How the Pacific Northwest taught me to create soft, inviting interiors – and the secret to curating a space you'll never want to leave

Interior designer Molly Kidd is one of Homes & Gardens' new Editors-At-Large for By Design, sharing her thoughts on decor through her lens of soft light, vintage pieces, and a sepia-tinged palette. See the rest of her articles here.

I grew up surrounded by pine forests, fog-draped coastlines, and the quiet, contemplative mornings of Oregon. The Pacific Northwest wasn’t just my backdrop – it was my foundation. Years later, as I step into homes across the country as a designer, I can see how profoundly those early surroundings shaped my approach: the textures I choose, the rhythm of the spaces I create, and the gentle way I respond to what’s already there.

There’s a stillness in the Pacific Northwest that teaches you to notice. The way light filters through late-afternoon trees. The soft green of lichen on bark. The worn beauty of natural materials patinated by time – stone, wood, wool. These early observations instilled in me a belief that design isn’t about imposing style; it’s about listening and responding to the story of a space.

My approach to materiality reflects this upbringing. I’m drawn to the organic: oak beams and flooring with visible knots, hand-thrown ceramics, and linen that’s slightly rumpled. It’s not just about aesthetics – it’s about energy. Natural materials have a way of softening a room, of inviting you to linger, to settle in, rather than perform.

I reach for vintage often – in fact, I make a promise that every project contains at least 50% vintage (sometimes as much as 80%). It’s not just for sustainability; it’s for the quiet power of time. There’s something sacred about a piece that has already lived a life – the story of a thousand dinners, softened edges, sun-faded corners. Whether it’s a farm table from upstate New York or a 1970s Scandinavian light fixture, I love placing objects with soul into homes that feel equally storied. Oregon taught me early on that curation should always value quality over quantity.

At Molly Kidd Studio, we believe quality design begins with reverence for the land it sits on and the story it will tell for generations. In new builds, we consider the natural footprint of the site – the light, the trees, the slope of the land – and work with it rather than against it. The goal is never to impose, but to harmonize. We design with intention and restraint, respecting the land so that what we create today will feel thoughtful and true decades from now.

Fun fact: when sourcing vintage for a project, I make a point of sourcing locally, within the same town or state, whenever possible. It’s a small but intentional choice, rooted in sustainability and a sense of place. Pieces that already belong to the region add historical charm, yes, but more importantly, they feel inherently at home – as if they were waiting to be invited back in.

In remodels, we find poetry in old bones, uncovering the character that already exists and building upon it. Each project balances legacy and innovation, layering in modern functionality while letting the spirit of the home lead the way. It’s not about erasing the past – it’s about evolving it with beauty and purpose. The result is a design that feels both rooted and renewed, crafted to endure for generations.

What’s it like working from the Pacific Northwest? Let’s be honest – this isn’t a zip code that appears on every glossy magazine page. Being based outside New York or LA means you sometimes have to fight a little harder for your seat at the table. And yet, that challenge has made me sharper, more resourceful, and more rooted in my own perspective. I don’t need the buzz of a big city to find clarity; I find it in the stillness, in the texture of aged wood, and in the subtle palette of a coastal trail.

This rootedness has had a surprising effect: it allows me to connect with clients across the country. I’ve had the joy of working on homes from California to Texas, Maryland to Florida – and no matter the location, that grounded, nature-forward aesthetic resonates. People are seeking authenticity. One-of-a-kind spaces that breathe rather than shout.

My room color ideas are unmistakably Pacific Northwest – earthy browns, mossy greens, sun-faded creams, sometimes deep reds or biscuit yellows. Colors drawn from forest paths and coastal trails. I always return to decorating with brown as my endlessly nuanced favorite. Nature never chooses the wrong color, and these hues feel timeless – not because they’re trend-proof, but because they’re real. You don’t tire of the colors you see in the wild.

When I design a space, I want it to feel collected, not decorated; organic, not overworked; and always – always – rooted in something deeper than trend. That depth comes from Oregon – from the home that raised me, the landscapes that steadied me, and the palette that became my visual language.

Even when styling a New York penthouse or sourcing pieces for a country house in Santa Barbara, I carry the Pacific Northwest with me. It’s in the materials, the restraint, the quiet reverence. And every so often, a client will walk in and say, 'It just feels grounded.'

That’s when I know my roots are doing their job.