Wellness Interior Designer Achieves California Naturalist Certification

Ladder-backed woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) located in Sequoia National Park, California.

Sarah Barnard, Interior Designer, LEED AP, and WELL AP, has achieved a Naturalist certification through the UC California Naturalist program.

Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona) located in Angeles National Forest, California.

In partnership with the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and UC Davis, the program offers an opportunity for California residents to study the state's diverse ecology while becoming engaged in its preservation. The course educates and encourages a range of environmental advocacy through a series of lectures, field experience, community engagement, and group projects. Working closely with local nature centers and resources, Naturalists learn more about their local environment and engagement opportunities.

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) granary. Redbox Picnic Area, Angeles National Forest, California.

The course explores topics ranging from local insects, birds, mammals, grasses, and flowering plants to the impacts of fire, development, and invasive plant species, focusing on the importance of biodiversity as a foundation for our environmental health and wellbeing. As an extension of the course, Barnard was inspired to support the Sierra Club's "Stop Clearcutting" campaign to highlight ecological destruction and the necessity of protecting biodiverse environments.

Cyprus tree branch (Subfamily Cupressoidae) located in Sequoia National Park, California.

Clearcutting involves logging natural forests, replacing a diverse range of plant life with a monoculture of trees inferior to the supportive ecosystem of a healthy, biodiverse forest. Removing and replacing existing forests can increase wildfire danger, accelerate climate change, degrade water, and threaten wildlife.

Burned tree located in the Redbox Picnic Area, the site of the 2020 Bobcat Fire in the Angeles National Forest.

Utilizing her skills as an artist in support of the mission of the Sierra Club, Barnard hopes to draw attention to the hazardous environmental impact of clearcutting by contributing photography to the campaign, including California flora, fauna, and funga from Sequoia National Park and the Angeles National Forest. She will be continuing to document forests, bodies of water, and wildlife for the organization throughout the coming year.

Introduced Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) behind a burned tree located in Angeles National Forest, California.

Barnard's practice and work focus on a holistic approach to wellness and sustainability. Her work as a naturalist supports her interior design intent, creating spaces that celebrate nature while considering its preservation.

Burned Manzanita (Arctostaphylos) located in Angeles National Forest, California.

"I've always understood the complexity of our ecosystem and how one living thing may affect another. However, I underestimated the staggering extent of loss that has already occurred and how essential land preservation is as a foundation for greater natural preservation. While we can and should advocate for protecting crucial wildlife like birds, butterflies, and bees, a thriving and protected ecosystem is a necessary underpinning for all natural preservation. I felt drawn to the Sierra Club's prioritization of land conservation in their Stop Clearcutting campaign and their efforts to educate and advocate."

Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis) located in Angeles National Forest, California.

Barnard advocates for environmentally compassionate design as part of a conscious and inclusive process. She shares her passion for the environment and encourages sustainable design practices through her writing, speaking engagements, and Kale Tree, where she develops sustainable home goods and furnishings.

Wolf Lichen (Letharia vulpina) located in Sequoia National Park, California.

Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) located in Los Angeles, California.

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).

The Magic of Mangroves: Kale Tree by Sarah Barnard Design releases new rug for summer

Just in time for Summer, Kale Tree by Sarah Barnard Design is releasing an exclusive mangrove patterned rug honoring one of nature's greatest natural healers.

Crucial for sustaining a vast ecosystem, mangroves provide food and shelter for local wildlife and offer filtration. Found above ground but rooted in saltwater, the plants connect land and sea. Their presence improves water quality, particularly beneficial to coral reefs, another crucial ecosystem. Mangroves will also naturally absorb water when typhoons and hurricanes hit, serving as a protective barrier to those living near the coast.

Coastal development, farming, and industry are all contributing to a rapidly decreasing presence of mangroves. These plants are not only beautiful but offer incredible ecological support for a great range of life in the ocean and on land.

Kale Tree Shop is known for its dedication to the environment. Its newest summer collection highlights the value of this incredible plant life. Interior Designer Sarah Barnard, LEED and WELL AP, says, "As an environmentalist, I've always been inspired by coastal nature and am committed to its preservation. Mangroves are such an incredible natural resource." Sarah believes that the mangroves speak to the earth's ability to heal. "As humans, we have a role as stewards for the planet. We are part of a rich ecosystem, and acknowledging that relationship is a huge step in appreciating our earth through care and intentionality."

Beyond hoping to draw more attention to vital mangroves, Kale Tree Shop will donate a percentage of all net proceeds to the Mangrove Action Project. They are self-described as an organization that “empowers local stakeholders to mitigate mangrove stressors, and teaches them how to use mangrove ecology and biology to facilitate natural regeneration."

The rugs are available in several sizes, in 100% New Zealand natural wool or vegan bamboo silk, which offers a soft sheen. Two colorways, Land with warm mushroomy browns and Sea in soothing blue-greys, have neutral palettes pulled from two worlds the plant occupies. Each rug is made to order, and colors and sizing can be customized to fit individual needs.

Kale Tree Shop offers beautiful and unique home design products inspired by nature that acknowledge the need to care for our earth through conscious sourcing and material selections. In addition to the Mangrove Rug, Kale Tree offers a variety of home decor products, including abutilon-inspired wallpaper and textiles. Kale Tree's previous collections include its Moth Rug and a light inspired by its host plant, the ginkgo tree. Sarah is an avid birder and gardener, and her inspiration comes from time spent outdoors.

As the heat comes in and more and more people make their way to the beach, Sarah hopes the rug serves as a reminder to cherish our coastlines. The rug will be available through https://www.kaletree.com beginning June 21st to welcome in summer.

Sarah Barnard is the founder of Kale Tree and a creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has been quoted by Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vouge, HGTV and many other publications.

Can the Design of Your Home Aid Recovery From Past Trauma? Research Says 'Yes'

As interior designers, we operate from an awareness that because we create the built spaces that our clients inhabit, we exercise tremendous influence on their lived experiences and the ability to make a tangible difference in our clients' mental, physical, and emotional health. (1) While it is easy to accept this as a given in more passive terms, there is an increasing necessity around the active, rather than incidental, cultivation of safe and healing built spaces. At Sarah Barnard Design Studio, we aim to bring an inclusive and trauma-informed approach to home design.

Between 1995 and 1997, Kaiser Permanente conducted a study looking at the health effects resulting from the trauma of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). (2) The parameters around this study were narrow, focusing primarily on abuse, neglect, and domestic strife, without including factors such as trauma due to racism, deportation, illness, or war. The study's participants were also far from a broadly representative group, with nearly 75% of participants identifying as White. Yet, even within these minimal boundaries, the findings were stark—approximately 66% of the study's participants reported ACEs in their personal histories.

If we consider the types of trauma the study excluded and the adverse experiences that occur in adulthood, the implications of this study are significant. It is fair to assume that traumatic experiences are widespread among adults. Particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the mental and emotional fallout of which we are only beginning to understand and measure, addressing the effects of trauma has taken on a new urgency.

Much of the discussion around trauma-informed home design has focused, understandably, on public and institutional contexts often directly connected with health and social services (3). As understanding around the way that physical spaces affect our mental, emotional, and physical health have expanded, so too has demand for spaces designed with health and healing in mind. Where once function and safety were the primary concern in, for example, mental health facilities, home designers are now looking at how to make these spaces soothing and restorative.

Knowing what we know about how widespread the experience of trauma is, it is reasonable to expand our thinking beyond institutional spaces and apply the principles of trauma informed practice to home design, as well as to the way we interact with clients. Our goal is to create spaces that manage the effects of trauma by reducing sudden sensory arousal, while also being actively healing and restorative.

This process begins with creating a safe and inclusive environment for our clients from a project's inception to completion. While it may be safe to assume that most adults carry some form of trauma with them, we don't know what a client's background is unless they feel safe to tell us. We aim to approach our clients with a sense of inclusiveness and sensitivity, allowing ample space to voice their needs. A certain amount of vulnerability and humility lies on us as designers as we hold ourselves accountable for maintaining this safe space for our clients. This accountability allows us to create homes that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also personalized and inclusive to each individual and their needs. As designers, we must keep an open flow of communication between ourselves and our clients, ensuring that communication remains understood on both ends. 

Creating an inclusive space starts with mindfulness and care around the way we communicate(4). There is no default listener. Our intention is to allow people from all walks of life feel heard and understood. We are committed to educating ourselves on inclusive language, as certain words may carry racist or ableist subtext. Finding alternatives to non-inclusive language is one component of this, and it helps to avoid language that presumes the ethnicity, gender identity, or experiences of the listener. To maintain our goal of holistic inclusion throughout our studio, we apply these communication values to our client interactions, internal conversations, and interaction with vendors. By holding ourselves accountable even out of sight of clients, we ensure that inclusivity remains a core principle of our studio.

Painting by Michelle Jane Lee

When we begin each project, our goal in taking a trauma-informed approach to home design and decorating includes finding ways to reduce sensory overstimulation. Sensory triggers can be hugely disturbing for neurodivergent people (particularly those on the autism spectrum), as well as people with chronic migraines, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alzheimer's, and other chemical or sensory sensitivities (5). Spaces designed with inclusion in mind for neurodivergence and disability will create an environment that feels safe for all users along various spectrums of need. However, even neurotypical people can experience stress from sensory overstimulation, impacting their health and emotional resilience (6). We address this need in home design by creating varied paths to shelter from intrusive sounds, odors, and light. In addition, we empower our clients to limit and customize their exposure to sensory stimuli (7). One way to achieve this is to create smaller sensory retreats within the home, balancing the calming quality of openness with the comforting sense of being enveloped. We use color psychology, textures, and other sensory elements to comfort our clients. Some of this may overlap with general design knowledge of what is considered calming, and some may be specific to each client's taste and sense of comfort.

Painting by Kevin Moore

Our goal as a studio is to create spaces where clients can relax and restore their senses. We achieve this in our projects by intersecting the client's sensory needs with their aesthetic tastes. There is much importance in including art in the spaces we design. At Sarah Barnard Design Studio, art is considered an integral part of home design. Great care is taken not only in the selection of art but also in how and where it is displayed. That said, while there are general notions of what makes a piece of art soothing for a viewer, from the color to subject matter. Ultimately, the most crucial factor is what the client wants to see every day. Clients will benefit most from seeing art that evokes a sense of calm or happiness; however, what that can look like varies widely from person to person. As designers, we offer our guidance and expertise in selecting art for the home.

We can achieve restoration through home design by providing access to nature and integrating natural themes into the spaces themselves. The biophilic design movement has focuses on making nature an integral theme in the home. Biophilic design has tremendous benefits for our emotional, mental, and physical health (8). Views of nature, particularly ones that provide a sense of continuity with the indoors and outdoors, can be one way to achieve this. Prioritizing the use of natural and organic materials can also promote restoration and wellness for our clients. A connection to nature can be undermined by toxic materials that are produced in ecologically harmful ways. On a more symbolic level, we can incorporate nature into an indoor space through organic imagery that evokes the natural world through shape, texture, and color.

Recently, our homes have become even more of a center point in our lives. For many of us, our home has become a workplace, school, and place for recreation all at once, increasing the need for therapeutic and restorative spaces within the home. Unfortunately, mental and emotional restoration has become harder to achieve now that our homes serve more functions than ever. As designers, we must be creative in our approach. We can create boundaries in the home without putting up walls, for example, using a screen to designate an area as a workspace, where the day's stressors can remain out of sight when it's time to relax. We can place extra care and attention into places in the home that offer privacy, letting them act as retreats from the rest of the living space. Thinking beyond a room's most basic function in this way can open up opportunities to create calming, restorative environments in less traditional spaces.

As designers, we have a tremendous opportunity to alleviate trauma by creating healing spaces for our clients while implementing a warm, understanding, and inclusive design process. We may never know or see our clients' struggles, but we can approach each project with empathy, compassion, and practical design knowledge to address their needs. As gratifying as having our clients appreciate our work, it is even more gratifying to know that we can make a tangible difference in their health and happiness.

Ceramic slug by Joseph and Marjorie Lake 

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).   

Works Cited

(1) https://dcf.vermont.gov/sites/dcf/files/OEO/training/2019/Trauma-Informed.pdf

(2) https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html

(3) https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/05/business/mental-health-facilities-design.html

(4) https://www.linguisticsociety.org/resource/guidelines-inclusive-language

(5) https://www.hksinc.com/how-we-think/research/sensory-well-being-for-adolescents-with-developmental-disabilities-creating-and-testing-a-sensory-well-being-hub/

(6) http://universaldesign.ie/What-is-Universal-Design/The-7-Principles/

(7) https://www.asid.org/lib24watch/files/pdf/8477

(8) https://www.fastcompany.com/90333072/what-is-biophilic-design-and-can-it-really-make-you-happier-and-healthier

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).

Cosmopolitcal Design: A New Modality Harnesses the Connection between Home and Nature

With global society and climate in flux, mapping out new ways to live and create in the world has become an essential project. Amid the competing approaches to this transformation, the philosophical school of cosmopolitics, as its name suggests, addresses this challenge in a uniquely holistic way and presents an entirely new perspective on the human relationship with the world.

Albena Yaneva, in her introduction to What is Cosmopolitical Design?: Design, Nature, and the Built Environment, explains that “Cosmopolitical thinkers...see nature as no longer being unified enough to provide a stabilizing pattern for the experience of humans; it is not ‘out there,’ a simple backdrop for human activities.” Cosmopolitics distinguishes itself from cosmopolitanism by positing a relationship with nature and its non-human denizens defined by cohabitation rather than dominance. As Yaneva writes, “These thinkers abandon the modernist idea of nature as being external to the human experience—a nature that can be mastered by engineers and scientists from outside.” 

How does this cosmopolitical perspective manifest in the world of home design? To Yaneva, “It challenges design...to encourage the enactment of new relationships both within and potentially outside the designed space.” Cosmopolitical home design is deeply tied to its locality and integrated with its environment. Yaneva describes cosmopolitical design as “required more than ever to address the primordial question of what it means to live together. That is, the co-existence of humans and non-humans, of how they share space and find ways to live together in peace.”

Because the cosmopolitical way of thinking is so all-encompassing, the approaches to incorporating cosmopolitics into home design are fittingly varied and can be scaled to projects as vast as urban planning or as circumscribed as landscaping a backyard. Manifestations of cosmopolitical home design can range from home renovation with the local climate in mind (for example, placing windows for optimal warmth or cooling of interior spaces) to pollinator-friendly gardens teeming with plants indigenous to their region.

To interior designer Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, bringing cosmopolitics into her home design practice means cultivating spaces that are specific both to her clients and as well as to the local environment and that encourage an accord with the natural world. Sarah says, “Finding ways to harmonize the design of a space to a specific environment instead of working against it is both challenging and rewarding. When a designed space and its greater environment are fully integrated, the effect is almost easier to feel than observe.”

Sarah explains, “I always look for opportunities to create inviting connections between the indoors and the outdoors. This continuity with the natural world is beneficial for emotional and mental health—it’s not just a source of beauty but nourishment.” For an artist’s bungalow, Sarah created a visual continuity between lush indoor plant life and the garden outside, and then took it a step further. Sarah designed the outdoor garden to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. The garden is a Certified Monarch Waystation, providing resources to support migrating Monarch butterflies by providing food, water, cover. Sarah said, “Designing homes for wellbeing doesn’t have to stop at the comfort of the client. Incorporating elements of design that nurture the local ecology deepen our relationship with nature and result in spaces that are unified with their surroundings.”

This particular expression of cosmopolitical home design can be achieved even with limited outdoor space. For an oceanview penthouse, Sarah transformed a balcony into an inviting habitat for local and migrating wildlife by adding potted olive trees and an herb garden. “Considering plants not just for their decorative beauty but also what they can offer to the local environment is a concept that works on virtually any scale,” Sarah says. To decorate the interiors, Sarah selected natural and eco-friendly furnishings and textiles, adding that “Organic materials have a gentler environmental impact, and from a wellness perspective, are kinder to the people who live with them.”

When selecting materials and furnishings for home decorating, Sarah often looks to her clients’ priorities to guide her approach to creating spaces that embody a cosmopolitical perspective. For one high-rise suite, the owner’s love of animals was demonstrated not only through the choice of art and decorative objects, but also wanted this care toward animals extended outside home design and beyond aesthetics. Sarah addressed this by using exclusively vegan materials and furnishings for this project. Sarah explains, “No space exists in a vacuum—every object and material we use has a footprint that goes well beyond the front door, so considering the story of the materials we use and the impact that they have on the world is a way to invite cosmopolitical ideas into home design.”

Sustainable materials can also have unexpected origins. For the kitchen of a historic craftsman bungalow, Sarah installed a countertop made of recycled beer bottles, a non-extractive alternative to a more traditional quarried stone countertop. “Not only is the material beautiful and environmentally conscious, but there’s also a little whimsy in how it reinvents something ordinary and adds character to the space,” Sarah says. The implications behind cosmopolitical home design may be weighty, but there is always room for playfulness.

“When I look at my work from a cosmopolitical perspective,” says Sarah, “I see tremendous opportunity for creativity. We are seeing our way of life change in real-time, and as a home designer, I’m lucky to be able to be a part of facilitating that transformation for my clients.”

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).

Universal Design: When to Incorporate Wellness Into Your Practice

Join Sarah Barnard at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show this year to discover how home design professionals can expand their practice into the rapidly evolving field of universal design.

Empathetic Expansion of Universal Design Strategies: Creating Inclusive Environments will explore how universal design can impact physical, mental and emotional well-being, the intersections of sensory sensitivities and cognitive overload, and how design professionals can develop a mindful, inclusive approach to creating public and private spaces.

Sarah Barnard will speak at the 2021 KBIS Voices From the Industry Conference, which will have both in-person and virtual components.

Both WELL + LEED accredited, Sarah Barnard is a leading designer of personalized, sustainable and restorative spaces deeply connected to nature and art. Her designs celebrate the natural world while contributing to its preservation. Sarah is an advocate for consciousness, inclusivity and compassion in the home design process. Through her speaking engagements, pro-bono work, and writing, she draws awareness to these critical design objectives.

When

KBIS from February 9 - 11, 2021
Voices from the Industry Conference, Session 3.3 on Tuesday, February 9 from 12:45–1:45 PM EDT

Where 

https://kbis.com/ 
Orange County Convention Center, 9800 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

How to Attend

Register here.

About Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

The KBIS trade show allows participants to source the newest kitchen and bath materials from over 600 leading brands. It is the largest trade show of its kind and will host the Voices from the Industry Conference, which offers presentations, workshops, professional development courses, and featured speakers. 

For questions, please contact us at design@sarahbarnard.com

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP and LEED AP, designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that connect deeply to nature and art. Barnard has been featured in publications internationally and was named a "Ones to Watch Scholar" by the American Society of Interior Designers. Empathy and mindfulness are the foundation of her practice creating healing, supportive environments that enhance life.

Curating a Mindful Experience: Focusing on Art at Home

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Renae Barnard.

Selecting and arranging artwork in a home can be a gratifying process for all involved. While science is only beginning to explore the emotional effects and benefits of art, people have been driven to produce and seek artwork throughout human existence. In a study at the University College London, researchers found that looking at beautiful artwork activates pleasure centers in their brain and elicits a neurological response similar to falling in love. 

Sarah Barnard helped this client curate and collect an extensive collection of feminist artworks.

It only makes sense that we should turn to artwork to influence emotional experiences in home design. As an interior designer with a fine art background, I recognize art's incredible power to enhance wellbeing in design. Commissioning artworks or objects by local artisans can be an incredibly rewarding way to elevate a client's home, and invest in the local creative community. 

A diverse collection of local and international artists.

When selecting artwork for a family or group, it's key to ensure that everyone has a voice. Inviting individuals to have control over their domains and some level of veto power in shared spaces can aid in decision making in the home design process. Having a say over designated personal spaces guarantees that everyone is getting something they love, at least in one part of the home.  In common areas, everyone should have a choice, and this is where having a designer with additional resources helps. I have developed relationships with many unique and talented artists throughout my career, which has helped me find and commission beautiful and obscure pieces.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Susan Hannon.

When approaching all home design elements, it's essential to consider a room's use and intentions before purchasing or commissioning artwork. For family rooms that are often bustling, high traffic spaces, bold, energetic works of art can invigorate a room and inspire conversation. Large scale works can provide a welcome alternative to a television, and offer a focal point in spaces with many moving parts and multiple functions. Shared areas of congregation are ideal for bold abstract pieces or narrative works that inspire investigation and conversation.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Kevin Moore.

In a recent home remodel for a family residence, Scalar Field by Kevin Moore hangs above a breakfast nook composed of a custom dining sofa and handmade walnut dining table. The warm colors and textures of the pieces play off each other, for an inviting eating space that encourages both quiet daydreaming and lively discussion. The piece's unique, geometric shape adds architectural interest to the corner, expanding the room and adding to the area's significance in the home. The nook encourages a mindful dining experience, inviting the owner and guests to pause and enjoy the beauty and serotonin-boosting effects of an in-house art display. 

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Reid Winfrey.

A small, sleek bar becomes increasingly expansive with a dreamy painting of a surfer by artist Reid Winfrey in a beachy bachelor pad. In areas without windows, artworks with natural themes or escapist qualities are often beautiful alternatives to a view. This piece reflects the homeowner's interests and passions, connecting them to natural locations and activities they love, and offering insight into their personality to guests. Creating intentionality in small areas of the house can significantly affect overall mood and pacing, offering small, meditative opportunities. Art can be a useful tool to train the mind to slow down and be appreciative of surroundings and experiences. 

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Renae Barnard.

Collecting artwork invites a level of personal connection and customization that can create a deep emotional experience of the home. A large wall sculpture by Renae Barnard entitled Aggregate Liberty compliments custom furniture in a residential redesign. Colors and textures in the artwork and the living room mimic each other, softening the boundaries of the artwork and the residence for an immersive and transcendent experience. Quiet rooms for focus may benefit from works that feel calm and soothing. Natural colors and themes help decompress, and textile pieces, in particular, can bring an added layer of comfort and calm. 

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Renae Barnard + Ruben Vincent.

For a home office redesign, our studio commissioned a sculptural piece by artist Renae Barnard for artwork that referenced the home's natural surroundings. As an alternative to the already prominent ocean view, our studio saught to connect to nearby natural elements that required more careful observation. Ultimately, the studio found inspiration in the finches visiting the olive trees on the homeowner's patio. Noticing them requires careful consideration of the surroundings, inviting the homeowner and guests to become increasingly mindful. The finches' flight to the skyrise penthouse in the clouds inspired the final form of the fiber sculpture Cumulous. 

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Karrie Ross.

Fanciful imagery in muted earth tones creates an airy and uplifting mood for rest. Displaying artwork near a bed may contribute to peaceful habits before sleep, and provides mind-quieting observational opportunities. A watercolor and mixed media piece by artist Karrie Ross is an atmospheric addition to a residential bedroom redesign. The piece's overall effect is peaceful, guiding the viewer away from chaotic thoughts or visuals before bedtime. The details within the artwork hold the viewer's attention and offer avenues for thoughtful examination, pulling focus away from the stresses and memories of the day. Using the emotional experience of a work of art to guide a room's mood can provide ample opportunities to shape home design support and uplift its residents. 

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Brian Johnson.

Commissioning or curating artwork is ultimately about inviting positive emotions and experiences into the home. A piece does not need to mirror a pre-existing aesthetic to be the perfect fit for a client's home if it inspires pleasure and supports wellbeing. Incorporating artwork into living spaces can be an enriching process, inviting time to reflect, think, and appreciate the beauty of daily life.  

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP and LEED AP, designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that connect deeply to nature and art. Barnard has been featured in publications internationally and was named a "Ones to Watch Scholar" by the American Society of Interior Designers. Empathy and mindfulness are the foundation of her practice creating healing, supportive environments that enhance life.

This image used with permission provided by Gregory Firlotte @ LA Design Magazine

This article was written by Sarah Barnard for Issue 2 of LA Design Magazine, Celebrating Design and the Arts. Published by the American Society of Interior Designers, Los Angeles, CA.

Ultra Personalized Color : How an interior designer can help create a home that feels like you

Interior Design by Sarah Barnard, Painting by Reid Winfrey.

Decorating with color is entirely subjective — we all have our likes and dislikes. And yet, in consultations with home designers, clients often struggle to come up with a suitable color scheme on their own. They might identify red as their favorite color without understanding the physical and emotional reactions it can evoke, especially when used in a restorative space like the bedroom.

Interior Design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Renae Barnard.

An interior designer with an understanding of color theory and color psychology can help clients define their personal color story by evaluating the hues they like to wear, studying their favorite keepsakes, or delving into their hobbies and interests for inspiration. Home designer Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, has guided many clients through this process, creating healthy, sustainable spaces using colors that reflect their unique personalities. She’s well-versed in the intricacies of color with a Master of Fine Arts degree and undergraduate degrees in Art and Interior Architectural Design.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Artwork by Renae Barnard.

Sarah proposed a purple and teal palette reminiscent of an agate specimen for a client with an extensive book collection and a cheerful demeanor. These colors make the client’s heart sing, bringing her instant joy every time she comes through the front door. In the living room, vibrant colors pair with bold patterns and rich texture. A large wall sculpture by artist Renae Barnard hangs above a custom teal sofa with handmade toss pillows. Two armchairs with mid-century silhouettes are upholstered in a painterly textile, adding chromatic dimension.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

The client requested that the primary bedroom “feel like a hug,” so Sarah settled on a two-tone wall color, a marriage of plum and lavender, to envelop the space. The curved, velvet-lined headboard mimics the action of hugging and is complemented by an Egyptian cotton reversible duvet in a custom color scheme. The bedroom delivers feelings of comfort and safety, supporting the client’s well-being.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

When designing a bachelor pad in a coastal locale, Sarah took inspiration from the client’s interest in surfing and his desire to feel closer to nature. The palette reminds him of the sea, sand, and sky, from the navy velvet sofa to the burnt orange armchair, and the custom Calacatta marble bar. The rich wood tones observed in the entertainment console and reclaimed side table make the space feel earthy and grounded.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Painting by Reid Winfrey.

A calming environment was essential to the client as he has a high-stress job and needs to unwind at the end of a long day. The outdoor patio is awash in cool blues and weathered acacia to reflect the home’s natural surroundings.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Painting by Kevin Moore.

Another project in which the home’s location influenced the color scheme was this family residence that incorporates warm sunset hues and oceanic blues. The tones are representative of the coastal and desert sides of Southern California’s mountain ranges. Within the context of color theory, the chosen hues are energizing and invigorating, perfect for a busy family with young children and active dogs.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Painting by Karrie Ross, Sculpture by Kevin Moore.

Bright white walls allow the artwork to pop and prevent any single color from overpowering the space. Each room has a different color story to tell, but it all ties together to deliver a fresh, youthful aesthetic.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

Sarah is particularly fond of designing children’s rooms and enjoys collaborating with little ones to create spaces that reflect their personalities and interests. She did just that for this family of five, bringing in their favorite colors, personal photographs, and handmade artwork. The lavender bedroom was designed for a teen girl who is passionate about travel and collects elephant figurines. Sarah worked with her clients’ daughter to curate a gallery of photographs from her most memorable trips.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

For a boy who loves to read, Sarah designed a custom-made, built-in bed from American Walnut that features floating nightstands with plenty of storage for books. He opted for muted shades of blue and green that are frequently found in nature and feel serene and calming.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

The family’s teenage son wanted his room to look like autumn in New England. Sarah painted the ceiling a deep orange, which casts a warm glow, and used pumpkin-colored draperies for a bold impact. A reclaimed wood bed frame and natural log nightstand lend an organic feel, while an armchair covered in a retro-inspired fabric serves a nod to the boy’s effervescent personality.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

When tasked with designing a Tudor Revival-style estate, Sarah drew upon some of her clients’ favorite TV shows, specifically the BBC’s Downton Abbey and Sherlock. To achieve the Victorian-era aesthetic, Sarah chose saturated colors with historical significance. The jumping-off point for the formal dining room was the luxurious tapestry that adorns the walls. She pulled shades of forest green, chartreuse, and burgundy from its design and painted the wainscoting a custom color by Fine Paints of Europe.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

The library is a contemporary take on that of Lord Grantham’s. The American Walnut floors, oak-paneled fireplace, and coordinating bookcases add a richness to the space. Sarah updated the original fireplace with a new stone slip in a swirl of green and coral with an abstract painting by artist Kevin Moore above it. An antique kilim rug from Turkey anchors the reading area, injecting soft blues and grays into the room. The plush velvet armchair appears to change color depending on the time of day, transitioning from a buttery yellow to toasted oatmeal.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Painting by Sara Pae.

When conferring with clients looking to redesign their home, Sarah asks them several questions about their personal style: What are your favorite colors to wear? Are there any colors that you would never wear? She will even take a peek in their closet if that’s something they’re comfortable with to get a better sense of their color preferences. She brings a variety of samples to the meeting, including textiles and wallpapers, so the client can see and touch products they might not have otherwise considered.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

She observes how they react to not only colors but different sheens like matte or gloss. Curating a color palette isn’t as simple as picking out a few swatches and calling it a day. Home designers are well-trained in color theory and are aware of how color affects our behaviors and emotions. They can harness that extensive knowledge to create a color palette that matches your home to your personality — and when a space feels like ‘you,’ happiness will follow.

Interior design by Sarah Barnard.

Sarah Barnard designs healthy, happy, personalized spaces that are deeply connected to nature and art. With a contemporary approach that employs traditional vocabulary, Barnard’s range of style is innovative yet time-honored.

The Healing Power of Home: Sustaining and Nourishing our Bodies and Minds

Custom kitchen design by Sarah Barnard, Photo by Steven Dewall.

As we collectively navigate this new way of living, I am thinking of you and your family and wishing wellness and security. With so many unknowns, I am grateful for the sureness of a community that uplifts with compassion, resilience, and ingenuity, and offers inspiration to forge forward. 

During a time when our world feels new and uncertain, our studio is drawing on the core foundational beliefs and principles behind our approach to home design. We create spaces that support health, emotional security, and wellness, that is the bedrock of our work. These ideals go beyond our creative process and into our working methods of designing homes. As a studio, we are building upon many of the systems we've previously had in place.

Bespoke American Walnut kitchen cabinets paired with handmade ceramic tiles by California based artisans. Interior design by Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP. Photo by Steven Dewall.

Our studio has always aimed to work with local artisans and craftspeople when possible, and value these relationships now more than ever. Many supply chains are experiencing disruptions throughout the home design industry. We are working together with trusted vendors to source materials and find creative solutions during this difficult time. 

In our homes, this time has offered an opportunity to examine our routines, and to look at our needs. Health, functionality, and wellbeing informed our process before the spread of COVID-19, and these factors are more crucial than ever as we continue to build supportive spaces for you and your family through mindful home design. 

Interior design by Sarah Barnard, Photo by Steven Dewall.

Many of us are facing challenges in caring for our loved ones, evolving and uncertain circumstances with work, homeschooling children, and maintaining our physical and emotional wellbeing. In addressing these struggles, we are turning to our homes for solutions, realizing more than ever the need for multi-functional and high performing living spaces. 

Our regular team meetings are an opportunity for the studio to brainstorm and problem solve collectively, and recent conversations frequently turn to personal solutions for managing this time at home. We wish to extend this conversation to our community and clients and offer some of our favorite approaches for adapting our home design to these changing times. 

Colors inspired by nature create the palette for this traditional home. Interior design by Sarah Barnard, photo by Steven Dewall.

HOME HEALING QUICK TIPS

• Structure your spaces for ease of movement, connectivity, and peace of mind. Move your workspace in front of your favorite exterior view. 

• Open your windows and cross-ventilate your home any day weather permits to improve indoor air quality and enjoy the mood-lifting benefits of watching birds and butterflies. 

• Scoot your coffee table to the side for extra room to play and exercise, and set it up with floor pillows for a new homework station for children. 

• Move your favorite painting to the room where you spend the most time, whether it's a home office, kitchen, or nursery, and enjoy the beauty and transcendence of art. 

• Use your occasion dishes more often, and if you're spending more time than you'd like inside the kitchen, bring your cutting board to the back yard. 

• Think about how your home is supporting your physical health and invest in materials that benefit indoor air quality. Be mindful when bringing new items in your home, avoid air fresheners, and fill vases with aromatic mint and rosemary. 

• Make sure your bedroom is supporting your sleep habits by clearing out clutter and adjusting lighting to meet your needs. 

• Carve out time with nature, even if it is tending to a favorite indoor plant or watching hummingbirds in your garden.

Be resourceful, get creative, trust your instincts, and listen to what your mind and body needs, and mold your home to fulfill those needs. And you can always call us if you need some ideas. Our studio and local craftspersons are here to serve. 

While we discover methods to care for ourselves, we have learned the necessity and power of turning to others for support and assistance. We offer our support by helping create functional homes so that your safe place is also your ideal space. 

We hope that this time to reassess, rearrange, and reconnect, can carry us into a healthier and more positive future, supported by homes that sustain and nourish our bodies and minds. 

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP, and LEED AP 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.

The Inclusive Kitchen: Universal Home Design Improves Quality of Life

Interior Design by Sarah Barnard. Photos by Steven Dewall. Originally published in LADESIGN Quarterly, by the Los Angeles chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Universal home design is intended to improve the quality of life for all users, regardless of age or ability. When applied to the kitchen, these principles should ensure safety, efficiency, and comfort. The term was first coined in the 1970s by architect and disability rights advocate Ronald Mace. Since then, universal home design practices have been rising steadily due to its inclusion in formal design education and support from professional associations like ASID, who provide research and case studies for universal design and aging in place.

In my practice, as a WELL and LEED accredited designer specializing in healthy, sustainable interiors, I often find that planning for the future can be intimidating for clients, but doing so ensures they will be happy spending a lifetime in their homes. 

I recently completed a home remodel for a retiree, who wanted the kitchen to function well when cooking for one. However, she often hosts friends and family, so it also had to be designed with entertaining in mind.

Knowing the kitchen would be widely used, we considered universal home design principles to increase its functionality. The aesthetic was inspired by the cool, collected nature of the home's coastal locale and the utility and simplicity of Scandinavian design.

I specified a U-shape layout to provide unobstructed traffic flow and ample counter space. The kitchen is open to the dining area, and there are no barriers, such as steps or a doorway, to separate them. It's a confined space, which reduces the amount of back and forth travel. 

I find that most clients are unwilling to plan for a mobility challenge they may never have. While we can't always get them to agree to a design that accommodates a wheelchair, clients are often comfortable with a clearance of 54 inches for mobility aids such as a walker or cane. If designing for wheelchair mobility, knee to toe clearance allows for easy access.

I used both upper and lower cabinets to give the homeowner plenty of storage. Keeping countertops clear, in turn, mitigates safety risks. The slide-out drawers are gentler on the back — she doesn't have to bend over or reach up high to access what she needs.

A large window provides views of the outdoors and welcomes natural light. Connecting with nature, even through a window, positively impacts our wellbeing by reducing blood pressure, slowing down our heart rate, and alleviating stress. Natural light, combined with the recessed lighting and oversized pendants, relieves eye strain and helps the homeowner safely perform tasks like chopping or peeling. 

For the hardware, I chose large, integrated pulls instead of knobs because they're easier for stiff or shaky fingers to grasp. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 54.4 million Americans are affected by arthritis, the majority of whom are 65 and older. While a knob requires the user to bend their fingers to latch onto it, a cabinet with a pull can be opened with limited dexterity using only one or two fingers. 

The homeowner preferred a single-lever faucet; however, if increased accessibility is the primary concern, touch-less faucets can be an excellent alternative. Clients may be hesitant to select this high-tech feature if their experience has been limited to unreliable public restrooms. Fortunately, more and more stylish options for residential spaces are becoming available. 

If the homeowner were to change her mind, the electrical components could be concealed in a base cabinet or behind an access panel. It's essential to consider your surroundings when installing a touch-less model as some products will not operate correctly if they are in proximity to other metals, like a copper sink or stainless-steel backsplash.

The French door refrigerator can be opened without much exertion thanks to its oversized pulls, and the efficient design means everyday ingredients are displayed for easy access. It has a well-lit interior to aid those with vision loss.

The kitchen countertop is white engineered quartz with subtle gray veining. This human-made material is durable and stain-resistant, requiring less maintenance on behalf of the homeowner. People with impaired vision will be better able to identify the kitchen tools and ingredients in front of them, as the brilliant white creates high contrast. I sourced a cream-colored matte glass tile backsplash to prevent surface glare.

Natural French oak flooring was used throughout the open-concept space, eliminating any unsafe transitions. The material has a matte finish and was designed to be slip-resistant — an absolute must in the kitchen where spills are common. It also feels comfortable underfoot and has more spring to it than other flooring types, which is easier on the joints.

Open shelving on the back of the peninsula adds a pop of color to the space. This bookshelf created an opportunity to display some of her most treasured collectibles, which spark joy each and every time she sees them.

The antique rosewood dining table, sourced from Thailand by the homeowner, is located within close reach of the kitchen, so heavy platters of food needn't be carried far. The open floor plan makes it easy to converse with guests who are seated at the table while she's whipping up hors d' oeuvres in the kitchen. The built-in server provides an additional surface to set down dishes and clears up the dining table to prevent any accidents.

Universal home design can and should be both stylish and seamless. Reexamine the products, materials, and finishes you already use, and consider how they might be implemented in a way that supports people of all abilities. With this project, the homeowner was conscious of her potential future needs and entrusted us with creating a healthy, natural, and minimalist space that would suit her well in the long-term.

Sarah Barnard, WELL AP, and LEED AP 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.