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Design

Creating A Moody Space

October 25, 2022

Our Office/Dining Room

When we purchased our home, the room off the entryway was somewhat awkward and out of place. We weren’t sure if the previous owners had used the space as an extra room, like an office or dining room, but regardless — we knew we needed to make it over- and the moodier the better!

We needed a space that could be multi-functional. This house doesn’t have a formal office or dining room, so we decided to make it work both ways! I love using the table as a place to get inspired and work, but also as a cozy nook for dinners with family and friends when we need it. In my opinion, dining in a dark and moody space is not only more intimate but a little sexy!

 

Step One: Paint

We painted our dining room/home office “Midnight Blue” by Benjamin Moore. It’s one of our faves and we have to say- it really makes a statement. It calls you into the space- asking you to to sit and stay awhile.

Here’s some of the moody colors we are currently coveting! Think dark, rich and saturated hues that envelop a room! You can’t go wrong with any of these. Our advice, buy re-usable sample sheets from Samplize. They offer a vast array from some of our favorite paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Farrow & Ball. You can stick them up in your room and move them around to see them in different light at different times of the day… live with a color for a day before you decide is another tip- color can change so drastically as the sun rises and sets!

Moody Paint Colors

 

BENJAMIN MOORE “MIDNIGHT BLUE”

FARROW & BALL “OFF BLACK”

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS “PEPPERCORN”

FARROW & BALL “DOWNPIPE”

FARROW & BALL “STUDIO GREEN”

BENJAMIN MOORE “MYSTERIOUS”

 

Step Two: Add lighter accents with warm wood, fabric and leather.

Creating a moody space is somewhat of a dance… you want to balance out the depth of the room with some lighter accents- you can do this with furniture, rugs, artwork and decor. We have incorporated pieces that we have owned for years… for instance, the lighter natural wood table and large horse artwork (no longer available) from Restoration Hardware sets off the space to bring warmth and depth to the room.

Check out these inspirational images that show this “balance” so beautifully. Whether it’s furniture covered in lighter shades of linen or off-white; or also a beautiful cognac or saddle brown leather, these materials contrast the moody color on the walls! It gives the space that ultimate rich and cozy feel.

Clouz Houz Tip: If you don’t have lighter furniture pieces to balance out the space, I love to layer sheepskin throws over chairs and other furniture (I use them all the time in my designs!) . You can find the most beautiful ones online- see the one I linked below. The quality is good and they give another layer to the space that adds that accent of light and cozy!

 

Image: Kristina Crestin Design

 

Image: Park and Oak Interior Design

 

Step Three: Incorporate Vintage Pieces

In our Dining Room and Office space, we added some beautiful accents with antiques and vintage decor. I’m always a proponent of mixing old with new and this is no exception. It gives a space soul and character. There are so many places to find great vintage pieces. Some of my favorites are Chairish, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy.

Again the goal here is to give layers to the space, so choose lighter and accent pieces to display- whether on shelves or tabletop. I found some great brass candlesticks on Etsy and then added a collection of old books and other decor. I love the way the lighter wood accents and white pottery “pops” in the early 19th century vintage armoire that we have owned for years!

 

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This breakfast nook is a perfect example of why I believe a good design plan can actually help you spend smarter, not more.

We intentionally paired a more affordable lacquer dining table with timeless wicker dining chairs and a statement light fixture. By saving in one area, we were able to invest where it mattered most. The end result still feels layered, custom, and collected because every decision was made with the bigger picture in mind.

That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a designer. People assume we’re here to encourage a bigger budget.

Honestly, we’re here to educate you where to save so you can spend on the things that matter the most.

Knowing where to invest, where to save, and how those decisions work together is what keeps a project feeling intentional—and helps avoid expensive mistakes later.

I think a lot of people assume they need to wait until they have more money, or the entire house figured out before getting started. But I’ve found the opposite is often true. One thoughtful plan for one room creates momentum for everything that follows.

If you’ve been putting off a room because you don’t know where to begin (or you’re worried about making the wrong decisions), we’d love to help.

Comment “PLAN” and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation so we can kick your project off on the right foot.

19 2
Open
This breakfast nook is a perfect example of why I believe a good design plan can actually help you spend smarter, not more. We intentionally paired a more affordable lacquer dining table with timeless wicker dining chairs and a statement light fixture. By saving in one area, we were able to invest where it mattered most. The end result still feels layered, custom, and collected because every decision was made with the bigger picture in mind. That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a designer. People assume we’re here to encourage a bigger budget. Honestly, we’re here to educate you where to save so you can spend on the things that matter the most. Knowing where to invest, where to save, and how those decisions work together is what keeps a project feeling intentional—and helps avoid expensive mistakes later. I think a lot of people assume they need to wait until they have more money, or the entire house figured out before getting started. But I’ve found the opposite is often true. One thoughtful plan for one room creates momentum for everything that follows. If you’ve been putting off a room because you don’t know where to begin (or you’re worried about making the wrong decisions), we’d love to help. Comment “PLAN” and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation so we can kick your project off on the right foot.

When we first started designing our primary suite at the Sixth Street Bungalow, these were the images I kept coming back to. A bathroom that feels collected over time. A bedroom that feels quiet and restorative. Spaces with character, warmth, and a sense of permanence.

I’ve always believed that the best design starts there-not with a specific tile or paint color, but with how you want a space to feel when you walk into it.

The funny thing about renovation is that the vision is usually the easy part. The middle is where the work happens. The demolition. The decisions. The samples spread across every surface. The moments when you’re trying to imagine beautiful spaces while standing in a construction zone. We’re still very much in that season.
Choosing flooring. Finalizing cabinetry details. Adjusting lighting plans. Working through tile layouts.

Making hundreds of small decisions that most people will never notice individually, but together create the feeling we’ve been chasing from the beginning.

I’ve learned through the years that beautiful homes are rarely the result of one dramatic design decision.
They’re built through thoughtful choices, made over and over again.

We’re sharing much more of this renovation journey over on Substack-the sourcing, the design decisions. the changes, the lessons learned, and all the behind-the-scenes moments that don’t always make it to Instagram.

I’d love for you to follow along.

14 1
Open
When we first started designing our primary suite at the Sixth Street Bungalow, these were the images I kept coming back to. A bathroom that feels collected over time. A bedroom that feels quiet and restorative. Spaces with character, warmth, and a sense of permanence. I’ve always believed that the best design starts there-not with a specific tile or paint color, but with how you want a space to feel when you walk into it. The funny thing about renovation is that the vision is usually the easy part. The middle is where the work happens. The demolition. The decisions. The samples spread across every surface. The moments when you’re trying to imagine beautiful spaces while standing in a construction zone. We’re still very much in that season. Choosing flooring. Finalizing cabinetry details. Adjusting lighting plans. Working through tile layouts. Making hundreds of small decisions that most people will never notice individually, but together create the feeling we’ve been chasing from the beginning. I’ve learned through the years that beautiful homes are rarely the result of one dramatic design decision. They’re built through thoughtful choices, made over and over again. We’re sharing much more of this renovation journey over on Substack-the sourcing, the design decisions. the changes, the lessons learned, and all the behind-the-scenes moments that don’t always make it to Instagram. I’d love for you to follow along.

Comment “PIN” and I’ll send over tonight’s Design Board when it goes live. Or find it later in Between the Layers through the link in our bio.

I think people assume designers spend all day choosing furniture. The truth is, we spend a lot more time studying why certain rooms stay with us.

Why one staircase feels timeless.
Why a stripe can completely change the feeling of a room.
Why adding one modern piece to a traditional home suddenly makes everything else fee more interesting.

That’s what this month’s Design Board explores. It’s a peek inside the ideas shaping our work long before they become finished rooms. Some may be having a moment. But I have a feeling they’ll be just as beautiful ten years from now. That’s always the goal.

Fair warning: you may leave wanting to tent a room. I can’t be held responsible.

118 27
Open
Comment “PIN” and I’ll send over tonight’s Design Board when it goes live. Or find it later in Between the Layers through the link in our bio. I think people assume designers spend all day choosing furniture. The truth is, we spend a lot more time studying why certain rooms stay with us. Why one staircase feels timeless. Why a stripe can completely change the feeling of a room. Why adding one modern piece to a traditional home suddenly makes everything else fee more interesting. That’s what this month’s Design Board explores. It’s a peek inside the ideas shaping our work long before they become finished rooms. Some may be having a moment. But I have a feeling they’ll be just as beautiful ten years from now. That’s always the goal. Fair warning: you may leave wanting to tent a room. I can’t be held responsible.

This is your sign to finally create a plan for the room you’ve been avoiding.

I think a lot of people assume they need to wait.
Until they have more time.
More money.
A bigger budget.
The entire house figured out.

But I’ve found the opposite is often true... Sometimes all it takes is creating a vision for one space.

One room that feels calmer.
More functional.
More beautiful.
More like you.

Because a home isn’t transformed all at once. It’s shaped through a series of thoughtful decisions over time.

If you’ve been circling the same room for months and aren’t sure what to do next, comment ‘PLAN” (or visit our website to get started) and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation.

0 0
Open
This is your sign to finally create a plan for the room you’ve been avoiding. I think a lot of people assume they need to wait. Until they have more time. More money. A bigger budget. The entire house figured out. But I’ve found the opposite is often true... Sometimes all it takes is creating a vision for one space. One room that feels calmer. More functional. More beautiful. More like you. Because a home isn’t transformed all at once. It’s shaped through a series of thoughtful decisions over time. If you’ve been circling the same room for months and aren’t sure what to do next, comment ‘PLAN” (or visit our website to get started) and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation.

If you’ve been circling the same room for months and aren’t sure what to do next, comment ‘PLAN” (or visit our website) and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation.

This is your sign to finally create a plan for the room you’ve been avoiding.

I think a lot of people assume they need to wait.
Until they have more time.
More money.
A bigger budget.
The entire house figured out.

But I’ve found the opposite is often true... Sometimes all it takes is creating a vision for one space.

One room that feels calmer.
More functional.
More beautiful.
More like you.

Because a home isn’t transformed all at once. It’s shaped through a series of thoughtful decisions over time.

1 0
Open
If you’ve been circling the same room for months and aren’t sure what to do next, comment ‘PLAN” (or visit our website) and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation. This is your sign to finally create a plan for the room you’ve been avoiding. I think a lot of people assume they need to wait. Until they have more time. More money. A bigger budget. The entire house figured out. But I’ve found the opposite is often true... Sometimes all it takes is creating a vision for one space. One room that feels calmer. More functional. More beautiful. More like you. Because a home isn’t transformed all at once. It’s shaped through a series of thoughtful decisions over time.
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64654 Cook Ave Suite 3,
Bend, OR 97703, US

Located inside Tumalo Home

(503)422-5682