Well it’s a very long time since my last post!! What can I say, it’s been a bit of  a whirlwind of a year, we have been crazy busy for the last 8 or 9 months and haven’t really had chance to come up for breath, hence the lack of posts. It’s a good problem to have but you have to be so much more time efficient . So when  Zoe Clark contacting me to collaborate on one of her interior blog posts I thought this was a good idea, not only because it won’t take me as long to do a blog post (they can be very time consuming) but also to get me back into writing for the blog,so here we go, enjoy!

Here’s a bit about Zoe,

Zoe Clark is a journalist, freelance stylist and blogger. She is a visual storyteller and aesthetician by heart who often writes about decorating and DIY ideas. She loves sparking creativity in people and giving them ideas for their own spaces.

The Natural Home Look: Clean, Healthy, and Chic

If you are following interior design trends, you probably know that décor styles starring natural elements are in, and highly likely to stick around in the years to come. From energetic African décor and Scandinavian minimalism to time-tested grandeur of vintage interiors and Japanese harmony of indoors and outdoors, Mother Nature seems to have a hand in every sophisticated home nowadays. In addition to their aesthetic value, homes centered on organic materials such as stone, wood, and natural fabrics are also healthier and cleaner energy-wise. Eager to try out the natural formula at home? Here are some elements that will help introduce a fresh, natural feel into your space.

David says: In regards to interiors I don’t tend to follow trends, trends can inspire but in my opinion you should go with what makes you feel happy which will end up being timeless as it’s something you really like rather than what is on trend, But I agree that natural elements are great in interiors and they never really go out

Stone

The most durable natural material, stone can be used instead of tiles in contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, but stone veneer can also be incorporated into walls, fireplaces, and worktops for added personality and surprising décor twist. Depending on the budget and target look, you can rock out your home in marble, limestone, travertine, granite, slate, or sandstone. Stone for indoor use is rated according to porosity, hardness, water absorption, and abrasion and impact resilience, so you should follow recommended maintenance guidelines to ensure lasting charm and maximum longevity of stone surfaces.

David says: Stone is a lovely product but needs to used wisely, too much stone can make a scheme feel cold and uninviting and a little too commercial. As per the pictures above it must be teamed with softer/warmer material like wood.

Wood

Another natural material that occupies an important place in 21st-century homes, wood is used in flooring and furniture manufacturing, but you can take the timber game up a notch and opt for faux wood wallpapers to achieve a well-rounded natural look. Cost-efficient wood types which can be deployed in a natural décor include oak, maple, poplar, elm, and walnut. If you are aiming for a more exotic ambiance, however, turn to high-end timbers such as mahogany, teak, and cedar, or spice up your home with the help of voguish custom blinds and shades made from bamboo or rattan.

David says: For me wood is a must in every interior design scheme, it can totally warm up a room in an instant, wood is being used far more than just for furniture and flooring, walls are now being clad in wood and if done in the correct way can look fab. Again you must team it with other material as too much wood can be overkill as you don’t want your room looking like a sauna!!

Metal

Metal is one more organic material found in a modern home, and trending design styles such as vintage and industrial often rely on metallic charisma for added décor character. Copper, brass, wrought iron, and zinc can be mixed or paired with wood, concrete, and stone in contemporary homes to achieve stylistic eclecticism and increase visual interest. Creative blends of metal and other organic materials add textural opulence, variety, and urbane feel to a nature-inspired home. Metal elements can be either polished to high shine or left slightly matte for an intriguing design twist. 

David says: Love love metal, same principle as all the natural materials it must be mixed with softer items, but a touch of gold, copper or bronze can lift an interior and gives that little bit of bling without being footballers wives!!

Organic fiber

While wood, stone, and metal provide a framework for a natural home, organic fabrics are used to warm up the décor and add a note of comfort. Jute, cotton, linen, canvas, silk, cashmere, and homespun are the most popular natural textiles found in a sleek contemporary home. The color palette of organic fabrics for indoor use ranges from soothing neutrals and pastels to flourishes of bold hues and botanical and animal prints. As a general rule, vivid textiles can be deployed as accents, but excess use of bright colors should be avoided as it can produce a garish effect and shatter visual unity.

David says: Every interior has to have a soft side, so fabrics is a must to soften the overall look and can be the holding pin in the scheme, you can go to town with the fabrics adding that all important splash of colour or you can tome down the scheme with natural neutral fabrics but be careful this works best with a more dramatic scheme as you don’t want the overall look being too bland. Linen is a favourite of mine and always works well with the natural home look.

Natural details

Potted plants have by now become a must-have for an elegant home. Foliage used indoors adds both visual interest and keeps the air clean and fresh. Succulents are very on-trend, and they can increase aesthetic value of the décor, especially when combined with pastel hues and light organic fabrics such as jute, cotton, and linen. Other items sourced from Mother Nature that can add a personal touch and break up monotony of sleek modernist design include ivory figurines, potpourri, nature-inspired wall art, seashells, pinecones, and other treasures collected during outdoor adventures.

Nature has sneaked indoors and settled there for good. A good thing it has, too: homes inspired by nature are neater and healthier than those centered on abundant use of synthetic materials. Eager to spice up the vibe in your living area? Then make sure to follow in the natural footsteps for lasting aesthetic appeal.

David says: Adding botanicals to any room gives it an instant lift, I am a massive fan of faux foliage as it everlasting and really can lift the a scheme, when working on a show home this is one thing we add a lot and really finishes off the overall look. Outdoor plants coming inside is going to be a big part of interiors in the coming years.

Image sources: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7

Watch this space, my next blog will be about the all important mood board and how effective this process can be when designing your scheme.

David