Easy, everyday elegance is what makes interior designer Libby Langdon and her signature style so beautiful and accessible.
“Even if you have kids, pets and a busy lifestyle, you can still have an elegant space that you live in and love the look of,” she says.
This attitude and aesthetic have made Langdon, of New York City-based Libby Interiors, Inc., a go-to design expert and author who is frequently tapped to offer her practical advice on TV and in leading lifestyle magazines.
Her design collections – including lighting for Crystorama, furniture for Braxton Culler, rugs for Tiger Rug, and wall treatments for Casart Coverings – prove that decorating a home with beautiful furnishings can be both simple and stylish.
Langdon says her clients – even those who live in sprawling and ornate coastal homes – are moving away from “big, fussy design” and instead opting for cozy and effortless living.
“People should take control and own the design of their spaces and not feel like the architecture or style of their home has to dictate how they’re going to live in it,” she says. “You can have eclectic, casual things in a home that are very stylish.”
That aesthetic will be evident this spring when Langdon introduces a modern coastal design style that’s achievable whether or not clients live by the ocean, since “it’s more about the feeling of a lifestyle than literal objects,” she says.
“The modern coastal approach is something you can live in year-round,” adds Langdon. “It’s less seasonally focused, more of a relaxed getaway feel, but it’s still upscale and beautiful.”
Whatever your style, Langdon offers the same key advice. First, use lots of textures, fabrics and soft colors to create warmth. A carefully planned layout is also critical. Placing furniture at 90-degree angles, for example, can help create relaxed “conversation areas.” Homeowners also shouldn’t skimp on furniture. “If you don’t have enough furniture in your space, it can leave it feeling unfinished or incomplete,” says Langdon.
As for oft-neglected lighting, homeowners should light every corner of a room with a variety of fixtures of different heights and styles. “And don’t be afraid to buck tradition by putting a chandelier in a master bedroom,” she says.
“Above all, a home should be comfortable and livable,” Langdon says. “There should be a place to put your feet up and set a drink down.” libbylangdon.com
Image Credits: Photos by Libby Langdon.