The experience of property loss or damage from fire is deeply personal and often overwhelming. Whether resulting from wildfire, kitchen accidents, or other unforeseen events, the studio approaches every restoration project with profound empathy for the emotional and physical toll these situations take on a household.

Advocacy & Project Coordination

Material Integrity Assessment: An evaluation of existing textiles, wallcoverings, and porous surfaces helps determine which materials can be salvaged and which must be replaced.

Documentation & Restoration: Assisting in the thoughtful curation and cataloging of salvaged items, meaningful personal effects are integrated into the new design with care and respect.

Intermediary Services: The studio acts as an advocate during the restoration process, coordinating with remediation specialists and contractors.

Project Management: The studio works to reduce the cognitive and emotional burden on residents, allowing them to focus on personal recovery.

Restorative Design & Material Selection

Healing Aesthetic Transitions: Designing with a focus on renewal, utilizing fresh, nature-inspired palettes and biophilic elements to help shift the narrative of the home from a place of damage to a place of serenity.

Healing Palette Development: Creating soft, nature-inspired color stories often featuring muted greens, blues, or warm neutrals to foster a tranquil atmosphere that promotes emotional stability during the recovery process.

Biophilic Renewal: Integrating indoor plants, natural materials like wood and stone, and views of the outdoors can help lower stress levels.

Circadian Lighting Design: Implementing programmable lighting systems that mimic natural daylight cycles to help stabilize sleep-wake cycles.

Functional Redesign for Resilience: Reconfiguring layouts to improve intuitive navigation and ease of maintenance, reducing the cognitive and physical burden on the residents.

Art Curation: Assisting in the curation of new art that evokes positive feelings, helping to establish a supportive identity for the space.

In the wake of devastating fires, Sarah Barnard Design offers a compassionate roadmap for rebuilding a home that prioritizes emotional recovery, wellness, and long-term happiness.

Focused on environmental resilience and personal safety, this article provides information about protecting homes through the strategic integration of fire-resistant native plants, the creation of defensible space, and essential home hardening techniques.