Interior designer Katie Harbison is one of Homes & Gardens' new Editors-At-Large for By Design, sharing her thoughts on decor. See the rest of her articles here.
When approaching any project, I believe balance is one of the most essential principles of design. Too much of any one element can overpower a space, but the right combination creates harmony and ease. Over time, I’ve found myself returning to three enduring materials – linen, oak, and stone – each with its own distinct character, yet all united by a sense of natural beauty and timeless appeal. Together, they form a design language that feels calm, grounded, and quietly luxurious.
Linen brings an immediate sense of softness and ease, a tactile comfort that makes a room feel lived-in and inviting. Its organic texture and effortless drape lend themselves beautifully to upholstery, curtains, or even the simplest details. I love how linen interacts with its surroundings – softening the grandeur of a heritage interior or adding warmth to a contemporary, minimalist space. It’s understated yet transformative, creating a relaxed elegance that never feels contrived.
Part of linen’s magic lies in its versatility. Lighter weights make the perfect sheers, diffusing sunlight into a gentle, flattering glow that feels serene and natural. I almost always turn to linen for this purpose – it creates an atmosphere that’s both bright and intimate. Heavier weaves, meanwhile, bring substance and structure to upholstery, shifting the tone of a piece from casual and lived-in to refined and tailored. Yet even at its most polished, linen never feels rigid or formal. It has an inherent honesty and ease that grounds a space, ensuring that comfort always sits at the heart of good design.
This adaptability is what makes linen an essential foundation in my projects. Whether used subtly to soften a room or more deliberately to anchor it, linen brings warmth, tactility, and a timeless quality that deepens with age.
Oak, in contrast, provides depth, versatility, and a grounding presence. I’m endlessly inspired by how different treatments of wood can transform a space – from the character of a vintage reclaimed table to the clean lines of a contemporary oak floorboard. Mixing wood tones adds richness, giving a room a lived-in authenticity that tells a story. Oak, in all its forms, carries its history beautifully, wearing its age with grace, which is something I deeply admire.
In almost every project, our joinery is bespoke, designed specifically for the home. This ensures a seamless fit while allowing complete control over finishes. I rarely commit to a stain or wood treatment until the marble in the room has been selected. Stone sets the tone, and from there I refine the woodwork, testing small samples directly against the chosen marble until I achieve the perfect balance. It’s about harmony rather than contrast, ensuring the joinery complements rather than competes, creating a space that feels both cohesive and timeless.
I also love decorating with vintage pieces or incorporating reclaimed wood into my designs. Whether it’s a weathered table or a small decorative accent, these pieces carry a patina and a sense of history that new materials simply cannot replicate. When paired with modern finishes, reclaimed wood creates a dialogue between old and new, adding depth, character, and soul to a space. It keeps interiors from feeling overly pristine, infusing them with authenticity and warmth that make them genuinely lived-in.
And then there is stone, a material that has always been one of my personal favorites. As I’ve mentioned before, I approach its use thoughtfully and deliberately, ensuring it never overwhelms a space but instead complements the other elements. Stone carries an inherent elegance and permanence, yet when paired with the warmth of oak and the softness of linen, it achieves a perfect balance. A honed marble countertop, for example, feels approachable and relaxed when set against a warm oak cabinet and linen-upholstered dining chairs. It is this interplay – soft and hard, warm and cool, refined and relaxed – that creates interiors that are not only visually balanced but emotionally resonant.
Stone anchors a space, but combined with oak and linen, it becomes part of a wider conversation rather than a standalone statement. While I use many other finishes in my projects, linen, oak, and stone almost always form the foundation of every palette. They act as anchor points from which everything else – metals, glass, plaster, fabrics, and color accents – can build and flourish.
Each brings something distinct: linen softens and relaxes, oak grounds and warms, and stone lends strength and stability. On their own, they are beautiful; together, they create a harmony that elevates a room beyond aesthetics into an experiential space.
For me, this trio is less about following design trends and more about embodying a philosophy of how a home should feel – timeless, layered, and deeply comfortable. They reflect the balance I aim for in every project, ensuring that the spaces we create are not just seen, but truly felt.
Ultimately, linen, oak, and stone are materials I never tire of. Each is unique, but together they form a perfect equilibrium – creating interiors that are authentic, functional, and enduring.
