The design market is having a rainbow pride moment. Nothing is hotter on the circuit than furniture painted or upholstered in c-o-l-o-r. This isn’t the first rodeo for painted pieces, of course. Old-world artisans knew a thing or two about personalizing with color (think vintage Swedish furniture). Our modern iterations take a cue from nature,

Hello, cottagecore—nice to see you again. After a decade of stark white walls and grayed-out furniture (not to mention la pandemic) the interior world is returning to simplicity, comfort and a hint of nostalgia. In design terms this means warmer neutrals, natural materials (wicker, rattan, pine), plants aplenty and a cozy vibe with a bohemian

Not everything gets better with age. Leather does. Especially ours, which we source from a storied family-owned tannery in Italy—one known for its subtle buttery hides with unmatched color depth. Even better, we’ve curated a whole cache of sofas, sectionals, chairs and ottomans ready to ship. Choose your shade—caramel, saddle or classic black. Choose your

Think of a tall piece of furniture as the supermodel of decorating—stylish, powerful, modern. We now have the means of production to procure taller furnishings, and we’ve curated a particularly lanky grouping of chairs, cabinets, and commodes with a nod to grace and delicacy. Counterintuitively, a single statuesque piece doesn’t dominate a room; rather, it

The capsule shape—a graceful elongated oval—is just what the doctor ordered to keep a room fresh and current. Think of the capsule as a kind of design chill pill…the stylistic sibling of the arches and circles of the last few seasons. The sleek silhouette encircles everything from consoles to couches, bar carts to cocktail tables.

When it comes to design, no hue is more loved than blue. It is, after all, the most commonly seen color in nature (think sea and sky), and its range is impressive. We’re fans of the whole spectrum—Prussian, baby, denim, cornflower, cobalt, sky, indigo, azul and more. If you have room due for a bit

In our book patience is not a virtue. We’re just as tired of hearing about supply-chain issues as you are. That’s why we’ve sourced a collection of key items—consoles, chairs and couches in easy-to-live-with fabrics—that you can have in two to four weeks. Yes, really really really. You’re welcome. SEE MORE Contact Lisa (lmurphy@motif-designs.com) for

If you’re like us, you’re drawn to living simply and with intention, thanks to Marie Kondo and pandemic mania. In design terms, clean living means paring down to the essentials so that the clutter doesn’t obstruct beauty. But don’t be fooled by the simplicity. The best clean designs are effortless, yes, but also powerful, their

You know the Wishbone chair even if you don’t know its name. Designed by Danish cabinetmaker Hans Wegner in the ‘40s, its Y or wishbone shaped backplate is a classic example of Scandi modernism. Like its like-minded midcentury chair friends—the Tulip, the Breuer, the Eames, and the Corbusier (called the Corby by those in the

Pine, and its light wood cousins, have been around the décor block before. In fact, pine was a major player in my early decorating jobs (I’m looking at you, House Beautiful cover). In a welcome pendulum swing, the light woods are back…with an updated presence and perspective. Today’s pines and bleached oaks are cleaner, leaner,