Bringing The Outdoors In!

Although we help our clients express themselves in a rainbow of colors, it’s no coincidence that many people prefer to decorate in greens and blues. Subconsciously or not, people lean toward these colors because they are commonly found in nature, and we crave that connection with the bigger, biological world around us. In our tech-obsessed, phone-glued-to-the-hand, rush society, coming home to soothing colors and textures that remind us of nature feels like a return to the calmer, rhythmic nature of the outdoors.

Photo Courtesy of Decoration Magazine

Beyond a nature-inspired color palette, bringing the outdoors indoors can mean as grand a gesture as creating easier, literal transitions between your interior and exterior spaces.

Photo Courtesy of Flavia Chic

 Or it can take a much smaller, more subtle form. Our favorite mood-booster, fresh flowers, instantly create a natural focal point in any room and remind us to stop and smell the roses (or whatever you gave in your current arrangement).

Large plants, such as a ficus tree, can provide a more lasting reminder of nature in your home. Consider adding a citrus tree such as a dwarf Meyer Lemon tree for a splash of sunshine; depending on where you live, you can move the tree outdoors for the warmer months.

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

 If you’ve got a brown thumb, try low-maintenance plants such as succulents. Even incorporating a fake tree in the décor may help give you a little lift (and serve as a reminder to head outside for a real nature fix).

The Pass, Byron Bay, Australia (Gray Malin)

Featuring natural fabrics into your home also brings a multi sensory indoor/outdoor experience that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We often select materials such as wool, silk, bamboo, and linen over nylon and polyester. Not only do we like the fact that they derive from naturally occurring and replenish-able resources; these materials are often more breathable, pleasantly tactile and even tout some cool properties. Cotton and linen, for example, are both fade-resistant. Choose jute or sea-grass for a natural floor covering option: the feel of these natural fibers will instantly bring you back to your childhood years of playing outside with bare feet.

Photo Courtesy of Serena and Lily

Photo Courtesy of Habitus Living

Finally, let there be light! While shutters are common design feature for certain home styles, we favor letting in as much natural light as possible and maximizing views to the outdoors. During some client renovations, we have even added windows to allow more light into the space.

Being in nature has been associated with a panoply of benefits including lowered stress levels, improving mood, and increased ability to focus. It may be a tall order to ask our interiors to do the same, but by choosing natural colors, textures, and fabrics, we can create a pleasurable room that celebrates the outdoors even as we remain indoors.

Photo Courtesy of Old House Online