A well-designed space goes beyond aesthetics—it should reflect your personality and create an environment that feels like home. With insights from some of Heartwood’s most stylish clients, we explore how to bring beauty and functionality into your kitchen and bathroom while subtly elevating these spaces with Heartwood’s range of products.
When it comes to kitchen and bathroom styling, it’s easy to prioritise function over personality. Drew O’Dwyer, owner of Ox Studio and a minimalist at heart, takes a pragmatic approach: “I like function, very masculine I know, but I’m good for about one vignette or small collection of objects like the King of Woods Wash and Lotion and that’s it.”
For interior designer Sigrid Gibson, the balance is achieved through calming colors and natural materials. “With a revolving door of uni students and their busy entourage, our kitchen is the face of the chaos. I’m always attempting to lower the vibrations with my styling,” she explains. By incorporating soft lighting, such as candlelight, Gibson creates an inviting glow that transforms even the busiest communal spaces into serene retreats.
Gibson believes in enhancing the mood of a space with scent: “Lifting our spaces with scent is accessible and transformative. Anything with Heartwood’s pure King of Woods Sandalwood... is my absolute go-to.” The sensory experience of a room, whether through oils, candles, or incense, can subtly elevate its atmosphere, making it feel more luxurious and personal.
While O’Dwyer leans toward simplicity, he also values small touches that speak volumes. “I’m a minimalist, except for when it comes to the garage, where clutter prevails.” His preference for clean lines is softened by organic elements, with fresh flowers—a surprising favorite—adding warmth and charm to his otherwise streamlined spaces, showing how simplicity and sentimentality can coexist.
A sense of comfort and belonging lies at the heart of both O’Dwyer and Gibson’s styling philosophies. O’Dwyer draws from his childhood: “Familiar things and smells, my mum’s house has a lovely smell of all the things I grew up with. I also like routine, so things staying the same and being familiar are great.” For him, routine and consistency are key to creating a personal space that feels like home.
Gibson, on the other hand, weaves stories into her décor. “It’s a personal combination of the senses... our front doors made the journey from the Souks of Marrakech... the golden calcite mineral that sits centre stage on our kitchen bench is out of a mine in Missouri.” Her spaces are enriched by travel treasures and meaningful items, giving her home a unique character grounded in personal history.
By embracing small details—whether it’s a familiar scent, a flower, or a cherished object—you can create a home that’s truly yours.
Explore the functional spaces of some of Heartwood's most stylish customers.
