Clara specializes in mountain lodge aesthetics and bringing cozy, nature-inspired design to any home. She has designed retreats from Aspen to Vermont.
Wooden ornaments have this cozy, nostalgic magic that instantly makes a space feel warm and lived-in. I keep coming back to wood slices and simple cutouts because they’re beginner-friendly, super customizable, and they look right at home with rustic decor. Button and Bead Snowman Faces Cute snowman face ornament: wood round + beads + buttons for a cozy handmade winter look. For a quick mixed-media look, I glue on buttons and beads to make a…
If your master bedroom feels a little flat, wall molding is my favorite way to make it look custom without a full renovation. I’ve built a lot of these feature walls over the years, and the right pattern behind the bed can turn the whole room into a cozy, high-end retreat. Symmetrical Layout With Sconce Backplates Symmetrical wall molding with sconce backplates for a balanced, boutique master bedroom look. Design the molding so your lights…
Nothing beats the crisp contrast of black wainscoting against bright white walls—it’s moody, clean, and instantly architectural. Entryway Wainscoting That Takes a Beating Matte black wainscoting keeps the entryway spotless—white walls above stay bright and welcoming. In my own high-traffic spots, black wainscoting saves the day from shoe scuffs while the white walls above keep the entryway feeling open and friendly. Try these: Matte Black Interior Paint: Refresh high-traffic zones with durable paint that hides…
A barn wood wall is my favorite shortcut to instant warmth, texture, and that lived-in character you just can’t fake with paint. If you’re craving cozy rustic farmhouse vibes (without remodeling the whole room), these ideas will get you there fast. Horizontal Planks For Wider Rooms Horizontal barn wood planks with staggered seams—an easy way to make narrow rooms feel wider. Running planks horizontally on a barn wood wall visually stretches the space, which I…
A painted wood floor is one of my favorite ways to rescue tired boards and totally shift the vibe of a room without ripping anything out. I’ve done everything from simple solid colors to wild patterns, and the right paint job can make old wood feel fresh, intentional, and full of personality. Deep Navy for a Bold Entryway Deep navy painted wood floors make a bright entryway feel bold, modern, and custom. A navy painted…
Wood slices are one of those humble little materials that instantly feel cozy, rustic, and handmade on a tree. Painted Night Sky Landscapes Tiny night-sky landscape on a wood slice—deep blues, snowy ridge, and splattered stars. A mini night sky with deep blues and a snowy ridge turns a simple wood slice ornament into a tiny piece of art. I like adding speckled “stars” with a stiff brush because it’s messy in the best way.…
Shaker-style wall panels are my go-to move when a room feels flat but you still want that clean, timeless vibe. Full-Height Grid Accent Wall Full-height Shaker grid in light oak—clean rectangles and soft shadows for a bold focal wall. A full-height Shaker grid behind a sofa is one of the fastest ways I’ve created a living-room focal point with basic strips and a level. If you try this, keep the rectangles consistent and let the…
Modern barn weddings are my favorite because you get all that honest wood character—big beams, wide planks, and raw texture—then soften it with clean, romantic details. Suspended Greenery “Meadow” Over the Tables A floating greenery meadow—clean lines, soft light, and handcrafted barn romance overhead. One time I rigged a floating greenery installation between beams, and it felt like dining under a little indoor forest. Use repeating lines and consistent height so it looks designed, not…
Dining room walls are the perfect spot to add character, texture, and that finished “designer” feel without changing your furniture. I’ve tried a lot of dining room wall panelling styles in my own projects, and these ideas are the ones that consistently make a space feel warmer, cozier, and more pulled together. Two-Tone Paneling and Paint Creamy wood paneling below + moody paint above: a cozy two-tone dining room wall win. Pairing lower wall panelling…
A classroom door is basically the first little story your students read every day, so I love making it feel intentional instead of plain. Here are my favorite classroom door ideas—starting with the classic crowd-pleasers and ending with a few woodworking-style twists that always get people stopping in the hallway. Spooky Friendly Monster Door A goofy one-eye monster door with cozy fur texture and sweet wooden dowel teeth—October fun. For October, I’ve made a goofy…
