Over the years, I have noticed something interesting when working with clients. When it comes to how people see their homes, most tend to fall into one of two camps. I like to call them “buttoned up” and “buttoned down.” There are certainly degrees within each, yet it is usually quite easy to sense which direction someone naturally leans.
Understanding this distinction can be incredibly helpful during the design process. It often shapes everything from material selections to how a home ultimately feels day to day. One approach is not inherently better than the other. The beauty lies in creating a home that supports the way you naturally live.
The Buttoned-Up Home: Polished, Ordered, and Intentional
The buttoned-up homeowner gravitates toward polished perfection. They prefer materials that look new for as long as possible. In the buttoned-up home, everything has its place. Interiors feel edited and intentional, often leaning toward minimalism. There is comfort in order, clarity, and structure.
These homes tend to feel calm and highly organized, with every detail carefully considered. Furnishings often maintain their shape beautifully over time, and finishes are selected for their durability and low maintenance. The overall aesthetic is refined, streamlined, and thoughtfully composed.
If you are naturally buttoned up, I would guide you toward foam cushion inserts that hold their shape, man-made solid surface countertops that resist staining, lacquered metal finishes that will not tarnish, and performance fabrics or nylon carpets designed for durability. These materials are practical, long-lasting, and beautifully composed with minimal maintenance.
The Buttoned-Down Home: Relaxed, Layered, and Collected
The buttoned-down homeowner is drawn to a more relaxed, old-world sensibility. They appreciate an eclectic mix of vintage or antique pieces layered with newer elements. They welcome marble that develops a patina and unlacquered brass that softens over time.
Rather than striving for perfection, these homeowners often embrace character and evolution. Spaces feel curated with intention, yet never overly rigid. A collected interior tells a story over time, allowing furnishings and materials to age gracefully alongside the people living within them.
One of the most recognizable characteristics of a buttoned-down home is what I like to call “comfort wrinkles.” A feather-wrapped sofa cushion, for example, softens and relaxes with use. It invites you to sink in rather than sit perfectly upright. Those subtle wrinkles become part of the charm rather than something to fix.
If you lean buttoned down, feather-wrapped cushions offer softness and movement, while natural stone like marble brings character to countertops. Unlacquered brass develops depth over time, and wool carpets or natural fibres such as cotton and linen introduce warmth and authenticity. These materials are still durable, though they evolve with age and require a bit more care.
The Influence of Time, Travel, and Perspective
When I look back over the years, most of our clients have naturally fallen into the buttoned-up camp. I suspect my own appreciation for order, thoughtful details, and polished interiors may have played a role in that. In Vancouver, we also tend to work in newer homes where clean lines and a more tailored aesthetic feel very appropriate to the architecture and lifestyle.
At the same time, the more I travel to Europe, and perhaps simply with age, the more I find myself appreciating homes that embrace a sense of history and evolution. In places like Provence or rural Spain, time is not hidden, it is honoured. Surfaces carry evidence of life, and that is precisely what makes them so beautiful. A worn limestone floor, softened brass hardware, or an antique table with visible imperfections creates a warmth and authenticity that feels deeply inviting.
More and more, I find myself drawn to interiors that balance both perspectives. A home can feel polished and intentional while still allowing room for softness, character, and the quiet beauty that comes with living well over time.
Key Takeaways
- Buttoned-up homes tend to feel polished, structured, and highly organized, with materials chosen for durability and ease of maintenance.
- Buttoned-down homes embrace softness, patina, and collected character, favouring natural materials that evolve beautifully over time.
- Neither style is better than the other. The most successful interiors reflect the way you naturally live and what makes you feel most at home.
Designing a Home That Supports Real Life
Most of us naturally gravitate toward what feels familiar and comfortable. Some people feel most at ease in a home that is polished, while others are drawn to spaces that feel layered, relaxed, and collected over time. The truth is, many of us fall somewhere in between. My role is never to push clients into one style or another. It is about listening carefully and designing a home that feels authentic to the way you live every day.
Whether you lean buttoned up, buttoned down, or somewhere in between, the most beautiful homes are the ones that feel authentic to the people living in them. If you are ready to create a home that makes you feel at ease, I would love to help guide the process.
Yours,
Lori
