{"id":39000,"date":"2025-07-26T15:25:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T15:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/39000\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T15:25:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T15:25:15","slug":"olivia-culpos-lake-house-is-full-of-little-design-tricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/39000\/","title":{"rendered":"Olivia Culpo\u2019s Lake House Is Full of Little Design Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Olivia<\/p>\n

From Miss Universe to full-blown lifestyle tastemaker, Olivia Culpo<\/a> has mastered the art of making things look\u2014and feel\u2014good. But at home, it\u2019s less pageantry, more peace and quiet. When she and her husband settled into their lake house in Charlotte, North Carolina, Culpo envisioned interiors that felt grounded, natural, and deeply calming.<\/p>\n

To bring that vision to life, she turned to Crate & Barrel\u2019s Design Desk<\/a> for guidance\u2014though she jokes that her relationship with the brand goes way beyond formal collaboration. \u201cI\u2019m embarrassed to admit how much time I spend in their store and on their site,\u201d she says. \u201cBut I\u2019ve worked with their design experts before and knew they\u2019d get exactly what I was going for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"APhotography courtesy of Crate and Barrel <\/p>\n

Armed with a mood board and a clear sense of what she wanted the rooms to feel like, Culpo worked with the team to build out her bedroom and dining room\u2014layering in soft textures, sculptural silhouettes, and warm, earthy finishes that echo the natural beauty just outside her windows.<\/p>\n

Below, she shares her favorite styling tricks and the design choices that made the biggest impact.<\/p>\n

Start With a Mood, Not Just a Style<\/p>\n

Before picking pieces, Culpo anchored her approach around the setting itself. \u201cOur lake home is a special place where we unplug and recharge,\u201d she says. \u201cWe wanted the interiors to reflect that same sense of calm and natural beauty that surrounds us outside.\u201d Think rich woods, touchable textures, and a palette that pulls straight from the landscape. \u201cInviting and grounded, but still refined\u201d\u2014that was the goal.<\/p>\n

\"BedroomPhotography courtesy of Crate and Barrel <\/p>\n

Layered Neutrals Are Never Boring <\/p>\n

Culpo\u2019s palette is filled with creams, browns, and mossy greens\u2014but there\u2019s nothing flat or forgettable about it. \u201cTo keep neutrals from feeling flat, I rely on layered textures, intentionally mixed materials, and varied finishes,\u201d she says. Her trick? Subtle shifts in depth and tone, like pairing wood grain with velvet or matte ceramics with soft linens.<\/p>\n

One standout example: the deep green Medoc Swivel Chairs in the bedroom. \u201cThey mirror the natural tones of the trees outside and tie the whole space back to the landscape in a really thoughtful, cohesive way.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Choose a Mix of Shapes and Materials\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBalance\u201d is the word Culpo returns to often. \u201cIn both rooms, I wanted to create contrast while still keeping everything cohesive,\u201d she says. That meant pairing linen and boucle with sleek brass and sculptural marble\u2014combos that add polish without overwhelming the space. \u201cIt\u2019s really about combining different finishes and shapes in a way that feels layered but not chaotic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ChaisePhotography courtesy of Crate and Barrel <\/p>\n

Let Lighting and Rugs Do the Heavy Lifting<\/p>\n

Culpo treated lighting and rugs like true design players\u2014not afterthoughts. \u201cThe ivory area rug in our bedroom adds warmth and brightness,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was so funny\u2014right when we rolled out this rug, Oliver [my dog] ran in and cozied himself up right in the center, so we knew it was a keeper.\u201d<\/p>\n

And in the dining room? The sculptural Revelery Glass Pendant brings everything together. \u201cIts soft glow really sets the tone\u2014it adds elegance without feeling overly formal and perfectly complements the room\u2019s natural textures and relaxed palette.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Pick One Piece to Guide the Room<\/p>\n

No idea where to start? Culpo recommends zooming in on a single piece. \u201cStart with one piece you really love\u2014whether it\u2019s a bed, a dining table, or even a piece of art\u2014and let that guide the rest of the space,\u201d she says. \u201cThat helps ground the room and gives the rest of the pieces a clear direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TablePhotography courtesy of Crate and Barrel <\/p>\n

Entertaining? Think Layers, Not Fuss<\/p>\n

As a frequent host, Culpo\u2019s goal is to make guests feel instantly at ease. \u201cIt\u2019s important to me that my guests feel at home in a warm and welcoming space\u2014not overly formal or sterile.\u201d Her go-to tablescape formula: keep dinnerware simple, lean on natural linens, and play with proportion.<\/p>\n

\u201cVarying height and texture will make your tablescape feel full and interesting,\u201d she says. One thoughtful touch? Embroidered napkins. \u201cThe Marin Linen Napkins add a polished but relaxed feel\u2014they are perfect for embroidering my guests\u2019 initials on for dinner parties.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Don\u2019t Be Afraid to Let It Evolve<\/p>\n

Even with expert help, Culpo embraced a slower, more lived-in approach to design. \u201cI think layering takes time\u2014and that is what makes a space feel personal,\u201d she says. \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to live in a space a little and let it evolve. Mixing textures, adding meaningful pieces, and playing with scale helps make a room feel elevated\u2014but the most important thing is that it still feels like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"WoodenPhotography courtesy of Crate and Barrel <\/p>\n

Design Help Makes a Difference<\/p>\n

While she has a strong eye for design, Culpo credits Crate & Barrel\u2019s Design Desk with helping her get from inspiration to execution. \u201cThey helped me refine my ideas and find pieces that elevated the design without overpowering our home\u2019s architecture,\u201d she says. \u201cThe end result feels beautifully curated\u2014not overdone, just perfectly balanced.\u201d<\/p>\n

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