Deeply Personal Design Process

Our homes are incredibly personal and intimate; they reflect our personalities, relationships, passions, and goals. Inviting an interior designer into our home spaces and lifestyles can feel like a big step, but having someone to help navigate the many facets of our homes and realize them into a design concept can be a rewarding and fulfilling process. Many of us may have strong preferences or see images, colors, or designs that can cause a feeling of joy. What can be challenging is finding ways to integrate aesthetic leanings into our daily functional needs. Personalized design can create flexibility through customization and specificity, offering space for our design dreams to be applied to a home that can physically and emotionally serve us.

One of the foundations of a functionally supportive space is ergonomics. While ergonomics is often considered for workspaces, it's important throughout all living areas, impacting our comfort, energy levels, and interactions with our home. Some ways we can integrate ergonomic design into our home include custom furniture and counter heights that can encourage better posture and physical ease on joints. Arranging televisions and screens to avoid glare so we can watch entertainment unobscured and comfortably. Sensory elements such as soft close doors and cabinets can reduce abrasive noises throughout the home, contributing to a calm, serene, and mindful environment. And devising layouts that encourage movement or an organic flow of foot traffic can help to reduce mental and physical stress throughout the day.

Design is always a collaborative process, particularly in shared home spaces where multiple desires, needs, and personalities must be considered and supported under the same roof. Our homes can be custom-designed to support the specific needs of our family. For families with young children, designing a space for play and custom storage options for toys can promote tidiness, order, and quiet throughout the home. Carpeting and furnishings made from robust materials that can be spot-cleaned are ideal to resist day-to-day wear and tear. Custom kitchens can be designed for large families to contain additional cold food storage concealed neatly within specialized cabinetry.

Sensory details play an essential role when designing custom spaces for neurodivergent children. In past projects designed for children with hypersensitivity, window treatments were a successful way in which we could help diffuse and regulate both light and environmental noise to encourage a feeling of calm within the home. Past projects designed for hypo-sensitive children were very different spaces; here, we created an engaging and stimulating environment featuring bright colors and soft custom climbing areas designed to encourage play.

Our home can also be customized to support caring for an elderly loved one. Bespoke furniture can be ergonomically designed to lessen stress on the body and support ease of movement in day-to-day living. Smart lighting options that can be remotely controlled and bathroom modifications such as grab bars, lever or touchless motion-activated faucets, and custom counter heights can also help facilitate independence and wellness.

Trauma-informed design can help create healing, restorative spaces that support recovery from trauma and post-traumatic stress. With trauma-informed design, the process is intended to create a safe and inclusive environment where we can feel comfortable honestly expressing our design needs. Individual sensory needs are incorporated with our aesthetic tastes through design elements such as color, texture, and other sensory elements, incorporating biophilic design to create mindful spaces where we can relax and regenerate.

Pets are another member of the family to consider when designing our home, and pet-friendly fabrics can be a great way to incorporate their accessories. Consider a custom pet bed made from a favorite washable fabric or reupholstering furniture that could use a bit of a freshen-up. Sturdy materials that can be spot-cleaned, such as recycled fibers, are also an excellent option for rugs and carpeting in a pet-friendly home.

Hybrid work and working from home have become commonplace, increasing the need for dedicated spaces that create a boundary between work and everyday life. Some considerations for these spaces include noise reduction or soundproofing for virtual meetings and focus, ergonomic furniture, adequate lighting, color choice, and biophilic design, all of which can contribute to creating a mindful workspace.

When we consider our home spaces as reflections of ourselves, interior design can integrate aspects of our personalities, personal histories, ethics, and values. These considerations may include sustainable or vegan design or a home that reflects our desires for socialization or privacy. They may also include home spaces that reflect cultural histories or find ways to integrate important memories or personal milestones.

A holistic approach to vegan design moves beyond simply excluding materials made from animal products, creating a home that reflects a mindful connection and awareness of our place within the planet's broader ecosystem. Eco-friendly, ethically sourced materials such as bamboo silk or textiles and wallpapers made from cruelty-free plant-derived materials are free from animal products, can have low or no VOCs, and are environmentally conscious in their manufacturing. Re-wilding our yards with drought-tolerant indigenous plants is a great way to nurture and support our home's natural ecosystem by creating an environment that attracts and sustains local wildlife and pollinators. Biophilic design is a great way to enjoy the serenity of this natural environment within our homes. Incorporating materials and patterns that reference natural imagery can encourage mindful connectivity between ourselves and our surrounding natural environment. Also, incorporating technology that works with our local ecosystems, such as rainwater storage, greywater systems, and solar panels, is a small contribution that has the potential to make a positive environmental impact collectively while creating self-reliance at home.

Our home can also be designed to incorporate objects and collections that are important to us or reflect our cultural identity. Including these objects in a beautiful, functional, healthy home creates a self-portrait that reflects our uniqueness. Being surrounded by objects that contain cultural significance, happy memories and bring us joy has the potential to make a restorative, joyful space where we can authentically be ourselves.

Unique, one-of-a-kind home attributes can also be a valuable way to turn our home spaces into havens of joy and comfort. For those who find serenity in botanical spaces, a custom glass greenhouse that doubles as a wellness space can become a favorite retreat that adds a sense of wonder to the home. Having an indulgent space for privacy, like a personal dressing room, screening room, or in-home spa, can feel like a personal oasis.

A dedicated wellness space, such as a yoga or meditation room, encourages a daily practice of mindfulness and self-care that can benefit mental and emotional health. Sensory details such as color, texture, lighting, and noise can influence a room's emotional effect and comfort. Color has the ability to energize or soothe us; a cool neutral palette, such as soft earth tones, can contribute to a feeling of calm. Adjustable lighting, lamps, and automated shades can regulate light levels within a space. Soft-closing doors and drawers, high-pile carpeting, and rugs can be utilized to minimize environmental noise and help create a calm and quiet space. Custom storage solutions can also be used to declutter a space and create calm.

Having areas slightly separated from the home can also create room for a design departure, adding to the feeling of variety. Many may be interested in creating opportunities for connection in their home, with spaces for education or gathering. Rooms for meditation or sound baths with friends and neighbors or music and creative spaces designed to share with close friends and loved ones can help create feelings of connection for those who enjoy their homes as social spaces for gathering.

Slow design is a deeply personal design process that allows us to slow down, truly consider, and discover how our home can support us in living our best and most joyous lives. A holistic approach to interior design, slow design takes time to create a layered and highly personalized home design that considers how our home can support our day-to-day needs, creating a space where we can thrive.

Creating a home that profoundly reflects ourselves can be an enriching and fulfilling experience. Custom-made objects and designs for our home can be sourced from quality, eco-conscious materials intended for lifetime use. These highly personalized one-of-a-kind objects exude luxury through their superior quality; slow design fosters connectivity with the materials and craftsmanship of these heirloom objects and our home. Slow design is often better for the environment as materials can be ethically sourced, and objects that are made with intentionality can incorporate waste reduction into the process. Building relationships with local skilled artisans and craftspersons also creates positive connections and support within our local community.

Slow design also utilizes 3D rendering to help visualize how the home design will look and feel. While renderings take time to develop, they help alleviate stress or indecision when considering multiple options or directions for the design.

A holistic approach to designing personalized spaces can help create home interiors that feel like an extension of self, a space that promotes personal growth and fulfillment. Exploring opportunities to make home changes or incorporate customization can expand our ideas around restorative spaces to create a home environment that enriches our daily lives and brings us joy. Embracing personalized home space can offer room for exploration and peace, where we can celebrate ourselves, our loved ones, and our environments.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces 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 honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Soothing Blues for 2024: Dunn Edwards and Benjamin Moore color of the year.

Color is a powerful influence that has the ability to move us. The colors we choose to surround ourselves with every day can affect our feelings and emotions; they can energize, inspire, and soothe us. Color trends are a reflection of cultural moments and the needs that they create. We live in a hectic world with a 24/7 work culture, making it harder and harder to carve out time and places to take a breath and experience calm. In light of the fast-paced nature of contemporary life, Dunn Edwards and Benjamin Moore have recognized the desire for many to slow things down and create mindful, relaxing spaces in our homes by announcing Skipping Stones and Blue Nova as their colors of the year for 2024.

The color palette of the natural world can be utilized by biophilic design to bring the mindful experience of being in nature within our home, creating a calm, nurturing space. Dunn Edwards describes Skipping Stones as "a serene and steely blue with hints of green and gray….meditative and energizing like the sea." Seeking to evoke the peace and tranquility of the sea, Skipping Stones intends to create spaces of meditation, stillness, and calm. Similarly, Blue Nova is also evocative of the ocean as a deep blue-violet. Using color as a component of biophillic design, Skipping Stones and Blue Nova "emphasizes our connection to the natural environment, underlining the importance of our reliance on it for physical, emotional, and community healing."

The peace and tranquility we experience when exploring the natural environment surrounding our home can be mirrored in its interior through color selection. Living within proximity to blue spaces such as the ocean can encourage joy and wellness. The blue tones incorporated into this beachside retreat evoke the fresh, serene qualities of the surrounding oceanscape, creating space that enhances day-to-day living. Blue is used as an accent color against the white closets and cabinets throughout this home. The natural finish of the custom European white oak flooring alludes to driftwood's materiality. This light and airy palette of white and blue, evocative of the ocean landscape in which the home is located, comes together in a hand-knotted wool & silk area rug in the living room.

Shades of blue are utilized within this beachside home to reflect the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. Blue can capture the feeling the ocean gives us, creating a mindful living space that promotes happiness in everyday life. The entryway carries various shades of deep and grey blue, from the Dutch door to the painting of a heron and the ceramic lamp, whose shape alludes to an abstracted ocean inhabitant.

Blue is a focal point within the living room in the form of deep blue vegan-friendly upholstery and Danish oiled walnut sofas. Here, blue is used again as an accent color with the room's white walls and the natural finish of the wood flooring. The shape of these facing sofas creates an enclosed and intimate seating arrangement.

The selection of Skipping Stones and Blue Nova as the 2024 color of the year by Dunn Edwards and Benjamin Moore reflects the collective desire for peace and tranquility in our daily lives. This also signals the rising prominence of biophilic design as a way of creating mindfulness within our homes through utilizing images, colors, and materials that bring the tranquility of nature to us.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces 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 honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Happy Holidays!

While it's far from feeling like winter in Southern California, the leaves are falling, and early nights make a good excuse for cozying up at home with a soft blanket and a warm cup of tea.

As the year ends, our studio reflects and sets intentions for the new year.

Sustainability has always been the foundation of what we do. While we love the process of designing and sharing our annual hand letter-pressed cards, this year, instead of printing holiday cards, we are opting to donate to the Arroyo Seco Foundation in honor of our friends and Clients.

The Arroyo Seco Foundation's mission is to protect the Arroyo Seco, a canyon and stream running from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Los Angeles River. The foundation advocates for the preservation of the watershed, works to protect and restore the native flora and fauna, and operates the Hahamongna native plant nursery.

We are excited to celebrate the season by supporting an organization that helps to preserve wildlife habitat. We hope you are spending the holiday season somewhere beautiful and finding ways to celebrate your interior and natural environments with those you love. 

Have a very happy and healthy holiday season!

With warmth and gratitude,

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces 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 honored as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

How Interior Design Can Facilitate Mindfulness and Reduce Stress and Burnout

Between post-pandemic issues, 24/7 work culture, and a pile-up of life stressors from the world around us, stress and burnout are at an all-time high. Mindfulness-based stress reduction has become a mainstream and accessible way to reduce stress and increase focus, energy, and overall wellness. The built environment in which we live impacts our stress levels and mental health. Interior design can play a vital role in facilitating mindfulness within our homes because interior designers are trained to understand specific design elements that encourage and cultivate mindfulness, creating a refreshing escape from the world outside. A thoughtful partnership with a professional interior designer can help facilitate a healthy, happy, and enriching home.

According to the World Health Organization, “Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.” (1).

The effects of stress and burnout are not isolated to the workplace. Day-to-day pressures in our everyday life, such as finances, caregiving, illness, moving, etc., can also contribute to experiencing burnout. Also, consider that many of us are working from home post-pandemic. A Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine study states, “Blurred work-life boundaries can make it difficult to detach mentally from work which can increase stress and anxiety.” (2).

So how can interior design create spaces that cultivate mindfulness in the home? Interior designers are trained to understand how our built environment affects us. Interior design is more than how something looks or a room is arranged. Designers are educated and experienced in considering environmental factors such as noise, lighting, air quality, scent, privacy, comfort, and how a space can impact our lives.

As Interior Designer Charisse Johnston, FASID, LEED AP, notes, “Professional interior designers not only understand the visual and tactile aspects of a space, but they go beyond the surface by understanding human behavior and physiology to create highly functioning spaces that support physical and mental wellbeing and performance.” (3). Empathetic and wellness-focused interior design can create a custom-made space to support us in the ways we need to live our best life.

Some design strategies to help us manage stress within the home include, but are not limited to:

A Dedicated Space. Consider including private spaces dedicated to practicing mindfulness, such as a wellness room. Devoting a room to wellbeing and motion can help visually illustrate the importance and value of wellness. Having these located away from busy areas is recommended to help create a relaxing and soothing environment.

Personal oasis. Explore a spa-like experience through luxury details such as soaking tubs and new technology such as aromatherapy shower systems. Essential oil showers are among the emerging wellness-focused sustainable design trends.

A clutter-free home. Removing clutter and opting for plenty of storage options can help facilitate an organized home and make a space feel clean and calm. There’s no one-size-fits-all organizing method, as figuring out what works for you and your lifestyle is paramount.

Clean air. Natural and organic materials for furnishings and finishes can help contribute to better indoor air quality.

A restful sleep. Look to weighted blankets to help achieve a good night’s sleep. A wellness-minded interior designer can help create a custom weighted blanket that suits your health needs and personal style to ensure an even better night's sleep. 

Including Biophilic design elements can be another valuable tool to help alleviate stress and burnout within the home. 

Biophilic design stems from our innate desire to connect with nature. Incorporating this into our home can be a helpful method to connect interior spaces to the landscape outside.

Consider the following strategies to help tap into the conscious experience of spending time in nature through biophilic design:

Natural prints and images. Explore a color palette inspired by the natural world, including natural and organic materials. Some of our favorite nature-inspired goods are from Kale Tree, the Matilija Poppy Wallpaper in Petal, and Mallow Textile Evening Mauve.

Bringing the outside in. Consider incorporating plants, natural imagery, and organic forms. Studies suggest that spending time in and observing our natural surroundings can help promote mindfulness and other health benefits. For example, bird watching can help improve wellbeing and mental health.

Natural lighting. Expanding access to natural light and maximizing access to window views of the natural landscape can help alleviate stress.

The environment in which we live can profoundly affect our ability to focus, our energy levels, and our overall wellbeing. Interior design can be a great tool to integrate and encourage mindfulness at home.

Works cited

1. “Burn-out An ‘Occupational Phenomenon’: International Classifcation of Diseases.” World Health Organization. May 2019. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

2. Xiao, Yijing, et al. “Impacts of Working from Home during COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Well-Being of Office Workstation Users.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. March 2021. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7934324/

3. “It May Look Good On Instagram But You Want To Enjoy Living In It.” International Council Of Design. January 2021. https://www.theicod.org/en/resources/news-archive/it-may-look-good-instagram-you-want-enjoy-living-it

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).

Starting Slow: The Benefits of Mindful Design

An exceptional bottle of wine, a decadent meal lovingly prepared from local organic goods, a beloved heirloom quilt, or an expertly crafted handbag can bring a sense of wonder, pleasure, and appreciation into our lives. These items feel special because of the joy and beauty they provide and the skill, expertise, and time devoted to creating an exceptional experience or product. Care and quality are often accompanied by time, which can contribute to the rarity, meaning, and preciousness of an item or experience. Artisan products generally include more thoughtful processes, from sourcing high-quality goods and materials to engaging skilled craftspeople. This considerate approach leads to finer results and often to more ethical production practices.

In recent years, many of us have sought responsible options in response to our concerns about environmental, labor, and production impacts, seeking products and services that align with our personal ethos. The increasing demand for more thoughtful production and consumption led to the slow movement's popularity. Best known through the slow fashion movement, the "slow" approach intends to offer an alternative to fast production through a more thoughtful, beneficial, and considered approach, prioritizing ethical creation, consumption, and cradle-to-cradle technologies. The slow approach has also been popularized through the slow food movement, where similarly, all stages of the item's life cycle are considered, from the initial production steps to its use and the impact of any material remnants. This approach is often better for the environment, using processes that consider waste reduction and long-term consequences, and contributes to healthier lifestyles for those involved.

Slow interior design embraces a similar approach, applied to all stages of the design process. Sharing concerns around long-term sustainability and in an effort to make a positive impact both culturally and environmentally, slow interior design takes a more considered practice to the thoughtful planning of the home and the sourcing of materials. The immense benefits from slow design come from its holistic approach, through a slowly layered design process that focuses on long-term happiness over instant, but perhaps temporary gratification.

Recognizing the joy our home objects bring us, slow design offers the opportunity to dress our homes with cherished pieces that recognize and integrate the process of creation into the design. For something like a beloved wooden dining room table that may serve as the hearth of the home, considering the time behind the growth and care for the trees, their thoughtful harvesting, and the craftsmanship behind building the table can impart a sense of gratitude, connectivity, and beauty to the daily dining experience. Slow design encourages production that celebrates and respects the entirety of the creation process by ensuring the material's longevity in the new context, in part by creating pieces intended for a lifetime of love. Planning for long-term use may require thoughtful sourcing of natural materials, enlisting a craftsperson with the skills to craft bespoke furnishings, and the necessary time and consideration to finalize a design that will withstand shifting preferences and needs.

Slow interior design is a trusted recipe for creating an heirloom home, slowly and thoughtfully crafted with mindful intent and enduring materials. The investment in time and well-crafted and considered materials offers the benefits of increased personalization, superior quality, and the luxury of careful decision-making. Collaborating with artisans to develop one-of-a-kind pieces and allowing the home design to germinate organically can create space for the unique building of personal style, crafting a home that feels wholly individual and grows with the residents.

Many artists and craftspeople cherish their work and are knowledgeable about their wares, which can be valuable when items eventually need repairing or updating. Because of the intimacy of working with artisans, many will be willing to adapt furnishings to match changing needs, saving the items from needing replacing while still navigating shifts in preferences. Over time, working with a craftsperson may provide insights into our tastes and style, allowing them to make suggestions or develop ideas tailored to us and our homes.

Our homes can be an excellent reflection of ourselves, and treating them as works of art crafted with intentionality can be deeply personally fulfilling. An unhurried design approach expands opportunities for change and adaptation to daydream about the use of spaces or the look of an item and long-term goals for the home. Taking a thoughtful and deliberate path can build a sense of self, place, and a nurturing home environment, especially for those who may feel less decisive about their home goals. Taking time to craft our interiors also offers opportunities to envision the space and, in some cases, begin to experience them and adjust as needed.

During the design process, artists can create 3D renderings to help realize possible directions for the space and help visualize how they may feel. If mulling over multiple options, seeing the rooms in renderings may help imagine the lived possibilities more vibrantly before committing to construction. While renderings take time to develop, they will ideally lead to contentment around decisions while helping eliminate the "what if feeling" about alternative design paths.

Designing with consideration towards all past, present, and future stages of materials and home can provide a holistic method of interior design, creating spaces that radiate with care and are deliberate reflections of self. Slow design embraces home as who we are, emphasizing spaces exquisitely crafted through a thoughtful and considered process for the betterment of our loved ones, our community, and the environment.

The slow design movement offers a pragmatic, joyful, and ethical approach, reflecting a shifting sentiment toward long-term happiness and collective wellbeing.

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. In 2017 Sarah was recognized as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Expanding our Senses: Designing Positive Spaces Where Neurodivergent Individuals can Thrive.

Designing interiors that are sensitive to the needs of neurodivergent individuals places emphasis on the sensory experience of a space, taking a deep dive into the objects and components of a room, examining how each of them works together to create inclusive, supportive, and healing spaces that encourage better living. A wellness-based and empathetic approach integrates design concepts informed by an understanding of the characteristics of the autism spectrum and sensory processing challenges to create environments that nurture the development of independence and enrich individual lives.

Sensory Processing Challenges affect how the brain processes sensory information, making an individual more sensitive to stimuli that others are not. It can affect one or all of the senses. "Current estimates indicate that 5% to 16.5% of the general population"(1) and 1 in 20 children(2) experience Sensory Processing Challenges. Individuals within the autism spectrum can be hyper-sensitive to stimuli (sensory seekers) or hypo-sensitive (sensory avoiders). Sensory seekers often create their own sensory stimuli, either for pleasure or to block out unpleasant sensory information, while sensory avoiders appear under-responsive, certain sensory information goes unnoticed, or certain senses are impaired.

A recent publication, "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders," written by academics and educators Kristi Gaines, Angela Bourne, Michelle Pearson, and Mesha Kleibrink "draws on the latest research in the fields of environmental psychology and education to show how architecture and interior spaces can positively influence individuals with neuro diversities.”(3) Many studies and theories investigate the built environment's effect on us. Environmental Preference Theory is based on the idea that people prefer engaging and involving spaces rather than simple and boring ones. Engaging environments are essential for the self-actualization of individuals on the Autistic spectrum.

The Environment Behavior Theory states that behavior is a function of the person and their environment. This theory suggests that behavior comes from within an individual and is heavily influenced by the environment. This stresses the point that individuals on the Autistic spectrum should live in environments that are designed to support them positively. Architects and designers can help ease stress and irritation caused by incoming stimuli by creating organized, well-defined spaces that modify factors such as color, lighting, texture, sense of closure, acoustics, and ventilation, depending on the individual's needs.

In 2019, the architectural firm HKS conducted a research project where they developed a sensory well-being hub for adolescents with developmental disabilities. One of their outcomes was that "Design should support a range of sensory stimulations, from active to respite, and across modalities."(4) "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders"(5) explores some ways in which spaces designed for children on the autistic spectrum can foster and encourage independence. The ideal home environment for a child on the autistic spectrum considers how to accommodate sensory needs and help prepare them for challenges they may face in everyday life as they grow. Including children in the decision-making and consulting about their preferences and needs is an important part of the process that helps them self-actualize and consider incorporating particular objects/subjects they are interested in into some aspects of the design of their home. Design elements that improve an individual's ability to navigate a space can foster empowerment and independence. Some of these include: Clear sight lines for wayfinding, definable forms, and surfaces; Contrasting colors or textures to indicate the intersections of spaces; Clarifying the intent of visibility through color, contrast, and placement; Creating a sequencing of spaces.

"Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders"(6) suggests that spaces laid out in orderly and predictable ways can create an environment that enables individuals within the autism spectrum to thrive. For sensory-seekers, creating spaces that encourage play in which they can touch, feel, taste, and smell that contain open spaces with unobstructed views for easy parental/adult supervision creates a space where they can learn what is safe while still being themselves.

The compartmentalization of spaces is also recommended because dedicated space for specific activities can help maintain daily routines. Think about dividing areas into zones, each with only one function or activity, so that individuals begin associating activity with a particular area, easing the transition between activities, protecting routine patterns, promoting predictability, and improving wayfinding. Open spaces can be organized using furniture arrangements, colors, and finishes. Consider creating a distinguishable difference between sleeping/study and play areas. For example, "inactive" spaces are bedrooms or quiet living areas where a child can sleep or do homework. "Active" spaces allow the child to explore and play freely. Also, consider making adequate storage available in every room to ease stress over environmental changes, such as when an item is moved from one place to another. Items can be stored in bins, baskets, boxes, or drawers instead of open shelves.

A child with hypo sensitivity (sensory avoiders) can frequently only see the outlines of objects, cannot visually perceive the texture or weight of objects, and often loves bright colors and sunlight.(7) Some design practices suggested in "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders" concerning space planning for sensory avoiders include considering the use of contrasting colors to increase visibility. For example, painting walls in different colors can help the individual distinguish the room's corners. Walls can also be a different/contrasting color than the furniture, etc., to help the child to see them in space. Painting borders around a door a different color from the walls can also help distinguish doorways and improve wayfinding. Lighting systems that incorporate different/changing colors and the quality of light selected can benefit individuals with photosensitivity. Consider the impacts of LED or fluorescent light and utilize indirect light within the space. Window coverings or window films can help to regulate light effectively and create a calming space.

Engaging in "hands-on" work is also important for sensory avoiders because it provides tactile connections and positive sensory feedback, helping individuals develop a deeper connection to what is happening in the environment around them. Furniture with different textures can provide tactile sensory satisfaction, as do soft environments. Factor in furniture and finishes that are durable and easy to clean. Weighted blankets can aid in creating a calming experience and be custom designed in natural and organic materials.

It is also important to consider the acoustic qualities of a space when designing for children on the autistic spectrum. Think about using soft materials that absorb noise in an area designed for children with hypo-sensitivity. Soundproofing and avoiding hard surfaces on walls, floors, and ceilings can reduce noise and reverberation. Acoustic wall tiles could also be helpful.

It is also essential for designers to think beyond the five senses. Proprioceptive and Vestibular senses are often described as "hidden" or "inside" senses. Proprioceptive senses relate to our body awareness, where our body parts are, and how to coordinate them with actions such as holding, pushing, pulling, or lifting(8), while Vestibular senses relate to balance and bodily position, which help us move smoothly through space.(9) "Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders"(10) suggests ways in which neurodivergent experiences of the Proprioceptive and Vestibular senses can be accommodated through design. Ensure that stairs are easy to navigate by applying different materials, textures, and senses that will help the individual connect their thoughts and feelings to where they are in space. Consider including only rounded edges within the space and making transitions between different floor levels and surfaces obvious using contrasting floor materials such as carpet, wood, contrasting finishes, and colors. Interiors made up of defined forms and shapes that profile the perimeter of a space can also help a person overcome these challenges. Floor and ceiling moldings to outline the perimeter of the space at the floor and ceiling level can provide spatial clarity. Hammocks, rocking chairs, and swings can also accommodate a hypo-sensitive individual's desire to move constantly.

Creating an environment that manages and eases stress is essential. Biophilia is our innate desire to connect with nature. Studies have shown that incorporating natural elements into the home (through color, material, imagery, etc.) makes them more appealing to us and brings some of the health benefits of spending time outdoors into the home. Natural imagery such as clouds, a bright blue sky, or bright yellow sunlight can appeal to hypo-sensitive needs. Access to nature, healing gardens (plants/garden activities on patio/balcony), and symbols of nature can contribute to reducing stress, and studies suggest that direct experiences of nature can enhance cognitive processing.(11) Creating a small garden can contribute to the child's well-being by improving a sense of self-worth, providing different tactile and visual experiences, and acting as a direct source of nature. A water fountain or bird feeder can also contribute to the child's development, providing sensory or tactile satisfaction through natural elements.(12)

An empathic, holistic, and mindful approach to interior design encourages us to expand our sensory understanding of the world, reconsidering our experience of space, color, and material to promote authentic living, empowerment, and wellness amongst diverse individuals.

Works Cited

1. Miller, Lucy Jane, et al. “Identification of Sensory Processing and Integration Symptom Clusters: A Preliminary Study.” Occupational Therapy International, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Nov. 2017,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5733937/#:~:text=Current%20estimates %20indicate%20that%205,(ADHD)%20%5B4%5D.
2. Lumiere Children's Therapy. “Child Therapy: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder.” Lumiere Children's Therapy, Lumiere Children's Therapy, 26 Feb. 2018, https://lumierechild.squarespace.com/lumiere-childrens-therapy/2017/02/06/child-therapy-understanding-sensory-processing-disorder.
3. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
4. Nanda, Upali, et al. “Sensory Well-Being for Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities: Creating (and Testing) a Sensory Well-Being Hub.” HKS Architects, 26 Oct. 2022, https://www.hksinc.com/how-we-think/reports/sensory-well-being-for-adolescents-with-developmental-disabilities-creating-and-testing-a-sensory-well-being-hub/.
5. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
6. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
7. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
8. SC;, Proske U;Gandevia. “The Proprioceptive Senses: Their Roles in Signaling Body Shape, Body Position and Movement, and Muscle Force.” Physiological Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23073629/.
9. The Vestibular System - Neuroscience - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10819/.
10. Gaines, Kristi, et al. Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.
11. Stenfors, Cecilia U D, et al. “Positive Effects of Nature on Cognitive Performance across Multiple Experiments: Test Order but Not Affect Modulates the Cognitive Effects.” Frontiers in Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 July 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6616085/.
12. Yanez, Ruddy E., and Bronwyn S. Fees. “Preschool Children’s Biophilia and Attitudes toward Nature: The Effect of Personal Experiences.” International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, vol. 5, no. 1, 2017, pp. 57–67.

Further resources

1. Designing Inclusive Healthcare Spaces to Support Neurodiverse Populations. https://www.iands.design/healthcare/article/21546047/designing-inclusive-healthcare-spaces-to-support-neurodiverse-populations.
2. HKS HKS is a global firm of architects, et al. “How to Build a Sensory Well-Being Hub and Sensory Cocoon: An Open Source Instruction Guide.” HKS Architects, 26 Oct. 2022, https://www.hksinc.com/how-we-think/reports/how-to-build-a-sensory-wellbeing-hub-and-sensory-cocoon-an-open-source-instruction-guide/.
3. “American Society of Interior Designers: ASID.” Impact of Design Series, Vol. 9, https://www.asid.org/impact-of-design/hks-sensory-wellbeing-hub.

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).

Emerging Kitchen and Bath Trends for Wellness-Focused Sustainable Design

Smart home sustainability and wellness are in focus for kitchen and bathroom design. The annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) welcomed interior designers, architects, kitchen and bath designers, custom home builders, and remodelers to get an early look at the kitchen and bath design trends that will rise in popularity in the coming year. This year's exhibition highlighted key trends, including bold colors and enhanced wellness features. There are many ways to refresh our kitchen and bath spaces, whether it's time for a complete remodel, fresh paint colors, or a new appliance to improve our daily lives.

Bold Colors: Embracing the power of color in kitchens and bathrooms was widely featured in creative displays. While cool tones are a more traditional choice, warm mid-century era shades are still in vogue, with an emphasis on color blocking to add a layer of interest.

Essential Oil Showers: Aromatherapy systems were abundantly on display. Showers can be transformed into a spa-like experience with the use of aromatherapy systems that inspire ritual through the use of essential oil mists.

Cradle to Cradle Certification: Interior designers showed increased interest in human-made stone comprised of recycled materials, with the Cradle to Cradle certification as a quarried stone alternative for countertops and shower walls.

Water Smart: From shower systems designed to prevent water waste by capturing, cleaning, and recycling excess shower water to wireless soil sensors for sprinkler systems that can calculate how much water a garden needs, sustainability remains a top priority in home design.

Clutter-Free Home: Sleek appliance options such as a touchpad induction cooktop allow for a simple, clutter-free kitchen by omitting burner grates and range control knobs. Ultra-modern shower setups with wireless touchpad controls and personalized temperature settings focus on function and form without bulky plumbing fixtures.

Sensible Style: Functionality and beautiful design belong together. Chef sinks can be a practical yet aesthetic design choice that allows food prep and cleaning accessories to be in one place. Stylish and versatile, chef sinks are an ideal option for those with smaller kitchens who prefer spending more time cooking and less time cleaning. 

The annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show gives attendees a glance into what technologies and trends will emerge in the upcoming year. As we look ahead, the spotlight is shining on all things colorful, wellness-centered, sustainable, and functional.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable spaces that support mental, physical, and emotional well being. 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 honored as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Healthy Home Design: Natural Interiors

The impact of sustainability can be addressed both in terms of the built environment, and its effect on the day-to-day lives of the people who inhabit these designed spaces. Sound environmental home design should create a symbiotic relationship between the user and their environment. Designer Sarah Barnard’s holistic approach considers the psychological and emotional factors within a model to promote wellness.

Featured in ELuxe Magazine

Healthy Materials

When choosing the basics, one should keep in mind the range of organic materials that offer health benefits. Sarah believes that eco-friendly and natural material selection is the basis for a healthy design. “Creating a restorative environment begins with sustainable choices. Even the smallest decisions matter and can have profound effects on our health and the environment.” Her holistic approach towards material selection includes raw fibers and natural textiles, such as wool, cotton, and linen.

This all natural (non-toxic) sofa pairs with a handmade, live edge coffee table displaying a collection of the homeowner's favorite things: agate slices, ammonites and an array of rose and lavender colored thistles. A group of brightly colored floor cushions provides the perfect casual living room seating. Natural fibers like wool and linen are comfortable and healthy and can be organically dyed.

Intricately hand carved sconces in American Walnut were designed by Sarah Barnard specifically for this “Scandifornian” style home. Natural woods are another excellent material with an array of attributes that can become a defining focal point within your design. From stunning colors to unique knots and grain patterns, natural woods such as oak, walnut, and maple provide various utility and elemental beauty within a home. Sarah Barnard works closely with local artisans and craftsmen to realize her custom furniture and lighting designs. This beautiful walnut dining table was custom made for this room from a single fallen tree.

Elemental Accents

A key component of biophilic design is to incorporate natural elements within an artificial environment. We spend so much of our time indoors that the objects we surround ourselves with become very important. Recently, Sarah Barnard completed a sustainable penthouse for an out of town couple with super meditative space requirements. Think total relaxation and harmony with the universe. By utilizing furniture and accessories as an expression of nature, Sarah’s custom designs bring the outdoors into the home. Elemental accents such as stone, concrete, minerals, ceramics, and plants create a sense of grounded balance.

Sarah designed a concrete fireplace specifically for this home with features such as subtle, etched lines that reference the movement of water. The mantle displays specimens from the homeowner's collection of minerals. Delicate orbs are a soothing and repeated design element throughout the home. Sarah worked closely with a local artisan to realize her vision for custom designed wall sconces. This piece of functional art was hand-made from ceramic clay and fired in a kiln using traditional glazing processes.

A handmade table with a live wood edge feels close to nature drawing attention to its organic form. When displayed among collected shells and family photographs, large mineral specimens diversify a typical collection. Sarah believes it is vital to surround yourself with things both meaningful and beautiful.  "Live with what you love. Surround yourself with beauty and positive energy." Her design philosophy recognizes the importance of creating contemplative spaces that highlight her clients valued mementos and personal collections.

Another beautiful hand made wood table was made to fit perfectly within the foyer alcove providing a gentle, welcoming display of objects meant to inspire, protect and enlighten. The subtle sheen of the pale blue wall covering references the nearby reflective sea and accompanies delicate coral inspired wall sconces.

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