Layered Living: How to Design a Home That Feels Collected, Cozy, and Custom
- Janet Campbell
- Sep 2
- 4 min read
Layered Living: How to Design a Home That Feels Collected, Cozy, and Custom
WHY GOOD DESIGN DOESN'T RUSH, IT UNFOLDS LIKE YOUR LIFE DOES.
There’s something about fall that always stirs my creativity. Maybe it’s the slower mornings, the crisp air, or the golden light that filters through changing trees. But what inspires me most this time of year isn’t just the season — it’s the places I find myself in.
As a designer, travel has become one of my greatest sources of inspiration; from small boutique hotels in the English countryside to autumn markets tucked into the backstreets of Paris. Every detail leaves an imprint: the texture of aged stone, the warmth of layered linens, the lived-in charm of imperfect wood. These moments live in my memory and eventually, they show up in my work.
This is the essence of what I call layered living — a design philosophy rooted in creating homes that feel collected, cozy, and deeply personal. The kind of spaces that reflect not just your style, but your story.
What Is Layered Living?
In interior design, “layering” refers to the thoughtful combination of materials, textures, color, and styling to create warmth and dimension. But for me, layered living goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about creating a home that feels as though it’s evolved with you, not just decorated all at once.
It means blending old with new. Cozy with refined. Custom touches with collected treasures.
“It’s how a space becomes not just beautiful, but emotionally resonant.”
Layered living is how we bring soul into a space — and make it feel like home.
Cozy Doesn’t Mean Cluttered
One of the most common misconceptions I hear from clients is:
“I love a cozy home, but I don’t want it to feel messy or crowded.”
They’re absolutely right to want warmth without chaos. Cozy and curated can and should coexist. It’s not about stacking throw blankets or cramming bookshelves. It’s about using:
Natural materials like marble, leather, linen, and warm woods
Saturated, grounded tones (think: ochre, forest green, clay)
Well-placed lighting that softens a room and adds intimacy
Pieces with character, whether custom, vintage, or collected
Negative space, to let the eye — and mind — breathe
This is where intentional design truly comes to life; striking a balance that feels effortless but is, in reality, thoughtfully and artfully layered.
How I Design with Layers
Every time I design a space, I approach it like a well-written novel. It should have:
A strong foundation (layout, flow, architectural detail)
Middle chapters filled with warmth and texture
A final flourish that feels personal and unexpected
In a living room, that might look like custom built-ins and sculptural seating paired with a vintage rug, textural drapery, and curated art collected over time.
And yes, so much of that inspiration comes from travel and the stories I collect along the way.
Collected, Not Copy-Pasted
Too often, homeowners feel pressured to recreate the latest trend or replicate a look they saw online. But when it’s all said and done, what we truly crave is a space that reflects our own story.
“This feels like me. And not like anyone else.”
That’s the goal.
A collected home is one that evolves over time, filled with meaningful pieces, layered textures, and details that reflect your life, not someone else’s Pinterest board. It’s not just about how it looks. It’s about how it makes you feel.
Travel Inspires the Way I Design and Live
One of the most fulfilling parts of my creative process comes from stepping away — quite literally, and being immersed in a new setting. Whether it’s wandering through a centuries-old castle in the countryside or admiring the color palette of a cobblestone street, travel sharpens my eye and softens my pace.
This fall, I plan to explore Scotland and Ireland and I’ll be soaking up the muted greens, stormy blues, and aged stone textures that define those landscapes. It’s also a deeply personal trip, as my husband and I will be celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary along the way; a milestone that means so much.
Design and travel have always gone hand in hand for me. Both are about discovering beauty, embracing new perspectives, and creating experiences that linger. I often find that the colors, materials, and mood of a destination eventually find their way into my work at LINEN + ORCHID.
That passion has led me to something new; sharing my love of travel more intentionally. In my monthly journals, you'll find a special section called Travel Like Janet, where I’ll begin offering curated itineraries, travel guides, and insider favorites from some of my past adventures. These escapes are design-focused, detail-rich, and thoughtfully crafted for those who find joy in beauty at every turn.
Whether you're dreaming of the South of France, a cozy English cottage retreat, or a food-filled weekend in Charleston, I’ll be sharing these journeys through my lens — blending inspiration, storytelling, and thoughtful planning.
Make sure you're subscribed to receive exclusive access to these travel resources. And if you follow along on Instagram, you’ll also get a peek behind the scenes of my upcoming travels and the design moments that inspire me along the way.
It’s a passion project, but just like my interiors, it’s rooted in care, creativity, and intention.
Monthly Musings
September always feels like the beginning of something — even more than January. Lately, I’ve been craving cozy corners, stormy colors, and spaces that feel a little more lived-in; the kind you want to settle into with a blanket and a good book. I’m finding myself drawn to plaid textures, mossy greens, slate blues, and weathered neutrals that feel like they’ve always belonged.
There’s something comforting about leaning into the imperfect this time of year, allowing things to soften, settle, and feel just a little less polished.
Let’s Design a Home That Feels Like You
As the seasons shift, so do the spaces we crave. Fall is the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and create a home that supports you — with warmth, beauty, and intention.
Whether you’re dreaming of layered textures, a more livable layout, or simply want your space to feel more personal, I’d love to help you bring that vision to life.
Schedule Your Discovery Call and let’s create something meaningful one thoughtful layer at a time.
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