In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Layton Campbell has a knack for crafting dark and sexy interiors. The Charlotte, North Carolina–based designer relies on tactile raw materials and deep neutral hues to create warmth and contrast in a room. “I love layering plush fabrics with hard finishes like steel, brass and hardwood,” he tells Business of Home.
Currently in the process of building a second home in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, he crafted his mood board with the surrounding landscape in mind. “The panoramic view is stunning, so I wanted my selections to highlight, not detract from, what nature has to offer right outside.”
The final scheme is equal parts daring and dapper, showcasing a well-balanced blend of bold graphic motifs and grounding earth tones. “This combination is sophisticated yet easy to live with,” says Campbell. “It feels like the perfect place for a weekend retreat from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.”
Here, the designer breaks down the details, from vegan leather upholstery to a black linen wallcovering.
1. DAPPER RUG IN BLACK/SAND BY SAMAD
“I wanted to anchor the light white oak floors with the dark and moody black field color of this rug. The taupe silk brightens up the room, especially when the light hits it.”
2. LEATHER UPHOLSTERY IN OLIVE 48027 BY BASSAMFELLOWS
“A mix of hard finishes and plush coverings, like this soft olive leather by BassamFellows, creates the perfect balance.”
3. SLING CLUB CHAIR BY BASSAMFELLOWS
“This sculptural chair looks beautiful from all angles.”
4. QUARTZITE SLAB IN INFINITY LEATHER BY WALKER ZANGER
“The leathered texture of this stone, along with its masculine deep color, are superb for the handsome kitchen.”
5. VELIT INDOOR-OUTDOOR FABRIC IN DOVE BY DMITRIY & CO
“A wonderful oatmeal fabric that is soft but durable for a large upholstered piece.”
6. CHATEAU LINEN WALLCOVERING IN BLACK MANSARD ROOF BY PHILLIP JEFFRIES
“I would use this in a powder room with dark trim and a fully integrated marble vanity.”
7. STUDIO CLAY PAINT BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
“A cabinet color that complements the leathered black quartzite, with a nod to the accents of earthy green colors throughout the palette.”
8. IRON ORE PAINT BY SHERWIN-WILLIAMS
“I envision dark trim accents in this popular color, which create a handsome grounding effect without going full-on black.”
9. CUSTOM SHEARLING RUG BY BELLAIRE DYNAMIK
“I would add this [bespoke rug design by Bellaire Dynamik] to a bedroom for an extremely comfortable underfoot, while also offering a softer play on a geometric pattern.”
10. MINERAL STAIN PAINT IN 104 BY J.H. WALL PAINTS
“Applying this textured wall paint using a limewash technique layers the bones with a softer touch rather than just a flat paint.”
11. VANITY SCONCE IN BLACK LEATHER/AGED BRASS BY GABRIEL HENDIFAR FOR APPARATUS AT STUDIO COMO
“These handsome vanity lights placed on a gorgeous white-and-black marble would be stunning. I like the scale being tall yet narrow, so the light is evenly dispersed to showcase the marble slab.”
12. CUSTOM CONSOLE TABLE BY KAMIYA FURNITURE
“I love the organic lines in Jeremy Kamiya’s work.”
13. PEA GRAVEL VEGAN LEATHER IN CEMENT BY POWELL & BONNELL
“This faux leather bar seating is easy to clean up, but the subtle texture is also part of the appeal.”
14. METAL FINISH IN SHEER BLACK BY POWELL & BONNELL
“I like pairing this metal with the vegan leather to help pull all the finishes in the palette together.”
15. EGGSHELL BLEND FABRIC BY THOMAS PHEASANT AT BAKER FURNITURE
“This polished linen adds sophistication to the room, providing a soft texture that isn’t fighting with surrounding heavier textures.”
16. SATIN BRASS LIGHTING FINISH BY SONNEMAN
“Satin brass provides a brighter metal finish among the combination of darker accents.”
17. NESTOR FABRIC IN MONTAGNE BY PIERRE FREY
“This mohair, wool and alpaca fabric is perfect for a custom throw at the foot of a king bed, hovering above the shearling rug.”
18. BOUCLE FABRIC IN TAUPE BY THOMAS PHEASANT AT MCGUIRE FURNITURE
“I picture this boucle on a bench cushion with a wood-stained frame.”
19. WOOD FINISH IN COCONUT BY BAKER FURNITURE
“A complementary wood finish to the boucle, with a soft wire-brushed finish.”
20. STAMP TRIPLE FLUSHMOUNT BY THE URBAN ELECTRIC CO.
“This is a fantastic fixture when you need a statement lighting piece but don’t want to take up too much visual space.”
21. FRENCH OAK IN MONTEREY BY CURATED SURFACES
“Using light-colored, wide plank, French oak hardwood flooring allows all the darker elements to sing in the space.”
22. BOND LAVATORY FAUCET HANDLES IN NICKEL/BLACK ENAMEL BY WATERWORKS
“The black enamel on these handles feels elegant yet masculine—perfect for our bathroom.”
23. SUEDE FINISHES IN PEWTER, BRONZE AND BLACK BY APPARATUS
“Suede finishes soften the look of the brass light fixtures.”
