Project: Tea and Spice Shop Redesign
Paulina Barnes Interior Design Co.

This color palette was designed to evoke calm, warmth, and a connection to nature—perfect for a cozy tea and spice shop experience. The goal was to create a serene yet inviting environment using principles of color theory and strategic placement.

Dominant Color:

• Pale Moss (SW) – A soft, neutral green that sets a peaceful tone for the space, used on large surfaces like walls and floors. This shade plays beautifully with natural light and helps establish a grounded, earthy atmosphere.

Supporting Colors:

• Pennywise (SW) – A coppery orange used sparingly to create focal points and warmth. Ideal for accents, seating areas, and lighting fixtures, this color adds subtle brightness and energy without overwhelming the space.

• Java (SW) & Fallen Leaves (SW) – Rich brown tones inspired by wood, coffee beans, and spices, incorporated into shelves, furniture, and counters to ground the space and enhance the natural feel.

• Arugula (SW) & Hunt Club (SW) – Deeper greens symbolizing tea leaves, perfect for cabinetry, signage, plant life, and tilework to add depth and sophistication.

Design Intention:
This palette balances cool and warm tones to reflect the product offerings—spices and teas—while encouraging comfort, mindfulness, and curiosity. The interplay of greens, browns, and oranges creates harmony and visual interest, bringing the essence of a tranquil forest into the retail experience.

Site Analysis

Location: Geisel Library, UC San Diego
Paulina Barnes Interior Design Co.

For this site analysis, I selected the iconic Geisel Library at UC San Diego—an exemplar of postmodern architecture. The building’s striking form, designed by William Pereira, merges futuristic design with brutalist and sculptural elements. Its bold geometric structure, elevated concrete base, and glass-paneled upper floors symbolize knowledge reaching toward the future.

This site was chosen for its strong visual identity, symbolic meaning, and the way it integrates with the surrounding campus. The contrast between its heavy concrete and transparent glass elements creates a compelling dialogue between groundedness and openness—key inspirations for spatial storytelling and interior conceptualization.

Design Evaluation: Array by Greystar

Paulina Barnes Interior Design Co.

In this analysis, I evaluated the residential development Array by Greystar through the lens of good versus poor design. Located in a growing urban neighborhood, Array aims to offer modern, amenity-rich living—but presents a mix of successful and underwhelming design elements.

Strengths:

• The building demonstrates strong curb appeal with its clean lines, modern materials, and cohesive color palette.

• Its amenity spaces are thoughtfully designed, encouraging social interaction and community.

• The layout of common areas and courtyards provides light, openness, and a sense of urban luxury.

Areas for Improvement:

• The unit interiors lack individuality and warmth, relying heavily on generic finishes and neutral tones that feel impersonal.

• Some circulation spaces, like hallways and entry points, lack natural light and intentional detailing, which detracts from the user experience.

• The design leans heavily on surface-level trends rather than offering a timeless or place-specific aesthetic.

This analysis emphasizes how important it is to balance visual appeal with thoughtful functionality and emotional resonance—key tenets in my approach to interior design.

Birdhouse Design: Inspired by Louis Kahn

Paulina Barnes Interior Design Co.

This conceptual birdhouse was inspired by the architectural philosophy of Louis Kahn, known for his monumental forms, poetic use of light, and reverence for materiality. The design aimed to distill Kahn’s principles into a small-scale, sculptural form while remaining functional for birds.

Design Intentions:

• Emphasis on geometric clarity and symmetry, reflecting Kahn’s love for pure, elemental forms.

• Strategic placement of openings to invite light and ventilation, drawing from his iconic use of natural light as a spiritual and structural element.

• Use of contrasting materials—raw wood with smooth concrete or metal accents—to mirror Kahn’s sensitivity to material expression and texture.

Conceptual Focus:
The birdhouse reflects the idea of “a space to dwell”, not just a shelter. Inspired by Kahn’s belief that architecture should serve the soul, this miniature structure is meant to offer a sanctuary that feels both protective and elevated—much like his iconic buildings.

This project challenged me to think about proportion, function, and symbolism on a micro scale, deepening my appreciation for architectural storytelling.