Molly Kidd's method for establishing a home's design direction is unusual: every mood board starts with a floral arrangement.

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Considering the Expert was a florist for five years before co-founding a successful design firm in 2016 and eventually launching her eponymous studio last year, the move makes perfect sense—and it’s one that clients love.

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“Natural elements are a huge piece of my background,” explains the Oregon-based designer, who uses bouquets as a north star for inspiration throughout a project to ensure cohesion. “Color is so integral, even if it’s not loud,” she says. “Setting the tone with a visual instead of a picture of somebody else’s work gives me a unique reference point.”

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For this effortlessly sophisticated family home in Napa Valley, a structured ensemble of wild roses and green foliage in a ceramic vessel set the mood. Built from the ground up, the 4,500-square-foot home took five years to complete. And while the clients—a sociable couple who love to host—grew their family by welcoming two children during that time, Molly’s vision didn’t waver. It’s a testament to her design philosophy: to conceive truly enduring interiors. “To create spaces that don’t have a time stamp is important to me,” she says. “When you walk into a space and feel a sense of calm or warmth, that takes intention and time.”

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Here, the designer masterfully skewed the property’s modern origins by implementing a 50-50 rule of vintage versus new. “One-of-a-kind pieces create layers of depth and character,” explains Molly. “Before buying something, I always ask myself if it could be sourced from an antique store. If the answer is no, I focus on a product’s materiality, how it’s made, and who made it.”

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Scouring antique fairs such as Round Top in Texas and online marketplaces resulted in discovering the delicate light fitting in the dining room, one of her favorite finds. But the choices extended far beyond the final flourishes: from the grid formation in the windows to the over-grouting in the laundry room which echoes the stone formation outside, every decision references her modus operandi.

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The palette throughout feels earthy and serene. Molly nodded to the traditional architectural style of the property by specifying a paint trim just a touch creamier than the walls. It’s a subtle move that makes all the difference—and a trick that works well with lofty ceilings. Natural stones are a timeless choice and a go-to for Molly: in the primary bathroom, Calacatta marble adorns the inset tub (the designer has a soft spot for the precision-tiled, rounded window in the standalone shower cubicle). Downstairs, it is repeated on the oak island in the kitchen. Ideal for quick eats, there is also the option of the adjacent nook for midweek family meals.

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For more languorous pursuits—and this being wine country—the paneled dining room features a built-in cellar. Incorporating it into the setting without it feeling “cheesy or tacky” was a challenge Molly relished. “Contemporary, floor-to-ceiling glass was just not the look or feel of the home,” she explains. The perfect blend turned out to be dark oak millwork concealed behind steel doors. Raise a toast to that.

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