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A32 FEATURE
Thursday 17 OcTOber 2019
Biophilic decor: Ways to bring the feel of nature indoors

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