You’ve created your master plan. You can see the layout, the flow, the big-picture vision for your home. Now it’s time for the fun part: choosing the materials that bring it all to life.
This is the stage clients often feel both excited about and slightly overwhelmed by. Suddenly, there are hundreds of cabinet finishes, flooring samples, hardware options, stone slabs, and plumbing fixtures in front of you. Each one feels like a commitment.
But here’s the truth: with the right process (and a thoughtful design team guiding the way), this part doesn’t have to feel stressful. It can actually be one of the most enjoyable phases, the moment your home starts becoming real.
At Harty Interiors, we believe this stage should feel grounded and clear, not rushed or chaotic. The key? Always returning to your master plan.
Your master plan is more than a mood board or inspiration image, it is your design roadmap, the guide that keeps every finish and fixture aligned with the bigger vision for your home.
Before we look at a single cabinet sample or compare metal tones, we revisit the overarching direction of the home:
Every material chosen should reinforce the home’s story. When you select finishes through the lens of your master plan, decisions become much clearer. Instead of evaluating each option in isolation, you’re ensuring the full home feels timeless, consistent, and calm.
Once your master plan is leading the way, the fun begins: layering materials with intention. This is where the home starts to develop depth, personality, and a sense of ease.
A beautiful home is a conversation of materials — not too flat, not too busy. We love combining:
The result? A space that feels layered, calm, and elevated.
Mixed metals add richness when done intentionally. Perhaps the kitchen uses warm brass hardware, classic stainless appliances, and an aged bronze pendant. The key is controlling the palette so metals feel collected, not chaotic.
Cabinetry is often one of the biggest visual investments in the home. Pairing a main cabinet color with a complementary island tone or mixing wood and painted finishes creates interest without overwhelming the space. Again, intentional contrast is your best friend.
We often bring in stone, wood, and textured textiles because these materials never go out of style and they hold up beautifully in family settings. They’re both practical and soulful.
Even in a full-home project, smart investment choices matter. Not everything needs to be a splurge, and not everything should be simplified.
This thoughtful balance is at the heart of Harty Interiors’ design philosophy — investing where it counts and simplifying where it supports longevity, ease, and family living.
This is why working with a designer feels so grounding during final selections. Instead of facing endless options alone, you’re guided through a curated process where choices are filtered, refined, and aligned with your home’s vision.
We narrow options thoughtfully, ensuring every cabinet finish, fixture, and material supports the same cohesive story. The end result is a home that feels:
The final selections stage is where your home truly comes to life, and with the right guidance, it can feel exciting, clear, and deeply rewarding.
If you’re ready to bring your own vision from plan to reality, we’d love to help you create a home that feels beautifully livable, thoughtfully designed, and grounded in timeless comfort.
There’s something truly special about a dish that takes its time — the kind that fills your kitchen with warmth and rich, savory aromas that linger long after dinner is done. Beef Rouladen is a traditional German holiday favorite — thin slices of beef rolled with bacon, onions, and pickles, slowly simmered in red wine gravy until tender. Served with red cabbage and potato dumplings, it’s the kind of meal that makes everyone linger at the table just a little longer.
For the Rouladen:
For the Red Cabbage (Rotkohl):
For the Potato Dumplings (Klöße):
1. Lay the beef slices flat and spread each with mustard.
2. Layer with bacon, onions, and pickle slices.
3. Roll tightly and secure with kitchen twine or toothpicks.
4. Heat oil in a heavy pot and brown the rolls on all sides. Remove and set aside.
5. Add tomato paste to the pot, cook briefly, then deglaze with red wine and broth.
6. Return the rouladen to the pot, add bay leaf, cover, and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours, until tender.
1. In a large pan, melt butter and sauté onions and apples until soft.
2. Add shredded cabbage, vinegar, apple juice (or wine), sugar, and spices.
3. Cover and simmer for 40–45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and fragrant.
1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until soft. Peel while warm and mash or rice until smooth.
2. Stir in butter, starch, egg, salt, and nutmeg to form a soft dough.
3. Shape into golf-ball-sized dumplings.
4. Drop gently into simmering (not boiling) water and cook until they float — about 10–12 minutes.
Plate the rouladen with red cabbage and dumplings, and spoon the rich gravy generously over the top. Serve with a glass of red wine or Glühwein, and enjoy the aroma of a true holiday kitchen.
Meals like this are what I think of when I design kitchens — spaces meant for slow cooking, shared stories, and meaningful moments. Rinderrouladen isn’t just a recipe; it’s a reminder that good design, like good food, starts with heart and time well spent.
