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,

Brass is back in a big way, polishing up everything from furniture fronts to ceiling fans. It’s a welcome change from the last decade of cooler chromes and steels—and nothing like those flashy sprayed lacquer finishes of ‘80s yore. Today’s brass is softer, warmer—buffed or hand polished or patina-ed. Adding a little (or lot) of brass—in the

Six thousand miles may separate Santa Monica and Stockholm but aesthetically, there’s a symbiosis. A white washed minimalism. An appreciation of nature. A love of light. Think wishbone chairs, clean silhouettes, blond woods. Cali-style adds a cool boho vibe; Scandi-style adds a dose of restraint. When the two come together, the feeling is peaceful and

Black and white is back—well it never really left. Both timeless and modern, the monochrome palette compliments any chroma around. Motif’s collection of black and white beauties ranges from striking consoles to Chippendale-esque chairs. Confident, clean, sharp, and oh so chic. SEE MORE Need help? Just ask Jeeves. Contact Karl (kfriberg@motif-designs.com) or Mark (markm@motif-designs.com) for