Crow Inspired Interior Design
Nature supplies us with endless inspiration for interior design, and a cast of characters with beauty and personality that adds special nuance, especially when considering the bird kingdom. In particular, the crow has an interesting backstory that adds depth to its role as a muse for interior design.
The crow is an often misunderstood bird. It’s mysterious, quietly and intensely intelligent (some experts say it’s as smart as a seven-year-old child, and is the subject of many duplicitous symbols: it can represent doom and gloom, but also new beginnings and hope, depending on the cultural context. It’s also viewed as a trickster, in part because its high intelligence helps it outsmart foes. Even their coloring is varied, depending on light conditions.
All About Crows
Crows have a kind of gothic, ethereal look, with all-black feathers, legs, and beak. At a closer look, though, the crow’s feathers reveal iridescent coloring, with shades of purple, blues, green, and more. Rather than being a true black, light plays across their feathers, casting an almost metallic sheen.
Their eyes are a steely blue, and baby crows have pink coloring around their mouths, called a gape, which helps parents identify them, aids feeding, and marks them as youngsters to other crows.
Behaviourally, crows are known for mobbing, where gangs of the birds gather together and dive-bomb and squawk at perceived predators. They might be protecting a nest or territory. This is often effective against larger predators, who often give up and leave, simply because of the number and frenetic behavior of the crows- it’s not worth the predator’s time.
The most common species of crow in the United States is aptly named the American Crow. They are highly communal, often gathering in large roosts of upwards of 100 birds to sleep together for warmth on cold nights.
Cultural and Symbolic Meaning of the Crow
Crows represent many different things across various cultures and folklore, some of which are oppositional. It’s no wonder the crow has such a duplicitous reputation.
In Native American folklore, crows have a deep spiritual connection and are considered messengers from the afterlife, serving as a connection to deceased ancestors.
In Celtic folklore, crows are associated with a warrior goddess who could shape-shift into a crow. She would appear prior to battles and hint at the outcome.
In Greek mythology, crows are associated with Apollo, the god of prophecy, and are seen as symbols of insight. In the Greek myth, Apollo sent a white bird to watch over his lover, who later betrayed him. The white bird delivered this news, and in his fury, Apollo curses the bird, turning the feathers from white to black.
How Crows Can Inspire Interior Design
“Given the cultural and scientific context of the crow, along with its physical properties, the crow can be a meaningful aspect of biophilic design, especially as a motif in textiles, wallpaper, or in artwork,” says Sarah Barnard, WELL and LEED-accredited interior designer. Barnard is an expert in biophilic and wellness-focused design. Her projects are nature-inspired and consider the physical and emotional benefits when the built environment meets biophilia.
Beyond using its beauty to distill beautiful patterns and decor, “Considering and replicating some of the behaviors of this intelligent bird can add nuance to interior design,” she says. Here are some ways to use the crow’s qualities to inspire interior design.
Look at Color in Different Ways
When choosing colors, consider how light might affect perception. As with the crow’s feathers, light conditions literally alter the colors, creating a totally different experience. Remember things like light sources, surface finishes, and the size of the space.
Design for Community
Crows are community-centric and deeply interconnected, fostering supportive bonds and yielding benefits. Designing with the same intention, including spaces that foster connection, gathering, and socialization, from furnishings that cluster for conversation to kitchen design that encourages gathering.
Pensive and Patient
The crow is so smart, in part because of its stop-and-think approach to the world. Granting oneself permission to pause and to create space for patience to observe and consume the surroundings can be grounding. Create space at home dedicated to stillness before action, whether a meditation room, a window seat framed by a view, or a cozy reading nook.
The crow is intelligent, inclusive, and willing to reveal its dark beauty to patient viewers. In a world of digital overwhelm and surface-level impact, the crow is a reminder of the richness of layers, the rewards for patience, and how instincts are centering.
Sources:
https://eugene.wbu.com/american-crow
https://urbannature.blog/2019/11/13/crow-collective
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/meet-bird-brainiacs-american-crow
https://www.centreofexcellence.com/spiritual-meaning-of-a-crow
https://www.learnreligions.com/the-magic-of-crows-and-ravens-2562511
https://birdastic.com/are-crows-bad-omen-symbolism-meaning-explained/#:~:text=Conclusions,you%20choose%20to%20interpret%20them.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Crow/overview#:~:text=Basic%20Description,rarely%20broken%20up
Hermit Thrush: Echoing Nature
While searching far and wide for creative inspiration can yield interesting results in interior design, sometimes the most meaningful inspiration is closer to home, right in the garden. When it comes to nature-inspired design, the backbone principle of biophilic design, where interiors strive to replicate the calm found outdoors, it can be helpful to be patient when observing nature, allowing the beauty to reveal itself organically.
The Hermit Thrush, a small bird with powerful musicality, can offer such inspiration, both in its physical appearance and how its lilting, lovely song is often heard before the bird is seen, dialing into multi-sensory awareness, another principle of biophilic design.
“The Hermit Thrush is one of the most beautiful birds to ever visit my garden,” says WELL and LEED-accredited interior designer Sarah Barnard, “It has long, graceful legs and a round chest with the most elegant patterning,” similar to a California Quail or scaly-breasted munia, also among her favorite birds.
It is a migrating bird, so chance encounters are elevated by the rarity. “The Hermit Thrush is a migrating visitor (to California), and so it's a wonderfully special time when they appear for the first time each year,” says Barnard.
It’s a small bird, generally about six to seven inches high, with a rich brown body and wings that flutter in flight. It likes forested areas primarily, and often lingers in dense underbrush or on the forest floor to forage for food. During feeding, it sometimes uses ‘foot quivering’ where its foot hovers over the ground and shakes grass and plant matter out for insects and other food.
The Hermit Thrush often broadcasts its flute-like song from concealed perches, demonstrating how nature encourages the viewer to be present and to open the senses to experience. It also underscores how subtlety can be more attention-getting than making a commotion.
Symbolically, the hermit thrush represents stillness. Some find the bird spiritual.
Its song is described by experts as haunting, lyrical, and melancholy, tinged with longing, which makes sense in the context of the legend associated with the small bird.
The Legend of The Hermit Thrush
The bird’s backstory, The Sacred Song of the Hermit Thrush, is a Native American legend describing how birds got their songs, with hidden lessons about honesty, often passed from parents and elders to children, during teachable moments.
The story goes that long ago, birds had no songs. The Great Spirit had decided to bestow birds with song and staged a competition among birds to see who would win the gift of song by flying the highest. The Hermit Thrush, tiny compared to many of the other birds, was worried it would not be able to compete. It hid in the feathers of a large eagle, ultimately winning the contest dishonestly. Winning came at an emotional cost, though.
The Hermit Thrush was ashamed and flew deep into the forest to remain hidden in a self-imposed exile, although its song can be heard from a distance: beautiful, introspective, and slightly melancholy, expressing regret.
The legend says that the Hermit Thrush remains there in hiding, but when it sings, the power and beauty of the song is so strong that all other creatures stop to listen.
How the Hermit Thrush and Its Behaviors Influence Biophilic Design
The Hermit Thrush can serve as biophilic-influenced inspiration on a couple of levels. First, its rich coloring, elegant details, and textured feathers can be striking when physically replicated or reproduced on patterns, textiles, and other housing goods.
Second, turning inwards and considering some of the behaviors and patient perspectives of the tiny, often hidden, bird, and its nuanced interactions with its natural surroundings can serve as a foundation to try to bring calm.
The Hermit Thrush listens first, before echoing in song into nature. And in today’s digital-first, frenetic world, having the restraint to listen first, speak later is a skill not to be underestimated. Incorporating biophilic design elements, like those inspired by the Hermit Thrush’s habits, can help create a setting in which to be present and intentional.
Here are some examples:
Follow the Cues of Nature
The Hermit Thrush is known for its patience and symbiotic awareness of its surroundings, which ultimately makes its song so powerful and calming. It uses its surroundings to be prominent, rather than competing with them.
In design, an option to replicate this is to follow the cues of nature organically. Instead of creating large focal points, let nature guide the eye and the design, using the path of light throughout the day for visual variety. Make transitions between spaces subtle, and use colors and material selections that mirror those seen in the local landscape, so the inside feels immersed in the outdoors.
Use the Refuge/Prospect Dynamic
Another principle of biophilic design is the refuge/prospect dynamic. The idea is to strike a balance between safety (shelter) and opportunity (in nature, this may include foraging for food, or similar). The Hermit Thrush is known for singing from concealed spaces, so an option to create that sense of safety is to leverage design elements in interior design, such as with a cozy reading nook, nestled in a corner, with a view to the outside, varying ceiling heights, to promote awareness of space, but with concept of shelter overhead, a window seat, or a covered porch.
Create Space for Stillness
The Hermit Thrush is known for stillness. Create space at home that can promote stillness, presence, and calm. Use calming color palettes, and embrace a digital-free space, where there are no screens, or screens and other tech are concealed. Consider textiles and other decor that absorb sound to allow for quiet. Comfortable furniture can encourage lingering, while having cues for intention, such as having painting, or journaling materials at hand, can encourage calm.
What all of these design elements, and the habits of the Hermit Thrush demonstrate is that there is inspiration readily available all around; it is often a question of being still, aware, and open to the possibility.
The Hermit Thrush textile in Belgian Linen and organic cotton sateen will be available on the Kale Tree site soon in four colorways! Hermit Thrush is also soon to be available in unpasted wallpaper. For urgent orders, or custom colorways, please contact the studio directly.
Sources:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Hermit_Thrush/overview
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/hermit-thrush
https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/the-legend-of-the-hermit-thrush/
California Style Holiday Gifts
Give gifts intentionally and sustainably this holiday season by choosing nature-inspired goods from Kale Tree. Use our beautifully biophilic textiles to customize special gifts, or choose from a selection of goods that can help infuse a home with warmth and serenity.
Moth Wallpaper
Butterflies represent transformation and hope, a symbolism that is particularly understood by butterfly enthusiasts and lepidopterists, who would find a gift of moth-motif wallpaper meaningful and beautiful. Light-hearted and lovely, in neutral creams and toasted gray scallops, the pattern is hand-drawn, inspired by moths fluttering at dusk.
This eco-friendly wallpaper is printed in the United States on FSC-certified paper, is PVC-free, and features subtle surface texture.
Butterfly Dreams Bed
In keeping with the butterfly theme, a bed styled with the ethereal beauty of butterflies can instill calm for serene, sweet dreams. Butterflies are prominent in biophilic design, elements of which are proven to have positive effects on mental and physical health.
The butterfly dreams bed is hand-carved from sustainable hardwoods and comes in either non-VOC paint or stain options for finishes.
Mangrove Rug
For the environmentalist on your list, consider a stylish and comfortable mangrove rug. In addition to being naturally elegant, mangroves are known for their quiet resilience and adaptability to various environments, which only enhances their beauty. They endure harsh conditions and contribute protectively to local ecosystems. How inspiring to have these qualities underfoot on a rug, an energizing foundation for each day?
Each rug is handmade to order, from vegan bamboo silk or New Zealand wool, with a percentage of each sale donated to the Mangrove Action Project.
Cholla Tote
This tote features a pen-and-ink illustration inspired by the cholla cactus, which grows primarily in desert regions in the Southwest United States and Northern Mexico. The cholla’s barbed spines are sculptural and play an important role in the beauty of the desert landscape, and in supporting the local ecosystems.
This in-demand tote is limited edition and has a limited supply, so order soon. With fabric straps and an open main compartment, it’s useful as a sustainable, multi-purpose bag for errands. Also, its design and style are well-suited for people with specific requirements, such as interior designers to carry samples, or for artists and hobbyists to carry supplies.
Gingko Light Fixture
This indoor/outdoor light fixture has delicate cast bronze details, replicating the fans of gingko leaves. The ginkgo has long historical roots, dating back millions of years. Its resilience is substantial, adapting throughout various climate events over the centuries. It’s a symbol of strength and healing, and can help deliver the warmth of nature-inspired design.
The light fixture is available in various sizes, has a milk white globe, and has dimmable LED lighting.
Matilija Poppy Textiles
Gardening with plants native to California can yield uniquely beautiful landscapes. The Matilija poppy is a dramatic, eye-catching wildflower local to California, known for its lacy petals and fluffy, colorful centers.
These hand-drawn textiles, inspired by Matilija poppy superblooms, are printed with eco-friendly, water-based inks on fine Belgian linen. These textiles can be customized into a variety of goods, from drapery to bed linens, and more, perfect for gardening enthusiasts, to infuse the quiet beauty of the Matilija poppy into their homes.
California Native Gardening: Rewilding Los Angeles Landscaping
California Buckwheat (eriogonum fasciculatum)
With such an array of beautiful and unique plant life, it’s no wonder more and more people are opting to replace their lawns with California native gardens. The state of California is a biodiversity hotspot, with 61% of its plant life found nowhere else in the world. (1) There are many benefits to rewilding our gardens with California native plants. They can reduce our environmental footprint by using less water and creating habitats for local insects and animals, enriching the biodiversity of our local neighborhoods. We also have the pleasure of experiencing the emotional and mental health benefits that result from nurturing this environment and joyfully watching wildlife thrive amongst the beautiful wildflower blooms.
Coulter's Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri)
As a Certified California Naturalist, Sarah enjoys expanding her knowledge of Californian native flora and fauna. She recently completed the California Native Plant Landscaper Certificate Program offered by the Theodore Payne Foundation. Developed in partnership with The California Native Plant Society, LADWP, and The US Green Building Council, Los Angeles, this course covers the steps involved in planting and maintaining a California native landscape, such as identifying soil type, choosing plant communities, irrigation, and pruning.
Palmer's Indian Mallow (Abutilon palmeri)
The Theodore Payne Foundation's best practices suggest developing a California native garden as a 4-year process. Although at first, a California native garden will likely require the same amount of water (or possibly more) than a lawn, a California native garden is a long-term investment towards drought tolerance and increasing local biodiversity.
Yerba Santa (Genus Eriodictyon)
Year one involves the initial steps of creating a plant list, mulching, evaluating the runoff potential of a site, sowing wildflowers, and staking young plants. Year two is more about maintaining the garden by raking, pruning, watering, re-mulching, sowing wildflower seeds, weeding, and removing struggling plants. Year three involves seasonal maintenance such as watering, pruning overgrown plants, weeding, and replanting. And year four involves pruning with long-term shaping in mind, weeding, replanting, and watering.
An important course component involves identifying what plants best suit the site based on soil qualities and plant communities. There are generally three soil types, sandy, loamy, and clay which vary in their infiltration rate, water-holding capacity, nutrient-holding capacity, and aeration. Plant communities are groups of plants that typically grow together in natural environments.
California Native gardens usually derive from the following plant communities:
Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum)
Coastal Sage Scrub are plants that tend to grow low to the ground; they include many aromatic plants such as Artemisia, Buckwheat, Salvias, and Matilija Poppy as well as Deerweed.
Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata)
Chaparral is thick, dense growth that contains a lot of diversity and tends to burn easily. This group includes Chamise, Scrub Oak, Buckwheat, Matilija Poppy, and Toyon.
Desert is a very diverse community of plants that exist at various elevations, such as Cacti, Joshua trees, Agave, Abutilon-Palmeri (Mallow), and Saltbush.
Cholla Cactus (Genus Clindropuntia)
Riparian is a diverse community of plant species that usually exist streamside, creating vital habitat for California wildlife; this group includes plants such as Jancus, Carex, and Ferns.
California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
Pruning is commonplace in any garden to shape and control the size of plants, stimulate growth, and improve overall plant health. Folks have very different opinions about pruning a California native garden; some believe the landscape should grow wild and natural, while others regularly prune to control shape and growth.
Tip pinching is often performed in California native gardens; this involves pinching new growth off the tips of certain plants or right after flowering to stimulate fuller growth. For example, Ceanothus is a plant that benefits from tip pinching after flowering.
Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea)
Deadheading is the practice of removing dead flowers from plants before they go to seed, this can improve the appearance of plants and prolong the flowering season for some. Deadheading is sometimes discouraged in California native gardens as birds like to feed on seeds. Allowing plants to go to seed creates a natural food source, plus we get the pleasure of watching wildlife interact with the native plants in our yard. Toyon is an excellent example of this; its flowers bring berries which become food for Robins, Waxwings, Thrushes, and other visiting birds.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Embracing a California native garden is a rewarding transformation with many benefits, including eventual drought tolerance, reduced maintenance, and the generation of natural habitat that increases the biodiversity in our neighborhoods. There is also the added benefit of joy we experience through the mindful activity of watching birds, insects, and animals live and thrive in the ecosystem that we have created within our yards.
Works Cited
(1) “Explore the Biodiversity Hotspots.” CEPF, https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots.
(2) Theodore Payne Foundation. “California Native Plant Landscaper Certification.”
Sarah Barnard is a WELL and LEED accredited designer and creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was recognized as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
LA Textile: Organic, Sustainable and Recycled Fiber Fabrics
The Kale Tree design team had a great time visiting LA Textile at the California Market Center. We set out to meet the best new designers, manufacturers, mills, and printers in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and are excited about the new friends and connections we've made.
Organic textiles were at the top of our sourcing list. We're happy to report that there were an increasing number of suppliers with organic fabrics in varying weights and colors on the showroom floor. While natural and organic textiles were displayed from across the globe, we found a strong presence of Japanese mills with elegant certified organic cotton twills, batiste, canvas, and satin weaves.
We also connected with the folks at Cotton Incorporated and had an interesting chat about U.S. Cotton and the importance of traceability and transparency in cotton fiber textiles.
Recycled fiber textiles are another fabric we are especially interested in designing in our studio. While luxury-level recycled fiber textiles are still somewhat in limited offerings, we were pleased to connect with mills offering recycled polyesters, textiles made from recycled water bottles, and Seaqual fabrics made from recycled ocean plastics. We love to see mills working with recycled fiber yarns and especially support efforts to remove plastics from the ocean.
Custom-printed textiles are at the heart of what we do. We love fabric, and we find it incredibly rewarding to see our nature-inspired illustrations realized as drapery, bedding, pillows, and a host of other home decor items. At the LA Textile event, we were delighted to connect with like-minded folk who care about sustainability and wellness in design, sourcing, and production methods.
The Kale Tree design team is working on a new organic textile collection for 2023 featuring California native flora and fauna. Inspired by the local wildlife of our Southern California mountains, deserts, woodlands, and beaches, we look forward to sharing more with you soon!
Birdwatching as mindfulness: Creative connections within the bird watching community.
The benefits of looking at nature are everywhere, no matter where you live. Outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and being in nature promote feelings of well-being. Recent research by academics at the University of Exeter, the British Trust for Ornithology, and the University of Queensland suggests that birding, in particular, has mental health benefits. Researchers in the UK recently determined that people who saw more birds in their daily lives experience less stress and depression. Bird-watching is a practice that encourages mindfulness and patience. Simply watching a bird feeder can be beneficial for your mental health.
Birding also benefits your mental health through the community and friendships that it creates. A love of birding connects people from all walks of life and is what initially drew interior designer Sarah Barnard, WELL AP + LEED AP, to the artwork of Vivienne Edwards.
The watercolor paintings of small birds included in several of our mood boards for the Matilija Poppy Textile and the Mallow Textile are by the artist Vivienne Edwards. Vivienne is based in South Africa and makes small watercolors of birds that she encounters in the natural environment around her. Sarah discovered Viviennes' work one day by chance, drawn to the intimacy of their small size (2.5 x 3.5 in) and how they reflect the artist's relationship with her natural surroundings.
Sarah is an avid birder and felt that Vivienne's paintings would be a special addition to her art collection. Sarah commissioned a small set of paintings from Vivienne based on photographs Sarah took of favorite birds in her garden.
These magical birds are featured in a series of Kale Tree mood boards, whose nature-inspired luxury eco fabrics incorporate biophilic prints inspired by the intersection of art, design, and nature. Sarah thought these paintings contributed to the overall feeling of these mood boards, which feature a series of natural materials and textures that help visualize the collection of objects that make up an interior space.
The bird featured in this Kale Tree mood board for the Matilija Poppy Textile in Putty is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula); this is a tiny, very cautious bird that can be quite timid. Sarah has mainly spotted the Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the Acacia cultriformis tree in her garden, which it uses as a safe passage to the water bowl. It is a fairly solitary bird that does not stay out in the open for too long. Its ruby crown is very subtle, making it difficult for her to identify at first, and she was very happy when she did. The hand-drawn pattern of this floral textile is inspired by Matilija Poppies (Romneya coulteri), a favorite California native flower.
The Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus), is a bird with which Sarah feels a real fascination and kinship. Of all the songbirds, the Hermit Thrush is considered to have one of the most beautiful songs. The first time Sarah saw a Hermit Thrush, she was overcome and entranced by the beauty of this bird which felt like it had a magic quality. The Hermit Thrush is quite solitary; it moves along the edges of the garden with cautious stealth, so it feels like a special moment when it is spotted. Hermit Thrushes seldom visit backyards making this sighting and painting all the more special, a beautiful and meaningful addition to the Matilija Poppy Textile (Midnight) mood board from Kale Tree.
The mood board for the Matilija Poppy Textile (Bluestone) features a painting of the California Quail (Callipepla californica), the California state bird. This bird has beautiful feather patterns and enchanting qualities similar to the hermit thrush. Sarah had only ever seen California Quails in the desert until she moved to her new house, where she saw a pair walk across her patio one day. This experience was delightful and magical as it possibly meant they were nesting nearby. Sarah intends to plant a quail bush (Atriplex lentiformis) in her garden to encourage the birds to stay a while.
The painting featured in the mood board for the Matilija Poppy Textile (Natural) is of a Scaly Breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata). You can usually find this small songbird in grasslands, gardens, and fields; the scaly spots on its underbelly and the color palette of its feathers compliment the stamens in the center of this poppy textile. Sarah first saw this bird in her garden and had never seen a bird like it before. She was surprised to learn that it was an introduced species from South East Asia. On watching this bird, she was struck by how familial and social they are; they are hardly ever seen alone and are often spotted sharing food and space. The Scaly Breasted Munia is also a lot less timid around humans, usually happy to sit and listen to a little bit of a human-to-bird conversation.
A painting of a Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) is paired alongside a series of natural materials in the mood board for the Mallow Textile (Evening Mauve). The Bewick's Wren was originally one of Sarahs' favorite birds and has been in Sarahs' life for a long time. At her last house, a mother Bewick's Wren, taught her babies to eat suet cake from her bird feeder. The mother wren would also leave baby birds in a bush in Sarahs' garden while they went to forage, allowing her to spend some time with these usually solitary birds. Although they are usually found in dry bushy areas, the Bewick's Wren is also at home in gardens and parks in suburbs and cities. Its ability to live in natural and built environments creates a lovely allegory reflecting the design philosophy behind this floral fabric.
In this last mood board, a painting of an Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) accompanies a swatch of the Mallow Textile (Midnight Forest). These birds are often found in dry places, and as a result, they don't need to drink much water. Instead, they get the water they need from their food. Sarah often sees these birds in her garden, but explains that patience is required as they are usually on a perch somewhere, sitting, waiting, and surveying for insects that they catch in mid-flight.
Vivienne Edwards is a self-taught artist from South Africa who loves to work with the unpredictability of watercolors. She is fortunate to live in a wildlife-rich region with abundant bird life and wetlands. Her work takes inspiration from the small creatures in the natural environment around her, going about their daily lives with such purpose and energy. It is often a show of vulnerability from this wildlife that prompts what she decides to paint, such as a Sparrow delicately picking a sprig of parsley for its young.
Sarah and her team love working with other artists, especially those who celebrate the beauty of nature and inspire joy through their work.
Bibliography
“Beautiful Birding: 7 Mental Health Benefits of Bird Watching.” Happiness.com, 27 Jan. 2022, https://www.happiness.com/magazine/art-culture-leisure/mental-health-benefits-of-bird-watching/.
Leahy, Christopher W. “Teaching Your Mind to Fly: The Psychological Benefits of Birdwatching.” Princeton University, The Trustees of Princeton University, 31 July 2021, https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/teaching-your-mind-to-fly-the-psychological-benefits-of-birdwatching.
Ray, Heather. “A Dose of Nature: Why Birding Will Boost Your Mental Health.” Birds and Blooms, Birds and Blooms, 27 Apr. 2022, https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birding-basics/birding-health/#:~:text=Researchers%20in%20Kentucky%20found%20that,beneficial%20to%20your%20psychological%20health.
Sarah Barnard is a WELL and LEED accredited designer and creator of environments that support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. She creates highly personalized, restorative spaces that are deeply connected to art and the preservation of the environment. An advocate for consciousness, inclusivity, and compassion in the creative process, Sarah has appeared in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, Vogue, HGTV and many other publications. In 2017 Sarah was recognized as a "Ones to Watch" Scholar by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).