Milton Federalist with Noelani Zervas Interiors

Noelani Zervas Interiors project in Milton, MA

This one was such a joy to shoot! I had the chance to work with Noelani “Lani” Zervas (a longtime friend and my unofficial fashion muse) and stylist Sean William—right in my hometown of Milton. We did a walkthrough a few months in advance to talk through the shot list, what the client already had, and what we'd need to pull each moment together. It’s projects like this that remind me just how valuable it is to have a stylist on the team. I’ll be sharing more soon about when—and why—to bring a stylist on board!

Lani’s natural design instincts and impeccable eye for detail, paired with Sean’s expertise, made for a dream team—and it shows in the final result. One of the trickiest parts? Capturing the drop-dead gorgeous bar nook and the adjacent family room. Small spaces like that bar are deceptively challenging—they might look quick to shoot, but they require real finesse. The sconces were a standout detail we knew had to shine (literally), so we played with lighting and angles to highlight the wet bar without overwhelming it. 

The family room is open to the kitchen, but since the kitchen wasn’t part of the project scope, we had to get creative with framing to keep the focus where it belonged. And while sectionals are perfect for real life, they’re not always photographer-friendly—but I think the final shots capture all the beauty and functionality this space has to offer. You can check out the full project here.

Stay tuned for my Q&A with the designer, Noelani Zervas!

xx, Jess