My Favorite Room ... with designer Liz Tew

The article showcases Liz Tew's favorite room, highlighting her approach to creating a relaxing and inviting living space. The design centers on a serene color palette, utilizing Benjamin Moore's Pale Oak for the walls, which sets a calming foundation for the room's aesthetic. This choice of wall color contributes significantly to the overall tranquil ambiance of the living area. Several key design elements are incorporated to enhance the room's visual appeal and comfort. Woven raffia wall hangings are prominently featured, adding texture and a natural, organic touch to the space. These hangings are noted as a growing trend in home decor, indicating a contemporary design sensibility. The integration of art pieces is another significant aspect of the room's design, with a collection from artists Annie Howell, Katie Hinshelwood, Grace Pouch, and Whitney Stoddard creating a cohesive and visually stimulating grouping. This curated selection of art reflects a thoughtful approach to personalizing the space. Natural elements are strategically used to introduce warmth and visual interest. A wooden circular mirror serves as a natural texture element, providing a contrast to the cooler tones in the room and adding a sense of organic elegance. Furthermore, a tall fiddle leaf fig tree is positioned in a corner, adding height and bringing a touch of nature indoors, which contributes to the room's freshness and vitality. Textiles play a crucial role in enhancing the comfort and style of the living space. The couch features throw pillows by artist Laura Park, which introduce patterns and colors that complement the overall design. These pillows are paired with thick banded curtains, creating a harmonious and polished look. The attention to detail extends to smaller accents, such as a beaded decoration on a vintage door knob, illustrating how minor elements can contribute to the room's character and charm. A particularly notable art piece in the room is "ÒLarry LlamaÓ" by local artist Marian Pouch. This painting not only serves as a focal point but also connects the interior space to the local art scene, as a larger version of the piece adorns the Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville. This inclusion underscores a blend of personal taste with an appreciation for local culture. Overall, Liz Tew's favorite room is characterized by a carefully balanced combination of calming colors, natural textures, curated art, and thoughtful decorative details. The design emphasizes creating an inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment through a harmonious selection of furnishings and decor, reflecting a contemporary yet timeless approach to interior design. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #LivingRoom #PaintColors #HomeStyling #ArtCollection #NaturalElements #TextileDesign #GreenvilleHomes

Drew Cauley, a designer from Design Resource Gallery, identifies his breakfast room as his favorite space within his home. This preference stems from his intentional design choices aimed at fostering a seamless connection between the indoors and the natural environment outside. The room's aesthetic is heavily influenced by a large landscape mural that serves as a focal point, bringing elements of nature directly into the living space. Complementing this visual feature are various natural wood accents, carefully integrated throughout the room to enhance the organic, outdoor-inspired ambiance. Cauley's design philosophy for this room emphasizes comfort and tranquility, creating an inviting atmosphere for daily routines. The selection of materials and finishes is deliberate, contributing to a sense of warmth and natural beauty. The natural wood elements, for instance, are not merely decorative but also tactile, grounding the room in organic textures. These choices collectively create a harmonious environment that supports relaxation and a connection to the natural world, aligning with the designer's vision for a personal sanctuary within his home. The breakfast room functions as more than just a dining area; it is a space designed to uplift and inspire, reinforcing the importance of natural light and organic design in daily life. This room exemplifies how thoughtful interior design can significantly impact well-being and daily experience by blurring the lines between indoor comfort and outdoor serenity. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #BreakfastRoom #LandscapeMural #NaturalWoodAccents #DesignPhilosophy #DrewCauley #DesignResourceGallery

Interior designer Susannah Talley, after moving from a 3,000-square-foot carriage house in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, downsized to a 475-square-foot studio on the Upper East Side, which she affectionately refers to as her “treehouse.” This transition occurred 27 years ago. In 2008, Talley's experience with small-space living gained an additional dimension when she discovered an abandoned dollhouse and undertook its restoration. This project, detailed in her 2015 self-published book, *The Dollhouse: A Love Story*, became a shared creative endeavor with her husband, Truman “Mac” Talley, during his illness. The living room of Talley’s studio is designed to evoke the ambiance of a country home, featuring family portraits and comfortable chairs arranged around a decorative fireplace. This fireplace ingeniously conceals a flat-screen TV. The armchairs are upholstered in a mixed “Tree of Life” patterned fabric from Jofa, complemented by wall-to-wall carpeting from Patterson, Flynn & Martin. Talley offers practical advice for maximizing small spaces, such as utilizing floor-to-ceiling mirrored walls in strategic locations to create the illusion of greater depth. She emphasizes the importance of selecting furniture that is appropriately scaled for the space, advising against oversized sectional seating due to its potential to overwhelm a room and complicate the placement of reading lamps. Instead, she recommends comfortable club chairs paired with well-positioned reading lamps and movable ottomans over traditional sofas. Upon entering the studio, the inviting decor immediately conveys Talley's expertise in creating beautiful and welcoming environments. A notable design element is the decorative fireplace, which, upon closer inspection, reveals a crackling fire image displayed on a flat-screen TV. Above the fireplace hangs an unsigned family portrait. Talley ingeniously converted a closet space into a functional bar area. This space features checked skirting fabric from Schumacher, wallpaper from Cole and Sons at Jofa, and paint from Farrow & Ball. Talley advocates for varying wall surfaces through different wallpapers and paint colors to create the perception of distinct rooms within a small area. She also prefers wool wall-to-wall carpeting for its ability to hide dirt, eliminating the need for guests to remove their shoes, which she considers an imposition. Another clever design solution within the studio is a functional dressing table integrated into a deep window sill near the bed. This was achieved by inserting a “sandwich of decorative wallpaper within two curved pieces of glass,” with decorative trim providing a finished edge. Hidden right-angle brackets offer structural support for this feature. The dollhouse, found abandoned on the street, was a significant project for Talley. She recounts her immediate connection to the dollhouse, seeing it as an answer to her desire for a creative project. She meticulously sanded away crayon and marker scribbles, drilled holes for lighting using Christmas-tree lights, and painted the exterior a deep eggplant shade to harmonize with her apartment’s decor. Together with her husband, Mac, she embarked on furnishing and decorating the dollhouse’s rooms. Talley sourced miniature items for the dollhouse from The Tiny Dollhouse Store on East 78th Street, acquiring objects like a two-inch dog bed, a thimble-sized bunch of bananas, and a fist-sized baby grand piano. The dollhouse kitchen is meticulously detailed, complete with tiny pots, pans, plates, cookbooks, and a miniature bottle of wine. The dollhouse's boudoir features a black-and-gold japanned bed and matching chairs, a gift from her sister. The walls are adorned with deep pewter-blue damask, and the floor is covered with navy-blue felt serving as wall-to-wall carpeting. A purple cocktail coaster from India was repurposed as a bedspread, and an upside-down beaded votive holder functions as a perfectly scaled bedside table. A painting by Talley’s daughter, Expressionist painter Isabelle Peabody, hangs on the wall. The dollhouse also includes a miniature menagerie of four-legged friends, completing the domestic scene. This project became a poignant and creative outlet, providing a miniature world within their real-life small space. #homeDesign #smallSpaces #interiorDesign #studioApartment #dollhouseRenovation #decoratingTips #creativeLiving #upperEastSide #SusannahTalley

This article, published by T Magazine, showcases a curated selection of inspiring bedroom designs from around the world, ranging from minimalist sanctuaries to maximalist experiments. The collection features various designers, artists, and homeowners, highlighting their unique approaches to creating personal resting spaces. Each entry provides a brief description of the featured bedroom, often detailing specific design elements, furniture, and artistic influences. Featured bedrooms include that of interior stylist Colin King's Brooklyn apartment, which incorporates a 1950s pietra dura artwork and pieces from Roman and Williams Guild. Federico de Vera's family home in the central Philippines showcases a repainted 1970s children's bed with a bedspread made from Ilocos region's native *inabel* cloth. Fashion executives Carlo Alberto Beretta and Jacopo Venturini's Milan apartment features a blend of global textiles like an Uzbek suzani, a Ghanaian bedspread, and a Peruvian carpet, alongside 1950s Italian armchairs. The collection also includes a guest room in Tivoli, N.Y., designed by Adam Charlap Hyman, characterized by Laurel Trellis wallpaper, a WB Form Cloud Lamp, and vintage Ikea furniture. The Bali home of Maison Kitsuné co-founder Gildas Loaëc and stylist Romy Ishii Loaëc presents a linen-draped bed, embodying an airy sanctuary. In Sweden, the bedroom of designer Ingegerd Råman and artist Claes Söderquist features an oak bed designed by Söderquist and glass vessels by Råman. Further examples include a guest room in Dar Zero, the vacation home of Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani in Tangier, Morocco, adorned with a marigold headboard and a patchwork tapestry. The lofted bedroom of architect Robert Finger and designer Robert Remer’s Wellfleet, Mass., cottage includes a portrait study by Adelaide Newhall and a family quilt. A maximalist experimental bedroom in Brussels, shared by artists Jaime le Bleu, Line Murken, Salomé Sperling, and Sijmen Vellekoop, highlights custom-designed and built elements, including a stainless-steel wrapped bed and ceiling-mounted paintings. The article also features the preserved bedroom of writer Anaïs Nin in Los Angeles, which has remained largely unchanged since her death in 1977. Textile designer Nathalie Farman-Farma’s Greenwich, Conn., guest bedroom combines a Japanese lamp, an antique French bed, and an American crocheted blanket, with walls and curtains in Décors Barbares' cotton percale Zénaide. Architect Valerio Olgiati’s Villa Além in Portugal showcases one of its nearly identical bedrooms. Designer Tiffany Howell’s Los Angeles home is represented by a bedroom featuring deep, saturated colors, including Portola Paints' Joshua Tree and an ink blue quilt. Architect and furniture designer Harry Nuriev’s Paris apartment includes a unique bedroom with mobile phones reimagined as mirrors and a duvet cover made from underwear. The upstate New York home of fashion stylist Thomas Christos Kikis and film producer Derek Curl features an Indian block-printed ceiling, Robert Kime wallpaper, and various rugs. The historic Lilla Hyttnäs, home of artists Carl and Karin Larsson in Sweden, displays Karin’s woven drapes. Guido Toschi and Massimo Rausa’s home near Turin, Italy, features a guest bedroom with 19th-century Piedmontese beds and roller-stamped pink walls. An artist’s house in Harlem presents a primary bedroom with a quilted curtain by Adam Pogue and a 19th-century Azerbaijani rug. Finally, the apartment of architects Carla Chávez and Nicolás Viteri in eastern Quito, Ecuador, and architect Rodolphe Parente’s Parisian apartment with custom brass-and-wool headboards are highlighted. The Milan apartment of interior designer Nicolò Castellini Baldissera and writer Christopher Garis showcases an 18th-century Genovese bed surrounded by souvenirs and portraits. #InteriorDesign #BedroomDesign #HomeDecor #GlobalInteriors #ArchitecturalDesign #LuxuryBedrooms #Styling #FurnitureDesign

Taylor Swift, renowned for her meticulously crafted aesthetics and mood boards associated with each album, extends this dedication to her multiple homes. Her private residences, including a Tribeca townhouse, an L.A. mansion, a Nashville condo, a Kansas City estate with Travis Kelce, and a Rhode Island holiday home, are all carefully designed to reflect her unique personality and experiences. While public glimpses into her homes have become less frequent, social media and her 2020 Netflix documentary "Miss Americana" reveal a diverse and unconventional interior design style. Swift is not afraid of color, as evidenced by her Nashville condo's rainbow fantasy kitchen, which features a hand-painted backsplash reminiscent of Van Gogh's "Starry Night," baby yellow and blue cabinets adorned with flowers, and a red architrave leading to a cloud wallpaper-clad hallway. Her Tribeca loft also boasts crimson-red walls, demonstrating her comfort with bold hues. Beyond color, patterns are a significant element in her decor, appearing on pillows, rugs, and chairs. Her tastes span from old-world motifs with Latin American, Asian, Arab, and European influences to animal prints, dots, and stripes. Wallpaper is also extensively used, creating distinct atmospheres in each room. Antiques play a crucial role in Swift's home design, adding charm and character. Her interiors are filled with unique finds such as old radios, grandfather clocks, weathered chests, and worldly relics, which she reportedly enjoys curating from antique shops. The singer's love for candles is also prominent, with specific preferences like Byredo's Tree House and Le Labo's Encens 9 and Santal 26. She often displays these candles in thrifted mason jars. As a self-proclaimed "cat lady," Swift's homes are filled with cat-themed decor, including paintings of her cats as historical figures, cat teapots, ceramic cats, cat bookends, "I hope you like cats" doormats, and cat-shaped pillows, reflecting her devotion to her three kittens: Meredith, Olivia, and Benji. Oriental rugs are another ubiquitous feature in her homes, providing warmth, density, and a connection to tradition and culture through their symmetrical patterns and bold colors. One of the most eccentric elements is the multi-colored silk-draped ceiling in her Nashville condo, seen in "Miss Americana." This majestic arrangement, typically associated with grand events, hangs over her dining room table, complemented by an imposing crystal chandelier. Star lanterns, both traditional paper ones in her Nashville condo and modern glass and brass versions in her L.A. home, add a whimsical touch. Literature also heavily influences her spaces, with books, including large art and lifestyle volumes and antique copies, found throughout her homes, adding character and an intellectual aesthetic. As a prolific songwriter, pianos and guitars are essential fixtures in every home, including two Steinway & Sons grand pianos from the early 20th century in her New York and L.A. residences. Velvet upholstery, particularly in shades of violet, maroon, and caramel, is another preferred material, lending a touch of luxury to her couches and armchairs. Finally, personalizing her spaces with memories is paramount, as Swift adorns her walls with gallery collections of photographs of herself, family, friends, and cats. She creatively mixes photographs with various artwork and memorabilia, using frames of different styles, sizes, and orientations to create visually engaging displays. Bone inlay furniture, an ancient Indian technique, introduces an unexpected oriental influence, appearing on ottomans, console tables, and smaller decorative items, showcasing intricate geometric patterns. Ultimately, Taylor Swift's interior design philosophy emphasizes individualization, encouraging homeowners to find their signature style and experiment to create a home that is uniquely their own. #TaylorSwift #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CelebrityHomes #EclecticStyle #Antiques #ColorfulInteriors #PersonalizedDecor #LuxuryHomeDesign

Interior designer Bee Osborn shares the story and design choices behind her idyllic country cottage in the Cotswolds, a home that became a permanent family residence during the pandemic. The article details the extensive, yet thoughtful, renovations undertaken to transform a tired three-bedroom property into a warm, stylish, and functional living space. Osborn emphasizes the use of texture, natural materials, and practical space-saving solutions throughout the house. The renovation began with the property itself, which had been in the same family for years and was in need of updating. Osborn, initially looking for a rental, stumbled upon the cottage and felt an immediate connection, likening it to her childhood home. She purchased and moved into the cottage with her builders, who started gutting and rewiring the property immediately. The transformation of the kitchen is highlighted, where a tiny original kitchen was expanded by integrating an accessible barn. Osborn decided to maintain the barn's original sunken level and natural walls, creating a unique feature. Reclaimed materials were extensively used, including an old kitchen floor for the roof and a stripped-down original Crittall window that now forms doors. The flooring in the kitchen is 'Barnwood Floor' from Osborn Interiors, and the cabinets were custom-made by a local joiner with a natural, raw wood finish. High-end pendant lights from Pinch were a significant investment, balancing the rustic elements with smart design. The kitchen also features a TV snug with L-shaped seating made from repurposed fence planks, equipped with built-in USB plugs, and a mirrored TV from Picture Frame TV with a custom-painted frame. The dining room boasts a large, custom-made pendant from Hadeda, serving as a focal point within a nine-circuit lighting scheme that creates subtle pools of light. The main attraction is a resin and 10-year-old oak table, meticulously crafted over four months, which has proven both beautiful and practical. The Blue Room, inspired by an inky off-black wall in a previous office, features a sofabed custom-made to fit the space and contrasting with the dark wall color. Despite planning permission issues for French windows, a large window was installed. Linen fabrics, leather, and wicker are used throughout, reflecting Osborn's preference for natural materials. The living room maintains its original fireplace, with versatile hampers and baskets serving as storage and side tables. The paint color in this room is a custom mix, and artwork is sourced from antique markets. The master suite, initially a small room with limited space, underwent a significant redesign. Osborn removed the fireplace and stained glass window to reorient the bed and create space for an en-suite bathroom. The bedroom connects visually with the downstairs through wood-clad ceilings and walls from a reclamation center, and hidden cupboards are integrated throughout. The en-suite bathroom includes a second-hand eBay bath and discreetly placed loo. Expensive Porta Romana lights and Anthropologie wardrobe handles add luxurious touches. All bedrooms feature 100% linen sheets for a relaxed aesthetic. Finally, an outdoor 'Pod' by Sandman Homes, measuring 3m x 5m, is made from reclaimed wood, features a wildflower roof, an electric wood burner, and collected baskets, providing an additional charming space. Osborn's design philosophy prioritizes natural materials, thoughtful construction, and practical solutions, creating a harmonious and personalized home. Osborn's work can be further explored through her Instagram and website, OsbornInteriors.com. #InteriorDesign #CotswoldsCottage #HomeRenovation #NaturalMaterials #SustainableDesign #ReclaimedWood #SpaceSavingSolutions #CountryLiving #BeeOsborn

The article explores various strategies for creating a cozy and conversation-friendly living room, moving away from stiff or screen-focused spaces. Drawing on insights from designers like Elizabeth Vergara, Jo Rich, Bambi A'Lynn Bratton, Sarah Latham, and Ashley Macuga, the article emphasizes that the living room should be a place for connection and relaxation. Central to creating a cozy living room is the layout. Designers suggest arranging furniture to encourage eye contact and conversation, such as placing two sofas across from each other or a sofa with chairs angled inward. The furniture should not hug the walls; instead, pulling seating slightly into the room creates a more intentional and connected feel. A semi-circle or U-shaped arrangement around a central coffee table is recommended to facilitate easy dialogue among guests. Another crucial element is the strategic placement of side tables. Every seating spot should have a nearby surface for drinks or books. Ottomans are highlighted as versatile pieces that offer both a surface and additional flexible seating without disrupting the room's flow. Small accent tables placed between chairs can further enhance the sense of welcome and encourage guests to linger. Storing coasters nearby ensures convenience for guests. Maintaining appropriate proximity for furniture is essential for conversation. Designers advise keeping sofas, chairs, and coffee tables within a comfortable hearing distance, ideally no more than eight feet apart. This prevents guests from straining to hear each other, contributing to a more relaxed and engaging atmosphere. Lighting plays a significant role in setting a cozy mood. The article suggests avoiding bright overhead lighting, which can feel clinical. Instead, soft, diffused light from lamps or sconces creates warmth and comfort, making the space more intimate and inviting for conversation or unwinding. The use of soft or warm white bulbs is specifically recommended over cool light. The inclusion of a variety of seating options adds both visual interest and flexibility. Plush sofas, low-profile lounge chairs, upholstered ottomans, poufs, and stools allow for multiple seating zones. This variety accommodates both large group gatherings and smaller, more intimate conversations, making the room adaptable for different social interactions. Moveable seating pieces are particularly beneficial for entertaining, as they can be rearranged to suit varying needs. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of textiles and rugs to anchor the space and enhance coziness. A large rug placed under the entire seating area helps to unify the furniture and prevent it from appearing to float. When selecting a rug, it is important to ensure that at least the front legs of the furniture rest on it. Soft textures, such as high-pile rugs, throw blankets draped over armrests, and pillows made from materials like velvet or wool, contribute to the tactile comfort and overall warmth of the living room. The article concludes by reiterating that good design considers both aesthetics and the overall feel of a room, creating a space where people desire to stay.

This article delves into the personal style and wardrobe of interior designer Suzie McAdam, presenting it as part of "Tales From My Wardrobe," a series that explores the fashion choices and cherished pieces of stylish individuals. McAdam's approach to fashion is characterized by a blend of historical appreciation, storytelling, and an embrace of the unexpected, mirroring her professional philosophy in interior design. Her wardrobe features silhouettes with a bohemian feel, often incorporating vintage references, tailored elements, or items that convey a sense of pre-existence and history. McAdam's daily attire typically follows a consistent "uniform," primarily consisting of denim with a 1970s cut or subtle print, paired with a distinctive blouse or shirt. This formula serves as a reliable foundation for her everyday look. In contrast, evenings allow for a shift in her style, where she opts for more dramatic pieces. These might include bold necklines, interesting textures, or silhouettes that experiment with proportion, reflecting a ritualistic enjoyment of dressing up. Among her current favorite wardrobe items is a feather-trimmed two-piece ensemble from La DoubleJ. She admires the brand's use of patterns and colors, finding it challenging to select just one piece from their collection. The green silk two-piece, despite its dressy nature, offers versatility as the trousers can be worn separately, making it a mood-lifting and adaptable choice. Another recent favorite is an Etro jacquard corset, featuring an Elizabethan-style neckline. She wore this piece to the Creators Awards in Paris, pairing it with a silk skirt and velvet Jimmy Choo pumps, noting its theatrical and romantic quality that influenced her demeanor during the event. A deeply sentimental item in her collection is her grandmother's fur coat. McAdam views this coat as a symbol of heritage and sustainability, having had it reconditioned to ensure its continued use and preservation. It holds significant historical and emotional value for her, offering a tangible connection to her grandmother each winter. Hats are a consistent accessory in McAdam's wardrobe, regardless of the season. In summer, she favors wide-brimmed straw hats, particularly those from Anthony Peto. During winter, she often chooses a classic wool trilby, which she finds an easy way to inject character into her outfits. Beyond these specific items, her preferred brands include Alligne, Ulla Johnson, Ganni, and Maria De la Orden. Currently, she expresses a desire for Simone Rocha's "coronation dress." For discovering unique fashion pieces, McAdam enjoys exploring the Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris, also known as Clignancourt. She describes it as a dream destination for vintage enthusiasts, where one can find an array of silk blouses, embroidered jackets, and occasional couture pieces among the extensive offerings. The process of searching and digging through the market is part of the appeal, often leading to discoveries from dealers who possess in-depth knowledge of the items' histories. Conversely, the least "fashionable" item she owns is a Barbour coat, which she considers a practical necessity given her lifestyle with two young boys and a dog, often involving time spent outdoors in the rain. Her Instagram handle is @suziemcadam, and the article also references her home, described as a whimsical and historic residence in Dublin. #InteriorDesign #PersonalStyle #FashionWardrobe #VintageFashion #BohemianStyle #DesignerSpotlight #FashionHistory #SentimentalValue #SuzieMcAdam

This article presents a comprehensive guide to creating cozy and inviting living rooms, emphasizing timeless design principles over fleeting trends. The central theme revolves around making the living room a comfortable hub for family gatherings, entertaining friends, and daily life. It highlights the importance of selecting appropriate furniture, such as leather sofas laden with pillows and blankets, plush armchairs, and upholstered ottomans, to foster a relaxing environment. The article delves into various design elements and strategies that contribute to a cozy aesthetic. These include the use of soft fabrics, warm wood tones, and the incorporation of antique and vintage finds, along with personal items like artwork and collections. Natural materials such as wood-paneled walls and stone fireplaces are frequently mentioned as key components for achieving warmth and character. The importance of a fireplace as a focal point is particularly emphasized for enhancing the cozy atmosphere. Several specific ideas are provided to inspire readers, beginning with the selection of right-sized furniture to optimize space, particularly in smaller living areas. It suggests creating comfortable corner perches, such as rustic daybeds with plaid cushions, for enjoying views or quiet moments. The use of moody color palettes, specifically grays and blues, is recommended, often inspired by elements like vintage oil paintings, complemented by velvet and wool fabrics to create a rich, accumulated-over-time feel. Further suggestions include giving the living room a lodgelike ambiance with features like moss rock fireplaces and wool blankets, and imbuing storybook charm through thick pine-paneled walls, ceiling beams, and unique fireplace grates that inspire woodland motifs. The integration of reclaimed materials, such as 1800s mill beams and salvaged log skins, is highlighted for instantly adding age and character to new constructions. Arranging facing sofas to create multiple gathering spaces and layering a mix of textiles, including stripes, gingham, and florals, are also presented as effective techniques. Other ideas involve embracing cabin vibes with fieldstone fireplaces and leather sofas, layering in personal collections on bookshelves, and maintaining natural wood walls. The combination of leather and wood furniture against newly plastered white walls is suggested for a calming backdrop. The article also touches on using richly colored fabrics from heritage brands to balance rusticity, and creating a collected-over-time look with mismatched vintage seating. Additionally, it advises hanging vintage finds like salvaged banners and displaying art in a salon style with floor-to-ceiling libraries. Finally, the piece recommends layering textured stripes, incorporating rustic accents, and maintaining a neutral color palette with exposed natural materials to achieve a serene and inviting living space.

The article presents room design ideas from maximalist expert Abigail Ahern, focusing on creating personalized and character-filled homes. Ahern, known for her 'more is more' philosophy, encourages bold color palettes, luxurious textiles, diverse patterns, and embellishments, contrasting with minimalist aesthetics. Her new book, *Everything*, serves as a guide for individuals to express their personalities through home design, especially relevant given the increased time spent indoors. Ahern emphasizes the importance of incorporating tactile textures to add depth and interest to a space. She suggests mixing various textures, such as shaggy rugs, metallic accents, woolly cushions, and fluffy throws, to create friction and visual richness. A key principle highlighted is the 'golden rule' of repetition, where any single texture should be used at least three times within a space to ensure cohesion and harmony. This approach helps prevent a room from feeling disjointed and contributes to a well-integrated maximalist design. Regarding color, Ahern advocates for intuition over apprehension, particularly when considering dark hues for smaller rooms. She advises against seeking external opinions, as color choices often provoke fear in others, and encourages designers to trust their own instincts. To inject vitality into predictable spaces, she recommends introducing a few colors that seemingly deviate from the main palette, thereby infusing the room with unexpected life and energy. For furniture arrangement, Ahern prioritizes traffic flow but advises against overthinking it. The primary goal is to ensure ease of movement without obstruction. A distinctive tip from Ahern is to float furniture in the middle of a room, even in compact spaces, to foster intimate conversation areas. She argues that pushing furniture against walls can make a room feel institutional, akin to a waiting room, and encourages regular rearrangement to revitalize the home's ambiance. Lighting plays a crucial role in transforming a dull space into a cozy retreat. While acknowledging the vast array of styles, Ahern prefers lighting fixtures that complement existing decor rather than overtly standing out. She specifically recommends investing in table lamps, which can either blend with the room's style or serve as an interesting focal point. Mixing two different table lamps with similar colors or geometric shapes can introduce visual symmetry. For dramatic effect and definition, pendants are suggested. Layering materials is another essential technique for creating depth. Ahern advises against matching materials too closely, such as a grey ceramic coffee table with a grey concrete floor, instead suggesting a marble alternative. Incorporating rustic elements like rattan or cane and blending shiny with matte finishes adds complexity. For a cozy atmosphere, the article highlights the warmth of wood, with finer grains offering formality and larger grains providing a casual feel, or a combination of both for a richer effect. To avoid a monotonous, catalogue-like appearance, Ahern stresses the importance of varying heights and scales within a room. She suggests combining tall and short, thin and plump items, such as placing a small chair next to a larger table. Oversized lamps or sculptures can serve as captivating focal points, creating visual interest without clutter. The article emphasizes that grand gestures often yield the most mesmerizing results. Finally, the article underscores the need to inject personality through pattern. Homes should reflect their occupants' individuality. Creating a gallery wall with beloved prints, or clustering patterned cushions on a solid-colored sofa, are immediate ways to add dimension. For those feeling more adventurous, mixing patterns through rugs and wallpapered walls is encouraged, combining graphic with organic elements or leopard print with florals. Incorporating diverse cultural influences can also create a fascinating design. To maintain an eclectic yet cohesive look, linking motifs, scales, and colors is crucial. #AbigailAhern #MaximalistDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RoomDesign #TexturalElements #ColorTheory #FurnitureArrangement #LightingDesign #PatternMixing

Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake, showcases one of her most cherished interior design projects: a double-fronted Georgian cottage in South London. This project was particularly significant as it marked her first solo endeavor after establishing her studio. The cottage, located on a wisteria-filled terrace, previously featured an industrial aesthetic dominated by black and grey, and an unsympathetic 1980s rear extension. The initial phase of the project involved extensive renovation to restore original architectural elements such as architraves, doors, skirtings, cornices, and radiators, which had been lost or altered over time. The clients, who had moved into the house after their honeymoon, lived there for six months to understand its nuances before commissioning Peake. Their brief was to create a vibrant, distinctive, yet comfortable and cozy home. The kitchen, rather than being completely replaced, underwent a significant refresh to combine existing features with new additions. A new limestone floor, Lanyan Limestone by Artisans of Devizes, was installed, and the existing joinery was painted in a custom green matched by Dulux. Carrara marble replaced the laminate countertops, and new drawer handles were sourced from Lassco reclamation yard. A French polisher from Portobello Painters restored the timber cupboards, while a custom floor paint from Papers and Paints and 'Stone I' from Paint and Paper Library were used for the walls. To introduce coziness, soft furnishings were added, including curtain fabric from Namay Samay with a Samuel & Sons fringe, an A Rum Fellow rug, an embroidered cushion from William Yeoward, and a white lamp from Porta Romana, effectively balancing the hard surfaces. In the main living space, a bespoke yellow paint color, mixed by Papers and Paint, was chosen for the walls, extending the painted wooden floor from the kitchen. A colorful rug from Ornate Rugs complemented the vibrant walls. A fireplace surround made of Bardiglio marble from Jamb and a chandelier from The English House were key features. The client's appreciation for art was evident with a William Crozier painting from Piano Nobile displayed above the fireplace. The design aimed for an interesting yet unoverbearing space through a mix of patterns, plains, and finishes. A small, low-ceilinged area at the back was transformed into a cozy nook with bespoke TV and bookcase joinery by Billy Crawshaw, carpeted with Tim Page Claremont, and featuring a David Seyfried chair upholstered in Fermoie fabric with Besselink & Jones wall lights. The master bedroom, described as Peake’s favorite, achieved a balance of color and tranquility. The walls and joinery were painted in Fencing Blue by Papers and Paint Library. Curtain fabric from Lasso by Pierre Frey and a Kelly Wearstler headboard with Romo Linara piping were incorporated. A painting by Venetia Berry, already owned by the client, served as the color palette's foundation for the room. Bed linen from Gayle Warwick Siena, a throw from Once Milano, and a custom cushion made from Guy Goodfellow fabric with a Samuel and Sons fringe completed the space. Moving to the landing and stairs, the entrance hall was designed as a crucial introduction to the house. Sanderson ‘Hemp’ wallpaper provided a muted backdrop, contrasting with the more defined colors in adjacent rooms. The French polisher from Portobello Painters restored the handrail, and Edward Bulmer’s Celadon paint was used on architraves and doors. An antique chair, a Sarah Balme painting, a mid-century chandelier from Pamono, and a white lamp from Porta Romana adorned the half-landing. For the guest bedroom, situated opposite the main bedroom, the focus was on the view of the bed. A shaped headboard by Pat Giddens Ltd, upholstered in Holland and Sherry fabric, was a central element, complemented by Afghan hats from Etsy above the bed. Hand-dyed velvet cushions by Kirsten Hecktermann and a custom-embroidered rectangular cushion from A Rum Fellow added luxurious touches. An antique pedestal desk was brightened with modern pieces, including a Benchmark chair upholstered in Vaughan and Holly Hunt fabrics, a raspberry lacquered lamp from Salvesen Graham, and a gathered silk shade by Penny Morrison. Finally, the tiny box room underwent a significant transformation. Previously painted black with acid green wallpaper and a low, angled ceiling, it was re-envisioned with a ‘bed nook’ to maximize standing height. Billy Crawshaw paneled the walls with MDF, painting them in Edward Bulmer’s Fair Blue. Ottoline Devries’ wallpaper and fabric were used within the bed nook, along with Samuel and Sons contrast piping and Colefax and Fowler roman blind borders. A bookcase above the headboard and a wall light replaced a traditional bedside setup. The bathroom, largely preserved due to its existing good condition, received subtle enhancements using leftover stone and marble, Edward Bulmer Celadon paint on woodwork, a touch of Soane wallpaper, and a rattan mirror from Kempton Racecourse, demonstrating that minor changes can have a major impact. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #GeorgianCottage #StudioPeake #SouthLondon #Renovation #ColorfulInteriors #CozyHome #ArchitecturalRestoration

Tiffany Clark, an interior designer, shares her journey, insights into managing social media for her business, and how she funded her venture. Clark emphasizes the significant role social media plays in her business, noting that 95% of her clientele comes from these platforms without direct advertising costs. She personally manages her social media, which involves content strategy, customer relations, responding to supporters, and brand promotions through high-quality visual content. Understanding platform algorithms and optimal posting times is crucial for visibility and audience engagement. Clark advises aspiring entrepreneurs to start immediately, even if it means creating a new account to attract a targeted audience with business-related content and a visually appealing page. Clark discusses her lifelong passion for interior design, which she discovered as a child while decorating her own room and later extended to family and friends. Her love for design was further nurtured by playing "The Sims" and watching HGTV shows like "Design on a Dime" and "Property Brothers." After serving nine years in the military, Clark decided to pursue interior design professionally in 2018. Despite initially struggling with self-doubt and fear of leaving a stable corporate job with good benefits, she enrolled in "The Interior Design Institute" to expand her knowledge. A pivotal moment for her was reading "Woman Evolve" by Sarah Jakes Roberts, which helped her overcome her fears and fully commit to her design career. This decision led to significant positive changes in her life, freeing her from previous anxieties. Funding her business began with "zero dollars" and a strong belief in her vision. Clark stresses the importance of faith and self-confidence for any entrepreneur, especially when seeking investors. She advises against waiting for the "right moment" to start a business, as there will always be challenges; instead, one should have a plan, a vision, and trust in divine guidance. Her journey highlights that achieving significant goals requires hard work, dedication, determination, and unwavering faith. Clark also shares a story of resilience, recalling her initial attempts to find employment with design firms after completing her studies. Despite curating a portfolio, she faced numerous rejections due to the close-knit nature of the industry and limited hiring opportunities. This period was discouraging and led her to temporarily stop designing for others. However, she eventually realized that these rejections were a redirection, guiding her towards starting her own business. Believing that a higher power had bigger plans for her, she launched her own company, allowing faith to lead the way. This leap of faith transformed her professional life, empowering her to become her own boss and find fulfillment in her purpose. Her contact information, including her website, Instagram, and Facebook profiles, is provided for those interested in connecting with her work. #InteriorDesign #Entrepreneurship #SocialMediaMarketing #BusinessFunding #CareerTransition #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #SmallBusiness #CreativePursuits

Designers Marita Simmons and Krysta Gibbons of Kipling House transformed a small, octagonal room in a historic Hinsdale home, originally presumed to be a gentleman's cigar room, into a dedicated ladies' lounge. The designers drew inspiration from the home's existing history, aiming to create a space for the modern woman to relax after a demanding week. The aesthetic features a deep purple paint on the walls, inspired by a Pierre Frey fabric with aubergine undertones. This rich color is contrasted with a custom peacock-blue banquette and matching Roman shades, establishing a vibrant and feminine atmosphere. To further tie into the room's former identity while reinterpreting it for a female audience, the designers incorporated metal wall motifs from Architectural Grille. These motifs were crafted to resemble a decorative bone inlay box, a subtle nod to the traditional cigar box, reimagined with an elegant touch. The room's purpose as a feminine retreat is clearly communicated through a prominent wall art piece depicting a reclining woman, suggesting relaxation and repose at the end of the day. This artwork reinforces the concept of the space as a personal haven. The lounge includes a functional sitting area where the designers ingeniously addressed space constraints. A swing-arm sconce was innovatively converted into a swing-arm drinks table by replacing its socket with a custom lazy Susan top, demonstrating a creative and practical approach to small-space design. This DIY solution maximizes utility without compromising the room's aesthetic appeal. Adjacent to the sitting area is a sophisticated dry bar, cleverly integrated into what was once an underused closet. The bar boasts luxurious finishes such as burl wood wallcovering, a merlot-leather bar top, brass banding, and stone shelves, creating a chic and functional nook for entertaining or personal enjoyment. The transformation extends to a powder room, which received a refresh with mossy green paint, an antique floor-to-ceiling mirror, and a custom pin-striped vanity skirt. This attention to detail across different areas of the space ensures a cohesive and refined design throughout the ladies' lounge. The article provides a comprehensive list of the key design elements and materials used in the renovation, including specific brands for chairs, dining table bases, stone tabletops, banquette fabric, rugs, stools, paint colors, wall details, and lighting. These details offer insight into the quality and style choices made by Kipling House. The overall project exemplifies how thoughtful design can reimagine historical spaces to meet contemporary needs, creating a luxurious and personalized retreat. #InteriorDesign #LadiesLounge #HomeRenovation #FeminineDecor #SmallSpaceDesign #LuxuryInteriors #KiplingHouse

The article offers a detailed photo tour of the great room in the McGee home, highlighting its design process and key elements. This great room serves as the family's primary living space, combining formal and casual living styles. The design prioritizes an open-concept floor plan while maintaining distinct room identities. Upon entry through a barrel arch, the ceiling height dramatically increases from 10 feet in the entryway to 25 feet in the living room, creating a sense of grandeur. Crucial to the room's structure and aesthetic are the large Douglas fir wood trestles, which required precise craning during installation. A significant design challenge involved seamlessly matching the wood trestles with white oak floors, a task successfully achieved through custom staining by Killowen Construction and Lemco Design. The fireplace wall, initially designed as flat, was enhanced by building out the firebox to introduce dimension, with the break extending vertically to the ceiling. Custom steel-door built-ins flank the fireplace, crafted by the same artisan responsible for the banister, providing both storage and aesthetic appeal. Shiplap on the back of these built-ins connects to similar detailing in other areas of the home, such as the mudroom, laundry room, dining room, and master bedroom, creating a cohesive design language. These built-ins serve as a backdrop for a mix of new decor pieces from McGee & Co. and vintage finds, adding character and depth to the space. The integration of a large Samsung Frame TV above the fireplace addresses both functional viewing needs and aesthetic concerns, appearing as framed art when not in use. The height of the TV is strategically placed to ensure comfortable viewing from various points in the open-plan space, including the kitchen. The custom-built fireplace, constructed from natural stone sections, adds significant visual weight and texture to the room. The natural imperfections in the stone contribute to its unique character. A 72-inch diameter chandelier, suspended between the exposed trestles, was chosen for its substantial size and simple shape, ensuring it complements rather than distracts from the architectural elements. The furniture selection began with a strategic space plan to optimize flow and functionality. The Hale Sofa, over 100 inches long with a bench seat, serves as a central piece. Its Crypton fabric is highlighted for its cleanability, a practical feature for a family home. Floor outlets were incorporated under the sofa to discreetly manage lamp cords. Pattern mixing in the pillow combinations, using various textiles, adds visual interest and layers to the seating arrangements. The Reese Curved Sofa, upholstered in velvet, introduces a contrasting shape and texture, balancing the taller-legged Hale Sofa. Its curved design ensures it is aesthetically pleasing from all angles, particularly for those walking behind it. A faceted pedestal in the corner adds a sculptural element, elevating the room's formal-casual balance. The Beckett Chairs, featuring a wood frame and caned back, introduce additional wood tones and a visually light seating option without bulky arms. The design of these chairs allows the caned detail to be appreciated upon entry. Textile layering is crucial for creating atmosphere, exemplified by combining a vintage rug with a Girona Woven Rug. The layered rugs create a warm, creamy look, with the jute rug's stripe adding detail. The article advises using rugs one size apart when layering. Overall, the great room's design combines architectural strength, thoughtful material choices, and practical family-friendly features with elegant aesthetics.

Katie Szymanski, a therapist and entrepreneur, partnered with interior designer Leah Ring of Another Human to transform her 1920s Mount Washington home in Los Angeles. The primary goal was to create a living space tailored entirely to Szymanski's individual preferences, focusing on vibrant colors and personalized room functions. Szymanski reconfigured the traditional layout to better suit her lifestyle. A guest bedroom was converted into a walk-in closet, featuring floor-to-ceiling curtains made from a 70s-inspired Kristy Stafford fabric. This space not only serves as a functional closet but also as an optimal location for recording audio. Another guest room was repurposed into a home office and sunroom, designed for relaxation and listening to music. The largest space remained the primary bedroom. A significant aspect of the design was the extensive use of color, a hallmark of Ring's design philosophy. Each room was assigned its own distinct palette, carefully chosen to evoke specific moods and feelings. Despite the individual color schemes, Ring ensured overall cohesion, as many spaces are visibly connected. For instance, the kitchen features periwinkle cabinetry and a matching hood, utilizing Benjamin Moore's Summer Blue. The secondary bathroom incorporates teal tiles and paint, accented with pink stone. The living room is adorned in peach tones, while the sunroom boasts two shades of pale green for walls and trim. Szymanski's background in studio art informed her appreciation for the emotional impact of aesthetics. She noted that the chosen colors in her home contribute to feelings of happiness and energy. Beyond color, the design integrated various patterns, including a daisy-patterned tile arrangement in the primary bathroom, a Lisa Corti quilt in the bedroom, and a House of Hackney floral wallpaper in the dining room. Initially, Szymanski questioned her bold design choices, concerned about potential partners' opinions. However, a friend's advice affirmed that the right partner would appreciate the home because it reflected her personality. During the renovation, Szymanski began dating someone, and while she made no significant design changes, she did add a desk to the sunroom to accommodate separate workspaces. Her partner reportedly finds the home to be a "coziest, happiest place," despite its vibrant aesthetic contrasting with his own preference for more muted tones. #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #ColorPalette #LosAngelesHomes #PersonalizedDesign #LeahRing #KatieSzymanski #VibrantInteriors #RoomTransformation