SOMA Living September 2025

HOME DESIGN “So, what’s biophilic design all about? One of my clients asked me about it,” said my realtor partner Kim. We were sitting in our favorite place, Village Coffee in Maplewood. “Well, if you want a really good comprehensive explanation, I can email you a paper by the Terrapin Bright Green group called the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design.” “Maybe you can just give the Soma Living Magazine version,” she grumbled. “Okay,” I chuckled, “Basically, biophilic design is the practice of bringing nature indoors and, through thoughtful design choices, connecting people to the outdoors.” “Like?” she asked. “Lots of ways! You can start by maximizing natural light. Use sheer curtains on your windows. If you’re renovating a space, use larger windows—hopefully in a position with a view of nature. You can also add a skylight or sliding glass doors.” “That would give you a lot of light and bigger views to the outside,” she added.

“And, of course, using natural elements like wood or stone and painting with natural colors all helps create an environment that mimics the outside world,” I responded. “Hey, didn’t you do all that to the kitchen in the Wyoming house?” she asked. “Yeah, we did a Taj Mahal quartzite countertop, a travertine backsplash, wood cabinets, hardwood floors, and a nice neutral color on the walls,” I said. (See picture in the ad.) I added, “Incorporating biophilic design can transform a home into a calming, restorative space. Humans evolved in nature, and now we live in a man-made built environment. It’s time to add a little nature to our lives—even if that’s only adding a few plants around the house.”

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