Crafting Comfort

It doesn’t take long to get inspired when looking at photos of Laura Seymour’s home. As a design enthusiast and owner of the hip Interior Styling business, Hitch + Cord, Laura has spent the last 15 years building her business, designing two homes, and defining her “mid-clectic” style.

As someone who has always believed the design of your home should be intentional and a true reflection of who you are and what you love, her home is just that. With a mix of textures, colors and elements that combine mid-century design with contemporary style (and a splash of boho sprinkled in), her space is as stylish as it is welcoming.

From a gallery wall featuring group photos that she has been collecting for nearly 20 years to a signature Eames Lounge Chair by Herman Miller – there is no shortage of interest in her space and each time you look at it, you’ll discover something new to draw your eye in.

She gives us a glimpse into her style, home and advice for creating spaces that are as comfortable as they are inviting.

Make it cozy. “You’re the one who lives there and needs to love it,” Laura says. She advises clients to choose whatever makes you feel comfortable as you want your home to feel relaxing and cozy. Selecting comfortable seating, soft furnishings and bringing in elements from nature such as plants and natural materials can help achieve this.

Be open to new ideas. Be open to things you wouldn’t normally consider and take one or two risks per space. “Often clients don’t know what they like until they see it, but incorporating different colors, patterns, or materials may achieve a look you really love,” she shares.

Get artwork on your walls. Don’t wait to find the perfect piece to get something on your walls. What you hang doesn’t have to be permanent and may not be your “forever” piece, but it will make your space feel more finished than blank walls, and you can update it in the future.

Mixing Old & New.

While she isn’t necessarily a trend-follower, she does think it’s important to stay relevant. “Not all trends will work for everyone,” Laura shares, but she does get inspired when she sees new pieces that can be incorporated into her home. Whether pulling inspiration from the design industry, her travels, or even the architecture of the home, she believes it’s natural for your style to change and evolve over time. For her, that often involves mixing old and new, such as her collage wall of group photos she has been collecting for nearly two decades.

Creating a Backyard oasis

Although her backyard is not what you would typically see in Rochester, she used the challenges she had as an opportunity to design something unique. Nestled in a shaded neighborhood, the space had plenty of trees but could not grow grass, so her and her family decided to completely hardscape the area and embrace the space for what it is.

The finished design includes large pavers, pea gravel, and multiple decks that create layers of space. There was also a huge retaining wall with concrete cinder blocks to contend with, so she DIY-ed a mid-century wood wall with hanging planters to mask the unsightly space.

Now her yard is filled with flowers and greenery that soften the hard materials and it’s filled with plenty of outdoor furniture and accessories that extend her eclectic style to the backyard.

Home for me is where I feel safe and comfortable. Where I can surround myself with the people and things that bring me joy and fulfillment. Your home should be a true reflection of you; and mine is just that. My favorite place to be is home.” – Laura Seymour

Whatever challenge lies in your backyard, she offers these tips to create your own oasis:

Design the space in zones. Think about the space and what you want to do out there, such as activities, preferences, entertaining and family needs. From there, divide the space into zones such as an area for lounging, a functional space for dining, or a garden area.

Think comfort and durability. Since this is where we want to sit and relax when the weather is nice, be sure to keep both comfort and durability in mind. Especially in Upstate NY, make sure your furniture stands up to the weather and invest in high-quality furniture covers, particularly if leaving it out yearround. Make sure your space has enough shade to be comfortable as well, using umbrellas or a pergola if you don’t have many trees.

Soften the space. Bring in plants, flowers, color, and texture to soften the look of the space. Lighting can be a great way to jazz it up as well. String lights are awesome; they give that cozy, soft bistro feeling but are also functional and add ambiance to your space.

Creating a Pet-Friendly Space. Don’t forget your furry friends! “Whether indoors or out, dedicating space for your pets is important to make them feel like part of the family,” shares Laura (and her adorable dog, Dutch!). Make sure your pets have a place of their own where they feel safe and comfortable. If they go on the furniture, choose performance fabrics or something easy to wipe down like leather and select washable fabrics for pillows, throws, and area rugs. “They even make beautiful throw covers that look like faux fur that are specifically made for pets and are machine-washable,” she says.

Follow laura for more inspiration! Laura Seymour // Hitch + Cord // IG: @hitchandcord