Designer Spotlight: The Organic Modern Aesthetic of South Harlow Interiors

Through their commitment to natural materials and an organic modern design philosophy, South Harlow Interiors creates spaces that feel both timeless and contemporary. With their adept use of Native Trails products, Erika and Katie not only honor their clients’ visions but also elevate them into serene, harmonious environments.

Meet South Harlow Interiors

What began as a solo venture in Erika Gervin’s California home nearly a decade ago has blossomed into South Harlow Interiors, a thriving design firm with eight full-time designers and over 30 active projects spanning California and Florida. Gervin’s distinctive organic modern style harmonizes with Native Trails’ unique artisan crafted offerings, which have become staples in her stunning designs.

We were fortunate to sit down with Gervin and senior designer Katie Porter to explore their design philosophy and how they craft serene, inviting spaces.

Defining the South Harlow Aesthetic

Designer: South Harlow Interiors
Photographer: Nader Essa
Product (right): NativeStone Avalon 62 bathtub

When it comes to what sets South Harlow apart, Erika emphasizes the journey of discovering their unique style.

Erika Gervin: “In the beginning, it’s all about figuring out your aesthetic. After a few projects, you start to really understand your style. Clients now come to us specifically for our organic modern approach. We don’t like to pigeonhole ourselves, as every client has a different vision. However, there’s definitely a common thread: we love using natural materials and prefer a muted palette. Not that we don’t love color—we do!—but it’s usually in moderation and in the right places. Having offices on both coasts allows us to cater to diverse styles, which truly sets us apart.”

Katie adds, “We embrace what our clients are looking for but always infuse our South Harlow twist, whether the design is traditional or ultra-modern.” This adaptability is key to their success, as they balance client desires with their signature organic modern aesthetic.

A Natural Fit: Why Native Trails Works

The synergy between South Harlow Interiors and Native Trails is evident in the materials they choose.

Erika Gervin: “When designing bathrooms, we love to mix materials. The organic influence and natural feel of Native Trails products resonate deeply with our aesthetic. As we’re designing a bathroom and sourcing for clients, we enjoy that the look and feel cannot always be achieved with standard porcelains or sinks. The tonality and moodiness of your products feels much more authentic and on-brand with our vision.”

Katie elaborates, “We like to marry various elements together to make a room feel organic. For a recent modern project, we incorporated NativeStone tubs and sinks alongside natural limestone and dramatic porcelain that mimics marble. The result was harmonious and cohesive.”

A Recent Project: La Jolla Home Overhaul

One standout project showcases South Harlow’s approach to organic modern beautifully.

Erika Gervin: “This was for a family with two young kids in La Jolla. They had purchased a high-end home with breathtaking ocean views but needed a complete overhaul. Built in the early 2000s, it had dated features like cherry cabinets and old flooring. They brought us on board to do a full remodel and addition. The master bath was a completely new component of the house, giving us the chance to create a unified aesthetic. It’s modern yet organic, with a neutral color palette and a beautiful mix of natural materials—woods, marbles, stones, and of course, Native Trails elements that tied everything together.”

Showcasing the Avalon NativeStone Tub

Katie shares another project that highlights their innovative thinking.

Katie Porter: “We worked on a vacation home within a condo complex where we couldn’t alter existing plumbing. We opted for the Avalon NativeStone tub with a center drain. We had to come up with creative solutions to keep it in the same place, but we designed a unique teak platform that elevated the tub and made it the focal point of the space while ensuring functionality.”

A Whimsical Touch in La Jolla

The duo’s creativity extends to adding unique features in unexpected places.

Erika Gervin: “In another family’s home in La Jolla, we wanted to add a touch of whimsy to the daughter’s bathroom. We chose your concrete trough sink for its distinctiveness—a touch of a unique element, different than what is expected when you go to a showroom to select plumbing finishes. We didn’t want it to feel generic, and your trough sink gave it a bit of a twist and kind of something unexpected.”

The South Harlow Studio: A Clean Canvas

The South Harlow Interiors Studio in La Jolla, California
Designer: South Harlow Interiors
Photographer: Nader Essa
Product: Cocina 24 in Antique Copper

Creating a studio that reflects their brand while maintaining a functional workspace was a priority for South Harlow.

Katie Porter: “Our La Jolla studio is intentionally muted to serve as a clean slate for our projects. We wanted a space that felt organized and put together, especially since we have so many samples to showcase.”

Erika Gervin: “Clients often comment on our clean aesthetic. Our studio embodies that with wood tones and living finishes that highlight our favorite materials in one cohesive space. The Native Trails hand-hammered copper sink we incorporated in our kitchenette has developed a lovely patina over time, adding a natural touch that can’t be achieved with every sink type.”

South Harlow Interiors’ thoughtful integration of natural materials and their organic modern design philosophy have created spaces that are both timeless and current, reflecting their deep understanding of their clients’ needs. Their collaboration with Native Trails exemplifies how the right products can elevate a design, making spaces feel authentic, harmonious, and unique. Whether it’s the serene simplicity of NativeStone sinks or the warmth of hand-hammered copper, South Harlow’s designs show how carefully curated elements can bring a vision to life.

For more inspiring projects and insights on blending beauty with function, be sure to explore other posts on Native Trails’ blog. Discover how our products continue to play a key role in the work of top designers, or dive deeper into design trends, tips, and more.