I don't know about you, dear reader. But as a human with skin and soft, squishy feelings, I would argue that a terry cloth bathrobe is one of the most essential items in my possession. Somehow that plush texture makes me feel comfy and sexy all at once. Even if I'm looking anything but the latter.
"I will not be 'foolish enough' to give you an idea of what I want... but I will tell you a little about the way I like it, a soft carpet, a cushion, something warm."
— Virginia Woolf
Such mystique from the author of one of the greatest essays about a room ever written. And that brings me to the point of my ramble about textures. Whether you dream about them constantly, or just notice when they feel weird, we're going to explore the art of mixing them up. Playing with them like paints. And using them to make your spaces feel luxe, sensual, and maybe demure.
The heart of the home
All hallways lead to the living room. It's where you prove to your parents that you're a grown adult because you know how to choose a couch. But it's also where you want to binge watch Vikings in your terry cloth bathrobe and a bowl of popcorn. The Living Room contains multitudes, as Walt Whitman might say. So it's the perfect place to play with material design.
Upholstered Foundations
Start with your anchor pieces. A Hubbard Boucle Swivel Chair is perfect for creating a premium, soft texture with its elegant silhouette. The boucle fabric offers sophistication while maintaining comfort, making it a great starting point for your design.
Pro Tip: Balance a piece like this with a contrasting material like metal or wood to avoid an overly soft look.
Timeless Elegance
Pair the Hinton Coffee Table with your fabric pieces to introduce warmth. The classic oak framework adds transitional style that can blend into a variety of other materials.
Pro Tip: Use this type of piece to create a bridge between modern elements (like metal) and softer textures (like linen).
Mixed Materials
For a more contemporary vibe, consider the Athfield Metal Chair ($2,025). The industrial metal elements with sleek, modern lines inject sophistication into the space while still feeling grounded.
Pro Tip: Use this chair alongside plush textiles to create contrast—perhaps a soft wool throw or a velvet cushion on a linen sofa.
The belly of the home
Ah, the dining room. When I was a kid, the dining room in my grandparents' house was only for special meals—Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, etc. There was Chinaware in a cupboard that we never used. The cups were pretty and I wanted to drink my Sunkist orange soda out of them. But Grandma said no, I'd break it. And honestly, she's probably right.
That experience led me to see the dining room as a space to be lived in. Like a living room for eating. So I like to design for usability and beauty. Surface areas that can handle spilled wine and grubby little hands playing with their pizza toppings. Mixing materials to make the space where we have special gatherings feel like a space where we can relax and just eat together.
Wood and Textile
The Zola Dining Chair is a great option for the dining area. With its warm wood tones and full grain leather it's something Virginia Woolf might even like.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a simple wooden table for timeless elegance or contrast it with a sleek glass or metal table for added sophistication.
Statement Pieces
If you want to say something by showing rather than telling, the Atri Mindi Chair ($2,085) is a bold choice. Its rich wood grain and sculptural form add artistic flair to the dining area, elevating the space to the level of art while maintaining a vibe that says, "yes, you can eat here. Dig in."
Pro Tip: Keep your dining table simple and let the chairs be the focal point. Add an eye-catching centerpiece that complements the texture and form of the chairs.
The brain of the home
Ok. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a home office. But the beauty of design journaling is that we get to dream. So, imagine you have a space where you can do your work, write your novel, play your guitar. Whatever work it is you do, even if you currently do it in one corner of an apartment that you share with your kid's Lego table, it's still an office in my mind. And it deserves the same love and attention that we give the living room and the dining room. In fact, it may even deserve more because it's where your hustle is. You're working hard, and you deserve comfort and beauty.
Cozy Corners
Add texture and the vibes of that terry cloth bathrobe with a Hardy Faux Sheepskin Chair ($960). The soft, squishy feel will make you want to sit in your office and respond to emails. Yeah, it's that plush.
Pro Tip: Position it in a corner or next to a leather chair to create a cozy reading nook with layered textures.
Modern Elements
The Wilde Iron Chair ($975)—named after Oscar Wilde who knew a thing or two about beauty and class—makes a great addition to your thinking space. It brings clean lines and industrial charm into the mix. So you can write like the Irish literati—all wit and revolutionary zeal.
Pro Tip: Contrast it with plush materials, such as velvet cushions or a chunky knit throw, to soften the look.
