In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.

Melissa LeeWilliam Jess Laird

Melissa Lee knows that certain textiles can evoke emotions. The founder and principal of Brooklyn-based Bespoke Only is drawn to touchable pieces imbued with heritage, handicraft and meaning. “I like to explore the dialogue between materiality and memory,” she tells Business of Home.

For her current flat lay, Lee sought out designs that “carry emotional weight beyond function” and showcase a deep reverence for traditional artisanship. “Whether it’s the hand-tufted rug or a vintage armchair, each piece brings with it a distinct voice, but they speak the same language of texture, depth and thoughtful construction,” she says. “Together, they form a quiet landscape of timelessness—one that values patina, provenance and presence.”

The final design features an array of organic elements and artful touches, ranging from ceramic-accented bed frames to hand-illustrated wallcoverings. “This selection feels like a study in textures with sensory resonance,” she says. “The scheme is contemplative, composed and quietly kindred.”

Here, Lee breaks down the details, from corduroy velvet to custom burl wood.

A flat lay by Melissa LeeCourtesy of Bespoke Only

1. DEMOISELLE PENDANT BY ELSA FOULON STUDIO

“I’m a potter, and I often find myself drawn to pieces that incorporate a ceramic element. I love how this pendant embodies a beautiful mix of hard and soft in an elegant form.”

2. JUMBO CORDUROY FABRIC IN FOREST BY ROSE UNIACKE

“This velvet from Rose Uniacke is just exquisite. The corduroy adds another texture, and a less buttoned-up feel to an otherwise sumptuous textile.”

3. FLOORS CARPET BY ROBERT KIME

“I will take everything from Robert Kime. Any day.”

4. 1940S EASY CHAIR BY SLAGELSE MØBELVÆRK AT THE EXPERT

“Classic Danish modern designs are no-brainers. We love how they’re so versatile with different environments.”

5. STEM SHADE RIG WALL LAMP BY PELLE AT RADNOR

“We love how the silhouette changes with the viewer’s position—an architectural line drawing rendered in light.”

6. BIKE RIDE WALLPAPER IN BEIGE BY COORDONNÉ

“This has a sense of nostalgia that’s subtle, not saccharine—and timeless.”

7. FUN GUY STAINED GLASS SCONCE BY FRANGERE STUDIO AT 1STDIBS

“An interesting and modern take on stained glass.”

8. ARTS & CRAFTS RUG BY GAVIN MORTON FOR DORIS LESLIE BLAU AT 1STDIBS

“It’s quite rare to spot an antique rug in this colorway. The jade green is unique and quite playful.”

9. ANTIQUE ARMCHAIR BY JULES LELEU

“We’re partial to art deco antique furniture because of its geometric shapes and lines. There’s something timeless about the piping detail and the curvature of this circa-1940s chair in particular.”

10. PARAVENT BED BY DANNY KAPLAN STUDIO

“Here comes that affinity for ceramic again. This bed is so gorgeous in many ways: the pivot hinges of the headboard, the ceramic and wood combo. Naturally, we appreciate our fellow Brooklyn creatives, and it’s always a treat to get to incorporate their work in ours.”

11. EMPRESS GREEN MARBLE AT CROFT HOUSE

“This is one of our favorite stones. Its veining moves like brushstrokes across a deep, imperial green. We love its weight, its depth, and how it works beautifully in both contemporary and classic settings.”

12. CUSTOM BURL WOOD

“There’s a quiet drama embedded in burl—its organic whorls and unpredictable grain—and we’re drawn to its tactility.”

13. JULIEN NO. 10 SCONCE IN BLACK AMBER BY HENRII

“We’re constantly in awe of Henrii’s collections. Each piece always carries a poetic touch in the most simple, clean design.”

14. UKI HANA WALLCOVERING BY DE GOURNAY

“Painterly characteristics against a luxurious copper backdrop.”