Balancing act

Nancy Herman's home is the height of elegance - but it's also robust enough to handle her children and dog

- MARY WEAVER

I have a black dog – a Staffy named Ella – and a white sofa,’ says Nancy Herman talking about her newly renovated Colonial Revival-style house. ‘I also have two preteen boys and would love for everything to be pristine, but I have learned to relax.’ Nancy, a retired lawyer, puts the fact that her home still looks great, after countless play dates and sleepovers, down to the quality furniture and fabrics she chose along with interior designer Christopher Boutlier.

As Christopher explains: ‘Rather than leaning on mass-market performance fabrics, we chose robust wools and linens that clean easily, paired with densely knotted rugs and beautifully made upholstery that retain shape and grace even with the energy of young children.’