Sarah Barnard’s approach to designing for nature lovers focuses on the home as a seamless extension of the natural world. As a WELL- and LEED-accredited designer, a certified California naturalist, and an avid birder, Sarah integrates her deep knowledge of local ecosystems with a passion for restorative design. By blurring the boundaries between the interior sanctuary and the environment beyond, the studio creates homes that celebrate a life lived in harmony with the earth.  

Natural Palette & Organic Form

Eco-Centric Color & Material Palettes: Cohesive interior color schemes and finish schedules that reflect the specific regional landscapes of a property, from coastal dunes to woodland retreats.

Organic Form & Furniture Curation: Sourcing and custom-designing furniture featuring soft, organic silhouettes and live-edge or natural-texture materials that mirror the irregular patterns found in nature.

Curated Nature Galleries: Specialized display systems and lighting for personal collections of natural artifacts, such as minerals, driftwood, or pressed botanical specimens.

Immersive & Seasonal Living

Sensory Nature Integration: Multi-sensory elements such as indoor water features for acoustic softening or natural scent-diffusing materials.

Seasonal Interior Transitions: Design strategies for rotating soft goods and decor elements to reflect the changing seasons.

Sustainable & Ethical Materiality: Materials that are sustainably harvested, recycled, or reclaimed.

Natural Interiors: Finishes and natural materials that help preserve indoor air quality, creating a safer environment for humans, pets, and indoor plants alike.

Custom Nature-Inspired Textiles & Wallcoverings

Bespoke Botanical Patterns: The studio’s capacity for custom-designed textiles and wallpapers allows for the personalization of any space with patterns inspired by a client’s favorite flora or fauna.

Original Illustrations: From intricate sketches of native wildflowers to stylized depictions of local wildlife, our custom textiles and wallcoverings serve as an immersive tribute to the natural world.

Tactile Biophilia: Plant-based fibers such as linen, cotton, and hemp offer a grounded, tactile connection to nature through upholstery and drapery.

Biophilic Connectivity & Observation

Spatial Pause Points: Layout planning that prioritizes the creation of quiet nooks, window seats, or meditation areas specifically positioned for nature observation.

Strategic Viewing Portals: Positioning of furniture and window treatments to maximize views of the landscape, creating living art through the observation of shifting light and seasonal changes.

Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Design layouts that prioritize easy access to gardens and outdoor retreats, facilitating a lifestyle that moves effortlessly between the home and the habitat.

Circadian-Aligned Environments: Utilizing natural light and programmable lighting systems that mimic the sun's cycles, supporting the health of the inhabitants and a biological rhythm aligned with nature.  

Horticultural & Habitat Integration

Celebrating California Native Flora: Integrating California native plants, celebrating their seasonal beauty and ecological importance.

Wildlife Habitat Support: Designing interior spaces that overlook and interact with thriving wildlife habitats, encouraging a daily connection with local birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.

Ornamental & Unique Specimens: For the collector of rare flora, the studio provides specialized solutions for the display and care of ornamental plants and unique botanical specimens.

Gardening & Horticulture Focus: The studio designs potting rooms, conservatories, atriums, and sunrooms that support the ritual of cultivation and the joy of bringing the garden indoors.

Integrated Gear Management: Custom millwork for the organized storage of field guides, hiking gear, and botanical tools, keeping nature-related hobbies accessible yet discreetly integrated.

Advocacy and Collaborative Process

Horticultural Liaison: The studio serves as a liaison with landscape architects, arborists, and greywater consultants to help unify interior and exterior environments aesthetically and ecologically.

Interactive Material Evaluation: Clients are invited to engage with material samples, from natural stone textures to custom wallpaper proofs, ensuring every element resonates with their personal connection to the natural world.

Naturalist Insight: Leveraging Sarah’s expertise as a certified California naturalist helps clients identify and celebrate the specific ecological characteristics of their property.