A Furnished Affair
Hello, dear readers! Today’s post is a petite one. I’ve been so heavily influenced by Swedish furnishings lately, and so, felt inspired to bring back a series I had a while back on my blog where I designed little vignettes from collected pieces I’ve saved around the internet. I just love dreaming up make-believe rooms!
This all started with the gorgeous cabinet below and the amazzzzing cast terracotta urn lamps that I’ll be thinking about for… ever? Do I need these? I may sorta kinda let myself go a bit crazy in these posts. Pulling from all different price points! Simply, because I can. And because I love gathering anything my eyes are drawn as reference points in the future.
I’ve always looked at my blog as a place to get inspired versus a platform for just shopping… so forgive me if you (too) are wildly disappointed that you may not be able to afford some things I share… I can’t always either. But you just never know when you may see something in the corner of an antique shop or on Facebook Marketplace or even in a Home Goods for a very good price that reminds you of a much more expensive version you had saved or saw here or on Pinterest! I did proudly pull myself back from sharing a $15,000 cabinet (insert wiggly woozy face emoji). Any how, I do hope all the times I share very affordable finds makes up for it!
Creating a Warm Home as a Neutral-Loving Minimalist
I never dove into my love for interior design on my old blog. Of course, many furnishings and decor finds a plenty have been shared! But I haven’t quite ever talked about my own personal decorating tips - and this is something I really want to do more of for my paying readers. One of the biggest compliments I’ve received about my apartment is how it feels timeless, classic, and cozy, even though it’s draped in whites and clean lines and simplicity.
Though, I’d love to be a maximalist in a second life (or a second home)… with colorful rooms, piled in books and collected pieces and patterned furniture. I can often feel the coziness and nostalgia radiating through the photos. But I think it’s important to remember that we can love many styles without having to incorporate them all into our own homes. Unfortunately, my brain can’t quite function in maximalist spaces. I’m someone who thrives in less cluttered, neutral rooms, but that doesn’t mean they have to feel cold and bland.
As I was writing this… I looked up the actual definition of minimalism out of curiosity and came across this fabulous explanation from a watch brand, Larsen and Eriksen, blog post…
Contrary to common misconceptions, minimalism isn't about deprivation or sacrifice. Instead, it focuses on embracing quality over quantity. Minimalists are thoughtful in their selection of items, ensuring everything owned serves a purpose and enhances their experience.
This felt incredibly fitting as it really hit home. There’s a balance one can strike when it comes to teetering the line between a classic and minimalist space and the sad beige people love to hate. While I heavily believe everyone should decorate exactly how they wish… this post is for those who, like me, swoon over a thoughtfully curated home that’s decorated simply, heavy on the neutrals, feels classic and timeliness, and still invites you in like a warm hug. My goal is always to keep a space that never dates.
Note—I’m not an interior designer! Just a girl who loves interior design, but as a creative/graphic designer, I like to think I have a good eye. There are several “guidelines” I’ve naturally developed for myself since designing my apartment… and thought many of you would appreciate hearing. Especially if design simply doesn’t come easily to you and tips could help. So without further ado…
Keep Your Base Neutral
Sticking to a base layer of simple furnishings and clean lines offers up the opportunity for fleeting trends or layered colors to be incorporated here and there without having to switch out major pieces whenever you want to change things up. And you can make furniture that’s simple and neutral work for so many different eras of style. With my sea of white furniture in the living room, my creamy linen headboard, my large seagrass rug, or my farmhouse dining table in mind… I know these are pieces I will most likely keep forever because I can make them work anywhere, in any style home, and with any decor items.
Incorporate Vintage Furniture
Lest we underestimate the power of antiques. My number one decor tip, shop old. Used furnishings, steeped in craftsmanship, add a classic element and sense of history into our homes. The idea of antiques may conjure up thoughts of dusty, stuffy rooms, but they actually offer a breathe of fresh air. Leaning into quality old pieces that have stood the test of time over generic, mass-produced items that you’ll just end up tossing is a smart move if you want to spend less in the long run. These pieces last and last and last. Old furniture offers character and that warm and familiar feeling we love to feel in anyone’s home—don’t be afraid of imperfections.
Paint with Neutral Colors (beyond whites!)
This seems obvious, but the range of neutral colors that exist is quite large. You may be thinking whites, creams, nudes, and beiges are the only “neutrals,” but really, there’s soft greens, breezy blues, easy browns, and sometimes even a good pink. Don’t be afraid to incorporate versatile colors for a neutral backdrop. My favorite non-white neutral is green, found in my dining room pictured above. The most perfect soft grey-green that changes with the day’s light. And in the bedroom, a bold brown that feels like a warm cocoon. Options like these can be the difference between a boring room and one that feels more intentional and interesting.
Collect Objects and Oddities
A clean and minimalist home doesn’t have to mean keeping to the bare minimum. One can still collect beautiful pieces to sit pretty on display or effortlessly layer across your home. A rule of thumb I try to follow is making sure any decor I bring in can easily work in any room of my home—as I often love to move things around when I want a refresh. When I’m on the hunt or simply wandering a shop, I draw my eye to items neutral in color, paying close attention to silvers, woods, stones, ceramics, and bone-carved pieces. And the more patina and aged imperfections the better! Collect acquisitions like bowls, trays, candle holders, urns, vases, baskets, or cups to scatter about. Note, they don’t have to be boring.
Layer with Texture
Bringing in texture instantly creates visual interest in a space. Making sure to use different materials whether in furnishings or fabrics or decor is important. And it helps create a contrast that moves away from the generic, cold spaces. I personally love using seagrass or jute rugs to warm up a room and always make sure to layer blankets across seating. In my apartment, you’ll find wicker and alabaster lamps, a travertine coffee table, a little bamboo chair, metal accents, mix and matched wooden pieces, an acrylic console, and baskets galore. Even small details like a cane back chair or velvet pillows against a linen sofa can make a big impact.
Bring in Natural Elements
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m a fan of natural curiosities. I love incorporating shells, sea fans, feathers, coral, and even branches and sticks. That’s right… sticks. I also have a fabulous tumbleweed snagged from an antique shop and my friend brought me back the most beautiful oyster shell clusters from Daufuskie that I keep on display (seen above). Bringing the outside in will always help ground your space and give it that effortlessly styled vibe.
Pay Attention to Lighting
So important. My not-so-secret secret to creating that cozy glow is having lamps galore. Seriously. I think I have one (or two) on every surface of my apartment. Even my small galley kitchen has three! Cozy homemakers never turn on the big light (though you should switch out those generic flush mounts for some gorgeous chandeliers), so don’t think twice about adding lots of lamps to a room. Also! Use soft lighting. The tragic reality is that old pink incandescent lightbulbs that gave off the most perfect glow are no longer in production. And we’ve been left with the hideous LED options. I personally prefer to keep lightbulbs to 450 or 800 lumens in soft white for that wonderful glow.
Don’t Crowd Tabletops
As someone who simply cannot live in clutter, but who is constantly collecting and antiquing… you may be wondering how I manage to keep my rooms feeling polished. I tend to switch decor out each season—putting some things away while I let other objects shine for a bit! And as a rule of thumb, I make sure my surfaces always have just a few items loosely styled. Not every inch of a large sideboard needs to be covered. And when you’re incorporating the type of decor items mentioned above, with added character and interest in material or texture, your rooms will still feel collected while remaining minimally filled. I don’t know how, but it works.
Add to Your Walls
If you have trouble committing to colorful artwork, but don’t want your walls to remain completely bare. You can easily add accessories with visual interest that will still leave your home feeling fresh and effortless. Using unique sconces, mirrors, and hanging objects, like the shell wall shelf pictured above or the white mirror in my living room, can help fill in space and bring a welcoming touch to your home without feeling overwhelming. If you wanted to dabble in artwork, I recommend landscape or contemporary paintings that feel soft or even moody without too many colors. Tapestries are also such a dreamy way to add texture and warmth to a room and pack a big punch. Rose Uniacke does all of this so well.
Keep Things Easy and (Actually) Lived In
And on a final note, marrying your love for a minimalist space and one that makes you feel cozy means allowing yourself to actually live in your home. We aren’t strict here. We invite friends over to kick up their feet and enjoy red wine and snacks on our white sofas. Our dogs have the full run of the house. Being intentional about the seating you choose by opting for performance fabrics and easy slipcovers can help you live more carefree. A spill? Toss those covers in the wash and be done with it! And used furniture or antique finds that have already lived many lives means you can be a bit less precious. There’s no guilt in scratched pieces, sunken cushions and pillows, dripped wax from burnt candles, or patinated metals. And we always use the good silver! Among trying to design or style a beautiful home, don’t forget to enjoy it.