Desert Calm: Warm Tones and Woven Textiles

If you feel most at ease in dry heat or under wide, sun-soaked skies, the desert palette may speak to you. Look for these elements when designing your space.

Creamy neutrals: A palette of warm tones like sand, clay, and cream channel the desert’s natural beauty.

Natural stone and terra-cotta tiles: Rugged, textural finishes are a desert signature. Whether it’s stone accents, terra-cotta flooring, or smooth plaster walls, the surfaces connect to the organic beauty of the terrain.

Woven textiles and baskets: Woven rugs, throws, wall hangings, and baskets introduce visual warmth, natural fibers, and handcrafted traditions. 

Full-sun plants: Low-maintenance and sun-loving greenery, including cacti and air plants, highlight the desert’s rugged landscape. No need to attempt a 10-foot saguaro; a small cactus garden on a tabletop will do the trick.

Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Ocean Tranquility: Coastal Hues and Natural Finishes

For those who crave the gentle rhythm of the sea, an ocean-inspired room brings serenity inside. Yokota recommends elements of classic coastal design paired with thoughtfully-chosen colors and finishes.

Soothing shades: Bring the tranquility of the sea indoors with soft shades of blues, misty green, classic seafoam, and warm whites. Coastal tones that mirror the ocean and sky infuse your home with quiet calm.

Smooth finishes: Shells, sea glass, stones, and coral that’s been dulled from the immense weight of moving water are central to the look. Bring these elements home through smooth-finish tiles, honed countertops, and matte finishes.

Natural textures: Textures and materials affected by sun, wind, and water (think: sun-faded rattan, woven seagrass, weathered driftwood, and linen) evoke a relaxed sensibility.

The sound of water: You can bring the sounds and movement of water into your home with a tabletop fountain or an aquarium.

Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Mountain Retreat: Rich Hues and Low Lighting

Your feel-good place may be in higher elevation, cozy among leather and wool textiles, candlelight, and a roaring fire. Embrace the raw beauty of alpine design with these tips.

Stony strength: Rugged, natural stone takes your decor to the mountains. Whether you use small boulders to surround a fireplace or slate tile on floors or walls, there is a quiet strength in stone.

Woods with rich finishes: Natural grain and wood tones ground alpine decor. Rough-hewn exposed beams, reclaimed wood floors or walls, and wood furniture bring the timber inside.

Warm textiles: Woven wool and cotton textiles paired with durable leather bring the feel of a mountain lodge to your home. Create a cozy, layered feel with throws, upholstery, or rugs in natural fibers.

Candlelight and soft lighting: The warm glow of firelight enhances the cuddle-down feeling of a mountain-inspired design. If you don't have a fireplace, you can get the look with candles or dimmable fixtures that simulate the glow of firelight.

Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Quiet Meadow: Floral Prints and Flowy Fabrics

Peaceful rooms with dappled light and petite wildflower prints reflect the tranquility of the meadow. These are the elements Yokota suggests.

Floral patterns: Wildflowers—expressed in delicate, stylized prints on window coverings, bedding, wallpapers, and upholstery—call to mind early spring moments.

Dried naturals: Grasses and flowers, either dried or silk, in simple vases add texture and an organic look to rooms.

Lightweight fabrics that move: Sheer cotton or linen window treatments that allow light to pass through and move with a breeze can give the feel of an open field.

Pastel colors: Keep the look light and calm with pastel shades like soft green, butter yellow, sky blue, and blushy pink. When mixed, they suggest blooming fields and soft sunshine.