A Designer’s Look at Nature

An Hour in Nature

Kelli Larson moves through the world with an attentiveness to nature, where design and life are inseparable. As the founder of Quincy Mae, the outdoors is a steady influence: the textures she's drawn to, the colors she returns to, the logic that shapes what she creates. We sit down with her in our latest Hour in Nature.

What’s your favourite thing to do in nature?

One of my favorite things to do in nature is walk along the ocean. I live on the coast of San Diego, and there is an amazing hiking trail at Torrey Pines, where the path overlooks the water and offers the most breathtaking views of the sea. Being there always makes me feel grateful — for the beauty of nature, for the peace it brings, and for the simple gift of being alive to experience it.

How does spending time in nature influence your mental health?

Spending time in nature has a really grounding effect on my mental health. With three kids and a demanding work schedule, life often feels rushed and chaotic, so it’s important for me to find small moments throughout the day or week to slow down and re-center. For me, that often happens in nature — taking a walk, listening to the ocean, or simply sitting outside and letting the sun warm my body, even for just ten minutes. Those simple rhythms help pull me out of the rush of life and remind me to be grateful, present, and capable of handling what’s in front of me.

What role do natural environments play in shaping human identity and sense of self?

I think natural environments play a meaningful role in shaping who we are because they remind us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. In everyday life, it’s easy to define ourselves by what we do, what we accomplish, or the responsibilities right in front of us. But being in nature has a way of slowing me down and bringing me back to a truer perspective. Nature reminds me that I was created uniquely, with purpose and intention. Feeling connected to something greater than myself motivates me to do my part, live more authentically, and focus less on myself and more on serving others.

Do you believe nature has a consciousness or spirit? How does that belief shape your interactions with the environment?

I don't think nature has its own consciousness or spirit in the way a person does, but I do believe nature is deeply alive with the creativity and presence of God. I see nature as something sacred in the sense that it reflects God's handiwork and that shapes the way I interact with the environment by making me want to treat it with gratitude and care. I see nature as a gift — something we’re called to steward, protect, and enjoy with reverence.

What are your fondest memories of spending time in nature?

Some of my sweetest memories in nature are from the summers I spent at my grandparents’ cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. My sisters and I visited almost every summer growing up, and as a kid from California who lived near the beach, the forests and lakes felt completely magical to me. I remember watching deer pass by my window, skiing on the lake until sunset, seeing fireflies light up the night, and sleeping under the stars on the dock. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but that was part of what made it so special. Those summers opened my eyes to the many different forms of beauty that nature has to offer.