Verdugo Mountains Retreat: A Nature Inspired Home among the Trees

The Verdugo Mountains are a unique natural environment in Los Angeles County, California. This mountain range, surrounded by urban development, is an isolated pocket of nature with abundant trees, flowering plants, and wildlife. Sarah Barnard Design recently transformed a ranch-style home in this beautiful, serene wilderness.

The garden surrounding this home was generously planted to provide beauty and sanctuary for pollinators and local wildlife, such as lizards, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, deer, and many birds who are regular visitors. This outdoor space is progressively rewilding with California native plants alongside beautiful ornamental plants that hold personal meaning to the household and grow well in this region. This green space blends the built environment of the home with its stunning natural surroundings, fostering an ecosystem that cultivates joy and mindfulness into daily life through simple acts such as coexisting with birds in the garden.

The beauty of the landscape inspired many biophilic design elements within the home, which was updated to reflect a connection between the indoor and outdoor environment.

The living room features large windows that look out onto a collection of succulents and cacti, with a beautiful view of the (sometimes snowcapped) mountains.

The living room furniture combines modern and antique pieces, including a restored antique armchair, reupholstered with a deep green linen velvet, whose luxurious and varied texture lends itself to the age of the chair while connecting with the lush greenery outside. A custom-made ottoman seamlessly compliments the armchair's antique quality. Integrating vintage and restored antique pieces within this home allowed the design team to incorporate sustainable practices in the design process while infusing spaces with pieces that held personal meaning through historical connections.

This unique wooden coffee table was made by splitting an unmilled log of English walnut into two parts. Its live edge retains the organic form of the tree from which it was made. The entire surface is textured with chisel marks that poetically incorporate the process of hand-working the wood into its final aesthetic. The shape, material, and process in which this coffee table was made make a connection with the surrounding woodlands, bringing the tranquility of forest bathing into this living room.

The living room flooring, which continues throughout this home, is made from porcelain tile that has the appearance of White Oak wood. This tile creates a harmonious connection with the surrounding woodlands while providing an excellent eco-friendly alternative to wood, as porcelain is a low-impact, enduring material that is easy to clean and maintain.

A hazy, calming landscape painting by Peter Burega hangs over the living room sofa. The muted earth tones of grey, brown, and olive green resonate with the deep green of the antique velvet armchair.

A large, wool, flatweave area rug demarcates a soft space for the sofa and coffee table within the living room. This rug features a minimal brown geometric pattern on a natural beige background, combining a nature-inspired palette to bring aspects of the outside landscape into this built environment.

The brick fireplace was painted white, integrating it into the light and airy feel of the room. A rustic hearth surface was created in plaster, reminiscent of the organic patterns in the dry earth of a desert landscape. A 1970s vase from West Germany coated in a bronze-like glaze and layered with grey fat lava rests on the hearth, providing a harmonious link with the brown and white palette of the area rug. Its uneven surface and the organic application of the glaze give it a unique handmade quality.

A pair of contemporary marigold yellow armchairs with custom arch-shaped ottomans create an area of warmth that brings out the earthy-toned highlights throughout the room. These ottomans blend components of the natural and the contemporary world through their round organic form and furry boucle-like texture, which creates a cozy sensory experience. The triangular side table is part of a nesting set and features an orchid resting in a soda fired tumbler by Heather Cornelius.

A German-designed, hand-blown, smokey taupe glass table lamp sits on top of a mid-century-inspired console table made in collaboration with a skilled woodworker. This lamp's organic form was shaped by merging two glass spheres and retains the malleable feeling of molten glass to create soft, diffused lighting within the space. A large Kale tree (Polyscias Guilfoylei) in the corner of the room is one of many indoor plants in this home that create a lush connection with the serenity of nature.

The dining area features a restored mahogany dining table that has been in the family for generations. This antique table features a central column base with claw feet and Queen Ann dining chairs with a ball and claw feet. A Scandanavian-inspired chandelier hangs over the dining room table; its minimalist style draws attention to low-wattage antique filament bulbs as a visible design feature that creates soft, warm lighting. A yellow ceramic mid-century modern dish creates a pop of color in the center of the dining table, while a fiddle leaf fig and monstera plant create green space on either side of the dining area.

The existing kitchen was transformed by painting the cabinets a deep black green and replacing the hardware with brushed antique brass round knobs to create a contemporary woodland feel.

The nature-inspired color palette also highlights the beautiful green tones within the quartzite backsplash and countertops. Luxury upgrades such as a touchless faucet and an instant hot water dispenser create a sense of comfort and ease that encourage convenience and joy in the simple pleasures of cooking a meal or enjoying an instant cup of tea.

The scenic mountain views from the living room windows inspired Sarah to create a one-of-a-kind mosaic design for the entryway floor. This elaborate hand-pieced design originated as a sketch by Sarah, which she then translated into a series of templates for the intricate angled strips of wood-like porcelain tiles. These were then arranged to form mountainous shapes inspired by the hillside views from the property.

The entryway features an Italian-designed hand-blown pendant light made from two glass spheres, one clear and one blue-green, that rest on one another to resemble a dew drop collecting on a drop of water. The transparent organic form undulates downward, emanating white light from below and a soothing blue-green glow from above.

Artwork by Renae Barnard makes textural reference to organic forms within nature by building up the material surface of the painting to resemble cracked earth or moss. This work is installed above an artisan-made bench, crafted using the traditional Japanese process called shou sugi ban, in which wood is finished by charring, washing, and applying natural oils.

The vintage hall tree features a collection of nature-inspired objects such as a pink glass antique vase with floral motifs, a Japanese bronze lilypad dish from the 1940s, and an antique ink well shaped like an owl.

The trim throughout the home's public rooms is painted the same deep black green as the kitchen cabinets, carrying this soothing tone throughout the home.

The hallway walls, closets, and ceiling are painted in the same deep black green dispersed throughout the cabinetry and doorways of the house. This immersive use of color is intended to create a sensory shift as one moves from the white, light-filled living room to the quiet sanctuary of the primary bedroom. The molten glass shape of the ceiling light fixture emits a golden meteoric glow that reflects across the dark walls of the space. A runner made from hand-knotted wool creates a soft detail underfoot, dampening noise from footfall to create a peaceful connection with home areas designed for rest and rejuvenation.

This light and airy home office looks out onto the lush green backyard with a view of Oak, Pepper, and Acacia trees outside. The walls are painted in Gardenia, a warm off-white with a slight peach undertone.

The subtle warmth of this color is accentuated by a dusty pink paint color used to highlight the baseboards, door frames, and window casing. This joyous pop of color connects with the Dhalias, Calliandra Eriophylla, and Hibiscus located in the surrounding garden.

This space was designed with multiple ceiling light options to provide ample and adaptable working light regardless of changes in furniture arrangement.

The bi-level walnut tambour door desk, Danish-designed grey leather chair, and Danish-designed secretary desk made from Rosewood are all 1960s midcentury pieces. The secretary desk includes a countertop that can be extended to create more workspace. A wall-based sculptural work by artist Renae Barnard connects the built and natural environment by constructing an abstract nest-like form out of found materials tied together with yarn and twine and then concealed within layers of paint.

A globe floor lamp positioned next to a large worktable provides a contemporary redesign of the mid-century modern aesthetic. The table and harp-backed chair are cherished vintage items that have been in the household for years.

A potted variegated Abutilon and a hanging Pathos plant bring in the lush greenery of the surrounding garden to create pockets of tranquility within the workspace. The hanging baskets outside the office windows create a joyous break from work to watch birds nesting and hummingbirds drinking from the Fuchsia flowers.

The design team incorporated butterfly stickers onto windows throughout the house to minimize bird strikes or collisions, supporting local birdlife and creating a space to enjoy birdwatching.

The home gym features organic linen curtains that frame windows looking out on the serene woodland.

The custom meditation pillow is made from the Kale Tree Matilija Poppy textile in Midnight, bringing this beautiful California native wildflower indoors in a palette harmonious with the home gym door. Elegant hardware is incorporated throughout the house in flat black with crystal disc knobs.

A mid-century-inspired wall sconce sits above a vintage burl root mirror shaped like the hollow of a tree.

The existing cabinets were updated with deep black green paint and round brass hardware with black U-shaped pulls.

The existing vanity was repurposed by painting it charcoal gray and installing new artisan-made hardware. The pewter finish of the leaf-shaped hardware creates a subtle nature reference. An Andy Warhol print of a green cat creates a pop of color in the room.

White linen curtains frame the bathroom window, and a pollinator house is installed outside. A pollinator house consists of a series of bamboo tubes designed to create a habitat for bees and insects, helping to support a biodiverse pollinator population within the household garden and the surrounding natural environment.

The primary bedroom color scheme combines Gardenia walls with deep black-green trim to create a nature-inspired retreat that connects with the serene surrounding environment. The dusty rose tones of the linen bedding, cotton blanket, and wool curtains draw from flowers in the lush garden outside, such as the California Wildrose, to create a cozy, inviting environment that resonates with the warmth of wood furniture throughout the room.

The grey upholstered bed and floor rug made from wool and jute help ground this colorful bedroom palette within soft, earthy tones. A cloud-like glass light fixture fills the room with soft, diffused lighting, and a pair of pink Roly Poly chairs can be seen in the garden through the glass sliding doors, creating a playful color connection between the inside and outside.

The natural beauty of woodgrain is featured in the live edge artisan-made walnut stool and the antique European Art Deco dresser, which incorporates a stunning decorative pattern created by mirroring woodgrain. A painting by Denes de Holesch depicts two frolicking horses.

A midcentury dresser and a French Directoire nightstand continue to carry warm tones throughout the room, connecting with the beauty of the trees outside. A vintage ceramic lamp in the shape of a partridge introduces a playful nature reference through its folk-like stylized form.

Custom pillow shams made from the Kale Tree Matilija Poppy Textile - Natural create a harmonious blend between the pink bed linens and Gardenia surrounding walls while incorporating the beauty of CA native wildflowers into the space.

Living within the beauty of nature brings joy and serenity into our everyday life. Incorporating elements of the surrounding environment into our home through biophilic design extends the mindful experience we encounter outdoors into our everyday living space, immersing us in restorative healing spaces.

Japandi-Inspired Hideaway: Finding Calm in a Shinrin-Yoku Sanctuary

The latest iteration of Scandinavian chic that has been taking over Pinterest and social media is called Japandi design. By combining Japanese minimalism and concepts such as "Wabi Sabi" (finding beauty in imperfection) with the natural materials and functionality of Scandinavian design, Japandi design is "the perfect blend of function and form, focusing on clean lines, bright spaces, and light colors." (1). Although the term Japandi is a relatively recent trend, Japanese design has influenced interior spaces worldwide for hundreds of years, perhaps most notably through designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright and William Morris. Many nordic designers also have an affinity for Japanese design due to their shared appreciation for fine craftsmanship.

Japandi design often includes subtle color palettes, wood cladding, and large windows that incorporate biophilic elements within the home to create a tangible connection with the outdoors. These design elements perfectly align with this Californian home project, surrounded by peaceful, serene woodlands brimming with unique plants and wildlife. Living within this enriching environment inspires mindfulness and contentment through daily interactions with the natural world. The design concepts for this home project aim to maximize this experience by working with the beautiful views of the surrounding woods, mirroring this landscape within the home through natural materials, finishes, and imagery.

The kitchen features countertops, a backsplash, and a breakfast bar made from a unique brecciated marble slab, which has the appearance of being made from fragments of stone. This smooth, honed surface highlights the beauty within this natural stone formation that varies in color from cool blue-grey, warm peach, and pale mauve to deep graphite black. Ash wood features throughout this home project. Durable and lightweight, its straight grain is also visually appealing, pairing aesthetics with functionality and sustainability. Ash kitchen cabinets contain routed cabinet handles and an integrated beverage and wine fridge to create a clean profile that focuses on the natural beauty of the light honey-toned wood grain. The counter stools, made from a white oiled Ash, and upholstered with vegan leather, create a beautiful balance between sophistication and utility. The Ash has been cut and fashioned so that the grain of the wood is clearly visible, highlighting the understated beauty of this material.

The dining nook utilizes a large window that incorporates the beauty of the surrounding environment into this home project, flooding the kitchen with natural light. The floating table and benches made from blackened steel streamline with the black window frame, so they do not intrude on the picturesque view. The dining benches, upholstered in vegan leather, include dark grey toss cushions made from a cotton linen blend for extra comfort. The white ceramic bowl on the floating table has an organic shape and texture similar to a giant seed pod, bringing an element of the natural world into the space through its form. The nook is clad with Ash and features a hand-blown glass light inspired by Japanese paper lanterns, whose gentle, diffused light creates a tranquil dining space.

This alternative option for the kitchen features countertops, a backsplash, and a breakfast bar made from a stunning brecciated Italian marble slab comprised of cloudy white stone floating on top of a blush background intersected by grey-green veins. The stools, made from white oiled Ash and upholstered with pigmented vegan leather, incorporate rattan backing. This lightweight, durable, eco-friendly material works with the Ash wood finish of the kitchen cabinets to create a light and welcoming atmosphere.

In this option for the dining nook, the Ash table features a smaller ceramic bowl glazed with subtle lines that resemble tree rings or stone formations.

This option for the living room highlights the fireplace as the room's central feature. Its face has a patina of chevron-textured limestone, which connects with the custom-built hearth made from honed basalt. This durable volcanic stone has been used throughout antiquity to create sculptural works due to its smooth grain, durability, and satin finish. The hearth elongates into the corner of the room to form a window seat upholstered with a cotton linen blend textile. The tones of the fireplace carry through the grey sofa. At the same time, dark accents in the black tripod coffee table, wall-mounted console, lamp, and chandelier frame (made from wood and bronze) provide a sense of balance to the room's composition. The botanical painting in this image features a layering technique used by the artist to create the illusion of space, drawing you into this nature scene.

This view of the living room showcases where it connects with the kitchen and dining nook. In this option, the chevron-textured limestone's gray tones compliment the darker palette of the marble slab and the blackened steel floating table and benches in the dining nook. The warmth of the hand-tufted vegan silk rug harmonizes with the pine wood floor, grounding the darker elements within the room.

This option for the meditation room features large windows that create the experience of being immersed in nature. The unique glass pendant light was hand blown by a sculptor who creates functional objects inspired by natural phenomena. This light resembles the form of a cocoon, making a subtle reference to concepts of manifestation, rebirth, and regeneration within this meditation space.

Custom meditation pillows made from verdigris stone-washed linen create a gentle contrast with the soft finish of the pine wood floor through the subtle color variance in the textile.

This alternative option for the living room features a fireplace clad in matte white textured porcelain tile. The white plaster coffee table and artisanal bird table lamps made from iron and plaster carry this lightness of material throughout the room. The Oak and leather sideboard and chandelier made from natural wood and bronze create warmth which continues in the softer palette of a painting that depicts a foggy botanical scene. The light grey rug made from New Zealand wool or vegan bamboo silk incorporates an image of mangrove trees and grounds the darker grey tones of the sofa and honed limestone hearth.

In this view, we see the living room conjoining with the kitchen to reveal a wall of glass windows and doors with a beautiful view of the woodland outside. The white oiled Ash finish of the rattan-backed kitchen stools lifts the warm tones of the pine wood flooring into the room.

Here, the custom-built Ash shelving is installed on a limestone and powdered marble plaster wall, incorporating the warmth of the natural wood finish to create a lightness within the room.

The custom floor pillows for this version of the meditation room are made from a light grey linen cotton blend that harmonizes with the lighter tones of the living room.

The children's room includes custom bed-frames upholstered in a cotton linen blend, printed with a design inspired by the organic shapes of algae forming on rocks at the oceanside. There are two built-in closets in the back of the room, made from Ash, which complement the light finish of the solid oak and walnut desk and natural oak chairs at the front of the room. Two curtains made from organic linen at the end of each bed provide light filtration and the feeling of privacy. The black ceiling fan, woven wicker pendant lights, and closet hardware provide black accents that carry the highlight of the black door frame throughout the room.

View of the Ash built-in closets that provide ample storage space within the children's room.

A mudroom with a laundry cabinet features large windows that provide an abundance of natural light. The custom screens, made from Ash and natural rattan cane webbing, incorporate built-in vents to conceal the washer and dryer while in use.

Here we see the storage of the washer, dryer, and laundry behind the custom-made wooden screens. The laundry storage area features a black matte metal garment hanging rod above Ash cabinetry topped with polished terrazzo that features an array of grey and multi-tonal pinks and carries up to the back of the wall. The wall sconce features a hand-blown glass globe, cut and polished to resemble a precious stone or crystal. Suspended by a leather strap, this orb appears as if it is generating light itself, introducing a sense of alchemy or magic as it transmits light and color into the room.

Across from the laundry space is a matching cabinet containing space to store shoes and outerwear. These custom screens are made from Ash and natural rattan cane webbing to conceal storage when entering and exiting the home.

As an alternative cabinet option, this cabinet leaves one side for storage, with the other open to provide seating. The bench is upholstered in soft bouclé, perfect for removing or putting on shoes. The hand-blown wall sconce is suspended by a leather strap above this bench, illuminating the space. The bench toss pillow made from wool fabric features a digital print that looks like marble, adding comfort to the area while echoing material elements throughout the house.

This option for the main bedroom features large enveloping windows that immerse in the natural beauty of the outside environment. The extended bed frame, crafted from sustainably harvested solid oak, mirrors the natural finish of the Ash baseboards and wood flooring throughout the house. Floor-to-ceiling sheer white linen drapery offers light filtration and the feeling of privacy while preserving the beautiful view of the woodlands outside.

In this view, a sculpture made from dried California native plants such as Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat and White Sage hangs above the bed, reinforcing the connection with the natural landscape outside. The smokey brown blown glass pendant lights on either side of the bed hang from a natural fiber cord to create a textural contrast with the smoothness of the glass and a warm glow of light within the room.

The primary bathroom of this home project incorporates a sweeping natural view from a large window as the focal point. Free-standing mirrors are installed in front of the window, utilizing the ample natural light within the space. The counter and floor made from a honed speckled grey limestone slab work harmoniously with the mirror frames' matte black finish and bathroom hardware accentuating the space. The custom cabinets, pocket doors, and baseboards made from Ash anchor the room in the warm earthy tone of its natural finish. The ceiling light is made from Japanese washi paper and tarlatan fabric encased by a brushed stainless steel canopy. The sconces on either side of the room are hand-crafted through a specialized process in which liquid glass is blown into a folded and highly heat-resistant ceramic fabric vessel. This physical and conceptual reference to fabric brings a gentle, soft texture to the lighting within the room.

The grey limestone slab continues into the shower and bath, tiling the walls to create an immersive and relaxing space; the walls' limestone and powdered marble plaster finish contrast with the grey limestone to lighten the room. The gentle light diffused through the ceiling fixture creates the perfect calm to relax in the large white soaking tub. The wall niche is tiled with an etched marble mosaic design that resembles origami folds or falling leaves. The beautiful natural form of the teak wooden stool in the shower and the Ash baseboards bring the serenity of the woodlands into the room through their material's warmth and natural finish.

This design for the water closet features a grey-honed limestone floor. The niche under the cabinet features marble tile etched with a mosaic design that resembles origami or ginkgo leaves, echoing the touch of the natural world that is present throughout the home within forms, imagery, and materials.

Here the countertop in the main bathroom is made from a beautiful slab of polished onyx, combined with a grey marble floor tile with a subtle textured finish to create a lighter alternative for the main bathroom. The ceiling light made from hand-wrapped polyester ribbon visually references paper lanterns, echoing the light fixture in the dining nook. The translucent fabric creates a warm, diffused light that is complimented by the hand-cast wall sconces on either side of the room.

Subtle green mosaic tiles encase the shower to create a gentle contrast with the lighter tone of the textured marble floor. The color of these tiles works to lift the subtle green-grey hues within the onyx countertop. The polished stone mosaic tile in the shower niche features a decorative waterlily pattern that subtly references the meditative and restorative qualities of the natural world.

The water closet for this home project features a custom-built cabinet and baseboard made from Ash. The niche under the cabinet features a mosaic tile made from polished stone. This tile carries a tranquil lily pad pattern that subtly references nature's calming and meditative qualities. The wallpaper features an intricately drawn pattern inspired by pressed seaweed samples from the Victorian era .The design is then layered to form a subtle striping. This imagery brings a historical interlink between the natural and human-made world.

The beauty of the landscape outside our homes can manifest within interior spaces through design concepts that work with the natural form of materials, making room for them to shine. This approach, alongside mimicing scenery through biophilic design concepts, captures the emotional experience of walking through woodlands or viewing a beautiful mountain and integrates it into our day-to-day living. The result is a home space that inspires tranquility and mindfulness as it both shelters us from and connects us with the outside world.

References

1. Knierim, Ashley. “What Is Japandi?” The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/japandi-design-4782478

Sarah Barnard is a WELL and LEED accredited designer and creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was recognized as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Designing Naturally: Enhancing Interior Spaces Through Biophilia

Matilija Poppy Wallpaper in Natural from Kale Tree.

A connection with nature has always been appealing in design. However, world factors like increased time spent indoors and a newfound awareness and appreciation of nature as we experience environmental shifts from climate change have potentially contributed to a desire for nature to be a more prominent part of daily life.

Mallow Wallpaper in Midnight Forest from Kale Tree.

While there are endless possibilities and applications for biophilic design, there are a few methods that can be applied to most design projects:

1. Mirroring local flora and fauna. Part of the benefit of biophilic design is creating a connection to our environment, minimizing feelings of isolation prevalent in contemporary and urban living. By drawing a connection to local plants and wildlife, interior spaces can feel increasingly connected to the land outside our doors, offering a feeling of inclusion and expansion. While any natural themes can provide benefits, sourcing inspiration from nature in the vicinity of the building can help foster a more intimate connection. 

Custom Pelican Design by Kale Tree.

2. Utilize scale. Many clients may be hesitant to utilize floral or natural patterns for fear of them feeling overly old-timey. However, natural prints don’t need to be literal to be effective. Playing with scale can help alter the mood or energy of the space, offering more traditional or contemporary options. A large print can feel modern or dramatic and provides an opportunity to admire details of the image, which then can feel like a work of art in the space, particularly if designing for a room with high ceilings. Areas where people are spending shorter periods may benefit from the drama of a large-scale print. Smaller patterning, particularly in muted tones, can offer a quieter approach, creating a visual texture when a subtle background is needed.

Matilija Poppy Wallpaper from Kale Tree.

3. Consider all aspects of the environment. Celebrating nature through biophilic design offers an opportunity to consider the environmental effects of design choices and practices. When sourcing products, natural, organic, and green guard certified materials may cause less harm to the natural environment during production while helping to improve indoor air quality. When considering biophilic options, opting for the most natural materials possibles help bolster the connection to nature while being more considerate of the environmental effects of the design process.

Mallow Wallpaper by Kale Tree.

These biophilic design applications can help create comforting and soothing spaces for clients that reflect and respect the natural environment. As biophilic principles remain a regular part of interior design, we hope that design and production practices prioritize sustainability and care for nature.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity and compassion in the creative process, Sarah’s work has been recognized by Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV, and many other publications. She is a California Certified Naturalist, and in 2017, Sarah was recognized as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Birds, Butterflies, and Biophilic Designs: Sarah Barnard Becomes Exclusive California Rep for Botanical Eco Textile Line

Sarah Barnard is now the exclusive California representative for Tradescant & Son through Kale Tree Shop's online marketplace. The line features a wide range of nature-inspired luxury eco fabrics and wallpapers made with a sustainability-minded production process.

The foundation of Sarah Barnard's practice is a belief that home design should contribute to wellbeing, both emotionally and globally. Barnard's work focuses on sustainability, emphasizing the importance of nature, both through conscious sourcing and as the inspiration for many of her designs.

The designer's use of natural themes and environmentally conscious materials spoke to the sensibilities and priorities of Tradescant & Son, who recognized Barnard as an ideal representative for their line. Tradescant & Son director Amy Hardman says, "Our 100% linens and the relaxed yet stylish look to our designs promote a holistic and contemporary feel. This, together with the fact that we share a commitment to ensuring sustainability wherever possible by using locally woven fabrics and printers, is a fantastic and exciting foundation for our relationship with Sarah Barnard Design."

The fabrics and wallpapers feature a wide variety of natural themes, from a graphic striped wallpaper composed of vibrant hummingbirds to linen textiles inspired by historic entomology archives from the University of Oxford Museum of Natural History, softly patterned with moths or beetles. With a range of bird fabrics, butterfly patterns, and botanical prints, the timeless patterns nod to historical, scientific illustrations, while their colors and design have a contemporary feel suitable for a diverse array of settings.

On the collaboration, Barnard noted that "As a birder, naturalist, and avid gardener, I was drawn to Tradescant & Son's collection of biophilic prints. Particularly when designing homes in metropolitan areas, I like to turn to natural motifs to stand in for nature that may not be as readily available for someone with a city view. The entire Tradescant & Son collection offers an impressive array of options when looking to bring the experience of wildlife into an interior."

These products are available for purchase through the website www.kaletree.com. Additional support is available for design and trade professionals by contacting shop@kaletree.com.

Sarah Barnard is a WELL and LEED accredited designer and creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah's work has been recognized by Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Real Simple, HGTV and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was recognized as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

The Magic of Mangroves: Kale Tree by Sarah Barnard Design releases new rug for summer

Just in time for Summer, Kale Tree by Sarah Barnard Design is releasing an exclusive mangrove patterned rug honoring one of nature's greatest natural healers.

Crucial for sustaining a vast ecosystem, mangroves provide food and shelter for local wildlife and offer filtration. Found above ground but rooted in saltwater, the plants connect land and sea. Their presence improves water quality, particularly beneficial to coral reefs, another crucial ecosystem. Mangroves will also naturally absorb water when typhoons and hurricanes hit, serving as a protective barrier to those living near the coast.

Coastal development, farming, and industry are all contributing to a rapidly decreasing presence of mangroves. These plants are not only beautiful but offer incredible ecological support for a great range of life in the ocean and on land.

Kale Tree Shop is known for its dedication to the environment. Its newest summer collection highlights the value of this incredible plant life. Interior Designer Sarah Barnard, LEED and WELL AP, says, "As an environmentalist, I've always been inspired by coastal nature and am committed to its preservation. Mangroves are such an incredible natural resource." Sarah believes that the mangroves speak to the earth's ability to heal. "As humans, we have a role as stewards for the planet. We are part of a rich ecosystem, and acknowledging that relationship is a huge step in appreciating our earth through care and intentionality."

Beyond hoping to draw more attention to vital mangroves, Kale Tree Shop will donate a percentage of all net proceeds to the Mangrove Action Project. They are self-described as an organization that “empowers local stakeholders to mitigate mangrove stressors, and teaches them how to use mangrove ecology and biology to facilitate natural regeneration."

The rugs are available in several sizes, in 100% New Zealand natural wool or vegan bamboo silk, which offers a soft sheen. Two colorways, Land with warm mushroomy browns and Sea in soothing blue-greys, have neutral palettes pulled from two worlds the plant occupies. Each rug is made to order, and colors and sizing can be customized to fit individual needs.

Kale Tree Shop offers beautiful and unique home design products inspired by nature that acknowledge the need to care for our earth through conscious sourcing and material selections. In addition to the Mangrove Rug, Kale Tree offers a variety of home decor products, including abutilon-inspired wallpaper and textiles. Kale Tree's previous collections include its Moth Rug and a light inspired by its host plant, the ginkgo tree. Sarah is an avid birder and gardener, and her inspiration comes from time spent outdoors.

As the heat comes in and more and more people make their way to the beach, Sarah hopes the rug serves as a reminder to cherish our coastlines. The rug will be available through https://www.kaletree.com beginning June 21st to welcome in summer.

Sarah Barnard is the founder of Kale Tree and a creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has been quoted by Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vouge, HGTV and many other publications.

CODAWorx: National Immigration Law Center

Sarah Barnard organized a pro bono art and design project featuring local artists and the National Immigration Law Center, one of the leading organizations in the U.S. dedicated to defending and advancing the rights to low-income immigrants.

Gardeners, Exodus, and Nabe by Jose Ramirez. Photo by Chas Metivier.

Overview

National Immigration Law Center recently expanded/relocated. Their new suite would nearly triple the square footage of their existing space (almost 13,000). NILC is a non-profit and has minimal financial resources. Sarah Barnard Design was asked to take on the project on a pro-bono basis through the 1% for the Design Program. In addition to creating specifications for the construction project and overseeing the interior design/furnishings purchasing, Barnard curated a long term exhibition for the organization that would feature 16 artists from around the globe. The artworks were created specifically for NILC’s space and with their organization mission in mind.

Cherry Picker I and Cherry Picker II by Narsiso C. Martinez. Photo: Chas Metivier

Goals

Defend & Advance is a temporary exhibit of 39 original artworks by 16 artists that celebrates the establishment of the National Immigration Law Center’s permanent art collection. With broadly varied approaches and narratives, the artists in this exhibition explore current conditions of immigration and migration, displacement and labor, and struggle against collective amnesia. The artists are from a diverse range of geographic, political and social backgrounds. Considering their work in dialogue allows us not only to reflect on their differences but also to discuss their shared concerns. The exhibit offers new perspectives on issues we may have previously thought familiar. The curation seeks to discover shared experiences that can be explored in conversation and used to promote intellectual and emotional engagement with the presented subjects. The artwork becomes a critical component in the overall design experience.

Soul of Food and Nutrition by Jose Ramirez. Photo: Chas Metivier.

Process

The designer was entirely responsible for curating the works made only for this space. Sixteen exceptional artists were selected from a pool of nearly 300 and commissioned to create site-specific works for the National Immigration Law Center. Working closely with the fine artists, Barnard encouraged works that explore controversial political themes and offer opportunities to contemplate socio-political issues that affect us all. Access to healthy foods and education, farmworker rights, border politics, the terror of uncertainty, domestic worker rights, transportation issues, and the plight of the refugee are some of the many poignant themes explored in the works exhibited. Painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media installation and fiber sculpture are among the mediums employed by the participating artists. The curator/designer held an artist potluck at her home so that the artists might form permanent relationships with one another before the show opening. While the design project helps NILC staff to work more productively, the art installation encourages hope by way of connecting people with ideas and each other. This collaboration of designers, artists and non-profit attorneys to promote social justice may be the first partnership of its kind.

With Her Own Hands by Xilomen Rios. Photo: Chas Metivier.

Additional Info

Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of low-income immigrants. NILC believes that all people who live in the U.S.—regardless of their race, gender, immigration or economic status—should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Over the years NILC has been at the forefront of many of the country’s most significant challenges when it comes to immigration issues and plays a vital leadership role in addressing the real-life impact of policies that affect the ability of low-income immigrants to prosper and thrive.

https://www.codaworx.com/project/national-immigration-law-center-national-immigration-law-center

 Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.

To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.

Artistic Spaces: California Interior Design Style

The earliest and most prominent role for art was the decoration of spaces and is still an everyday use for art. This is because its character and appearance profoundly influence our perception of a room. Very few of us would enjoy living and working in spaces devoid of decoration, no matter how nice the architecture. But despite the ubiquity of art in the areas that we inhabit, we are not always aware of its presence even as we are affected by it.

Some think, “To create a point of interest, merely hanging some wall art”. But frequently, the layout of a space is more comprehensive than we can immediately appreciate and can feature strategies other than simple ornamentation. The array of methods to integrate art into home design is more diverse than a viewer likely realizes, and extends well beyond a well placed potted plant. The design of the room can be the art itself.

The ocean view penthouse features artwork by Susan Hannon. In this room, a pair of handcrafted paper wings adorns the light sandy walls. They were designed to integrate in a precise way. Although similar in color, the wings emerge from the wall by their texture and the shadows that fall from their form. At a distance, this type of interruption on an otherwise smooth surface can be reminiscent of the impressionable shores of a beach, while the shape itself alludes to the lightness of flight and open spaces. This design approach is specific to the unit, a top floor penthouse with unobstructed views of the beach. Deeper connotations remain appropriate to the context. The wings, made of antique bible pages, allude to the story of Icarus and provide a clear parallel to the manufactured ascent afforded by the top floor in a modern building. It transforms the air in the space into a theme of the room. Even though these elements are not at once apparent, the careful coordination of artwork to an area can produce a powerful effect.

The artwork featured in the living room space of the Cosmopolitan Craftsman relates to the space more subtle ways. In the far right corner hangs a piece that is sourced directly from nature. It is a petrified fish slab, and its addition to the room acts as both an object of interest and an emphasis of the room’s color palette and cozy earthen aesthetic. Unlike the wings of the Penthouse, its presence does not directly influence the room but reinforces the design and feel of the space. The fireplace design is a less apparent artistic piece because it also serves a functional purpose. But beneath the umbrella of interior design, all elements in a space are united to convey a single theme or effect, and all objects in the room considered to be art. Interior design exists as a combination and balance of functionality and beauty. Like a painting or sculpture, a well-coordinated space can evoke from its viewer specific emotions and moods.

While the ocean view penthouse and the Cosmopolitan Craftsman utilize artwork to emphasize certain elements of design, the Landmark Bungalow dining room is utilized as a display for an eclectic collection of artwork. The large wooden cabinet serves as a showcase for various art pieces collected by the owner in his travels. The bust by Deborah Cansler Waters overlooks the vintage dining table. These elements were arranged to support the room's primary function as an area for people to gather, eat, and converse. The artwork provides context and stories for guests as it brings them and the space together in harmony. The vibrant blue painting on the far right by Lori Dorn compliments the effect.

It’s exciting to realize the rooms themselves can be art. Objects and spaces can serve a dual purpose, at once functional, and yet organized under ideas that are artistic rather than practical. An appreciation of the work of the interior designer leads to the satisfaction of the spaces we navigate daily, areas that constitute our context and contribute to our emotional state. Understanding that the feelings we have in a room are not accidental will lead to a greater appreciation of intelligent interior design.

Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art.

To learn more about Sarah Barnard Design, please visit www.SarahBarnard.com.