Hi guys! Welcome back to the “Wildly Successful Lifestyle” podcast. This is Episode 577 and I’m your host, Heidi, and if you’re joining me today, you’re probably someone who loves finding ways to make life feel more vibrant, intentional, and just feel better in your own skin. So, Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee, out for a walk, or tackling that never-ending laundry pile, I’m so happy you’re here. I’ve been all in my feels about design lately! I’ve been working on some beautiful design projects! But I’ve really been thinking about how nature’s design can inspire our homes and our lives. I mean, why does a little pop of color in a calm backdrop feels so right, and why bringing that natural vibe into your space makes it feel more peaceful and alive.
Okay, picture this: It’s a warm summer morning, and I’m sitting in what I like to call my “terrarium.” You know, that cozy spot in my house with floor-to-ceiling windows that make it feel like I’m right in the middle of nature. The sunlight’s streaming in, birds are chatting outside, and I’m just soaking it all in. Everything’s this beautiful mix of greens from the leaves and browns from the tree trunks—super soothing, right? But then, out of nowhere, I spot this little burst of pink from a crepe myrtle tree. It’s like nature’s confetti, sprinkled in just perfectly. And in that moment, I thought, “That’s how I love to design.” It hit me: This is why it feels so good. We’re wired to appreciate that balance.
I mean, think about it—God didn’t paint the world in neon chaos. He created these vast, calming canvases of earth tones and then added those delightful pops of color through flowers, birds, butterflies. It’s like He’s saying, “Here’s your peace, and here’s your joy.” That’s why I believe we feel so grounded and happy in spaces that echo nature. For me, too much color everywhere? It just feels off—chaotic, overwhelming. But when it’s done right, like that crepe myrtle, it lifts your spirits without throwing everything out of whack.[Pause for a beat]
This got me thinking about how much our surroundings shape how we feel. Have you ever been in a room that’s all one color—say, super beige—and you just feel… uninspired? Or maybe on the opposite end of the spectrum, a room that’s got every shade of the rainbow fighting for attention, and you suddenly feel like, “I need a break”? There’s actually a term for designing with nature in mind—it’s called biophilic design. Sounds fancy, but it just means bringing elements of the outdoors inside to make us feel more connected and balanced. Research backs this up: Studies show that spaces with plants or natural light can cut stress, spark creativity, and even help you sleep better. One study found that people working in offices with greenery were 15% more productive. Wild, right? It’s like we’re wired to thrive when our spaces reflect the world outside.
I recently finished a major overhaul for a client that had LOTS of color in her space, I’ve been working with them for a while but we were just now getting to tackle her kitchen which had lots of black red and turquoise with yellow too. She was so ready for her kitchen and hearth to match the rest of the areas that we had already finished. So, as I always do with design, I took a cue from nature: I added warm wood cabinets to mimic those earthy browns, we mixed in creamy gray cabinets with it. We added black iron doors to some of the front of the cabinets with glass in them so when we were ready to add a little pop of color, that’s where we did it, we added a few beautiful green and soft yellow pieces into the cabinet which was back lit with a lovely warm light. Oh my gosh, it changed everything. She spends a lot of time cooking and her kitchen feels so good even her family loves to be in there too. They hang out longer at the island, just talking. It’s not just a kitchen anymore; it’s a space that feels alive.
I bet you’ve had moments like this too. Maybe it’s your porch where a beautiful bright pink flowers steal the show, or a hike where a patch of wildflowers makes the whole trail magical. Nature knows how to keep it simple but impactful, and we can do the same in our homes and our lives too.
I mean think about it. A majority of our lives are spent in our every day habits and then we sprinkle in moments of spice like going to a dinner party with friends, or maybe going to the beach with family…Doing that 24/7 would get old, if you’re like me, I like my routine and I love to sprinkle in travel and social time in with it. It makes for a well balanced life.
But all of this really matters because our environment shapes our mindset. A chaotic space can make your thoughts feel scattered, but a nature-inspired one? It invites calm and focus—key ingredients for nailing your goals, whether that’s crushing it at work or being present with the ones you love the most. So is your environment inviting and welcoming, does it have a calming effect? With the chaos that life can be sometimes, it’s nice to know you can come home to a respite. It’s not that hard to do if you know where to start.
I find that people often don’t know where to start so sometimes that stops them from doing anything at all. My first tip and I say this to clients all the time and that’s to Build a neutral base. Think of the things you can’t change easily as your all over nature. Your canvas so to speak. Think soothing greens, beiges, or even chocolates which are REALLY big right now. Just take a look in nature for inspiration for your allover colors…so like a forest or a sandy beach., how beautiful are those colors. Try painting a wall in a soft sage or tossing some earthy-toned pillows on your couch. It’s the calm canvas that lets everything else shine.
And then, Add intentional pops of color. Just like that crepe myrtle, pick one or two vibrant accents. I recently have been working with a client who loves blue. We started with a neutral canvas and we added beautiful blue throws and pillows, we brought in fresh greenery from her yard. She has sent me early morning texts telling me how much joy the room has brought her, in fact so much so that we are doing the rest of her house now! So be prepared, once one room feels amazing you’re gonna want them all to feel that way. Oh And Bonus: When the color you use is easy to change out like pillows and throws, You can change it up with the seasons—pinks in summer, oranges in fall—reds at Christmas. I love doing that.
Now, I already gave a hint to the third tip but the third thing is to have live plants if you can, even if it’s just fresh flowers or greenery from your yard. You don’t need a green thumb—just start with easy ones like succulents or snake plants. They clean the air and add that organic vibe. I’ve got a fiddle-leaf fig in my terrarium, and it’s like a piece of living art.
Fourth: Mix textures for depth. Nature’s never one-note—think wood, linen, or stone. A woven rug or a wooden side table can mimic the variety of a landscape and make your space feel dynamic. Feng Shui actually calls for you to have layers, so think textured fabrics varied heights of furniture, strategically placed plants and mirrors to create depth.
And finally: Prioritize lighting. Natural light is the gold standard, so fling open those curtains! If your space is darker, grab some warm LED bulbs that mimic sunlight. 2700 kelvin is the color temperature I like. It’s a game-changer for your mood.
Nature’s design feels intentional, like it was crafted to restore us. Science agrees: Colors like green and blue can lower your heart rate, calming you down, while bright pops trigger dopamine, that happy chemical in your brain. It’s like nature’s got this built-in recipe for balance. I love how it shows up in small ways like a single colorful bird in a quiet forest or a flower in a field. It’s subtle but powerful.
Cohesion and flow. A neutral base with pops of interchangeable color.
nature’s blueprint is all about harmony, not perfection. That pink crepe myrtle in my view? It’s proof that a little joy sprinkled into the calm can transform everything. Whether you’re tweaking your space or your mindset, lean into what feels naturally good. The world outside shows us how.
My challenge to you today is to grab some fresh flowers from the grocery or maybe just some greenery from your back yard and bring your space to life with nature. It’s one little way to spark joy in your life this week.
I love this episode so much and I hope you did too, If it hit home, hit that subscribe button, drop a review, or share it with a friend who would love a home refresh but may not be sure where to start.
I love you guys, I’ll talk to you in a few days!
