6 Ways to Add Softness to a Space

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design – Episode: 6 Ways to Add Softness to a Space

Release Date: January 30, 2025

Hosts: Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall
Title: 6 Ways to Add Softness to a Space

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In this engaging episode of Dear Alice, interior design experts Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall delve into practical strategies for infusing softness into living spaces. Responding to a listener's query about managing angular, square-heavy interiors, the hosts outline six effective methods to create a more inviting and comfortable environment. Their conversation is enriched with personal anecdotes, expert insights, and witty exchanges, making the episode both informative and delightful for listeners new and familiar alike.

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1. Rugs: The Foundation of Softness

Jess emphasizes the transformative power of rugs in any room. Rugs not only add visual warmth but also contribute to sound absorption, making spaces feel cozier.

Jess (07:36): "Rugs are the first piece of art that you're gonna put down in the room. They soften the room visually and texturally."

Jessica adds that large, patterned rugs can create a sense of movement and stretch the perception of space.

Jess (08:40): "By placing a rug with sweeping patterns or a medallion, you stretch your eye from corner to corner, making the room feel larger and more dynamic."

Key Takeaways:

• Opt for large rugs to anchor the space.
• Choose patterns that introduce movement and soften visual lines.
• Rugs also help in reducing noise levels, enhancing comfort.

2. Drapery: Elegance and Acoustics

Drapery serves a dual purpose by softening both the visual and auditory aspects of a room. Suzanne highlights the importance of extending curtains beyond window frames to maximize their impact.

Suzanne (12:25): "Drapery is going to soften your space visually and help absorb sound on those big walls."

They discuss the aesthetic and functional benefits of using high-quality drapes:

Jess (14:06): "Window treatments make the room feel finished, like mascara completes eye makeup. They can make rooms feel taller and wider."

Key Takeaways:

• Extend curtain rods beyond window edges for a dramatic effect.
• Utilize layered fabrics, including sheers, to add depth and softness.
• Select drapes that complement the room’s color palette to unify the space.

3. Color and Paint: Creating a Warm Palette

Adding color through paint can significantly soften a room’s angularity. Jess advocates for a "color drench" approach, where walls and ceilings share a harmonious hue.

Jess (17:27): "By taking color from the walls and extending it to the ceiling, you diffuse harsh lines and create a blanket of warmth over the space."

Suzanne reinforces the idea of using organic and flowing colors to enhance softness.

Suzanne (18:18): "Plaster gives color movement and soft texture, creating a spiritual and extraordinary atmosphere."

Key Takeaways:

• Use cohesive color schemes that flow from walls to ceilings.
• Incorporate soft, organic hues to mellow out sharp angles.
• Consider textured paint or plaster for added depth and softness.

4. Art: Personalizing and Softening Spaces

Art is described as the "heartbeat" of a home, bringing personality and softness through visual narratives.

Jess (19:17): "Art adds softness by providing subject matter to focus on, telling a story, and introducing color and movement."

They discuss the importance of thoughtful framing and how art can transform a sterile space into a vibrant, lived-in home.

Jess (21:06): "Great framing can elevate art, making the entire wall composition more interesting and adding a human touch."

Key Takeaways:

• Select artwork that resonates personally and complements the room’s color scheme.
• Use creative framing to enhance the visual appeal of art pieces.
• Layer different types of art to add depth and interest to walls.

5. Lighting: Setting the Mood with Soft Illumination

Proper lighting is crucial in creating a soft and inviting atmosphere. The hosts advocate for using warm LED bulbs and incorporating varied light sources.

Suzanne (23:07): "Replace all your light bulbs with 2700 Kelvin bulbs to achieve a soft white glow that enhances the room’s warmth."

Jessica adds the significance of layered lighting, including lamps over harsh overheads, to foster a cozy environment.

Jess (25:00): "Using dimmers allows you to control the ambiance, making spaces feel more intimate and relaxing."

Key Takeaways:

• Utilize warm white LED bulbs (around 2700 Kelvin) to create a soft illumination.
• Incorporate multiple light sources, such as table lamps and sconces, to layer light effectively.
• Install dimmer switches to adjust brightness according to the desired mood.

6. Plants: Bringing Life and Softness

Plants are pivotal in softening spaces by introducing natural elements and organic lines. The hosts highlight how greenery can transform a room's aesthetic and improve air quality.

Suzanne (27:30): "Plants add sculpture, movement, and height, making spaces feel more alive and less rigid."

Jessica shares personal experiences with large plants, emphasizing their impact on room dynamics.

Jess (30:08): "A big planter with a thriving plant can make your room look exotic and give it a designer touch."

Key Takeaways:

• Integrate various plant sizes to add depth and interest.
• Choose low-maintenance plants if upkeep is a concern.
• Position plants strategically to enhance natural light and complement room layouts.

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Conclusion

In this episode, Jessica and Suzanne provide a comprehensive guide to infusing softness into interiors, balancing aesthetic appeal with functionality. From rugs and drapery to art and plants, each strategy is presented with actionable tips and personal insights, making the advice accessible and relatable. Their emphasis on creating warm, inviting spaces through thoughtful design elements serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their home’s comfort and style.

Notable Quotes:

• Jessica (08:40): "An organic-shaped rug can stretch your eye from corner to corner, making the room feel larger and more dynamic."
• Suzanne (12:25): "Drapery is going to soften your space visually and help absorb sound on those big walls."
• Jess (19:17): "Art is the heartbeat of the house, telling your story and adding so much softness and interest."
• Suzanne (23:07): "Replace all your light bulbs with 2700 Kelvin bulbs to achieve a soft white glow that enhances the room’s warmth."

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Whether you're dealing with a room filled with sharp angles or simply seeking ways to make your living space more inviting, Dear Alice offers practical and stylish solutions. Subscribe to their podcast for more insights and tips on elevating your interior design game.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Dear Alice. A lifestyle approach to interior design.

[B]

Hi, guys. Welcome to Dear Alice.

[C]

Hi. How you doing?

[A]

Good.

[B]

How are you guys doing?

[A]

Great. Fantastic. I know.

[B]

So good. Welcome to the new year. We're midway through January.

[C]

Crazy.

[B]

I know, man.

[C]

Where did 2024 go? It's in the past. That's crazy.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Rear view mirror.

[A]

No, my birthday's in January, so. Look forward to that, guys.

[B]

I love a Suzanne hall birthday. Thank goodness you have a warm little spot of light in the winter in Utah.

[A]

It's the worst month to have a birthday, but that's okay. Really.

[B]

It is.

[A]

You're after Christmas. Everyone's like, tired of spending money.

[B]

We should hot tub or something fun. We should put on bathing suits now that we're in our 40s.

[A]

A body of cold.

[B]

We'll run through a snowbank and jump.

[A]

In the hot tub, plunge and then sauna it up.

[B]

I love it. Well, happy, happy early birthday, Sue Hall. Yeah.

[A]

Not this time stamp us. But, but yeah, we're doing good.

[B]

We are doing good.

[C]

Today we're going to talk about six ways to add softness to a space. But before that, I just wanted to know, what are your. What's one of your guys's favorite, like, up and coming trends or.

[A]

Yeah, what are we into? Maybe.

[C]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

What are you into, Jess?

[B]

Guys, I'm in my sneaker era, okay?

[A]

She's a sneaker head.

[B]

Guys, I don't know.

[A]

Built in for all your sneakers.

[B]

You know what? I've worn heels. This whole business of. Well, we're coming. We're 17 years this year. And I really, I wore heels for probably a good 12 years, a good dozen years. Maybe 13, maybe 14. And then I tried on sneakers for the first time in my life. Do you know what else I haven't been aware of? Sweats. I never owned any sweats.

[A]

You're all welcome.

[B]

It's like I would go from 90 to zero. Like, I go home and I put on my pajamas. I put on a silk robe and my slippers, but I didn't have any, like, in between clothes until the pandemic. And then I tried on these things that people wear and they're called sweats. And all of a sudden I'm like, guys, there's a more. There's a more comfortable way out there. Yeah, I don't wear sweats to work. Don't be picturing that out there, if you're listening. But yeah, I've gotten into wearing flat shoes. I love a ballet flat. I love a tennis shoe.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

This isn't that interesting. Sue, what are you into?

[A]

No surprise to anybody, but just, like, vintage. I'll just say that because it's forever and always, but I'll say, like, I've gotten some really, like, good vintage earrings as of late. So I'm in my ear.

[C]

I noticed those. Those are red.

[A]

Aren't those neat?

[B]

She is. You know what? I'm also doing earring earrings. Do you know what I learned from. From when I went to Italy? We went vintage shopping in Italy. First of all, nothing is as fun as vintage shopping with Sue. I quite at life my fire. It was so much fun. But when I was in Italy, I saw the earrings actually I'm wearing right now. We're both wearing clip on earrings. And I said to the lady, can I try those on? She's like, oh, yeah. And she pulls them out. I'm like, oh, shoot, they're clip ons. Never mind. And she goes, you can still wear clip ons even though you have pierced ears. Guys, did you never wear a clip on?

[C]

Broke your brain probably.

[B]

I don't know why I was like, oh, those are for those people.

[C]

I actually have holes.

[B]

I have pierced ears, so I need a pierced earring. No. Guess what it means if you have pierced ears. It means you can do both. Yeah.

[A]

Also welcome to the fold.

[B]

Also, because big earrings are trending right now.

[A]

Yes, they are.

[B]

That it's an easier set of engineering for those delicate little earlobes to just have a good. If it's a good quality clip on, they don't hurt. But if you're making that big, huge earring, just hang on one little post inside your earring. That hurts more.

[A]

It does.

[B]

So make you real droopy. I'm just saying there's a place for clips. So those of you that were idiot that think like I do. The idiot. The village idiot, you can wear clip ons even if you have pierced earrings. And that opens up the entire repertoire of earrings.

[A]

Seriously, go vintage shopping, guys.

[B]

Yeah. So sue hall is in her vintage earring phase right now, which, as a.

[A]

Girl with a bob, an earring earring, does a lot of work. Y'all. Like, that's everything. Your jewelry, really your lip and your jewelry.

[B]

I just want to say Suze has found her trifecta. She's got her iconic haircut, which is the bob with bangs in platinum white. She's got a red lip and a really awesome vintage earring. Like, ooh, this shoes is a sketch. Yeah, we should sketch this girl. And when you put on great Sunnies. Stop.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Just stop it.

[A]

I know. I took a lesson from the Anna Wintour when I was just like, oh, look at her. Look at, like, her hair is just, like, iconic to her. And I'm like, I got all my wiggles out. I did the asymmetrical. You do all those weird things to your hair, and then you find your thing and then you write it. Guys.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

When you put current, do you remember.

[B]

When you put blue in your hair, too?

[A]

A lot of things. I did pink in my hair. Yeah. At the no Doubt concert. For sure. I did.

[B]

I love it. Corey, tell us what you're doing right now.

[C]

So I've had short hair for a long time. Probably a decade. That's probably the longest I had had short ever. And I was going crazy. Have you guys seen, like, the. I don't know exactly what to call it. It's like, kind of a mullet, but it's like, party in the front, party the back. And it's, like, kind of, like, lit.

[A]

It's just. You're tied on the side.

[C]

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think I can pull that off some, I think. But that was very encouraging. That's been, like, you know, a year that that's been happening. I'm like, that's adding length to men's hair. And that has just been feeling really good for me. That's why I've just been growing it out.

[A]

I don't know what I'm going to do. You have a cool body. You should, like, have it grown up. Fun fact is, when I first met Corey, he looked like lead singer of the Gin Blossoms. Like, long hair.

[C]

Yeah. To my shoulders.

[A]

Crazy. It was like. It was long.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was like, sue, what did you bring in? What did the cat drag in? Sue? She's like, I think. I think we should hire him. I think we should give him a job. I'm like, sue, we can't hire everyone. Yeah. Because sue would bring in, like, all these great hires, people she knew from design school. And it was 2008, so people were losing their jobs, were in the design industry. And finally when she brought Corey in, I was like, not as soon. Not everyone can have a job here.

[A]

12 years later, I'm like, I think he's got something. Yeah.

[B]

He is our people. And now he's going back to long care again.

[C]

Yeah. I. I don't know. I don't have a plan for it. I don't know exactly what.

[B]

Well, stay tuned, everybody.

[A]

You're married to Mari. Mike is an actual kick ass hairdresser. So she'll steer you, right?

[C]

Yeah, she did tell me. She's like, you probably need to start figuring out what you're gonna. Yeah. So I'm like, I don't know.

[A]

Every girl knows what you're going through. As far as like the growing out stage you're now staging. Gotta like, yeah, power through that. You gotta go through some painful.

[B]

Whatever it is, it'll be good.

[C]

It'll be great.

[B]

Corey's got good taste and his wife is an amazing hairdresser. So just stay tuned. One more reason to. To tune into YouTube.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, we are. We have a listener question today, which spawned today's episode. Sue, do you want to read for them the listener question?

[A]

Yes, I would love to. Okay. Tessa Russell wrote, when your house has a lot of angles and squares, can you give specific practical ideas for bringing in softness into all the spaces and areas in each room? So we are here to give her six ideas and ways to add softness to a space. We talk a lot about, about this. I think in almost every episode we talk about non directional objects that can help soften a space because we live.

[B]

Let me just quickly say what a non directional object is for you kids in the back. I'm just kidding myself. Yeah, well, we always use this language and I'm like, nobody know what we're talking about. Non directional means it's a circle or it's an amoeba or it's a soft shape. It means it doesn't have an up or a down or right or a left. Usually those front or back. Exactly. So those orb shapes, those circular shapes, those organic shapes is what is going to help soften, soften the space, right?

[A]

Yep, yep. And so we have six ways that we naturally, like do this when we're doing design work. And I think this will help you as you're like navigating, adding softness in your space. Because at most rooms are square, you're dealing with 90 degree angles on all sides. Right. Most of your ceilings are 90 degrees. Most of you, as far as your cabinetry, you're dealing with like just all the squares, all the boxes, all the 90 degree angles. So it's important to, as you're navigating a space to make sure you're adding enough soft like pieces to make it comfortable for your eye and for your actual living.

[B]

So yeah, so we're going to it to that point. This is a tangent, so bear with me. But we have a podcast we can.

[A]

See as long as you want.

[B]

Yeah. So I Mean to that point of like cabinetry. It's, I think, why we like a knob.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In case I had somebody text me the other day and they're like, hey, so which pulls should I do on my kitchen? I was like, whoa. Oh, you don't know. We don't do a pole in the kitchen because everything's a straight line and a pole is one more straight line. So we do knobs for the most part. Lowers uppers. We love a soft shape because. Because we've got all these grids and, you know, we need those non directional shapes to soften it. Right. To bring that in. So we're gonna give you, like sue said, our six best ideas. Tessa, to help you and all of us, because we're all living in square houses for the most part to soften these shapes up. So the first thing that we have is rugs. It's the first piece of art that you're gonna put down in the room. If you really. All rugs are important. Big rugs, obviously you can do a solid color, but you could bring in a beautiful big piece of artwork, which is a pattern. And it's going to give you so many colors to play with. It's going to give you movement in the room. It's also going to soften the sound in your room. A lot of people have hard surfaces for flooring today and sound bounces. Corey, our musician, could probably go into great detail about this. Also your windows are going to make sound bounce around reflective surface.

[C]

I mean, even more than like tile or something like that.

[A]

So.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. So as far as, like, if you have little kids running through the house and screaming and you know, it's just. You want to soften the space in every way, not just visually, but also, sound wise, you want to absorb sound. So literally. Yeah, yeah. So your big rugs are going to also help do that and they're going to make life more comfortable to live.

[A]

On top of and to what you're talking about. Jess, I think this is really important. When we talk about making a room feel larger, we're going to put things on a diagonal because if you have everything just laying straight like your wood flooring, so you're like, you walk in and it's laying straight. Like my eye just like goes along with that line and then it goes up. But if you with a rug, have an organic shape that can kind of sweep you around and through, your space grows.

[B]

It's crazy.

[A]

It does. It stretches your eye from corner to corner, wherever those lines that's why we say go larger with your rugs, because that will soften your space.

[B]

You said organic shape. So now they're picturing a rug in the shape of an amoeba.

[A]

Okay. No, we.

[B]

Or a round rug, you guys, we.

[A]

Don'T do round rugs. I've seen it very rarely, like, will a really elite designer do one. And I'm like, that's. They actually figured it out.

[B]

That is the exception to the rule.

[A]

They crack the code. It's not something that we're doing. We're not doing round rugs. And I think that's a general rule that we can say out loud here. Don't do a round rug. What I'm talking about is we are trying to get the largest rug in a space that we can. It used to be that the rule was like six inches away from the wal wall. Like, imagine a six inch border. You're trying to go that big. Okay. To just like really embody everything that's in that space that can sit on it. That will soften your room just like visually, texturally, for your feet, for every. Every part, every sense. Right. But when I'm talking about an organic shape, I'm talking about the patterns in the rug. So if you're thinking of like a Persian rug or, you know, even like a modern rug that has some, like, movement to it and some design that has like some sweeping motions or a medallion or something that's going to add that non directional softness to a space, that's what will add, I think, a lot of character. And it will grow your room. It'll make it a lot more interesting and it'll just like, it'll. It'll soften it. So that's what I mean. It'll stretch your eye and make it. It'll feel like art. So.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Great. The next one we have down is drapery. Drapery is going to soften your space visually. Also. Sound. It's going to help absorb sound on those big walls. And that drapery, we're going to obviously do a rod that extends way beyond the window by the height of the window.

[C]

Well, and. And the width. Yes.

[B]

Right. Yeah. We're going to go up as high as we can to the ceiling and then also way beyond the window. And that drapery stack is going to live to the side of the windows, but you want enough fabric there that you could close it over the window. So you can imagine the yardage that you're buying. Right. For these a lot.

[C]

And when they are closed, they won't be pulled tight.

[B]

Right. It'll still have folds in it.

[C]

Drapery folds, which is good for sound because you want the unevenness in the sound.

[B]

Baffling or.

[C]

Yeah. Well, just sound waves will hit it at different points and then reflect back. And so that's. That's what softens it. Like, as far as sound goes is that it's. There's dimension to that.

[A]

The folding.

[C]

Yeah. The folding to. To the curtain when it's still. When it's shut. Pulled shut. So. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Plenty of.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

What's in your panel?

[A]

Yeah, And I was just gonna say that, like, windows, even, like, in, like, majority of my rooms, I'm still like, that is the last layer. Because, like, houses are expensive. We get it. And, like, a lot of times the window treatments get delayed because, like, everybody's a little house poor after they build a house. They move in, and they're just like, okay, that was. How much. How much are window? And then. But I will tell you, it is the thing that makes it feel finished. If we can go into a photo shoot with the window treatments up, like, it's by far the better photo shoot versus not having it.

[B]

We will wait.

[A]

It's a better way to live.

[B]

Listen, designers out there, just wait. Don't shoot the house until the draperies get in, because it's like the mascara at the end of your eye makeup. It finishes the room and makes it look complete. Your rooms feel taller. They feel wider. They just feel finished and softer. Yeah. So that's one of those things that you can add to your space this year, and you will immediately see the impact. It's so beautiful. Even if it's sheers, those sheer stacks are so chic. I just. I love a sheer. No.

[A]

And there's such a mood. I can, like, think of, like, several, like, moments in time where I'm just like, I'm never going to forget this moment for the rest of my life. I have a soundtrack in my head going. The wind is blowing. It's like dusting those shears so well. I'm just like, am I in a movie? I'm on a movie set because the window treatments. We're doing a dance.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And that's how your house could feel. Guys, it's amazing.

[B]

It's. If you guys have ever heard the song Careless Whisper by George Michael, it's that. It's that for your room. It's Careless Whisper for your room.

[C]

Jess, Valentine's Day is coming up, and I have no idea what to get for Mari.

[B]

Oh, I know. What you could get her. Have you tried Cozy Earth's bamboo sheet set?

[C]

I have not.

[B]

Okay. She's gonna die. The sheets are so silky and foxy. They have this little bit of a sheen to it, and they just redefine what it means to relax together. So even though you're giving her a gift, you're really getting a gift for yourself at the same time.

[C]

That's amazing.

[B]

It is amazing. You're gonna love it. They're the smoothest, softest, bedding. And here's what I like about it. Adam sleeps super, super hot. I'm always cold, but because of the sheets. These amazing bamboo sheets. They are, like, four times cooler than cotton. They're the only. Only sheet he'll sleep in, so it keeps him cool. I can put an extra layer on, and we can both sleep together. It's like a mini vacation right in your own bed. You're gonna love them.

[C]

We need that. We've been needing new sheets for a long time, and the best decision I've made for my sleep has been the cozier sleep mask that I got just over a year ago.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

Can't sleep without it. Now I take it with me when I travel. I don't even want to open up my eyes in the morning because it's just makes me feel so relaxed and has changed the way I sleep. So I'm stoked to get the.

[B]

I love that thing.

[C]

Yeah. So to get the sheets.

[B]

It's so silky and yummy. I'm so happy that you have that. Well, here's another idea, too. I love the Cozy Earths bamboo pajama set. They're silky yet breathable. And she's never going to want to take them off. So if that's another idea too, you could get her sheets for both of you.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

You could get her the pair of sheets, and she can wear them to lounge or just wind down. I honestly run in the door, take off my work clothes, put these on.

[C]

That's gonna be a game changer for her.

[B]

She's gonna love it. Okay, good. Yeah. So if you guys want help turning your Valentine's Day into something really special, I strongly suggest surprising your valentine or anyone you love with Cozy Earth. And you can get 40% off right now at Cozy Earth if you go to cozyearth.com dearalice and you can use our code. Dear Alice, that's Cozyearth. Cozyearth.com Dear Alice. And don't forget, if you're asked in a post purchase survey, let them know you heard about cozy earth right here. Okay. That's drapery, plaster or paint.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

To add color and warmth. We've been in a. Yeah, go ahead, Sue.

[A]

No, we're like definitely in a color movement right now. I think everybody had like the White House and like everything was a little bit more sterile, you know, and then pandemic happened and we're like, why are we so sad? And we're like, we're adding color back into our lives. And I'm here for it. I'm so happy. But adding. It sounds funny to say that just like painting, you know, a 90 degree box of color will soften it, but it will. It will. And by taking that color, some tone from the wall up onto the ceiling, you're kind of diffusing those lines and you're just creating a blanket over yourself. So I like, I'm a die hard believer in the color drench and in totally encompassing yourself in something to take you into an environment instead of into a five leaded box. You know, like, it will. If you can just like totally surround yourself by the same finish, by the same color, that will soften your space completely.

[B]

As a principle, if you want extra credit points for this, you're going to go plaster. Because plaster is going to give you the color, but it's going to give you movement in with it. Yep. It's going to give you a soft texture. And you can also do this with color, natural, organic colors. And that movement going onto ceilings and around corners and everything is a spiritual experience. It's really, really extraordinary to see plastered spaces. Oh.

[A]

And especially when the plaster rolls onto the ceiling. I once had a client where she's just like, no, no, no, that was too expensive. We're just doing the walls and she just painted her ceiling with a regular paint. And I was just like, oh, we're so close. We were almost there. And like, I'm so sad about it to this day, you know, because when you do experience the plaster on the ceiling, your ceiling grows and the heavens open and it's just magic. Plaster is magic. So, yeah, that will. That will definitely add to your space.

[B]

Yes. I love that. Fifth principle is art. Art is going to soften your space because we're going to. Yeah, we're going to give you subject matter to stare at. It's going to give you a story. It's going to give you focus, color, movement. The way that you frame it is in an art itself. You can layer in art. You can. If it's a contemporary home, maybe it's Three dimensional objects as art. But this is going to be rugs.

[A]

Onto your walls, because rugs are art.

[B]

Yes, definitely. I mean, I think for sue, you moved into your home during the pandemic, painted the whole thing in a color drench of your favorite shade of white, and then hung your entire art gallery, all of these white walls. And if you were to say to me, what color walls does sue have? I'm like, every color. I would never tell you that she has a white house. Because her art collection is so dynamic. I can't actually think of what her wall colors are. You know, it's just a gallery for her life. And it does add so much softness and interest and color and movement and happiness and joy. And it's just something that. It sounds funny to say art adds softness, but it does. It adds a. Like a human touch, a human element. Right. Adds life.

[A]

Yeah. And I feel like for the majority of our clients who, you know, have, like, lived like, lovely lives too, right to this point when we started working with them, art is the hardest layer. It's the hardest layer because you have to really deep dive into, like, what you love. And art's hard. Like, if you're. If you're just starting your art journey and you're just like, I don't like subjects, I don't like people, I don't like places, I don't like things. You're just like, living in a cold box with abstract art through with it, which. Which is fine if that's you, but you're gonna have to do extra work on your framing or other things to make that pop, because you're gonna go flat.

[B]

You're gonna have to work on your personality.

[A]

We're gonna have to change some things. You're gonna have to go to therapy and figure out how you can like people again. But I. Yeah, I. I think there is, like, a real. There's something that happens to a home when you can figure out what you love in your art. Like. Like, I think it's the. Honestly, I do think it's the most important layer. Like, it's the heartbeat. It's the heartbeat of the house, and it's the pulse, and it tells me what you love. You know, whether it's photography, like that as the graphicness, whether it's, you know, whether it is people or whether it is, you know, the places that you grew up or what. Whatever that is. Like, it adds a softness, and it, like, it says so much about you, and you forget that you're in a white box. When you have the art and to be. And I would really like, like, you should stretch yourself to figure out your art to go larger than you think you should on all your art. And then if it's the pieces that you have aren't large, then you're going to get really creative with your framing. And I would like really, if you were up for it, go more interesting on your framing than you have been. Because I think that that adds a lot to not only the art piece, but to the whole composition of what will start to tell your story is the framing on the art that will add softness. And I can see on every piece of art that I have, the frames that like that are the most interesting, the whole wall becomes more interesting. It's not just the art, the whole thing, the composition, the pieces next to it, everything looks better. When you frame your art correctly and you like, really do something that's opinionated and has a point of view with your art that will add softness and add like a lot of dynamics to a space.

[C]

The. The frame is. Can be as much of it's art. Yeah. Yeah. It could be as much art as the piece of art it is. Is itself.

[A]

And I think it should. Yeah, that's controversial because some people are like, oh, the frame just is taking away from the art. And I'm like, no, I should have to. It should like they should bounce from each other.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think it makes it much more exciting and special.

[B]

So true. Yeah. Sixth point we have.

[C]

We skipped lighting, actually.

[A]

Oh, I know you already. I was like, oh, we' okay.

[C]

I. I wanted to save the six point for the last one.

[B]

Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. I'm bad at numbers.

[C]

It's okay.

[B]

Yeah. But good at lighting. Lighting, you guys. Lighting is going to really soften a space, especially when you get the right LED bulb.

[C]

Yeah, the right Kelvin.

[B]

The right Kelvin. Let's tell them our favorite kelvin.

[A]

I'm a 2700. 2700 kelvin. 3000 is like the max. And that's in a kitchen, if you must. But even, even don't. If you want to live a Nancy Myers lifestyle, you're going to go to 2700. And that's like, I think overall you're going to be soft white. You're not doing the daylight, you're not doing blue cold that your husband's going to grab at the. At Lowe's because he wants.

[B]

Because he wants to get the most bang for his buck. He's going to buy the highest Kelvin. And you're like, no, we're going to.

[C]

Light this SOB up.

[B]

Get curious about what your light bulbs are. I think that's a really good thing to add softness to your space. It's the lowest hanging fruit of all the things that we're touching telling you to do. And just make sure and replace all your light bulbs in 2025 with 2700 Kelvin light bulbs.

[C]

I would say lean more towards lamp light too and less like great overhead.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

That to me that creates visual. Yeah, I was gonna say visual softness. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Romance too.

[B]

Like also you look more beautiful. Your room looks more beautiful on lamplight.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You're like, does anybody want to come over here and film anything in my house right now? Because it looks like I always tell.

[C]

My wife, like we, you know, we have six and a three year olds, so it's like hard to.

[A]

It's chaos.

[C]

I could clean all day and it's still not going to be a clean house. I was like, let's turn off these overhead lights and pretend like our house is cleaned. Yeah. I mean put on a couple lamps. Like I know you don't notice it.

[A]

Another really good song. Yeah, I know.

[B]

That's great.

[A]

Also takes the edge off.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Dimmers. Like if you're building new, make sure that like all your decorative fixtures. Honestly, I could have everything on dimmers. I think like it'll add to your whole atmosphere. I think sconces should be on dimmers. Overhead lighting should be on dimmers. And again that allows you to control it and. And to be consistent with that. Kelvin, I like that you said like just overall from like lamps.

[B]

Oh gosh. Because my awesome mixed light is the worst. Yeah.

[A]

He like when we first got our house, like he's those like we started like repairing and replacing things and there's still a side. That light by our side door that like it's a motion detector and when it goes on, you're just like I'm being attacked. Like you feel like an interior. You're being interrogated. Yeah. And like it's a different temperature than my other one. And so I'm like, Tom, we've really got us. We've got to change this out. Like it's really bust in my groove and and but yeah, like it really. It'll make you look bad, guys. Just make it consistent, make it soft.

[B]

I will add softness. If nothing else in 2025. That could be your New Year's resolution. It's just have all my. Be the same temperature. Yeah.

[A]

And then I would say just like with lighting, when we're Choosing lighting for homes and things. We're never really getting square fixtures. Oh, you know what I mean?

[B]

Thanks for saying this.

[A]

Like, yeah, we love an orb. Like, we love like an actual circular.

[B]

That non directional thing.

[A]

Non directional. We love ones that feel like stretching art with like globes that are hand blown.

[B]

Susan's talking about the ceiling fixtures.

[A]

I'm talking about ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, things like in your office right now, like, we have like, you know, just a bunch of these oars that are stacked on top of each other inside this box and it adds everything. It's so beautiful. I think it's so modern.

[B]

We are not using a square fixture. We're not doing a square lantern over an island. We are never using a square lampshade or a square lampshade on a sconce. We can't do that. We're trying to add softness to a space. That's our job is to make these things feel soft and warm and organic. And so I think gone are the days of the square fixtures. I mean, I think that Jeff, Luke Lewis era, where he was doing all the square, everything was like modern, you know, but now it's just like, let's take the edge off of everything.

[A]

Like, I don't know, turn ceramics, you know, on our lamp bases. And there's like modeling to things and it's just. It's a little like life is hard enough. Like soften it, guys.

[B]

Yeah, that's good.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Thank you, Corey, for remembering. Yeah, sorry. Number six we have down is plants. Plants are going to make. They're going to take all the edge off as well. They're going to give you those real organic lines. They're going to help filter your air. You're gonna put them by your window. The lighting is gonna look so magical on them. Sue and I have a good friend that just finished an extraordinary build. Extraordinary. Six years probably in the making. And it is just like such a beautiful, beautiful piece of art. And she's asked us to come in and add final layers because she's like, ugh, we finished it all. She is some extraordinary designer out of California or something and amazing architect.

[A]

It's like perfect with his axis and anyway, everything.

[B]

Yeah, like this thing is award win. But she's like, it just still doesn't feel like home. Can you guys come in and add the layers and soften things? And I said to sue, first thing we're going to do is we're going.

[A]

To go to a nursery.

[B]

Well, we're going to work with somebody that's really great with plants, but let's start getting all of the best looking plants that work for her modern home. Because it's like adding sculpture that's living and getting some of those organic lines and movement and height and interest and also bringing color in. And then once we've got the plants dialed in, then we're gonna start adding in the other layers. But to my eye, the first thing we needed was just plants, and that's why I put it on the list, because it's like, all of us can learn from this. You know, you don't need to pay sue and I to tell you that you're missing plants. That is oftentimes something that's missing from the room. And you can get great pots. You can if. If you're nervous about watering them. Here at the store, we have plants throughout, and we have a service that comes by that the plants came from, you know, cactus and tropicals, and they come and they them once a week, and they test the soil and they make sure they're living. And if they die, then they replace them for free. So that's a service if. If your client, you know, wants to do that or they can learn, like I did to just water my tree on Sunday, you know, so. Yeah. And just get it in the right light. But it definitely adds so much to a room height and sculpture and color and. Yeah, it's extraordinary.

[A]

Even when we're, like, pulling a room together, like, usually, like, we have, like, our rug, like, and this is like, we're looking at paper dolls, right? We're, like, designing. We have rug. We have our furniture. You know, not until we get, like, lamps. And if I can throw, like, a tree or something, I'm like, what is living in there? I'm like, okay, starting to gel. Like, it's not interesting that even, like, in, like, the cocktail and the actual, like, recipe building of a room, you see that green and you're just like, okay, all is well. Yeah, it's a good. It's a good combo. We're good.

[C]

There's life.

[A]

There's life. I will say just because, like, I've had family and friends that have. I'm like, yeah, you should get a tree. And they'll get a small tree. I would say go as large as you can afford to go. Go get a planter and build that girl up. Because, like, that. And you can always, like, replant it, you know, whatever you do. But if you start out with just a tiny little thing, like, you're gonna be like, it didn't work. Shoot. Like, why isn't my room transfer.

[C]

I. I would say big planter, too, because I hate seeing these, like, trees with, like, the tiny little, like, root rock guys.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like. Like no one's happy in that pot.

[C]

Yeah. I would say maybe the. Not the biggest planter you can get, but have the tree grow or the plant grow into the planter, you know? Yeah.

[B]

That's times. So for my birthday, probably like two or three years ago, my mom gave me a gift certificate to my favorite nursery. And I went and. Great gift, right? Yeah. And I went in and I bought a bird of paradise. And it was already planted, but they have this really great desk where they'll plant anything for you. And they have some things that are already planted that you can take. My bird of paradise was already planted in a gorgeous, huge, white ceramic pot. And I walked and I saw it, and I was like, I'm blowing my whole gift card on my all $200 on this extraordinary plant. And then some, because the pot was so awesome. And I brought it home. I was so excited. I think my husband pulled his back out trying to get it onto this huge side table that I have. Guys, the bird of paradise is taller than my windows now. It's probably because it's sitting on top of a table. It's doing the most. It's so fun. I've loved watching it. It's in a corner of my room with two windows facing different directions. It's so happy there. And it just. It, like, finished my room. It looks amazing.

[C]

So plants do so heavy lifting.

[B]

Yeah, they really do.

[A]

You look so exotic. And you look like a designer when you look at, like, all the ral rooms.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

There's massive palms everywhere. It's way cheaper than furniture. And, like, people. It's the only thing that people see when they come in. They're like, wow, your rubber tree is huge. I'm like, I know. It just is doing the thing.

[C]

Just.

[A]

I just wanted one.

[B]

You get so much credit, don't you?

[A]

You totally do. And you're just like, there's other things but the plants here.

[B]

Yeah. Guys, get yourself a plant in 2025 if you haven't already. Definitely soften the edges.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

If you guys. Any episode ideas you want to make sure that we answer for you, send those to Dear [e-mail]. thank you so much for listening. And I wanted to tell you about our Alice Lane Home website. We have a special discount code for you. We have the most extraordinary stuff that we're creating right now. Probably like 700 SKUs of this on our website of stuff that just we're creating. Yeah, yeah. And I'm so proud of what we're making and I want to make sure you guys can live with some of it. We have so many new introductions right now. 50 new intros we've got to try and kick off in next month, which is so exciting. You can sign up to be one of our insiders if you want to shop that before anybody else. You should be insiders. You guys are listening to us talk. Yeah, for sure. Anyway, I wanted to just tell you guys, anybody listening to the podcast, we have a special code for you, so you can always save 20%. And that is Dear Alice 20. And you're going to get 20% off your [e-mail] so anyway, if you want to follow us along at the store, our Instagram handle is Alice Lanehome at Alice Laneholm. And if you want to follow the interior design account where we're working on all of these awesome houses behind the scenes, the making of the renderings of some of the work we're doing, that's at Alice Lane Interiors on Insta. Thanks so much for listening, guys. We're going to catch you next time. Hey, thanks for listening. If you like our show, please leave a five star rating.