I realize that living in California, I’m really not entitled to complain about winter weather.  And in fact, most of my weather woes come from our foggy San Francisco summers. Regardless of where you live, and no matter the season, connecting your interior space with the outside world is one of the best things you can do to tap into a sense of well-being and serenity. 

Countless studies show that nature plays a role in our mental and physical health and healing.  There are so many big and small design moves that bring nature inside. One of the easiest things to do is walk into your yard and gather a few cuttings.  Even if you live in a region where things go dormant in the winter, perhaps you can find a few branches from an evergreen tree. In my own yard, Calla Lilies are abundant during the late fall and winter.  In the image above, I grouped them with branches from our Smoke Bush and used it as a centerpiece for a dinner party.

One of my favorite ways to reference nature is through the materials I select for my clients.  Fabrics and wallpapers offer endless interpretations of natural elements that can bring whimsy and playfulness to a room. 

I’m always cataloging new products that I hope will eventually find a place in one of my projects… or my own house!  The patterns above are some of my current crushes. For more inspiration, check out our Color + Pattern Pinterest Board. 

The best architecture always demonstrates a sensitivity to the context of the building.  The setting will inform how the structure is situated on the site, the choice of materials, and how the sightlines are set up for the best views.  The image above is the work of Specht Architects from a feature in Architectural Digest.  Imagine how lovely it would be to begin and end each with the view from the bathroom above.  If it were mine, I might never leave!

One of my favorite Bay Area architects is Bernard Maybeck.  He was part of the Arts + Crafts Movement of the early 20th Century and may be best known for The Palace of Fine Arts.  He also built a number of private residences like the one pictured above, which was recently for sale in the Forest Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.  This house epitomizes a whimsical California lifestyle that blurs the boundaries between inside and out. When I saw that the house was on the market a few months ago, I had to go take a peek!  The sunny bay window, warm wood tones, and cathedral ceilings are features that take their cues from nature and make the space feel warm and inviting.