The Studio Lee Method: Design Your Home and Life with Organic Modern Style
Home is everything. It’s where life unfolds—the good, the chaotic, and all the in-between moments. For me, design isn’t just about making a space look great; it’s about making it feel like home. Organic Modern is how I bring that idea to life. It’s more than a design style—it’s a way of living that blends natural elements with real-life practicality.
This post isn’t just about how I approach design—it’s about how you can, too. Whether you’re looking to refresh a single room or rethink your entire space, the Studio Lee Method is here to guide you.
What is Organic Modern Design?
Organic Modern design is all about balance. It’s warm and inviting but clean and uncluttered. It mixes natural materials—like wood, stone, and linen—with timeless shapes and neutral tones. It’s not trendy or flashy, and it doesn’t try too hard. It’s just… effortless.
But more than anything, Organic Modern is about creating spaces that feel good to be in. It’s not about perfection or showing off—it’s about creating a home that works for you, where you can relax, recharge, and live your life.
Nature is My Inspiration
Nature is where it all starts for me. I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors—its colors, textures, and the way it just works. There’s nothing forced about a forest or a mountain; it’s naturally beautiful. That’s the energy I try to bring into every project.
It could be something as simple as embracing natural light to make a room feel bigger or incorporating earthy textures like linen curtains or a raw wood coffee table. The goal is to make you feel connected to something bigger, even if you’re just binge-watching your favorite show.
There’s something grounding about the way natural elements—wood grains, flowing water, sunlight—just belong. Nature’s beauty isn’t forced, and neither is Organic Modern design.
Bringing Color to Life
In design, I love the calm, grounding effect of neutrals as a base, but it’s the pops of color that bring everything to life. The same goes for how I approach what I eat. A healthy life starts with what you put in your body, and for me, that means fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.
There’s something so satisfying about filling your plate with vibrant reds, greens, yellows, and purples straight from nature. And if you can grow your own? Even better—it’s a joy that connects you to the process from start to finish.
It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about nourishment. Organic, seasonal produce isn’t just better for you; it connects you to the earth, to the seasons, and to the effort it takes to create something real and wholesome. It’s a way of living in tune with nature, even in the simplest daily choices.
Whether you’re shopping at your local farmers’ market, growing your own little veggie patch, or just making the effort to eat more whole foods, it’s about layering richness and vitality into your life—just like those intentional pops of color in a neutral space.
How I Live an Organic Modern Life
Design doesn’t stop when I leave a project. The way I approach my life is an extension of the Studio Lee Method. Here’s how:
Structure and Routine: Just like in design, structure in life creates flow. My daily routines give me a sense of calm and control, even on the busiest days. It’s about finding joy in the little things—sunlight through the windows, a morning coffee ritual, my daily workout, or the sound of my dog’s paws on the floor. These small, grounding moments make everything feel intentional.
Bringing Color to Life: Neutrals are my foundation, but food is where I add color. A vibrant meal with fresh, colorful ingredients brings the same layered richness to my day that pops of color bring to a neutral space. Check out our Why I Design In Neutrals (and Eat My Colors) Blog.
Timeless Choices: In my home and my life, I focus on what lasts. I invest in relationships, habits, and objects that hold meaning and stand the test of time. Everything and everyone serves a purpose— no clutter and no trends. If it doesn’t serve a purpose or serve me, buh-bye.
Slowing Down: I prioritize moments of stillness. This is something I have to practice and be intentional about but when I prioritize these moments I have emotional and mental clarity and I physically feel better. Whether it’s an evening walk or simply sitting by a window, I make time to notice what’s happening around me.
How You Can Too—Meet the Studio Lee Method
The key to crafting a life that feels like you—The Studio Lee Method is my approach to designing not just homes, but lives that feel intentional and lived-in. It’s about finding the beauty in the mess, purpose in the everyday, and joy in the small things. It’s a mindset and a method: balancing form and function, blurring the lines between indoors and out, and celebrating what makes a house feel like a home.
Here’s the framework I use to create Organic Modern spaces and how you can apply it to your life:
Designed for Real Life: Your home—and your routines—should fit you, not the other way around.
Bring the Outside In: Let nature inspire you, whether through your environment or your mindset.
Design in Neutrals, Eat Your Colors: Choose simplicity in your surroundings but richness in your lifestyle. Fill your plate—and your life—with vibrant, nourishing choices.
Timeless Over Trending: Focus on what holds meaning rather than what’s popular.
Slow Down, Live More: Make time for the things that matter.
The Power of Texture: Seek out experiences and moments that feel grounding and real.
Perfect is Overrated: Your reminder to fall in love with the messy beauty of life.
Livable Luxury: Create a home that feels as good as it looks—the balance of beauty and reality.
Good for the Earth, Good for Your Soul: Make choices that are sustainable and kind to yourself and the planet.
Your Home, Your Rules: Ultimately, you define what works for you.
Your Gut Check to Living an Organic Modern Life
Here’s how to start thinking about designing your space—and your life—with intention:
Ask yourself: What routines bring you joy or calm?
Could you bring more sunlight, greenery, or fresh air into your day?
Are your meals vibrant and nourishing?
What habits, objects, or relationships feel timeless to you?
Are you making space for stillness and reflection?
Does your home—and your life—reflect who you are and what you value?
Summary
Organic Modern isn’t just a design style—it’s a lifestyle that’s intentional, effortless, and grounded. It’s about creating spaces and routines that work for you, making room for both the big moments and the small joys.
The Studio Lee Method is here to guide you, but remember: your home, your life, your rules. Perfection isn’t the goal—connection is.
Photos by Kelly Giorgano Photography
