In the world of interior design, the traditional notion of layout and decor often takes center stage. But what if we shift our perspective and prioritize the people and pieces that truly carry presence? This is the philosophy that Kate Swanson, the founding designer of Nurture by Nature, embraces. Her approach challenges the conventional wisdom that layout defines decor choices, instead emphasizing the power of curation and the human connection it fosters.
Swanson's work is grounded in a gallery-led approach to interiors. She sees the gallery as a design space that showcases contemporary craft and collectible work by artists and makers. It serves as a point of discovery and origin for her projects, where she curates exhibitions and develops relationships with these creators. By focusing on the makers and their processes, Swanson brings humanity back into the design process, creating spaces that feel considered and alive.
One of the key benefits of this approach is the ability to resist over-influence and visual repetition. In a world where everything is accessible and instantly replicable, Swanson's work stands out by emphasizing authorship and material awareness. She collaborates directly with makers, ensuring that each piece is bespoke and custom, embedded in the space rather than applied to it. This creates a deeper connection between the object and the person living with it, making the experience of the space more meaningful and lasting.
Swanson's philosophy also encourages a more thoughtful and intentional approach to design. She advocates for slowing down, working with fewer, more meaningful pieces, and building through direct interactions with makers. This results in spaces that feel placed and grown, as if they've always existed that way. It's a departure from the interchangeable and disconnected interiors that can result from over-influenced design.
The gallery-led approach also allows Swanson to nurture relationships with artists and fabricators. These relationships are not adjacent to the work but are the work itself. When she brings a piece into a project, it's about the human presence it carries into the space. This connection to the maker and the material is what gives her work its unique character and depth.
In a world where so much of our environment is disconnected from the people who created it, Swanson's approach is a refreshing reminder of the importance of human connection and material awareness. Her work invites us to reconsider the role of layout and decoration, and instead focus on the people and pieces that truly carry presence. It's a powerful reminder that interiors can be more than just a collection of objects; they can be a reflection of the relationships and stories that shape our lives.
