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Quiet luxury dominated the conversation about elevated interiors throughout the early 2020s, but now, we're looking for something softer. As 2026 marches on, homeowners are embracing cozy, cocooning interiors that represent their families and convey their interests. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's Connecticut home is the perfect example.
A glimpse into their Westport living room is a masterclass in richly layered interiors – it centers on a stone fireplace with decor on the mantle, chairs and sofas layered with floral cushions, and a miniature gallery wall. Paul and Joanne have added a wicker basket of wood by the fireplace, and small stools piled with magazines and books. Every detail feels like a part of the couple's life, and every day routine.
Rather than existing curation, the elegance of the space comes through the way it is lived in. To explore how Joanne and Paul made their living room feel approachably luxurious, Homes & Gardens curated an edit inspired by the items in their space. Then, we spoke with several design experts about how to create layered, lived-in interiors in our own homes. We'll begin with a glimpse into the Westport home.
Recreate Paul and Joanne's Look at Home
From a gallery wall to stylish mantlepiece decor, the magic of Paul and Joanne's home is in the details. Here's how our editors would recreate them.
Framed pictures on the stone walls are part of the warm and welcoming layering in Paul and Joanne's living room. These affordable frames from Amazon are ideal for bringing the look to life.
This plush armchair with a wooden base is easy to fall into. Its inviting texture adds warmth to any room, and the soft, curved shape presents unparalleled comfort.
Layering floral cushions is a simple method for creating a lowkey luxe energy in your home. This one looks like watercolor with a white base for a grounding effect.
Inspired by botanical motifs, this beautiful cushion cover is an easy way to introduce a subtle touch of nature to your space. Its delicate design adds softness, color, and charm without overpowering the room.
It's the little details that really tie a room together, and these gorgeous tapered candles are just the thing to bring some elegance to your mantel. Plus, they can transition effortlessly to your kitchen table when you have people over.
This stylish gold candlestick captures the beauty of Paul's look with a contemporary upgrade. It would be perfect paired with white candlesticks like we see here.
In addition to the small details and the layered furniture, two underrated elements make Paul and Joanne's space stand out: the rug on the floor and the lighting scheme. If you plan to recreate a curated clutter look in your own home, attention to these essential details will bring the space to life.
To replicate the warmth of Joanne and Paul's jute living room flooring, start with a rug. Jodie Hatton, Design Manager at heritage carpet company Brintons, explains, 'A rug gives you the freedom to define a space without committing to a full-room installation, which can be especially helpful for those who love to refresh their interiors with the seasons.'
The beauty of this styling trick is its versatility. 'Whether you’re layering over hard flooring or adding texture to a pared-back scheme, rugs bring a sense of comfort and structure that can be easily moved or switched out,' adds Jodie.
'Rugs also allow for greater flexibility when it comes to pattern and color. As they are not fixed, it is easier to experiment with bolder and more expressive designs that add character to a room.'
Paul and Joanne light their living room with overhead lights, lamps, light from the windows, and candles on the mantlepiece. For a similarly appointed room, bringing in lighting from different sources helps to create an intentional layered look.
Massimo Buster Minale, Founder and Creative Director at Buster + Punch, explains: 'Lighting has a profound influence on both the aesthetic and functional qualities of interiors, making it an important decision during the design process. Just as the positioning of a room may inform the color palette, lighting determines how those colors appear within a space.'
Especially if your home skews dark with a stone wall as we see in the Westport home, this detail is essential.
Massimo states: 'In darker schemes, a thoughtfully structured, layered approach, integrating ambient, task and accent lighting, can define the atmosphere, guiding how each zone is experienced, whether the goal is to achieve a cocooning and intimate environment or a more industrial, dramatic tone. Wall lights introduce a decorative touch whilst conveying an intriguing sense of character, particularly when combined with chandeliers or spotlights to create a cohesive and tonal balance throughout.'
He continues: 'The materials of your lighting also play a strong role. Steel and brass finishes complement darker schemes by balancing cool and dark hues, further enhancing depth and visual contrast.'
Ultimately, replicating this look comes down to bringing warmth and character to every element of your living room. By starting with the biggest pieces and filtering down to the tiny details, you're sure to create a space that will feel cocooning and timeless for years to come.
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