A California Farmhouse Shows How to Soften Hard Edges at Home
A tour of designer Emma Cali's Agoura Hills farmhouse highlights the 'soft architecture' trend, which replaces rigid lines with curved, tactile elements. The home features a plush, rounded dining banquette and canopy beds, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. This style is gaining popularity as people seek comforting spaces over minimalist rigidity.
Emma Cali's Agoura Hills residence demonstrates the "soft architecture" aesthetic through specific structural choices. Her dining banquette was created by removing part of the kitchen to establish a relaxed area for meals and games. The canopy bed utilizes ceiling-mounted chains and rods draped with thick linen, resembling a low-cost DIY project.
Apartment Therapy editors previously identified this style as a key trend. Executive Home Director Danielle Blundell observes that as minimalism warms and maximalism returns, curved, textured furniture like nubby knit sofas is replacing sleek, rigid pieces to create nurturing, calm environments.
This design shift could influence consumer spending, steering buyers toward plush, rounded furniture and fabric-heavy elements over sharp, minimalist lines. It may also empower DIY enthusiasts to replicate high-end looks affordably, as seen with the canopy bed. Ultimately, this trend could reshape interior design priorities, encouraging homeowners and renters to value tactile comfort and cozy atmospheres over strict visual austerity.