The Art of the Layer

Stephanie Kratz • March 4, 2026

Estimated Read Time: 3-4 minutes


Key Takeaways:

  • Size Up: Use inserts that are 2 inches larger than the pillow cover for a plush, high-end look.
  • Layer Scales: Combine large squares, medium squares, and lumbars for visual interest.
  • Texture Over Pattern: Focus on mixing materials (velvet, linen, wool) to create sophisticated depth.
  • The "Chop": Use feather-down fills to allow for the classic designer "V" chop at the top.


A Designer’s Guide to Styling Throw Pillows


When we think about making a house look really nice throw pillows are very important. They are not something you add to a room they actually make the room look complete. Throw pillows are like the touches that make a house feel like a home. They add texture and color to a room, which's really important. You have to be careful because if you add too many throw pillows to a sofa it can start to look messy. You want your sofa to look comfortable and inviting not like it is too full of pillows. Throw pillows can make a difference, in how a room looks so you have to use them in the right way. At Stephanie Kratz Interiors we think about pillows, in a way. We want to make sure they look good together and are the size. Each pillow should do something for the room. It should help tell the story of the room. We call this the rooms narrative. At Stephanie Kratz Interiors we consider the composition and scale of pillow styling.


5 Strategies for Professional Pillow Styling


Master the "Rule of Three" for Scale

This means you have to use sizes. We usually start with a pillow, like a 22" or 24" one and it is a solid color or has a subtle texture. We put this pillow at the back. Then we add a 20" pillow with a pattern in front of the one. After that we add a 18" pillow to finish it off. This way of layering the pillows makes things look deeper and more interesting. If you just use pillows that're all the same size it does not look as nice as the "Rule of Three" for Scale. The "Rule of Three" for Scale is really good, for making things look sophisticated.


Prioritize High-Quality Inserts

We always make sure to use quality down or feather inserts. These inserts are always a little bigger than the cover. For example if the cover is 20 inches we use a 22 inch insert. This way the pillow looks nice and full. It also keeps its shape. Feels really soft and nice. This is much better than a pillow that feels flat or fake. We want our pillows to have a luxury look and feel and using high quality inserts like down or feathers is the key. High quality inserts, like these make all the difference.


Mix Textures, Not Just Colors

When you are decorating a room, with one color it can still be really interesting if you mix different textures. For example you can put a thick blanket made of heavy yarn with a smooth shiny velvet that feels nice to touch. You can combine a cool and crisp linen fabric with a soft and flexible leather. The idea is to mix textures that are all the same color so your room feels fancy and expensive without being too flashy. This is what people call "Quiet Luxury”. It is when your space looks and feels rich. It is not too loud or showy. You can have a knit and a sleek silk velvet or a crisp linen and a supple leather all in the same color and it will look great.


The "Asymmetrical Balance" Technique

The " Balance" Technique is a great way to make your home look nice. Usually people have pillows on their sofa that match perfectly on each side.. Now people like to do things a little differently. You can try putting three pillows on one side of the sofa and one big pillow, on the side. This makes your home look like you just threw some pillows on the sofa. It looks really nice. It looks like people actually live there. This is what people think is fancy and nice these days. The " Balance" Technique is a big part of this.


Consider the Narrative of the Room

Think about the story of the Room. The colors of your pillows should be picked from things in the room like a color from a painting or the color of a special rug. This helps make everything look like it belongs together the tiny things. The Room should feel like all the pieces fit, like a world. Your pillows and the art and the rug they all should work together to make the Room look nice.


To make a space really nice you need to pay attention to the things that make it look good. Our company does everything for you. Every single thing, even the last pillow is picked on purpose to make the space look great.


Ready to add the perfect finishing touch to your living space?

Contact Stephanie Kratz Interiors today for a free consultation!



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Bringing the Outdoors In

By Stephanie Kratz • June 24, 2026
Estimated Read Time: 3-4 minutes Key Takeaways: Substitute structured summer florals for asymmetrical greens like olive branches or leafy stems to effortlessly soften hard interior lines. Transition seamlessly between commanding architectural branch arrangements in great rooms and deliberate, petite bud vases on bedroom nightstands. Avoid cluttering every surface; instead, utilize negative space, mixed stem heights, and varied vessel textures to let your arrangements breathe. The Power of Organic Texture in Summer Design There’s something about the summer months that calls for simplicity the kind that feels lived-in, light, and intentionally curated. It’s the season of open windows and brighter days, and your interiors should reflect that same effortless transition. One of the most impactful ways to refresh your home for the warmer months is through the strategic use of greenery. Whether you are working with fresh cut architectural branches or beautifully realistic faux stems, the result is always the same: an understated sense of vitality and movement that instantly softens the clean lines of a room. Bringing greenery indoors is far more than a passing decor trend; it is a foundational layer in creating a balanced, restorative sanctuary. In the summer, when traditional floral arrangements can feel overly formal or high maintenance, lush, leafy greens offer a timeless and versatile alternative. Think of olive branches that arc gracefully from a textured ceramic vessel on a coffee table, or trailing stems that add a lived in touch to custom kitchen shelving. These moments don't require professional floristry skills just a thoughtful eye for scale and placement. Designing with Quiet Impact The beauty of indoor plant styling lies in its quiet, calming presence. In a formal living room or great room, a tall stone or glass vessel filled with structural, seasonal greenery becomes a sophisticated focal point, its organic shape echoing the natural landscape just outside the window. In the kitchen, fresh herbs or simple leafy stems placed in clean, minimalist crocks add both function and texture, grounding the space with earthy tones. Even a single, well placed stem positioned on a vanity beside a sleek countertop or tucked onto a styled book stack brings a sense of intention and life to everyday routines. Scale, Placement, and Longevity If you’re wondering how to introduce greenery into more intimate spaces, the secret is in managing scale. The Bedroom: A petite bud vase on a nightstand brings a soft, calming energy to your bedside layout. The Bathroom: A subtle trailing stem balances harder surfaces like marble, glass, and matte black hardware, softening the edges of a shower shelf or vanity. Built Ins: A cluster of high quality faux potted stems layered into custom cabinetry creates rhythm and warmth without overwhelming the eye. When it comes to low light corners, high humidity zones, or maintaining a low maintenance home, premium faux greenery offers a near perfect solution. It allows you to achieve the look of organic modernism without the constant upkeep. The Art of Restraint The key to a successful summer greenery scheme is restraint. There is no need to crowd every available surface; instead, focus on contrast, texture, and the power of intentional white space. Pair smooth, clean ceramics with wild, asymmetric silhouettes. Let the negative space around the arrangement play a role in the design. Choose greenery in varying heights, shapes, and tones to mimic what is found in nature avoiding anything that feels too manicured, matchy, or forced. As you transition your home for the season, look for the places that feel just a touch too stark or a corner that could use a bit of visual depth. Greenery doesn't have to be loud to completely transform a room. By focusing on the quietest details, you can create an environment that feels deeply rooted, relaxed, and effortlessly connected to the natural world.

Designed for the Elements

By Stephanie Kratz • June 17, 2026
Estimated Read Time: 3-4 minutes Key Takeaways: Prioritize solution dyed acrylics that mimic indoor tactile luxury while resisting heavy UV rays, moisture, and stains. Choose Grade A teak for high traffic frames, allowing its natural density to mature into a beautiful silvery-gray patina over time Utilize sculptural fiber cement for tables and anchors to resist splitting or shifting during intense seasonal temperature transitions. A Guide to High-End Outdoor Materials Investing in outdoor furniture that stands the test of time begins with one essential factor: material honesty. Designing an outdoor oasis whether it's a poolside loggia, a covered patio, or a private terrace requires pieces that work with the architecture of your home while enduring the environment. In places like North Texas, where the sun and temperature shifts can be intense, choosing durable, weather resistant materials is the key to creating a true summer sanctuary. A beautiful exterior lounge should feel like a direct extension of your indoor living space. To achieve that seamless flow without sacrificing longevity, here is a breakdown of the four high performance materials we rely on most to balance luxury, comfort, and structural integrity. 4 Ways to Choose Durable Materials That Last High Performance Textiles When curating outdoor sofas, chaise lounges, and dining cushions, the fabric must do more than just look sophisticated it has to perform. High performance fabrics like Sunbrella are engineered to withstand heavy UV exposure, moisture, and stains without losing their structural integrity or color density. The beauty of modern performance textiles is that they no longer feel stiff or utilitarian. They offer the soft, tactile luxury of indoor fabrics while remaining entirely low-maintenance and easy to clean. This allows us to bring deep comfort and sophisticated tailoring out to the patio, ensuring your outdoor lounge feels just as inviting as your indoor living room. Grade A Teak Wood When it comes to bringing warmth and organic texture to an outdoor layout, teak wood consistently rises to the top. Rich in natural oils and sporting an incredibly dense grain, teak is inherently resistant to moisture, UV rays, and pests. One of the most beautiful aspects of teak is how it responds to the environment. Over time, it naturally develops a distinguished silvery-gray patina, adding a layer of character and timeless elegance to dining tables and structural seating frames. Because it requires minimal upkeep and physically matures with age, it is one of the smartest foundational investments you can make for an exterior space. All Weather Poly Wicker For clients who appreciate the casual elegance and woven texture of traditional wicker, all-weather poly wicker offers the perfect blend of style and resilience. Engineered from high density polyethylene, this material mimics the organic look of natural fiber but is entirely synthetic and UV resistant. Traditional wicker splits and degrades when exposed to heat and moisture, but all-weather poly wicker remains flexible and colorfast season after season. It brings a relaxed, textured charm to conversational seating arrangements and accent chairs, softening the hard lines of stone patios and pool decks. Architectural Fiber Cement To achieve a clean, modern aesthetic with a commanding presence, fiber cement is an exceptional choice for outdoor tables, fire features, and custom planters. Known for its sleek, sculptural capabilities, it perfectly balances a raw, industrial texture with contemporary, sophisticated form. Beyond its striking visual weight, fiber cement is incredibly durable and stable. It resists extreme heat, heavy moisture, and constant sun exposure without cracking or shifting. Its grounded, structural feel introduces a beautiful architectural element to garden nooks and main patio layouts alike, acting as a perfect anchor for lighter, upholstered furniture pieces.

The Centerpiece of the Lounge

By Stephanie Kratz • June 10, 2026
Estimated Read Time: 3-4 minutes Key Takeaways: Use layered stacks of large format books at varying heights to introduce structural depth and express your personal aesthetic. Contrast smooth surfaces with architectural, tactile objects like stone cuboids, marble bowls, or artisan ceramics. Leave intentional open space for hosting while integrating high-end interactive elements like a custom marble chess set. How to Style a Coffee Table with Intention A well styled coffee table has the power to pull an entire living space together, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. "How do I style my coffee table?" is one of the most common questions we hear and for good reason. As the natural centerpiece of the living room, it plays a massive role in your daily life. From anchoring a room during an evening of hosting to serving as a functional landing place for books, candles, and cocktails, it is easily one of the hardest working pieces of furniture in the home. When approaching your layout, the first things to consider are shape, scale, and proportion. Whether your table is a sleek rectangular stone block, an oversized square, or a minimalist round design, your styling choices should enhance the flow of the room while showcasing your personal narrative. To help you elevate your space, we’re breaking down three of our favorite design approaches to transform a simple surface into a beautifully curated, layered focal point. How do you choose the right dining chairs, when should you mix and match seating, and how can you ensure your selections fit the scale of your table? Whether your home features an open floor plan or a more defined dining area, here are four practical strategies for mixing and matching dining seating to create a space that feels unified, inviting, and timeless. 3 Approaches to a Beautifully Curated Surface Stacking with Scale Using books as the structural foundation of your coffee table is a classic, timeless styling technique. Books add instant warmth, but they also serve a deeper purpose in high-end design: they introduce height, structure, and a distinct sense of personality. Instead of a single book, try creating two to three clean stacks of varying heights to build visual interest across the surface. The subjects you choose whether focused on travel, architecture, fashion, or fine art communicate a great deal about the people who inhabit the home. Beyond their aesthetic value, stacks of large format books provide the perfect elevated platform to layer in smaller decorative elements, like a simple catch all marble bowl or a clean, scented candle. Incorporating Form and Texture To keep a modern or transitional living space from feeling flat, your coffee table needs a high touch, tactile moment. This approach focuses on incorporating unique decorative objects that invite the eye and the hand to explore. Think about contrasting the smooth surface of your table with pieces that offer physical depth and material honesty. A heavy, hand-honed stone cuboid, a sculptural marble object, or a sleek glass box can act as beautiful, artistic anchors. You can also introduce organic texture with a minimalist ceramic vase holding simple greenery or pampas grass. The goal is to select items that have an architectural quality, transforming your table into a mini-gallery of curated treasures. Designing for Engagement For homes that prioritize entertainment and hospitality, the coffee table should function as a natural invitation for guests to linger and interact. This layout is all about blending upscale design with low-stimulus, engaging elements that turn the room into a sophisticated lounge. Consider incorporating beautifully crafted, high end versions of classic pastimes directly into the landscape such as a heavy wood or marble chess set, or a designer deck of cards in a sleek leather case. When styled alongside ample open space for guests to set down a drink, this approach strikes the perfect balance between refined luxury and a welcoming, lived in atmosphere.
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