Barbara Noguera: How To Create A Cozy Window Nook

1. Think function. Window seats offer comfortable seating but can double as storage or sleeping space. Consider adding a drawer below the seat or a trundle bed for overflow guests.
2. Go heavy-duty. We always incorporate performance fabrics in the bench cushions. Selecting fabrics with texture and multiple yarn colorways also makes them more forgiving.
3. Play with pillows. We like to bring in playfulness and whimsy. A good rule of thumb is to have variety in pattern, scale and hue. Aim for contrast and varied color values. Adding trim to pillows also ups the interest.
4. Throw some shade. A variety of window treatments can work. Shades or drapes can be lined with light-filtering or room-darkening fabric, depending on your needs.

A comfy French mattress provides sleeping space on a window seat designed by Barbara Noguera. Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Julie Geyer: Blending Neutrals: Secrets Revealed

• Opposites attract. We often build our palettes using colors that contrast. A warm neutral is almost always beautifully complemented by a cool accent, and that pairing is exactly what makes the room below work. We fell in love with Benjamin Moore’s Driftwood for its mauve undertones—once that was locked in, everything else came together.
• Pay attention to undertones. Every neutral you bring into a space should share a similar temperature. For instance, we’d never pair a cool beige sofa with a warm beige chair, no matter how close the colors look on their own.
• The color wheel is your friend. When we want to introduce another color, even another neutral, we use a classic color wheel. Reach for something on the opposite side, and you’ll almost always land on a balanced, well-composed room.

Benjamin Moore’s Driftwood offsets an aqua sofa in a space by Julie Geyer. Photo: Ian Michelman

Suzanne Manlove: Balancing Natural Materials

“I try to vary natural materials rather than rely on any one texture or finish. Too much wood or woven furniture can feel heavy or cliché, so balance is key to keeping a room light, layered and serene.”

Natural textures accent a bedroom by Manlove and Company. Photo: Robert Radifera