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Calm cohesion
Restraint is another principle I return to constantly. I often say that one of the best things you can do in a home is commit to no more than two or three design styles. Today, so many homes feel like‘ Frankenstein houses’- spaces with no real architectural identity, layered with interiors that feel just as disconnected.
There’ s something deeply calming about cohesion. In my own home, I’ ve tried to honor both its 1950s cottage ranch roots and subtle mid-century modern elements while still allowing for thoughtful updates. Restraint can be difficult, especially when you love many different styles, but it’ s essential if you want a space to feel harmonious.
Color, texture, and materiality also play a huge role in how a home feels emotionally. Personally, I tend to gravitate toward neutrals, texture, and natural materials over bold color. Limestone, marble, wood, wool, linen, and stone all have a grounding quality to them.
At Hackett House Studio, we often talk about‘ color, but not colorful’. We may use blues or greens, but usually in a tonal, colordrenched way rather than mixing across the entire color wheel. Nature is always the reference point. Those combinations feel inherently warm and comforting because they already exist around us.
Natural light matters too, but I also believe in being realistic about it. In our work, especially with new builds, we focus less on quantity and more on intentional placement. Privacy, climate, and orientation all matter. Thoughtful window placement can often do more for a space than an entire wall of glass.
And perhaps a bit controversially, I tend to prefer a more closed floor plan. While open-concept homes can be wonderful for entertaining, they can also create a feeling that every room needs to be‘ on’ all the time. I think there’ s real value in visual and mental separation; being able to close the door on a messy office or kitchen and fully enjoy another part of the home without distraction.
At the end of the day, creating a happier home doesn’ t have to begin with a major renovation. Often, it starts with intention: editing what you display, organizing what you keep, bringing in fresh flowers, or layering in pieces that feel meaningful and full of character.
A joyful home should feel like you- but elevated, edited, and deeply considered. That balance between personality and beauty is where the magic happens. ■
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