Artist: Angela Simeone

There are beautiful homes—and then there are homes you remember.

Often, the difference is art.

Art is one of the most personal elements we bring into our homes. It doesn’t need to match the sofa. It doesn’t have to coordinate perfectly with the rug. And it certainly shouldn’t be chosen simply because there’s an empty wall that needs filling.

The best art makes you feel something. It catches your eye from across the room. It sparks a conversation. It tells your guests something about you before you’ve ever said a word.

One of the things I hear from clients all the time is, “But I don’t have that color anywhere in my house.” My response? You don’t need to.

Art doesn’t have to match your sofa, your rug, or the colors already in the room. Sometimes the piece that feels the most unexpected is exactly what a room needs. Art can introduce a completely new color, create tension, add energy, or simply stand on its own.

Choose art because you love it. If a piece stops you in your tracks, makes you feel something, or you find yourself thinking about it days later, that’s what matters.

Your art doesn’t need to match your home. It needs to belong to you.

I'm clearly drawn to color and abstract work, but I also have a deep love for Impressionism. I don't believe a collection—or a home—needs to subscribe to one style. The juxtaposition is often what makes it interesting.

That’s why I don’t think of art as the finishing touch in a room. I think of it as part of the story. And just as our homes should feel collected rather than decorated, I believe our art should be collected the same way—pieces discovered over time, chosen because we love them, and sometimes because we simply can’t stop thinking about them.

There are certain artists whose work does exactly that for me. Lydia McKee, Angela Simeone, Jackie Battenfield, and Lana Gomez are among the artists I find myself returning to again and again.

So today, I’m sharing a few of my favorites—not because they should necessarily be your favorites, too, but because discovering new artists is part of developing your own point of view. The more you’re exposed to, the more likely you are to discover the work that feels unmistakably you.

And perhaps that’s the best test when you’re considering art for your own home: Do you keep coming back to it? If you do, pay attention. That connection matters far more than whether the piece perfectly “matches” your room.

Lydia McKee

Los Angeles-based artist Lydia McKee is one of those artists whose work I find myself returning to again and again.

Don’t be deterred by the b. 1988 beside Lydia McKee’s name. She may be a younger artist, but her work has a confidence and presence well beyond her years. She’s truly a force to be reckoned with—and one of the artists I’m especially excited to watch.

I’m drawn to the movement in her work: the layers, the color, the tension between softness and energy. These aren’t pieces that simply fill a wall. They command it.

Interestingly, when I was a fashion stylist, I knew the McKee name before I knew Lydia's work. I’ve long admired her mother Marigay McKee's incredible eye during her years in luxury retail, including as President of Saks Fifth Avenue. When I later discovered Lydia's work, I remember thinking: clearly, a remarkable creative eye runs in the family.

Back & Forth I

Slow Growth, Deep Roots

Angela Simeone

If you’ve gathered by now that I have a thing for large-scale abstract art and color, Angela Simeone will make perfect sense.

Angela is a Nashville-based contemporary painter whose work is all about layers, gesture, texture and color. She begins with a palette but very little predetermined plan, building her paintings through layers of oil, acrylic, ink, charcoal and other media and allowing the work to evolve as she creates it.

What I love is the presence of her work. These aren’t paintings that disappear politely into a room—they hold their own. And I think every home benefits from at least one piece that does exactly that.

Art can be beautiful without being safe. Sometimes the piece you’re a little afraid is “too much” is the piece that ultimately makes the entire room.

Jackie Battenfield

Jackie’s work speaks to a completely different side of what I love. Her paintings and prints are inspired by the abstract qualities of the natural world—branches, water, clouds, movement—and there’s an ethereal quality to them that I find incredibly beautiful. Her work is held in more than 500 collections worldwide, including U.S. Embassy collections, which is a fun connection given my own former life at State Department.

Her work is also a wonderful reminder that abstract doesn’t have to mean bold or loud. It can be quiet, organic and almost meditative. I could see one of her pieces living just as beautifully in a contemporary room as it would surrounded by antiques and more traditional furnishings.

For my DC readers, you don't have to travel far to see Jackie's work—she's represented locally by Addison/Ripley Fine Art in Georgetown and has had a longstanding presence in the Washington art community.

Nocturnal Procession

Sunbaths

Lana Gomez

Also based in Los Angeles, Lana Gomez creates the kind of art that immediately commands your attention—bold color, expressive movement, and incredible scale.

Lana is almost impossible for me not to love—color, movement, scale, and a little bit of rebellion. Working in mixed media, she layers color, texture, and expressive marks to create pieces that have incredible energy and presence. And I especially love that her career has such a strong connection to interiors: early in her career, she worked with Kelly Wearstler and served as resident painter at Wearstler’s design studio.

There’s a confidence to Lana’s work that illustrates something I tell clients all the time: art doesn't need to match, but it should have a relationship with the room. A wildly colorful piece can be spectacular in an otherwise quiet, neutral space. Sometimes that unexpected jolt is exactly what makes the room.

And if a piece makes you smile every time you walk past it? Even better.

Wind Beneath My Wings

Where Did You Go?

At the end of the day, the art you bring into your home should be personal. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. You simply have to love it.

And remember—the best way to discover what you love is through exposure. Visit galleries. Wander through art galleries. Follow artists whose work catches your eye. Save pieces that make you stop and look twice. Over time, you’ll begin to recognize what speaks to you.

And if you’re searching for that perfect piece but aren’t quite sure where—or how—to begin, I offer personalized Art Consultations, both in-home and virtually. Whether you’re looking for one statement piece, filling a wall that’s never felt quite right, or beginning to build a collection, I can help you identify what you’re drawn to, source original works within your budget, and find pieces that feel at home in your space.

Because the best art doesn’t just complete a space.

It makes it yours.

Interested in an Art Consultation? Reply to this email or contact April Yvonne Interiors to get started.

XO,

April

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Let’s Bust a Common Home-Buying Myth

Most people think the home-buying process goes something like this:

Find a house.

Make an offer.

Close.

Move in.

Then hire an interior designer.

I’m here to bust that myth wide open. In fact, I’d argue one of the best times to bring your interior designer into the process is before you close.

Yes—before the moving truck arrives.

Before you’ve picked up a single paintbrush.

Before you’ve started pricing a kitchen renovation.

And certainly before you’ve convinced yourself that the beautiful home you just toured “needs too much work.”

Because that’s exactly when an interior designer can provide some of the greatest value. Not by helping you choose throw pillows or paint colors.

But by helping you make smarter decisions about one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make.

What you see:

Dated cabinetry and stone. Old hardwoods.

What I see:

Cabinet paint. New pendants. Quartzite counters. A four-week—or less—transformation.

An experienced designer can help you separate cosmetic updates from costly renovations, identify where your money will have the greatest impact, recognize valuable features worth preserving, and create a thoughtful plan before a single dollar is spent unnecessarily.

Sometimes, the difference between walking away from a home and confidently writing an offer isn’t the house itself.

It’s having someone beside you who can help you see its potential.

Are You Rejecting the House…or Someone Else’s Decorating?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked through homes with prospective buyers who immediately became overwhelmed by what they were seeing.

1980s wallpaper.

Dark Tuscan kitchens.

Heavy window treatments.

Ornate light fixtures.

Within minutes, they’ve decided the home “needs too much work” and are ready to walk away. What I see is something entirely different.

I see paint.

I see wallpaper that can be removed.

I see cabinetry that could be professionally refinished rather than replaced.

I see updated hardware.

New lighting.

Fresh countertops.

A timeless color palette.

And a home that could look completely different—often without the need for a full gut renovation.

What you see:

An empty, uninspiring room.

What I see:

A room where holidays are hosted, birthdays are celebrated, and memories are made.

The reality is that many buyers make decisions based on someone else’s decorating choices rather than the home’s true potential.

As designers, we’re trained to look beyond finishes and imagine what a home could become.

Before You Replace Everything...Pause.

One of the greatest values an interior designer brings is recognizing what’s already worth keeping.

Beautiful millwork.

Natural stone countertops.

Custom cabinetry.

Motorized shades.

Architectural details that may not match your style today—but would cost thousands to replace unnecessarily.

Sometimes the smartest design decision isn’t replacing something.

It’s recognizing its value.

And timing matters just as much.

Before you move in is often the easiest time to paint, remove wallpaper, refinish floors, update lighting, and tackle the messy projects that become much more complicated once furniture arrives.

A plan before closing means you can prioritize what should happen now, what can wait, and where your budget will have the greatest impact—so you spend less time living through renovations and more time enjoying your new home.

More Than Design—A Trusted Local Resource

One of the greatest advantages of working with an established local interior designer is the network that comes with it.

Over the years, I’ve cultivated relationships with many of the area’s most respected Realtors, contractors, artisans, installers, and skilled tradespeople. While every client and every home is unique, having a trusted team of professionals can make the home-buying and renovation process significantly less overwhelming.

Whether you’re searching for the right Realtor, trying to understand renovation costs before making an offer, deciding whether a project is worth tackling before move-in, or looking for experienced professionals to bring your vision to life, I can help connect the dots.

Because creating a beautiful home isn’t just about selecting finishes.

It’s about assembling the right team, making informed decisions, and approaching the process with confidence from day one.

A Designer’s Perspective Before Closing

Imagine walking through your future home together before you close.

During a pre-closing walk-through, we’ll identify:

• What should stay
• What should change
• What can wait
• Where your budget will have the greatest impact

And most importantly, I'll help you see the vision before hiring contractors, scheduling vendors, or investing in changes that may not be necessary.

You leave with more than inspiration and clarity, a realistic budget and a prioritized plan in place. And the confidence to move forward knowing you’re making thoughtful decisions—not emotional ones.

During our walk-through, you may see an awkward corner with little purpose.

I see this...

A forgotten corner transformed into a custom destination.

Because a Home Is More Than It Looks Like Today

Buying a home is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make.

Don’t let someone else’s wallpaper...

...paint color...

...or decorating style...

keep you from seeing what could become your dream home.

Sometimes the best house on the market is the one everyone else overlooked because they couldn’t see beyond the wallpaper.

So the next time you fall in love with a home’s location, floor plan, and architecture—but hesitate because of dark paint, dated finishes, or wallpaper—pause before you walk away.

Then ask yourself one simple question:

Am I rejecting the house...or someone else’s style?

Because sometimes the smartest investment you can make isn’t changing the house.

It’s changing the way you see it.

XO,

April

Thinking About Buying or Building a Home?

Whether you’re purchasing an existing home, renovating, or building from the ground up, I’d love to help you create a thoughtful design plan before construction—or before you close.

Together, we’ll identify what’s worth preserving, what can be transformed, and where your investment will have the greatest impact.

Ready to get started? Reply to this email or send me a message.

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One of the questions I’m asked most often is,

“Is it really worth it?”

Whether it’s wallpaper, custom window treatments, or a statement light fixture, clients naturally want to know which design elements are worth the investment—and which aren’t.

The truth is, not every design decision deserves an equal investment. While there are certainly places to save, there are a handful of elements that consistently have the biggest impact on how a home looks, feels, and functions.

If I could encourage every client to invest in just five areas of their home, these are the ones I believe are worth every penny—and here's why.

WALLPAPER

Featured Project: Powder Room Renovation | Reston, Virginia

Wallpaper is one of the most transformative design investments you can make. While paint certainly has its place, wallpaper has the unique ability to introduce depth, texture, pattern, and personality in a way that paint simply can’t.

One of my favorite examples is this powder room renovation in Reston, Virginia. What was once an ordinary, builder-grade powder room became an unforgettable jewel box through the addition of a stunning York Wallcoverings floral wallpaper, while Phillip Jeffries' gold vinyl transformed the often-overlooked fifth wall—the ceiling—into an unexpected design feature. The soft, painterly floral pattern instantly envelops the room, creating richness, movement, and visual interest from every angle, while the gold vinyl on the fifth wall adds dimension, warmth, and a subtle metallic sheen that elevates the entire space.

In a smaller space like a powder room, wallpaper has the opportunity to become the focal point. Rather than competing with furnishings or décor, it transforms the room itself into a work of art. Layered with warm brass fixtures, elegant lighting, and natural stone, the wallpaper gives the space a level of sophistication that simply wouldn’t have been possible with paint alone.

Today’s wallpapers have evolved far beyond the busy patterns many remember from decades past. From subtle grass cloth and textured linens to oversized murals and artistic florals, there is truly a style for every home and every aesthetic.

When clients ask me where an investment will make an immediate and lasting impact, wallpaper is almost always at the top of my list! It’s one of the simplest ways to add character, elevate architecture, and create a home that feels uniquely yours.

AREA RUGS

Featured Project: Residential Renovation | The Palisades, Washington, D.C.

If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me say:

Never underestimate the power of an area rug.

It’s one of the most transformative investments you can make in a room.

An area rug does far more than simply cover a floor—it establishes the foundation for the entire design. It anchors the furniture, defines conversation areas, introduces texture and pattern, softens hard surfaces, and creates a sense of warmth and cohesion that would otherwise be missing.

For this formal sitting room in The Palisades, I selected a large-scale, hand-knotted rug with an abstract pattern in soft, tonal neutrals featured in the space. The subtle movement within the design adds visual interest without competing with the room’s other finishes, while its generous size allows every piece of furniture to comfortably rest on the rug, creating a conversation area that feels intentional and inviting.

Choosing the correct size is just as important as choosing the rug itself. One of the most common design mistakes I see is a rug that’s too small, leaving furniture to float awkwardly around the room. A properly scaled rug visually connects the furnishings, making the space feel larger, more cohesive, and thoughtfully designed.

Remember this simple rule: either all of the furniture legs should rest on the rug, or at the very least, the front two legs should. Anything less makes the furniture feel disconnected and the room appear smaller and less cohesive.

An area rug isn’t simply an accessory—it’s the foundation upon which the entire room is built. When selected thoughtfully, it’s one of the hardest-working design elements in any home and an investment you’ll appreciate every single day.

LIGHTING

Featured Project: Residential Renovation | The Palisades, Washington, D.C.

If wallpaper gives a room character and upholstery provides comfort, lighting is what brings everything to life. It’s often the final layer in a design, yet it’s one of the first things people notice when they walk into a space. I often describe lighting as the jewelry of a room—it completes the look, creates ambiance, and instantly elevates everything around it.

For this renovation home in NW DC, I selected a sculptural John-Richard chandelier as the statement piece above the formal dining room. Inspired by the organic beauty of tree branches adorned with sparkling crystal leaves, the fixture feels both artistic and sophisticated, transforming what could have been an ordinary ceiling into an unforgettable focal point.

Beyond its beauty, the chandelier helps establish the scale and personality of the room. Its sculptural silhouette draws the eye upward, complements the warm wood ceiling beams, and creates a striking balance between modern elegance and natural inspiration. The result is a dining room that feels thoughtfully curated rather than simply furnished.

While recessed lighting provides illumination, decorative lighting creates emotion. A thoughtfully chosen fixture has the power to define a space, set the mood, and leave a lasting impression long after the lights are turned off. If there’s one place I encourage clients to make a statement, it’s with lighting—because few design elements have the ability to transform a room quite like the right fixture.

UPHOLSTERY

Featured Project: Residential Renovation | The Palisades, Washington, D.C.

One of the best investments you can make is in beautifully crafted upholstery. While trends may come and go, quality furniture is designed to last for decades. The beauty of investing in a well-made chair or sofa is that it can evolve alongside your style—simply by changing the fabric.

For this formal room, I selected sculptural Saba Italia lounge chairs and customized them in a rich emerald green velvet. The color was carefully chosen to complement the Winfield Thybony grasscloth wallcovering, creating a sophisticated palette that feels both timeless and inviting.

The luxurious velvet adds warmth, texture, and depth, while the chair’s elegant silhouette and impeccable craftsmanship ensure it will remain just as beautiful years from now. Should the homeowners’ style ever evolve, the chairs themselves can be reupholstered rather than replaced—a sustainable and cost-effective way to refresh the space without sacrificing quality.

When it comes to upholstered furniture, I always encourage clients to invest in construction first and fabric second. A beautifully built piece will outlive countless trends, making it one of the smartest long-term investments you can make for your home. Most importantly, choose pieces you genuinely love. If that means going custom to achieve the perfect color or fabric, don't be afraid to do it. A home should reflect your personal style—not what's simply available off the shelf.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Featured Project: Residential Renovation | The Palisades, Washington, D.C.

Custom window treatments are one of the most overlooked investments in a home, yet they’re often the difference between a room that feels beautifully finished and one that feels incomplete. While windows are an architectural feature, thoughtfully designed treatments soften their lines, introduce texture, improve privacy and light control, and create a sense of warmth that bare windows simply can’t achieve.

For this family room in The Palisades, I selected custom Roman shades in a soft, textured fabric that complements the home’s natural palette and organic materials. Rather than competing with the striking stone fireplace or exposed wood ceiling beams, the shades quietly enhance the architecture, adding another layer of sophistication while allowing the room’s focal points to shine.

One of the greatest advantages of custom window treatments is their tailored fit. Unlike ready-made options, they are designed specifically for each window, resulting in cleaner lines, better proportions, and a polished look that immediately elevates the space. Mounting them high and ensuring they fit precisely within the window frame also helps draw the eye upward, subtly enhancing the room’s sense of height and scale.

Window treatments should never feel like an afterthought. Like a beautifully tailored jacket that completes an outfit, they bring balance, softness, and refinement to a room—transforming a house into a home.

Whether it’s wallpaper that adds personality, custom window treatments that soften a space, an area rug that anchors a room, beautifully crafted upholstery designed to last, or a statement light fixture that draws the eye, each of these investments serves a purpose far beyond aesthetics. Together, they create homes that feel layered, intentional, and uniquely personal.

Notice a theme? Four of these examples come from the same home—and that’s intentional. The spaces that feel the most cohesive aren’t built around a single statement piece. They’re created by thoughtfully layering quality materials, furnishings, lighting, and textiles that work together to tell one beautiful story.

At the end of the day, it’s rarely one investment that transforms a home. It’s the combination of thoughtful, intentional design decisions that elevate a space from simply decorated to beautifully designed.

XO,

April

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The Before

When my client first reached out, she envisioned a bedroom inspired by nature—a space that felt whimsical, adventurous, and full of imagination for her young daughter. But there was one important caveat: she didn’t want a room that screamed “jungle.”

Instead of oversized banana leaves, cartoon animals, and décor that would likely be outgrown in just a couple years, we wanted to create something more sophisticated. The goal was to capture the feeling of a lush botanical escape rather than a literal interpretation of one—a room that would delight her daughter today while still feeling beautiful as she grew into her teenage years.

The Design Approach

Wallpaper was the jumping-off point for this room. It established the color palette, introduced the whimsical jungle-inspired aesthetic, and struck the elevated tone we were after. From there, every layer—from the Roman shade and rug to the lighting and upholstery—was selected to support and enhance that vision. Rather than filling the room with obvious jungle motifs, I chose to layer subtle references to nature throughout the space. The botanical mural introduces movement and depth without feeling overly thematic, while soft sages and muted blue-greens echo the colors found outdoors. The framed RH animal prints add a playful nod to safari wildlife in a way that feels refined today—and can easily evolve as she grows by simply swapping in artwork that reflects her next interests.

And while I often love the immersive effect of wallpaper throughout an entire room, in this case we intentionally limited it to the bed wall. My client wanted a space that felt whimsical today but sophisticated enough to grow with her daughter over the years. By concentrating the mural on a single feature wall, we created a dramatic focal point while allowing the rest of the room to evolve more easily as her tastes change.

The After

The result is a room that whispers enchanted garden rather than shouts jungle.

The mural reads as artwork rather than wallpaper, creating an immersive backdrop that feels sophisticated rather than overtly themed. Cloud-like pendant lights introduce a sense of whimsy, while sculptural furnishings, soft textures, and a restrained palette ensure the room feels just as timeless as it does playful.

Every design decision was made with longevity in mind, allowing the space to evolve effortlessly alongside its owner.

Because the best children’s rooms aren’t designed for a single stage of childhood—they’re designed to grow with the child.

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When people think about designing a room, they usually focus on the sofa, the paint color, or the rug. Rarely does someone begin by thinking about what hangs overhead.

Yet after designing countless homes, I’ve found that one of the most transformative elements in any room isn’t on the floor at all - it’s the lighting.

Whether it’s a sculptural chandelier in a family room, a striking lantern welcoming guests into an entryway, or oversized pendants above a kitchen island, statement lighting has the power to completely transform a space.

It creates presence. It anchors the architecture.

It draws the eye upward.

And perhaps most importantly, it gives a room that unmistakable feeling of being complete.

When I first envisioned this family room, I already loved its architectural character.

The soaring white oak beams.

The dramatic stone fireplace.

The abundance of natural light.

The beautiful proportions.

It already had everything needed to become an exceptional living space.

Yet once I completed the furnishings, window treatments and rug selections, something still felt unfinished. Not because it needed more furniture. Not because it needed another decorative accessory. It simply needed one defining element that would connect the architecture above with the furnishings below.

This family room called for a dramatic statement chandelier.

One of the most common conversations I have with clients happens when we begin discussing statement lighting. There’s often some hesitation.

“Do we really need it?”

“We already have recessed lighting.”

It’s a fair question. Statement lighting can feel like the finishing touch that could be skipped.

But time and time again, once the fixture is installed, my clients tell me the same thing:

“It completely changed the room.”

That’s because statement lighting isn’t simply about adding more light—it’s about completing the design.

Rather than competing with the architecture, it enhances everything that was already there.

It visually connects the soaring ceiling to the seating area below, creating a sense of intimacy within the room’s generous volume.

The darker bronze finish introduces another layer of warmth that beautifully complements both the stone fireplace and the white oak beams.

Most importantly, it transforms the room from feeling beautifully furnished...

...to beautifully finished.

The chandelier becomes more than a light fixture.

It becomes sculpture.

A design feature.

A conversation piece.

Even when it’s turned off.

Designer's Note: If there's one investment I encourage clients not to overlook, it's statement lighting. Long after trends change and furniture gets replaced, a thoughtfully chosen light fixture continues to define the character of a room.

Thinking about incorporating statement lighting into your own home?

Every room is different, and selecting the right fixture is about much more than choosing something beautiful. Scale, proportion, placement, and finish all play an important role in creating a space that feels balanced and complete.

If you’re unsure what type of statement lighting is right for your home, I’d love to help.

Leave a comment below or send me a message.

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One of my absolute favorite spaces to design is the powder room—or, as I like to call it, the Power Room. It’s a space guests experience for only a few minutes, yet it’s often the room they remember most.

Unlike larger living spaces, where every design decision must work day after day, the powder room offers an opportunity to create a moment of surprise and delight.

That’s why it’s the one space in a home where I encourage clients to take risks, embrace bold choices, and have a little fun. Dramatic wallpaper, moody paint colors, statement lighting, unexpected stone—if there’s ever a room to take a risk and make a memorable impression, THIS IS IT!

For this project, my client gave me the green light to embrace some of my favorite design elements—unique stone, statement wallpaper, beautiful lighting, and plenty of green. Needless to say, I was all in.

My goal was to completely transform this space. I envisioned a powder room that felt equal parts whimsical, elegant, and unexpected—a true jewel box of a space.

To appreciate the transformation, let’s start with where the space began.

The inspiration started with the stunning Verde marble flooring, whose rich green tones became the foundation for every design decision that followed.

As with many of my projects, the design story began with a carefully curated mood board.

From there, I layered in a romantic floral wallpaper that envelops the room in movement and softness, creating a sense of depth and personality. To elevate the space even further, I selected a Phillip Jeffries “Gilver” wallcovering for the ceiling—the often-overlooked fifth wall—which reflects light beautifully and adds an unexpected touch of glamour overhead.

The vanity became another opportunity to introduce texture and contrast. A custom gray-green marble countertop with elegant beveled edges complements the greens throughout the room while providing a sophisticated counterpoint to the warm brass finishes. Paired with a translucent “Dew” vessel sink, the vanity feels almost jewel-like—one of those details that immediately captures your attention upon entering the room.

Brushed brass hardware, sculptural sconces, and an ethereal Capiz shell chandelier complete the space, each element contributing to a layered design that feels collected, intentional, and timeless.

In the end, mission accomplished: a whimsical, richly layered powder room filled with green, florals, and personality.

What I love most about this powder room is that it fully embraces what I call the “Power Room” philosophy. It’s bold without feeling overwhelming. Elegant without feeling formal. Playful without sacrificing sophistication.

After all, great design isn’t measured in square footage.

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When people think about transforming a room, they often imagine major renovations, new furniture, or dramatic architectural changes. While those elements certainly have their place, some of the most meaningful transformations happen through details that quietly elevate a space.

This family room is a perfect example.

At first glance, the room already had beautiful bones: a substantial stone fireplace, warm wood ceiling beams, and plenty of natural light. The architecture did much of the heavy lifting.

Yet something felt unfinished.

The windows, while functional, lacked the softness needed to balance the weight and texture of the stone fireplace. The room needed a finishing layer—something that would complement the architecture rather than compete with it.

Enter custom Roman shades.

The goal wasn’t to make a statement. It was to create balance.

The soft texture of the warm mushroom-toned fabric introduces warmth and refinement while allowing the fireplace and beams to remain the focal points. The shades frame the windows, soften the surrounding surfaces, and bring a sense of completion to the room.

It’s a reminder that good design isn’t always about adding more.

Sometimes it’s about identifying what’s missing.

The best interiors rarely shout. Instead, they create a feeling—one that’s difficult to describe but instantly noticeable when everything is working together.

In this case, a simple layer of fabric transformed the room from feeling almost finished to fully considered.

A small detail.

A big impact.

✨ See the before below.

Design takeaway: Before investing in major changes, consider whether your space is simply missing a finishing layer. Window treatments, lighting, rugs, and textiles are often the elements that bring a room together and make it feel complete.

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