Hey Everyone! Previously, on my first blog post, I introduced you to Egretta!
I gave you some insights into who I am and how I discovered Egretta. There are two pieces about Egretta that I reserved for this post - what does EGRETTA mean, and the “design” aspect of Egretta.
You may have a gotten a sense by my logo that the name, Egretta, has something to do with wildlife, nature, or simply… a bird. Actually, Egretta is derived from the scientific name of the Snowy Egret - Egretta Thula.
EGRETTA: a genus of medium-sized birds in the heron family, most of whom breed in warmer climates. The genus name comes from provencal French, meaning “little egret”, or a diminutive heron.
So, why this particular bird? Well, while discovering my career path during college (see my last blog post), I also discovered my love for egrets.
Growing up in the California Central Valley, I would see egrets everywhere (Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets, not to mention a suite of herons and ibises, too). But, it seemed that I was the only one that saw them ALL.THE.TIME. No one else ever seemed to notice them but me. When I first saw them, I didn’t know what these beautiful elegant white birds were until I started taking wildlife classes in college, specifically ornithology (study of birds). Once I learned their identity and graceful fishing habits, my appreciation for them grew.
A little history on Egrets.
------------------------
Unfortunately for these birds (both Snowy and Great egrets), their populations reached to alarmingly small numbers in the 1800’s because they were hunted for their plumage. Their feathers were highly sought after for fashion. Currently, hunting of these birds is prohibited under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
-------------------------
I still notice them every time I am driving anywhere in the Central Valley. The next time you are driving around Sacramento (on the freeway), take a quick peek at a nearby pond, wetland, or rice field; you may just be passing by one of those small, elegant, white birds. If you do happen to see a white bird in the field, most likely that’s an egret you are seeing. They are very prominent here (thank you Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other conservation efforts for helping recover their populations)!
Because I am a biologist by trade, and I'm a total nerd when it comes to animals, it only made sense to me to use the scientific name of my favorite bird for my website/blog.
To learn something from an egret - they are graceful, patient, and still.
Now, switching over to the other part of Egretta that I have not yet mentioned…DESIGN.
Egretta Designs may sound like an interior design company, jewelry company, fashion and clothing, or some other commercial endeavor.
But that’s completely different from the “design” that I am about to speak to.
The “Design” component of the name has been received with some skepticism. I have been told that it will confuse people. It may, but I felt that I had to trust in myself and keep it. So…its staying.
So what the heck does the whole “design” aspect have to do with Egretta?
When people think of design, they think of interior design. But design has a much broader meaning for me. Design plays an integral role in our everyday lives. From the design of our homes, work spaces, to the places where we eat or recreate.
Space affects us on a subconscious level. And in positive spaces, we can sense energy that makes us feel good, feel inspired, appreciate something, remind us of something, or even understand something.
Whenever I am feeling good about a space, whether it’s interior or exterior, it always relates to nature and/or elements of nature. And I am reminded of how much I love and appreciate nature and the environment.
An Example of DESIGN
Here is an example of the "design" that I am speaking to - the next time you’re sitting at reclaimed wood table, whether at a restaurant or at a coffee shop, think about how that slab of wood has a story - the slab of wood may come from a pine tree that was cut down following a forest fire. And that piece of wood is being repurposed into a table where we can enjoy a cup of coffee over a good conversation with an old friend.
Image by: Bryan Carter, www.guysonthegrid.com (taken at Identity Coffees)
And now…that slab of wood can automatically remind us of nature - the natural curvatures of the tree, tree rings and striations, patterns and cycles. (Well, it certainly does for me.)
When you find yourself sitting at a reclaimed wood table (whether its at your local coffee shop, restaurant, or hotel), think about its story. Think about how it got there and what kinds of sustainable practices were used to salvage the wooden table you're sitting at. (...and if you're curious, you could even ask the place of business how they obtained their reclaimed wood).
Some of my favorite local places for reclaimed wood are Millwood, in Placerville, and Heritage Salvage, in Petaluma.
Final Thoughts on Design
My definition of design isn't just about slabs of wood - its about a feeling of a space. And in those spaces, we can be gently reminded of the environment.
Did you ever imagine that nature inspired design can feel good and be environmentally friendly? Well, I do now…
Hoping this post gives you a greater appreciation for nature inspired design (and egrets too).
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know the other parts of EGRETTA!
Check back soon to read more about nature, environment, and sustainability topics relating to art and design.
-Monica :)
P.S. The title of this blog post has been inspired and conceived by my fellow blogger and friend, Eli of Fine Wine Poet. Please check out his page! Love his writing and poetic words.
“There is no better designer than NATURE.”