Biophilia: You + Nature + Home

by Sally Coulthard

A natural design for living well.
American psychologist Edward O. Wilson popularised the term Biophilia - meaning a "love of nature" and a need to connect to the natural world - in the 1980s, after observing how increasing rates of urbanization were leading to people feeling a disconnect from the natural world. We all need biophilia in our lives, and here author Sally Coulthard demonstrates how best to incorporate the fundamentals into everyday life. Examining the branches of a "biophilic home", the ten inspiring chapters incorporate science, psychology and practical deecor advice for making positive and accessible changes in the home or at work. Chapters include: Air & Temperature - why heat and airflow matter in a healthy home; Forms & Patterns - how to take inspiration from nature to decorate your home; Light & Rhythms - creating spaces to enhance the natural rhythm of passing seasons, plentiful daylight and dark nights; Materials & Decor - importance of using minimally processed material to reflect local ecology; Color - how to use tones and shades that compliment or contrast.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Self Help

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2020

About the author

After studying Archaeology & Anthropology at Oxford University, best-selling author and designer Sally Coulthard has spent the last twenty years designing, making and writing about homes, craft and outdoor spaces. She sees no boundary between the rules that govern good interior design and those which are needed to craft a spectacular studio or glorious garden.

Keen to make good design accessible, she’s written over twenty books about restoring houses, designing interiors and outdoor living. From garden styles to craftsmanship, creating workspaces to building sheds, Sally’s books inspire, encourage and equip readers to take on projects of their own.

Sally is a passionate advocate of rural living and regularly writes about nature and her experiences of smallholding deep in North Yorkshire countryside, including her ‘Good Life in Country’ column for Country Living magazine.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not even sure what this is about beyond using green in interiors as it's a natural colour. Bringing the outdoors in? Why not go outdoors?

[Therése Mellby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underbar bok om hur man gör sitt hem (och andra lokaler) trivsammare och sundare genom att inkorporera det vi älskar från naturen: växter, utsikter, vatten, ljus, ljud.
Mycket spännande! Och vackra illustrationer.

[Marie-Claude Lacerte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Sally for offering great insights on biophilic design for homes. Her book really improved my understanding of how to create spaces that increase my wellbeing while honoring nature. The writing highlights the essentials and the visuals are beautiful.

[Sophy H · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really just a Modern Homes article extended into a book.

Coulthard throws enough dictionary definitions of Biophilia into the mix to make it a "book" on the subject, but I've read far better accounts of living with nature than this.

Thinly spread observations on how to "bring nature into the home"!! Earth colours and plants if you must know!

Disappointing and mislabelled in my opinion.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Biophilia" takes the premise that humans find being in nature pleasing and relaxing, and looks for ways to bring specific elements of that into our modern living environment. Coulthard repeatedly takes a specific element (breezes, natural light, wood); references a study or two as confirmation that people broadly find it enjoyable or de-stressing; offers a prosaic explanation of why or what we like about it; then focuses on how to incorporate it into your home, given that most of us don't live in tree houses. I appreciate how grounded in the reality of modern living she is - for example, many of us many have *worse* air quality outside than we do indoors, so "fresh air" is not as simple as opening a window.

I stumbled on this in the nonfiction section and am very pleased I did - it articulates and expands on a lot of my feelings about what I want in my living space, as well as some specific strategies for having more of that. It's also a very quick read, that demonstrates on the page the same principles it discusses, with lots of natural images and simple illustrations.

[grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

great for getting knowledge on the topic of biophilic design

[Kate White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the subject of biophilia! The book design is stunning and practices what it preaches. It's a quick and delightful read for those just learning about the concept.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. Exactly what I was looking for. Big and small ways to live closer to nature.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bring the outdoors in. Color. Light. Greenery. Benevolent nature.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspiring in tweaking your work and home setup to feel happier

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read. Some surprising facts amongst some very obvious ones!

[Robbin Vokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a beautiful book. I'm going to make it into an altered book or a journal.

[Misty Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book!

This book gives an overview of the science behind the ways exposure to nature improves our health and wellbeing. There are several statements which inspire me to dig further.

I really appreciate the way this book presents practical advice for bringing the benefits of nature indoors.

There are plenty of suggested resources at the end to get more in depth on any of the subjects covered.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌲review in progress🌲

[Jessie Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, cute, and easy read! It totally inspired me to make my home feel more calming, natural, and organic.

[Ulla Todd Randall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite the insight I wanted.