Design inspiration from the the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest? Yes, please. As a Portland-based design studio, we are deeply inspired by the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds us in the Pacific Northwest. This region, with its lush forests, stunning coastlines, and dynamic mountains, offers a wealth of design inspiration. With so much beauty outside our front doors, incorporating elements in our interiors just makes sense. So, how to actually do that? Our team of experienced designers focuses on a few areas.
Natural Materials: Connecting with the Earth
One of the most notable hallmarks of Pacific Northwest design is the use of natural materials that reflect the region’s stunning landscapes and bountiful resources. At Laurel Design Collective, we believe in sourcing high-quality, sustainable materials that not only look beautiful but also tell a story.
Wood
Rich, warm woods, such as Douglas fir, oak, maple, ash and cedar, are abundant in our region and are easily incorporated into interiors. Beams, floors, and trim are the most common areas we utilize woods. Wood is a key element for creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. We love using fir trim in Craftsman homes and modern office spaces. While oak and ash are more common choices for flooring as they rank much higher on the Janka wood hardness scale than fir. Natural wood tones should be in every room to bring those PNW forest vibes inside. Local companies like Zena Forest Products are an excellent source for wood flooring produced in a sustainable manner..
Stone
Stone is another key material that enhances the aesthetic of interiors. Whether it’s a stunning fireplace, countertops, or flooring, incorporating natural stone adds texture and depth to any space. Look for locally sourced materials to further connect your home to its surroundings and support sustainable practices. There are many different types of stone and several stone-look-a-likes. If you want the look of stone with none of the maintenance, porcelain tiles are increasingly convincing alternatives. Quartz, a commonly used countertop material, is not a natural stone, but the easy maintenance and stain resistance of the man-made material makes it a popular selection. We paired Cambria’s Ella quartz with custom white oak casework in our Piedmont, California Entertaining Level project.
Textiles Inspired by Nature
Textiles play a crucial role in how we perceive and interact with our environment. Natural fabrics often get a bad rap in the United states, but we’re strong believers in utilizing real leathers (spoiler alert: all “vegan” leathers and leatherettes are just plastic! Booooo!), natural wools, as well as linens and cottons. Every material has it’s own time and place, so before selecting any fabric, we consider the use of a space and the users. Durable, natural fibers like wool are used all over Europe in airports and if they can withstand that, well, we think they’ll hold up just fine to your children. Where we can play even more is with color and texture. Earthy colors, such as deep greens, warm browns, and soft grays, and dusky blues evoke the calming influence of the Pacific Northwest landscape. Velvets and wools are cozy on the grey, foggy days that haunt Pacific Northwest winters.
Incorporating patterns inspired by nature—like leaf, tree or floral motifs or abstract representations of water—also enhance the connection to the outdoors. Custom-made throw pillows or locally-designed area rugs can capture the essence of the region, adding both comfort and style to your space.
Color Palettes: Earthy Tones and Natural Hues
Color choices significantly impact the mood of a space, and in the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to be surrounded by a rich palette of natural hues. At Laurel Design Collective, we often recommend embracing earthy tones that evoke the beauty of our landscape.
Inspired by Nature’s Palette
Think about the colors you see on a hike through a lush Oregon forest: vibrant greens, muted browns, soft blues, and the occasional splash of orange from a wildflower. These tones can be beautifully incorporated into any space in both the interior architecture and decor. We’ve discussed wood tones, now think about wall paint, furnishings, and decor. Or go all out and find a patterned wallpaper.
Color can affect the mood of a space. Soft sage greens bring a sense of calm and tranquility to a room, while warm terracotta tones can add a touch of warmth and coziness a bit more vibrance. By creating a color scheme and repeating those hues throughout the architecture, furniture, and decor, the interiors will reflect the natural environment, whether you want to invoke a serene and inviting atmosphere that promotes relaxation and well-being or a dynamic and bold space that encourages movement and excitement.
Emphasizing Natural Light
In addition to color, consider how you can maximize natural light in your space. Large windows and open floor plans allow sunlight to flood in, creating a bright and airy space. Pocket doors and shades can help control that light when the summer sun shines bright and hot. With our long grey winters, maximizing light is essential. At Laurel Design Collective, we love incorporating skylights in our renovations and additions, so even when it’s cold and damp, that natural light reached the center of a room. Focusing on windows and incorporating natural light makes the most of the stunning views that the Pacific Northwest offers and promotes well-being in the winter months.
By blending indoor and outdoor spaces with expansive windows, you can create a seamless transition that invites the beauty of nature into your home, making it a focal point of your design that draws your straight outside when the weather is good!
Biophilic Design: Bringing the Outdoors In
Biophilic design is a concept that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. At Laurel Design Collective, we advocate for this approach to create spaces that enhance well-being and foster a sense of peace. Even in our man-made environments, nature surrounds us.
Incorporating Plants
Plants are an essential component of biophilic design. Adding greenery to your home can improve air quality and elevate your mood. Consider incorporating various houseplants that thrive in indoor environments, such as ferns, snake plants, or fig trees. Create indoor gardens or vertical plant walls to make a striking design statement while celebrating the beauty of nature. Or better yet, add a sun room or greenhouse space to your home so you and your plants can enjoy the outdoors all year round. Not only do these features look stunning, but they also provide a calming effect and a meditative space.
Have a black thumb? Faux plants can still create the same mood — just remember to dust them!
Connecting Inside with Out
On our Piedmont California project, the home backed up to a stunning canyon filled with native oaks. A small creek trickled along the bottom of the hill. We placed a long window seat along the entire back wall of their family room / media room so when one was naturally drawn to the view, they had a place to sit and enjoy it. This ended up emphasizing the outside more than the interior, which worked well in the multi-use space that had such a gorgeous view. We took design inspiration from the surrounding and incorporated the the color palette outside on the newly renovated interior, further blending the line between outside an in. Green leaves of the oak trees were reflected in green pillows and the velvet sofa. The natural golden hills of California tied into the warm white oak casework. Light blue accents drew from the sky above.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Extending your living space outdoors is a wonderful way to embrace the Pacific Northwest. When we’re designing, we love thinking about the full experience of a space inside and out and how that will change with the seasons. Humans want to be in nature. It’s good for our mental and our physical health. We’ve already mentioned sunrooms and greenhouses, after all! There are even more opportunities to connect with the outdoors in the summer and shoulder seasons and designing inviting outdoor areas that encourage gatherings, relaxation, and connection with each other is essential. Think about incorporating covered outdoor porches where you can dine in comfort, even if it is sprinkling. Or a large balcony where you can step outside for a call in the sun. Fire pits and outdoor kitchens create both an inviting atmosphere for entertaining and enjoyment of the surrounding natural world.
Choice of materials, such as wood decking and stone patios, ties into using more local and natural materials. With the right design elements, your outdoor living area can become an extension of your home, blending seamlessly with the interiors, and providing a tranquil retreat where you can unwind and appreciate the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Design Inspiration with Nature in Mind
At Laurel Design Collective, we believe that embracing Pacific Northwest aesthetics in your home is essential for creating a space that feels both luxurious and connected to the natural world. By incorporating materials found in nature, earthy color palettes, and biophilic design principles, you can craft a home that reflects the stunning beauty of our region while providing a warm, inviting atmosphere for family and friends. With so much beauty surrounding us it is easy to take design inspiration from the natural surroundings of the Pacific Northwest and incorporate the colors, textures, and products from the area in a new-construction home or a large-scale renovation or even through furnishing an existing space.
Whether you’re looking to redesign your entire home or simply refresh a single room, we are here to help you every step of the way. We’ll unite the elements of the surrounding nature with your personal style and functional needs into one harmonious space. Reach out to us today to start your design journey!
Leave a Reply