Interior designer Ashley Haley shares her love of transitional decor
A lover of all things beautiful and balanced, Ashley Haley named her design business OSLO Design Co., in part for her own Norwegian roots, partly for her love of Scandinavian design, and for the visual symmetry the letters themselves possess. That innate sense for what resonates with the human brain is the foundation of her designs. Her rooms feel organic and unfussy, yet intentional and thoughtful. 
When it came time to design her own home, she trusted her instincts, leaning into her favorite forms, textures, and colors. The overall style of Haley’s home is “transitional”—a mixing of traditional and modern elements.
Built in 1991, the home had a distinct 90s vibe, so she and her husband gutted the entire house, establishing a new layout and adding architectural interest, like the elegant curved archways throughout. These curves are echoed in objects found in the entryway. “As you enter, you see this vignette that is a sneak peek of everything you’re going to see in the home,” shares Haley. “Geometric shapes, marble, black, gold, textural elements like the linen cover on the books, and natural elements like the pampas grass.”
The heavy staircase was removed in favor of a light steel and wood banister. For the runner, she chose a low-pile Berber carpet in a weathered ikat pattern that will wear well.
Another curved archway leads you into the kitchen. The harmonious balance of black lower cabinets and white oak upper cabinets feels grounded and calming. The inspiration for the black cabinets came from the striking black range by IVLE. Haley advises, “Inspiration can come from anywhere—an appliance, light fixture, or piece of art.
Find a starting point and work from there—replicating the lines, colors, and finishes.” The gold hue of the brass trim on the stove informs the champagne gold hardware on the cabinetry. The curves of the archway are found in the black and gold pendants over the island, and another curved arch appears on the vent hood, finished in plaster. Behind the hood, 2” x 9” tiles in a cream hue are laid in a modern straight stack pattern. In the center of the room, the oversized island is topped with a quartzite countertop and serves as the gathering place for Haley’s growing family.
“When you walk into a room and say, ‘It just feels good in here,’ it’s typically the quality of materials and the layers of lighting,” explains Haley. This certainly is the case for her primary bathroom, where handmade cement tiles from clé steal the show. The pale green with cool gray and blue undertones is soft and soothing. Set in a vertical straight stack to draw the eye upward and make the room appear taller, the tile is wrapped around the freestanding bathtub, along the vanity wall, and throughout the walk-in shower.
On the floors, 12” x 24” porcelain tiles made to look like Carrera marble offer more durability at a more affordable price point. The shower floor is finished in white penny round. The three tiles work in harmony, in part due to them each being a different scale, shape, and pattern.
Creating cohesion with the rest of the home, the combination of black and gold once again makes an appearance in the sconces. The shower fixtures, sink faucets, and tub filler are champagne bronze, while the mirror frame and vanity hardware are matte black.
If this style speaks to you, follow Haley’s formula for creating a home that feels like a relaxing vacation.
// PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE LONGLEY OF EP STUDIOS
— We shared this Tasteful Transitional House Tour with you in the Winter 2022 issue of NEST Magazine. To subscribe to NEST Magazine, click here — and be sure to follow us on Instagram @NestRealty