DESIGN THAT GROUNDS US
Designs that are rooted in the earth have a way of embracing us, creating spaces that feel cozy, comfortable, and quietly enduring. That richness and depth, paired with the warmth of family rituals, always resonates with me this time of year. It comes through in the tones we choose, the way they layer, and the sense of timelessness they bring to a room.
One of the loveliest examples is the family kitchen dining space shown here, part of a 1920s Tudor renovation in Edina’s Country Club neighborhood that we completed with PKA Architecture and Dovetail. Color, craftsmanship, and thoughtful materials anchor the room. (More on our collaboration with Bo Metal Works on the bar cabinets under “Local Artisan,” below.) These grounded moments show up in many other ways throughout the season, too—in earthy hues that read like neutrals, in recycled wool blankets that add literal warmth, and even in the soft supplemental light of cordless lamps as the days grow shorter. Here’s to creating comforting spaces that feel down to earth in every way.
Design Moment: My team loves it when a favorite color, with the right undertone, reads as a neutral. Benjamin Moore’s Santa Fe Pottery does that for me. While I absolutely love pinks and often think of them as summer colors, this one works all year—its brown undertones make it feel warm and rich, not seasonal. You can see it with other picks from the MDD team, from left to right and all Benjamin Moore: Wenge (Lauren), Santa Fe Pottery (me), Drenched Sienna (Alex), Pinelands (Nancy), and Sienna Clay (Jada).
Local Artisan: We’ve collaborated with Bo Jacobsson of Bold Metal Work for years. Originally from Sweden and now working alongside his sister, Carina, Bo brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge to every project, always improving on our initial drawings. The custom bar cabinets in this 1920s Tudor renovation in Edina’s Country Club neighborhood (shown at the top of this post), featured earlier this year in Homes & Gardens and in the new autumn edition of Lake Society Magazine, are a perfect example. Our goal was to make the cabinets feel original to the home, so we tested three scale models for the inset diamond mullions and added steel panels to obscure what’s behind the glass. Every detail was crafted by hand, and the result is truly beautiful.
Seasonal Extra: Cozy doesn’t have to mean sticking to expected neutrals. You can still embrace color—layering in stripes, plaids, or prints for depth. And this time of year, nothing beats the literal layer of a great blanket. We’re especially drawn to these recycled wool blankets from Scotland-based TBCo. Made from 70% recycled wool and 30% mixed recycled fibers, each one saves an average of six garments from landfill. The Buchanan Antique Tartan pattern shown here is a standout. TBCo also makes wool scarves, like the oversized lambswool style in Green Diamond Jacquard—a perfect statement layer for colder months.
Recipe: As we gather over the holidays, many of us are on the lookout for dishes that can please a group—and it’s hard to beat comfort food with a delicious twist. For my family and team, it’s turkey ricotta meatballs, which I’ve adapted from this recipe from the food blog How Sweet Eats. Everyone in the office loves it! Find the full recipe here, and don’t forget our Team MDD modifications!
1 pound ground beef or turkey (we use ½ Italian ground turkey and ½ regular)
⅓ cup chopped fresh herbs, like parsley and basil (we add cilantro and sage), plus extra for topping
½ cup chicken or beef stock (we prefer chicken)
24 ounces marinara sauce (we add vodka sauce and some fresh Roma tomatoes, chopped)
⅓ cup pesto (we use more)
8 ounces burrata cheese, pulled apart (use lots!)
Statement Piece: Baltimore studio Crump and Kwash—founded by Justin Kwash and Paul Crump, who bring backgrounds in architecture and sculpture—creates heirloom-quality furniture that’s beautifully detailed, distinctive, and built to last. Their pieces aren’t trendy; they’re timeless and shaped by meticulous U.S. craftsmanship. The Roslin dresser is a gorgeous example, available in four wood options, with drawer fronts wrapped in sustainably sourced leather.
Design tip: As the days grow shorter, lamplight becomes an especially essential design consideration. Cordless lamps are brilliant for spaces where you want extra light without visible wiring—side tables, desks without grommets, kitchen shelves, or countertops where you want a soft glow. They also spare me from cutting holes in expensive rugs for lamp cords (although yes, they can always be repaired). And the selection has never been better. A few favorites, from left to right: the glossy Bobbin lamp from Anthropologie, the Melange table lamp designed by Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort, and the Walter table lamp in antiqued brass from Pooky.