Nature in the Home

In decorating, there are many elements that work together to create a successful room. One of the most important aspects that I often see omitted is nature.

As decorators, amateur or not, we go to great lengths to select the right colors and furnishings. However, the nature component is often overlooked. I believe that plants make a house a home. It is an innate need for all of us to have a connection to nature. That being said, some people do not want the responsibility of caring for houseplants. Fresh cut flowers are also a common, yet beautiful way to bring nature in. Perhaps, that too is a maintenance issue for some. There are many other ways of bringing a form of nature into the space. One trend that I have seen lately, is to place a sculptural branch with leaves in water, as in the image below. The rock next to the vase is also an element of nature that can be used in many places. Perhaps for a modern vignette, you could line rocks up on floating shelf. Other natural objects that can be used are seed pods, shells, and coral.

There are many objects that can be used to bring a bit of nature into our living spaces. So, stay away from artificials, be creative and use items from outdoors for accessorizing.




*The image above is taken from the book "Nest for Two", by Allison Serrell; photograph by Allyson Gowdy.

Three Sheets 2 The Wind

Another vendor that I really liked at the Renegade Craft Fair was Three Sheets 2 The Wind. Artist Jenny Sauer creates custom textile wall prints, pillows, bedding, and accessories. Her designs are based on elements of style from the mid-twentieth century, organic shapes, and plant skeletal structure. All hand-made down to the hand-dyed colors.

What's great about these pieces is that they can go anywhere! They will fit into a variety of decors and can be interchanged. I love the linen feel and look. Every room should have natural elements to it, as they help to calm and relax, and any of these works will do just that!

These photos were acquired from Finch, where you can purchase Threesheets works.

Golden Retriever Bookends

Dan and I recently adopted a 1 year old puggle from the shelter. His name is Kyan.

Since then I've been obsessed with all things canine. I was thrilled to come across these "Golden Retriever" bookends in the September 2007 issue of Domino magazine. Elegant, sophisticated, with a touch of wimsy, they fit perfectly on a shelf in a formal living room or office, as well as holding up your favorite doggy treat cookbooks in the kitchen. Visit http://www.globalviews.com/ for stores.