Biophilic Design

 

Biophilic design—or the practice of connecting people to nature within our built environments—is often recognized as one of the biggest design trends of recent years.

This month, Milwaukee Lifestyle Magazine interviewed our senior interior designer, Stephanie Piehl, to learn how to incorporate biophilic design into your home.  Here's her ideas:

  • Focus on natural lighting.  


    “A lot of clients don’t realize what a small change in the size of their window can do for the space,” says Piehl. Our team also often introduces skylights into a space to further increase natural light, she adds.





  • Embrace natural stone.


    Known for its duality as both a durable and natural stone, quartzite is a go-to option, says Stephanie, who recalls a visit with a client who recently installed quartzite products in her kitchen. The veining of the stone resembled the whitecaps of waves -- a beautifully complementary choice to the lake just outside the client's kitchen window.  “That’s a prime example of bringing nature into the house,” Stephanie adds.





  • Consider living finishes.

    Natural metals will patina over time, such as copper or unlacquered brass. “We love telling customers that it’s OK [that they patina], and that’s the beauty of use,” she says.



 

  • Choose warmer-toned bulbs.

    When installing can or ambient lighting, Stephanie says to choose lightbulbs with warmer color temperatures. “We’re not trying to replicate natural light with our decorative lighting,” she notes.



 

  • Incorporate real wood.


    — into ceiling details, fireplace mantles, or kitchen cabinetry, she says. “We don’t like having a big, vast square footage of drywall, so oftentimes we’re trying to find rustic beams from old barns to install,” Stephanie notes as an example.


 

The March issue of MKE Lifestyle is on newsstands now!

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Tags: press / mke lifestyle / Kitchen Remodel / Kitchen Renovation