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A32 FEATURE
Wednesday 16 OctOber 2019
Biophilic decor: Ways to bring the feel of nature indoors

By KIM COOK Meadow, Dragonfly and
Associated Press Bluebird.
The term "biophilia," an af- Murals can showcase na-
finity for the living world, ture dramatically; they
was coined back in the work well in family rooms,
1980s by American biologist hallways or bedrooms. For
and author E.O. Wilson. We something unusual, con-
have an instinctive drive sider Flavor Paper's Sagua-
to connect with nature, ro Sessions collection. The
he said, and the more we studio's founder, Jon Sher-
connect, the happier we man, and photographer
are. That's why a walk in the Boone Speed were inspired
woods can feel so good, or by a trip to Saguaro Na-
a sit on a quiet beach. tional Park to make wallpa-
In our homes, we might try pers that showcase macro
to bring the outside in with photography of gemstones
a potted tree, some herbs and minerals, with the crys-
on the window sill, perhaps talline structures creating
floral wallpaper or land- unique patterns in extreme
scape art. close-up.
Some other creative ideas Roche Bobois' Bois Paradis
from innovative designers collection from Maison La-
today: This undated photo shows a converted garage project by Bunch Design in the Highland Park area croix features wood cabi-
"When I first started read- of Los Angeles, Calif. nets and screens, and up-
ing about biophilic de- Associated Press holstered seating, printed
sign and how we needed with a woodland scene.
to be flooding our homes posed of colorful glass bub- found a formula for treat- streams through a west-fac- On the casegoods and ta-
with gorgeous natural bles; it's as though a cluster ing green marine algae so ing skylight, and a stepped bles, the pattern is in silhou-
views, daylight and plants I of errant balloons drifted in it becomes firm yet mallea- ceiling creates more in- ette, giving them an air of
thought, 'Well that's dandy, from the backyard. And in ble. Designer Nina Edwards teresting light plays. "The mystery.
but how about people in a weekend cottage, she Anker handcrafts the algae house sits in the middle of a Bedding maker Buffy of-
homes and work spaces placed a ceiling fixture into light shades that cast a dense residential neighbor- fers the Breeze comforter
that just don't have ac- made of woven sticks over warm glow. Anker has also hood," says Sundius, "yet it made of sustainable euca-
cess to these things?'" says the bed, evoking a cozy created a solar chandelier feels airy and open." lyptus, and stitched with a
Phoebe Oldrey, who runs bird's nest. made from shells and pho- This fall, Farrow & Ball de- wave and wind pattern in-
Smart Style Interiors in Tun- Lighting is a great way to tovoltaic modules; hang buted Colour by Nature, spired by the rolling hills of
bridge Wells, England. bring a biophilic element the fixture in a window and a collection done in col- artist Maya Lin's Storm King
"How do I, as an interior de- into a room. it becomes a solar clock, laboration with London's Wavefield in Orange Coun-
signer, give them the bene- If you like the idea of that turning on at dusk. Pass- Natural History Museum. ty, New York.
fits of biophilic design? The stick fixture, check out Ser- ing breezes make it a wind Rare books, including an Buffy's also introduced a
answer came in the choice ena & Lily's Vero pendant chime, too. early color guide used by collection of naturally dyed
of materials we use in our made of wispy woven rat- New technologies are giv- Charles Darwin, provided sheets, with dye experts
designs, and natural mate- tan twigs. All Modern has ing us lighting that's more inspiration. There's an or- Maria Elena Pombo and
rials is the way to go." the Organique chandelier, reflective of outdoor light. ange-tinged white inspired Kathy Hattori. They've used
In one home, she designed a freeform 'nest' of rubbed Ketra offers an LED system by the breast feathers of an botanicals like walnut, gar-
floating maple cabine- bronze. Arteriors Home has that can be tuned so the owl; a green evinces the denia, turmeric and pome-
try inlaid with a pattern of the Tilda fixture made of room lighting moves from emerald hue of a mallard's granate to gently color the
swallows in flight. In a din- whitewashed wood sticks, warm candlelight to a win- neck. textiles.
ing/kitchen space with and the Wichita floor lamp try Arctic sky. Nanoleaf's Behr Paint's 2020 color of Miami-based design house
doors opening onto a leafy crafted of downed teak light panels interlock; affix the year is a soothing green Plant the Future is known
outdoor area, she placed tree trunks. them to a wall, then oper- called Back to Nature; for biophilic installations
a large light fixture com- Brooklyn's Nea Studio has ate them remotely to cycle complementary colors in- like "living" plant murals on
through arrays like "sunrise" clude Light Drizzle, Secret building exteriors.q
and "Northern Lights."
If you're renovating or build-
ing, think about adding
cutouts beyond the tradi-
tional windows and sliding
doors — horizontal lighting
like skylights, for instance.
Bo Sundius of Bunch De-
sign in Los Angeles says the
firm always thinks about
how sun and light moving
across rooms can be used
to connect interiors to the
outdoors.
In one converted garage
This undated photo provided by Roche Bobois shows one of project, long clerestory
pieces from Roche Bobois' Bois Paradis collection from Maison windows were placed high This undated photo provided by Otherland shows candles avail-
Lacroix. on the walls of a small liv- able from Motherland.
Associated Press ing room. Afternoon light Associated Press