Why Nature Shapes the Way I Design Homes

There are certain environments that stay with us long after we leave them.

For me, it was growing up in North Yorkshire on a small farm, surrounded by open land, wildlife, and the quiet rhythms of nature. It wasn’t something I consciously thought about at the time; it was simply the backdrop to everyday life. Fresh air, changing seasons, and space to breathe were just part of how life felt.

It wasn’t until I moved to town life that I truly noticed what was missing.

When the environment no longer supports you

At first, the shift was subtle. A little more stress, less energy, a sense of calm that felt harder to reach. Over time, those feelings became more heightened, until it was clear that something needed to change.

Our first rented home reflected that disconnect. It was beige, dark, cold, and lacking any real sense of personality. With very little outdoor space, it didn’t feel like a place to recover or reset; it felt like another layer of overwhelm at the end of a busy day.

Even moving to a new home, one with a garden and the freedom to add colour, texture, and warmth, made a noticeable difference. It was the first time I truly experienced how much our surroundings influence how we feel, not in a dramatic way, but in the quiet moments of everyday life.

Bringing nature back indoors

As a designer, and as a mother of three children who all love being outdoors, this realisation stayed with me.

I began to understand that bringing nature indoors isn’t about aesthetics alone. It’s about supporting how we live, how we rest, and how we recharge. Humans are innately connected to the natural world, and modern life often pulls us away from that connection without us even noticing.

By introducing biophilic principles into my own home; natural materials, softer light, considered layouts, and a stronger relationship between indoors and outdoors, our space began to feel calmer and more restorative. It became a family home that supported both busy days and slower moments, rather than working against them.

Often, it’s not about grand changes. It’s the smaller, thoughtful decisions that help a home feel grounding and nurturing.

How this shapes my design approach

My work focuses on creating luxury interiors that feel elegant yet deeply liveable. Spaces that balance beauty with practicality, and refinement with warmth. I’m drawn to natural materials, layered textures, and layouts that support the way a home is truly used, not just how it looks in photographs.

I believe interiors should reflect the people who live in them, rather than trends that demand attention. A well-designed space should feel intuitive, calming, and quietly supportive.

A quieter kind of luxury

Today, my aim is to help others create homes that feel like sanctuaries; places that restore a sense of calm and connection in the midst of busy lives. Whether through full design support or my e-design service, the intention is always the same: to design spaces that feel considered, grounding, and personal.

Design doesn’t have to shout to be powerful. Sometimes, it simply needs to restore what’s been missing.