There is more than one lovely way to create custom cozy luxe at home as evidenced from an eclectic mix of traditional and modern interior design moments. Cozy is easy to recognize, but combined with custom and luxe? Handcrafted, bespoke, rich finishes, and high quality are hard to beat for a custom luxe yet relaxed livable space. Whether the home’s architecture is an urban apartment, a modern farmhouse in the suburbs, or a stately Georgian in the countryside, it’s a look that stands the test of time. And the livability helps its inhabitants de-stress, decompress, and detach from the rest of life’s chaos.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Custom Cozy Luxe: Bespoke Yet Relaxed Ideas
By cozy luxe, I imagine livable, unfussy, curated, well-layered spaces where the mix is textural yet gentle. The senses are soothed. It’s a visually calm look where you feel embraced by warmth and softness – in an instant, one can begin to decompress.
Turn Your Bedroom into a Cozy Sanctuary
Here’s a wonderful tutorial for how the California bedroom above was layered with cozy without spending a fortune.
I’m so inspired by the DIY molding and plan to add this to our primary bath which still requires finishing touches.
Layer a Small Space With the Coziest Details
Even though you’ll not be hanging out in a wee space like a powder room or pantry, if it’s a space you use everyday, maybe start there. Why? (1) Because it’s more achievable and may set you up for success for a larger living space. And (2) because if you use the space everyday, why not brighten the everyday?
This pantry by Whittney Parkinson features a warm palette, stone flooring, a beautiful skirt in lieu of cabinet doors, a rush stool, grasscloth on the walls, and richness from traditional wood cabinetry. High end and bespoke for sure, but there are still plenty of takeaways for our own schemes.
Bring on the texture, give yourselves shelves to style, and don’t forget a teeny lamp to keep it ultra cozy.
Edit Fearlessly
Michael Del Piero creates these timeless designs that feel modern yet somehow timeless. While minimal, there’s a warmth that emerges from so much natural texture. Even the art is richly textured. Fabrics and upholstered pieces are luxurious and beg to be touched.
Actionable Tip: Have a room that feels less than inspired? Study it closely (maybe snap a photo) with an editor’s eye. What can be removed or replaced with something textural? In the space above, notice how rugged earthenware, smooth plaster, nubby upholstery, sumptuous velvet live in harmony. Also note how many curves there are. There’s softness in spite of the very neutral palette and spare decor.
Tone on Tone Cozy Luxe
I’m not suggesting there is a universe where we are all free to remodel our kitchens with reclaimed stone from Chateau Domingue. (But wouldn’t that universe be lovely?) I am here with a reminder you can tell a cozy luxe story with a quiet lovely tonal color scheme.
No pops of color, no gilded framed art, no contrasting trim, and yet…a timeless warmth to soothe.
I’ll never tire of seeing the way the Giannettis live with natural colors and tonal bliss. They are fond of antiques that have been stripped down to the original paint. Not only is the color turned down, but the absence of sheen and gloss is simply a comfort to many of us who find the look far more livable.
If you’re blessed with beautiful interest from nature just outside the windows, why not let it be the saturated color story?
Actionable Tip: How can limiting the colors in your space turn down the volume and busy factor? Paint is still so underrated when it comes to transforming spaces at home. There are so many gorgeous ways to live with tone on tone schemes. Roman clay finishes, limewashes, Surecrete, and plain ol’ latex can be your friend.
Is the trim in your room contrasting sharply with the walls? Would it all feel more cozy if there were low or no contrast?
Interior designer Jill Egan’s own home is a master class in tone on tone! What makes it feel so relaxing is the quietness of the color story and the balance of shapes and texture.
Cozy Skirts & Shelves
Sometimes more truly is more. Optimizing vertical space can bring back the FUN in functional while also keeping things relaxed. In Leanne Ford’s guest house kitchen, she used what she had on hand and a tiny budget to make a cozy little space feel like a welcoming, livable home.
Actionable Tip: In addition to the shelves, notice the liberties LF took with base cabinets above. Without the hassle and expense of refacing them or starting new, she added softness and quietness with skirting.
If you’re a creative type, shelves mean you can change them with your mood or season.
Play With Large Scale Pieces in Small Footprints
Desiree Ashworth’s interiors always take my breath away, and they never feel contrived or “decorated.” She bravely used a large scale bed in a relatively cozy bedroom space.
While scale is important in design when you’re following all of the rules, there’s all this grey area. Do you feel comfortable in a classic, buttoned up, rule-following designed room? Or do you have a playful and even rebellious streak? Because sometimes the statement you’ll make with playful scale is that you’re willing to to color outside the lines. That sort of free-spirited way of being and furnishing a room can translate into livable luxe cozy.
Turn Up the California Cool Organic Mood
Amber Lewis knows her way around relaxed, cozy luxe, and has made it easier than ever for us to add organic, earthy chic to our spaces.
Between her books…
shops,
feed,
collaborations,
and creations,
there are endless ways to learn the look and enhance your own interiors with it.
You don’t have to be a minimalist to embrace California cool. Living and dining areas at Patina Farm were layered with Old World and art, yet there was no mistaking the organic luxe.
Actionable Tip: Study the work of Amber Lewis and Brooke Giannetti.
Consider Calm Earthy Paint Accent Colors
Pale neutrals on the wall and for large anchor pieces can be a great foundation.
If you love sage green (we looked at gorgeous examples HERE), bringing it inside can be suggestive of natural beauty outdoors.
Try a pretty green paint color or nature-themed wallpaper:
Raw & Rustic Wood Finishes
Add instant character with pieces old or new with a raw scrubbed finish. I loved this moment from Brooke Giannetti on the fireplace mantel in her Patina Farm kitchen:
It’s fun to hunt for boards like these:
Woven Textures Lower “Precious” Factor
I love how Finding Lovely wrapped the pendant light (below) in rope to customize it and keep things feeling rustically rich with character.
Shiny metallic finishes for lighting are common and pretty, but they can also easily read too precious, too cute, and frou-frou. Sometimes opting for more relaxed, industrial finishes like galvanized metal keep the fussy factor to a minimum.
Romantic Relaxed Cozy Utilitarian Spaces
Can a pantry be romantic? Scroll back to the first image! When they are thoughtfully designed!
I love how Artichoke outfitted this utilitarian space above with airy open shelves. Also, note how minimal Shaker-style peg hooks (at left) are unfussy yet somehow chic.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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