Style Study: Lucy Doswell Interiors

In a recent post about sparking small change around your home, I talked about taking the time to really hone in and study one room or home that catches your eye (as opposed to just endlessly scrolling). I decided to make this recent project by Lucy Doswell Interiors my latest “style study” because the colors, coziness and all of that pattern(!) made me instantly stop and take notice. What I love about this project is that it was designed for an empty nester who decided to convert the grown kids’ bedrooms into more usable spots: a small den/lounge and a comfy office space.

This space was recently featured in House Beautiful and all of the “after” photos were shot by Read McKendree with styling by Frances Bailey. Keep reading for my notes. . .

• I love a room that doesn’t feel too perfect or planned–even if it was. There are lot of colors and patterns going on, but everything blends without anything really repeating or coordinating.
• A solid sofa (the largest upholstery piece) and a neutral rug keep the room grounded and from being overly busy.
• The light blue trim is a great way to bring in an unexpected color without being too much. Softens the whole space.

Here’s a quick “before” shot I grabbed from Lucy’s IG account:

• A small space but tall ceilings. I love the feel of a narrow, cozy den.
• I forget how much I like the look of a large paper lantern. A great bang for your design buck.
• Even with the bold wallpaper, she mixed up the art. Nothing too matchy-matchy here.
• She anchored the lighting with two substantial matching lamps and added a more delicate floor lamp.
• Who would’ve thought a floral chair would work? But, the scale is right and adds in more shades of green, along with the lamps and fireplace tile.

• My biggest takeaway from this room: Don’t overthink it. If you want an eclectic look, you have to let go of too much coordinating and matching of the perfect shade. There’s beauty in lots of layers and mixing.

Here’s my loose translation of how to get a similar look/feel. Of course, this kind of room is harder to source because the wallpaper is to-the-trade and she used several things the homeowner already had (one of the best ways to decorate).

The second piece of this project was a small bedroom-turned-home-office nook. Here’s the “before”:

• A peachy pastel wall color gives a brightness to the space, but still feels calming. (Color is Aristocrat Peach by Sherwin-Williams.)
• Love that home offices have gotten away from heavy desks. A small work space + a more comfy place to recline with a laptop is such a better set up (for most people).
• Pleated cafe curtain for privacy paired with the gathered roman shade for pattern.
• A daybed filled with pillows is so cozy–and notice only two of them match.
• So minor but a fun idea to bring in a happy pattern on a small trash bin, especially if you have some extra peel and stick wallpaper or contact paper.

See more of Lucy’s beautiful work here.

And, here’s another recent “style study” post I wrote.