Lucy Penfield’s thoughtful selection of embroidered trims, fringed fabrics and hand-painted terra cotta tile
What I Love | Feb 12, 2024
In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Lucy Penfield approaches her projects with circularity in mind. The founder of Wayzata, Minnesota–based Lucy Interiors gravitates toward sustainably made items that are durable, repairable and recyclable, infusing her interiors with character and a connection to nature. “Good design creates a better future,” she tells Business of Home.
For her current mood board, which draws inspiration from a floral arrangement by Buffy Hargett Miller, Penfield employed natural materials like a salvaged-wood surface sample and a wallcovering woven from water-lily leaves. “Creating beauty while acting responsibly is at the soul of our work,” she says.
The flat lay features a medley of artisan-crafted items in eco-conscious materials with style and personality to spare. “A romantic blend of mulberry and raspberry hues paired with moss and spring green creates an earthy yet energetic feel,” Penfield says of the scheme.
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from a cheetah print fabric to a burl wood dining table.
1. PIENZA RAFANO LINEN IN VIOLET-GRAPE BY C&C MILANO
“An iconic pattern is so simple yet regal, with an understated elegance for a luscious drapery fabric.”
2. LEAPING CHEETAH COTTON FABRIC IN BUBBLEGUM BY SCALAMANDRÉ
“This print adds a little sass to lighten the mood.”
3. NOMAD WALLCOVERING IN SPRING GREEN BY OMEXCO
“For unexpected texture and a natural element, I love this eco-friendly wallcovering made of water lilies.”
4. ROSEWATER 1 HAND-PAINTED TERRA COTTA TILE BY TABARKA STUDIO
“The bespoke quality of each tile represents the beautiful workmanship and character so unique to Tabarka Studio, and [their tiles are] always gorgeous as a backsplash.”
5. BRINJAL NO. 222 PAINT BY FARROW & BALL
“A moody aubergine wrapping a room in high gloss will transport you to an exotic place.”
6. LUCILLE IKAT FABRIC BY TULU
“The drama and scale of this raspberry ikat adds pizzazz to any room.”
7. GREEN GUATEMALAN TEXTILE WITH FRINGE AT LUCY INTERIORS
“Layering found textiles is a signature of mine. I love highlighting the beautiful embroidery of Mayan women, who support their family with their craft.”
8. BIANCO LONDON PLANE WOOD BY FORESSO
“[This is] made of waste wood from fallen trees in Britain. Foresso is an impressive company—ethics is at the core of their business, and all [its surface materials are] made from recycled products.”
9. CATCH CABINET PULL IN SILICON BRONZE DARK BY ROCKY MOUNTAIN HARDWARE
“The dark metal finish patinas beautifully with age, highlighting the artisan quality of the molten bronze. An exquisite company committed to quality artistry and craftsmanship.”
10. WHITECAPS WINDOW FABRIC IN BREAKER BY HARTMANN&FORBES
“There’s nothing better than a natural grass roman shade to dress windows.”
11. FLORAL ARRANGEMENT BY BUFFY HARGETT MILLER
“A floral artist from Birmingham, Buffy Hargett Miller is known for her unusual blend of colors.”
12. EDIE METALLIC WALLPAPER IN GLAM GOLD BY CRISTINA BUCKLEY FOR SCHUMACHER
“This super shiny Mylar paper supplies the perfect mod-meets-vintage look.”
13. EMBROIDERED DECORATIVE TAPE TRIM BY LUCY INTERIORS
“I am always on the hunt for hidden treasures, and this is a favorite: spools of hand-embroidered trims, made by women artists from Mexico, who proudly support their family.”
14. TORTOISESHELL WALLPAPER IN EMERALD BY HUTTON WILKINSON FOR JIM THOMPSON
“This book-matched inlay-inspired design with a glossy finish brings us back to the era of Tony Duquette.”
15. 19TH CENTURY CHINESE SIX-PANEL SCREEN AT BUNNY WILLIAMS HOME
“This incredible screen features scenes of birds and foliage.”
16. MANE ATTRACTION LEATHER IN DEEP TURQ BY HOLLY HUNT
“It is impossible to resist adding this moody dark turquoise hair-on-hide into a scheme.”
17. COCARDE FABRIC IN OPIAT BY CHRISTIAN LACROIX AT DESIGNERS GUILD
“Not for the faint of heart, this fabric is a Christian Lacroix signature. This print in full French style of rosettes, emblems and ribbons has a playful zest. A perfect wild-card print for the unexpected pleasure.”
18. IKAT CRAZY FABRIC IN ORANGE/PINK BY MALLY SKOK DESIGN
“Raspberry and orange tickled my fancy in this modern linen ikat. Perfect for re-covering a pair of downy heirloom sofas my clients cherished.”
19. GLAM STRIPE I FABRIC BY CASAMOTA
“A bold palette by Carlos Mota from his debut collection—needless to say, the embroidery is delicious!”
20. QUADRATO FABRIC IN CERISE BY CASA BRANCA
“The hand-drawn lines of this concentric print are unique, and they provide a graphic splash that pairs well with the florals that inspired the flat lay.”
21. BURL WOOD DINING TABLE SAMPLE IN HONEY AMBER BY MILO BAUGHMAN AT 1STDIBS
“This 1970s classic works with any design style, and natural burl adds interest and an earthy connection.”
22. PURPLE GUATEMALAN STRIPE PILLOW BY LUCY INTERIORS
“Another artisan fabric found during my travels that I fashioned into pillows.”
23. “YVES SAINT LAURENT: THE COMPLETE HAUTE COUTURE COLLECTIONS” BY SUZY MENKES
“There’s a lot of French style in this gorgeous book showcasing Yves Saint Laurent’s haute couture archives.”
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