Clara specializes in mountain lodge aesthetics and bringing cozy, nature-inspired design to any home. She has designed retreats from Aspen to Vermont.
A pallet bed is one of my favorite ways to turn rough, overlooked wood into something you’ll actually look forward to crawling into at night. With a little sanding and a few smart design choices, you can go from basic and rustic to seriously styled without spending a fortune. Cozy Boho Pallet Bed With String Lights Cozy boho pallet bed idea: warm string lights behind the headboard for instant glow. I’ve stapled soft string lights…
A finished staircase can turn a plain hallway into a total showpiece with just a few smart upgrades. I’ve worked on enough stair makeovers to know the magic is in the details—wood tones, clean paint lines, and a finish that can actually handle real life. Wall Paneling Along the Staircase Vertical wall paneling beside a finished staircase adds custom charm—clean, bright, and timeless. Adding wainscoting or vertical paneling beside a finished staircase makes it feel…
If you love that cozy, classic wood look, oak wainscoting is one of the quickest ways to make plain walls feel like real architecture. I’ve built it in everything from tiny entryways to big dining rooms, and oak’s grain always brings this warm, grounded vibe. Oak Wainscoting With Wallpaper Above Warm oak wainscoting below, statement wallpaper above—balanced, bold, and effortlessly calm. This combo never fails: oak wainscoting on the lower third, then bold wallpaper above…
A Rustic Sweet 16 can feel equal parts cozy countryside and totally elevated party—if you let wood do the heavy lifting. I’m sharing my favorite ideas I’ve built and styled in my own shop, all centered on reclaimed wood backdrops and warm, celebratory details. Balloon Garland on a Wood Frame Rustic wood frame balloon garland—Sweet 16 photo backdrop with bold boho color contrast. Instead of attaching balloons to random spots, I build a simple wood…
A Christmas cheese board is my favorite kind of holiday “centerpiece” because you get big festive vibes without cooking a whole extra dish. Wreath Cheese Board With Dip Center Wreath-style cheese board with a jam center—simple, lush, and beautifully festive. For a Christmas cheese board that feels extra polished, I arrange everything in a circle like an edible wreath and put a bowl of dip or jam right in the center. I’ve found that lining…
A hallway can feel like a forgettable pass-through until you add the right trim, and then it suddenly looks intentional and finished. Molding Frames as Art “Matting” Picture-frame molding as a built-in mat—simple trim that makes one print feel gallery-worthy. I love hanging art centered inside picture frame molding so the trim acts like a built-in mat and makes even simple prints look elevated. I’ve done this in long hallways where I wanted visual interest…
January is my favorite month to strip the holiday noise away but keep the house feeling warm and lived-in. These January mantel decor ideas lean into winter whites, natural wood, and cozy texture so your fireplace still feels like the heart of the room. Layered Frames and a Mirror Layer thrifted wood frames before a mirror to brighten January evenings with candlelight. For January mantel decor ideas that feel collected, I layer thrifted wood frames…
A good DIY Murphy desk is basically a little magic trick: it looks like a tidy cabinet on the wall, then flips down into a real workspace when you need it. I’ve built a bunch in my shop, and once you see how much floor space you get back, it’s hard not to want one in every room. Pegboard Interior Murphy Desk Organizer Flip down, hook up—this pegboard Murphy desk hides clutter and keeps craft…
There’s something seriously satisfying about burnt wood—that high-contrast look makes even simple pieces feel special and a little rustic-luxe. Burned-And-Stitched Wall Hanging Burnt wood botanicals + delicate stitching—Scandi minimal wall art with a soft boho twist. One of my favorite “wait, how did you do that?” pieces is burnt wood line art paired with stitched thread through tiny drilled holes. I’ve tried it with botanical outlines, and mixing pyrography and stitching makes the design feel…
A stair rail is one of those everyday details you touch a dozen times without realizing it—so it deserves to look good and feel solid. I’ve rebuilt, refinished, and totally reinvented more handrails than I can count, and these ideas are the ones that always make a staircase feel fresh. Classic Wood Balusters and a Stained Handrail Timeless stair update: classic wood balusters paired with a rich, durable stained handrail. When I want a timeless…
