Bringing Nature Home

By Colleen's Contributor Maureen McGough

A Nature-Inspired Home 

The change of seasons may mean cooler temperatures and dwindling fall foliage, but it also provides the perfect opportunity to naturally update your décor. Preserve the elements and create an earthy, cozy interior by bringing nature’s beauty to your home. Invite Mother Nature inside with botanical-themed furnishings, wall art in organic motifs, and nature-inspired accessories.

Furniture and Lighting

From tables to task lamps, furnishings are going au naturel. Welcome wood log tables and tree-inspired lighting sources to your living space or bedroom for a touch of the wilderness.

Genuine log pieces are stunning, but you don’t have to import the forest to get the look. Some impressive imitations can convey an effect that’s both organic and contemporary. Cast in fiberglass and resin, this bronze-finished log side table looks rich and realistic.

Twigs and branches sound rustic, yet they manage to form lamps that look stylish and modern. A faux tree branch creates a sophisticated desk lamp.

For a look that’s still inspired but less literal, try a lamp with a delicate tree silhouette painted against a dark background. The effect gives a natural, yet formal touch.

Dining With Nature

Enjoy all the pleasures of a picnic – minus the bugs – while dining indoors with Mother Nature. Elegant tableware and service pieces are enriched by organic, forest-like details.

This watercolor-patterned dinnerware bursts with flora and fauna.

Complete the natural look with coordinating napkins and placemats.

Wall Art

To create a naturally soothing backdrop, adorn your walls with nature-inspired prints and sculptures. We love the large artwork and three-dimensional wall pieces from Plantation Design as they add depth and drama.

Go for an earthy look with hand-painted prints.

Classic black and white photos get an organic spin when depicting oversized wildflowers or leaves.

For a modern feel, hang natural-meets-contemporary sculptures like these iron twigs.

Accent Pieces

Celebrate nature’s beauty with artfully arranged accent pieces. They don’t have to be huge to have presence. Here are some ideas for how to decorate around the home using just a few key items.

Spruce up any room and show off the beauty of the environment with wood grain and branch-patterned throw pillows two examples come Bloomingdales and Plantation Design.

For a more modern interpretation, try decorating with ceramic, wood-inspired pieces. A clean, ivory color looks especially contemporary.

Terrarium displays let you enjoy the fleeting days of fall long after the ground has frozen over. Fill oversized glass apothecary glass jars with tiny gourds and plant life to create a mini-ecosystem. Place a terrarium in a spot that gets natural sunlight.

Showcase small woodland creatures, such as butterfly or bird sculptures. When crafted in metal, they take on a look that’s less quirky-collectible and more classic work of art.

While the weather forecast calls for chilly temperatures, inside your home can be a timeless tribute to all seasons. Decorate with nature-inspired pieces and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors all year long!