In the charming town of Chatham, Emily and Ashley’s friendship blossomed over their shared roles as mothers and entrepreneurs, leading to a collaboration that transformed Ashley’s home into a comfortable and contemporary sanctuary. Emily, of Emily Young Interiors, and Ashley, Of Space + Mind were inspired by nature when pulling texture and deep earthy tones into their design plan. The result is a moody yet inviting home featuring organic elements and bespoke furnishings, a perfect space for both family gatherings and professional pursuits.
From the designer… Shortly after moving to Chatham, Emily and Ashley met at a party and instantly bonded over their shared experience as moms and business owners. Their timing was perfect – Ashley had just found out she was pregnant, and needed to reconfigure her house to make space for her second baby while Emily had just decided to pursue her side hustle as a full-time business. They quickly became friends and each other’s clients.
As a professional organizer, Ashley believes that transforming environments can transform people. She loves to host and wanted a living room and dining room that felt welcoming and comfortable, but still refined and beautiful. The openness of her house meant that rooms needed to be designed holistically and flow well into one another. As a mom of three, Emily understood the importance of great flow in a home and knew she could deliver durability and function, without sacrificing beautiful design.
From the beginning, both Emily and Ashley were inspired by nature and texture. The first piece both Emily and Ashley fell in love with was a hand-knotted wool rug from India for the formal living room. The rug was the foundation for the rest of the rooms, allowing them to draw on hints of sage and olive green. Since Ashley loves hosting, Emily decided to add two sofas, maximizing seating and space for conversation. The rounded backs of the sofas make them design features that earn their space in the room.
From a functional standpoint, the living room had a lot of blank walls and no focal point and flowed directly into both the foyer and the dining room. It was Emily’s idea to use an awkward corner in the formal living room for Ashley’s workspace, making it appear like formal built-in shelves, but also function as a desk. The built-in was painted a rich olive green – the same color they used in the dining room – to bring the two spaces together.
To keep the space bright and airy, the living room walls, baseboards, and moldings were painted a classic warm white. The feature wall was finished with a commissioned piece by local artist, Susan La Conti, incorporating all of the tones used in the space. Smaller pieces of vintage artwork in brass frames added a lived-in element, while organic elements such as marble, oak, and iron complimented the earthy green tones throughout the space.
The original dining room was drab with dated chair rail molding and no character. Emily suggested adding picture frame moldings to add some interest and texture and painted the whole space with dark olive paint to create an organic, moody vibe. Emily sourced an oiled oak dining table that extends to fit ten – the perfect focal point for their growing family. She finished the space with a handwoven wool and sisal rug, extra fine Australian wool sable fabric for the curtains, and statement iron framed chairs.
Emily was tasked with finding unique yet functional pieces in durable fabrics and finishes for this young family. Working within Ashley’s neutral palette they created a polished but welcoming space that can host everything from family get-togethers and wine nights to zoom meetings.
Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Emily Young Interiors · Photography: Raquel Langworthy Photography · Organizer: Of Space + Mind · Stylist: Deirdre King Creative · Custom Artwork: Susan LaConti · Cabinetry, Millwork, Painting: Henry’s Painting
