It’s certainly the approach she took when rescuing this maisonette from crumbling ruin. First working out the spatial planning and functionality, Orla then layered color and texture into multipurpose spaces to really suit how the family, a couple with two children, likes to live.

While imbued with brilliant proportions and high ceilings (even on the lower ground floor), the actual footprint of the house design across the two stories of this west London garden square apartment wasn’t large.

‘When it was bought, it was a total shambles,’ says Orla of peeling wallpaper, bathroom hardware falling away from the walls, and curtains torn and shredded. There were oddities too, like the ‘enormous staircase at the end of the hallway that gave the apartment a sense of grandeur – yet ironically only goes up to the smallest of rooms, a compact study which used to be the only bathroom in the home,’ says Orla.

She diligently carved out three double bedrooms with bathrooms, large kitchen and living spaces, as well as a utility room, cellar, and bike store, ensuring there were areas where the family could be both apart and together, and where nothing feels too precious. ‘Each room doesn’t feel too personal to anyone in particular, but each one has a special appeal and character,’ says Orla.

The team rewired and replumbed before repainting, reupholstering, and recycling old and vintage pieces. The designer focused on using ‘natural, warm materials – walnut, oak, stone, wool, and linen – and cosseting hues, such as creamy taupe, tobacco, forest green, and dusty pink.’

Working against this earthy neutral base allowed everything else – ‘paintings, heirlooms, lacquered pieces, clever finds from eBay’ – to sing, explains Orla. Certain elements were worth the splurge – for example, the wildly patterned quartzite used for the kitchen countertop and splashback, and the burr walnut lining the kitchen cabinets – while savings were made by using a mix of affordable tiles in different shapes and patterns in the bathrooms, and working with joiner Ed Keyser to cost-effectively customize shelving.

Central to the scheme was creating a knockout kitchen. ‘The clients are both madly into cooking and hosting, so it needed to be convivial but chic, classic but not too fussy, bold and robust,’ Orla recalls. ‘But equally I didn’t want it to feel like a standard kitchen in any form.’

Previously the living room, with another smaller space attached, they knocked through to join the two rooms together, meaning ‘the kids can play and have their friends over, watch TV, get cozy, but they can all be connected directly – and in between the two spaces we created a really cool bar.’

While the upstairs drawing room, laterally spacious and filled with abundant light, is ideal for cocktails and conversation, the lower ground floor – previously a mess of breeze-block walls and no functioning, livable rooms – is now ‘a little wonderland,’ says Orla. Here, the former kitchen is now the kids’ bedroom; plumbing was dug in for the three bathrooms and utility room; the hallway was lined with storage for all the kids’ toys; and two further bedrooms were created.

Art brings a zing to every room. Luckily, the clients had a great collection of art and antiques from their previous home. ‘We’ve blended art that was inherited, some of it grand, some of it not, as well as what they’ve collected over time,’ says Orla. ‘That eclectic balance gives the house energy.’

That liveliness extends to how the family entertains, especially at Christmas, when the fragrance of frankincense, cinnamon, panettone, and bitterballen (a moreish deep-fried beef croquette, a nod to the wife’s Dutch heritage) fills the air. Candles scented with fir, citrus, and chestnut burn brightly, bowls overflow with nuts and clementines, music booms from the record player, cocktails are being shaken, and fairy lights twinkle in every room. ‘It’s very, very festive, and everyone feels welcome,’ says Orla.

'I’ve been in a warm and cozy color phase for the past few years,' says Brandon Schubert, the American-born interior designer who helped bring these rooms to life. 'I’m drawn to caramels, oranges, reds, and greens, so the house naturally embodies those hues.' According to him, the building’s original bones were just waiting to be brought back to life, demanding 'only a light touch refurbishment, yet a full-scale interior redesign.'

Initially, the owners considered a full structural renovation before deciding to scale back in favor of a phased approach as and when budget allowed. But when Brandon came on board, he advised them to make one essential alteration: move the kitchen from the basement to the ground floor for a more intuitive configuration.

The good news was that the floor plan was, for the most part, just as it should be, with well-proportioned spaces across the ground and first floors and bedrooms at the top. 'From there, the interior decoration could take shape,' says Brandon. 'It meant we could gently modernize the house while also bringing out the heritage features that were already present, replacing those that had been lost. Ultimately, we wanted to create an authentic-feeling interpretation of the building’s original style without knocking it around too much.'

Brandon designed the kitchen, whose buttercream finish is offset by rich orange walls and wide plank pine flooring, making it a natural partner to the adjoining dining room, a mirror of the kitchen’s architectural details. He also designed the dining table, the sitting room’s blue sofa, and bookcases for the library upstairs.

Relaxed and colorful, this is a home that reflects the personality of its owners. 'Initially, it was difficult to agree on a balance between pared back and maximalist, modern and antique,' says one of them. 'The challenge was knowing what to update and how.'

Brandon solved that by introducing painted rather than papered walls. 'Then it was about incorporating pattern without letting the house tilt into country cottage,' he says. 'So I chose smaller, geometric patterns for curtains and plain colors for upholstery. I kept colors zingy and interesting so that the rooms have intensity and energy without relying too much on pattern.'

Much of the success of these schemes relies on casting the couple’s existing pieces in a new light. In the study, a writing desk had its worn red leather inset top replaced with smart black; the mirror–cum–TV above the fireplace in the sitting room had its gilt frame painted over in a faux bird’s eye maple timber effect, while a pair of mahogany Georgian pot cupboards were softened by gently patterned purple drapes and gray-green walls. 'We also both love art,' says the owner. 'So we spent time choosing new pieces as well as including a couple of South African favorites.'

One day, the basement, with its conservatory extension, will be tackled so that the family has more generous access to the garden. But for now, the house works just as it should. This season, the family will be cooking in the run-up as well as hosting friends and family. 'We always go for a walk along the river before lunch,' says Brandon’s client. 'Returning to our home is extra special. It’s just perfect for cozy winter nights.'

That was what designer Melanie Love, alongside Perez Construction, took on with this Edwardian home in Cole Valley, San Francisco. Having been built in 1910, the house had great bones; however, it had undergone many renovations over the years that had stripped away its character. The brief was to restore the original charm of the home and reconfigure the awkward layout to make it work for modern family life.

‘Previous remodels had left the style of the house lacking cohesion, and it was yearning for a sense of soul and better flow,’ says Melanie. ‘My brief was to revitalize the property and make strategic updates so it was more functional and suitable for a young family. The owners wanted a more functional, aesthetically pleasing space that felt more in line with the history of the home.’

‘Like many homes in San Francisco, some of the rooms at the center of the house lack natural light, so we thoughtfully chose paint and wallpaper to brighten up these spaces and create a visual connection to the outdoors.’

Both Melanie and her clients wanted to honor the home’s history while giving it a fresh personality, introducing rich color and bold pattern to complement the Edwardian features – so a neutral scheme was off the table. ‘Our client was really inspired by classic British design, with saturated color and pattern balanced by a mix of more modern furnishings – which is an aesthetic that aligns well with my own taste and our brand,’ she explains.

Here, Melanie walks us through the newly renovated rooms – from the changes made in the kitchen to improve the home’s flow for entertaining, to how she created the playful yet cohesive color palette that threads through every space.

'Our client wanted the living room to feel like a special moment when guests first enter the house. To set it apart from the other spaces on this floor, we chose a more glamorous light fixture and a more formal seating arrangement.'

'At the center of the room is a striking burl wood coffee table, surrounded by two swivel chairs and a classic camelback sofa. Creating a thread of connection between the rooms, we continued the blue used on the kitchen island for the wall paneling and built-ins. Inside the built-ins, a playful yet elegant touch of pink, echoed in the powder room and guest suite, adds depth and visual interest.'

'To keep this space family-friendly we selected performance fabrics for the furnishings. The wood coffee tables and side tables throughout have an added conversion varnish finish for added protection.'

'The family room seamlessly connects to the living room and offers a more relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The furniture layout is designed to accommodate larger gatherings while also providing a cozy corner for lounging with a book and space to play.'

'We also carried that same blue from the living room and kitchen island into the family room to maintain visual continuity. To add a special touch, we selected a cheerful Morris & Co. wallpaper, which introduces a playful yet sophisticated element. The yellow accent echoes the color palette of the upstairs kids’ bathroom, creating a cohesive theme throughout the home.'

'A simple brass pendant light echoes the shape of the ornate chandelier in the living room. Along one wall, a custom-built-in offers both ample seating for entertaining and discreet toy storage, making the space as functional as it is stylish.'

'Designed for a busy, entertaining-focused young family, the dining room leads directly through the heart of the kitchen to their backyard, making it a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.'

'Our client is passionate about nature-inspired motifs, such as flowers and trees. With this in mind, we sought a fresh interpretation of chinoiserie for the dining room and found that the scale and color palette of Cole & Son’s pattern were a perfect fit.'

'The dining room window frames a garden of flowering trees that change with the seasons, providing a dynamic, ever-evolving backdrop. The scale of the trees in the wallpaper perfectly suits the space, and our client loved the harmonious connection between the wallpaper and the shifting outdoor view.'

'Our goal was for the wallpaper to be the room’s focal point, so we paired it with a complementary floral chandelier in a soft antique bronze to emphasize the immersive feel of the nature theme. The walnut dining table is custom-made and extendable for hosting large gatherings. We balanced out the cooler blue tones in the wallpaper, paint, and rug with the warmth of the walnut wood and earthy chair fabric.'

'The design of the kitchen began with a focus on layout and flow. A large island anchors the space, flanked by cabinetry running the full length of the room on both sides. A secondary prep area, complete with a sink, provides a dedicated spot for tea and cocktail preparation, while nearby pocket doors cleverly conceal small appliances and supplies.'

'To maximize the space, we relocated the sliding doors and created a cozy banquette in the corner, featuring windows that flood the area with natural light. The banquette seating also offers additional storage as well as a cubby conveniently located for shoe storage near the back door.'

'The kitchen color scheme was inspired by a soft sage green for the cabinetry, which sets a calm, yet fresh tone throughout the kitchen. To complement this, we chose a vibrant yet serene blue for the kitchen island, creating a striking contrast. The shade of blue is repeated on the living room and family room paneling. A lighter shade can be found on the dining room and pantry ceilings and in the ombre sky of the dining room wall mural.'

'Madre Perla quartzite countertops and backsplash add a stunning finish to the space. The lighting was carefully curated to include a mix of styles: ceramic pendants above the island, delicate scalloped brass sconces, and a larger scalloped pendant over the breakfast table. In lieu of recessed lighting, we opted for simple surface-mount fixtures to maintain a cohesive, clean look that didn’t feel too modern. For a bespoke touch, we incorporated fluted, arched details on the custom cabinet doors and attached the banquette cushion with brass hardware.'

'Powder rooms offer the perfect opportunity to embrace bold patterns and striking shapes, and we took full advantage of that here. We created a jewel-box atmosphere with vibrant wallpaper, rich plum beadboard wrapping the room, a soft pink ceiling, and elegant brass accents. A custom ceramic sconce in aubergine complements the space, echoing the scalloped details that appear throughout the home.'

'In the primary bedroom, we’ve designed a serene retreat with an earthy yet sophisticated color palette. Our intention was to create a unique atmosphere that distinguishes this room from the rest of the house. With an abundance of natural light, we embraced a bold, ornate pattern on the walls, adding a touch of grandeur. Custom green-trimmed shades replaced the standard shades on the brass sconces. The soft curves of the shades are mirrored in the pendant light that anchors the center of the room.'

'To maintain a sense of continuity with the first level, we brought in a shade of green for the built-ins and trim. The earthy warmth of the wallpaper is complemented by the textured pendant and the woven bench at the foot of the bed. We also dressed up the custom daybed with a tailored skirt, adding a refined touch. The result is a room that feels truly special from the moment you step inside.'

'We reimagined the layout of the primary bathroom by moving the entrance to an adjacent wall. In place of the previous oversized tub, we added a spacious shower and a freestanding tub, creating a more balanced feel. These changes allowed us to incorporate a double vanity and reposition the toilet in a more discreet corner, optimizing both functionality and flow within the space.'

'We selected a soothing pistachio green as the foundation for a serene, calming color palette. Rare cristalo iceberg quartzite on the countertops, backsplash, ponywalls and shower niches adds a luxurious feel to the bath. The custom arched brass privacy screen between the vanity and toilet adds a bespoke, elegant touch to the space. One of my favorite details is the custom wood medicine cabinets – hidden behind the cerused oak mirrors, is clever storage that’s seamlessly integrated into the design.'

'The space that delights me most is the guest bedroom and the adjoining bath. The mix of patterns and varying shades of pink in the floral wallpaper, fabrics, and tile makes my heart happy.'

'The guest spaces are inspired by the charm and luxury of boutique hotels. Designed to serve as both an office and a guest retreat, the room features a Murphy bed that effortlessly transforms the space into a cozy haven for visitors. The color palette draws from the guest bathroom's pink tones, creating a seamless connection between the two spaces.'

'Given the function of the room, we were able to be a bit more whimsical with a sweet floral pattern on the walls and a scalloped wallpaper border on the ceiling. At the center of the room, is a hand-sculpted light fixture with flower-shaped shades that echo the scalloped border. To complement this artisan light, we chose a painterly pink stripe for the drapery, enhancing the room's playful yet elegant feel. A cozy, custom pink sofa provides a lounging spot where they can enjoy views of San Francisco.'

'Our client envisioned a luxurious, high-end hotel experience for their guest bathroom. To set the tone, we selected a vibrant floral wallpaper that, combined with the large skylight, creates the feeling of being enveloped in a lush garden. Drawing inspiration from tile patterns in London’s boutique hotel bathrooms, we incorporated black tile trim to balance the bold pink, ensuring the design remains both sophisticated and timeless. A custom medicine cabinet, cleverly hidden within the octagonal mirror, adds a surprising and functional touch to this elegant space.'

'The striking Soane wallpaper serves as the focal point of the kids' bathroom, setting a vibrant tone. To complement the cheerful yellow, we extended the color onto the vanity and beadboard paneling that wraps the walls and tub. Bespoke details on the vanity and quartzite stone backsplash add a touch of sophistication, balancing the playful color palette of this kid-friendly space. To maximize storage in this compact bathroom, we incorporated a train rack shelf above the toilet, providing a practical spot for extra towels during bath time.'

This project is a lesson in how to honor a home’s charm, taking it back to its original beauty while also making it feel like a modern home, reflective of the owner’s style. The thread of blues and greens throughout every room gives this colorful home a cohesive feel; it’s bold but sophisticated and never overwhelming. The color scheme flows from room to room, slightly shifting but always connected.

'We are thrilled with the end result,' says Melanie, 'and so excited to be working with our clients on phase II of the remodel.'

The couple bought the house, which was originally two cottages, three years ago as a bolthole from London – Sophie grew up in Wiltshire and has family in the area, and both she and Freddie went to school nearby.

Panoramic views of the Alton Barnes White Horse and Salisbury Plain, along with the cottage’s inherent charm, ensured instant appeal. ‘It just felt right. We wanted something totally different from being in a city,’ says Sophie. ‘Everyone told us we were mad buying a thatched cottage, but it has a charm that other houses we viewed didn’t have. We liked that it had history and that it was very quirky inside – everything’s slightly wonky, and we love the beams and low ceilings.’

Against the lacework of ancient timbers, Sophie, whose signature style celebrates color and pattern, has crafted a cozy and cocooning interior that showcases verve and vibrancy. ‘We wanted to bring in youth and fun,’ she says. ‘I lean heavily toward color and pattern – not necessarily overpoweringly so, but my interiors were never going to consist of muted tones.’

Throughout the downstairs, the walls are dressed in a soothing blush pink, ensuring cohesiveness. ‘By painting all the walls the same hue, it made the interior feel more spacious, too,’ she says. ‘It’s a very warm, cozy shade, but it doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a bright pink or colorful space, so you can then add in bold pops.’ Rich jewel tones were carefully chosen to inject drama, with fabrics often serving as the starting point for many schemes, including the kitchen, where the eye-catching emerald-green blind fabric makes a statement. ‘I loved the fabric with its leaves and trees and built everything around it,’ she says.

Sophie describes the kitchen as the hardest room in the house to decorate because it has the lowest ceilings, as well as a large inglenook fireplace where the original fire had been removed, resulting in a somewhat cavernous space. Her solution was to position a handy drinks bar in the fireplace. In front of it stands a generous wooden dining table, with chairs painted in a festive green, providing the perfect spot for Yuletide entertaining.

Bold pattern and color are the cornerstones of the living room, too, where a zany leopard-print sofa rubs shoulders with a raspberry-red sofa and a blue velvet armchair.

‘I love leopard print,’ says Sophie, ‘so the sofa was a must-have.’ The hero curtain fabric inspired the kaleidoscope of colors woven throughout the room. An eclectic feel is enhanced by humorous artwork by Sophie’s aunt, Edwina Sandys, dotted along the walls, while pillar-box-red bannisters continue the thread of red and provide a festive backdrop to the Christmas tree.

The bannisters were originally painted white, ‘but they seemed to stand out, as there wasn’t anything else white going on.’ Sophie also felt they didn’t live up to the upstairs corridor, which is painted to resemble a verdant tree tunnel with branches meandering up to the ceiling, and is the pièce de résistance of the cottage.

The mural came about because, with all the beams, it wasn’t easy to hang artwork, so Sophie commissioned decorative artist Eliza Downes to paint what is now ‘my favorite thing in the house. I wanted to work with the beams, and the corridor is right up in the roof, so it feels like you’re walking through the tree canopy.’

Although the colors and fabrics are modern, Sophie has juxtaposed them with antique furniture from Vinterior and local antiques shops to evoke a timeless feel. ‘When we came here, we didn’t have any furniture, so we started from scratch,’ says Sophie. ‘We trawled through antiques markets and shops to find pieces so it didn’t look like we’d bought it all at once. We wanted to include pieces that felt as if they had been there forever.’ That blend of old and new certainly ensures the perfect country Christmas.

The villa, which includes bespoke spaces such as a library, cinema, and swimming pool, reflects Brigitta’s expertise in designing environments that are both elegant and functional. It’s tailored to meet the needs of her family (including three children and three dogs) while also serving as the perfect backdrop for entertaining.

The house design functions almost like a gallery-cum-family home. Works by renowned artists and iconic designers such as Zaha Hadid, Fornasetti, and Jean Prouvé sit alongside her children’s creations – a reminder that this is first and foremost a lived-in space. Brigitta also champions emerging designers and makers, blending their work with vintage finds and market treasures. The result is a home infused with history, artistry, and deeply personal meaning.

The design is high-end and luxurious, yes, but it's also incredibly personal; nothing feels overly precious, and every space is used and loved. It’s a home that effortlessly blends sophistication with family life – elegant, functional, and deeply personal.

'The most successful homes, to me, never feel forced,' explains Brigitta. 'They possess a natural rhythm, a flow that makes moving through the spaces instinctive and effortless.'

'Designing my own home was as much an emotional journey as it was a technical one. People often assume that, as an interior designer, creating your own house is easy, but in reality, it is one of the hardest projects because every choice carries personal weight. It was not just about what I wanted, but about creating a home that could accommodate my husband, our children, and family visits. It became a collaborative process, balancing everyone’s perspectives and translating them into spaces that feel connected, generous, and flexible.'

Here, the designer and founder of Spinocchia Freund, takes us through her home, from the extensive renovation and design vision, to how she balances her distinctive style with the rhythms of family life, and how she uses these spaces every day.

'When we first discovered the house, we were immediately drawn to its south-facing orientation. The building is constantly bathed in light, which gives it a naturally uplifting and happy atmosphere. We loved the location and the promise of what the house could become, though we knew the renovation would be a considerable project.'

'The original staircase divided each floor in two, disrupting the flow, so we reconfigured the entire layout to create a greater sense of openness and more lateral living. Our aim was always to design a home that felt generous and fluid, filled with brightness and positive energy. While the exterior presents the quiet dignity of a traditional London villa, the interiors have been completely reimagined for our family life, with every space considered for the needs of my husband, our three children, and our three dogs.'

'It was important to keep the mood and detailing of the property connected to the existing façade, which became one of our guiding architectural principles. Inside, however, the layout needed a complete rethink. In the studio, we explored a number of options, working with 3D models to test very different approaches to floorplates and flow.'

'The original staircase cut through the middle of the house, breaking up the plans and leaving the rooms feeling smaller, darker, and more constrained. Because the property had no listing restrictions, we were able to move the staircase to the back, which immediately opened up the full width of the house and allowed light to flow from front to back. We also introduced a partial glass roof and a glass elevator to draw light right down to the lower ground floor.'

'This reconfiguration, combined with the living wall and the double-height volumes in the library, the pool, and the dining room, gave the house a sense of openness and connectivity that never existed before. It completely transformed the way the interiors could be experienced.'

'Beyond the architectural clarity, every decision was made with our family in mind, creating spaces where the children could grow up surrounded by light, areas for entertaining and hosting friends, and more intimate corners where we can read, listen to records, or simply spend time together.'

'Structurally, this was an exceptionally complex renovation. Digging down and re-engineering the circulation of the house required immense technical precision. Yet beyond the engineering, the greater challenge was creating a sense of ease. The most successful homes, to me, never feel forced. They possess a natural rhythm, a flow that makes moving through the spaces instinctive and effortless.'

'The challenge was achieving that balance between structure, function, and family life, so that each room works beautifully on its own while also contributing to a natural flow throughout the house. That balance is what makes the home feel lived in, welcoming, and adaptable both for us now and for the future.'

'This had to be a house that could flex with us, somewhere we could host friends and family for dinners or parties that feel both elegant and effortless. For the children, I created spaces where they could sprawl and play, and for all of us, the bedrooms had to feel cocooning and indulgent, a place to retreat.'

'I always start by thinking about the emotion I want a space to hold, and then I shape the lifestyle around that. After 27 years of working with families across different continents, I’ve seen how differently people live, and I wanted to bring that understanding into our own home.'

'Layering was key in our home. Antique flooring grounds the living and bedroom levels, while paneling softens the spaces. On top of that, I’ve layered contemporary works that bring energy and bespoke joinery that keeps the house genuinely practical. To me, that balance is what makes it elegant. It never feels too precious or untouchable, but it carries depth, character, and care in every choice.'

'I would describe the style of my home as elegant and soulful, which is very much how I approach design both personally and for clients. The antique floors, marked and weathered, set the tone. There is beauty in their imperfection, and that grounding quality runs through the whole house. The bespoke joinery keeps storage hidden so the rooms remain open and uncluttered, allowing the furniture groupings to breathe.'

'For me, those groupings are like conversations: each arrangement invites people to gather naturally, and that brings a space to life. I never over-style; instead, I curate with intention and heart. That is true of my personal style as well. I am drawn to pieces and materials with meaning, and I layer them in a way that feels authentic. The result, both in my work and in my own home, is a sense of lived-in warmth, layered, welcoming, and filled with our family’s soul.'

'And I think meaning comes through mixing eras and stories: an antique discovered at a fair, a piece inherited from family, a treasured collectible, alongside a contemporary design that speaks to the present. When old and new sit together, the result is a home with depth and warmth, but most importantly, it carries personality. That is what gives it soul.

'The raised reception, which you first step into, is one of the most expressive rooms. It functions almost like a gallery and a salon at once. There is my Pierre Cardin desk, given to me by my husband, sitting beside a vintage Fornasetti and the Vincenzo De Cotiis lounge chair, a stunning piece made of his signature recycled fiberglass and travertine, all set against a very simple Ashley Stark rug. There are shelves of books, collections of vases, including works by Darren Appiagyei, and the children’s artwork very much present.'

'It is curated but never static; it evolves as our family evolves. The white bouclé mohair sofa covers might seem delicate, but they are incredibly resilient and have proved wonderfully practical. This is the room where work meetings happen, but also where we gather in the evenings. It carries a sense of flow and openness, yet it is layered with the personal and the familial.'

'I love to sit in the reception room alone, on the Campana Brothers sofa. It has become my perch, somewhere to read, to think through the day, or to let new ideas come. When I am alone, it is quiet there, yet somehow, it’s full of energy because it is also the space from where I can hear all the raucous family living.'

'Equally, I love the library space with the record player has a magic of its own. On Sundays, we sit together as a family, choosing vinyl and letting the music set the rhythm of the day. It is a ritual that anchors us, simple but deeply meaningful. Both spaces remind me that home is as much about atmosphere as it is about design.'

'The kitchen and dining area was always imagined as the place where we gather to digest our day with one another. It adapts effortlessly. Sometimes it’s just the two of us by the window with the door open on a summer’s evening, and other times it’s the whole family gathered around the table for supper chats. There is color and detail in every corner. The marble work surface has a traditional profile, deliberately not overly modern, while the Richard Woods bar stools introduce a bold, contemporary note. Even the bespoke fridge fronts are layered to add texture and character.'

'Everything is within easy reach, so it functions beautifully, yet it never feels cluttered. For me, it is convivial and welcoming, filled with warmth and atmosphere, a true reminder that home is where the heart is.'

'The main bedroom was inspired by a romantic favorite, a suite at the George V in Paris that my husband often books for us. Designing it at home brought an element of nostalgia, capturing the intimacy and elegance of those cherished stays. Though the proportions are long and narrow, I worked carefully to ensure it feels cocooning rather than cavernous. Freestanding wardrobes, curated like a boutique, bring both elegance and practicality. A hidden television lets us curl up together at the end of the day, while the oversized bed inevitably becomes a Sunday morning gathering spot for children and dogs alike.'

'The adjoining bathroom, flooded with natural light, is both functional and uplifting. It is a place where I can prepare for the day ahead or simply pause to unwind, making it feel like a true retreat within the home.'

'Home, to me, is both retreat and joy. It is where I slow down, where the noise of the outside world falls away, and where I feel restored. It is also the setting for laughter with my husband and children, for shared meals, records played, plans made, and the simple pleasure of being together.'

'It’s a place for daydreaming, for turning the pages of a book, or sitting quietly as my thoughts settle. Above all, home is equal parts sanctuary and stage, a place that holds our daily lives while also gathering the memories and rituals that shape us as a family.'

The owners – a young couple with three small children – had lived in a similar high-rise during the pandemic, an experience that left them with mixed feelings. ‘They had grown tired of the monochromatic palette and minimal furnishings,’ says Heide. ‘When they found this apartment, they were wary of repeating the aesthetic. They approached us because they were ready to take a risk and explore uncharted territory.’

Heide and her husband, Rafe Churchill, are known for creating soulful, richly layered interiors where color, pattern, and antiques combine with quiet confidence. This project posed a new kind of challenge.

‘Most of our work involves historic buildings – the kind of spaces that come with their own narrative. This apartment lacked that sense of story,’ Heide explains, adding, ‘I realized we had to begin by inventing one – and for me, that started with the walls. They became the foundation for everything else.’

Rather unexpectedly, the transformation began in the kitchen, where Heide introduced a spirited strawberry-motif wallpaper by Jennifer Shorto. ‘Aside from a statement brass cooker hood, the kitchen was all white – sleek Italian cabinetry and acres of marble. The walls were the only surface I could challenge,’ she explains. This bold gesture set the tone for the entire apartment, with the coral tones of the wallpaper unfolding into a palette of soft, enveloping pinks.

The kitchen island was painted a pretty shell pink, echoed in the adjoining sitting room and dining area, where the walls are finished in a gentle blush tone. ‘If a room is in the same sight line, I always like to carry over at least one color from one space to the next – otherwise it can feel like you’re ricocheting around like a pinball,’ advises Heide. She wrapped the ceiling in the same warm tone ‘to help visually lower it’ and painted the baseboards in a deeper, dusky rose to ground the space.

The apartment’s horseshoe-shaped layout revolves around a central, windowless entryway, which is accessed directly via two elevators. Here, Heide embraced its intimacy. ‘We chose a saturated pink with an almost velvety quality and lacquered the elevator doors in a high-gloss burgundy. I like the idea of entering a moodier, almost theatrical space before stepping into all that light.’

Vintage finds are hallmarks of the Hendricks Churchill vernacular, woven through this project with their signature fluency. A midcentury Danish sofa anchors the breakfast nook; a rosewood shelving unit lends gravitas to the study; and a whimsical painted cabinet in the dining room, sourced via a favorite antiques dealer, brings a jolt of joy. ‘It came with stories,’ Heide says. ‘That’s what I wanted – pieces that felt lived-in and unexpected.’ Balancing the patina of age is a smattering of contemporary designs, including a black walnut dining table selected, says Heide, ‘because it will only get better over time.’

In the sitting room, a pair of 1950s Italian wing chairs have been upholstered in a sweeping floral linen – a nod to the botanical motifs that recur throughout the apartment. The walls in the twin daughters’ bedroom are paneled with a riotous Josef Frank floral fabric, which at once enlivens the space and gently tempers the drama of those towering windows. The main bedroom is a tranquil reverie, where exquisite chinoiserie wallpaper is paired with a cloud-like bed that seems to float above the city below.

Despite its lofty elevation, the apartment now feels grounded – not just in color and character but in the warmth of family life. The drama of the skyline remains ever-present, framed by vast windows and shifting light, but it’s softened by soul: the grain of an antique cabinet, the brushstrokes of an abstract painting, the way a blush-toned wall glows in the late afternoon sun. ‘We wanted it to feel casual and lived-in and cozy,’ says Heide. ‘A place that could capture both the energy of the city and the rhythms of daily life.’

‘We knew instantly this house could be something special,’ Steph tells Homes & Gardens. ‘We knew it would take a lot of time and care to bring it to a place that we wanted, but as a designer, I know that design should never be rushed and should always feel right.’

The vision for the renovation was ‘comfortable, elevated, and timeless with a heavy European influence,’ and by making all the right changes in all the right places – while also honoring the good parts of the original home – this vision was definitely achieved.

Here, the Studio Seva founder talks us through her journey of overhauling her own home, from the first visit to the little moments she relishes now that the project is complete.

'The home is on a corner lot on a beautiful winding road with standout exterior features like the stucco façade, cedar roof, and copper flashing and gutters, which instantly drew us in. The home was built in 2005 and is very much an English Tudor-style, which is rare for our area of Westport, where many homes are modern farmhouse.'

'As we turned the corner onto the drive, we felt like we were being drawn into a European country home. It was unlike anything we had seen in Westport! I’ll never forget walking in the front door and turning to the right and seeing the stunning full-height stone fireplace beyond the arched casings.'

'My husband and I both had tears in our eyes and immediately said to one another, “this is the one,” even before stepping out of the foyer. All of the architectural details, moldings, and multiple steps down leading into different rooms had us in awe.'

'Our initial vision for the home was to simply enhance it, and to bring in all of the materials that a home like this deserves: tumbled stone flooring, custom lighting, and millwork that speaks to the true style of the home.'

'When we first started the renovations, the house was incredibly cold. We could sense its potential, but it felt very surface-level and “builder special” when we purchased it. For example, the lighting installed was fine for all intents and purposes, but to me it felt wasteful, unintentional, and bland.'

'I could appreciate that the home had been restored to an acceptable level to most, but to me it had no soul. There was an old-world charm that the original builder had intended for that I could just feel was just dying to be rediscovered.'

'There was also significant landscaping work that would need to be done. While we could see the potential, we know it would be a heavy lift to restore the exterior and surrounding landscape along with the home.'

'The property sits on a ledge the size of a football field, so we had to remove almost four hundred yards of ledge – which set the project timeline back by three months. It was exhausting and a headache for both us and our neighbors. But it was worth it – the backyard retreat now has a pool, multi-tiered patios and gardens, retaining walls, and mature landscaping.'

'The kitchen actually needed minimal work in regards to the design and layout, but it did require a lot of upgrades for functionality. The original appliances were dated, undersized, and oddly configured, like a left-hinged fridge situated directly next to a left-hinged freezer!'

'Due to the change in standard refrigeration height from 20 years ago, this meant that we needed to redesign the integrated paneling as well. We switched out the undersized range to one from Lacanche, dreamed up a new plaster hood, and updated the lighting throughout. I fell in love with the Matthew Cox island pendants from England – these were actually the first item we purchased for our home!'

‘Ambience and setting the mood is the priority, especially in a dining room. There’s something about soft lighting and candelabras lit at the dinner table! I wanted a dark and sultry space, and because the room itself is quite large with high ceilings, I went for it.’

‘We used plaster to warm up the walls throughout as it makes sense for a European-style home, and the darker finish felt like the right mix of bold yet sensible. Because the dining room is situated in the back of the house, it’s not the first thing you see when you walk in. I knew that as long as I repeated this darker tone through accents in other rooms, it would work well.’

‘My favorite space is hands down our family room. It’s the space where we all hang out and unwind daily. It’s adjacent to the kitchen, and while it is its own separate space, you don’t feel like you’re eating in your living room. I actually hate that about a lot of modern homes that are built today!’

‘There are a few special details that I designed in this room, like the arched niche with custom-stained oak millwork. Symmetry was added to the space by building out the wall flanking the fireplace and adding a second source of ambient lighting. I found the perfect reclaimed beam for our fireplace mantel and converted the fireplace to gas, which now looks chic and makes the room extra cozy in the colder months.’

‘I am constantly collecting and sourcing, not only for my clients but for my own home. It’s a never-ending process! I particularly love European brands like Rose Uniacke, whose pendants I have hanging in my powder room.’

‘I’m drawn to an authentic, classic feel, and I know will work in my home. Sourcing on 1stDibs is a thrill for me, and I seem to always bring home new pieces from vintage markets. I believe that a home should be collected, and part of that is filling it with items that have a story to tell. Plus vintage always comes with an amazing patina, which is something I appreciate so much.’

‘When sourcing new products, I strive to fill my home with only my favorite brands and makers, like Verellen for heirloom quality and style-forward furniture. Their pieces are truly meant to last and are hands down the most comfortable that I’ve found. I find that buying from companies like theirs means that you get to work with really good people who take great care in everything they do – and that’s especially important to me.’

'I never tire of coming back to this house from a long day of work, setting the dimmers on every light to 35%, and switching on the accent lighting – floor lamps, bedside lamps, sconces, you name it. There’s something that’s so comforting when the lighting is set low. It just forces me to unwind and curl up on the couch with my husband and our goldendoodle.'

‘We create lived-in and comfortable homes for our clients where it feels like something, more than simply looking like something. This is core to who I am and how I design, so I think this belief translated easily into my own home. I achieved it by infusing interesting yet timeless silhouettes, deep seat depths, and warmth through textures and color palettes. I’m all about kicking your feet up, and yes, I do let my dog enjoy those smushed sofa back cushions, too!’

‘That’s what makes the area so exciting,’ says River Brook’s Leigh Misso, who reworked these interiors. ‘Southern design tells a story that honors a cosmopolitan past but lives fully in the present.’

Reportedly a transplant to the area after American servicemen returned from fighting in France in World War I, this architectural style – also known as ‘French eclectic’ – takes inspiration from the arched doorways and balanced elements of 17th-century Gallic vernacular, complete with steep roofs, tall windows, and external shutters.

This new build by Ray Kash of Montgomery Classic Construction adopted the style after Leigh and her team came on board to refine the existing plans for the exterior and introduce ‘clean, fresh and livable schemes’ for a local family – a couple and their four children, whose ages range from six to twelve.

Unusually, the key to this project was to add humanizing intimacy to these grand spaces rather than only play up to their size.

‘Yes, it was about creating homeliness instead of simply scaling everything up,’ says Leigh. ‘Each space needed to feel warm and inviting rather than overwhelming. So we focused on adding depth and texture through elements like plaster fireplaces or a custom kitchen hood, a papered ceiling or a cosseting color-drenched study. The starting point was to give every room a solid sense of identity.’

Inspired by the tension between old and new European architecture – and vintage pieces contrasted with clean lines – Leigh worked closely with the family to create a relaxed yet elegant home.

‘The wife was keen on a largely neutral palette, coupled with contemporary art,’ she says. ‘So we injected energy by introducing wood, such as oak floors and the burlwood credenzas in the sitting room, and plenty of warm brass – seen in lighting and hardware. Tactility comes from fabric, whether mustard velvets or airy linen drapes in the bathroom.’

There’s plenty of drama to acknowledge this home’s scale, including a ten-foot burlwood table, which was shipped from Texas in one piece.

‘Due to its size and delicate nature, we had to design a special contraption to transport and move it into the dining room,’ says Leigh. ‘Everyone held their breath as it was maneuvered into place.’

A contemporary chandelier hangs above it, turning this room into a centerpiece, with walls painted in a deep green and the ceiling papered in a cloud repeat by Schumacher – a motif echoed in the scullery beyond.

Those considered touches are most playfully expressed in the children’s bedrooms which, according to Leigh, perfectly encapsulate their different personalities.

In one son’s bedroom, a daybed suspended by chains from the ceiling captures his ‘slightly wild child persona’, while in the daughter’s, a powder blue, curtain-enclosed nook provides a serene sanctuary for reading, offset by an elegant fabric-wrapped four-poster bed – hinting at that transition between childhood and teenage years.

‘In fact, designing those bedrooms made me consider the passions of my own three children more deeply,’ says Leigh. ‘Outward reflection of character is so important and I believe a home only functions properly once the needs of all its inhabitants are fully integrated.’

Warm tones, including greens, camel, copper, and off-whites, ground these spaces, while graphic architectural details are offset by softening curves and spheres – from conical lampshades on either side of a vanity to the rounded edges of a blue upholstered bench. But it was an unusual find that gave this home its finishing touch.

‘In Paris, we unearthed an 18th-century tapestry in a palette of muted gold, ebony, and caramel,’ Leigh recalls. ‘We hung it in the foyer and something clicked. It felt instantly right.’

A serendipitous addition to this home, where French style meets Nashville cool – a combination, it turns out, that works surprisingly well.

Interior designer Lisa Sweeney Johnson, founder of studio Simply Done, was brought on to design the interior spaces, alongside architecture firm En Masse Architecture & Design, who supported the interior and exterior architecture. The house design was a complete collaboration, both in awe of the nature surrounding what was to be a large family home. The exterior mirrors the mountains, meadows, and rivers, and nods to the same colors, textures, and materials that are threaded throughout the home's rooms.

It's a new-build, finished in 2023, but it feels like it's already part of its surroundings.

'The interior is a warm, welcoming expression of livable luxury – designed for all ages,' Lisa tells Homes & Gardens. 'Every space reflects a blend of classic elegance and modern sensibility, with custom details that make it as beautiful as it is functional. It’s where mountain elegance meets everyday life.'

'The home is a new build in Victory Ranch, ideal for outdoor recreation and hosting family and friends,' Lisa continues. 'The home’s design reflects Utah’s striking scenery, seamlessly blending interior and exterior elements to highlight sweeping mountain views and abundant natural light.'

'The vision was to bring the spirit of the Utah landscape into the home in a way that felt both elevated and deeply personal. The goal was to create a place that feels warm and welcoming – where family, friends, and furry companions could relax and make memories together.'

'The natural setting was the guide: the vibrant wildflowers, the way the light moves through the mountains, the cliffs and textures of the land. Jewel tones are thoughtfully layered throughout the open spaces, inspired by the area’s wildflowers and rugged terrain, with panoramic vistas framed through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.'

'Every design choice was made with intention, to reflect the beauty outside and support the way people really live inside,' Lisa explains.

'We were also inspired by the landscape and by the modest and hardworking homes indicative of these mountain regions,' explains En Masse Architecture & Design Partner and Design Director, Lucas Goldbach.

'The house is low slung with most second-floor windows expressed as dormers. The layout was created for large and small groups, with the opportunity to bring the whole house together while providing spaces for solitude and privacy. The home features stacked primary suites, guest suites, and a large bunk room that provides plenty of space for groups large or small.'

'The materials selected for the exterior of the home were inspired by mountains, rivers, and rolling hills. The stone cladding used around the home and cedar roof reference the color of the rocks and the earth nearby. The dark bronze tone of the siding acts as a beautiful contrast to the lush green of summer and the stark white of snow in the winter.'

'The large openings on the back of the home allow for indoor-outdoor living and welcome the views into the home. Keeping the home more low-slung-appearing as a story and a half helps the home nestle into the hillside,' explains Mike Shively, Architecture & Design Founding Partner at En Masse.

'The position of the house was determined to allow for maximum light, access to views, and indoor-outdoor flow, but prioritizing views while also designing the house to limit onlooking from the neighbors was a challenge. The H-shape of the house allows for some privacy and more private views between spaces within the home, and allows some opportunities for blocking out neighbors.'

'We agreed on the importance of decorating with wood and natural materials as essential to warming up the large, open spaces,' continues Lisa. 'They add richness and texture without overwhelming the design. The wood and natural finishes enhance the surrounding mountain landscape rather than compete with it – grounding the interior in its environment and bringing the outside in. The effect is organic and intentional, creating a sense of calm and cohesion throughout the home.'

'Jewel tones inspired by native wildflowers, like the vivid magenta of Utah thistle, show up in unexpected pops of color, layered with rich textures and natural finishes. Just as important was making sure the home could accommodate guests of all ages with family gatherings in mind. Every choice strikes the right balance – elevated in design, yet durable enough for real living.'

'We loved collaborating on the kitchen design in particular,' says Lucas. 'Integrating function and beauty. The windows that face out to the front porch and private entry garden are so unusual, but they allow you to feel connected to larger views out of the back of the house and the more intimate ones at the front. The kitchen cabinets with their white oak finish and chunky proportions really integrate into the architecture and the white oak floor and ceiling cladding elsewhere.'

'The kitchen was designed for groups in mind,' adds Lisa. 'Cooking, entertaining, and connecting. From the way you move through the space to its thoughtful storage and finishes, the kitchen supports everyday moments. A favorite is the brass hood above the stove – sculptural and striking – like an exclamation point framing the view. With seating at the island and adjacent dining table, the kitchen becomes the gathering place, from morning coffee to family dinners.'

'From the very beginning, there was a shared vision,' says Lisa. 'We worked closely throughout the process to integrate architecture and interiors in a way that felt cohesive and allowed for thoughtful moments throughout the home.'

'The best ideas and outcomes come from collaboration,' agrees Mike. 'Integrating architecture and interiors creates an atmosphere that feels complete and grounds the home in its location and in this time.'

Interior Design Firm: Simply Done
Architect: En Masse Architecture & Design
Home Builder: Landmarks West
Landscape Architecture Firm: Mason Landscaping

But for this New York apartment, designer Gabriela Gargano of Grisoro Studio had the challenge of designing what was to be a pied-à-terre for one family, while also being a full-time home for another family member. Something that worked when one family wanted to escape everyday life, and another lived everyday life within the space.

Flexibility was key with this renovation. Gabriela wanted to create a home that felt 'contemporary, collected, unexpected and calm,' that worked as both an exciting temporary space and a liveble permanent one.

'The apartment is a pied-à-terre for a young family that lives in London and visits several times a year. Additionally, the family shares the home with a sibling who resides in the space full-time. As such, the home is meant to be a flexible space to accommodate one permanent resident and occasional family visits,' explains Gabriela.

'We really thought about balancing aesthetics while prioritizing functional needs for both the family and the permanent resident to ensure everyone felt comfortable in the space.'

'From a layout perspective, we carefully allocated bedroom and bathroom spaces accordingly on the sleeping level of the duplex. The primary bedroom was reconfigured to have ample storage and an en-suite bathroom for the full-time resident, while the two guest rooms (one for the couple and one for the kids) were sized to stay comfortably for a week or two, but didn't require large closets and worked well to have a shared bathroom.'

'On the upper level, priority was given to a larger living space, which everyone appreciated, and an efficiently combined kitchen and dining space. For the extra room, we decided to make that into a home office for the full-time resident instead of another bedroom, as that was what was most needed.'

'In terms of design, we leaned into maximizing the stunning views by creating a minimal architectural language and filling it with a mix of streamlined contemporary furnishings and collectible vintage to give it soul. Dynamic color and stone choices for the kitchen and bathrooms allowed exciting moments in the home, while still keeping the footprint appropriate to their needs.'

'Since the family lives in a historic home in London, this contemporary, eclectic mix with sweeping penthouse views felt like a fun New York City experience quite different from the charm of their London life.'

The apartment building itself is rich in history; it was first built as housing, but in the late 1800s, it became The Hotel Albert, an iconic meeting place for New York creatives.

'It started as row houses in the 1850s, then converted into a hotel, then apartments, and then buildings were joined to house both hotel guests and residents,' explains Gabriela. 'The more notable aspect is that it was home and a gathering place for artists and creatives for many years – from Mark Twain to Jackson Pollock to The Mamas and the Papas. In the 1970s, it was converted into luxury apartments, where it now remains.'

But despite the age and character of the building, what Gabriela was working with was a dated renovation that felt more 2000s than 1800s. She explains, 'The home felt like a bachelor pad from the 2000s – dark floors, a lot of orange-toned millwork, and filled with dated architectural elements like oversized recessed lighting. Additionally, the layout felt misproportioned and lacked flow.'

Despite the 2000s decor, Gabriela could tell the space had so much potential.

'The space itself was incredible – not only the views (which offer a unique vantage point far above most of the pre-war buildings), but the access to two private outdoor terraces looking over the village (and with an outdoor shower) is truly a dream. Additionally, our client is someone who values both the beauty of minimalism equally to the original patina of a vintage piece. Our alignment in design ethos felt organic from the beginning.'

The brief was to soften the space, create a warm, layered home that leaned contemporary but still had character and touches of vintage charm. 'The homeowners wanted to convert the apartment from a dated bachelor pad to a warm contemporary home that highlighted the panoramic views and felt distinctly “New York”.'

'This focus on the views was particularly important we wanted to create a real contrast with the family's more traditional home back in London. With that, the goal was to create a minimalist space (thereby bringing the views into the forefront) and where rich materiality would play a lead role.

Alongside the brief of warm minimalism, the homeowners also loved vintage and antique pieces, which can be seen scattered throughout the home. There's a mix of Art Deco icons and European antiques; a Hans Wegner AT305 Desk and a Bauhaus Table Lamp in the manner of Marcel Breuer in the study, a Carl-Axel Acking "Trienna" Chair in the living room, a Guillerme et Chambron wardrobe in the guest bedroom, are just some of the key pieces.

The space needed to feel truly transitional, where modernity and minimalism could mix with these iconic older pieces.

Gabriela had to get that balance right, create a minimalist backdrop that would work with more ornate and characterful furnishings. 'The decision to create a minimal architectural style very much informed the furnishings, as their role became a true focal point, alongside the views,' continues Gabriela.

'Minimalism is oftentimes more difficult and laborious to execute, as there is nowhere to “hide” issues or decorative details to distract the eye. Decisions such as the clean reveal baseboards and door frames, pivot door hinges, Bocci System 22 outlets, forgoing a grid of recessed lights, and the lack of visible window treatments were all very conscious decisions.'

'This is to say that what is “missing” is equally part of the design, as it allows the eye to focus on the views and curated furnishings. The furnishings here are what make the space a home. By combining aged and patinated pieces alongside contemporary makers, the home has a gentle tension that is warm, fresh, and dynamic. On their own, the furnishings are quite contrasted, but a cohesive color palette and unified scale allow them to live together with ease.'

In the kitchen, a moderately sized space, the upper cabinets are totally omitted. The benefit of this being a pied-à-terre is that storage wasn't a huge priority, so the lack of wall cabinetry kept the space feeling lighter and larger.

'One of the first purchases we made was the stone, Calacatta Viola, for the kitchen countertop and backsplash. At the time we selected it, it was uncommon and drove the design and palette as it was meant to be the highlight of the room. Additionally, since the space is a pied-à-terre, we were also able to bring in more aesthetically beautiful elements and make that trade-off with function.'

'The kitchen cabinets are painted in a custom olive color that contrasts with the warmth of the stone and brings in an unexpectedly dramatic color palette. While the space is small, we used the dividing wall to the living room to store all of the practical items and did it in a wall finish so that it almost disappears and allows the focus to stay on the rest of the cabinetry and stone.'

'Hiding functional elements can be just as important as amplifying the decorative ones. By forgoing a traditional dining "room", we were able to connect the two spaces and flood the kitchen with light. This open and expansive feeling was critical to prioritizing the bright open space integral to the home.'

'A pied-à-terre is a unique opportunity to express a side of your design aesthetic that is perhaps a bit more fun, or unexpected. Ideally, it feels like “you” but a side of yourself that you live in less.'

'It seems that this Greenwich Village apartment does just that for the family. It’s fresh and contemporary but is still filled with pieces that are deeply personal. The homeowner was highly involved and extremely thoughtful in the design, down to the last detail. This is less common, but especially for a secondary home. As a result, I think it has made for something quite special for the family to enjoy for years to come.'

Because the house is landmark-listed, all the renovation work had to be approved by the conservation department. Architectural detailing was carefully restored to honor the home’s heritage – coving was reinstated, reclaimed fireplaces reintroduced, and the original windows repaired by hand. ‘En-suites had been installed in some of the bedrooms, which made the rooms feel very unbalanced,’ says Ash. ‘So we were allowed to remove one of them to highlight the grand proportions of the fireplace in the bedroom and center the bed.’

Ash describes designing the quietly luxurious interior as something of a journey. ‘Like many of our clients, they had two slightly different approaches to personal style – one of them prefers a very modern, luxurious hotel aesthetic, while the other is an antiques collector. We explored what they wanted, what would suit the house, and how we could execute it.’

The natural surroundings heavily influenced the design. ‘The house is surrounded by mature trees – it’s very private, and the views are beautiful,’ Ash explains. ‘The greenery and nature played a strong role in our core design. We didn’t want the home to feel overdesigned, but rather collected, with a juxtaposition to the Victorian architecture. We introduced effortless styling in biophilic tones, which came through in our material choices, wood finishes, and antique pieces. It all comes together to create a calm living environment.’

The design vision for the home began with the kitchen, one of the most challenging spaces due to a large window and a chimney breast. ‘This was the most important room to get right – it tells the story of the home and sets the tone and style for the rest of the house,’ says Ash. ‘We wanted the kitchen to have a parlor vibe and feel as if it had always been there, but the clients also wanted to incorporate a casual dining area.’

Ash devised a chic solution: a cantilevered Calacatta Borghini antique marble surface set atop the Verde Tipo marble kitchen island, which connects seamlessly to the wooden dining table.

As well as adding indulgence, the marble introduces another natural element and is used throughout the house to add texture and movement. ‘The counter and table needed to feel sculptural so the space wouldn’t look too busy. The rest of the kitchen had to be sleek, with everything either having a place or being hidden behind doors.’

Plaster molding was added above the stove. ‘Most people think it’s an original feature – we’re very proud of that,’ says Ash. Moody green windows and shutters add drama, tie in with the Verde marble, and connect visually with the outdoor landscape. The palette for the ground floor and the adjacent TV room is also rooted in natural tones inspired by the green marble.

Biophilic accents are carried throughout the house, with rich, grained woods paired with fabrics that reference nature, including a botanical mural in the daughter’s bedroom. Natural elements feature prominently in the dining room as well, where a bar – housing the client’s impressive whiskey collection – has door panels papered with an exquisite botanical scene featuring cheetahs and exotic plants. ‘It’s very organic, which is what we wanted,’ Ash says.

Unlike many period houses, this home has an airy, open feel, thanks to a neutral backdrop. ‘The client wanted their home to be very bright, so we worked with cleaner, lighter wall colors and then introduced textured materials,’ Ash explains. ‘We love to play with color and make statements, but with cleaner, brighter walls, every addition to the room had to balance the space and make it feel cozy, warm, textured, and layered.’

The calm and carefully curated interior, with its emphasis on biophilic design, has breathed new life into the property – bringing a touch of the 21st century to a distinguished period home.

They still loved their home, however. And so it made sense, after purchasing an Upper East Side apartment in a 1930s building, to work with Andrew Magnes Architecture, the firm behind their Flatiron home. Coincidentally, the family had a personal connection to Nate Berkus Associates (their cousin recently worked with the firm on a renovation the family adored), making the A-list design firm an obvious fit to finesse the interiors.

Simply put, it was a gut. 'They were really excited about the light that was coming in and just the layout of building – and the location was half a block from Central Park,' says Andrew. But the apartment itself had its original prewar layout, tailored to a lifestyle that no longer exists. There were staff corridors, maids’ rooms (plural), a large formal dining room – all in all, more structure than the parents had in mind.

Tasked with injecting a traditional look while breaking down all that formality, Andrew was busy breaking another barrier, too: for the first time in his career, he teamed up with his life partner, architect Chris Boskey, on the renovation.

Andrew, who studied art, approached the design through visual language (materiality, color, spatial composition), while Chris brought a different perspective. 'He's really interested in details, not from an aesthetic point of view, but how they work, what they're doing, and why things are built a certain way,' says Andrew.

Together they proposed bold changes. The complete gut renovation led to downsizing a large entryway and tackling the excessive dining room. 'A lot of these prewar Upper East Side apartments have very large dining rooms, and it's just not how people live now,' says Andrew, who reimagined the space as a modern family room.

The dining table moved into a graciously sized living room, a more casual feel for the family's contemporary lifestyle. Beyond the practical, there were plenty of indulgences–a dressing room for one parent, an office with a pocket bar for the other –but the ultimate treat was an updated kitchen (complete with closing doors, of course).

The results of their partnership are easily seen in the sunlit living room, where traditional architectural detailing (inspired by a tapestry of prewar buildings visible through the windows, from Beaux Arts to Neo-Federal) functions beautifully. 'It just kind of happens more organically between us,' says Andrew.

Painted in Benjamin Moore’s Snowfall White OC-118 to maximize sunlight, crisply paneled walls and a custom dentil cornice merge with large casement windows. Clever planning allowed hidden storage behind wall panels and ample space for window shades (thank Chris), all with balanced proportions and artful cohesion (thank Andrew).

At the same time, another balanced approach coursed through furnishing, decor, and finishes. 'It was our job to bridge their modern tendencies with the vintage architecture and create a space that felt both fresh and enduring,' says Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, a partner at Nate Berkus Associates who led the renovation.

The result is an eclectic mix. Comfortable vintage pieces range from French and Swedish from the 1940s to Italian from the 1950s, plus new upholstered pieces in classic and modern designs (like the living room's curvy white Estudio Furnishings sofa in a textured 'Snowdrift' wool from Rose Uniacke). Materials leaned into the building's history, nodding to what may have been lost over time: herringbone and marble flooring, oak paneling, brass hardware. They even painted some doors black, adding a stroke of Art Deco glamour.

Nothing feels terribly precious, and the ease belies the rigor. 'A lot of thought and experience goes into every selection to make sure that the interior can handle wear and tear and still look incredible years later,' adds Lauren.

Even still, Lauren's team pursued some grand gestures. The resized entry, which connects two wings through arched doorways, is certainly the most distinctive space, drawing from Gio Ponti’s 1927 villa L’Ange Volant outside Paris. 'It was an image that I had been revisiting for years, waiting for the right apartment and the right client to implement our own interpretation of it,' says Lauren.

For her team, it was a chance to take something vintage and make it modern. They weren’t sure if the client would green-light the wild marble flooring, still classic but leaning funkier and more colorful, but the client gave an immediate yes.

But one space took some convincing: the owners didn't think the family room would get much use. Lauren was surprised – it was the first time a client voiced anything like that during planning. 'So we sought out to prove them wrong with comfortable lounge seating, a built-in bookcase to house the TV and accommodate storage needs,' she says.

It worked. Nearly every day, the family gathers at the breakfast nook, which aligns with the bookcase and incorporates a banquette and dining table. Surrounded by warm wooden details – Andrew and Chris matched the dentil cornice in the living room, rendered here in solid oak–and cozy green wallcoverings (a paper-backed Delave Linen from MM Design), the room is a standout of the project.

And of course, there’s the kitchen, which connects directly to the family room. Andrew and Chris gave the kitchen more prominence, reclaiming space once used for a staff corridor and butler’s pantry, enlarging the room to fit a brass-wrapped island with seating.

'We spent a lot of time in our in like 3D renderings placing the veining in a way that was going to be most impactful, and deciding which surfaces should be more active with stone and which surfaces should be less active,' says Andrew.

And for the coveted kitchen doors, the owners got three: a refinished service door leads to the fire stairs; a new pocket door leads to the corridor; and, for a touch of nostalgia, a swinging door separates the family room, complete with an oval glass lite window that nods to the owners’ memory of a classic NYC apartment.

The remaining apartment leans heavily into the family’s personality. The home office is like a retreat within the home, complete with disguised storage behind wall panels and a pocket minibar for after-hours.

'We looked at several inspiration images and ultimately decided on lacquering the walls in a high gloss green to appeal to both the vintage and modern, and incorporated hidden storage on either side of the sofa,' says Lauren, who used Farrow & Ball's Studio Green for the base.

Color palettes lean more playful in the children’s rooms toward the back of the house, and especially in the bathrooms, where Lauren’s team made the most of tiles in fun patterns.

'We made a concerted effort to add color and pattern in a way that felt vintage but fresh,' says Lauren, who used a mix of green and white Elements Field Tiles from Ann Sacks to create stripes in one daughter's ensuite. Other spots take even more risk, like a powder room with a painterly Pierre Frey's Water Lily wallpaper in terracotta.

The design team took some leaps along the way, but it's ultimately the special blend of bespoke, vintage, and modern details that defines this project–all while working with three different voices (three's company, if you will) that blend beautifully to create a home unique to the family. 'I get texts from [the client] saying that she keeps pinching herself,' says Andrew. 'She just can't believe this is where she lives now.'

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The interior designer on this new build, Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design, says her clients wanted a 'fresh and edited language' to balance its Spanish Revival architecture, the work of the classicist San Antonio-based architect Michael G Imber.

'There are a lot of new builds in Austin; it's a growing community,' says Vanessa, 'and the clients wanted a more warm and softly contemporized house.

'We joined Michael on the project early on; there was already a plan of how the house would sit on the land, but we were able to work with Michael and his team to bring a simplified, holistic perspective, which reflected the owners' preference for a more relaxed lifestyle,' says Vanessa. The house had a Spanish Revival reference, but they knew she could make it feel 'lighter on its feet'.

This approach appealed to its owners, whom Vanessa describes as 'elegant, well-traveled, unostentatious people'. She adds: 'While they would live in a large, grand home, they didn't want to scream about it; they wanted comfort, livability, beauty and subtlety – and in an effortless way.'

Vanessa referenced the historic masseria and farmhouses of Puglia for inspiration. 'They are simple in so many ways, yet they are so hearty and full of detail.'

And this detail is evident from the moment you walk into the high-ceilinged foyer, which feels grand, yet intimate. 'You get the feeling that there's a bigger room beyond it,' says Vanessa. And there is – the heart of this easy-to-live-in home – the formal sitting room or 'great room' as Vanessa refers to it.

'It's not terribly formal though, thanks to the way it connects to other spaces.' These connections are a huge success. To the left of the chimney breast, you can see through to the kitchen, while there's a glimpse of the dining room behind it. Stone stairs lead to two children's bedrooms and a guest suite, as well as a 'common hang-out room'.

Back downstairs and a courtyard separates the communal spaces from a guest bedroom, the main suite, and his and hers offices. Yet more spaces wait to be discovered, with a huge outdoor room under a reclaimed oak roof ('with the Texas heat comes thunderstorms in summer,' says Vanessa) housing a kitchen, living and dining area, with an outdoor pool beyond, offering amazing views.

Using limited but well-considered materials and colors have unified this open-plan home. It's all very consistent: if a stone has been used on one floor, then it has been used multiple times; the plasterwork is all the same color while the wood used for beams and doors is the same reclaimed oak.

'We wanted to let the character of these materials shine through and create a natural rhythm,' says Vanessa. 'If something had a crack or hole, we didn't fill it, we left it in its true, authentic sense.'

Authentic is a word that Vanessa keeps coming back to. 'We pared back the design to its very essence and then picked a small number of materials focusing on them being natural and beautifully made, really paying attention to the details,' she says.

'It's a difficult thing to nail, that feeling of timelessness and originality in a new build. We kept on refining, right down to the smallest touch, like getting the color of the grout just right, but if we'd had one too many archways or curves or twists, then we would have ended up in another place.'

The place this home has ended up in is very special. 'Yes, we delivered a turnkey project,' says Vanessa, 'but my goal when designing isn't for someone to walk in and know it's a "Vanessa Alexander house". It needs to feel like it's the clients' home, that they can inhabit it in a genuine way that reflects their tastes.'

The homeowners bought this classic shingle-style home in Greenwich, New England, with the intention of making it their own, while also honoring the original bones of the property. It was built in 1903, and most of the original features had been perfectly kept.

'The home had been meticulously maintained, preserving its original architectural integrity,' explains Amy. 'Upon entering, the stunning Palladian windows, intricate dentil moldings, and elegant ceiling medallions immediately convey its rich history. While a previous owner introduced modern elements like a midnight black lacquered library, the house was very impersonal, with a cold feeling overall.'

Amy and her design firm worked like a close-knit team with the couple, not only because the homeowners had such a creative vision, but also because one of the homeowners is, in fact, colorblind, and every decision in the home was made so he could still appreciate the colorful spaces.

'It impacted so many of my design decisions; it was central to my process. I wanted to make sure he could engage with every room, even if certain colors didn’t register for him in the traditional way,' Amy explains.

This factor made Amy and the homeowners very specific and fearless with the use of color. As a team, they wanted to take risks with the color ideas and make bolder decisions, working with the backdrop of an old home.

'It meant layering texture, pattern, and strong graphic elements so that he could “feel” the spaces through dimension and contrast,' explains Amy. 'In the dining room, for example, I explored more than ten wallpaper options before landing on one that balanced romance and boldness while resonating with him on an emotional level.'

This is just a glimpse into how the designer and homeowners worked together so closely to create a colorful, timeless home that works for a modern family but still nods to the home's history.

'I was brought onto the project when the couple had purchased the home, with the goal of preserving its architectural integrity while giving the residence a fresh perspective, along with adding warmth to the interior.'

'They had previously lived in a home that leaned heavily into blues and greens, but this time they wanted to push themselves artistically and without reservation, an intriguing palette and energy.'

'Their brief was clear: respect the history of the home, but make it uniquely theirs so that it felt creative, layered, and full of character. They also wanted to integrate their growing art collection, sourced with their adviser Liz Parks, in a way that felt organic to the design.'

'It was a true partnership. They’re fearless when it comes to design and trusted me to guide them through bolder choices. We looked at countless iterations of fabrics, wallpapers, and finishes together, and because they were so open, we were able to really push boundaries. Their collaborative spirit made the process joyful.'

'The biggest challenge with this project was knowing where to edit and where to leave things untouched. The architecture is so strong that it didn’t need reinvention. We were careful to preserve the Palladian windows, moldings, and ceiling details while introducing furniture, rugs, and art that felt fresh.'

'The lower level was the one area we transformed completely, creating a gym, wine room, sauna, and mudroom with the architect and builder. Everywhere else, it was about layering modernity onto tradition.'

'The dining room was also challenging, but the most rewarding. It’s visible from so many angles in the house, so it had to sing without overpowering. Getting that balance right, especially for the husband’s unique lens on color, was a triumph.'

'The whole home is about restraint in the layering, certainly a balancing act. If a wallpaper or rug carried a lot of movement, then the surrounding pieces were more subdued. Every room has breathing space with moments of quiet against the drama. That’s what allows the boldness to feel intentional rather than overwhelming.'

'This classic New England shingle-style home boasts over a century of architectural history. Yet, its interiors present a captivating paradox: deeply traditional while infused with bold, modern elements. We incorporated vibrant colors, rich patterns, and unique textures to offer a fresh perspective, all while honoring the home's original features.'

'Working on this home was a true joy, as it allowed us to honor its history while crafting a new chapter. The architecture provided the foundation, but the family infused it with soul through their embrace of color, risk, and artistry. The result is a deeply personal and timeless home, a testament to our wonderful collaboration.'

During her redesign of this entire home for a family of five, Pernille, founder of Pernille Lind Studio, remained ever mindful of the house’s inherent character and heritage. While she wanted to reflect its Victorian roots, there was also a glass and teak extension that had been added in the 1950s.

Though this needed to be replaced with a more modern wraparound version, its mid-century character and rich tones inspired new pieces of bespoke teak-stained oak joinery that Pernille designed for many rooms in the house. In this way, the home displays a seamless interplay of eras alongside a careful balancing of light and shadow.

As the design centered around a palette of dark-toned timber and rich, autumnal shades, effective lighting ideas were a key part of Pernille’s vision. ‘Being Danish and having experienced long, dark winters, I’m aware that lighting is the most crucial element in any room, as it sets the mood and creates atmosphere,’ she says.

Homage was paid to the Victorian high ceilings and their intricate cornices by hanging chandeliers from a central ceiling rose, but Pernille selected designs that reflect a mid-century aesthetic rather than more formal styles in crystal or glass.

She then added decorative lighting at lower levels to accentuate areas and illuminate artworks. ‘Lighting should be used to highlight specific features or, conversely, kept subtle to generate shadows and depth,’ she adds.

The clients embraced Pernille’s love of materials and textures – from the distinctive marbles used in the kitchen and main bathroom to woven wallpaper, bespoke joinery, and decorative glass. Even some paint choices come with added texture, with Bauwerk limewash used in areas of the new extension and gloss finishes on woodwork in the original part of the house.

Throughout, oak flooring adds continuity, while a standout tactile feature is a fireplace clad in zellige tiles. This shimmering surround is another example of how Pernille has introduced modern elements in a seamless way.

‘This home needed to feel contemporary while integrating classic elements and traditional furniture, which the owners wanted to bring from their previous house,’ she explains.

Pernille collaborated with McGuinness Architects and contractors Beam Development, whose work included a wraparound extension that added a games room, cinema room, boot room, and laundry area.

She ensured continuity between the old and new spaces by using natural materials such as timber, marble, brass, woven rattan, mohair, and velvet. These choices helped instill a sense of longevity, as if the spaces had always existed.

‘Because these materials tend to outlast us, they evoke a sense of permanence and authenticity,’ she explains. When we’re surrounded by surfaces that have been crafted and honed by hand, ‘we’re subtly reminded of a time before modern technology,’ she adds.

That’s one reason Pernille designed the kitchen cabinets in teak-stained oak rather than a painted style. ‘This is a house that can carry this more textured and characterful material,’ she says. The cabinets also echo the bespoke storage found in other areas.

As always, cohesion and harmony are Pernille’s bywords. ‘The result is a home that gracefully balances coziness and sophistication,’ she says.

For Sean, it was his biggest project to date as it involved a comprehensive renovation and full refurbishment. 'It was one of those projects where it was supposed to be a light touch, then it ended up being the whole house,' he says. 'It took two years and was full-on going back and forth to Paris.'

Structural work took place from the top to the bottom of the house. There was a complete reconfiguration of the top floor, where the children’s bedrooms and a bathroom were created, while on the first floor, double doors were installed in the main bedroom to provide a bedroom, an en-suite bathroom, and a dressing room.

On the ground floor, the kitchen was moved to the other side of the room for better flow to the dining room, and a much-needed boot room was built. The basement, with its beautiful brick ceiling, was developed so that it now houses a wine cellar, a pantry, a study, and a gym.

The brief from the client was for an interior aesthetic that was almost English country house style, but this evolved as time went on. 'The brief changed as we started off with what the client thought she should do as opposed to what she actually liked,' notes Sean.

The client’s folky art collection soon took center stage. 'It’s so joyful with color. It set the tone for what the house needed to be because the client is very bohemian, colorful, and eclectic. She is very into artisanal pieces and the specialness of craft and didn’t want it to seem decorated.'

'Her wish was for it to feel like a family home that was collected and layered and incorporated pieces that had a sense of history and told a story, rather than everything being perfect, which is where it all started. Originally, we had matching wallpaper and curtains – it was quintessentially preppy and curated – but that changed over time and it became much more eclectic.'

From the minute visitors enter the home, there’s a hint of what’s to come. Warm white walls provide a blank canvas for the vibrant artwork on either side of a chest of drawers, painted by decorative artist Tess Newall. Raspberry hues and sunny yellows provide joyful accents.

'We knew that the walls needed to be neutral because they had that pop of art and we didn’t want them to be too busy,' says Sean. Threads of raspberry and yellow are woven through the rooms, complementing other color palettes.

The cloakroom showcases a yellow basin and a folk-inspired GP & J Baker wallpaper. 'It’s an important print in the house because it dictated the tone of the ground floor,' says Sean. 'We used the print on the kitchen curtains and teased out the colors of the cabinetry, with the green and yellow on the island. It was the hero.'

Yellow chairs and a striped raspberry ottoman continue the theme in the sitting room. Even in rooms decorated with a different palette, there are flourishes, such as the elegant vert de terre dining room with its display of antique yellow-glazed confit pots and raspberry red inside the glazed cabinets and the aqua snug with its raspberry accents.

Upstairs, Sean has infused his hero hues into the main bedroom with a yellow end-of-bed sofa and hand-embroidered headboard fabric flaunting both colors and in the guest bedroom, yellow trailing fern wallpaper and curtain fabric form the backdrop to a canopy featuring raspberry pink fabric.

Even the bathrooms pull the colors through with a yellow roll-top in the main bathroom and a raspberry red one in the children’s bathroom. 'We were conscious of not having each room do its own thing,' explains Sean.

In a nod to the house’s heritage, Sean has incorporated a wealth of pieces with a sense of history, such as the French antique furniture that, ironically, was sourced in England but has now returned to France – a reflection of the clients’ own journey.

'The home originally began as an investment project; our intention was to restore and refresh it for resale, but once we set foot on the property, everything shifted,' explains Allison. 'It was one of those rare places that immediately sparked something. We saw its potential and felt the pull to take our time and do it right.'

'So, while the initial “clients” were technically future buyers, that quickly changed. As the renovation unfolded, we realized the home needed more care, more thoughtfulness, and in the process, it became our own.'

Have you heard of the term foster fail? Perhaps unexpectedly, it was the concept that instantly came to mind when I was talking with Allison about her home. It's the term used when you adopt a pet with the full intention of it being a temporary setup while it finds its forever home, but instead fall in love with the animal and end up keeping them for the long term. Alison's project was a resale fail, and the result is a beautiful, personality-filled, family home.

Here, the founder of Clouz Houz talks through the whole process from finding the home, quickly realizing it was meant to be hers, and then slowly renovating it to create a house that nods to the original charm, but works for modern-day family life.

'This home is tucked just outside of Bend, Oregon, in a little town called Tumalo. It’s one of those places that feels like a breath of fresh air – quiet, open, and full of charm. There’s a strong sense of community here and a slower pace that we really love. With the mountains in view and a mix of farmland and ranches all around, it’s the kind of setting that makes you want to linger a little longer.'

'When we first stepped inside, the home was still in its original 1980s condition, down to the cabinetry, finishes, and layout. While it had great bones, it was undeniably dated and in need of a full refresh. Every surface needed attention, but to us, that just meant opportunity. We saw so much potential for thoughtful, cosmetic upgrades throughout.'

'At the start, our must-haves were pretty pragmatic – add an extra bedroom and significantly expand the primary suite to create the retreat-style layout the original home lacked. But as we got deeper into the process, it became clear that this project was about more than just functionality, it was about restoring the soul of the house while elevating it to meet modern needs.'

'One of the biggest non-negotiables was addressing the original wood-paneled ceiling. Over time, the clear Varathane finish had taken on an overly orange, almost lacquered appearance. It overwhelmed the space and distracted from everything else.'

'We debated painting it out entirely, but that felt like too much of a loss – it would've stripped away so much of the house’s rustic charm. Instead, we committed to restoring it the right way.'

'After a lot of trial and error, we landed on sandblasting the planks to remove the old finish entirely. It brought the cedar back to its raw, natural state – which was beautiful but surprisingly pale. So we created a custom oil stain to warm it back up, hand-brushing it on for a more organic, dimensional finish.

'That ceiling now feels like a true design feature instead of something we're trying to work around. It sets the tone for the entire main living space – grounded, textural, and timeless.'

'The kitchen was one of the biggest challenges – it felt dark, closed off, and disconnected from the rest of the home. Reworking the layout to open it up and connect it to the surrounding living spaces became a top priority.'

'We knew we needed to bring some drama and charm to that space. The decision to go with a zellige-tiled hood instead of a traditional stainless steel one completely transformed the mood. It adds softness and texture, and it instantly becomes the focal point. People always ask about it – it’s one of those “so glad we did it” moments. Cooking here doesn’t feel like a chore; it’s super energizing.'

'Cle Tile’s pantry pavers give it this lived-in texture that contrasts beautifully with the sleek marble countertops. The Riad tile hood was a detail that brought in a little Old World soul, paired with brass accents and Mullan sconces for that collected feel.'

'We tucked in a locally made wood kitchen island (I couldn’t find anything off the shelf that felt right), and sourced glassware locally from Tumalo Home. Appliances include a black Ilve Range and Forte’s panel-ready fridge/freezer to keep things seamless.

'There also wasn’t a true dining room in the original layout, so we got creative. We custom-built a corner banquette with Cisco Brothers and upholstered it in Schumacher’s ‘Camden’ Check for a little bit of charm and structure. This became a defining architectural element that visually separates the kitchen and living space without closing anything off. It’s warm, communal, and highly functional. Whether we’re having a cozy dinner or hosting guests, everyone ends up here.'

'The Fourhands dining table brings in that weighty, timeless presence, and we mixed in vintage bistro chairs for a worn-in feel. Above the table, the Lauren Liess x Troy Lighting ‘Arcane’ pendant gives just enough drama without overpowering the space. Everything opens up to the view, which always takes center stage.

'The home bar might be one of the most dramatic and playful moments in the home. We carved out space for a wet bar and arched the opening, covering the entire nook in woven grasscloth and deep glossy tile. The fluted cabinetry and open brass shelving elevate it even further. It’s such a vibe and totally changes the energy when we’re entertaining. It’s also tucked just enough away that it doesn’t disrupt the main living space but still feels connected.'

'This living room was all about balance – grounded but not heavy, refined but still rustic. The ceiling set the tone here. After sandblasting off the original orange finish, we developed a custom oil stain to bring out a warm, rich brown that feels both earthy and elevated.'

'The soapstone fireplace surround adds a sculptural element, while a pair of vintage armchairs flank the Moss Home Studio ‘Linda’ sofa in linen, which is a forever favorite. We used H&M drapes for softness and paired them with Sierra Pacific windows and doors to keep the light flowing in.'

'One of my favorite touches is the library ledge we incorporated into the shelves. It’s such a simple detail, but it allows us to display coffee table books like art. Paired with the brass sconces above, it brings a lived-in, thoughtful feel to the whole room. It’s a space that glows at night.'

'We knew early on that we’d need to add square footage in order to create the kind of retreat-like experience we envisioned, especially in the bathroom, which originally had just one small sink and minimal natural light.'

'We used Cle Tile’s pantry pavers on the floors again for consistency, and wrapped the wet areas in Bedrosians Carrara marble. The vanities are from Restoration Hardware, and we went with Visual Comfort and Pottery Barn for lighting and mirrors. The freestanding tub, framed by windows, was designed to feel like a little escape with views out to the trees.'

'That view was too good not to take advantage of. We get full mountain vistas, and because the back of the house is so private, we felt confident letting that light flood in. It’s now a full-on retreat. It's one of the most peaceful spots in the house, where we start and end each day.'

'Taking full advantage of the setting was always front of mind. The land is so peaceful and beautiful, and we wanted to bring that feeling indoors. So we opened up the layout, added larger windows and slider doors, and focused on creating moments that felt connected to the landscape. It wasn’t just about updating, it was about honoring the setting and designing in a way that felt intentional, grounded, and true to the home’s surroundings.'

'The bedroom was part of the new addition, and we really wanted it to feel like a quiet retreat. The walls are wrapped in Kravet grasscloth for that cocooned effect, and we layered in rich wood tones with the vintage dresser and nightstands.'

'The Huey Lighting pendants are subtle but elegant, and the bed is topped with Pom Pom at Home bedding and a McGee & Co. throw. The Rush House rug underfoot adds a bit of softness and tone variation. We also lined the wall opposite the bed with IKEA PAX units – but added custom Kettlewell panels for a built-in look.'

'This cozy little lounge is tucked off the primary suite and has become a favorite hangout spot for reading and slow mornings. We went dark and moody here, using a rich chocolate paint on the walls. The custom pillows are from Filling Spaces and Kettlewell, and we added McGuire chairs and a Visual Comfort floor lamp and wall sconce for layered lighting. The horse art felt like the perfect nod to Central Oregon.'

'Probably one of the most charming parts of the house, the little built-in bed nook was designed for naps and overflow guests. We wrapped it in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Salon Drab’ for a grounded cocoon effect, and added a lumbar pillow from Alice Sergeant. The bedding is from Quince, and we layered in a striped Etsy rug for a hit of pattern. The Mullan wall sconce gives just enough light for reading without being intrusive.

'I think the style of this home is best described as an elevated rustic ranch with a refined edge. From the beginning, we wanted the design to feel deeply rooted in its surroundings, drawing inspiration from the natural landscape and the region’s ranching and agricultural heritage.'

'We leaned into rich, honest materials, warm textures, and a palette that feels both grounded and timeless. The result is a home that’s layered and welcoming, cozy without feeling overly styled. Someone once called it “Ralph Lauren meets Nancy Meyers,” and we couldn’t agree more – it captures that perfect mix of rugged charm and quiet luxury.'

'We’re so grateful we didn't resell this home. This project allowed us to lean fully into our creative vision, trust our instincts, and leave a signature Clouz Houz mark. It’s one of the most personal and creatively fulfilling builds we’ve ever worked on.'

'This really was a true labor of love from every corner of the house. There was a time we repainted the rumpus room three times just to nail that perfect shade. We poured so much thought into every detail, big or small.'

'What we’ve learned? Patience pays off. Letting a design breathe – really living in it –reveals the tiniest tweaks that make the biggest impact. As for the client reaction (yes, that was us!), we still get a little teary seeing our kids and dog curl up in the bed nook or friends gathering around the banquette at sunset. It feels less like a project and more like home – and that’s the best compliment we could ask for.'

It was always going to be a challenge, taking an old, small home and turning it into something that would work for a growing family (literally, since Daniella was pregnant with her second child when they started the project), but still honor all the original charm.

But what began as a small, charming cottage, with just one bathroom and a tiny kitchen, evolved into a three-bath, four-bedroom house filled with light and openness and soft colors. Of course, as when any designer turns their efforts inwards, this was more than a renovation; it was a deeply personal project where life and design unfolded side by side.

'The greatest challenge wasn’t architectural,' begins Daniella. 'It was emotional. I was a new mother, raising daughters, designing not just a house, but a feeling. Every decision had to hold both beauty and purpose. My mother, who began our family’s design business FOR Design 25 years ago, always kept a beautiful home, elegant, orderly, and full of grace. I wanted to carry that legacy forward, but through a softer, more personal lens.'

'How do you layer in couture-level detail, raw silk, delicate finishes, heirloom pieces, while still creating a space where little girls can dance barefoot and feel completely at ease? How do you design for memory, not just aesthetics?'

'I found myself returning often to a childhood memory: my grandmother’s rose-colored bathroom, where we would get ready together in the morning. It was feminine without being precious, intimate without being fragile. That feeling – the warmth of the light, the softness of the walls, the unspoken invitation to be wholly yourself – became my north star.'

The home does have a playful, feminine feel, as Daniella explains, 'The design language speaks in the femme, the whimsy, and the playful. Raw silk café curtains billow gently in the morning light, their ruffled hems like the edge of a vintage gown. Slipcovered stools, with skirts that graze the floor, feel as if they belong to a different era, one of dressmakers and ballrooms. Throughout, custom millwork curves delicately, like a whispered nod to Art Deco femininity.'

'There’s a story in every detail, a sense that life here is meant to be beautiful and lived-in. The house does not beg to be admired, but rather invites you to delight in the small things – to eat cake, to watch the light dance on a painted ceiling, and to remember that elegance and joy need not be separate things.'

That focus on the house being beautiful but 'lived in', 'admired but inviting' is really the essence of this home. It still works for everyday family life, which, along with preserving the home's character, was at the forefront of the remodel.

First and foremost, the home had to work for this young, busy family. The kitchen needed to be bigger, more open concept, so it could work for all the hats it needed to wear – cooking, socializing, working.

'A La Cornue range was a non-negotiable, as were the quad doors opening into the back studio, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection,' says Daniella. 'Large, light-filled windows were also essential to breathe life into the home and reflect the natural beauty outside.'

As with most of the original layout, the kitchen wasn't huge. It was just eight by six feet, tucked away at the back of the house, so it felt disconnected from the other rooms.

'We reimagined the entire footprint, opening walls and repurposing the former dining room to create a kitchen that feels expansive, intuitive, and bathed in natural light. It’s no longer just a space for function – it has become the emotional heart of the house,' explains Daniella.

'At its center, a swooped-edge breakfast bar stretches wall to wall – a sculptural, architectural gesture that feels both grounding and gentle. The curve is soft, feminine, and quietly bold, and it's a recurring shape that threads throughout the home. The kitchen is where we gather in the in-between moments: low-slung mornings with coffee, quiet evenings with cocktails, children climbing onto slipcovered stools.'

'What was once a fractured floor plan has become a fluid sequence: the former dining room is now the kitchen; the old living room reimagined as a space for gathering around the table; and beyond that, the new living room opens toward the garden. Every space flows with ease, connected by light, breath, and intentional softness.'

In the dining room, the colors shift from soft and subtle to bolder yet buttery yellows, and the contrast of the black chairs creates an instant drama that feels decidedly different from the other downstairs rooms.

'I’m drawn to playing with proportion, and the dining room felt like the perfect place for a little drama,' says Daniella. 'We chose an oversized pendant, almost sculptural in presence, to hover above the marble like a piece of suspended art.'

'And then there's the ceiling, a buttery yellow, soft and luminous. Yellow has always made me feel joyful, and here it casts the most beautiful golden wash across the room. I’ve long admired how Rose Uniacke uses yellow with such restraint and poetry, it inspired me to make a bold, happy choice of my own.'

'In this house, we don’t shy away from joy. We make room for it.'

But again, Daniella goes back to how this room was designed with the family who will use it in mind. She points out the shape of the dining table, explaining, 'I've always loved the intimacy of a round table. It naturally invites conversation, eye contact, and ease. In a square room, it doesn’t just sit well – it grounds the space in a way that feels instinctive and whole.'

In the open plan, light living room, the colors mirror the calm, soft shades found in the kitchen. The room is neutral, but it's the textures and the layers that give this space all its interest.

'It's a space rooted in feminine whimsy and English drawing-room romance,' says Daniella. 'This room was designed for what matters most: reading aloud, listening to records, and telling stories that linger past bedtime.'

'I was inspired by the softness of Marie Antoinette’s private chambers, but edited through a modern lens, every detail invites tactile curiosity. Mongolian fur chairs, chosen for their couture-like playfulness and enveloping softness. Custom curved millwork with integrated pulls, an Art Deco nod that balances structure with grace. A long, low oak table, scaled like a library desk, has become a family gathering point for books, plays, and quiet moments of connection.'

Daniella describes her bedroom as 'a study in tone, texture, and restraint. The bedroom leans into depth and saturation. The walls envelop you in a rich, comforting hue, a color that feels like an exhale, warm and grounding.'

The pale pink custom headboard by Samuel & Sons breaks up the dark walls and feels more in keeping with the soft style used throughout the home. The bedding, by Bella Notte, plays a similar part in ensuring the moody color scheme still feels inviting.

'In the main bathroom, elegance is found in the absence of clutter and the weight of materials,' explains Daniella. 'A floating double vanity, carved from thick marble, hovers with quiet confidence. I decided against any visible hardware, no ornament – just the poetry of proportion and light. The space is meant to feel like a Parisian atelier apartment open, tonal, and utterly intentional.'

The home Daniella has created is the perfect balance of curated and considered, design-led and on trend but also soft and inviting, and built for a family. The rooms are colorful, playful and designed to be lived in.

'It's inspired by a whimsical and joyful spirit, embracing bold color combinations and personal touches that reflect both nostalgia and modernity,' explains Daniella. 'The interior moves with a certain softness – a quiet romance suspended between English charm and Parisian elegance.'

'It’s a home composed not just of rooms, but of colourful visions. The palette is tender yet daring: powdered blush, sun-washed marigold, and deep eggplant come together in a harmony that feels both intimate and unexpected.'

With the help of Smith Brooke Architects and interior designer Emma Ainscough, the couple created a space that feels both deeply personal and highly practical. A key goal was ensuring that every room would be used to its fullest – nothing was to be reserved for special occasions. ‘We wanted to retain a sense of playfulness, creating spaces that were visually cohesive while exploring possibilities with pattern and color,’ Charly explains.

Though the couple kept or reinstated many period features – like cornices, sash windows, and high ceilings – they also made some bold design choices. At the rear, an old conservatory had to go. ‘It was romantic but impractical – cold in winter and sweltering in summer,’ says Charly. ‘And it meant our family living space was mostly confined to the basement, which felt like a shame considering the beauty of the upper ground floor.’

Instead, they extended to the side, adding a new entrance for bikes and strollers. A lower-ground-floor extension with graceful arches was also built, inspired by Charly’s love of curves.

‘I enjoy the softness of rounded architecture, and it blended well with the proportions of the house,’ she says. ‘We’re from the North and influenced by the gentleness of English country homes, so this felt right. It’s complemented by other softening elements, like a curved garden path.’

Rather than placing the kitchen in the new extension opening onto the garden, architect Lucy Brooke proposed moving it upstairs by knocking through to create a combined kitchen-dining area. The extension instead houses the sitting room, study, utility room, and playroom – all linked by floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

This shift prompted interior designer Emma to consider how best to connect the new spaces with the existing structure. ‘I wanted to differentiate the spaces, staying true to the architecture of each, without creating anything jarring,’ she says. ‘As a result, the sitting room has a more refined color palette, while still featuring playful pops of color – like the powder blue cabinetry in the playroom beyond.’

Throughout the home, thoughtful details add softness and warmth – from zellige tiles and antique pendant lights in the kitchen to a checkerboard countertop in the utility room, one of Emma’s signature patterns, echoed in the sitting room’s rug.

‘Function came first, but we also thought about how we wanted each room to feel,’ Emma explains. ‘That meant we could have fun with material choices, rather than sticking to purely utilitarian finishes.’

There are plenty of family-friendly decorative elements too. In the kitchen, a skirted, armless sofa features a joyful mix of patterns and stripes, durable enough, says Emma, to ‘withstand the rigors of jam sandwiches in front of the TV.’

In the study, delicately patterned Howe wallpaper contrasts with the graphic line of a frameless window, while in the children’s bedrooms, clever use of space under the eaves combines storage with whimsical touches like colorful reading nooks.

That creativity carries through to more personal elements. The couple commissioned custom-made Delft tiles to frame the entrance to their bathroom and dressing area, choosing meaningful designs: an ice cream cone and a bear for the kids, a martini and fries, a cat in honor of their pets – even Queen Elizabeth II, as a nod to their patriotism. In the dressing nook, a Neptune library cabinet from their old house was repurposed with a new architrave and paint finish, now used to store bags and shoes.

‘We’ve taken a giant step forward decoratively with this home,’ says Charly. ‘It symbolizes a new stage in our life, but also expresses greater design confidence.’ That bold approach has clearly paid off.

Let's backtrack a decade or two. The homeowner had built the Mediterranean-style house in the late '90s, but hasn't lived in it for the past 20 years; it's been rented out almost ever since it was built. However, the time came when the owner, a competitive Mahjong player in L.A., wanted to return to her Santa Monica home, and a complete revamp was on the cards to better suit her new life and style.

Designer Christine Markatos Lowe was brought on to change everything about the house. She began the process by selecting custom marble mosaics and glass tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, and let the design unfold from there.

'The client originally built this home with her first husband, but after losing him to an illness, decided to move out and rent it for two decades. For her and her family to return, the house needed to feel brand new,' explains Christine.

'We set about achieving that with a full-scale renovation, collaborating with Choate Architects. We changed room functions, eliminated a bedroom to create a large primary closet with a separate shoe and bag closet, and changed the back of the house to open to the exterior spaces.'

'The biggest challenge was transforming the heavy stair design into something light and airy, and the beautiful metal rail we detailed was instrumental in helping to shift the entry and stair vibe to just that. There were also some symmetry issues that were corrected in the long entrance hall to allow for a sight line from the front to the back door.'

'I found the homeowner's story so compelling, and I wanted to help create a completely new experience for my client and her family. I also loved her personal style, so I knew we would have a lot of fun working together. She loves color but at first was a bit hesitant to go to bold,' continues Christine.

'As the project progressed, she really found her groove and trusted her instinct with her choices. We turned to her closet for inspiration and noticed she wears a lot of jewel tones, and having the house reflect those tones was the perfect choice.'

'We used many fabrics from European vendors such as Dedar, Jim Thompson, and Claremont, which gave us richness of color and interesting combinations. I think saturation of color works well here in Los Angeles, as it is offset by the bright natural light. Each room became more and more layered to create its own jewel box to experience.'

The homeowner's art collections were a big inspiration for the remodel, and Christine used them as the common thread throughout the home. She explains, 'We worked on the entire project at once, and I really enjoyed developing the palette and room materials while thinking about the experience between the rooms. The art really helped to tie the individual stories together.'

The vintage hand-painted Chinese calligraphy paintings are displayed in the entryway and the dining room, where they sit against the backdrop of Farrow & Ball’s Helleborus paper, which adds the perfect amount of pattern while still looking serene.

The original floor plan was the only thing that Christine was to keep the same; everything else had to go, replaced with more color and more excitement. 'Before we started the renovation, the house was really dated!' says Christine. 'The client had rented it to someone who owned a lighting showroom, and it was filled with really hideous decorative lights when I first walked in.'

'The house started as an expected '90s combination of traditional Mediterranean style architecture with limestone floors, dated architectural details, and heavy plaster ceilings. Terrible! It was desperately in need of a facelift! Now the home is transitional, contemporary, and elegant, much like the client.'

The only other essential was that the client had 'the most beautiful Mahjong room' so she could host her friends and events. Unsurprisingly, this space turned out to be Christine's favorite room to design too.

'If I had to choose a favorite room, it would, of course, be the Mahjong room, as it’s such a standout space and feels like you’re in a jewel box,' she explains. 'We designed a custom shagreen Mahjong table and comfortable chairs to complement, as well as custom storage for the client’s many storied Mahjong sets.'

The kitchen, despite being a hardworking room that was designed to see a lot of use and a lot of hosting, still has the same playful, uplifting color scheme as the rest of the home.

'The client loves to entertain, so it was essential that the kitchen be as visually stunning as it is highly functional,' explains Christine. 'To enhance the flow between spaces and support seamless entertaining, we opened one wall of the kitchen to connect it with the adjacent family room. Maintaining a clear line of sight from the island to the television was also a priority, allowing her to enjoy her favorite shows while cooking and engage in conversation with her husband.'

The space originally had minimal natural light, so opening up the one side allowed for light to be borrowed from the adjacent rooms. Adding extra windows in the ceiling also changed the feel of this one dark and dated room. The calming, cool colors make the space bright and light, but the warm gold fixtures and fittings offset the crisp whites, blues, and greens, so the room itself doesn't feel cold.

'Skylights were added within a new barrel ceiling to modernize the space and bring in natural light,' explains Christine. 'The custom geometric glass tile backsplash paired with a beautiful soft gray and white marble keeps the surfaces calm and fairly monochromatic. This allowed the blue island cabinetry to pop and be the focal point of the space. Everything about the kitchen is over-scaled – the island, plaster hood and the lanterns – yet when you are in the space, it feels balanced and enveloping.'

Upstairs, the master bedroom is a relaxing retreat. There are still the bright, cool-toned hues used throughout the rest of the home, but here they feel calming. You don't find those vivid pops of raspberry pinks in this space, so there isn't the contrast; instead, the greens and blues create a layered tonal palette that's almost neutral.

This home is unrecognizable from the one the homeowner first built 20 years ago. Christine has, as requested, changed every single aspect, taking a bland, dated, confused property and turning it into a house that sings.

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‘We had a vineyard, a pool and plenty of acreage, all in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It really was a dream home,’ says Margo. While uprooting had never been in their immediate vision, the family had lived abroad before and enjoyed the challenges of expat life. ‘Dave and I thrive on adventure, so I’ve never felt the need to settle in one spot permanently,’ she adds.

Selling their home, donating furnishings and leaving California lock, stock and barrel behind them, Margo began the search for an English country home in Cambridge. ‘For me, a lot comes down to location, and I already knew the streets I wanted us to live on. I was keen to be able to walk into the city center and become a hub for our friends – the house where everyone congregates,’ she says.

Anticipating potentially a year of house-hunting, Margo was surprised to discover only the third house she viewed – a listed Arts and Crafts property built in 1922 – to be an ideal candidate. ‘The second I walked in I found myself standing in this dark entryway envisioning what could be achieved. I just loved the bones,’ she enthuses.

While the wheels of the move were in motion, Margo began to consider how to soften the shift from the bright, dry Californian weather to England’s less clement climate. Enlisting the expertise of Antonia Winkler von Stiernhielm at Studio Anton, Margo set about embracing her new location.

‘Antonia and I had plenty of discussions about how we could bring in light. We spent a lot of time thinking about the placement of wall sconces and lamps, and the changing tone of the light throughout the seasons,’ Margo observes.

The addition of a conservatory, three sets of French doors and glazed pocket doors have all made significant impact by allowing daylight to penetrate through. ‘Margo was coming from a very white, minimal home with masses of space but she was ready to shed all of that and embrace an English aesthetic and eccentricity. Inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement, we embraced flora and fauna, stripes, checks, muted color tones, craftsmanship and a connection to nature,’ Antonia recalls.

‘Margo suggested American design details that we’re not used to but will take forward for future projects. The house went from six to five bedrooms as we made space for a laundry room on the first floor. The kitchen has a sink incinerator along with a pull-out tap and a soap dispenser,’ Antonia notes. ‘Above the sink is a single spot on its own circuit that can be left on in the night for anyone that wants to come down for water. This was a project where we were constantly laughing about why the Brits and the Americans design things a certain way,’ she adds.

Plenty of artwork and an eclectic range of furniture made the transatlantic crossing with the family. ‘When we bought our last house in California, I worked with a local art dealer who really supported Bay Area artists and I purchased quite a few pieces from her. I’ve brought a lot of colorful abstract pieces that we’ve made work in a more traditional interior,’ says Margo.

Soon after moving in, Margo set to work on the garden. ‘Curb appeal is extremely important to me so I drew up my own simple yet classic gardening plan and had a local landscape designer help bring it to life.’

For the time being the family are growing their shallow roots. ‘We intend to stay until the girls have gone to university,’ Margo says. Proof that a wonderful home can change the outlook of even those with the itchiest of feet.

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The ensuing redesign (the swansong at the end of a long list of renovation projects this property has seen) focused on bringing this family home back to its lake house roots. Drawing directly from the nearby water, the interiors are serene yet deeply grounding, with unexpected design moments that wow.

Think star-studded pantry doors, a curvy niche designed for coloring, and blue-veined marble that brings whimsy to a timeless kitchen. Tasked with reinstating the character lost throughout the years, this moody Scandinavian design has small, family-fuelled surprises that help to create a truly special home.

The new owners, a young family with two daughters ages six and one, sought a forever home that felt connected to the water, both in terms of sightline and spirit.

Previously living next door, they’d long wished for better views of the water. 'When this house became available, they jumped at the chance to create a home with better views of the lake and Excelsior Bay,' says Melissa Oholendt, founder of Oho Interiors. That vision became the guiding force of the entire remodel.

'The lake was the reason they bought the house, so our job was to make sure they could enjoy it from as many rooms as possible,' Melissa adds.

This 100-year-old home had been the victim of many remodels in its time and was lacking cohesion, so from the beginning, the homeowners and Oho Interiors aligned on a single mission: the house should feel rooted in its lakeside setting without relying on literal coastal decor.

'The homeowners hoped for a cozy space with moody colors and clean lines inspired by Scandinavian design traditions but reinterpreted for a Midwestern sensibility,' she explains of the vision.

The resulting scheme leans on a quiet, refined palette of earthy neutrals, stormy blues, and inky charcoals, layered with warm woods and tactile finishes. Natural light was harnessed wherever possible, deepening that connection to the outdoors and providing light and airy spaces to balance that rich color palette.

By switching outdated layouts, enlarging windows, and widening openings between rooms, the design team transformed fleeting glimpses of the lake into a constant backdrop for each space.

‘Reorienting the layout and window placements to maximize lake visibility was a top priority throughout the design process,’ Melissa explains. 'We evaluated each room’s sightlines and made strategic choices – rearranging windows and even shifting entire functions of rooms – to create more opportunities to see the lake from daily living spaces.'

The result is a not-quite-nautical retreat that honors the home's charming location while also helping them to embrace modern family life.

The previously isolated kitchen remodel was one of the biggest structural transformations.

'Originally it was a closed-off, disconnected room with no real connection to the view,' Melissa explains. 'As trust grew with the clients, we were able to expand the scope to include the kitchen in the renovation.'

'That allowed us to open it up, rotate the island, and enlarge the windows – all of which brought more natural light in and framed the lake beautifully from the heart of the home.'

Taking a fresh approach to timeless design, Melissa wanted to give the kitchen cabinet ideas a “little extra oomph”.

While classic shaker fronts appear elsewhere in the home, the kitchen, which is enameled in Benjamin Moore's Stone Hearth, has been given custom beaded kitchen cabinet detailing on the doors to elevate the classic profile.

The same bead was then carried onto the slab-front drawers and accessorized with traditional brass hardware, giving a subtle sense of craftsmanship that feels both classic and current. The kitchen island's generous proportions invite gatherings, while the overhang is framed by vintage-style counter stools that provide a soft contrast to the earthy colors around and offer ample seating for casual dining.

The boldest design choice in this earthy kitchen came in the form of the kitchen countertops.

During a surprisingly quick trip to the stone yard, both the designer and clients instantly fell in love with a striking Ijen Blue quartzite slab. Its swirling blues and greys invite a natural nod to the waves of Lake Minnetonka that sit just steps away from the home.

'When we find a client willing to say yes to a stone slab with a strong personality, we run with it, and this kitchen speaks to the willingness to fall in love and take a risk with a stone that does not play it safe,' says Melissa.

Paired beautifully with mix metal polished nickel faucets that play off against the warm brass hardware and lighting fixtures, it’s the perfect example of Oho Interiors’ ability to make design choices that are both daring and timeless.

To balance the warmth of the cabinetry and the strength of the stone, the range hood was designed with a more masculine, architectural shape but finished in plaster for a softer, organic feel.

Flanked by two windows, the extractor hood doesn't dominate, but instead 'brought a quiet movement to the space', Melissa adds.

'The blend of the feminine and masculine elements truly brings a sense of steadiness to the space that would not have been achievable otherwise, and we are so thankful for amazing clients who trusted us to bring this vision to life!'

Of course, the lake didn’t just shape the layout – it also inspired the mood and color scheme for the whole home.

The palette also helps provide seamless transitions between the open spaces. The eye moves from one room to the next without abrupt contrasts, but subtle tonal changes keep the journey interesting. As a result, every room, whether it’s the kitchen or a cozy reading nook, feels connected to the same story.

Light plays a crucial role here: in some spaces, it washes the colors into softer, subtler versions, while in others, it intensifies the depth, like in this moody living room drenched in a sophisticated yet cocooning green.

'The lake also inspired much of the home’s color palette and feel,' says Melissa. 'We wanted the interiors to feel calm, grounded, and connected to the natural setting, so we layered deeper, moodier tones with rich woodwork and timeless materials that feel appropriate for a lakeside home.'

'It’s not a literal take on coastal or nautical design, but there’s a quiet rhythm to the house now that reflects the peacefulness of being near water,' she adds.

In a home designed for family living, even the most practical spaces were treated with intention – and the pantry is a perfect example.

'The pantry storage is in a highly visible place, so it got custom doors with star cutouts, making something special out of the utilitarian,' Melissa explains of this playful yet refined detail that delights every time it’s seen.

By adding in these unexpected moments, the design team ensured that the family’s day-to-day routines feel just as considered and joyful as their time spent in the home’s grander spaces.

One of the most charming – and perhaps most thoughtful – details in the home is the built-in desk and coloring nook created for the homeowners’ six-year-old daughter.

'This was not something the clients specifically asked for, but rather, it was born from a desire to create something both practical and magical that would evolve with her as she grows,' Melissa explains.

'The inspiration was a blend of functionality and charm – we wanted something that felt intentional and architectural, not just furniture added to a room. The materials and curved detailing mirror the rest of the home, and when color-drenched in Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue No. 22, the built-in takes on a timeless, integrated feel. It’s a small but deeply personal space that adds a lot of heart to the home.'

'The family wanted a forever home, and we wanted to design a space that could support childhood needs now and into the future.'

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By drawing on the tones, textures, and moods of Lake Minnetonka, Oho Interiors has created a space that feels deeply rooted in its surroundings yet entirely modern and suited to family living. Every detail, from the layered yet moody color palette to the custom cabinetry and reconfigured sightlines that frame the water, serves as a reminder of the home’s connection to the lake.

The team behind this beautifully reimagined country house, located in Torekov, Sweden, is Studio Ramson, and they were tasked with bringing this balance back to this characterful, but dated property. Bring it into 2025, without losing any of its charm. The result is a home that plays with color and pattern, mixes old and new, yet feels cohesive and calming.

'The house is located in a tiny, old fishing village on the southwestern coast of Sweden – one of those places where time seems to slow down,' explains Ika Ramel and Sanna Nathanson, the studio's founders. 'Narrow cobbled streets, small boats bobbing in the harbor, weather-worn facades. This house sits right in the heart of it all, and it’s likely one of the oldest buildings in the village. There’s something truly magical about the setting – the light, the sea breeze, the sense of history.'

Homes & Gardens spoke with the duo to take a tour of the project and find out more about the design decisions behind these balanced, chic yet characterful, trendy yet timeless, bold yet liveable spaces.

'Before we started on this project, the house had charm, no doubt – but it was a bit of a patchwork of different eras and styles. You could sense its potential, but it lacked cohesion. There were design decisions made over time that didn’t necessarily speak to each other. The overall feeling was somewhat disjointed – like the house hadn’t quite decided what it wanted to be yet. Our aim was to bring out its personality, rather than layer on another one.'

'The homeowner is someone with a genuine interest in interiors and a strong sense of personal style. From the beginning, he expressed a clear wish: to create a home that felt light and summery, but also warm and intimate – a place to enjoy long, lazy summer days as well as quiet winter evenings. That desire to strike a balance between brightness and coziness really shaped our decisions throughout the project, from the choice of colors and textures to how we approached the layout and use of space.'

'The overall style of the home is intimate, heartfelt, and beautifully unpretentious. There’s a sense of ease about it – nothing feels forced or overly styled. The space is small, but every corner is thoughtfully used. You get the feeling that everything in the house has been chosen or kept for a reason. It’s a home that invites you to take your shoes off, curl up with a book, or open the windows to let in the salty air.'

'We always start any renovation by listening to the house – what’s worth preserving, what’s quietly asking for change. In this case, we replaced a more recent flooring with traditional wooden planks that felt more authentic to the building’s age and setting. One major change we knew we had to make was adding a bathroom upstairs, which required careful planning since space was extremely limited. But with some clever design solutions, we managed to fit it in without compromising the character or flow of the home.'

'We wanted the color schemes to be something more nuanced than plain white – something soft but with personality. The palette needed to feel light and fresh in summer, yet warm and embracing in winter. We think that finding the right tone is always more about feeling than formula.'

'We worked with the Swedish paint brand Alcro. The yellow shade, “Champinjon”, is mellow and grounded, like soft sunlight. The blue, “Fjärilslarv”, is light and slightly whimsical – just enough to lift a room without taking over. Together, they create a quiet, balanced mood that fits the house’s coastal character.'

'And as long as the color palette holds together, the patterns can be more free. It’s about trusting your eye, not following a formula. Don’t be afraid to mix prints. Patterns are like people – they don’t all need to match, but they do need to get along. We often work by instinct: start with one anchor piece – a curtain, a rug, a cushion – and let the other elements grow from that.'

'The kitchen is mostly original – we actually kept the main structure intact. Instead of starting from scratch, we gave it new life with a fresh coat of light blue paint, new stone countertops, updated tiles, and a new stove. The idea was never to erase the past, but to quietly refresh it. It’s one of those rooms where old and new blend seamlessly, and it still holds the soul of what was there before.'

'We believe a home should never feel like a showroom, so for us, sourcing is such an important part of our process. Many of the pieces used in this home are antiques or flea market finds, carefully selected for their character and patina.'

'We also had a few things custom made, and always try to incorporate the client’s own pieces when possible – sometimes they just need a little love, a new fabric, or a fresh perspective. That mix is what makes a space feel personal and alive.'

'This project was truly a labor of love. The house may be small, but it holds so much heart. Every detail – from the curve of a chair leg to the grain of a kitchen cabinet – tells a quiet story. We always strive to create homes that feel lived-in from the moment you walk in, and this one really does. It’s not just a renovation – it’s a restoration of feeling.'

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This bucolic Connecticut renovation project is packed with inspiration, especially if you’ve ever dreamed of creating a home that caters to both style and fun. Whether it’s the moody basement bar, the charming modern farmhouse kitchen, or the poolside patio designed for hosting, no square foot was left untouched.

And it all started with a matchmaker. With an interior design style that leans old and new, this home strikes a balance between functional family living and refined, playful design. Let’s take a closer look at the spaces that make it so special.

When the homeowners of this charming modern farmhouse in Simsbury, Connecticut, began dreaming up their forever family home, they knew they needed the right designer to bring their vision to life. The connection came through a small, surprising conversation.

'Our client is friends with a boutique clothing shop owner (‘Coco Lily’ in nearby Avon) and she casually mentioned she needed a designer for her new home who could handle the building selections and all furnishing and decor – from soup to nuts,' explains lead designer and principal at Camden Grace Interiors, Jeanne Barber. 'The shop owner was familiar with our firm and recommended us, and the rest is history!'

But there was a catch.

'The clients were moving into their home in 6 months, so we had just 90 days to order every fabric, wallcovering, furnishing, and accessory in the whole 6,100-square-foot house! The clients wanted a fresh start and didn’t keep any existing furniture. Thankfully, they were wonderful to work with and great at making decisions quickly, which was essential to keeping things on track.'

The brief was to create a fun house, where the family could host and play, but remain practical to their busy life – and of course, needed to be stylish too.

The aesthetic of the home, where the color palette ranges from deep hues to light and airy, has a blue 'red thread' that runs throughout the spaces and helps anchor a color scheme for the entire home.

The bones of the house, which sits on a country road right across from the local farm and winery Rosedale Vineyards, were already framed when the design team came on board. The main living area benefits from an open floor plan, which suits this family of easygoing entertainers.

'The homeowners were coming from a traditional Colonial home, so this had a very different feel and floor plan,' Jeanne explains. 'We helped them pick out every detail with custom finishes, fabrics, furniture, etc., so everything was just as they wished and dreamed.'

In the farmhouse kitchen, the homeowners requested clean, white kitchen ideas – but with the surrounding walls also white, contrast was key to elevating this open plan kitchen.

'We did that with an oak kitchen island, brass accents, and subway tiles,' adds Jeanne. 'We also used fluted ribbed glass in the tops of the kitchen cabinets – a trick to obscure what’s inside while adding visual interest.'

Every appliance in this kitchen is commercial-grade, which could handle heavy daily use. 'With three wrestlers in the house and their older sister, there was always plenty of kitchen traffic and demand!'

A cozy breakfast nook was also carved out in the corner of the kitchen to give the family a casual yet functional dining area to gather around.

'We bought a base table and the builder, Zel Inc., fabricated a custom walnut top,' she adds. 'To get a little pattern in there, we used a floral fabric on the bench back while keeping the seats in a neutral, wipeable material!' Adding just enough pattern to add charm without overwhelming the space.

The dark wood pantry cupboard and shiplapped walls give the kitchen a transitional, old-meets-new aesthetic, while the brass hardware and open shelving add extra personality to this corner of the kitchen.

The open plan living room, seen above, is anchored by a towering Dolomite fireplace that stretches 14 feet to the ceiling’s peak. 'We decided to extend it all the way up, which required adding supports in the basement – but it was so worth it,' Jeanne explains.

'With all four sides serving as pass-throughs, the layout was a little tricky. We wanted to create a space that felt intimate enough for conversation, but also allowed passage. To do this, we pulled all the furniture away from the walls and anchored the seating area with a massive coffee table that put distance between the seating pieces, while keeping everything close and cohesive!'

Downstairs, the mood shifts.

In the basement, the team was able to create the ultimate home bar and entertaining space. 'The basement is the perfect spot for hanging out and entertaining, complete with a full bar, golf simulator, pool table, spare bedroom and bath, and lounge area. An entertainer's dream!'

'With no natural light, we really leaned into making it moody and dramatic. You don’t feel like you’re in a basement at all.' This space has all the details reminiscent of your favorite hotel bar: rich color-drenched navy walls, a sultry and moody color palette, a curved bar, mirrored glass, and milky globe pendant lights that punctuate the dark paint colors.

Continuing with the blue room ideas, this layered home office is a lesson in how to design a home office that doesn't look like an office.

'We designed the office with a dry bar, poker table, and lounge area so it doubles as a man cave after hours,' says Jeanne. 'You open massive steel doors to enter, which adds an industrial counterpoint to the feel of the home.'

'The stone we used for the dry bar is amber in color to match the leather poker chairs. We framed a bunch of vintage cigar labels and wraps; our client is a cigar fan! We added tongue and groove behind the desk for visual interest. Today, our clients and their kids both equally love to use the space!'

In total contrast, the unique at-home yoga room is a light-filled and super zen space.

'Our client loves yoga, so this was a must-have in her new home. It's part of the main interior, right off the primary suite. It looks out to the pool and patio, and gets beautiful natural light. We really wanted to maximize the views, and so we designed the white oak ceiling to not have any gaps, beams, or obstructions; creating a seamless view to the outside,' she adds.

The special touch? 'Our client’s friend is an artist featured at Art Basel, Alicia Brown, and she created custom fiber wall art installations for this room, placed in the left corner.'

Just outside, the backyard is as thoughtfully designed as the interiors. The pool and patio area includes a built-in grill, pizza oven, and even a dedicated bathroom for guests. 'I can just imagine all the family parties and celebrations going down!,' says Jeanne. With the nearby vineyard just across the road, the setting feels like a rural escape – perfectly in line with the home’s modern farmhouse vibe.

Even the laundry room got the full design treatment. 'We used reclaimed Chicago brick on the floors,' adds Jeanne, who used vintage tiles to lend an old-world, earthy feel to such a practical space that has to work extra hard for such a busy family.

But beyond charm, the layout is also built to support a household of six. 'We put in double washers and dryers and an enormous island for folding and sorting' – features that are certainly going to help with the daily load, especially with three teenage wrestlers in the mix.

With its mix of thoughtful details, hardworking spaces, and moments of pure joy – think yoga at sunrise, poker nights, and pizza by the pool – this house is more than just a family home but a blueprint for fun.

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Every decision and detail in this family home has been made with purpose and personality in mind. From the playful, unique spaces to the seamless flow of the living areas that avoid all common open plan living mistakes, this project from the team at Camden Grace is a real lesson in making the most of your home.

Interior designer Caryn Sloan helped the family achieve their new vision for the property. 'The biggest challenge was to create a modern living space for the family while still highlighting the history and character of the home,' she says.

'The home was originally very segmented. The entry was opened up to highlight the new sculptural staircase. Arches in the entryway were added for visual interest, and the kitchen/family room was opened to create a large great room for entertaining. At the same time, we kept the living room and the dining room spaces as originally constructed.'

Take the tour to discover how Caryn gave the home an elegant new look, while preserving its sense of history.

The family wanted an open floor plan in the family room and the kitchen, a space meant for gathering, lounging, and entertaining.

'We wanted to create a family-friendly space with more durable pieces when entertaining,' adds Caryn. 'The oak built-ins from Segale Bros were designed for storage and extra seating, while the clients' vintage pieces like the 1953 Finn Jhul chair helped further personalize the space.'

Folding doors give a real sense that the family space is spilling out into the landscape, and Caryn says she chose the colors to help bring the outdoors in – focusing on a mainly green color palette.

The overall goal was to create an elevated, beautifully designed yet highly functional kitchen for family gatherings and entertaining, explains Caryn 'I wanted the heart of the home to feel warm, inviting, and timeless. Though the kitchen features modern millwork and state-of-the-art appliances, its natural oak cabinetry and veined Calacatta Borghini marble countertops echo materials that have stood the test of time. The balance of old and new was important in this space.

'We were also very deliberate in the material choices, here and elsewhere in the home, choosing materials that had history and would also patina over time,' she adds.

The frameless European-style cabinetry in rift white oak was crafted by Segale Bros, with Rejuvenation hardware. The pendants above the island are the Cleo by Kelly Wearstler, from Visual Comfort.

Situated at the heart of the kitchen is a smart home bar, that further equips the space for entertaining. 'I designed this bar to feel both elevated and inviting; a space to pour, mix, and unwind,' says Caryn. 'Layered textures, rich materials, and thoughtful details bring it to life, from the oak cabinetry, unlacquered brass and mesh cabinets to the Calacatta Borghini marble backsplash.'

Thanks to the well-planned layout, the Moller Model 77 stools at the island can easily double as bar stools when sundowners are on offer.

It's hard to square the chic design of this pantry with designer Caryn's description of its purpose as a 'dirty kitchen'. But of course, functional can also be beautiful. The vibrant green space is situated directly off the main kitchen, and there is a useful additional dishwasher and refrigerator drawers.

Like the main kitchen, the pantry cabinetry is custom built by Segale Bros, solid maple painted in Farrow & Ball's Green Smoke, and hardware from Rejuvenation. The shelves and countertop are Calacatta Cremo Slabs, while the tile is Bedrosian's Cloé in green.

The dining room is part of the original home and still has its 1904 fireplace. The designer kept the room's original proportions, updating the space for modern entertaining with a dramatic decorative finish. 'This jewel-box room is designed to be both artful and atmospheric; a place meant to be experienced,' says Caryn.

A dramatic Asian-inspired mural wallpaper, Mist in Fog from Philip Jefferies on silver-gilded paper reflects light and adds depth, while Farrow & Ball's moody Studio Green, enhances the ambiance.

Key pieces include the owner's live-edge table, which was custom-made in New York, vintage Finn Juhl chairs, nodding to the home’s history and tradition, and the Luglo chandelier from Lumfardo.

This room also includes many charming original features mixed with one or two newer pieces to give a characterful and transitional living room space.

'My priority in designing this space was to find ways to honor the inherent story of the home,' says Caryn. 'Original details like the Art Deco flooring, stained-glass windows, and wainscoting were restored as a nod to preserving its history. The stained glass windows, custom bookshelves, and a Tang Dynasty heirloom came together to bridge the past and present. The goal was to create a meaningful room layered with history and thoughtfully collected details.'

The glass coffee table is a family piece, designed for the homeowner's grandparents by the US Modernist architect Edward Barnes, the rug is by Patterson Flynn, and the floor lamp was from Soho Home. The art above the fireplace is by Lena Wolff from Sarah Shepard Gallery.

'The key concept in the entryway was to create a grand moment,' says Caryn. 'I wanted this entry to feel both inviting and refined, layering a modern brass and mahogany bench, an Oushak rug from Boga Rugs, and a blackened ash sconce to create a balance of warmth and sophistication.

'The handrail and caps of the stairs were designed with a sculptural element and stained to ensure the wood grain would come through and provide a natural, warmer look. We wanted to keep the palette neutral to highlight the architectural details. Black and cream were paired with wood and brass, keeping the interior fresh while adding warmth.'

Who wouldn't feel cozy and relaxed in this inviting bedroom? The overall look speaks of contemporary comforts, but the iconic William Morris print bench offers up a strong recognition of the home's heritage.

'I designed the bedroom to focus on color, pattern, and atmosphere,' says Caryn. 'The William Morris Honeysuckle and Tulip fabric brings a touch of history with its early 1900s charm, while the custom blue-green bed wraps the space in the same cozy calm as the fog rolling in. Every detail was chosen to balance sophistication with comfort, in order to make the space feel both elevated and effortlessly livable.'

No luxury renovation is complete without a luxury bathroom, and this home has several. The primary bathroom blends modern-day comfort with mid-century details. The walnut vanity brings in that heritage feel, the contemporary lines of the freestanding tub keeping the overall look up to date.

'I envisioned this primary bath as a true sanctuary in the city – a space that feels as good as it looks,' says Caryn. 'Layered materials and thoughtful details bring a sense of calm, from the zellige tile and walnut vanity to the warm light of alabaster sconces.'

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Interior design: Caryn Sloan
Photography: R Brad Knipstein
Styling: Allegra Hsiao

Located in the iconic Bellaire Tower, designed and built between 1928 and 1930, during San Francisco’s Golden Age, this condo has been turned into the perfect pied-à-terre. Designer Caitlin Jones Ghajar is behind this jewel box of a space, creating a one-bedroom home that has all the character, color, and charm of a much larger property.

'The clients were empty nesters who desired a place in San Francisco to enjoy writing, and generally create a space for respite and retreat. It is a one-bedroom, one-bath, so we had to think creatively about multiuse spaces and ensuring it could work for their own uses as well as guests,' Caitlin explains.

'I first met this client when I was a designer at the San Francisco Decorators Showcase at the ripe age of 25. We completed their primary residence in Marin County, and I feel it was a testing ground for the color, texture, and bold strokes we use in this home. Her parents were also antiques dealers – and I’m sure that contributed to the project brief. I believe they would have loved this special place. One that is a retreat and getaway space that is truly joyful to be in.'

'The project brief from the client was to create a space that was ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ layered, and elevated eclectic. They encouraged a primary focus on high-quality and restored second-use and vintage items. Inspired by the Art Deco style, we also chose to mix periods for dynamic layering that is more interesting than sticking to a literal deco palette.'

'The perfect example of this mixing of styles comes as soon as you walk into the apartment. The gallery wall in the entryway contains pieces from the 1920s to current, a nod to all the lives this apartment has lived. The end of the hallway used to open to a closet space. We re-oriented the opening to allow for a true entry space, and to create a library space with better adjacency to the living area.'

'As the unit is small, we were highly focused on ensuring each space could be multi-use and that overall the condo would feel larger than its square footage would suggest. The views are expansive, so we aimed to frame those and create a jewel box of a space that feels like a dynamic and luxe hotel suite.'

'The vintage French chairs in the dining room were re-upholstered in the Schumacher Rolling Hills as a connection to the vistas beyond, and the chandelier was kept higher than we normally would to ensure an open view. To ensure the space can entertain guests when needed, the original Maison Leleu dining table expands for larger dinner parties.'

'The dining table can also be moved to make way for a Murphy bed cleverly hidden behind this new paneling detail. The Art Deco-inspired pulls from Nanz are both functional and add some welcome sparkle.'

'The client has a very well-honed aesthetic, and welcomes bold choices. We knew we needed to be disciplined in how we chose to implement the plan. We sourced a well-balanced color palette, so the colors are refined, without overwhelming the eye.'

'Each piece of furniture is special in its own right, and they are married to each other to create an overall high-end feel. The bold use of color was a joy to produce, and I loved the challenge of ensuring every space was tied together.'

'Alongside the bolder color scheme, high gloss lacquer was a wonderful element we were able to bring in. Due to its durability, it’s not for everyone, but it worked perfectly for these empty nesters. It is another element that brightens and elevates the space.'

'The high-gloss lacquer library blends perfectly with the re-upholstered vintage George Smith sofa. The Curry colored Urban Electric ceiling lights are the pop we picked up in the footstools and Holland and Sherry embroidered pillows. The supremely comfortable sofa has a channel tufted back that is a subtle nod to the architectural plasterwork on the exterior. The art, a thrifted find from Round Top is a pop against the creamy walls.'

'Lacquer is a real focal point of the kitchen too. Our brief was to take a dark galley kitchen and make it feel like a chic bar. Emerald green lacquer cabinets with custom fan venting panels and the Amuneal hanging shelves attain an elevated look, but the Caesarstone counters make it durable for regular use.

'Nothing is more ‘accidentally Wes Anderson’ than this bedroom – the bed, trim, and wallpaper combination. The blocking of bold tones is married to create a cohesive whole. The vintage rosewood nightstands were newly lacquered with custom Calacatta tops cut for durability. The skirted lampshades add a feminine nod to balance the strong lines of the bed.'

'With the existing period architecture and its many recesses and protrusions remaining untouched, we had to be meticulous with the measuring and execution of the custom Gracie wallpaper. It picks up the tones of the reconditioned 1930s storage piece, newly finished by artisans in a fish-scale pattern, and the soft blue trim accentuates the saturated tones in the room.'

'We created detailed elevations of every wall to ensure the birds and other elements of the wallpaper were perfectly placed. Every color, every bird, and leaf placement was lovingly chosen to lay out perfectly with the architecture and represent the palette of the entire condo. The Holly Hunt chair was something we procured for the owner’s other home, but was re-upholstered for its new spot.'

'The clients wished to maintain the aesthetics of the original period bathroom, but there were some functional issues to contend with. After much sourcing, we were able to procure tile that very closely matched the original, so we could patch in where there was cracking. The new, curved shower door makes the small space feel more gracious and aligns with the shower curb. Color drenching in this space balances the rich tones of the tile.'

'This whole project took over a year to complete. Unfortunately, right as we were nearing completion, an atmospheric river tore through the Bay Area, and the original windows leaked, causing floor damage to the unit. Just when we thought we were going to be installing furniture, we had to move back into construction and install new steel windows (no easy feat on the 17th floor!).'

'But the result is beyond what we hoped for. It’s colorful without being flashy, elevated without being stuffy, and period-appropriate without being married to a single aesthetic.'

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But Lauren lives in Tennessee, and in 2020, she started a huge project building her new home from the ground up. But how do you create a brand new home, 1000s of miles from Europe, that incorporates her love for charming old architecture and collecting antiques?

This house design is a lesson in how to blend old and new, how to design a new build that feels like it could have been standing for centuries. As Lauren explains 'While the home was only recently completed, my goal from the start was for it to feel as though it had always been here.'

'The architecture has a quiet grandeur rooted in European tradition, and I leaned heavily on antiques and timeworn materials to give the interiors depth and history. From reclaimed stone to aged metals, decorating with vintage textiles, and art with visible age and texture – I wanted each room to feel as though it had lived a few lives before we ever moved in.'

The project was a true collaboration between Lauren's interior design studio Well x Design and the architects Brooks & Falotico. The aesthetic, Lauren describes as 'Modern European'. The home doesn't feel like it's trying too hard to be something it's not; this isn't a pastiche. It still acknowledges its Southern location, with nods to the European whimsical style.

'There’s definitely a unique pressure when a designer takes on their own home –there’s this unspoken expectation that it should be perfect, endlessly inspiring, and totally “finished.” But the reality is, that doesn’t exist, especially not in interiors. As a designer, I’m aware of all the possibilities, which can be creatively overwhelming,' says Lauren.

'Reining that in was sometimes the hardest part. We layered details into every corner of this home, and more than once, I’d ask Brooks & Falotico, “Is this too much?” I genuinely believe in the power of restraint and would jokingly ask them to keep me in check.'

'There wasn’t a typical brief in the traditional sense. The vision began with a strong partnership between myself and our architects, Brooks & Falotico. Together, we imagined a Modern European-inspired home that felt both grounded and transportive – timeless but never boring,' explains Lauren.

'I didn’t sit down with a complete furniture plan at the start; instead, I allowed the interiors to take shape slowly throughout the four-plus years of construction. I always knew I’d decorate with antiques and vintage finds – my love for them began as a child shopping with my grandmother, and I truly believe that’s the only way new construction gains soul. That, and an obsessive attention to detail, natural finishes, and layers of custom millwork.'

This home was a labor of love, with Lauren and her husband spending years perfecting the project, from the big decisions like the slate roof (admittedly inspired by the house she saw in Hansel & Gretel) to the smaller details, like the all-vintage finds that can be found in every room of the home.

'Slow curation is the foundation of how I design – and how I approach my own home. This project unfolded over several years, and I made a conscious decision not to rush the process. I let each space evolve as the architecture took shape, allowing breathing room for meaningful pieces to emerge naturally rather than filling rooms for the sake of completion.'

'From antique furniture to vintage artwork, I collected items over time that I knew would bring depth, warmth, and a sense of soul to new construction. That philosophy ultimately inspired the launch of Well Found, my sourcing platform for antiques and vintage finds – built on the belief that truly personal homes aren't created overnight.

From the outside, the storybook inspiration is clear; the steeply pitched roofs, the limestone walls, the tiny dormer windows, and the copper gutters that really add something magical.

And it's the same story on the inside; layers of textures and materials and contrasts that make the rooms inviting and intriguing. Lauren explains that this contrast, this mixing of shapes and styles, is at the core of the home's design.

'Start with contrast, not coordination,' she explains. 'A space becomes interesting when there’s tension between materials, silhouettes, or eras. I love pairing sculptural modern pieces with rustic antiques or placing clean-lined furniture against plaster walls and timeworn floors.'

'It’s important to give older pieces room to shine. I also think restraint plays a big role – when everything is old or new, it can feel one-note. The mix is where the magic happens. That blend is at the heart of my style and how I think about layering soul into every project.'

Lauren draws a lot on her childhood as inspiration for her style and her home. She talks about trips to the antique markets with her grandma, and of course, the storybooks from which so much of the architecture's style comes.

'But even more than books, I think I became drawn to a sense of place early on,' explains Lauren. 'I remember going on walks with my family through our neighborhood as a child, always noticing the homes with slate roofs, stone walls, or old-world details. Even then, I was cataloging what felt authentic. That appreciation for materials and craftsmanship never really left me – and it shaped so many of the decisions in this house.'

Lauren's favorite room, the entryway, is a space that so perfectly represents her style and the vision behind the whole home. The space feels fresh and modern, but you can clearly see the European influences and the signature blend of old and new.

'The entryway might be my favorite accidental success. It started with a French tapestry I spent months searching for, then the eleven-foot 18th-century Italian console from Eneby Home arrived, and everything just fell into place.'

'A vintage travertine table from Roweam, a neoclassical iron bench I had refinished and topped with a custom cushion, a vintage bust on the console, and the custom box-pleated lampshades flanking the tapestry – all came together (almost) effortlessly. Opposite the console, a pair of vintage Napoleon III chairs in brown velvet anchor the space with quiet formality. The entryway sets the tone for the rest of the home and feels like a true reflection of the aesthetic throughout.'

The living room is equally layered; sophisticated, yet not overly styled. 'I started with pieces I truly loved back in 2021,' says Lauren, 'like the vintage rug and Schumacher Fox Hollow fabric – and built from there. The Dudouyt chairs came a year later and felt like the perfect canvas for the beloved Schumacher textile.'

'The mid-century Scandinavian light fixture was actually the very first piece I purchased for the house, and it still feels just as right now. I paid close attention to how the shapes, materials, and finishes played off one another. My goal was for the space to feel grounded and inviting – but also impossible to pin to a specific time or trend.'

'I’m a big advocate for buying what you genuinely love – you’re far more likely to love it longer, and it makes the finished space feel that much more personal.'

The living room, dining room, and kitchen all flow through to each other; it's not quite an open plan space, but the lack of doors and large opening from the kitchen into the lounge makes all the spaces feel connected.

'For the kitchen countertops, we sourced Calacatta Paonazzo from ABC Stone and opted for an integrated sink – beautiful, but also practical for how we live, which isn’t especially centered around cooking.'

'Vertical storage was maximized, even in the uppermost cabinetry, and we used recessed toe kicks where traffic was heaviest. We spend most of our time gathered around the kitchen islands, so they were designed with a more furniture-like feel – complete with capped brass feet and detailed moldings at the less utilitarian ends.'

'To keep the ceiling visually interesting, we also used flush mounts by Ralph Lauren in place of the more expected recessed lighting. The goal was a kitchen that blended form and function without leaning too heavily into trend.'

When you start a new build at the start of a worldwide pandemic, there are going to be challenges and delays, but Lauren reflects that this did give her the space to ensure each decision was the right one.

'Building during the pandemic presented its own set of challenges, but even after that, delays were constant. Communication became everything. We held weekly check-in meetings with our architects and builder throughout the process to keep things moving. There were moments it felt endless, but in hindsight, that long timeline gave me the freedom to be incredibly intentional. Every detail – from door stops to ceiling transitions – was considered. That level of involvement taught me as much about patience as it did about design.'

'Designing this home taught me that good design takes time – and heart. My family helped move furniture, hang every piece of art, and make last-minute calls when things needed to shift.'

' This house feels incredibly personal – everywhere we look, there’s a memory: “Remember when we hung the tapestry in the entry?” My grandmother is a night owl, and there were so many nights the three of us – me, my mom, and her – were up late, putting the finishing touches on the house. It was exhausting, but full of laughter and great conversation.'

'My husband was always willing to jump in, make a last-minute run, or handle a moment of chaos. It was a very tiring few months, but also unforgettable. And truthfully, I’d much rather do that with my family than a team I barely know. That’s what made it so special.'

'Brooks & Falotico were true partners throughout the process, and I’m forever grateful for their vision and collaboration. This home was built from the ground up, but also from the inside out – with love, memory, and the belief that home should be layered slowly and lived in deeply.'

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While the bones of the home were beautiful, they no longer felt at home with the space's formal, family-forward aesthetic that didn't reflect their newfound desire for a warmer, more relaxed design. So, they enlisted the help of 'mix master' and interior designer Heather Peterson to reimagine their home with a renovation project that stayed true to the era but with plenty of character, comfort, and charm.

The end result is a home that feels layered, personal, and effortlessly inviting. And it is proof that you don't need to relocate to enter a new era – you just need to pair up with a design team that can bring it back to life.

The goal wasn’t to strip the 1938 Colonial of its history, but to loosen it up and reimagine it through a lens of casual, lived-in charm. Looking to Heather for her layered design eye and love of the 'mix' (interior design styles, eras, personalities – you name it), the couple wanted to honor the traditional architecture of the property while softening its more rigid edges.

And, surprisingly, it all started with sunflowers.

Once the design team had landed on the vintage-style sunflower chandelier in the dining room, everything else began to fall into place. 'It was the first piece we chose,' Heather explains. 'The shape is traditional, but the form is softened by the playful, casual flowers.' By pairing it with neutral linen shades, the team struck the perfect balance of old and new – an aesthetic that runs throughout the home.

And that's certainly not where the unexpected details end with this project.

Throughout the home, thoughtful design choices quietly elevate each space – but that doesn't mean this isn't a color rich interior.

Upstairs, the bedrooms showcase Heather’s talent for dramatic yet inviting bedroom color ideas. In the primary bedroom, chocolate brown walls create a cocoon-like effect and feel super on-trend for such a vintage-style bedroom. The neutral bed is then layered with a mix of ivory and floral bedding, and a simple antique armchair completes the look.

In the guest room, twin beds dressed in matching yellow bedroom throws echo the symmetry and formality of the original architecture of the home, but soft textures and relaxed styling keep things from feeling stiff, while an antique chest offers added storage with character.

The transitional kitchen is where the balance between old and new sings most clearly.

Working with a traditional white kitchen as the base, Heather layered in a palette of deep, saturated colors and antique details to create a space that feels beautifully functional.

Originally, the island was meant to be blue – a color the homeowners loved and had used previously throughout the house, but during the design process, Heather proposed something richer.

'In fact, one of the first and only inspiration images the clients shared showed a white kitchen with a blue island. It always felt a little coastal to me, and this deep red by Farrow & Ball spoke to the Colonial roots of the home – and added a tremendous amount of warmth to the space,' Heather explains.

When they brought in large samples of both the blue and red, Mary instantly fell in love with the unexpected red. The compromise? Blue remained a design red thread throughout the home, and everyone walked away happy.

Opposite the island, the pantry wall is what really catches your attention.

'The architects, Mark Larson Rehkamp Larson, did a beautiful job of creating tons of hidden storage in the pantry wall, including a coffee bar tucked behind retractable doors,' says Heather. 'They also included thoughtful details like stepping the upper kitchen cabinets back in the center section to create dimension and diminish the bulk.'

The genius here is in the details: the antique mirror backsplash that softly bounces light, dark bronze hardware that will patina over time, and something a little unexpected behind the glass-front kitchen cabinet doors.

'Glass is such a lovely, reflective option, but being able to see into cabinets can add the stress of having to keep everything tidy,' Heather notes. 'The shirred fabric treatment hides any clutter, and adds softness to a kitchen to offset all of those hard surfaces.' The cabinet curtain fabric – created similarly to a cafe curtain or skirted kitchen island – is a delicate block print by GP & J Baker and brings a subtle pattern into the space without competing for attention.

Tucked behind classic glass-front doors, the addition of fabric adds warmth, movement, and a whisper of nostalgia to an otherwise clean-lined, tailored kitchen. It’s one of those quiet kitchen cabinet details that changes the entire feel of a space, and would be super simply to recreate in your own space if you feel inspired.

Equally clever is the built-in banquette just beyond the main kitchen.

'The built-in banquette seating is an updated version of one original to the house, and a favorite spot for cramming in overflow diners,' Heather describes. Originally all wood, the team updated it to include suspended back cushions, which attach by snaps and are fitted with recessed ring pulls for comfort – 'and could be updated in a new fabric down the road (though this fabric is perfect!)' she adds.

'The window in the banquette is off center, because of symmetry on the exterior, so we balanced it out with a pair of the clients' special wall prints, and used an overscale light fixture to distract the eye.' A move that adds symmetry without forcing builder-grade levels of perfection.

The thoughtful mix of high-low and old-new continues into the living spaces. In the snug room, seen above, a tufted olive green ottoman brings a jolt of texture and color, surrounded by a deep, plaid corner sofa that is perfect for reading or relaxing with a glass of wine.

Throughout the home, it’s this delicate push and pull between tradition and informality that gives the project its soul. The result is a space that honors the homeowners’ history while embracing their future.

'They had just built a cabin from scratch,' says Heather, 'and it opened their eyes to what was possible. They didn’t want to downsize; they wanted their existing home to grow with them.'

And grow it did. With a kitchen that charms and cozy living spaces that welcome you to stay a while, this Colonial house is now a character-filled home with a relaxed elegance woven into every detail.

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What began as a formal house has become something far more personal, thanks to designer Heather and her team. Now, this inviting, character-filled home reflects not only its architectural roots but the lives of the people within it.

Thankfully, the new owner, Jamie Morgan, has both qualities in abundance, since she is the founder of interior design studio Blake & Dane.

She and her husband Chris wanted to move to Oyster Bay Cove and fell in love with the carriage house and the history behind it. It was built in 1907, part of the estate to a large main house, designed in the French Beaux-Arts style by leading architects of the American Gilded Age.

A key factor in designer Jamie's approach to the carriage house's historic renovation was marrying up the property's heritage with fresh designs and modern-day comforts. Take the tour to see the inspiring results.

It's clear from the exterior, that we're looking at a very special house style here. The carriage house's origins are still very much in evidence, and that was one of the key attractions for Jamie.

'The beauty of the home is the structure, architecture, and history. And finding ways to enhance those attributes and bring the feeling you get about the house to life,' says Jamie. 'When you walk into the space, you can feel both the size, and the intimacy. There are 12-foot ceilings and an entryway cupola that soars 30-40 feet. You can see where the hay entered the house, and you can still imagine the horses passing through the original doors.'

'The goal was to enhance and draw out these features, while of course modernizing the living space for our family,' says Jamie.

With that in mind, in the kitchen, she was looking to create a more intimate family space from what was a challenging galley kitchen layout.

'The long, narrow kitchen didn’t have an island, or a central meeting area,' Jamie explains. 'We needed to create a space that accommodated a large kitchen island with seating on both sides as a key gathering point and eat-in kitchen for family meals and entertaining.'

Besides the problematic shape of the galley kitchen, the room's original 12-foot ceilings presented designer Jamie with another dimension to take into account.

'The high ceilings posed kitchen cabinet design challenges, but adding a library ladder and brass rail all around the kitchen resolved those issues and created an interesting feature,' she says.

White kitchen cabinets are topped with dark stone countertops for a tailored look with cabinet pulls from Signature Hardware. The upper glass cabinet backings are skinned with white oak.

A key motivation in this carriage house redesign was to balance a sense of the property's heritage alongside modern updates to make family life there more comfortable. With that in mind, when it came to choosing a cooker hood, it's no surprise that Jamie opted for a traditional-looking plaster hood. This one was custom-designed and made to fit the space, particularly important given the high ceilings.

The backsplash uses Arabescato Antico marble, which is also used for the new island and backsplash under the cabinets opposite.

It's in the beautiful dining room space that you are able to fully appreciate the many period details in this special carriage house.

First, there are the warm-toned ceiling beams dating back to when this was a humble estate outhouse. The railings around the stairs and raised floorspace reference the former stalls and stables. In contrast, the more recent introduction of elegant moldings and wainscoting elevates the space and visually breaks up the open-plan living-dining room.

A custom black ash dining table is matched with upholstered dining chairs from Arhaus for a sleek but understated contemporary look that works well in the historic setting.

An arched doorway at the far end of the kitchen leads to a smart pantry, which gives traditional butler's pantry vibes thanks to its deep green/teal color scheme of wall-to-floor subway tiles.

Light oak cabinetry and dark wood open shelves provide neat storage solutions in this well-organized back kitchen area.

The space provides a welcome additional food preparation area too, considering the smaller-than-average footprint of the galley kitchen.

The home office truly encapsulates designer Jamie's skilful blend of old and new. This transitional space features an original window, and a newly custom-made striking white oak coffered ceiling. These elements lend a traditional look that contrasts with the contemporary office furniture, a streamlined modern desk and red statement chairs. The wallcovering is Phillip Jeffries' Burled Chevron Carob.

'It was also important that the home office felt private, but open and airy,' says Jamie. 'By restoring the original window that divided the office and kitchen, the office was able to overlook the living space, making it extremely comfortable to work in.'

There's a traditional look to the primary bedroom scheme too, with bespoke millwork defining the space around the bed itself and giving a fitted look.

The bedframe itself is from Arhaus, with colorful Milan bedding from Annie Selke. The walls and millwork are all finished in Benjamin Moore's Misty Gray, which gives a cool restfulness, perfect for a bedroom.

Accessories include a large floor-standing arched mirror, that picks up on the arched doorways in the carriage house, a white area rug, and a statement chair and ottoman.

Jamie wanted to go all out on luxury for the primary bathroom, which features Carrera marble tile, Waterworks fixtures, and a stunning Aerin Bonnington Chandelier.

The space has been configured perfectly to frame the wow-factor freestanding bath across the width of the window, with a wide opening from the vanity area. Watery blue walls add extra shimmer.

Jamie's approach in redesigning the bathroom is typical of her approach to the whole renovation in this special carriage house home. 'The goal of the project was to maintain the character, while modernizing the amenities, and adjusting the layout to meet our needs,' she says. 'This was accomplished and we're thrilled with the finished results!'

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Interior design: Blake & Dane
Photography: Raquel Langworthy

The owner, a media executive with two adult children, was relocating from a large suburban property to this 4,300-square-foot apartment on the second floor. When she bought the space, it was completely raw – just stud walls in place. ‘This was a fresh start for her, and she wanted it to fully reflect who she is and how she wants to live now,’ explains Alexii. ‘She gave us a blank canvas, which is every designer’s dream. It was a unicorn.’

Before hiring Alexii, the owner had purchased one key piece: a custom walnut dining table by George Nakashima Woodworkers. This design, which honors the natural beauty of wood, became the starting point for a project deeply rooted in craftsmanship. ‘She wanted an emphasis on quality and makers – and if we could collaborate with local artisans, that would be a bonus,’ says Alexii.

One such artisan is renowned blacksmith Warren Holzman, who was commissioned by the architects to create the apartment’s blackened steel doors and exquisite bronze louvered shutters that provide privacy for the nine-foot-high windows.

Warren also crafted the home bar in the living area and the metal shelves in the entryway. These, along with sculptures placed on travertine plinths, give the space the refined atmosphere of an art gallery. Behind the shelves is a wall of reeded glass. ‘The apartment is large but has windows on only two facades, so the glass helps draw natural light into the home’s core,’ Alexii explains.

The textured lime plaster finish on the walls is another example of exceptional local craftsmanship. ‘Rather than using the walls as blank surfaces for art, we treated them as counterpoints to the art–artful elements in their own right,’ says Mark, who applied the same finish to the striking fireplace that anchors the home’s public spaces. ‘The owner wanted it to blur the line between sculpture and structure,’ he adds.

To optimize the kitchen layout, a New York chef was consulted. The design includes a change in floor height, allowing the island to function as a standard work surface on one side and a dining-height table on the other.

Next to the kitchen is the apartment’s standout feature: the loggia. The architects designed custom retractable windows that open the space fully to the leafy square below. ‘In spring and summer, the tree canopies feel like they’re part of the home,’ says Alexii. ‘We paid homage to the park with elements like the table and grass-seated chairs, and the dining room’s branching chandelier.’

Pieces from the owner’s art collection, including several Impressionist paintings, were reframed to fit their new setting and complemented by contemporary artworks sourced by Alexii. ‘We wanted the pieces to speak to each other,’ she explains. Indeed, the success of this project lies in the relationships – between the artworks, the artisans, and the close-knit team formed by the homeowner, designer, and architects. ‘It was a fantastic collaboration,’ says Alexii.

The owner agrees. ‘We debated for hours over doorknobs–and in the end, we didn’t use any at all!’ she laughs. ‘Most of the design choices came out of conversations like that. I feel incredibly lucky to have had the time and space to engage with every detail of this project.’

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The house, tucked into one of South Minneapolis' most charming neighborhoods – where a mix of Tudor-style homes line leafy streets – belongs to homeowners Mike and Courtney, a couple who hoped to restore some historically accurate charm to their 1940’s home and 'came to the table with a love for saturated color and weren’t afraid to make a statement'.

The renovation, whose vision was brought to life by Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors, focuses on the kitchen and bathroom – two compact yet high-impact spaces that balance functionality, character, and color in the most personality-packed way.

Nestled in one of the city's most loved neighborhoods, known for its early to mid-1900s architecture and homes rich in charm and historic detail, is this classic home dating back to 1948.

'These homes often feature original woodwork, thoughtful craftsmanship, and compact, no-frills yet efficient layouts, which makes them beloved but sometimes challenging to modernize,' explains Melissa.

Though compact and full of story, the home’s original galley kitchen and primary bathroom were lacking in both charm and function. So they turned to Melissa and team with a clear goal: to inject period-appropriate personality into two of their most hardworking rooms.

'Their goal was to create welcoming spaces that felt original to the house but better suited to their modern life.'

From the start, the kitchen was grounded in bold choices, beginning with the kitchen cabinetry.

'The kitchen cabinetry color is Farrow & Ball's Inchyra Blue, and as our clients showed an affinity for inspiration images with cabinetry in heavily saturated colors, this blue kitchen idea was a natural choice as it brought with it inherent personality but also a classic quality that feels both fresh and timeless at the same time,' says Melissa.

It feels dramatic but grounded, and importantly, like it could have always been part of this home, setting the foundation for layering in whimsical details, like the copper extractor hood.

In any small kitchen, statement moments matter. For Mike and Courtney, Melissa used copper details, a whimsical cafe curtain in Parker & Jules Scroll Stripe Fabric in Crimson – which was chosen for a pop of red – and vintage-inspired styling to bring everything together.

'The copper-toned hood didn’t take much convincing at all,' she explains. 'Once we shared the idea and showed how it could elevate the space, the clients were all in, and this custom hood quickly became the showpiece of the room. It adds warmth, depth, and a sense of craftsmanship that ties beautifully into the era of the home.'

'What makes it so special is how it balances function with artistry. The copper-inspired finish will patina over time, growing more beautiful as it ages, just like the home itself. It’s bold but not flashy, and its presence brings a richness to the narrow kitchen that might otherwise feel flat. We love how it adds a little bit of drama in a timeless, lived-in way. It’s a detail that feels entirely custom, thoughtful, and truly rooted in the spirit of South Minneapolis homes.'

One of the most charming corners of the space is the kitchen window nook, seen above, softly framed by a pair of wall sconces. 'Lighting is one of the most important elements to a well-designed room, and sconces are a great way to elevate the experience.'

'Knowing that these sconces would add the perfect layer of kitchen lighting to keep on, whether you are deep cleaning the kitchen on a Saturday morning or hand-washing the wine glasses late at night after an intimate dinner party – they truly add style, function, and a layer of romance to the design,' Melissa adds.

In the retro bathroom, it was the clients, not the designer, who made the boldest call for the bathroom color idea.

'It was the clients’ idea from the start! They came to the table with a love for saturated color and weren’t afraid to make a statement. Our job was to make sure that this bold choice felt intentional and original to the home, not trendy or out of place.'

The bathroom tile, which you might assume is original to the home, is actually a custom-made creation from local artisans Clay Squared To Infinity. Framed by brass campaign-style strapping and paired with a deep soaking tub, the space feels luxurious but still period-appropriate.

'We leaned into the challenge by carefully planning the bathroom layout, selecting complementary finishes, and incorporating thoughtful custom elements,' Melissa adds. 'The result is a bathroom that feels like it’s always been part of the home. The tile is a joyful, personality-filled feature that reflects the client's preferences, and we loved bringing it to life in a way that felt elevated, cohesive, and timeless.'

While the pink tile grabs the spotlight, the quieter heroes of the bathroom are the custom-built recessed medicine cabinets above the bathroom vanity.

'Since this space serves as the homeowners' primary bathroom as well as the hallway bath, storage and functionality were key – but we didn’t want to compromise on charm or period-appropriate style when designing this small bathroom storage.'

'Rather than using off-the-shelf cabinets, we designed custom medicine cabinets that feel truly integrated into the architecture of the space. Set into the wall, these cabinets maintain clean lines and help the bathroom feel open and tailored.'

The same approach was also extended to the double shower niches, carefully planned to sit between studs, they maximize shower storage without sacrificing style.

'Shower niches add a dose of function and storage in a small space, and while the tile elements of the shower niches did add some extra planning from the entirety of the build team, the payoff is huge as the function of adding niche space into the wall between studs cannot be beat!'

With a confident mix of custom details and color-rich design, Melissa has created a kitchen and bathroom that feel both rooted and refreshed. Not new, not overly done but thoughtful and joyful – and in a house where pink tile, patinated copper, and built-in charm coexist so effortlessly, it’s clear that the mission was beautifully accomplished.

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Every inch of these spaces tells a story. One of bold choices, clever functionality, and a respect for the charm and history of the home. If you're inspired, have a peek at this Arts and Crafts house inspired by Nora Ephron movies, also by Oho Interiors.

The house itself was a bit of a blank canvas, however, and they were looking for ways to personalize and add warmth and create a comfortable family home for them and their new baby.

With the help of interior designer Lucy Harris, the home now has a coherent and harmonious look and feel, with a mid-century modern style. 'The clients' must-haves were seamless transitions from the interior to the exterior, super durable pieces that would work well with a young child, and a light and bright color scheme,' says Lucy. 'The overall feeling they wanted was a natural-feeling oasis in the city. '

Take the tour to discover how designer Lucy Harris brought style and flow to this special home, and married interior and exterior design.

Part entryway, part mudroom, with its custom millwork for shoes and coats, this colorful tiled space just inside the front door sets the scene beautifully.

'We wanted to create something that felt cool and eclectic and reflected their hip Brooklyn neighborhood while still being very practical for their young family,' says Lucy, who was upfront about her intentions from the off.

The custom tile floor pattern uses tile from Heath Ceramics. 'Bright blues and golds make a fun, welcoming statement upon entering the home. The oak built-ins were accessorized with a natural-feeling leather mail/key holder from Lostine, and a simple half-moon mirror from Bower,' adds Lucy.

Since the house was a new-build, the kitchen had only just been installed. While the cabinets and layout might not have been what the new owners would have chosen if they had been starting from scratch, they were elegant and good quality. Lucy also came up with some easy fixes to give the space character and an instant lift. The results help to tie it in with the oasis aesthetic in the home as a whole.

'The kitchen was left mostly as-is,' says Lucy, 'but rattan counter stools from Stahl and Band were used to bring in a natural material, and green pendants from In Common With were used to tie in the green color scheme of the dining area.'

'The project was a great experience in terms of creating an atmosphere that is casual and inviting, while still interesting and cool,' says designer Lucy. This eat-in kitchen area epitomizes that approach, and besides the revamped entry is the most dramatic of all her alterations.

To seat as many people as possible in this corner nook, Lucy designed custom banquette seating using a deep green wool boucle fabric from Tibor, adding various shades of green to tie the space into the leafy street view.

'A brass fixture from Apparatus introduced a textured patina. A table from Yucca Stuff was made to custom dimensions, and its solid wood top can be refinished in a few years, if needed. Tre 3 chairs by Angelo Mangiarotti were selected to add warmth, and the caramel color also gives them a vintage feel,' adds Lucy.

Lucy's living room ideas were to create a space that felt 'casual, peaceful and fresh, using a mostly serene palette with touches of earthy vibrancy'. Pieces from small-scale makers and fabricators furnish the room, as well as vintage and contemporary designs to create a unique blend.

'The star here is the colorful area rug by Christopher Farr, an original design by Bauhaus textile designer Gunta Stölzl that ties in the colors in the living room and from around the whole house,' says the designer. 'The soft and inviting sofa is from Poiat. We contrasted the geometric rug with an organic-shaped coffee table in the style of Paul Frankl.'

On the opposite side of the living room, is a comfortable reading area with the Ojai chair from Lawson Fenning in leather, a material used frequently throughout the house and which references the mid-century modern inspiration behind much of this project.

'The Miniforms Soda glass side table incorporates a different materiality,' says Lucy. 'The millwork, designed by us, displays the homeowner’s vintage objects and gives the space that warmth and personality that had originally been missing in the new build.'

There's a strong link between the outside and inside spaces in this modern townhouse, perfect for a family who loves the outdoors. Inside, it's the abundance of large house plants and earthy and fresh green color palettes that create the connection. Outside, it's the inviting balcony dining space with steps down to the enclosed garden that offers up an outside room.

The backyard was designed by landscape designer Michael Cafiero, a friend of the homeowners. Furniture includes classics like the Fermob Luxembourg chairs and the Croft House dining table, which was customized to be extra narrow on the tight terrace.

In the family room, there's a slight change of pace and palette, as Lucy explains. 'Deep blues and rich, rusty oranges contrast each other to create an inviting and comfortable space. Patterns are mixed to create a warm and casual feel.'

The rug is a custom design collaboration between Lucy Harris and Carini. The ottoman is also custom, mixing wool and leather, and the Albarese sofa by DePadova is generous and comfortable. There's even space for a small home gym adjacent to the outdoor terrace.

Tough peleton sessions in the home gym are made much more enjoyable with this leafy view from the family room. Sliding glass doors open onto the landscaped modern backyard where, says Lucy, 'there are multiple areas for enjoying nature in the urban environment', a precious thing in a New York City home.

As a fresh contrast with the cedar decking, durable Hay chairs were used on the back lawn, continuing with the verdant green theme.

'In the primary bedroom we created a backdrop that was colorful and interesting as well as serene and relaxing,' says Lucy. 'The palette is mostly pastels, with a few moments of vibrancy.'

Some of the notable items include the walnut nightstand by Hedge House, scalloped sconce by Nickey Kehoe and colorful quilt by Thompson Street Studio.

'A subtle patterned wallpaper by Rebecca Atwood adds another layer of texture while the Caroline Z Hurley drapes infuse a bit of quirkiness. The painting above the bed is by Bryce Anderson, courtesy of Uprise Art,' adds Lucy.

The owners are avid hikers who spend a lot of time out West, so they chose a fun desert theme for the nursery.

'Playful and geometric patterns were mixed to create a space that felt vibrant and fun, while natural materials helped maintain an overall sophisticated feel,' says Lucy. 'Cactus wallpaper in a neutral shade gives warmth and interest without overwhelming the room and a terracotta-colored Kartell Componibili mimics the colors of desert rocks.'

Pops of cactus green are found in the Rebecca Atwood-fabric drapery and in art collected by the clients from Mexico. The Dream rug with child-like shapes by Minna adds soft texture.

The owners also wanted a dedicated guest bedroom for their nieces and nephews who visit often.

The mix of natural beiges, oranges, and browns continues into this space, with a second walnut nightstand from Hedge House, and a rug from Nordic Knots. Vibrant greens and blues were also carried through with the Room & Board bed and the Rebecca Atwood-fabric for the drapery.

From the ground-level family room with its lush green view of the backyard right up to this bright and breezy fourth-floor guest room, this modern townhouse has been transformed. Designer Lucy Harris has steered it from blank canvas builder's spec finishes, to a soulful city oasis, full of characterful touches and stylish updates.

Interior design: Lucy Harris Studio
Photos: Brian W. Ferry
Styling: Katja Greeff

Designed by the interior design studio White Arrow, the Irvington property teaches us a lesson in many things, from seamless storage to balancing the old with the new; it's not hard to pinpoint its many virtues. However, its ultra-chic color palette and heritage prints are what truly bring this home to life.

A home that nails the modern farmhouse style, the Irvington property is classically inspired yet liveable and cozy, and perfectly exhibits the power of color and its ability to revive, inspire, and comfort.

With its quaint blue seating area and rustic tiled floor, the mudroom welcomes visitors, providing them with their first glimpse of the home's charming color palette.

Acknowledging the best blue paints, the designers opted for a heritage-inspired blue that falls somewhere between a navy and denim. Framing the space, the shade provides interest without dominating, making a simple storage bench and window feel like a stylish statement. Balanced with touches of white and disty pattern, it's an area anyone would be happy to linger in.

Channelling transitional design principles, the studio brought the dining room to life by fusing new touches with the old. The antique dining table and vintage-inspired dining chairs bring an aged feel that aligns with the building's history. The charming floral wallpaper enhances the vintage-inspired look, but is balanced by the refreshing blue paint color used on the window and door frames.

A sympathetic choice that provides depth and coziness without dominating, the room is a refreshing take on country decorating ideas. The classic vintage pieces and whimsical print are balanced by the soothing blue that accentuates the period architecture.

Keren Richter, co-founder of White Arrow explains, 'I love the immersive feel of the dining room with its original built-in cabinetry, the new immersive scenic wallpaper, statement pendant light, and antique farmhouse table. The room is right off the kitchen, and you see into it when you enter the home from the entry.'

Taking inspiration from traditional dining room ideas, the designers balanced its period features with contemporary touches, straying far from fusty or old-fashioned. The unique blue contrasts with the dark wood accents and breathes new life into the space. The luxurious pendant light provides ambience, bringing elegance and delicacy that balances the dark colors.

The entryway is seemingly simple but is in fact filled with elegant, bespoke touches. Donning a classic white paint color, the space is refreshingly soothing, the perfect in-between space that's modern yet classic.

Many period features make up the area, from the wood parquet flooring to the quaint round window and curved bannister, the designers have allowed the architecture to shine. A textured jute runner adorns the stairs, providing the perfect contrast against the smooth floor and white walls. The antique pendant light and console are sympathetic to early 20th-century architecture, giving the space a vintage charm.

The living room has been decorated with blue and white, a heritage-inspired pairing that almost always radiates sophistication and timelessness.

Referring to the transitional style of the home, Keren says, 'The home features an eclectic variety of bespoke, vintage, and contemporary pieces, a mix of mid-century Swedish antiques alongside American Shaker furniture, and an eclectic range of exuberant British and Scandinavian textiles.'

The living room showcases this mixture, featuring an array of patterns from the armchairs to the cushions. These pops of print give the room a whimsical nature that's balanced with the more refined velvet.

A farmhouse kitchen that's refreshingly bright and airy, the space radiates tranquility. With clever built-in cabinetry and sturdy surfaces, the kitchen is a lesson in combining style with endurance.

'Our client has three young children, and throughout the project, we considered how to balance sophistication alongside functionality, explains Keren. There’s ample storage, durable fabrics, and a lovely, collected mix of new and vintage allows the home to feel layered, colorful, and comfortable.'

The arabescato marble counteracts the white kitchen, providing an alternate texture and pattern (and of course, a touch of luxury).

Situated in the corner of the kitchen is the elegant breakfast nook, perfect for the family to start their day in. A space that once again balances old and new, the designers have incorporated rustic furniture and heritage print to give it some charm and a country edge.

The rattan blinds allow light to filter through and enhance the rusticity of the space. Attached to the kitchen, the breakfast nook feels aligned in both style and substance, with its built-in window seat, it's a practical yet deeply stylish space.

The bedroom is an unexpected addition to the home. Decorated in a deep pink, the palette is deeply moody and enriches the space with warmth, inviting you to enter. Keren describes the room as one of her highlights: 'The cozy monochromatic primary bedroom, featuring richly painted Farrow and Ball walls, complemented by bedding, lampshades, and a burgundy painted Shaker dresser.'

Despite feeling one-of-a-kind in style and palette, the bedroom features familiar touches, such as the vintage floral bedding and the Scandinavian style geometric rug, which balance the heaviness of the rose paint.

The powder room has a familiar heritage feel that we've seen throughout the home. It's a refreshing take on vintage design. With the whimsical, ditsy wallpaper and the brass accents, it's the perfect ode to all things historic, yet still feels uplifting and welcoming. The marble pedestal sink adds to its grandeur and enhances its luxury, balanced by the aged tap and antique 1950s mirror.

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This project proves that color and print can entirely transform a home, and even when a bold palette is used, it can still feel soft and livable. Each room feels unique yet still connected to the overall design, all featuring a mix of old and new decor and furniture. The vintage-inspired, heritage prints and sophisticated paint shades bring a sense of charm and comfort, giving the historic home a refreshing and revitalized status.

The homeowners were looking at a blank slate, and having worked with Katie before, they brought her back in to work with them on this renovation project. The aim was to create a dream home, bigger than their previous space, and more style-conscious too, with bolder design decisions. It was to be a place to relax, and host family and friends, with a laid-back vacation-home feeling.

Looking at the home now, it feels exactly that, gone is the all white color scheme, replaced with bursts of pattern and color and character. Here Katie talks us through how Atelier Interior Design made the transformation.

'The home was originally built in 1993, but a flipper had recently remodeled it for resale, so when my clients purchased the home, it was truly a blank slate – no furniture, white walls in every room, white oak floors, and white tile in every bathroom. You know the type: clean, minimal, and full of potential!'

'The homeowners are a recently retired couple who purchased the property as their forever home, envisioning a space where they could both unwind and entertain. Their goal was to create a dream home that felt inviting for family gatherings and hosting, while still maintaining a sense of calm and cohesion throughout.'

'We had actually worked with this client on their previous home, so there was an established level of trust going into this project. This new home was an upgrade in both size and style, and because of our existing relationship, they gave us the freedom to really lean into the design process. That trust allowed us to push them toward more dynamic patterns and bold color combinations, resulting in a layered and thoughtful space that truly reflects their personality.'

'Shortly after the home was purchased and we began sourcing inspiration, the client sent me an image of a living room idea she had come across on Instagram and absolutely loved. It had a beautiful, airy feel – with a soft, natural palette of cream, sage green, and warm copper tones. That image became our jumping-off point and ultimately informed the entire color story for the home.'

'The house already had a unique energy – some homes just have that extra-special feeling when you step inside – and the palette only enhanced it. Those tones brought a quiet elegance to each space, reinforcing the calm, grounded atmosphere we wanted to create. It all came together in a way that felt organic, intentional, and true to the spirit of the home.'

'The home has a transitional foundation with a distinct California modern influence, but the overall design leans into a refreshed English country house aesthetic – warm, layered, and thoughtfully updated.'

'Throughout the interiors, you’ll find a curated mix of traditional and contemporary furnishings, thoughtfully selected finishes, and statement lighting that together create an elevated sense of coziness. There's a lived-in warmth with polish – nothing feels too precious, but every detail feels intentional.'

'Architecturally, you can see the home leans modern, but its layout is centered around a beautifully landscaped courtyard that brings a timeless, countryside quality to the space. Lush greenery, mature trees, and a tranquil fountain anchor the home, making it feel like a private retreat despite its clean, contemporary lines. It’s the kind of space that feels both refined and deeply welcoming.'

'We didn’t totally remodel the kitchen from the ground up, as it had been remodeled before our client purchased the home. However, we elevated the space with a few thoughtful upgrades: a stunning floral stone mosaic backsplash that adds texture and charm, a custom-painted hood to better complement the home’s palette, and a dramatic 60” wide chandelier that makes a striking statement above the two islands.'

'The dual island layout quickly became one of our favorite features. It’s a unique configuration we hadn’t worked with before, but it’s incredibly functional and ideal for entertaining. The central workspace allows the cook to prepare meals while staying connected to guests – thanks to counter stool seating at both ends of the islands that face inward. It’s a layout we’ll definitely be recommending again.'

'The primary bedroom was hands-down our favorite space to design. From the moment the client saw the Schumacher mural we proposed for the walls, it was love at first sight – an instant obsession that set the tone for the entire room, especially the trees in the foreground, which echo the view just outside her windows. Since the bedroom overlooks the home’s central courtyard, the mural created a seamless visual connection, making the space feel like an extension of the garden itself. That mural became the inspiration for the space, and it was such a joy to build the design around it.'

'To let the mural take center stage (as if we had a choice!), we kept the fabrics and materials soft, neutral, and grounded in its color palette. While the overall layout and design are intentionally pared down – nothing overly ornate or fussy – every single piece in the room was custom-designed to work in harmony with the mural.'

'The result is a room that feels effortless yet deeply thoughtful. There’s a quiet energy to it; calming, personal, and complete. It’s one of those spaces where every detail contributes to the sense of beauty and balance, making it feel truly special.'

'Designing the twin bed guest room and the queen bed guest room just across the hall was such a joy! Once again, Schumacher wallpaper stole the show – we couldn’t resist wrapping both rooms in their beautiful, floral patterns. With the slanted ceilings in each space, we decided to fully embrace them and let the wallpaper become an immersive design element. Our goal was to make guests feel like they were completely surrounded – almost swimming – in these gorgeous, floral patterns.'

'The bedding from Brass Bed was the perfect finishing touch in both rooms. The thoughtful layering of colors, patterns, and textures helped ground the wallpaper and brought a cozy, collected feel to each space. The result is a pair of guest rooms that feel playful yet elevated, and above all, incredibly welcoming.'

'Schumacher was the perfect partner for many of the wallpaper selections – their floral patterns beautifully captured the romantic, layered aesthetic we envisioned for the home. For custom furniture, we turned to Old Biscayne, who crafted some truly standout pieces – most notably the stunning TV cabinets in both the living room and the primary bedroom.'

'When it came to lighting, Visual Comfort was our go-to for most of the selections, offering a versatile range that balanced classic and contemporary. With just a few one-off additions, their fixtures helped tie the entire design together with warmth and style.'

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The interior designers at Vancouver-based Falken Reynolds took on the project, overseeing the transformation and ensuring its new look would stay true to the home's 1970s origins. 'To infuse the space with glamour and casual sophistication, we curated the sculptural and expressive furnishings with a 1970s vibe and an extension of the client’s art collections,' the designers said.

Take the tour to see how they achieved their goal and made those midcentury touches both modern and meaningful.

When the house was built in 1975, it consisted of several small separate rooms, and although there had been subsequent additions, the resulting space was awkward and lacked flow. The design team opened up the main living room, creating an open plan so the ocean views could be appreciated from all the key parts of the home.

'The client loved the soul of the house and was so clear about the life she envisioned living in it,' says Kelly Reynolds, co-principal of Falken Reynolds. 'While we were really intentional about the space planning and functional details, they fade into the background because of the eclectic layering of materials and forms. The house doesn’t feel brand new, it has a sense of history. Onyx, bronzed glass, vintage lighting, the soft curves of the furniture – particularly this mustard-colored Tactile sofa by Baxter – all reference the carefree and daring attitude of the 1970s.'

There were challenges too in this ambitious project. Aiming to keep the renovation as sustainable as possible, the design team worked to a principle of update rather than replace. This was put to the test when it came to an old fireplace that was blocking the ocean view.

'We all decided removing it was worth the investment, but we really wanted to reuse its unique honey and amber-hued onyx cladding because of how it referenced the history of the 1975 house,' says Kelly. 'Luckily, with the help of master stone mason Robb Webb, we were able to remove the cladding, then reinstall it in the new curved fireplace design that now creates a subtle focal point for the entire great room – it’s one of our favourite features of the home!'

In a contemporary twist, the salvaged stone fireplace now boasts a solid marble hearth. Quarried close by on Vancouver Island, the marble slab curves into a cozy window seat that takes in the views.

In the family room, a wall of glass offers breathtaking views across the Salish Sea towards Passage Island. The reworked layout of the home's main floor has created a living gallery for the client’s art collection. 'We wanted warm and sensuous colours as a foundational palette so the artwork could shine and the furnishings could be an extension of the art – both in their eclectic forms and also in their bold colours,' says Chad Falkenberg, co-principal of Falken Reynolds.

The striking blue Mon-Cloud sectional from Cassina fits the bill with its mid-century profile, alongside Ingo Maurer's sculptural Wo Tum Bo 2 Floor Lamp and a smoked glass Echino Coffee Table from Zanotta.

With views like this, from the family room, it's easy to understand why the designers' reworking of the property took the outside environment just as seriously as the interiors.

'The setting is reminiscent of Santa Barbara – overlooking the water from above. The sense of southern California care-free living was central in the atmosphere of the house,' says Chad.

And for a swivel chair to enjoy every bit of that wide view? The U-Turn Chair from Bensen is an excellent choice, its minimalist lines quietly allowing those ocean vistas to take center stage.

The old closed-off footprint of the house had the dining room in a separate room. However, with the new open floor plan, it's at the heart of the action, an eat-in kitchen with style. The contemporary NVL dining table is from MDF Italia and that and the Dudet chairs from Cassina fit well with the mid-century aesthetic, under an antique Murano glass chandelier.

'The house is refined in its details, yet the layering of color and texture make it approachable and inviting,' says Kelly. 'It is warm and layered, but the glass elevates the overall feeling in the home. Vintage glass and crystal lighting make the spaces feel very layered and add a touch of glamour and playfulness.'

The new kitchen straddles the original house as well as a 1990s addition with a vaulted ceiling. By removing a wall and opening up the kitchen, the new layout thoughtfully connects the kitchen, living, and dining areas.

'The warmth and personality of each of the spaces make them unique, and together they create a cohesive whole,' says Chad. 'We used a lighter kitchen design strategy to keep the cabinets down from the ceiling, and the tiled base and backsplash add an incredible amount of texture, reminiscent of reclaimed bricks from another era.'

The light natural hardwood extends throughout the home, on millwork in the kitchen, and in the bathrooms. 'It adds so much warmth and grounds the home in its West Coast context,' adds Chad.

Five independent kitchen components, referencing pieces of furniture, are connected with a base of stacked Spanish porcelain tile that extends up the wall as a backsplash and wraps around as a plinth on the water side.

'Corian solid surface on the kitchen island millwork allowed us to curve the door fronts facing the water for a softer edge that diffuses the light beautifully,' explains Kelly. 'While 1970s crystal wall sconces reduce the amount of recessed lighting, keeping the ceilings clean and uncluttered, something well worth considering with kitchen lighting.'

There's noteworthy lighting in the bathroom too, with wall sconces used near the tub, and the beautiful retro-inspired Sepia Bocci 14 pendants, which reduce the need for recessed lighting and nod to 70s style.

The green quartzite backsplash around the basin is continued around the bathtub opposite, while curved Japanese Inax tiled walls (visible in the mirror) frame the bath and shower.

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With dedicated play spaces on every story accessed via a bedroom ladder, secret hatch, and spiral slide, this ground-up new build in Hermosa Beach, California, takes kid-friendly house design to a whole new level. There's a backyard in-ground trampoline, a playhouse, and a water slide, too, but all that aside, there's plenty here to keep the adults happy. Interior designer Ashley Ausland's effortless organic modern style made sure of that.

Take the tour to see how Ashley expertly combined elegant and welcoming living areas, relaxed indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces, and fun-focused kids' playrooms. It truly is inspirational!

The interior design for the home as a whole showcases a 'refined organic modern style, blending natural materials, soft textures, and clean lines,' says designer Ashley Ausland. 'With warm wood accents, stone finishes, and a serene palette, it offers timeless luxury and effortless comfort.'

Ashley's kitchen ideas see this through, with an almost effortless elegance that comes of simple lines and natural finishes that are so easy on the eye. 'In keeping with our philosophy of letting one standout element shine, our “Beyoncé” – the burnished brass hood from Bananas & Hammocks – takes center stage, while a minimal island pendant (from Ravenhill Studio) blends into the background to let the hood serve as the show stopper,' adds Ashley.

The design vision for the kitchen was rooted in seamless integration, with millwork extending across concealed paneled appliances for a clean, unified look. The island is topped in honed Blue Savoie Marble.

One of the biggest design challenges, says Ashley, was creating a layout that felt expansive and open for entertaining, yet intimate and cozy for everyday living. 'We needed to carve out distinct zones for conversation, play, dining, working, and even working out, without losing the sense of flow,' she adds.

The family opted for an open seating area between the kitchen and family room instead of a traditional formal dining room. Anchoring the space is a statement chandelier from Palecek that draws the eye as you enter from the foyer. The dining table is from Community MFG.

'I love unorthodox seating arrangements that invite connection, and this alcove off the dining area was the perfect spot to layer with cozy cushions for morning coffee or evening cocktails,' adds Ashley.

This is California and having multiple options for outdoor dining, entertaining and relaxing is perhaps even more important than the inside space.

The main floor was designed for seamless indoor-outdoor living, featuring multiple seating and dining areas and an entertainer's back kitchen with a pass-through window to the outdoor bar and covered dining room with integrated heating. The custom dining table is from Concrete Wave Design, with pendants from Palecek.

'The family and children love to spend time outside making outdoor entertaining the biggest priority here,' says designer Ashley. The outdoor living room is perfect for year-round gatherings with a swimming pool, hot tub, fire pit, TV, and kids' outdoor play space.

The great room is open plan to the kitchen and dining areas and was designed to feel relaxed yet refined, with cozy upholstered pieces arranged to encourage conversation.

'A built-in home bar clad in Taj Mahal Quartzite brings natural texture, while wine storage concealed behind paneled doors preserves the room’s clean architectural lines,' adds Ashley. 'Every detail was carefully chosen to create a warm, inviting atmosphere without compromising on function or performance.'

Talking of carefully considered details, check out this cozy reading nook, one of a pair in the family's study/games room.

The room was designed to adapt to the family’s evolving needs while keeping clutter neatly tucked away. Sliding doors conceal ample storage, and the two house-shaped alcoves are perfect spaces to play, rest, or curl up with a book.

'Whether it’s used for tutoring sessions, board games, or creative projects, the space balances function with a sense of play,' adds Ashley.

The wallpapers are by Schumacher & Mabley Handler for Kravet.

In a house where the kids' rooms get all the playful touches (see below), the primary bedroom is a calm retreat, with a subtle, understated scheme. 'This room gets an abundance of natural light,' says designer Ashley, 'so we went moody on the walls and brought in a little drama with the oversized woven ceiling light from Palecek.'

The textured wallcovering is from Kravet, the sofa from Four Hands.

Never mind the bed in this boy's room, everyone's talking about this wall ladder! The hatch at ceiling height leads to a rope catwalk that in turn leads to the top of the indoor slide and playroom.

'There are floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the backyard so to create a connection to nature, we layered warm tones through the white oak ceiling, window frames, and built-in desk, complemented by Kravet's natural grasscloth wallpaper above custom-milled paneling,' says Ashley. 'A retro brass wall sconce adds a subtle modern touch.'

For all its beautifully refined living spaces and enviable indoor-outdoor entertaining areas, the space that's perhaps most memorable is this; a hidden 2nd-floor playroom, accessible through secret passages from each child’s bedroom. It features a slide, a rope catwalk, and a custom wall mural by Wendy Stillman with integrated TV.

Meanwhile, back in the grown-ups' space, the huge primary bathroom is the last word in luxury.

'I wanted this space to feel like a spa retreat, with an arched alcove framing the soaking tub and dramatic arched brass shower doors. To let these opposing elements shine, we kept the vanities minimal with recessed slab doors and integrated pulls instead of traditional hardware,' says Ashley.

The wall sconces are from Allied Maker, the custom shower doors are by Bananas & Hammocks.

'Inspiration for the backyard came from modern European farmhouses and Mediterranean-inspired landscaping to create a refined yet relaxed retreat centered around indoor-outdoor living,' says Ashley.

The pool and hot tub are the focal points in this section of the garden, visible from the outdoor dining space. The waterslide brings yet more fun for the kids and adults alike.

'A key priority for this project was ensuring the home didn’t feel overly formal despite its scale,' says Ashley. 'They wanted warmth, comfort, and livability without compromising on design. Every room needed to feel usable and inviting, not just beautiful. High on their wishlist were natural materials, unique vintage accents, and subtle layers of texture and color that would make the home feel soulful and lived-in from day one.'

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Interior design: Ausland Interiors
Photography: Laura Dart
Styling: Sarah Lefton of Road Home
Architect: Joseph Fournier
Builder: RJ Smith Construction
Landscape: Kelsey Fair of Fair Studio and Rob Jones of Jones Landscapes

These were among the details interior designer Noel Pittman was keen to preserve as she updated the property's interior design for a close friend who was expecting her first child. A specialist in timeless, traditional, sophisticated interiors, Noel curated antiques, existing artwork, and custom upholstery to bring a fresh new perspective to this colonial style home.

Take the tour to discover how Noel's targeted updates created a homey and stylish new look in a matter of months.

'The house didn't require any extensive renovations,' says Noel. 'We painted, decorated and made minor alterations like adding the breakfast banquette. The owner was pregnant with her first daughter so we were in a bit of a time crunch.'

This space had built-in bookcases that Noel removed to create a breakfast nook adjacent to the kitchen. 'I wanted this to be a casual, comfortable area for family breakfasts and dinners,' she says. 'The client, Cristina, has an artisan clothing line named Mi Golondrina, which means “my bird” in Spanish, so the fabric with a bird pattern, from Lisa Fine Textiles, seemed fitting and special.'

The chairs have removable cushions for ease of cleaning. The table was specially painted to suit the blue and white theme. The ceramics hanging over the breakfast bench are the client’s own antique Mexican pieces.

The existing kitchen cabinets and countertops were in good condition, but the room still felt a little dated, so designer Noel looked for ways to modernize the kitchen without totally replacing it. She added new hardware from Rejuvenation Hardware, and lanterns by Mark Sikes for Hudson Valley Lighting.

Don't underestimate the power of decorative accessories to add character and instantly elevate the space. Here, the bright ceramics also play their part – all vintage Mexican pieces.

This bright and uplifting space was once an overlooked pass-through from the living room to the exterior without a clear function.

'My vision was to create a sunroom that felt like it was an exterior space that was later enclosed,' says Noel. 'The clients trusted me to paint a wood floor with porch paint, the brick walls ivory, and the ceiling pale blue in reference to the tradition of painting porch ceilings “haint blue” in the Southern United States.'

Unlined linen curtains, wicker seating and a fern print fabric, Belle Grove from Cowtan & Tout, completed the cheerful space, which is now one of the designer's favorite rooms in the home.

Directly off of the sunroom is the back porch, a patio sitting area by the pool that the clients use for cocktails or summer entertaining with neighboring families. The area is covered so it doesn’t get exposed to too much sunlight.

'We used greens and natural colors to relate to the trees surrounding the home and keep a cool color palette,' explains Noel. 'The wicker seating features a small green and white pinstripe outdoor fabric by Perennials. I like to avoid dark or bright colors in very warm climates as these look hot in the bright, Texas sun.'

Noel's living room ideas for this more formal space were partly shaped by the home's floor plan, where the ground floor features rooms connected to adjoining spaces on at least two sides.

'This layout posed the challenge of establishing distinct color palettes for each space while maintaining a cohesive flow,' explains Noel. 'After considering the distribution and transition of colors, I went more colorful in the rooms at each end of the house, with the central passage rooms remaining more neutral. My aim was to create visual interest in each room, infusing color throughout while ensuring transitions between rooms remain smooth with cohesive elements throughout.'

Although at first glance this room has a largely neutral decor, there are many striking elements and bespoke pieces that help to create a lasting impression. The area rugs are from Annie Selke, the iron and leather chairs are vintage Spanish director’s chairs called Savonarola chairs that Noel found at a local antiques dealer.

'The upholstered armless chairs are Billy Baldwin style slipper chairs I had made. I also designed the coffee table which was handmade and lacquered by a furniture maker in Los Angeles,' says Noel. 'The art above the sofa is a series painted by the client’s aunt. They saw something similar together on a family trip, and she later painted a set for her niece.'

When you're designing a home for a family with young children, dining room ideas often involve some soul searching. With its new eat-in kitchen did this property really need a dedicated dining room? That's the question designer Noel was asking herself. In the end, since this is a couple that likes to entertain friends and family, she felt a second entertaining space was justified.

'Dining rooms often feel too formal for modern day lifestyle, I liked finding something that was refined but not delicate,' she says. 'The rustic oak table is an antique. The chairs are from Ballard Designs a local upholstery workroom re-covered them with leather. I avoided antique chairs as I thought sturdier seating would be helpful with young kids.'

The walls are covered in grasscloth and the sideboard is a 19th century English piece that a decorative painter painted green 'so that the room wouldn’t be dominated by two large pieces of brown furniture' adds Noel.

This home's interior design is best described as a fresh take on traditional style, with a focus on layered textures, colors, and patterns. The family living room off the kitchen features custom sofas and chairs with English rolled arms, an antique wool rug, and a mix of accent pillows to create a comfortable space for family gatherings.

The room showcases a stronger color palette, a practical choice for family living and the upholstery is all custom. The accent pillows on the sofa and chairs are Zak & Fox fabric.

'The antique armchairs were the client’s mom's, covered in black leather with a dark stain,' says Noel. 'We wanted to use them but they were dark for the room, so we had them bleached and recovered with a small stripe to lighten them.'

The primary bedroom scheme was the result of a close collaboration with her client, as Noel explains. 'Cristina and I both cherish romantic, tranquil bedrooms, which inspired the calming palette of blues, browns, and creams in the primary suite. We chose Jasper Textile's Kashmir fabric for the curtains and that set the tone for the room. An antique Suzani layered on the bed pays tribute to her love for hand embroidery and artisanal craftsmanship.'

The nightstands are antique Spanish pieces sourced on Chairish. The lamps are from Vaughan, with custom lampshades in Robert Kime fabric. The red throw pillow is also a Robert Kime fabric. The artwork is from the client’s collection.

Designing and decorating this home came with extra time pressure – the imminent arrival of the client's first baby. Naturally, as with all new parents, the nursery ideas were a priority.

'Cristina wanted her young daughter’s room to feel sweet and old-fashioned,' says Noel. 'We achieved this with Swiss dot sheers and small-scale floral fabric on the windows, both from Schumacher. The crib was the client’s own that I painted white and the small green side table is from Chelsea Textiles.

Noel's simple decorative adjustments to the powder room have made a world of difference.

'There was a small contemporary wall-hung sink and no tile or wainscot on the walls,' says Noel. 'To give the small space a finished feel, I added the beadboard wainscot and a pedestal sink. The beadboard was painted dark green to coordinate with the Hinson's Spatter wallpaper.'

Artwork from the client’s collection was given a more cohesive look framed in small gilt wood frames to coordinate with the 19th century regency water gilded mirror.

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Interior design: Noel Pittman
Photography: Amy Neunsinger

‘It’s much harder than it looks,’ concedes Victoria. ‘New builds can feel a bit too perfect. In this case, we asked architecture firm Murphy & Co to loosen things up a little, make the house feel older. Older houses don’t always make sense; sometimes the flow is a little off; a small room might be sequestered off a bigger space; shapes are asymmetrical. We knew we had to undo things a little because if it was too sensible it wouldn’t feel old.’

Not that this house is a pastiche of other heritage homes in the area – instead, it has an evolved, lived-in feel that’s hard to date, and that’s what its owners wanted. ‘Relaxed, unpretentious, and not remotely grandiose’ is how Victoria describes the home, which features wooden balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, screened verandas, a classic all-American porch, and a wooden dock in the garden leading straight onto Minnehaha Creek.

A traditional palette of off-whites, rusts, and caramels set against oak flooring and timber windows provides a grounding backdrop across three stories, with the main living spaces sited on the middle floor.

Yet there are a host of left-field decorative choices too, from the flame-stitch armchairs in the sitting room to the sculptural Moon light in the entryway – part light fitting, part art installation. That contrast has come out of this home’s surprising design journey, which gently changed course from inception to completion.

The family had commissioned Prospect Refuge to build their home just as the pandemic struck. ‘The wife mentioned that she loved the casual but tailored look of a white button-down shirt,’ recalls Victoria. ‘That comment stayed with me, and we drew up plans for a house that reflected that sensibility. I knew they wanted something understated, as opposed to the decorative equivalent of a ball gown.’

A little later, the family decamped to Barcelona and the build was put on ice. ‘When they eventually returned to pick up the reins, they wanted to inject some color and joie de vivre,’ continues Victoria. ‘Their time in Spain had altered their perspective; the family’s energy had changed. I realized that we had to add jewelry to that shirt if we were to create a home to truly reflect their passions.’

That meant going back to the drawing board, focusing on furniture, fabrics, hardware, and lighting to inject something a little unexpected. In the living room, a mosaic table made from corn husks is the work of a Spanish artist the family came across while abroad.

One of the powder rooms features a vanity covered in beautifully mismatching tiles, inspired by Mediterranean design (‘Each one feels like a painting; I could get lost in them,’ says Victoria), while the dining room has been given edge thanks to highly personal wall art by Ginny Sims, whose visual narrative contains subtle nods to the family’s story.

The snug features a chimney breast finished in hand-fired tiles – perhaps a subconscious reference, says Victoria, to a sense of Scandinavian coziness inspired by her husband’s Danish heritage. There’s an emphasis on texture that has an almost 3D feel, whether large-scale photographic prints, custom-designed wall sculpture, or the tactile marbleized wallpaper that brings movement to the smaller study, with its utilitarian but warm oak desk stretching between two walls.

‘There are a lot of decorative influences but a cohesive color palette and an eye for scale balance them all out,’ explains the interior designer. ‘Everything is a dance. If you turn one dial up, you have to turn another down. For example, sculptural shaping only sings when you allow it space.’

The result is a home that easily pairs classic elements with experimental; graphic silhouettes with undulating shapes. It all adds up to something that Victoria describes as ‘perfectly imperfect’ – perhaps the very definition of a new house gently made old.

The home's interior design also embraces the heirloom look and feel, with layered, comfortable transitional style and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture. 'The brief was very straightforward,' says interior designer Melissa Lee, of Bespoke Only, 'the young family, living and working in New York City, wanted a homey, cozy country abode that feels lived-in and personal.'

Take the tour as designer Melissa highlights the key elements that helped her get the look.

There's a warm welcome from the off in this house. The front door is painted in an earthy red (try Benjamin Moore's Country Redwood for a similar shade), and in the entryway beyond are some charming cottage elements, including a 1940s Fritz Hansen rocking chair, quirky rug, and a fresh, leafy wallcovering with a painterly touch.

'The Springs district is a quiet area celebrated for its artistic heritage,' adds Melissa. 'This setting inspired a design that caters to the authentic and unpretentious atmosphere of the area. The approach was both tender and precise: to craft a home that felt inherited rather than installed, imbued with patina, memory, and a distinctly human scale. What results is a home not designed to impress, but to receive.'

The covered back porch is equally inviting. It's used as a garden room and is simply furnished with a few well-chosen new pieces alongside the clients' existing favorites, with rattan and bamboo furniture, and sisal flooring all perfect choices for a room that links indoor and outdoor worlds.

'We loved the opportunity this home presented to really embrace our very own design ethos: a space that, like a well-loved novel, grows richer with time and touch,' says Melissa. 'It is both a beginning and a continuity – a canvas shaped as much by restraint as by resonance.'

Strong midcentury furniture gives the living room a real sense of tradition. The two armchairs are early 1940s Jindrich Halabala designs, and the Sergio Asti rosewood coffee table dates from the 60s. The Maiden Home sofa is new, but it reflects the midcentury styling.

'Rather than impose a singular narrative, the design unfolds as a collected anthology: vintage furnishings gathered over time, no theme; art and ceramics layered not for visual punctuation but for rhythm,' adds designer Melissa. 'Each object exists not as ornament, but as evidence, of travel, of intuition, of memory and of life itself.'

The existing kitchen was in good shape, and instead of a full refi,t Melissa opted to paint the cabinets and add a new backsplash of white subway tiles. She also sourced two iconic vintage Alvar Aalto K65 stools for the kitchen island, adding a vintage bell pendant above to tie the look together.

Light wood flooring makes a forgiving and easily maintained surface for family living and adds a contemporary update to the space.

A standout element of the design is the custom millwork, including a Shaker-inspired bench in the dining room.

'This piece evokes the simplicity and grace of a church pew and, alongside other carefully curated elements, enriches the space architecturally and enhances the vintage program,' says Melissa.

The slab-top Brazilian trestle table dates from around 1960, and the oak dining chairs are Victorian antiques and have been reupholstered in mustard velvet.

Helping to give the primary bedroom a crafted look, the main event is Birch Lane's Benbrook spindle bed, which, Melissa explains, 'perfectly echoes the heirloom feel the clients desired for this project'.

She sourced a 1970s arched rattan vanity with mirror, and says, 'One of the joys of designing this home was selecting an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, gathered with a sense of freedom and creativity, to form a spectrum of different eras and styles, to create a layered and storied look.'

At the other side of the bedroom, a sumptuous chintz print window seat offers a versatile built-in storage solution with a pretty (and comfortable) face.

'Without altering the home's original structure, the design leans into a quietly radical softness,' says Melissa. 'The choice of furnishings played a key role in achieving this effect.' She contrasts the large-scale chintz seat cushions with a smaller-scale sprig print wallpaper, layering up the florals with confidence and style.

The cottage florals continue in this guest bedroom. 'We drenched it in a floor-to-ceiling floral pattern wallpaper with windows framing the wilderness on the outside,' says Melissa. 'Here, the outdoors do not frame the home – they continue it.'

The distinctive blue floral print wallcovering is the Bird design from Watts 1874, with a pair of leather chairs and a distinctive table lamp providing the vintage elements and a warm color contrast.

'The home's outside spaces are just as important as the indoors,' says Melissa. 'The clients inherited a beautifully lush landscape, inspired by an English secret garden aesthetic with wild flower meadows, climbing roses, and winding narrow paths lined with lavender and other native blooms with loose, organic movements. We really wanted to lean into this soft, romantic feel.'

Melissa selected two umbrellas from Business & Pleasure, while at the other side of the yard the lounge chairs are from Gubi, with an outdoor sofa and side tables from Sika Design.

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Interior design: Bespoke Only
Photography: William Jess Laird

‘There can be a tendency in the U.S. to favor schematic, structured schemes,’ she says. ‘Here, I learned that embracing a slight sense of imbalance makes for more interesting, dynamic design. There’s no fun in everything looking perfect.’

That philosophy guided her transformation of this home in Atlanta, a 1990s property close to one of the city’s parks. The house design was a study in contrasts: ‘There was heavy stone, brick, and various types of wooden beams, as well as an intricate iron staircase,’ says Sally.

Her clients, a retired couple, sought a home that would function effortlessly – both as an elegant yet intimate space for their daily lives and an expansive retreat for their family and guests. ‘It was vital that every room had a clear purpose so the entire house was used. We wanted it to feel cohesive rather than cavernous,’ she explains.

Sally began by softening the architectural features to improve the sense of flow. The pine floors were stripped to achieve a paler, more natural finish, while in the kitchen and breakfast room, a white slurry wash helped harmonize previously discordant stone and brickwork. In the adjoining sitting room, new iron-framed glass doors flood the space with light and create a seamless connection to the pool and garden.

Sally and her clients took a detailed approach to defining each room’s purpose. A pantry was turned into an elegant study for the wife, while one of the reception rooms became a snug designed as the couple’s private retreat.

While the sitting room adjoining the kitchen was envisioned for breezy, alfresco-inspired entertaining, the front-facing sitting room has a richer, cozier feel that lends itself to cooler months. Here, tobacco-hued raffia walls add depth and warmth, offering a textural backdrop to art and ceramics. ‘I factored in benches and stools that would double as seating,’ says Sally.

Sally was intentional in decorating with antiques to anchor the design. ‘The owners wanted to start fresh here, so antiques were essential in bringing a sense of history and soul,’ she says. The resulting collection spans continents and eras: a 19th-century French enfilade in the snug provides storage for games; a Dutch vitrine cabinet in the sitting room displays family objects; and Italian and English pieces lend patina throughout, suggesting a home that has evolved naturally over time.

Equally important to the design is the art, which serves as a defining feature of the interiors. In the entrance hall, a series of botanical prints by Kate Friend set the tone for the colors used in the adjacent rooms.

‘Art was a starting point rather than an afterthought,’ says Sally, who also helped source pieces for the bathrooms and kitchen, where a bold oil painting subtly elevates an otherwise relaxed, organic aesthetic. ‘I like the balance of the vibrancy of the painting and the earthiness of the étagère we hung on the other side of the window.’

Landscape designer Alec Michaelides beautifully interpreted the clients’ vision for the garden, while Sally’s interiors echo the surroundings with touches such as vintage botanical fabrics, antique Turkish rugs, and richly tactile finishes. Her instinct for contrast is evident throughout: in the dining room, teal-hued doors create a striking dialogue with toffee linen slipcovered chairs, while in a bedroom, canary yellow corduroy headboards pop against slightly acidic green walls.

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For Sally, the greatest reward has been experiencing the home as her clients intended. ‘They are incredibly generous, gracious hosts,’ she says. ‘Being invited to their gatherings and seeing the house full of life is the best testament to the design – it’s being used, enjoyed, and lived in exactly as we envisioned.’

In Marin County, in the San Francisco Bay area of California, there are breathtakingly beautiful ocean views from almost every room. It was recently renovated, with the aim of elevating the design and creating a subtle coastal style decor to match the property's picture-perfect setting. However, there were other factors to take into account, besides the location, as interior designer Elizabeth Cooper explains.

'The number one project must-have was that it be a modern, coastal, serene house that’s comfortable and inviting – not cold or sterile,' says Elizabeth, who picked up the brief in 2019. The owners were great friends of hers, having worked together on their previous properties, so there was already an understanding of style and intent, which made the whole process easier.

Based in New York and San Francisco, Elizabeth Cooper offers a high-end, full-service residential design firm, equally at home working on city apartments, East Coast beach houses, and mountain lodges. She’s known for creatively mixing periods, styles, colors, and patterns and feels that houses are a very personal reflection of the people who live there, working closely with her clients to reflect their unique aesthetic sensibility.

In the kitchen, it was the clients who led the design decisions. 'The wife really had the vision and pushed me to go for a truly modern kitchen – and I’m so happy that she did,' says Elizabeth. 'She wanted high gloss kitchen cabinetry with plain fronts and no hardware.'

In fact, this sophisticated, pared-back look is the perfect way to frame the views of the bay.

'The homeowners had a very clear vision for their house – coastal modern. The incredible water views, from almost every room, really determined the color palette,' says Elizabeth.

Behind the pure white kitchen island, a blue-gray La Cornue range and hood provide just a hint of color, while staying within the natural coastal color scheme.

'I love the custom design and overscale size of the Remains Lighting milk-glass pendants, the La Cornue range, and the Soane Britain counter stools juxtaposed with the very modern cabinetry,' adds Elizabeth.

Open plan to the main kitchen, the eat-in kitchen is a place for relaxed family meals and chats.

'I love the relative simplicity of the furnishings in this space with its many windows overlooking the bay and wall of doors that open onto the terrace and pool,' says Elizabeth.

'The crisp white color and shape of the Howe London chairs work well with the beautiful wood, and angled ends, of the dining table from RW Guild. And we selected the Apparatus light fixture because there’s a lot of open space in its design, and it doesn’t block the view.'

Anyone looking for inspiration for a modern coastal living room will find it right here, in this elegant and tranquil space. Besides the absolute gift of an ocean view, designer Elizabeth makes the most of the colors, textures, art, and furniture in the space to achieve the modern coastal aesthetic, mixing antique furnishings, mid-century pieces and contemporary items to perfection.

'The limited, serene coastal color palette resonates with all of the bay views outside – white/ivory greys, all shades of blue,' she says. 'We chose warm but light wood finishes and a beautiful plaster decorative wall finish that I love – it’s like the interior of a shell. We intentionally kept the upholstered furniture low, so as not to block the view at all.'

Pulling the whole scheme together, and an artwork in itself, is a beautiful plaster shell form central light fitting, by Stephen Antonson at Liz O’Brien in NYC.

'The dining room is open to the living room, so we really wanted the two spaces to flow together beautifully,' explains Elizabeth. The specialist plaster decorative wall finish (by Caroline Lizarraga) continues from the living room, helping to unify the two areas. In terms of aesthetic, there's still the coastal feel, but here it's more of a streamlined, elegant look.

'We were quite inspired by townhouses and flats, in London and Paris, that have very traditional exteriors but modern and light interiors,' says designer Elizabeth. 'We were also inspired by the interior coastal color palettes of houses on the eastern end of Long Island and Nantucket. I’ve worked on several projects there, and the wife is originally from Boston, so those New England coastal color palettes really resonated with both of us for this California house.'

In a pared-back room scheme like this, details are all important. Elizabeth partners a mid-century credenza and antique chairs with a Rose Uniacke Draper's Table and a branching bubble light fixture by Lindsey Adelman. The astonishing painting is by Jamie Nares at Kasmin Gallery.

This may be an elegant and beautifully curated home, but first and foremos,t it's a family house designed to suit life with two young children and a dog. 'Our vision was comfortable and cozy yet chic! No sharp edges, and plenty of durable fabrics to withstand family life,' says Elizabeth.

The family living room perfectly sums up that approach, open to the kitchen on one side, and the pool and outdoor eating and sitting space on the other. With the bifold doors open, it's ready to make the most of all that California can offer in terms of indoor-outdoor living.

The sofa and large ottoman are from Verellen.

Look how effectively and stylishly a few well-chosen pieces of furniture can turn an ordinary entryway into a special space full of personality. Whether for a reading nook or simply a quiet resting place away from the busy areas of the home, thinking carefully about this often overlooked space can transform the feel of the whole home. The striking black cabinet is a mid-century cocktail cabinet.

'It’s a relatively simple entry, so we kept it simple,' says Elizabeth. 'The soft grey Holland & Sherry wallpaper draws one in, with direct views into the living room and the bay views outside. The wallpaper is carried down the first hall and up the stairs to the second floor hall.'

When a bedroom has a view this beautiful, it makes sense to keep the furnishing and decor neutral and simple, to allow the ocean to take center stage.

While the colors are soft whites and creams, the shapes here are strong, with a bed from Mitchell Gold, chair from Ralph Pucci, and button table from Howe London. The artwork above the fireplace is by Elliott Puckette, Kasmin Gallery, and that above the chair is by Kinuko Imai Hoffman, Gerald Bland.

'We wanted the bathroom to relate to the beautiful views of the bay and the foothills in the landscape outside,' says designer Elizabeth. 'And to have a spa-like feel.' Well, with a corner window over scenery like that, we predict many long, relaxing baths ahead!

All fixtures and fittings are by Waterworks, with marble from Exquisite Surfaces throughout and sconces from Urban Electric.

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Interior design: Elizabeth Cooper Interiors
Photography: Francesco Lagnese, styling Howard Christian

Built in the Tudor Revival house style in 1929, the home had stayed in the former owner’s family for around 50 years. ‘In that time, they had done almost nothing to it,’ says Jessica, who runs Jessica Nelson Design while Scott also works at the firm.

‘We were really looking for something that was almost untouched because I wanted to put my stamp on it. The house had received a fresh coat of white paint on the walls but it was otherwise very plain. There was no stain on the floorboards and we didn’t even have outlets in the bathrooms. But it was in great condition,’ she adds.

The move had been prompted by Jessica and Scott’s growing children, Gemma, now eight, and Graham, five, who would soon be on their feet and eager to explore.

‘We had been living about 15 minutes across town, but the house was on a busy road,’ says Jessica. ‘The appeal of this property is that it’s at the end of the street and right next to a park.’

But despite its quaint allure, the house had actually been on the market for some time. ‘The layout was tricky,’ explains Jessica. ‘It had a tiny kitchen on the side of the house and at the bottom of the stairs were five doors, making for a chaotic floor plan. Upstairs bedrooms were connected through Jack and Jill doors that meant you had to go through one to get to another.’

Without too much upheaval, Jessica and Scott were able to replan for better functionality and layout while also carving out square footage within the gabled roof.

Downstairs, a wall was removed to make a joined kitchen and living area. Upstairs, a corridor was created for access and, by adding a staircase, the family were able to make the attic space a family room with bunk beds as well as a place for Jessica to work. ‘We’ve gained 500 square feet up there and it’s become one of our favorite parts of the house,’ she enthuses.

While the lower ceiling heights and cottagey feel of the architecture might naturally encourage a choice of paler tones, Jessica felt a bolder, more dramatic approach was necessary.

Demonstrated to most striking effect in the hallway, Jessica explains her choices: ‘After we moved in, I had decision fatigue so painted it white but in adding the staircase up to the attic, we had lost a window, which I was struggling with. Then one night in November, I got a can of dark green paint and just started painting the walls myself. It’s now become this jewel-box moment where the artwork, especially with its gold framing, really sings. It makes me happy now every time I walk through the hallway. And from there, I continued to embrace the moodiness of the house and everything snowballed as I added more colors and layers.’

Their former home being of ‘opposite dimensions’ to this one, Jessica decided she wanted to start afresh with all the furnishings.

‘I found lots of pieces on 1stDibs and Chairish, and a ton of things on Etsy. My dining room chairs are from Poland but the seller was happy to disassemble them and ship them over. The pale green velvet accent chair was something that I hesitated on, later to regret, only to find it came up for sale again three months later on Facebook Marketplace and, fortunately, it was only a 30-minute drive away. I’ve also really lucked out because my kids love coming antiquing with me. Daughter Gemma picked out a lot of the artwork for her room from estate sales and vintage stores in Seattle.’

Outside, a timber deck has been added to encourage outdoor living all around. ‘The climate here is pretty similar to the UK, but we have two heaters and a firepit so the deck gets used for entertaining even in wintertime.’ In the garden beyond, vibrant borders curve around the manicured lawn.

‘I love gardening and we’ve now put in some raised vegetable beds so every year the kids pick out what we will grow and help me dig up the produce in the spring.’ A house that has evolved to nurture family life, the Nelson stamp has truly made its mark.

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Combining the whimsical decor trend with everyday functionality, White Arrow's mission was to ensure the space spoke to the whole family. The 2300 square foot penthouse boasts four bedrooms, and each feels representative of its occupant, balancing whimsy and softness with refined sophistication.

Transforming a once clinical, industrial space into a serene and joyous family home, Keren said, 'The clients have three young kids, and we considered them when designing a home for our clients. We updated the developer’s hard-edged and high contrast finishes into an environment that felt softer and playful.'

When asked what her favorite room in the house was, Keren said she loved the kitchen best. 'I love the kitchen! We created custom cabinetry in a bleached maple alongside aluminum cast hardware by Australian designer Studio Henry Wilson and a refreshing green marble in Calacatta turquoise.'

There's a real balance of color and texture, the luxurious green marble and playful powder pink contrast yet harmonize, uplifting and refreshing a sometimes clinical space with a dose of fun. Matching the backsplash, the marble kitchen island has been paired with a trio of abstract modern bar stools. 'Playful stools by Jack Rabbit Studio and our client’s existing artwork really make a bold impression,' explains Keren.

Despite the room edging more towards a more minimalist kitchen, it still feels interesting and warm due to the pink kitchen cabinets, marble countertops, and use of playful decor.

When designing the space, White Arrow opted for built-in storage options that hide away clutter and mess. The clever color choice allows the space to still feel fun (despite it being on the sparser side), proving there's no real need to incorporate lots of decor in the kitchen if your materials do all the talking. The powder pink not only frames the space and welcomes you in, but nods to the overall vibe of the home as a place of joy and lightheartedness.

The top floor of the duplex was purposefully designed to contrast with the lower floors. The dining room is an example of this, with its sleek wood surfaces and mid-century furniture, it's a lesson in warm yet pared-back design.

Abstract shapes adorn the space, from the statement dining table with a unique base to the abstract midcentury pendant, the room is minimally decorated, yet a feast for the eyes. Keren said, 'We enjoyed experimenting with cooler tone finishes on the top floor – chrome, mirror, hand-blown glass, bleached maple, bold Calcutta turquoise marble, and cast aluminum hardware.'

The pink console, wavy candleholders, and angular light nod to the whimsical feel without taking the theme too far, perfectly balanced by the chic wood finishes.

The living room is invitingly plush and soft. The large powder blue sofa is undoubtedly a statement that encourages you to sit and relax, as are the quilted modern armchairs that feel contemporary yet equally as family-friendly.

A lesson in fusing sophistication with comfort and practicality, the space feels artfully curated while still accessible for children. Like all good pastel room ideas, the color is evident without overwhelming. The colorful rug brings the perfect amount of playfulness that's balanced by the softer pops of color and the sleek chrome coffee table.

The described 'softness of the lower floors' is particularly evident in the master bedroom. The cloud-like wall mural sets the tone, giving the bedroom a sense of airiness and relaxation that's so fitting for a sleep space.

Despite being a very pink bedroom, the rest of the decor is neutral, from the boucle bed frame to the warm-toned geometric rug; these sophisticated choices prevent the space from feeling overly saccharine. An extra layer of sophistication, the delicate chandelier is an intricate addition to balance out the bedroom's softness.

The boucle armchair paired beside the pink console brings another layer of softness that's carefully balanced with the slickness of the furniture. The subtle gold accents and art bring a touch of luxury that makes the room feel retreat-like and high-end.

'Throughout the home, the palette is refreshing and at other times, calming – filled with contemporary art and wallpaper, locally made design pieces, a mix of reflective '70s Italian lighting, and furniture; they all work seamlessly alongside custom White Arrow-designed pieces,' Keren explains.

The home has been decorated with wood throughout. Using white oak, White Arrow wanted to make the space feel refined but also ensure it endures years of wear and tear.

Keren said, 'We designed a custom white oak Primary closet, a new white oak connecting staircase with curved detailing, refinished the floors, selected lighting and hardware throughout, and revised the home’s design detailing to bring in curves where possible – including window wells, as well as numerous decisions to maximize storage for the active family.'

When describing the bedrooms on the lower floors, Keren says they contrast with the sleek, industrial feel of the top floor. 'In contrast, the colors and patterning become more saturated on the lower floors, including a bold, immersive scenic mural, hand-drawn wallpapers, and graphic rugs and window coverings in the kids' rooms.'

The wallpaper idea in the children's room is playful and brings the perfect amount of intricacy without overwhelming the space, balanced by the abstract colorful rug and the curved wood furniture.

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Nowhere is this more true than the couple's beloved home in the Berkshires, Massachusetts, just over the state line from New York. 'We are more chilled here, it’s not a fancy place, but a getaway from our busier lives in New York City,' Robert says. 'We love the area's antiques, its art, its interesting people, and its relaxed way of life.'

All of which are distilled into this home's transitional decor, which has had a recent refresh. 'We bought the house back in 2001, and have decorated it a few times since then. It had gotten to the point it needed another paint job,' Robert says. 'It's now a little more traditional on the outside and cool on the inside.'

Old, new, antiqued, contemporary, here's how the Novogratz have made a masterclass in melding them together.

The living room sums up the Novogratz approach to design perfectly: if you love something, you can find a way to make it work. Placing mid-century storage with a gigantic antique mirror, and a graphic area rug might seem unlikely, but they all work together for a few reasons.

Firstly, they were all handpicked by the couple. 'The mirror we bought in St Tropez after too much to drink – it was such a huge piece, but it had to stay there,' Robert says.

Secondly, the neutral backdrop calms the space down. 'The walls can handle this sort of mix,' Robert says. 'The Simply White paint by Benjamin Moore is a warm and light shade that adds a little airiness.'

And thirdly, it's the scale. 'The mirror is obviously massive, but that's why it works. There is nothing apologetic about it,' Robert says. 'It commands your attention.' It creates a focal point against which everything else becomes a supporting character.

Another space, yet another show-stopping antique mirror, this time in the dining room.

'The mirror is one of those objects we’ll never sell,' Robert says. 'We bought that over 20 years ago, and just love it.' Of the overhaul of this dining room and reading corner, he says the aim was to pare it back.

'We kind of wanted to make it a bit cleaner, with less stuff,' he explains. 'This house has great light, so we needed to bring some color in, which comes from the chairs and the dotted rug. It's hard to mix and match this sort of thing, but again, white is a good backdrop as it gives you freedom to play around with bolder pieces in front of it.'

'I'll admit, the kitchen is a little dated – we did it 20 years ago,' Robert says. 'But it works well, and we keep it fresh with the art on the walls.'

Decorating with art is an unexpectedly easy way to make a kitchen feel more relaxed, less functional, more curated, and more like a place you want to spend time in. 'This is a very relaxed room, and art helps with that lack of formality,' Robert says. 'And while these pieces may not seem related, they're both by British artists, which is a sort of theme between the two.'

If you're planning to use art in your kitchen, Robert has some words of advice. 'Make sure you get it framed – you don't want a canvas in a kitchen,' he says. 'The opportunity for splashes and damage is too great.'

It's not just a white backdrop that allows you to play with pattern and different decor styles within a room. 'I love color, and I love this particular shade of blue paint from Benjamin Moore,' Robert says (he couldn't remember exactly what it's called, but our guess was probably Blue Diamond).

'Matching the tones of the sky, it puts people in a relaxed and happy mood as soon as they see it, meaning they're more accepting of everything else going on in the bedroom,' Robert says.

In the guest bedroom, there are more choices made that it's hard to imagine working on paper, but they do, here. A mid-century style bedframe, a Victoriana-style ceiling light (part of the new Novogratz collection for Pooky), and modern art on the walls.

'But it works because of the tight color scheme,' Robert says. 'Pink and green, and not straying too far from them, helps to bring everything together. This is a favorite of all the guest rooms for people to stay in.'

The Novogratz children are all grown now, but there is still a place for them in the family getaway home. 'We've always used sophisticated art in a kids' room – never kiddie stuff,' Robert says. 'I think people are never too young to develop a taste for art.'

He admits that this approach isn't for everyone. 'We once rented one of our homes to Julia Roberts and the art in the kids' rooms was too intense for her – she took it down,' he says.

Running between all the bedrooms on the upper floor is this photo-filled entryway, bursting with treasured memories.

'That’s all the family on the wall, and for years we kept adding to it,' Robert says. 'Recently, I took them all down and repainted the wall and rehung the frames.'

'A lack of uniformity is what makes this gallery wall work so well,' Robert says. 'This house needs non-matching frames, as it's such a relaxed space. If you free yourself from those rules you think you need to stick to, you have a lot more room to make a house feel like a place your shoulders can drop.'

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Robert and Cortney Novogratz's style is anything but safe. It pairs different eras, different vibes, different cultural references. But it works because it's almost always against a neutral backdrop, there is space between each piece, and they're not afraid to play with scale and have eye-catching centerpieces. Here's what to buy to allow that same sense of confidence and playfulness.

The Zaferiou House stands proud within a scenic woodland on the west bank of the Hudson. A jaw-droppingly beautiful retreat that feels aligned with its stunning natural surroundings, it's a shining example of Wright's iconic architectural prowess and ability to blend the contemporary with the organic. Honoring Wright's long-standing legacy, its past owner and interior designer, Sarah Magness, brought its interiors back to life.

When asked about why Sarah bought the mid-century modern home, the founder of Studio Magness explained. 'I’ve always been deeply drawn to spaces that live in harmony with their surroundings, and Wright’s philosophy speaks to that in such a profound way. When I first saw the Zaferiou House, I felt an immediate connection – not just to the architecture, but to the spirit of it. The idea of restoring something so personal and historic, while also making it feel alive and relevant again, became a real passion project for me.'

Iconic architecture is at the heart of all midcentury modern ideas; it's what inspires the pared-back, curated approach when it comes to decorating this style of home, carefully balancing textures, lines, and shapes in harmony with the angular architecture.

Dubbed the Zaferiou house in memory of its original owner, Socrates Zaferiou, the construction of the home was completed in 1960, a year after Wright died. Sarah said, 'Discovering the home felt like finding a hidden gem. The meticulous preservation by the original owner, Socrates Zaferiou, made it possible to continue its restoration and maintain its original glory. Working from Wright's original drawings, I was able to honor his vision while making subtle updates to ensure its continued importance as a historic American home.'

Perhaps the most striking room in the house, Sarah says, the living room is one of her favorite spaces. 'It feels like the heart of the house, both literally and emotionally. You’re wrapped in warm wood and filtered sunlight, with this incredible fireplace anchoring the space. I love sitting there early in the morning with coffee or at night with just the fire going – it’s peaceful and grounded.'

Every room in the property feels harmoniously connected yet unique, tied together with authentic period furniture and antique decor. Plenty of midcentury seating, antique prints, and earthy textures and colors complement the deep wood paneling and bring a sense of comfort and sophistication.

Fitted with wood kitchen cabinets and a sleek wood island, the kitchen feels cozy yet minimal, despite featuring shelves of vintage pottery and glassware. It's the perfect balance of contemporary and homely, the perfect space to start your day in or enjoy an evening meal.

Sarah kept all of the original features and even some of the furniture from the previous owners to keep the scheme authentic. She said, 'The entire house is a master class in mid-century design. I wanted to learn and preserve each element. The mahogany paneling, the built-ins, the Cherokee red concrete floors – all of that stayed exactly as it was. I was especially careful with the original furniture that was integrated into the space, like the living room couch. Where I made changes, it was mostly in subtle ways – like lighting or energy systems that allowed the home to function better without compromising the architecture.'

The Zaferiou house embodies the Usonian style, a name given to many of Wright's designs for spaces that combine affordability, natural materials (typically wood), and harmony with nature. Sarah says the house is the perfect example of this, but is also unique in its one-of-a-kind floor plan. She says, 'Characterized by flat roofs, open floor plans, and integration with nature. However, this particular home includes modifications, such as an additional bedroom and a walk-out basement, reflecting a blend of Wright's principles with the owner's personal needs.'

Typically featuring large windows and set amongst stunning natural scenery, much midcentury interior design often acknowledges the external. Honoring the historic nature of the home, Sarah has scattered midcentury modern decor sparingly, bringing the space to life with authentic pieces. Take the home office for example, a handcrafted desk and matching wood desk sit beneath the large windows, blending into the architecture and allowing the scenery to take reign.

The unusually large fireplace stands out in the lounge room. Painted head to toe in white, the space feels refreshingly light and airy while still feeling sympathetic to the property's architecture. Layers of soft textures (the shaggy stool and soft rug) create an embracing effect that's so fitting for a space designed for relaxation.

Sarah says, 'I also wanted to create a mood for visitors to feel like they were stepping into a home grounded by its natural surroundings – something timeless, restored, and quietly powerful. The moment you enter, it’s not just about seeing beautiful design; it’s about feeling a shift. The filtered light, the way the wood warms the air, the sightlines that pull your eyes straight out to the trees – it all invites you to slow down and be present.'

A quiet space for reading and relaxing, the living room embraces the home's asymmetrical layout. This is made clear with the serene reading nook, where the designer has perfectly utilized the space, slotting a sofa below the large window and adding a mid-century floor lamp and woven rug to frame the area along with a modern side table.

Subtle and sophisticated, warm pops of color are scattered around the space and bring interest without dominating, instead pairing beautifully alongside the wood paneling. The cream soft furnishings and upholstery fabric contrast and provide a refreshing contrast.

The wood wall paneling is perhaps best displayed in the hallways of the property. Minimally decorated to allow the architecture to shine, the hallways speak for themselves and showcase the home's intricate design. The sleek panels and angular cabinets are built into the infrastructure, a seamless and clever storage idea that allows the space to feel pared-back but still liveable.

The epitome of the perfect midcentury bedroom idea, the space is a serene retreat that welcomes and embraces its occupant. Framed with a row of large angular windows, light floods into the room, the perfect set-up for a slow morning.

Sarah says the bedroom is her other favorite space. Acknowledging the outdoors, like with the rest of the house, the space feels aligned and peaceful. 'The bedroom is perfectly oriented with just the right amount of privacy and sight lines to connect you with the exterior landscape. Each morning I wake to the view of the tree canopies and fond memories of being in my childhood treehouse.'

Like with many midcentury modern bathroom ideas, the room allows the architecture to shine, fusing angular shapes with industrial fittings and fixtures. The retro metal sink is sympathetic to the building and contrasts with the wood paneling. The square mosaic tiles balance warmth and texture, providing the space with some variation and intricacy.

Minimally decorated, the mirror and midcentury wall light pair perfectly with the sink, a practical and sleek arrangement that contrasts with the warm tones of the paneled windows and tiles.

Sarah describes the effect the house had when she first viewed the property. 'I also remember walking up the drive for the very first time and seeing how the house just nestled into the hillside – it wasn’t trying to dominate the landscape, it was part of it. The materials, the proportions, the sense of scale – it all just belonged. I immediately thought, “This is the house for me”.'

The red concrete floor is an original feature that Sarah kept. It gives the garden presence and drama that contrasts beautifully with the luscious foliage and trees.

Sarah says the house has more than just historical significance; it's a sentimental nod to Wright's prosperous career and a reminder of all he accomplished. Explaining its interesting history, she says, 'Zaferiou had to write multiple letters to Wright before he agreed to take on the project – Wright finally relented and added it as part of his prefab collaboration with Marshall Erdman. Wright visited the site just before he passed away. So in a way, this home is part of the final chapter in his long and storied career.'

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The Zaferiou house is a one-of-a-kind treasure that represents the best of midcentury architecture. Fusing nature with architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright designed a serene retreat that acknowledges its stunning natural surroundings. Honoring his legacy, Sarah has made the home feel current yet authentic, a lesson in transitional design that's sympathetic and still refreshing.

The team specializes in this kind of house design, bringing historic homes back to life and renovating the original features to their former glory. So turning this upside-down house into a home that would be suitable for an older couple who wanted the space to work as they aged was the dream project.

Here the firm's founders, Kevin Kaminski and Alexis Pew, talk us through how they reimagined the home.

Before

'The home was originally the carriage house for a much larger estate,' explains Kevin. 'Over the years, the estate was parceled off, and the carriage house became its own property. The home was designed in the Tudor Revival style by G.W. and W.D. Hewitt and built in 1902. The home has had many lives over the years, and when the current owners purchased the property, it was a bit worn, but many of the original details remained in place.'

After

'Our clients recently relocated from Iowa to Philadelphia to be closer to their adult children (and now grandchildren!). They wanted to respect the history and details of the structure while creating a welcoming home for family and friends.'

When the team took on the project, it was a bit of an upside-down house, with a studio on the first floor and all the living spaces upstairs. 'We were brought on to renovate the entire ground floor of the home,' says Alexis.

'The space was most recently used as a dance studio, and the owner lived on just the second floor. The clients wanted to move the kitchen to the ground floor, remove a poorly placed spiral staircase in favor of a safer option, and add a bedroom and bathroom to the ground floor to allow for aging in place.'

'We were drawn to the project because of the charming character of the home, coupled with an equally charming client who took great delight in the design process. From the start, our goals were aligned, which is critical to a successful project.'

'We started this project as we start every project – by cataloguing the existing details. Fortunately, this home had a lot of beautiful original details: diamond lattice windows, heavy stonework, tin ceilings, gently rounded plaster walls, and a substantial wood wainscot. We used this detailing as a starting point to inform our design decisions moving forward. Most of the details were in good shape, so this project mainly involved undoing previous insensitive renovations.'

'While not original, we also sanded and stained the existing wood floor a rich chestnut color to bring a bit of sophistication to the space. We matched trim profiles and patched in damaged or missing sections. We rebuilt the wainscotting and matched the tin ceiling as needed. The goal was to make the new work indistinguishable from the existing.'

The main aim of the project was to bring the living space back downstairs. There wasn't really much existing on the ground floor of the house, so the team had to work out how to fit in a kitchen, living space, dining room, and a bathroom into the big open room.

'The room was completely open,' says Kevin. 'The original construction of the carriage house utilized steel to create large open spans. This suited the building’s most recent use, a dance studio, but felt a bit oversized for a couple.'

'Adding a kitchen to the ground floor was critical for the client’s goal of single-floor living and helped bring a more intimate scale to the space. We added two modest wing walls and a gentle arched opening to create a threshold between the kitchen proper and the living/ dining room. We modified the tin ceiling and wainscotting to make the transition feel as if it was always there.'

'The kitchen cabinets are Rookwood Red from Sherwin-Williams. When we originally proposed a red kitchen, the client was understandably hesitant. They envisioned something a bit more neutral. The roof of the home is clad in a red shingle, and the front door was also painted a deep red. Once we described the design logic of bringing some red into the home, they were quickly in agreement.'

'The kitchen countertop has the appearance of soapstone, but it’s a leathered granite. We started with soapstone, but pivoted to a granite material since it, comparatively, requires little to no maintenance and comes at a better price point.'

'The kitchen table was purchased at a local auction. The chairs are from Fourhands. The pendant is from Visual Comfort and the sconces are from Hudson Valley Lighting. The kitchen was custom-fabricated. The faucet is from Rohl, sink is from Kohler, and the appliances are Bosch, aside from the Wolf induction cooktop.'

Of course, old homes come with challenges. In fact, it's often the best things about old homes that are the challenges.

As Alexis explains, 'The original tin ceiling was a big one, and keeping that existing original feature was a luxury. We love the texture and scale it added to the space, but tin ceilings are terribly unforgiving.'

'When we started the project, two ceiling pendants were serving the main living space. We discreetly added multiple new surface-mounted lighting by fishing new wire between the ceiling joists above the tin. Luckily, we were able to find a fabricator that still produces similar profiles and an installer to make the new work blend seamlessly with the existing. The contractor did an excellent job, and it’s hard to tell what is new and what is original. For example, the wing walls framing the kitchen and the hood are new.'

'We also had to remove a poorly located spiral staircase and create a new circulation path to the second floor,' adds Alexis. 'The previous owner added a narrow circular staircase in the middle of the entry vestibule. It was the only way to access the second floor, and the client had to duck to walk past it when entering the home. We removed the spiral staircase, patched the tin ceiling, and constructed a more gracious stair off the entryway.'

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'Warm and welcoming,' is how the team describes the finished project. 'We aimed to design a space that acknowledges the past while feeling equally fresh and contemporary.'

And this tiny home is a perfect example. It's warm, cozy, and feels surprisingly spacious for the seriously compact footprint. While a lot of functional elements come into play, it's the organic modern style that truly brings the scheme to life.

From the warm neutral limewash walls to the layered decor and statement staircase, this tiny home is a lesson in making a small space shine. Here's how the owner nailed the remodel.

'We fell in love with the space the moment we saw it. It was totally underutilized, but we could immediately see its potential. The size was just right, as long as we opened it up a bit. It felt like the perfect canvas for something special,' says the home's owner Gem Boner.

The property was a real passion project, with a total transformation needed to create a cozy, inviting space. It was also important to keep as much of the character as possible, especially those that told the story of its interesting history.

'This little place has had quite a past – it’s been a stable, an office, even a sauna house! Now, it’s been transformed into the most peaceful, charming little retreat,' explains Gem.

Its past uses alongside the tiny square footage of the home weren't without their challenges. 'The staircase was a real challenge. We had grand ideas for a beautifully restored old one, but because we rent the space out, it had to meet all kinds of regulations,' Gem explains.

'Finding one that fit both the dimensions and our style was tricky. In the end, we went with a spiral staircase that sits right in the center of the room. It takes up a bit more space than we planned, but honestly, we love it – it really adds character to the home.'

But the size of the staircase has worked better than could have been expected. It's perfectly placed to help zone the downstairs space, breaking up the kitchen and the cozier living area without blocking the light.

Character was a running theme throughout the project, with the goal to retain the existing charm and reintroduce it where it was missing. The whole project was a careful balance of space-saving design and creating a cozy, warm, and oh-so-luxurious retreat.

'The Gate House feels magical, romantic, calm, and a bit dreamy. The big arched window is mesmerizing. Everything in there feels soft and cozy, from the bespoke headboard by Routes to the cloud-like limewash paint from Bauwerk on the walls. It’s like a hug in house form,' Gem explains.

The arched window is a beautiful design statement that truly sets the scene for the rest of the tiny home. 'It’s such a focal point. We echoed that curve in the arched shower, and people seem to really love the continuity of that detail.'

The window is the main source of natural light, and also gives the small space a sense of grandeur and age that's hard to replicate – it instantly makes the small living space feel larger than it is.

'In a small space, everything has to be intentional. We really thought about how to make every bit work hard, like adding clever hanging rails in the eaves. It’s all about smart solutions and making sure everything has its place,' she adds.

The bathroom, in particular, was a room where this ethos came into play. Gem wanted to create a sense of luxury and space while retaining character and keeping the small footprint in mind.

'We wanted to keep as much of the original character as possible, but still make it feel open and spacious. We had our hearts set on a big bath and an oversized sink, even though that goes against the usual design rules for small spaces,' she explains.

'Thankfully, we worked with Design & That to ensure everything we chose helped the space feel bigger. The Senator bath by BC Designs just squeezed in with a centimetre to spare!'

One of the most impactful design decisions was the bedroom, in particular, where and how it was introduced. 'We wanted the space to feel tall and airy, so we went for a mezzanine bed platform instead of enclosing it in a separate room,' Gem notes.

And while the practical elements, like the layout and structural build, are crucial to a successful tiny home, the decor plays just as much of a role. The warm neutral, textural choices give the interiors an organic modern look that feels cozy and inviting. It's a space that encourages you to take a deep breath and really relax.

Everywhere you look, there is something to admire, despite it being a small and pared-back design. Taking the limewash paint onto all the walls and over the ceiling draws the eye us and makes it instantly feel bigger, yet not at all cold.

There's an organic theme throughout the home, from the natural wood tones of the exposed beams, dining furniture, and kitchen countertops, to the warm terracotta tones introduced through the sofa, headboard, green shower nook, and bathroom floor tiles. Each detail has been meticulously chosen to feel curated, homey, and full of visual interest.

And it's the finishing touches that add coziness and softness to the designs. Every area feels perfectly layered, from the sheer cafe curtains on the windows, the striped sofa layered with textural cushions, to the artworks, ceramics, and display shelves in the kitchen.

It's the perfect balance of lived-in and functional. The design has taken the decluttered, fuss-free feel of minimalism and combined it with the cozy, layered aesthetic of organic modern style.

It's truly a masterclass in getting a tiny home right. It feels open and spacious without the coldness you might expect, and she's introduced the perfect amount of warm, cozy details that it truly feels like a retreat. It proves you don't need a large space to create a sense of grandeur.

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Sometimes, small really is the most impactful. This tiny home proves that with the right layout, features, and color palette, you can create a design that's warm, inviting, and spacious. There are so many tiny home storage ideas that can be taken into houses of any size – it's all about balancing aesthetics and function while curating your space to the interior design style you love.

There is something inherently uplifting about this house design, a historic former hunting lodge in Berkshire that dates back to Georgian times. At every turn, colors and patterns spark delight: a vivid coral cloakroom dances with spring flowers; a lobby is adorned with delicate clover leaves; a yellow sofa glows like a ray of sunshine in the sitting room. ‘We chose patterns and materials that truly sing in a country setting,’ notes Bunny.

The clients are, in fact, Bunny’s sister and brother-in-law, who moved here from London with their four children in 2019. ‘For the first year, they did nothing to the house so that they could drill into what the issues were, and think about how they used the rooms – where the sun comes in and where they hang out as a family, for example,’ says Bunny, who points out that the layout was already ideal. ‘Like lots of Georgian houses, the proportions were perfect for family living. It simply needed love and life and spirit breathed back into it.’

Bunny and fellow co-founder of Turner Pocock, Emma Pocock, are ‘quite militant’ when it comes to extracting a brief, and working with family proved no exception. ‘We asked them to harvest visual references to distill the aesthetic they wanted to achieve. That process is always quite revealing,’ she says. ‘What kept coming through in the images was this joyful use of color and pattern. It was brave and we found that very exciting.’

The impressive scale of the rooms proved an ally when it came to being audacious with color. ‘We could go blockier with color,’ says Bunny, pointing to the family room, where walls in a rich leaf green offset furniture in reds, pinks, blues, and softer greens.

Some pieces were repurposed from the family’s terraced home in London but, as Bunny puts it, ‘This house eats furniture, so what they had didn’t really scratch the surface.’ The couple are keen art collectors, and the designers helped them to create a gallery wall in this room. ‘Smaller pieces risked getting lost individually, so we grouped them together to create impact.’

Decorating with antiques provides an essential counterpoint to the vivid colors. ‘Without some brown furniture, many of these rooms wouldn’t have felt finished or layered enough,’ says Bunny, who guided her sister with concept visuals so she could source pieces over time.

A similar approach was taken with rugs, which include worn kilims bought at auction or pieces picked up on a trip to Morocco. ‘I was quite nervous about the idea of my sister being let loose in a souk to finish the rooms off, but I needn’t have been,’ says Bunny. One particular flatweave, which the couple chose with their children, feels as though it was made for the sitting room, its colors perfectly echoing the hues of an embroidered antique suzani used to cover the ottoman.

Upstairs, the unwaveringly confident approach to color continues: ‘If you don’t keep it consistent, rooms can feel disconnected, as if they were decorated at different times,’ says Bunny. In a children’s bathroom, acid yellow paint picks out the tones in a wallpaper humming with grasshoppers and birds, while in the main suite, earthy greens beautifully temper the soft pinks.

The most exuberant space of all is the first-floor playroom, where walls and a perfectly pitched ceiling are wrapped in bold blue and white stripes, with woodwork picked out in crimson red. ‘We love a tented ceiling – always have, always will,’ says Bunny. Beneath the built-in banquette seating, bespoke trundle beds transform the room into the ultimate sleepover space.

And, indeed, the whole point of this project is that it is not only visually uplifting but also deeply livable. ‘These houses invite you to inhabit them fully – to bring in flowers from the garden, to entertain, to gather, to enjoy the everyday,’ Bunny muses. ‘It was a bold transformation, but it was important to have the courage of our convictions. When you commit to color in this way, you have to follow through.’

So that was the task for the designers of this 2024 home – create a new build that feels like it has history. From the outside, this home is beautifully contemporary, but the rooms inside are filled with character; there are paneled walls, interesting ceilings, and stone floors. It's a lesson in how to make a home feel older while not turning it into some kind of pastiche. This still feels like a modern home, just with the depth and character of a much older property.

Here, the founders of Untold Interiors, Annabel Hickton and Samantha Liu, talk us through the home, how they injected character into the new build, and the ups and downs that challenge came with.

'The brief was to create a family home that worked for everyone – we needed to consider things like where the kids would eat breakfast in the morning and where the couple would have their coffee and quiet time. So, it needed to be practical, comfortable, and also light and airy.'

'The client also wanted the home to feel stylish and sophisticated. They love entertaining, so it was important to have a few more formal spaces to use with friends and to retreat to in the evening after the kids went to bed – rooms that felt special and tranquil.'

'The owners didn’t want their home to feel like a new build, hence a lot of time was spent on creating one-of-a-kind detailing and finishes to make it feel like it had a history. For example, for the limestone floor, we wanted it to look aged, so we chose the tumbled edge and a grout which had a more rustic feel to it. We tended to avoid anything that felt mass-produced and ‘too’ straight.'

'We worked in collaboration with architects Concept Eight and were brought on board right from the start to design the interior architecture and interiors. It’s a newly built home in the Hertfordshire countryside – there was originally a bungalow on the site, which the owners lived in for a couple of years before it was demolished when construction began.'

'For us, it’s important to be involved from day one so we can contribute to every aspect of the design and planning, and ensure the layout and each space are specifically tailored to the client’s lifestyle.'

'We considered the shape, proportion, and the purpose of each room and tried to add unique design details that added character. In the double-height entryway, we applied the fluted wall paneling and high stone skirting which is not typical at all, but it looked really beautiful, and the client trusted us that these details would make a difference – they are also very impactful when you first enter the house.'

'The arched entrance with pocket door was chosen to bring softness and a sense of coziness to the space – it felt more welcoming than a standard rectangular-shaped entrance. The decorative panels and curved black anodized steel spindles accentuate the hallway’s proportions while wall sconces from Allied Maker and the dark stained wooden handrail enhance the elegant design. A 19th-century French bleached walnut gueridon sourced from Lorfords adds character alongside two aged-brown oak console tables.'

'In the family living room you’ll see the oversized coving, a tongue and groove ceiling in the dark blue media room, and the decorative wall beading in the formal dining and lounge. We really went to town on the ceilings – it was an opportunity to make them feel less generic, and we believe every detail adds layers of interest to the house – there’s something to notice in every room, and we tried to respond to the architecture/envelope of the building.'

'We also carefully selected materials that ground the interior and give warmth. Every element feels timeless with patina and authenticity, like the tumbled edge and honed limestone floor, limewash paint that gives depth, and antique bronze metal accents.'

'The color scheme was neutral, but still full of depth and interest. We made a careful selection of natural materials such as the oak and limestone flooring and limewash walls. We also played with textures, patina, and color tones. Lots of work goes into a calm background, and there are always unexpected and unique details in every space.'

'We wanted to create a calm background with pops of colors in the furniture and art – here we worked with Art Consultancy, Hollandridge, which curated all the artwork throughout the home. The neutral palette also allows one to really take in the views of the garden and surrounding field with horses grazing – it really is the epitome of countryside living.'

'We designed the kitchen to be the heart of the home, and it forms part of the L-shape family living space that also includes the family dining and living. We intentionally chose to have flush wall cabinets because we wanted it to feel like it’s part of the room, instead of having voluminous cabinetry sitting within the space.'

'It was our intention to make the kitchen part of the living space – apart from the flush cabinets, we enclosed the big extraction fan with a curved boxing to make it less bulky and overpowering. There’s also extra kitchen storage, a second dishwasher and sink, and wine store in the pantry next to the kitchen, which can be closed off and helps keep the mess out of sight, especially when the client is hosting a party.'

'Other features are the four-meter semi-honed Taj Mahal quartzite kitchen island, in-frame solid oak cabinets with sand gray stain, and dovetailed drawers. The bar stools were bespoke.'

'We worked with 202 Design on the kitchen, which is a combination of bespoke in-frame solid oak shaker cabinets specified in a unique sand gray applied stain and a specialist hand-decorated finish. With matching solid oak, dovetailed drawer boxes and accessories throughout.'

'The work surfaces are a semi-honed ‘Taj Mahal’ quartzite and a full suite of 400 series Gaggenau appliances. Paired with aged brass hardware, sympathetic to the patinated brass tap.'

'For the family living space, we wanted it to be spacious yet cozy. We introduced the oversized seamless coving that is a continuation of the wall. It accentuates the height of the space and adds softness, echoing the arch door and all the curves we introduced at the entrance.'

'For the home bar, we wanted to create a true statement piece that serves as the focal point for entertaining friends and family. The inspiration came from the sophisticated charm of a classic hotel bar, but with a softer, more inviting feel that complements the warmth of the home.'

'The focus was on elegant craftsmanship. A curved timber arch frames the bar, while a rounded stone countertop profile adds a sense of softness. Bespoke wall detailing and decorative bobbin beadwork paneling introduce visual interest, creating a distinctive and refined backdrop.'

'Caned chairs and a Porta Romana side table with a marble top and Verdigris and gold legs complete the space, adding layers of texture and sophistication. This bar features generous open shelving for glassware, dedicated wine and beverage refrigeration, and discreet drawers for snacks and accessories, ensuring effortless entertaining in a beautifully curated space.'

'The master bedroom was a slight challenge. The ceiling height was approximately 3.2m (10.5ft), and the room in general was a difficult shape with awkward junctions and angles, and lots of services to hide. With some clever and thoughtful designs like the high skirting that stepped in response to the windows and the architecture outside, a custom-made door frame that fit perfectly with the angle of the ceiling, we managed to still create a calm and serene room, with considered detailing that makes everything look intentional.'

'And the coordination of many bespoke details from furniture to wall paneling was also sometimes tricky to navigate – we always found we were running against time. 60% of the house is bespoke. The sofas were all custom-made, and we had to coordinate halfway through production that the clients could sit on them and test them out to check the proportions were all correct – it’s so important to get it right when you’re going to the effort of making from scratch.'

'The importance of thoughtful design can be seen even in the everyday spaces. For example, in the bathrooms we didn't like to include standard niches for shower products – instead we carved out this lovely slope in the marble – it’s much easier to clean and more user-friendly.'

'The house took three years to bring to fruition, and we focused hard on integrating functional and aesthetic elements. The house feels very natural, modern, and understated, but in an elegant and timeless way. You’ll see quite a few traditional country details which have been interpreted in a contemporary way.'

But how can you design an outdoor kitchen and living space that feels like a continuation of your interiors? Designer Rebekah Zaveloff has shown how seamless it can be in this design, which proves even a backyard can be cozy and inviting.

From the neutral color palette to the statement furniture and genius zoning, this space is a masterclass in outdoor decorating – and proves your garden living area can be just as chic as those indoors.

Before the project, the area in question was nonexistent. 'The new addition for the family-meets-dining room created a courtyard effect – before that, it was just an unfinished yard that was part of Mt. Tamalpais,' explains Rebekah Zaveloff, co-founder and creative director of Imparfait Design Studio.

Starting from a blank slate meant the team could really create an outdoor kitchen, dining, and living area that catered to the needs of the client, and maximized all the available space.

Every part of the design felt like a major change from the empty land that preceded it. From installing the new patio to building the statement fireplace, everything was designed from scratch, including the pergola, which bridges the gap between indoor and out, that wasn't without its challenges.

'I had never designed a pergola before, so that was both fun and challenging. I had also never designed a masonry fireplace or masonry outdoor kitchen – the whole project was entirely new territory for me, and it was awesome to see it all come together,' says Rebekah.

But despite many design firsts, you would never know from the finished space. It feels inviting and curated, it's a space you'd want to spend every spare moment in during the summer months. 'It's a serene oasis that feels like a huge outdoor room extending from the house. The seamless flow of indoor/outdoor living has been a game-changer for this family,' she explains.

'Defining the patio with graphic encaustic concrete floor tile makes the space feel like an outdoor room rather than just a patio. The outdoor kitchen was designed to seamlessly blend into the retaining wall, and the fireplace creates a cozy anchor for the lounge space. The pergola defines the dining area and provides much-needed shade on sunny days.'

The flooring choice was key to ensuring the design felt cohesive and liveable, rather than being a rough, plain floor that you'd usually expect of an outdoor space. 'I think the concrete tile floor is really the wow factor. This space would look entirely different if it had solid bluestone instead,' Rebekah adds.

It was also important that the design didn't feel too fussy or busy – the outdoor tile flooring, “Compass Point“ Geometric Cement Tile from Villa Lagoon Tile, brought in pattern, so the rest of the design could embrace simplicity and pared-back style, especially the outdoor kitchen.

'I love the simplicity of the outdoor kitchen. I'm not a fan of outdoor kitchens that are fancier than indoor kitchens. They shouldn't compete with the landscape and nature; they should blend in harmoniously,' she says.

'I wanted the kitchen to feel like it was just part of the wall rather than a focal point. It's convenient and appropriately sized, but not massive or overbearing. I chose brick instead of stucco to give it texture, then used bluestone for the countertops to match the retaining wall cap.'

To help create that more casual look that feels at home with the natural surroundings, Rebekah chose to forgo cabinet doors, instead opting for open shelving with woven storage. 'I was going for a charming, repurposed aesthetic, as if it could have been a potting table converted into an outdoor kitchen.'

The outdoor furniture choices bring interest to the whole design. The knotted design of the sofas adds texture, while the dining chairs bring in a warmer tone to contrast with the neutral colors elsewhere.

Decor forms the final layer of the design, and gives the whole outdoor space a lived-in feel that brings nature into the scheme. Potted plants on the dining table, scattered on the surrounding walls, and framing the outdoor fireplace break up the flow of color and invite the landscape in.

The space is curated yet not fussy, simple yet still filled with visual interest. It proves that any yard can be transformed into an oasis to relax, host, and simply spend time in through the warmer months.

Shop the look

From the striking patio flooring to the beautiful furniture and cozy fireplace, this design proves that you can create an al fresco haven in almost any outdoor space. It proves sometimes simplicity is the best approach – and allows your garden decorating ideas to evolve as you do.