Moab Desert Sanctuary by Susannah Holmberg Studios: Interior Design in Harmony with the Desert

Interior Design in Harmony with the Desert

This home is located in the heart of the Moab Desert in Utah, representing both a challenge and an opportunity for designer Susannah Holmberg of Susannah Holmberg Studios. The interior design, tailored for a family of seven, needed to be adaptable to the region’s extreme environmental fluctuations. In fact, this natural reality became a key driving force behind the creative decisions in the project.

Design Inspired by the Surrounding Nature

Holmberg notes that the landscape plays a pivotal role in the living experience within the home, serving as a natural backdrop and a core design element. The interior draws inspiration from the red rock formations, expansive canyons, and natural arches of Moab. Subtle geological references are integrated into the architectural details, carefully avoiding any clichéd interpretation of Southwestern design.

Details That Make a Difference

Attention to detail is evident in several key elements, such as the carved brick ceiling, which Holmberg considers her favorite feature in the house. The kitchen wall paint was meticulously selected to reflect the natural texture of the surrounding rocks, applied with a plaster technique to add depth and a unique tactile quality to the interiors.

Balancing Modernity with Traditional Warmth

Despite the bold design inspired by the desert landscape, Holmberg was careful to ensure that the home did not become merely an oversized sculptural piece or a rigid space. According to her:

“We discovered that modern forms need the stability provided by traditional elements and antique pieces. We didn’t want the space to feel too strict.”

The Texture and Warmth of Everyday Life

The design succeeds in creating a sense of warmth and natural comfort, using a variety of textures that add depth and vitality to the spaces. Woven, rough, velvet, and woolen elements were employed to provide a rich sensory experience. The diverse color palette, including blues, deep reds, plums, browns, with touches of green, further enhances the feeling of life and vibrancy within the home.

Harmony Between Old and New

The choice of furniture in the home reflects a delicate balance between antique and contemporary pieces. Vintage finds sourced from platforms like 1stDibs and Chairish were integrated with modern items, adding visual depth and richness to the space. Key elements defining the identity of the rooms include a two-tone velvet sofa designed by Holmberg, a cabinet from Amber Interiors, and hardware and accessories from Nickey Kehoe.

Lighting and Finishes

Lighting was sourced from Roll and Hill and Bourgeois Boheme Atelier to enhance the warm and inviting atmosphere. Soft finishes add a tactile dimension to the design, such as Mind the Gap wallpaper and the fabric-covered bench in the breakfast nook from Zak and Fox, making everyday experiences more comfortable and intimate.

Every Corner Tells a Story

Holmberg notes that the goal of the design was to create a home rich with small discoveries and visual dialogue:

“We wanted to provide our clients with a home where every element, every corner, and every little scene becomes a discovery and a conversation.”

Spatial Organization for Family Comfort

The size of the home and the large number of residents required a thoughtful approach to spatial planning, balancing shared areas with private ones. Holmberg reflects on her experience designing homes for large families:

“Since moving to Utah from the East Coast, I’ve become accustomed to designing homes for large families, but it requires a different sense of scale and space.”

Creating a Visual and Functional Dialogue

Beyond spatial organization, the design focuses on making every corner and element part of a discovery and visual dialogue experience:

“We wanted to provide our clients with a home where every element, every corner, and every little scene becomes a discovery and a conversation.”

Practical Solutions for Everyday Spaces

Functionality is evident in careful design decisions, such as narrowing a hallway to allow for a larger bench in the breakfast nook or dividing the main living area into two distinct zones. This provides multiple gathering spaces suited to the family’s daily needs and enhances social interaction within the home.

Facing the Challenges of the Desert Climate

Designing the home in the high Moab Desert, with its extreme temperature swings, limited water, and arid conditions, required the use of durable and flexible building materials by the local firm Architectural Squared. Tile floors were selected to help regulate indoor temperatures, as passive solar capabilities were not just a design philosophy but part of the home’s identity, particularly given the homeowner’s spouse’s involvement in renewable energy.

Environmentally Adaptive Materials and Fabrics

To combat the red dust that easily infiltrates the interior, Holmberg chose high-performance fabrics capable of withstanding desert conditions, with harmonious colors that maintain their vibrancy despite constant exposure to natural elements.

Exterior Finishes and Temperature Control

Exterior finishes were carefully selected to resist wind, sun, and seasonal rains, while sunshades on the windows help regulate indoor temperatures without compromising views or the stunning surrounding landscape.

Design Integration with the Environment

This character-rich home stands as a tribute to the surrounding landscape, drawing inspiration from the vast desert while respectfully adapting to the local climate’s demands. Both interior and exterior design reflect a deep understanding of the balance between natural beauty and everyday comfort.

Designer’s Vision

Holmberg hopes that this project has succeeded in creating “the desert sanctuary of [her client’s] dreams”, a home that harmoniously connects the environment, materials, and living experience, giving its inhabitants a sense of belonging and comfort.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This home reflects a clear and innovative design vision, showcasing the ability to integrate the natural environment with meticulously crafted architectural elements, giving its inhabitants a sense of warmth and belonging. The use of materials and finishes resistant to desert conditions also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and functionality.

However, some may feel that the heavy reliance on intricate details and aesthetic design touches makes certain spaces less flexible for daily use and may require careful maintenance to preserve their elegance. Additionally, the intensive inspiration drawn from the desert environment might not suit all tastes, as some residents may prefer simpler, more practical designs without deep engagement with geological references or elaborate aesthetic effects.

Prepared by the ArchUp Editorial Team

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