Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
SUBSCRIBE
Design

The August Edit: Linger Longer

August 1, 2024

Embracing the Present

The summer months are such precious days, aren’t they? We have limited time to spend the days lounging outside on patio furniture, BBQing with friends and family, and experiencing nature blooming along with our spirits. This season can feel so chaotic at times, always trying to jam the most trips in, that we often get carried away. I have to constantly remind myself to stay in the moment and embrace the time that I am currently in. And honestly, a staycation can be just as relaxing if you’re intentional with how you spend your time in the comfort of your own home.

Furniture That Encourages Relaxation

And with that comes home furniture and lifestyle items that support that goal and make it enjoyable to linger in a memory longer. August is all for those special pieces that evoke emotions, start conversations, and inspire. We’re taking it back to the basics, with neutral and soft color palettes of a calm summer day, and with pops of exciting colors and patterns sprinkled throughout.

Pieces Inspiring My Designs

In August, it’s all about those light and airy styles that feel organic to summertime, while bringing a breath of life and fresh twists into the equation at the same time. And, what better way to understand the vision than to include Kelly Wearstler’s book, “Kelly Wearstler: Evocative Style.” Everyone should pick up this book, the designs inside are just so uniquely stunning! Perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon perusing her pages chocked full of inspiration.

Source: Geremia
Geremia Design 2022 photographed by Laure Joliet

Color of the Month

Benjamin Moore’s ‘Coral Spice’ has a nice punch of color while also being mellowed with a hint of brown tones. I chose a pinky coral for August because there are so many different hues you can pick from, but it feels refreshing for summer.

I also came across this black & white tile and knew I needed to include it in this month’s roundup. This is from a local company, Kibak Tile in Sisters, Oregon, and I just love the colors and patterns of their designs. The contrasting colors feel like such a nice and refreshing contrast to the rest of this edit’s color palette. And, the floral motifs give it a variety of characters. I’d love to use this in a bathroom, beach home, or as a backsplash.

What I’m Wearing: Slow Living Essentials

I want to emphasize the importance of slow living being our lifestyle, and handpicked a few things that give that vibe while still making me feel fresh+seasonal yet relaxed.

  • Raffia Clutch with Ruffles: A subtle accent for any outfit, this clutch is the material of the season.
  • Essential Tote: MASSIVE and perfect for carrying work materials or stocking up at the farmer’s market. The durable canvas is easy to clean. Kaylei was so sweet and surprised us with Clouz Houz totes for travel and site visits. We load them up with samples, plans, etc. You can customize them with your initials, logo or name. So so cute!
  • Seersucker Linen Pants: These pinstriped linen pants elevate any basic outfit. Pair them with a white tee or a graphic one for an effortless, breathable, and flowy look.

What I’m Using to Style My Home

This month is all about the little accessories that make a house a home.

  • Fun and Retro Print Pillows: Perfect for jazzing up a couch or adding a fun accent to a chair or bed. Summer is the time to pick playful designs!

  • Porcelain Lighting: Inspired by our primary bedroom in Tumalo, this statement fixture adds a stylish touch.

Lifestyle Favorites

  • Oyster Plate: A Clouz Houz staple for the season. We love our oysters, and this plate is both functional and beyond aesthetic.

Linger Longer

August is about those special pieces that evoke emotions, start conversations, and inspire. It’s about understanding the intent behind each item and relating to where some of us might be at this point in the summer. Relish the good times, embrace the soon to be end to the season and linger longer outside, in the comfort of your home with loved ones. Life is short. Make it Beautiful…. however it brings you joy. 

Cheers to a season of joy, inspiration, and unforgettable moments! 😜

***

I case you missed last month’s posts…

Pro’s and Con’s of Quartzite Counters

Grilled Peach Smash Cocktail Recipe

Our Fave Sofa and Coffee Table Combos

Shop the High Desert Tumalo Ranch Living Room

Shop
Leave A Comment
Join the Conversation

explore
More You'll Love
Design

A Case for Painted Wood Floors

Design

How We Updated This Kitchen Without Replacing Cabinets

Shop
Shop
Zanzibar Pillow Cover
Shop
Le Pliage Green Pouch with handle
Shop
Green Floral and Bird Jar
Shop
Woven Sinamay Rectangular Serveware Food Cover
Shop
Spirit Cocktail Napkin
Shop
Green Cream Artificial Snowball Flower
Shop
Light Green Jade Abacus Brush
Shop
Sage Taffeta Angelise Tie Skirt
Shop
Basil Provence Candlesticks
Shop
Floral Dinner Plate Green
Shop
Anna Reverse Green Cereal Bowl
Shop
Colonial Green Taper
Shop
Green Resin Bamboo Flatware Set
Design

A Study in Green

get inspired
#clouzhouz
follow along
@clouz_houz

When life gives you lemons… you make lemonade. 🍋

But for us, it wasn’t just a saying.

For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new.

After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified.

Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz.

And then… we did it again.

We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger.

There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain.
But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for.

“Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin.
Again.

And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love. It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic.

I can’t wait to share more soon. 🤍✨

61 9
Open
When life gives you lemons… you make lemonade. 🍋 But for us, it wasn’t just a saying. For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new. After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified. Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz. And then… we did it again. We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger. There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain. But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for. “Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin. Again. And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love. It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic. I can’t wait to share more soon. 🤍✨

Office reveal… but also a little life update.

We’ve been working from this space behind the scenes, and it finally feels ready to share. This is where client projects come to life…where we’re sourcing, planning, and building what’s next for both our Oregon projects and the ones we’re beginning here in Tennessee.

Oregon will always be home for our work. Our roots are there and very much staying, but we’re excited to now be creating in Tennessee as well, while continuing to serve clients nationwide.

We have three project openings this summer and are currently taking on new clients in both locations.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, you can inquire through our website…we’d love to work together. 🤍

70 13
Open
Office reveal… but also a little life update. We’ve been working from this space behind the scenes, and it finally feels ready to share. This is where client projects come to life…where we’re sourcing, planning, and building what’s next for both our Oregon projects and the ones we’re beginning here in Tennessee. Oregon will always be home for our work. Our roots are there and very much staying, but we’re excited to now be creating in Tennessee as well, while continuing to serve clients nationwide. We have three project openings this summer and are currently taking on new clients in both locations. If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, you can inquire through our website…we’d love to work together. 🤍

What started as a “simple” fireplace update quickly turned into one of those classic renovation plot twists.😅
Here’s how it actually unfolded:

1. Planned to install tile over the existing fireplace tile — that was the original vision.
2. Began demo and discovered some serious structural damage to chimney. Immediate pivot.
3. Tore in further and uncovered the original brick hiding underneath.
4. Brought in the mason to re-mortar and clean everything up.
5. The brick went from dusty and rustic to bright red and very classic — and yes... I freaked out a little.
6. Lived with it for a bit to see if I could make peace with the new look.
7. Ultimately we applied a watered down lime grout (what was used by mason) to give it that old-world imperfect feel again.
8. Polished/stained the original stone hearth to refresh it without replacing it.
9. Stripped down the fussy details from the wood mantle and surround.
10. Painted the mantle and reinstalled it — and finally, it all felt right.

Renovations rarely go exactly as planned, but sometimes uncovering what’s underneath leads to something better than you imagined in the first place.

36 5
Open
What started as a “simple” fireplace update quickly turned into one of those classic renovation plot twists.😅 Here’s how it actually unfolded: 1. Planned to install tile over the existing fireplace tile — that was the original vision. 2. Began demo and discovered some serious structural damage to chimney. Immediate pivot. 3. Tore in further and uncovered the original brick hiding underneath. 4. Brought in the mason to re-mortar and clean everything up. 5. The brick went from dusty and rustic to bright red and very classic — and yes... I freaked out a little. 6. Lived with it for a bit to see if I could make peace with the new look. 7. Ultimately we applied a watered down lime grout (what was used by mason) to give it that old-world imperfect feel again. 8. Polished/stained the original stone hearth to refresh it without replacing it. 9. Stripped down the fussy details from the wood mantle and surround. 10. Painted the mantle and reinstalled it — and finally, it all felt right. Renovations rarely go exactly as planned, but sometimes uncovering what’s underneath leads to something better than you imagined in the first place.

Omg this kitchen is so close I can feel it😭

The brick floors are in, the character is there, and the countdown to actually cooking in here (aka retiring the air fryer + constant takeout era) is officially on.

This one detail alone is making everything feel real and lived-in already... And I can’t wait to see it all come together.

If you’re into kitchens with soul + old-house energy, save this for later!

41 7
Open
Omg this kitchen is so close I can feel it😭 The brick floors are in, the character is there, and the countdown to actually cooking in here (aka retiring the air fryer + constant takeout era) is officially on. This one detail alone is making everything feel real and lived-in already... And I can’t wait to see it all come together. If you’re into kitchens with soul + old-house energy, save this for later!
Design Services
Shop
Browse
Contact

64654 Cook Ave Suite 3,
Bend, OR 97703, US

Located inside Tumalo Home

(503)422-5682