We’re longtime fans of Bay Area designer Erica Tanov at Remodelista; she’s been a vendor at our markets and we all have a few of her frocks in our wardrobes. Not to mention pieces from her home decor line; furry Alpaca Pillows, Embroidered Bedding, Lavender Candles (I even sent my daughter off to college with a pair of her Lovebird Pillow Cases).
In her just-released book, Design by Nature: Creating Layered, Lived-In Spaces (with chapters titled “Wood,” “Water,” “Dirt,” “Weeds,” and “Decay), Erica takes us on a tour of her creative process. “While I find inspiration everywhere,” Erica writes, “nature is my primary muse and the anchor for my creativity. I grew up in California, a place of extraordinary natural beauty, so nature has always been at the core of my inspiration and has influenced my aesthetic.
“My design process begins with observing my surroundings—a plant I see and draw can reemerge in a print—the dense colors of overlapping foliage can appear as a color scheme, the curling, folding edges of a leaf as a ruffled hem.”
Join us for a look at Erica’s own 1926 Mediterranean house in the Berkeley Hills, which serves as a showcase for her designs.
Photography by Ngoc Minh Ngo, courtesy of Erica Tanov.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Required Reading: Design by Nature by Erica Tanov?
Required Reading: Design by Nature by Erica Tanov is a book that explores the ways in which nature can be incorporated into design, featuring interviews with designers, artists, and architects who draw inspiration from the natural world.
What topics are covered in Required Reading: Design by Nature by Erica Tanov?
Required Reading: Design by Nature by Erica Tanov covers topics such as biophilic design, the use of natural materials, and the importance of sustainability in design.
What is biophilic design?
Biophilic design is a design philosophy that seeks to connect people with the natural world through the incorporation of natural elements, such as plants, natural light, and natural materials, into indoor and outdoor spaces.
Who is Erica Tanov?
Erica Tanov is a designer and artist based in Berkeley, California. She is the founder of Erica Tanov, a clothing and home goods company, and the author of Design by Nature.
What is the format of Required Reading: Design by Nature by Erica Tanov?
Required Reading: Design by Nature by Erica Tanov is a book that features interviews with designers, artists, and architects, as well as photographs and illustrations of their work and the natural materials they use.
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