Q: Your new book, Pacific Natural Everywhere, is such a vibe. How would you describe the style within its pages?

This book really came from a desire to expand the story we've been telling for years. California living has always been the foundation of my brand, but I've come to see it less as a place and more as a mindset. Pacific Natural Everywhere is about showing how that way of living—ease, light, connection to nature—can exist anywhere in the world.

I would say that the style is defined by simplicity and restraint. I always think of calm, grounding materials and thoughtful architecture that is in sync with its surroundings. Interiors that feel lived-in rather than overly designed. It's about letting the natural environment lead and creating homes that feel intuitive and timeless.

Michael P. H. Clifford

Q: You've said nature is your greatest source of inspiration. What are the simplest ways we can bring nature into our homes?

The simplest way is to start by paying attention to your surroundings. Look at the light, the views, the materials already around you. Let those elements guide your choices rather than forcing a particular style.

That might mean opening up sight lines to the outdoors, choosing natural materials like wood and stone, and keeping the palette soft and neutral so the environment becomes the focal point. Even small gestures—bringing in greenery, using textures that feel organic—can completely change how a space feels.

Q: How can we find ease and light, even in places where the landscape is moodier, drier, or more seasonal?

I think California living is really about intention. It's about creating a sense of openness and ease, regardless of climate. In moodier or more seasonal places, that might look like embracing warmth through layered textures, deeper tones, and softer lighting.

The goal isn't to re-create California, but to translate its feeling and values. Let the local landscape shape the mood of your space while holding onto that sense of calm, balance, and connection.

Q: You often talk about small moments of grounding—like outdoor family dinners or pausing to enjoy the view. How can interior spaces find pause?

The way you design should be directly informed by the way you live. Creating spaces that invite pause makes a huge difference. I love doing this with elements such as comfortable seating near windows, rooms that feel warm and welcoming (with sofas for gathering!), and soft lighting that encourages you to slow down.

Even in colder months, you can design interiors that foster connection and grounding. A fireplace, a cozy dining nook, or a space that frames the outdoors can encourage those same moments of presence and togetherness.

Michael P. H. Clifford

Q: In your work, you blur the lines between inside and out. Tell me about that.

In places like the Pacific Northwest, it's about creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out. Large windows, covered outdoor spaces, and materials that can handle wear and weather all help maintain that connection.

I also think it's important not to be overly precious. Let materials age, let spaces evolve. When a home feels resilient and adaptable, it naturally supports that indoor-outdoor relationship, even when the weather shifts. What matters more is creating a space that welcomes living and gathering.

Q: How can readers honor their local landscape, whether it's pine forests, water, or open sky, while still creating a calm and cohesive interior?

Start by observing what feels most distinct about where you live. Is it the light? The vegetation? The openness of the landscape? From there, translate those qualities in a subtle way, through texture, tone, and material rather than literal references. A cohesive interior doesn't need to mimic the outdoors; it just needs to feel in conversation with it.

Michael P. H. Clifford

Q: What materials, textures, or tones best reflect the natural beauty where you live?

I love that the Pacific Northwest has a quiet richness to it. If I were designing with this locale in mind, I'd lean into deeper woods, softer neutrals, stone, and layered textiles. Muted greens, warm grays, and earthy browns can all reflect that landscape without being obvious.

Q: What advice would you give to readers who want to feel connected to nature?

I always come back to simplicity. Create routines that allow you to slow down. Open the windows in the morning, eat meals together, spend time outside when you can. Design can support those habits, but it's really about how you live within the space.

Q: What do you hope readers take from your book?

I hope this book feels both inspiring and approachable. I want readers to come away feeling encouraged to create homes that reflect who they are and where they live, without feeling bound by trends or geography.

I think it's such a beautiful curation that helps reinforce the idea that California living is a feeling, one rooted in ease, connection, and nature, and that it's something you can bring into your life wherever you are.