Hummingbird Hill: The Art of Inclusive Design
Conceived as a joyful, multi-functional sanctuary, the residential narrative begins in this vibrant family room engineered to balance creative play with therapeutic support. A plum-colored tulip pendant light illuminates a dedicated children's art table paired with eco-friendly chairs crafted from upcycled toys, sitting adjacent to a custom blue storage console and an expansive pinboard gallery. The comprehensive interior design plan natively integrates specialized pediatric mobility equipment, featuring a dedicated zone that seamlessly accommodates the user's stander within the active family environment. Overhead, a structurally reinforced ceiling securely anchors a therapeutic swing upholstered in outdoor-rated velvet. Fluid, safe travel across the room is assisted by an exceptionally flat, washable area rug.
This perspective features the room’s deeper connection to the natural world, anchored by a vintage sunburst mirror hanging above a family sofa reupholstered in a high-performance, easy-to-clean textile. The true focal point is a magnificent, one-of-a-kind fine-art mosaic mural celebrating regional California wildlife, intricately depicting Curly Herissantia, Cambria Bush mallow, Salmon Beauty Yarrow, Palmer's Indian Mallow, Humboldt's Lily, Golden back Fern, and Allen's Hummingbird. A specialized postural support beanbag system rests nearby, providing a comfortable, supportive environment. Mirroring the home's pet-inclusive philosophy, custom dog beds crafted from coordinating textiles ensure companion animals are warmly welcomed in this shared oasis. The layout balances a warm, traditional aesthetic with a footprint built for long-term durability.
This detailed view highlights the meticulous artistry of the custom mosaic mural, bringing the vibrant ecosystem of California's flora and fauna directly into the home's interior. The design beautifully showcases the delicate textures of native species like Humboldt's Lily and Palmer's Indian Mallow, offering a highly tactile and visual experience for family members. This artwork exemplifies the project's core philosophy of naturalist glamour, connecting therapeutic, accessible spaces to fine art.
From the kitchen, the interior design maintains visual continuity by carrying the same pale sky blue palette from the family room's built-in cabinetry and trim directly onto the custom kitchen millwork. A backsplash of three-dimensionally carved marble features a subtle floral pattern that acts as a delicate texture from a distance and reveals deep artisan detail up close. Sturdy counter stools are wrapped in a resilient indoor-outdoor textile that remains remarkably soft to the touch. This perspective highlights the project's open-concept layout, featuring flush flooring and expansive pathways that keep the kitchen workstations fluidly connected to the family space, with the wildlife mural visible just beyond the counter.
From the living room, the open floor plan provides a visual connection to the home's formal entertaining spaces, offering a clear view into the adjacent dining room, with the sky-blue kitchen visible in the distance. In the foreground, biophilic elegance shines through custom sofa toss pillows delicately embroidered with botanical motifs. Beyond the living area, the dining room features an elegant forest-patterned wallpaper in shades of teal, slate blue, and dusty rose, beautifully paired with a custom-fabricated oak-leaf chandelier. At the center sits a unique walnut dining table engineered with an internal self-storing leaf mechanism, accompanied by the family's original chairs thoughtfully reupholstered in a high-performance, healthcare-grade silicone faux leather. Grounding both spaces, a continuous flat floor surface and low-profile rugs help family members using mobility devices navigate seamlessly between rooms.
The formal living room centers on a custom mosaic fireplace surround that celebrates regional biodiversity and serves as the primary visual anchor of the space. The intricate artisan tile work brings the local landscape indoors by accurately depicting California native Peonies, Matilija Poppies, California Wild Roses, California Blackberries, and the Bombus californicus bumblebee. This vibrant floral motif bridges architectural details and fine art practice. Flanking the detailed hearth, custom cabinetry and clean architectural moldings provide a structured, traditional frame that balances the organic movement of the custom mosaic. To support inclusive wellness, the seating area maintains a wide turning radius and a low-profile, washable area rug.
Tailored specifically for a family member with a vision impairment who uses a wheelchair, this inclusive bathroom combines traditional styling and premium materials with universal design principles. The vanity is engineered for a seated user, featuring an angled protective panel at the knee space alongside a 9-inch clear toe space below all surrounding wall-mounted cabinetry. In place of a mirror, a window features a motorized window treatment for easy, hands-free operation. The countertop hosts a freestanding towel warmer, adjacent to specialized cabinetry configured to hold a Diaper Genie and a silicone-leather changing-table cushion designed to accommodate the family member as they grow.
This view from inside the steam enclosure showcases a barrier-free wet room area designed with a curbless transition to comfortably accommodate a user and two caregivers simultaneously. Designed with an ample, open scale, the space highlights a raised bathtub outfitted with a therapeutic jet system, a wall-mounted shower table, an overhead rain shower experience, and a flexible hand shower. The custom glass enclosure features an operable vent in the upper portion to facilitate using the space with or without a steam experience. Functional design is woven discreetly throughout, including a vanity cabinet configured for pass-through access to the bathtub motor and a utility closet providing a dedicated service access point for the steam system.
The child's bedroom interior design introduces a whimsical underwater-themed wallpaper rendered in soft pinks and varying shades of teal, creating an imaginative environment. Custom, child-height storage solutions and open shelving are meticulously designed to promote independent movement, keeping toys and belongings easily reachable. A child-sized upholstered armchair in deep teal provides a comfortable, supportive reading spot tailored perfectly to the scale of the room. The custom closets feature a forward-thinking design, making them fully accessible to the child now and easily adaptable to their needs as they grow. Grounded by a flat, washable rug and motorized window treatments for hands-free operation, the layout beautifully ensures a safe, navigable, and healthy space for play and rest.
The primary bedroom transitions the residential narrative into a calm, restorative retreat, utilizing a soothing icy-blue palette and delicate floral wallpaper. Keeping holistic family health at the forefront, the custom-made bed is crafted with natural materials and dressed in certified organic linens. This view highlights how the client's treasured original antique dressers are balanced on opposing walls. Universal design principles extend into the room's functional corners, featuring a sewing table tailored to comfortably accommodate different physical needs and postures.
This perspective of the primary bedroom centers on a bright seating area framed by expansive double glass doors, showcasing the project's blend of historic charm and layout accessibility. The arrangement displays a curated reproduction bench and an authentic antique side table that ground the sitting space. Neatly integrated into the floor plan, custom pet beds upholstered in a high-performance, coordinating textile ensure the family's companion animals are warmly accommodated.
This final view showcases the primary bedroom's architectural symmetry, centering on a custom limestone fireplace with a natural stone slip and a flush hearth seamlessly integrated into the hardwood flooring. Above the mantle, a fine art photograph of the Salton Sea elegantly conceals a hidden television. The room’s delicate floral wallpaper wraps the walls in a soft pattern, framing the double doors and creating a balanced, classic layout. Grounded by a low-profile, flat area rug and a soothing color palette, this space highlights the project's thoughtful neuro-inclusive interior design principles, emphasizing a classic aesthetic and sensory calm.
Sarah Barnard is a WELL and LEED accredited interior 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. A certified California Naturalist, Sarah believes in celebrating nature through responsible design that works symbiotically with the local 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. Sarah was recognized as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and has been awarded "Best of Houzz Design" for seven consecutive years. Sarah's MFA in visual arts from Claremont Graduate University informs her practice and innovative approach toward interior design as creating a living work of art.
There's No Place Like a Healthy Home for the Holidays
This year is already coming to a close, so that means the holidays are just around the corner! This year has been a challenging one, so let’s spread some holiday cheer by following some simple, yet meaningful home design ideas to brighten up the holidays.
Reconsidered Rituals
Part of having a healthy, happy home is creating family traditions. An easy practice anyone can start implementing is home decorating for the holidays. No matter what your family celebrates, it is fun getting into the winter spirit! Decorating can be anything from fashioning a homemade wreath for your front door to making your own candles for your menorah. Many of us are celebrating the holiday season differently than we have in the past, creating an opportunity to incorporate new traditions. Exchanging ornaments and a handwritten note is a special way to connect with loved ones you may not be able to see in person this year. This simple act may help you feel closer to family far away!
Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice
Fabricating handmade winter decorations is a great activity for your entire family! A fun and simple idea is to string together your own felt garland. Felt balls can be found in nearly any color imaginable to match your family’s needs. So whether you want red, green, and black for Kwanzaa or blue and white for Hanukkah, the options are endless! Felt garland is not only pretty to look at, but is made from wool, an inherently renewable and recyclable material. We like sourcing wool from small sustainable farms where the sheep are treated like family.
Choosing decorations inspired by things you love all year round will help your decor seem more personal to your family. If you're a bird lover, use this as a starting point when decorating. Look to local artists or online shops who make bespoke decorations that fit the holiday theme of your choice.
If your family celebrates Hanukah, you may want to opt for beeswax candles for your menorah since they don't produce any toxic chemicals or soot. Or if you’d rather use a vegan alternative, there are now organic vegetable wax candles made specifically for menorah’s!
The Serotonin Schedule
Decorating for the holidays early may alleviate stress and anxiety. According to Business Insider, psychologists have found that those who decorate early are much happier because it helps you tap into the holiday excitement before everyone else and leaves you feeling less stressed come Christmas time. Additionally, you can use this time of year as an opportunity to slow down, tend to your home mindfully, and take that time to appreciate and enjoy your home design. Take stock of what you have, and cull any items for donations that no longer serve you. Connecting with and expressing gratitude for your home is a great first step of decorating that may be a grounding and mood-boosting experience.
The Indoor Forest
Biophilic design goes hand in hand with holiday home decor. Biophilia is our innate desire to be close to nature–and biophilic design aims to make healthy and comfortable interiors by meaningfully incorporating natural elements into our home design and work environments. A large component of holiday home decor is foliage. Greenery can be anything from a leafy garland on your mantle to mistletoe in your hallway. This holiday season, try decorating your home in more natural elements such as pinecones, nuts, and branches. If you live near a woody area you can forage for these items yourself, or if that isn’t an option for you, look to your local farmer’s market or nursery for help. Your house will feel like an organic winter wonderland full of crisp natural scents and foliage that's unique to your home.
Your incorporation of nature doesn't have to stop once the holidays are over - you can enjoy the benefits of biophilic home design all year round! Kale Tree Shop, founded by Sarah Barnard Design, is a great resource for nature inspired home goods. Each product takes inspiration from the natural world, ranging from abutilon wallpaper to ginkgo leaf wall sconces to upholstered chairs influenced by the silhouette of a great dane. Biophilic home design elements can bring joy and warmth to your home, no matter the season!
The Holiday Hormone Connection
Decorating for the holidays is not only fun, it can contribute to spikes in your dopamine levels, which is a hormone that boosts feelings of pleasure. One factor that leads to these enjoyable feelings are the bright lights and colors. Chromotherapy increases happiness and boosts your energy levels. Another prominent factor at play are all the cozy scents that come from Christmas trees, eucalyptus and pine scented candles, and homemade treats. So this year you may feel extra gratification when putting out holiday décor knowing that there may be real health benefits!
As you begin to prepare for the holidays, remember the importance of creating traditions with your family. Although the holidays may not be quite the same this year, surrounding yourself with winter décor that you thoughtfully sourced, may bring you some needed joy this season. So remember, think handmade, look to nature, and surround yourself with home design elements that make you happy, and you’ll have a beautiful winter wonderland right at home.
The Sarah Barnard Design family wishes you all the warmth and happiness!
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. Sarah was recognized as a “Ones to Watch” Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).