LAURA RESEN
For bedrooms ( above ) interior designer Casey Hill says she often chooses muted blue-grays complemented by soft greens and cream to foster tranquility and rest ; below : Hill says when mixing prints , avoid pairing two large prints and instead opt for a big print , then add a small floral or interesting stripe .
like brass hardware ( faucets and light fixtures ) or a cascading glass chandelier to catch the eye .
“ A lot of people like art deco wallpaper , but it ’ s a little too aggressive for me personally ,” she adds . If you ’ re feeling playful with your space , she advises , “ a powder room is a great place to experiment .” Second best : a formal dining room that ’ s a hightraffic area , but not a room you use often enough to grow tired of it .
When it comes to Hill ’ s approach , she loves to create a “ wow ” factor with a mix of softer geometric patterns ( think small floral vines and Indian block prints versus converging lines or concentric circles that are common with art deco ). “ There ’ s so much research and thought behind these designs ,” she says of ancient textiles that have been reimagined . Curtains , custom lamp shades , and walls in powder rooms and dressing rooms are a few examples of areas to play with patterns .
“ The key to mixing prints is to look at the scale ,” Hill says . “ If I have a big print , I won ’ t [ pair ] it with a second big print but will instead use a small floral or an interesting stripe or something that has geometry to it to offset that big floral . … The ‘ hero print ’ of the room is the big floral , while the others are supporting roles .”
MADE BY NATURE From curtailing environmental impacts to reducing health hazards , there are many reasons to use natural materials — such as wood , stone , cork and natural fibers , which are growing in popularity — when designing and decorating a home . Aesthetics are an added benefit .
“ The wear and tear of natural marble , for example , is really beautiful because it shows patina ,” notes Hill , who hones the stone for a velvety touch on kitchen countertops . “ It shows that you ’ ve enjoyed the space — cooked in it , had dinner parties , spilled the red wine . It should be celebrated .”
Soapstone is another of Hill ’ s favorites for kitchen countertops , while limestone works well for everything from fireplace mantels to floors in bathrooms and laundry rooms . Cooler materials are offset by warmer ones , like reclaimed oak — a rule of balance she carries into her furnishings by mixing wood pieces with steel or concrete .
McLaren notes that natural elements add a certain quality that typically isn ’ t found with synthetic materials .
“ I like imperfection in design , which you get with natural materials over manufactured ones ,” she says . “ I love a piece of wood with [ color ] variants in the grain , because it adds depth and warmth to a space .”
54 SUMMER 2024 | LATITUDE33MAGAZINE . COM