The Comforts of Home

Decorated rooms—and the designers who create them—have long suffered the reputation of extolling style at the expense of comfort. We have all seen rooms that look amazing, but would we really want to live in them? Well, times have changed. These days when I ask designers “What tops your clients’ must-have lists?” nine out of ten answer, “Comfort.” Dispelling the outdated dichotomy, these pros respond with engaging spaces designed to be lived in, not to just look good. The rooms are meant to be shared, not just shown off. Homes featured in the following pages reflect this approach and showcase many stylish ways to infuse comfort into most any space.

In Sandy, design pros transformed an outdated Tuscan-style house into an amalgam of classic details and relaxed-yet-refined charm. In Park City, a talented team used natural materials and organic elements to connect the home’s striking architecture and feel-good rooms to its scenic mountain setting. In Lehi, interior designer Al- lison Campbell layered her clients’ modern abode with warm neutrals and laid-back luxury that belie its contemporary leanings.

On a smaller scale, a chic playroom by Aubrey Smith invites kids to curl up on deep window seats, climb into snug bunks and sway on pillowed swings. Designer Gregg Hodson proves comfy quarters and big livability can stylishly coexist with a 468 square-foot St. George casita, and imaginative pros across the state infuse showers with splashy design that takes rinse rooms far beyond their practical purpose.

The following pages prove that today’s compelling spaces are about more than just style; we just need to get comfortable with it. @utahstyledesign

BRAD MEE, EDITOR IN CHIEF