Regional Design: What It Is and Why It Matters

Influence from cultural exposure is an inherent part of design that undoubtedly helps to make any design more unique and interesting. Without exposure to different cultures in design, we wouldn’t have Chinoiserie, the gorgeous influence of Chinese art on French design. We find that travel encourages a designer to see the unique characteristics of other designer’s (creators) work that then allows us to look at our own work from different perspectives with fresh influence.

Though our “Onmyodo Home” was strongly influenced by the Japanese spiritual focus on earth elements, with a touch of Australian minimalism and contrast, it is all grounded in Pacific Northwest roots.

However, that perspective is always grounded in where we are. Our roots in design take place with consideration to our immediate surroundings and what nature presents to us. Without the precedent of regional characteristics, designs feel out of place and inconsistent, garish even. 

The “Pacific Northwest” style, conceived of in the 1960s has influenced so many designers since its conception, this includes Waldron Designs! The thoughtful consideration of the beauty we have around us, the weather that intrinsically influences our interior spaces, and in turn our happiness within our homes. 

Inspired by Japanese design, this Portage Residence continues to capture the natural finished wood, and strong connection to the outdoors including a lot of natural light which is important to Pacific Northwest Regional design.

Nature and the connection to the outdoors is a strong influence for Pacific Northwest style, probably because our weather keeps us indoors for much of the year. In the PNW, we need exposure to the outdoors and maximum exposure to natural daylight. This is why we consider glass a primary material for a building’s “skin”. We also see a lot of unfinished wood, again connecting us to nature. 

Regional design is not limited to architecture, however. Our location inspires our interiors as well. A home in the trees may feel dark due to all the shade. However, going against this natural surrounding and painting everything white might feel too stark a contrast and out of place. As a thoughtful alternative, we might look for the lighter elements of the space, and find influence in the way that the sun shines through the branches. 

Does this mean that I should avoid designs inspired by another region? Am I better off with Pacific Northwest Contemporary?

Not at all. In fact, we encourage looking to other regions for inspiration. For us, we like to create a balance, just as was done when the French adopted some Chinese influence into their own designs! Fusion dining is a great example of this wonderful type of combination when done right, taking all the wonderful qualities and celebrating them, without watering them down.

We have several regional styles that we follow from other cultures and love to incorporate this influence, always remembering where we are and celebrating culture without overindulging. “Everything in moderation” may be one of our favorite quotes and reminders as we design!

Both our Portage Residence as well as the Onmyōdō Home were influenced by Japanese design, though there was also a touch of Australian influence in the Onmyōdō Home. When designing our Manzanita Vacation Home, we definitely considered a bit of California Casual design styling. We certainly can’t forget our Ocean Floral Living Room, which was highly influenced by Texas Maximalism. None of these designs can be considered Japanese, California Casual, or Texas Maximalism in themselves because we were careful to always remember where we are with the goal of creating fusion design founded in a Pacific Northwest basis.

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