Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
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Design

How To Make Your Home Uniquely You

When we design for our clients, our approach is deeply rooted in intentionality. Based in Bend, Oregon, we offer many nationwide services personalized to your needs and varying design styles. Understanding how you, our dear clients, navigate your daily routines helps us tailor each element of your home to be both functional and reflective of your individuality. Thoughtful design choices not only enhance the aesthetic appeal, but also ensure that every corner of your living space serves a purpose.

As designers, we believe that a home should be more than just a collection of furniture and décor — it should tell a story. It’s about infusing the essence of those who live there into every design decision. From the layout that facilitates seamless movement to colors that evoke emotion, our goal is to craft environments that feel like an extension of our clients’ identities.

Design: Clouz Houz | Photographer: Zee Wendell

Elevate Your Walls: Personalize with Gallery Walls

Gallery walls are a design feature we absolutely adore for their ability to infuse personality into any space. Mixing artwork, prints, and cherished treasures allows us to create visually captivating displays that reflect our clients’ unique tastes and experiences. 

Whether it’s integrating pieces collected during travels, heirlooms passed down through generations, thrifted finds, or personal mementos, each item adds layers to the narrative of our designs. Embracing variety in sizes, frames, and textures enables us to craft gallery walls that feel curated and deeply personal. Let your walls tell the story of who you are and what matters most — a true reflection of your journey and passions.

Refined Detail Work in Your Home

Detail work like trim, molding, and shiplap is where we get really excited as designers. Shiplap, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts. It fits perfectly into farmhouse vibes, and it can give a sleek modern home a touch of rustic charm. Its clean, classic lines bring sophistication to any space while keeping it cozy and inviting. 

What’s truly magical about shiplap is how effortlessly it adds personality and character. Whether we’re creating a stunning accent wall or transforming an entire room, shiplap brings that crisp, timeless charm.

Design: Clouz Houz
Source: DeVOL

Embracing Wood Ceilings for Warmth and Richness

Wood ceilings are a total game-changer for adding warmth and richness to a room. Unlike walls and floors that get all the attention, ceilings often get overlooked. But let me tell you, a wood ceiling can take your space from basic to beautiful in no time. It’s like bringing a piece of nature indoors, with those natural knots and textures that make you feel instantly cozy.

Think about it — instead of just slapping on a coat of paint, why not go for wood beams, paneling, or shiplap? These materials not only add a touch of rustic charm, but also bring in that earthy vibe that makes a room feel so inviting. Plus, they draw your eye upward, showcasing the architectural beauty of your home’s highest points.

Source: Pinterest

Would You Like Artistic Bathroom Cabinets in Your Home?

Well, imagine scalloped vanities that add a touch of whimsy, or antique dressers repurposed with sleek marble countertops. Opt for a cabinet/vanity that makes a statement! 

Personally, I’m inspired by French history when it comes to bathroom aesthetics — think elegant curves, intricate details, and a touch of vintage charm. Embrace organic shapes and materials to bring a sense of natural beauty into your bathroom.

Below is some cool cabinet inspiration that I hope you’ll see more of in 2024!

Source: @kelseyleighdesignco
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest
Source: Pinterest

As we look ahead to 2024, let’s continue to prioritize design choices that are timeless yet personal. We can celebrate the beauty of craftsmanship and the joy of living in spaces that inspire us every day! Because when your home reflects your style, it becomes more than just a place to live — it becomes a sanctuary filled with memories and meaning. ?

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Seems crazy for me to say this because I love summer... but I think I’m starting to crave fall.🤎

The sweaters, a fire going, slower mornings, being a little more cocooned at home. Maybe that’s what has me thinking about how much the smallest things in a home can change the way a day feels.

Not the big renovation decisions. The mug you always reach for. A lamp that makes the room feel extra ozy at night. The old chair in the corner that somehow gets better every time someone sits in it..

None of it has to be important (or expensive) to make everyday life feel a little more special. I think you just have to notice what does.

Videography: @bozemanmediadesign 

But before I get ahead of myself... are we ready for fall yet?
I can usually tell within the first few minutes of meeting someone what kind of client they’re going to be. Not because of their style. Not because of the size of their house. It’s in the way they talk about their home. Sometimes they’ll apologize for it before we even walk in. “I know it’s kind of all over the place,” or, “We’ve lived with this for years.” And almost every time, I find myself thinking the same thing:
Your home isn’t the problem. It’s just waiting for someone to make a few confident decisions.

I think people assume interior design is about having better taste than everyone else. It isn’t. It’s pattern recognition. After twenty years of walking through homes, I don’t see a room the same way most people do anymore. I’m noticing what your eye keeps getting stuck on. Where the proportions feel off. Why one side of the room feels heavier than the other. Which thing is quietly throwing everything else out of balance.

Those aren’t things most homeowners should have to know. That’s what we’re here for. And honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of this job. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out or don’t know where to start with your project... message me, I’d love to chat!
There you have it... the den, for now.

I always say the best rooms aren’t the ones that feel perfect-they’re the ones that make you want to stay awhile.

This room has become exactly that. Morning coffee, evening happy hour, football games, reading, hanging with family... it’s already getting lived in the way we hoped it would.

Those are always my favorite projects.

Tell me your favorite part of this room!
Comment ‘EDIT’ and we’ll send it straight to your inbox when it goes live this evening.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between something that’s simply trending... and something that actually changes the way a home feels.
This month I keep coming back to vintage textiles over oversized artwork.

Bathrooms that feel more like living rooms than bathrooms. Why I think plug-in sconces are one of the most underrated design tricks. Cherry red (in the smallest doses❤️). And why I’ll almost always tell a client to invest in a beautiful faucet before a trendy finish somewhere else.

These are the conversations we’ve been having in the studio. The screenshots I’ve been saving. The products sitting in my cart. The little ideas that slowly find their way into client projects and eventually into our own home.

I’ll dive much deeper into all of it in today’s edition of Between the Layers, along with my favorite sources, products, and the “why” behind each one.

I hope you’ll join me!