C O L L E C T E D by Cathryn Lindsey | vol no. 05

A curated glimpse inside my world — design, style, and life.

F R O M M Y D E S K

We’re (hopefully) wrapping up our first winter back out east, and I’ve loved the snow more than I expected,  the bundling up, the early darkness, the excuse to stay in. What surprised me most was how deeply I leaned into hibernation. After the sparkle and hustle of the holidays, everything softened. Social calendars thinned out, weekends became slower, and I found myself perfectly content in sweats with a blanket wrapped around me, not needing to be anywhere.

I’ve been learning to embrace each season of the year. I can sense the energy building for spring, that familiar urge to plan and host and say yes to everything. But right now, I’m letting winter be what it is. Cozy, quiet, and an earned reset before a vibrant few months ahead.

xo, Cathryn

F R O M T H E S T U D I O

When we left Austin, CLD felt like it was right on the edge of something big. Moving meant choosing family life and quality of life first, and I expected to need to rebuild slowly here in New Jersey. I’ve been incredibly grateful (and honestly a little surprised) by how warmly the studio has been received. We’re nearly fully booked through summer with truly beautiful projects and clients who deeply value the process.

CLD’s team is also growing. I’m also thrilled to introduce Ashlen, our new Procurement Manager, who has been instrumental in keeping every order, delivery, and detail moving seamlessly behind the scenes.

D E S I G N N O T E S

I recently spoke with Good Housekeeping about what they’re calling “refined layering”, a term I love because it captures something I’ve been designing around for years. The most beautiful rooms aren’t the ones with the most things; they’re the ones where every layer feels intentional. Refined layering is about building depth through contrast and texture rather than accumulation. A tailored sofa against a vintage rug. A modern lamp sitting on an antique chest. Linen drapery softening structured millwork. Nothing random, nothing filler.

If you want to bring this into your own home, start by editing before you add. Remove anything that doesn’t earn its place. Then focus on three categories: texture, contrast, and scale. Layer in textures; if everything feels very earthy and grounded, add some iron or brass to juxtapose with some polish. Pair something ornate with something clean-lined. And always make sure the proportions speak to one another. When done well, the room feels collected and elevated without ever feeling busy. It’s depth, but disciplined. I’ve linked the full article below if you’d like to read more.

This season has been about simple comforts: the fur throw that permanently lives at the end of the sofa, heavy enough to justify staying put; Saturday mornings at a local bakery with something warm in hand; a low, vibey playlist that makes 4 p.m. darkness feel intentional instead of abrupt. Nothing groundbreaking here, just small details to make winter feel luxurious instead of long.

I N  M Y  O R B I T

While we’re firmly planted in winter, when was the last time anyone saw grass? I’ve started thinking about summer at the Jersey Shore. As a teenager, we spent nearly every weekend driving down the shore for long days in the sand and seafood lunches before heading home sun-soaked and tired. Those simple, perfect days are still vivid in my memory. 

It got me thinking, if CLD designed a shore house, what would it look like? It wouldn’t lean into obvious coastal tropes. It would feel earthy and slightly Mediterranean, layered with handmade details and subtle nods to the ocean. A long outdoor table would be non-negotiable, every dinner outside, even if it meant lighting candles against the wind. I’ve been collecting inspiration for what a CLD Shore House might look like, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite daydream. I’m having so much fun pinning inspiration to this board, so be sure to check it out if you need to look forward to summer too!