Adding Soul to Modern Interiors

Throughout my 30+ year career as a designer, the spaces I’ve created for clients have always leaned more modern than traditional in style.

Modern design is, of course, synonymous with simplicity, clean lines, and open space; and while these elements can be incredibly striking, they can feel a bit too stark and sterile for my taste.

Design by Robin Heard Design. Photography by David Duncan Livingston.

The key to fixing that? Soul.

I believe every home should feel like a sanctuary. For me, that means weaving in layers of texture, color, organic elements, meaning, and personal story.

Here’s how I help my clients bring soul into the modern spaces I design for them.

Original Art (Especially When It's Personal)

Art is often where a space begins to speak. My team and I love incorporating original works, whether that’s a favorite painting collected on the client’s own travels, a meaningful heirloom piece, or art we source in the process of designing their spaces.

Selecting art is never about filling a blank wall; it's about inviting emotion into the room and making the walls speak for themselves.

You can read more about choosing art for your home here.

Colors, Patterns, & Textures That Resonate

A soulful space doesn’t have to be bold or colorful, but it does have to be intentional. From a deeply pigmented wall to a barely-there neutral, the colors, patterns, and textures we choose are often custom and always thoughtfully selected.

Maybe you’ve always been drawn to richly woven tribal patterns, or soft shades of green, or the subtlety and softness of pale woods. The key is to find what resonates with you and bring it into the design.

Design by Robin Heard Design. Photography by David Duncan Livingston.

Thoughtful Finishes That Tell a Story

At RHD, we’re passionate about walls that aren’t just drywall. Whether it’s a hand-applied lime wash or a natural stone accent wall, it’s not about picking the trendiest materials. It’s about finding what feels right for you and your home.

Some of our most soulful modern projects have included:

• Venetian plaster feature walls

• Handmade Zellige tile shower walls and kitchen backsplashes

• Tumbled brick fireplaces

  
  

Each of these materials adds a quiet, grounded presence. They don’t shout, but they definitely speak volumes.

Natural Stone & Reclaimed Wood

There’s a certain resonance that only natural materials can bring to a space. We incorporate natural stone and wood (often reclaimed) into just about every project in the form of  flooring, countertops, cabinetry, and even sculptural details.

Because they age beautifully and their imperfections are what make them timeless, these elements ground a home in both place and history.

From reclaimed beams to honed stone sinks and beyond, clients tell us these are the elements in their homes they fall more in love with over time.

Curated Antiques (and Objects with Meaning)

The right antique or collected piece can work wonders to break up a too-perfect modern space and bring warmth and personality. And no, it doesn’t have to be rare or expensive. Even a child’s framed drawing can do the trick. That said, we’re not after clutter, we’re after character. We carefully curate and thoughtfully select these items to prevent too much of a good thing. 

Design by Link Interiors. Photography by Brian Wetzel Photo.

When chosen intentionally, these pieces tell your story, and in so doing, give your space soul.

Custom Upholstery & Window Treatments

Window treatments and upholstery are never afterthoughts in our process. They’re essential elements for building warmth and intimacy into a space. Whether it’s a crisply tailored Roman shade or a pair of drapery panels in richly handwoven linen, these soft elements shape the feel of a room.

Custom furniture often provides us with the perfect moment to add a touch of the unexpected such as a contrast welt, a hand-embroidered detail, or a distinctive silhouette.

Making your home sing

A soulful space is one that feels lived in, loved, and entirely yours, even if it’s newly built or freshly renovated.

At Robin Heard Design, we know that soulful interiors don’t come from a showroom. They come from listening carefully to who you are and designing spaces that reflect your uniqueness back to you with beauty, depth, and ease.

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If you're dreaming of a modern home that still feels warm, personal, and deeply “you,” we’d love to help.

Whether you're designing a new build or renovating an existing home, we specialize in creating interiors that are as soulful as they are sophisticated.

Let’s design a home that truly reflects you. Contact Robin Heard Design today.