The Healing Power of Interior Design: Design's Impact on People, Places and the Planet

Leading wellness home designer, Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP speaks as part of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Virtual Conference.

Transcript: Hi, I'm Sarah Barnard, WELL AP, LEED AP and ASID Ones to Watch Scholar. Design has the power to profoundly impact healing. As we collectively navigate this new way of living many of us face challenges maintaining our wellbeing amid trauma and chronic ambiguous loss. When we embrace empathy as the foundation of our design process we help to increase agency and reduce adversity. Together, we can make all built environments supportive, restorative spaces.

What’s Next? Design’s Impact on People, Places and Planet (Opening Keynote) and State of the Society. "ASID turns the traditional keynote on its head with a virtual, crowd-sourced program mining the best names in design as they explore the meaning of "Design Impacts Lives." Then join ASID leaders for the annual State of the Society address...Design has the power to impact lives and tackle challenges on a global scale. What’s next? Hear from those impacting design and those impacted by design in a collaborative keynote that shows the power of community in the digital age. This special, crowd-sourced program will highlight diverse thoughts from clients, end users, consultants, manufacturers, educators, students and of course, designers as we share what’s next for design and the personal stories demonstrating the impact the profession has on the people and world around us."

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).

Kale Tree Launches to Surround Your Home with Joy

LOS ANGELES, CA, October 21, 2019 -- Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP announces the launch of Kale Tree, an online boutique storefront, as an extension of her wellness-focused home design studio. All products are designed by Barnard and made in the United States, including a curated collection of wall coverings, home decor, and furnishings crafted from natural and organic materials.

Among the inaugural Fall 2019 offerings are organic cotton sateen textiles and eco-friendly wallpaper inspired by Capsicum annuum var. Glabriusculum, or more commonly, bird peppers. The intricate pattern was hand-drawn by Barnard, who tends to the ornamental plant in her garden. Both products are made in the United States and available in three calming colorways: Rose, Stone, and Sky.

The textiles are woven from certified organic cotton ensured by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and printed with water-based latex inks that carry the GREENGUARD Gold certification. The printing of the FSC-certified wallpaper meets the same high standards, contributing to a healthier living environment and more sustainable forestry practices.

Inspired by California nature and Los Angeles Glamour, Sarah Barnard’s online boutique is an extension of her wellness-focused design studio

A long-standing favorite of the shop is the Stevie armchair, a customizable piece of upholstered furniture that exudes mid-century glamour. Stevie is made of FSC-certified hardwoods, natural latex foam, and low-VOC stain. Customize the size, finish, and textile to suit your needs, or choose from the designer-selected color and wood presets.

A hand-printed tote bag with an abstracted illustration of a Cylindropuntia fulgida, also known as the jumping cholla, is the latest addition to the Fall 2019 collection. Barnard spotted the spiky beauty on a recent visit to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park during California's rare Super Bloom. The tote bags are ethically produced in small batches here in the United States using certified organic cotton fabric that is printed to order and dyed with non-toxic, water-based inks.

"Kale Tree opens our personalized approach to wellness design to the general public," says Barnard. "We are exploring the beauty of our surroundings and welcome you to imagine with us." 

Kale Tree plans to grow its collection of ethical, sustainable home goods in 2020. Made with love, beauty, and joy — for you, for your home.

The Kale Tree shop is now live at www.kaletree.com 

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

Empathy and mindfulness are the foundation of her practice creating healing, supportive environments that enhance life.