Analisse Taft: Textured Sitting Room

For me, coziness comes from texture. I love layering materials—rich woods, mirrored accents, ceramic surfaces—anything that brings depth and softness. When textures overlap, a room instantly feels inviting and elevated.

Definitely. I stick to classics but tailor them to the setting. In the country, I love Benjamin Moore’s Athena; at the beach, I reach for Silver Satin; and in the city, Edgecomb Gray is the perfect neutral. Each one carries a mood.

I always treat millwork as its own moment. Walls, ceilings, and trim usually stay white, but the millwork gets a saturated high-gloss color—often a deep green. It gives the room a sculptural focal point, almost like a built-in piece of furniture.

The palette is the anchor. As long as the colors harmonize, you can be adventurous with texture. In this room alone, there’s velvet, mohair, shearling, and a couple types of bouclé. It all works because the tones speak the same language.

I love sheers—especially cashmere sheers. They filter the light in a soft, flattering way and bring that subtle elegance you can’t quite describe but immediately feel.

I tend to go with hardwood flooring—whether it’s plank, herringbone, or parquet— because it adds warmth and gives you a strong architectural direction. Many people avoid hardwood in kitchens and baths, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Just order a bit extra for the future. For bathrooms, I also love tumbled marble or ceramic tile, and brick always feels right in mudrooms or foyers.

I’ll often bring in texture with a sisal or seagrass rug that covers the majority of the room, and then layer it with a softer, smaller rug—such as a custom silk, a shearling, a hide, or something vintage—to delineate an intimate seating area.

I always come back to marble paired with a plaster or wood mantel. It feels timeless. Just keep fire codes in mind—they dictate the surround width and whether a hearth is required.

Warm wood accents—like burlwood or a beautiful oak piece—make an immediate difference. Even swapping in a custom parchment lampshade can shift the entire vibe.

Interview by Alyssa Bird