Fig & Farm at Home, Decorating Home, Interior Design, Decorating Home Ideas, Home Design, Decorating Ideas Room

How to Create a Cozy Man Cave: Ralph Lauren Style, Color Drenching & a Decorating Plan
Creating a cozy man cave doesn't mean filling a room with dark furniture and calling it done. In this behind-the-scenes decorating session with Dani (yes, another Dani), we're creating a warm, masculine space inspired by Ralph Lauren style, complete with leather, plaid, flannel, basketball installation art, framed golf clubs and deer heads. And yes, we're color drenching the room, too.

The best part? Dani wasn't nervous about the bold plan at all.

When I asked if she was scared about color drenching, her answer was simple:

"No... I LOVE that I have a plan."

And honestly, that's what this episode is really about.

In This Episode

How we're creating a cozy, masculine man cave without making it feel cold or overly themed

Using Ralph Lauren-inspired style as a jumping-off point for the room

How leather, plaid, flannel and wood create warmth and coziness

Incorporating personal interests and family heirlooms without making it feel like a sports bar

Why color drenching can actually make a room feel more cohesive

How having a decorating plan gives you the confidence to make bolder choices

The difference between collecting individual pieces you love and creating a room where everything works together

A behind-the-scenes look at how I coach a client through real decorating decisions

Creating a Masculine Room That Still Feels Cozy
A masculine room doesn't have to mean gray walls, a brown leather sofa and a giant television.

For this room, we're leaning into the things that naturally create a masculine feeling: rich leather, traditional patterns, warm wood, darker colors, vintage-inspired details and a little bit of that classic Ralph Lauren aesthetic.

But the goal isn't to copy a Ralph Lauren room.

It's to take the elements we love about that style and translate them into a room that works for this particular home and the people who live there.

That's an important distinction when you're decorating your own home, too.

Inspiration is a starting point. It's not the plan.

Yes, We're Color Drenching the Man Cave
Color drenching can sound like a pretty big decorating commitment.

Instead of choosing one color for the walls and then adding a bunch of different colors and finishes around the room, color drenching brings the same or closely related color across multiple surfaces, creating a more enveloping, cohesive feeling.

And in a cozy man cave? It can be really good.

Rather than being afraid of a darker color, we're using it intentionally to help create the mood of the room.

Which brings us back to my favorite moment from this coaching call.

I asked my client if she was nervous about the idea of color drenching.

She wasn't.

She said she loved having a plan.

That is exactly what I want for you, too.

Not a house full of perfectly coordinated furniture.

Not a Pinterest board you never actually act on.

A plan that helps you make the next decision without second-guessing yourself.

The Bigger Decorating Lesson
You don't need to be fearless to make bold decorating choices.

You need to understand why you're making them.

When you know the feeling you're trying to create, the style you're working within and the plan for how the pieces will work together, decisions that once felt scary become much easier.

And sometimes the boldest choice in the room is also the one that makes everything else make sense.

Want help creating a plan for your own home?
If you keep buying things you love but can't quite figure out how to make them work together, you're not alone.

That's the exact kind of decorating problem I love helping women solve with a  Cozy Home Reset

 

// Links mentioned in show: //

✨✨ Start your Cozy Home Reset: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/cozyhomereset 

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What If Your Home Needs Less? Backwards Decluttering & House Hushing with Myquillyn Smith
If you’re wondering how to make your home feel calmer, cozier, and less cluttered, one of the best places to start is by removing things rather than adding more. Backwards decluttering and house hushing can help you see what your home actually needs by temporarily clearing a room, creating visual quiet, and then intentionally adding back only the things you love and use. In this episode, I’m talking with New York Times bestselling author Myquillyn Smith about why a cozier home doesn’t necessarily mean more stuff...and how embracing cozy minimalism can completely change the way your home feels.

Have you ever walked into a room and thought, Something is bothering me in here...but I can't quite put my finger on it?

Maybe the room isn't technically messy.

Maybe everything has a place.

Maybe you've even decorated it.

And yet...it still feels like too much.

That's where my conversation with New York Times bestselling author Myquillyn Smith gets really interesting.

Myquillyn has a completely different way of thinking about decluttering. Instead of starting by deciding what to get rid of, she starts by removing most everything from the room.

Then she creates what she calls a "hush."

And when you can actually experience the room without all the visual noise, you can begin to see what belongs there much more clearly.

It's a fascinating approach to decluttering, but it also made me think differently about decorating.

Because sometimes decorating your home doesn't mean adding something.

Sometimes the most powerful decorating decision you can make is to take something away.

In This Episode

What backwards decluttering is and how Myquillyn uses it to help you see your home differently

How to "hush" a room by temporarily removing everything from it

Why starting with an empty room can make it easier to decide what actually belongs

The idea that every item in your home has a volume

How to turn the "volume" of your home up or down

What cozy minimalism really means

Why a cozy home doesn't necessarily need more stuff

How decluttering and decorating can actually work together

Why the things you remove can sometimes have as much impact as the things you add

The simple action Myquillyn wants you to take if you're ready to start decluttering

Your Action Step
Don't just listen to this episode and think, That was interesting.

Go try it.

Choose one room.

And instead of immediately buying something to fix it, start by removing something.

You don't have to empty the entire room if that feels overwhelming. You could start with one surface, one corner, or one category of stuff.

Pay attention to what happens when you create a little more space.

What feels quieter?

What suddenly looks better?

What do you actually miss?

And what...well...you don't miss at all?

That's information.

And it might be the beginning of a much cozier home.

About Myquillyn Smith
Myquillyn Smith is a New York Times bestselling author and the creator behind a simpler approach to creating a beautiful, welcoming home. Her work focuses on making home less about perfection and more about creating spaces that support the people who live in them.

 

// Links mentioned in show: //

✨✨ Start your Cozy Home Reset: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/cozyhomereset 

Become a Design Bestie by joining the newsletter: https://bit.ly/designbestie

Email: https://figandfarmathome.com

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House Hushing by Myquillyn Smith: https://amzn.to/4yII153

The Nancy Meyers Aesthetic: How to Get the Cozy, Collecte Look on a Budget
If you love a home that feels warm, collected, welcoming, and just a little bit effortlessly fabulous, there’s a good chance you love the Nancy Meyers aesthetic. Think cozy kitchens, slipcovered sofas, stacks of books, flowers on the table, soft lighting, and rooms that look like actual people live there.

The good news? You don’t need a Nancy Meyers movie budget to bring some of that magic into your own home. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 7 elements that create the Nancy Meyers look and sharing 10 budget-friendly ways to get the feeling in your own home without redecorating from scratch.

In This Episode

The 7 decorating elements that make a Nancy Meyers-inspired home feel so warm and inviting

Why warm neutrals are such a big part of the aesthetic

How slipcovered furniture instantly adds that relaxed, collected feeling

The secret to getting that gorgeous, layered lighting

Why books are basically decor in these homes

How natural textures keep neutral spaces from feeling boring

The simple fresh touches that make a home feel alive

Why the kitchen is the true heart of the home

10 budget-friendly ways to bring the Nancy Meyers aesthetic into your own house

The 7 Elements of the Nancy Meyers Aesthetic
1. A warm neutral color palette
Think creamy whites, warm beiges, soft taupes, muted blues and other colors that feel calm and timeless rather than stark or trendy.

2. Slipcovered seating
Slipcovers give furniture that relaxed, comfortable, come-sit-down feeling that shows up again and again in Nancy Meyers interiors.

3. Abundant, layered lighting
These rooms rarely rely on one overhead light. Instead, you’ll find lamps, sconces, pendants, and other little pools of light layered throughout the room.

4. Books everywhere
Books aren't hidden away. They're stacked, shelved, piled on coffee tables and tucked into corners. They add color, personality and, most importantly, the feeling that someone actually lives here.

5. Natural textures
Jute, sisal, linen, wood, wicker and other natural materials bring warmth and texture to all those beautiful neutrals.

6. Fresh touches
Flowers, branches, bowls of fruit and other little bits of nature keep these homes from feeling too perfect or static.

7. The kitchen is the heart of the home
And we're not hiding all the good stuff in cabinets. Pots, cutting boards, wooden utensils, bowls and cooking tools become part of the decor. The kitchen looks like it's ready to be used.

10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Get the Nancy Meyers Look
You don't need to replace your entire house to get this feeling. Start with what you already have.

1. Slipcover your existing seating.
Before buying a new sofa, see if your current one can get a whole new personality with a slipcover.

2. Layer your lighting.
Add a table lamp, floor lamp or small accent lamp. The goal is to have several sources of warm, inviting light instead of relying on one overhead fixture.

3. Thrift furniture or say yes to the hand-me-downs.
That piece of furniture you've always turned down because it's not exactly your style? Take another look. A coat of paint, new hardware or simply placing it in the right room can work wonders.

4. Bring out your books...and remove the dust jackets.
Hardcover books without their dust jackets often have beautiful, understated covers that instantly add warmth and personality to a room.

5. Put out bowls of fruit.
A big bowl of lemons, apples, oranges or whatever is in season is an inexpensive way to add color and that fresh, lived-in feeling.

6. Try a sisal or jute rug.
Natural-fiber rugs add texture and warmth without requiring a complicated pattern or a big decorating budget.

7. Bring the kitchenware out of hiding.
Display your cutting boards, wooden spoons, pretty bowls and favorite pots. The things you use every day can also be part of the room's personality.

8. Use mismatched white dishes at dinner.
They don't have to match perfectly. A collection of simple white dishes can feel collected, relaxed and beautiful when they're mixed together.

9. Replace heavy drapes with something lighter.
Try sheer, linen or linen-look curtains to let more light into the room and create that soft, easy feeling.

10. Frame botanical prints.
You can find beautiful botanical artwork inexpensively, especially secondhand. A simple frame and a botanical print can bring in that classic, collected look without a major investment.

The Takeaway
The Nancy Meyers aesthetic isn't really about having a perfectly decorated house. It's about creating a home that feels warm, comfortable, collected and lived in.

And that's the part I hope you take away from this episode.

You don't have to buy all new furniture. You don't need a giant decorating budget. And you definitely don't need to turn your home into a movie set.

Start with what you already have. Add a little texture. Soften the lighting. Put the books on display. Bring the pretty kitchen things out of the cabinets. Add some flowers or a bowl of fruit.

A few small changes can crank up the cozy dial in a big way.

Want help pulling this look together in your home? Start your Cozy Home Reset 

 

// Links mentioned in show: //

✨✨ Start your Cozy Home Reset: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/cozyhomereset 

Become a Design Bestie by joining the newsletter: https://bit.ly/designbestie

Email: https://figandfarmathome.com

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Why You Might Be Feeling Stuck When Decorating Your Home (And What to Do About It)
If you feel stuck when decorating your home, the problem probably isn’t that you need more inspiration, better taste, or a bigger budget. More often, you’re stuck because you’re second-guessing your decisions, trying to solve too much at once, or letting a limiting belief keep you from taking the next step. The good news? You can get unstuck by creating a simple plan and taking one small, confident step forward.

I’ve seen this happen again and again with women who want a cozy, welcoming home but just can’t seem to get from “I know what I like” to actually making it happen.

And recently, I watched it happen with about 10 women who were willing to take that first step.

They came into the process with different homes, different budgets, different decorating styles, and very different reasons for feeling stuck.

But underneath it all were some surprisingly familiar limiting beliefs.

Things like:

“I don’t know where to start.”

“I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong decision.”

“I love color but I don't know how to bring it in to my home.”

“I can’t afford to do what I want.”

“I should be able to figure this out myself.”

“What if I buy something and hate it?”

“I have kids and pets so I can't have nice things.”

Once they stopped letting those thoughts run the decorating show, things started to change.

In This Episode

Why having tons of decorating inspiration can actually make you feel more stuck

The limiting beliefs that can keep you from making decisions in your home

What happened when 10 women took the first step instead of waiting until they had the whole plan figured out

The difference between knowing what you like and knowing what to do next

How to stop second-guessing your decorating decisions

Why a cozy home isn't about having more stuff or spending more money

An introduction to the Cozy Home Reset and how it can help you move from decorating overwhelm to cozy confidence

Why You're Feeling Stuck Decorating Your Home
Here's something I want you to hear if you've been staring at the same room for months, saving ideas on Pinterest, buying a few things here and there, and still wondering why your home doesn't feel finished:

You are probably not lacking inspiration.

You might actually have too much of it.

You've saved the rooms. You've pinned the paint colors. You've found the rug. You've looked at the pretty kitchens and cozy living rooms and bedrooms and thought, YES. That's what I want.

But inspiration doesn't tell you what to do next. And that's where so many women get stuck. You don't need another 47 saved images. You need to make a decision.Then another one.

Then another.

And you need to know that those decisions are moving you toward a home that feels cohesive, comfortable, welcoming, and like a place you're proud to live in.

The Limiting Beliefs That Keep Us Stuck
The women I worked with recently reminded me just how powerful our thoughts can be when we're decorating. Because sometimes the thing standing between you and the room you want isn't the room. It's the story you're telling yourself about the room.

Maybe you believe you have to have a big budget.

Maybe you think you need to know your decorating style before you can make a single decision.

Maybe you're afraid of getting it wrong.

Maybe you've convinced yourself that because you're not a designer, you shouldn't trust your own instincts.

Or maybe you've simply been trying to solve your entire house at once.

Those beliefs can keep you circling the same decisions for years. But when you take one step, you create momentum. And momentum creates confidence. And confidence makes the next decision easier. That's what I saw happen with these women.

The Cozy Home Reset
This is also why I created the Cozy Home Reset.

It's for the woman who is ready to stop collecting inspiration and actually start making progress in her home. The Reset isn't about transforming your entire house overnight. Instead, we start with one room and one clear plan.

We'll look at what you already have, what you want your home to feel like, what's working, what's not, and what needs to happen next.

You'll get a 60-minute one-on-one Room Reset Call with me, along with six months inside the Cozy Home Collective so you have support as you put your plan into action.

The goal isn't perfection. It's cozy confidence. It's knowing what to do next, making decisions you feel good about, and finally seeing your home come together in a way that feels like you.

If you've been stuck, you don't need to wait until you have more time, more money, or more decorating knowledge.

You just need to take the first step.

Ready to get unstuck?
[Learn more about the Cozy Home Reset]

 
// Links mentioned in show: //

Become a Design Bestie by joining the newsletter: https://bit.ly/designbestie

Email: https://figandfarmathome.com

Start your Cozy Home Reset: https://www.figandfarmathome.com/cozy-home-reset 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/figandfarm/

FREE Facebook Community: https://www.bit.ly/design101group

Creating a cozy home you love isn’t about having perfect taste, following every decorating trend, or buying more things. It starts with learning to trust yourself, understanding what you want your home to feel like, and having a process that helps you move forward when you feel stuck.

 

Tomorrow, September 9 through Friday, September 11th I'm teaching you EXACTLY how to get started. Because what you DON'T NEED TO DO: 

 

1. Gather more inspiration 

2. Have a huge budget

3. Have it all figured out

 

Inside the workshop I'll be teaching you: 

1. Why decorating your home can feel harder than it looks

2. What happens when you know your home needs something, but don't know what

3. Why inspiration isn't always the answer

4. How confidence changes the way you decorate

5. The difference between buying things and creating a home that feels like you

 

So...join me! If you can't make it live, you can still watch the replays, but you need to register first! Replays available through September 13th. 

 

✨✨THE COZY HOME WORKSHOP ✨✨

3 Steps to Creating a Home you Can't Wait to Come Home To

September 9 - 11th

9:00am PST | 10:00am MST | 11:00am CST | 12:00pm EST 

Register for The Cozy Home Workshop