FINDING BEAUTY
SIGHTLINES
1 October 2025
GUIDING THE EYE: THE MAGIC OF CAPTIVATING SIGHTLINES
“Don’t quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can’t see it.” – Simon Sinek
As I was pondering on what to journal about, I came across this quote, and my mind flooded instantly with an image… a memory of leaning against the doorway of the butler’s pantry in my last home, morning cup of coffee in hand, paused and gazing at the captivating scene before me. The morning light was streaming in, illuminating the white roses in the garden, sculpting the columns on my front porch, and casting a golden glow across the dining room that felt, well, transcendent. I thought about how full of emotion my heart was in that moment. Beauty, light, and memories that come from the act of simply pausing with beauty are truly among life’s greatest gifts. And then it hit me. The gaze, of course! I was drawn to explore the importance of the gaze in our work and how, as designers, we intentionally guide it. Not just to navigate spaces, but to invite you to pause, notice, and linger in the beauty we create, both within the walls and in the surroundings beyond.
Why Sightlines Matter
“Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence.” – Helen Keller
In architecture and interiors, sightlines provide the connection between elements, guiding us on the journey through our homes. A beautiful sense of rhythm–in repetition, sequencing, columns, and openings–creates a feeling of grounding, drawing us into the story of the home.
The visual movements throughout a space give structure to the life that unfolds within, providing a sense of equilibrium, much like the cadence of a musical composition shapes the listener’s journey. Clear sightlines reinforce a sense of order that allows us to form emotional connections; they direct the eye, allowing it to rest and imprint in memory. When we feel attuned to the rhythms of our home, we feel safe and supported. Thoughtfully directed sightlines link interior and exterior spaces, creating a sense of openness, framing views, and directing light.
A successful sightline will captivate you and, like an unforeseen kiss, take your breath away. If you say yes to letting this kind of beauty in, pausing to give it permission to drop down into your heart and have its way, you will be reminded how lavishly and endlessly full of beauty the world truly is.
Furniture Placement: The Topography of Home
“A building is not just a place to be. It’s a way to be.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
We start with furniture layout, because our goal is to serve our clients’ lives, and this is one of the fundamental building blocks of how life will actually be lived in their home. When furniture placement is perfectly married to the architecture that contains it, the result is both cause and effect, dictating and reinforcing sightlines and shaping the experience of the space. A perfect example was a project for good friends in Mill Valley—an existing house with good bones but significant flaws. We removed a fireplace wall to open up the entry and living room to the sweeping bay view. Then we designed custom iron and glass entry doors that began this stunning story as one approaches the front door, beautifully framing the view.
For another project, aptly named Black Magic, we opened up the interiors, recognizing the importance of foreground, middle ground and background. From the new front door, the gaze extends right through the house to the landscape and bay view beyond. It’s this kind of transparency that knits the home to its site, grounding it in the landscape. In the main spaces, we created inviting connections while also defining rooms by keeping sightlines open with a see-through fireplace.
Windows and Light
“Light, God’s eldest daughter, is a principal beauty in a building.” – Thomas Fuller
On one of our recent projects, as we were working on the furniture layout, something felt like it was not working in the primary bedroom. We shifted our focus upward, taking in the sightlines, the visual experience of the space and where the eye would naturally want to rest. With that shift, the answer became clear. We collaborated with the project team to move a window, aligning it with the room and the corridor beyond—and voila! The view became the artwork, and everything settled into place. This example also highlights how important it is to create both visual and emotional connections to the outdoors. We spend 80 to 90 percent of our lives inside, but our bodies, hearts, and souls were not made for that. The more connection we can provide to the nature that surrounds us, the better.
Fall always feels to me like a magical transition. More than any other season, it seems to signal a distinct shift. Days shorten, light softens, and the way we see the world begins to change. Our eyes adjust to lower light, deeper shadows, shifting angles of the sun… and the glorious burst of color that transforms familiar scenes. As designers, we are attuned to these seasonal changes, not only mood and movement, but what we notice, and where the gaze naturally lingers. We shape spaces that respond to these shifts, guiding sight lines to frame beauty, invite stillness, and support the natural cadence of life. Fall, especially, reminds me of the quiet value in what we do: to guide the eye, shape experience, and create moments that connect us visually, emotionally, and spiritually to the world around us.
“Architecture aims at eternity.” – Christopher Wren
With you,
Paulina