Studio Squire

Sorry, pumpkins. It's pear season.

Good Housekeeping asked designers what is taking over fall décor this year, and we had opinions. Swipe to see why we are backing the pear.

What we love most is how little effort it takes. One good bowl, a few pears, and the dining table is dressed for fall. No carving, no glitter, and nothing to haul back to the garage in November. Seasonal styling works best when it is simple, useful, and already on your grocery list.

Comment "Good Housekeeping" and we will send you the link to the full article.

Interior design by Studio SQUIRE, serving Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area

Photography: Jessica Brydson
Styling: Arielle Madilian

A door doesn’t have to disappear into the background.

In a home with a clean, minimal foundation, the right architectural detail can introduce warmth and character without adding unnecessary visual noise. Here, a custom wood barn door transforms a practical pantry entrance into a feature of its own.

The directional grain and variation in the timber create natural movement, while the black hardware gives the design a more contemporary edge and connects with the darker details throughout the kitchen. When closed, it becomes almost like a piece of functional art. When open, it reveals a hardworking pantry designed for everyday life.
It’s a good example of why we consider the details that sit between the bigger design decisions. Doors, hardware, trim and transitions may be functional necessities, but thoughtfully designed, they can become some of the most memorable elements in a home.

Location: Mill Valley, CA
Photographer: Katie Thyken
Contractor: Aaron Kinsley

PRESS FEATURE | ELLE DECOR

We’re delighted to see Studio SQUIRE featured in ELLE DECOR, sharing expert insight on how to make a small bathroom feel bigger.

When square footage is limited, every design decision carries a little more weight. From the way a layout is planned to the scale of fixtures and the materials used throughout, thoughtful choices can completely change how open and inviting a bathroom feels.

The feature explores some of the design principles that can help smaller bathrooms work harder without sacrificing style, proving that a beautiful, functional space doesn’t have to be a large one.

Thank you to ELLE DECOR for including Studio SQUIRE’s perspective. You can read the full press feature here 👉 https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/interior-designers/a73474923/how-to-make-a-small-bathroom-feel-bigger/

A well-designed home doesn’t need every room to match. It needs a thread that quietly connects them.

Throughout this project, that thread comes through in the details. Cool grey and blue tones move from the kitchen cabinetry and tile into the living spaces, while warm timber, aged brass and deeper brown accents prevent the palette from feeling too cool. Even the smaller decorative moments, from ceramics and artwork to patterned textiles, build on the same visual language.

In the kitchen, grey cabinetry and a subtly varied tile backsplash create a calm foundation, warmed by brass hardware, timber shelving and the richness of the wood floors. Move into the living room and that balance shifts rather than disappears: blue-grey upholstery is paired with cognac leather, sculptural furniture, metallic details and touches of green and ochre.

The result is a home where each room has its own identity, but nothing feels disconnected.
That’s often where cohesion comes from. Not repeating the exact same finishes everywhere, but understanding which colors, materials and textures are worth carrying through, then interpreting them differently as you move from one space to another.

Location: Mill Valley, CA
Photographer: Katie Thyken
Contractor: Aaron Kinsley

Some rooms call for restraint. Others give you permission to have a little more fun.

For this bathroom, tile became the starting point for bringing personality into the space. Rather than choosing something that would simply disappear into the background, the pattern and color were allowed to become part of the room’s identity - adding movement, character and an unexpected moment of interest. The key is knowing where to let a detail take the lead. By surrounding a more expressive tile with quieter, considered finishes, the room still feels balanced and sophisticated rather than overly designed.

It’s one of the things we love about bathrooms: behind all of the practical requirements, there is an opportunity to create something memorable. A beautiful tile can set the tone, introduce a color story or simply bring a little joy to a space you use every single day.

Because practical design can still have personality, and sometimes the detail you take a chance on becomes the one you love most.

Location: Mill Valley, CA�Photogpraher: Jessica Brydson�Stylist: Marissa Barrett - Interior Stylist�Architect: Wright Architecture�Contractor: Gannon Construction Company, Inc.

A glimpse into the direction we’re exploring for an upcoming kitchen project.

We’re building the palette around a rich, grounded green, using it as a foundation for warm brass finishes, beautifully veined natural stone and layers of wood that bring softness and warmth into the space. There’s a subtle tension between old and new here that we love - traditional cabinetry and vintage-inspired details paired with clean lines, considered appliances and a layout designed for modern everyday living.

The stone will bring movement, the brass will add warmth, and the deeper cabinetry color gives the room a sense of depth without making it feel heavy. We’re also thinking beyond the larger finishes to the details that will shape how the kitchen feels to use: hardware, lighting, storage, fixtures and the smaller functional decisions that often make the biggest difference.

The goal is a kitchen that feels layered and established from day one - refined without feeling precious, full of character, and designed to become even better with time.

Location: San Francisco, CA

There’s an ease to this Berkeley cottage that comes from allowing the original charm of the home and the realities of everyday living to work together.

The kitchen feels bright and open, with beautifully veined stone carrying across the countertops, backsplash and waterfall peninsula to create continuity throughout the space. Dark cabinetry and black fixtures add definition, while pale flooring, simple lighting and abundant natural light keep the overall feeling fresh and relaxed.

That same balance continues into the bathroom, where classic white tile is paired with warm brass fixtures, soft color and natural wood for a look that feels characterful without becoming overly traditional.

Outside, the deep blue exterior creates an entirely different moment, punctuated by a bold yellow door and playful green seating. It’s a reminder that a home doesn’t need to follow one rigid aesthetic to feel cohesive thoughtful materials, color and details can give each space its own personality while still feeling connected.

Berkeley Cottage is considered, comfortable and full of character - a home designed to feel as good to live in as it looks.