryway. Two paintings by Yuji Hiratsuka greet visitors and set the tone for the rest of the home. Over the sofa, a hand-painted centuries-old Chinese silk screen from the late Edo period reflects light from the window, its golden surface softly glowing throughout the day.

The palette of whites and creams creates continuity from one room to the next. Materials provide depth where color is secondary. Linen, silk, and wood each offer a subtle shift
in tone.

“Our goal was to let the art and the architecture have a conversation,” says Fulmer. “Every decision came down to what would honor the client’s collection and the story behind it. When design is personal, it becomes timeless.”

Fulmer Design Studio’s tagline, “Your home is the backdrop to your life’s story,” resonated with the clients from the start, but according to Fulmer, it took on deeper meaning once the project was complete.

“They were thrilled to see their treasures proudly displayed, each piece telling its own story,” says Fulmer. “They let us know we didn’t just design a home for them; we designed a home for their art and their history. Every space became a place to admire and reflect.”

The completed brownstone stands as a portrait of its owners—not only a place to live but a living memory. It honors their past while celebrating the life they continue to build. “We want our home to be like an art gallery where we can reflect on our past travels and experiences.”

Such was the vision Trevor Fulmer’s recent clients—a cultured, design-savvy couple in their 70s—laid out in their first meeting. For Fulmer, an award-winning interior designer with seven years of experience working in Boston and greater New England, it was an intriguing challenge, unlike any he’d encountered before.

The couple, who’d met in Boston during college, had spent more than thirty years in the Peace Corps together traveling across Asia. They had collected artwork, furniture, and cultural artifacts from every chapter of their lives there. Their treasures include hand-painted gold screens, pottery, vintage vases, and a remarkable range of paintings and drawings.

Fulmer’s goal was to thoughtfully incorporate these pieces within the architecture so that the home itself became a gallery but remained a comfortable, liveable space.

Built in the 1870s, the 1,750 square foot Marlborough Street brownstone needed to tell the story of two lives well lived. The home carried all the charm and intricacy of its era, along with the challenges of narrow rooms, segmented layouts, and limited natural light.

From the beginning, the clients requested a neutral palette. White rugs, cream upholstery, and tonal wallcovering became the backdrop. For Fulmer, whose design studio was branded around use of contrast and texture, this project offered an opportunity to explore restraint. The simple palette allowed Fulmer and his design team to focus on light, form, and proportion.

A Focus on Light

Light became the guiding principle. Brownstones rarely offer abundant daylight, so every beam mattered. Fulmer refined the lighting plan to highlight each piece of art, ensuring that every fixture and placement allowed the collection to shine.

“The result was a space that felt creatively calm and contemplative, where the clients felt at peace,” explains Fulmer. “Once we created that space, we added furnishings that continued that sense of balance.”

An unexpected tonal cheetah pattern carpet from Landry and Arcari, custom cut to the shape of the room, brightens the living room, softens outdoor noise, and anchors the seating area. A Gregorius Pineo sofa upholstered in Lee Jofa mohair brings sculptural curves with its gentle scooped arm and traditional silhouette.

A classic Isamu Noguchi coffee table introduces a midcentury moment, while an acrylic side table—custom designed by Fulmer himself—adds a touch of modern clarity.

In the primary bedroom, a ceiling fixture from Calger Lighting casts a soft, diffused glow that frames the room. Bedding from Frette adds a layer of luxury. Sheer drapery introduces a sense of formality, a zebra print rug brings a playful contrast, and a vintage hand-carved Chinese chair grounds the space with cultural history and character.

One of the bedrooms was transformed into a custom office space. The built-in millwork provides ample storage and display for books, artwork, and collected objects. Painted in a rich cream semi-gloss finish and detailed with brass hardware, the cabinetry echoes the palette of the rest of the home. This office allows the clients to work while surrounded by the pieces that define their story.

Creating Cohesion

Traditional interior details and classic millwork restore the home’s connection to its nineteenth century origins. Silk wallcoverings by Phillip Jeffries, antique brass hardware, and graceful drapery add texture, depth, and warmth. Each decision was deliberate, contributing to a reflective and cohesive atmosphere.

One of the home’s most memorable vignettes appears just inside the entryway. Two paintings by Yuji Hiratsuka greet visitors and set the tone for the rest of the home. Over the sofa, a hand-painted centuries old Chinese silk screen from the late Edo period reflects light from the window, its golden surface softly glowing throughout the day.

The palette of whites and creams creates continuity from one room to the next. Materials provide depth where color is secondary. Linen, silk, and wood each offer a subtle shift
in tone.

“Our goal was to let the art and the architecture have a conversation,” says Fulmer. “Every decision came down to what would honor the client’s collection and the story behind it. When design is personal, it becomes timeless.”

Fulmer Design Studio’s tagline, “Your home is the backdrop to your life’s story,” resonated with the clients from the start, but according to Fulmer, it took on deeper meaning once the project was complete.

“They were thrilled to see their treasures proudly displayed, each piece telling its own story,” says Fulmer. “They let us know we didn’t just design a home for them; we designed a home for their art and their history. Every space became a place to admire and reflect.”

The completed brownstone stands as a portrait of its owners—not only a place to live but a living memory. It honors their past while celebrating the life they continue to build.

Photograph by Sabrina Cole Quinn