In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Amber Guyton has got a case of the blues—in the best possible way. From the painterly swathes in a hand-knotted rug to the performance chenille of a channel-backed chair, “there’s an indigo undertone to my flat lay,” says the Atlanta-based founder of design firm Blessed Little Bungalow. “The color even occurs in the curls of the Boscoe Holder portrait.” A soothing partner to lilac and plum, the inky hue also serves as a grounding backdrop to the occasional citric burst. “I’m obsessed with chartreuse, period,” she admits. So much so that the shade appears as the base of a tribal-print fabric, stripes in her own sweetgrass-inspired wallpaper pattern, and splashes of sunlight on the broad brim of the regal Caribbean woman’s hat.
Bold color-play makes up just one part of Guyton’s design philosophy, which she calls Soulful Maximalism—the title of her new book. “It’s a style rooted in layered textures, the beauty of Black culture, and joy,” she says. “The idea is that your home should feel like a love story to yourself—full of meaning, memories and moments of wonder.” In her selections for an imaginary lounge, she finds such whimsy in everything from the bobbins on a brass switch plate to the waterlilies abloom on a throw pillow. “The Poppy chandelier would steal the show, setting the mood to sit down and stay awhile,” she adds. Upholstered in warm caramel, a gently rounded faux mohair sofa could comfortably welcome several guests.
“Curvature is a common thread connecting each item,” Guyton continues. Indeed, there’s hardly a sharp edge in sight. Crafted from oak marquetry or wavy maple, tables are circular; even fragments of marble form pastel demilunes in an ornate mosaic tile design. “The silhouettes feel approachable and feminine, balanced by masculine accents in wood and metal.” Unpredictable yet inviting, the combinations are fiercely individualistic and full of charm. “Despite all of the differences, every element feels familiar and fond of one another,” she says. “Plus, there’s plenty of room left to add more!” The designer describes each of her choices below.
1. CURLS GALORE, 1994, BY BOSCOE HOLDER AT ART.COM
“I’ve admired Trinidad and Tobago artist Boscoe Holder for decades, and the beauty that shines through the Caribbean landscapes and brown-skinned subjects he paints. This portrait is sure to be a focal point in any room.”
2. OPIA MARBLE WATERJECT MOSAIC IN LILAC BY ALI BUDD FOR ARTISTIC TILE
“I’m obsessed with this Ali Budd collaboration with Artistic Tile, and this art deco design is such a work of art. She blends a variety of marble and stainless steel in each piece. I’ve been dying to use Opia in a bathroom or as a fireplace surround—hopefully soon!”
3. MARLENA COFFEE TABLE BY FOUR HANDS
“I’m such a burlwood girl, but I try to mix it up with how I approach decorative wood patterns. This new round coffee table offers modern marquetry and playful geometry while grounding a living space.”
4. CHANNELED WINGBACK CHAIR IN SLATE PERFORMANCE VELVET BY PIERCE & WARD FOR WEST ELM
“As you can see, I love a good designer collab! Pierce & Ward can do no wrong, and this wingback is a great example of an artful, modern twist on a staple classic.”
5. TOPEKA CITRINE FABRIC BY LEE INDUSTRIES
“This pattern is so fun! I love the tribal print and chartreuse combination on the cotton-wool blend. It would be stunning on an accent chair, throw pillows or drapery.”
6. POPPY GLASS CHANDELIER BY REGINA ANDREW
“Glamour meets midcentury modern with this gorgeous girl! This sputnik-style orb chandelier will make any dining space, entryway, bedroom or living room lovely.”
7. ARCHED OTTOMAN IN SLATE PERFORMANCE VELVET BY PIERCE & WARD FOR WEST ELM
“What’s a great wingback chair without a matching ottoman?”
8. ST. LOXLEY QUARTZ BY CAMBRIA
“From Cambria’s new Coordinates series, St. Loxley is a breathtaking quartz with waves of greens, browns, grays and whites. It’s so beautiful in person.”
9. GROUNDED PAINT BY BEHR
“Behr recently announced its 2027 color of the year, and Grounded is my kind of neutral! Sultry olive green meets earthy brown with a touch of charcoal—the perfect friendly foundation for any color palette.”
10. WABI SABI RUG BY ZOE BIOS CREATIVE FOR JAIPUR LIVING
“There are endless abstract rugs out there, but when selecting one, I want it to look like a piece of art. This Tibetan hand-knotted design creates warmth through charcoal and gold brushstrokes that will pair well with an array of different textures and patterns.”
11. MILAM BUFFET BY BERNHARDT
“I saw this buffet at High Point Market earlier this year and it stopped me in my tracks. The stunning crystal quartz gives ‘quiet glamour’ and is sure to be a statement in any dining or living space.”
12. LOWCOUNTRY SWEETGRASS WALLPAPER IN EGGPLANT BY BLESSED LITTLE BUNGALOW FOR MITCHELL BLACK
“As a South Carolina native, sweetgrass baskets are one of my favorite artisan staples from Charleston, dating centuries back to West Africa, so I designed this wallpaper with that in mind. The geometric pattern and chartreuse colorway just make me smile wide like a Cheshire cat.”
13. MAAS FAUX MOHAIR SOFA BY LULU AND GEORGIA
“Curvature never goes out of style. This sofa is warm, welcoming, and offers a feminine and tailored touch for everyday living.”
14. WATERLILY PILLOW IN LILAC BY LITTLE DESIGN CO.
“LDC is one of my favorite sources for custom pillows at an approachable price point. Every room needs a little floral and greenery, and this fabric adds the perfect amount.”
15. ELLIE END TABLE BY BETSY WENTZ FOR ABNER HENRY
“Earlier this year, I had the privilege of traveling to Pennsylvania and Ohio to see Betsy’s designer collaboration with Abner Henry in her design studio and the company’s manufacturing facility. I love the endless possibilities of this maple table, as it’s available in hundreds of finish options.”
16. ISLE OF PALMS WALLPAPER IN CREAM TAUPE BY BLESSED LITTLE BUNGALOW FOR MITCHELL BLACK
“When designing this pattern, my home state of South Carolina and my favorite beach, Isle of Palms, were on my mind. I decided not to go with a traditional leaf, but one with a playful hexagon shape that felt fun and unexpected.”
17. PIPPA BOBBIN METAL SWITCH PLATE IN BRASS BY ANTHROPOLOGIE HOME
“Design is truly in the details, even the smallest decor item. Switch plates, outlets and toggle plates can be an afterthought, but I love these and their bobbin edge, in brass or nickel.”
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