Designing a space that you love has a lot to do with the way it will make you feel. One of the most important parts of my design consultations involves talking to clients about the emotions they want to evoke with their homes. We can create the most incredible room that makes your jaw drop, but if you don’t feel good in the space, the design… well it’s flawed. So, what makes a space feel luxurious, but liveable? I think the key to mastering this every time is the use of layers! It’s a simple solution that many struggle to get just right. Let’s tackle layers with a few tips you can put into action right away.
Plant Power
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a girl that loves using natural elements in my design work. I think people often believe luxe must always equal expensive or shiny. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Remember, we’re talking about the way a space makes you feel, right? That means YOU define luxury in your own terms. Several years ago when we were all enduring difficult lockdowns confined to our homes, we realized how much of a luxury being able to get outside truly was. So many of us craved the serenity found in nature. Things like the babbling of a brook, the whooshing of the wind through trees or the roaring of ocean waves all took on a greater meaning.
So, as I keep those things in mind, adding natural elements became essential when I wanted to give a space an air of tranquility. Plants are one of my absolute favorite ways to do that! Whether real or faux, adding plants to your space always elevates the design. I love mixing in faux greenery with real plants because when the two are side by side it tricks the eye, and you can’t tell which is which! Plants are an easy addition because they add layers without the worry of clashing with a particular color palette or design style.
Add plants of different sizes and heights to your spaces. Put them in a corner that needs a little “extra something.” Add them to your entryway table or beside your fireplace. You will not only make the room feel luxurious and tranquil, it’ll feel inviting too!
Pattern Play
People hire designers like me all the time because they want a home that oozes sophistication and beauty. The truth is if you want those qualities in your spaces, a great place to start is by figuring out how you can add interest to any room. What can you do that will draw the eye in a thoughtful, intentional way? That’s where layers come into play! Determine your design style and select a base for it. Once your foundation is set, the fun begins. I can think of no better way to make a room pop than with varying patterns that all complement one another.
My fabrics and wallpapers line with Clarke & Clarke is brimming with gorgeous prints that feel traveled and curated. I know mixing prints and patterns can be a bit intimidating if you’ve never done it before, but hear me out. If you choose patterns in an array of sizes and in colors that work well together you’ll get a one-of-a-kind design that will stun. A solid couch with patterned throw pillows instantly becomes more interesting. When you want to add layers, think about your rugs, curtains, throw blankets and pillows. You don’t have to go big, just be calculated.
Textured Layers
Are your rooms feeling a bit…one note? It might be that everything in the space is too similar. Most designers would agree that the days of buying matching furniture sets are gone. Why is that? Well, because it can make your room feel like something out of a mass-produced store room. No one wants that. Incorporating pieces of various sizes, heights and colors makes a space feel custom.
Textures do the same thing. Textures are layers that add luxury to a room. Take the photo above. A linen-blend fabric on the seating pairs exceptionally well with velvet throw pillows. That softness is balanced by the elegant stone work, a perfect choice to add another natural material to the space. But then, we go a step further with the sheen from the brass and lacquered side tables. When you look at this room, no one thing outshines the other. The pieces are equally beautiful and visually fascinating. The layers contribute to the intrigue. That’s the mark of great design.
Layers make a space feel liveable but luxurious. They give you a chance to put your own stamp on the design of a space. Adding layers personalizes a home and makes it unique. Ready to elevate your design? Use these tips to give it a fresh take. You’ll be amazed at what a few easy changes can do!
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