Raili, known for her ’70s Southern California vibes and playful design spins, infused the home with calming Scandinavian minimalism offset with modern touches. She quickly green-lighted concepts that had eluded her in past projects, including—in no particular order, she points out—stained glass, unconventional shelving, bold pops of color, and “as much wood as we could afford.”

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Each of these once “no way” ideas ultimately earned a place in Raili’s home, and now they’re some of the most memorable details in the space. They look so good in action, you just might be inspired to try this designer dozen in your own home, too.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

1. Take the Tile High (Like Really High)

Removing interior walls and vaulting the ceiling added more wall space for Raili to consider. To make it interesting, she flipped the unglazed subway tile vertically at the base of the range hood and ran it to the ceiling.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

2. Go Against the Grain

Wood planks installed diagonally draw the eye to the pantry, turning a wall into an architectural feature. The unexpected angle adds movement and energy to the space, breaking up the linear look of the surrounding cabinetry. Nearby, crisp white faucets pop against the black countertops, creating a high-contrast moment that feels unexpected.

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David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

3. Blend in the Bar

The living room’s built-in media center was made for entertaining. Raili customized the upper section with cubbies precisely sized to hold the TV, neatly store liquor bottles, and even showcase a functional vintage pendant that’s cleverly wired through the top of the unit. The result is a hardworking focal point that keeps everything within reach while still feeling curated and design-forward.

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David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

4. Build in Coolers

Tucked inside the wall-spanning media console, a pair of refrigerator drawers keeps drinks perfectly chilled and right where the action is. While it might seem unexpected to place refrigerators in the living room, the discreet design blends seamlessly with the cabinetry, making it both practical and unobtrusive. “It’s a weird spot to have refrigerators, but it works,” Raili says.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

5. Dress Up Ready-Made Chairs

Raili maxed out the function in the tight dining area with a 36-inch table—big enough for Raili and her husband, Ryan, to play Rummikub. She splurged on a Kelly Wearstler fabric to re-cover the Wayfair chairs—a high-low move she likens to wearing an Hermès scarf with a Hanes T-shirt. Wood valances made from 2x4s hide curtain hardware (or dress up plain windows).

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David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

6. Mount Plywood Panels

Raili puzzle-pieced the design of ¾-inch-thick plywood panels to create a mod backdrop that breaks up the navy. “I just liked the idea of cutting up the panels so some of the blue paint showed through,” she says. Poppy hot pink serves as a surprising accent color.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

7. Create Geometry with Tile

The powder room’s graphic use of checkerboard and half-circle tiles gives a wink to Raili’s grandmother, who loved a merry mix-up. The tiles are from Raili’s product line with Concrete Collaborative. She designed the vanity with an open cubby for visual relief.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

8. Wrap the Room with Wood

Raili leaned into her organic style, using plain-sawn white oak on every wall in this bedroom. “I wanted to see the knots and all the weird things that go on in natural wood,” she says. The earthy orange typography is bold enough to be all the decoration the bedroom needed. Raili found inspiration in a 1960s modernist community of wood-clad homes.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

9. Use Your Words

It’s highly likely that... Raili has fun filling in the blanks that the hand-painted sconces evoke. This bath is her favorite room, showcasing an abundance of natural wood, watery blue tiles, and a mini stained-glass window on the wall between the vanity and the shower.

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

10. Make Storage Display-Worthy

The shower area of the primary bath leads to a generously sized closet. The space was too small for a door, so a tidy view through the doorway was key (achieved using a mix of open and closed storage from California Closets). With limited space, the couple has learned to pare down: “For the most part, we are very edited,” Raili says. “It feels less chaotic that way.”

David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

11. Go for a Small Soaker

The tub was Raili’s one big ask for the primary bath. But without room for a standard tub, she managed to slot a small soaker in near the vanity amid a sea of deep blue tiles.

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David Tsay / Interior Design: Raili Clasen

12. Play with the Scale

Raili designed the low-slung sectional to maximize seating while keeping access to the patio’s sliding door. Pinstripe toppers on the cushions add detail without fully committing to patterned upholstery. The oversize Noguchi pendant lends authenticity to the room’s vintage-inspired scheme.