Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
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Design

Living Room: How We Layered Textures and Patterns

 

Creating a cozy and inviting space requires layering with textures, patterns and materials. We knew we wanted to create a space where it would be easy to spend time relaxing and lounging. We spend the majority of our time in this room — hanging with family, watching TV, reading and entertaining! 

We’d definitely recommend keeping a simple palette for your larger furniture items. In our case, we used linen and ivory as base colors for the sofa and chaise. Then we added the lounge chairs with black wool cushions for some contrast, and a dark stone-topped coffee table which compliments the color of the dark shiplap wall. 

Once the foundation is set, add layers with pillows, throws, live plants, and lighting. What you get is a carefully curated look of coziness! Check out these items if you’d like a similar look in your own home You can also use the exact items we used to create this space!

1

Sofa

I like the larger pieces of furniture, such as a sofa or a daybed (my personal favorite), to be in a neutral fabric. This way, you can mix and match with other materials and textures, whether it's accent furniture, pillows, rugs or artwork. Think of it like it's the foundation of a house! If I could get a new sofa, I would choose one with a slipcover. I love this option because it's easier to clean, which makes the most sense with two dogs and our lifestyle here in Bend. The more relaxed and easy, the better!
Linen Slipcovered 96″ Sofa
2

Daybed

The daybed is one of our favorite places to lounge in our living room! It's kind of hot property for relaxing and watching TV since it's basically like having a bed in your living room. And yet, when we are entertaining, it works perfectly as a second sofa. We had it covered in a beautiful boucle that gives the piece more texture, and is super soft for taking a nap. Although the one I own is custom, I found this one to be similar in look and feel. This profile in the "Sand Chunky Boucle Fabric" is GORGeous!
Shelter Daybed
3

Chairs

These chairs are so beautiful! They have a rush woven seat and back that gives them that extra something. And, if you have to see the backs (like you do in our space from the kitchen), they are pretty, rather than just another upholstered surface. Highly recommend. I think it's important, when designing a space, to have some accent furniture with texture, wood or contrasting fabric. I had the cushions covered in a black wool which is soft to the touch and adds contrast to the space.
4

Coffee Table

A dark stone-top table will ground any space, especially if you are keeping the upholstery light and airy. I love this one, and it's a great size too! Another trick: if you need an even bigger table, just place two of these side by side for a dramatic look! It's all about having room for a cocktail and cocktail books! You'll notice I use books to style my coffee table ... I love the feel books bring to any space. So, go big on your coffee table to make room for some of your favorites!
Maxie Modern Coffee Table
5

Pillows

Add texture to your space by mixing patterns. I like to choose two or three colors, and then various patterns in those colors. Think large patterns to complement with smaller ones. For instance, a wide stripe looks great with a small print. And don't forget to add a couple that are just solid, but in a different texture -- like faux fur or flannel!
Akriti Ash Pillow
6

Rug

A vintage rug will add so much character to a space! It's one of a kind, and I love that NO ONE else will have the same rug. They are pricey, but I'm telling you, you will own them forever!! I have invested in several for our home and they make each and every space special. This one has rich deep blues and grays which complement the palette of fabrics beautifully, while bringing depth to the space.
Chloe Vintage Rug – 8’2″ x 11’8″
7

Poufs

I use poufs in almost every living room space I design. They are ideal for that extra seating you might need it. Or, use them to kick up your feet! These are soooo cute and you can't beat the price. They now come in various fabrics too. I recently saw them in the ivory shearling, and now I'm trying to find a home for them here ... but I'm a sucker for anything in a ticking stripe and still love these!
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POV: You want a home you love... but you don’t have the budget to do it all at once.

And then you find our studio!

I’d rather see you create one room you absolutely love than stretch yourself across an entire house and feel like nothing is ever finished. One finished room gives you momentum. It reminds you why you started. And it gives you a clear vision for everything that comes next.

One of the things we help clients with is deciding where to begin. Together, we create a roadmap that allows your home to evolve thoughtfully over time-without feeling pieced together.

You don’t have to do it all this year. You just have to know what comes first.

If you’re wondering where to start, we’d love to help. Feel free to message me and we can set up a 15 min discovery call!
New project in Bend, Oregon.🤍

We just signed on with the sweetest family, and one of the first things they said was, “We don’t really love our house.” A home can be objectively beautiful and still not feel good to live in.

In this house, the kitchen, dining room and living room are all one big great room. It sounds ideal until you realize the dining table is taking up the exact real estate the living room desperately needs.

Instead of making the kitchen bigger, we’re making it smarter. One move solved several problems at once: more storage, a better dining area, and enough square footage to give the living room the footprint it deserved.

Now we’re moving into one of my favorite phases... layering in materials. This is why I love the conceptual phase. Before a single cabinet is ordered, we’re already changing the way this family will live in their home.

If you’ve been looking around your own home thinking, “I know this could work better, I just don’t know how,” we’d love to help. Whether you’re planning a renovation, reworking your layout, or just need an expert eye before making expensive decisions, that’s exactly what we have to offer!

Check out our services through the link in our bio or send this post to a friend who’s struggling with this exact thing.
While renovations are an investment, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned after years of designing homes is this:
It’s not about how much you spend. It’s about where you spend it.

The homes that feel the most elevated aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where every decision was made with intention.

That’s the philosophy behind everything we do. We help our clients understand where it’s worth investing, where they can save without sacrificing the overall look, and how to create a home that feels layered, timeless, and beautifully functional. Because a thoughtfully planned home will always feel more luxurious than one filled with expensive choices that don’t work together.

Good design isn’t about spending more.
It’s about making every dollar work harder for you-and creating a home you’ll love living in every single day.

If you’re planning a renovation or a furnishing project, we’d love to help. Learn more through the link in our bio.
People often ask why renovations have always been my favorite. The easy answer is that I love watching a transformation. But if I’m honest, I think it’s something much deeper than that.

Years ago, our family walked through a season that forced us to start over. It wasn’t something I would have chosen, but looking back, it changed the way I see everything. Homes. People. Even myself. I stopped looking at what something was and started paying attention to what it could become. Maybe that’s why fixer-uppers have always felt so familiar to me. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re starting over. I know what it’s like to wonder if something beautiful can come from a season that feels uncertain. That’s why I love renovations. They’re hopeful. Every wall that comes down makes room for something new. Every decision is an act of believing that what’s ahead can be better than what was there before.

The funny thing is... I don’t think this is really about houses. I think all of us have something in our lives that feels unfinished, overlooked, or in need of another chance. I’ve learned that the middle of the story rarely looks like the ending. And sometimes the most beautiful things aren’t built from scratch. They’re simply revealed.
For anyone who’s ever had to start over... I’m rooting for you!
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the little things.
After moving across the country, leaving behind everything we’d known, and living in the middle of a major renovation, I’ve realized that joy isn’t waiting for me on the other side of a finished house.

It’s in the fresh flowers on the counter.
The windows open on a summer morning.
A glass of rosé at the end of the day.
Clipping greenery from the yard.
Lighting a candle just because.

These small rituals have become the way I slow down, stay present, and make this house feel like home-even while it’s still a work in progress.

ICYMI, I wrote all about this in my post “A Home That Feels Like Summer.” It’s a collection of the simple rituals, thoughtful edits, and favorite finds that are helping me embrace this season instead of waiting for the next one.

You can read the full story through the link in our bio.🤍