Naturally inspired: Decor tips to bring the outdoors in

Adding natural elements to your home, whether you are inspired by your surroundings, want to bring the outdoors in, or are seeking tranquillity from their soothing effect, can yield beautiful results. The decorating possibilities for incorporating nature are endless, either through natural products themselves, or motifs featuring the natural world, from soft furnishings to flooring and walls.

sub_head_start WOOD sub_head_end

Flick through any furniture designer’s catalogue and you’ll find wood. Although it’s a material that never dates, it has recently come to the fore in a pared-back way, thanks to trends such as Scandinavian simplicity and industrial chic.

The most obvious, and simplest, way to introduce wood in the home is through furniture. On a larger scale, wooden flooring and wooden shutters are practical and warm.

Available in a range of shades, finishes and patterns, wood can be combined with a variety of elements. And if all of these advantages to using it in the home aren’t enough, it’s low-maintenance and durable. Just be sure to check the quality of wood and its source – that it has come from responsibly managed forests with environmental, social and economic benefits.

Wooden products we love:

• Z side table, R1,750, Incanda.co.za

• Wood veneer charger plate, R49, Home.co.za

• Harper kitchen stool, R5,995, Weylandts.co.za

• Distressed elm trestle table, R8,995, Trade-secret.co.za

sub_head_start BOTANICALS sub_head_end

For the past year, botanical prints have featured on fabrics and wallpapers. Designers have also been inspired by plant forms, creating objects with organic shapes in furniture and lighting.

The easiest way to inject botanical interest in the home is with scatter cushions adorned with plant imagery. A bolder idea is through wallpaper and artwork.

The benefits to the botanical trend is that it’s suited to almost every space in the home, and you can go as realistic or as abstract as you want, with the choice of subtle or brighter hues, according to personal preference.

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Botanical products we love:

Clockwise from top left:

• Imperial Garden “Giselle” wallpaper by Thibaut, R3,107 per roll, Stleger.co.za

• Rambler charcoal cushion, R220, Linenhouse.co.za

• Lily pendant, R1,699.95, Lightingwarehouse.co.za

• Raised Antique Damask Darkened Garden rug, R2 800 per square metre, Finerugs.co.za

sub_head_start STONE sub_head_end

Natural stone can be used throughout the home in many different forms, such as kitchen counters, bathroom floors and decor accessories. It’s a material with longevity, but has to be well cared for, so consider the qualities of each stone product before installing it. Marble, for example, has a luxurious look, but is porous and can scratch easily.

Stone has a tactile presence, especially when combined with softer furnishings, such as linen and wool, which can provide interest in the home. You don’t have to think big when incorporating it; even a simple glass vessel of pebbles can provide a natural hit.

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Stone products we love:

Clockwise from left:

• Stone lamp, R2,500 (excluding shade), Eggdesigns.co.za

• Country Road marble clock, R699, Woolworths.co.za

• De Padova Railway Indoor table, price on request, Generation 011-325-5415

sub_head_start TEXTILES sub_head_end

Don’t overlook textiles if you’re going for a natural look. Fabrics made of natural fibres include cotton, wool and silk. Leather is also a natural product that can withstand wear and tear. For flooring, consider rugs made of sea grass or sisal, which are texturally interesting and easy to keep clean.

South African textile designer Ronél Jordaan coaxes Merino wool into shapes of nature that inspire her (above). Her signature piece is her exquisite rock cushion, appreciated by designers here and abroad. We're rather taken with the fun sea anemone stool (above left). All of her products are hand-made using eco-friendly processes.