Though it may seem like interior designers always know exactly how they want to decorate a space, they're not immune to indecision or getting temporarily swayed by current trends like the rest of us, especially when they're designing their own home. Designer Molly Kidd of Light and Dwell Interiors considered several styles before going back to what she loves most when designing her family's new-build home in Millersburg, Oregon.
"Since it’s my personal home, I went back and forth on different design styles because I work on so many different projects with varying styles, and I am drawn to all of them," Kidd tells MyDomaine. "But overall, my personal style is mixing modern and vintage styles together."
And that's the aesthetic she brought to her home, a 2,800 square foot beauty with three bedrooms and three baths, which she designed from the ground up. The designer and mother of three added a mix of vintage and European influences with plenty of Pacific Northwest touches to the charming space.
"My goal for the entire house was to create a cohesive, inviting, innovative home," Kidd says. "I wanted it to reflect our family, and be a place for us to gather and feel a sense of calm."
My goal for the entire house was to create a cohesive, inviting, innovative home. I wanted it to reflect our family, and be a place for us to gather and feel a sense of calm.
Keep scrolling to see how this designer created a laid-back and calming space with plenty of personality.
Walking through the front door, guests are greeted with a cozy entryway that immediately introduces the aesthetic of the home, both inside and out.
"The house is out in the country, so that played a role in designing the exterior," Kidd says. "I was drawn to European-style homes, but also wanted a white farmhouse look. I blended the two to create a 'European farmhouse' aesthetic."
When designing the open concept home, Kidd made sure that while every room flowed together seamlessly, each still retained its own personality.
"I wanted the entire home to be cohesive, yet each room to feel a little different," Kidd says. "There are certain elements that are consistent, like handmade tile, vertical tongue and groove on the walls, and the same white paint throughout, except for a few rooms and cabinets."
Though it can be challenging designing a home with an open floor plan, that actually became Kidd's favorite part of the house.
"When creating the floor plan, I knew I wanted it to feel open, but not cold," Kidd says. "I’m really happy with how it flows and feels so warm and comfortable."
When decorating her home, Kidd kept the whole family in mind.
"Our family has young kids, so I knew durability was a must!" Kidd says. "We decided to paint our kitchen cabinets a 'greige' color to hide dirt and smudges, and went with black leathered countertops for durability."
Designing for a family doesn't stop at picking the right paint. Kidd also used older pieces to her advantage.
"Throughout the home, we have a lot of vintage pieces that are naturally worn, Kidd says. "We also purchased furniture that is highly durable and family friendly."
Kidd has found pieces for her home in vintage stores, on Etsy, and she's even purchased furniture from clients.
"The bench behind our sofa is from a client who was moving out of their old home and building a new one,' Kidd says. "We’re building a very contemporary home for them, and the bench just didn’t fit the new homes aesthetic, so I gladly purchased it from them. I also found some amazing vintage rugs off of Etsy—all the vintage rugs you see in my home tour are from Etsy."
It may be hard to find a piece in Kidd's home that doesn't have a backstory. The built-in bookcases are a natural place for Kidd to show off the treasures she's collected over her lifetime.
"I have spent years collecting vintage goods, and I want the items in my home to tell a story," Kidd says. "I’m drawn to a warm palette, lots of texture, and natural elements. I wanted my home to embody all of those things."
With a house full of vintage finds, it's hard to choose a favorite. But Kidd has one that, to her, stands out from all the rest.
"My favorite vintage piece is a side table in our living room that I picked up a few years ago at an antique store," Kidd reveals. "I bought it because of the character, it has incredible spindled legs, and a hidden drawer. My kids now use that drawer to hide mini animals. It tells a story of a time I went antiquing with some friends, and I knew it had years of memories built in even before I purchased it. Those are the best pieces."
The primary bedroom marries modern European farmhouse vibes with Pacific Northwest style, as natural materials blend seamlessly with shades of blue and green.
"I’ve always been drawn to muted, warm palettes," Kidd explains. "Neutrals and greens are what Light and Dwell is known for, so I knew I wanted that to be the base, with added pops of rust and blues."
Primary Bedroom
The term “Primary Bedroom” is now widely used to describe the largest bedroom in the home, as it better reflects the space’s purpose. Many realtors, architects, interior designers, and the Real Estate Standards Association have recognized the potentially discriminatory connotations in the term “Master.” Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.
The primary bathroom is a master class in decorating sparsely but smartly. The standalone tub, gold floor-mounted tub filler, and vintage rug lend easy elegance to the space.
Primary Bathroom
The term “Primary Bathroom” is now widely used to describe the largest bathroom in the home, as it better reflects the space’s purpose. Many realtors, architects, interior designers, and the Real Estate Standards Association have recognized the potentially discriminatory connotations in the term “Master.” Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.
The his-and-hers vanity is the epitome of the "European farmhouse" style that informed Kidd's design. The natural wood adds a rustic sensibility to the luxurious marble-topped vanity.
This custom reading nook is so inviting, we can't help but dream of curling up here with our next read. And while we're a ways off from duplicating Kidd's warm and earthy aesthetic in our own homes, she has some timeless design advice to help us get there.
"Trust your creative instinct, and if you’ve never seen it before, go for it!" Kidd says.