the woman behind native state . . .
Lauren Palm
Lauren brings over 20 years of design experience and project management to each design she takes on. With a keen eye for color, texture, and spatial harmony, she has an intuitive ability to see the full vision of a space and the clarity to guide it from concept to completion. She believes the design process should feel collaborative, clear, and grounded. She is known for creating a calm and positive experience for her clients. Native State’s goal is to ensure that every space not only looks beautiful but also feels like a place where you can truly exhale and feel at home.
Rooted in a lifelong love for California’s natural rhythms, Native State’s designs are shaped by a reverence for native plants, pollinators, and the quiet magic found outdoors. Whether it’s the gentle movement of grasses, the hum of bees, or the scent of sage on warm soil, she weaves these sensory elements into spaces that invite connection with nature, with home, and with the slower pace that gardens tend to bring.
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Get to know Lauren . . .
When did you first start a garden?
I was in my early twenties and had a drab outdoor patio with a small patch of dirt. I wanted to create a welcoming outdoor space to hang out and live life. I added fruits, veggies and pollinating flowers and the space sprung to life. While my roommates were sleeping off the night before, I was digging in the garden. The best hangover cure I know.
What is your favorite plant to incorporate into your designs?
It’s ever-changing and always tailored to your space. No one-size-fits-all planting here. That said, I have a soft spot for fragrant pitcher sage, those dreamy Matilija poppies, and a mix of medicinal herbs that bring both beauty and purpose to a garden.
What is the biggest mistake you’ve made in your yard?
Hands-down, adding landscaping fabric EVERYWHERE! We had just purchased our first home with two small children in tow, and wanted “minimalist, low-maintenance desert landscaping”. Little did we know that landscaping fabric is anything but low-maintenance. It looked good the first year, then came heavy rain. The second year, it was patchy, and little weeds started popping up. In the third year, big weeds emerged. In the fourth year, a gopher dug tunnels underneath, which made our yard look like it was sinking. The fifth year . . . we ripped it all out!
Why do you want everyone to have an edible garden?
They reconnect us to the rhythms of nature and the simple, grounding act of growing our food. Beyond nourishment, gardening supports our overall well-being. It encourages movement, mindfulness, and time spent outdoors. Tending a garden can be calming and restorative, offering a quiet pause in a busy day and a deeper connection to what we eat, how we feel, and the natural world around us. It’s a practice that feeds both body and mind.
What is your biggest piece of advice?
Before planting, make sure you’re envisioning how you use your space, how large plants and trees will grow, and please, STOP USING PESTICIDES! There are so many easy (and less expensive) ways to solve a problem without dousing your yard in chemicals. It’s harmful to our ecosystem, oceans, pets, and ourselves.
Who is that big black dog always by your side?
That’s Big Will! He’s our 100-pound rescue mutt and loves being in the garden and spending time with the whole family. We joke that he would have made an excellent farm dog, so now that he’s moving into his golden years, we’re doing our best to bring that dream to reality. Keep an eye out in our videos and pictures. You can usually find him there!
fighting global warming and restoring local eco-systems,
one yard at a time
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