Spend too long immersed in the color and chaos of Instagram’s interior-design-focused feeds and chances are, you’ll need a palate cleanser—which is exactly what you’ll find with residential-interiors stylist Liz Bachman’s feed, @greyandscout.

Since 2011, followers have tracked Bachman’s career progression from home-stager to proprietor of her own styling business, and her personal endeavors, which have included becoming a mother and renovating her midcentury-modern Denver home. Through it all, one constant has been Bachman’s irresistible style—light and simple, yet comfortable and totally livable (as the sweet toddler and pup who often star in her photos prove). Here, Bachman talks about what drives her distinctive designs, plus offers a few styling secrets for you to try at home.

5280 Home: How would you describe your personal style?
Liz Bachman: If I had to put a label on it, clean and collected. I’m not a huge knickknack fan, but I do love mixing vintage items with clean-lined, architectural pieces for a lived-in look and feel.

Which design era resonates most with you and why?
There’s not a particular era that I gravitate toward more than others; I like a little bit of all the recent eras—but weirdly, I do love the 1980s. I don’t use it in my work so much, but there’s something about the weirdness and boldness of the ’80s that I find interesting and inspiring.

bachman portrait
Bachman accessorizes a console table with her signature mix of old and new finds. Photo by Grace Combs Photography
bachman kitchen backsplash
A vase, bowl, and utensil holder from Antiques Etc.—one of Bachman’s favorite local sources for unique accessories—pop against her kitchen’s light quartz backsplash. Photo by Liz Bachman
bachman bedroom
Bachman accessorized her daughter’s room with a Nordic Knots rug, colorful artwork from Australian artist Marnie Gilder, and soft dolls from Noble Carriage. Her daughter selected the green nightstand at Scandinavian Antiques. Photo by Liz Bachman

What is the biggest lesson you learned from your own recent home-remodeling project?
Oh jeez, there were many lessons learned. But the two biggest takeaways are to make sure to stay involved in every aspect of construction—even mundane things like where outlets go can be a big deal down the road when you’re creating a lighting or audio/visual design. And never let someone tell you that something can’t be done. Seek a second opinion from your architect if a contractor seems hesitant, and vice versa.

Share a pro styling tip that will help us make any room look more polished.
Mix new décor with a handmade statement piece—it instantly adds balance to a room. And use textiles with texture—it’s a simple way to create interest if you’re timid about using bold color and design.

What is your favorite local source for design inspiration?
What’s inspiring to me is how a space makes me feel. I get tons of inspiration from local restaurants and boutique hotels—like the bar in the lobby of the Ramble Hotel in RiNo. It’s gorgeous (and a great spot for a good cocktail!).

Will you share one or two of your go-to local sources for home accessories?
Any vintage shop on Broadway or Colfax; favorites include 20th Century Interiors and Antiques Etc. I live for the hunt, and I’ve found everything from beautiful furniture pieces to unique glassware and fun plant pots. Vintage shops frequently add to their inventory, so there’s always something new.

bachman living room
Restoration Hardware’s hefty Marble Plinth coffee table grounds the furniture arrangement in Bachman’s newly renovated family room. The Melrose sofa is by Clad Home. Photo by Liz Bachman
To achieve her dream of having a fireplace in the kitchen, Bachman removed the wall separating the kitchen from the adjacent living room. The dark Arc armchairs are from TRNK. Photo by Liz Bachman
bachman bathroom
A new skylight, marble walls and floors (from Porcelanosa), and towels from Loom Goods give Bachman’s master bathroom a breezy vibe. Photo by Liz Bachman

Is there a local artist or maker whose work you can’t get enough of?
There are tons of amazing local artisans, but I need to give love to Kin Furniture Co., which makes older, one-of-a-kind pieces beautiful again.

Share a current design trend you love—and one you wish would go away.
Love: wallpaper. Go away: cool-gray furniture and walls.

What is the one design element you can’t live without?
A beautiful rug. It’s one of the easiest ways to bring a room together.

And finally, what is the home accessory that no styling project is complete without?
Hands down, fresh flowers and plants. It’s an inexpensive way to breathe life into a room. My go-to for plants is City Floral, and farmers’ markets for flowers in the summer. In the winter, I like using large bunches of filler greens from Whole Foods (or any local grocery store).