The Weight of Materials: Why What You Choose Matters
By Marycobb Reeves
Stone, wood, metal, and fabric start building the story of a home long before a single piece of furniture is installed. Materials set the tone. They determine not only how a space will look, but how it will feel and age, and how it will hold the rhythm of a family’s daily life.
In our work, materials are never just decorative. They are foundational.
Honesty in Materials
In luxury design, it’s easy to become swept up in novelty. But the truth is simple: honest materials do the heavy lifting.
Limestone with subtle veining. Handwoven wool that softens underfoot. A patinated brass that warms over time. These are materials that carry integrity. They don't demand attention; they earn it.
There’s a stability that comes from selecting materials that will grow more beautiful with age, rather than those that simply photograph well on installation day.
Texture as a Quiet Layer
Texture is often the most underestimated element in a room. It works quietly, layering depth without noise.
A plaster wall holds light differently at dawn than at dusk. Washed oak introduces calm. Nubby linen balances refinement with approachability. Even the cool edge of marble can ground a room otherwise full of warmth.
Texture gives a space dimension—it creates that intangible sense of comfort and presence that clients often describe as “I’m not sure why, but this just feels right.”
The Role of Craft
Behind every exceptional material is a person who knows how to handle it.
I’ve watched artisans shape raw materials with a focus and fluency that can only come from years of practice—stonecutters who understand how a slab will reveal itself, textile makers who weave nuance into every inch.
When you bring craftsmanship into a home, you bring humanity. You bring story. You bring longevity. And in a world filled with everything fast, that matters.
Designing for Real Life
Materials must be beautiful, yes—but they must also serve. A family kitchen needs surfaces that welcome the rise and fall of daily life. A child’s room should be soft and inviting. A bath should exude calm but also withstand humidity and routine.
Thoughtful material choices create freedom. They allow a family to live fully in their home without tiptoeing around it.
A Closing Note
As we continue to design homes across the South, I’m reminded that the most impactful spaces aren’t those defined by abundance, but by intention. And intention begins with materiality.
Choose what has weight. Choose what has presence. Choose what will stand the test of years, and let those materials shape a home that feels grounded, enduring, and deeply personal.
From the Studio,
Marycobb
About the Author
Founder of her eponymous firm, Marycobb Reeves is a Charleston-based interior designer known for her affinity for classicism. Marycobb’s design philosophy is founded on creating tailored spaces with timeless appeal and enduring style in mind …
