BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO

At Layers & Lines, design starts with people. Founded in Denver in 2016, this thoughtfully crafted studio emerged from a two-decade creative partnership between graphic designer–turned–interior stylist Molly Bevan and brand strategist–turned–design visionary Kim Blankenburg. Their approach? Begin with a genuine conversation, listen closely to how each client envisions their home feeling and flowing. From there, they layer in handcrafted materials and thoughtful finishes that feel both elegant and lived-in, design that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels deeply personal.

Your name, Layers & Lines, beautifully captures both texture and structure. How do you bring that balance into each project?

For us, the name “Layers & Lines” has always been connected to our design philosophy. Every project needs the grounding of strong architectural lines, and to feel like a home, layers of warmth, texture, and pattern bring it to life. We’re constantly balancing those two ideas: honoring the structure of a space while adding depth through thoughtfully selected materials, textiles, and details that invite people in and make the home feel personal.

You describe your approach as telling “transportive design stories.” What does that mean for a client walking into one of your completed spaces?

When someone walks into a home we’ve designed, they should feel transported to the best version of how that family wants to live. Sometimes that’s capturing the spirit of Santa Barbara in Denver or creating a modern take on a traditional European style home. By mixing materials, periods and styles in a way that feels unexpected yet refined, we allow a transportive story to take shape. Each object, color, texture and idea contributes to that story. It’s about designing so the home becomes an authentic narrative of who the clients are and how they want to feel every day.

Design is so much more than aesthetics—how do you uncover the personal narratives or daily rituals that shape your clients’ homes?

We spend a lot of time listening. Rather than beginning a project with a fixed idea, we start with an open conversation about how each individual or family wishes their space to flow and to feel. Throughout the discovery process we touch on more than square footage and floor plans – we learn how a family spends their time together, entertains with friends, or unwinds at the end of the day. We ask questions about routines, activities, travels, about where and with whom they gather, what inspires them. Our clients share cherished memories, family heirlooms and their dream for their home and we are honored to share in those stories. These are the details that drive the design because when a space supports your rituals and your values, it elevates the whole experience of living there.

What role do craftsmanship and materials play in your process, and how do you decide when something belongs in a project?

Materials and craftsmanship are everything. We’re constantly asking, “Does this piece or finish add integrity to the story we’re telling? Can this idea be executed in a way that will enhance our clients’ experience of their home?” We work with our clients to select timeless, tactile materials—stone, wood, metals, textiles—that age beautifully and feel honest in the home. When a craftsperson’s hand is visible in a detail, it adds soul. That’s when we know it belongs.

When you dream up a new design, do you start with form, feeling, or function, or does it shift depending on the project?

Most projects start with a feeling. How does our client want to experience the space when they walk in? How do they want to feel when they come home at the end of the day or when they wake up on a Saturday morning? What are the memories they want to create in their home? That emotional anchor then informs function and form. Of course, function is critical—the design has to work for the family’s everyday life—but we find that if you start with a feeling, everything else falls into place with more clarity. We recently completed a full remodel for a young family of five and it was a perfect example of a beautiful dream they had for their home inspiring the high function needed to suit their real lives. We were able to cultivate a warm, lived-in elegance for their family that is as functional as it is beautiful.

Who or what is inspiring your work right now, whether that’s artists, travel, architecture, or something closer to home?

We’re always inspired by travel and nature. (Kim) I was laughing at myself on a recent flight when I couldn’t stop taking pictures out of the window trying to capture color palettes, patterns and textures from the sky. California has an influence on both of us, not only the landscape and architecture, but the creativity of interior designers like Jamie Bush, Geoffrey De Sousa, Proem Studio. Lately, we’ve been drawn to artists and architectural details that feel handcrafted and storied, that bring a richness and patina to a design. Closer to home, Denver’s design community is Incredibly inspiring and collaborative. There’s a real energy here around blending modern sensibilities with Colorado’s natural textures and landscapes. It’s fun for us to explore new ways to represent the “mountain modern” aesthetic that is often desired in Colorado so that it feels evolved and never repeated.

You often talk about luxury as something functional and livable. How do you create spaces that feel elevated but still welcoming?

For us, true luxury is ease. It’s a home that feels elegant but not precious. We achieve that through thoughtful material choices—durable yet beautiful stones, fabrics that stand up to life but still feel indulgent—and by designing spaces that anticipate how people live. A luxurious home is one where you can host a dinner party and also kick off your boots and relax with family—it’s both elevated and lived in.

Denver has a thriving design culture, how does being based here shape your perspective and work?

Denver is such an interesting place to design because of the strong intersection of urban growth and natural beauty. Clients here often want homes that feel globally inspired yet deeply connected to Colorado. That’s a challenge we love—bringing in beautiful layers of refinement while honoring the raw textures, unfiltered light, and outdoor lifestyle of this incredible place. There is also an eclecticism in Denver that you wouldn’t necessarily expect, but the creative energy and originality is real. You can feel a wonderful tension between trying to hold on to the rugged and true while building the shiny and new. Being situated in this fast moving town motivates us to be curious and continue learning. We are grateful to be in a city that offers so many opportunities to be inspired, including the community of architects, builders, and makers here who push us to elevate our work every day.

What has been one of your most rewarding collaborations with local makers or artisans, and what did it add to the project?

Some of our most rewarding moments have come from working with local woodworkers and metal fabricators who bring our custom designs to life. One recent project involved a bespoke walnut dining room table where the details had to be executed with incredible precision to fit the homeowners’ taste as well as the physical space. The craftsmanship elevated the entire room—it’s the kind of detail you feel more than you even notice, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

To learn more about the creative process of Kim and Molly and to see more of their impressive portfolio, visit layerslineshome.com.