A Carefully Curated Beach Home

Curating a collection of artwork for the home can be a gratifying process. While we are only beginning to understand the science behind our emotional response to art, humans have produced and sought artwork throughout the history of their existence. Researchers from the University College London found that looking at art that we perceive as beautiful activates the pleasure centers in our brains and produces a response that’s akin to falling in love, as many of us can confirm anecdotally.

It only makes sense that while designing a space, we should turn to artwork to help influence our emotional experience. As a home designer with a fine art background, Sarah Barnard recognizes the significance of using art for well-being in home design. For a recent residential project by the beach, Barnard sourced an impressive collection of artwork to enhance the lifestyle of the homeowners.

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Textile artwork by Aneesa Shami.

A textile piece by artist Aneesa Shami warmly greets visitors at the entrance, supporting her assertion that attention to detail can “bring comfort and peace of mind from the chaotic world.” Barnard fills the corner with playful, order seeking pieces, most literally seen in a bespoke getabako cabinet used for organization and storage. Nearby hangs Michelle Jane Lee’s painting Blue (Wave On). Its heavily textured and undulating canvas finds structural contrast in geometric blue forms, painted with pinpoint precision.

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Painting by Michelle Jane Lee.

In the kitchen nook, an engraving on lucite by artist Karen Sikie entitled Sunflowers lends an ethereal touch. “I hope my work is a reminder of our intrinsic connection to the natural world,” explains Sikie. Here, Barnard’s selection of artwork connects the home to nature in an area where architectural limitations prevent plants or windows.

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Painting by Karen Sikie.

Continuing to consider the home’s structural components, Barnard installed Kevin Moore’s Scalard Field above the kitchen table. Selecting artwork with an unconventional shape can add architectural interest to an interior without the commitment of a remodel. “The shaped canvas I make are meant to interact with the architectural lines in the home,” says Moore. “There is a symbiotic relationship between the form in my paintings and architecture.”

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Painting by Kevin Moore.

Finding Home, an abstract painting by Karrie Ross, mimics the flow of water and compliments an elegantly crafted dining table. Combining multiple works can feel intimidating — especially in an open-concept space such as this — but Ross insists there is no ‘wrong’ way to choose art for your home. “Collectors buy art for whatever reason they want to, whether it’s to match a color, a mood, or just because they can’t take their eyes or mind away from the way it touches them,” she says. Working with an interior designer is an excellent way to relieve the stress of incorporating several beloved pieces of art into the home.

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Painting by Karrie Ross.

Barnard expertly combined artwork in the living area, where a painting by Kevin Moore sits above the fireplace. Built-in bookshelves frame the piece, showcasing work by Renae Barnard, Kitty Cooper, Melissa Halozan, Katie Hoffman, and Abby Sin.

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Art by Renae Barnard, Kitty Cooper, Melissa Halozan, Katie Hoffman, Kevin Moore, and Abby Sin.

In the bedroom, Ruben Vincent’s mixed-media paintings hang over the bed and an heirloom dresser. “For me painting is a form of thinking that fuses knowledge of materials, a fascination with surface qualities, and an obsession with color,” he explains.

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Paintings by Ruben Vincent.

While clients often use mirrors to open spaces and spread light, Barnard used a reflective painting by Sin to serve the same function while adding depth and color to the room. “Paintings can become so much more than wall decor when expertly placed within a home,” notes Sin, the creator of North, which glitters behind the reading nook. “My work incorporates light-reactive films to create bold color and metallic effects. When placed in an area with ample natural light, iridescent colors shift, and the artwork functions as a prism casting reflected light.”

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Paintings by Ruben Vincent and Abby Sin.

An oil painting on canvas by Jennifer King entitled Dream Boy sits above the fireplace mantel. It’s surreal imagery, saturated colors, and a brooding subject serve as the bedroom’s focal point. “I enjoy the idea of art being incorporated into people’s lives, not just as an investment but as something they love enough to see every day,” says King. This philosophy is at the root of Barnard’s selections, as these works of art become integrated with the client’s daily routines.

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Paintings by Jennifer King and Abby Sin.

In the sports and entertainment room, Gianna Vargas’ painting Phoenix brings depth and intrigue to a casual and comfortable space. Even the ensuite bath is embellished with art and features a custom roman shade trimmed with delicate embroidery and a small painting on panel by Sin.

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Painting by Gianna Vargas.

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Painting by Abby Sin.

The artwork featured in the guest suite feels playful and unpredictable — Rose Gold Popsicle, a resin sculpture by Betsy Enzensberger, is placed opposite Reaching 2, another painting by Karrie Ross. “With my work, the message is simple: Joy,” affirms Enzensberger. “This is what drives me to keep creating. It makes me happy to bring others joy.”

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Art by Betsy Enzensberger and Karrie Ross.

Barnard utilized her long-standing relationships with local artists to curate a collection to inspire her clients and contribute to their wellbeing. The result is a colorful, kid-friendly space featuring a wide range of pieces that have the potential to appreciate in value— from handmade textile art to abstract paintings and tabletop sculptures.

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Painting by Kevin Moore.

Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that connect deeply to nature and art. Empathy and mindfulness are the foundation of her practice creating healing, supportive environments that enhance life.

“Scandifornian” design goes coastal

Scandinavia and California don’t have much in common (the weather, for starters) but when it comes to home design, these two regions have strikingly similar taste. This is exemplified through the use of neutral color palettes, natural fibers, sustainably-sourced wood, and intentional accessories in both decorating styles. 

Interior designer Sarah Barnard recently renovated a 3,600-square-foot family home, not far from the bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Although the home was originally constructed in 1949, its revamped aesthetic is best described as ‘Scandifornian.’

The beachy blue and white exterior hints at what’s to come once you step inside. Distressed red brick forms a path to the entryway, which is framed by carved wood corbels that are original to the house. The foyer alcove includes a live edge wood table and a curated collection of seashells and minerals, blending organic elements with simple, clean lines.

Featuring handmade, live edge tables made by a local artisan.

But what instantly captures your attention is the light-drenched living room, featuring a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams. “The original bones of the house were excellent,” explains Sarah. A custom concrete fireplace designed by Sarah runs nearly the entire length of the wall. It’s boxy, modern shape is tempered by irregularly etched lines that “mimic the movement of the nearby sea.” 

The lightly-finished hardwood flooring, all natural, non-toxic sofa, shaggy wool floor cushion and wheel-thrown ceramics exude laid-back, Scandifornia style. Here, the aesthetic is minimal, but never cold or uninviting. Taking a seat on the floor is encouraged and each decorative object or family photo has a story behind it. 

A fine artist herself, Sarah collaborated with a trusted woodworker to create the living room wall sconces, carved from American Walnut. “The organic forms and natural finishes match perfectly with the coastal ambiance of the space,” notes Sarah. 

To build these custom creations, Sarah delivered sketches and sculptural models to the woodworker to convey her ideas. The prototype was referenced throughout the fabrication process to ensure accuracy, resulting in one-of-a-kind fixtures that serve as functional works of art. 

Natural dining chairs by the Cherner Chair Company have a slim silhouette.

The dining room was “designed to feel soft and light,” with a neutral color palette, elongated dining table, natural dining chairs and a chandelier that appears to be floating in mid-air. The fireplace surround is yet another of Sarah’s custom designs. “I chose tile glazed in brilliant blue to create an updated linear pattern neatly framed by a custom concrete mantle,” she adds.

Sarah once again worked alongside a local artisan to produce the orb-like sconces that brighten up the space. “I often take formal inspiration from the home's location and reinterpret that within the space,” explains Sarah, who used the home’s coastal locale as the jumping off point. She handcrafted a number of small ceramic prototypes for the client to review before agreeing on the current iteration.

The kitchen expertly combines old and new. “There is an exposed brick fireplace that remains a decorative element in the new kitchen,” says Sarah. “We wrestled with the idea of preserving or upgrading the original red brick. We collectively decided to keep it — in the kitchen only — as a homage to the architect’s original intent.” The light blue cabinet doors feature subtle detailing and the quartz countertops are flecked with real seashells. The office nook is the perfect spot to search for a new recipe or respond to emails, while the adjacent pantry offers plenty of storage and a stainless steel French-door refrigerator.

The ground floor is rounded out by a serene guest bathroom with a custom floating vanity, matching wood-framed mirror, and a vessel sink that sits atop an onyx countertop. Although the space consists of mostly hard surfaces, it is warmed up through the use of light wood tones, soft lighting and texture-rich pebble flooring. 

A handmade table by a local artisan anchors the space between the living room and dining room.

The California and Scandinavian home decorating styles share many of the same values, most notably an appreciation of natural beauty and fine craftsmanship. Throughout this project, Sarah worked side-by-side with local artisans and craftspeople to realize her custom furnishings and lighting designs. “Unique handmade objects bring authenticity and personalization to a home,” says Sarah. The finished product masterfully combines coastal California influences with the simplistic forms and function of Scandinavian home 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.

Photos by Steven Dewall and Chas Metivier