Walden interiors understands the needs and tastes of every individual are different and will work with you to create an environment that meets your demands and your budget. – Chatham + Short Hills Lifestyle Magazine
A creative soul and world traveler, Risha worked mainly in the performing arts as an actress, classical musician, can-can dancer and vaudeville performer before enrolling in classes at the New York School of Interior Design.
In 2009, Risha launched Walden Interiors. In 2017, she bought an 1890s Victorian in Millburn, NJ. Risha added modern features to enhance the Victorian’s original features because she didn’t like the previous owner’s version. She now assists Maplewood homeowners in accomplishing the same goal.
Maplewood’s homes carry a distinct character shaped by early 20th-century Colonials, Tudors, and well-maintained historic properties alongside thoughtfully updated family residences. Designing in this environment requires more than following trends. It means respecting original architectural details while thoughtfully introducing modern comfort, function, and flow for today’s living. From preserving millwork and traditional layouts to reworking kitchens, living spaces, and whole home interiors to suit contemporary lifestyles, each project balances the integrity of the home with the evolving needs of the people living in it.
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Maplewood is home to a wide variety of architectural styles, including classic Colonial residences, Tudor inspired homes with rich detailing, mid century ranch homes, and split level layouts that reflect different eras of suburban design. Each style presents its own set of opportunities and challenges, from working within traditional room divisions to opening sightlines for better light and flow, or maximizing functionality within existing structural constraints.
Successful interior design in Maplewood begins with understanding how these homes were built and how they are lived in today. By respecting original craftsmanship while introducing tailored layouts, modern materials, and custom finishes, interiors can evolve naturally without sacrificing the personality that makes each home distinct. The goal is never to overwrite the architecture, but to enhance it in ways that feel authentic, functional, and timeless.
It all starts as an exchange of ideas.
We’ll connect on your goals, define a direction, and begin to get excited about all of the gorgeous possibilities.
Once we love our concept, it’s time to dig into the details.
We’ll get into the finishes, furnishings, accessories, and art that will make your home a true testament to your past memories, present goals, and future longevity in the space.
We know the nuance of how to make it happen so, when it’s time to get things done—we’ll take it from there.
Expect regular communication, solutions offered before they become impediments, and—of course—an I-can’t-believe-I-get-to-live-here reveal.
Layers, layers, layers. We believe personal style comes from honoring the many parts of who you are. Through conversation, visual exploration, and lifestyle discovery, we translate those layers into a design that reflects what makes you unique rather than forcing you into a predefined look.
Pricing depends on the scope of your project and the level of service you choose. We offer both hourly design services and comprehensive flat-fee full-service design based on the size and complexity of your home.
All projects begin with an initial design consultation, after which we provide a clear proposal outlining recommended services and investment options. For a detailed breakdown of pricing models and what they include, you can view our full guide here. Read our interior design cost guide for New Jersey homeowners
Yes. This balance is one of our core specialties. Many of our projects involve early twentieth-century homes where architectural integrity matters as much as livability.
We carefully modernize layout, lighting, and functionality while maintaining the visual soul, proportions, and craftsmanship that give historic homes their charm.
We communicate weekly to keep you fully up-to-date on progress, upcoming decisions, and next steps, with additional check-ins as needed to ensure nothing ever feels unclear or rushed.
Our work is highly collaborative. We begin by getting to know your lifestyle, vision, and functional needs through in-depth conversations and guided discovery. From there, we manage sourcing and coordination while presenting a fully curated design vision for your review, allowing you to stay meaningfully involved without being overwhelmed by decisions.
This is where we guide the process. We assess your lifestyle needs, existing layout challenges, and project goals to identify what will make the greatest day-to-day impact first. From there, we create a clear, prioritized plan so your renovation progresses smoothly and efficiently.
Walden Interiors proudly serves Maplewood NJ and surrounding Essex County communities, including Millburn, South Orange, Short Hills, Summit, and Livingston.