The Healing Power of Interior Design: Design's Impact on People, Places and the Planet
Leading wellness home designer, Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP speaks as part of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Virtual Conference.
Transcript: Hi, I'm Sarah Barnard, WELL AP, LEED AP and ASID Ones to Watch Scholar. Design has the power to profoundly impact healing. As we collectively navigate this new way of living many of us face challenges maintaining our wellbeing amid trauma and chronic ambiguous loss. When we embrace empathy as the foundation of our design process we help to increase agency and reduce adversity. Together, we can make all built environments supportive, restorative spaces.
What’s Next? Design’s Impact on People, Places and Planet (Opening Keynote) and State of the Society. "ASID turns the traditional keynote on its head with a virtual, crowd-sourced program mining the best names in design as they explore the meaning of "Design Impacts Lives." Then join ASID leaders for the annual State of the Society address...Design has the power to impact lives and tackle challenges on a global scale. What’s next? Hear from those impacting design and those impacted by design in a collaborative keynote that shows the power of community in the digital age. This special, crowd-sourced program will highlight diverse thoughts from clients, end users, consultants, manufacturers, educators, students and of course, designers as we share what’s next for design and the personal stories demonstrating the impact the profession has on the people and world around us."
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).
How an expertly designed home can be better than a luxury vacation
Forget about unexpected flight delays, cramped legroom, and coping with jet lag — this summer, consider channeling vacation vibes at home instead. Creative home design can make your bedroom feel like a five-star hotel or transform your backyard into a resort-style retreat; no reservation required.
Sarah Barnard Design, WELL AP + LEED AP, creates restorative, hospitable spaces reminiscent of her clients' favorite destinations. Here we reflect on four of her past travel-inspired projects to show how thoughtful home design can replicate the health benefits of taking a vacation.
Paris: Park View pied-à-terre
Perhaps the best part of staying in a luxury hotel is the luxurious sleep experience. While you might not be able to request turndown service, selecting a plush organic mattress, high-quality linens, hypoallergenic pillows, and sunlight-blocking window treatments can ensure a restful slumber every night of the week.
"An ideal sleeping space is serene, outfitted with natural materials, and maintains a visual connection to the outdoors," explains Sarah. "A completely natural bed can often provide improved air quality and make a marked improvement for chemically sensitive people and/or people who suffer from allergies."
For a Francophile at heart, Sarah designed the bedrooms of a park view pied-à-terre to resemble a boutique hotel in the 16th arrondissement, focusing on high thread-count sheets, soft, romantic lighting, curated artwork, and beautifully-arranged flowers. The antique-inspired furnishings were custom made by local craftspeople using non-toxic, sustainable materials.
Tulum: Serene Scandifornian
Being on vacation often means immersing yourself in nature, which benefits physical health and mental well-being. Establishing a connection to the outdoors, whether it be a verdant view through a kitchen window or an oil painting of a seascape, can boost your mood and brainpower, according to a 2001 study by University of Michigan psychology professor Rachel Kaplan.
Sarah brought Tulum's beachy-bohemian stylings to a Southern California family home by embracing neutral colors and oceanic motifs, including coral-inspired wall sconces and a custom concrete fireplace with wave-like etchings. The floor pillows provide a laid-back feel, while the live-edge coffee table is reminiscent of a piece of driftwood. Collected shells and a photorealist painting by Eric Zener add to the room's organic feel.
Cape Cod: Cape Cod Guest Retreat
If spending more time outdoors is at the top of your staycation to-do list, consider revamping your alfresco living space and summer garden. Tending to plants can cultivate happiness at the same rate as many common forms of exercise, according to a recent study published in the Landscape and Urban Planning academic journal. Plus, you can use the fruits of your labor to whip up a delicious meal or arrange a colorful centerpiece.
"Many clients are beginning to realize that there is a dramatic benefit to home design that nourishes our desire to be close to nature," explains Sarah.
The home designer helped the owner transform an urban backyard into a coastal New England getaway, complete with a guest cottage and private pool. Using the retreat's natural surroundings as a jumping-off point, Sarah incorporated botanical prints, earthy hues, and rich wood furniture.
Outside, weathered teak loungers covered with hand-printed outdoor textiles provide a comfortable spot to unwind by the pool. The lush gardens and meandering pathways give the backyard a sense of seclusion, making it feel like you're far away from the city's hustle and bustle.
Lake Como: California Mediterranean Estate
Beyond a comfy bed, the cornerstone of a memorable hotel stay is a spa-like bathroom. Practice self-care by investing in wellness features that soothe sore muscles, calm the nervous system and ensure a restful night's sleep. An interior designer can help you create a serene bathroom environment that caters to your specific health needs and makes you feel like you're on a mini-vacation.
For a couple who has spent many summers on Lake Como's shores, Sarah designed a sophisticated ensuite bathroom with a therapeutic soaker tub, steam shower, and heated floor tiles. Marble-framed windows provide proper ventilation and tranquil views of nature, complementing the streamlined vanity concealing a warming drawer for freshly-laundered towels.
The dripping chandeliers are befitting of a luxury villa on the Italian Riviera and provide layered lighting for applying makeup or simply soaking in the tub. "Lighting is a crucial component of good bathroom design and can help improve the human experience," notes Sarah.
While a week-long getaway might provide you with temporary pleasure and relaxation, beautiful and considered home design can make your space feel like a year-round sanctuary. Taking inspiration from your top travel destinations will evoke happy memories and allow you to reap the many health benefits of a vacation without ever leaving home.
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 Fieldby 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 Libertycompliments 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.
Meet the Bedroom that Feels Like a Hug
Award-winning Interior Designer and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Ones to Watch Scholar Sarah Barnard has unveiled a happiness-inducing home design project— the bedroom that feels like a hug.
“We need a safe, restorative space to help our bodies rest and recharge,” says Barnard. A hug has many of the same characteristics, it makes us feel secure and comforted, and when we let go of the embrace, there’s a rush of oxytocin that leaves us with a sense of lightness.
Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that acts on the brain’s emotional center, promoting feelings of contentment, reducing anxiety and stress. When you hug often, your level of oxytocin increases, which strengthens social bonds. Hugging also stimulates dopamine and serotonin production in the body. Dopamine is a pleasure hormone that’s part of the brain’s reward mechanism, while serotonin is responsible for maintaining mood balance.
The jumping-off point for the bedroom was the curvilinear bed frame, an award-winning design by Autoban, carved from American black walnut. Its silhouette mimics the action of hugging, and the interior is lined with purple velvet, blending the natural texture with dark, feminine styling. To further the feeling of intimacy, Barnard chose a non-toxic, king-size organic coconut mattress topped with a reversible duvet in a custom, color-blocking scheme.
The word ‘phantasmagoria’ is scrawled across the wall behind the bed — a neon homage to the images that flicker by in our dreams. The client, a self-proclaimed bookworm, chose the word herself after much deliberation. High-pile black carpeting delivers a softness underfoot, and layered window treatments allow the client to sleep undisturbed in total darkness. “Window coverings serve many purposes,” says Barnard. “Not only do they block out sunlight and create privacy, but they add a decorative element to the room that unifies the composition.”
The two-tone wall color, a marriage of plum and lavender, envelops the space. These hues were intentionally chosen to saturate the formerly bright bedroom, establishing a cozy, cocoon-like atmosphere. “The ceiling color extends to the walls, linking the two colors together in a way that the sharp ceiling line never could,” explains Barnard.
Hanging above the bespoke American Walnut nightstands are a pair of cloud-like pendant lights that emit a soft glow. A wall of concealed storage eliminates visual clutter, which can heighten our anxiety levels and impact sleep quality. Upholstered benches at the foot of the bed and by the entryway provide a comfortable spot to rest or dress in the morning.
It was the client who initially requested the space “feel like a hug,” which Barnard describes as a “brilliant explanation of what good bedroom design should do.” The revamped primary bedroom, a physical embodiment of a hug, provides all the comfort, safety, and well-being her client needs to settle into a restful slumber and wake up feeling warm and fuzzy.
See the rest of this home here Featured in LA Dreams Magazine