Continuing our celebration of fifteen years of rooms we love, we are revisiting the living room we designed for the 2016 Southern Living Show House. Inspired by an African safari Mark had taken around that time, the room is grounded in warm neutrals, natural materials, and layers of texture. It feels particularly fitting as we move into fall, when the landscape turns shades of tan, gold, and brown and we find ourselves wanting to settle in and get comfortable at home.

With a neutral palette, texture becomes everything. We wrapped the walls in raffia and layered leather, dark woods, woven materials, patterned textiles, and rugs to give the room depth and warmth. Mixing different finishes and patterns in varying scales keeps a neutral room interesting while still allowing it to feel calm and refined.

Our muse is Robert Redford in the 1985 film Out of Africa, whose portrayal of Denys Finch Hatton epitomizes classic safari style. Khaki, heavy linens, cotton, tweed, leather, and subtle shades of olive create a look that feels rugged yet incredibly elegant. Robert Redford’s personal style, both in his life and on screen, remains a forever source of inspiration for us.
 

When Mark went on safari in Africa, he stayed at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. The reserve features low-impact, eco-sensitive architecture and interiors that blend organic textures with muted neutral tones inspired by the arid savannah of South Africa. Soft ivory and cream upholstery allows the natural landscape to remain the main focus.

The living room itself has two pairs of French doors opening onto the porch, reinforcing that connection between indoors and out. We placed a console in the center of the room with sofas facing in opposite directions, creating two distinct conversation areas rather than one large seating arrangement. A collection of bird prints in matching dark frames fills one wall, another favorite design trick of ours. Framing a collection consistently allows individual pieces to read as one larger, more impactful statement.
 

This room is a reminder that neutral does not have to mean boring. By layering textures, finishes, patterns, and materials, a restrained palette can have just as much depth and personality as a colorful one, and even the ability to transport you on safari. As fall settles in, that sense of warmth, comfort, and adventure feels especially right.